[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

"The owner of the circus solemnly announced on the first day of his arrival in Paris that his purpose of coming here is not to perform. He wants to take his circus members," Marie said in a long tone, "to steal the most precious painting in Paris. Painting - Mona Lisa."

Mary's voice fell to the ground, and the rest of the Bennet sisters all showed expressions of surprise.

"What a surprise his target!" Catherine couldn't help exclaiming.

After all, it is Leonardo da Vinci's world-famous painting. From ancient times to the present, the Mona Lisa has been stolen by various thieves or gangs of thieves in suspense novels and movies more than the number of times people on the subway lose their wallets.

In fact, in the summer of 1911, the Mona Lisa was actually stolen from the Louvre.However, the thieves didn't use any clever measures, they just hid inside the Louvre, waited for the museum to be closed, took the paintings, and picked the lock to leave.

Now it is not so far away from 1911.

Elizabeth was the first to react.

"Directly announced the target of the theft," she said incredulously, "Isn't this asking the police to come to your door?"

"That's right," Mary said with a smile, "the boss announced this news directly to newspapers and magazines, and countless newspapers printed this sentence on the front pages the next day. After the police learned about it, they naturally reported the news to the boss as soon as possible. All the members of the circus were detained."

"Then how can he steal the painting?" Jane asked curiously.

"It's not just you who are curious," Mary replied, "everyone is curious. After all, stealing is a crime that cannot be known to others. If the boss makes it public, isn't it a lost opportunity? However, the circus owner is just The word got out, and he and his circus did nothing."

Elizabeth frowned slightly: "In this way, the police will arrest innocent people."

Mary: "Yes. The boss's lawyer came to the door and warned the police that they can't lock up the entire circus without evidence. Their show has been booked. If they cancel the tour, the loss of the circus and the purchase The spectator rights of the tickets are the responsibility of the police station.”

"So," Elizabeth continued, "the police had no choice but to let the circus owner go."

Mary nodded: "But the news has been released. Everyone in Paris knows that the purpose of the circus owner's visit is to steal paintings. Countless abuse and inquiries have been directed at the circus. For a while, people who want to interview the owner are in an endless stream. Absolutely, so many people want to buy tickets to see what the circus is like that wants to steal the portrait of Mona Lisa."

"And then?" Elizabeth asked.

"In such a hot situation, the tour had to be extended in Paris. Even so, it was hard to get a ticket. After being questioned by countless media, the boss finally revealed further news."

"What news?" Catherine asked curiously.

""Mona Lisa" will be on public display as the finale exhibit at the last performance of the tour."

"Then the police must do something," Jane said worriedly, "This is a world famous painting."

Elizabeth laughed out loud.

Before Mary could respond, she said, "I guess, it will be Mr. Philip Luther's turn next."

Mary put up a big smile.

Sure enough, Elizabeth is the person who understands her best. Even though she still can't fully understand her own thoughts due to the gap between the times, Elizabeth understands Mary's temper well, and respects knowledge and books as much as Mary does. She can guess the direction of her sister's novel, completely Not surprisingly.

"The police were at a loss," Mary said, "so we invited our famous Luther detective, hoping that he could prevent the famous painting from being stolen."

"What's next?!"

Catherine's eyes widened.

She also read Mary's published novel, The Serial Killer's Chess Game, but like other well-educated squires, Catherine found murder a little frightening.But while she was afraid, she was also a little curious about the development.

That's why Catherine had to listen to Mary's new story ideas today.

Fortunately, the theft in the circus is not as scary as the chess game in "Serial Killer". On the contrary, Catherine thinks that this story is much more interesting than the murder.

"Next..." Marilla said in a long tone.

Naturally, Detective Luther discovered that all the rhetoric and all the crime warnings were nothing more than a gimmick created to sell tickets and gain fame.

The original intention of Mary telling the beginning part in such detail is the same as telling the case of Edmund Campbell in Netherfield Manor, in order to observe the reaction of everyone in this era.

To change to the 21st century, as early as when Mary said that the tickets for the circus performance were sold out, the audience would have been able to guess that the real motive of the boss was to buy tickets.

But in the Victorian period, with so much momentum, the propaganda of irrelevant things wrapped in insignificant lies, even the real PT Barnum has never done it so directly.

In fact, according to Mary's perspective from more than a hundred years later, she doesn't think the circus owner, or Barnum himself, did anything wrong.

Isn't it real?Yes.Did it fool the audience?Yes.Is it immoral?Yes.

However, in capitalist society, the only thing that can really control the existence of cognition is the exchange of material money itself. Who forced the audience to pay for tickets, and who told them that what they said must be true.

Just like the circus owner conceived by Mary, what he really sells is not a circus performance, not the contributions of marginalized people, but a grand carnival with the participation of all the people.

People in the nineteenth century had never heard of such a form of entertainment, but Mary knew why.

"Next, it was Philip Luther who saw through everything, did the boss' plan fail?" Elizabeth asked.

"In fact, no matter what," Mary didn't care about Elizabeth interrupting herself in a hurry, "the boss's plan can't be regarded as a failure."

