History Funny / PapersPlease

* Three words: [[TooDumbToLive "What is passport?"]] One wonders that if your character's face was visible, he'd be doing the mother of all {{Face Palm}}s.

Similar to intricate stage instructions in the works of [[Creator/BertoltBrecht Bertolt Brecht]], Son's Drawing has a phrase "hanG on Wall," which, while allows further viewing of such a piece, is intended to estrange the audience and emotionally detach them from the action and the papa. By using this kind of alienation effect [[GratuitousGerman (Verfremdungseffekt in German)]], the audience is led to analyze and maybe even challenged to change the world outside the painting. This was the goal and driving force behind the inspector's son's entire creative career, a person desperate for ideas, creativity, and professionalism.\\

---> "So this is what it feels like."

--->'''Entrant:''' Go Arskickers!

--->'''Entrant:''' What the hell? I thought we have Arskickers connection.

--> Son's Drawing (1982) is a prime example of the late 20th century naïve art movement. It was made by the inspector's son, an Arstotzkan child who aspires to the ideology and aesthetic of primitivism rather than the socialist realism that characterizes most art produced in the region.\\

** After disarming the bomb you get this:

* The loudspeaker blaring '''ARSTOTZKA WELCOMES YOU''' after denying someone entry -- or take them [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation to talk to the nice men with guns, in the building that people go into a lot but don't seem to come out of so much.]] It's also funny during Day 5 coming after a visitor from a democratic country says he hates your country and says "Ugh" when you let him in.[[note]]He's a scripted event and always has proper papers.[[/note]]

* It is possible for a random entrant to present a work pass with the field listed as "HEALTH-CARE", but he or she fails to give you a certificate of vaccination. When interrogated, that entrant could say "I do not believe in vaccines," if the entrant does not have one. TruthInTelevision, as the anti-vaxxer movement includes some healthcare workers.
* Random generation of entrants can lead to some strange exchanges. The papers will usually depict more reasonable information, and if interrogated the presumably-embarrassed entrant will [[VerbalBackspace correct themselves quickly]].

** With enough luck it can transition into BlackComedy courtesy of the entrant:

'''Entrant:''' Yes, I stay [[FridgeHorror two months.]]

* Over time, the game will give you all kinds of knickknacks to put up on your wall, which entrants might comment on. And Arstotzka takes decorations ''very'' seriously, categorizing anything other than the plaques as unauthorized. If [[BadBoss your boss, Dimitri,]] sees any of them, he'll dole out escalating punishments for ''daring'' to defy protocol.

** On Day 19 his weight doesn't match his listing. When questioned about this:

** If they don't have all the documents in order though, [[GracefulLoser they don't bother contesting the discrepancy and nonchalantly ask for the red stamp]] before walking off and quipping:

** It's also a bit of an [[StealthInsult insult to Kolechia]]. Give this fake document to the Kolechian operative, and they fail their missions by attacking their own agents.

--->'''Inspector:''' What is this?\\

** After scanning Jorji and locating several suspicious packages strapped to his leg:

* The "You are hot like fire" card and event on day 25. And the response you get if you give it to the depressed person later that day.

** He also points out how easy it is to defuse the bomb, as the would-be terrorist [[WhatAnIdiot helpfully labeled each wire to cut in numerical order]].

[[ComicallyMissingThePoint Cobrastan is not a real country]]

* On Day 19, you process an entrant who used to know the your father, to the point where she babysat the Inspector. Her opinion of you wasn't all that nice.

* One of the scripted terrorists comes up to your booth, [[EvilIsHammy screams "DEATH TO ARSTOTSZKA!"]], drops a bomb on the counter, then leaves. It's a wonder nobody in line heard them, or at least reacted and scurried away for their lives.

---->'''Calensk:''' Ok, all done. Back to work.\\

* Calensk's [[CasualDangerDialogue entire act]] when a bomb is dropped on your table.
-->'''Calensk:''' What is this amateur shit?\\

--->'''Calensk:''' Ok, all done. Back to work.\\

*** The Inspector can flat-out ignore the crude fake and instead [[ComicallyMissingThePoint point out that Jorji doesn't have an entry ticket]]. You can also easily stamp the denial right off the bat without scanning the discrepancy and not earn a citation for doing so.

* Three words: [[TooDumbToLive "What is passport?"]]

