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About ten minutes later, the bank's alarm suddenly rang, and then Carl saw two figures suddenly appear outside the wall in front of him.
It was Newt Scamander, who had just entered the bank, and Jacob Kowalski, a No-Maj who was about to apply for a bank loan to pursue his dream of opening a bakery, but instead got unintentionally involved in the incident.
Jacob is a veteran of World War I. He was assigned to a cannery afterwards, forced into a mind-numbing job. His greatest wish was to use his skills to start a small bakery with his grandmother's secret recipe.
Today, he originally hoped to apply for a bank loan to make that dream a reality. However, because of a strange turn of events — an ordinary encounter with an extraordinary person — Jacob was suddenly drawn into a world of magic.
"I'm sorry, you've seen too much. If you don't mind, please stay right there for a moment."
Newt gently supported Jacob, who was so scared he could barely stand, and straightened his clothes. He placed his leather case on the ground and raised his wand, intending to cast a Forgetfulness Charm on Jacob.
"Sorry!"
Instead of staying still, Jacob misunderstood and thought something terrible was about to happen. He snatched up the case, struck Newt, and darted away into the bustling crowd.
Newt, completely taken by surprise, fell to the ground and remained there for a moment, unsure of what to do.
"What a flexible fellow!"
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from the bottom of the alley. Newt turned and saw a young man standing there.
"I'm sorry, I can't make the same mistake again."
Newt, thinking the young man might be a Muggle, raised his wand to cast the Oblivion Charm. But the young man drew his own wand and said quickly:
"Don't get so excited. I'm a wizard, too. I just didn't have time to draw my wand and help you stop him."
This young man was none other than Carl, who had deliberately kept hidden nearby.
He knew that Newt was a key person in future events — a friend of Dumbledore and someone who would profoundly affect the course of the magical world — and that's why Carl chose this moment to make contact.
"It's my own mistake. Sorry to trouble you."
Newt was not comfortable communicating with people and avoided needless interaction. After learning the young man was a wizard, he put away his wand, retrieved his case, and was about to pursue Jacob again.
Unfortunately, just as he turned, a woman in a trench coat walked directly into the alley.
As she passed Newt, she grabbed his arm, then drew her wand and pressed it against Carl, Apparating away with both of them in an instant.
When the woman's wand was pressed against him, Carl could have easily rebounded her magic or forced her grip away with physical force. But instead, he remained passive. He recognized her immediately — it was Tina Goldstein.
"I am a wizard from the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Who are you?"
In a dimly lit alley across from the Woolworth Building, Tina held up her MACUSA credentials in one hand and kept her wand trained on both of them.
"Newt Scamander."
"Tom Foley."
Then, after a brief pause, Carl added, "I think we've met before. You were the one who helped me get my wand license a few days ago."
"Ahem. That's not important."
Tina faltered briefly, a little embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject.
"What's in your box and what just happened back there?"
Carl glanced at her, then nodded toward Newt.
"It's his, not mine."
Newt sighed and explained honestly:
"There are Nifflers in the box. You know how mischievous they can be. They love anything shiny."
"Oh, Merlin's beard. Do you know private ownership of magical creatures is prohibited here in the USA? And this all happens immediately after yesterday's incident."
Tina's voice was firm, disbelief creeping in.
Newt raised his hands defensively. "I just arrived today. Niffler has a mind of his own; he's hard to control."
"Okay… I believe you didn't do it on purpose."
Tina nodded reluctantly. "So… did you deal with that No-Maj? Did you erase his memory?"
Newt looked confused. "No-Maj?"
"It's what Americans call Muggles."
Carl whispered to him.
Newt nodded awkwardly. "Ah… no… I forgot."
"That's a violation of Article 3, Section 1 and Article 8, Section 5. I'm going to take you to Congress for trial."
Carl sighed and raised his hands. "It seems I'm not really involved in this."
"Yes, it has nothing to do with this gentleman."
Newt rushed to clarify.
But Tina tightened her grip on both of them and marched directly toward the Woolworth Building across the street.
"You two are British wizards who appeared in the same alley at the same time. I find it hard to believe you have nothing to do with this. Whatever you have to say, you can say it at Congress!"
Newt and Carl exchanged glances and sighed quietly. There was nothing more to be done; they fell into step and followed her.
"Mr. Scamander, you seem to know a lot about magical creatures."
On the way, Carl struck up a conversation with Newt.
Newt nodded, warming to the subject immediately. "Yes. I'm in the middle of a year-long expedition. I'm going to write a book about magical creatures — a guide to help people appreciate them instead of fear them."
"Oh, Merlin… that's a wonderful thing. Many people find creatures strange, but I think it's people who are too close-minded."
Carl sighed quietly.