Modern

After getting the keys to her temporary accommodations, Serbia is taken to see her small office in the EU. "Wow" she says unimpressed opening a tiny door in the basement of the EU building. "I love it" she adds sarcastically.

"I know it's not much, but all candidates started out this way" Germany, who has accompanied her, says.

"Really? All of them" she says unconvinced. Germany looks at his watch and declares: "I really don't have time to explain the entire protocol to you. You have all written down in the manual you were given once applying."

She sighs closing the door. "Fine, then" she groans as they walk back to the lobby. There a young men waits for them. Despite his age, his hair has already turned grey. Germany introduces him to Serbia and says: "And this will be your assistant here. I took the liberty of hand-picking him myself."

Serbia shakes the mans hands surprised by this revaluation. "Could you excuse us for a second" she says to him with a fake smile. Her assistant nods and let's the two nations speak in private.

"What's wrong with my assistant?" Serbia blurts.

Germany is taken aback. "Isn't she like a hundred years old by now? And besides, I hate how she always cowards in fear every time she sees me" he says as a thought bubble forms with him in a suit and the old Serbia assistant in Chibi versions. As the old lady shivers, Chibi Germany addresses her with an innocent "Good morning" to which the old lady yells out in fear. The bubble is pierced by Serbia's finger and reveals Germany's annoyed face.

"Not her...Her granddaughter. She has been my assistant ever since the first one retired."

Germany shakes his head disappointed. "Such nepotism and you don't even hide it. How do you expect to fit in here if you do not respect the progressive values of the Union."

Slightly offended, Serbia opens her mouth to say something but Germany quickly interrupts: "I assure you that he is an excellent choice for you. Why don't you give him a chance and see for yourself" he assures her checking his watch again.

Serbia sighs and glances at the young gray-haired man waiting. "Now, if you'll excuse me, if I don't hurry we can say farewell to European economy as we know it" Germany adds and leaves.

Next scene: Having no other choice, Serbia invites her new assistant to walk with her through this busy place. After asking him about his background and education, she continues to ask about his political views.

Next scene: Sitting down at the lobby, Serbia stares at him suspicious. "Look Tomislav...Can I call you Tomislav?" she asks.

"You can call me Tom...It's shorter" the nervous man replies.

"Yeah okay" she says and looks around.

Seeing a random person reading an EU newspaper, she asks: "Can I borrow one of the articles you finished please?"

The man obliges and she quickly returns with the sheet, reading it.

"Alright, what is your opinion on the relations of the former Yugoslav people?"

"Well...I believe that since the war ended with such an all encompassing peace deal, and the common goal to be a part of the EU, all kinds of hostilities should have ended a long time ago..." he declares. As he continues to talk, Serbia reads the article. By the time he is finished talking, she got to the last sentence. "And that is what I firmly believe on the subject" her assistant states proudly.

Making a face, Serbia is still glued to the article. "Well, I can say one thing. You're very good at cramming, because that was a word for word statement with what is written here."

The man smiles nervous and hides a facepalm.

"On the plus side, I can see why Germany likes you" she continues.

"Really? He said that?" the young man exclaims happy.

"Yes. And by your expression I see you admire him too."

"Oh, of course...The way he leads this union is really a work of art when you think about it" the man says mesmerised.

Rolling her eyes, the not so EU nation disagrees: "If you ask me, he'd be better off organising or working with machines. He doesn't seem to understand human beings and their nuances in all matters."

Her assistant frowns: "How so?"

Hesitant, she adds: "Well, he keeps oversimplifying them to fit into his tiny little boxes of what a human should be."

"I fail to see why that is so bad? That way everything is better organised and stable"

Not really having a perfect audience for this, Serbia ponders weather she should continue. "Have you ever heard of the tree of life?" she asks quieter.

"Um...as in the Bible?"

"Yes...I believe human beings are the tree of life. They branch out through their Earthly existence creating beautiful yet balanced forms. From a tiny seed, it needs protection and love to grow. The thin trunk needs to develop properly to sustain the abundant branches of the future treetop. Our decisions, big and small, lead to new experiences. They affect how the branches will spread out as well as how the leaves and fruit will form. If we do this right, the final result is a healthy and happy tree – or to put it simply, a fulfilled and purposeful human life. In other words, it's not something you should micromanage" she finished expecting a reaction.

The man looks at her confused. "But don't we need to cultivate the trees in order to get better fruits?" he says cautiously.

"I was talking from the point of a tree, not from the point of those who get something from it..." she adds slightly annoyed.

Tom scratches his head.

"Never mind, I haven't polished the concept yet...Let's go. I have some papers to file. We can grab a coffee before heading toward the basement" she says and gets up. Her assistant quickly follows. The frame shows them from the back.

"Oh I see what you meant. We should all strive to be like trees, uniformally peaceful and good for the Earth!" he yells as if having an epiphany.

She let's out a loud groan and shakes her head. "That was an excellent definition! Thank you for broadening my views Ms. Republic of Serbia" he adds clueless.