Darkstone Code
Chapter 145 - 0144 Nobody envy anybody

Chapter 145: 0144 Nobody envy anybody

Double standards have always existed. Since the feudal era, people have deeply realized the benefits of them, especially for rulers.

Lynch currently lacks the weight to use double standards. In the mayor’s eyes, he is still too immature. Even if he could expand his business as he claims, he doesn’t have enough weight to use double standards.

Laws like the "Minimum Wage Act," "Employment Act," and "Workers’ Rights Protection Act" are things even the most powerful capitalists are reluctant to change. It’s not that they lack the power, but the cost and consequences of changing them are too severe.

The young Lynch actually wants to change things, causing the mayor’s frown to suddenly relax, bringing a smile to his face. After all, he is still young.

He does not understand the world deeply and does not realize the need for reverence when facing this seemingly simple world.

However, such bravado is quite poignant, prompting the mayor to recall his own youthful ambitions of changing the world when he had just graduated. But now, at over forty, he is only a mayor.

Perhaps he might eventually become a governor, but that’s still far from the "arrogant" dreams he once had in his youth.

Everyone has had such moments, but reality will teach them how to properly face the world.

Contemplating this, the mayor, perhaps driven by sentiment, picked up his wine glass and took a sip. The process of sobering up had actually begun long before the two arrived at the restaurant. The dry ice bucket ensured the wine was at the optimal temperature for drinking, and the wine’s interaction with the air softened its tannins, making them almost imperceptible.

An excellent wine. As the mayor set down his glass, he raised his eyebrows while looking at the vivid red wine, no longer as repulsed as he had been earlier.

Many psychological changes occurred in such a brief moment, something interesting yet complex, which he didn’t want to overthink, so he focused his attention elsewhere.

"On another note, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?" This inherent desire to be a teacher is part of human nature. The true essence lies in using the imparting of knowledge and experience to others as a means to bolster one’s own sense of grandiosity.

It’s an instinct that doesn’t lead to bad outcomes, making it a good thing.

Lynch nodded slightly, and the mayor continued, "I suggest you donate some money to a university and then return to school...," he paused and then explained, "I mean you need some connections. This is my advice to you."

"There are nine top private universities in the Federation, all founded through donations by a private institution called the Saint Harmony Association. If you can become a student at any of these nine universities, you can access the top resources the Federation has to offer."

"If you can become a backup member, or even an official member of the Saint Harmony Association...," the mayor smiled, his smile carrying a peculiar undertone, "then congratulations, you’ll become schoolmates and fellow members with governors of most states, senior members of the three parties, the President, Cabinet Members, lifelong Chief Justices—those who can determine the direction of our society.’

The mayor’s sentiment probably stems from reflecting on Lynch’s spirited ambition, as he used to be like this young man, only now tempered by time and reality into becoming more pragmatic.

Hence, he wanted to offer Lynch some life advice. If he had been willing to lower his head and choose someone he disliked for the chance to attend a school affiliated with the Saint Harmony Alliance, he might have been a governor by now.

The current governor of this state is not much older than him but is already a governor and plays a significant role in the party, all because he and the leaders and senior members of the Progressive Party belong to the Saint Harmony Association.

This is a quick route for advancement. People are willing to give him opportunities, considering their alliances as schoolmates and association members. However, they don’t offer the mayor chances because he doesn’t have the emblem of those nine prestigious schools.

Lynch agreed, keeping this advice in mind. The conversation then lightened up considerably, moving away from Lynch’s two major predicaments, and the mayor refrained from continuing his tedious teaching, allowing them to discuss trendy and everyday topics.

"I heard your friend plans to shoot a movie in Sabin City. Have them contact the Social Services Bureau. Once they do, the bureau can coordinate some work, making the shoot smoother," the mayor mentioned, referring to what Fox and his son were recently involved in.

They somehow acquired a script they liked and decided to turn it into a movie, supported by a bit of money they had on hand.

In reality, whether ordinary people or those who have realized their personal value, there always exists an impulsive urge to spend, as if money burns a hole in one’s pocket and simply sitting idle in the bank causes discomfort. Spending it brings relief.

