章節 14: Chapter 14: No Gain, No Pain
Inside the second-floor office of the Beast House, Vincent's cowboy hat was pulled down low, casting a large shadow over his face, with his hooked nose poking out menacingly, almost as if it could pierce right through you.
Michael, the nightclub promoter, felt inexplicably uneasy and hurried to explain, "Beast House has only been open for less than a month. It needs time to build up a clientele, reputation, and word-of-mouth."
He promoted bars primarily for male customers, but this was the first time for female customers, and he didn't want to take the blame: "You're too impatient. Running a business takes time."
Vincent responded blandly, "25 days ago, when you took the commission, you didn't say that."
Thinking of the $10,000 commission, Michael perked up, "Give me another month. It's not that I'm not trying hard enough; it's the environment."
He couldn't return the money; he didn't have that much left: "You know as well, thanks to those damned laws in Georgia, we can't advertise directly in the media or markets. We have to promote privately. Now the conservative Methodist Association is causing trouble everywhere, amplifying the media's negative coverage."
Vincent didn't even look up, "What about the big stars you promised to bring to the club?"
While they couldn't advertise directly, news reports about big stars visiting the club were perfectly acceptable.
Michael said, "I'm still in the process of contacting them."
Vincent lifted his head slightly, making his hooked nose look even sharper, "If you can't get Julia Roberts, at least get Holly Hunter from Georgia."
Michael was stunned. Those were two Oscar-winning actresses!
Vincent spoke slowly, "Do you know why I gave you $10,000?"
Michael gritted his teeth and said, "I'm worth that price."
Vincent raised one finger: "First, I wanted to use money to motivate you." He raised another finger: "Second, I'm confident I can recover what I paid."
Michael leaned forward, unconsciously pleading, "Give me a bit more time."
Vincent picked up the phone and called the bar: "Bruce, notify everyone. Clear the place in fifteen minutes. I want an all-staff meeting."
Michael couldn't hide his worry, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, "What are you going to do?"
"Beast House is a legitimate business. We don't do anything illegal," Vincent said as he stood up and walked out. "I want to gather my people and hear their opinions."
Relieved that he wasn't about to get whacked, Michael said, "You'd rather trust a bunch of idiots who can't even read newspapers than give a professional a bit more time?"
Vincent walked straight out.
He did want to trust professionals, but the professionals hadn't brought in the customers.
Michael hurried to follow him.
Fifteen minutes later, all employees of the Beast House, including the male dancers, were gathered near the stage.
Martin and Bruce stood on the far left, waiting for the boss to speak.
Vincent stood on the round stage, looking over everyone, and asked, "You all know how our club's traffic is. Any thoughts?"
Hart, the leader of the handsome dancer group, was the first to speak, "Boss, should we go back to our old jobs?"
Vincent said, "Bruce, if Hart says that kind of nonsense again, throw him into the Atlantic Ocean in the most civilized way possible."
Hart glanced at Bruce, lips trembling, "I'll shut up."
Michael, however, followed Hart's gaze and looked at Martin, starting to plan.
Vincent asked, "What about the rest of you?"
Nobody spoke up for now.
Martin had some ideas, but the boss didn't mention any benefits.
Without benefits, who would go to the trouble? Employees need to have the mindset of employees.
"Very well, you all truly are my brothers. No rewards, no work," Vincent said, adjusting his cowboy hat slightly, "Whoever can double the customer flow at Beast House will get double their salary and a $10,000 bonus."
Upon hearing the $10,000 reward, Michael couldn't help but jump up and said, "I've got an idea."
Everyone looked at Michael, who pointed at Martin and said, "As long as he cooperates, I can resolve this."
Martin was baffled.
Fearing others would steal the bonus, Michael quickly added, "Why can't the club attract a large number of customers? Because we lack star dancers!"
He pointed at Martin, "With his looks and some professional choreography training, I can make him into a superstar in Atlanta!"
Martin thought to himself, what kind of grudge do you have against me wanting to kill me like this? He immediately countered, "Boss, this guy is exaggerating. I'll admit I'm good-looking, but not to the extent he's claiming, and Hart and the others aren't bad either."
Vincent's trust in Michael had already shattered. He shifted his gaze, "Ivan, throw him out."
Ivan and his burly assistant grabbed Michael and started dragging him out. Michael wanted to shout, but he felt something sharp against his waist and quickly shut his mouth.
Vincent asked, "Anyone else?"
Even Bruce glanced at Hart and quickly looked away.
Hart's little brother was always swollen; they didn't want that.
Seeing the benefits, Martin became a diligent employee and said, "Boss, I have an idea."
Vincent glanced at his other silent subordinates and then turned upstairs, "Follow me."
Just as Martin was about to follow, Bruce suddenly said, "I heard the vet Bill has a way to treat cattle and sheep. You should consult him in advance."
"Don't talk to me about vets!" Martin gave Bruce the finger and followed Vincent upstairs.
Bruce waited for a long time without any noise.
Hart clapped his hands and shouted to the other dancers, "Guys, make room in the locker room. We're getting a new guy."
Bruce picked up a high stool.
Hart turned to leave, "Bruce, you said you wanted to be a gentleman."
...
The second-floor office quieted down, and Vincent's face was still hidden under the shadow of his cowboy hat.
What Martin had just said was beyond his and his father's and brother's understanding, completely different from what they knew.
Vincent asked, "Where did you learn all that?"
"I'm an actor. I started working in film crews when I was sixteen, studying media and public opinion scandals. I dream of becoming famous." With Martin's acting skills, his story seemed real: "I've seen many successful cases in film and know the style of the media."
Vincent asked, "How confident are you?"
Martin thought for a moment and said, "Sixty percent."
Vincent asked again, "What do you need?"
Martin said, "Bruce, and a few trustworthy people to assist me. Any labor costs incurred..."
"The club will cover it." Vincent was generous when he needed to be: "If you succeed, your debt will be cleared, your salary doubled, and a $5,000 bonus."
Martin didn't ask about failure; Hart was an example.
As a dancer, he was prepared for it.
*****
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