During the interval they have an encounter with Global’s friend from the time he was a student. It turns out that he recently got married and his wife used to work with Global on a project several years ago. They decide to go for a drink together. Using their communicators they choose a cosy restaurant next to the theatre and book a table. After the performance they are all in great mood, and recall the beginning of the 21st century with amusement. The waiter discreetly charges Global’s non-contact e-wallet for actually ordered dishes. John can easily accept the payments after he comes back home. Global registers all transaction details in his financial organizer build into the communicator. Thanks to it he can track and analyze his transactions and schedule expenses. He is fully in control of his finances. His personal communicator receives financial operations on an ongoing basis, and confirms or accepts them. Once a weak it receives a financial e-analysis drawing Global’s attention to offers better tailored to his appetite for risk and lifestyle. Small hours. Mr. and Mrs. Global are coming back home. Why have I told you this story? Why does a central banker tell stories about future instead of delivering a 30-minute speech of the success achieved by the National Bank of Poland and its partners in building a safe, efficient and modern payment infrastructure in Poland? The reason for this is that we have to prepare for the future.
Here, everything was well thoughtout, consistent and done so as to fulfil a clear vision of e-government that was supposed to be citizenfriendly and to make their life easier. And Global was not in the wrong. He is still satisfied with his choice. It is worth mentioning that he hesitated over the decision to move. The final straw was an argument at Warsaw district office where Global had gone to in order to obtain some certificate. The certificate was ready, but Global – who had paid the stamp duty by an online transfer – had no proof of  BIS Review 90/2006  1  payment. Without such confirmation the officer would not issue the certificate. The argument reached its climax when the officer shouted out his anger: ‘If only you had paid in cash at the counter here, there would be no problem now!’ Today, in September 2026, John Global recalls this situation with a tint of amusement. How things have changed since that day, and how much easier life is now. Today, administrative issues take him only several minutes monthly, because all these are handled via the Internet, regardless whether located in Asia or Europe. And officers are doing their utmost to provide services to John Global efficiently, as the contract for these services will only be renewed when customers are satisfied with them. Needless to say, customer satisfaction surveys take place via the Internet. As for Global's satisfaction with his metabolism, he can measure it himself.