Reborn in America, I am a legendary short seller on Wall Street.

Chapter 207 A Grand Gift for Mr. Potter
On Saturday afternoon, Larry made a plan for the things he needed to do recently in his suite.

Larry gave Goldman Sachs three months.

Establishing three companies involves many more professional and meticulous operations.

Even when Mr. Browning occasionally needed to use Mauser rifle bullets in the early stages of gun design, his connections with gun clubs and the National Rifle Association were sufficient.

Large quantities of bullets will only be needed when the gun is finalized and requires large-scale testing.

If the testing is conducted in the summer, there shouldn't be any problems.

Besides that, Larry has several other things on his plate that are more pressing right now.

The handover of the bubble tea shop is a minor matter; Kennedy will handle the handover with the Chinese community himself.

But there was another urgent matter that needed to be addressed immediately—he needed to find a place to stay in New York.

These days, a gentleman of standing without a proper place to stay can easily cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

In addition, without a fixed address, it can be troublesome when credit verification is required for matters such as guarantees, taxes, and company registration.

A stable and decent residence would be a plus for Larry in his future endeavors in New York.

However, Larry didn't want to follow Mr. Porter's example and stay near the Waldorf Hotel, as it was too noisy.

Another issue is that the security forces there cannot penetrate deep into the buildings, making indoor security a major problem.

For someone like Larry who leaves home casually and may not return for half a month or a month, it is necessary to find a property management department with unified management and very strict security measures so that he can travel with peace of mind.

Larry plans to rent out the entire four-story apartment building on Fifth Avenue to generate cash flow for himself.

As for matters involving rentals, please entrust them all to Mr. Potter.

Oh, right, another very important thing is the mass production of the cash registers. I forgot to talk to Matthew about this last time; we need to expedite the patent application and get the project off the ground as soon as possible…

Larry was deep in thought in his room when he soon heard Logan's loud, boisterous voice coming from the hallway.

“Wow, Mr. Dunbar! You were absolutely right. I went to Greenwich Village and found it to be just the right place for me.”

Mr. Dunbar's voice also rang out.

"How was it? I haven't been there, but I've heard that the people who rent there are all quite high-class, and mostly young people who are artists or scholars."

“Yes, I rented a suite. The landlord introduced me to some people whose neighbors are either young Broadway dancers or young university faculty members. Being around them makes me feel like I’m about to grow a brain!” Logan replied.

Larry smiled to himself, thinking that if they continued to make such a racket in the hallway, it would soon annoy the other guests.

Larry quickly opened the door and let the two into his suite to talk.

Mr. Dunbar was holding a tourist map of New York and memorizing it, while also keeping watch outside Larry's room; Logan, on the other hand, was waving a rental agreement in his hand, his face full of smiles.

"Come in and sit down!"

Larry ushered the two into the suite and then closed the door.

Before the three of them were even seated, Logan had already shown them his rental agreement.
“Look at this! It’s only $28 a month, and I’m renting a second-floor apartment. It’s a prime location—no noise from the first floor and not too many stairs to climb. It’s fantastic!”

Larry took the contract and glanced at it. Logan's new address was very close to Washington Square, and it was a new apartment building with running water, so naturally the price was high.

"Your rent is too expensive. Even if you work at Morgan Bank, your weekly salary wouldn't cover your rent!"

Larry made a joke, then took out a card with Mr. Coster's name and phone number on it and handed it to Logan.
“Mr. Coster, he is a senior partner at Morgan Bank. I just called him. Go directly to him when you start work on Monday, and he will arrange for you to work as a junior employee at the international business counter.”

Logan took the card and hesitated slightly before saying, "Didn't you tell me to go to the precious metals division? I thought I was going to the vault."

Larry patiently replied, "I'm not asking you to manage the vault, that's worthless. I'm asking you to go to the department involved in precious metals trading. There's no doubt that the US dollar isn't an international currency yet; foreigners only recognize gold. So you'll be able to experience the most direct fluctuations in the value of gold there."

"Oh, okay! I'll call my dad later and explain things at home." Logan said, putting the card in his shirt pocket.

“Remember, keep a low profile. You can make more friends, but don’t bring them to your apartment right now, otherwise people will easily notice something amiss,” Larry reminded him again.

"Understood! In short, as long as you come to New York, I will come to see you and give you a proper report on what I have seen and heard recently!"

Logan said with a smile.

Larry nodded, feeling there was no need to say anything more, and said softly, "Tomorrow we'll go to Macy's to buy some clothes, as a gift from me for your move to New York."

Logan blinked, a smile playing on his lips, and replied, "So what about today? I think we should go to Broadway. I've never seen an opera before, and besides, these are free tickets. It would be a shame not to see one, Vanderbilt."

Larry was somewhat helpless; Logan's personality was even more childlike than his own.

