Chapter 2 Chapter Two Methods of Dealing with Strangers

On this evening, the weather was cool and pleasant, and Loya Maron and her dull husband, Abin, were playing cards.In a corner of the room, an old man was sitting in an electric wheelchair, rustling the newspaper angrily, and shouting, "Yabin!" Abin Mahlon didn't agree immediately, he was still carefully stroking the thin and slippery rectangular cards, thinking about how to play the next card.When he finally made up his mind, he responded with a casual "What do you want, Gru?" The white-haired Gru pulled down the newspaper a bit, looked at his son-in-law fiercely, and rustled the newspaper again.He felt that the noise brought him great relief.If a person is full of energy, but is forced to be nailed to a wheelchair, his legs become two useless dead branches, and the space is high, then he must find some way to vent his dissatisfaction.Gru's props are newspapers. He tore them vigorously, waved them exaggeratedly, and when necessary, he would pick up the newspapers and tap them.

Grue knew that, off Earth, every household was equipped with a telegram machine that printed the latest news on microfilm that could be read with a standard reader.But Gru looked down on this kind of thing in his heart, it was an incompetent and depraved habit! Grew said, "Did you read that the archaeological expedition is coming to Earth?" "No, I haven't seen it yet." Yabin replied in a calm tone. Gelu actually asked the question knowingly, because no one read today's newspaper except himself, and their family stopped accepting Supervision last year.However, anyway, his words were only used as an opening remark.

He said, "Well, there's an archaeological team coming, and it's Imperial-funded. What do you think?" He began to read the newspaper aloud in an odd tone that most people naturally switch to when they read aloud. "Bell Avadan, a senior researcher at the Imperial Institute of Archaeology, when interviewed by the Yinhe News Agency, explained with confidence the significant results that can be expected from this archaeological research. This time, his research object is the planet Earth, which is located in the The outer edge of the Sirius sector (refer to the star map). 'Earth,' he said, 'its ancient civilization and unique environment gave birth to a monstrous culture. For a long time, our social scientists have ignored its importance and only regarded it as I have every reason to believe that in the next year or two, the study of the earth will bring about a revolution in certain basic concepts of social evolution and human history. Change.' Wait." He ended the recitation with a flourish.

Abin Mahlon wasn't paying much attention. He muttered, "What does he mean by 'freak culture'?" Loya Maron didn't listen at all, she just said, "Your turn, Abin." Grew continued, "Hey, why don't you ask me why the Tribune is running this story? You know they wouldn't run the Galactica release if they didn't have a good reason, even if they paid a million Imperial credits. press release." He waited for a long time, but didn't get any answer, so he said: "Because they also attached an editorial, a whole page of editorials, and this guy Alvardan was stunned. This guy wants to come here to do scientific research, and they Just try to stop it with all your strength. Look at the words that incite the masses, look at it!" He shook the newspaper in front of them: "Read it, why not read it?"

Loya Maron put down the cards in his hand, and tightly pursed his thin lips. "Father," she said, "we've worked hard all day, now don't talk about politics. Let's talk later, okay? Please, Father." Gru showed displeasure on his face, imitating his daughter's tone and saying, "'Please, father! Please, father.' I can see that you must be so tired of your old father that you don't even want to say a few words and discuss it with him. A bit of current events. I think I'm putting you on the back burner, I'm sitting in this corner and I'm making you two work three jobs...whose fault is this? I'm still strong and I'm willing to work. You know, my legs As long as you receive treatment, you will definitely be cured.”

As he spoke, he slapped those legs.It was a few hard, rough, loud slaps, but he could only hear them, but not feel them at all. "The only reason I can't get treatment is because I'm too old for them to treat me. Don't you think it's a 'freak culture'? A person who can work and they don't let him work, this kind of World can you think of another adjective? By the stars, the so-called 'special regimes' are ridiculous and I think it's time for us to stop. They're not just special, they're crazy! I think...  " He waved his arms vigorously, his face was flushed with blood.

But Yabin stood up from the chair, reached out and grabbed the old man's shoulders tightly.He said, "What's there to worry about, Gru? When you finish the paper, I'll be sure to read the editorial." "Of course, but you will agree with them, so what's the use of saying it! You young people are a bunch of soft bones, just sponges in the hands of those ancients." At this time Luo Ya said sharply: "Okay, father, don't mention that kind of thing." She sat there and listened quietly for a while, she couldn't explain why she did it, but... Every time the Order of the Ancients was mentioned, Yabin would feel a biting chill, and this time was no exception.It's really unsafe for Gru to be so open-mouthed. He even laughed at the ancient culture of the earth. He actually... actually...

