America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

When Martin went out for his morning run, he specifically brought money with him.

He noticed new dealers had appeared around the community.

They were easy to recognize, the old dealers were basically white, now they were all black.

Martin had no intention of dealing with them, deliberately avoided them, and headed to the north side of the community, where he found Scott carrying a bag, taking crab steps towards his grocery store.

"Hurt again?" Martin asked curiously.

Scott stopped his shuffling feet and said, "I found a new job, pays really well! Let me tell you, idiot, I! Scott Carter! will soon be a rich man."

Martin didn't know the specifics but had a hunch, too lazy to talk about it further, he asked, "Do you have modeling clay in your store?"

Scott, continuing his crab steps to the store, said, "Yeah, come with me. What do you want to make? Clumsy fool."

Martin mumbled, "Making a cute toy, to cheer someone up."

......

An hour later, at the Carter's house.

Martin cleared the table, unwrapped the package of modeling clay, tore off a big chunk, and began to knead it according to what he had in mind.

But what he thought of and what he made were far apart.

"Pinkish modeling clay, from Scott's?" Harris asked, coming over after washing dishes and glancing at what Martin had made—a big lump with a strip sticking out that at first glance looked like a coiled snake and exclaimed, "Martin, did you make a turd?"

Martin stopped his work, "Is it really that bad?"

Harris shook his head vigorously, looking at Martin like he was looking at an idiot, then turned back and called out, "Elena, Martin needs your help."

Elena ran out from her room.

Martin said seriously, "You're not suitable."

Elena declared, "I'm the best at crafting."

She rolled up her sleeves, ready to start, "What do you want to make?"

Martin helplessly gestured with his hands about thirty centimeters apart, "About this tall, and the shape... well, like a complete version of a wooden fence."

Elena looked at the lump Martin had made and instantly understood, "I got it."

Martin added, "It's a water bottle specially prepared for Freedom Association's protest rallies."

Elena worked quickly with her hands and soon had a basic shape, then grabbed a carving knife for the finishing touches.

Martin pointed to the cone's tip and said, "Add a straw here."

Elena asked, "Are you sure this is a water bottle? I'm not very worldly, don't trick me."

Martin said very seriously, "Of course, it's a water bottle."

He pointed to the cylinder, "Design a line of text on it, 'My life, my rules!'"

Because of Martin, Elena had been keeping up with the Methodist Association and the Freedom Association recently, even visiting the House of Beast, she asked, "This design and slogan, are they exclusive to the libertarians?"

Martin said, "I'm working hard to make it a favorite among libertarians, to become the exclusive water bottle."

Elena was surprised, "You understand business?"

Martin didn't know a thing about business, he had always been floating aimlessly, never coming into contact with business.

The water bottle and slogan were both copied, and they were copied from the entertainment industry.

In his previous life, some year after 2015, which he had long forgotten, Kendall Jenner had used such a cup.

As for the slogan, it was what Hollywood's #MeToo had used later on.

Unfortunately, the water bottle's design couldn't be patented for its appearance.

Elena brought over a hairdryer to dry it as quickly as possible.

Martin continued to ponder on how to monetize it.

Elena folded her arms, "Idiot, what are you thinking?"

Martin simply said, "First, I'm a true liberal, eager for widespread recognition, especially from the liberals from California."

Before he could finish, Elena's middle finger was already waiting for him.

Martin went on without stopping, "Second, to sell to the liberals and make a profit."

Elena didn't understand these things, "Are you sure?"

Martin just nodded, the deal he was discussing with Kelly Gray about the equality water bottle was important.

Elena said, "The straw must be detachable, so customers can use it from either end."

Martin was speechless, you're simply wasting your talent here.

He went next door to change into formal wear, took a briefcase, packed the water bottle, and said to Elena, "Where's the dress I bought you? Put it on, from now on you're my assistant, watch your language."

Elena changed her clothes and followed Martin out the door.

The two first went to the Marietta Theatre Company, found a prop master through Jerome with whom the company had cooperated, and had him create a sample out of hot melt resin using an oil-based clay model.

Jerome looked at the oddly shaped water bottle, "Why would you make something like this?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't say it was for commercial use, and gestured towards Elena, "Leader, she always misses my kindness, insisting on using me as a model to create an everyday item."

Elena cursed a million times inside her head.

Jerome looked at the water bottle, suddenly felt a surge of inferiority, he was tired and didn't want to talk, "Is it done? Hurry up and leave."

Martin drove towards Duluth.

Among the companies they had identified last time, after looking at their main products and having a conversation, Martin found a suitable target, an import and export company called Bay Trading, which had various kinds of water bottles in their product line.

The company wasn't large but had been established for many years and had a good reputation.

The owner named Rosad, spoke English with an accent, "Mr. Davis, we can certainly meet your needs in the area of small commodities, may I know which product caught your interest?"

Martin spoke directly, "I want to order a custom water bottle."

Rosad asked, "What are the specific requirements?"

"As low a price as possible, as good materials as possible, including the casing, it must comply with American standards," Martin said worriedly, what if the liberal use resulted in poisoning?

Rosad thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have a sample or a drawing?"

Martin took out the sample made by the prop master.

The pink special water bottle was placed on the table, and Rosad's mouth twitched slightly: Could you really bring yourself to take such a water bottle out in public?

Rosad picked up the cup and looked carefully, "We can't use this material."

"The sample was done hastily." Martin was straightforward: "I want 10,000 units for the first order, give me a quote."

This was the quantity he had estimated based on the customers of House of Beast and members of the Freedom Association.

Rosad did a quick calculation, "5 US dollars."

Martin shook his head, "The Chinese company across the street offered a quote of 1.5 US dollars." He held out a finger, "And this is just the first batch."

Rosad calculated the cost, "We have never produced water bottles of this kind before; the mold costs will be extremely high."

After some haggling, and because Martin demanded delivery within half a month, they finally agreed on a unit price of 3 US dollars.

This price included customs clearance, transportation, and storage costs.

Martin called the law firm he had visited last time, and a professional lawyer came to help draft the contract; he paid a deposit of 4,500 US dollars.

On the ride back, Elena's repressed worries erupted, "Idiot, if you can't sell 30,000 US dollars worth of goods, you'll end up broke again and face damn business litigation!"

"The final payment has a two-month billing period, it shouldn't be a problem," Martin had thought this through, "I'm desperately trying to trigger the Freedom Association's desire to buy, even if they don't want it, I can still sell it in the club, they would definitely be interested."

He turned and smiled, "If it fails, I'll just go back to performing on the ring stage."