It was 1975, during a tense Cold War. The early morning near the Berlin Wall, at a controlled Checkpoint, was dismal for most people since it appeared to rain. The new Grenzmauer 75 fortified the walls, making it difficult for civilians to flee. Inside one of the inspection booths sat an East German inspector who had arrived early for work. After saluting back the border guard who had led him, he sat down with a deep sigh and read the daily reports on his table with an earnest expression, the guard now having left the room.

"Warum ändern sie ständig die Vorschriften...?"

He'd whisper to himself before scoffing, adjusting the photo of himself and his family on the desk, some stamps for the passports and visas, and generally organizing his belongings. He quickly leaned over to the microphone, stating "Die Deutsche Demokratische Republik heißt Sie herzlich willkommen." which echoed throughout the checkpoint. Soon, a person entered the booth, and the inspector gave the individual a cold look before saying:

"Papers, bitte"