He dares not!

Chapter 83 He dares not!

Although Spielberg's father came and went in a hurry, leaving only some painful memories behind, Ethan only waited two days in Hollywood before receiving good news from Spielberg.

"My father contacted Professor Bell, and after hearing about your experience, Professor Bell sincerely invited you to go to Nashua."

"He wants to meet with you."

Ethan was overjoyed by this decision and immediately opened his arms to hug Spielberg.

"Oh Steven! Thank you! Thank you for your help! And your father! Please be sure to convey my gratitude to him!"

"Oh! I'm so happy! I don't even know what to say..."

Spielberg could understand how Ethan felt.

After all, for those working in the video game industry, the patent for video games and training devices was like a mountain that weighed them down, making it hard to breathe. Now that the mountain has finally been removed, those who have been given a new lease on life will naturally be overjoyed.

So he readily accepted Ethan's hug.

However, he had something to say about conveying his gratitude.

"Oh, Ethan, if you want to thank my father, you can tell him in person when you see him tomorrow."

"I think he would be very happy to share this joy with you."

"What?" Ethan looked puzzled, wondering if he had misheard.

Spielberg, however, continued with a laugh: "Oh, Ethan, is my language so hard to understand?"

"My dad hasn't seen Professor Bell for over a year, and now that they've reconnected, he wants to come with us."

"Consider it a visit to an old friend."

"! 』

This fact surprised Ethan even more!

At the same time, his gratitude was beyond measure!

Because he understood that no matter how brilliant his elaborate narrative or how touching his widowhood story was, it couldn't compare to the more compelling connections of technology and shared Jewish heritage! And when all these random buffs appeared together, he even had a feeling that this trip wasn't about doing business at all! It was about using his connections to get something for nothing!

But the truth is...

That's actually even more magical.

On the morning of October 24, Ethan and his group of four arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, where they boarded a United Airlines flight to Boston. After a bumpy six-hour journey, they finally landed safely.

As soon as Ethan got off the plane, he saw a black Chevrolet minivan parked at the exit. Not only that, but an elderly man with a beige suit jacket, a floral shirt underneath, a lean build, and glasses was standing next to the car.

Upon seeing them, the old man immediately stepped forward.

Old Spielberg and Arnold put down their luggage and went to greet him.

Then they gave each other a big hug.

"Oh Arnold! We meet again—" the old man in the floral shirt exclaimed. "It's been a year, I've missed you dearly."

"Oh Rudolf! You actually came all the way to the airport? This really touches me—" Old Spielberg said with a hearty laugh, "I was planning to have lunch before coming to see you, but I didn't expect... Oh—you're just too hospitable—"

That's right!

Professor Ralph Bell, who has held the entire American video game industry in his hands since 1972, personally came to pick him up at the airport!

After Ralph Bell and Arnold Spielberg greeted each other, they came up to the three of them.

The old man first greeted Steven Spielberg, whom he knew, and then, through his old friend's introduction, shook hands with Steve Jobs, who was accompanying him. Then, he stopped in front of Ethan Jones.

The 53-year-old man first sized up Ethan with his eyes darting around, and then said:

"Ethan Jones?"

"The inventor of the Snake Game?"

"Yeah." Ethan nodded with a smile. "Hello, Professor Bell."

To be honest, he's really a bit reserved right now.

Before he arrived, Ralph Bell had already been discussed with him many times.

When the behemoth that has been the subject of much discussion, the true master that has been sought to conquer, finally appears, all the preparations made beforehand are useless, because even the most perfect illusion is just that—an illusion! And what stands before him now is real!

However, Ralph Bell didn't seem embarrassed at all. He smiled, opened his arms, and said, "Give me a hug?"

He also said, "I've played Snake Game, and I admit, you're better than me at game design."

These words flattered Ethan, and after he hugged Ralph Bell, the elderly man with the Mediterranean hairstyle whispered in his ear, "Ethan, although this is our first meeting, I still want to say sorry to you."

"Because Milrohua's lawsuit has harmed you."

"Arnold told me that you are just a simple game developer, that you only want to make games, games that can make people happy, and that you encountered my obstruction in the process, for which I am deeply sorry."

"At first, I just wanted to bring joy to the world. I just wanted more people to be able to play video games, which is a lot of fun. I didn't want to use patents to hurt anyone, but I also admit that Mirowa dragged you into it when it was cracking down on plagiarism."

"Ethan, after Arnold told me about you, I also made a point of learning more about you. You are an excellent kid, and even more so, a good kid. I am very happy that you continue to embrace life positively after your father's death. And I admire your selfless help to Chuck Patto and the others... I'm not just being polite, I'm serious."

"Child, you are innocent."

"Because of my acquiescence, Mirohua committed atrocities against you, which makes me very ashamed."

"If possible, I hope you can accept my apology."

"! 』

The word "sorry" appeared several times in just a few short sentences?

This fact left Ethan stunned!

Because he simply couldn't believe his ears!

But when Arnold Spielberg patted Ralph Bell on the shoulder, signaling the old man not to worry too much, Ethan, having come to his senses, also patted the old man on the back, comforting him.

At the same time, his own face was filled with emotion.

What exactly is going on right now?

Even he himself was a little confused!

But there was one thing he was very clear about!

A person's goodness or badness does not depend on what they do, but on what others see and what they want to judge.

Once Ralph Bell publicly expressed his goodwill, the subsequent communication naturally followed.

Led by the old man, the group arrived at a restaurant in Boston, where they had lunch after lunchtime.

At the dinner table, Ralph Bell carefully learned the details of the incident. When he learned that Atari had played the role of an accomplice in the Milova lawsuit, the old man, who had once spared Nolan Bushnell's life, was furious. However, when he learned that Atari had to bear all the compensation under pressure from Ethan Jones, he breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed that this was the best outcome.

After discovering that even after suffering Mirova's iron fist, Ethan still wanted to make the game, he expressed his appreciation for Ethan's persistence.

He nodded and said, "I know why you've contacted me. Chuck Patel is also an IEEE member, but his level isn't as high as mine or Arnold's. Besides, Motorola has bought my patents, so I know how you're handling the MOS 6502 CPU. Since I've called you here, it means I'm willing to accept your invitation. So, once you've registered your company, just invite me to be your company's technical consultant."

This suggestion made Ethan beam with joy, and while expressing his gratitude, he also said, "Oh, Ralph..."

"Call me Rudolf," Ralph Bell interrupted. "I still like this name. Although my childhood wasn't very happy, this name has witnessed my growth. I don't like those painful memories, but I want to remember that experience."

"Oh, okay, Rudolph," Ethan quickly changed his tune. "I have a question. Is the role of a technical consultant legally required? Uh... I mean... if they can't produce patents similar to those for video games and training devices, Milrova might..."

Ethan stopped there.

Because he felt he couldn't continue.

Ralph Bell chuckled, leaning back in his chair and toying with his cup as he said, "Ethan, I know what you're worried about. Legally speaking, a consultant's role can't circumvent patent infringement issues, because only if I personally participate in a project and product can it meet the requirements of free research and development under California law, but..."

Does it matter?

"This is just an attitude for everyone to see."

"Does Milrova dare to sue me?"

Ralph Bell looked at Ethan Jones with a smirk and uttered a few words, "He wouldn't dare."

"Don't even mention it, even if Philips came, they wouldn't dare."

So…

"Ethan, don't worry, go ahead and do it."

"Send me a copy of your new game when it comes out. Like Steven, I want to see what new ideas you have."

(End of this chapter)