"But now, it's much better." Jason revealed a smile saying: "The older kids can sell newspapers, cigarettes or do delivery jobs. The younger ones can go to a daycare, which is free and even provides a meal lest I couldn't leave. Those little devils, if no one is keeping an eye on, are bound to make mischief."
Seeing his adult-like worrisome expression again, Shiller found it terribly amusing and asked: "So, you want to lead a gang?"
Jason hesitated for a moment and said: "I don't know what it means to lead a gang. Is it to grow a mob into the most powerful one? But I…"
Jason paused for a while, seemingly deep in thought, and then said: "I don't know if what the mobs do is right. Everyone is doing it, so I have no choice but to follow suit. But I don't like robbery and I want to avoid firefights as much as possible..."
"I don't know if I have the courage to send the children of Tail Gang, who grew up with me, to the frontline of the battlefield, let them get hurt and bleed, and make money for me."
Shiller was somewhat surprised by his display, not so much at his viewpoint, but more so at Jason's expression, which was far beyond his age. He was able to clearly articulate his understanding of some matters that would typically perplex individuals of his age.
There are many who feel a certain emotion but don't know where it stems from. Others know the origin of their emotions but are unable to articulate it. And then there are those who can express it well but hesitate due to their personalities.
The process of experiencing and then expressing an emotion involves overcoming various obstacles. Generally, it requires a depth of understanding and accumulated experiences. However, there are some who are naturally more gifted.
These individuals are more sensitive to their own emotions and those of others and are able to articulate their perception in a very clear and logical manner. Their transition from experiencing to expressing their emotions is smooth, unobstructed, which is actually a fairly special ability.
Shiller cut a small piece of steak and popped it into his mouth, looking at Jason he asked: "In an environment where no one is doing good, would you be brave enough to swim against the tide and be the exception?"
"How do you distinguish between right and wrong?" Jason asked back: "I don't want the kids in my gang to starve, so I steal tires and sell them. I read in newspapers that stealing is wrong, but I cannot just sit and watch as the children of Tail Gang go hungry."
"They suffer hunger because their parents don't take care of them, and their parents might neglect them possibly because they died in the mob's firefights or because they were oppressed by the mob and didn't have the time."
"So, for me to steal tires from the mob members is simply asking for the childcare payment that they owe us; I don't see it as doing wrong."
Shiller stared at Jason, saying: "What about stealing the tires of the Batmobile? You know full well that Batman is a vigilante who prevents crime."
"That's because he's very rich," Jason answered matter-of-factly: "Losing a tire wouldn't cost him much, probably not even a meal's worth, but if I can sell that tire, then it could solve Tail Gang's food issues for two months."
"Do you think the rich deserve to be stolen from? Or rather, even if it's a crime, do you justify crimes committed against the rich?"
"I don't know." Jason responded, saying: "I often wonder, why are rich people rich?"
"I'm puzzled about where the world's money comes from? The newspaper says it's printed by banks, so why can't the banks print more so that everyone can have money?"
"Why won't the rich, who are already so rich, pay their employees a bit more in wages?"
"They do know at heart that a jewel or a sculpture that they only keep for appearance's sake could feed the poor and the children for several months. Is it because they don't see the plight of the poor or because they simply don't care?"
Shiller, smiling, looked at him and said: "If you were rich, would you be willing to give your money to the poor?"
"That's exactly what confuses me." Jason said, shaking his head: "When I imagine myself as a poor man, I hope that the rich could do a bit more. But when I imagine myself as a rich man, I fantasize about buying myself a big house or going on an adventure in the West. Do these thoughts make sense?"
Taking another bite of his burger, Jason said: "I never read about this in the newspapers, and Little Sly's books don't tell me either. They only talk about how engines work."
"But can running engines faster truly ensure that no one goes hungry?"
"Do you want to ensure that no one is hungry?" Shiller asked.
"Of course!" Jason raised his voice, looking directly at Shiller: "Doesn't everyone in the world wish for that? That everyone could be well-fed and afford what they like? Isn't it?"
Shiller asked again: "Do you think that could be achieved by suppressing wrongdoing, or promoting good deeds?"
"Can't it be both?" Jason shrugged and said: "Since it's all hypothetical, I think it's feasible to do both. On one hand, we prohibit criminals from committing crimes; on the other hand, we reward the good-doers so they can do more good."
"How do you think crime can be prevented?" Shiller inquired further.
"I don't know, but it seems to me that just tossing all criminals into jail won't work."
Jason pursed his lips and said: "After all these years, Gotham still has criminals. It used to be because the police weren't doing their job, but ever since Gordon became the commissioner, the police have been quite efficient. Yet, Gotham remains in this wretched state."
Having finished his burger, Jason rested his face on one hand and said: "I don't know why, but my intuition tells me that discouraging wrongdoing and encouraging good deeds are actually one and the same. Yet I don't know what that is."
Shiller's eyes sparkled. Meanwhile, Jason glanced at the clock on the wall saying: "Oh, God, it's almost class time. I have to go study about the automotive transmission system again..."
"I have to go now, Professor. We'll chat some other time."
"Wait a minute!" Shiller called out to him saying: "I absolutely love what you just said..."
"What?" Jason looked puzzled.
"Making engines run faster won't ensure that no one goes hungry, at least not in the short term."
"Then what can?" Jason asked subconsciously.
Shiller revealed a smile, looking at him, he said:
"If you want to know the answer, I suggest you change your major."
"Change majors? To what?"
"Psychology."