The Consigliere
Black Thursday on October 24th, Black Monday on October 28th, and Black Tuesday on the 29th—the American stock market was hammered by a triple-threat and plummeted off a cliff in an instant.
There were attempts by Wall Street titans, including New York Stock Exchange Vice President Richard Whitney, to buy up stocks to prevent the crash, but it was to no avail. While our dear Mr. Hoover was busy playing around and claiming, "The economy is sound!", the Dow Jones index fell nearly 50% in a single month, forcing New York’s skyscrapers to pivot their business model into becoming prime bungee-jumping spots.
Since the stock market, a leading economic indicator, had been smashed to pieces, it was only natural that countless companies followed suit, leaving the unemployed to wander the cold streets.
By Thanksgiving, November 28th, even in Chicago, thousands of kilometers away from New York, the streets were overflowing with the unemployed who couldn't find a single piece of bread, let alone a turkey.
In such a situation, the soup kitchen of the 'Capone Foundation,' named after my father-in-law, was more crowded than ever, even with the cold winter rain drizzling down.
"Come now, eat plenty. There’s enough meat for everyone."
"Th-thank you, Mr. Capone. I will never forget this kindness......."
"Kindness? What are you talking about? Isn't this the time when we should be helping each other out?"
My father-in-law, wearing an apron over his expensive suit, was ladling turkey onto people's plates with tongs, his expression filled with benevolence.
Click-! Click-!
Of course, that benevolent expression was entirely for the benefit of the reporters who were relentlessly flashing their cameras nearby.
It would have been even more effective if he didn't have that scar on his face, but oh well. A pity.
"Mr. Capone's good deeds, which began earlier this year, are saving the people of Chicago who are in crisis. Did you anticipate things would turn out this way?"
"How could I? As a devout believer, I simply started with the mindset that I must help those in need. The harder the times, the more important it is to make sure people are well-fed."
"That is truly amazing! It seems Mr. Capone is more than qualified to be called the Saint of Chicago. Now then......."
My father-in-law's nickname is going to change by this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest.
I watched my father-in-law smoothly recite the lines I had prepped for him, then turned my head to look at Kim Gyeong and Na Jae-won, who had come to tour the soup kitchen.
"How does this soup kitchen look to you, gentlemen?"
"Truly... I have no words other than to say it is magnificent. It must cost a fortune to distribute all that turkey. And three meals a day, at that."
As expected of a businessman, Mr. Kim Gyeong’s perspective is different.
"Well, it’s Thanksgiving today, so that’s why, but we usually keep it a bit simpler than this."
"Even so, it’s not something just anyone can do. Even if he has committed misdeeds, he is doing good works alongside them, so Mr. Capone could be called a sort of righteous thief."
On the other hand, Mr. Na Jae-won seemed to be genuinely impressed.
In fact, as the two gentlemen said, it was no exaggeration to say we had swept up 10% of the turkey supply in the Chicago area for this Thanksgiving meal, so it wasn't a strange reaction.
Though, the nature of it was more of a tool for my father-in-law’s image improvement than pure intention.
Still, since they were evaluating it positively, I suppose I should be relieved?
"You can do the same with the National Association in the future. Our foundation will help you with the methods, so why don't you start by winning the hearts of the Chicago people, beginning with the Koreans? If you do that, won't people eventually recognize the Koreans' yearning for independence?"
"I hope so, *ahem*. And Mr. Lee."
Perhaps feeling a bit guilty, Mr. Kim Gyeong cleared his throat and pulled an envelope from his pocket, handing it to me.
"We received a reply from the Provisional Government."
It’s been about two months, so it came faster than I thought?
"What did they say?"
"They said they would follow the opinion of the Finance Committee. In other words, they told us to do as you thought best."
"Permission was granted more easily than I expected."
"Well, it is a fact that the Provisional Government’s finances are not in good shape. Still, I’m sure there was quite a bit of arguing. After all... it’s not exactly an honorable thing to do."
But it would have been too much money to turn down.
The profit from this deal would be at least ten years' worth of the Provisional Government’s budget; there’s no way they could easily give that up.
"You don't have to think about it too much. Isn't it all for the sake of independence? Just think of it as them helping us out a little."
"...I understand."
"Then I will see you at the evening banquet."
"Take care of yourself in this cold weather, Mr. Lee."
After finishing my conversation with the two gentlemen and seeing them off, I approached my father-in-law, who had just finished serving.
"How was the interview?"
"Damn it, those reporters talked for so long I almost froze to death. I need to drink something to warm my body up."
"I prepared something for that exact reason."
With those words, I unscrewed the cap of a metal hip flask and handed it to him.
Soon, my father-in-law downed the whiskey inside in one go and held the flask up toward me.
"Phew, you’re the only one I can trust."
"I'll see you in the evening, Boss."
He has definitely softened up a bit. Is it because of Jay? Or maybe because the short-selling was settled well... I don't know.
