The hand holding the paper trembled slightly.
It was approaching noon, and Ronald sat in the chair outside the bedroom in the living room, staring blankly at the paper in front of him.
He had lost his job.
There was no other interpretation, it was unemploynt in the most literal sense.
At the mont, the page Ronald held in his hand bore neat typewritten text.
"Special Consultation Notice"
Dear Sir Ronald Adler,
Berengwich welcos your arrival.
Since the onset of winter following late autumn, your performance at the Berengwich train station has been outstanding, with exceptional professional knowledge, all of which we are fully aware of. To ensure the affairs of Berengwich after the onset of winter, after friendly consultations with the managent mbers of the Berengwich train station, we invite you to join our departnt as a consultancy advisor.
The ti and location for reporting are as follows:
1. Reporting ti:
The transfer process takes imdiate effect upon receipt of this notice; please complete it by 19th of Frost Month, LR417.
2. Reporting location:
Long Beach Street, Berengwich, A.
3. Important notes:
When reporting, please bring a Copenhagen School mark to prove your identity.
Do not leave Berengwich before reporting.
Please take note of this!
Special Investigation Departnt of Berengwich
12th of Frost Month, LR417
"..."
"This is too abrupt, isn’t it?"
Although he knew that there must be a subsequent investigation regarding the train station, he never expected the investigators to play so tough!
The job he had obtained through Arida’s connections was gone just like that?
Despite the notice saying that he was being asked to join the Investigation Departnt, in reality, it was just a declaration of being off-duty!
Consultancy advisor position.
It was obvious he was being asked to assist in the investigation of the train station matter.
Whether or not his own secrets would be uncovered was another issue.
As soon as the Investigation Departnt gave up the investigation or archived the case files, wouldn’t he be unemployed again?
Was there a problem within the Investigation Departnt itself?
Or was it the locals’ intimidation towards the outsiders?
Thinking this, Ronald touched his pocket.
The first month’s salary he earned from the train station was right there.
The cost of housing in this era was not outrageous, and with so extra expenses accounted for, he could afford to live in a hostel that provided als for a full six months.
"..."
"Thinking about it this way, I seem quite wealthy?"
No, no!
Was this the ti to consider food and lodging?
Slap slap—
Shaking his head vigorously, Ronald reached out to slap his cheeks, then stood up and opened the window.
The cold winter wind poured in from outside and stung his face.
His gloomy mood was swept away in an instant.
A clear mind told Ronald that things might not be as bad as they seed.
If the people in the Investigation Departnt had full malice towards him, what he would have faced this morning would not be a transfer notice, but several ’professionals’ in coats directly blocking his door.
What he needed to do was to set out as soon as possible.
From the end of yesterday’s questioning to this morning’s envelope being stuffed into the mailbox, the total ti added up was less than 20 hours.
Using the society’s work progress as a reference.
His transfer notice...
It must have been a decision made on the fly yesterday afternoon to evening, after so mid- to high-ranking personnel in the Investigation Departnt got hold of the investigation records.
After a not very strict check, the notice was delivered to his mailbox this morning.
Another detail corroborating this was included in the notice.
And that was the whole week set aside for the reporting ti.
This period was ant to give Ronald plenty of ti to prepare, but it might also grant him enough cushion should anything change.
That way, the Bureau’s man could make adjustnts as needed.
Therefore, it was essential to set out as soon as possible.
Before the decision-maker had another ’stroke of genius’ to concoct new sches, or before the Bureau did more research on him.
He had to finish his report fast and beco one of the Bureau’s ’own people.’
That was the best option to minimize trouble!
Set out imdiately—
Thinking this, Ronald pulled open the drawer beneath his living room desk.
He took out a black wooden token engraved with patterns and stuffed it into his chest, then briskly walked out the door.
Hearing the commotion upstairs, the landlady who was about to cook asked loudly from the kitchen:
"Mr. Ronald, are you heading out?"
"Lunchti is almost upon us."
Without stopping, Ronald replied as he headed downstairs,
"I won’t be back until later tonight, just leave so food in my room."
The landlady then said,
"I’ll prepare dinner for you..."
Click—
After closing the apartnt door, Ronald stood on the residential street.
He didn’t head straight for 21 Long Beach Street but followed the route he took to work every day and arrived at the tailor shop less than a kiloter away.
He pulled the store’s bell cord, and upon hearing the ’ding-a-ling’ inside, he pushed open the door:
"Is Mr. Ralph here?"
"It’s you, Ronald."
In less than three seconds, a middle-aged man with fabric draped over his arm and a asuring tape in hand erged from behind the counter.
Surprised to see Ronald without a coat, he asked,
"It’s so cold today, aren’t you going to put on more clothes?"
"The coat I bought from you last ti got dirty yesterday," Ronald said with a friendly smile and then explained, "And just coincidentally, I had so urgent business today. Since your shop isn’t far, I thought I’d stop by to buy another one."
"I see."
Ralph nodded in understanding, then asked,
"So, what kind of clothing are you looking to buy this ti?"
Ronald answered,
"The sa style as last ti will do, just in a darker color."
"Just a mont."
Hearing Ronald’s request, Ralph imdiately turned and went into the back of the shop.
Ronald, familiar with the drill, went straight to the fitting mirror to wait.
Less than a minute later, Ralph ca to the front of the store,
With the fabric and tape asure now replaced by a dark brown overcoat.
"Co try this on."
"All right."
Ronald took the overcoat and tried it on, checking himself in the mirror.
Quite the coincidence...
With the previous buying experience, Ralph picked a coat that fit Ronald perfectly.
Even the color of the coat was nearly identical to the ones worn by the Bureau’s n.
He just needed a wide-brimd hat, and he could go straight to impersonating an Investigator!
Satisfied, Ronald nodded:
"For the price..."
"Sa as last ti," Ralph, also looking at Ronald in the mirror, said casually, "This style isn’t exactly in demand, so you get it at the discounted price."
"Thank you."
Ronald nodded, took out six De Pu, and handed them over.
"I’ll be heading off then."
"Safe travels."
Walking out of the tailor shop, Ronald checked that all the buttons on the coat were fastened before hailing a passing cab.
"Take to 21 Long Beach Street. Add one De Pu if you’re quick."
"Understood, sir."
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