A black-haired American tycoon
May 27, 1902, the parlor of the Godfather’s mansion in Chicago.
“Are you saying coal prices will rise soon?”
The Godfather asked me again.
“They definitely will.”
“How can you prove that?”
“The newspapers prove it.”
“You read newspapers too?”
The Godfather asked me as if he found it curious.
“To understand the world, you have to read the news.”
“Fine. Where in the newspaper does it say coal prices will rise?”
“Godfather, this is Chicago.”
“And so?”
“Chicago has a futures trading market. And the newspapers I’ve been reading often report on strikes by coal miners in Pennsylvania.”
In the history of America as I know it, 150,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania launched a massive strike. This large-scale strike caused significant ripple effects.
The United States suddenly faced a coal shortage, and later, the federal government intervened by guaranteeing a 10% wage increase and a 9-hour workday for the miners. This was the first instance of active involvement by the U.S. government in labor relations.
“A coal mine workers' strike?”
“Mark mentioned that there are over 150,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania. If they go on strike simultaneously, coal production will halt. Based on the law of supply and demand, coal prices will rise. So, now is the time to invest in coal futures.”
Chicago is home to America’s first futures exchange. It should be thoroughly utilized.
“Mark.”
After hearing my explanation, the Godfather called for Mark.
“Yes, boss.”
“What do you think?”
From what I see, the Godfather trusts Mark quite a bit.
“Peter has yet to make a mistake. Even the revenue from Peter Pan’s Hawaiian casino has been increasing every month.”
“I was surprised to hear the reports about that.”
In its first month, the casino’s revenue was $30,000. My share was $3,000.
Now, the Hawaiian casino’s monthly revenue exceeds $100,000. That means an annual profit of over $1 million.
And that annual profit will only continue to grow with time.
“It’s still the early days of the casino business.”
Most of the current casino customers are poor Chinese and Japanese immigrants.
“At this rate, annual net profits will exceed $1 million.”
Mark reminded the Godfather that I could earn over $1 million for him in a year.
“Indeed, casinos are like golden geese, no matter where they are.”
In truth, the Godfather isn’t the highest boss in the Chicago Mafia.
'There’s someone above him.'
In the future, he becomes an enemy.
The reason is that during Prohibition, the Godfather partnered with Al Capone to dominate the bootlegging industry. The highest boss in the Chicago Mafia opposed bootlegging.
The two bosses, who thrived on bootlegging, couldn’t expand the business further because of the top boss’s stubbornness.
'So, their choice was…'
The assassination of the top boss, orchestrated by Al Capone.
This was successful, and thanks to Al Capone, the Godfather became the highest boss in Chicago.
'Documentaries say that through bootlegging, Al Capone earned…'
Around $5 million a year.
'Not just $5 million.'
Adjusted for 2020, $5 million back then would be around $600 million or even more.
“So, invest in coal?”
“Yes, Godfather.”
Futures investments have always been risky, both now and in the future. That’s why the returns can be enormous.
“Mark, are you investing too?”
“I will, though it won’t be much.”
“Peter.”
“Yes.”
“How much is your entire fortune?”
Why would he ask about my entire fortune out of nowhere?
“I will invest everything I own in the rise of coal prices.”
This is the answer the Godfather wants.
'My entire fortune…'
It’s about $50,000 now.
“You’re putting it all in?”
“Yes, opportunities like this don’t come often.”
“As expected, young people are bold. Hahaha! Mark, invest $100,000 in coal futures.”
“$100,000?”
“Peter guarantees it, doesn’t he?”
This means if the investment fails, I’ll be held responsible.
“Godfather, I will guarantee your principal”
“With what money?”
The Godfather’s expression softened, as though he had heard the answer he wanted.
“I’ll stake myself.”
“My godson is always so confident. Hahaha!”
And so, my Godfather, the boss of the Chicago Mafia, made his first legal investment in futures.
“Will the process be legal?”
From what I can see, the mafia will likely send their men to Pennsylvania to escalate the labor disputes.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be the mafia.
o0o
June 1, 1902, Chicago’s Theater District.
This is also part of John Boss’s territory.
Among his territories, this is the most elegant.
