America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In the classroom of the Methodist Association's training center, Elena was flipping through the training materials distributed by the teacher. She recognized individual letters and most of the words, but when they formed sentences, she couldn't understand what they meant.

The computer software operations explained by the teacher on the podium might as well have been hieroglyphics.

This was free skill training provided by the Methodist Sect in cooperation with the Methodist Association for its followers.

Because free food was distributed at the end of the training, Elena, even though she felt drowsy, refrained from leaving.

The food was enough for breakfast tomorrow, and considering Martin, the idiot, she would save at least 6 US dollars.

Harris wanted to apply for college, and even the cheaper public ones weren't inexpensive.

All these troublesome matters were enough to make Elena's head explode.

Finally, after enduring until the end of the training, the girl next to her, Juliet, asked, "Are you going to the mutual aid meeting tomorrow afternoon?"

"I haven't decided yet," Elena replied, feeling it was absurd even though she had a thick face.

Juliet was very enthusiastic, "Come on, let's go together. Miss Jennifer will be presiding over it tomorrow afternoon and she even brought gifts."

Hearing about gifts, Elena suppressed the swear words that almost slipped out and said, "I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow morning."

The mutual aid meetings hosted by the Methodist Association were held weekly.

After collecting the food, Elena left the training center and saw the Ford's headlights flashing, brightening the night; she ran over and got into the passenger seat.

Martin started the car and glanced at her, "Got quite a bit of good stuff."

"Of course!" Elena placed two big paper bags on the back seat. "Who would listen to these idiotic lectures if they didn't give away stuff?"

Martin spoke from the side, "Learning different skills can help you find a stable job."

Elena replied, "I just want to make money."

Understanding her family's circumstances, Martin said, "I got a gig from the boss that needs extra hands. If you do well, you'll earn at least 500 US dollars."

This was an expense that was calculated separately for the club.

Thinking back to the last time, Elena quipped, "Stupid Harris breaks an arm again? No problem for me."

"It doesn't have to be that cruel," said Martin casually. "Are you familiar with the people from the Methodist Association?"

Elena shrugged, "Fairly, we can talk. They're all extremely conservative."

She remembered what Juliet had said, "There's a mutual aid meeting at the Methodist Association tomorrow. An important person named Jennifer will be hosting it and bringing gifts. Hopefully, it's not those damn origami cranes or lucky stars."

Martin thought for a moment, "Are you up for the gig? If you are, go to the meeting tomorrow."

Elena retorted, "You want me to go to that event?"

Martin laughed, "Go ahead, do me a favor. Socialize with more people and invite them to the club for free drinks and fun..."

Elena said, "I'll call Monica, with free drinks and nightlife on offer, no need for rallying."

The Ford moved into Clayton Community. Martin drove into the backyard of the house and parked where James was buried.

The car wheels compacted the ground.

James didn't voice any objections, signaling they had done the right thing.

......

Close to noon, Bruce parked his pickup truck and entered the House of Beast, arms filled with newspapers and documents.

Apart from the idiot Ivan who guarded the porch, only Martin, the idiot, was in the club.

Bruce placed the items on the circular stage and asked, "Why do you get to order me around?"

Martin tossed him a beer can, cracked open one for himself, and said, "That's the difference between a smart man and a civilized one."

Bruce sat on the stage, "They're all betting on how long it'll take before you're up here."

Martin boasted, "My dancing is terrifying. One backflip, and the earth detonates right there, wiping out humanity."

Bruce finished his beer, the can landing perfectly in the trash bin, "This is the first time I realize a person can be as shameless as you."

"You haven't seen enough," Martin replied as he also discarded his can, handing two sets of pens and notebooks to Bruce, one for himself, "Quit the chatter, and get to work as Boss Martin orders."

Taking a stack of newspapers and magazines, he instructed, "Atlanta's main print media, radio, and television stations, all have news hotlines that reward news tips. Write down all the corresponding media phone numbers; Boss Martin will lead you all to riches."

"We can't break the law; we're civilized!" Bruce complained verbally but was swift with his hands as he hurried to work.

......

In the northwestern part of Atlanta's metropolitan area, bordering Marietta.

Elena met up with Juliet and entered the Methodist church's branch.

Reaching the large meeting room, seven or eight people were sitting in chairs, forming a large circle.

The conservatively dressed Jennifer waved for the two to come over and sit down.

A few minutes later, five more people rushed into the room.

Jennifer presided over this chastity support meeting and spoke aloud, "I'm proud of you all for wanting to purify yourselves and become the glory and pride of your families!"

She looked around and asked, "So, who wants to start?"

A girl in her twenties stood up first to share her story.

Juliet followed suit, and as she sat down, she gave Elena a knowing look.

Elena, working on her mental fortitude to avoid habitual swearing, slowly stood up, and amid encouraging looks from everyone, said, "I'd like to share a painful experience that haunts me like a nightmare. With your strength, I hope to cleanse myself of these unclean memories."

Jennifer's smile was warm, "Child, please speak freely."

Elena tried her best to appear as she had rehearsed with Martin, eyes wide with horror, "One Saturday night last week, my friends and I mistakenly wandered into a bar on West Strip called House of Beast. Everything there was insane..."

She racked her brain to describe the degeneracy of the House of Beast and the negative influence it had on those around her.

Before she knew it, Jennifer had taken out a pen and notebook, asking, "West Strip Avenue? House of Beast?"

"Yes," Elena confirmed.