2024

Chapter 2: The funny guy.

April 2, 2024

Miguel returns to his booth again, reading his newspaper. The newspaper is vital for him to obtain information for his job.

'Calinev Customs a Success!

Entry Restrictions Relaxed, Admit Foreigners

April 2, 2024- Following the successful operations at Calinevian Customs yesterday, the Department of Immigration and Customs has now allowed foreigners to enter Calinev. Travelers are relieved for easier movement.'

'Increased Trade and Cooperation Predicted

Imports and Exports of Goods to Increase with Relaxed Tariffs

April 2, 2024- The first shipment of Kalosian and Unovan goods has arrived at Seraphos City Port, marking the beginning of improved relations between nations. The first shipments of machinery made by Lincoln Industries to former Nihon states are to be commenced, aiding the rebuilding processes.'

"Praise Arceus for this", said Miguel to himself, and arrive at his booth. He reads the official bulletin given by the Department of Immigration and Customs every day.

'Calinev April 2, 2024

Department of Immigration and Customs

Official Bulletin

Inspector,

From now on, foreigners with a valid passport are permitted to enter.

Your booth's inspection scanner is now installed.

Check all passport information carefully for discrepancies. Deny any entrant with inconsistent or obsolete information.

Inspection Scanner

Inspect by using the scanner at your desk. While inspecting, highlight discrepant information for further options.

Immigration and Customs Protocols

This post is bound by Department of Immigration and Customs Protocols. Study the protocols closely using the application, I.C.P.

Arceus bless Calinev.'

Miguel opens the checkpoint as soon as his shift begins. A Kalosian traveler came inside. "Papers please", said Miguel. The entrant hands him his passport. Miguel scanned the passport, and after ensuring no inconsistencies, he stamps approval, and gave the passport back. 'Welcome to Calinev, enjoy your visit', greeted Miguel.

A Johtonian traveler followed, and handed him the passport. When he scanned the passport, he found out that the passport was expired yesterday. He stamps denial, and handed over him, saying: "Please renew your passport". The traveler left the booth.

The day continues as he processes the entrants, and at one time met a Ninetales-morph female entrant who handed him an advert for a 'hostess club'. However, his day was cut short on 4 pm, just as he finished processing the 125th entrant. He witnessed a human male trespassed the customs by ramming through the gates of another booth, and charged towards the 3 guards guarding the arrival hall. The trespasser threw a Molotov cocktail at the guards, just before he was neutralized by the stun guns. The Molotov cocktail explodes, killing the 3 guards. The entrants dispersed into a frightened crowd, leaving the customs area.

"Attention, all airport security personnel, we have a situation at the customs checkpoint. Please head towards the area immediately", the broadcaster announced. Miguel was shocked over this incident. Did that terrorist just firebombed those guards? People outside still feel angry over Calinev after all this conflict in the '5-year war'? Seriously? Miguel quickly left his booth for safety. "Miguel, sorry about your dismissal, we have to close the customs checkpoint and inspect this situation", apologized security officer Cā Chien, as he walked past Miguel.

Miguel was paid 625 dollars, and as he left the airport, he decided to buy a DVD of the latest season of the hit TV series, Pokémon RéBURST. Produced by Sierrawood Productions, the TV series takes place in Calinev during the 5-year war, where a private defense team who can transform into Pokémon-hybrids, defend the nation from the Anthropro Bund. "The family's going to love it" thought Miguel, heading for the video and music store. After buying the DVD for 15$, Miguel heads back to the apartment, for a TV night.

April 3, 2024

'Terrorist Attack at Seraphos International Airport!

Unovan Agitators Suspected

April 3, 2024- An arson attack at Seraphos City International Airport has occurred yesterday, causing the death of 3 security guards, and the temporary lockdown of the airport. Security has been reinforced at the customs area, with the increase of security guards to 5 and the addition of security cameras. Stricter customs are implemented.'

Miguel went back to his booth, and reads the official bulletin just before his work begins. As the protocols change every day, he must read it before shift.

'Calinev April 3, 2024

Department of Immigration and Customs

Official Bulletin

Inspector,

Entry for non-citizens is now regulated.

All foreigners require a valid entry ticket.

Verify information before stamping passport entry visa and returning all documents to entrant.

Entry ticket

Entry ticket has a space for the current date to be written on the right, and a Calinevian logo on the left.

Arceus bless Calinev.'

Miguel checked the protocols to identify the entry ticket. It is a paper strip, with space for the date to be written on the right, and a Calinevian logo on the left.

Miguel began his shift, and opened the gate. The first entrants entered his booth, and he inspects the entry ticket and passports given by the entrants. Sometimes the entrants forgot to bring up their entry ticket, and they showed it to him when he asked. Miguel hypothesizes that every traveler to other nations usually only need passports.

