To be honest, Sean didn't fare as poorly as one might think. After all, he isn't a demon; he simply chose not to intervene when the other party was arrested by the police. Typically, when gangs encounter issues they can't resolve, Sean would offer assistance, helping to mediate the situation. However, with the arrest, Jonas quickly took charge, assigning someone to oversee the private lottery business and establish sales outlets in several nearby bars.
The profitability of private lotteries is significant. Regular lotteries are welfare-oriented; they first emerged during the Civil War to fund military expenses. Over time, most of the betting amounts are funneled to the government, with only a small portion allocated to the prize pool.
Take the Powerball lottery in the United States as an example: players select 5 numbers from a pool of 55 white balls and 1 number from 42 red balls. Matching all 6 numbers wins the jackpot, but the odds are a staggering 1 in 146 million. Even if a player misses one white ball, the chances remain dismally low.
Furthermore, the U.S. federal government imposes a 10% tax on prizes over $600 and a 25% tax on prizes exceeding $5,000. Personal income tax brackets are equally steep, with rates ranging from 10% for incomes below $6,000 to 38.6% for incomes over $307,050. Although New Jersey has eliminated state tax, lottery winners still face a hefty 20% to 63.6% tax burden.
In contrast, private lotteries typically offer higher winning odds and are tax-free, making them more appealing to lottery enthusiasts. While the probability of winning remains low, many perceive private lotteries as fairer since their operators cannot influence the outcome of the draws.
Despite Sean's lack of direct involvement in this private lottery platform, the sudden expansion and aggressive marketing in underground bars led to a sharp increase in sales. Following the first draw on Wednesday, winners eagerly showcased their successes, and Jonas capitalized on this momentum, further boosting sales leading up to the next draw on Saturday.
At Dart's bar, the atmosphere was electric during the Saturday lottery night, with crowds gathering in greater numbers than usual. Cheers and jeers erupted as the results were announced. When the final red ball was drawn, one ecstatic winner leaped onto a table, exclaiming, "I won the lottery!" He wasn't alone; many others also celebrated wins, large and small. Witnessing the prize claims stirred envy among the onlookers, and as one winner offered to buy drinks for the crowd, ticket sales surged once more.
Unbeknownst to the revelers, many winners discreetly returned their winnings after leaving the bars, a sly move that was common across the venues.
Sean had not forgotten to take his cut from the private lottery. With lotteries being drawn daily in bars, foot traffic increased, boosting alcohol and drug sales—a profit-sharing arrangement of sorts for the gangs involved. However, running private lotteries is not without risks; frequent large payouts can quickly lead to significant losses.
Moreover, the looming threat of police crackdowns and scrutiny from lottery companies posed additional challenges, but these concerns were distant for Sean. With layers of protection in place, someone else would inevitably take the fall if trouble arose.
As the private lottery business flourished, Norris completed the preliminary work for the film project, prompting Sean to fly to Hollywood with his team.
...
Anticipating frequent trips to Hollywood, Sean purchased a villa just north of Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The three-story property boasts over 600 square meters, featuring 12 rooms, 16 bathrooms, six parking spaces, a garden, and a full-sized swimming pool—perfect for hosting parties.
In the villa's grand hall, Sean sat on the sofa as Knowles presented a hefty stack of documents. "We need to decide on a director first," Knowles stated, emphasizing the importance of aligning casting choices with the director's vision. Norris placed a selection of director profiles on the table.
Unlike larger film companies, small productions like Sean's have fewer constraints, allowing for a more flexible approach. However, this can lead to pitfalls, especially when directors have minimal influence over casting decisions, often resulting in financial losses.
Sean flipped through the director profiles, shaking his head in disappointment. None of the names felt familiar or promising. "Is this really it? Are there no better options?"
Norris appeared uneasy, explaining, "There are good directors, but they're beyond our budget."
Frustrated, Sean continued to sift through the documents until he landed on a name that sparked a vague recollection: John McTiernan. "What about him?" Sean inquired.
Norris hesitated, noting that McTiernan had limited experience and was primarily known for commercial work. "He's not a seasoned filmmaker," he cautioned.
Sean countered, "Is there anyone here who has made a film that turned a profit? No? Then let's not worry about that!" He spread his hands and continued, "Everyone seems to be losing money anyway, so why not take a chance?"
Norris felt cornered; hiring a renowned director was out of the question, and a respected director wouldn't lower their standards for a small budget. Additionally, those willing to compromise would likely demand higher production quality and assert more creative control, which could clash with Sean's vision.
"Fine, let's go with him," Sean decided. "Set up a meeting for tomorrow." His choice of McTiernan was partly based on a vague familiarity but more so on the fact that he had a background in photography, which could be beneficial.
As they continued discussing the project, Sean felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The Hollywood landscape was notoriously unpredictable, and while he had ambitions for success, he knew that navigating the film industry would be complex.
The next day, Sean prepared for his meeting with McTiernan. He reviewed notes and strategies, hoping to clearly communicate his vision while also understanding what the director could bring to the table. The stakes were high, and he was determined to make a mark in the film world, even if it meant taking risks.
With the private lottery business thriving and the film project underway, Sean felt a sense of momentum. The intertwining of these ventures could either propel him to new heights or lead to unforeseen complications. One thing was certain: the journey ahead would be anything but dull.