The reason was somewhat far-fetched, but acceptable; the key issue was that Olman didn't care at all whether Donnie's deal would succeed because it had nothing to do with him.
"Of course, there's no problem with this matter, but as a middleman, I will charge a fee!"
Donnie naturally responded, "That's only to be expected; I understand the rules!"
With Donnie's question, Olman naturally lost interest in the rest and said, "Alright, how much do you want?"
Donnie calculated his entire net worth and said, "Five hundred US dollars!"
That was most of the fortune he had accumulated before and after his time in the military.
Olman laughed and said, "I thought you had a much more considerable fortune!"
Donnie replied, "There will be in the future!"
Olman didn't take Donnie's words seriously and said, "I will give you an answer tomorrow!"
After finishing speaking, Olman was ready to leave, but Donnie stopped him and said, "There's one more thing!"
Olman exaggeratedly asked, "How many more things do you have?"
"Just one last thing!" After saying that, Donnie handed Olman a piece of paper.
The paper listed a Colt 1911 and 50 bullets!
Although at this time in the United States there were stores selling firearms, purchasing from a store involved a lot of procedures, and it wasn't something you could simply buy on a whim; moreover, Atlantic City didn't have such stores.
Olman examined Donnie's request with a puzzled look on his face and asked, "You're not planning to use this gun to cause trouble for George Kurle, are you? If that's the case, I won't sell it to you!"
Donnie chuckled and said, "Do you think I'm an idiot? With my current strength, could I possibly cause trouble for George Kurle?"
Actually, Donnie's purpose for buying a gun was very simple: self-protection. The United States was already a country awash with guns, and with the backdrop of this era and the chaos in Atlantic City, Donnie needed some weapons for self-defense!
"Rest assured, I'm not about to do something that stupid. Didn't the bar next door, the Blue Sea Tavern, get robbed just yesterday? So, I'm buying a gun purely for self-protection!"
"Ha, so that's why!" Olman laughed loudly, "Did you not hear the news that this morning those unlucky guys got caught?"
Donnie scoffed, "I also heard that although those people were caught, the Blue Sea Tavern didn't get its losses back!"
The gambling industry in Atlantic City wasn't legalized yet, but that didn't stop the gambling industry from being one of the most significant sources of revenue in Atlantic City.
Those who lost their cool over gambling debts would inevitably do some irrational things, and robbing local shops was a common occurrence in Atlantic City!
The police in Atlantic City were far from incorruptible. If one had to describe their style of work, it could be compared to the behavior of the Hong Kong police before the ICAC was established.
"But you just clearly said you're going to close down for two months!"
Although dealing in a firearm wasn't a big deal for Olman, Donnie's previous description didn't reassure him. If Donnie really used the gun he bought from him to trouble George Kurle, Olman himself could end up in trouble!
"I'm only closing down for two months; it's not like I'm leaving Atlantic City!" Donnie explained offhandedly.
Olman thought for a moment and said, "No problem, pay 25 US dollars upfront, and when you see the goods tonight, you'll pay the remaining 25 dollars!"
After thinking it over, Olman chose to trust Donnie. After all, as Donnie had said, George Kurle was currently the Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety in Atlantic City; only if Donnie had been squeezed into insanity by a bar door would he go looking for trouble with George Kurle.
Donnie exaggeratedly said, "Dear Olman, can't you cut me some slack on account of this rum?"
Olman laughed, raising his arms, "God in Heaven, the price I'm giving you is already market rate. If you're not willing to pay it, then there's nothing I can do!"
The retail price of a Colt 1911 was 15 US dollars, and with 50 bullets, it certainly didn't reach 50 dollars, but that's the price in a gun store, not on the black market.
Donnie didn't ask Olman for a discount any further but opened the cash drawer and took out a handful of assorted bills. After counting, he found they amounted to just over 20 US dollars.
As explained before, with the onset of Prohibition, the national price of liquor was falling. The cost of a bottle of rum was just about 1 US dollar, and the daily sales of the Korla Bar were around 10 US dollars.
The profit was about 3-4 US dollars.
With no other options, Donnie reluctantly took out some cash he had saved in his coat pocket and handed it to Olman.
Olman rested his right arm across the bar and swept all the bills and coins into his embrace, "I seriously doubt if you'll be able to pay the remaining 25 dollars tonight?"
Donnie spread his hands and laughed, "I was expecting you'd feel that way!"
If Olman produced the item Donnie wanted tomorrow, and Donnie failed to provide the remaining 50 dollars, then the 25 dollars he gave now would belong to Olman!
"If that happens, I might consider converting back to God!" Olman joked at first, then said, "Tonight, when you close up, the item you need will be delivered to you!"
ps: A fresh new writer with a hot new book passed the initial review, so everyone can feel secure in collecting, recommending, and following it~~