Terry Pratchett. Interesting times (№ 22286)

- Strange, damn country, he said. - Did you hear that the Empire is surrounded with a wall?
- So... uh... could not get... these, um, Barbara?..
- Oh, a very wise way of protection - sarcastically chuckled Cohen. - Like how come we're watching: Bah! - Yes, there is a twenty-foot wall, let's go, we better back in good time, well, that is three thousand miles, it is still better to get out than go and make some stairs made of pine, which is on every corner growing. No! The wall they've built to ensure that nobody could get out!