The Tale of Jorji Costava
Chapter 1December 11th, 1982, the line was wrapping around for miles to get into the small grey box like building across the way. What a day is has been already. The pavement had enough snow to build an igloo out of it. Jorji's old shirt was clearly not enough to ward the night's cold brisk winds. He woke up to his neck in snow covering his old grey vest. It wasn't much coverage, but he was happy with what Erika did for him. His long, greying beard was frozen stiff. He was tired, but opportunity was waiting. With every call from the loudspeakers over the box-like building, his heart pounded faster and faster! For in that little box he was to see his new friend, the new Arstotzkan border patrol Inspector. This time for sure he would get in. He was sure of it. After all his freshly pressed passport and supplements were all he needed.
A few hours past and the line had shrunk significantly. Jorji knew he would be there for hours. Every second felt like days, most gave up after 2 days and returned to their home. Jorji liked those people because it meant he would get in faster.
At about half past noon, the cloud coverage became thick and the wet snow was beginning to flurry. Jorji was bored, his hands were freezing in all the ice and wind. He wanted to go over to the fire barrels by the box building, but by doing so he would give up his place in line. People always warmed Jorji up as he liked talking to them to see what excitement he could find in them. He made small talk with the lady in front of him.
"Eh, very cold day today. No?" He said to her, while rubbing his hands together. The lady was dressed in a wonderful blue gown and was holding hands with the man to her left. Upon hearing Jorji's call glanced towards him and gave a confused look to him and turned back to her husband and his book.
"You think line is, eh, very long?" he asked. He began to stare with an almost childlike wonder as if he were anticipating her answer. The lady glanced again at him and quickly gathered her thoughts. Her lips began to shiver as she spoke.
"W-Well, my husband and I have been here all night, so I'm not sure. It seems to move very slowly. Then again this checkpoint has always been slow"
Her eyes shifted to her husband as if to say that she was not interested in Jorji's questions. To her, Jorji was being annoying and very rude to ask her anything. She hoped he would not press any further. Jorji's eyes widened and he gave her a smile. She seemed to be slightly frightened by his stare.
"Hopefully, there is heating inside checkpoint. Frostbite is very bad for my fingers." Jorji jested as he hid his ring finger and showed the lady. The lady clearly did not like Jorji's joking. She whispered something to her husband. He was busy reading his book, and his began to sigh. He was very exasperated and looked mad.
"Sir, can you stop bothering my wife? She and I have been waiting here patiently all flippin' night and I am beyond tired! I would hate to see what becomes of you after I am done with you!" He angrily barked at Jorji.
"Look, eh, I am very sorry, I don't mean to rude. Just wanted to talk to someone." Jorji sank his head in disappointment. He was heartbroken that someone did not want to speak to him. The fear had certainly gripped his heart rate. His blood was pumping, and the adrenaline surged. He felt warm when talking to the lady, and even when he was afraid of the man. But alas it was a fleeting feeling. The icy weather was biting through his skin, down to his very bone. What was he to do?
Two hours passed and the line moved a bit. Jorji was a little closer to the fire barrels. The barrels were burning a bright amber color. He wanted so badly to go over and warm up by the fire. Then again losing his place would be far worse than any cold. Thoughts began to race through Jorji's head. "I wonder if the nice inspector will let me in. What kind of restaurants does he like? Does he have a family?" He thought to himself.
Two more hours and Jorji was at the head of the line. The box-like checkpoint was right in front of him. It wasn't the end for him if he didn't get in. Jorji was ready for all challenge! He couldn't wait to see the inspector's face as he was allowed in. Joy filled Jorji's heart. The cold day mattered not. Jorji could feel the warmth behind the door. He smiled.
Just then a loud buzzing noise rang out! It was time. Jorji had no intentions of being rejected. He had everything he needed. Jorji got off the cold hard pavement and walked up to the door. His gloves gripped against the cold metal handle and opened the door. A gust of hot air burst out, and Jorji entered the small building.
Upon seeing the door open the inspector's eyes rolled, and he sighed. Jorji closed the door and stood on the marker. The room was small and private. Two Filing cabinets on either side. Two lights with an Arstotzkan flag hanging between it. A wooden countertop with a stained acrylic Plexiglas covering. It was dark on the entrant's side. Just a height marker wall, decorated with a wall flag for the Arstotzkan Arsekickers, and a plaque for being suffice. The room smelled like dry rot and old cement. It made your nose pucker as you came in. But the warmth was a welcome change to the artic winds outside.
