Citizen Théotime is a local African mechanic and drunk who gains possession of Salim’s store during nationalization. Théotime is illiterate, spending most of his days at the shop in the backroom reading comic books, leaving Salim and Metty to do all the actual work. As a result, he demands a strange combination of deference and consideration, wanting their absolute respect while also having concessions made for his lack of capabilities. He has Salim become his chauffeur and is especially cruel to Metty as a means of flexing his position, but is ultimately ineffectual at getting either to follow his orders.