章節 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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