(1988) The Golden Room Read Online Free Page A

you.’
    ‘Be honest with me.’
    ‘Like all politicians, I need contributions - cash donations - to be used to inform the electorate about my platform.’
    ‘You tell me how much,’ said Armbruster. ‘I’m prepared to help.’
    Harrison coughed. ‘I… actually I don’t deal in campaign contributions directly. I have two aldermen who run my campaign. One is John Coughlin.’ The mayor gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘He’s more familiarly known as Bathhouse John, because he owned a Turkish bathhouse before venturing into politics. His partner is Michael Kenna, also an alderman, better known as Hinky Dink, because of his short stature.
    They’re very astute men. They’re the men to see. They’ll know what I could use, and how it might best be spent.’
    ‘Where do I contact them?’ Armbruster asked.
    ‘Give me your card. I’ll have one of them telephone you. They’ll set a date to meet with you anywhere at your convenience.’
    Armbruster handed over his card. ‘I’ll be waiting. I’ll be available all of tomorrow afternoon.’
    Harrison shook the meat-packer’s hand again. ‘You are very generous, Mr Armbruster. You don’t know what a lift this gives me. It’s going to be a heated election next week, and I need every bit of help I can get.’
    ‘You’ve got mine,’ Armbruster promised him.
    ‘Of course, if there’s ever anything I can do for you, Mr Armbruster -‘
    ‘We’ll see,’ said Armbruster.
    The following afternoon, Armbruster summoned John Coughlin and Michael Kenna - Bathhouse John and Hinky Dink — and met them in one of the private rooms reserved for members in the Chicago Club.
    Armbruster observed that the pair looked like scoundrels. Coughlin wore a pompadour, long sideburns, a moustache, and was almost as beefy as Armbruster himself. Kenna was a glum little man, less flamboyant than his partner - and clearly the brains of the pair. Armbruster told himself no matter that they resembled pirates; if they were good enough for the mayor, they were good enough for him.
    ‘The mayor tells us you want to contribute to his campaign,’ began Coughlin.
    ‘I definitely want Harrison elected. How can it be guaranteed?’
    Kenna spoke up. ‘Nothing in politics can be guaranteed, Mr Armbruster. But we can do our best.’
    ‘How much do you need?’ inquired Armbruster.
    Coughlin came forward on the sofa where he sat with Kenna. ‘Let me explain the realities of the situation,’ said Coughlin. ‘The mayor can hold his own throughout the city. Where he is less popular is in the First Ward, which Hinky Dink and I represent. The First Ward is the Levee — where houses of prostitution are presently flourishing. With the” proper handling, we can still turn the First Ward around, and that could ensure the mayor’s election.’
    ‘What is the proper handling?’ Armbruster demanded.
    ‘I’ll be frank with you, sir,’ said Coughlin. ‘The First Ward is filled with pimps, tramps, the unemployed, and drunks. Distributing free drinks - whisky, beer — and cigars could go far. Added to that, a free silver dollar for each of their votes would go further.’
    ‘Would they really vote for Harrison?’
    ‘No question,’ Kenna piped up. ‘They’ll all owe us, and will be looking for more of the same in the future. They’ll vote for Harrison, all right.’
    Armbruster peeled and clipped an Uppmann cigar. Coughlin bent over to light it. Armbruster inhaled and exhaled a cloud of smoke. ‘How much?’ he asked.
    Coughlin glanced at Kenna, who also leaned forward. ‘$15,000 cash should do it.’
    ‘That’s a lot of money,’ said Armbruster.
    ‘That’s a lot of votes,’ said Kenna.
    ‘When do you need the cash?’ asked Armbruster.
    ‘Today,’ said Coughlin. ‘The election is next week.’
    ‘You’ve got it,’ said Armbruster, taking out his chequebook. ‘Go to work.’
    Minutes after Armbruster had left them, Coughlin and Kenna received a telephone call from Minna