The Permit Center

Mark believed this would be easy, simply get a permit, get his money, find a house and never talk to these insane people again. "I suggest you go to the permit center, they'll be able to help." The woman told Mark, she swiftly turned and walked away. Mark glared at her, confused. "Hey! Lady! Oh you've gotta be fucking kidding me!" Mark yelled, the woman now gone.

He only had one choice if he wanted to see his money again, he had to go to the permit office. Mark assumed it would be oppsite the ATM that took his money, so he made his way back onto the street and around the corner. He stood and looked at the bland building with a frown. 'Permit Center' was written on a sign above two doors. Mark sighed and entered.

The reception was tiny. On the right were a few chairs in a row, to form a waiting area. To the left, a small reception desk. The room was bland, with no decorations at all. A young woman sat behind the desk, a bored expression across her face. "Can I help?" She asked Mark after a sigh. Mark stepped up to the desk. "I've been sent here because I have no permit, apparently you can help?" He asked the woman.

"I can put you on an advert, then you can wait here until somebody decides to claim you." The woman responded. Mark raised an eyebrow, something sounded very off about this. "Claim me? What are you talking about?" He asked the receptionist. "You are a non permit holder, that means you can't be trusted on your own, so a citizen of Pinesdale will need to claim you and do whatever they want to you until they decide you're worthy of a permit!" The woman explained to Mark.

Mark panicked, this was not what he thought! He backed away to the door, only to find it were locked. "I don't think this is for me.. would you mind letting me out..?" He asked the woman, nervously. "Sir I'm afraid you just admitted to me and my recorder that you are permitless, which means you must partake in this system." The woman told Mark.

Mark got frustrated. "This is absurd! You can't **** me to do this!" He yelled. "Actually, according to Pinesdale law, I can. I will call the cops if you refuse to cooperate!" The woman threatened. Mark gulped, panic settling in. The last thing he needed was the police! "Okay! Fine! I accept. What do I need to do?" He asked the woman.

For the next half an hour, the woman filled out a form with all of Mark's details. She also took a picture of his face. With everything done, she uploaded it onto the council's social media, advertising Mark as a non permit holder. "Brilliant, that's all done, now if you'd like to take a seat and I'm sure you'll be claimed in no time!" The woman exclaimed joyfully.

Mark grunted and took a seat in the waiting area. Angry and frustrated.