MEET

Hello. I'm Carl, the landlord.

Hello there. I'm George Dreiman. We just moved here.

What do you do for work?

I'm currently looking for a job. I applied at the Ministry of Employment.

I used to be an immigration officer.

You have an accent. Where are you from?

Our papers are fine. I didn't know having an accent was against the law.

That's not what I meant. It's just that foreigners are rare here.

Is it noticeable? Will we get in trouble?

Don't worry; there haven't been any orders about accents or illegal aliens yet.

Thanks! You've eased my mind. I've got a big family; not all of them are here yet - just me and my wife.

Others are on their way.

Others?

I have my hands full: there's my wife, my son, my mother-in-law, my uncle, my niece…

A lot, indeed.

How do you like it here?

I thought moving here would solve my problems. But it's no different from what we left behind.

There are plenty of ministries; the state controls everything. I even heard there are revolutionists here.

Well, control isn't such a bad thing. But yes, we do, indeed, have plenty of ministries.

Recently, they created the Ministry of Supervision and put it over the Ministry of Strict Control.

Have you heard of the Ministry of the Dental Innovations? And the Ministry of Stamps?

Not yet, although it's hard to keep track of everything that comes up.

In the last news, they want to merge the Ministry of Agriculture with the Ministry of Culture.

And what will it be called?

Ministry of Agriculture. We are busy arranging patriotic concerts in the fields.

Their Beetroot Motherland fest and the "Patriots Eat Turnips" play are very popular.

They're rehearsing a new play called "The Potato Flag of International Friendship."

Stop it. I can't listen to this anymore.

So what did you say you did before?

Immigration service inspector. Sat there checking passports.

I decided whether or not to let people into the country.

Sounds boring.

Oh no, there was no time to be bored. The immigration regulations kept changing every day.

Well, let's just say there were all sorts of people.

You must be an expert on papers, visas and such then.

We have what we have. Tell me if you need help.

I can easily spot a fake.

Do you know what's up with foreign travel nowadays? Are we allowed to go abroad?

Yes. There are still some other options, though they're pretty costly.

George. I'm not sure I should discuss this with you, but...can you help me and my family emigrate?

Do you want to leave? Are you having issues at work?

Between us, we moved because I had issues at my old job…

I'm not sure yet, but it could come in handy.

Okay, I'll help you, but it will be expensive. At least $145,000.

HOW MUCH?!

It's much cheaper to run away with smugglers, but there's no guarantee you won't be caught at the border.

Besides, being an illegal alien in the country to which you are going to will force you to hide forever.

I'm talking real papers, Carl. That requires a lot of signatures, authorizations, and confirmations from several departments.

Not just local ones, but also ones from the country to which you want to travel.

But as soon as you have all that, you'll be real citizens living there legally.

I understand. Are there ways to reduce it?

Do you need any documents allowing you to leave the country? Passports, tickets, etc.

If you do, bring it over, and we'll talk more.

Also, if you have friends here or abroad, we can get in touch with them.

Then it will be easier to get the paperwork, and you'll need less money.

I see. Thanks, George.

Got the papers?

You named the amount I need in order to leave!