Ah, it's all that sleazy "assimilationism".He quickly swallowed his saliva, this word is so ugly, even thinking about it is unbearable. Of course, when Gru was young, there used to be a lot of silly talk about abandoning the old ways, but times are different now.Gru should know this—he probably does, but as a "prisoner" in a wheelchair, the only thing he can do is count the days and wait for the next census, so it is difficult to maintain a rational and sane mind. Perhaps of the three, Gru was the most unflappable, but he didn't say anything.Time slipped away bit by bit, he became more and more quiet, and the typeface on the newspaper became more and more blurred.Before he had time to read the sports page carefully, his wobbly head slowly dropped to his chest.He snored softly, and the newspaper slipped through his fingers to the floor with one last unintentional rustle.

Then, Luo Ya whispered in a worried tone: "We may not be kind to him like this, Yabin. It is really painful to live this kind of life after what happened to his father. Compared with the life he was familiar with in the past, Living like this is better than dying.” "It's better to die than to live, Roya. He's got newspapers and books to keep him company now, so let him quarrel! A little excitement like this will cheer him up, and he'll have a few days of happiness and peace. " Yabin began to study the deck of cards in his hand again. When he was about to play a card, there was a knocking sound on the door.But the hoarse shouts that followed, but he couldn't make out what he was saying.

Yabin's hands froze after a shock.Loya stared at her husband with fear in her eyes and a trembling lower lip. Yabin said, "Push Gru away, quick!" When he said this, Luo Ya had already come to the wheelchair.While pushing the wheelchair, she softly comforted the old man. But as soon as the wheelchair turned, Gru woke up immediately.He let out a gasp, then sat up straight, fumbling for the newspaper naturally. "What's going on?" He asked angrily, his voice was very loud. "Shh, it's okay." Luo Ya said vaguely, and then pushed the wheelchair to the next room.Then she closed the door and leaned her back against it, her flat chest heaving violently, her eyes searching for her husband's.At this time, there was another knock on the door.

