The Book of Salt

The novel shifts back in time to the love affair between Chef Bleriot and Binh. Their relationship is apparent even to the young boys at the market. Eventually, the household servants take note, though Binh doesn’t know which servant tells on them. The affair comes to the attention of the Madame’s secretary, who has a crush on the chef. Out of jealousy, she wants Binh removed from the household. She tells the chef to let her handle the situation and tells the Madame that Binh is spreading lies that he and Bleriot are lovers. For that, Binh is dismissed; as her final vengeful act, the Madame’s secretary writes to the Old Man about the scandal.

The chauffeur admits he told the Madame’s secretary, also out of jealousy about the chef. When the secretary told the Madame, the Madame had to act, not because of their sexuality, but due to the difference in race and social standing between the two men. The chauffeur informs Binh that in medical school he had learned about Binh’s “condition,” and could help him get over it. Binh has heard about these silly would-be cures before and is not remotely interested.