America 1982-Chapter 123 - 35: Bait_3
"The chances might be incredibly slim, but the possibility definitely exists that the motherfucking Actor Corporation could be bait tossed out by some competitor drooling over us." Jim Manzi looked at the two of them, slowed down his speech, opened his mouth wide, and tilted his head back as if he were a fish hooked on a line:
"If Mr. Sywen were still here, or if Xerox Corporation invested in us, we’d naturally have nothing to fear. No matter what poison is mixed into the bait, with their industry clout, we’d be able to digest it. But now, it’s just us three minions. I think we should be cautious. Let them toss and turn, just have the lawyers collect various documents. After I nail down the collaboration with Xerox Corporation, we can deal with it or, maybe, have a chat with them. If they like money, then we’ll see if there’s an opportunity to acquire them for a suitable price."
Mitch and Jonathan burst into laughter after hearing Jim’s words. Mitch said, "When you were dealing with those small companies that copied us, you never said we should be afraid. Moreover, we’re not the ones in the wrong. We are not minions; those on the other side are a bunch of despicable frauds and plagiarists."
"Exactly. They are the minions, the real nobodies," Jonathan said, crossing his arms at his side.
Jim, somewhat agitated, said, "The real nobodies are those previous companies that were sneaking around, being all secretive, scraping together a little cash! Have you ever seen those companies send us software as a challenge? Have you ever seen them prepare two sets of software so meticulously? Have you ever seen them openly selling software to paupers? No, but Actor did all that, and isn’t afraid of us knowing what they’re doing. They posture like a provocatively dressed woman, standing across the street, tilting her head at you, a jeer on her lips, ’Fool, you dare to fuck me? You don’t have the guts. I bet your thing can’t even work, you’re a...’"
"Before you returned, we had the company’s legal department file a lawsuit with the Massachusetts court," Mitch said calmly, cutting Jim off as he started to get crude and vulgar.
Jim seemed to choke up, standing there stunned. He looked at Mitch, then turned to Jonathan, who nodded affirmatively at him.
Jim’s mouth opened and closed, and after a few seconds, he said, "I thought these kinds of things should be decided after discussion, or rather, taking down competitors is my job..."
"Of course it’s your job. We just got ahead of ourselves because of the anger the software you had your secretary bring us ignited. It won’t happen again, I promise, Jim," Mitch said to Jim.
Secretary Debbie walked in with a meticulously prepared cocktail and handed it to the still-distracted Jim: "Mr. Manz, your drink."
Jim took it, approached Mitch, and after taking a few deep breaths with a fierce expression, he said, "Fine, I forgive you. But if I find something fishy, I’ll be the first to choose a withdrawal of the lawsuit, and you can’t stop me."
"Of course," Mitch said affirmatively.
"Drink," Jim said, handing the cocktail to Mitch before hurriedly leaving his office.
Jonathan, watching Jim pass by without saying goodbye, turned to Mitch, still holding the cocktail, and said, "Jim seems really angry."
Mitch Kapor walked to the drawing board with the cocktail in hand, admiring his creation, then suddenly splashed the cocktail onto the blueprint, turned to Jonathan, and asked, "Do you think we are the infants that Jim talks about, the ones who will die any moment after leaving those damn capitalists?"
"Not sure. All I know is that it’s our Lotus Corporation that pays Jim’s salary," Jonathan shrugged. "Not Leon Sywen."
