msmithbooks Chapter 73 Two Kinds of Old Men
Chapter 73 Two Kinds of Old Men
Speaking of Lonner Regan, Larry began slowly:
"This old Irishman doesn't hold any public office now, but he lives like a rock star. He flies all over the world, doing corporate training for GM and Ford, giving lectures to rich kids at USC and UCLA, and recording his nationally broadcast radio commentary shows."
"Do you know how much he gets paid per appearance?" Larry held up three fingers, pursed his lips, and said, "Starting at thirty thousand dollars. Just standing there telling a few Cold War jokes and bragging about his 'government is the problem' theory. You see, politicians and entertainers are no different."
Zik couldn't help but exclaim, "Wouldn't he be making a fortune?"
"They've made a killing," Larry scoffed. "That's why I've never looked down on these high-sounding politicians. So-called politicians are essentially no different from us entertainers; we're all just promoters of personas and dreams."
"The only difference is that politicians sell the illusion of a four-year term, while we sell a three-minute thrill." Larry pointed to the ceiling. "And politicians have to put on an act, constantly talking about 'national interests' and 'moral responsibility' to garner votes and seize profits."
"So, Neil got a pretty good deal by using his connections to get the Screen Actors Guild to intervene with just two cases of bourbon whiskey."
"By the way," Zeke followed up with his question, "what exactly did Neil mean by the 'ethical clause warning' he mentioned earlier?"
Tino picked up the conversation and explained:
"To act as an agent for members of the Screen Actors Guild, you must hold a franchise license issued by the Screen Actors Guild."
"But SAG's rules and regulations are actually very strict. Licensed agents must fulfill their fiduciary duties and are strictly prohibited from defrauding or exploiting artists, let alone coercing underage practitioners. In the industry, there are always personal relationships and shady dealings, but everyone turns a blind eye and doesn't take it seriously."
"But things are different now. With a big shot like Reagan personally putting pressure on them, SAG has to handle things strictly by the book. Once they determine that Evelyn has violated regulations and maliciously coerced a minor, they can directly use the 'damage to the industry' moral clause to revoke her brokerage license and completely kick her out of the industry."
"I see." Zik nodded in realization.
Tsk, this is the real rule of the game. Street violence is ultimately just a tactic used by the lower class.
The real masterminds can ruin a person's career with just a phone call or a word of advice, by leveraging the rules and the system, killing without shedding blood.
After weighing all the pros and cons, Zeke collected his thoughts and looked at Larry seriously, saying, "Larry, I plan to have a face-to-face meeting with Evelyn in person to completely resolve all the conflicts."
"As for the marketing strategy, I think Amanda and the others' looks are already eye-catching enough. There's no similar style to 'Sweet Dreams' on the market, is there? The visual and auditory quality alone is enough to make them stand out. There's no need to force them to ride on Judy's coattails. I can put more effort into the subsequent promotion and fully cooperate."
Larry pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement:
"You have a point. I'll tell Susan and the others to come up with a more conventional publicity plan and give you more exposure. You all need to be prepared, as this publicity campaign will be much more intense than YMCA."
"Record the studio version as quickly as possible. The *Saturday Night Fever* soundtrack is scrambling to take over vinyl and cassette tape production capacity and marketing resources across the US. This is a head-on battle for survival, and we have to win it spectacularly."
"Don't worry, Larry. We will cooperate fully."
After their conversation ended, the two walked out of Larry's office. Tino lowered his voice and asked, "Should we call my friend over? After all, Neil has already asked someone to put in a good word."
"Of course," Zik said firmly, without the slightest wavering.
Neil's influence and pressure, while a check on the rules at the top, could effectively shut down Evelyn's career path, but it might not be enough to completely deter this madwoman. She's willing to destroy even her own daughter's acting career without hesitation; she's extreme and obsessive. A mere warning letter might not be enough to make her stop completely.
In addition to the rules, a layer of real-world deterrence must be added; only by taking a two-pronged approach can future problems be completely eliminated.
Tino's friend was very efficient this time. At 7 p.m. the next day, Tino brought good news to Zeke: his reliable friend had arrived in Los Angeles.
Zeke immediately called Larry and asked him to act as a mediator to invite Evelyn to a meeting to discuss a settlement.
