Hello everyone, I’m Postmaster Ivana Shpyokin. I work at the post office.
The other day a letter arrived for the Mayor and it said “I warn you that a government inspector has arrived incognito with instructions to inspect the whole area, and especially our town. He may appear at any moment. In fact, he may already be in town incognito.”
It gave us such a fright and the Mayor sent the town Judge and the Charity Commissioner to put all their affairs in order.
Then Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky came rushing over from the inn with some urgent news.
Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky were in the inn eating salmon when a young man, who was very smart, but not in uniform, was walking around the room. Dobchinsky spoke to Vlass the landlord and Dobchinsky asked ‘Who’s that young man? and Vlass said. ‘That young man works for the government. In Petersburg. His name’s Ivan Khlestakov and he’s a strange customer. Been here two weeks, orders everything on the menu and never pays the bill.’
That’s when they knew he was the one in the Mayor’s letter. “The Government Inspector.” Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky suggested that they go and visit him as a group.
But the Mayor decided to go alone. Before he left he told the Police Chief to clear the roads of all the poor people and the beggars.
The Mayor is over at the inn now. We’ve not had any news, my nerves are in shreds! I’ll report back as soon as I hear anything.
Obediently yours
Postmaster Shpyokin