After the matter was settled, Ethan Jones went directly to Atari.
Because of prior communication, he was taken straight to meet Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine, who had been waiting for him for quite some time.
Perhaps because the plan had already been set in motion, Nolan Bushnell wore a cheerful smile. Don Valentine, on the other hand, still had a sour expression, as if to ensure everything would be carried out strictly to his design. The man even let out a snort when Bushnell offered Ethan a drink.
"Oh, Ethan, don't mind him." Nolan Bushnell waved his hand, signaling Ethan not to pay attention.
Ethan, however, shook his head repeatedly, shame on his face.
"Oh, Nolan, what right do I have to say this now? I consulted a lawyer… and it seems my Snake Game really does infringe."
The moment those words left his mouth, Bushnell's eyes lit up. But almost immediately he forced himself to restrain the excitement, not wanting to reveal too much.
Don Valentine, meanwhile, seized the opportunity to mock.
"Ha! I consulted a lawyer, and my Snake Game seems to be infringing!"
He mimicked Ethan's tone with exaggerated dramatics, then raised his voice, speaking down at him:
"Ethan Jones! How many days did we give you? Four? Five? And it took you that long to find the patent document? Do you even understand the word misunderstanding?
Oh, you're really something! I should praise you—You can finally read!"
Nolan Bushnell frowned at the cruelty, about to step in, but Valentine's tongue was quicker than his thoughts.
"Since it's not a misunderstanding, then give us a straight answer! Are you ready to take responsibility like a man—or will you keep stalling like a baby?
If it's the former, I, Don Valentine, will respect you for at least having the courage to act!
But if it's the latter, then let me say this one last time: I'm sorry for you. Because our lawyer has already drafted the indictment. We can sue tomorrow!"
Valentine smacked a document down onto the coffee table with a heavy bang.
"Don't worry, our demands are only three in total—nothing as exaggerated as you might imagine!"
When Ethan picked it up and glanced through, the requests did look deceptively "simple."
Atari required Ethan Jones to cover the one million dollars Magnavox demanded in compensation. He was also required to conceal the fact of patent infringement and the premature release of Snake Game during legal proceedings. Finally, should the contract be terminated, Ethan would compensate Atari for any resulting losses.
In short, Atari demanded one million from him on Magnavox's side, and three million more on their own.
To be honest, when Ethan realized they expected him to shoulder five million dollars in total compensation, he nearly burst into tears.
You know, the net income from Snake Game isn't even five million! These people could just rob me outright, but instead they insist on pretending to 'cooperate'—to fool me! How touching!
After reading the terms, Ethan Jones's face froze in shock.
"Five million dollars? Oh no, I can't accept this price! Even if Snake Game sold for an entire year, it would never make that much!"
I thought we were here to break up peacefully, but you—"
"Ha? Break up amicably? Oh, Ethan, how naïve can you be?" Before Ethan could finish, Don Valentine roared, "It was you who unilaterally broke the law! You dragged us at Atari into the abyss! And you still want to break up peacefully under these circumstances?
You might as well kill us and then turn yourself in! Go tell the judge, 'I'm not guilty!'"
"Damn it!" At that, Nolan Bushnell "Don! Shut your mouth!" He glared furiously at Valentine. "We're sitting here today to solve the problem! If you don't want to solve it, then get out!"
"???" Don Valentine frowned at the sudden outburst. He didn't understand why his partner had flown into such a rage. But when he caught the desperation in Bushnell's eyes, realization struck him.
This was America—the so-called land of freedom, where there were more guns than people.
If Ethan Jones really did what he threatened, pulled a gun from his waist, and shot them right there… everything would be finished.
The thought chilled him enough to shut his mouth immediately.
Still, he refused to lose in terms of presence. Crossing his arms, he leaned back in his chair.
With Valentine finally silent, Bushnell exhaled in relief. He turned back to Ethan, speaking in a calmer, measured tone.
"Ethan, I know five million in compensation sounds outrageous. But this number was carefully calculated.
First, the one million Magnavox demanded is fixed—that part isn't from us.
Second, the one million for concealing patent infringement was based on licensing fees of a hundred dollars per machine. If you think that's too high, go ask around. Every company Magnavox has sued will tell you—they usually demand patent fees starting at eight percent of each unit's selling price.
Finally, the three million for early contract termination… in truth, Atari won't see a single cent of it."
Bushnell's voice grew somber. "That money is mainly for Midway Games and Chicago Coin. Just like us, they were also sued by Magnavox. In their complaints, Magnavox sought $1.5 million in damages each. The other $1.5 million covers patent licensing."
"Ouch…"
Ethan Jones was nearly moved to tears. Atari was asking him for five million in compensation—yet they wouldn't keep any of it?
