The Mafia Game (1)
"Mafia money? Tell me more about that."
"I had absolutely no idea until I received instructions from you, Chairman! I was just a low-level staffer, after all. But I looked into it, and it seems Mafia money is already encroaching on Hollywood. There are even rumors they’re targeting the very films you’ve already made contact with! I’ll dig deeper and provide a follow-up report, but I think it would be helpful if you took direct action to improve the situation!"
Seeing Colin speak without even taking a breath, Yoon-gi asked in a serious tone, "What is the scale of this 'Mafia money'?"
"I haven't been able to pin that down yet. However, the funding power of the Mafia as an organization is beyond imagination. From what I’ve heard during my research, you can safely assume it’s at least several billion dollars."
Several billion dollars. Since the final profit Yoon-gi expected to gain from the oil field discovery was 1.2 billion dollars, it meant they had at least several times his own capital mobilization power.
"Is it really that much?"
Yoon-gi could almost picture Colin nodding on the other side of the line.
"Yes. I heard this while researching for a film about the Mafia, but they are currently deeply embedded in American society. Therefore, their financial power would overwhelm most corporations."
Yoon-gi liked the objective report, free from personal bias, so he replied with a voice full of favor.
"Thanks for the quick information. If you find out anything else, please report back immediately."
"Of course!"
Colin answered boisterously. He seemed ready to risk his life to reclaim the 3 percent he had lost. As expected, no one eats meat just once.
The Mafia investing in Hollywood. At first glance, organized crime and private business seem to have little to do with each other. To Koreans, gangsters are groups that run entertainment establishments and distribute illegal goods. However, by the 2010s, these organizations changed completely. They gradually expanded their scope into the realm of private companies, showing their "gangster" side only when disputes arose. For example, sending an organization member to threaten the CEO of a competing company? Of course, the boss and the member would appear to have no connection on the surface. But the member works for a specific company. This is the gangster of the 2010s. And the Mafia of the 80s was already carrying out such acts. Because the 80s were when the US government was hunting down the Mafia like they were catching lice.
"So, that Korean kid is investing in various films, including The Terminator?"
Drug Lord Lorenzo. A 50-something Latino man with a thick mustache under his nose glared as if he were in a bad mood.
"That is correct. Given Hollywood standards, they are low-budget films, so it might not be a matter of concern for us, but I am reporting this in accordance with the Boss's instruction to be prepared for all situations."
A report delivered directly by the underboss. That was why Lorenzo stopped at showing his displeasure rather than flying into a rage.
"Our family must move into completely legal business sectors soon. To do that, we need to be able to monopolize Hollywood. You understand what I mean, right?"
"Yes, I understand clearly."
The white underboss, who had very sharp eyes and was missing one ear, showed through his appearance that he had been through hell and back while living as a member of the Mafia.
"Charlie, I am currently unable to move from my hideout. So, you must manage the organization's affairs in my stead. We must trample anyone who tries to crawl up against us. Do you understand?"
At Lorenzo's words filled with trust, the underboss Charlie nodded with a resolute expression.
"Of course I know. The Boss must never be caught. The brain of our family is, of course, the Boss. I am not a brain as capable as yours."
"But there is no other capable 'family' member who performs assigned tasks as well as you do. So, I will trust you."
The reason Lorenzo and Charlie were so close was very simple. It was the benefits. Lorenzo gave Charlie benefits that were almost equal to his own, not just at the level of a second-in-command. This was possible because he had seen through Charlie's character; Charlie, moved by Lorenzo's kindness, was loyal with all his heart.
"I will not disappoint the Boss's expectations. However, Boss. There is still something left to report."
"What is it?"
As Lorenzo took out a cigar and began to smoke, Charlie began to deliver a new fact.
"According to our investigation, this capital belongs to a Korean boy named 'Yoon'."
"Isn't that what you just reported?"
"That is correct. And that Korean boy is currently in a relationship with the granddaughter of Guster, a former US Army General, with the intention of marriage."
"A former US Army General...?"
Only then did a hint of seriousness creep into Lorenzo's voice.
"Yes. Have you perhaps heard the name Guster?"
"I have. Of course I have."
Guster was a former military figure with significant influence in the United States. Even Lorenzo, who operated in the Mafia, knew the name.
"Charlie."
"Yes, Boss."
"How did you figure out that information?"
To the question meant to judge the certainty of the information, Charlie answered with a tone full of conviction.
"There is a guy named Colin who has been digging around for information in Hollywood lately. Our informant captured that information, and as a result of back-tracking that guy Colin, we found out that the source of the funds was the Korean kid named Yoon."
"Good, what's next?"
"It wasn't difficult to find out about the Korean kid named Yoon. He was in the newspaper recently. The investigation wasn't hard because it even included his face and the fact that he has a solid relationship with Guster."
"Isn't it possible the newspaper article is wrong?"
Charlie did not panic at Lorenzo's sharp point.
"That is why I sent an informant to the Hermes side to verify it directly. All the information I have told you is fact verified through multi-faceted cross-checking."
Only then did Lorenzo nod, looking satisfied.
"Good. Then it seems almost certain that he is in a relationship to marry Guster's granddaughter."
"That is correct. Since the opponent is who he is, I would like you to draw a line."