However, Miguel noticed something suspicious when a female Delphox-morph came to the booth, giving him the same advert as yesterday. Miguel wondered what those women do in Calinev, probably working at the entertainment industry, one of Calinev's most relaxed industries. Another entrant came to his booth after her, a Sinnoan male. As he processed the documents, the entrant talked to Miguel.

"I heard about the terrorist attack yesterday", said the entrant. "Good thing you survived the attack. Those fascists just won't give up". When Miguel handed the approved documents to the entrant, he said: "Peace be upon thy". Miguel only desire is to provide the family a good life, so he made a little prayer to Arceus, and went on to work.

As his shift draws to an end, he met a funny looking old man, with a beard and a shaggy hairstyle. He doesn't seem well cleaned. "Alright, here we go!" said the old man, "Hail President Rudolph! Eternal glory to Calinev, the greatest nation of them all!"

"Where's your passport, sir?" asked Miguel. "Calinev so glorious, so heavenly, no need for passport", replied the old man. "Sir, Calinev isn't a part of the Ryukyu Community, you need a passport to enter" explained Miguel. "Alright then, I'll be back", said the old man, and walked away. Miguel left his post. How did that old man enter Calinev without a passport? He must have glided his way to the airport. Miguel returns home with 740$ for processing 148 entrants.

As he walked to his apartment, he was given a flyer for a Pokémon battle tournament by a man with a hoodie. It surprised him, as Pokémon battling is outlawed by the Calinevian government for Pokémon abuse reasons, putting Calinev in a bad situation in international affairs. It might be because of Team Plasma's hypocrisy that has tarnished the discussion on Pokémon welfare. Calinev is seen as a pariah state ever since that discussion that became an argument. He disposed the flier, dismissing it as an underground activity.

April 4, 2024

'Underground Activity Explodes Post Border Openings

Government Blames Lax Immigration Controls

April 4, 2024- Numerous illegal activities are uncovered by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, from trading of performance enhancing drugs and Pokéballs, to underground Pokémon battles. As police officers has busted down a makeshift pit arena in a Meztican City warehouse, authorities has discovered many participants and hosts are foreign and local humans.'

Miguel returns to the post, he was informed that the protocols are updated. Miguel quickly read the bulletin.

'Calinev April 3, 2024

Department of Immigration and Customs

Official Bulletin

Inspector,

Stricter protocols have been implemented.

Calinevian citizens must show their identity card.

Foreigners must secure and present a valid entry permit.

Entry tickets are obsolete.

Check all information thoroughly.

Entry Pass

The entry pass included details like purpose of stay, duration of stay, and name of entrant. A red stamp with the acronym I.C.D. and the keyhole logo is stamped on it.

Identity Card

Identity cards contain the citizen's identification, consisting of name, date of birth, height, weight, photo, and home provinces, namely Norcal, Cencal, Lithium Valley, Wescal, Socal, Nevan Basin, Nevan Canyons, and Orre.

Deny any applicant with discrepant documents.

Refer to the voice transcript from the recorder to correlate entrant's statements.

Arceus bless Calinev.'

His shift has begun; foreign travelers are confused over the new regulations, and some still give him their entry tickets. Miguel explained the new rule to the entrants, and denied them. "Please obtain your entry permit", said Miguel to one of the frustrated entrants. Despite the displeasure expressed from the entrants, he remained calm and explained the protocols patiently. Humans or Pokémorphs, he'll help them as much as he's permitted to.

2:00 am. The same old man came to the booth again. He seems happy-go-lucky all the time, even in a serious environment like the customs.

"Aloha, this time I have passport, surely can go", said the old man, giving out his passport, or what it could pass off as. Miguel took the passport, and looked at it. The passport cover has 3 maple leaves pointing north, southwest and southeast along with 3 branches pointing the opposing directions, bearing the country name of Skalin. He looked at the entry visa section. The old man's name is Giorgio Gustave, born in July 28, 1965. The passport stated that its expiry date is June 8, 2084, and he's from Yuzno City. Miguel checked the protocols, and examined the countries recognized. There's no mention of Skalin.

Miguel stamped denial 3 times and returned to Giorgio. "Skalin in not a real country and this passport is a crude joke written with marker pens" said Miguel with displeasure. "You no like passport, I get it. I come back again with pretty one" replied Giorgio, with a semi-pissed off face, and walked away. "What an idiot" remarked Miguel, and went back to work.

The day ended with him processing the 140th entrant, and was paid 700$. At home, he's calculating the amount of money saved for his brother's prosthetic surgery. 1200$, 8800$ to go, thought Miguel. Miguel hoped to be able to get Alfonso back to work, so he can lessen Miguel's burden.