America 1982-Chapter 182 - 69: Ordinary People Like Confrontation Stories_2

"Save your compliments for a spare moment, sir," Tommy said, staring straight into Benjamin’s eyes.

Benjamin said to Tommy, "You can leave now. The money will catch up to you shortly. You’re right, IBM will agree to cooperate. How could a major company refuse to nurture the entire industry and still have a reason to deceive the government about monopoly issues, maintaining the temptation of fairness and openness."

"Goodbye, and by the way, I need to use your phone," Tommy quickly got up after receiving the response to the conversation.

He dialed the phone, "Delia, keep an eye on the bank account. Once the funds show up, start the work in the name of EFF. Get ready to place one hundred and seventy-six lawyers. I want news about this case to appear on the newspapers and television in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. I want press interviews. I want newspaper coverage. The founder of Actor Corporation, Tommy Hawk, is starting to listen to his mother and do the right thing."

"The first thing is I want to tell the common folks about the terrible pushback Actor faced in trying to help those with a lower education learn computing to increase their income. They even went so far as to replace an incompetent vice president with a high and mighty member of the Kennedy Family, all to stop me. Common people just love this kind of confrontation story."

...

When no customers were around, Mr. Pete O’Brien, the photographer, mostly spent his time watching TV in his small photo studio in the Southern District of Boston.

The sound of the wind chimes signaled a customer, and he stood up with a smile to greet them, "Sir, do you need a photograph?"

"Mr. O’Brien, it’s a pleasure to meet you." The visitor was dressed in an Armani suit, with slicked-back hair and a beaming smile. He shook hands with Pete, who was looking bewildered, "I’m Eugene Brown from the New York Center for Creative Photography."

Pete was taken aback, "Sir, where did you say you were from?"

"The New York Center for Creative Photography, NCCP." The visitor repeated.

Pete blurted out in amazement, "Wow, that’s like hallowed ground to photographers in the United States."

"Indeed, all photographers hope their work will be collected by NCCP. That’s why I’m here. Congratulations, Mr. Pete O’Brien." The man looked around the photo studio as he spoke.

Pete felt like he had been struck by lightning, and it took him a while to recover from the news, "But I’m just an ordinary photographer, I mean, I haven’t sent anything to you..."

"Your portrait of a woman, by a fortunate coincidence, was discovered by our center’s renowned photographer, Rosalind Solomon, and received her praise. She hopes NCCP can permanently collect that piece that showcases female strength and resilience. That’s why I’m here." Eugene said with a smile, "After the contract is signed, we’ll pay you a sum, about fifteen thousand dollars, to buy the rights for that photograph."

Pete felt like he was dreaming. Rosalind Solomon, the well-known female photographer, had once shot a series of portraits called "Outside the White House" during President Kennedy’s tenure.

Any American photographer might have seen her work and hoped to learn some portrait photography skills. But now, this master of photography liked his work? And she recommended it to NCCP?

Fifteen thousand dollars for one photo?

"Do you have some time to come to New York soon? I mean in the coming days because we need to get the contract signed, and Miss Solomon would also like to talk to you in person about photography," the man claiming to be Eugene asked.

Pete felt light-headed and nodded vigorously, "Of course, I can find the time. I can temporarily close up shop, I... oh, right, I’ve been selected as a juror for a trial. Jury duty is compulsory, I can’t refuse, but I... I think if Rosalind Solomon wants to meet me, I could request to be replaced by an alternate juror."

"Is it that lawsuit with the software company suing the copier?" Eugene turned his head, now looking intently into Pete’s eyes.

Pete nodded, "Yes, you’ve heard of it?"

"Of course, NCCP uses Lotus Corporation’s software, so I’m familiar with the company. Which side selected you as a juror? The plaintiff, the defendant, or the court?" Eugene asked casually.

Pete shrugged, "I think it was the defendant’s legal team that picked me from the jury pool."

"Then you’d better not mention this to Miss Solomon when you meet. She hates plagiarists because she’s been a victim of plagiarism. Although I know you won’t vote carelessly, I guess she wouldn’t be too keen to meet you if she knew you had a sympathetic stance towards plagiarists," Eugene said, as if kindly reminding Pete of some small issues to be aware of during the meeting, still with a smile.

But Pete was not foolish enough to be overly dramatized. He seemed to understand something from Eugene’s eyes and slowly started to ask,

"I seem to get it, I became a juror, and then my photography gets appreciated, destined to be permanently preserved."

"Sounds like a coincidence, I hope it won’t distract you from the court’s decision." Eugene nodded but did not admit, merely calling it a coincidence.

Pete continued, "But I suppose the contract signing and meeting with Miss Solomon will happen after the trial is over?"

"Yes, it will probably be after the trial has concluded, considering the time it takes to finalize many clauses of the contract. Besides, although Miss Solomon has decided to collect it now, something unexpected like discovering a superior work might happen, as our funds are limited, and we can only afford the finest," Eugene said, pleased that the photographer in front of him understood the message.

Pete went on to ask, "Maybe my sympathy for plagiarists might change Miss Solomon’s mind."

"That’s just your wild imagination. Trust me, our decision to collect your work is primarily because it’s outstanding." Eugene extended his hand to Pete, smiling as he said his goodbye, "I just came to inform you that your work is about to be collected by NCCP. Please arrange your schedule, and we’ll get in touch with you later. Goodbye, Mr. O’Brien."

"I won’t sympathize with plagiarists, I won’t..." Pete reiterated, having thought it through.

Eugene headed for the door without responding to Pete behind him. Once he stepped out of the photo studio, Eugene got into a black sedan, "Notify Mr. Kennedy that another one of their selected jurors has been taken care of."