The meeting was scheduled for an hour later, and the location was also recommended by Larry: a unique restaurant near the airport called "The Red Caboose," which has converted retired Santa Fe Supercar carriages into private rooms.
They are like luxurious, retro-style metal cans with tightly drawn curtains, offering excellent privacy, making them ideal for such secret meetings.
Before setting off, Judy was filled with worry but insisted on going with her so she could personally confront her mother and resolve the conflict.
Qi Ke gently comforted her, leaving her at the villa: "Be a good girl and wait for my news at home. I will definitely resolve this matter completely today and won't let you suffer any more grievances."
The two got into the Mercedes and drove towards the airport. Tino took the initiative to introduce his helper, who had come from afar, to Zik.
"I've known 'Old Man' since I was a kid, I trust him completely." Tino lit a cigarette, his tone certain. "His real name is Joe Paluta. He's got premature gray hair and looks older than his age, that's why he has that nickname."
"He's not the kind of person who acts recklessly or without tact, is he?" Zik was a little worried. He was most afraid that the other party would not know the consequences and would make things unmanageable.
"Of course not, Zeke," Tino smiled, "how about I tell you a story?"
"Why not?" Zeke shrugged. There was still plenty of time; it was a good opportunity to get to know the other person's personality.
"When I was about your age, I was young and reckless. A few of us planned to break into houses in the middle of the night and make a quick buck. We needed an experienced lock picker, and someone recommended Joe to me, saying he was an absolute master."
Tino exhaled a smoke ring: "I was really surprised at the time, so I went to ask him, 'How come I've never heard of you having this skill before?'"
"Joe just smiled and said that no one could pick locks better than him. So we arrived at our destination, I nodded to Joe, and he stepped forward and kicked the door open. He even turned back to us triumphantly, saying, 'See, I told you so!'"
"What's even more outrageous is that after he succeeded, Joe wanted to share the loot with us. His reasoning was that without his genius, we wouldn't have been able to get in at all. This tells you what kind of person he is."
Tino told the story quite vividly, and Zik and he exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
"This guy is really... shameless and always finding a way to cause trouble."
“Yes, I know,” Tino laughed with great relaxation. “I love ‘Old Man’ to death. He’s been my friend all these years and has never let me down.”
"So, which family does he belong to now?" Zike was mostly relieved, but then asked another question.
"Gambino. He's not a full member, he hangs out with a guy named Sami. They're a bit short on cash lately, so he's willing to come all the way to the West Coast to do us a little favor."
Zik breathed a sigh of relief; Tino certainly knew the rules.
The five major families in New York belong to the Cosa Nostra (Our Cause) and share a national committee, forming a unified external force. However, internally, they are divided into different cliques based on interests and historical grievances, including allies, mortal enemies, and marginalized individuals.
The Lucchese family, to which the tycoon of Poly belongs, has a long-standing alliance with the Gambino family. Borrowing manpower from Gambino through Tino would not provoke dissatisfaction from the gang.
When the car arrived at the airport, the two picked up Joe without any trouble. He immediately gave Tino a warm hug, joking around non-stop. He was witty and didn't seem like a gangster at all; he was more like a kind and friendly old neighbor.
This guy definitely looked much older than Tino, with a full head of short, gray hair and a weathered face; the two didn't look like they were the same age at all.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Tino handed the "old man" a manila envelope, and the three of them got back into the car. Zeke drove to the parking lot of The Red Caboose.
The restaurant is nestled among rows of decommissioned train carriages, surrounded by only a few dim streetlights swaying in the night, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
"...So, 'old man,' I'll lead the negotiations later, and I'll be the one making all the noise." After briefly explaining the situation, Qi Ke solemnly instructed, "You don't need to do anything else. Just find the right opportunity to put some pressure on her and scare her a little. Be careful not to overdo it, and stop when you've reached your limit."
"She is my girlfriend's mother. We are here today to resolve the issue, not to cause trouble. Don't go too far."
The old man grinned: "Don't worry, Zeke, no one is better at scaring people than me. I guarantee I'll hit the mark perfectly."
"Hahaha……"
One sentence made all three people in the car burst into laughter, filling the car with a joyful atmosphere.