America 1982

This engineer named Will Kendrick, who came to Providence for a vacation, was very talkative. After buying him two glasses of whiskey, Tommy Hawke learned about something that made him Breaking news.

That is, at this moment, on the high seas near the territorial waters of the United States, a large tobacco processing ship of the Philip Morris Tobacco Company is operating at full capacity, producing red and white hard-packed Marlboro cigarettes day and night.

A processing ship is an independent medium-sized tobacco factory that operates on the high seas. The products are sold as they are produced and sold wholesale to cargo ships that go to pick up the goods. And because the high seas are used as the base for the production and sale of cigarettes, Philip Morris can It eliminates the need for a series of formalities such as ship docking, customs declaration, and payment of management fees. Most importantly, all of this is a legal act that occurs on the high seas.

Tommy Hawke was chatting about some unofficial business history with his professor at the business school in his previous life. Regarding the history of the development of tobacco companies in the United States, the professor did say that some American tobacco companies came up with the idea of ​​producing cigarettes on the high seas in order to seize the market. , and then smuggled them into a certain country to seize the market. However, at that time, they all occurred on the high seas near Canada, China, and RB. Those countries repeatedly protested to the United States, but the U.S. government claimed that their tobacco companies had no malicious intent. Selling goods to other countries is just a pretext for production on the high seas.

As for whether it is legal for domestic companies to use the same method to rob the U.S. government of tax dollars, Tommy doesn't know, but perhaps officials from both parties in the United States should not dare to provoke the largest tobacco company in the United States. After all, if the other party is slightly dissatisfied, they can Their political donations will be greatly reduced, and behind such large tobacco companies there are countless legal consultants and lobbying companies like thugs to protect them, ready to help tobacco companies solve various problems.

The reason why this tobacco processing ship, which was supposed to be anchored on the high seas near Plasen, Canada, sailed to the northeastern waters of the United States is that New York and Massachusetts and other places have recently increased tobacco taxes, and smokers in the regular People who buy cigarettes through other channels have to pay more taxes, which leads to a rapid decline in cigarette sales.

Taking New York as an example, a box of Marlboro previously sold for less than three dollars, but after the tobacco tax was raised, the price of a box has risen to nearly four dollars. For smokers, if they do not want to buy cigarettes from regular channels at high prices, they must either reduce smoking. Either way, Philip Morris Tobacco Company, the owner of the Marlboro brand, does not want to see either situation.

Moreover, the substantial increase in the price of cigarettes from formal channels has naturally spawned a group of unscrupulous cigarette vendors who want to make profits and take risks. They will find ways to stock up in large quantities from other northwestern states with low tobacco taxes and smuggle them to New York or Massachusetts. Make money by selling, or simply producing, fake goods.

The tobacco company's processing ship sails to the nearby high seas to provide convenience for these smuggled cigarette dealers. They do not need to find ways to find the source of goods. Instead, they can get the goods directly from the source factory, eliminating the need for middlemen to make the difference. In the end, The main thing is to ensure that the product is authentic and that there will be no problems with the taste.

In other words, cigarette smugglers can easily complete the transaction as long as they drive a boat to the offshore factory, pay the money in one hand, and collect the goods in the other.

This is the United States. As long as there is money to be made, capitalists can always come up with thoughtful ways to cooperate.

Of course, this kind of business is not without risks. Simply going to the high seas quietly to buy cigarettes may not attract much attention, but whether the smugglers will be caught when they return to land and prepare for shipment depends on their luck. After all, it is very difficult to take advantage of the U.S. tax department. They may be tolerant of tobacco processing ships far away from the United States, but they must be vigorous and resolute in dealing with these smugglers who are sucking blood on taxes.

"A box of fifty cigarettes only costs 200 yuan?" After Tommy Hawke learned the factory price of cigarettes, he asked Will in shock: "In other words, a pack of cigarettes costs four dollars? Four dollars, a pack ?Ten boxes?”

You know, the price of a box of Marlboro in New York is close to four US dollars. At this moment, Will said that the ex-factory price of a box of Marlboro is only two hundred US dollars, which is only forty cents when converted into a single box.

Will nodded a little drunkenly: "Of course, boy, why else do you think those smugglers would risk being hunted down by the tax department to do this kind of business? The tobacco business has been so profitable since its inception."

"Sir, what is the minimum number of boxes for sale?" Tommy Hawke only felt a little warm in his body. Maybe the alcohol played a role, but more likely it was the word "profiteering" that kept burning and irritating him.

"Boy, you know, in my opinion, you shouldn't be here talking about such sleepy topics with an old guy like me. You should find a hot dancer to make this trip worthwhile." Will Kendrick said boringly: "Besides, the factory is not a convenience store. If you just want to buy a few boxes of cheap cigarettes, you should go to the street and ask the cigarette sellers. At least you have to buy more than a hundred boxes at a time. The factory will You will be received.”

He didn't expect that this boy would sit here and just talk to him about such boring tobacco issues. Every time he wanted to brag to him about his experience in picking up girls when he was young, this boring boy named Tommy would change the question back again. It made him lose the desire to continue chatting with Tommy.

