A Weird Theater That Started In London

A two-bedroom apartment with a separate bathroom, the bottom can be used for business, is that heaven?

But the rent is really high. I have been helping people shine shoes on the street for a whole year, and the money I saved is not enough to rent...

Mi Gao held the newspaper in his hand, couldn't hide the excitement in his tone, and counted with his fingers:

With sixpence a day, after deducting the expenses of three meals, there is probably two pence left. In this way, he has been busy for a whole year without rest every day, and the business has been very good, so he can rent this place for two months.

Of course, it does not count the money deposited in the special account with the help of the association.

Thinking of this, Mi Gao was a little nervous again, how should he tell the president, will part of the money stored in the account be deducted?

In addition, the luggage has not been packed, and it is all left at Father Tony's place. When will I pick it up?

All kinds of questions arise in my heart, but Mi Gao's excitement and anticipation cannot be suppressed.

As an apprentice, I will save money while learning medical skills. When I become an adult, I will go to university to study and open a clinic in London in the future.

It has to be said that this child has his own ideas and knows how to plan for the future early on.

And Lu Li was standing beside him, looking for the carriage. He had been walking for a long time, and the faces he saw along the way ranged from 10,000 to 5,000.

For social terror and road idiots, the smog city of this era is not friendly at all. You only need to walk on the street during the day for half an hour, and you will be extremely crazy——

Tired of the innumerable stagecoaches, cabs, and drays, of the endless rowdy crowds, and what was worse, of being unable to get out of them no matter where or how far one went.

Baker Street.

In the end, Lu Li stopped a neat looking carriage and packed it up.

Two shillings, sir.

Well, faster.

After a word of exhortation, Lu Li and his boy Mi Gao got into the semi-enclosed carriage.

The car was driving very stably, but there was a cold wind mixed with small water droplets pouring in from the crack in the damaged roof, and Mi Gao couldn't help shivering.

Seeing this, Lu Li helped him lift up his collar.

About two quarters of an hour later, the destination arrived.

White porcelain walls, red roofs, and black-framed wooden doors with glass are one after the other, and the apartment is uniform.

Although the advertisement says that there is no private lawn, there is still a small area surrounded by iron railings on three sides in front of each room, next to the window, for residents to grow some things they like.

Most importantly, when stepping into this street, the whole world is quiet.

Quiet than the City of Finance...

Lu Li whispered, he likes this place very much, even though it doesn't have the slightest resemblance to Baker Street in that world.

Like it?

One hand rested on the top of Mi Gao's head, and he kept rubbing it, maybe it was pity, maybe it was because he closed his eyes, Lu Li really planned to use his spare time in the next three months to teach this child well, so that he can survive in the fog city .

I like it. Mi Gao nodded emphatically.

When I rent out the whole apartment, you can choose the room first, your own room.

With that said, Lu Li came to Building No. 1a, opened the door and entered.

Mr. Johnny?

The person in charge of the reception was a middle-aged man with a solid figure and a vest, but he didn't wear a suit. He probably didn't like the feeling of tightness. After all, he was so thick and thick, like a groundhog in winter.

That's right.

Jonny nodded, looked at Lu Li and Mi Gao suspiciously, and thought: What combination is this?

The main one was Michael, who was wearing a red uniform uniformly distributed by the Shoe Shine Association, so he was easily recognizable. Baker Street is located in Westminster, West London, and most of the residents are middle-class, and there are almost no poor people.

I read in the newspaper that there is a house for rent in this block, right? Lu Li spread out the newspaper and pointed to the square where the advertisement was placed.

That's right.

Johnny glanced at the wolf-headed cane in Lu Li's hand, and his attitude became friendly. He took the initiative to stretch out his right hand, and the corner of his mouth unconsciously raised, The specific situation has been introduced in the newspaper. On the 23rd, it's very close to here. bedroom.

It's spacious and has good air circulation, and the windows are wide open. As long as it's a sunny day, there must be enough light in the room...

As he said that, he walked out of the house, inviting him enthusiastically, You can go and have a look, it has been cleaned.

23 Baker Street.

A row building, divided into four buildings a, b, c, and d, the overall style is the same, or in other words, the style of the entire street is the same.

When it was published in the newspaper, I deliberately didn't say that every family actually has a small lawn of about four square yards, and you can grow whatever you like.