Jorji reached into his vest pocket and pulled out all his papers as the inspector said:
"Papers, please."
Jorji put all the papers into the little slot. The inspector first took the passport and entry permit. Eyeing it carefully. Jorji had made the inspector nervous the last couple of visits since he brought in a forged passport, and an entry ticket. The atmosphere was very thick today. Jorji felt the inspector's tension, and to light the mood he made small talk.
"Again, I am here! Everything is set up now. I come to see you often. We become good friends!" Jorji said and smiled.
The inspector checked all the documents and made a puzzled face once he got to the identity supplement tag.
"Your weight is different." The inspector said
"Is very sad story. My wife is very good cook. If I do not eat, she get very mad."
The inspector's eyes grew cold at Jorji's. Jorji felt his nerves tense up. His legs became locked and stiff. A single sweat drop formed on his right temple. The inspector looked at a monitor, and then Jorji heard a click. The lights shut off, and he heard curtains.
"Turn towards the scanner please." The inspector's cold voice requested.
"Uh oh! Maybe you not like this!" Jorji said as there was a flash of light blinding him. Then another! It was if he was being x rayed. Jorji's eyes adjusted to the darkness. Jorji was caught. And he knew it. The Arstotzkan government is known to harshly punish those who do illegal things.
The sound of a printer broke the silence. Jorji's eyes grew wide, and he turned around.
"What is this?" The inspector's angry eyes glared into Jorji. His jaw began to twitch and felt his body temperature rise. Jorji knew he had to come up with something quick! But then he remembered what his momma told him. "Honesty is the best policy." He also was short on cash now, all he had was 10 credits. But it would be an investment if he got in. After all, Jorji was about to make a big score with Dani in East Grestin. So Jorji swallowed his pride and said:
"Is drugs. I have a little side business. You let me through, I give you something."
"Something what?" The inspector's eyebrows raised a very suspicious look towards Jorji.
"10 Credits! I'll give you 10 credits just for little stamp!" Jorji pulled out his wallet and emptied it on the counter.
The inspector's eyes grew cold. Jorji heard another click! The lights turned off. A red flashing alarm blared.
"Wait here Jorji." The cold inspector's voice said to him.
"Is ok, I understand. Drugs are not good for kids. You do great work still!" he said. He collected his money, put it in his wallet and back into his pocket. Jorji heard the rushing sound of footsteps. He knew he was caught.
Two guards rushed over to the checkpoint and opened the door. Jorji's eyes were flashed with a blinding bright light!
"OUT!" One of them yelled at Jorji. Jorji sunk his head low and began to walk towards the door. This all was nothing new. He had been denied a few times already and detained once.
Previously the guards gave him a warning, and he was thrown out of the building's back side to Kolechia and told to get his affairs in order before entering the country. This time was different, they confiscated his wares, then came the strip search.
The room was dark and dank from lack of light. It was clear they tortured prisoners here. There was a car battery and wires on a bench. Some blood-soaked power tools. And a chair with straps all along it. They slammed Jorji against a wall and ripped off all his clothes. It was cold in the room.
Jorji tried to keep a straight face as the guard felt him up. "Look, if I knew you swung that way, I'd call my friend Pietr out here for some fun, eh?" Jorji felt a punch to his crotch and one directly to his face. It stunned him, as he fell to the ground letting out a painful moan. Jorji sunk to the ground. "Get up!" The guard ordered and threw Jorji's clothes at him.
"Alright, Maybe I deserve that. Bad joke is no way for me go to jail. Maybe we work out deal. Eh? I pay you, you let me go. Sound good, friend?" Jorji said in pain.
The guard paused for a minute, looked to the other one. "How much are we talking?" He inquired.
"10 credits right now. But I pay you 200 credits later." Jorji said while groaning.
"200? That's all?" The guard said. "Most make it 500 Credits." The guard said.
"Is ok with 350?" Jorji offered.
"425." The guard retorted.
"380" Jorji stated.
The guard stopped dealing and thought to himself. He let out a sigh. "Deal, but you better come back and pay us within three days.
"See, You very nice after all! I like you! You have difficult job. I get it." Jorji put the down payment on the counter.
"Oh no! you are not getting off that easy." The guard said grabbing his arms. The guards picked him up and threw him out into the Kolechian border. Jorji would have to try again. He needed to talk to Alex about getting new papers.
"Well. That was fun. Inspector and guards work hard. I should too If I want to score big. Maybe I should go visit Alex in West Grestin." Jorji thought.
He walked off towards the city.