The passport could not be procured. The women would not be seen by the administrator, or by his supervisor, they would not. When they asked for someone of authority they were ignored. They had filled out the application form, provided payment, submitted the accompanying documents: the birth certificates, the naturalization certificates and/or the proof of birth abroad, the state-issued identifications, the baby pictures, and the baby hairs. But they would not be seen, not now. They sat, waiting. The chairs were not comfortable, intentionally so, but they tried to get comfortable. The others walked up quickly, received a stamp, left with the burgundy passports in their pockets, well on their way to lands and/or seas. The women crossed their arms against their bosoms, their legs bent and crossed one over the other. The women watched these others come and go. The woman sitting near the wall sat low, with her neck on the back of the chair, looking at the ceiling and at the one window. The government building was in ruin. The paint was chipping, yellow paint with green undertones. A ringing phone went unanswered. The air was cold. There was the one window and its glass that showed blue, a cloud. The pair did not know how long this would take, they had brought snacks: rosemary crackers, yogurt, tangerines, string cheese, blackberries, seared scallops. Also sanitary napkins, floss. This was bureaucracy in action. It was plain. While they waited they were allowed the use of the restroom. They took turns. When they were emptied and still, they spoke:

See, Yvette?

What?

See? There.

What?

The glass, that part of the glass in the window, see how chipped it is?

Yes, I think I see—

Well, that’s a shame. This is all a shame.

Yes. (pause)

And I can feel this damned wind coming in, from the crack, can you feel it? (pause) You don’t feel it? I feel it right on my forehead. The air is coming in from the crack, right there, see, that hole right there? It’s so damn windy in here, and there’s only one window, and the only window in the place is broken, how about that, and why not open it up and let everything in?

Should we open it?

No. No, but someone should, someone might as well open it. It’s really something, this place, and this damned window, it’s practically wide open already.

Yes.