America 1982

Benjamin Rosen smiled and looked at Tommy Hawke, who sat back down after answering the phone, with a playful smile. Although the young man still had a smile on his face, the increase in gestures and movements during the chat showed that the phone call had an impact on his state of mind. It has had a big impact, and it is a negative impact.

"I guess the call just now came from another SSD alumnus who saw the magazine?" Benjamin asked Tommy.

Charles also looked at Tommy with curious eyes, and Tommy nodded to the two of them: "Yes, the other person called himself Robert Miller, an alumnus of the SSD Cornell University branch, and he actually found me through my high school teacher. .”

"I've heard of this name, but don't know much about him. The duty-free shop business he founded with another SSD alumnus, Chuck Feeney, has never been listed, so the connection with Wall Street is relatively weak. I only heard about it in some news reports. I learned that they made good use of SSD’s connections, especially those at West Point and the Naval Academy.” After hearing this name, Benjamin gave some information he learned:

“While the SSD alumni network is strong, not everyone knows and understands each other.”

Benjamin did not continue speaking.

Charles obviously knew something about this name, and briefly talked about what he learned about the history of Robert Miller and Chuck Feeney's fortunes. Some of them were like Tommy and Jason, who were bold and shameless and used their holidays to go overseas. After a few rounds, I made a lot of money and started a duty-free shop business.

"They are somewhat similar to you, but after making money, they turned back into normal humans, gentlemen, civilized, and polite. I'm worried that you and Jason may not complete similar evolutions."

After listening to Charles' introduction, Tommy took out his cigarette, held it in his mouth and lit it. He took a deep breath and blew it out from his nose. He looked at the scenery in the distance of the garden: "I understand, this is also what I am worried about. After listening to you ’s introduction, I was worried that this evolution would happen to me.”

"You pray for power, but find that when the power does appear, there are vague signs of loss of control, you are worried about that, right? You want everything to be as it was in your mind when you first planned this, Everything is within your expectation and control." Benjamin adjusted his sitting position so that he could lean on the sofa more comfortably, and at the same time, he looked more relaxed from the perspective of the two young men. He smiled and pointed at Tommy. Said worried.

Tommy nodded again, there was no need to hide it in front of the middle-aged fraternity alumnus who had become the vice president of Morgan Stanley.

"Tommy, do you know why you feel out of control? Because that power has the ability to think independently and is more greedy. With the power you accumulated for Actor Company before, you can think for them, and they will act according to your wishes, but The power now appears in the body, but it does not belong to you..."

"Control money, don't be controlled by money." Tommy withdrew his gaze and looked at Benjamin.

Benjamin picked up the cigar, cut off the cap, and carefully toasted it with a cigarette lighter. Then he handed it to Charles, took another one for himself, toasted it slowly in his hand, and said to Tommy:

"Yes, I am very happy that you can understand this truth. Are SSD brothers really as close as family? Of course, I am not questioning the brotherhood of SSD. They will definitely be willing to help you when you are in trouble, just like yours Family is just too similar to family. When your father and brother help you, they will definitely tell you that you must follow their instructions and advice to solve the problem. The same goes for your SSD brothers. While you accept the power, , it’s best to be mentally prepared for someone stronger to think for you, and their help is not free, just like me. I hope to use this lawsuit as an opportunity to talk about settlement with IBM. This issue is not difficult for you. Guess, because you understand the computer industry, you can understand the purpose of my taking the money out like this. I am indeed helping you convert your worthless shares into real cash, making you a multi-millionaire before you graduate from college. But at the same time, my real purpose is to develop the industry of Compaq. At this moment, you can’t guess that an SSD alumni with no relevant industry experience found you through your high school teacher and offered to help you. This is why you worry, because you understand that no one is a true philanthropist, not even your SSD brothers."

"After listening to you and Charles' introduction to the two founders of DFS, I always feel like two unscrupulous NewMoneys quickly turned into OldMoney after making money. I feel that this should not be called evolution, but assimilation. ." Tommy expressed his thoughts to Benjamin:

"In other words, after they borrowed power to succeed, they did not become New Money, but were assimilated by power and became a member of Old Money."

Benjamin exhaled the smoke and said with a smile: "You know, everyone has different opinions. Some people think there is nothing wrong with that. They also have countless wealth, and although the power does not belong to him, it will always surge in his body. Able to be on call at any time.”

"That Mr. Miller even helped me prepare a first-class ticket." Tommy said about what Robert Miller said to himself on the phone.

"There is nothing wrong with going to meet him. This is not an oversight on your part. It's just that the response from the SSD alumni network to you at this moment is beyond your initial expectations. You thought that only those alumni who are passionate about the software industry would be interested in you, but you How far can one person look at the whole lawsuit, Tommy?" Benjamin laughed happily after hearing Tommy talk about the other party helping him prepare a ticket, and his reaction out of anxiety about the unknown. , it seems that Tommy at this moment makes him feel more cute, like a real college student:

"Before you met me, you didn't even think about the possibility of settlement between Compaq and IBM in this lawsuit. With so many alumni, so many perspectives, and so many brains, there will only be more that can be thought of, and everyone will I have the idea that maybe this lawsuit can help me achieve my little wish. What you just said is very good, control money, don’t be controlled by money. Remember this sentence, and then treat the upcoming meeting as a business Course. Although I don’t know what kind of business the other party will discuss with you, it must not be your original idea, so no matter what kind of business it is, when you feel that you can’t help but agree..."