The only downside is probably that there is no porch and it faces the street.

click.

The door opened from the outside, and the three of them entered in a file. As the landlord, Mr. Johnny continued to introduce:

This is the front hall. It turns out that the tenant is a dentist, but his skills are not very good, so that no one came to see a doctor. In the end, he had to leave in despair. I heard that he moved to the East District, where people are not picky.

The arrangement of fate?

The previous resident was a doctor, but his current identity is also a doctor.

Behind him, Mi Gao couldn't help but exclaimed, Mr. Lu is also a doctor.

What a coincidence! Excuse me, I didn't see your identity, pharmacist, or surgeon?

It's really presumptuous to ask such a question, but it can be seen that Mr. Jonny didn't have any deep meaning. He was just curious, Or internal medicine?

A member of the Association of Surgeons, but I know a little about pharmacy and internal medicine. Lu Li said modestly based on the extra strange memory.

General?

Mr. Jonny was stunned for a moment, and carefully looked at the ordinary Lu Li.

In London, doctors strictly abide by the three-level system. Physicians, surgeons, and pharmacists have lower ranks and statuses, and each has its own association.

However, for patients, this kind of separation system can be described as frenzied. Many symptoms need to be treated both internally and externally. Is it possible to hire three doctors at the same time?

One treats the inside, one treats the outside, and the remaining one is responsible for dispensing the medicine. Leaving aside the cost, it will take a lot of time to get all these people together, and this situation may still occur:

After all the doctors were finally invited, the patient lying inside couldn't stand up, so he took a step first.

Therefore, the concept of general practitioners has been proposed, and all walks of life hope to break the traditional shackles and establish a new medical order dominated by general practitioners.

It is a pity that there are very few doctors who are proficient in multiple fields, and the old order is still the main one.

From now on, the medical work in this block will be entrusted to Mr. Lu.

Johnny became even more enthusiastic. He put his big, solid hands on Lu Li's shoulders, as if he was sure that he would definitely settle here.

As for the scam?

Since Lu Li said that he was a member of the Association of Surgeons, there was no way he could have lied. He could tell if it was true or not.

Look at the house first. Lu Li said reservedly.

Hearing this, Mr. Johnny started to introduce the layout of the house in detail, with an uncontrollable smile on his face.

Mi Gao shined shoes for people on the street, so he had some skills in observing people's words and emotions. Because of this, he looked at Lu Li with admiration.

Knowledgeable people, no matter where they go. All are admired.

Because the previous resident was a dentist, the front hall was converted into a consulting room, and the back is the kitchen and dining room, with a small washroom.

What caught the eye was the operating table, the main body was made of wood, and some areas were made of metal. A kerosene lamp was hung on it for lighting.

On the left hand side is the waiting area, with a sofa, a table, and matching cups and saucers on it.

In such a hurry?

These things don't come cheap.

Probably seeing the doubts in Lu Li's heart, Mr. Jonny explained in a helpless tone:

The dentist named Joseph signed a three-year rental contract, but he only gave two years' rent. Now that the third year has passed for nearly a month and a half, this guy still can't pay the money. He has no choice but to take these Equipment debt.

To be honest, I know they are worth a lot, but compared to liquidated damages, they are nothing at all, and disposing of these second-hand goods is also a headache.

Regarding this, Lu Li didn't express much, and nodded slightly, indicating that he already knew.

In fact, he really wants to get these things, after all, he has the qualifications to practice medicine, but he still needs tools——

It's not a priest who can cure a disease by reciting a mantra.

It's just that Lu Li is currently short of money, and his economic strength does not allow him to buy all these things in front of him.

At the same time, Mr. Jonny opened the door to the back hall, This is the kitchen, which can hold three pots and comes with tools for grinding coffee.

You can think about it, when you are waiting for the patient to come to your door, you are sitting on the sofa, holding a cup and saucer, drinking coffee, and putting a stack of newspapers beside you...

I have to say that this kind of life is indeed full of attraction, and Mi Gao's thoughts are already flying. He likes comfort, especially after being bumpy on the street for a long time, he is more and more eager to be stable.

Lu Li didn't interrupt Mr. Johnny's introduction, and after a long time, he said, Go up and have a look?

certainly.

Adhering to the principle of putting customers first, Jonny stepped up the stairs. It can be seen that the two-story building has not been built for a long time. The red paint on the handrails is very complete, and no part has fallen off.

