บท 21: Chapter 21 Coffee
"Could it be Hoover's portrait?" Colin shuddered involuntarily at the idea, quickly shaking his head to banish the horrifying image from his thoughts.
"No way! I can't let that happen!" Colin exclaimed, overwhelmed not only by the potential powers associated with possessing Hoover's portrait but also by the mere thought of having to face the tattoo on the back of his hand every day.
Hence, I need to find a solution to change everything.
In theory, the Anti-World also possesses the conditions to obtain "faith." However, considering the complexity of the entire process, Colin resolved to focus his efforts on the "Messenger newspaper" in the real world.
With this resolute mindset, he closed his eyes.
As his consciousness was pulled, Colin found himself transported back to the era of the Great Depression.
...
"Phew~"
New York in December was bone-chillingly cold.
Braving the piercing morning wind, Colin stepped out of his house.
"Wow, it's freezing out here."
Snowflakes carried by gusts of wind relentlessly assaulted Colin's face. He wrapped himself tightly in a thick coat, trying to fend off the invading cold air. Yet, the icy wind, blowing from all directions, seemed to penetrate every crevice, extinguishing the last traces of warmth in his body.
He brought his frozen hands to his mouth, breathing out in search of warmth. Walking on the thin layer of snow on the ground, Colin made his way toward the street where the Messenger Newspaper Office was located.
The sudden drop in temperature made life even more challenging for those living in the era of the Great Depression.
Along the way, Colin had already come across several homeless individuals. Huddled in corners, they were wrapped in thin, translucent blankets or even just a stack of newspapers. Their shivering bodies observed passersby with eyes that seemed devoid of hope and numb to the world. Perhaps, for them, each passing day was a struggle for survival.
Continuing down the street, Colin noticed a long line forming in front of a small factory.
Even on such a cold day, numerous people queued up at the factory gate, dozens, or even hundreds, vying for a chance at a low-paying job. They would rather endure the biting wind than miss out on this elusive "opportunity."
Colin knew that this small factory occasionally received orders from shipyards and hired workers for manual labor.
However, these commissions were infrequent, resulting in the people in line often leaving empty-handed, their time wasted in vain.
Nevertheless, every morning, a crowd would gather in front of the factory gate, hoping for a stroke of luck.
"...Someone's coming out!"
"Could there be work today..."
"Please choose me! I just need the basic wage!"
"I can handle two jobs on my own, as long as it comes with meals."
Typically, the final message the waiting crowd received from the factory's gate was a disheartening rejection.
However, today, the situation appeared to be somewhat different.
A middle-aged man in a camel-colored coat emerged from the factory. Casting a cold glance over the long line of people, he turned around and affixed a notice announcing "job openings" to the chilly factory wall.
Although this notice didn't specify salary terms or benefits, it seemed to possess a kind of enchanting power. As soon as it was posted, it triggered a wave of excitement among the crowd.
Their clamorous cries were directed at capturing the middle-aged man's attention.
"Quiet!"
With a frown, he surveyed the disorderly line before him.
At the mere reprimand from the middle-aged man, the previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent. Clearly, nobody wanted to miss out on this hard-earned job opportunity.
"Wait here and enter for the interview calmly, in the order of the line. Today, the shipyard has only four job positions available. If I catch anyone causing trouble, you will be immediately dismissed."
Having said that, without waiting for any response from the queue, the middle-aged man turned and reentered the factory.
Those left behind, outside the line, shivered in the piercing cold wind, praying for "luck" to come their way.
...
Colin turned on his heel, trudging through the thickening snow, and resumed his walk.
Clang—
Closing the door of the messenger newspaper behind him effectively shut out the biting cold wind.
Colin brushed off the snowflakes clinging to his clothes, removed his damp attire and hat, and hung them on a nearby coat rack.
"Boss, here's your coffee," Old John offered, presenting the cup of coffee that had been prepared well in advance.
"Thank you," Colin acknowledged, reaching out to take a sip. The robust and bitter flavor spreading across his palate provided respite from his frozen ruminations in the chilly wind.
Coffee wasn't Colin's personal favorite; he chose it as the official beverage for the Messenger newspaper primarily because it was affordable.
Similar to the thriving radio industry, the coffee industry also faced significant challenges during the Great Depression. Despite America already being one of the world's largest consumers of coffee, accounting for half of the global supply each year, the industry managed to withstand the impact of the economic downturn without enduring substantial losses. Even giants like the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company continued to yield substantial profits.
Later statistics revealed that these large corporations earned net profits after taxes exceeding 100 million dollars during the most arduous years of the economic depression from 1929 to 1932.
"You're the cream in my coffee, You're the salt in my stew, You'll always be my necessity, I'd be lost without you..."
These lines are lyrics from the popular love song "You're the Cream in My Coffee" released in 1928. Its enduring popularity even today exemplifies the significance of coffee in American culture.
Indeed, the popularity of coffee is influenced by various factors, such as war, public sentiment, legislation, and the economy.
During World War I, two million American soldiers stationed at the front lines developed a taste for coffee, as it became a part of their routine after each meal. When they returned to civilian life after the war, they carried on the habit of drinking coffee, forming the foundation for mass coffee consumption.
Simultaneously, the implementation of the Prohibition Act created a favorable environment for the growth of coffee consumption. Coffee professionals seized this opportunity by supplying coffee to diners and convenience stores. Some companies even offered complimentary coffee to motivate employees, gradually replacing alcohol with coffee as the preferred beverage at social gatherings.
Additionally, the expansion of the highway network made coffee the go-to energizing drink for many.
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Will do a extra chapter if we reach 100 powerstone.
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why don't you add this novel to your library.
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