Inspector (Papers Please)

The unnamed Inspector is the main protagonist of the indie game Papers, Please. He works as an immigration inspector for the Ministry of Admission of Arstotzka and only appears in a family photo and as a silhouette at the beginning of most days when he walks to the booth.
Other border inspectors appear in the pre-release mini game, endings 16 and 18, and in the official short film adaption, the inspector himself is played by Igor Savochkin. They should not be mistaken for the protagonist of the main game.
== Biography ==
At some point in his life, the Inspector immigrated from the village of Nirsk, where he previously lived with his father. Should anything happen to the Inspector, his family plans to return to Nirsk. After being drawn in the 1982 October labor lottery, the inspector is designated to serve at the Grestin border checkpoint, commencing his duties on November 23rd, 1982. He adheres to daily 12-hour shifts, spanning from 6 am to 6 pm, and is allocated a class-8 apartment for himself and his family. As the story unfolds, the inspector's trajectory may lead him to become an anti-government operative, a dedicated bureaucrat, seek refuge in a snowier land, face dismissal, or encounter arrest and/or demise.
=== Family ===
At the end of each day, the inspector is required to have enough credits to cover the essential needs of his entire family, including heating, food, and potentially medical expenses if any family member falls ill. His household includes his mother-in-law, uncle, spouse, and son, whose birthday falls on December 11th. In contrast to his family members, the inspector himself does not experience hunger, cold, or illness.
The Arstotzkan government expects workers to have and raise families to continue growing the Arstotzkan population. Because of this, ending 2 will occur if all family members die. The eventual fate of living family members depends on which ending is reached. Two other family members are mentioned but never explicitly seen in game.
On day 21, the inspector's sister is apprehended, with no disclosed reason or additional details regarding her arrest, although she possesses 100 credits in savings. She also has a daughter, the previously mentioned niece, who has the potential to be adopted. Opting for adoption results in the niece bringing along her mother's savings, providing some limited in-game advantages. The inspector's father is briefly referenced within the game by an entrant who indicates having collaborated with him over numerous years. While the inspector's mother is not explicitly mentioned, the same individual remarks that she intends to journey to Nirsk, the inspector's place of origin, to "inform them you are faring well here." This implies the inspector has more than one surviving relative, at least until day 19, in Nirsk.
== Association with EZIC ==
=== Overview ===
The Order of the EZIC Star, or just EZIC, (sometimes called "the Order") is a mysterious and clandestine resistance group that seeks to undermine the oppressive regime of Arstotzka. The player, as the immigration inspector, becomes inadvertently entangled with EZIC's activities while working at the Grestin border checkpoint.
The EZIC movement initially contacts the inspector through enigmatic letters and cryptic symbols hidden within official documents. As the player progresses through their daily tasks, they are given opportunities to collaborate with EZIC in various ways, either by allowing specific individuals to pass through the border with forged documents or by following the organization's directives. The inspector's actions and decisions ultimately determine the trajectory of the story and their alignment with EZIC's goals.
Throughout the game, the EZIC organization operates in the shadows, with their true intentions shrouded in secrecy. They claim to be advocates for freedom and a brighter future for Arstotzka, but the inspector must carefully consider the consequences of aiding them, as their instructions often involve morally ambiguous or ethically compromising actions. These decisions can lead to drastic shifts in the narrative, affecting the lives of the inspector's family, colleagues, and even the fate of the entire nation.
As the inspector navigates their role within the immigration system, they must weigh the potential benefits of collaborating with EZIC against the risks of being caught by the authorities. Choosing to assist EZIC can result in a range of outcomes, including multiple endings that reflect the inspector's alignment with the organization's objectives. The inspector may find themselves complicit in acts of subversion, espionage, and even acts of violence, all in pursuit of overthrowing the oppressive regime that controls Arstotzka.
=== Story ===
The inspector's initial encounter with EZIC occurs on day 8, when a mysterious hooded messenger delivers a black card bearing the name Corman Drex. The inspector has the option to hand over the card to Drex when they arrive at the border, or they will reappear a day later to ensure its delivery. Following this, EZIC's intentions are explained through a note, and the inspector is provided with a cipher containing a sequence of letters and numbers. This cipher is later decoded using a device received on day 10 to reveal the names of EZIC agents Mikhail Saratov and Stepheni Graire.
