Michael and Hardy were talking about their past experiences in the military—brotherhood, battles, and gunfire. Both felt deeply interested.
The conversation was very enjoyable.
Michael had always been a lonely person. In his youth, he was rebellious and joined the army against the wishes of his father, the old godfather. He participated in World War II, and after being discharged, he found an Arican girlfriend. He rejected the family's mafia business and wanted to enter politics to contribute to the country.
His ideals were completely incompatible with the Mafia family's values.
He had initially thought that during his father's birthday party, he would sing the birthday song and then find a corner to spend half the day alone. Unexpectedly, he t Hardy, soone of the sa age who he could talk to.
"What are you doing now?" Hardy asked Michael.
"I work as an editor for a social magazine," Michael replied.
Hardy thought to himself that the current Michael had no interest in the family business. It might only be when sothing happened to the old godfather and the other four families attacked the Corleone family that he would fully awaken to his role as the new godfather.
"Do you have any plans for the future, or do you want to continue being an editor?"
Michael shook his head. "I studied editing in college, but if I get the chance in the future, I want to enter politics and beco a councilman or mayor who can help the people."
"What about you? We've been talking for so long, but I still don't know what you do," Michael asked Hardy.
Hardy smiled, took a sip of his drink, and said, "I ca here as an assistant to Mr. Sigel from the movie company, but I also run my own business. Have you heard of HD Security? That's my company."
He had read reports about the Los Angeles bank heist. After the case was solved, HD Security gained fa, and he had even gone to the cinema with friends to watch a docuntary about it, leaving a deep impression of HD Security.
He didn't expect that the young man of his age in front of him was the owner of HD Security.
"You didn't join a gang?" Michael asked curiously.
"Strictly speaking, I've left the gang. I used to run a gang, but now I've handed it over to my subordinates. I see a better future in legitimate business," Hardy said.
"You see a better future in legitimate business? You don't believe in the developnt of the mafia?" Michael asked.
Hardy organized his thoughts and said, "I think the mafia has natural barriers to developnt. Perhaps in the next twenty or thirty years, gangs might still have good days, but as society stabilizes, mafia businesses will face increasing crackdowns."
"So gray industries like gambling and smuggling might continue, but the governnt will not tolerate highly harmful activities like the drug trade. They will surely crack down hard on it."
"It is impossible for gangs to enter the upper class, people hate gangs. There won't be a day when gangs are acknowledged. That's why i think the mafia has significant limitations in developnt. Even if it's a small company, It can be acknowledged and receive support and protection from the governnt in the future, but not the mafia."
Michael looked at Hardy in surprise.
Because his father, Vito Corleone, had said similar things to him before.
He didn't expect that the young man in front of him, nad Jon Hardy, also had such a clear understanding of the mafia's future.
"What legitimate industry do you think has a future?" Michael asked.
Hardy smiled. With a vision decades ahead of his ti, this question didn't trouble him.
"There are many promising industries. The war is over, and people need a stable life. In the future, service industries will beco mainstream."
"For example, clothing, shoes, bags, watches, luxury goods, and costics."
"Another example is retail industry, insurance industry, entertainnt industry, health care products, and real estate industry."
Michael agreed with Hardy's analysis.
While Hardy and Michael were chatting, Vito Corleone called Sigel and several mafia bosses he was cooperating with into the study, intending to diate the situation.
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
Tommy Gagliano, the second boss of the Barzini family, looked at Sigel and said sharply, "Sigel, initially you told us that building the casino would cost about $2.2 million. Each of our three families contributed $500,000, and you covered the rest. The shares were divided according to the investnt.
But after a few months, you told us the funds were severely lacking and changed the design, asking us for more money."
"We added $300,000, bringing it to $800,000. But after a few months, you asked for more money again and asked us to sign a new share agreent, making the total capital $8 million, and each of our families only had a 10% share. Don't think we're fools. What kind of casino are you building for $8 million? Are you building a palace?"
"That's right. I do want to make the Flamingo Casino a palace in the desert, with rivers, oases, olive trees, rose gardens, complete amusent facilities, huge swimming pools, villas, and a racetrack. We can build more casinos to attract more investors, and that will be the real developnt of Las Vegas."