Especially that moment of spending, an indescribable joy...

Lynch hadn’t heard of this, but it didn’t prevent him from making polite conversation with the mayor. "I’ve heard there are subsidies for filming in certain places?"

This was customary. In cities like Bail Federal, movies are primarily shot in two major film cities due to their good supportive amenities and many film studio-like places that facilitate location scouting.

Additionally, local subsidy policies in these cities offer substantial subsidies, including tax exemptions, which are the true incentives attracting filmmakers.

But that doesn’t mean other cities have given up striving for improvements in this domain. Particularly, in every City Hall, the chief officers understand that a film can attract more visitors than anticipated, significantly enhancing a city’s cultural environment, which is why each city retains subsidy policies.

The mayor pursed his lips, "Sometimes I feel you aren’t at all like a twenty-year-old young man; your friends aren’t nearly as smart as you."

He referred to Fox and his son, who, up until now, hadn’t thought of contacting the Social Services Bureau. If they had, not only would there have been coordinated official efforts, but it could assist them in applying for subsidies.

An old timer who has mingled in society for over twenty years doesn’t realize this, yet a young man just two years out of university does, truly astonishing.

The mayor fiddled with the napkin on the table, "You know, given the entire society’s current situation isn’t great, City Hall’s finances are tight as well, so we can offer no more than a $100,000 subsidy. However, all public facility usage fees can be waived, and if road closures are needed, it can be negotiated."

It’s not much money, but what’s important is the mayor’s stance.

Road closures or evacuating a building is often required during filming. A well-known film crew once sought to film a sequence of highway pursuits ending in a multi-car collision and massive explosion.

The local government, citing "threats to public safety," not only refused them permission to use the established city ring line roads but also requested a safety reassessment on their script.

Ultimately, the crew resorted to a remote, abandoned, rural area, reconstructing a road from an obsolete highway for their shoot.

Money is secondary; prolonging the film’s release is the real issue.

Thereupon, the mayor lightly coughed before casually adding, "My younger daughter loves watching movies. She’s quite thrilled about a movie being filmed locally, thinking she could visit the set or play a part in it. What do you think?"

"Why not?"

A dinner solved several issues and left two unresolved. For the mayor, this meal proved fruitful, bringing him closer to Lynch and addressing the employment problem for a thousand people.

Indeed, eight hundred had become a thousand. Lynch didn’t object, as everyone understands such matters are mere talk; if Lynch can accomplish it, he will; if not, it doesn’t matter.

Yet neither Lynch nor the mayor, although not alluding to Lynch’s two major predicaments further, has completely forgotten them, and perhaps they’ll resurface unexpectedly someday.

After the dinner ended, Lynch felt curious and didn’t return home directly, instructing the driver to take him to where Mr. Fox currently resided.

As soon as he entered the room, he sensed a creative artistic atmosphere. A group of individuals, clearly of cultural backgrounds, were gathered around a table, discussing details of the story, with Young Fox involved as well.

Lynch’s arrival gave the group a moment of pause but promptly, they resumed focusing on their work.

Following the servant’s guidance, Lynch found Mr. Fox on the open-air terrace on the second floor. The elderly Mr. Fox was playing cards with several peers, with only a small handful of chips before him, yet everyone was enjoying themselves.

"Hold on a moment, it’ll be over soon..." Mr. Fox nodded, and shortly after, the round ended. These small elderly gentlemen looked curiously at Lynch before warmly bidding farewell, settling their chips with Mr. Fox.

Having watched them leave, Mr. Fox let out a contented sigh and, standing by the railings at the terrace’s edge, patted the handrails with both hands, "This is life!"

He reflected momentarily before turning back to Lynch, "You figured it out?"

Lynch nodded, "Of course, we know Mr. Fox is a sly fox, especially concerning money, yet it is a kind of hobby, and at least it’s healthy!"

Mr. Fox boomed with laughter upon hearing this, "I knew you’d see through it instantly! Sometimes I truly envy your parents for having such a smart child like you!"

Yet Lynch wasn’t particularly moved, "I think they’d envy your wealth even more, Mr. Fox."