Manhattan Reborn 1978

(Not finished yet, there is still one paragraph left)

new York.

In Queens, in a small restaurant with no plaque hanging.

The new generation of Rosenlot, the descendant of the Sidrich family, sat in a chair like a student, listening to an elder in the family and Ludy telling him the most important lesson in his life.

Sidrich family history!

"There is no affiliation between our Sidrich family and the Italian-Sicilian gang in New York now~"

"The ancestors of our family came to New York, United States, in 1892!"

"In New York at that time, Italians were squeezed out in all aspects. Their work pay was the same as that of the Irish, and they received the lowest wages. There was no way they could get a foothold."

"So, an elder in the family formed the prototype of the current family gang during the chaotic period of 1900 when a large number of new immigrants came to New York~"

"The original intention of its establishment is very simple and important from now on."

"It should protect our people from being oppressed, extorted, or discriminated against, so that they can be treated equally and be respected by people."

"In this way, our family gang slowly grew from four people established in 1900 to 1919 people in 72."

"These 72 people are not made up of only blood-related family members like we are now."

"Two-thirds of them are partners of our family~"

"In today's terms, they are peripheral members of the family, or collaborators with common interests~"

When the family elder said this, he paused, glanced at Ludy, and asked him to speak.

Lu Di took a sip of wine, thought for a while, and then said: "Now the official core members of the family have been reduced to less than 50 people."

"Many people like me and Aalto's father have chosen to quit the family business and switch to legitimate businesses."

"So, with our withdrawal, many peripheral members of the family will lose their original leaders~"

"This has reduced the family's control over them a lot~"

"Therefore, we arranged for some peripheral family members, those who are restless and profit-oriented, to join the street informant team in order to stabilize the internal personnel structure."

"Of course, the seven commandments they swore when they joined our family gang are still valid after they join the auxiliary police!"

(Seven commandments: [-]. Keep your mouth shut; [-]. The organization is higher than the individual; [-]. Do not disobey orders from superiors; [-]. Do not rebel and surrender; [-]. Keep secrets from your family; [-]. Do not engage in kidnapping activities without authorization; [-]. Fighting and killing between brothers are strictly prohibited .)

"If anyone breaks these oaths, we will punish him severely!"

After Lu Di finished speaking, he raised his glass to signal.

The family elder raised his eyebrows and continued: "In the 20s, the alcohol prohibition issued by the US government gave our family a huge opportunity to make a fortune!"

"From 1920 to 1926, the number of partners and peripheral members of our family grew to nearly a thousand people~!"

"They were made up of Irish, Germans, Jews, Portuguese, etc."

"Italians only account for about [-]% of our family gang."

"The vast majority of these people live in the slums of Manhattan's Lower East Side."

"The smuggling of alcohol channels opened up by our family has made these young people who grew up in the slums more greedy~"

"Gradually, within the family gang, conflicts began to occur frequently over the distribution of interests~"

"Many partners have formed their own small groups and want to split off part of the family business~"

"This state of chaos lasted until 1933, when Prohibition was repealed~"

"That year, Malkin Sr.'s father convinced all the blood relatives in the family to give up their huge interests and cut and separated our Sidrich family from this gang."

"Since then, there has been a real Sidrich family gang in Manhattan, New York."

"And the original gang, after we left, started a civil war that lasted for nearly 20 years!"

"Our family, in the past 20 years, has been adhering to a state of shrinking defense - I will not offend others unless they attack me!"

"It wasn't until Malkin Sr. took over the family business in the 50s that everything changed."

"Old Malkin, when he first took over the family business, he went back to Sicily, Italy, and met a man~"

"He once said that this man named Navarre was like a living god in the small town of Corleone, Sicily, and was revered by the locals."

"So, after he came back, he made a lot of reforms within the family~"

"He began to slowly expand the number of core members of the family, as well as the number of peripheral members, and established cooperative relationships with many big businessmen and labor unions."

"He also set up a relatively complete rules and management system for the previously chaotic financial situation within the family~"

"No matter who is in the family, they must strictly abide by the financial system~ and the Seven Commandments have been revised again~"

"He asked us to uphold the Italian tradition of loving family and children; to maintain unity within the family in everything we do!"

"Anyone who breaks the system or violates the rules will be hunted by us for life!"

The family elder picked up the whiskey on the table, poured himself half a glass, took a sip, and continued.

"Old Malkin believes that the continuation of our family only requires money + power!"

"We don't need too many unnecessary killings..."

"Killing will not make people respect us, it will only bring fear to them!"

"We just need to let all the gangs in New York know that we are never afraid of killing, and then it will be OK~"

"So, Malkin Sr. conducted several years of negotiations with various major gangs in New York at the time~"

"Finally 20 years ago, in 1958."

"He has reached a consensus with the four largest gangs in New York~!"

“The entire island of Manhattan, except for Nolita in downtown Little Italy, is a public safety area shared by five families.”

“The territory bounded by Hamlin District in the north and the mouth of the Hudson River in the south belongs to our Sidrich family!”

