The red light flashed and the siren screeched like a scalded cat. It was no great surprise. The world was naturally suspicious but being a guy, crossing an international border, by air, setting off the detector was always going to result in a thorough grilling. Most times just lately it had been easier than in previous years. Just a five minute conversation with an official asking where I was going, who with and what for. A pat down just to be certain and I was on my way. But these things pass and security was once again being ratcheted up.

Against the background of complaining travelers, they’d implemented a segregated security routine. Women, who are not viewed as suspiciously, have their own security channel through the port and almost always pass through unhindered. Guys, all guys, go through the more rigorous security. There’s the metal detector, the backscatter x-rays that strip every male electronically, the mood scanner and the thought scanner. I’d set off the mood scanner. Normally just a psych analysis by one of the guards would straighten that out, but this time, my traveling mate, Tom, had run into the same problem. Noting that we were traveling together on the same ticket, it was more than just questions that security wanted answering.

I glanced at his name badge as I sensed Tom joining me at the counter. James was looking pristine in his uniform. Tanned, smooth complexion nicely contrasting his stark dark blue uniform. “Gentleman, would you follow me please?” he said, opening a side door. He led us down a long corridor, dimly lit with aging fluorescent tubes. Turning off to the right, the corridor widened. There was the standard looking security pedestal in the middle of the corridor. It was the same one that were in most public and government buildings these days. Tom and I approached it silently.

“Just the usual biometrics gentlemen.” James told us, never once loosing his professional demeanor. Tom was nearest the machine so he went first. Looking straight ahead at the white light, a quick flash and his face appeared on the screen. Almost automatically he placed his chin on the rest and the machine gave a high-pitched beep as it registered his iris. The red pad lit up almost before the echo had dissipated. He placed his right thumb on, there was another beep, followed by the right with the same result. Reaching into his pocket, Tom handed James his ID card, which James inserted into the machine. A green tick appeared on the screen next to his face. All clear.

After I’d repeated the process James told us that there would be a further check. “Do you want to do this at the same time? It’ll probably get you to your flight faster.” Adding, almost as an afterthought, “Assuming that everything is clear. Of course.”

Before I had a chance to speak Tom piped up “Yeah, of course. We’re cutting it fine anyway.” James looked over at me to check if I was in agreement.

“Why not?” I said with a smile.

Advanced security measures were just a way of life these days. The state had really picked up on the idea that they needed to watch everyone and everything. The biometric checks were commonplace, not just the government anymore, shops and businesses were taking them on too. It all started of course with the backscatter x-rays. You could be stripped virtually whenever ‘they’ decided it was necessary. Then there were the newer machines that could detect what mood