Papers, Please

by ElwynZ

The year is 1982, and the Cold War leads to increased tension around the world. However, deep behind the Iron Curtain, an obscure war between Arstotska and Kolechia has just come to an end. Andrei [REDACTED] is called to East Grestin to control the flow of immigrants and decide who to deny entry and who to allow. Along the way, he begins to lose faith in his country. And himself.

"Open up!"

The sound of loud banging at the door resounds throughout the one-room apartment. The flimsy walls shook from the force behind the man's knocks. In the corner of the apartment, huddled into a ball against the cold, Andrei's eyes shot open. For a moment, he didn't know exactly what had caused him to wake. He sat up, blinking and rubbing his eyes. Suddenly, the man outside knocked again, much more forcefully this time. Andrei stood up as the others began to stir.

Andrei hurried to put on his clothes, and was halfway into his underwear when the door burst open. None of the doors in the tenement hand locks on them. Locks were expensive, and, after all, it was not like Andrei's family had anything valuable to protect.

The man standing at the door, seemingly unfazed by Andrei's nakedness, stood stiffly, staring straight ahead and avoiding eye contact with the 5 people in the room who had woken and were looking at him. He began speaking in a dull monotone.

"Congratulations. The October labour lottery is complete. Your name was pulled." The man glanced at Andrei before looking away and continuing.

"For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling."

The man put his hand up in a salute. Andrei's family, recognizing the familiar gesture, followed suit. They all counted to three under their breaths and said in unison the mantra that they all had been taught since childhood.

"Glory to Arstotska!"

The man abruptly turns and leaves, not bothering to shut the door behind him. Andrei gently grasped the doorknob and closed it.

Ever since the Arstotskan economy was devastated by the war with Kolechia, it seemed that no one had a job. Indeed, most people lived off of unemployment money. It was a relief that Andrei had finally gotten a job. The Class-8 apartment was substantially better than their current one in Nirsk, which was built before the Reformation.

The entire family was happy, exclaiming about their luck. Only Andrei was quite worried. Now that he had a job and the family would stop receiving unemployment money, it was entirely up to him to support them, and he knew that he would not be forgiven if he made a mistake. The rest of the morning was spent packing their meager possessions and saying their goodbyes. Despite what they said to their neighbours and old friends, they thought that they would never miss Nirsk. Little did they know that in one short month, they would wish that they never left the decrepit old town.