Bab 87: Hardy Empire 1945 Chapter 87: Do You Want to Be a Casino Shareholder

In the MGM film production room, documentary director Burgess Moran and his team worked tirelessly, editing a wealth of footage into a compelling 68-minute documentary.

Two days and nights of intense editing led to the film's completion. The screening event included Hardy, MGM boss Meyer, Bank of America President Johnston, Mayor Ross, and Director Ed.

As the lights dimmed and the film began, the audience was treated to a whirlwind of media coverage. The documentary opened with newspaper headlines reporting the dramatic Bank of America robbery.

It detailed the robbery, showcasing scenes of chaos: innocent bystanders killed, money transport trucks riddled with bullets, and the devastated bank.

The film then highlighted the failure of traditional policing, illustrating how Los Angeles had become a hub of crime. Interviews with Johnston and Mayor Ross expressed their frustration and determination to tackle the issue.

Security's arrival on screen shifted the narrative. The camera followed their high-tech strategy room, reminiscent of a military command center. Black-clad operatives planned their operation with precision.

The climactic scenes depicted the intense gunfight at the waste recycling station. The security team's expertise was evident as they swiftly subdued the robbers. The footage of the brutal shootout, the heavy machine guns, and the grenades captured the sheer scale of the battle.

The documentary concluded with the successful recovery of the stolen cash and the formal agreements between Security, the Los Angeles Police Department, and Bank of America.

As the lights came back on, the audience applauded enthusiastically.

"Mayor Ross, Director Ed, President Johnston, what did you think?" Hardy inquired, a satisfied smile on his face.

Mayor Ross praised the film's excitement and intensity, while President Johnston felt it accurately represented the Bank of America's business philosophy.

Chief Ed, slightly embarrassed, remarked that the police's portrayal might seem less impressive compared to Security's heroic depiction.

Despite this, the documentary's impact was undeniable. Meyer planned a trial screening across Los Angeles, confident that its success would lead to broader distribution. Hardy's strategic marketing had paid off handsomely. The film, while a commercial success, also bolstered Security's reputation and solidified its contracts.

Three days later, posters for the documentary appeared in theaters across Los Angeles, featuring security personnel in action. The promotional strategy included a discounted ticket price to attract viewers.

On the first day of screening, the theaters were packed. Hardy took little Lolita Taylor to watch the film, who was thrilled to see the dramatic portrayal of Security's triumph.

The documentary's gripping content kept the audience engaged, and the realistic depiction of the bank robbery's resolution earned widespread acclaim.

As the film gained momentum, Meyer reported that the box office figures were exceeding expectations. The documentary's profitability, combined with its promotional value, was a significant win for Hardy.

Hardy received a call from Siegel, a contact in the casino industry. Siegel, frustrated by recent disagreements with his partners, sought Hardy's investment.

"Jon, I heard from Mayer that you recently invested in a film. I'm in a tight spot. My partners are unhappy with the project's progress, and I'm short on funds. I need financial backing to complete the project," Siegel explained.

"What are you suggesting?" Hardy asked, curious.

"I'm offering you the chance to become a shareholder in the casino," Siegel proposed.

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Bab 88: Chapter 88: "Godfather"

Hardy found Bill and asked, "How much cash do we have on hand right now?"

"Just ask Simon," Bill replied.

Simon was summoned and quickly reported, "Mr. Hardy, we have over $635,000."

During this period, Bill had helped expand the business significantly. Ventures like loan sharking, brothels, underground boxing arenas, and particularly the slot machine and pinball machine businesses had generated substantial cash flow.

"Give me $500,000," Hardy instructed.

Hardy had earned over $2 million from stock trading recently but planned to use some of the gang's money for the investment. While legal money can easily be integrated into banks, converting black money into legitimate funds requires laundering, which is far more complicated.

Henry and Matthew each carried a suitcase downstairs. The three of them, along with four of Henry's men in black suits, set out in Hardy's Packard sedan, with a Ford following behind.

