Chapter 263: Chapter 263 Hardy Management Team For The Actors Guild
"Mr. Corleone, have there been any movements from other mafia families?" After all, half of the families hadn't invested in the casino, and who knew if they might make a move.
"I heard Barzini is joining forces with other families to build a luxurious casino in Las Vegas. Because of your success, they are increasingly valuing the business in Las Vegas."
The old Godfather's ears were more attuned to internal mafia news than Hardy's.
Hardy found it amusing. Even if they could build a casino in Las Vegas, how could their business compete with his?
Once the "Venetian Hotel" and "MGM Hotel" were completed, along with the "Hardy Hotel," the combined operation of the three would make it difficult for other casinos to survive, even without using mafia tactics.
"Let them come. Las Vegas needs builders. The more industries here, the more prosperous it will be," Hardy said with a light laugh.
The old Godfather appreciated Hardy's calmness.
"Also, I want to thank you, Hardy," the old Godfather suddenly said.
"Why do you thank me?"
"Because you helped the Corleone family once again. Originally, the families in the commission were being wooed by Barzini. Now, with your new casino, the previous alliances have been split, and the Corleone family is much better off," the old Godfather said.
Hardy accepted the old Godfather's thanks.
When he first proposed building the new casino, Hardy had considered this. The Corleone family was his ally. By splitting Barzini's forces, the Corleone family would inevitably be freed, and the mafia commission would return to a balanced state.
Barzini would no longer be as arrogant as before.
Hardy had another step in his plan. His ultimate goal was to eliminate the three families to avenge his friend Sigel.
Sigel had ultimately tried to train him and even paved the way for him not only in the underworld but even helped him get into Hollywood with a clean identity, and Hardy hadn't forgotten. But he wouldn't rush he would plan slowly and take his opportunity when it came to eliminating the three families.
If the opportunity arose, he even hoped to control the mafia commission, changing the tradition of only accepting Italians.
He wanted to let Tom Hagen an Irishman in, and then Bill a pure American. With these two catfish, it would be interesting to see what happens.
But these were just ideas. Whether they would come to fruition depended on future developments and wouldn't affect his business much.
Time passed quickly.
In the following days, Hardy attended two more campaign events. As the election approached, there were three candidates in total. Compared to Hardy, the other two were virtually invisible.
The election involved both on site and mail in voting. In theory every member of the Actors Guild would receive a ballot to cast their vote.
The entire election lasted a week, and finally, the results were announced. Jon Hardy was elected the new president of the Actors Guild.
People weren't surprised by the outcome. Hardy's status and position gave him an advantage, along with ABC's publicity and his "stop the casting couch" declaration, which earned him many votes.
Hardy's support rate was 83%.
This support rate was much higher than that of previous guild presidents.
Hardy formed his management team for the Actors Guild.
Vice President George Yord, whom Hardy liked to call George, was one of the group leaders in HD Security's Strategic Command Room, formerly an Army lieutenant colonel and staff officer with strong management and business skills. Hardy put him in charge of the overall management of the Actors Guild.
Chairman's assistant Reagan, essentially the third in command, assisting Hardy in his duties.
Secretary Reina, who had previously been one of Hardy's secretaries at HD Films, known for her meticulous work, was transferred over.
Two accountants, transferred from Andy's company, and four administrative staff from HD Studios, familiar with the film and television industries.
Additionally, eight staff members from HD Security were transferred. Don't think security company personnel are only good at combat, many had been college students before enlisting in World War II, and their educational level was generally high.
Thus, a management team was formed.
Moreover, the guild originally had over 40 official staff members for regular operations.
These employees salaries weren't paid by Hardy but by the guild, which charged significant membership fees, ensuring ample funds.
Hardy also received a salary, and not a small one. The current salary of the U.S. President is $75,000 a year, which increased to $400,000 by Trump's time, certainly a high salary.
Hardy's salary at the Actors Guild was $60,000, definitely a super high salary.
When the guild was first established, it indeed played a positive role for its members. However, over time, power led to corruption. Without much oversight, membership fees were used for operations, and with so much money coming in annually, naturally, they set high salaries for themselves.
It's not illegal.
Thus, the guild president's salary kept increasing, yet there was still a substantial surplus each year.
However, Hardy believed this money could be used for more beneficial purposes.
That night, Hardy returned to his villa and found the windows dark, with no lights in the hall. However, his bodyguards remained calm and respectfully opened the door for him. Experience tales at m-vl-e-mpyr
As the door opened, the villa's hall lights suddenly lit up.
Bang bang bang!
Confetti flew, and hundreds of people cheered together, congratulating Hardy on being elected president of the Actors Guild. Music filled the hall, and Ava Gardner and Irina pulled Hardy into the dancing crowd.
Revelry, dancing, and drinking ensued.
That night, Hardy stayed in Ava's room. After an intense moment, Ava laughed and asked, "Boss, does this count as a casting couch?"
"I think it does. It should be condemned. Okay, I'll let you cast me once, and we'll call it even."
Hardy laughed.
This method was indeed very fair and just.
Then Hardy was subjected to a casting couch. Ava demanded he lay down and not move, taking the lead herself.