If Philip Luther successfully stopped the boss, his intention was not to steal the portrait of the Mona Lisa, and Luther naturally had no reason to arrest him; The boss of the troupe added a legendary color to his circus.

—Anyway, when the police got Philip Luther and the detectives joined the case, the boss had succeeded.

"What the hell is going on," muttered Catherine, "Mary, don't be fooled!"

Hearing that Catherine was so curious, Mary stopped talking.

This story is different from "Serial Killer Chess Game". If Mary tells the ending directly, what's the point?So when she saw Catherine was in a hurry, she gave up the mood to continue explaining.

"Anyway, the final outcome must be that the detective exposed the boss' trick," she said in a general way, "Don't worry. I haven't thought about the specific plot yet."

For example, in order to complete this grand carnival, add a wonderful ending to the show, the boss must have something to say, plan a real robbery, or let the "Mona Lisa portrait" appear in other ways and forms at the end. performing.

How, for example, does the tough detective Philip Rudd react when he learns that it's all just a public prank?

Finally, another important point is that such a plot arrangement is obviously not in line with contemporary moral concepts. Just look at how the media insulted Barnum himself back then.

Mary also had to find a more realistic and acceptable motive for the circus owner.

So think about the general idea, it is really just the beginning.When she first planned to write the heist, Mary thought the story would be simpler than "Serial Killer Chess Game".However, after she developed her thoughts in detail and searched for a good idea, she felt that it was not easier than a murder case at all.

Mary sighed, "Looks like something has changed."

Seeing Mary's worried face, Jane comforted her with warm words: "Good articles are edited, don't worry, you have seen the results of the last serious consideration, not only did you pass the manuscript smoothly for the first time, but everyone appreciates your serialization. Looking forward to it too.”

This is true.

She can't be impatient, creation is not something that can accommodate impetuous anxiety.

And Mary is very optimistic, "Serial Killer Chess Game" will be serialized in three months, and the second story, Mary calculates, should be between [-] and [-] words.

The draft was completed in three months, and then sent to the editor-in-chief of Hall, she thought she could do it.

Mary felt better at the thought.

"I'll do my best," she said easily, "but the most important thing right now is not my serialization, but Jane's wedding!"

"Nonsense, it's just as important."

Jane blushed, but the happy smile on her face betrayed her: "Stop embarrassing me."

"How can that be as important?"

Mary is very serious: "My creation only satisfies myself, but Jane's wedding brings happiness to everyone."

After all, she was the first lady in Longbourn to get married, so Jane's wedding was of great significance.What's more, Mr. Bingley is not an ordinary wishful man-he is super perfect, and Jane must be a natural match.

Moreover, Mr. Bingley chose to marry at Netherfield Manor, and his relatives and friends were bound to come.That means not only will Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy get to meet again and bond, but it will also mean...  

Mary's eyes turned and fell on Lydia.

"Have you rested?" She asked with a smile.

Lydia: "..."

In the past few days, Lydia felt uncomfortable when she saw Mary, and when she saw her smiling, she subconsciously became vigilant: "What do you want to do?"

Mary said naturally: "It's nothing, I'm just curious why you haven't replied to Mr. Wickham. Don't you want to dance with him a long time ago?"

"What does this have to do with you!"

"Of course it does," said Mary. "How am I going to get five new hats if you don't dance with him and he doesn't talk to you?"

"..."

"Lydia, you do a fine job with your sewing, and it's not far behind the new cuts in the London millinery."

"........."

As expected, Mary's provocative words poked Lydia, and she stood up: "You're talking nonsense! I don't believe... I don't believe that Mr. Wickham is a bad guy, you just want to show off and slander him like this!"

"I can't help you if you think so." Mary laughed.

Lydia was still stubborn, but the hesitation in her tone had already exposed her true thoughts. This rebuttal seemed a little guilty, but she was not as confident as before Mary went to London.

"But I think if you danced with him," Mary went on, "he'd be sure to say that he loved you the most after he'd been fascinated by Miss King's wealth before, and that true love is Money can't be measured—at least you have no money to spend, at least you are good-looking, and you can take advantage of the advantages."

"He won't!"

"Maybe he will persuade you to elope."

When Mary said this, several of the other Miss Bennet gasped.

"Anyway, Mom and Dad are absolutely determined not to let you marry him, aren't they?" Mary restrained her smile, "If you don't believe me, just promise him a try. Seems like a good deal for five hats, right? I hope I'm dead wrong, would you like to try, Lydia?"

Lydia could not hear a word.

"You're full of bullshit," she screamed, "I will never believe you again!"

After speaking, as if she would be persuaded by Mary if she stayed for a second longer, she ran away with her fists clenched.

Catherine had the best relationship with Lydia on weekdays. Seeing Lydia running away, she anxiously tried to follow her to comfort her, but Mary stopped her.

"Let her figure it out for herself."

Mary said: "I don't listen to the good things, and I have said all the bad things. I don't believe that she still refuses to use her little brain."

If this doesn't make Lydia see clearly the essence of a scumbag, then Mary thinks this girl is really hopeless!