Title: A New Era in the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a devastating time, but in the midst of the chaos, the 22nd district remained relatively peaceful. This district, along with the neighboring 24th district, was home to black families, such as the Samoas, who had managed to carve out a comfortable existence. They had ample food, warm but modest homes, machine guns, and bullets for protection, along with substantial cash reserves that provided a sense of security for the future.
As Halloween approached, there was no festive spirit in the air. Even if some families desired to celebrate, the atmosphere was too filled with panic and despair for any real sense of joy to emerge.
Charlie Lee, sitting in his newly acquired car, drove to the bustling club. He greeted the crowd with a respectful nod as he made his way upstairs.
"Ben, have you identified the right targets?" Charlie asked, stepping into the office. A group of people were casually sipping coffee and beer.
"Boss," Ben responded, rising from the sofa and pulling out a chair for Charlie to sit.
Charlie sat down and handed Ben a stack of papers filled with various analysis data. These documents contained the industries that Ben had deemed most suitable for investment.
"What I need is not just data, but your advice," Charlie said, returning the papers to Ben. He had no interest in the analysis; it was the recommendations that mattered to him.
Ben let out a frustrated sigh. These industries were not only temporary obstacles but had once been the darlings of investors. He had meticulously verified every piece of information, making calls day and night, reaching out to all his contacts to finalize the list.
"Not needed? Fine, pick your own targets," Ben muttered, his temper flaring. He had worked tirelessly, and now Charlie didn't seem to appreciate his efforts.
"I'm so tired. Maybe I should retire," Ben complained.
"General Motors, UUS, American Radio…" Ben pointed to the names on the list, no longer expecting Charlie to read through complicated reports.
Charlie glanced over the names and said nonchalantly, "It seems General Motors did well during the war, and their stock is worth keeping an eye on. But the others…"
Charlie had never heard of these companies. Still, he kept a calm demeanor, determined to maintain the aura of a wise and composed boss. He couldn't afford to panic.
"What about this one?" Charlie asked, pointing to a company called Freeport Sulphur Company.
Ben hesitated before answering, "FSC is a small company from Dezhou, primarily engaged in mining. Right now, it's focused on manganese ore, which is used in the steel industry. The future looks promising, but…"
Charlie nodded thoughtfully. "I think it's worth considering. How many shares are available?"
"420,000 shares, about 36% of the total," Ben replied.
"If I were to buy 65% of the shares, would that be enough?" Charlie asked, confident in his decision. He had always believed in making big moves.
Ben, looking perplexed, muttered under his breath. "If you're interested in minerals, maybe copper would be a better choice…"
Charlie dismissed the suggestion with a wave. "We'll stick with this one for now. What's the situation with the stock market?"
"Boss, we still hold 132 stocks…" Johnny began excitedly, eager to impress.
"Wait," Charlie interrupted, his gaze turning to Ben.
Ben sighed in resignation. "At the current price, the difference is 130 million."
"Well, good," Charlie said with a satisfied smile, content with the results of his decisions for the day.
The room fell silent as everyone around them processed the implications of Charlie's calm and assured manner. They had learned that Charlie preferred brief and direct reports. He wasn't interested in endless data—he just wanted to know the profits.
"Boss doesn't like to listen to complicated reports, just tell him the profits," Ben remarked dryly.
"Right. He's very direct," Johnny added, trying to cover up the awkward silence.
"It saves time," Maiton chimed in.
"Sincerity," Gruen said, nodding.
"No hypocrisy," Papol added.
"Confidence," Mahadi said.
Michelle, the only woman present, remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Handsome." Her compliment caused the room to burst into laughter.
With the collapse of the Dow Jones Index below 29, Ben and the others had firmly committed to becoming part of Charlie's inner circle. They enjoyed the excitement of their work and the generosity of their boss, who had given them a $100,000 check just to keep them focused and to ensure financial security for their families.
Though they could ask for compensation, who would leave now? Their share of the profits would grow as their total income increased. At 4% of $200 million, they were doing well, but they were all eyeing the higher percentages—6%, 8%, or even 12%.
After returning from the club to the 22nd district, Charlie held the first owners' committee meeting in the barracks.
"Fast food, diverse menus, low prices, and substantial portions—spread like wildfire across Illinois," Charlie began, explaining his vision. He knew that the key to success was a strong, unified brand, and fast food would allow the owners to tap into an industry that wasn't oversaturated like restaurants or grocery stores.
"The food doesn't have to be gourmet, but it needs to be clean, hygienic, and fast," Charlie emphasized. He repeated the importance of speed three times, knowing that his point would stick. The owners' representatives nodded, taking notes.
"Delivery will be done by city cyclists, and the staff must maintain a clean, uniform appearance. Cleanliness is key!" Charlie's voice became more insistent as he outlined the logistics.
Once the plan was in motion, Charlie instructed the representatives to divide up areas for the fast-food service and mark them on a map for his review. Creativity, technology, and company ownership would remain with Charlie—he simply needed the owners' commitment to the business.
During the meeting, one of the owners spoke up. "Uncle Charlie, we could let the Samoa family handle the delivery in the city. It would be safe, and it would also create jobs for the black community."
Charlie nodded. "It's a good idea. Let's go with that."
The atmosphere in the room remained tense, but Charlie's decisiveness made it clear that he had a vision—and it was one that would benefit everyone involved.
As the meeting wrapped up, Charlie reflected on the challenges ahead. The Great Depression had created opportunities for those bold enough to seize them, and Charlie was determined to make the most of his.