Anyone who has played both European and American trucks knows that driving large trucks of all sizes for long-distance transport is a thrilling experience—though that's only in-game. In
real life, nearly all American truckers strive to save enough to buy their own truck head, as this means they can avoid the unfair exploitation of renting or driving company cars.
Truck driving is crucial to America, a nation built on roads, as over 80% of the country's transport volume is handled by trucks of all sizes.
However, this industry currently faces a year-round vacancy of over 150,000 people. It's not that a Commercial Driver's License (CDL, equivalent to China's B2) is difficult to obtain, but rather that there's a lack of willingness to take on the job.
While the median annual salary for American truck drivers reaches $85,000, far exceeding the average American income, even Mexicans, known for their hard work and perseverance, rarely choose this profession.
In-game, European and American truckers speed along the endless interstates in their 18-wheelers, admiring the breathtaking scenery outside the window.
In reality, this job is incredibly grueling, high-risk, bladder-tightening, and prone to obesity, with only one trip home per month. Simply put, it's like walking on a life-or-death plank, holding a spirit summoning plate, never having to cook three meals a day, and never having to sleep.
Federal law requires truck drivers to rest for at least 10 hours after driving for up to 11 consecutive hours. Often, they rest without stopping the truck, with two drivers sharing the same truck.
Therefore, trucking couples like Teddy and Janice Bodette are a perfect match. Working together, they earn double the money without worrying about the family conflicts that come with being away from home for long periods of time.
"Teddy and Janice own their own truck, and they've been the lowest-priced on this route for over six months, so we've been working together."
The trucking company manager who met the FBI was an elderly white man with a belly as big as a pregnant woman's and a head of hair as sparse as the African savannah—nearly barren.
Like every truck driver they'd ever met, he possessed a disproportionate build, with bulging eyes, a ruddy complexion, and a remarkably loud voice due to his "three highs."
"There are only two tricks to this business: cheap or fast, and these two are both." A hint of regret crossed the old man's face as he spoke of this.
"It sounds like this will cause some resentment," Jubal asked tentatively.
"Perhaps, if you're referring to the guys who drive for the company, they're a little upset about having some work taken away, but it's limited to some verbal swearing.
There's plenty of work available in Margrave right now, and they can always find an easier job."
The old man ushered everyone into his small office and then squeezed his bulky frame into the overweight chair behind his desk.
"But the guy who can do that kind of thing must have enough courage and brains. At least among the guys I know, no one has such ability."
Seeing his unsatisfied and mysterious expression, Jack knew that he still had something to say, "So who do you think the murderer might be? The enemy of the Bodettes or your competitor?"
"The people above are indeed worried that it is their peers who are causing trouble, so they found Ms. Conklin (Roscoe) hoping to solve the case as soon as possible, but I told them that this possibility is not great."
The old man opened a can of "Monster Claw" for himself, "Although the electronic products on the car are of high value, they are all insured, so there is no need to worry.
And I have heard some rumors about Teddy and Janice. Some say that as long as they are paid, they will transport anything, no matter if it is against the law or not. "
"You mean carrying contraband in the cargo?" Jubal's eyes lit up.
The old man just smiled mysteriously, "I don't know, I just heard such rumors."
After getting a detailed list of cargo and a list of hired drivers, everyone said goodbye to the riddle manager and acted separately according to Jubal's arrangement.
So Jack, Clay and Aubrey drove two cars to the scene of the crime at the junction of the two states.
Alabama is a famous poor state in the United States. Although it is better than its western neighbor Mississippi, it is also limited.
Like the rust belt in the north, the southern United States also has a similar "black belt", starting from Arkansas, passing through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and finally entering the North and South Carolina.
At first, this was just a geographical term, because as far back as the Cretaceous period, This was once the coastline of the North American continent.
In that era before humans appeared, a large number of plankton gathered in the warm waters near the coast. The enrichment of organic matter made the soil in this area darker and more fertile than other places.
In the 19th century, the fertile land attracted colonists. After the disobedient Native Americans were driven out and slaughtered, the obedient black slaves began to grow cotton for farmers in the "Black Belt".
As a result, the darkest and most fertile land became the area with the highest density of black slaves.
After the Civil War, slavery was completely abolished, and many black families moved to the more "free" North, leaving their blood in the land. Meat is put into factory machines to become lubricants and fuel.
Of course, there are also a considerable number of black families who choose to stay. After all, the farmers are kind-hearted and there are still enough watermelons.
But in modern times, American agriculture has become completely dependent on industry, and the large farmers who still occupy large tracts of fertile soil no longer need these low-quality local laborers.
Under the influence of the strong position of the US dollar, large farmers can hire cheaper workers from South Africa at a very low cost, who have undergone standardized training and are proficient in using various large agricultural machinery.
As for those locals who have lost their jobs, it is better for the government to support them with the so-called "high welfare" policy, with only a few hundred dollars of food a month . Vouchers and relief funds still make some people "yearn for it".
Jack and others are basically driving along this "black belt" from east to west. The road is almost deserted. Apart from some rest stops along the highway, there are only various abandoned houses and buildings.
Some buildings are even left with only wreckage, as if it were the end of the world. This was caused by a tornado a few years ago. Alabama, especially the central region, is a frequent area for super tornadoes.
In his previous life, Jack was deeply impressed by the special effects blockbuster called "Twister", which made him secretly alert. If he encountered a group of "crazy people" chasing the wind, he must get away from this ghost place as soon as possible.
(End of this chapter)