America 1982-Chapter 201 - 74: Black Humor
Outside the Washington Supreme Court building, an NBC news reporter said to the camera:
"We see that representatives of companies like Microsoft, IBM, Compaq, and Borland—as well as the representative lawyers of Micro-Innovation Company, which should have questioned Actor Corporation’s alleged plagiarism just like Lotus Corporation—have appeared on the scene. They have all submitted amicus curiae briefs in support of Actor Corporation to the court."
An ABC news reporter described the scene outside the courthouse from another angle:
"In addition to industry companies and professionals, we see that there are roughly two hundred lawyers representing various nonprofit advocacy organizations, serving as friends of the court. Today, they will enter the scene to hear the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Lotus Corporation vs. Actor Corporation copyright infringement case. Moreover, representatives from Stanford University, as the university of Actor Corporation’s founder, will have several students and administrators involved in this trial in different capacities."
"Beyond these representative lawyers entering the building, we also notice that about five to six hundred people have gathered at the moment, most of them women, holding banners with slogans such as ’Support Tommy,’ ’God Bless the Righteous,’ and ’Don’t Let Lotus Shatter the American Dream!’ It is understood that these are some of the public who have received Actor Corporation’s OSS software for free; let’s interview one of them at random."
"Hello, madam, how should I address you?" the reporter approached a woman in her thirties and handed her the microphone.
The middle-aged woman looked into the camera, curiously waved her hand, and then said, "I’m Emily, from Bethsville City in Washington D.C."
"Emily, why did you come here?" the reporter asked Emily with a smile.
Emily looked into the camera and said seriously, "To support Actor, to support Tommy Hawk. I hope to have the opportunity to tell him face to face not to be afraid, not to panic. We are right here with him. He is not doing this for himself; he just wants more people to live with dignity. He’s done nothing wrong. Even if the court rules against Actor Corporation, he shouldn’t worry. We may not afford the expensive software priced by those big companies, but we can pay $49.99. We will raise money to help him and Actor get through tough times."
"Wow, but Tommy and Actor Corporation could be charged with plagiarism..." The reporter frowned slightly, trying to shift the question to the lawsuit, but before he could finish asking, Emily already corrected him with some dissatisfaction:
"He didn’t plagiarize! There is no clear law that told this poor kid he couldn’t do this; it’s a mistake by the American judiciary! But now it’s clear that those rich people and judges want to exterminate him to seize our money for their fortune! We can’t tolerate a slaughter happening right before our eyes! His mother must be in tears in heaven right now, her good and loving son is about to be falsely accused as a criminal by this country..."
Benjamin Rosen, the chairman of Compaq and executive director of the EFF, appeared beside the camera, as if he just happened to be passing by. The reporter hurriedly left Emily behind and caught up to ask, "Mr. Rosen, as a professional in the computer industry, could you briefly share your thoughts on this lawsuit and why so many companies in the computer industry are willing to support Actor Corporation, despite potential accusations of infringement?"
"Because if the court makes a ruling in favor of Lotus Corporation, it will be an upheaval for the entire computer industry. Practitioners understand the potential dangers, so naturally, as industry personnel and professionals, they will make the most sober decision," Benjamin Rosen said elegantly into the microphone before heading towards the Supreme Court building.
"People from Actor Corporation have arrived!" a voice shouted from the crowd.
Two business vans drove slowly from a distance, stopping outside the building. The crowd surged forward as the doors opened, and Delia Case with her legal team, Actor Corporation’s co-founder Holly Kina, and Jason White emerged, but the blond boy who once told everyone at the hearing that he was prepared to take all the responsibility on his own was notably absent.
"Excuse me, Lawyer Case, will Mr. Tommy Hawk not be attending the trial today?" a reporter shouted to Delia and the others after seeing the car was empty.
The people who came to show their support also shouted loudly, "Where is Tommy?"
Faced with the reporters’ relentless questions, Delia and the lawyers tried to walk into the building without showing any expression, but questions continued to come from the crowd.
Delia didn’t speak up, Jason kept his head down in silence, and only Holly, seemingly unable to face the warm gazes of support and being the last to walk, appeared somewhat lost in the moment, forcing an awkward smile as she hesitated to speak:
"Tommy has some issues right now and couldn’t come with us, but we believe that he is with all the people of Actor Corporation in spirit."
"What happened?" Hearing someone finally willing to answer, countless questions and flashes targeted Holly, asking loudly.
"Someone... Sorry, I cannot disclose their identity, but they hoped to take some time to talk to Tommy about this lawsuit. After the conversation, Tommy felt a bit unwell; he told us he had a headache, and the doctor advised him to rest, so he couldn’t attend the trial in person. But he asked me to convey that whatever the verdict, he will accept it calmly. I apologize, everyone, I am somewhat beside myself; please let me go in, okay..." Holly covered her mouth with her hand, looking frail and pitiful.