What kind of selfless spirit was this? If Steve Jobs had been there, he might have dropped to his knees. Because Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine seemed even more compassionate than the Buddha feeding an eagle with his own flesh!
"Is that so?" Ethan Jones nodded slightly, showing he understood.
"If all this money is really going toward compensation, then I have no objection. Since I made a mistake, I should bear the consequences."
"—!"
The corners of Nolan Bushnell's mouth twitched upward at Ethan's words. He sneaked a glance at Don Valentine, whose tense cheeks quivered as he struggled to suppress his joy.
Their eyes met, and the message was clear.
The moment had come. Nolan "Oh Ethan! I have to admit—you are the most responsible man I've ever met! You're like a Texas cowboy! A true hero on horseback!"
The over-the-top flattery made Ethan shiver inside, though outwardly he only managed a weak, helpless smile.
"Responsible? Oh, Nolan… in our era, responsibility is a derogatory word. I would love to carry the weight of everything like Clark Kent, but… I admit it. I can't. I simply can't afford that much.
Forget five million—even the one million Magnavox demands is far beyond my means."
Slumping onto the sofa, Ethan tilted his head back, eyes lifeless as he sighed toward the ceiling.
Bushnell and Valentine, watching him, could barely hide the gleam of triumph in their eyes. This was exactly the outcome they wanted.
Without wasting another second, Bushnell cleared his throat and slid onto the sofa beside Ethan.
"Oh Ethan, my friend, don't be so discouraged. This matter hasn't yet reached the point of no return.
Do you remember how I apologized to you a few days ago? Back then, I told you Atari might not be able to pay your second phase of Snake Game dividends until this whole issue was resolved. But now…"
He leaned in, voice soft, persuasive. "We can settle things another way.
Your second-phase dividend is $1.37 million. We'll round it up and offset it against $1.5 million. After deducting that amount, you'd only need to raise another $3.5 million. That's all."
Bushnell spread his hands as if he'd just performed a miracle.
"See? Use your head, and suddenly thirty percent of the financial problem is solved!
And as for the remaining three and a half million—surely that won't be a problem, right? After all, your uncle's orchard has been running for years. He must have built up connections, resources… networks. With the right effort, I'm sure he could help you gather the funds. Of course, I'll do what I can to ease the difficulty."
These bastards really had no shame. They wanted him to wring Thomas and Linda dry—to strip them of their hard-earned savings.
Even though he knew Bushnell's words were only a probing test, Ethan's rage surged, and his fist twitched, ready to fly.
But he forced it down. Their real purpose wasn't yet revealed. He needed to wait.
Instead, he muttered with deliberate weakness, "Although Thomas has done well in business over the years, their savings are hardly substantial. I asked him before if he could help me start a business, and he said the most he could give was a hundred thousand…
That's nothing, right? I owe you $3.5 million, plus $1 million to Magnavox. That leaves a shortfall of $4.5 million.
That's a forty-fivefold gap! Even if I went to Baja California and hauled meat for a living, I'd never earn that much!"
Hearing those decadent words, Nolan Bushnell nodded slightly at Don Valentine.
"Ethan, Ethan, don't do this."
Nolan Bushnell raised an arm and draped it around Ethan's shoulders. "Brother, to be honest, we have a way to solve your problem, but we've never known how to say it… because this method is too difficult, too cruel for you."
"What? What can you do?" Ethan Jones's eyes lit up like a boy who had fallen and suddenly spotted a lifeline.
After hearing Nolan Bushnell's words, joy flashed across his face.
"Cruelty? Is there anything more cruel than being sued and not being able to pay? If you can get me out of this quagmire, you are saving me!"
"Are you sure?" Nolan Bushnell asked, his eyes twinkling.
"OK!" Ethan Jones nodded vigorously.
While he answered, Nolan Bushnell turned to Don Valentine.
After receiving the signal, Don Valentine spoke:
"Ethan, when we were calculating the claim amount, we realized you couldn't afford such an astronomical figure. To resolve this matter—and to get Magnavox off our backs—we tried to see things from your perspective. Then we discovered… your game, Snake Game."
"Although it technically infringes, it's still a good game. Over the past few days, we've asked around the market and got some solid feedback. For instance, if you were willing to sell, Disney might pay four million for it."
"In that case, all you need to raise is half a million. If I remember correctly, the first dividend of Snake Game was four hundred thousand, right? So money shouldn't be a problem for you."
Ethan Jones almost wanted to say Goodfellas!
In his previous assumptions, no matter how brilliant Don Valentine might be, the most he could do was ignore Ethan's second-phase dividends.