When Benjamin said this, he paused and tapped his chest lightly with his hand: "Recall what you wanted to achieve when you first designed all this, because it can guide your heart and bring it back to its origin. People and newspapers It is often said that gold is flowing all over Wall Street to describe how easy it is to obtain wealth on Wall Street, but they do not say that each piece of gold flowing is marked with a price and cannot be picked up casually. If you don't see the price tag, it does not mean that It doesn’t exist, it could just be that the price tag is hidden.”

Seeing Tommy nod in agreement, Benjamin continued:

"College students are keen to join various fraternities to expand their connections and explore opportunities, but there are always people who are counterattacked by the opportunities. Only the truly calm people can be spared. My personal experience is that the biggest surprise in the fraternity interactions is not the connections. With opportunities, you can let those alumni tell you how to look at the same thing from different statuses and different perspectives, and then discover some problems that you would not have noticed before, and learn to look at the overall situation from a higher height. , just complete your own evolution and make yourself...better or worse."

At the end of the sentence, Benjamin stood up and made an SSD-specific gesture to Tommy. Then he patted the shoulders of Tommy and Charles, who stood up after him, and said to Tommy: "To me, this is SSD." The most precious gift in life that brothers gave me, as for investing in actors or share transfers, after you have no interest in the next big business that maybe you have never thought about twenty years after you were born, and which makes you lament that this country is so fantastic, welcome. Come back, and by then, we can continue to talk about small business worth ten million."

"Thank you." Tommy said to Benjamin seriously: "Thank you for your advice."

Those words just made Tommy believe that Benjamin, an old man who had been dealing with various elites and upper-class people on Wall Street for fifteen years, now retired and came to California, really wanted to be an angel investor for young people and young industries.

Because there were some words that he could have said without being so explicit. He was worried that he, an SSD junior, would lose his composure and make mistakes in some important multiple-choice questions after realizing that the situation was vaguely out of control.

In America, this virtue is as rare as adult virginity.

Just like Benjamin said, he should meet the other party. Even if no cooperation is reached, at least he can look at the lawsuit from the perspective of a big shot like Robert Miller and gain some nutrition.

Not to make yourself better or worse, but to become stronger.

…

This is the first time that Tommy Hawke has flown business class in his entire life. There is a separate boarding bridge, a separate lounge, a luxury business car from San Francisco International Airport to pick him up and take him to the airport, and other first-class supporting services. Tommy Hawke felt that there was nothing to fuss over, but after boarding the JetBlue Airways plane, he strengthened his determination to become a rich man.

Because the smiling and handsome young flight attendants in front of him were completely different from the ones Tommy had seen on other red-eye flights before.

The emergence of this problem is mainly due to the emergence of the women's affirmative movement, which has also affected the profession of flight attendants. In the United States in the 1980s, don't think that the busy American routes were all young and beautiful, with outstanding figures, exquisite makeup, and high heels and stockings. , these characteristics of beautiful uniforms are combined to form a stewardess.

Take the red-eye flight that Tommy has the most experience with as an example. The age of the flight attendants ranges from about 28 to 40 years old. They are tall, short, fat, thin... there may be any weird creatures, every time they take a seat. An airplane is as exciting as opening a blind box, but the only thing that can be guaranteed is that it will never be beautiful.

Those creatures, also known as flight attendants, wear the same pants and flat shoes as men, no makeup, and smoke more skillfully than passengers. If there is an argument, they can greet all passengers very quickly within ten seconds. Relatives can then put all the blame for the quarrel on the passengers. The female passenger said that the other party insulted her character because he suspected her of stealing things, while the male passenger sexually harassed her.

Tommy couldn't even think of anyone other than the rural Warwick dad and his fellow workers who could stand up to these aerial vixens.

It is these women who have no advantage in appearance who shout out the equal rights slogan of the flight attendant industry: Be professional, not sexy!

This slogan has been opposed by countless male passengers, because before this damn equal rights slogan, the slogan of flight attendants has always been: Fly me!

A pun that makes people think.

The reason why there are no flight attendants over 40 years old on red-eye flights is that airlines consider that older flight attendants are more likely to die suddenly when flying red-eye routes for a long time. In order to avoid being sued for compensation, they concentrate all older flight attendants in the economy class of ordinary flights to provide passengers with A caring service like a mother or grandmother.

But look at the first class cabin now. After Tommy stepped onto the plane, four beauties who perfectly restored the image of flight attendants in men's minds, whether from their short skirts, stockings or high heels, or their sweet looks, bowed and saluted.