But looking back, going to the Broadway theater is practically a must for New Yorkers. Larry agreed to Logan's suggestion.

After the three of them finished getting ready, they left the hotel and headed towards Broadway.

At that time, the true opera center of Broadway was not near what would later become Times Square, but rather Madison Square Garden. The Metropolitan Opera there was very popular with New York's nouveau riche.

However, the theater district at this time was not as purely entertainment-oriented as it would be in later years; instead, it was an extension of a complex that combined high-end shopping, social, and residential areas.

Before and after opera performances are important social ceremonies for the wealthy, so the surrounding area is equipped with facilities to meet all the needs of the elite.

When the three of them reached the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 19th Street, they saw the Altman department store, which looked like an Eastern European palace, standing proudly.

This department store is a direct competitor to Macy's, but with a more elegant, understated, and luxurious style, making it popular with older-money and European customers. The building itself is a palace, featuring a vast atrium, ornate staircases, and state-of-the-art steam elevators.

This place sells haute couture, imported silks, antique furniture, artwork, and exquisite glassware and porcelain. It's a must-visit for ladies to stock up on their outfits and ensure they don't look out of place in the opera box.

Larry spotted a newly opened street-front shop downstairs in the department store. At that moment, a group of women dressed in elaborate European-style dresses were gathered around a person in the center of the shop, engaged in a heated discussion.

As Larry passed by the crowd, he casually glanced at the glass display case and was astonished to find that the items on display were none other than Mr. Winthrop's proud invention—the camera.

It's still that Kodak No. 1, the same size as a shoebox.

Larry stopped and looked into the crowd, immediately spotting Mr. Eastman, whom he had seen in the Pullman luxury train.

At that moment, Eastman was standing in the crowd, giving a passionate speech to his customers.

"Wait a minute!" Larry called out to Logan, who was walking straight ahead with his head down. He squeezed to the edge of the crowd and kept looking inside.

This is a newly opened upscale photo studio specializing in portrait photography. Judging from its appearance, the studio also currently sells Kodak portable cameras.

"...Ladies and gentlemen, please remember Kodak's motto: You just press the button, we'll do the rest!" Eastman said loudly to the people around him, holding his camera, his face showing a deliberately enthusiastic expression.

A burst of laughter and applause erupted from the crowd.

Larry's mind went blank for a moment, and he immediately associated the slightly visually impaired Mr. Eastman with the word Kodak.

That was Eastman Kodak! A smile spread across Larry's face, not from the unexpected encounter, but from marveling at this era of rapid progress!

A chance encounter on the street might witness a great invention; a fleeting glance back might be the beginning of a great era!
The Second Industrial Revolution—that's its true value. Many great inventions were hidden beneath the glitz and glamour of steam, horse-drawn carriages, and tailcoats, yet it revealed a completely different style of new chapter in human civilization.

The ladies and young women in the crowd were clearly drawn to this novel machine. While they murmured their admiration for the camera's small size, they also harbored doubts about whether this tiny device could truly replace the large, safe-like camera they had previously encountered.

Although there were quite a few onlookers, the scene was a bit quiet for a while because no one rushed forward to buy anything.

Larry looked around, sighed, and thought to himself, "Mr. Eastman still has the straight-laced brain of an inventor. Didn't you prepare a few shills in advance?"
Judging from this scene, he's just waiting for me to put on a show with him. Oh well, I'm already here! Let's make a good connection before I leave!

I want one!

Larry raised his arm high, holding a $100 bill in his hand, the image of President Lincoln standing out prominently in the spring sunshine.

"Oh~~~"

The ladies and young women exclaimed in admiration when they heard that someone had made a purchase.

Looking back suddenly, I saw a handsome young blond man standing outside the crowd, holding up $100 in his hand.

"wow~~~"

In an instant, the women's exclamations turned into amazement, and a multitude of eyes of various colors stared intently at Larry's face.

Ladies who aren't reserved have already started exchanging glances with their girlfriends.

Excuse me! May I pass?

Larry gave the ladies around him a gentlemanly smile, and only after they slowly made way for him did he step forward and walk up to Mr. Eastman.

“I’ll buy one, sir. This is my first time in New York, and I feel like my eyes can’t take it all in. I need to borrow your amazing machine to record the breathtaking scenery here.”

Mr. Eastman adjusted his glasses, recognized the boy from the train compartment, and smiled.

A woman in the crowd laughed and said, "Hey! Young man, you're exaggerating a bit too much."

Larry turned to look at the ladies, gave them a friendly bow, and then smiled and said...
"Ladies, please forgive me. For someone like me who has just come from the quiet countryside, the bustling scene of New York is more dazzling than a kaleidoscope. Standing here, I feel like a child seeing the wonders of the Barnum Museum for the first time, and everything is so new and exciting."

Larry's self-deprecating humor instantly won over the ladies, who covered their smiling faces with fans while chatting amongst themselves.