* Over time, the game will give you all kinds of knickknacks to put up on your wall, which entrants might comment on. And Arstotzka takes decorations ''very'' seriously, categorizing anything other than the plaques as unauthorized. If your boss, Dimitri, sees any of them, he'll dole out escalating punishments for ''daring'' to defy protocol.

** One of the funniest parts regarding wall-hangings is that the game will allow you to see the supervisor approaching, allowing you to quickly pull decorations from the wall before they can be spotted. It mimicks someone going "OhCrap" and cleaning up their cubicle before their boss arrives, which in ''this'' game is literally a matter of life and hard labor.

** He's just so friendly and understanding. Even when you're arresting him. [[BadLiar Again.]]

** Also on Day 18, if you time it right, you can detain someone right as the scripted terrorist attack begins. The detaining guards walk down and ''completely ignore the terrorist''.

** When approved, the entrant apologizes and says they were just having a rough day. It's funnier if the inspector flat out denies the entrant for any reason, valid or not.

* One United Federation foreigner will tell you he used to be an inspector like you, saying that the UF border control is now computerized. If he doesn't have all the documents in order though (necessitating denial), he'll nonchalantly agree before quipping, "So this is what it feels like", and then walk off.

* On Day 9, an agent from the M.O.I. hands you two identical sets of documents and tells you to give the fake set to an impostor coming in behind them. The title of the documents? "Mating Habits of Lesser Kolechian Waterfowl."

* You can get a pretty funny reaction to your plaque depending on which one you get:
-->'''Entrant:''' What is this plaque on the wall? You are [[MedalOfDishonor recognized for presence?]] [[SarcasmMode Way to go.]]

* The Arstotzka athlete who claims his ID card was stolen in the locker room. He tries to bribe you with an Arstotzka Arskickers pennant if you'll let him in anyway. And if you let him through, he'll come back a few days later both to show you that he got a new ID card and to ask for the pennant back so that the coach doesn't take away his front seat privilege. [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential It's possible to accept his bribe and then detain him in order to keep the poster]].

* One entrant will compliment you on the banner if it is up.
** If they are approved, they will cheer for the team.

** However, if you deny him…

* Also on Day 18, if you time it right, you can detain someone right as the scripted terrorist attack begins. The detaining guards walk down and COMPLETELY IGNORE THE TERRORIST.
* On Day 19, you process an entrant who used to know the inspector's father. Her opinion of you wasn't all that nice:

* "A fine has been assessed for [[SeriousBusiness unofficial wall hangings]]."

** Even funnier if you end up detaining the entrant for fraudulent papers:
--->'''Entrant:''' [[OhCrap What are you doing?]] [[DisproportionateRetribution Is this because I make fun of drawing?]] ''[[AintTooProudToBeg I take it back! Picture should be in museum!]]''
** It's equally funny if the inspector flat out denies the entrant for any reason:

** One of the funniest parts regarding unauthorized wall-hangings is that the game will allow you to see the inspector approaching, allowing you to quickly pull them from the wall, mimicking someone going, "OhCrap" and cleaning up their cubicle before their boss arrives, which in ''this'' game is literally a matter of life and hard labor.

** The [[http://papersplease.wikia.com/wiki/Son%27s_Drawing wiki page for the drawing]] is a gem of PlayedForLaughs [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotDidactic over-analysis]].

** In one ending, you use forged paperwork to enter Obristan, [[{{Irony}} putting YOU on the other side of the checkpoint]].

** One of his attempts to get past the check point is to give you a passport drawn in ''crayon''. And it's marked ''Pre-Approved'' at the top. The passport number is 1234-OKOK. Jorji believes with all his heart that the inspector will think it legit.
** The best part comes if you let the fake passport go through.
--->M.O.A. CITATION\\

** Normally the citation doesn't print out until several seconds after the entrant has left the station. In this one instance, it starts [[InstantlyProvenWrong the moment you hand the passport back.]]

'''Inspector:''' ''*while hitting Detain button*'' Sorry, Jorji.
** Really, the fact that [[GracefulLoser Jorji takes all of this in stride and doesn't bear any ill will to the inspector]] really sells his entire character.

'''Entrant:''' [[InnocentlyInsensitive Oh.]] [[{{Beat}} <beat>]] ...[[BrutalHonesty Maybe he should try sports.]]