Chapter 4: What is Hell?
Before Arthur could even reach the main entrance of the police station, a fellow officer, also clad in police uniform and clutching a stack of thick documents, intercepted him.
Upon seeing Arthur’s face, the officer wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking as if he had been granted a reprieve.
“Thank heavens, Arthur, you’re finally here! If you were any later, I wouldn’t have been able to handle those pesky jurors and the high-and-mighty magistrate. Quick, quick, we’re running out of time, let’s talk as we go.”
Arthur was pushed forward by him, nonchalantly saying,
“Tony, you just lack some necessary confidence. The magistrate’s court isn’t something to be afraid of. All you have to do is read the prosecution materials to everyone. You know how to read, what’s there to worry about?”
Tony looked dejected, “Arthur, you don’t know, before I took this job, I was just a cobbler who repaired shoes for others. If it wasn’t for the fact that many people in our area were so poor they were almost out of shoes, I might never have come to London.
Although I can recognize two characters, it’s just recognizing them. The highest education I received was the Sunday school I attended as a child, and the only book I’ve read in its entirety is the Bible.
How can a lowly person like me compare to a brilliant student like you who has received a proper university education?”
Arthur comforted him with a gentle tone, “Tony, you’re already stronger than many priests, at least you’ve read the Bible in its entirety.”
“You’re making fun of me again.” Tony asked, “By the way, I have a question, is the tuition fee for the London University you attended expensive?”
Arthur raised his eyebrows, “You want to continue your studies?”
Tony blushed and waved his hands repeatedly, “How dare I have such noble aspirations.”
“Then why are you asking this?”
Tony hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to reveal his true thoughts.
“I’m probably just like this for the rest of my life. But my child can’t be like me. I’ve been struggling in this quagmire for so many years, not for him to suffer with me. He must go to school, not just school, but university. Although he’s not old enough yet, I have to start preparing his school fees, don’t you think?”
Upon hearing this, Arthur patted Tony’s shoulder in admiration, “Tony, I didn’t expect you to be such a responsible father. If only you could show this kind of courage when you’re on duty.”
Tony’s already flushed face turned even redder upon hearing this.
“Arthur, I didn’t mean to leave you alone in the alleyway last time. Those people were carrying hammers and knives, even if I stayed I wouldn’t have been of any use. The reason I ran away was to go back and call for reinforcements for you.”
“It’s okay, I’ve forgiven you.” Arthur patted his police knife at his waist, “At least after that incident, the higher-ups finally agreed to give us some decent weapons.”
“But speaking of which, Arthur, how did you escape that time?”
Arthur glanced at Agareus, who was sulking aside, and said, “Don’t worry about that, I have my ways. Next time you encounter this kind of situation, run if you have to, you’re already a father, don’t joke around with your family.”
Tony was simply ashamed and embarrassed. He chuckled, “Actually, I’m still far from being a father, I just started planning to get married recently. I’ve already submitted my marriage application, and once it’s approved, I can officially get married.”
Arthur couldn’t help but frown, “What are they up to? Why do police officers need approval to get married?
They can’t drink, can’t grow a beard, can’t gamble, can’t be in debt, can’t have any bad habits, can’t be poorly dressed, can’t have any indecent behavior, and even their families can’t have mentally ill patients.
For individual police officers, they must have a proper religious belief, a certain level of cultural quality, strictly prohibited from doing business privately, strictly prohibited from raising poultry or even pets.
In any public place, even during off-duty hours, they must consciously participate and be brave in maintaining public order, and shoulder all responsibilities for maintaining social moral norms.
What’s even more ridiculous is that they are only willing to pay twelve shillings a week for such people.
That’s not all, now they’re starting to control marriage, why don’t they just give us a wife directly? That way they can monitor us 24/7.”
Upon hearing Arthur’s complaints, Tony also empathized, “Come on, Arthur, your wife can’t monitor you 24/7. Don’t you remember? We have to work 14 hours a day, and if we’re unlucky, we’ll be scolded by the higher-ups for another two hours. As for your wife? She’s lucky if she can monitor you for eight hours a day.”
Tony sighed helplessly, “But complaining about this is useless. By the way, you haven’t told me how much the tuition fee at London University is.”
Arthur took a breath and replied, “Twenty-three pounds six shillings per year.”
(TL Note: Shillings- a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or ¹/₂₀ pound)
“Hiss…” Tony gasped, “That’s really expensive, I only earn a little over thirty pounds a year, sending my child to school will cost me most of it. I guess I have to start saving money early.”
“That’s already cheap, you should have asked about the tuition fees of the four major law societies in London.”
“How much do they charge?”
Arthur held up three fingers towards him, “That much, per year.”
“Thirty pounds?” Tony furrowed his brow, gritting his teeth, “My salary should increase again, maybe I can squeeze it out for him. Lawyer? Tony Lawyer? That’s a good profession, definitely better than his dad.”
Just as Tony was lost in his daydreams, Arthur poured cold water on him.
“Thirty pounds? Tony, what are you thinking? It’s three hundred pounds.”
Tony felt dizzy upon hearing this number, “They might as well just take my life. I might never be able to save up his tuition.”
“It’s okay if you can’t save up, that place isn’t for ordinary people like us to attend. Most of the students there are children of bankers, factory owners, or nobles.”
“Don’t they usually go to Oxford or Cambridge?”
“Yes, that’s true. But some people want a change of pace, don’t they? Just like you’re used to eating potatoes, sometimes you want to have some bread with lard for a change.”
( Lard is made from 100 percent animal fat (usually pork) that has been separated from the meat.)
“Just for a change of pace, it costs three hundred pounds more a year?”
Tony looked at the hazy sky, feeling his future was bleak.
“Arthur, why did you tell me all this? If I didn’t know, maybe I would feel a little better. Now I feel like I can’t live anymore. Arthur, you’re going to hell for doing this.”
“Hell?” Arthur rarely showed a smile, “Tony, sorry to say this, but we’re already here.”
(End of Chapter)