America 1919

Even the liveliest of gatherings must come to an end, and all the more so when everyone in this room is harboring their own schemes!

"Boss, where are we headed now?"

Since Dwight went to assist John, Donnie found himself a new chauffeur, Steve Cotin from Elwood Village. This kid was good friends with Cameron but wasn't as academically inclined, always dreaming of Atlantic City's splendor. However, when Donnie had previously brought Chris and Magichi, he did not bring Steve along.

This time he had sneaked here on his own accord. Donnie didn't have any significant tasks for him, so after Dwight left, he handed over the driving duties to Steve. Initially, Steve addressed Donnie by his first name as he had always done, but after being corrected a few times by Dwight, he switched to calling Donnie "boss" with all due respect.

"Let's get out of here first!"

Donnie sat in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, closed his eyes for a moment of rest. Five minutes later, Donnie signaled for Steve to stop.

"Stop here, and wake me up in half an hour!"

Donnie closed his eyes to rest without caring where he was; there were many people who had come from Atlantic City today and many things had transpired. Donnie needed to sort these events out meticulously.

Steve didn't dare disturb Donnie but got out of the car, leaned against it, and lit a cigarette for himself. At that moment, a girl from the neighboring hostel winked at Steve, who immediately smiled back, yet he stayed put beside the car.

When four or five cigarette butts littered the ground beneath Steve's feet, he glanced at the watch Donnie had given him and tapped on the car window.

"Boss, half an hour has passed!"

Donnie opened his eyes and commanded, "Back to the Ritz Hotel!"

Though puzzled by Donnie's decision, Steve obeyed the order and drove him back to the Ritz Hotel.

Donnie got out of the car upon arrival and strode straight into the hotel, took the elevator, walked down the corridors, and soon paused outside a room.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He knocked, the door opened, and there stood Ban Johnson, already in his pajamas, with an expression of displeasure at having been disturbed.

Upon recognizing the visitor as Donnie, Ban Johnson displayed an 'I-should-have-known' look.

"I was just thinking, Mr. Block, that you would be too busy this evening to have a chat with me!"

Donnie, unfazed by the sarcasm, replied with a smile, "I just didn't want to inconvenience Mr. Johnson, that's all!"

Ban Johnson stepped aside to let Donnie into the room. No one was in the living room, but there stood a woman, clad in an extremely revealing nightgown.

"Carmen, perhaps you should give Mr. Johnson and me some privacy for our discussion!"

Donnie spoke to Carmen Farmer.

Carmen Farmer giggled sweetly, "Your wish is my command, boss. I'll head to my room now!"

Donnie took out a key from his pocket and handed it to Carmen Farmer, smiling, "Perhaps you can rest in the next room. My talk with Mr. Johnson won't take too long!"

"OK!" Carmen Farmer took the key from Donnie's hand, and without changing her clothes, went straight to the neighboring room.

"If reporters catch Carmen like this, Donnie, it's going to be a Miss America scandal!"

Ban Johnson, undisturbed by Carmen Farmer's departure, settled into the sofa.

"Regardless of the outcome of this visit to Atlantic City, I personally am very grateful for your hospitality, Donnie!"

Donnie smiled and said, "That's the best compliment for Atlantic City!"

"OK, now we can talk about our deal!" Ban Johnson poured himself a whiskey and continued, "Originally, before coming here, after hearing Harding and Harry's introduction, I was very keen on collaborating with you, Donnie. But on the train ride over, those gentlemen have already had a word with me, so..."

Paus****ing here, Ban Johnson crossed his legs and looked at Donnie leisurely, "Dear Donnie, if your Atlantic City Broadcast wants the exclusive rights to broadcast Major League Baseball games, you're going to have to make a more generous offer!"

At this moment, Donnie no longer exhibited his earlier troubled demeanor but sat smiling and said, "So, am I to understand that those people's comments are merely a tactic deployed by Mr. Johnson to inflate the value of Major League Baseball, not something you are compelled to abide by?"

Ban Johnson laughed, "Harry told me that you're a very smart man, Donnie, and now I wholeheartedly agree!"

Donnie spoke, "Then things are much simpler. For the exclusive broadcast rights of Major League Baseball, our Atlantic City Broadcast company can offer an annual price of one million US dollars, and we hope to sign a ten-year contract with Major League Baseball.

I believe no one else can match this offer!"

Ban Johnson appeared moved. Indeed, the offer far exceeded his expectations. In the future, securing exclusive broadcasting rights for Major League Baseball for a million dollars would be nothing short of a fantasy.

But this was not the future, and the purchasing power of a million dollars at that time was not comparable to the future's purchasing power.

Moreover, prior to this, there had been no such thing as broadcast rights for sporting events, meaning that no one could be certain how to calculate such fees.

"I must admit, Donnie,