Over the next few days, EZIC offers the inspector monetary rewards in exchange for certain actions. Initially, they provide 1,000 credits, which can be burned, and this amount increases to 2,000 credits on day 12 if the offer is refused. Failure to take either option results in the confiscation of the inspector's savings. If another EZIC agent is permitted entry without Stepheni Graire, a specific ending occurs. Further interactions involve receiving money for allowing an agent to pass on day 17 and for thwarting an assassination attempt on day 20. An EZIC messenger provides daily briefings on their requirements.
A significant turning point comes on day 23, when EZIC requests that the inspector eliminate a threatening man in red. The choice of weaponry leads to different outcomes (endings 9 and 10), or refraining from action prompts a subsequent message about the man's shifting targets. As tensions between Arstotzka and Kolechia escalate and a diplomatic meeting is organized, EZIC seeks the inspector's aid in infiltrating the negotiations using a confiscated Kolechian diplomat's passport on day 27. Despite being involved in the narrative, EZIC denies responsibility for the attacks on the checkpoint during its initial month of operation.
On day 31, EZIC takes a more aggressive approach, launching a direct assault on the border in a bid to seize power and demolish the Grestin wall. During the attack, the inspector must choose between siding with EZIC or defending Arstotzka, with the eventual outcome influenced by their earlier decisions and allegiances (endings 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, and 20).
== Fate ==
Papers, Please has a total of 20 different endings, each with its own unique outcome based on the player's choices and actions throughout the game. These endings are triggered by various decisions and events that occur during the gameplay. Some endings are directly related to the player's interactions with the EZIC faction, while others are influenced by how the player handles their duties as an immigration inspector and their interactions with other characters. The player's choices regarding the government, family, and morality also play a significant role in determining the outcome of the game. To experience all 20 endings, players need to carefully navigate the game's branching narrative and make different choices in each playthrough
=== Endings ===
==== Ending 1 ====
The Inspector goes into debt and is sentenced to prison. 
==== Ending 2 ====
All of The Inspector's family dies because the inspector fails to provide food, heat and/or medicine for them.
==== Ending 3 ====
M. Vonel, an M.O.I investigator, visits the booth on day 12 asking for information about The Order of the EZIC Star. If the inspector gives him the EZIC documents received earlier, he is immediately arrested for suspicion of working with EZIC.
==== Ending 4 ====
On day 11, an unfamiliar individual delivers 1000 credits to the inspector. The option to either keep the money or destroy it is presented. Opting to destroy it leads to a larger sum of 2000 credits being brought on day 12. Accepting either of these offerings triggers the neighbors' report against the inspector, leading to his savings being confiscated on day 13 for further inquiry. In an attempt to assist, EZIC intervenes by dispatching an agent to disrupt the investigation. On day 14, if the agent is denied entry, M. Vonel apprehends the inspector at the start of day 15.
==== Ending 5 ====
The Inspector shoots and kills a bystander with the sniper rifle and gets the death penalty as a result.
==== Ending 6 ====
The Inspector shoots a bystander with the tranquilizer and gets sentenced to forced labor in prison.
==== Ending 7 ====
The Inspector shoots and kills an Arstotzkan guard with the sniper rifle and gets the death penalty as a result.
==== Ending 8 ====
The Inspector shoots an Arstotzkan guard with the tranquilizer and gets the death penalty as a result.
==== Ending 9 ====
The Inspector shoots and kills the the Man in Red with the sniper rifle and gets the death penalty as a result. He later receives a note in prison from EZIC that reads "INSPECTOR - FAMILY IS SAFE - TARGET ELIMINATED BUT OTHER PROBLEMS ARISE. REPLACEMENT INSPECTOR NOT COOPERATIVE - EZIC ACTIVITIES HINDERED. WE CANNOT PROVIDE FURTHER SUPPORT - EZIC TO HIBERNATE AGAIN. FAMILY WILL BE TAKEN TO OBRISTAN - GOOD LUCK."
