Winston starts work at the Ministry of Truth

Winston pulls the speakwrite towards him, blows the dust from its mouthpiece, and puts on his spectacles. Four small cylinders of paper have flopped out of the pneumatic tube, each containing a message that requires him to alter or 'rectify' some document. He examines the messages, which refer to a speech by Big Brother, production forecasts, and a chocolate ration promise. The work of the Records Department is to rewrite the past so that all records agree with the Party's current needs. Winston disposes of routine messages and sets aside the fourth, which is a more intricate and responsible job.