Chapter 284
Three in the afternoon at the Dock Union in East Balam Dock .
Klein wore a thick sweater, a tan jacket, and a simple cap that brought him closer to the usual investigative reporters in style rather than the ones who attended banquets and interviewed people of status from time to time . Such a costume had cost him an extra 1 pound 10 soli .
At that moment, he was wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and his hair was neatly combed back, gleaming with the luster of hair oil . His face no longer had a messy beard, so he could only plaster a deep-black stubble around his lips . His height was at least five centimeters taller than before . He was trying his best to look different from the worker from last night, making it impossible for anyone who wasn't particularly familiar with him to make any associations .
In the pockets of his clothes and trousers, there was no All-Black Eye, no charms or herbal essential oils . There was only a deck of tarot cards, a stack of notes, a fountain pen, a wallet, some change, a bunch of keys, and false reporter identification documents .
He didn't know the Lanevus's current condition, nor did he know where the powerful Beyonder lingering around him came from . Hence, out of precaution, he didn't bring any suspicious items .
Looking at the two-story building ahead of him, Klein crossed the street, pretending to not rely on the Clown's intuition to notice that several pairs of eyes were watching him .
He pushed open the door and saw that the Dock Union's layout was rather simple . There were no female receptionist or spacious lobbies . The stairs to the second floor were in the middle, flanked by office corridors, and the floors weren't lined with wooden planks, much less carpet . They were paved purely out of cement .
Klein turned his head to look at the man guarding by the door as he went over and said, "I'm a reporter from the Backlund Daily Tribune . I would like to interview the workers of your association and get to know your needs and desires . "
The man was wearing a very patched jacket which even had dirty cotton lining exposed and a linen shirt underneath .
After hearing the word "reporter," he suddenly became vigilant and replied loudly, "No! We haven't organized a strike lately, no!"
"I think you've misunderstood me . I'm someone who sympathizes with you . I'm planning on doing a special report on what the union does to help the workers and the actual difficulties they encountered . Trust me . " With the help of his Clown Beyonder powers, Klein made his eyes look abnormally sincere .
"Is that so… Go to Mr . Rand, our committee member in charge of publicity . Turn right, and it's the second office on the right," The man hesitated for a few seconds before replying .
"Thank you . " Klein bowed with feigned relief, and he felt the gaze observing him from a dark corner of the room vanish .
He turned to his right and, with his back perspiring in cold sweat, knocked on the office door .
The door creaked open . A middle-aged man with sparse hair looked at him and asked, "May I know who you are?"
"Mr . Rand? I'm Reporter Statham from the Backlund Daily Tribune . This is my reporter identification documents . I'd like to make a report with unions as the theme to help you acquire more attention . " Klein almost believed he was a journalist .
"That's me . " The middle-aged man looked at the reporter's identification documents and said hesitatingly, clearly unwillingly, "It's hard for me to believe that you reporters are here to help us . "
"I was born in East Borough, and I know how miserable the lives of the workers are . If you don't believe me, you can follow me the entire time and monitor my every question . " Klein suddenly smiled and added, "A report with actual interview data would be better than nothing, far better than news that's written purely based on imagination . At least you can provide your views and hopefully guide things in the direction you want . "
Rand touched his scalp and replied hesitantly, "Alright then…
"I'll follow you the entire time . "
"Thank you!" Klein almost lost control of his emotions .
Afterward, under Rand's guidance, he entered one office after another, interviewing the members of the workers' association according to his prepared questions .
Right corridor, nothing . Left corridor, nothing… Klein calmly went up the wooden stairs to the second floor .
This time, Rand led him into the office directly opposite the staircase and introduced the people inside, "This is a reporter from the Backlund Daily Tribune, Mr . Statham .
"He wants to interview the lot of you, but I have to remind you that there are some questions which you have the right to refuse to answer . "
Klein smiled, took two steps forward, and made a gesture to shake hands with each and every staff member in the room .
At that moment, he saw a slightly familiar figure .
Although the man's skin had turned bronze, his ordinary round face had become angular, and his glasses had changed from a round frame to a gold-rimmed frame, Klein still found a trace of familiarity from his spirituality as a Seer .
Immediately afterward, his body trembled, and the smile on his face almost went out of control .
"I-I'm sorry . I suddenly have a stomachache . May I ask, where the washroom is?" Klein asked with an awkward smile, holding his stomach with the hand that didn't hold a pen and paper .
Rand and the staff didn't suspect anything . They all pointed to the door and said, "Go out, turn left . When you reach the end, you'll see the sign . "
Klein smiled apologetically and walked out of the room, heading quickly for the washroom .
Inside, he selected the cubicle closest to the window, sat on the toilet, and locked the wooden door behind him .
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