From one of my novels:
Sixty or so foreigners are about to swear or affirm
allegiance to Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia.
‘Rather than create a fuss by remaining seated during
the national anthem and the flag waving, I'll wait outside for
you, unless you want me to stay.’
‘I'll cope.’
‘You should have stayed. Talk about laugh.’
‘What happened?’
‘The Filipinas had their names changed.’
‘We knew that was on. Did you get your citizenship
certificate?’
‘Too right I did. It was enormously amusing. Our
member of parliament was there with the dignitaries, sound
asleep on the stage.’
‘He was asleep before I left.’
‘When they called my name he was wide awake in a
flash. He nearly fell off his chair.’
‘He must have been only half asleep.’
‘Well citizen, let's go home and tell the boys the
good news, and knock off the bottle of fizzy.’
‘My turn now.’
‘What do you have in mind?’
‘I'm going to write to Bogus and tell him if he wants
to run a Secret Society, he ought to go back where he
belongs.’
‘Typical Australian.’
Joy must change her name on her licence to drive
and her vehicle registration, her bank account, medicare,
social security. Not one of the bureaucrats is willing to do it,
because she lacks sufficient identification. A citizenship
certificate is not enough. If she can crack one of them, the
others will follow.
‘Do you want to rip Bogus into court to have your
citizenship certificate amended?’
‘I can think of things I'd rather do to him.’
‘Then enrol to vote. When you receive an electoral
claim form, you can use that and try to change the other
garbage.’
