Look directly ahead at the spot on the glass... that's it, now hold that...'
Ned was staring at a black dot on a white sticker that was somewhere around eye height beside the passport office window. Just below it was a small hole where he assumed the camera lens was hidden.
'Should I be smiling? I want to look friendly in my passport' Ned asked as he stared ahead.
The lady behind the glass was looking at a computer monitor to her left and fiddling with the mouse, 'no, you can't smile, just look natural'.
Ned stood still and tried to smile with his eyes.
'Ok, that's fine'.
Ned relaxed his shoulders and shuffled across in front of the glass barrier. 'Can I see?'
The lady twisted the monitor around slightly so Ned could see the image on the screen.
'Oh no, can we take another one, I look like a Russian hitman in that picture'.
The passport lady looked at the screen then back at Ned, 'it's fine, it looks like you, that's the main thing'.
'I'm going to America, I don't want them to think I'm a bad guy'.
'This photo will be fine' the lady replied reassuringly, 'they can keep you out because your photo isn't pretty'.
'And I'll definitely get the passport in time?'
'You'll get it in two weeks'
'Definitely?'
'Definitely'.
Ned looked at the name badge sitting on the desk next to the mousepad, 'thanks Sharon'.
Sharon gave Ned a confused smile, 'ok, have fun'.
YOU ARE READING
Tip Rats
General FictionNed wants to make something of his life, he's just not sure what that something is. He's watched his father rot in front of the television for as long as he can remember and he's afraid he'll end up doing the same. That's what the little town of Bun...