Sigel had a vision. He even considered the future developnt of Las Vegas. Unfortunately, his vision was too advanced. These mafia bosses didn't care about future planning. They wanted imdiate profits.
The Tattaglia family boss sneered, "Sigel, we are not idiots. We've consulted architects. Even with your design, the cost wouldn't exceed $5 million. So we find it hard to believe you're not embezzling."
Kolobo of the Strachi family looked at Sigel coldly and said, "Sigel, we have already discussed that there are three conditions to solve the current problem."
"One, you must return the excess funds with interest, two each of our families must retain a 16% share, at a minimum, three we must open before the end of the year. We don't want to wait any longer, and we are not willing to pay for your random ideas."
Sigel spread his hands and said, "The project might not be completed by the end of the year. I plan to open it next April or May."
Sigel's indifferent attitude infuriated the mafia bosses.
"The $8 million budget is docunted. You can review it. I've already sold 18% of the shares on the evaluation of $8 million, raising another $1.5 million in cash. Each of your families having 10% is very appropriate."
"Who would buy 18% of the casino shares for $1.5 million? A fool with too much money?"
Several Mafia bosses frowned.
Who was the bastard who bought 18% of the casino's shares for 1.5 million? Did he have to much money to spend?
Hardy was chatting with Michael, suddenly felt an itch in his nose and sneezed, never expecting soone to mock him as a fool.
10% This is absolutely unacceptable share distribution to this families
To them, Sigel was just scamming their money.
Vito Corleone looked at everyone and said softly, "I understand the situation. Indeed, Sigel didn't handle this well."
"How about this: We set the total share capital of the casino at $6 million. Each of your families gets 13% of the shares. As for the casino, construction should be accelerated to open by the end of this year. What do you think?" Vito Corleone asked, looking at the other bosses.
They exchanged glances.
Although they weren't satisfied with the share distribution, since Vito had spoken, they decided to compromise.
"Alright, 13% shares, but it must open by the end of the year," said Stracci family boss Culo Bo.
Sigel knew there was no more room for negotiation.
"Fine, I agree."
The topic of the casino was over. Tommy Gagliano of the Barzini family looked at Vito Corleone and said, "Vito, Sollozzo has offered better terms. We've discussed it and think we should accept his proposal."
"Drugs are a very profitable business, bringing each of our families millions of dollars annually. The Irish are in this business, and the xicans too. Why can't we, the mafia, do it?"
The Barzini boss said.
The godfather shook his head and said, "I've said before, I won't touch drugs because it corrupts the soul. The harm of drug trafficking is too great. Politicians can tolerate gambling and prostitution but will never tolerate drugs."
"Why can other gangs do it?"
The godfather looked at him, making the Stracci family boss lower his head.
"You want my approval because you seek the protection of my Politician friends. But you're mistaken. Being able to be friends with them requires a bottom line. If I get involved in drugs, I lose those friends."
Soone wanted to say sothing more, but the old godfather raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Alright, I've made my stance clear. We don't need to discuss this anymore. Thank you for attending my birthday party."
The godfather was issuing an eviction order.
The bosses stood up with somber faces and left.
After they left, Vito Corleone looked at Sigel and said: "Actually, I know that they are already selling drugs secretly. They just want to agree so that they can do this business openly."
"I'm always wary of drugs. It damages people's bodies and minds, there is no way the governnt will overlook it. I can't control what others do, but I won't do it. I can tell they ca to my birthday party to persuade to get involved in drug trafficking."
Sigel nodded. "The Austrian gangs won't touch drugs in Los Angeles."
The old godfather looked at Sigel and said, "Jamie, pay attention to those families, I feel like there are people among them who are ready to make a move."
Sigel frowned and said, "You an so people want to fight for power?"
The old godfather looked forward with deep eyes and said, "For money, they can kill and do anything. I rejected them once already, and they are here again."
"They are restless. I tricked them with the casino for now. But I can't guarantee they'll stay calm for long."
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