Part 3 (1/2)
Comes the revolution, they were told, and all Martians could remain bachelors. It is no wonder the Communists made such inroads. The planet became known as ”The Red Red Planet.”
In their confidential books about the cities of Earth, Lait and Mortimer explored the community of interest between the organized underworld and the Soviet.
Communists are in favor of anything that causes civil disorder and unrest; gangsters have no conscience and will do business with anyone who pays.
On Earth, Russia floods the Western powers, and especially the United States, with narcotics, first to weaken them and provide easy prey, and second, for dollar exchange.
And on Earth, the Mafia, which is another international conspiracy like the Communists, sells the narcotics.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
And so when the gangsters heard there were Communist cells on Mars, they quickly made a contact.
For most of the world's cheap sugar comes from Russia! The Mafia inroad on the American sugar market had already driven cane up more than 300 per cent. But the Russians were anxious, able and willing to provide all the beets they wanted at half the compet.i.tive price.
VI
THE HONEST HOODS
As we pointed out in previous works, the crime syndicate now owns so much money, its chief problem is to find ways in which to invest it.
As a result, the Mafia and its allies control thousands of legitimate enterprises ranging from hotel chains to railroads and from laundries to distilleries.
And so it was on Mars. With all the rackets cornered, the gangsters decided it was time to go into some straight businesses.
At the next get-together of the Grand Council, the following conversation was heard:
”What do these mopes need that they ain't getting?”
”A big fat hole in the head.”
”Cut it out. This is serious.”
”A hole in the head ain't serious?”
”There's no profit in them one-shot deals.”
”It's the repeat business you make the dough on.”
”Maybe you got something there. You can kill a jerk only once.”
”But a jerk can have relatives.”
”We're talking about legit stuff. All the rest has been taken care of.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]