The brisk wind of the Arstoskin winter gusted violently on my first day as border inspector. Sure, my family had a fine roof over their heads, but the daily tax had to be payed or the heat would be shut off. Next thing I know, I was standing outside the border. It was two massive chain link fences, a curving line, and a small stone shack that I assumed was where I would be operating.
"You there! Stop," shouted a deep voice followed by the clicking of a rifle.
"State your name and busin-"
"I'm Gorgili Arbliski! I am new border inspector," I exclaimed, cutting the brutish voice off.
"Where is uniform," demanded the giant, stepping forward and spinning me around. He was at least 224 cm tall (Seven foot, ten inches). He adorned a dark blue military uniform, a bayoneted rifle, and had next to black eyes. His build was extremely intimidating.
"I- I..." I gulped, "I didn't receive one," I stated hesitantly. His expression stiffened.
"Go to that booth and take the spare inside, and be quick about it!"
I hesitated for a moment, then shouted,"Thank you so much!"
His and shot to his chest in a fist and he exclaimed,"Glory to Artstoska!" On that note we parted ways. The shack contained a desk and chair, and locker in which stored the uniform. On the desk sat a news paper, a packet, and two stamps marked accepted and denied. Opening the locker, I adorned the uniform: sleek black boots, green uniform pants and jacket, a uniform hat with a red strip in the center, and a red band on the right sleeve.
*Beep! Beep!*
The alarm startled me.
"My shift has started," I thought. Sitting in the chair, I opened the packet. It said:
Welcome inspector! Congratulations on winning Lottery! Your job is to assess passports and accept or deny people based on information contained in the passports. There are some basic rules:
•Passport must not be expired
•Faces must match picture on passport.
These rules must be followed, failure to do so will result in three strikes before you are penalised.
Remember: The safety of Artstoska rests in your hands.
Glory to Artstoska!
Setting the paper down I pulled the intercom over and said,"Next!"
A thin man entered the booth and slid his passport across my desk.
"Finally! My new life in Artstoska can begin!"
"Yes, but I need to ask a few questions," I said looking over his passport.
"Sure, officer," the man stated enthusiastically.
"Name?"
"Nikili Verandas!"
"Age?"
"Twenty seven!"
"Gender?"
"Male!"
Everything matched what he said on the passport.
"Ok," I said looking up at the enthusiastic man," you may pass."
I stamped the passport and he left.
"Next!"
A guard entered the booth.
"Is there a problem?"
"No," he said," I just wanted to tell you if someone harasses you or tries to bribe you, you can press the button under your desk and the we will 'escort' them away." A vicious smirk crossed his face. "Glory to Artstoska."
He turned and left.
"What did he mean?"
"Next!"
A woman entered the booth.
"Papers Please."
She got a uneasy smile on her face and slid a five dollar bill onto my desk.
"Ummm... Ma'am? This isn't a passport."
"Why don't you let me past," she said, her smile becoming more uneasy.
"Ummm... I can't. Everyone needs a passport."
Nearly instantly her smile became desperation.
"Please! I need to get through! You can't make me leave!" She slammed her fists against the glass separating us. I slid my hand under the desk and pressed the small button. A security gate slammed down between us and a alarm sounded.
"What have you done," she shouted slamming her fists against the glass on the other side. From my point of view she was just a silhouette.
"Just please stay calm. The guard are on they're way," I said pushing away from the glass. The crunch of boots on snow was audible from outside.
"OUT," shouted the burly voice from before.
"No! NO!" shouted the silhouette from the other side of the glass.
Silence...
Then, a black boot slammed the door in.
"Get back!" The woman began swinging her fists at the guard. The stock of the guards gun smashes into the woman's face. She fell limp to the ground, her face covered in blood. The guard picked up the unconscious woman, slung her over his shoulder, and left.
NEWS FLASH!
Artstoska border shut early after uncooperative foreigner is knocked unconscious...
