Chapter 156: Developer

[Chapter 156: Developer]

In Ryan's sight, there stood Lil Wayne, sporting long dreadlocks, baggy jeans, a baseball jersey, and a baseball cap, with a heavy gold chain around his neck. He was flanked by four massive bodyguards, making quite the entrance, rivaling that of Usher before him.

This year, Lil Wayne's situation was the exact opposite of Usher's; his album had sold over 1 million copies in its first week, and he was currently at the height of his fame. His influence extended throughout New Orleans, Louisiana. Besides his own success, he had two artists that he had personally discovered and nurtured more recognized than himself -- one was Nicki Minaj, and the other was Drake.

With just a glance at him, Ryan realized that this collaboration might not go through again.

"Don't worry, he knows your rules. Maybe things can turn around. Just think of it as a chat with him. It won't take you long," Scooter said, catching sight of Teresa, who passed by Ryan and entered the record company.

Scooter added, "Technically, he's one of us. Cash Money Records is a subsidiary of Universal."

Ryan had no choice but to approach, and the two exchanged fist bumps.

"Let's talk here?" Lil Wayne said, scrutinizing Ryan up close, his voice raspy.

His voice reminded Ryan of a unique duck-like tone.

"There's a Colombian restaurant nearby," Ryan replied.

...

"I just don't get why you're so adamant about this so-called... 'harmless environment.' You need to understand, how others choose to conduct business is up to them, and you have no right to interfere," Lil Wayne said, tapping his fingers on the table.

"It's a simple concept. Do you know how many nightclubs there are in Orlando? Hundreds, if not thousands, when you include bars and lounges. But there's only one that operates like this. The nightclub format has existed before you were born. In other words, it's nothing new."

"What you're talking about is philosophy; I'm talking business!"

"There will always be people who are dissatisfied with these environments. We cater to those people. Sure enough, you saw how Bad Room became a hit. Originally, it was just a temporary decision of mine, but the outcome was unexpectedly good. This shows that this harmless environment attracts a certain clientele. And even if it fails, we can always recover. The nightclub is in our hands, and the rules can be changed if needed."

Before Ryan took such action, public acceptance remained an unknown factor. But after trying it out, he found it to be viable.

This left Lil Wayne and his team glancing at each other in astonishment.

"Do you want to be in a nightclub you spent a fortune on but no one comes to smoke to their heart's content, or would you rather be at home counting your cash while enjoying?" Ryan asked.

"But... you have to realize, if I invest in a nightclub and I can't even get in myself..." Lil Wayne chuckled.

"Why would you want to go in? Are you looking to DJ or supervise the staff? Maybe in the beginning, you would find it fresh and feel important, thinking, 'Wow, I own a nightclub.' But I swear, after a month, you'll be bored, realizing it's the same music every day, and the dancers are all doing the same few moves."

"This..."

"Do you have someone around you who doesn't smoke? You know what I'm talking about." Ryan pressed.

"My mom."

"Perfect! Have your mom help you run the place each day, or find someone else you trust."

"That part is quite manageable."

"What other questions do you have?"

Lil Wayne exchanged glances with his entourage.

"Temporarily... none," he replied blankly.

"Great! You have a clearer understanding than I expected."

"I just think the right people should handle the things they're good at."

"Then let's get into the specific details..." Ryan didn't expect negotiations to go this smoothly. The fundamental reason was that he and Lil Wayne had no conflicting interests and were both thriving in New Orleans.

"You handle local negotiations. You'll handle the requisite paperwork, and the location will depend on your vision. We can negotiate the management structure, and we'll split the investment evenly. But I need to retain 51% of the shares because I provide the content, including electronic music and events, which will all be managed by my team. Any changes in shares must be mutually agreed upon. How does that sound?"

"I understand your point about electronic music, but what kind of events are you talking about?"

"Each month, we'll have rotating themed events. Right now, we have 'Star Spotlight' planned. Bad Room will team up with the University of Florida during Christmas; the same goes for New Orleans--Louisiana State University, right? They have an excellent football program, which means they have an excellent cheer squad. These are just the first two event themes; plenty more are on the way..."

