The road stretched out through the wild landscape, the only sign of human civilisation in an otherwise pristine setting. A soft purr began in the distance, getting louder until at last a dusty old pick-up truck crested the rise, sunlight glinting off its edges. Behind the wheel, sunglasses on, once pale skin browning in the heat, his strawberry blonde hair blowing in the wind, Matti beamed in pleasure. With the windows of the bakkie down, the scents of the land assailed him, and he revelled in his solitude.
Half-way through a six month independent tour of Africa's southernmost states, he was at this moment speeding along one of the country's few paved roads. Utterly alone in the landscape, it was just him, the scenery, and the passing wildlife. No buildings, no cars, no people to spoil the idyllic setting.
At least there hadn't been for some time, since he passed the last settlement, over an hour ago. But then out of the haze ahead he spied a small nondescript single-story building beside the road. Standing in front of the shaded porch that ran alongside the roadward side of the building, at that moment stepping out into the road ahead of him, was a figure dressed all in dark blue.
"Bollocks" Matti cursed to himself as the figure stopped feet astride the dividing line of the road, and raised its hand in the universally understood 'stop' signal. He flicked the indictor on and began to coast to a stop, pulling up just before the building as indicated by the police officer. As the figure approached his vehicle, he could see she was a woman, he guessed her at being in her 40s. A movement from the shaded interior of the building, upon which he could now see the faded painted word 'police', caught his eye, and a younger woman, also in uniform emerged and joined her colleague. They stopped beside his vehicle, as Matti killed the engine, opened his door, and stepped down onto the sunbaked earth.
For a moment they studied him, and he them. Both women had smooth, flawless skin, a rich brown in colour, with strong, proud features; simultaneously beautiful and fierce. The name tags sewn across the breast pocket of their blouses named the older of the two as Officer Mahlasela, and the younger Officer Johannes.
He stood before them, rising over them a little, at just over six feet, though not by much. He removed his sunglasses, squinting a little in the bright sunlight. His hair was tousled and a little windswept, and he wore a simple t-shirt and shorts. He smiled in what he hoped was a friendly and charming manner. The two women stared back impassively.
After a moment the elder woman spoke,
"You were driving in excess of the permitted speed limit sir. I shall have to ask you to step inside with us."
The younger officer turned, leading the way, whilst Officer Mahlasela hung back, indicating that Matti ought to go ahead of her.
Inside the air was cool, though a little stuffy. Two ancient looking desk fans made a token effort at circulating the air, and looking around him Matti saw a fairly typical example of a native administration building. Tired and worn furniture was dotted about the space, with a few battered filing cabinets. A large wooden desk dominated the room, and it was before this that he was led.
Matti expected one or both of the officers to sit, but instead they remained standing behind him, forcing him to turn around, his back to the desk. Again it was the elder woman who spoke first.
"Speeding is an issue we take very seriously sir" she said sternly. "Do not think the rules of our country do not apply to you. There will be a sizeable fine, payable immediately."
Matti sighed, and raised his hands in a placating manner.
"Look, I'm not trying to weasel my way out of this, but I've got absolutely no cash on me, and the nearest ATM must be miles back"
"Perhaps you have family or friends who could come to assist?" Officer Mahlasela replied in her stern tone.
"I know no one here, in fact no one even knows precisely where I am at this moment. Sorry, please, there must be something that can be done?" Matti answered in a slightly pleading voice.
Officer Mahlasela sniffed dismissively and turned away from him. "Wait here", she said curtly, and stepped back outside the building, leaving him alone under the studied gaze of the younger woman. Through the dusty window, Matti watched as Officer Mahlasela carried out a thorough search of his truck, wincing as she rifled through his bag. Eventually, evidently satisfied, she returned inside.
"I believe your vehicle to be clean sir, but I'm still suspicious you may be carrying contraband on or about your person", she said in a calm, even tone.
"Of course not!" Matti spluttered, still not quite believing what was happening, "I can promise you that..."
His denial went unfinished as Mahlasela cut him off brusquely.
"I'd like you to remove your clothes please sir."
"What?!"
"I'd like you to remove your clothing so that we may examine your body and clothing sir," she continued as if a teacher explaining something quite obvious to a dimwitted student.
Matti stood mouth agape, looking at the commanding policewoman before him. He turned towards the younger of the two women, as if hoping for some leniency there, but if so he was swiftly disabused. Stepping forward towards him, Johannes put her hand to the baton at her waist, drawing it an inch from her belt.
"I'm going to have to ask you to comply sir, immediately." She snapped, her gaze firm.
Involuntarily Matti stepped back, raising his hands in a gesture of submission.
"Ok, ok, relax, I'll do as you say."
His mind reeling, almost in disbelief, he tugged his t-shirt up and over his head, folding it and placing it on the edge of the desk. He bent to untie his shoes, removing them and his socks, placing them beside the desk. Standing up straight again, he was confronted by both women gazing at him without expression, neither speaking a word, as if both committed to carrying out a routine procedure with the minimum of fuss or emotion. His hands trembling slightly, Matti's hand went to his belt, undoing it, followed by the button and zip of his shorts. Sliding them down his legs and stepping out of them, he folded them and added them atop the t-shirt.
"Everything, sir", Mahlasela intoned, a note of impatience creeping into her voice.
