Chapter 45: You Have Been Smiling All Along

John Kramer actually pulled a face in front of the Prohibition Bureau subordinates as if he had just swallowed feces, completely blowing their minds!

Of course, the subordinates looked like they had just been fed feces as well.

They desperately needed a subway car so they could all collectively make that agonizing grandpa-and-grandma-looking-at-their-phones expression +1 +1 +1 +1...

Good God, what on earth did we do wrong?

How did we end up dealing with these utterly bizarre Chicagoans?

The Prohibition Bureau wasn't the sole group thinking this way.

Upon seeing the newspaper headlines, the immediate reaction of people all across America was: "Chicago again?"

Chicago seemed particularly surreal this year, leaving a deep impression on the entire nation.

Yet this time was especially baffling.

Pit law enforcement against the mob in a ring? And hold a nationwide public vote?

The relevant reports in the newspapers were littered with question marks because the editors simply could not help typing them out while writing their articles.

It was a feeling of utter breakdown, as if to say, "It's not that I have issues; I genuinely believe the people of Chicago have issues."

Americans outside of Chicago: ....................

The silent speechlessness was loud and profound!

At that moment, America was a silent America!

Some congressmen who had previously clamored that "all Chicago gangsters belong on the gallows" were struck completely dumb the moment someone relayed the Chicagoans' proposal to them, freezing as if hit by a paralysis spell.

They simply had no idea how to comment!

As for the other congressmen, they all shrank back into the woodwork as if nothing had happened.

There was no helping it; it felt as though Chicagoans lived in a completely different dimension, with brains wired in incomprehensible ways!

Thus, everyone fell into a silent state of confusion, silently watching the Sun initiate a poll, silently watching the Chicagoans enthusiastically cast their votes, and silently watching the Chicagoans invite national journalists to witness the ballot counting...

To be fair, they were surprisingly fair and transparent about it!

Under the silent witness of journalists from across the country, the Sun enlisted a large number of volunteers, and over the course of three days, validly collected nearly 300,000 ballots!

Chicago's own political elections didn't even draw numbers like that, making it a true representation of public sentiment in the city.

The final tally showed that "Yes" votes won by an overwhelming, almost insane margin, crushing the "No" votes 92% to 8%!

When the Sun, alongside the "Voice of Freedom" radio station, announced the voting results, the entire city of Chicago erupted in cheers, as if saying: "Fight! Hurry up and fight! We can't wait to watch the show!"

The expressions of journalists nationwide shattered!

Oh mother of God, the Chicagoans were actually playing for keeps!

The expressions of the American public shattered as well!

Aww, Wow, Christ, Jesus, Phew... All sorts of ambiguous interjections echoed across the United States.

With a loud bang, all the pent-up emotions exploded, and America once again plunged into a state of chaotic revelry.

The Chicago government spokesperson was the first to step out and issue a statement: "...We express our regret over the voting results, but choose to respect the public's will. We also sincerely hope that the Prohibition Bureau will respect the public will of Chicago and adopt flexible enforcement methods... Haha, cough..."

Dark lines hung down the brows of every single reporter.

If you hadn't laughed out loud, we might have actually believed you felt "regret."

The attitude of the Chicago municipal government triggered an earthquake, and public opinion nationwide quickly split into two factions.

Anti-prohibition politicians told the media: "The Chicagoans' plan is also a noble-motived and profound social experiment; the will of the people cannot be defied."

— This exact phrasing had long been used by the Prohibitionists to describe the Prohibition Act itself.

The Prohibitionists were incensed: "The people of Chicago are showing contempt for the law and posing the greatest danger to the foundations of a democratic and free government!"

The former camp retorted sharply: "It's all because you lot ignored reality and blindly supported the prohibition laws, resulting in skyrocketing crime rates and a constant stream of public scandals; at least the Chicagoans are open and honest about it, which to some extent preserves the foundation of a democratic and free government."

— Throughout the enforcement of Prohibition in America, there had always been a division between the "drys" and the "wets." The "drys" supported prohibition, while the "wets" supported drinking.

Previously, the voices of the "drys" had been louder, but once the Chicagoans pulled off their absurd stunt, the "wets" found their fulcrum and popped up one by one.

Philip, the "wet" leader in the House of Representatives, was the first to solemnly state: "Make no mistake, I am not against the Prohibition Bureau's enforcement. On the contrary, I support their vigorous enforcement."

"The law must be upheld, and I believe the Prohibition Bureau has the capability to uphold it."

Following that, other "wet" congressmen chimed in with solemn declarations: "I disagree with prohibition, but I also oppose violently resisting the law. Things have reached this point, so the Prohibition Bureau should bravely face the challenge."

Another remarked, "The Prohibition Bureau is unwilling to admit that it underestimated the arduousness of eradicating alcohol, and merely demands increased budgets and enforcement personnel blindly. That is wrong; they need enforcement wisdom, such as uniting the power of the people and respecting the foundation of public opinion..."

Hey, hey, hold on, the last one sounds a bit too Soviet-style!

And you lot, when you claim to be speaking solemnly, could you at least suppress the corners of your mouths from turning up?!

The "drys" were thoroughly mocked and turned around to pile pressure back onto the Prohibition Bureau, demanding to know why they still hadn't mobilized.

On the other side—

"We have made thorough security preparations. Based on marching routes, residential distributions, and other factors, we have planned the locations for the arena and the spectators, guaranteeing that no innocent bystanders will be harmed..."

Logan appeared on the "Voice of Freedom" radio station once more, singing in harmony with Jeff Hackman to fan the flames—no, to announce the birth of the arena battle.

Jeff Hackman's gentle voice chimed in, "However, for the side defending the arena, it is very cruel."

Logan said with a pitying tone, "Indeed, they may lose everything, but they gain freedom."

???

Listeners in front of their radios twitched their mouths. Do you hear yourself? Is that something a human being would say?

Logan continued, "This is a battle of conviction! Since ancient times, fighting for one's convictions requires paying a price."

"Are you implying that if the Prohibition Bureau refuses the challenge, it means they lack conviction?"

"I never said that, Jeff. This is a very serious discussion."

"Of course, I am very serious as well."

Faint laughter could be heard leaking from the broadcast.

"Naturally, if the Prohibition Bureau has other considerations and lets other law enforcement agencies step up instead, I won't defend the Chicago gangs. After all, they did break the law."

Logan said with a straight face,

"I will always support upholding the law; I'm simply heartbroken over my taxpayer dollars."

"Are you saying the Prohibition Bureau is a complete waste of taxpayers' money?"

"Come on! I didn't say that, Jeff. Be serious, we are..."

"Discussing serious topics!" they said in unison.

Faint, snide laughter echoed from the broadcast once again.

Listeners in front of the radios: "..."

We all heard you laughing.

Moreover, you've been laughing this whole time without stopping!

So,哈哈哈, the question is, 哈哈哈, why hasn't the Prohibition Bureau shown up yet?