novelnext Chapter 105 Actors
Chapter 105 Actors
Chapter 105 The Actor (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets)
"Leo".
Sanders' voice came through.
"I heard everything John just said. The blueprint is beautiful and ambitious."
"But anyone can make empty promises."
"I have two very specific questions that require a satisfactory answer from you."
Sanders paused, his tone becoming stern.
"How do you plan to clean up this mess?"
"First, you just mobilized all the lawyers in the city to sue the municipal government, and now the amount of compensation sought is mountainous. Now that you have money, what are you going to do with these lawsuits? Are you going to pay all five hundred million dollars to those lawyers?"
"Secondly, the city council, that speaker named Moretti. He could block your budget of 20 million before, and now that you're facing 500 million, he'll only block it more tightly. He has legislative power and budget approval power. If he refuses to sign, this money won't appear in the first place, because you're not even qualified to issue bonds."
"Tell me, how do you plan to deal with these two obstacles?"
"If you can't solve this, then we'll all become targets for Republican attacks."
These are indeed the two most critical issues.
One is a legal deadlock, and the other is a political deadlock.
"Senator, these are actually two sides of the same coin."
Leo spoke, his voice steady and without any hesitation.
"You know those lawyers better than I do."
"Those lawyers who handle personal injury claims sue the government not for justice, but for money."
"The current situation is that they have thousands of claims in their hands, which theoretically could amount to 50 million or even more. But they are also well aware that they will need to go through a lengthy legal process to get this money."
"Evidence collection, hearing, first instance trial, second instance trial, appeal, counterclaim —"
"A class-action lawsuit against a government agency can drag on for three, five, or even ten years if left unchecked."
"During this process, the municipal government's legal department will use every procedural means to delay. Government lawyers who are paid a fixed salary can afford to wait, but lawyers who rely on contingency fees cannot."
"They need to pay hefty investigation costs upfront, invest significant human resources, and the final outcome is uncertain. The government has a legal team and various exemption clauses to navigate the situation."
"Without me, without a mayor willing to pay compensation and stepping forward, most of these cases they have would have become bad debts that cannot be realized."
"Time is their greatest enemy."
"For these law firms, a million-dollar check that may be cashed in ten years is far less attractive than six hundred thousand dollars in cash that they can get their hands on today."
Leo explained his solution.
"Once the $500 million bond issuance is successful, the funds will be available."
"I will immediately establish a rapid claims committee for public facility injuries at the city hall."
"I will make a proposal to all the plaintiffs' lawyers."
"As long as they are willing to withdraw their lawsuit and sign a settlement agreement, we can pay them in cash within two weeks, up to 30% of the claim amount."
"etc."
On the other end of the phone, Sanders interrupted him, his voice clearly showing displeasure.
"Pay me money outright? Leo, are you out of your mind?"
"We issue bonds and mobilize progressive funds across the United States to build infrastructure and create jobs, not to feed a bunch of greedy personal injury lawyers."
"If the public sees tens of millions of dollars in bond funds flowing directly into the pockets of citizens and lawyers instead of being transformed into steel and concrete, our narrative will collapse."
"Republicans will seize on this and attack us relentlessly, saying we are using taxpayers' debt to pay for your previous political stunts."
"They'll say it's wasteful, it's a transfer of benefits. And to some extent, they're right."
Leo remained calm in the face of Sanders' rebuke.
"Senator, if I may be so bold, you are looking at this issue with the mindset of a 20th-century legislator."
"You're staring at the balance sheet, while I'm staring at the screen."
Leo leaned forward, and although Sanders wasn't in front of him, this gesture gave his tone a sense of confidence.
"Have you forgotten how I rose to power? Have you forgotten how I managed to oust Cartwright even when he controlled the entire executive apparatus?"
"The Heart of Pittsburgh"
"We live in a media age, Senator. In this age, the truth is on TikTok and YouTube tonight."
This is a trend that's currently popular.
"I won't just secretly mail the checks to them."
Leo tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"I'll turn it into a show, a reality show about justice being served."
"Every penny of compensation spent will become a viral video online. We will transform a huge financial burden into an unparalleled political asset."
"We will use this money to buy people's hearts and minds, and to seize the absolute high ground in public opinion."
