Sigh

The walls are made of glass and security is strict. Paolo gets in because he swiped a special ID that I had no idea he had. I search my wallet hoping to find something like his but I take too long and the guards get suspicious.

"I must have lost it," I say.

Paolo intervenes. I watch him talk (watch because I can't seem to hear him) to the guard, explaining, entreating, joking. They lighten up and they let me in only if I arrange to get myself a new ID.

I look at Paolo surprised. I don't know what I'm doing but it sure feels fraudulent.

He tells me, "Just go along with it. It's no problem. I promise."

So I apply for a new ID but whoah, what's this, I have to stand in line at the salon to get my hair and makeup done and wait for a photographer to make me to a scenic location where I will finally get my headshot taken.

"All this for an ID? What kind of ID is this anyway? What kind of a place is this? Who do they think they are that they can do this to me?"

(I myself can't understand why I'm so angry over this.)

Paolo says nothing but I think I hear him sigh.