The convoy headed towards Highway 15, opting to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas rather than fly. The journey of over 400 kilometers was preferable given the poor flying conditions of the time.

They arrived in downtown Las Vegas in the early evening. In July, the city was nearly deserted during the day but came alive at night with its neon lights and bustling streets.

"Boss, should we head straight to Siegel's hotel?" Henry asked.

Hardy considered it for a moment. "No, let's visit the new casino first."

The convoy drove a few miles out of the city to the Flamingo Casino construction site. Despite the darkness, the site was still active. Hardy noted the improvements since his last visit but understood that renovations could be time-consuming and costly.

"Let's go to the hotel," Hardy decided.

At the luxurious business suite, Hardy met Siegel, who, despite the passage of time, appeared energetic. They embraced warmly.

The two sat on the large wicker chairs on the balcony, enjoying the cool evening breeze and the view of the distant mountains.

Siegel handed Hardy a cigar. As they relaxed, Siegel expressed his frustrations. "Things are rough. The investors are unhappy with the delays and the escalating costs. They don't want to invest any further, leaving me to figure it out."

Hardy listened thoughtfully. Siegel's vision for the casino was ambitious, aiming to transform Las Vegas into a high-end destination for tourists and wealthy customers, not just another small-time casino.

"I want to create something extraordinary," Siegel explained. "Most small casinos in the city are just that—small. My goal is to make this place a real tourist destination, attracting affluent customers who will bring in significant revenue."

Hardy, having seen the success of similar ventures in his world, assured Siegel, "I believe in your vision. I brought $500,000 in cash and a check for $1 million."

Siegel's eyes lit up. "That's a huge help. With this, we should be able to complete the project."

Hardy, calculating the numbers, agreed to take 18 shares in the casino, valuing the total at $8 million. Siegel had previously faced discontent from investors over share distributions, which had led to their disapproval.

"I've registered the casino and secured the license," Siegel said. "However, I faced issues with some investors who felt misled about the equity distribution. They didn't want to continue supporting the project."

Hardy realized that Siegel's approach had left some investors feeling cheated, which had contributed to the conflicts. Despite this, Hardy accepted the offer of 18 shares.

Siegel then invited Hardy to accompany him to New York for a special occasion. "My best friend, Don Vito Corleone, is celebrating his 54th birthday. Would you like to join me?"

Hardy was intrigued. Don Vito Corleone—the Godfather himself. His fascination with the Godfather saga had made him eager to meet the real-life figure.

"I've heard of Mr. Corleone. I'd be honored to visit him and extend birthday wishes," Hardy responded enthusiastically.

Siegel agreed, and they planned to finalize the share agreement and notarize it the next day before departing for New York.

The following day, Hardy handed over the cash and check. Siegel gave him a shareholding certificate, making Hardy an official shareholder in the Flamingo Casino.

Virginia Hill, Siegel's girlfriend, took the money for safekeeping. Hardy was wary, having heard of Virginia's questionable future in the films, but he had no evidence to dispute her trustworthiness.

Siegel and Hardy boarded the plane to New York. The aircraft, a World War II-era transport plane, could accommodate over 30 people and required only a single refuel stop.

In the first-class cabin, Siegel shared his experiences with Hardy. "I've known Vito since I was young. We worked together and created the Mafia committee, which helped stabilize the internal conflicts among the families. The committee was instrumental in reducing unnecessary losses from gang wars."

Hardy asked, "Can the committee truly resolve all disputes?"

Siegel chuckled. "No organization can resolve every conflict. The committee handles smaller issues, but major disputes often lead to wars between families. We're still gangsters, after all."

Hardy nodded, absorbing Siegel's insights into the complexities of the gangster world and the role of the Mafia committee.

As they flew towards New York, Hardy couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and excitement about meeting the legendary Godfather.

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