"The Bureau is now closed," he announced with undisguised pleasure. "For the second day in a row, you've failed to complete your task."
"We just need more time!" Rui protested.
The clerk leaned forward, his spindly fingers splayed across the desk.
"You misunderstand the nature of bureaucracy, Princess." His voice dripped with satisfaction.
"There are only so many forms anyone can process in a day. Even your... efficient methods."
Rui's eyes narrowed. "We've made tremendous progress."
"Have you?" The clerk gestured to the stacks of papers that somehow seemed no smaller than before.
"Perhaps tomorrow the counter will reset again. Perhaps new forms will appear. The more work you complete, the more work will manifest."
Ran placed a steadying hand on Rui's shoulder. "It's a trap of perpetual effort," he murmured.
"Precisely," the clerk nodded, almost impressed.
