Chapter 38: Is This City Provoking Me?

Excuse me? Chicago is known for its simple, honest folk?

Even for media outlets that cannot afford to be too concerned with dignity, being this shameless is quite a rarity. Have you all forgotten that *Fifty Shades of Grey*, the erotic novel that took the nation—no, the entire world—by storm, originated right here in Chicago? Come to think of it, didn’t it even come from the hands of your very own *Sun*? Furthermore, Edward, that degenerate, also hailed from Chicago!

And now, you call this concoction "Holy Water"? To us, it smells suspiciously like booze. This is a blatant violation of Prohibition! How can a city with such a "checkered history" have the audacity to label itself as having "simple, honest folk"?

Visiting journalists were witnessing the true colors of the *Sun* up close for the first time, and one after another, they could only curse in disbelief. As for the local journalists, they were not surprised in the least. Just as the rest of America viewed Logan as an inspiring, upstanding gentleman, the local Chicago reporters merely sneered. A newspaper is a reflection of its owner; one look at the *Sun* tells you that Logan’s skin is as thick as a seasoned politician’s.

Of course, they saw through it but didn’t say it—partly because, in truth, Chicagoans actually quite like that sort of thing. The locals who read the *Sun* puffed out their chests with pride: Aren’t we just simple, honest folk? So many people had been through such trauma that they couldn't even let their departed loved ones rest in peace; if they aren't out rioting or looting, what’s the harm in drinking a little "Holy Water"?

In reality, to say that so many people couldn't tell that this "Holy Water" was just liquor would be absolute nonsense. But their attitude toward Prohibition had already undergone a 180-degree turn. Once, encouraged by conservatives like Edward, they had favored the ban. In between, there was the panic caused by the distillery fire and the chaos of gang warfare that left the city in disarray. Back then, it felt like alcohol was a curse and the ban was a blessing.

But the terror of the fire was quickly forgotten, the gang wars didn't last long, and Chicago seemed to return to a state of calm. The tension dissipated, and Chicagoans began to long for a more relaxed life. They grew tired of their puritanical existence, and many began to reminisce about the days of sipping a drink at a corner tavern. When Edward’s depravity was exposed, the public developed a deep resentment toward the very Prohibition he had championed. Besides, in such a volatile emotional state, alcohol was exactly what they needed.

As the saying goes, the only reason something becomes a fatal temptation is because it has been prohibited by law. Chicagoans now found themselves craving alcohol with even greater intensity, even those who had never been drinkers before. Thus, the so-called "Purifying Holy Water" became all the rage. Of course, its unusual appearance fooled quite a few people. Some out-of-town reporters, unaware of the situation, tried some "purifying" themselves, only to spit it out after the first sip.

Damn it, this is clearly alcohol! If you want to drink, just drink—what’s all this nonsense about purification? Yet, the Chicagoans would argue righteously, insisting that alcohol is a disinfectant, and isn't disinfection a form of purification? They were so brazen that the reporters were left speechless. They couldn't help but wonder: the church is too busy distancing itself to care, the media is too focused on chasing the latest headlines to pay attention, and the public has no complaints—but what about the Chicago Prohibition agents? Where have they all gone?

"Good question!" Donal said in Logan’s office, his tone dripping with exaggeration. "Chicago’s Prohibition agents are incredibly dedicated!"

"They are working themselves to the bone shutting down illegal distilleries, ensuring no drinkable alcohol is produced in the city. They simply don't have the time to be distracted!"

Logan applauded upon hearing this. "I truly admire such dedication. We must have the *Sun* write a glowing piece about them."

Donal grew interested. "How should we spin it?"

Logan didn't even pause, launching into a laudatory speech on the spot: "The Prohibition agents of Chicago are men of impeccable character and professional expertise. They follow the dictates of their conscience, uphold the law, and use their professional knowledge to effectively monitor the complex chemical processes of industrial alcohol plants and expose the cunning equipment of bootleggers and smugglers. They are men in whom both the government and the public can place their full trust..."

"Shit! I know you’re a guy who can lie without blinking, so why do I keep doing this to myself?" Donal wore an expression of pained regret. No one else might know, but he certainly did. The Prohibition agents in Chicago didn't have a shred of conscience! They were all bloated with the money they took from the mobs.

But could you blame them? The federal government paid them $35 to $50 a week to enforce Prohibition, while the mobs paid them $5,000 a week to do nothing at all. If they could also help the mob raid rival distilleries, they could earn at least $10,000 a week. Who wouldn't understand? This wasn't just a ten- or twenty-fold difference in income; it was a hundred- or two-hundred-fold. Conscience? What is that? Not even a dog would eat it. In short, the Chicago Prohibition agents had either become dogs for the Mafia or dogs for the Irish Mob—only someone like Logan could speak of them with such praise.

"Back to business. I want to advertise my bar in the *Sun*. What do you think?" Donal didn't want to be further disgusted by Logan and quickly shifted to the main topic. He wasn't talking about putting a straightforward "Speakeasy Welcomes You" ad in the paper. He wanted to transform the speakeasies into clubs, adding live performances to make them daily venues for entertainment and socializing.

Of course, alcoholic beverages would be an essential part of it. Logan stroked his chin. "Isn't that taking too big a step?"

"No, no, no. It’s... what was it Richard said? Right, it’s the will of the people!" After the backlash from Edward’s depravity and the market test of the "Holy Water," Donal felt that Chicagoans would no longer hold any objections to gathering for a drink. Plus, since the Prohibition agents had all become "dogs," wasn't running an advertisement just a normal, everyday occurrence?

Logan mused that this must be the butterfly effect. If he hadn't acted erratically and pushed those two "chosen ones" into power early, Chicago would still be mired in gang warfare. If he hadn't been able to transport alcohol at will, the city would still be plagued by moonshine, and people wouldn't be so desperate for liquor. If he hadn't exposed the priest's depravity and shattered the church's influence, the people of Chicago wouldn't have adopted this "why bother" attitude. At the very least, it would have taken much longer for the public to become accustomed to the prevalence of speakeasies. If there were even larger butterfly effects, would things become even more interesting?

With that in mind, Logan readily agreed. "Let’s try it. I’ll give you a ten percent discount on the ad space."

Donal: "..."

In short, the Irish Mob’s club became the first speakeasy in the Prohibition era to openly advertise in a newspaper. The Chicago Mafia soon followed suit. For a time, Chicago was filled with semi-open bars, "Come on in and have a good time," which greatly soothed the traumatized hearts of the Chicagoans.

Journalists from all over, still tracking the reports of Edward’s necrophilia scandal, were utterly shocked! Prohibition was still in effect, wasn't it? No wonder this city produced a monster like Edward; it seemed like a deeply abnormal place. They didn't go easy on the Chicagoans, either; between reports on the scandal, they simultaneously covered the city's blatant disregard for Prohibition.

At the Prohibition Bureau headquarters in Washington, Commissioner John Kramer fell silent after reading the reports. So, this city was challenging them?