We don't need no stinking … Sorry, Sir.
The most important thing to do before you can start about working here, more important than having your papers in order, is get your badges.
No one gets in or out of any building without presenting the appropriate badge. Sometimes in series. My compound badge may get me into the secure area but I'll need to show a military badge to get past the front checkpoint but I'm going to need an embassy badge to walk to my appointment. But sadly my embassy badge is the wrong color. I can only walk through the front doors and up to the door to the wing my meeting is held in. To actually sit in the office of the person I was invited to meet I'll need to stand in line to be escorted into that wing and surrender anything I have that is considered sensitive.
Camera? Gone. Sign here, please. USB drives (I carry a fistful) Gone. Sign here, please. Cell phone? Gone sign here, please. A quick frisk (very tasteful, no nudity) and I'm starting and finishing a 15 minute meeting.
Since I'm actually allowed on the main premises I don't have to be escorted to the door, have my appointment crossed-out and initialed before I can reclaim my gear and head out. I'm now free to wander the compound and partake of the accoutrements of castle life.
The swimming pool is excellent, as are the barbershop and cafeteria. The coffee stand is awful but that's not for lack of trying. I think the coffee is shipped already ground and goes stale during transit. The library is minimal. It's just the travel books people dropped off when they were done. Two bookcases of romance, four shelves of spirituals, three bookcases of thrillers and mysteries (Tom Clancy is HUGE here), and half a shelf of non-fiction. Mostly political biographies. But the gym… My god, the gym. And for free! Keep your worn out gym bunnies and roid-cut trainers. These kids are big, strong, and tough. And young. Really really young.
But I don't have time. I need to go back to my office. So I walk out the front door and wave hello to our close protection. When they pull up their heads swivel around like owls and their sunglasses reflect the entire street. Off we go, back to work.
But that's another badge.