The Rise of Australasia

The dock was bustling, and no one noticed a foreign-looking businessman inside a nearby house, watching the scene with a smile.

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After returning home, Tom and Ally quickly sorted through the food they had scavenged today, did what they could to make the edible items last, and divided them into precise portions to ensure there was enough to eat until their next chance to scavenge in a few days.

As they separated the food, Ally grew impatient. Looking at the food they normally wouldn’t willingly eat, she lost her spirit and said dejectedly, "Tom, when will we be able to eat normal food again?"

Tom fell silent at her words.

Even though he still had faith in the government and loved it deeply, he could not provide Ally with any answer at that moment.

The economic crisis had continued for over a year, yet the circumstances of the American civilians like themselves hadn’t improved in the slightest.

President Hoover’s relief plans had already started being implemented, and the Hoover Dam was about to be constructed.

It seemed, this would completely turn around the United States, back to how it was before the economic crisis. But only the real American people understood that nothing had changed in America since President Hoover took office.

No matter the reason, this reality filled Tom, once a soldier, with deep dejection, and even his firm patriotic heart had begun to waver.

Knock, knock, knock!

With the sound of knocking on the door, Tom and Ally exchanged glances, surprise and a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

Could it be that President Hoover’s relief plan was taking effect? Was someone here to offer them aid?

Opening the door, they were greeted by a stranger. Tom, slightly on guard, protected his wife behind him, and asked with cautious expectation, "Who are you?"

"Are you Mr. Tom?" Instead of answering Tom’s question, the visitor looked at Tom with a hint of interest.

Tom nodded, his eyes showing caution and full of questioning.

"Mr. Tom, let me introduce myself. You can call me John, or you can call me Harn," the visitor said with a smile. "I’ve come with good news, which might change your current living situation."

Hearing that the visitor was not there to provide relief, both Tom and Ally felt disappointed. But when this guy named John mentioned changing their current living situation, hope sparked again in their eyes.

"How can you help us?" Tom asked.

The man called John didn’t rush to answer, but mused to himself, "If I remember correctly, you should be a soldier from World War I, right?"

Hearing the visitor mention his military service during World War I made Tom even more cautious.

Since the war had ended soon after he enlisted, and he had not earned many honors, Tom naturally did not regard his military service as a glory to boast about, nor would he have publically exaggerated about it.

Moreover, since they had moved to Los Angeles a few years ago, far from their rural hometown, it was even less likely for any neighbor to know that Tom had been a soldier.

This meant that this man was either from the American officialdom or someone with ulterior motives.

But would an official from the government be inquiring like this? Probably not. That indicated that the second possibility was quite likely.

"Sir, who exactly are you?" Tom asked, trying to stay calm while he and his wife discreetly moved toward the wall where the hunting rifle hung.

John saw through Tom’s every move and, to prevent any unnecessary accident, he said with a smile, "Don’t be nervous, Mr. Tom. I mean no harm; my only purpose is to simply improve your current living conditions.

Perhaps my previous introduction was not detailed enough. I am from the Democratic Party, and my current task is to investigate and help some Americans improve their situation.

Please rest assured that regardless of my objective, our interests are clearly aligned—to do everything possible to improve the circumstances of American civilians so that people like Mr. Tom can afford to eat."

"Democratic Party?" Tom did not fully believe John’s words, but he did stop moving defensively.

"Yes," John continued with a smile: "To be honest, we are planning a protest regarding the early release of veterans’ bonuses, which is intended for veterans like you, Mr. Tom. That’s also how we know about your identity.

We have already rallied the participation of thousands of veterans, and I believe the government will not remain indifferent to a protest involving so many people. Mr. Tom, what are your thoughts?"

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