Morning Arrests

This morning, as I was on my way to work, I saw police standing outside an apartment in my building. Suitcases were piled outside the door, and more suitcases were piled by the elevator. Since the door was open, I could see frantic packing going on inside. I know that, if tenants are late with the rent, the managers call the police immediately to evict the deadbeats and replace them with paying tenants.

So, when I got home, I asked the watchman: 'What happened this morning?'

'Immigration catch ladies. No visa.'

'Immigration came here?'

'No. Immigration catch them last night. Today they bring back to building to get all clothes.'

These ladies always left their door open at night (and often during the day). I mentioned this.

'Man live in bedroom and he close A/C, so they keep door open to cool rest of apartment.'

Since their door was always open, I'd heard them talking. I did not recognize the language. 'Where were they from?'

'Azerbaijan. They speak Russian.'

'No, I recognize Russian.'

'Then they speak Azerbaijan language.'

So, apparently, they were trying to earn a living last night, got arrested, and today they were brought back to their apartment to collect all their personal effects before deportation.

Enough excitement for one day. And no more open doors through which a voyeur could watch scantily clad young ladies sleeping on a bare mattress on the floor.