The captain pulls his cargoship into a faraway port, its amber lights and those of the sleeping city beyond glimmering amid the deep night.
A port official, in full uniform, approaches the master on his quiet bridge and, as usual, asks for the “fare” for passage without incident — 20 cartons of cigarettes. Tired and under pressure to stay on schedule, the captain acquiesces, handing over the cartons as he has many times before.