==== Ending 10 ====
The Inspector shoots and paralyzes the Man in Red with the tranquilizer and gets sentenced to forced labor. He later receives a note in prison from EZIC that reads INSPECTOR - FAMILY IS SAFE - TARGET HAS RECOVERED IN HOSPITAL - REPLACEMENT INSPECTOR NOT COOPERATIVE - EZIC ACTIVITIES HINDERED - WE CANNOT PROVIDE FURTHER SUPPORT - EZIC TO HIBERNATE AGAIN - FAMILY WILL BE TAKEN TO OBRISTAN - GOOD LUCK
==== Ending 11 ====
The Ministry of Admission supervisor conducts booth inspections on days 10, 20, and 30. If he discovers any unapproved wall decorations (such as the family photo, Arskickers Pennant, or Son's Drawing), he imposes a fine and a warning upon the inspector. Upon encountering repeated violations, this outcome is activated, leading to the inspector's sentencing for hard labor.
==== Ending 12 ====
If the inspector detains Shae Piersovska on day 25, the M.O.A. supervisor will arrest the inspector the next morning.
==== Ending 13 ====
During the assault on day 31, the inspector shoots the lower assailant and allows the other attacker to destroy the wall. On the following day, the inspector is apprehended for their inability to protect the border. The Inspector's family is sent back to their village. The inspector must have completed fewer than four EZIC tasks to achieve this ending.
==== Ending 14 ====
An EZIC messenger will arrive on day 31 and tell the inspector to hold his fire during the impending assault. If the inspector decides to shoot the attackers anyway and the wall remains intact, this ending is triggered the next morning. M. Vonel confronts The Inspector about his involvement with EZIC, revealing that at least one EZIC member has confessed to receiving his help, and informs him that he is to be executed later that night for treason.
==== Ending 15 ====
An EZIC messenger will arrive on day 31 and tell the inspector to hold his fire during the attack. If the inspector shoots at least one of the attackers (and no bystanders) but the wall is blown up, this ending triggers immediately. EZIC takes over and The Inspector's fate is unknown.
==== Ending 16 ====
The Inspector escapes to Obristan on his own or with some (but not all) of his living family members.
==== Ending 17 ====
During day 31, it is required that the wall remains undamaged (meaning both EZIC attackers are dealt with) and The Inspector must not flee to Obristan afterward. In this scenario, The inspector's affiliation with EZIC is uncovered during an information audit, leading to his execution. The inspector must have completed one to three EZIC tasks given throughout the game.
==== Ending 18 ====
The inspector escapes to Obristan with all of his living family members.
==== Ending 19 ====
An EZIC messenger appears on day 31, instructing the inspector to refrain from shooting. Subsequently, the EZIC attackers demolish the border wall, resulting in the rise of EZIC's influence. If the inspector chooses to rest at the conclusion of day 31, EZIC recruits the inspector as their agent and arranges for his family to relocate to an improved apartment. The inspector must have completed at least four out of five EZIC tasks given throughout the game.
==== Ending 20 ====
To achieve this outcome, the inspector should not have fulfilled any of the EZIC tasks assigned throughout the game. On day 31, it is essential that he neutralizes both EZIC attackers and refrains from escaping to Obristan thereafter. The following morning, the inspector's information audit indicates only minor rule infractions, allowing him to resume his duties. A diplomatic agreement with Kolechia is reached, resulting in the reopening of the checkpoint on January 1st.
== Trivia ==
* His information audit takes place on December 24th, 1982.
* His prison cell number (if incarcerated) is 918533-6124 no matter what date or action he is imprisoned for.
* The inspector is a silent protagonist, much like many other characters in the game. They communicate primarily through their actions and interactions with others.
* Unlike other characters, the inspector does not experience hunger, cold, or illness, making them immune to some of the challenges faced by entrants.
* The inspector's family consists of several members, including his mother-in-law, uncle, wife, and son. His sister and niece also play a role in certain storylines.
* The inspector has family connections in the village of Nirsk, as mentioned by a character who claims to have worked with the inspector's father. This suggests the existence of other relatives in the village.
== External Links ==
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== Navigation ==
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