Introduction

"The Middleman" is a short story by Bharati Mukherjee, first published in 1988. The story is set in a fictional Central American country during a period of political unrest, likely inspired by the civil wars of the 1980s. Mukherjee, an Indian-American author, often explores themes of immigration, identity, and cultural displacement, and "The Middleman" is no exception. The story centers on Alfie Judah, an Iraqi-Jewish fugitive navigating a volatile landscape caught between his troubled past and uncertain future as he gets entangled in a world of political intrigue and violence.

Plot Summary

Alfie Judah, a fugitive from the United States, has fled to a politically unstable Central American country, living on the estate of Clovis Ransome, a wealthy American involved in shady dealings. Alfie, an Iraqi Jew, has long felt like an outsider, whether in his homeland or now in this foreign country. His dark complexion allows him to blend in more easily with the locals, but he remains on the fringes, a true "middleman" in every sense.

Ransome and his associate, Bud Wilkins, are involved in weapons trafficking. When Bud invites Alfie on a "fishing trip," Alfie declines, suspecting it's a mission to transport arms. Ransome instead suggests that Alfie stay behind to protect Maria, Ransome's mysterious wife, who has a past relationship with the country's president.

Maria asks Alfie to drive her to a nearby market town, and he agrees. Along the way, Maria stops at a remote village called Santa Simona, which turns out to be a guerrilla camp. Alfie is surprised to discover that Maria is connected to the rebel guerrillas and that they have hijacked Bud Wilkins's shipment of weapons. Maria leaves Alfie alone at the camp while she meets with the guerrillas, one of whom, Andreas, she appears to have an intimate relationship with.

Maria and Alfie return to the ranch. Along the way, Maria says that she had orchestrated the hijacking of Bud Wilkins's shipment of weapons to help Andreas, her first lover, before the president stole her away from him. Maria then expresses her feelings for Alfie and suggests they run away together. Alfie is shocked and conflicted by Maria's revelations and her advances.

Alfie and Maria return to the compound to find Ransome already there. He is very drunk. Nonchalantly, he tells them that rebel guerrillas have killed Bud. Ransome passes out, and Alfie carries him to his bed. Eduardo, the servant, is nowhere to be found.

With everyone else either dead, asleep, or absent, Alfie and Maria take the opportunity to spend the night together. Later, Maria tells of her history of being abused and objectified by men over the years. 

Alfie awakes in the predawn hours. Andreas and the other guerillas have arrived with Eduardo. Maria has been expecting them. They lose interest in Alfie when she says he is not the "Americano" they are after. Ransome tries to negotiate with them. He calmly and politely offers them money and Maria in exchange for his life.

After taking all of Ransome's money, Andreas hands Maria a pistol. She kills Ransome. Then she points the weapon at Alfie, amused by her sudden power, before returning the pistol to Andreas. They leave Alfie alone in the compound. He decides to sell the information he now has about the rebels to the government in a few days.

Someone in the capital will be happy to know about Santa Simona, about Bud, Clovis. There must be something worth trading in the troubles I have seen.