But he never expected these people not only to want to use his game for free and snatch his dividends, but also to recoup the income already distributed months ago—at market interest rates!
What is a capitalist? Only someone with is a true capitalist! Not only do they want to strip you bare, drink your blood, and devour your flesh—they also want to drive you into debt!
No wonder Evelyn Johnson said they were so ruthless. Their "method of doing business" was primitive and brutally efficient.
Compared with them, Ethan Jones felt innocent and boundless.
After studying Don Valentine closely, Ethan dropped his pretenses and laughed uncontrollably, realizing that the future Sequoia Godfather wasn't joking. His reaction left Don Valentine and Nolan Bushnell puzzled.
Nolan, still holding Ethan's shoulders, asked, "Brother, what's wrong with you?"
"Oh Nolan, you ask what's wrong? Can't you see I'm happy?" Ethan tilted his head and smiled brightly.
"We've known each other for five months, right? And now you're finally willing to tell the truth? That's not easy!
You've been targeting my game copyright from the start, haven't you? You've been playing this marketing game with me for months, all for this! Wow… this is really bold of you!"
The sudden sarcasm made Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine tighten their expressions.
"Brother, I don't know what you mean," Nolan said quietly, retracting his arm and spreading his hands to show innocence.
But Ethan Jones, having already heard that Disney was the buyer, no longer needed to play the boring game with them. He glanced at the two of them with a playful look.
"Stop pretending. You really think I'm an idiot? I already know you have a patent license for 'Video Games and Training Devices.'
I also know you used it as a bargaining chip to sell the company as early as April this year.
You've known all along that Snake Game is an infringement! But you didn't tell me—and you didn't avoid it! Because you wanted to use this as an opportunity to scheme for my copyright!"
"!!"
Nolan Bushnell's eyes widened in surprise.
"Brother! What nonsense are you talking about?" he shouted, bewildered. "If we have patent authorization, how could Magnavox initiate a lawsuit against us? Are you crazy—or are they?"
"I'm not crazy, and neither are they. That's why we both received separate indictments," Ethan Jones replied with a smile.
"Do you know where I came from just now?"
"I'm from San Francisco—from 555 California Street, Suite 2000. That address should sound familiar, right? If not, I can help you remember."
With that, Ethan Jones took a business card from his pocket and placed it gently on the coffee table.
When Nolan Bushnell saw the lawyer's card, emblazoned with Sidley Austin, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
Ethan, however, seemed oblivious and continued speaking:
"I went to Sidley Austin and spoke directly with Magnavox's attorney. I asked them to tell Magnavox that there's no problem with separate prosecution .
Even though they didn't understand what I meant, they did it. After the phone call, they told me their client, Magnavox, was very happy and liked the outcome."
This was why he chose to contact Magnavox first: to verify whether the news Steve Jobs brought him was true.
If Atari really did have the patent license for Video Games and Training Devices, then under Ethan's guidance, Magnavox would definitely give positive feedback. And if they didn't? That was impossible!
At that time, Ethan used the conversation as a bargaining chip to negotiate the removal of the ban clause. When he shifted from saying "yes, yes" to "should I do it or not," Magnavox would fall into the trap and give the correct answer.
More importantly, this vital information meant nothing to Magnavox. After hearing Ethan's discussion, they would at most assume that Ethan and atari had already communicated and knew everything.
And to top management at Magnavox? It was irrelevant—they didn't care about patent authorization. All they cared about was the comfort of their own positions.
After confirming from Magnavox directly that Atari did have the patent license… all previous speculations became fact.
And the facts made people—angry facts!
"Oh! Sxxt!!!"
Looking at the business card, Nolan Bushnell could no longer maintain his mask of composure.
"Dxxn! Where did you get this news? We haven't told anyone! Which son of a—leaked this?"
Nolan was going crazy. He was certain he hadn't mentioned this to any Atari employee. Only he and Don Valentine knew—and the outside world? Only authorized Magnavox and their target buyers, MCA and Disney.
Magnavox would never publicize it, because this was exactly what they wanted to hide. And the idea that Ethan could get this information from the giants? Nolan didn't believe it.
While he jumped from thought to thought in panic, Don Valentine, looking sullen, suddenly spoke:
"It's Vinton Cerf, isn't it?"
The name instantly grabbed Nolan Bushnell's full attention.
"Don! What do you mean?"
Don Valentine didn't hesitate. He stared directly at Ethan Jones.
"His sister, Evelyn Johnson. She has a good relationship with Vinton Cerf, a professor at Stanford's School of Engineering. Cerf is also a senior researcher at the Stanford Research Institute."
When the name Stanford Research Institute came up, Nolan Bushnell immediately frowned. He understood what Don Valentine meant.