The Form

MOI

I was asked to fill in a form in order to earn the right to fill in the form. I found the logic impeccable, and I said so at the counter. The counter did not appreciate being congratulated.

Box number one: “Are you yourself?” Tick yes or no. I hesitated for an hour. Because if I tick yes, how do I prove it? And if I tick no, who, then, is holding the pen?

I asked for guidance. I was directed to office 4. At office 4 I was told that for this sort of existential question I needed an appointment at office 1. Office 1, obviously, comes after office 4. Always.

But I am not complaining. Because I have understood something those hurried people, those people who “just want a stamp”, will never understand: the form is not an obstacle on the way to life. The form IS life. We are born in one queue, we die in another, and in between we tick boxes.

So I stay, proudly. I may be the only citizen of this country who has grasped the whole thing. Box number two: “Do you wish to continue?” Yes. A thousand times yes. Where is the next office?