"This kind of regional division also laid the foundation for our current family to prosper!"

"Because all New Yorkers who have experienced the Great Depression do not think that the so-called downtown Manhattan and Wall Street in New York are good places."

"They can't collect protection money from big corporations and corporations, from the courts, from libraries, from government agencies, from the banks on Wall Street."

"They prefer Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, areas with densely populated areas~"

"These areas allow them to collect a large amount of protection fees from the shops facing the street~"

"At the same time, we can also extend loans to more poor people who are in urgent need of money, collect interest, and then...possess all their properties~"

In the small restaurant, it became quiet.

The family elders and Lu Di stopped talking in a tacit understanding, allowing the Rosenlot boy, who they had high hopes for, to have a short time to digest.

After a few minutes.

Lu Di smiled and shrugged at the family elders: "This kid doesn't seem to have anything to ask..."

"Let me continue~"

"In 1958, when Malkin Sr. reached a verbal agreement with the four gangs, I was about the same age as you~"

"At that time, I had just joined the family business and was still a newcomer~"

"After the agreement was reached, old Malkin led several of our new family members to meet many politicians and big businessmen who were friends with him~"

"He also arranged for many people to join the union during the era when the union was at its peak, and supported them to gradually rise to high-level positions~"

"As you know now, we have been able to control the power of the union to a certain extent since 20 years ago~"

"Just...a few months after I joined."

"One day, old Malkin called me over, just like we are today. He and another family elder told me the history of the family's development."

"Then, he arranged for me to go back to Sicily, Italy, to meet the man who helped him a lot...Navarre, the leader of the Corleone gang~"

"However, I went back a little late~"

"Navarre was killed by a bomb..."

“I returned to Sicily, attended Navarre’s funeral, and talked a lot about his experiences with people who knew him well~”

"Later, I went to meet Lejo, Corleone's new gang boss~"

"That meeting with Lejo completely overturned my inherent impression of gang bosses when I was young at the time."

"Can you imagine that Lejo, a gang leader, likes to read books on philosophy and history, and is passionate about studying Socrates' thoughts and remarks?"

"Hehe~"

Lu Di had a look of reminiscence on his face and said with divergent eyes: "I still remember that when he was chatting with me, he was very curious and happy that I was from New York~"

"Although our Sidrich family is far away from our hometown and homeland, we are still compatriots in our blood~"

“He thinks we are all Italian and should look after each other!”

"So, I lived with Lejo for nearly four months~"

"I watched him manage the gang, listened to his opinions on various issues, and learned from the wisdom he displayed in dealing with many things~"

"When I was about to return to New York, Lejo held a special family party for me to see me off~"

"That night, I drank three bottles of 55-year-old Madiego red wine..."

"Lejo also drank too much and wanted his niece to be my wife..."

"Fortunately... I was young and very drunk at the time, so I didn't agree impulsively..."

"Otherwise, if you want to see me now, you have to go to Sicily... Haha~"

Lu Di picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and his expression gradually returned to his natural state~ It seemed. .I put a semicolon on this memory of my own. .

"Rosenlow, you probably understand what we're talking about~"

“Going back to Sicily, Italy, is an experience and test for our family’s newcomers~”

"That's our hometown!"

"Similarly, it is also the place where we gain the most in our lives~"

"I want to arrange for you to go back in a few days~"

"Go and see Lejo in prison for me~"

"Help me bring him a few bottles of 55-year-old Madiego red wine~"

"Tell him I'm in New York and everything is fine!"

"Let him know that there is a true friend in the distant United States who is missing him~"

Rosenluo nodded solemnly and muttered. .No words ~

Seeing him like this, Lu Di felt a headache and smiled bitterly: "Boy, you are not mute..."

"Say a few words... It's not difficult, right?"

"...Okay, Ludy~ I will definitely bring you greetings!"

"Tsk~"

Lu Di tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thought for a moment and said, "Also, you have to remember~"

"This time when I go back to Sicily, don't meet the current gang leader Rina~"

"This Rina is a traitor who succeeded in gaining power by betraying the boss Lejo!"

"If he finds out about your meeting and contact with Lejo, he may cause trouble for you~ Do you understand?"

"understand!"

"Ok~ Then... let's do this for now~"

"You go back and talk to your family about the passport and air ticket issues. I will let you know when I make arrangements~"

"..Um!"

Rosenlot, who looked like a wooden man, left.

Lu Di rubbed his forehead and complained to the family elders: "Should we find more smart women... and give birth to smart children?"

"Haha~ I'm just smart...what's the use?"

"Don't we see enough smart people?"

"I do... quite like this guy Rosenlow~"

"At least, he's not stupid, and he's not a loudmouth who talks nonsense~"

"How many young people have you seen who can control their mouths nowadays?"

After hearing this slightly strange reason, Lu Di spread his hands helplessly and said with a smile: "I really hope this kid can understand how important his choice is!"

"I don't want to think that when I get old, I won't even be able to find a descendant of my family who is willing to listen to historical stories..."