"This is our new role assignment, Senator."
"John is in charge of bringing the money back. He stands on the platform, fighting for resources for the Rust Belt. He will become the guardian of Pennsylvania."
"And I'll be responsible for spending the money. I'll be responsible for repairing the roads, paying medical bills, and rebuilding trust. I will work with John to rebuild this city."
"We not only solved the debt problem, we're creating a legend."
On the other end of the phone, Sanders gave a low "hmm".
He understood.
Although there will certainly be many problems in the specific implementation of media promotion, Leo already has successful experience, so replicating it should not be a big problem.
"So, what about Moretti?" Sanders pressed. "That old geezer isn't after the money; he's after the power. If you have five hundred million, he'll be even more envious. He'll try every means to take control of that money, or simply prevent you from spending it."
"Moretti?"
Leo smiled.
"Senator, the reason Moretti was able to block my $20 million budget is because it's part of the city's existing funds."
"That's the meat that everyone already had in their bowls."
"His withholding of that money, while likely to cause public discontent, can be explained as being for fiscal security," or "to prevent waste." This makes political sense; he's fulfilling his gatekeeper duties.
"but."
Leo's tone became extremely aggressive.
"Five hundred million US dollars in special-purpose bonds, that's an increase."
"This is the money I, Leo Wallace, earned through my own hard work in Washington, in the marketplace."
"The purpose of this money was clearly stated when it was issued: to renovate community infrastructure, to build inland ports, and to create jobs."
"If Moretti dares to refuse to approve this money into the budget, then the nature of the matter will change completely."
"More importantly, Senator, the Pittsburgh City Council has nine seats."
"Although Moretti is the speaker, he only has one vote. The reason he can control others is because he used to have the power to allocate limited resources."
"But now, I also have resources, and five hundred million US dollars worth of resources."
"This money is enough to pave the constituencies of the other eight councilors with gold bricks. Every councilor has his own roads he wants to build, his own voters he wants to please, and his own contractors he wants to feed."
"If Moretti dares to block my way, he's not just blocking me, he's blocking the financial path of the other eight members of parliament, and he's blocking their hopes of re-election."
Leo scoffed: "In this world, no one would turn down five hundred million dollars, not even the Speaker of the House."
"If he's really that foolish as to try to prevent this huge sum of money from entering Pittsburgh for the sake of some so-called face or power."
"Then I don't need to negotiate with him anymore."
"I will take this money directly and talk to the remaining eight members of parliament."
"At that time, I wouldn't mind initiating a new motion—to remove the Speaker—before the budget vote."
"I believe that, faced with the temptation of $500 million, it wouldn't be difficult for other members of Congress to replace him with someone more obedient."
"Before, I was the one begging him to sign."
"Now, he'll beg me to spend the money quickly, and to sign his name on the allocation form so that he can also share in the political achievements and the kickbacks."
"I will use this $500 million to create an unstoppable flood."
"Moretti either chooses to open the floodgates and irrigate his farmland, or he chooses to fight to the bitter end and be washed away by the flood without leaving a trace."
"I believe that as a shrewd politician who has spent so many years in parliament, he knows how to choose."
After Leo finished speaking, he waited quietly for Sanders' reaction.
This series of combined moves is logically sound and interconnected.
This not only resolved the legal crisis but also completely broke the deadlock in the city council.
More importantly, it demonstrates Leo's understanding of how power works.
He is no longer the protester who only shouts slogans; he has learned how to use the power of capital to crush administrative resistance.
Roosevelt's voice echoed deep within Leo's mind.
"Learning to use capital to manipulate administration is a lesson that must be learned in politics in this country."
"Many people believe that power comes from seals, laws, or that high and mighty position."
"That's true in some countries, but here, capital is the lifeblood, and administration is just the blood vessels."
"In the foundation of this country, although our constitution is full of freedom and democracy, in the actual operation of the country, capital has a higher priority than executive orders."
"This is a constitution that is not written on paper, but is engraved in our bones."
"Moretti thought that by mastering the rules of procedure and securing seats on the committee, he could control the situation. But he forgot that rules are made by people, and people are driven by money."
"When $500 million in capital is hanging over your head, it's no longer just money."