When the gate was opened, the two of them stood close together, almost in a defensive position.And when they faced this chunky strange man and looked at the ambiguous smile on his face, they both showed hostile eyes at the same time. Loya said, "Is there anything we can do to help you?" It was purely a polite question.Unexpectedly, the man gasped for breath suddenly, and stretched out a hand to support the precarious body, causing her to jump back quickly in fright. "Is he sick?" Yabin asked at a loss, "Come on, help me help him in." Hours later, in the tranquility of their bedroom, Loya and Abin slowly prepared for bed. "Yabin—" Luo Ya said. "What's up?" "Is it safe to do this?" "Safe?" He seemed to deliberately pretend not to understand. "I mean, bring that man into the house. Who is he?" "How do I know?" He replied angrily, "But no matter what, when we meet a patient, we can't just ignore it. If he doesn't have an identity certificate, we will notify the local security bureau tomorrow, then this matter That's the end of the matter." He turned his head away, obviously wanting to end the conversation. Luo Ya broke the silence, and her slender voice sounded even more anxious: "You don't think he might be a spy of the Ancient Order, do you? You also know about Gru." "You mean, because of what he said tonight? That's such an absurd idea that I'm not going to comment." "That's not what I meant, you know. What I meant was that we've been keeping Gru illegally for two years now. And you know, we're violating the worst 'customs' in doing so." Yabin murmured, "We didn't harm anyone, we met our production quota, didn't we? Even though it was three people—three people's work. Why should they doubt it when we did it? We even Don't let him out of the house." "They probably followed the lead of the wheelchair. You bought the motor and accessories outside." "Don't mention it again, Luo Ya. I have explained many times that the parts I bought to assemble that wheelchair are all standard kitchen equipment. Besides, there is no reason at all to suspect that he is a spy of the Brotherhood No. Do you think they would plan such an elaborate scheme for a poor old man in a wheelchair? Couldn't they just barge in in broad daylight with a search warrant? Come on, figure it out for yourself." "Well, then, Yabin," her eyes suddenly lit up, "if you really think so, and I always hope you do. Then he must be an outsider, he cannot be from Earth." "What do you mean he is impossible? That's even more absurd. People from the empire are not easy to go, why did they come to Earth?" "I don't know why! Ah, I see, maybe he committed a crime there." She immediately fell into her own fantasy, "What's wrong? It makes perfect sense. Earth is the best choice, who would Thinking of coming here to find him?" "If he is an outsider, what evidence do you have for that?" "He doesn't speak our language, does he? You'll have to agree with that. Can you understand a word he says? So he must be from some far corner of the galaxy where the dialect is very strange. I've heard it said that a man on Fumahot would have to learn a new language from scratch if he wanted to speak in the palace of Trantor... But don't you see what that means? If He's a stranger, he's not on file with the Census Bureau, and he'll be too happy if we don't report it. We can put him to work on the farm, taking Father's place, and that brings the working population to three , it’s no longer just the two of us, the next season’s production quota will definitely not be a problem... Even now, he can help with the harvest.” She looked anxiously at her husband's hesitant face.He thought for a long time, and then said: "Okay, go to bed, Luo Ya. We will continue to discuss during the day, and then our minds will be clearer." Their conversation ended and the lights went out.Finally, the bedroom and the house were both shrouded in deep sleepiness. The next morning, it was Gru's turn to wrestle with the conundrum.Yabin went to ask him hopefully. He had a lot of confidence in his father-in-law, which he couldn't find in himself. Grew said: "Your problems, Yabin, obviously stem from registering me as a working population, so the production quota is set at three people. I hate to make trouble for you. Now I have lived two years longer. Really It's enough." Yabin felt embarrassed: "It's not the problem at all, I didn't imply that you are our trouble." "Well, anyway, what difference does it make. In two years' time there will be another census, and I'll have to go anyway." "At least you still have two years, you can study at ease and have a good rest. Why do you have to deprive yourself of this?" "Because everyone else is like this. And what can you and Luo Ya do? When they come to catch me, they will take you away. Am I still a human being then? In order to survive for a few more years, I have to sacrifice……" "Okay, Gru, I don't want the melodrama. We've told you many times what we're going to do. We'll put you on the week before the census." "And without telling the doctor, is it?" "Of course we bribe doctors." "Hmph! And this newcomer—he'll add to your guilt, and you'll have to hide him, too." "We'll let him go then. Why bother now, for the sake of the planet? It's two years away. What do we do with him now?" "A stranger," Gru thought for a while, "he knocked on our door, he came from nowhere, and we couldn't understand what he said...I don't know what advice to give you." Yabin replied: "He looks very docile, seems to be scared to death, and will not do us any harm." "Scared to death, huh? What if he is mentally handicapped? What if his gibberish is not a dialect at all, but crazy words spoken by mental patients?" "It doesn't sound like it." Although Yabin said this, he began to fidget. "You say that to yourself because you want to use him... well, I'll tell you what to do, take him into town." "To Chicago?" Yabin was taken aback, "Then it's over." "Absolutely not," Gru said in a calm tone. "Your problem is that you don't read newspapers. Fortunately, in this family, I am in charge of this matter. It just so happens that the Institute of Nuclear Energy has invented a device that is said to enhance human health." Learning efficiency. In the weekend supplement, there is a full page of detailed reports. They are looking for volunteers, and you take that person and let him volunteer.” Yabin shook his head resolutely: "You're crazy, I can't do this, Gru. The first thing they ask, must be his registration number. That's like asking someone to come and investigate, and it will screw everything up .And then they'll find out about you." "No, they won't, you just got it all wrong, Yabin. The Institute is asking for volunteers because that machine is still in the experimental stage. It probably killed a few people, so I'm sure they won't Ask any questions. In case the stranger dies, he probably has nothing to lose compared to the present situation. . . Come on, just bring it to me right away, okay?" When Schwartz opened his eyes, it was already the afternoon of the second day.Immediately, he felt terribly sad—waking up without his wife, a familiar world gone.Moreover, this heart-piercing pain is still growing. He had also felt this kind of pain before, and that short memory suddenly reappeared in his mind at this moment, illuminating the scene that had been dusty for many years.There was himself in it, as a teenager, in a frozen village...a pair of sledges ready to go...at the end of the sleigh ride was a train...and then, a huge ship... At this time, the longing and worry about the familiar world connected him now with the twenty-year-old him—he who was preparing to immigrate to the United States. The frustration was too real for this to be a dream. He jumped out of bed when the light above the door began to flicker and the host's meaningless baritone sounded.Then the door was opened, and breakfast was brought to him--besides the milk, there was a bowl of mushy porridge, which he couldn't recognize, but it tasted something like corn porridge, but more delicious. He said "thank you" and nodded sharply. The farmer answered a few words, took Schwartz's shirt from the back of the chair, and examined it carefully from all angles, paying particular attention to the buttons.Then he hung the shirt back up and slammed open the sliding door of a cupboard.Only then did Schwartz see that the walls were a warm milky white. "Plastic." He murmured to himself. For materials that cannot be explained, laymen like to use this word that works well.He also noticed that there are no edges and corners in the entire room, and all the planes are joined by smooth curved surfaces. The male host took out some things and handed them to him, and made some unmistakable gestures, which obviously meant to ask Schwartz to wash and change clothes. Relying on the help and guidance of his master, he was doing it obediently.It's just that he couldn't find a shaving utensil. Although he tried his best to gesture at his chin, all he got in return was an incomprehensible voice and an obvious disgusted expression on the other party's face.Schwartz had no choice but to touch his gray mustache, and sighed softly. Then, the master took him to a small, slender two-wheeled cart and ordered him to get on with gestures.The ground immediately receded quickly, and the empty roads on both sides were constantly changing the scenery.Finally, a group of low, gleaming white buildings appeared ahead, and in the distance, a blue ocean. He pointed eagerly outside: "Chicago?" That was his last ray of hope, but what he saw now obviously had no similarities with that city. The man didn't answer at all. His last hope was also dashed.