"Hahaha~ It seems that this old guy like me is still very lucky!?"

"Hehe~"

Lu Di raised his glass and clinked it with the family elders.

----

It's approaching evening.

Manhattan.

42nd Street, Wildfire Bar.

David's small driving convoy is back.

in the bar.

David arranged to find Mike Bai from the agency caa Roland Perkins, who was sitting at the bar with Roland, waving to the people who walked in.

"Hi~ Roland!"

"Wow, haha~ David? Why are you still wearing a helmet?"

David took off his motorcycle helmet, put it aside, and said with a smile: "I experienced it once today... the feeling of chasing the wind~"

"It feels great!"

David put on an exaggerated pose, thinking he was a handsome crying boy chasing the wind. .

Susan, Black Mike and others who followed him in immediately burst out laughing~

Mike Bai, who had a particularly bad mouth, saw that everyone was laughing at David, so he also joked: "You are still chasing the wind...?"

"Come on, tell me first, how much does the motorcycle you ride cost?"

"Uh... 50 miles~?"

"shxx~!"

"50? That's a little faster than my running speed, right? Hahaha~"

David immediately shouted angrily: "Can you run 50 miles per hour?"

"Stop bragging~!"

"If you break your legs, you can still run at a speed of 15 miles per hour, which is the most!"

"Hahaha~"

After a few people laughed and made noise for a while.

Roland Perkins said to David who was drinking a drink: "I went to see Francis Coppola and Mario Puzo~ Their script writing progress is very good."

"Paris Dickler, CEO of Paramount, got my contact information from them~"

"Barris also wants to meet you~"

David fiddled with the drink in his hand and asked, "I've seen Barris~"

"He's the same as you, because of "The Godfather"?"

"Yes and no~"

"He learned from Bernard Madoff that you and Miss Livlin are good friends~"

"so.."

"Oh~ Got it!"

David looked at Roland with a playful look and said with a smile: "Where's Barris? Isn't he here?"

Roland smiled and shrugged: "We came together in the afternoon~"

"After he learned that you wanted to watch a movie and relax, he went to a theater that cooperated with Paramount to arrange movies~"

"Oh~? What movie are you watching?"

"Grease, it's Paramount's highest-grossing musical this year~!"

""grease".."

David frowned, whispered the name several times, and nodded slowly.

"Where? Shall we leave now?"

"Hmm...wait a minute~ I'll call Barris first."

"Ok!"

Roland went to make a phone call.

David paused in his memory, searching in vain for the movie "Grease" ~

He has never seen this year's highest-grossing musical and has never even heard of it. .

Emm. .

Roland, as one of the founders of CAA, which was founded just a few years ago, came to New York to win roles in "The Godfather" for actors under his company. .

Barris, as the CEO of Paramount, did not contact the new owner Livlin first after Paramount changed hands. Instead, he chased David to the Wildfire Bar. .

These two people with different ideas came together. .

David felt that he should pay more attention to these two people~

Because he still has a lot of information that he has not collected or learned, and he wants to get an accurate answer from their mouths~!

. . .

After half an hour.

In front of a small movie theater located on 40th Street.

David extended his right hand to Barris Dickler, who had been waiting for him for a long time, and said with a smile: "We meet again, Barris~"

"Yes~Thank you for accepting my invitation, Mr. Coleman~"

"Call me David~"

"..OK!"

"Shall we go in first and chat while watching?"

"Hahaha~ Of course!"

David turned back to greet Mike Bai and Giovanni who were following him, and walked into the cinema.

Before coming just now, he told everyone in the bar that he wanted to go see a movie.

Susan, who had been silently eavesdropping on the chat between David and the others, simply rejected David's proposal. .

David understands~

If they were a young couple going to a movie, Susan would definitely not refuse.

But this time, David had to discuss business matters with Barris and Roland, and Susan made it clear that she was reasonable. .

She is David's girlfriend, not a vassal, let alone a blood-sucking parasite clinging to him. .

As for Susan, her decision to express herself as an independent woman in the new era was noticed by Erica at the bar and Madonna who came to work early.

Both of them secretly gave Susan a big x in their hearts. . !

They all felt that Susan was really. .Too stupid!

. . .

in the cinema.

David and the others found seats and sat down.

After a few words with the cinema manager, Barris also sat next to David.

David looked at the empty seats around him and joked: "This is my first time to experience the feeling of watching a movie in a private room..."

"Haha~ If you have time, I can show you a separate premiere of all Paramount movies in New York from now on!"

David quickly smiled and refused: "Forget it~ I just made an impromptu decision today."

"When "The Godfather" premieres, let's watch it together~"

Barriss smiled knowingly. Just when he was about to say something, the lights in the theater dimmed and the movie was about to start.

On the projection screen, Paramount's iconic snow mountain peak logo was frozen for a few seconds.

David looked at the photo-like logo and asked Barris, "What is the story of this movie?"

"Um...the love and daily life of several high school students."

"Oh~ okay!"