Gunshots echoed sporadically beside the construction site.
When I was in the army, I didn't think much of it, but now that I've retired, I find myself reminiscing about those days. After so long without touching a gun, the urge to handle money and firearms again is tempting.
Returning to civilian life isn't easy. Anyone who knows you enjoy shooting will likely become fearful. However, since coming to Sean, everyone has rediscovered their past pleasures, and the restraint we felt in the army has faded.
As soon as the weapons arrived, excitement took over. The guys couldn't wait to take them out and practice.
But soon, the foreman at the nearby construction site spotted Sean at the temporary shooting range. He had been on edge hearing the gunfire while working, feeling increasingly unsafe.
"Not safe!?" Sean exclaimed, turning to Edward Durr while aiming his M16. The barrel's heat made Edward's face drain of color, leaving him speechless.
"Hey, brothers! They say they hear gunshots and dare to call it unsafe?" Sean called out, gesturing to his fellow soldiers, all armed and ready. One soldier even had an M60 with a long chain of ammunition slung across his shoulder.
As Sean rallied his crew, they moved toward the construction site, guns raised and pointed at the workers.
"Don't even think about it!" The workers froze, shaking their heads in a panic.
"You lied to me!" Sean snapped at Edward, who was sweating profusely, his expression a mix of fear and exasperation. "You're acting like a bunch of bandits! Who would dare to speak up?"
"Uh, maybe I misinterpreted..." Edward stammered.
Sean stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Last time, you mentioned how long it would take to finish this base?"
"Three months," Edward replied cautiously. "That's already fast, given the size of the project."
"Come with me. Let's talk about work efficiency," Sean urged, gesturing with his gun.
With a reluctant smile, Edward followed, silently vowing never to partner with this violent madman again.
"Damn, I admit defeat," he muttered under his breath.
"Don't think the laws in the U.S. will protect you. That's just a facade. You never know who might show up with guns," Sean said, observing the slow pace of the construction team.
"Working eight hours a day, five days a week? It's ridiculous!"
It's acceptable to sacrifice for one's country, but not for capitalists, right?
Young people often misunderstand this reality!
"Damn, you're making this incredibly difficult. If I don't learn the ropes soon, when will I ever buy a helicopter?"
Inviting Edward into a temporary office, Sean tossed his M16 onto the desk and urged him to sit. "Make yourself comfortable. What do you want to drink? Coffee?"
Edward took a sip of the coffee Sean made and found it bitterer than he expected.
"Do you know how to grow a company?" Sean asked impatiently before Edward could set his cup down.
"Uh...?"
"See? You're clearly not thinking ahead!" Sean smiled, pulling out a cigarette and tossing one to Edward. "The history of your company can be summarized in one phrase: growth requires powerful external influences to get on the right track."
He began listing examples of how competitors could falter: blown tires on trucks transporting materials, sudden price hikes for raw materials like steel and cement, employees taking unexpected leave, lost construction materials, accidents on site, noise complaints from residents, and even utility cutoffs.
As Sean rattled off these scenarios, Edward's heart raced, and his mind buzzed. "Are you sure you're talking about competitors?"
Dread washed over him, and he wished he could just disappear.
Seeing Edward sweat, Sean tilted his head in confusion. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"Sean!" Edward suddenly knelt, tears streaming down his face.
"No, no, get up!" Sean exclaimed, rubbing his temples in disbelief. "Stop this nonsense."
As a local architect in Newark, Edward had heard of Sean's reputation, making his fear even more perplexing.
"Get up, sit straight, and shut up!" Sean ordered, pointing the M16 at him.
Instantly, Edward straightened up, wiping away his tears.
Sean's frustration boiled over. He had initially expected Edward to be a straightforward partner, but now he realized how naive he had been.
"Honestly, you're less brave than a groundhog! Stop overthinking!"
"I don't care what your company's current structure is. I want 60%," Sean declared with a stern expression. "And I won't give you a dime!"
"From now on, in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth, any project you think you can compete on—if there's a competitor, you tell Jonas. He knows how to handle it."
"Sand, gravel, cement, and building materials will flow freely from now on. No one will be able to obstruct you. You won't have to worry about safety on the construction site; nobody will dare default on payment. Even if legal disputes arise, you'll be covered."
"I'm the only one who takes action against other companies. No one can mess with mine!"
"From now on, you have me backing you up! Do you understand?"
Edward's expression shifted from panic to a mix of grievance and surprise, then to something resembling hope.
"If you say that, I won't cry!" he finally managed, a hint of relief breaking through his fear.
Sean's demeanor softened just a little, realizing he might have found a way to bring Edward on board. "Good. Now let's get to work on making this partnership beneficial for both of us."
With that, the atmosphere shifted. Edward, though still wary, felt a flicker of determination. Maybe, just maybe, this alliance could lead to something profitable—if they could navigate the complexities of their new partnership without falling prey to the chaos that surrounded them.
"Let's talk strategy," Sean said, leaning back in his chair, the M16 resting beside him, a reminder of the power he wielded.
As they began to outline their next steps, Edward felt a strange mix of fear and excitement—this was going to be a ride unlike any he'd ever experienced before.