CHAPTER 5. 5. A SPECIMEN OF NAIVETY

Time really didn't drag, as an intriguing middle-aged woman soon sat beside him, asking if he was at the back of the line.

"I'm the last," he replied, — choosing the more refined phrase, proud of his Petersburg upbringing."

The lady struck him as remarkably similar to Hadley Gamble, who'd recently tried either to seduce or dazzle the local president with her sparkling appearance and questions. More than "similar" — she was her spitting image! Nude stilettos towering on absurdly high heels, hair teased and touched periodically, huntress makeup in black and red, a dress suited for swimming or, at most, a cocktail party.

The only difference was that instead of fretting over the opposition's fate, this lady worried about her own destiny after relocating to the promised historical homeland. She then cast her line about how sharing accommodation there initially would be significantly cheaper with someone. She only stopped short of promising showing him that ‘blouse with pearl buttons’. Perhaps she would have gotten to that if he hadn't been summoned inside.

"Congratulations. Here's your passport with permanent residence visa. Entry required within six months, starting yesterday. Upon arrival, report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for citizenship processing. Registering for the free flight?" the accommodating woman instantly conveyed everything necessary.

"May I ask a couple of questions?" replied the citizen, stunned by such swift assistance and soon-to-be dual citizen.

"Please sit and ask," came a reply from somewhere to the side.

"Could I express my thanks to the gentleman I spoke with yesterday?”

"Yes, it's accepted. Anything else you'd like to tell him?" the voice inquired.

"I'm interested in the flight date."

"The Finnish Christian organization organizes one monthly flight via Helsinki..." the desk woman began explaining.

"Is the date known? I only need when and where," he interrupted.

"He’s not kosher — doesn’t matter to him," the voice clarified.