'Places where dancers perform and entertain.'
This was an era before the advancement of cinema.
Such theaters were the grandest attractions in big cities.
“Today’s performance features Isadora Duncan, known as the founder of modern dance.”
“Peter, you seem to know a lot.”
“The dancer on that poster is very famous.”
“Really?”
“She recently completed a successful European tour.”
At this time, dance mostly meant ballet. Her style was different, which might explain her rapid rise to fame.
'Living in this era lets me witness the younger days of famous people.'
Maybe I’ll meet Picasso. Or perhaps spot a renowned politician from a distance. Closing the gap with such famous people will depend on how I grow and showcase my abilities in the Chicago Mafia.
“Women dancing without clothes is always the best, Mark. Hahaha!”
Another mafia member made a vulgar joke to Mark, but Mark frowned instead of joining in.
'Mark is definitely different from other mafiosos.'
He isn’t particularly refined.
But he’s not crude either.
o0o
June 4, 1902, the mansion of the Chicago Mafia boss.
“Just two days ago, 150,000 coal miners simultaneously went on strike, hahaha!”
The boss laughed heartily as he looked at me.
‘Coal prices are soaring.’
As a result, the Chicago Futures Exchange is in turmoil.
“Congratulations.”
Mark immediately responded.
I simply smiled.
“Mark.”
“Yes, boss.”
“You know the Hawaii casino shares?”
“Yes?”
“Give Peter the 10% you promised him and take 10% for yourself.”
“Boss!”
Mark was startled.
“You and Peter deserve it. Hahaha!”
If the strike continues, the boss, who has invested a million dollars in coal futures, will reap tremendous profits.
‘This is what they mean by generosity coming from abundance.’
Anyway, 10% of the Hawaii casino shares, which will generate money effortlessly, now belong to me.
“Peter, i like it”
“Godfather”
“Do you have more to say to me?”
“In the future, passenger ships crossing the Pacific will become bigger and more luxurious.”
“So?”
“Hawaii is warm, and its beaches are as beautiful as paradise, so passenger traffic will increase.”
“But it’s too far and boring to travel from the mainland to Hawaii.”
“Then, what if there’s no room for boredom even on a large passenger ship?”
“So?”
“We could turn large passenger ships connecting the mainland and Hawaii into floating casinos. It’ll definitely be a hit. Hawaii has all the elements to become a tourist destination.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, and beachfront land prices are dirt cheap right now.”
“Are you suggesting I invest in land?”
“No, sir. I’m suggesting investing in the future. Buy beachfront land now and build hotels later.”
At my words, the boss showed a look of intrigue.
“And you?”
“With the profits from coal futures, I’ll buy beachfront property in Hawaii.”
“Mark, look into a few locations.”
The boss immediately smiled.
‘Now the boss…’
It seems he’ll place absolute trust in my suggestions.
o0o
A street corner in bustling Brooklyn, New York.
Although the godfather operates in Chicago, he also has many businesses in Brooklyn, New York. Occasionally, I follow him to Brooklyn.
This street has one of the godfather establishments, a bar.
Thud, thud, thud!
The sound of someone being beaten echoed from a corner of the alley.
It’s probably another mafia enforcer roughing up a shop owner in this area.
“Ah, ugh, ah!”
But the screams sounded young.
I stopped instinctively. Looking into the alley, I saw two shoeshine boys with their hats pulled low.
“I’m going to kill that bastard” one shoeshine boy said to the other.
“Peter, what’s going on?”
Mark, who had safely escaped from Hawaii and now served as the boss’s bodyguard, asked me. I was moving with him.
“It sounds like a kid is being hit.”
“Peter, you’re not exactly a humanitarian”
Mark and I had grown close enough to joke with each other.
“Al, do we have to pay every week?”
Al? Pay every week?
Someone seemed to be extorting money from a child.
‘But Al?’
Al? This is Brooklyn, New York!
Could it be… Al Capone?
No way!
“Hold on.”
Six months ago, I would have deferred to Mark, but not anymore.
(English doesn’t really have honorifics.)
[Thanks to you, I’ve cleared my debt to the boss.]
[You had a debt?]
[Why do you think I went all the way to Hawaii?]
