America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Martin was calm, "We acted in self-defense, and we're registered members of the Neighborhood Alliance Patrol Team." He looked around and lowered his voice, "After all, black police officers are a minority."

Nanni said, "Martin, that was a hell of a shot you took, that fool… that idiot won't be able to take a normal dump for months."

Martin knew how to get along with these guys and boasted outrageously, "If it wasn't for my young age in '96, I would have brought home an Olympic shooting gold medal no matter what."

Elena retorted, "Only if all the targets were shaped like butts!"

The people from the community burst into laughter.

"Guys, no one got a good night's sleep because of me last night," Martin, knowing how to handle the situation, said loudly, "Noon, at Clayton Bar, it's on me, beers will flow."

He saw the bar owner, "Reese, big business coming your way, better open up."

Nanni gave Martin a thumbs-up, "You're the man!"

Martin told Wood, "Call those who didn't come to the police station, we can't leave any guy behind."

Wood took out his phone to make calls.

The group headed to a bar near the community, Martin let Elena drive while he called Old Cloth to join them for a drink.

Elena asked, "What exactly happened?"

Martin thought for a moment and said, "That bastard was coming at me. How to put it? The aftereffects of making money. At House of Beast, I won big prizes twice, the club's clientele skyrocketed, which affected the business at Black Bar across the street. He's the owner of Black Bar, also a dealer from South City."

Elena said, "You promised me you wouldn't touch that stuff."

"Never did, I'm absolutely against drugs! I just found out that I reported one of his guys," Martin explained roughly what happened the past couple of days: "There's a key role at Gray Company, and I'm one of the candidates. That guy was worried I'd be a threat, so he wanted to frame me. From what Boyette confessed, that idiot has beef with Black Bar..."

Elena voiced a single sentiment, "The entertainment industry is really fucking rotten."

Martin held up three fingers, "Someone once told me, there are three most rotten, darkest, and foulest circles in America: Hollywood, the New York financial sector, and the political sphere in Washington. Compared to the last two, Hollywood is barely third."

Arriving at the bar, Reese had already opened up, and two or three dozen people were gathered, drinking heartily.

Regular dark beer, along with some snacks, didn't really cost much.

But Martin's gesture won unanimous praise.

A few guys sat together boasting and flying dirty jokes, some even made jokes about Martin and Elena.

After two drinks, Elena was ready to leave.

Martin ordered a few snacks and had Elena take them with her, "Add an extra portion for Hol, that idiot dug a pretty good trap, works on friends and foes alike."

Not long after Elena left, Bruce walked into the bar looking tired.

Martin waved him over and ordered a beer, asking, "Are you beat?"

Bruce took a big gulp of beer, grabbed a piece of chocolate, "Went to Savannah, just got back this morning."

Martin casually inquired, "You went to deal with shitty business?"

Bruce simply said, "There was a problem with a batch of avocados from Mexico; I went to help out."

"Something happened last night. Boyette, owner of Black Bar opposite the club, suddenly came with a few black guys to attack me in the community..." Martin relayed the story briefly.

"I haven't been at the club these past two days, hang on, let me make a call," Bruce took out his cellphone, found a quiet corner, and made several calls, the last one to Lynch, to get the details before hanging up.

He came back and said to Martin, "Adam Smith's goods were from Boyette, and the DEA raided Black Bar the night before last, catching everyone but Boyette. Adam Smith might have mentioned you to Boyette, and now Boyette wants to retaliate."

Martin nodded. "I shot Boyette in the ass."

Bruce clinked his glass with his. "You're such a civilized person," he still couldn't help but admire, "Nice shooting."

Martin told the truth, "It was pitch black at night, and the target was black, it had nothing to do with marksmanship."

Bruce laughed, "Lucky you."

Martin took a sip of liquor, "Three other black guys got away."

Bruce had specifically asked, "My friend at the DEA said they're all members of the Southern Gang, not DEA, not CIA or FBI informants. They've been very active lately, and the DEA will sweep them up soon."

Martin said thoughtfully, "Wipe out all the uncontrolled goods and personnel?"

Bruce replied vaguely, "They sell a lot of goods, naturally affecting others' interests."

Martin had once seen some rumors that behind those large dealers, there were often shadows of the DEA or even more so the CIA.

Bruce went on, "Those old black guys generally have problems in their heads, acting impulsively without care, always able to do messed up things beyond normal comprehension. The DEA is going to carry out a sweep against the Southern Gang, and that's a process."

He advised, "Martin, you and Elena should leave the community and stay somewhere else for a while. Once the DEA takes out the main players, things will die down."

Last night, Martin had just enjoyed a cheerful America, firing over a dozen buckshots, and he took in Old Cloth's words, "I'll talk to Elena about it and use an excuse to go on a trip. We'll move out of Clayton tonight and stay in a hotel for a few days."

Lily and Holle were about to have summer vacation, and it was no problem for them to leave school a few days early.

Bruce said, "That gang messed with the DEA's cake, they'll be done in at most a week."

"Old Cloth, based on our relationship, I won't say thank you," Martin shifted the topic, "If it's possible, I'd like to thank your DEA friend in person."

Bruce ordered another beer, "You piece of shit, always so good at pulling strings. You don't have to worry about his side, no need for thanks, he served with me in England."

Martin instantly guessed, "Shared the trenches with the Brits?"

Bruce nodded slightly.

Martin gave a thumbs-up, "That's a solid bond!"

The beer party went on until after 1 AM, and people gradually left. Martin paid the bill, said goodbye to Old Cloth, and returned to the community.

Elena was looking at job advertisements in the newspaper, aiming to find work as a bartender.

On the notebook beside her, various contact details were written down.

Martin came in, sat down on the sofa, and motioned for her to sit beside him, "I might have dragged you into some trouble. The guys who came after me last night were from the black gang in South City."

He recounted the situation, "Here's what I'm thinking. Lily and Holle are almost on summer break. I'll find a fun resort, and you guys can relax there for a week. You're welcome to travel elsewhere if you prefer..."

Lily ran out of her room, "We're going to stay at a resort! I've been wanting to go to the vacation area."

Martin glared at her.

Elena got excited.

"I've said all I need to, no need for you guys to lift a finger." Lily raised her fist and punched herself in the face.

Elena thought about Lily and Holle's safety, "We'll go to the resort."

Martin called Holle and Harris out to pack their things, then he looked up and dialed the number for a hotel, booking accommodations near the Misty Mountain Lakeside Resort.

Afterward, he called Mr. Wood and others, saying he was planning to use Lily and Holle's summer break to go on a car trip.