Chapter 144: An Unethical Deal

[Chapter 144: An Unethical Deal]

On December 13, President Bush announced the United States was withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty signed with the Soviet Union in 1972.

That day, in the suburbs of Los Angeles, at Windy Pines Golf Course. The lush greens stretched across the landscape, the sky was clear and vast, and a few white swans were drinking water from a pond in the distance.

Several golf carts slowly approached and parked near the 7th hole. Ian stepped out of the cart, carrying his golf club, accompanied by a middle-aged man in a white tank top. Behind them followed their respective assistants.

The middle-aged man was Isolt Cherry, one of the candidates for the upcoming California Senate race. He had once been an executive at a company, later entered politics, and served as the mayor of Oakland. After stepping down from the mayoral position, he sought to campaign for the Senate, and that was how James Perry introduced Ian to him.

At this moment, Cherry and Ian reached the golf ball, and Cherry shook his club, preparing to swing. "Five hundred thousand; any problems?"

Ian replied, "A dollar."

The club hit the ball awkwardly, causing it to roll off to the side instead of taking off.

Senator Cherry halted, bewildered, and stared at Ian. "What did you say?"

Ian smiled, "My golfing skills aren't as good as yours. I have to find ways to distract you."

Cherry was speechless: "So, you succeeded; you're really good at throwing in some tricks!"

Ian responded, "Cutting corners is a necessary skill in our line of work."

As they moved to their balls, Cherry laughed at Ian's swing: "So, does that mean it's a deal?"

Ian focused on the ball: "Five hundred thousand is no problem. Not only that, I will also speak out for you. The Herald and the Times will support you, but CBS won't; they back the Democrats, and you're a Republican. My influence with CBS isn't strong enough to alter their political alignment."

Cherry nodded: "That's enough. Your words carry more weight than all of CBS combined right now."

Ian chuckled, "I want the Highway 1 renovation project."

Cherry looked surprised: "You don't own a construction company."

"I can buy one," Ian replied as he swung his club, sending the ball soaring high: "I also want to build a prison. I need your support to secure a contract."

The ball flew elegantly through the air, creating a beautiful arc before landing in the lake.

"Damn!" Ian cursed softly.

Without cheating, it was clear his golfing skills were lacking.

Cherry burst into laughter, patting Ian on the shoulder: "Don't fish it out; let's swap the ball and try again. See, without enough skill, just playing tricks won't do it."

Ian repositioned, swinging again, finally landing in the target area.

Cherry clapped his hands, saying, "You want to make money from repairing the highway to fund the prison? Then your profits will be too big, this is unrealistic."

"Then how about I build a hospital too?" Ian replied with a grin. "Criminals need medical attention; a bunch of hardened offenders need a little bit of human care from doctors. I can take on the hospital contract."

Continuing on, he explained, "The highway will take three years to complete, but I can do it in just one year. However, in return, I need the state legislature's prison and hospital contract. You guys give me the funds for the highway and hospital, and I'll build a large prison as a bonus. That's a solid deal."

Cherry mumbled, "That's not a bonus."

He eyed Ian curiously: "Usually, the longer the project, the more profitable it is. Why the rush?"

Ian turned, getting into the car with Cherry, heading toward the next area.

He answered, "Projects don't need to drag on; that'd make both of us look incompetent. Repairs can always be made; once completed, if something breaks again, it can always be fixed."

Cherry chuckled loudly.

After a moment of thought, he asked, "How much are you planning to spend?"

"One billion dollars," Ian stated plainly.

Cherry replied, laughing, "So you plan to use the profits from the highway and hospital to fund a prison while turning all of California's criminals into your major clients?"

"For the safety of the public, and for the prisoners' democratic freedoms... they shouldn't be crammed into such overcrowded conditions; even criminals have rights," Ian explained with a smirk. "And by the way, don't restrict the use of wages either."

Cherry looked puzzled: "Why's that?"

"I'm planning to bring in workers from overseas; they're faster, more efficient, and cost less," Ian replied confidently.

Cherry furrowed his brow: "This project could solve thousands of jobs. America doesn't need workers from overseas to build for us. And I promised that I'd create more jobs!" 

As a politician, the primary accomplishment was job creation! Cherry was willing to inflate a one billion dollar project into one and a half billion just to keep employment numbers up, prioritizing its direct connection with the public.

But clearly, Ian didn't intend to wait around that long.

Time was money; three years allowed for enough profit to earn back his billion and still uphold a good name.

"I'm not worried about this project," Ian answered. "I might even open a factory later, creating more jobs, thanks to your support. Give me the contract for the project; quicker results mean better security. The 9/17 incident just happened; safety is a demand for everyone. A highway project that will take three years to complete doesn't meet your needs or the public's needs. However, if you accept, the highway can be done in a year, and the prison can be ready in no more than three months, satisfying the needs for three thousand inmates."

Cherry frowned deeper.

After a while, he shook his head: "No, I can't agree to that, Ian. You're asking for too much for too little in return."

"It's not just you; this requires many people's help. I'll meet with each one of them, including our Governor Davis and the future new governor," Ian smiled, adding, "Alright, I can contribute eight hundred thousand to your campaign fund. By the way, I heard your child is studying finance? I have some friends at the bank too."

Cherry instantly responded, "I appreciate that, but the state is also short on cash. A billion isn't a small amount; maybe they'll chop off the hospital. You should chip in some yourself or shrink the prison size?"

How interesting.

Prison contracts were signed with the state; the larger the prison, the more state support was needed, and that meant a significant yearly expenditure.

So Cherry preferred Ian to earn more from the project than commit to a large prison.

Ian chuckled: "California will have more criminals in the future; this country will never be short on offenders. Three thousand criminals are just the beginning."

He looked at Cherry calmly and stated, "My paper will fully support you, ensuring you will be elected senator! If that doesn't work, I'll help you eliminate your competition personally! I mean it; I can make it happen!"

"And by the time the project is almost complete, you can voice your dissatisfaction with my company, critiquing for using foreign labor, and strongly condemn my business. Of course, you won't blame me; I'll give you a target to attack... then I'll let those workers leave, meaning you've single-handedly created thousands of jobs again, but only after they've finished the work!"

He laughed and added, "To take first, you must give first. First create unemployment, then create jobs; that's the best way to do it!"

Cherry took a deep breath: "At least hire some locals; don't go overboard."

Ian replied, "10%."

Cherry countered, "20%."

Ian nodded, "Alright, it's agreed then."

Things were quickly settled; an unethical deal had thus been struck.

*****

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