Bab 184: Chapter 184: This is a Gold Mine
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The excitement of the casino's big prize winners stirred up the enthusiasm of gamblers. People were eagerly betting, knowing that the chance to get rich overnight was just around the corner.
This tactic was highly effective in keeping a large number of gamblers engaged.
The casino operated 24 hours a day, with no windows or clocks, and the lighting was perfectly designed for comfort. Inside, there were slot machines, poker tables, baccarat, roulette, craps, and lottery betting activities.
Visitors could play as long as they wished, indulging in their energy and passion without restraint.
For those not interested in gambling, the casino offered other attractions: bars, karaoke rooms, swimming pools, sports fields, and performance halls featuring shows like striptease and acrobatics.
Hungry guests could visit the cafeteria, and those needing rest had access to luxurious hotel accommodations. Various services, including massage, foot baths, spas, and even private performances, were available, with carefully selected staff to ensure quality.
Everything was designed for maximum customer enjoyment.
In addition to gambling, Nevada's legal framework allowed for other businesses. The casino also offered a range of entertainment options.
That night, five grand prizes were awarded, ranging from $7,000 to $15,000. Among the winners were three regular gamblers, a small Hollywood star, and a shareholder of MGM Studios.
The following day, major newspapers like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Las Vegas Newspaper covered the grand opening of the Hardy Hotel. The reports highlighted the celebrities, the casino, and the lottery, noting how a $2 bet could lead to tens of thousands of dollars in winnings. This generated considerable excitement and prompted many people to consider visiting Las Vegas to try their luck.
The allure of getting rich overnight was a powerful motivator, one that resonated strongly with people across the country.
ABC TV featured a documentary on the opening. The broadcast showcased the lively ceremony, Hollywood stars, fireworks, a bustling casino, and a crowded swimming pool. The excitement of the gaming tables and the attractive performances added to the appeal.
The lottery also drew attention. A young woman won the first grand prize of nearly $10,000, and the frequent prize draws every two hours kept the audience deeply engaged.
The next day, the number of visitors to the casino had increased, even as previous guests and celebrities departed to return to their jobs. The bus service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas operated every half hour, with no empty seats and long lines of people waiting to board.
These visitors were the real future revenue source for the casino.
Hardy chose not to stay at the Hardy Hotel but resided in the former Siegel manor. Following Siegel's death, Hardy had taken over the casino and its assets, including the manor. Despite its grim history, Hardy was unperturbed; his past experiences had hardened him to such matters.
The Beverly Hills mansion where Hardy now lived had also belonged to Siegel, as had the Hardy Hotel and other properties.
The manor was expansive, covering dozens of acres with multiple villa rooms. Ava Gardner, Han Yizhen, Elaine, Heidi Ramah, Taylor, and her parents all stayed there. Hardy also invited Mike, Meyer, and the mayor of Los Angeles, making the manor lively and bustling.
While the men enjoyed their time, the women took to the casino as well. Women, too, enjoyed the excitement of gambling, and some gathered to try their luck together.
Meyer and the mayor took advantage of the opportunity to relax at the hotel, while Hardy and Mike chatted under the shade of a tree.
"The TV factory is operating at full capacity, with a daily output of 1,100 sets, meeting our annual target of 400,000 sets."
"We've partnered with Citibank, First Bank of New York, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, and the results have been excellent. All produced TVs have sold out, and new orders are already being placed months in advance."
"Based on current sales, each TV yields a gross profit of around $50, totaling an annual gross profit of $20 million."
"We have a $6 million loan, which should be repaid in less than a year," Mike reported with a smile, clearly pleased with the progress.
"By the way, Hardy, I'm running for Congress. The Democratic candidate for New York's third district will be decided in mid-November," Mike said with a grin.
"Are you with the Democratic Party?" Hardy inquired.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Mike asked, surprised.
"No problem; it's actually quite the same," Hardy replied. Hardy's California was a Republican stronghold, while New York was Democratic territory. He mused about the possibility of Mike advancing further and possibly running against the Republicans for the presidency. The thought intrigued him.
"How is the campaign going?" Hardy asked.
"Pretty well. I'm currently leading in the polls with the highest support," Mike said.
With the Corleone family backing him, and their influence in New York, Hardy wasn't surprised at Mike's success. It seemed like becoming a state legislator was well within reach.
"I studied editing in college, so text isn't an issue. But Congress requires a broader knowledge, so I'm planning to study law and finance."
"I've applied to New York University for further studies," Mike added.
"With your abilities, preparing for a state legislator role is a good move, and preparing for a future presidential run could be beneficial," Hardy encouraged.
"Ha, president? I haven't set such high expectations yet," Mike laughed.
"Don't be modest, Mike. Believe in yourself, set high goals, and work towards them. Even if it seems far off, you could end up as a vice president or governor," Hardy said.
