America 1919

Bob Ferry, a reporter for The New York Times, had been in Atlantic City for a day now.

Coming from the economic center of the United States to Atlantic City, Bob Ferry didn't feel out of place; rather, he was overjoyed and thought of it as heaven.

The ubiquitous taverns, the pretty and enthusiastic women, the lavish casinos—all made him want to stay forever.

Originally, he came because of the Block Tavern incident where someone drank themselves to death, but upon arrival, he realized that Atlantic City was brimming with news stories.

What shocked him the most was the Miss America election. Even though it was already very popular in New York, only in Atlantic City could he feel the unbridled enthusiasm for Miss America.

Here, betting on the Miss America contestants had almost become a public matter.

Just today, he had interviewed a local who had mortgaged his own house to bet on Carmen Farmer becoming the first Miss America.

Bob Ferry, who had just finished the interview, was having lunch at a restaurant in the West District, planning to make the West District of Atlantic City the main focus of his next report.

By the way, Bob Ferry had decided to do five reports on Atlantic City—naturally, the first one would be about the Block Tavern drinking death.

The second report was about the frenzy of Miss America in Atlantic City.

The third report was about the sin and virtue in the West District of Atlantic City.

The fourth report was about the rise of Atlantic City's up-and-comer, Donnie Block.

The fifth report was about the legendary life of Atlantic City's current "King," Nucky.

"Mr. Ferry, hello!"

Just as Bob Ferry was tackling the salmon in front of him, Robert approached him.

"Ah, Mr. Lillard."

Bob Ferry had met Robert not for the first time—on his first day in Atlantic City, Robert had found him. So, Ferry still thought Robert was trying to downplay the Block Tavern death incident.

"Mr. Lillard, about the incident at your tavern, I'm deeply sorry, but as a journalist, I have my professional ethics, so I'll definitely report the truth!"

Robert smiled and said, "Of course, Mr. Lillard – feel free to report it. I actually came over this time to see if there's anything I can help you with, Mr. Ferry?"

Bob Ferry cracked a smile: "Unless, Mr. Robert, you aren't trying to use that tavern incident as leverage, I do have some things for which I could use Mr. Lillard's help!"

Robert nodded: "Of course, I can assure you that I will not bring up anything about Block Tavern during this process."

Bob Ferry didn't believe Robert, but he wasn't worried about Robert's actions either. As a journalist, Ferry knew well that the Block Tavern incident was already having an impact.

If Robert dared do anything to him, the newspapers and media across the country would bombard Robert and his boss, Donnie Block, like a tempest, and even with Donnie Block's great influence in Atlantic City, trouble would ensue.

Consequently, Robert became Bob Ferry's professional guide, accompanying him around Atlantic City and answering all of Ferry's questions without reservation.

"How did Mr. Block come up with the idea of holding the Miss America pageant? You know, before Miss America started, no one thought such an event would become a national sensation," Bob Ferry asked, pen and paper in hand.

"Very simple. Before this, Atlantic City had already hosted a beauty pageant which caused some buzz within Atlantic City but failed to extend its influence beyond the city.

Donnie was thinking, if we could turn this event national, it would definitely positively affect the Atlantic City brand!"

Bob Ferry laughed: "Wasn't it because the event would bring Mr. Donnie Block an immense fortune? According to my investigations in the last two days, just the periphery of Atlantic City has already made Donnie Block and Nucky rich beyond measure, not to mention the national periphery!"

Robert didn't conceal anything on this matter and laughed: "If your paper had been willing to promote Miss America for free, perhaps there wouldn't have been any bookmaking!"

Bob Ferry laughed: "We're just conducting normal business activities, after all, our paper also needs to make money, but our actions didn't violate any U.S. laws!"

Robert smiled and said nothing more about it, switching the topic to the incident at his tavern.

"When you reporters came to Atlantic City, I remember telling you about the tavern incident. First of all, regarding the liquor, that batch wasn't ours, we got it from LeBron James; and about the dead person, out of humanity and without us needing to do so, we gave his family $3,000 in compensation. Yet, none of these things appeared in your papers. Is that also part of your professional ethics?" Experience new tales on empire