The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador The Neighbor Part 4

[Rev. Doc]

The Spring Of Our Destiny: Kasumi And The Ambassador

By Doc

The following story is based on characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Neighbor Part 4


As they entered, Kasumi was too deep in thought to notice the security around her. But even should she have been looking for it, chances are most would have still gone undetected. Immediately after they passed the guard’s house they went through a metal detector. In fact it was one of several that they would pass through that afternoon unknowingly. Within the embassy itself deep in the bowels of a building several men sat in front of a wall of closed circuit TV monitors watching as the two women entered. The fact was that no guest stayed out of visual contact for any given period of time. And even if they had scrutinized the badges that they had pinned on to their blouses, they would have never seen the device that monitored their location continuously in the security room.

Kasumi’s attention was more focused on her surroundings. It was like they had immediately passed from Japan and magically appeared in America. Naturally there was the presence of Japanese faces, but they were far outnumbered now by natives of the United States. The architecture of the buildings gave evidence that those who had designed them where not looking to please the oriental eye. They were very western in design indeed. As the two women walked down the path Kasumi noticed that all the vegetation was labeled with little ground markers designating what part of the United States it had originated from. Of course in the middle of the compound flew the American flag, one of the few flags of the world that Kasumi considered beautiful.

They continued on slowly, partly because of Mrs. Sato’s age, partly because of Kasumi’s fascination. They followed the guard’s directions and soon found themselves in front of the building that he had told them about. As they entered they were again confronted with everything Western. Furnishings from different parts of America filled the reception area. Pictures depicting various scenes of life in the States graced the walls. And on the wall directly behind the receptionist’s desk, the picture of the current President serving hung prominately. Kasumi recognized him immediately having seen him many times on the news.

Behind the receptionist’s desk sat a young oriental woman. The woman was of Japanese decent but Kasumi could tell that there was a mixture in her lineage. No doubt she had an American mother or father. She looked up as the women approached and speaking in English asked, “May I help you?”

Kasumi knew that much English. However her Knowledge was limited and she would soon be reaching that limit. “Is there someone here who can speak Japanese?”

The receptionist smiled and said, “Yes of course I can. What can I do for you today?”

Inwardly Kasumi was breathing a sigh of relief as she replied, “Yes we would like to see someone about a visitor’s visa for my friend. Her son is to be married and she needs to secure that to travel to America.

Again the receptionist smiled. If you will sign in here and have a seat one of our immigration officers will see you shortly.

Kasumi did as instructed signing both her and Mrs. Sato’s name to the form handed to her. As they waited the elder woman sat nervously rubbing her hands and twisting the tissue that Kasumi had handed her earlier. Kasumi looked through some magazines that she had found on an end table nearby. All of them were from the States and although she understood very little of what they said she was still intrigued with what she was finding. She wondered to herself if they might object to her taking some of the order forms so that she might get subscriptions to some of them.

It was with that thought that she jumped when a new imposing presence in the room shouted, “Tendo and Sato!”

She dropped the magazine she was holding to the floor, almost as if guilty of having such a thought as taking the subscription forms. Pulling herself together and picking up the magazine, she placed them neatly back on the end table and followed the rather large woman through the door. Mrs. Sato followed closely behind Kasumi and tugged on her blouse sleeve whispering, “That’s the one I talked to earlier.”

Whispering Kasumi said, “Well then maybe we won’t have to explain too much to her since she already knows your situation.” However, Kasumi had the feeling that for some reason Mrs. Sato was cowering behind her not wanting to confront the immigration officer.

As the woman rounded her desk she asked, no she ordered as she pointed to two chairs, “Sit there!”

Both women did as they were told. Sitting straight Kasumi began, “My friend would like to apply for a visitor’s visa to the United States. Her son is getting married in five days. She was told earlier that it would take two weeks to have the visa processed. However, I thought that if I came as a character witness on her behalf that maybe that might speed the process up.” Kasumi had said all of this in Japanese. “Why not,” she reasoned. “The marine guard spoke Japanese, and the receptionist spoke Japanese, she had assumed that this woman would too.

But the woman just sat and stared at Kasumi. She then slowly shook her head and threw up her hands. Yelling over her shoulder she bellowed, “I got another one who can’t speak English, will someone get over here and help me!”

Kasumi was totally unprepared for the outburst. She sat wide-eyed as they waited for a translator. Throughout the time the large woman behind the desk looked straight at Kasumi and declared, “I don’t understand you people. You come in here wanting to visit the United States and you have absolutely no way to communicate what you want. Just how in the world are you expecting to get by once you get over there…”

This tirade continued for several minutes. Kasumi of course could not understand most of what she said. What she did understand was the fact that the woman seemed to become more and more angry. Other employees passing by slowed to watch the scene, which made Kasumi, even more self-conscious. She wanted to sink very deeply into the cushion of the chair that she was sitting on.

The receptionist from the outer office showed up quickly and began talking with the immigration official. Kasumi again understood little of what was said but could tell that the receptionist was doing her best to calm the stout woman down.

The receptionist turned her attention to Kasumi and asked, “I’m sorry, what was it again that you need?”

Kasumi once more explained to her their request, which the receptionist then translated to the immigration officer. It was then that a spark of recognition appeared in the officer’s eye. Pointing at Mrs. Sato she declared, “You where here earlier.”

The old woman waited for the translation and shook her head weakly in the affirmative. Again the officer shook her head and in an exasperated loud voice shouted, “I told you before that it will take two weeks to process that visa. There are no exceptions. I explained that to you earlier until I was blue in the face. And the United States Immigration Service does not recognize character witnesses. Now stop wasting my time!”

At that she got up and left the room. Kasumi and Mrs. Sato sat in silence. The receptionist looked at both of the women sadly and said, “I’m sorry, there is nothing we can do.”

[uc pseudonym]

It's been a very long time since I've read anything about the injustices during WWII. How fallen is our world...