"To make a name for yourself as a congressman, how about an interview show? Participating in Elaine's program could be a great boost. Veterans, battle heroes, young entrepreneurs, and the largest TV set manufacturer in the U.S.—there's a lot that could get people's attention," Hardy suggested.
"I've seen Elaine's talk show, and it seems there might be a bit of an interest between you two," Mike teased.
"One of my women," Hardy admitted candidly.
"Oh, it's not hard to guess. How many women do you have?" Mike joked.
"Haha, my personal preferences are different. I'm not involved in politics or planning to marry, so having multiple partners doesn't matter to me," Hardy said without reservation.
Mike was left speechless.
Two days later, the casino business continued to thrive.
Meyer approached Hardy with a request, "Hadi, the MGM shareholders want to meet with you to discuss further business."
"Sure," Hardy agreed, anticipating their interest in the booming casino business.
In the lounge of the Hardy Grand Hotel, Hardy met with several MGM shareholders, greeting them warmly. "How have you been finding the casino?"
"It's fantastic, just as the ABC ad promised. The Hardy Hotel is indeed a paradise for men," a shareholder responded with enthusiasm.
Hardy smiled in response.
"Las Vegas once thrived due to gold mines, but after the gold ran out, people left. Now, we've rediscovered a new gold mine in the form of the gambling business."
"Currently, the Hardy Hotel has struck the first vein. Do you want to know the results from the past two days? According to the latest report,"
"In just two days, the casino generated $680,000 in revenue and $160,000 in profit. With one lottery draw alone earning about $10,000 per day."
"Given the high profile of the initial guests, even with a more conservative estimate, we anticipate a yearly income of $14.6 million based on daily earnings of $40,000."
"Actually, this is just the beginning. The more we invest in this gold mine, the greater the returns. I plan to add horse racing and dog racing to create the largest racing events in the U.S., attracting countless tourists."
"Currently, we estimate attracting 500,000 visitors annually. In the future, this number could reach between 3 to 5 million people, bringing significant revenue from both tourism and gambling."
The MGM shareholders' eyes lit up, envisioning the vast profits ahead.
"I agree to the transaction with Mr. Hardy, but we want assurances regarding the safety of MGM's investments in Las Vegas," the largest MGM shareholder said.
Hardy smiled confidently.
"If you're concerned about official matters, I have a strong relationship with the Mayor of Las Vegas, and HD Security ensures the city's safety."
"If you're worried about gangsters,"
Hardy's silence spoke volumes.
He was the undisputed king of the underground in Las Vegas, and anyone attempting to disrupt the city would have to deal with him first.
Bab 185: Chapter 185: This Is Not a Lottery
ABC and MGM have reached a significant agreement, with MGM purchasing a 20% stake in ABC TV for $14.5 million. This move marks the beginning of a deep partnership between the two companies. MGM, which holds the largest film library in Hollywood, will now grant ABC access to a vast array of films, ensuring that ABC's movie lineup will remain fresh and diverse for years to come. Additionally, MGM's expertise in program production will enhance ABC's television offerings. The successful launch of "Family Has a Fairy Wife" has highlighted the popularity of coherent TV shows for family viewing, prompting MGM to focus more on TV series production. ABC will also continue to produce "Cat and Mouse," with MGM's support likely extending to other projects such as "Super Draft."
Amid these developments, Hardy has acquired an 11% stake in the Los Angeles Times through an investment company. Behind the scenes, Hardy is negotiating private deals, including securing the chairmanship of the actors' union. With the casino operations in Las Vegas stabilizing, Hardy returns to Los Angeles with Mike.
Mike is scheduled to appear on the "Elaine Tonight Show," where his impressive resume is highlighted: from his service in World War II to his successful TV manufacturing business. The interview goes well, showcasing Mike's achievements and political aspirations. His campaign for state legislator gains momentum, particularly among veterans who appreciate his supportive policies.
Upon returning to the Corleone family home, Mike discusses his successful TV appearance with his father and the old godfather. They express their satisfaction with his progress and emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with Hardy, whose influence is rapidly growing.
Meanwhile, Hardy's women continue their endeavors. Ava Gardner is busy with film projects, Heidi Ramah is engrossed in "Human Ghosts Are Coming," and Taylor prepares for her role in "Beauty and the Beast." Han Yezhen focuses on her flourishing auction house, while Irina remains by Hardy's side.
Hardy proposes a new venture: a Las Vegas TV station. This channel will be dedicated to showcasing the casino environment, including live broadcasts of gambling activities, casino competitions, and phone-in betting lotteries. Hardy believes this innovative approach will exploit legal loopholes and drive significant interest, despite the challenges posed by regulations surrounding lotteries.
Irina, tasked with overseeing the new channel's development, is confident in her ability to execute the plan effectively. Hardy's strategy is bold, aiming to capitalize on the legal ambiguities surrounding casino betting and television broadcasting.
