I was hoping to get to Habiniwski (you've already guessed why), and I was already approaching his window, WHEN SUDDENLY THE SECOND-TO-LAST WINDOW OPENS AND THEY POINT AT ME – OVER THERE, DEAR, OVER THERE...

• Me: Hellllo! I’m here! Smile from ear to ear, hand raised (a psychological trick, you subconsciously let them know you don't have a weapon in your hands, this came to us from ancient times, people used to show their hands so the other person would know you are friendly).
• Me: How are you doing? With an expression like I’d come to see an old friend I hadn't seen in 20 years. The vice-consul beamed with a smile from ear to ear.
• HE: Hello, I’m feeling good and you?
• Me: Well, I’m fine, for sure (Said it a bit too confidently, but not arrogantly)
• HE: Is your name Uladzislau?
• Me: Yup! You are right! This is my name
• HE: Where do you study?
• Me: I am a student at ***** **** ********** named after *******. (the name of a famous Russian poet, and I said it in such a way that I almost believed myself that he was the greatest poet in the world, although maybe he is)
• HE: It seems to be very interesting place
• Me: Definitely!
  (He stared at the computer, and I kept up a slight smirk)
• HE: Ok, I see you studied at another university?
• Me: Yes, but I transferred to my University, by reason of better education and... (I wanted to say cuz it’s closer to my home and I’ll get better job opportunities, but it wasn't meant to be 🙁)
• HE: So, what is your course of study?
• Me: I’m a fourth year student and my major is Economic(al) Law? (blurted it out, it happens, I was nervous, you know)
• HE: Sorry?
• Me: Ooops, Economic Law
  (He starts looking at the passport, the page with my visas – there’s a Schengen and a Polish National one)

HE: I see you have several visits to EU? (And there are about 10 stamps there, good thing I renewed my passport in time, otherwise he would have seen there wasn't a clean page left for a visa, he wouldn't have opened it). He says to himself: “To Poland”.

Me: Yes, I travel much, (here I think I’ll raise my value) there is a good shopping, I buy different stuff there and when the last time I was there... I have bought a car. (here I either misheard or he said “Yes, I know”)

HE: And where are you planning to go?

Me: I’m planning to visit *******. It is a historical city

HE: I know (here the connection starts to get lost)

HE: What duties are you going to do there?

Me: Well, I will do some cleaning job, like brushing, swiping, some storage work like preparing cleaning stuff, brooms etc., moving, removing furniture... (he interrupted me again... I’m talking too much, smiling too much and speaking in what seemed to me a familiar tone, trying to correct myself...)

But it was not to be!!!

• (He quietly) Your visa is approved
• Thank you, (I don't want to leave) Have a nice day!
• No, you have an exciting summer! (And a smile like at the beginning 🙂)))))
  Conclusion: He’s a good guy after all, Douglas Johnston, Dzieki bardzo [Thanks a lot 🙂]

*By the way, I misheard two questions, he repeated them for me himself.

I’m definitely not planning to stay in the States, Belarus needs to be reformed, there’s still a lot of work here, so we’ll work...

I walked out, as expected, turned off my brain, but turned on the audacity. Asked a passerby for a cigarette, lit up and relaxed. The poor woman was so scared that at first she didn't understand what was going on. And I find it funny .

Oh, and the lighter I buried in the ground in the flowerbed, I never found it...