America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Cutting the Boss's Leeks

It was another night of counting tips until his hand cramped.

Clutching a wad of small-denomination US dollars, Bruce said, "I'm planning on buying a new car."

Martin flipped over the box, spilling the money inside, piles of 1 and 2 dollar bills, stacking up like little hills.

As he counted the money, he remarked, "Shouldn't civilized people be buying autographed photos?"

"You still owe me a lot of autographed photos!" Bruce specifically reminded him before asking, "How long can this kind of income last?"

Martin, having counted a stack of US dollars, bundled them with a rubber band and said, "Tip income is unstable; it depends on customer flow."

Bruce asked, "Can you maintain a high volume of customer flow over the long term?"

Martin deliberately digressed: "Hey, man, do you think I'm God?"

Bruce said, "God is an old black man, you sure you want to be God?"

"Forget it, I'd rather suffer in the mortal world." Martin pocketed the three stacks of cash he had bundled up, adjusted his gun holster, ready to draw at any moment.

Bruce also put on his coat, and they left together to go home.

As Martin got into the car, he shouted to Bruce, "Don't forget the party tomorrow afternoon."

Bruce waved his hand and drove off first.

The Ford sat stationary, and Martin, sitting in the car, popped a piece of gum into his mouth, chewing it while deep in thought.

He had actually considered Bruce's question.

But with the customer flow just picking up, Boss Vincent was brimming with satisfaction, no longer as eager as before; even if Martin brought it up, it wouldn't yield much return.

He needed to wait. There's a right way and time to harvest the boss's wealth.

Early next morning, Martin made a trip to Marietta Theatre Company, making his presence felt to Captain Jerome and asking the self-proclaimed expert actor a few performance-related questions, giving the captain a sense of satisfaction from guiding a novice.

But, of course, that wasn't the main point.

"Captain, I can handle my basic living expenses." It was important for Martin to remind his creditors, This deadbeat still owes you money! He proactively promised, "I will pay off the overdue membership fees as soon as possible."

Jerome had a friend who, over a year ago, lent him 200 dollars and hasn't mentioned paying it back. He was very pleased with Martin's attitude and said, "Keep your phone on next week; I've got you in touch with another play. It's also with Gray Company."

Martin replied, "You can call me anytime."

On his way out, Martin casually asked for an issue of Entertainment Weekly that Jerome had finished reading.

To give to Bruce later on.

Martin shopped for some fresh fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, preparing for the afternoon's party.

All four siblings from the Carter family came over to help out.

They set up the barbecue grill, and cheap beer, whiskey, and rum were placed on the table, with Elena making a huge bowl of vegetable salad, Lily and Hol leveled out the backyard, and Harris, with one arm in a sling, fiddled with the sound system Martin had rented, ready to play DJ.

Martin specially demarcated an area: "This will be the dance floor, let's all dance together later."

Elena said, "I asked around, the neighbors are out working during the day, so we won't attract APD."

Since Martin had to go to House of Beast in the evening, the party started at two-thirty in the afternoon, and Monica brought over a dozen young girls, all from nearby impoverished communities.

A few whom Harris tutored also showed up.

They were quite a crowd, making a ruckus.

Once the others went off with Hol, Martin inquired, "How did you invite them?"

"Clients," Harris responded, "If they're happy, they'll let me keep tutoring and refer new students who need tutoring to me. I charge by the hour; it's a good earning."

Martin nodded, "Earning money, that's not shameful."

Bruce, Ivan, Goldie, Hart, and others arrived at this point, and Martin went over to greet them. Unlike the girls, they all brought gifts, more or less.

Seeing the crowd in the backyard, Ivan couldn't be bothered to say much to Martin and burst into the throng, starting to dance wildly.

Bruce hadn't even spoken before he was whisked away by the voluptuous Monica.

Martin turned on the stereo, and as the music started playing, everyone picked up glasses of beer, whiskey, and rum.

Alcohol stirred emotions, and the attractive guys and gals began to dance sizzling dances.

With the crowd growing, footsteps became chaotic, and the ground seemed to vibrate, compacting the backyard dirt even further.

Even a simple party could turn into a rave.

After having a few drinks, Martin mingled in and danced for a while before returning to the grill to play chef.

Having had experience with wilderness cookouts before, grilling the meat was no problem.

Elena played for a while before coming over to help voluntarily.

The first batch was ready, and Harris dragged Holle over to grab some for Harris's students.

With so many people and few grills, it was inevitable that the barbecue would be slow.

Hart shouted, "Boss Martin, you're too slow. We are running out of food."

Martin pointed to the long tables in the yard, "Beer is all you can drink, no shortage there."

Elena came over and said, "You overestimated your grilling speed, there's not enough food."

Martin replied, "Call Rosario Barbecue Restaurant and have them deliver some food over as fast as they can."

Elena nodded and picked up her phone to make the call.

Bruce escaped Monica's clutches and ran over to grill with Martin, "Your barbecue skills aren't bad; at least the food's edible. I thought you'd poison us."

Martin flipped the skewers, "Old Cloth, let me tell you the truth, I'm the most multi-talented person in Atlanta."

"Yeah, number one at boasting," Bruce mocked, "Forget Atlanta, all of Georgia's got better blowhards than you."

Martin added some charcoal to the grill, "I'm also skilled at roasting civilized people with fire."

After making the call, Elena came over and asked, "Should I try mixing some cocktails?"

Martin agreed, "Sure, good idea to let them sample some."

With so many people, it'd be a waste not to use them as guinea pigs.

Elena called Monica over and the two went next door to fetch a variety of spirits, ice, and ingredients.

Leaving the grill temporarily in Bruce's hands, Martin helped Elena prepare the ingredients. Elena called out a few times and started her cocktail experiment, mixing several common cocktails.

Perhaps due to exposure to the Carter Family's "alcohol education" from a young age, Elena had a talent in this area.

Of course, the drinks mixed by a beginner were bound to taste strange.

But no one at the party cared, as long as they were having a great time.

Throughout, couples of men and women left, like Monica dragging Bruce away.

It was just typical behavior between adult men and women.

By around six in the evening, the party wound down, many were drunk, and the backyard was a mess.

Martin took Elena's hand to head to the club, "I'll take you out to have fun." Pointing to the backyard, he addressed two minors and one disabled individual, "Idiots, clean this up. If I come back and there's still freaking trash here, I'll dig a hole and bury you! Believe me, I can do it!"