Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 57: The Festival of Hell's Kitchen

Misty looked at Alvin in confusion and said, "What? College entrance exam prep?"

Professor Old Cage, seeing an unrelated person come in, impatiently said before Alvin could respond, "Yes, this is the 12th-grade college entrance exam prep class at the community school. Officer, if you're here to eat, come back in a few days. Or let our little Jessie pack you some of her homemade cookies and leave quickly. Lately, Hell's Kitchen hasn't really needed you cops."

Professor Old Cage's rude tone made Misty a bit unhappy, and she was about to scold him loudly when Officer Michael appeared out of nowhere and stopped her.

Michael smiled apologetically at Alvin, as if to say, "Kids at home don't understand, please bear with us!" Then he grabbed a cup of coffee from the bar, handed it to Misty, and led her out of the restaurant.

Outside the restaurant, Misty looked at Michael with a half-smile and said, "Officer Michael, if I remember correctly, you should be patrolling the streets right now. Why are you here at this, what, college entrance exam prep class?"

Michael didn't like Misty very much, thinking she was too impulsive. This might not be a problem elsewhere and could even be seen as a sign of ambition, but it didn't work in Hell's Kitchen. Here, no one was afraid of the police.

If New York's police departments were to be ranked for integrity, Hell's Kitchen's would surely come out on top. Because dirty cops couldn't survive here for more than a month.

In the past year, the survival environment for Hell's Kitchen police had greatly improved. The gangs here no longer went out of their way to cause trouble for the police. When the police were handling cases, these guys would run away or fight back, but the days of killing an officer's entire family were over.

People with some status would follow the police back to the station openly and then call their lawyers. This made handling cases much easier for Hell's Kitchen police.

Michael liked the current work environment but didn't like Misty's way of handling cases. She was indeed very capable, but she couldn't skip procedures to cause trouble. Follow the procedures: gather evidence, file a case, and prosecute in court.

This way, the most the ruthless gangs would do is find a scapegoat when even a lawyer couldn't help. But Misty, the chief, insisted on skipping procedures to cause trouble, and Michael worried that one day she might get shot. He didn't care much about Misty's life or death; he just feared Hell's Kitchen would return to the chaotic state it was in a few years ago, which would be terrifying.

Michael looked at Misty and said, "Chief Knight, what Professor Cage said wasn't pleasant, but it's true. There won't be much happening on the streets these days, so we can relax a bit. Plus, my son is in 12th grade and is inside doing his final review for the ATC exam in two days."

Misty looked at Michael seriously and said, "Why? Tell me, why can an old man tell me that the police are useless these days? Are the gangs in Hell's Kitchen making way for some bullshit college entrance exam?"

Michael shrugged and said seriously, "Yes." Seeing Misty's disbelieving expression, Michael explained helplessly, "Alvin has designated these few days in June every year as the college entrance exam prep week. He demands that all gangs stay quiet during these days."

Misty looked at Michael as if he were an idiot and said, "You believe such a ridiculous claim? Since when have the gangs been so agreeable?"

Michael sighed lightly and said, "Chief Knight, you've been here for almost two months, but you haven't found the most crucial aspect that influences Hell's Kitchen."

Seeing Misty still looking puzzled, Michael said with some headache, "The school, the community school, that's the most special place in Hell's Kitchen. It gives the people here hope for a different kind of life."

Misty was a bit confused. Community schools were everywhere, so why was this one different? She could vaguely sense the reason but couldn't quite grasp it. She wasn't born here and had only been here for a little over two months. She didn't know what Hell's Kitchen was like in the past and couldn't understand some of the locals' thoughts.

Michael knew that if he didn't explain clearly, this reckless chief might cause trouble.

Patiently, Michael said, "Do you know that Jamaican drug dealer on 37th Street, Pluto?"

Misty nodded, listening intently, feeling she might have found the key to integrating into Hell's Kitchen.

Michael said, "His son is in 12th grade this year and has good grades. Professor Cage wrote him a recommendation letter. If he doesn't do too poorly on the ATC exam, he could get into Columbia University. To provide a good study environment for his son, Pluto made significant sacrifices, negotiating with other dealers to move all drug transactions elsewhere. Of course, just for these few days."

Misty looked at Michael in surprise and said, "Why? Does the ATC exam have some magic power?"

Michael shook his head and said, "People here never see hope of escaping their current lives, but the community school gives them hope. Their kids can go to college and take a different path. It's not just Pluto who thinks this way."

Misty gestured for him to continue, indicating she was listening.

"That gun dealer, Alexei, his son has received many college invitations because of his football skills. If he does well on the ATC, he could even get a full scholarship to USC. Alexei has gone crazy, sending all his men to the streets to maintain order and even offering a 10% discount on future weapon purchases to anyone who stays quiet for a few days."

Michael looked at Misty and sincerely said, "In the future, these few days every year will become the most important days in Hell's Kitchen. Anyone causing trouble during these days will be in big trouble. This is no joke."

Misty finally had a clear understanding of the unusual situation on the streets. Looking at Michael, she pointed to the restaurant and asked, "What's the situation inside? Why are there only a few kids? There should be more 12th graders in the school, right?"

Michael looked at the restaurant and smiled, "Those kids have special circumstances. They have drug-addicted family members or parents with domestic violence issues. Alvin brought them to the restaurant, providing food and accommodation so they can focus on the exam in two days. I also sent my son here because there are two highly respected professors who can help him."

Proudly, Michael said, "My son scored 31 on the mock ATC exam, and Professor Wilson is willing to write him a recommendation letter. He has a chance to get into an Ivy League school."

Seeing Misty deep in thought, Michael sincerely pleaded, "Chief Knight, really, don't cause trouble these days. These days are a holiday for Hell's Kitchen!"