Well, whatever is good is good.
"Next, please!"
For now, let's just finish up here.
After spending lunchtime at the soup kitchen, I headed to the Lexington Hotel’s grand banquet hall with Rita.
It was a place I had visited occasionally for events since our engagement, but perhaps because it was Thanksgiving, it felt even more extravagant today.
Amidst tables overflowing with rare foods like lobster, caviar, and roasted turkeys piled high in the center of the hall, I walked toward the large table where my father-in-law was seated, arm-in-arm with Rita.
"Boss."
"Lee, you're here. Sit there."
My father-in-law, sitting at the head of the massive table in the place of honor, tapped the seat directly to his right.
Normally, Frank Nitti would have been sitting there, but since our golden boy is likely tearing into a turkey in New York, it didn't matter.
"Rita, you’re dressed up even more than usual today. Where’s Jay?"
"The nanny is watching him for a moment. And it’s not like I’m coming alone today, Father. Of course I had to dress up."
With those words, Rita looked at me with a lovely expression.
My shoulders were puffing up with pride for no reason.
"...I see that now that you have a child, you don't even see your father. Ha, I raised you while earning money for formula at such a young age."
"Of course not, Father. We’re all family."
"Hmm, *ahem*."
Family.
At the word that always made my heart flutter, I cleared my throat for no reason and opened my mouth.
"Come to think of it, I don't see Mrs. Capone."
"She ate with Sonny and went back early. My wife doesn't like these kinds of gatherings. And I have no intention of letting Sonny get his hands on the organization's business, either."
Hmm, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever had a proper conversation with my mother-in-law. I thought it was just because I was uncomfortable around her because of Rita, but it seems that wasn't the case.
"Well, anyway, let’s enjoy ourselves."
"Yes, Boss."
With those words, the delightful banquet continued late into the night.
Of course, we only sat at the table for a short while; most of the time was spent walking around the tables with Rita, meeting organization executives and business partners to have brief conversations.
And so, how much time had passed?
Tap, tap.
As my father-in-law lifted his wine glass and lightly tapped the table, the noise in the banquet hall died down as if by magic.
Soon, my father-in-law’s voice followed.
"Everyone, are you enjoying today?"
"Yes, Boss!"
At the organization members' boisterous response, my father-in-law smiled with satisfaction and looked at me as he spoke.
"Lee, come here."
Excuse me?
Me?
I blinked for a moment, then let go of Rita’s arm and headed toward my father-in-law.
Meanwhile, his words continued.
"Today, we shared warm turkey with hungry citizens. The reporters called me the Saint of Chicago. A nickname I quite like."
At his words, the executives laughed and nodded as if proud.
However, my father-in-law’s words didn't end there.
"But I believe you all know the real reason we can enjoy wine and turkey in this warm place today."
With those words, my father-in-law placed a hand on my shoulder.
What is this?
What is happening?
"Lee made the organization's business flourish more than twofold, and while others were collapsing along with Wall Street, he brought in mountains of money to fill the organization’s coffers. And he did that in less than a year."
Uh... that’s not wrong, but you’re laying it on a bit thick today, aren't you?
While I was flustered by the sudden shower of praise, my father-in-law continued.
"So, I intend to give Lee the treatment he deserves."
My father-in-law paused for a moment and took a sip of the wine in his glass.
Soon, his mouth opened.
"From today, Lee is the organization's Consigliere."
...This wasn't part of the plan?
In an instant, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall, including mine, widened in shock.
Consigliere.
It translates to advisor or counselor, but in the organization, it’s not just that.
It is the de facto number two, overseeing all of the organization's business, including finance, corresponding to the Underboss who oversees the organization's military power.
While my position within the organization had been that of a collaborator externally, this was the same as announcing to the whole world that I was now the number two of the Chicago Outfit.
It was certainly not a position a Korean, who didn't even have Italian blood flowing through his veins, could sit in.
"If anyone has a complaint, step forward now."
In front of my father-in-law’s cold gaze, there was no one who dared to raise an objection.
"Good, then I’ll assume there are no complaints."
The moment my father-in-law, who had been looking around the quieted banquet hall, finished speaking with a satisfied expression.
Clap, clap, clap, clap-!
The silent banquet hall was filled with applause as if it had never been quiet.
"...Boss?"
Hiding my flustered expression as much as possible, I looked at my father-in-law.
"What is it, Lee?"
"Are you sure about this? If this breaks precedent, it might be a burden on you as well......."
"You’re talking like a coward."
Cutting off my words, he snorted and continued.
"Since you’ve already proven yourself, you just need to prove that you deserve to be in that position in the future as well. Do you understand?"
"...Of course."
I nodded toward my father-in-law, who was looking at me with a face flushed perhaps from the wine.
If that’s the case, I’ll have to prove it.
If you’ve laid out the stage, shouldn't I at least dance?