22. Gotham: Lucky Purple Shorts
30.
Gotham City Hall is located west of the Old Town and east of Adams Wharf. Its history is almost as long as the founding of the city of Gotham.
Despite several repairs and damages, Gotham's city construction department has tried its best to preserve its original appearance - the neoclassical architectural style gives the City Hall a Greek solemnity. Today, the weather in Gotham is gloomy, and several shadows are quietly growing in the gaps between the columns, which is surprisingly consistent with the gloomy tone of the city.
Everyone was in a hurry. A figure carrying something appeared from the corner. People carefully avoided the person carrying heavy objects and made way for him in front of the busy city hall door.
The ladder was much taller than the woman. She was carrying the toolbox in one hand and the ladder in the other, managing to keep both heavy objects steady. The security guard watched them for a second, as if they were watching an acrobatic performance, and almost let them walk right in.
"Stop, stop," the security guard said, trying to make up for his mistake. He stood up and called the woman over, pointing to the registration book and saying, "Visitors, please register here and undergo inspection."
Without any displeasure or complaint, the woman nodded lightly and walked over - each step she took was still very steady, but when she put the ladder and toolbox on the ground and raised some dust, the security guard realized belatedly that the woman was really strong.
The woman lowered her head and carefully turned to the page where she needed to fill in the visitor records. Her handwriting was neat and the letters were arranged together like a good student who had received military training, so the security guard couldn't help but look at her again.
The distance was really close, and the corners of the other person's eyes were slightly drooping. The posture of concentrating on looking at something softened the sharpness of his facial features, making it easy for people to feel good about him at first sight.
"Are you new here?" The security guard blushed, realizing that his tone could be misinterpreted as questioning. "Well... because it was Carol who came to repair it last time, that's why I'm asking..."
"Carol?" Matching the name on the visitor list, Aria calmly repeated, "She had something going on at home today, so I'm covering for her."
"It's okay, it's just a leak in the women's restroom. It's not a big deal and it's still within my control."
Repairing a toilet is not an easy job in the first place, and it seems that Carol left this tiring and dirty work to the newcomer.
"That's really hard work." The security guard's eyes showed some sympathy, but he didn't forget to go through the full process: "Please open the tool box for me to check."
"—That's the rule here, sorry." He lowered his voice. "There have been rumors lately that someone is trying to assassinate the new mayor. It's making us all very nervous. We've even added two more security shifts than before."
Although the number of Gotham mayors who can survive to take office can be counted on one hand, since they are paid by the government, the security guards feel it is necessary to fulfill their duties without endangering their own safety.
Fortunately, the repairman's toolbox was normal. The only thing that could be used as a weapon was a small hammer that looked like a children's toy. When he threw away the tools and passed through the temporary metal detector door, there was no sound. The security guard felt relieved and let the man in.
"Good luck on your work today," he said casually.
"The same to you."
…
The interior layout of the city hall was complicated, but with overalls and an orange vest on, she wouldn't attract much attention wandering around here - people would just glance at her quickly in their busy schedule, then complain to their colleagues, "Oh my god, it must be another broken water pipe somewhere" and "Can the finance department allocate some money to completely fix this broken water supply system?" and then continue to bury themselves in piles of documents.
The unattended farmer followed the floor signs and headed to the end of the third floor.
The floor of the city hall was covered with vintage Minton tiles, and one could faintly hear one's own footsteps as one walked on them. The farmer, resolving to do the same when he had money, counted his steps and stopped just in front of the mayor's office.
Handling the toolbox and ladder with care, Aria knocked on the door three times.
Knock knock knock, knock knock knock, knock knock knock.
No one answered.
So she pushed the door open and walked in.
The mayor's office was smaller than Aria had imagined - she had thought it would be one-third the width of the city hall. However, after entering, she found that it could accommodate very few things. The only thing that was quite impressive was the large mayor's desk, which was topped with an antique desk lamp. Behind the desk was a beautiful transparent glass curtain wall.
Aria approached the curtain wall. Looking to the right, she could see a small cluster of tall office buildings. She didn't recognize any of the logos on them - the evil JOJA must have gathered their industries here and planned their evil deeds!
The farmer snorted and turned back, taking advantage of the mayor's absence... to rummage through the trash can in the office.