Bab 186: Chapter 186: Global Times
The next day, Irina led a team to Las Vegas to establish a new TV station. With ABC well-staffed, setting up a local station proved to be straightforward.
Hardy still had an important task to complete in Los Angeles. His recent deal with MGM also involved acquiring a stake in the Los Angeles Times. Now owning 11% of the shares, Hardy had become a significant shareholder in the newspaper.
Having reviewed the company's shareholder statement brought by Andy, Hardy noted that the Los Angeles Times is affiliated with the Mirror company. Major shareholders include Bank of America and the Morgan family.
The Los Angeles Times headquarters in Los Angeles arranged a shareholder and management meeting to welcome Hardy. Despite Hardy's current influence being less than that of large conglomerates like Morgan and Bank of America, his presence on the West Coast, especially in Los Angeles, commanded respect.
After the introductions, the president of the Los Angeles Times briefed Hardy on the newspaper's operations. The editorial department employs over 350 staff and has reporters stationed in more than 20 countries. The Times, known for having the most advertisements among the major U.S. newspapers, is financially healthy.
The Los Angeles Times is one of the top three newspapers in the U.S., which underscores its significant influence. Hardy expressed his desire for ABC to collaborate closely with the Times, particularly in news coverage. He emphasized the importance of timeliness, noting that breaking news moments ahead of competitors can drastically affect audience engagement.
The president agreed to cooperate, though he made it clear that providing news would come at an additional cost. The meeting concluded positively.
Leaving the Los Angeles Times, Hardy and Andy got into the car. Hardy reflected on the need for a global newspaper.
"Andy, we should start our own newspaper, a global one," Hardy said.
Andy was surprised. "Do you think working with the Los Angeles Times isn't enough?"
Hardy shook his head. "While the Los Angeles Times gives us another channel for information, we need our own platform to communicate our message."
"Isn't ABC already that platform?" Andy asked.
"Television stations are just one part of it. ABC only reaches households with TVs and radios, which is a limited audience. Newspapers still hold significant influence globally, and they can be distributed across multiple countries," Hardy explained.
Andy was skeptical about the cost and effort involved in starting a global newspaper. "Building such a newspaper could be very expensive, at least ten million dollars initially, with significant ongoing investments."
Hardy smiled. "Andy, the point of making money isn't just for personal comfort. Sometimes it's about pursuing a vision."
"Why pursue such an ambitious project?" Andy asked.
"Because it's exciting. Imagine having a global newspaper where we can publish and expose whatever we want," Hardy replied with enthusiasm.
Andy understood. "What do you need from me?"
"Find a capable president for the newspaper. The future of the Global Times depends on this person," Hardy instructed.
"Got it. By the way, what will we name the newspaper?" Andy asked.
Hardy thought for a moment. "Global Times."
Andy quickly began the search and found a few promising candidates. One stood out: Mark Keane, the current president of the Daily Tribune in Los Angeles. The Tribune, while struggling, maintained a serious and professional tone, focusing on politics, economics, and international relations.
Mark Keane had an impressive background, including work as a deputy editor at the New York Times and a war correspondent during World War II. After the war, he founded the Daily Tribune to report global news from his perspective.
Hardy met with Mark Keane, who looked somewhat like Tom Hanks with his distinctive long head.
"Mr. Keane, you know we're looking to build a global newspaper," Hardy said.
"Yes, Mr. Andy informed me. I've always dreamed of running a global newspaper," Mark replied.
"Are you interested in the position?" Hardy asked.
"Absolutely. It's my dream job," Mark said enthusiastically.
Hardy asked about Mark's qualifications. Mark detailed his experience, language skills, and readiness for the demands of the job.
"Are there any specific requirements or conditions you have?" Hardy inquired.
Mark's tone became serious. "I want the Global Times to prioritize truthfulness and avoid bias for any political agenda. The purpose of news is to inform, not to manipulate."
Hardy agreed with Mark's principles. "The Global Times will strive for truth, impartiality, and fearlessness, regardless of party or special interests."
Mark's eyes lit up with excitement. "If you support this vision, I believe the Global Times can rival major newspapers like the Times, the Guardian, the Washington Post, and the New York Times."
Hardy shook Mark's hand, signaling the start of their collaboration. "I'm entrusting you with this. Make it a success."
Mark asked about the budget. "How much are you willing to invest?"
Hardy replied, "I'll allocate 2 million dollars to the Global Times. Andy's finance team will review the expenditures."
Mark was thrilled. "Thank you, Boss. I'll ensure every dollar is spent wisely."
Mark then mentioned acquiring the Daily Tribune as the first newspaper for their venture. Hardy laughed, recognizing the irony in the choice.
The groundwork for the Global Times was set, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Hardy's ambitious plans.
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