America 1982

"They are feeling guilty and want to use those words to provoke us. I hope that I think you may bring unnecessary trouble to this case. Don't worry, Jim, we won't fall into the trap. Those investigations have nothing to do with this case."

Mitch Kapoor stared at the chess board in front of him, thinking about how to defeat his other self. At the same time, he spoke to comfort Jim Manz, who was sitting next to him, holding a cup of coffee and looking a little ugly.

Jim Manz drank the coffee. He didn't even think about whether the other party really wanted to know about him from the country people in Montana. Even if those farmers were brought to him, he didn't care. The most important thing for assholes to do is , the other party can scold him, but he will never leave him with a weapon that can knock him down.

Even if he stood in court, the other party would only be able to say some insignificant swear words, and no bullshit evidence would be produced, he was sure of this.

What he is worried about now is that after the first brief contact, whether it was Tommy Hawke or several other people from Actor Company, he and Robert felt as if they had not thought about reconciliation and even expected Lotus Company. Use the final court session to resolve the issue.

Infuriating Mitch, some of the loopholes left in other people's words point to this point. Although this kind of meeting between the two parties will continue several times, the first contact between the two parties can easily set the tone of subsequent contacts and is unlikely to change. .

Robert Morley and his legal team are currently interpreting the information obtained from the other party letter by letter to determine the courage and determination of the other party to respond to the lawsuit.

Jurisprudence is not just mentioned casually. What is the specific entry point for the jurisprudence that Delia wants? As long as we find that series of issues, whether it is to block the other party's trump card in responding to the lawsuit in advance, or to force the other party to reconcile, the cooperation between the two parties will be a trap. For another company, it can be said that it can advance and retreat calmly. It depends on whether Robert and his team can find the truth from the massive information of Delia and her legal team.

Just looking at the testimony, evidence, investigation report and other things provided by the other party will quickly make ordinary people dizzy. There are countless trivial information. The lawyers on both sides are lawyers from white shoe firms, and they know very well what to give to the other party to avoid It is a battle of wits between professional lawyers for the other party to judge their side's true thoughts. Not even Jim Manz will interfere with Robert's decision. Professionals must be trusted in this matter.

"I agree with you, they are indeed guilty, Mitch." Jim exhaled and looked at Mitch who was playing chess: "So, I think it is better to authorize Robert to talk to the other party's lawyer about the possibility of settlement. "

Mitch turned his attention from the chessboard to Jim's face and asked with some uncertainty: "They are guilty, and then we offer to reconcile? It sounds more like we are guilty."

"We are different in size from Actor Company, Mitch. They are no longer that small company, or they are indeed still a small company, but they are not the small companies we killed before. They are more bastards." Jim tried hard. Without irritating Mitch, explain the differences between Actor Company and those previous small companies:

"For example, when we dealt with those small companies before, we never needed you to appear on such occasions? Right? This is the difference between the other party and those previous opponents."

He couldn't tell Mitch Capper directly. The founders of those small companies in the past were all nerds and had no other strengths except computer technology. Jim, on the other hand, was like a bad student in high school. With a little intimidation, the other party would He will obediently hand over his pocket money.

But now the Actor Company is run by a bastard like him, a ruthless person who bullies people in school all the time, while the Lotus Company is still a nerd in the eyes of the other party, but it's just richer than the nerds in high school.

The best way is to draw a bastard like Tommy Hawke over, and then let him continue to be a bastard to help protect Lotus and at the same time create trouble for other companies.

"Jim, Jonathan is a little dissatisfied with you, but I am not. I always believe in your feelings for Lotus. You are an excellent manager and have shared a lot of work for us that is not suitable for us. With those software dealers and investors, You have dealt with the media and even the government, and you have given many pertinent opinions on the development of the company." Mickey held the chess piece in his hand and said to Jim somewhat at a loss:

"But... I still don't understand. From the beginning, you had a tough attitude towards Actor, but now you have quickly become a dove of Lotus Company. You have become a pacifist. What is the reason? Is it just because the other party is not afraid of you? Rather, it is because the other party is not afraid of you? Dare to face the threats you launched?"

"Isn't that enough? Mitch? The money from other small companies can't support the court. Mitch, you became a billionaire with Lotus 1-2-3 after graduating from college. You have never met other entrepreneurs or poor people. The problem is that if you want to get justice in this country, you must first pave a road with money and give yourself a chance to stand in front of the judge. Most people cannot do this small thing that you think is natural, because they put all their money into it. It’s not even enough money.” Jim said:

"I had a tough attitude at the beginning because I thought Actor was no different from those small companies and studios. Just hiring a team of lawyers to collect evidence and disclose these small things would be enough to empty their wallets. But now, the information I have obtained shows that they at least have One million funds are lying in the account, which means that they can support us for at least a year. At the same time, they continue to sell software to make money, which means that we will be involved in a long and ineffective struggle with them. The state court lost the case. , they will appeal to the circuit court, and if the circuit court loses, they can also ask the lawyer to arrange for the Supreme Court to intervene. However, it will take two years at the fastest to go through these three levels of courts, because the same process must be repeated every time, lawyer's letter, Respond to the lawsuit, collect evidence, screen the jury, publicize the jury, open the trial, make motions, adjourn the trial, publicize and lobby again, and then open the trial..."

Mitch assured Jim, "They don't have as much money as we do."