The leader also winked at Tommy Hawke with beautiful eyes and deliberately said provocative words to satisfy male fantasies: "Sir, does your girlfriend know that you are about to fly with us?"

"I really wish I had a girlfriend and could show off this flight with you to her." Tommy smiled at the other person and responded, and then accompanied by the other person, he arrived at his cabin.

Don't be deceived by the other party's ambiguous compliments. The other party will say this to all first-class passengers. This is JetBlue's first-class advertising slogan. Just hug the other party, touch the thigh, take a photo, etc., maybe there is no problem. But if you think you want to buy a plane ticket, and the other person’s words will make you think wildly, I can only say that it is too naive. The other person’s words are just to trick you into choosing to continue taking JetBlue flights next time. If you dare to harass these JetBlue airlines, they will become more and more angry. Rare and valuable assets, just waiting to be taken to court.

If you really want to do whatever you want, you'd better own a private jet, take the flight attendant you like to your own plane, and let her serve you alone.

We boarded the plane at four o'clock in the afternoon and arrived in Boston at nine o'clock in the evening. After a five-hour flight, Robert Miller arranged for a pick-up driver, but Tommy did not get into his car, but asked him to go back and tell Miller Sir, it is late at night today, and I will go to Quincy to visit him tomorrow.

Tommy then went to the parking lot and got into the car where Sophia came to pick him up.

These days, Susan, Sophia, Mark and Delia all stayed in Boston. Only Holly received the call that Tommy was leaving Stanford and rushed back to take over the job after Tommy left.

Sophia drove the rented Mercury and asked Tommy in the co-pilot: "I think you are hopeless, Tommy. You traveled by yourself and did not choose a red-eye flight. When I flew with you, It’s a red-eye flight every time, are you targeting me?”

"Based on what you know about me during this period, why do you think I didn't choose the red-eye flight?" Tommy opened the car window and lit a cigarette:

"Of course I will do this without having to pay for it myself. I am going to Quincy tomorrow to meet an SSD alumnus, and he helped me prepare the air ticket."

"Do you want me to drive you directly to Quincy in the middle of the night?" Sophia laughed: "It sounds a bit far away."

"No, I'll stay in Boston tonight and drive there tomorrow morning. I'm just worried. I have a very beautiful high school teacher who is also in Quincy. She sounds like she is very close to her classmates. Maybe she is his father. My friend or partner... so I called you to pick me up." Tommy held a cigarette and turned his face sideways, resting his arm on the car window, looking at the profile of Sophia who was concentrating on driving in the night, and said with a smile.

Sophia frowned slightly: "It sounds like there is no direct connection between you having a beautiful female teacher and asking me to pick you up at the airport."

"You are a bit similar to her. If I look at you more now, I can increase my resistance. If the other party devises an exaggerated movie plot like marrying the female teacher to me if I am willing to reach a bullshit cooperation, I will also So you can resist temptation." Tommy flicked the ashes from his cigarette and said while looking out the window at the night.

Sophia has become accustomed to Tommy's teasing during this time. Although this guy likes to take advantage of his words, he still treats himself very gentlemanly and does not do anything excessive like touching or touching, so she responded with a smile:

"Wouldn't just looking at it make the desire to have her worse?"

"No, believe me, absolutely not." Tommy looked back and said seriously:

"This is why I chose you to pick me up. I just need to take a look at your figure and imagine in my mind that the female teacher has the same airport number as you. I am already sure that she will not marry me. , even if she takes off her clothes and stands in front of me, I won’t take a second look.”

When Sophia heard Tommy's words, her face remained calm and there was no sign of violence. This made Tommy a little curious and a little relieved, but he soon realized that there was something wrong:

"You have grown up, Sophia... uh... this is not the way to the hotel, Sophia, look at the sign, you are going the wrong way."

"Let's go directly to Quincy." Sophia stepped on the accelerator and drove the car directly onto the interstate highway. Then she turned sideways and looked at Tommy: "I don't know if it was possible for you to let that beautiful female teacher marry you before. , but I am sure that after you slander my figure again, I will make you lose this possibility."

"Look, if you don't want a six-foot-nine-inch tall muscular driver to drive me to Quincy, it's just that easy to choose a beautiful driver to accompany you. Just give her a little stimulation and you can do it." Tommy He laughed and said to Sophia.

Sophia sighed first, but then took a deep breath, continued to look forward, and smiled: "I feel better now. After all, you just lied to stimulate me, right?"

"I'm not lying, I'm stimulating you with facts." Tommy adjusted his sitting posture and put his hands behind his head:

"My mother said before she left this world that honesty is a virtue."

Mercury quickly disappeared into the night, leaving only a woman's unique maddening roar echoing in the night wind: "You'd better stop being honest when it comes to women's figures, or I'll send myself and you bastard to heaven to meet your mother. Ask her face to face how she taught a scumbag like you."

The first update is 5,000 words. The second update will be coded now. I will definitely finish it before twelve o'clock.