[ WP ] The blank spots in your memory have never bugged you until you noticed that the tyrant taking over looks really similarly to you .

The first thing that Boris noticed when he woke up was the smell. The cold morning air was filled with the putrid aromas of uncollected garbage. Boris brushed some of it off of his well worn overalls, the only pair he had. 
 
 *'' Looks like it happened again'' * Boris thought to himself as he stood up and stretched his stiff muscles. The Garbage Collector's strike was only one of many symptoms of civil unrest that was currently enveloping the small country of Zlatistan. Many called the current government -- The Supreme Council of Zlatistan -- corrupt and inept but Boris cared little for political power struggles. They all eventually burned out and so far this one had stayed far enough away from his hometown that he was n't concerned. Someone else would eventually come in to power, a new regime would begin, and the lives of the common folk would carry on normally as they had every time before. 
 
 Boris made his way to the fountain pool in the town square. It was early enough that the streets remained mostly empty, with the exception of the occasional early bird. The fountain itself had not run in years, but it's pool was a popular location for locals to rinse their laundry in the morning. Wearing only long-johns, Boris began rinsing his overalls in the mostly-clear rainwater that had collected over the last few days. Boris wrung out his overalls and shook them a few times to get as much water off as possible. 
 A voice called out to Boris across the square, one he immediately recognized. 
 
 `` Boris! I was wondering where you were. I did n't hear you at all in your apartment yesterday, and you look like a mess! Did it happen again?'' 
 
 `` Hello Sasha,'' Boris replied. Sasha Dimitriov was an older widow who lived in the apartment next door to Boris who, while disapproving of the fact that Boris was a bachelor living alone, frequently offered him food when she found she had cooked too much for just herself. Boris suspected she often did so on purpose. 
 
 `` Yeah, it happened again. I was heading out to the market, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the alley.'' 
 
 `` You should really see a doctor about those blackouts. One of these days you'll end up hurting yourself.'' Sasha said with an admonishing tone. 
 
 `` I will, eventually...'' Boris replied noncommittally. Sasha's only reply was a slightly frustrated huff. The blackouts had started about three years earlier, but Boris was n't very concerned about it. Sure, he never remembered what he did during them, but they happened infrequently and no harm ever seemed to come of them so he did n't feel a need to go find a doctor. Besides, everyone knew psychiatrists just prescribed you whatever pills were about to expire. 
 
 Boris gave his farewells to Sasha as he headed off to the school where Boris worked as the janitor. It was a small school, run by the church and funded by donations. Consequently Boris was n't paid very much, but he made a decent living which was good enough for him. As he was sweeping the hallways Boris overheard one of the teachers listening to the Zlatistan National News Station, the only news station available in fact. 
 
 An exciting-sounding news jingle played right as the news anchor began. 
 
 `` Hello, and welcome to the Zlatistan National News. This is Antonin Boskoyo with the Morning News Report. The Santitation Guild strike continues into its third week as the conflict with the rebels escalates. The Supreme Council has released a statement saying that an agreement will be reached with the Santitation Guild, but the timetable of such an agreement is unknown as the majority of the Governments resources are currently being used to combat the rebel forces.'' 
 
 `` In other news the elusive leader of the rebel faction, the man known as Jestrab was spotted during a rebel raid on a government military supply depot yesterday. The rebel faction currently maintains its hold on a number of cities in eastern Zlatistan, but a victory by the Zlatistan National Army over these rebels is imminent according to High General Sergei. So far, Jestrab has been able to elude the eye of the government but the first step towards his capture was made yesterday. While the supply depot was lost, a brave soldier was able to take a photograph of Jestrab whose identity up until this point has been largely unknown since his appearance almost three years ago. So far, he has been able to control the rebel army from the shadows. He appears seemingly at random and disappears just as quickly, a ghost general by all accounts. However, this will soon change as this photograph will be spread throughout Zlatistan so that this traitor will be caught and be swiftly brought to justice.'' 
 
 As the anchor said the last sentence an image appeared next to him on the screen. It was grainy and had obviously been magnified significantly, but a face could clearly be seen. A dark haired man with a large beard and bright blue eyes filled the screen as the news station transitioned to a closeup of the image. Boris was clean shaven and had dark brown eyes, but something about that face nagged at him. Minus the beard and the eye color it looked eerily similar to the face Boris saw whenever he looked in the mirror. 
 
 Boris continued on, sweeping the hallways but while he did so he was unable to escape an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach that grew as the day went on. 
 

