Part IV The plot twists again

Having applied for Edwin's passport and faxed the OF---- to S- who was finally back in her office, I rested on my laurels for a few days. However, after not having heard back about the receipt of OF---- and needing some instruction on other matters, I took my cross back up and emailed S- about various and sundry.

Six days later, I received a reply that included a request for a copy of the birth certificate and assurance that I would receive form DC (diplomatic stuff?)---- after the birth certificate was used to enter Edwin into 'the system' so that I would initiate the passport process.

Wishing that I had received the information earlier that I yes, I really did need to send that birth certificate via fax, I sent it in. However, I was unsure about the need for form DS----, and so emailed S- again telling her that I had already applied for Edwin's passport. After a few unhelpful emails, I called and asked if there was any way to match up DS---- with Edwin's paperwork that was already in DC, complete with notarized form.

S- didn't know, but advised me to call whoever it was that I had mailed the form to. Luckily, the number was to be found in the encyclopedia of confusing instructions I had received and soon I was on the line with yet another employee of The Bureaucracy.

lady: George Edwin Sherwood? That was an application for a tourist passport, right?

me: No, it was an application for a diplomatic passport, but it was lacking a form. Can I have the form sent in so that he can have a diplomatic passport?

lady: No, you applied for a tourist passport.

me: It was supposed to be a diplomatic one.

lady: Did you pay any money?

me: Yes, the ladies at the post office insisted that I had to, even though I told them it was for a no-fee diplomatic passport.

lady: Well, they lied. You don't have to pay for a diplomatic passport.

me: So I have to apply again for a dip passport?

lady: Yes. But your tourist passport will be there in a few days.