"A police sergeant that majored in political science? How is that supposed to help the world?"
"Two of us police sergeants majored in political science, actually. I followed in my brother's footsteps."
Madeline sipped on her coffee, noting the rich flavour from the beans. Ludwig had just been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant earlier that week, so they went out for lunch at downtown cafe to celebrate.
"You still haven't answered my question," she reminded, "How is studying political science supposed to help a cop?"
"To be fair, I didn't originally plan to be a police officer," Ludwig explained, "My major in political science was supposed to set me up for law school, where I could chase a career in law or politics. When I saw my brother doing well with police work, I decided to join him, and enrolled for the police academy immediately after finishing my degree."
"And what led your brother to going from political science to the police academy?"
"Gilbert actually had a similar career idea as I did, although he was a bit more interested in the politics. He did make it to law school, but flunked out in his second year. He was at his lowest point when he found inspiration to join the police academy."
"What was that inspiration?"
Ludwig chuckled as Madeline sipped on her coffee.
"Believe it or not, it was that questionable idol of yours," he elaborated, "Mathilda Jones had just been caught in her illegal acts, and she quickly climbed the most-wanted list when she ran away with her accomplices. Gilbert saw the news, and was inspired to join the hunt for these elusive criminals. He's done quite well for himself, actually, I'm proud of him."
"I suppose that makes sense for choosing a career path," Madeline commented as Ludwig paused to sip at his own coffee, "Inspiration can really come from anywhere, after all, and your brother certainly listened when it called to him."
"You know, Madeline, we've been dating almost a month now, and you have yet to mention your own family," Ludwig pointed out, "Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are your parents still around at all?"
"I think they're still alive, but that's no concern to me," Madeline attempted to dismiss as she raised her drink to her lips, "I haven't actually spoken to them in years."
"You're separated from your family? May I ask why?"
Madeline slowly sipped as she decided what to say, and reluctantly set down her cup when she had it figured out.
"My parents were wealthy aristocrats who raised me to be a modern Southern belle," Madeline explained, "My father held many successful investments, and my brother Allen was set to inherit everything. They were very traditional, and wanted me to marry another young aristocrat named George and be his perfect wife."
"It sounds like you had your life laid out nice and easy for you," Ludwig commented, "What led you out here instead?"
"It's actually because of my life being planned for me, actually," she elaborated, "I wanted to be free and choose for myself, but they were trying to set everything in stone for me. When my father nearly had my betrothal to George finalized, I reached my breaking point and ran away from him. I packed what I could, took some cash out at our bank, and fled here to the city."
"So, you chose to struggle with the rest of us over living the rich life?"
"I'd much rather be working these crappy jobs than be trapped in a miserable life where I have no choice at all."
Madeline noted that Ludwig was about to say something further, before something outside caught his attention. Madeline turned to look as well, spotting the large mob of protesters walking down the street.
"What do you think they're raving about?" she asked curiously.
"I'm not quite sure, actually, but they're heading to the congress buildings," Ludwig observed, "We could go check it out, if that's okay with you."
"Sure, I don't mind."
Madeline quickly finished her coffee as Ludwig motioned for the waitress, and was ready to grab her things just as the bill was brought over. He quickly gave the waitress some cash, before allowing Madeline to lead the way out of the cafe.
Once they were outside, the couple paused momentarily to watch the crowd and read the signs being held up, before jumping onto the street and joining the march. As they walked along, Madeline noted a variety of signs promoting various workers unions.
"Nurses, teachers, ironworkers," Madeline noted, "There's so many unions represented here."
"I think I heard about this protest on the news, actually," Ludwig commented, "JCI is looking to illegalize unions, and that would threaten the work security, wages and benefits that these people earn now."
"Without unions to protect the workers, companies could get away with paying wages less than we can live on," Madeline analyzed, "While JCI and their shareholder friends deepen their pockets, everyone else fights for the scraps. It is a valid cause that these unions are fighting for, but I'm not sure the government is going to listen."
"What makes you say that, Madeline?"
"20 years ago, it was absolutely unacceptable and ludicrous for politicians to have their decisions bought out by large corporations," Madeline explained, "Everything went downhill when Andrew Jones convinced them to throw out the rules, so that he could start buying them out. Now, JCI has a hand in everything the politicians will look at, and they'd rather appease Jones and Kirkland's investment returns over the needs of the people."
"I was there for those riots a few years ago, when JCI gained complete control," Ludwig said, "Gilbert and I were students at the time, and got swept up in the protests. I was still able to pass my courses that term, but Gilbert got carried away with the revolution, and flunked out of law school in the process."
"And now you both work for the corporate overlords you once protested against," Madeline sneered, "Your humanitarian standards have dropped off, I would say."
"I think that's an unfair statement," Ludwig argued, "Maybe Gilbert joined for the thrill of hunting down the lawbreakers, but I want to serve and protect the honest citizens."
"It doesn't matter either way, you're both still bound to the rules and ethics as set by the government, and by JCI in turn," Madeline countered, "You once fought against the oppressive forces, and now you serve them instead. You may think you're helping society, but everything you're doing only helps maintain the tyrannical status quo. And it's not just the police either, don't get me wrong on that. The only ways to remain a law-abiding citizen nowadays is to blindly follow the rules set by JCI and their puppets, and this needs to be changed."
"Well, if things need to change, aren't these protests a good way to start that?" Ludwig inquired.
"Having random people yelling at the top of their lungs can only do so much," Madeline turned down, "What we need is someone who can tear apart this regime from the inside. We need someone to rise and take the power to change the world, rather than rely on begging everyone else to change."
"Please don't tell me that you have Mathilda Jones in mind for that," Ludwig groaned.
"You're the one who keeps bringing her up here, Ludwig," Madeline chuckled, "But yes, Mathilda could probably do it."