"The first matter on my agenda, Sheriff," Dutch began, his voice smooth as aged whiskey, "is that I intend to make some investments right here in Valentine."
"Investment is excellent, esteemed Mr. Arthur! Welcome, indeed!" Sheriff Malloy practically vaulted from his chair, overflowing with eager support. "I comprehend your meaning entirely. I shall personally guarantee your establishment's absolute safety." For now, money was a gift to be received, not a demand to be made. To ask for it directly would be to risk a bullet in the Valentine Police Station before nightfall. The station, after all, was funded by capitalists, and Malloy understood their ruthless methods implicitly.
Dutch smiled, a subtle, almost imperceptible nod, then raised a hand, gently halting Malloy's torrent of sycophantic words. "Mr. Malloy, my intention extends beyond mere investment. I plan to open a rather substantial clothing store in Valentine. However, this establishment will not be my sole property; it is a joint venture between myself and the Senator's wife from Saint Denis. Besides the sale of garments, it will also serve as a meeting place for the ladies of the women's rights assembly, on behalf of the Senator's wife."
Dutch paused, allowing his words to hang in the air, a potent poison. Malloy's eyes, already shining, widened, then blazed with a manic, unholy light. His heart hammered in his chest, ecstasy exploding within him. Senator! A Senator's wife! My God! I never dreamed Valentine would garner the attention of a honest to God Senator! His gaze locked onto Dutch, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. Malloy understood. Malloy understood everything!
This Mr. Arthur was a truly benevolent soul! Why else would he go out of his way to explicitly state that the store's co-owner was the Senator's wife? It was a hint, a lifeline! All he had to do was diligently serve the Senator's wife, and his career would skyrocket! Even if he remained in Valentine, his usefulness ensuring his placement, his power, his status, and the very circles he frequented would be utterly transformed! Simply put, if he seized this opportunity, this divine warning from Mr. Arthur, he would shatter the shackles of his current, pathetic existence and ascend, leaping into the coveted ranks of the Senator's lackeys!
This was an entirely new circle! The Senator's inner sanctum! Once inside, even as a mere lackey in Valentine, his son would gain entry into the most prestigious schools in Saint Denis. He himself could leverage his newfound connections to climb even higher!
The thought set Malloy's eyes alight. He sprang from his chair, a man possessed, his hand fumbling for the ten dollars Dutch had just given him. Then, he scurried to his desk, pulling out a small, hidden box from beneath it. From within, he retrieved a gleaming gold mirror, a trophy secretly plundered during a gang raid, and trotted back to Dutch's side.
"Mr. Arthur, oh, Mr. Arthur, I am utterly at a loss for how to express my profound gratitude! Please, accept this. Please, you must accept it!" Malloy practically thrust the mirror into Dutch's hand, his voice thick with desperate earnestness. "Oh, Mr. Arthur, rest assured, your establishment will have our men guarding it twenty-four hours a day! I will personally ensure these brave ladies fighting for their rights feel completely safe! Here, in Valentine, those ladies will never face a single difficulty!" Malloy's eyes blazed with a fervent zeal, his expression so desperate it seemed he might collapse if Dutch dared refuse.
Dutch smiled, rising slowly. He took the gold mirror from Malloy's trembling hand. "Alright, Sheriff," he said, his voice laced with the barest hint of amusement. "Thank you for your… generous gift. Of course, our previous discussion focused on the Senator's wife's influence on your career. As for me personally, I naturally feel compelled to support the Valentine Police Station."
Dutch paused, letting his words sink in. "For instance, as the very messengers of peace, the shining examples of justice, my Sheriff, your uniforms appear somewhat… worn. How about this: from this day forward, all uniforms for the Valentine Police Station will be provided by me, free of charge! Of course, my clothing store might also extend a special procurement voucher to you. Additionally, to further bolster the Valentine Police Station's vital work, I believe you and your officers should have ample assurance regarding your attire. Henceforth, in every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—officers will receive a complimentary set of clothing each year, simply by virtue of their status as Valentine police officers. And, naturally, the free coffee and pastries provided by the ladies' rights assembly will, I trust, add a small, daily delight to your lives, will they not?"
Dutch leaned in conspiratorially. "Of course, all of this will be issued under your personal name, Sheriff Malloy. I believe such a benevolent Sheriff will be especially well-regarded by his officers."
Dutch's smile was unwavering. Sheriff Malloy, however, was gasping for air. His eyes, wide with disbelief and a burgeoning ecstasy, stared at the smiling Dutch, who seemed to him nothing less than a smiling deity. Magnificent! Simply magnificent! Mr. Arthur was truly a god among men; every single word he uttered made Malloy's heart tremble, elevated his life to unimaginable heights!
"Hah… Oh, esteemed Mr. Arthur," Malloy stammered, his voice thick with raw emotion, "from this day forward, in Valentine, please… please take the Valentine Police station in your care!" Malloy seized Dutch's hands, gripping them tightly, his eyes burning with a desperate eagerness.
Dutch merely smiled, deeply satisfied. This was true business: transforming everyone into parasites utterly dependent on him for their survival. That way, even if he faltered, a legion would rush to prop him back up. Far better than being a parasite who bled everyone dry until they yearned for his death.
In that cramped police station, it wasn't just Sheriff Malloy gazing at Dutch with reverence and fanaticism. The very officers, now wide-eyed, were consumed by a similar fervor, bowing and lavishing compliments upon Dutch. The quick-witted Jack even dashed out, relieving Arthur of his horse-leading duties, his admiration for Arthur shining in his eyes.
"Oh, what a magnificent horse, Mr. Arthur! Your white steed looks so handsome, so spirited, truly a fine animal! I believe you can bring your horse here for us to groom anytime you wish, sir. You know, serving the public is the paramount duty of our Valentine Police Station!" Sheriff Malloy's voice was slick with diligent flattery.
Dutch smiled, nodding. "Alright, Sheriff. Our people are currently scouting for a suitable location for the shop. When it opens, I believe that esteemed lady from Saint Denis should grace our opening ceremony. I will entrust all security arrangements to you, then. Naturally, I will provide a fresh batch of uniforms to the Valentine Police Station as a token of my gratitude. And, of course, it will still be in your name."
"Oh, Mr. Arthur, you are as warm to my heart and soul as my grandmother's finest fireplace. Rest assured, Mr. Arthur, I will ensure not even a single fly enters Valentine without my explicit permission!"