The farmer launched a garbage collection campaign and got a daffodil.
Special flowers for spring, can be given as gifts
Of course, Aria knew it was a gift, but this was Zuzu City! A place where money was king and people were cold and indifferent! If she gave it as a gift to any respectable person here, they would probably secretly despise this poor little yellow flower.
Miss Hayley, who else but you would be so happy to receive the daffodils I picked up at random?
Aria missed Miss Haley, whose hair was as golden as wheat waves and eyes as blue as the ocean, for three seconds, then put the daffodil into the equipment bar.
It's clear that the new mayor hasn't established a firm foothold in Gotham yet, and Aria initially finds almost no personal belongings that could reveal his/her personality - the bookshelves display sample books, the desk is empty except for the desk lamp, but there seems to be some good stuff in the drawers... huh?
The farmer hesitated for a moment, but his hand picked up the photo before his brain did.
The photo shows a slightly plump middle-aged woman. She has her lush long brown-red hair tied into a single braid and placed it in front of her chest. She smiles at the camera with pursed lips, and it seems that the person taking the photo behind the camera has a very good relationship with her.
If this were any other game, the farmer would have exclaimed, "Madam, your hairstyle is dangerous," but this is Stardew Valley. Looking at the familiar background of blue sky and white clouds and the haystack behind the other person, Aria felt that an answer was about to come out.
"When I was working there before, no one voted against me. I think that means I did a good job!" Lewis's voice echoed from the doorway, seemingly speaking to an assistant. "My previous area of responsibility was too small. I never imagined I'd be appointed to work in such a large city."
The assistant flattered him, and Lewis laughed out loud. "I was actually very reluctant to leave my hometown. I've been there for so long that I felt it would be nice to devote my whole life there...but why did I leave anyway?"
There was a momentary pause in the mayor's speech. To outsiders, he seemed to be thinking carefully, considering whether to tell these private secrets to this newly appointed assistant, but only Lewis knew that he really couldn't remember.
“…I’m sorry,” Lewis pointed to his head. His mustache trembled as he spoke, and he sounded a little helpless. “Maybe I’m really getting a little old. I can’t really remember these little bits and pieces.”
"You go and take care of your own business first. I'll get familiar with the environment here," Lewis sighed. "I hope everything goes well from now on."
The assistant's footsteps soon faded away. Aria listened to Lewis standing at the door for a long time, gathering up enough courage to step in.
After waiting for about a minute, Lewis finally opened the door to the mayor's office.
…and met Aria’s eyes, who was holding Mani’s photo.
What's the best way to keep someone from getting scared?
Looking at the full favorability displayed on Lewis's head, the AAA agricultural and sideline products dealer showed the most evil smile ever.
That is to cover it up with a bigger shock.
The farmer put down the photo in his hand, took out the stairs from the equipment column, and put it in the pants column of the clothing.
The original pants disappeared and she put on the lucky purple shorts with selvedge.
Successfully heard Lewis's bat-like scream.
————————
Small Theater:
Aria: Look at how you manage Zuzu City! You let the children go hungry! Our mayor of Pelican Town is better than you!
(After Lewis appears)
Aria: Actually, I suddenly remembered that the mayor also has a very suspicious golden statue...
Lewis: Huh? I'm the mayor? Really?
Lao Deng is really here...
Actually, the farmer can use a bug to get lucky purple pants, but if the NPC doesn't react when he puts on the pants, how lonely this game would be (tea)
Stardew Valley Tips:
1. Place the stairs in the pants column to convert them into "Lucky Purple Shorts with Trim" (this method is a bug and has been fixed in the new version)
2. I've been mayor of this town for over 20 years! No one voted against me during elections. I think that means I'm doing a good job. I love being mayor! (Quoted from Lewis in the game)
3. Mayor Lewis and farm owner Marnie are in a secret relationship (although I don't understand why they don't make it public (shrugs). Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution between 2024-07-07 20:59:32 and 2024-07-08 23:57:28~
Thanks to the little angel who threw the grenade: the name is not important 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: 34 bottles of Tornado Storm Fighting Bear Plane; 7 bottles; 1 bottle of Oil Explosion Zhongnan and Liyedu;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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