"Is it me? Or has humanity's intelligence really declined over the past few decades?" grumbled Friedrich, as he sifted through the stack of test papers that his potential new employees had submitted.
These were supposed to be university students and recent graduates from Libya's engineering colleges, but they wouldn't have been able to clear the Gymnasium in Germany.
"Then again Germany is declining as well," mused Friedrich, as he recalled the recent news of the German government lowering the testing requirements for the Abitur, and even dropping more complex topics from the Gymnasium curriculum, in order to boost the number of students who could graduate and go to university.
"You've noticed it too, haven't you?" said Saladin, entering the office.
Friedrich made to rise, but Saladin waved him down with an impatient gesture.
"No need to stand on ceremony, Friedrich. We're friends, and equals, regardless of soil," said Saladin, taking a seat across from him.
