Chapter 100: The Train
2023-05-02 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
"...On the 22nd, American President Hoover signed the Reconstruction Finance Act, which aims to use treasury funds to stimulate the market through loans, reviving major industries..."
"During the signing ceremony, facing interviews from countless media and reporters, the President stated that the Reconstruction Finance Act will establish a powerful organization to remedy the market's cash flow shortage by strengthening credit. Hoover himself is very optimistic about the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, believing it will greatly reduce deflation across the agricultural and industrial sectors, help more companies get a new lease on life, and provide more employment opportunities..."
"However, the market is generally not optimistic about Hoover's series of bailout measures, viewing them as a last-ditch struggle at the end of his presidency. New York State Governor Roosevelt has publicly criticized incumbent President Hoover's Reconstruction Finance Corporation and related bailout plans..."
Main World, on a train bound for Los Angeles.
Colin was engrossed in the newspaper report.
"Should your wife be expecting and wish to give birth in Royce City, please come prepared with sufficient funds to cover all fees. Service will be rendered upon payment.
-- A Public Notice."
Flipping the newspaper, his eyes swept over a local advertisement before Colin withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the scenery outside the train.
The desolate scene outside the window was a reflection of this era of the Great Depression.
During this period, America's aviation industry was far from as common as it would be in later years. The onset of the Great Depression, in particular, had drastically slowed its development. Both military and civil aviation were struggling due to low demand.
Thus, the train became the primary choice for travel in this era.
Especially for long-distance journeys, people without an automobile would often choose the train as their only hope of reaching a big city to seek opportunities.
At the same time, in order to survive the Great Depression, railroad companies were racking their brains to develop new methods of transportation.
The steam locomotive Colin was on, for example, used the latest articulated internal combustion train set, which could greatly reduce the train's need for fuel and water.
The clattering sound of the train moving along the tracks was incessant.
Putting away his newspaper, Colin straightened his back and stretched his legs out in his seat, surveying the situation inside the carriage.
The train was not very crowded; most seats were occupied by only one or two people.
This didn't mean trains were unpopular. On the contrary, looking out along the direction of the train, under the effect of his [Super Vision] power, he could faintly see the densely packed 'passengers' clinging to the outside of the rear cars.
Compared to the handful of passengers inside the carriages, these were the train's main occupants.
Of course, the railroad company showed no mercy to these uninvited 'passengers' who intended to hitch a free ride. In fact, at the previous Chicago Transfer Station, the company had already dispatched guards to drive them off. But as soon as the train started moving again, these evicted 'passengers', along with vagrants lying in wait at the station, all clung back on.
Together with the whistling train, they hurtled toward their destination: Los Angeles.
They were going there to try their luck, whether it meant life or death.
...
Los Angeles, Central Station.
"Mister, need a shoeshine?"
Carrying his suitcase, he stepped off the train and declined the shoeshine boy's offer.
Colin walked through the station's waiting hall and out onto the street.
Los Angeles during the Great Depression didn't seem all that different from New York.
The figures of homeless people were a common sight on the streets. However, compared to New York, this city felt slightly different. The most direct difference Colin noticed was that even the number of homeless people on the streets of Los Angeles seemed to be higher than in other cities.
"...We need jobs!"
"I have three children! If I die, they'll have no one..."
"America is on the wrong path! This country needs to change!"
"It's all the capitalists' fault! They control more than half the wealth in this country but won't spare a single dime to save the masses..."
"Tricks, games, sweet talk, empty boasts, deception, and lies—we've all been deceived by the capitalists."
Walking past the protest march, Colin hailed a taxi.
He was heading to his destination for this trip: Hollywood.
"Sir, is this your first time in Los Angeles?" the taxi driver asked, taking the initiative after glancing at the suitcase in Colin's hand.
Nodding, Colin pulled his gaze away from the protest outside the window and asked casually, "Are there many protests like this in Los Angeles?"
"There didn't used to be so many," the driver said with a purse of his lips as he drove the automobile around the procession. "But since the Great Depression started and more and more people lost their jobs, these protests and demonstrations have gradually become more common. I heard that during one protest, an out-of-control group of protesters charged the City Government building. Five or six of them were shot dead on the spot, but not a single local media outlet dared to report the story. If I hadn't been nearby at the time, I probably would have never known about it."
"Still, after that protest, the government's relief activities increased a bit, so I guess the protesters didn't die in vain."
As he said this, the driver's expression was tinged with disdain, though it was unclear whether it was for the protesters or the City Government.
"Sir, are you here in Los Angeles to find a job, or...?"
Having concluded the topic of the protest, the driver continued to probe Colin.
"On a business trip."
Faced with the driver's curiosity, Colin simply stated his purpose for being there.
"If it's a business trip."
Hearing Colin's answer, the driver glanced at him sitting alone, and a knowing smile crept onto his face. "Sir, I know a nice restaurant that offers excellent service. I also know some girls. For the right price, they'd be more than willing to accompany you for a wonderful evening."
During the Great Depression, every profession had its own way of earning extra cash.
Evidently, the taxi driver intended to introduce Colin to some of Los Angeles's recreational activities.
In fact, during this era, many taxi drivers earned their primary income by introducing passengers to such pastimes, and destitute women survived through these means.
This practice only improved after the Great Depression, when the number of taxis was regulated and reduced.
Right now, it was at its most rampant.
(end of chapter)