America 1982-Chapter 164 - 60 Who is Daddy_2

Mitch assured Jim, "They don’t have as much capital as we do."

"I wouldn’t think so," Jim calmly responded, "I suspect that during this lengthy litigation, they will quickly accumulate wealth and fame, evolving from an opponent that can barely hold its own against us into one that is our equal in strength. After all, it’s not just our two companies in the software industry. If I were Software Arts Company, Micro-Innovation Company, Brolan Company, or Microsoft Company, what would I do? I’d invest in them and support their battle against Lotus Corporation. It’s clear without even thinking about it that the threat from Actor Corporation is minimal compared to Lotus, as we’ve only sold software to individuals. But Lotus has snatched countless major corporate clients from these companies."

Jim looked at Mitch with a level gaze, "Is it really that hard to decide whether to add a new competitor or turn this competitor into an ally? Look at the United States. In order to compete with the Soviet Union, it courted and appeased countless countries that once gave it the middle finger—China, India, even Vietnam, where countless American soldiers lie buried. This is true for nations, and it’s the same for companies. Extending an olive branch, seeking a truce is normal; there’s no shame or insult as Jonathan thinks. Interests come first. As for after we’ve dealt with this potential issue, when Actor Corporation is securely in our grasp, then torture Tommy Hawk however you’d like, even drive him to the streets if you wish, but not now. For now, reconciliation is, in my view, the best solution."

Mitch Kapor looked at Jim, Jim’s eyes affirmed his resolve.

Finally, Mitch set the chess piece down on the board and nodded, "I don’t understand business, but I trust you, Jim. Go and discuss the possibility of a settlement with them, and I’ll convince Jonathan."

"Thank you for your trust, Mitch," Jim said with relief, grateful to Mitch Kapor.

...

Washington Street, Boston—the old street corner bookstore.

Holly, Jason, and others had never come to Boston for a visit before, but now they were led by Sophia, who had been here once, into this three-story building founded in 1718, known as the "cradle and birthplace of American literature."

Almost every educated visitor to Boston makes it a point to include this bookstore as a must-see, to wander, take photos, and pick out a few books.

After all, Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Dickens, Fuller, Holmes, Thoreau, and many other well-known authors in the history of American literature had once graced this bookstore. They met here and held regular gatherings.

Wandering around the bookstore, kept in its ancient decor, one can let their imagination soar, visualizing the expressions and demeanors of those literary giants, perhaps standing in the center of the store loudly berating the frugal owner while accepting their royalties, or gathering to share their latest creative ideas, or even spontaneously sitting down at a corner desk to jot down newly sparked inspiration under the watchful eyes of other authors.

"Why didn’t you join Jason and the others inside, to buy a book and take a picture as a memento?" Susan asked, closing the book in her hands and turning to Tommy who was sitting next to her on the bench, his gaze fixed on a public sign outside the bookstore.

Without changing his posture, Tommy said, "When I was a kid, my parents took us on a trip to Boston and made a point to visit this place. They hoped that a bookstore which gathered so many literary greats would have some special magic to inspire my brother and me to love learning. My mother bought us two Bibles here. But it turns out that visiting here and buying books doesn’t make children love learning. Instead, it taught my brother and me that there are magazines even more interesting than Playboy—Penthouse magazine. Penthouse owes this bookstore because it gained two steady readers."

"It’s just a sign, what’s so interesting about it?" Susan asked, following Tommy’s gaze to see a simple sign prohibiting smoking and cigars in public places.

Tommy raised his finger toward the sign, "There’s also a very small line of print at the bottom."

After closely inspecting as Tommy had directed her, Susan finally nodded, "The line says ’Red Auerbach excepted.’"

"So, does that mean the whole city of Boston prohibits smoking and cigars in public places, but not for someone named Red Auerbach?" Susan curiously asked, "Who is he? A former President?"

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

Susan asked, puzzled, "Why would he... have such a privilege?"

"Because he brought glory to the city, and his only hobby was smoking cigars. Grateful Bostonians decided to thank him like this," Tommy mused, then smiled at Susan, "I was just wondering if one day, Stanford University might make a similar rule, banning smoking on campus, Tommy Hawk excepted."

Susan decisively shook her head, "I don’t think that’s likely; you haven’t brought any glory to Stanford. Maybe if you win a Nobel Prize, there might be a chance."

"Let’s make a bet. By the time I’m forty, there will be a sign at Stanford with what I just said," Tommy told Susan.

Beep beep beep beep—The pager went off.

Tommy glanced at the number and got up to walk to a nearby phone booth. "Delia?"

"The other side’s attorney wants to meet to discuss a potential out-of-court settlement. You’d better give me a number that makes you seem sincere to them. Remember, Actor Corporation is the defendant," Delia said on the other end of the line.

"If we’re acquiring Actor, I think thirty million is a reasonable price. That’s Actor’s sincerity. But if they expect me to join Lotus Corporation as part of the acquisition, then they need to add another 10% of Lotus stock. That’s Tommy Hawk’s sincerity," Tommy told Delia on the phone:

"Of course, I’d prefer they only acquire Actor Corporation. That way, I still have three years of college left, meaning I can start up and sell three more times."

Delia laughed softly on the other end of the line: "What if I add another piece of news? Our investigators have just cracked open the first mouth, obtaining some of the updated plans."

"Then tell them the updated plan along with the quote, eighty million, 30%," Tommy immediately responded, his tone cocky, "We need to make Lotus Corporation understand who’s the daddy."