"I don't think so. I think they will quickly accumulate wealth and fame during this long litigation. From an opponent who can barely compete with us, to an evenly matched opponent, because we are not the only two companies in the software industry. Company, if I were a software company, MicroPort, Powerland, or Microsoft, what would I do? Invest in it, support it, and continue to fight Lotus. For those companies, is Actor the biggest threat, or is Lotus the biggest threat? The answer can be given without thinking. Killing Lotus is the only answer, because Actor has not had direct conflict with them yet. After all, it only sells software to individuals, but Lotus has snatched countless large corporate customers from those companies. ." Jim looked at Mickey calmly:

"Isn't it difficult to think clearly whether to choose to have an additional opponent or to turn this opponent into one's own power? Look at how many countries the United States, in order to compete with the Soviet Union, has tried to win over and show favor to countries that have given it the middle finger before, including China and India. Even in Vietnam, where countless American soldiers have been buried, this is true from country to country, and it is the same from company to company. It is normal for us to show goodwill and reconciliation. There is no shame or insult as Jonathan thinks. Interests come first. As for solving this potential trouble, Actor becomes the bag. After that, it doesn’t matter how you want to torture Tommy Hawke, even if you drive him to live on the street, that’s up to you, but not now, now, reconciliation is the best solution in my opinion.”

Mickey Capper looked at Jim, who looked at him with certainty.

Finally, Mickey threw the chess piece on the chessboard and nodded: "I don't understand business, but I believe you, Jim. According to your ideas, go and talk to the other party about the possibility of reconciliation. Jonathan, I will convince him."

"Thank you for your trust, Mickey." Jim breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Mickey Kapoor gratefully.

…

The Old Corner Bookstore, 283 Washington Street, Boston.

Holly, Jason and others had never been to Boston before. At this time, they were led by Sophia, who had already been here once. They almost walked into this three-story building with a pilgrimage mood. It was built in 1718 and is known as " "Cradle and Birthplace of American Literature".

Almost most highly educated outsiders who come to Boston will choose this bookstore as a fixed attraction, walk around, take photos, and choose a few books.

After all, Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Dickens, Fuller, Sherlock Holmes, Thoreau and other authors who left great names in the history of American literature all appeared in this bookstore. They met here and initiated regular gatherings.

Walking through a bookstore with ancient decorations, one can imagine the expressions and states of those literary giants at that time. Perhaps they were standing in the middle of the bookstore, loudly scolding the bookstore owner for being stingy, and at the same time receiving the royalties from the other party, or perhaps gathering together. Chat about each other's recent creative ideas, or just sit on the desk in the corner on a whim, and excitedly record the inspiration you just got with a quill under the gaze of other authors.

"Why don't you go in with Jason and the others to buy a book? Take pictures?" Susan closed the book in her hand and asked Tommy, who was sitting next to her on the bench and staring at a public sign outside the bookstore. road.

Tommy's posture remained unchanged and he said: "When I was young, my parents took us on a trip to Boston and came here specially. I hope that this bookstore where countless literary figures gather has a special magic that can influence my brother and me and make us fall in love with it. To study, my mother bought two Bibles here. Later, it turned out that visiting here and buying books did not make children fall in love with learning. Instead, it made my brother and I understand that there are better things in the world than Playboy. "Penthouse" magazine exists, and Penthouse Magazine must be grateful to this bookstore, because it has two more stable readers."

"It's just a sign. Is there anything worthy of your attention?" Susan followed Tommy's gaze and looked over. It was just a simple sign that prohibited smoking and cigars in public places.

Tommy raised his hand and pointed to the signboard: "There is also a line of very small words on it, at the bottom."

Susan followed Tommy's prompt and observed carefully for a long time before nodding: "That line is except for Red Auerbach."

"So, that means smoking and cigars are prohibited in public places in the entire city of Boston, except for this man named Red Auerbach?" Susan asked curiously: "Who is he? A certain president?"

"No, general manager and head coach of the Boston Celtics," Tommy said.

Susan asked in confusion: "Why can he...have privileges?"

"Because he brought glory to this city, and he only had one hobby, smoking cigars, the citizens of Boston who were grateful to him decided to thank him in this way. I was just thinking, one day, if Stanford University can also introduce such a According to the regulations, smoking is prohibited on campus, except for Tommy Hawke." Tommy smiled and said to Susan.

Susan shook her head decisively: "I think it's impossible. You haven't brought glory to Stanford. If you win the Nobel Prize, you might still have a chance."

"I bet you, when I'm forty years old, there will be a sign like the one I mentioned at Stanford University," Tommy said to Susan.

Beep beep beep ~ the pager is ringing.

Tommy glanced at the number, stood up and walked to the phone booth next to him: "Delia?"

"The other party's lawyer wants to make an appointment with me to discuss the out-of-court settlement between the two parties. You'd better give me a price that will make the other party feel that you are sincere. I remind you that Actor Company is the party being sued." Delia was on the phone. said.

"If Actor is acquired, I think 30 million is a reasonable price. This is Actor's sincerity. But if you want me to join Lotus with the acquisition, then you need to add 10% of Lotus shares. This is Tommy Huo's." Sincerity." Tommy said to Delia on the other side of the phone:

"Of course I hope they only acquire Actor, so I still have three years left in college, which means I can complete three more startups and sell them three more times."

Delia chuckled on the phone: "What if we add another piece of information? Our investigators just pried open the first mouth and got part of the updated plan."

"Then tell them the update plan and the quotation, 80 million, 30%." Tommy immediately changed his tone arrogantly: "We have to let Lotus company understand who is the father."

Second update~