America 1982-Chapter 463 - 81: Must Not Let the Bad Guys Succeed_3
"Sounds like your troubles are bigger than just robbery, kid." The old cop picked up his own cup of coffee, took a large gulp, and said to Martin, "Come back to the station with me for an investigation, and Jeff, you’re coming too."
When it was heard that Jeff was also to be taken away, parents became agitated, "Hey, Fitz, you can’t take Jeff away. Jeff didn’t fix the election! He didn’t shame everyone, it was that black guy causing trouble, Jeff’s a good man!"
"That’s right, if he’s taken away, who will look after our children after school? No one else is as reliable as Jeff!"
"I guess, someone might be deliberately framing Jeff, maybe it’s one of the other three black candidates active in this district, trying to eliminate a rival this way," Tommy casually said to a parent next to him in the crowd. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
The parent first looked puzzled upon hearing Tommy’s words, then his expression changed to one of sudden realization and he bellowed, "That’s right! It’s a conspiracy by the black candidates! They want to force Jeff out of the race and steal his votes! If Jeff is taken away, their scheme will have succeeded!"
"Fitz! Teach this guy Martin a lesson! He must have been sent to frame Jeff! Don’t let him succeed!"
At this point the parents realized, Jeff was never good at communicating, how could he possibly suddenly write letters for votes and give such a disgusting thing as a thimble as a gift? It could only be a dirty trick by a competitor to attack Jeff!
Some of the agitated parents couldn’t hold back and wanted to pounce on Martin to teach the black devil who framed Jeff a lesson! Luckily the old cop shielded Martin behind him and stopped the parents’ impulsive actions, "Hehehe! Cool it! If this black guy has a problem, I’ll find out. Don’t cause trouble."
"Everybody... please calm down... I mean, if someone wants me out, I’m willing to drop out. I don’t want to be... I don’t want to be seen as the bad guy, if dropping out proves I didn’t write those letters or give you the thimbles, then I’ll withdraw," said Jeff, his face red, trying to raise his voice to express his stance:
"Just let them win the election."
Parents immediately shifted their attention back to Jeff, with some voicing their dissatisfaction:
"What the hell are you talking about? Jeff? Why should you drop out? Why can’t you run? You’ve been framed, you’re a good person, why can’t a good person run for office?"
"That’s right, you can’t let those jerks who framed you get what they want. You have to run, Jeff, I support you! All the things you’ve done for us over the years taking care of our kids, we haven’t overlooked it!"
"If you back down now, Jeff, it will disappoint us even more! Fight for yourself and for us, and give those bastards who sent thimbles to my wife a good beating!"
More and more parents, furious that Jeff was considering dropping out because of the slander, began to loudly encourage the confused Jeff.
"Hey! You can’t be a chump that lets the baddies rejoice at their success! Jeff Raven!" Tommy suddenly stood up, parted the crowd, walked up to Jeff, and loudly addressed him:
"Even I, just passing by, think you can’t give up like this. I work at the TV station, look, our camera is over there! It’s recorded everything that just happened. Maybe one day, it will appear on the television! If you quit, will you regret it when you hear these words of encouragement on TV in the future? Don’t let yourself regret it, and don’t let your loved ones be utterly disappointed! If you run, I am willing to help as much as I can! Through my efforts, let everyone understand who is the silent American hero of this district, who has been falsely accused!"
On hearing that Tommy worked at a TV station and that there was indeed a camera recording right now, everyone turned their heads towards the camera and saw a cameraman recording from nearby, becoming even more excited.
"That’s right, Jeff! Listen to what this young man says! Even if not for yourself, for everyone in this district, you should stand up and continue fighting against those who frame you!"
"Jeff, this is a good opportunity, you can tell the truth to everyone on TV, no one is forcing you to do anything, this is your chance to fight back, don’t let them think you’re easy to bully!"
Jeff looked nervously at the crowd cheering him on, "I don’t... I’m unlikely to win anyway, and I don’t have money for ads, nobody knows me beyond these three streets, I mean, I can’t win, might as well just..."
"I’m donating money to you! I can’t stand by and watch those dirty politicians ruin a true good man with their schemes! I’ll donate a hundred bucks! That’s all I have right now!" Tommy took out his wallet, pulled out all his bills, and went straight up to stuff them into Jeff’s hand:
"My mom told me to do the right thing, and right now, the right thing I believe is to support you, Jeff Raven! Whether or not you win, fight like a man. Don’t just silently endure being slandered, denigrated, and framed. Learn to speak up for yourself! You might not win, but you can’t let the word ’might’ steal your right to run!"
"Because that’s a damn right given to you as a free citizen of Florida by God!"
After saying this, Tommy turned around and looked at the parents, "Don’t let a good man be completely heartbroken. I’m donating to him, not for the damn politics, who the hell cares about dirty politics in their right mind?"
"I’m doing it so that ten years from now, when I might have a brood of kids, there are still good people like Jeff, whom I can trust to take care of my children while I’m busy at work, to tell my kids that the world is beautiful, God loves all, and people trust and love each other like family."
"Now, is there anyone else willing to support his candidacy like me?"