"It is gravity, it is the tide. It can distort rules, it can reshape loyalty, it can liquefy even the most solid administrative barriers in an instant."
"In the past, you tried to influence bureaucrats with morality or coerce them with the law, which was very difficult because you were going against the current. Now, you have learned to feed or crush them with capital, and you have become the current itself."
"This is the true nature of American politics: executive power is often merely the executor of the will of capital. Whoever controls the flow of capital is the true legislator."
Much later.
Sanders' voice came from the other end of the phone.
"very good."
This time, the old man's tone was devoid of doubt, only filled with admiration.
"Leo, you've grown up faster than I imagined."
"You not only know how to mobilize the masses, you also know how to exploit greed."
"That's good."
"In Washington, greed is a more reliable driving force than ideals."
The business is over.
Logically, the call should have ended.
But Sanders did not hang up.
"There's another problem, young people."
Sanders' voice suddenly became somewhat erratic.
"You've caused such a commotion."
"You pushed John into the Senate battlefield, even at the risk of offending the party's top brass."
"You've tied me to your war machine, forcing me to expend my political credibility for your plans."
"You'll also have to deal with oligarchs like Morganfield."
"You've done so much, not just to be a good mayor, right?"
Sanders’ tone suddenly turned sharp.
"And what about you?"
What do you want?
"A higher position? Do you want to be governor of Harrisburg? Or do you want to come to Washington and serve in Congress?"
Tell me your ambitions, Leo.
"I need to know exactly what kind of ally I'm supporting."
This is an extremely dangerous problem.
If Leo displays excessive ambition, revealing that he also wants to use Pittsburgh as a springboard to Harrisburg or even Washington, then Sanders will be wary.
But if Leo denies it outright and portrays himself as a selfless saint who only knows how to give, Sanders will be even less likely to believe him.
In a room full of transactions, those who claim to be selfless are often plotting something nefarious, or are simply untrustworthy swindlers.
He must carefully grasp the appropriate measure.
They needed to demonstrate both the desire to take control of the situation and the proof that this desire was strictly confined to the boundaries of Pittsburgh.
Murphy watched Leo nervously from the side, frantically giving him meaningful glances, signaling him to answer carefully.
Leo looked up.
He looked out the window.
Outside the window is the sky over Pittsburgh, the distant factory chimneys belching white smoke, and the old neighborhoods built layer upon layer against the hillside.
He saw the potholed Grant Street.
He remembered the elderly sanitation worker who had helped him up in the cold wind.
He remembered Margaret's old wheelchair and the threshold that had blocked her way.
"Senator."
Leo looked away and spoke calmly and sincerely into the phone.
At this moment, all that remained of him was a simple, honest honesty.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I don't want to be governor, and I don't want to go to Washington."
"The red carpet there is too soft; I'm afraid I won't be able to stand up."
"I just want to get this money."
"I just want to fix this damn city."
Leo's voice was soft, but unusually firm.
"I want the wife of the cleaner who broke her leg to receive the compensation she deserves and to no longer have to worry about medical expenses."
"I want to ensure that the elderly in the hilly areas who don't have heating can get a good night's sleep this winter."
"I want to enable those unemployed steelworkers to stand tall again and support their families through their work."
"I want to fill in all those thousands of holes."
That's all.
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Sanders has seen countless people.
He had heard countless politicians pledge their loyalty and talk about their ideals in front of him.
But Leo's words gave him a sense of long-lost authenticity.
"A perfect answer."
Roosevelt's voice echoed in Leo's mind, tinged with amusement.
"In the face of ambitious people, acting like a pure builder is the best form of camouflage."
"This will make him feel safe and also make him feel respected."
"In this circle, pure people are rarer than smart people."
Finally, Sanders' voice came through again.
This time, it carries the care and promise of an elder to a younger generation.
"it is good."
"Since you want to fix this city."
"Then I'll hand you a brick."
"It seems the city council can't stop you anymore. I'm waiting for your good news."
"Tell John to get his suit ready; I'm meeting him in Washington tomorrow."
"Beep!"
The phone hangs up.
Leo put down the receiver; his palms were slightly damp.
He looked at Murphy.
Murphy was looking at him like he was a monster.
"Were you acting just now?" Murphy asked, "or were you serious?"
Leo smiled but did not answer.