A Perfect Crime (TWS)

"Are you sure there isn't something for me to sign on that tagging along form?" I asked. "Or the housing form either."

"Well, given your strange reluctance to fill out forms, I thought it would be more convenient for you if I filled out the auxiliary waiver forms permitting them to be approved without your signature."

"Let me see those," I said. But the kid got defensive. Probably knew something was up.

"I believe it is important for me to retain possession of these forms in order to learn responsible civic behavior. Besides, I am reasonably sure that it is against safety protocols to read documents while operating a vehicle."

"Huh. That must be one of the five regulations I didn't get written up for."

As I continued driving, I tried to think of another idea. Then I saw the donation bridge, and I had an idea.

"Credits are tight, but I can't risk being late," I said. "Better go for the bridge. You, uh, you able to pay your mandatory donation to the Council, or are you going to have to show them one of those temporary waiver cards?"

"I should have one in my identifier-pocket," the kid said. "Give me a moment."

I drove up to the bridge as the kid searched ??? pockets. Naturally, I used the distraction to grab the form and tossed it into the bin with my credits just as the kid gave me the card. I showed it to the donation officer and was waved through.

It was only a few moments after we arrived at the office that the kid realized the tag-along form had vanished.

"Wait, where did it go?"

"Doesn't matter," I said, handing the kid an Accidental Loss of Miscellaneous Paperwork form. I'd filled it out years ago, back in the early days of my career. Back then, I didn't have the experience to get away with skipping the paperwork, but I learned plenty of tricks for working around that.

I'd saved the forms even after I stopped bothering to play along, just in case there was a moment I couldn't get away from it. Now it was paying off. I told the kid to hand it in to the main office while I went ahead to my meeting.

Having given the kid the slip, I was just pleased enough with myself to almost be able to stomach the meeting with the Managerial Officers. I knew this wasn't going to be pleasant, but I had my excuse ready.

Except, when I got in there, the first question they asked me was one that I wasn't ready for at all.

What was that question, again?