Chapter 842: 288, Atlantic City Racing Club Opens_2

Johnny Torrio, with a polite smile, showed no hint of being a city boss: “Sure, but we’d like to check out the situation at the stadium!”

Dick Hoblatt laughed: “Of course, there’s no problem at all. Mr. Torrio, you can just command Philo for anything you need here!”

Soon after, Johnny Torrio and Al Capone followed the lead of Philo into the Atlantic City plaza.

The first impression Johnny Torrio got from the Atlantic City Stadium was its size; the second was the crowd; and the third, its luxury!

In the center of the stadium, a huge performance stage had been set up, where a grand show would soon take place.

“Atlantic City plaza is divided into three levels, the first level is for regular spectators, who only need to pay 50 cents to enter.”

Philo Ramos faithfully introduced the details of the Atlantic City plaza to Johnny Torrio.

“The second level has boxes, and it’s quite more expensive here. Each box costs 30 US Dollars and includes various foods and beverages. Additionally, there are various restaurants and entertainment facilities outside the boxes.

The third level is not open to the public; only Atlantic City’s VIPs can enter!”

Al Capone asked: “Who counts as a VIP of Atlantic City?

Philo Ramos explained: “Naturally, a person like Mr. Johnny Torrio would be considered an Atlantic City VIP, as well as the horse owners!”

The horses of the Atlantic City Racing Club come from these owners, who get meticulous care for their horses in Atlantic City; and should their horses win in the races, these owners receive a handsome sum as prize money.

However, breeding racehorses is not a trivial matter; it is estimated that the basic cost of breeding a racehorse is at least 100,000 US Dollars per year!

Thus, it’s impossible for ordinary people to become horse owners!

Not hearing his name, Al Capone looked somewhat displeased!

“What do those people do?” Johnny Torrio asked, observing the uniformly dressed service staff weaving through the crowd.

Philo Ramos explained with a smile: “These are the club’s service staff. If the guests need any beverages or snacks, they can purchase them from them!”

Out of curiosity, Johnny Torrio stopped a staff member and ordered a beer… it was twice the price of the same outside…

Soon, someone came over with the beverages!

Johnny Torrio observed many people holding drinks, and only then realized that the profits brought by the Racing Club to Donnie didn’t just come from selling betting tickets, but also from these sales of beverages and snacks, which made up a substantial income!

“What a money-making scheme!” Johnny Torrio exclaimed internally once again.

After touring the stadium, Johnny Torrio and Al Capone, guided by a server, used a special passage to reach the second floor of the stadium, where they noticed the difference.

Glass-enclosed boxes protruded forward, but these boxes were not enclosed. Behind the boxes, there was a large wraparound area throughout the stadium with food and drink vendors, and every few meters there were information desks providing details about the competing horses, available whenever one wanted.

Inside the boxes, there were also telescopes available for guests to clearly observe the action inside the arena.

After walking around for a while, Johnny Torrio and Al Capone followed Philo Ramos to the symbolic third floor.

The situation on the third floor was similar to that of the second floor, but the boxes were much more private.

After arriving at their box, Johnny Torrio asked Philo Ramos: “Where is Donnie? Why haven’t we seen him yet?”

Philo Ramos explained: “Our boss is currently entertaining VIPs, I believe he will come to meet Mr. Torrio soon!”

Johnny Torrio nodded slightly, finding this explanation acceptable. He had already read in the newspapers that the Atlantic City Racing Club opening had attracted many important figures, and it was fitting for Donnie as the host to accompany them!

“Such high status, could there really be someone more distinguished than us?”

Johnny Torrio understood Philo Ramos’s explanation, but Al Capone didn’t feel the same way. Throughout their visit, he was irritated, especially since Philo Ramos never mentioned his own name when talking about the VIPs!

The Torrio-Capone Group could become the biggest bootlegging gang in Chicago not just through Donnie’s bootleg liquors but also with the profit chain of bootlegging ties and a very close relationship with Chicago’s Mayor Thompson; even saying that Thompson could become the mayor of Chicago through the financial support from the Torrio-Capone Group.

So, Al Capone always believed that they could eventually attain in Atlantic City the status that Donnie had.

Philo Ramos, unruffled, replied with a smile: “Mr. Capone, I’ve noted your thoughts, and I will convey them to my boss!”

Johnny Torrio’s expression slightly changed: “Ramos, do pay attention, Capone is just talking nonsense. Donnie is obviously very busy today, and we all understand that!”

As Johnny Torrio finished speaking, the performance in the stadium began.

The famous jazz band from New York Broadway, The New York Big Band took the stage, starting to play their signature tune “I Can’t Get the One I Want,” instantly electrifying the stadium with lively jazz music through the surround sound speakers.