You see in front of you a man of 50 y. o. in an old shabby uniform, copying documents by hand in one of the St. Petersburg departments. Akaky Akakievich is obviously saddened by something, he is trying to hold a metal pen in order to draw the next letter beautifully. This petty official rubbed the top of his rare hair, looked up and shuddered because he didn't expect anyone to be here, since all his colleagues had already left for lunch. — Y-yes? H-how...can I be of service t-to you?