The same talkative lady continued in a loud voice, "Where are you from?"

"Where I come from is not important, madam. In my eyes, there is only the difference between New York and non-New York!"

Larry smiled warmly and continued,

Before coming to New York, I thought a pleasant conversation meant listening to crickets chirping and counting the stars in the sky.

Now, standing amidst your radiance and beauty, I understand what true 'New York' is. If I have been negligent in my manners, it is surely because I am captivated by this sight, not because I intended to be disrespectful.”

Larry took his witty remarks to a whole new level this time, praising not only New York but also the ladies around him.

Larry's witty joke brought smiles to the faces of the ladies and young women watching, who then applauded enthusiastically.

Larry turned to Mr. Eastman and said, “Seriously, sir, please give me one of your cameras… I want to capture this unforgettable moment right now… This is the epitome of New York!”

As he spoke, Larry turned his arm toward the ladies watching.

Joyful laughter erupted from the crowd once again.
.
Thanks to Larry's delightful interlude, Eastman's business was off to a flying start.

Larry bought two cameras in one go, while the ladies and young women, laughing, deferring, and secretly competing, snapped up the remaining forty-odd cameras.

After the group of ladies who had surrounded the Kodak camera and Larry had all dispersed, Eastman finally had time to thank his little benefactor in person.

Looking at Larry, Eastman's mustache twitched as he smiled.

"Young gentleman, I am truly grateful to you! Without you, my camera wouldn't have sold so quickly!"

Eastman adjusted his top hat to Larry's, a look of sincere gratitude on his face.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not just doing this for you, but more for your great invention!” Larry replied with a smile.

Eastman was slightly surprised and quickly asked, "Are you familiar with our products? Previously, our Kodak One was only marketed on a small scale. This is the first time we've opened a store on Broadway... Of course, it's still a joint venture for now."

Larry laughed as he revealed his landlord's love of fashion and science, and recounted the amusing incident of their last photo shoot at Walden Pond.

Eastman adjusted his glasses, then clapped his hands and laughed, asking,
"That's truly an honor for our product, sir. To be honest, we've always focused on portrait and close-up photography, and we've never tried shooting a vast scene like Walden Pond before. How was the result?"

Larry frowned, shrugged, and replied, "I don't have an answer yet... because my landlord sent the camera back to you, and I haven't received the photos yet!"

“Oh, haha, okay!” Eastman said with a slightly embarrassed smile, “These days, sending a camera to Rochester, New York, and then sending it back is indeed a time-consuming and laborious thing.”

"And more importantly, it can easily damage the camera..."

Larry raised an eyebrow and said, "Why not consider a more time-saving and labor-saving method?"

Eastman clicked his tongue and said, "We are a startup... Besides, building photo developing plants in various places is a waste of time and may not guarantee the quality of the photos. You have to understand, our dry plate film is unique at this time."

Larry's mind raced, and he took a half-step closer, saying, "You haven't considered financing? Impossible. As far as I know, your company is already quite well-known. Those Wall Street bigwigs have been smelling blood for a while now, how could they not have noticed you?"

Eastman looked helpless and sighed, "Who comes to Wall Street if not for financing? I tried to get close to Mr. Morgan, and his assessment of us was... well, never mind, he wasn't very optimistic about us."

Larry smiled to himself, thinking, "I originally wanted to do stock market trading in the secondary market, so why do I keep getting involved in this kind of primary market work of issuing stocks?"

After thinking for a moment, Larry said,

"Excuse my bluntness, Mr. Eastman, but you've come to the wrong person. Mr. Morgan values ​​profitability and company size more. Showing him this novel technology might not be well-received. This isn't meant to be disrespectful, but... he wouldn't understand it either."

Eastman's face showed a hint of distress, but his innate alertness and caution prompted him to re-examine the other person.
"Do you know Mr. Morgan well?"

Larry smiled, then pulled out JP Morgan's business card from his wallet and waved it in front of Mr. Eastman.
“Mr. Eastman, even though there are hundreds of thousands of people in Manhattan and hundreds of wealthy people whose names are well-known, you might not be able to find a single person with Mr. Morgan’s business card even if you walk around the streets for a week.”

Eastman took Mr. Morgan's business card from Larry, weighed it carefully, looked at it seriously, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Is this really Mr. Morgan's business card? Could you take me to meet him in person? Oh my God, I forgot to ask your name. Forgive my rudeness..."

Larry smiled and continued, “My name is Larry Livingston, but I won’t take you to Mr. Morgan because I’ve already told you the outcome. If you really want to raise funds for the company, I’ll take you to see someone else.”

Eastman gave Larry a sharp look, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.
"Okay! Thank you for your help."

Larry smiled and thought to himself: Mr. Potter, I'm about to give you a big gift!
　One chapter is 5k words long, and there's another 3k-word chapter coming up.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)