America 1919

The grand and opulent hall was arranged with tables and chairs in a scattered fashion; in the center of the hall, there was a dance floor where several scantily clad women, dressed as flamboyant as flamingos, were dancing with vivid grace.

One by one, girls dressed in bunny outfits, with fuzzy rabbit ears atop their heads and black stockings covering their long legs, carried trays of drinks as they moved amongst the guests.

At the same time, by the side of the guests, there were young ladies who clearly were not from decent families, flirting with the men beside them.

Walker was somewhat stunned by the scene before him.

"Mr. Walker, if you require, I can arrange for a dedicated lady to serve you, and if you fancy a gamble, we have private rooms where I can take you!"

Dick Hoblatt offered warmly.

Experience tales at m v|l e'-NovelBin.net

"All of it, I want all of it!"

Walker laughed and said, "Atlantic City, this is home for me now!"

"That is an honor for us Atlantic City folks!"

Walker said joyously.

Under Dick Hoblatt's guidance, Walker, with a beautiful lady in his arms, arrived at a private room where there was a gambling table with several guests playing cards. None of them paid much attention to Dick Hoblatt ushering Walker in.

By that time, Walker had already exchanged his chips, a whopping 1,000 US dollars!

After Walker sat down, Dick Hoblatt left the private room, the smile that had been on his face vanishing suddenly.

With a wave of his hand, a few young men approached from somewhere.

"I just saw Leo go into the Ocean Tavern; bring him out to me!"

The young men immediately left Block Tavern.

Soon, in the back alley of Block Tavern, a man in a shoddy sweater was already beaten bloody.

The normally humble and smiling Dick Hoblatt crouched on the ground, grabbed the man's hair in his hand, forcing him to look at him.

"Leo, Leo, Leo, you've got money to gamble but not to pay us back, John's 500 US dollars, which with interest is now 700 US dollars. When do you plan to pay us back?"

Leo begged, "Big Dick, please give me a little more time. I just need to turn this around, and I'll pay back Big John right away."

"You've told me that three times before, and each time I believed you, but each time you've disappointed me. Do you think I can still trust you?"

After saying that, Dick slapped him hard, knocking one of his front teeth out of his mouth.

"We have run out of patience now. Hand over that property you have on Pennsylvania Avenue. That will settle all your debts!"

"No, no, no!" Leo hastily said. The property on Pennsylvania Avenue was his last asset. If he gave that up, he would have no ground to stand on in Atlantic City!

Like many others in his situation, he'd move into cheap boarding houses and maybe become a vagrant after some time.

And perhaps die in an alleyway someday.

That property was his last hope of turning things around; he couldn't use it to cover his gambling debts!

But, wishful thinking aside, the reality was not up to him.

No matter how reluctant Leo was, in the end, he was subdued by the fists and the loan contract.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

When he left Brad Law Firm, Dick Hoblatt's hands held a property deed for a two-hundred-square-meter property on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Back at Block Tavern in West District, Dick Hoblatt first inquired about Walker's situation. Learning that he was still in the private room, he went straight to John's office.

In the office, haze of smoke lingered. John rested his legs on his desk, a sizable cigar in his mouth, while two ladies danced gracefully before him.

"Ha ha!" Seeing Dick Hoblatt come in, John bent down to pick up a cigar from the desk and tossed it to Dick Hoblatt, "That wealthy man you found has already lost over 400 US dollars here!"

A fawning smile returned to Dick Hoblatt's face at that moment.

"All thanks to Big John maintaining Block Tavern and West District well, making him willing to play here!"

"Right, I've always said I was a smart man, yet Donnie wouldn't believe it!" John said happily.

"Big John, this is the property transfer contract from Leo for his property on Pennsylvania Avenue!"

Dick Hoblatt placed the contract on the desk.

John's weathered face beamed even more: "Tommy has been wanting to open another tavern here; tell him we've given the green light. But make sure to remind him to pay the fees on time, or we won't be so courteous!"

"Of course!" said Dick Hoblatt promptly.

"You're doing well, kid. Maybe it won't be long before you're managing more things, just like Gary Thomas!"

Gary Thomas was no longer the small fry he once was. To avoid any rash media reports, John and Sean Be had rarely met alone anymore.

Regarding the business in West District and the distribution of money, it was Gary Thomas who acted as the intermediary.

"Thank you, Big John!" Dick Hoblatt said excitedly, every young man in West District aspired to become Gary Thomas!