In this illustration, the "ideal" is represented as a faded image; the "reality" below, in stark, dark, heavy lines and shades. In the first panel, the ideal ruler is beloved by his subjects. He rides in an open car to the cheers of a rather large number of people. A mother offers her child to be kissed by the leader, while a couple share a warm embrace. The store is well-stocked with groceries, suggesting plenty. In reality, the leader's car is closed, and he is surrounded by guards, with weapons conspicuously exposed. In fact, the leader is not to be seen in this image at all, cloaked as he is by tight security. There are no crowds, and those who are present scatter to avoid the onrushing car. The store no longer seems full and prosperous. The scene is dark and shadowy, as if it is carried out under cover of darkness.

In the second panel, the leader is once again beloved by the crowd. His image is at center, admired by all. His pose appears heroic, worthy of patriotic devotion. The soldiers march with precision, well-heeled and loyal, a symbol of national strength. Officers stand on the stage at respectful attention. Below, those same troops now appear as merciless thugs. They storm into a couple's room in the middle of the night, rousing them from bed. They appear to be dragging the woman away, for reasons we can only suppose. Her child futilely attempts to hold the thugs at bay, but the soldier’s gun and size are no match. The image of the leader is identical to the one at top. In this context, however, he does not appear heroic, but rather intrusive and Big Brother-like. Note the ominous shadow of one of the security officers projected on the wall behind the bed.

In the third panel, workers in this planned economy are determined and hard working. Their pose is erect, projecting confidence and good health. The two workers closest to us look at each other with an air of camaraderie. The foreman encourages and congratulates the workers on meeting the production goals, depicted as the chart on the wall above them. In reality, the workers toil under the reproachful gaze of a uniformed commander, who once again casts a foreboding shadow. He does not encourage or congratulate, but is instead their task-master. The workers' backs are bent, as they huddle over their machines. None of the workers look at each other; there is no esprit de corps here. While the production target remains the same as in the above image, the real numbers lag far below the expected projections. The window above the chart looks more like prison bars.