The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 37: Debt Collection

After wrapping up the matters at the bar, Arthur bid farewell to Blake and Trelawny.

Leaving a tip at the counter that he had almost forgotten, Arthur was about to look for Strauss when he ran into a few girls from the camp. Karen, Mary, and Tilly, who had finally been let out by Susan, were chattering excitedly about being back in civilization.

"Hi, Arthur." "Hello, Mr. Morgan."

"Mr. Morgan, I'm glad I ran into you. I have a letter for you. I was going to take it back to the camp." Mary Beth took a letter from the book she was carrying and handed it to Arthur. She added, "It's from the woman in the picture by your bedside."

Arthur recognized the description immediately. The letter was from Mary Linton, his unattainable love, a woman he still couldn't say he had 'loved.'

His heart skipped a beat as he took the letter. Resisting the urge to open it immediately, he carefully placed it in his bag and adjusted his expression before saying with a smile, "Thank you. Is she still in town?"

Mary Beth didn't respond, and Tilly, noticing Arthur's discomfort, also remained silent. It was Karen, the straightforward one, who couldn't take it anymore. She patted Arthur on the shoulder and said, "You two are just teasing him. Let me tell you, she looked just like you do now when she greeted us. What was the word? Flustered, yes, haha."

"Don't worry, your sweetheart hasn't left. She said she rented a place near the farm on the outskirts of Valentine and plans to stay for a while. Something about her brother too, but I can't remember the details. Anyway, read the letter yourself. We need to find some work."

Hearing Karen, Tilly added, "You were just saying you wanted to go to the bar for some free drinks."

Arthur didn't linger. He gave them some money to keep Susan at bay and buy something they liked. He also told them to go to the Hotel if they encountered any trouble in town and to ask for Kieran or Blake for help.

After seeing off the girls, Arthur decided to deal with Strauss's issue before anything else. Mary Linton's letter would have to wait. Downes's farm wasn't far. After asking Blake for the exact location, Arthur rode his horse slowly and soon arrived near the farm, greeting many passersby along the way.

He saw a somewhat old wooden house built on a flat piece of land on a hillside. As Arthur approached, he saw Strauss standing in front of a middle-aged man. Compared to Strauss's well-dressed appearance, the man looked like a farmer who had been working in the fields.

"Mr. Downes, I understand your difficulties, but a debt is a debt. The deadline has passed, and I don't want to hear any more excuses," Strauss said coldly, without any emotion.

The pitiful man, slightly bent and looking sickly, humbly said, "I... I will repay the money. I have a family to support, so please give me more time."

Arthur didn't intervene, waiting for Strauss to finish. Arthur looked at the crops in the nearby vegetable field, which seemed to be doing well. On the left were tobacco leaves, and on the right were tall corn plants.

Strauss, like a common scorpion in the West, relentlessly pressured Downes with his words. It was undeniable that Strauss looked different when collecting debts. Downes continued to plead, "Mr. Strauss, you know I won't go anywhere. Please believe me and give me more time. I will repay."

Strauss was dismissive. "The repayment date is the repayment date. If you still refuse to pay, the next person to discuss repayment with you won't be me."

***

Eventually, after a long standoff, Strauss still couldn't get his money.

Arthur didn't like these people either. They made grand promises when borrowing money but acted as if they had forgotten their debts when it was time to repay, they cried poverty, hoping for leniency.

While Strauss was right about not forcing anyone to borrow money, Arthur believed these people were pitiful but not worthy of sympathy. They chose their path, and they should bear the consequences. Arthur pitied them but didn't sympathize.

"Arthur? What are you doing here?" Strauss, about to leave, saw Arthur waiting on his horse.

Strauss was about to ask for his help, but Arthur interrupted, "You always say that if a debtor can't pay, you should just hit them and not listen to their excuses. I didn't see you about to hit him just now."

Strauss frowned and said, "Please don't joke, Mr. Morgan. Debt default is a serious matter. I'm just a useless banker. The next step in collecting the debt is for someone like you to take over. Since you're here, I'll leave it to you."

"I'm sorry, but I refuse."

Arthur's refusal was swift and firm. He didn't like this job, nor did he agree with Dutch's attitude towards it. If it was about making money, Arthur had better options now. He decided to stop lending at high interest and start by refusing to collect debts. Whether they understood or not, he was determined to help Strauss and Dutch choose a better path.

"Listen, remember the casino I mentioned? I've got it all set up, and it's about to open. I came to ask you to handle the casino's accounts. I trust your abilities completely and hope you'll give up the loan shark business to help me run the casino."

Strauss was taken aback by Arthur's proposal. After a long silence, he asked, "Arthur, this business is legal. I don't know why you don't like it. And does Dutch know about your casino?"

"I know it's legal, but legal doesn't mean it's right. Also leave Dutch to me."

Strauss looked up at Arthur from his horse, appearing somewhat disheartened and conflicted. Despite knowing others' disdain for loan sharking, hearing Arthur so bluntly and clearly tell him to give it up was still unsettling.

Strauss finally said, "You might not know, but I had a tough childhood. At twelve, my brother stole to feed us. My nine-year-old sister was sold as a child laborer. At seventeen, I came to America to make a living. I'm good at this. Everything is for money because poverty has made my life miserable. I'm sick of being poor. I'm not saying this for sympathy, Arthur. I know that doing the right thing often doesn't keep you alive. I'm good at usury, and I do it well. I'm not sure I'm good at anything else."

Arthur understood. He said, "Everyone has to do something they're good at to survive. You just haven't discovered your true strengths yet. I understand you, but trust me, what I'm asking you to do, you're also good at, and I guarantee you'll make a lot of money."

Arthur didn't blame Strauss, understanding that it was all a matter of survival.

Strauss felt a complex emotion at Arthur's understanding but remained silent, pondering for a long time. Eventually, whether he had figured it out or not, he agreed to Arthur's request. Strauss couldn't quite describe his feelings, perhaps more of a relief to end the loan shark business. He asked Arthur about his responsibilities in detail and took notes.

Arthur's plan for Strauss was to be the accountant and manager. He needed to provide financial statements clear enough that even Bill would be able to understand, as well as a more complex set of accounts only Arthur could decipher. Additionally, Strauss would need to subtly drain the pockets of wealthy gamblers through loans.

 Arthur gave a brief overview and then said to Strauss, "For now, stay in town. I'll have Kieran arrange a place for you. Also, wrap up the loans you've given out. Just get the principal back. If anyone can't repay immediately, let me know, and I'll cover the shortfall. As for Dutch, leave that to me."

Arthur had intended to give Strauss a ride, but he declined, saying he wanted to walk and think things over.

Arthur was also eager to get back to read his letter, so they parted ways.

***

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