Hardy found Bill and asked, "How much cash do we have on hand right now?"
"You'll have to ask Simon," replied Bill.
Simon was summoned and greeted Hardy respectfully. "Mr. Hardy, you called for ."
"How much money do we have in our account right now?" Hardy inquired.
"In total, there's over $650,000," Simon quickly reported.
During this period, Bill had been very successful in expanding business, especially in private liquor, high-interest loans, brothels, underground boxing arenas, and particularly in slot machines and punching machines, earning substantial cash.
"Prepare $500,000 for ," Hardy instructed.
Hardy still had over $2 million from his last stock market dealings, but he planned to take a portion from the gang. The money from stock trading was legitimate, but gang cash was dirty; to convert it to bank money, it needed laundering.
It's easy for legal money to beco dirty, but turning dirty money into legal money is difficult. This visit to see Sigel was perfect for spending this money.
Henry and Matthew each carried a suitcase downstairs. The three of them got into Hardy's Packard sedan, with a Ford following behind, carrying four n in black suits, Henry's subordinates.
The convoy headed towards Highway 15.
This ti, Hardy decided against flying. The air travel experience in this era was too poor. Los Angeles to Las Vegas was just over 400 kiloters, he decided to drive.
By the ti Hardy's convoy entered the Las Vegas city area, it was already evening.
It was July, the hottest season in Las Vegas. During the day, the streets were nearly empty, it was only at night that the city ca alive.
The neon lights were flashing, and people were bustling on the streets, it was the liveliest ti in the gambling city.
"Boss, should we go directly to Mr. Sigel's hotel?" Henry asked.
Hardy thought for a mont. "Let's go check out the new casino first."
The convoy left the city and arrived at the Flamingo casino construction site. Despite the darkness, construction was still ongoing. The casino had made significant progress since Hardy's last visit three months ago.
However, Hardy knew that decoration often took more ti and money than the frawork. Moreover, Sigel's demands were high.
"Let's go to the hotel."
In a luxurious business suite, Hardy t Sigel. Despite enduring sandstorms for months, Sigel still looked lively.
Sigel gave Hardy a hug.
The two sat down on the spacious balcony chairs with a view of distant mountains. The evening breeze felt cool against their skin.
Sigel handed Hardy a cigar. As they lit up, Sigel complained, "Things are a bit ssy. Those guys ca over, saying I'm taking too long with the project and going far beyond the initial budget. They don't plan to continue investing, they want to figure it out myself. The hot climate--what's appealing about it?
We only receive small-ti gamblers as guests, I can't see much future developnt with them having money for us to earn. Do you think my vision is flawed, Hardy?"
Hardy chuckled. "Honestly, I think your ideas are spot on, especially when considering future perspectives."
However, Sigel had issues himself. He had indeed misled those people, painting a rosy picture that convinced the big shots to invest. But a year later, when they ca to inspect and saw it was still a big construction site, how could they not be upset?
Sigel was a big gangster, but the people he had misled were no ordinary folks, they were from other powerful gangster families. They left with a warning for Sigel to figure things out on his own, they wouldn't continue investing.
And they would give him at most another half year, they wanted to see the casino open, or there would be trouble.
Sigel had been troubled about the funding these days, thinking about calling yer. During their chat, yer brought up Hardy's situation.
First, it was movie investnts, then a security company. Suddenly, Sigel realized that this accidental underling had caused quite a stir in a short ti.
He didn't bring it up with yer, instead hanging up and calling Hardy.
After hearing Sigel's complaints, Hardy smiled.
"I have high hopes for this Las Vegas project, I believe it has a bright future. I've brought $500,000 in cash and a $1 million check."
Sigel smiled.
$1.5 million In this era, it was an enormous amount.
"With this money, can we finish the final stages of the project?" Hardy asked.
"Oh, yes, we should be close," Sigel replied.
"Hardy, I've decided to give you an 18% stake. How does that sound?" Sigel proposed.
Hardy calculated inwardly.
$1.5 million represents 18%, which ans Sigel values the total capital at $8 million.
Damn it, it looks like my $1.5 million might not be enough to finish building this casino.
Sigel took a puff of his cigar and said, "The casino is registered, I've obtained the license. We haven't finalized shares. So ti ago, I prepared a share agreent for them to inspect the progress and sign on the share docunt. But these guys all turned against ."
