America 1919

Thinking of this, Erickson's admiration for Donnie grew even stronger!

"Donnie, the work here is finished. I'll be returning to Atlantic City tomorrow to continue gathering materials for the documentary of the Miss America Atlantic City finals, and we'll meet again then!"

Erickson thought he should also start working harder and learn from Donnie Block. Only through growth, like Donnie Block, who went from an unknown to a prominent figure in a short time, could he possibly achieve the same composure in the face of anything!

"Excellent, I'm very much looking forward to your return. My people will pick you up at the train station!" Donnie hung up the phone.

"The news from Philadelphia surprisingly hasn't reached us faster than our side. We knew about the attendance rate of the documentary at the theaters last night!"

Walker said in a calm tone, holding the report in his hand.

Donnie chuckled and said, "Philadelphia is a big city after all, different from Atlantic City. Atlantic City has only three cinemas capable of screening films, Philadelphia has dozens!"

Walker nodded and said, "That's true, Atlantic City is still too small. Moreover, its commercial development is obviously distorted. In my opinion, the best path forward for Atlantic City would be to obtain a legitimate gambling license and become the first Casino City in the United States.

Otherwise, as you said, if Prohibition really gets repealed, Atlantic City will lose its best development opportunity!"

After finishing, Walker drank a sip of whiskey nonchalantly, waiting for Donnie to speak.

But when he looked up after a moment of waiting, he saw that Donnie was looking at him intently.

"What's wrong? Is there something amiss?" Walker asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Nothing, it's just that you've got a splat of bird poop on your face!" Donnie casually replied.

"Bird poop?" Walker startled but then realized that he had been with Donnie all day, and it was impossible for him to be splattered by bird poop. Find more to read on M-V-L

"You're kidding me!" In saying this, Walker made a move.

However, although Walker was a West Point graduate, in terms of physical condition, how could he possibly be a match for Donnie, a king of soldiers seasoned on the battlefield.

It didn't take long before Walker started begging for mercy.

When Donnie let go of Walker, he couldn't help but sigh internally, Walker's insight was indeed sharp. After the repeal of Prohibition, Atlantic City had begun to decline, and even though it later obtained a gambling license and became one of the two major Casino Cities in America, it never matched the up-and-coming Las Vegas!

In 10 years' time, Las Vegas closed all of its casinos and brothels, but after the arrival of the Great Depression, it swiftly legally became America's first Casino City, an event that happened in 1931.

In contrast, Atlantic City still has countless casinos, but it can only operate them underground and cannot bring this business out into the open.

But this was a matter for the future. Donnie had to deal with the present problems.

The documentary about the Miss America city preliminary contest had a high seating rate in the three cinemas of Atlantic City, which naturally was good news for Donnie.

But new problems had also arisen.

Nucky, who previously disapproved of this endeavor, was now inviting Donnie to the Ritz Hotel to discuss some matters at this juncture.

Nucky looking for Donnie at this time could only be about the documentary.

Previously, Nucky's lack of confidence led him to abandon the idea of investing in the documentary with Donnie. Now that the documentary's box office showed a profitable trend, Nucky naturally had some thoughts.

Donnie went to the Ritz Hotel and met Nucky.

"Donnie, I had a lapse in judgment this time!"

Upon seeing Donnie, Nucky's face showed a bitter smile as he candidly admitted his previous misjudgment.

Donnie, sitting with crossed legs opposite Nucky, smiled and said, "Everyone has their moments of wrong judgment, this time it was just that you, Nucky, were unfamiliar with the documentary genre!"

Nucky's spirits lifted a bit as his feelings were placated by Donnie's words. He smiled and said, "But Donnie, you don't understand the documentary market either, yet you were able to make a firm decision to go ahead with this project!"

Donnie laughed and said, "Truthfully, I'm not that familiar with the documentary market either, but I believe in our Miss America, I believe the popularity of Miss America can drive the documentary's box office sales."

Nucky nodded and said, "It's a pity I didn't have your firm belief; otherwise, this victory would have been ours together!"

Donnie shook his head and said, "This is already our joint victory. The documentary's box office is minor; the benefits brought by Miss America are enough to make us happy!"

Nucky asked, "The documentary shooting for the Miss America city finals is about to start, right?"

Donnie knew that Nucky wanted to get to the main topic, "Yes, that is the case, tomorrow the various filming crews from the movie company will return to their respective cities!"

Nucky smiled and said, "That's perfect, my funds will be transferred to the company's account this afternoon!"

Donnie didn't respond to Nucky's words, making Nucky a bit dissatisfied, "Donnie, is your attitude an indication that you're not willing to accept me as a partner anymore?"

Donnie gazed directly into Nucky's eyes and said, "Nucky, we are friends, and between friends, we must not only treat each other with candor but also hold genuine affection."