America 1919

Nucky is back!

Soon after his return, without practically any delay, he immediately found Donnie and recounted his agenda in Trenton over the last couple of days.

Naturally, what he talked about the most was the funding needed to legalize the gambling industry in Atlantic City.

This funding wasn't for hotel construction, purchasing equipment, or anything of that sort; it was for greasing palms.

In the United States, such affairs are all too common, especially after Harding took office; a multitude of corruption scandals involving the Harding Administration erupted!

"All in all, I estimate we'll need at least half a million US Dollars!"

After pouring himself a glass of whiskey, Nucky finally said to Donnie.

Donnie had no objections, even though he knew that the sum was certainly inflated, but there was no choice; to legalize the gambling industry in Atlantic City, they needed Nucky to step forward.

Take it, take it now, and when the hotel is built and officially open for business, you will vomit it all back up!

"No problem, I will prepare $300,000 before you leave!"

According to a previous negotiation between Donnie and Nucky, for any cash payouts needed in the process of legalizing the gambling industry in Atlantic City, both would split the accounts in a 64 percent proportion.

Nucky stated, "Governor Edwards has already promised that his office will take the lead in handling this matter. However, they are still somewhat concerned about the impact of this, so they hope not to make a big deal of it before the public vote!"

Donnie said, "That's what I've instructed the others, as well!"

Nucky smiled, "I have seen the location you selected before, and I must say it's indeed an excellent spot!"

Donnie had already communicated to Nucky the chosen address for the hotel construction.

Donnie laughed, "Since we aim to build the most luxurious hotel in the United States, naturally, the location has to be the best. Moreover, besides this place, I also hope that the entire stretch of Atlantic-facing beach can be allocated to the new hotel, which could be transformed into an outdoor leisure area at that time!"

Nucky pondered briefly before agreeing, "No problem, I'll discuss this with Baharach!"

"Furthermore, it's about the construction of the hotel. Although New Jersey has not publicly commented on this matter, I think we can start preparations in advance. So, I plan to commence hotel construction once the Miss America festival is over!"

This was a test Donnie posed to Nucky; if he could agree to his suggestion, then there would be no issues with their plan.

As expected, Nucky had no objections to Donnie's suggestion but also added his thoughts: "I have no issue with the construction of the hotel, but shouldn't we have the blueprints ready before that?"

Donnie replied, "I have already asked Walker to help with that, considering his family's Regis Hotel was once the most luxurious hotel in New York!"

Before the Edison Hotel, the symbol of New York hotels was the Regis Hotel, which Astor IV invested in building.

"With Walker's help, this becomes much easier. As for the construction company..."

Donnie looked at Nucky, who seemed hesitant to continue, and smiled, "I think the Atlantic City Construction Company can handle the building of the hotel, but to ensure the quality of the hotel and avoid any discrepancies, I believe Nucky, you understand what I mean!"

Experience tales with empire

Nucky laughed heartily, "Don't worry, the Atlantic City Construction Company will certainly not do anything to jeopardize our interests!"

The Atlantic City Construction Company is the largest in Atlantic City and also has deep financial entanglements with Nucky.

"During construction, I hope to set up a supervisory role dedicated to overseeing the construction quality, and establish a specific funding account for the new company to disburse construction payments in installments.

If any violations occur during this period, our company has the right to immediately terminate the agreement with the contractor, who will also have to compensate us double the losses!"

Although Donnie was willing to entrust the hotel construction to the Atlantic City Construction Company, it was a decision made out of necessity since only this company had the capability to carry out such a project in Atlantic City.

If they were to recruit construction companies from other cities, the costs would rise.

Therefore, Donnie's choice of the Atlantic City Construction Company was not only to cater to Nucky's feelings, but more to control costs.

Clearly, for Nucky, building such a top-notch hotel in the United States, with operational aspects he highly values, meant that even if the conditions presented by Donnie now seemed harsh, he eventually agreed to Donnie's suggestions.

"Now we come to the distribution of shares for the new company!"

At the end, the conversation still boiled down to the core issue of share allocation.

"According to calculations by the Atlantic City Accountancy, such a hotel will require a total investment of about 5 million US Dollars. New Jersey's State Government and the Atlantic City Hall, by combining policy and financial investment, will partake in the shares.

Thus, the State Government will contribute $500,000 in cash and assist with licensing, in addition to allowing the gambling industry in Atlantic City to be legalized, and they will receive a 20% stake.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om