Before the Speech (Big Chapter Seeking Monthly Ticket)

Saint Ilan District

A bustling crowd followed a Thin Man holding up a wooden sign. Carrying transparent umbrellas, they wandered all the way toward the end of the street.

"You've got quite a crowd here."

A somewhat burly Bald Man glanced at the dense mass of people, then looked at the bearded Gaunt Man beside him.

"About eighty or ninety, buddy."

The bearded man reached into his pocket and pulled out a metal case. Opening it revealed neatly arranged cigarettes inside.

"You have to understand, 75 Federal dollars is enough to hire a man in Ningweisi District for a week's work. All they have to do is follow the procession around for a day, and they can earn what someone else would have to work themselves to the bone for all week to make. And we pay part of it upfront. Who wouldn't like that? They've all been calling in friends and fighting desperately to get this job."

He took out a cigarette and offered it to the Bald Man. "For us, the price of one bottle of liquor at a bar is enough to get three people to shout behind you all day. Why wouldn't we do it?"

"You're rarely this generous."

The Bald Man accepted the cigarette and put it between his lips. "You didn't hire any of the old hands this time? Aren't there any supporters of that doctor from White Jasmine Palace among these newcomers? You tricked them into protesting against that doctor. Aren't you afraid they won't cooperate? Aren't you afraid they'll take your money and refuse to work?"

He raised a hand. The tip of his smooth index finger split apart, spewing out a bright blue, windproof flame, which he held before the bearded man.

"That prosthetic of yours is pretty handy."

The bearded