Chapter 44: Persuasion
Although their publishing house had long focused on vulgar magazines.
However, as a publishing businessman.
Jack Liebowitz had some understanding of the situation of the major newspapers in New York.
Two or three months ago, *The Messenger* was just an unknown local tabloid, but all that changed with the serialization of the *Superman* comic.
In fact, from what Jack understood.
In the past few days, every notable publishing house in New York had flocked to *The Messenger's* newspaper office, their objective being to purchase the reprint rights for the *Superman* comic.
"If there isn't another *The Messenger* in New York," Collin said to Jack, shrugging.
"What? *The Messenger* wants to work with us?!"
Jack, who was sitting behind his desk, hadn't reacted yet when Harry, standing beside him, exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Collin's reply.
With an excited and somewhat incredulous expression, he pressed, "Work together on what?"
"The publication of *Superman*, of course."
Collin turned his head, met Harry's gaze, and replied with a smile amidst his excited and expectant look.
"My god, Jack, did you hear that, or am I dreaming all of this?"
"*Superman*! This is *Superman*! So many large publishing houses couldn't get their hands on the reprint rights, yet it fell into our laps! I must be dreaming!"
"You're not dreaming."
Underneath the desk, Jack's fingers, gripping his gun, began to tremble slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions, and silently added in his mind:
Provided that Collin Roper, who claimed to be the owner of *The Messenger*, was genuinely the owner and not employing some kind of fraud.
In the office, once the excited Harry Donenfeld had calmed down.
It was then that Jack Liebowitz spoke, looking at Collin before him. "My apologies, Mr. Collin Roper, please forgive my partner's rude behavior. After all, this is truly unexpected for us. It's hard to imagine you'd be willing to serialize such a popular work as *Superman* in our publishing house's magazine..."
Although Jack's words superficially seemed to express surprise and gratitude, a closer look would reveal that behind this veneer of thanks lay his suspicion regarding everything happening before him. After all, as he himself had said, with *Superman's* current popularity, any other publishing house would be a better choice than theirs.
Beside him, Harry, having caught the hidden meaning in Jack's words, also forced his previously excited expression into a strained smile.
"Indeed, as Jack said."
Collin, observing their reactions in the office, nodded, showing his understanding of Jack, and explained, "That's why I said my purpose for coming here this time is to seek cooperation, not simply to hand over the *Superman* comic for you to print."
If Collin had merely wanted to publish the comic in a magazine, then New York had plenty of publishing houses for him to choose from, many of which offered excellent conditions.
"Cooperation?"
Prompted by Collin's words, Jack and Harry finally reacted, remembering what he had said when he first arrived at the office.
"So, Mr. Collin Roper, what kind of cooperation are you referring to?"
They exchanged glances. Jack put down the gun in his hand, stood up from behind the desk, and couldn't help but ask, looking at the composed Collin before him.
"From what I understand, your publishing house isn't doing very well at the moment."
Without directly answering Jack's question, Collin's gaze swept over the stacks of magazines piled up like small mountains in the corner.
"That's no secret, sir."
Jack replied with a bitter smile.
"We're just one insignificant member among many unfortunate publishing houses."
"I don't believe you're simply unlucky."
Collin didn't believe that a publishing house that chose to print vulgar magazines was an innocent victim of misfortune; at most, they were speculators caught in a policy crackdown.
Of course, Collin hadn't come to the publishing house to lecture them.
Therefore, after saying this, he changed the subject and stated his purpose for this visit: "However, whatever happened before is in the past. My purpose in coming here this time is to cooperate with your publishing house to launch a new magazine together, but the premise for publication is that I will be in charge."
That's right, this was Collin's main objective.
Since it would be a serialized comic magazine anyway, why should he publish it under someone else's control when he could take the initiative himself?
"You in charge?!"
Hearing Collin's words, Jack and Harry finally understood his true purpose for coming.
It wasn't for the magazine itself, but for their publishing capabilities.
"No, that's impossible..."
Upon hearing this, Harry rejected it without thinking.
"The publishing house was something Jack and I worked incredibly hard to establish. How could we just give it away so easily?"
Compared to Harry's strong reaction, Jack, beside him, was noticeably quieter. He lowered his head, silently pondering everything.
Once Harry had vented his emotions, Collin finally spoke, chuckling softly, "But we both know that, given the current situation, without my involvement, your publishing house will eventually go bankrupt."
"Are you willing to just watch your publishing house collapse and go bankrupt, rather than give it a chance, a chance to be revived?"
"Think about your families. Once the publishing house goes bankrupt, what will you use to support them...?"
Collin's words were like a sharp blade, accurately piercing Harry and Jack's Achilles' heel, leaving them unable to resist.
"So, what do you want us to do?"
After a long moment, Jack, who was standing nearby, finally spoke to him.
Hearing Jack's words, Collin knew that his objective for this visit had largely been achieved.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he said with a smile, "As I said, this is cooperation. I hope to buy shares in your publishing house and publish works that readers will love, instead of vulgar magazines that skirt the edge of legality, as before. This will be beneficial for both me and for you..."
"From now on, you won't have to worry about being arrested and fined for the vulgar magazines published by your house. You can peacefully continue doing the publishing work you enjoy."
After silently listening to Collin's words, Harry, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but speak.
"I want to know, what kind of works that readers will love are you referring to?"
"Regarding that, I think you know better than I do, Mr. Donenfeld. *Superman*. I believe you're not unfamiliar with it, are you?"
Hearing the name uttered by Collin, Jack was silent for a few seconds before extending his right hand.
"Welcome to our publishing house, Mr. Collin Roper. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Collin glanced down at Jack's outstretched right hand, then smiled and immediately shook it.
"A pleasure to work with you."
(end of chapter)