[Fair point. How much was the debt?]
[Two hundred thousand dollars.]
In 2022 terms, that amount would equate to about two hundred million dollars.
[And you’ve already paid it off?]
[The 10% casino revenue share and the successful coal futures investment helped. The boss also forgave some of the debt.]
I also have a 10% share in that casino, and the boss allowed me to keep it.
“Peter, let’s go. The boss is waiting.”
“The boss can wait. I’ve got another incredible business idea for him.”
I walked toward the alley where the screams had come from.
But I’ve never seen anyone make the boss wait.
Still, I’m the boss’s godson.
“Hey, you need to pay me protection money every day.”
A boy was surrounded by three others, trembling in fear.
Clearly, they were all shoeshine boys.
And on one of the younger kids’ faces, I saw a devilish smile.
“What… what is this?”
The boy who had spoken stopped short, startled by Mark standing behind me.
“What’s your name?”
I asked the boy who had been called Al.
“You don’t need to bother with me.”
Mark spoke, stepping back.
“What’s your name?”
“Alphonse.”
Of course.
Al Capone’s real name is Alphonse Gabriel Capone.
‘A promising sprout indeed.’
Now comes the decision.
‘Should I take him under my wing?’
There’s an old Korean saying: “Don’t take in creatures with black hair.”
If that’s true…
‘The answer is clear.’
I decided to change young Al Capone’s fate.
“Who said you could pull this kind of stunt in the boss’s territory?”
“Bo-boss?”
Young Al Capone was startled at the mention of the boss.
“No matter how young, you have to take responsibility for your crimes.”
I stepped forward, grabbed Al Capone’s hand, and looked at Mark.
“Mark.”
“Getting involved in kids’ fights is embarrassing. You don’t want to become the talk of the town.”
“I know. Do you have a handkerchief?”
“What for?”
“Just give it to me.”
Mark handed me his handkerchief, puzzled.
I used it to tie Al Capone’s hand to mine, making Mark smirk.
‘I’m left-handed.’
Most people are right-handed. That’s why Mark found it amusing.
“What are you doing?”
“A duel.”
“Then why tie our hands?”
“To avoid running or dodging—it’s a waste of time. Let’s just beat each other up. What do you say?”
I intended to retire Chicago’s future “President of the Night” before his debut.
“Mister, are you really not going to step in?”
“I don’t want to end up as gossip. Just win. If you win, you might even become famous. It’s an opportunity.”
“Really?”
Al Capone’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Shall we begin?”
“Fine.”
Al Capone glared at me.
“On the count of three, we start, okay?”
I saw Al Capone nod at my words.
"One!"
Al Capone shouted.
"Three!"
Whack!
I threw a punch right after counting to three.
It might feel unfair to Al Capone, but I was wearing a gold ring, one with a protruding design at that.
"Argh!"
Whack, whack!
This is why the first hit is always the key to victory.
Whack, whack!
As Al Capone's body began to collapse forward, I caught him with my shoulder and threw another punch straight into his face.
Whack, whack!
Every time my fist struck him, blood splattered.
His mouth spat out not only blood but also teeth.
"Stop, stop it!"
Whack, whack!
Stop here?
If I stopped now, his rebelliousness would only grow.
'Al Capone is a brutal person.'
Only I know this, but most of the murders in Chicago are eventually traced back to this kid's orders, who will someday grow up to become the boss of the Chicago Mafia.
Whack, whack!
My fists kept landing, and young Al Capone tried to fall backward.
I yanked the scarf binding my hands.
"Please—!"
The young Al Capone screamed desperately.
My fist stopped just an inch from his nose, but fear had already overwhelmed him, and he wet his pants.
'From now on, he'll be known as Pee-Pants Al.'
"If you ever do something like this here again, you're dead."
With this final warning, I untied his hands.
Young Al Capone collapsed immediately where he stood.
"Got it?"
Al Capone just nodded silently at my words.
"Aren't you grateful?"
"F-for what?"
"I spared your life."
At my words, Al Capone stared at me, trembling all over.
'He's done for now.'
Anyone who's experienced this level of fear can no longer unleash their potential for evil.
o0o