Lorenzo, watching Charlie's serious expression, burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Charlie, have you become too timid just because I'm hiding from the government's eyes lately? Since when were we the type to worry about their eyes while doing business?"
"That may be so, but I am worried about the Boss's safety..."
Lorenzo gently cut off Charlie's words.
"Don't worry. There is absolutely no one who knows my hideout, and no one who would leak it. I trust the 'Family'."
"Boss..."
Charlie looked at Lorenzo with an emotional expression.
"If they stand in our way, it doesn't matter if it's a governor or a senator—kill them all. But!"
As Lorenzo suddenly raised his voice at the end, Charlie focused his concentration to the maximum, watching Lorenzo's mouth.
"Meet them once in person and scare them. If we are going to do legal business, it would be good to try a peaceful solution for once."
"Understood!"
Charlie answered confidently, but Lorenzo's inner thoughts were different. Because the existence of Guster was unsettling. Killing senators or governors wasn't unexpectedly difficult to deal with afterward. But Guster was different.
'If Guster gets angry, retired soldiers on the streets will start searching for our family. That could bring a butterfly effect to my safety.'
Lorenzo, who tried to protect his own safety at any cost. Outwardly, he was a bold and decisive Mafia boss, but inwardly, he was nothing more than a petty villain who worried about his own safety above all else.
"The opponent wants to meet me?"
At Yoon-gi's counter-question, Gale Ann Hurd nodded.
"Yes. We have already refused their investment proposals several times, but they earnestly requested a meeting with you, Mr. Yoon."
"And you accepted that?"
Gale Ann Hurd shook her head.
"No. I refused that as well."
"But they made an offer again that was hard to refuse?"
Gale Ann Hurd nodded.
"Yes. My mentor asked me for a favor. I think the opponent changed direction and approached my mentor, and I couldn't bear to refuse my mentor's request, so I'm just telling you."
"I understand."
Yoon-gi himself had recruited Colin through Andrew and Fernandez through Leanna, so he didn't scold Gale Ann Hurd.
'Actually, it's a good thing from my perspective.'
Since his personal information was already spread to a significant degree in the newspapers, the opponent knew a lot about him. However, he still knew too little about them. So, Yoon-gi nodded coolly.
"If it's a request from your mentor, there's no reason I can't listen to it once. Tell them to come here. However, tell them only one person can come. Now that I know they are the Mafia, I want to avoid meeting many people at once."
At Yoon-gi's acceptance, Gale Ann Hurd's complexion brightened.
"I know what you are worried about. I will make sure they are thoroughly searched before they come in, and I'll have bodyguards stationed, so you can go with peace of mind."
"I trust you."
At Yoon-gi's soft smile, Gale Ann Hurd also responded with a smile and left the room.
And a few days later. Through Gale Ann Hurd's arrangement, Yoon-gi and Charlie were able to meet in Gale Ann Hurd's office.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Charlie Moore. Please call me Charlie."
Because Charlie walked around with his head intentionally shaved, the intimidation given by his sharp eyes and missing ear was considerable. He was a Mafia member who was tall and had solid muscles. So much so that Gale Ann Hurd had even debated whether to bring bodyguards inside.
"Yes, I am Yoon."
Yoon-gi reached out his hand first to offer a handshake, and Charlie also grabbed Yoon-gi's hand and shook it lightly. The atmosphere was still very warm. Thus, the conversation continued between Yoon-gi and Charlie, who were sitting on opposite sides of a three-person sofa, with Gale Ann Hurd intentionally seated in the seat of honor.
"Excuse me, but I heard you are investing in The Terminator."
Charlie, who went straight to the point, showed a distinctly different appearance from Lorenzo. Of course, Charlie himself knew well that this was the reason he couldn't rise to the number one spot.
"Yes. I was truly moved after reading the script."
Hearing Yoon-gi's calm answer, Charlie made a face of regret and pretended to complain.
"But you didn't just invest in The Terminator, did you?"
"If I like the script, it's naturally worth approaching. That's why I invested."
Charlie's patience began to burn away slowly.
"Among the films you invested in, there are films we were thinking of investing in."
"But I invested first. Isn't that capitalism?"
Yoon-gi spoke his mind even in front of the savage-looking Charlie. Seeing that, Gale Ann Hurd, who was quietly watching the situation, felt admiration but also began to worry. However, it was a difficult situation for her to intervene. Thus, the conversation, which was like walking on thin ice, continued.
"No. You suddenly appeared in Hollywood and interfered with our work. So, I'm telling you this: I recommend you withdraw all your investment funds right now."
Charlie continued, trying to soften his expression through his own efforts.
"Of course, we will bear the penalty for withdrawing the investment. Think of it as our gift for a 'comfortable transaction'."
However, Yoon-gi had a bored expression.
"I don't really have any intention of doing that?"
"It would be better to withdraw before you regret it?"
Compared to Charlie, whose complexion had hardened somewhat stiffly, Yoon-gi instead showed a smile.
"If you have the ability, try taking it away. It's a capitalist society."
As soon as Yoon-gi finished speaking, Charlie finally gave a fishy smile.
"I hope you don't regret... those words."
Charlie's gloomy gaze turned toward Gale Ann Hurd.