America 1982-Chapter 117 - 32: Only Fireflies, No Threats
"If members of the Phoenix Society or the White Robe Society saw me getting into your car, they must think something’s up, Stephen. If I remember correctly, didn’t you just recently lead a pack of those Phoenix Society idiots, waving around cash to lure away—what’s her name—that chick... with the innocent face but a body that could ignite at any moment? The one who was almost snagged by my bro Ted but then you guys stole her away. And now you have the guts to ask me out for a chat?" Tommy said, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, sitting in the passenger seat of Stephen Binns’ flaming red Ferrari.
Stephen held the steering wheel with both hands, a smug expression on his face as he said, "Ruth, right? You’re talking about Ruth, the hottie SSD was grooming for the SSD International Sweetheart election, aren’t you?"
"That’s her," Tommy nodded, affirming Stephen’s guess: "She’s got a face as pure as Judy Garland back in her youth."
"She is now a strong contender for VSA’s Miss America sweetheart," Stephen said, bursting into laughter. "Feeling the thrill of stealing a girl from the hands of those White Robe Society morons is just too good."
The SSD International Sweetheart and the VSA Miss America sweetheart were beauty contest titles, and each year, the fraternities would nominate girlfriends of their members from various Chapters, based on looks, personality, character, accomplishments, and other criteria, to select the most perfect girl to represent them as their International Sweetheart or Miss America sweetheart. Although there were no substantial rewards, it would get published in the fraternity’s own magazine and circulated among all Chapters to make countless brothers envious of that guy, giving enough bragging rights for the girl’s boyfriend to last a lifetime. Therefore, when the selection period began, all the handsome men from the fraternities would start pursuing the beautiful girls on campus, hoping to have a shot at this prestigious honor.
SSD’s Ted had snagged a beautiful girl named Ruth but before they even dated for a few days, Stephen from the Phoenix Society snagged her with a barrage of cash.
Tommy flicked his cigarette butt away: "I’m guessing you didn’t ask me here to show off your new car and new girlfriend."
"Of course not. I’m planning to have a very serious talk with you, brother," Stephen said as he drove.
"Now, without popping pills, I don’t have the energy to join you in what you call ’serious activities’, Stephen. This week I’ve already missed SSD’s weekend activities, busy investigating an old case with scant information. I bet Stanford’s Law Clinic falls short compared to Harvard, Yale, and those other schools, because that lady named Sophia hasn’t found the files I need yet," Tommy said, leaning back in his seat and speaking listlessly.
"So, if you’re thinking of introducing me to leisure activities involving alcohol and beauties, you’d better wait awhile."
"Such a country bumpkin, your impression of me... Do you really think I’m that shallow, just taking you out to fuck whores?" Stephen glared at Tommy with dissatisfaction.
Tommy nodded apologetically, "Sorry, Stephen. Being poor, I can’t imagine the lives of rich folk, but from what I know, there are only seven days in a week, and four of those days, you’ve left me pager messages asking if I want to go to the city with you to screw whores."
"The life of the rich is very fulfilling, okay? I’ve got plenty of time spent on keeping my brain active," Stephen retorted.
Without even looking at Stephen, Tommy asked directly, "So, what are you thinking about then?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Stephen started laughing, "Thinking about which one to fuck. Honestly speaking, gambling and getting high can’t compete with this entertainment. Whenever I feel down, calling up a dozen or twenty hot chicks to wear all kinds of bikinis for a pool party, the world immediately fills with color again. This kind of party is a fantastic stress reliever for college students under academic pressure."
"Gaining knowledge and cranking out tadpoles at the same time, truly a fulfilling college life," Tommy closed his eyes and cursed with a laugh.
Stephen slammed on the horn forcefully, jolting Tommy into opening his eyes, who then said indignantly, "You asshole didn’t tell me you’ve been starting a company recently, Tommy. If I hadn’t turned Ruth around, and she hadn’t mentioned the SSD guys to me, I’d know jack shit about you."
"You better not tell me you’re thinking of investing money," Tommy said as he looked towards Stephen. "Because I haven’t brought it up to you yet, which means it’s not a good idea."
"I was just about to do that, you dumbass should have told me sooner. How could I not get a stake when you’re starting a company? We’re the CS gang, remember? Are you seriously begging like a hobo for Stanford’s fifty thousand dollars startup fund?" Stephen flicked a pack of cigarettes to Tommy: "If the others in CS find out, they’ll definitely laugh their asses off at me for being stingy, not giving a dime, and most importantly, for not having the fucking investing foresight."
Tommy caught the pack, took out two cigarettes and lit them, handed one to Stephen, who was driving, and then said, "I don’t need investment, no, what I mean is I need investment, but not yours right now, get it?"
"I don’t get it, a simple sentence coming out of your mouth turns as complicated as a philosophy professor. Listen, I have faith in you, I think you’re definitely going to make money. Whether it’s a loan or an investment, you can take two million dollars, you know that amount of money is nothing to me," Stephen said with affirmation, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Tommy closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "If I could guarantee a risk-free profit, I would certainly come to you first; you know I wouldn’t hesitate. But now is different, what I need now is not just money but certain support beyond it. If I were to just take your investment, my company would surely be doomed. So, wait until I get through the toughest moment, brother, wait until I show up in front of you and say: ’Dumbass Stephen, throw in twenty million for investment, your dear daddy Tommy is about to help you make some pocket money for fucking whores!’ Only then can you obediently fork over the cash."
"I thought you were just embarrassed to see me since we joined different fraternities, so I made a point of driving out here to have a serious chat with you. Are you sure? That’s two million dollars, man; I’ve never spent that much myself," Stephen said, exhaling smoke and asking Tommy.
Since Stephen and Tommy had different majors, they seldom saw each other. Stephen would call Tommy out for entertainment every now and then, but the guy never showed up. In the end, it turned out that he found out about Tommy’s secret startup only because he stole an SSD member’s girlfriend. Stephen wanted to offer Tommy some help and was sure Tommy could make money.
After all, Tommy had once made a complete fool out of the producer from Nick’s television channel. Stephen had seen Tommy’s capabilities for himself.
But now, Tommy was seriously rejecting his proposal, the reason being that he needed some kind of support beyond just money.
"I don’t understand, what kind of support can’t be solved with money?" Stephen asked Tommy.
"Industry support. Your money isn’t from this industry. Throwing it in won’t even cause a ripple, it’ll just be an endless pouring of cash to keep my little company alive. That kind of outcome means burning through a large sum of your money without anything left over. We’re brothers, and I appreciate your kindness; that’s exactly why I must refuse. The company must stand on its own through the darkest times. If others find that I’ve received an investment, then it really would be the end. Before it has a chance to turn things around from desperate straits, it must remain weak," Tommy sat up straight, looking at Stephen.
"Since the day I established it, it’s been like a firefly emitting a faint glow, lighting itself up in the dark forest to guide the hunters. That is its entire raison d’etre. So it can’t grow big, because to the creatures of this forest, a firefly is not a threat."
