[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Predictably, Rhett comes up with the plan Scarlett has known all her life — to have the Klansman hide in a brothel and come out drunk in full view.Whores will testify for everyone, and the Yankees think these women are not patriotic, but will actually believe it.In short, it is to exchange face for life.

When he said this, it caused a thousand waves with one stone, and the gentlemen in the south blushed, saying that they would never go to "that kind of place", and all looked at Scarlett, as if they felt that they should not be in front of the girl's house. It's like mentioning this.Hugh asked a very constructive question:

"But, even if those girls were willing to testify against us, and they kept the Yankees out of the way, what about Miss O'Hara? We can't say she's with us whoring... whores. You know, Jonathan Wayne Erkesen was beaten to death by Miss O'Hara herself, although it was very dark, someone might have seen it."

This remark caused a sudden wave of apprehension. No one would leave Scarlett alone to earn a living.Scarlett felt warm in her heart—and Rhett raised his eyelids, and said lazily: "Miss O'Hara, on the contrary, she is the one you don't have to worry about the least. After all, which Yankee would think that the Ku Klux Klan would bring them with them when they went out?" How about a woman, especially the charming Miss O'Hara?" The final tone was between frivolous and lively, but it was not easy to be harsh.People have to agree that what he said makes sense.

"That's true." Ashley thought for a while and said, "The Yankees are very arrogant in this matter... Besides, our Ku Klux Klan has always said that we want to protect women in the South..." He glanced at Scarlett , couldn't go on, as if he felt guilty for letting her take the risk.Most of the others are like that.

"So," Rhett raised his voice slightly, drawing everyone's attention back to him, "can you consider my proposal now?"

They were still riding as they spoke, only not as fast as before.Now that Rhett made the suggestion again, it was naturally another fierce dispute.Dr. Meade's beard was trembling, and Scarlett felt that he was almost blushing; Grandpa Merriwether and Uncle Henry seemed a little moved, and they wanted to see "that kind of woman"; Scarlett tried to reduce the sense of presence as much as possible, but The glances from the men around her from time to time still made her feel uncomfortable——oh, hell, this scene is like a game where a bunch of young boys are plotting to kill a man, but a little girl got in the middle of it!Scarlett didn't want to talk to them anymore, since Rhett was sure to convince everyone in the end, why should she bother.

In fact, after that kiss, Scarlett was even more embarrassed facing Rhett.The best proof is that they haven't spoken a word since they got on the horse and drove on the road—although Rhett looked at Scarlett when he said a few words.Scarlett was able to put on a deliberate alienation gesture, but she couldn't stop everything in her heart from being hooked back by that passionate kiss.The continuous love is mixed with dissatisfaction with herself, as well as embarrassment and guilt towards Tommy, which makes Scarlett's emotions complicated.Fortunately, she was able to put these thoughts aside now that she was busy running for her life.However, Scarlett will soon find that she still thinks too simply.

At this time, Rhett had almost convinced everyone. "This is a noble sacrifice." He solemnly said, "For your family, for everyone, for the cornerstone of the Ku Klux Klan, for the South." "For the South!" And everyone (except Scarlett, of course) They repeated it solemnly and in a low voice, and then accepted Rhett's proposal one after another.Scarlett thought the scene a little funny, but it made her sad to think that everyone except Rhett and she really thought it here.

"But we have one last problem," Rhett waited for everyone to finish the discussion, before he said regretfully, "We have to enter through the back door of the brothel, so that we can pretend that we have been there for several hours... But today I don't have that key with me."

"Do you have the key to the back door?" Most of the men focused on this instead, and they showed expressions of disbelief, "The rumored relationship between you and Watling is actually true?"

Rhett seemed unperturbed—except for his glance at Scarlett, he said: "Maybe it's a little bit worse. However, I did sponsor Bell to open that brothel, and I have shares...so I'm sure you can find it in the brothel." Got help there. Unfortunately I didn't have the back door key with me today."

When he said this, the Ku Klux Klan members immediately felt relieved.However, at this moment, a strong and angry voice sounded, which startled everyone.

"So," Scarlett's voice was full of sharp sarcasm, "the famous Captain Butler actually sneaked through the back door when he went to visit those places? Ha! I thought you didn't care about this, you just went in openly!"

These words made many people frown secretly.On the one hand, it would be out of order for the well-known Miss O'Hara to mention this directly; Looking at Tommy, who was exceptionally quiet all the way, he didn't say anything.No matter what, they accepted Rhett's favor tonight, and naturally no one would talk about him and Scarlett.But how easy is it for the O'Haras to pass?Little did he know that Rhett saw their thoughts in his eyes.This time, the Atlanta social circle was at least half done - and the timing of his and Scarlett's affair being veiled was simply perfect!It's just that Scarlett herself hasn't noticed it yet.