Boom...boom...boom...

A group of three people came upstairs, the first floor is used for business, and here is the living area, the decoration is more elegant.

It just so happened that there was sun in the fog today, and the thick fog had cleared up now, and the sunlight shone through the windows into the living room, coating the furniture with a layer of light gold.

Winter is coming soon, you can use this big fireplace to keep warm. Jonny pointed to the living room next to the fireplace, and said again: The upholstered chairs are made of hardwood, so you don't have to worry about catching fire.

Over there is the bathroom, which is divided into two floors, the inside and the outside, separated by a baffle. There is a large bathtub inside, and the outside is used for washing.

The toilet is next door. A flush toilet is installed, and a partition is also made. There is a small bathtub inside.

Having said that, Jonny couldn't help but look at Mi Gao, the little follower who was making soy sauce all the time.

A general practitioner, a shoe boy.

How could the two be connected?

While he was thinking, Lu Li walked to the smaller guest room.

About 20 square meters, four windows were opened, a bed, a wardrobe, a table, and even a bookshelf, but the top was empty, with only four or five books lying in a mess.

It was probably worthless, and was left behind by that doctor Joseph as garbage.

The balcony is in this master bedroom. You can dry your clothes. When the sun is good, you can move out a small table and drink afternoon tea.

After finishing speaking, Mr. Johnny who was standing outside stopped talking. He was really tired after talking so many things at once, so he wiped the sweat off his brow and waited for Lu Li to make a decision.

First of all, the name Baker Street has its own legendary attributes, and living here will definitely gain something.

Secondly, Lu Li is more nostalgic, he used to live here.

In the end, this house is really good, whether it is lighting, furniture, or decoration style, it is very appetizing.

Sir, can it be cheaper? I just came back from Atlantic City, and to tell you the truth, I'm a little nervous. Lu Li was honest and frank.

Well, the rent will remain the same, at 12 shillings a week, but the use of furniture will be waived.

Mr. Johnny regretted that he was too hasty to go out and didn't bring his cane. He supported the square table in the living room and added: In addition, Baker Street welcomes young and promising doctors like you, so the deposit can also be discussed.

On the side, Mi Gao was silent.

It's not a situation he can chime in, but it's not hard to see that both sides want this deal to happen.

Eventually, the two negotiated the deal.

Lu Li took out two months' rent, that is, five pounds as a deposit, and drew up a six-month rental contract. From the date of signing, he would pay Mr. Jonny a weekly rent of twelve shillings on schedule.

The weekly settlement model may seem strange, but in this era, it is indeed very popular.

Then, they found a local notary and signed it face to face.

Later, Lu Li got a bunch of copper keys. Hearing the crisp sound of the collision, he couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart:

Finally, there is a place to stay in the fog.

Sir, is this a dream?

Looking at the background of the landlord, Uncle Johnny, Mi Gao's voice was low and misty, as if he was worried that the sound would be too loud and wake him up.

Hearing that, Lu Li slapped the backup key into his hand, and said with a smile, Of course not, young man, I'll leave dinner to you today, go to the street to buy something, there are still a lot of things to deal with tomorrow.

Along with it, a silver coin was handed over, enough for the two of them to have a sumptuous dinner.

After being stunned for a long time, the young man nodded emphatically, then, clutching the dinner money that Lu Li handed him, he ran outside.

The quiet street in front of you, the wind blowing freely in your ears, and the home behind you.

Mi Gao felt that he had come to heaven.

...

at night.

The fireplace on the second floor emits a soft light, and the smoke floats out along the chimney.

Sir, this is a gift from me.

Mi Gao stepped on his feet and pushed a small box that was simply packaged in front of Lu Li.

Shall we dismantle it now?

certainly.

Facing Lu Li's smile, the boy raised his head slightly, his face full of anticipation.

You came back an hour late just to buy it? Lu Li asked, with an even bigger smile on his face.

That's right, take it apart and have a look.

With the sound of urging, Lu Li untied the rope and slowly opened the package.

Inside the gift box was a brand new deerstalker hat with blue and gray stripes, very warm to the touch.

Really didn't expect this to be the case.

Lu Li took off the old pilled hat and put it on without hesitation. At the same time, he habitually ruffles Mi Gao's short, fluffy chestnut hair.

This kid probably used up all the savings around him...