Animal Farm

Charlotte's Web was lovely - true to the book, which is what makes or breaks the cinematic rendering of a childhood classic around here. A key factor was the minimization of Miss Fanning. John Cleese, as Samuel the sheep, kept stealing the show, admonishing his fellow ruminants for following along - "Think for yourselves!"

Which brings us to the Passport Office Thursday morning at 8:55 a.m. The room is already full of people - FFather and I are #66 10 minutes after they open. No radio, no tv, no food or drink are allowed in the room (although cell phones are permitted). There are big screens at the front of the room flashing the numbers of those who are being served, and those who are next.

Everytime a new number appears, there is a quiet but audible chime to alert the public, who look up and murmur the number of the next person to go to the front. In unison. Repeatedly.

I'm just saying.