The City & the City: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

Borlú and Dhatt go back into the office and try to act normally, but they feel paranoid. Dhatt agrees to arrange getting a militsya uniform for Yolanda, and one for Borlú as well, just to make the process of crossing the border smoother. Eventually, Bowden calls Yallya’s phone. Borlú offers to get him out, and although Bowden refuses to reveal his location, he wants to come and will keep calling Yallya’s phone. Meanwhile, Dhatt protests this plan because he doesn’t have documents for Bowden, but Borlú begs him to do what he can and to bring another uniform in case Bowden shows up. At 7pm, Corwi announces she has everything ready on the Besź side.

Meanwhile, Borlú and Dhatt make final arrangements with those they are leaving behind in Ul Qoma, including telling the Gearys that they have must speak to a new contact in the militsya—something Borlú feels bad about. At half past midnight, Bowden calls again. Borlú tells him he has “one shot,” and if he wants to leave, he should meet them by the traffic gate outside Copula Hall at 7pm the next day. On that day, Borlú doesn’t check out of his hotel. He leaves his belongings there, all except his copy of Between the City and the City.

Borlú takes a taxi to Yolanda’s hideout. His driver is a Kurdish refugee who has been living in Ul Qoma for four years and speaks highly of it. Borlú asks him to point out his favorite places in the city. When Borlú finally gets to Yolanda, he tells her to prepare to leave. He instructs her to warn Aikam that he’s not coming, because he doesn’t want “a scene at Copula Hall.” When Yolanda tells him this Aikam protests, but she promises to call him from Canada. In the car, Dhatt gives Borlú and Yolanda militsya uniforms to change into. When they arrive at Copula Hall, the guards do not ask any questions, but usher them straight through. As Borlú walks through, he sees the familiar sights of Besźel in the distance.

Borlú thinks he sees Corwi, but in that moment, Dhatt alerts him to a man walking behind them. He is wrapped up in winter clothing, which is perfectly ordinary, but is walking in a strange, aggressive manner. Dhatt and Borlú attempt to push Yolanda ahead. The bundled man reaches into his jacket and Borlú instinctively does the same, before remembering that his gun has been taken. There is a sound. The man shouts his name and Borlú realizes it is Bowden. Dhatt is shouting; both he and Yolanda have been shot. Chaos ensues, and Borlú sees people fleeing from a figure pointing a rifle.