America 1982-Chapter 241 - 82: The Great Dennis_2
Tony looked down with less enthusiasm, "Actually, I’m attending school for you, right? You decide everything for me, I’m just like those puppets in the circus, and you’re pulling the strings to make me walk."
"Some time ago, I finished reading a bestseller entitled ’The Minds of Billy Milligan,’ authored by Daniel Keyes. The story didn’t arouse my interest, but a sentence said by the mentally ill protagonist resonated with me. He stated that only a sage with great wisdom can manipulate and change his own destiny and that of others, and the execution of the plan can be left to the fools who trust him. I don’t want to manipulate you into a clown, Tony. I need your help, your trust. What I want to manipulate and change is the fate of the Hawk family. The condition for changing the Hawk family is that there must be only one brain in charge of thinking, and the rest are responsible for execution." Tommy walked up to Tony, raised his beer, and looked at his brother:
"I know how uncomfortable it feels to have others make decisions for you, but the Hawk family can’t keep going like this. Would your and Ashley’s children inherit your garage or father’s shipbreaking yard? Continue to linger in Warwick and repeat our childhood? The Hawk family can switch to a different life, a different social status."
Tony picked up his beer and clinked it with Tommy’s, then took a swig and laughed, "So, does the United States need an officer who doesn’t know how to spell ’Navy’ to protect it? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard this year."
"My business will grow bigger and bigger, and when it has sufficient scale, trouble will inevitably come knocking, even if I haven’t done anything wrong. That’s why I’ll need the protection of influential people, and if possible, I hope that person is my brother." Tommy looked at Tony, slowed down his speech, and said earnestly.
Tony looked down at his beer, then raised his head to look at his brother in front of him. He hesitated for a moment before responding with equal sincerity, "You know what, my dear brother, I had no interest in everything you said before, but this last sentence you said is correct. If trouble comes your way, your brother will always stand in front of you. Yes, I mean I will go. The moment you were born into the Hawk family, I had the responsibility to protect you."
"Thank you, brother," Tommy said to Tony.
Tony exhaled a breath reeking of beer, digesting the news that he was about to become a college student and a probationary naval officer, and then he laughed, "Seriously, Tommy, does the business of selling software or books need to be so complicated?"
"I’m not in business; I’m a country farmer growing mushrooms." Seeing Tony’s expression relax, Tommy also breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled, "Do you know how to grow mushrooms? You feed them the most shit, hide them in dark corners, and calmly wait for the harvest."
After considering Tommy’s words seriously for a while yet failing to understand, Tony looked up at Tommy, "So am I... the mushroom, or the fucking shit?"
"Try not to mention your Italian heritage, you can make it known that you’re German, which will make it easier when socializing in military academies," Tommy changed the subject without answering Tony’s question.
"So, what should I do? Get some textbooks to review and prepare for school to start?"
"Exactly, first you need to go home and tell Dad and Ashley that you’re going to college, then just wait for recommendation letters and admission notices to arrive," Tommy advised Tony:
"I’ll transfer you $200,000 first to cover the costs of socializing with the SSD members. If it’s not enough, just call me any time."
Upon hearing that figure, Tony couldn’t help but widen his eyes, "Two hundred thousand? That’s enough for me to take a bunch of people from college entrance to old age in a bar." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
"You’ll understand once you’re there. $200,000 is just the basic annual social expense when dealing with those people. If anyone needs your help, call me, and I’ll help you decide if you should aid them. After that..." Tommy patted Tony’s shoulder, not finishing his sentence, when the maid Dorothy came over from outside the garage with a cordless phone:
"Mr. Hawk, you have a call, it’s Mr. Dennis Herbs."
"Okay, thank you for the reminder, Dorothy." Tommy took the phone, "Hey, Dennis, you must be having fun in Los Angeles these days, right? Otherwise, why would you... What? What the hell are you doing? Can’t you... God helps those who help themselves. I’m not God; I can’t save you, and not only can’t I save you, I’m even wondering now how to explain to others in a way that will make them believe I don’t know you! You idiot! I... You’re really a genius, Dennis! I often tell others, Dennis has a brain matching Einstein’s. Wait for me, I’ll come over as soon as possible."
After Tommy hung up the phone, Tony asked curiously, "What happened?"
"That guy Dennis wandered around and went to El Monte in Los Angeles, moonlighting as a coach for a children’s soccer team at a community match." Tommy sighed, closed his eyes, and pondered for a few seconds before speaking out.
Not understanding, Tony asked, "It sounds like this guy finally did something meaningful, why were you so agitated just now? Did he beat up the other team’s coach?"