Hardy complained in his heart.
Originally, these big shots each invested large sums, thinking they would beco major shareholders. Who would have thought you would set the total capital at $8 million, with each person only holding around 10%? It's no wonder they turned against you.
When I first t you, you said they saw the progress of the casino and turned against you. Now it seems the root cause isn't there, they're unhappy with the share ratio.
It feels like they've been played by Sigel.
No wonder those big gangsters want to have you killed.
If you weren't my boss, and I owed you, I'd want to have you killed myself!
"18% is fine," Hardy nodded.
Sigel smiled.
He felt he had supported this underling well initially, and now it was paying off.
"Hardy, are you interested in joining for a trip to New York?" Sigel suddenly asked.
"What are we going to do in New York?" Hardy asked curiously.
"It's my dear friend Don Vito Corleone's 54th birthday in a few days. I plan to go to New York to celebrate with him. Would you be interested in accompanying to et him?" Sigel explained.
Hardy was surprised.
Don Vito Corleone.
Isn't that from "The Godfather"?
Hardy had watched "The Godfather" movie, not just once, it's considered the pinnacle of gangster films.
He initially thought this was a historical ti and space, but later, seeing newspaper reports on Vito Corleone son's wedding, he realized he was in a dinsion similar to "The Godfather" movie world.
Hardy was eager inside to see this legend.
"I have heard of Mr. Corleone's na and that he is a godfather that everyone respects. I would like to visit him and send him birthday wishes," Hardy said.
Sigel smiled and nodded, "Okay, tomorrow we will get the share agreent and notarization, and then set off for New York."
The next day. Sigel received $500,000 in cash and a check for $1 million, while Hardy received an equity letter. Now he is one of the shareholders of Flamingo casino, accounting for 18% of the shares.
Sigel gave the money to his girlfriend, Virginia Hill.
Hardy frowned slightly. But he didn't say anything.
In the movie, Miss Virginia Hill was eventually found to have embezzled a large amount of money, but Sigel trusted her. Hardy had no evidence and could not accuse people without reason.
"Virginia, look at what's at the construction site for . I'm going to New York, and I'll be back in three days at most."
The woman agreed reluctantly.
Sigel bid the woman goodbye and boarded the plane with Hardy.
As for Henry, Matthew and several of his n, Hardy asked them to drive back to Los Angeles. After attending the godfather's birthday party, he would fly back to Los Angeles directly from New York.
The model of this passenger plane is the DC-3, which was the C-47 transport aircraft in World War II. It can accommodate more than 30 people and fly a long distance. It only needs to refuel once from Los Angeles to New York.
On the plane. Sigel and Hardy were seated in the first-class cabin, chatting with Hardy about his past, which allowed Hardy to learn a lot about the inside story of the gang.
"Vito and I have known each other since I was a child, and we later beca partners. We did a lot of things together. Do you know the current Mafia comity? Vito ca up with it from the beginning. He was a very shrewd man."
"At that ti, Gangs from all over the country fought each other for profit and suffered great losses. Later, he convened various gang families and set up a committee. We promised not to attack each other or kill police officers to provoke the governnt. If there is anything wrong with each family, they can submit it to the committee for discussion and resolution.
The party finally stabilized, and everyone realized that we were making a lot more money than before. The internal strife was too serious before, and too many interests were damaged."
"Now the committee has 24 families, distributed in major cities across the United States, including New York. There were five major families. One day Vito said to , Sigel, You should build your own family, why not go explore the West Coast, which is a golden land?"
"I brought a group of my n down to Los Angeles. Establishing a company and seizing territory. I like Hollywood very much. I have made many friends here. Except for yer, only a few people know my identity. Everyone else just thinks that I am a film company boss.
Haha, that feeling is very comfortable. "
Hardy thought of the battles between several major families in the Godfather movie and asked: "Can the committee really resolve all disputes within the Mafia?"
Sigel laughed.
"No organization can resolve all disputes. So unnecessary minor conflicts can be resolved through committees, preventing them from developing into a fight between two families and reducing unnecessary losses."
"But if major interests are involved, no one will bring the issue to the committee for resolution. Whether it is the five major families or the families in various cities, they will also launch wars for the sake of their interests. Don't forget, we are still gangs at our roots."
"Never mistake gangsters for good guys!"
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