Will Kendrick's last words also extinguished Tommy Hawke's enthusiasm like cold water. If the minimum price is ten boxes, after he understands the market supply and demand and sales methods, he can learn from Ruby. Borrow money to give it a try, but the minimum sales price is 100 boxes, which means that aside from other expenses, you still need to come up with a principal of 20,000 US dollars.

It was impossible for Ruby to lend him such a large amount of money to a seventeen-year-old guy, and if she really lent him, she would probably say hello to her father.

Feeling that Will Kendrick next to him was no longer interested in chatting with him, and that he couldn't come up with a capital of 20,000 US dollars to do this kind of business, Tommy Hawke let out a breath, then shrugged and changed his mind. Changed the topic: "You are right, Mr. Kendrick, the trip should be worthwhile and enjoy the time. Come on, how about we go to the single curtain room to see it. I treat you, but I made it clear that it is only for one song. Give me I want to give you some recommendations. Which dancer has more graceful dancing? You have been here for three days on vacation and you should know better than me. Give me some recommendations."

"Hahahaha~" Will heard Tommy's words and laughed happily. He raised his whiskey glass and said to Tommy: "Boy, that's right. Let me teach you how to have fun in a place like this. Rules As follows, firstly, never treat, and when it comes to spending money on a woman, you have to let him do it himself. Secondly, don’t trust other people’s recommendations, and don’t keep an eye on those bad guys in the lobby.”

"Then how should I choose? Shouldn't I just go to the dance floor like in the movie, throw out a few coins, and ask the person to accompany me to the curtain to dance intimately?" Tommy also laughed.

"NO, of course it's not like this. I'm going to teach you how to play Miami. Come on, boy, let me show you around." When talking about women, Will's face was full of interest, and he put his arm around Tommy's shoulders and walked towards the single area. .

There was a tall bodyguard standing outside the single area. Will took out two one-dollar bills from his shirt pocket, walked up to him, and stuffed the bills into the bodyguard's suit pocket: "Man, we're going to watch a single between the curtains." Xiu, help me go backstage and call two hot backup dancers, this is your tip."

The single-person curtain area will be equipped with one or two bodyguards. One is to intimidate the guests and prevent them from touching the dancers in their own club in the curtain room. The other is to help the dancers silently calculate how many dances they have danced. If the guests enjoy If you have three dances but are only willing to pay the dancer for two dances, the bodyguard will stand up and teach the guest the correct way to count.

"Okay, sir, you two, please choose a curtain room each." The bodyguard seemed to be accustomed to this method proposed by Will. He made a gesture of invitation to the two of them, and then took out the walkie-talkie on his waist and called: "There are two guests between the curtains. They don't like the fat moms on the dance floor, so they brought us two glasses of spicy drinks."

"You know, the best time is when the dancer comes to dance for you and you are waiting. You can let your imagination run wild and guess what the woman who is waiting looks like." Will walked to a place. In front of the curtain, he let go of Tommy's shoulders: "Tommy, I wish you a happy first striptease trip. Go in. By the way, remember clearly, rule three, don't believe any nonsense the dancer says, she The ultimate goal of everything I say is just to empty the money out of your pocket."

Tommy was pushed by Will and walked into this cramped single curtain room. The so-called curtain room was similar to the small club room where the protagonist went to in the game "GTA5". It was partitioned with cheap synthetic boards. The small room has no door panels and only half-length or even vaguely transparent gauze curtains. There is not even room for a sofa in it, only two chairs placed opposite each other.

At this time, Tommy could only sit on a chair against the wall, as if he were a prisoner waiting for interrogation or the dancer to arrive.

But what Will said does make sense. Before the dancer actually shows up, men can't help but guess what the upcoming woman will look like and what a hot figure she will have.

Two minutes later, the sound of high heels stepping on the ground outside sounded from far to near. A woman wearing a golden fringed bikini with long golden hair opened the gauze curtain and walked in. When she saw her arms folded inside, she was looking up. The appearance of Tommy who arrived was stunned on the spot:

"OhMyGod..."

When Tommy Hawke raised his head and saw Aunt Melonie walking in wearing a blond wig, he was stunned at first, then immediately shushed Melonie, and said loudly to the outside: "Man, get me a champagne box."

"Okay, sir, please come over here." The bodyguard agreed outside. Seeing Melonie, who had obviously not recovered yet, standing still, he came over and urged: "Beatrice, go prepare the champagne for the guests first. ."

Melonie turned around in confusion and walked towards the champagne box area. The bodyguard looked at Tommy with a smile on his face. Young people are so impulsive. They don't need a reason to behave when they see a beautiful woman. The banknotes were delivered: "Sorry, sir, she is new here and is still a little unfamiliar with this process. Please follow me."

In another curtain room, Will, who was being twisted around by a dancer with her hands around her head, heard Tommy Hawke's voice just now. He frowned: "Boy! Rule three! Oh my God... I'm ten I first came to a place like this when I was six years old, but after dancing three songs, I was seduced by the dancer to go to the champagne box. I bet that this kid will never become a master of picking up girls..."