"That sounds enticing," Lil Wayne chuckled, seeming to envision the possibility of making a fortune.

Suddenly, gunshots echoed from the street outside the restaurant.

...

Lil Wayne's bodyguards sprang into action, while Ryan and Scooter immediately looked up.

It took about fifteen minutes before the situation was deemed safe.

"The police arrived, and they said someone shot a burglar who broke into their home," one of the bodyguards whispered. "And in broad daylight, too," Ryan frowned, realizing it was all too close to the nightclub.

"Scooter, who's the most powerful person in this neighborhood?"

"If it's here, it's definitely the local Catholic priest; there are a lot of Catholic followers around here. Of course, that's just the public prestige."

"With Christmas approaching, I need to make it a point to pay him a visit," Ryan noted, realizing it had been months since he last connected with local influential figures.

The gunshot had awakened his sense of urgency.

...

A few days later, at the church where Bad Room was located...

"Ryan, right? I know you. You're the one with the blonde hair who appeared at the Victoria's Secret show," the middle-aged man in a priest's robe and black clerical hat smiled at Ryan.

"You watch the Victoria's Secret shows too?"

"Occasionally," he nodded. "This year's Fantasy Bra was impressive, but it doesn't compare to the one Gisele Bundchen wore in '04. I truly miss that time; these days, the runway looks like a walking mall."

It was clear he knew his stuff.

"It's nothing special; beautiful people pass through, and faith remains in God's heart."

"That makes sense. With Christmas just around the corner, I've been quite busy with the regular affairs and couldn't come meet you sooner. Here's a token of my appreciation." Ryan placed an envelope on the table, which contained a check.

The priest opened the envelope, took a quick glance, and swiftly tucked it away.

"This isn't for me; it's a gesture for God and the community."

"You're right about that."

"Now, tell me, what issues are you facing right now?"

"The expansion of the building..." Ryan pondered aloud.

Ryan had contacted people at the asset management firm over the phone, expressing his desire to expand the club after New Year's. They indicated that it would need the approval of the local church.

"Well, you know, local folks have been quite vocal against you guys; after all, this is a church -- a sacred place that shouldn't be violated. Many complaints have come in, but I've been able to handle them," he sighed.

Ryan inwardly cursed this greed-driven man but maintained a smile. "I won't shy away from what I can do for the local community."

"It's not difficult. The area right next door is a barren lot; people are hoping to build a commercial street there. You see, they'll need roads -- very complicated..."

That sounded like an idea for supporting facilities. With so many people frequenting the nightclub, the parking lot would be packed each early morning. If there was a couples' hotel nearby, the business might thrive.

Ryan thought it over and saw it as an opportunity.

"Perfect, I'll take care of the funding for the construction, and for the necessary processes, I'll rely on you. When it's done, part of the property ownership will return to the church."

"Ryan, you're only 20, aren't you? You have a bright future ahead of you!"

"Correction: I'm nineteen."

"Construction could start early next year, and if the old church can be repurposed, I believe He would be quite pleased." The priest smiled.

As for the commercial property partnership, Ryan thought of Jared Kushner, but he wasn't sure if such a "small business" would catch his interest.

...

Ryan returned to Bad Room and saw over twenty young women, dressed either casually or in a sexy manner, milling about in the lobby. It was only 3:30 PM, far too early for guests to arrive. In reality, these were Ryan's carefully selected members of the cheer team, with about a third coming from the Dazzlers -- who were the main performers, equipped with rich experiences in jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.

Ryan paid them the highest appearance fees.

The Spirit Squad had even more participants; they didn't require dancing skills but performed during school events, community activities, or promotional campaigns. They excelled in interacting with guests and uplifting the atmosphere, presenting a friendly and sweet demeanor.

The rest came from various squads, handpicked after Ryan's review, ensuring they were the best fit for his vision.

"Okay, ladies, time is tight; let's kick off rehearsals today!" Ryan announced from the DJ booth, addressing everyone.

*****

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