Chapter 14
No Benefit, No Effort
Chapter 14 No Benefit, No Effort
In the office on the second floor of the Wild Beast House, Vincent's cowboy hat was pulled low, casting a large shadow on his face, revealing his prominent hooked nose, which looked as if it wanted to peck at one's heart.
Michael, the nightclub PR person, felt inexplicably flustered and quickly covered it up with words: "Wild Beast House has been open for less than a month and needs time to build up customers, reputation and word of mouth."
He had promoted bars that primarily catered to male customers before, but this was the first time he'd done one that primarily catered to female customers. He couldn't be blamed: "You were too impatient. Running a business takes time."
Vincent said calmly, "That's not what you said 25 days ago when you took your commission."
Thinking of the $1 commission, Michael perked up: "Give me another month. It's not that I'm not trying, it's just that the environment is problematic."
He couldn't possibly return the money; he didn't have that much cash on hand: "You know, with Georgia's damn regulations, we can't directly launch a campaign in the media and shopping malls; we can only do private promotions. Now the conservative Methodist Association is causing trouble everywhere, and the media is fueling the flames."
Vincent didn't even lift his eyelids: "What about the big stars you promised coming to the club for fun?"
While it's not possible to directly call it a "GG" (a Chinese internet slang term for a failed attempt), it's perfectly fine for big stars to appear in side news reports at the club.
Michael said, "I'm still in contact."
Vincent raised his head slightly, his hooked nose becoming even sharper: "If you can't get Julia Roberts from Georgia, Holly Hunter will do."
Michael was dumbfounded. These were two Oscar-winning actresses!
Vincent said slowly, "You wanted $1, and I gave it to you. Do you know why?"
Michael forced a smile and said, "I'm worth the price."
Vincent held up one finger: "First, I want to motivate you with money." He then held up another finger: "Second, I'm confident I can get the corresponding compensation."
Michael leaned forward, his voice trembling with a pleading tone: "Give me a little more time."
Vincent picked up the phone and dialed the bar: "Bruce, give the word: clear the place in fifteen minutes, no one is allowed to leave, call an internal meeting."
Michael couldn't help but worry, sweat beading on his forehead: "What...what are you going to do?"
"House of the Beasts is a law-abiding, legitimate business; we won't do anything illegal." Vincent stood up and walked out. "I need to gather my men and hear their opinions."
Seeing that he wasn't going to be killed, Michael felt relieved and said, "You'd rather believe those idiots who can't even read the newspapers than give the professionals a little more time?"
Vincent went straight out the door.
He wanted to trust the professionals, but they didn't bring in any customers.
Michael quickly followed.
Fifteen minutes later, all the staff of the Beast Club, including the male dancers, were standing near the stage.
Martin and Bruce stayed on the far left, waiting for the boss to speak.
Vincent stepped onto the circular stage, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said, "You all know the club's visitor volume. Any ideas?"
Hart, the leader of the handsome men's group, was the first to speak up: "Boss, shall we go back to our old ways?"
Vincent said, "Bruce, if Hart keeps spouting this nonsense, throw him into the Atlantic Ocean in the most civilized way possible."
Hart glanced at Bruce, his lips trembling: "I'll shut up."
Michael followed Hart's gaze and saw Martin again, and began to make plans.
Vincent asked, "Where are the others?"
No one spoke up for the time being.
Martin had some ideas, but the boss didn't mention whether there would be any benefits.
Who would bother doing something that doesn't bring them any benefit? Employees should be aware of their role as employees.
"Very good, as expected of my brother, he won't do anything without mentioning a reward." Vincent slightly adjusted his cowboy hat: "Whoever can steadily double the customer traffic at Beast House will get double the salary, a reward of $1."
Upon hearing about the $1 reward, Michael couldn't help but jump out and say, "I've got an idea!"
Everyone looked at Michael, but Michael pointed at Martin: "If he cooperates, I can handle it."
Martin was baffled.
Michael, fearing someone would steal the prize money, said, "Why can't the club attract a large number of customers? Because we lack star dancers!"
He pointed at Martin: "With his talent and professional choreography training, I can turn him into a superstar in Atlanta!"
Martin thought to himself, "What kind of hatred or grudge could lead you to want my life?" He immediately interrupted, "Boss, this guy is exaggerating. I admit, I'm good-looking, but not to the extent he's describing, and Hart and the others aren't bad either."
Vincent's trust in Michael had crumbled. He turned his gaze and said, "Ivan, throw him out."
Ivan and his blond henchmen grabbed Michael and dragged him out. Michael tried to shout, but felt something pressing against his waist and quickly shut his mouth.
Vincent asked, "And you?"
Bruce and the others glanced at Hart and then immediately looked away.
Hart's brother is swollen every day, and they don't want it to be like this.
Having seen the benefits, Martin became an excellent employee and said, "Boss, I have an idea."
Vincent glanced at his other silent subordinates, then turned and went upstairs: "Come with me."
Just as Martin was about to follow, Bruce suddenly said, "I heard that veterinarian Bill has a way to treat cattle and sheep. You'd better consult him beforehand."
"Don't mention veterinarians to me!" Martin gave Bruce the middle finger and followed Vincent upstairs.
Bruce waited for a long time but nothing happened.
Hart clapped his hands and shouted to the other male dancers, "Guys, clear out a locker in the dressing room, we need a new guy."
Bruce picked up a bar stool.
Hart turned and walked away: "Bruce, you said you wanted to be a civilized person."
…………
The office on the second floor quieted down, and Vincent's face was still hidden in the shadow of his cowboy hat.
Martin's words were beyond his understanding, as well as that of his father and brother; they were methods they were completely unaware of.
Vincent asked, "Where did you learn all this?"
"I'm an actor. I've been going to film sets since I was sixteen, studying media hype and dreaming of becoming famous." With Martin's acting skills, he can make it sound so real: "I've seen many successful film and television cases, and I understand the style of the media."
Vincent asked, "How confident are you?"
Martin thought for a moment and said, "Sixty percent."
Vincent then asked, "What do you need?"
Martin said, "Bruce, find a few more people who can keep their mouths shut to assist me. As for the labor and other expenses incurred..."
"The club will take care of it." Vincent was generous with his incentives: "If you succeed, your debts will be wiped out, your salary will double, and you'll get a $5000 bonus."
Martin didn't ask about failure; Hart is an example.
He was mentally prepared for the fact that he was a male dancer.
(End of this chapter)