Of course Scarlett didn't notice it, and in fact she was so angry now that she couldn't control herself.Although she knew that Rhett had the key to the back door of Bell's brothel in her previous life, she didn't have any feelings for Rhett at that time, so naturally she wouldn't be angry, and at most she would laugh at this man for being flirtatious.But now, now!In front of everyone, he freely admitted that he had the key to the back door of Watling's brothel—that's how he usually went to find that woman?Oh well, after hearing about Rhett's past, Scarlett knew he might be looking for one of Bell's girls, but it wasn't the same to her!Scarlett thought angrily, since Butler had the key to the back door, after they separated in the previous life, what did this man mean when he went to a brothel openly and deliberately slapped her in the face?Thinking about it like this made him even more furious, it was simply unreasonable!

"That's true," Rhett shrugged—how dare he shrug!It took Scarlett a moment to realize that he meant that he would indeed walk through the front door without hesitation.And Rhett added the next moment, "—when I want to go there."

Does that mean he didn't go?

"Bell always said that I am a shareholder and I should have the key to the property." Rhett spread her hands, "So she threw me two, both for the front door and the back door. I didn't pay much attention to it. Dispensable things, who Do you know that you will need this thing to save your life today? I must have left it in a corner of the hotel, but I don’t have it on me.”

Scarlett felt a little better after hearing this explanation.She thought of Bell Watling's unforgettable old relationship with Rhett, and always provoked herself through some small details. This key might be one of them... and Rhett's explanation made sense, the shareholder owns the key, and it is so-so Throw it aside, in short, don't carry it close to your body.Rhett must have known it was Bell's cue, but he didn't take it seriously.Since what she said made sense, she took it casually. Who would have thought of today... However, I still feel uncomfortable in my heart. Fortunately, there are more topics worthy of attention now.

"So," Tommy, who had been quiet for a long time, finally spoke. He pointed directly at Rhett, his eyes were as cold as ice, "Who are you going to let in, and ask Mrs. Watling to open the back door for us?"

Rhett watched him quietly, with rare respect in the complex emotions in his eyes.But Tommy didn't seem to notice it, he just stared at Rhett, asking him to give an answer.Suddenly Scarlett understood where Tommy's anger was coming from, for the next moment she rode up and said with a smile:

"It seems that I am the best candidate."

This sentence was like a drop of water thrown into boiling oil, and immediately, the clamor of members of the Ku Klux Klan exploded into the sky.

"Absolutely not! How can a girl be allowed to do such a thing!"

"Let a girl go into that kind of place, for God's sake..."

"If Miss O'Hara is going to do it, I'm willing to take the risk myself!"

Everyone unanimously expressed their disapproval, clamoring and angrily.Only Tommy Wellborn didn't say a word, and stared straight at Rhett with sharp sword-like eyes—then he turned around, looked at Scarlett, and sighed softly, with pity and tolerance in his eyes:

"Scarlett, you don't have to..."

Scarlett panicked. Seeing that the crowd was getting louder and louder, she quickly interrupted: "Okay, I know what I'm doing!"

Everyone looked at her with disapproving eyes, but Scarlett gradually calmed down, and she said calmly:

"Any one of you, including Butler, will be under suspicion after tonight. Every one of you has to be seen coming out of the brothel doors to clear the suspicion - everyone. This way Said, only I can go in. Only I, only I can go in, find Bell Watling, and ask her to open the back door of the brothel. Only in this way can everyone's lives be saved."

Sensing what everyone was about to say again, she raised her voice and said, "Okay, it's not a big deal. I mean—I mean, ha!" She tried to liven up the atmosphere, "I've even killed people, and Afraid of going into a brothel?" Obviously this was an unsuccessful joke, because no one laughed. "I've nursed the seriously wounded in the hospital... I've seen nud|naked... It's nothing, really. Watling must be near the counter, maybe I'll see her when I walk in the door, or please A prostitute brought her here. It's nothing...really." Her voice trembled a little, she hadn't really broken into that place in two lifetimes, God!Scarlett could not say that she was not intimidated by the unknown in this regard, but the strong desire to keep everyone prevailed.But under the more and more serious eyes of everyone, she finally couldn't help it, and sighed softly.

"Yes," she said, "I don't want to go to that kind of place, but what can I do? I don't want anyone to be in danger."

Someone must have followed with a sigh.All anger and doubts were quenched by this sigh, like fire meeting water.Tommy Wellborn still looked at Scarlett without saying a word, but Scarlett turned her head away as if she couldn't bear his gaze.People feel that the eyes are a little sore.Finally, Scarlett raised her head and said softly to Rhett, "Can you lend me your cloak? I'll wrap it in. My own can't cover my face."

Rhett sighed too, and for a moment Scarlett saw violent struggle and embarrassment on his face.Finally, he took off his cloak resignedly and handed it to Scarlett.Now, they have been parked in the shadows of the brothel's back door for a long time.

"Then," Rhett said softly, "good luck, dear."

The author has something to say: [The computer cannot be turned on to write because of a power outage, so I am even more embarrassed now]

[I think Scarlett's handsome performance in this 3K Klan action]

But Scarlett would soon discover that she was still thinking too simply. →

But Scarlett would find out before long that she was still too sweet.