Since Barbara, the lawyer had pointed out the right direction, Ethan naturally proceeded with determination.
Returning home, he enjoyed a simple lunch prepared by Linda. Afterwards, he pulled out the California Yellow Pages and found a number.
After a busy signal, a voice devoid of emotion answered on the other end.
"Hello, this is the California office of the American Patent Office."
"Hello, ma'am. I have an invention on hand that I'd like to apply for a patent. It's a personal application, and also a temporary one. Can you tell me what documents I need and where to go?" Ethan clearly expressed his request.
"Sir, we are glad you support the work of our patent office."
The woman on the phone explained, "The process for a personal temporary patent application is straightforward. You only need to bring a graphic description of the invention to our offline office. Our office is located at 26 Fourth Street, San Jose. You can come for processing between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Oh, and a friendly reminder, the application fee for a personal temporary application is seventy dollars."
"..."
'This is a bit expensive.'
Ethan twitched the corner of his mouth after hanging up the phone.
You see, his weekly salary at Milowa was only eighty dollars, and all the materials for "Snake," including the second-hand TV and joystick sponsored by Evelyn, added up to only four hundred dollars.
And now, the cost for a temporary patent application is seventy dollars?
How can an ordinary person afford this?
"Indeed, it's capitalism—everything is about money," Ethan shook his head and commented, "No wonder the Pigeon Sect went to the trouble of making a video for Walter Hunt. Capable of inventing, yet unable to afford patent registration—it's really pitiful."
But no matter how expensive, he had to go through with it.
After hanging up the phone, Ethan prepared as instructed.
He manually copied the arcade drawing that Evelyn had created, emphasizing the content of the game. For example, when the game starts, the little snake will move on its own, and when manipulating the joystick, the snake can turn, and so on.
As for circuit diagrams and such, he didn't bother drawing them. After all, Barbara had mentioned that temporary applications were not reviewed at all. What mattered most was what you wanted legal protection for.
After completing all this, it was already past one in the afternoon. Ethan then spent another twenty minutes crossing ten miles to reach San Jose. He submitted his application at the California office of the Patent Office.
"Are you applying for the patent of the 'Snake Game' electronic game arcade in the names of Evelyn Johnson and Ethan Jones?" the office lady asked.
"Yeah," Ethan nodded.
Writing the names of both himself and Evelyn on the patent application was something Ethan and Evelyn had discussed.
"Okay, please wait."
Although in the future, there were often complaints about the inefficiency of American agencies, it only applied to non-paying projects. When it came to collecting fees, they were always efficient.
The office lady made a few copies, and in less than five minutes, Ethan received a receipt for the temporary application.
It had the temporary patent number, application date, invention name, and inventor's name.
At the same time, the other party also mentioned, "Mr Jones, the temporary application has been processed. In the next year, you can submit a formal application at any time. If you don't submit it, the temporary application will automatically expire and be permanently archived on the day after one year. If you submit it, your temporary application will be publicly disclosed with priority."
"Alright, thank you."
Looking at the somewhat crude but representative receipt of legal authority, Ethan was very happy.
There was no way around it. This thing represented money.
Humming a tune, he happily returned to the car.
Glancing at the wristwatch, the "2:30" on it made him feel that there was still plenty of time.
So, he turned the car around and stopped at the entrance of a record store in San Jose.
On the promotional sign of this store hung a poster of a golden-haired woman in a red dress. Above the poster was written, "I Honestly Love You" – by Olivia Newton-John.
"Damn, has this song been released already?"
Ethan was surprised because he liked this song in his previous life. It was just that it wasn't the original singer but a cover by some male artist.
Muttering to himself, he didn't pay it much attention and waved to the store owner at the entrance. A well-off middle-aged white man promptly came out.
"Sir, how can I help you?"
"Do you have Barbara Streisand's new work?"
"Are you referring to last year's release, 'The Way We Are'?"
"Can you bring it for me to see?"
"Wait a moment, sir."
After a while, the white man came out again, holding a cassette tape about the size of a palm. On the plastic packaging, Barbara Streisand was wearing a black robe.
The cover caught Ethan's eye, and he nodded, "Yes, that's it. Do you have the deluxe version with a poster?"
"Of course," the boss went back to the store.
When he came out for the third time, he had an additional box the size of a book bag in his hands.
"Vinyl edition, including a record, three posters, and an album production record. If you want it, it's fifteen dollars."
"Wrap it up for me, gift style."
"Sir, in that case, it's an extra dollar."
"No problem."
Ethan counted out sixteen dollars from his wallet and handed it to him. A few minutes later, the boss came out with a gift box that could be held with both hands. The pure white outer packaging and the pink ribbon were things Ethan hadn't specified.
'Quite skilful!'
Ethan smiled at the boss and then opened the car radio, driving to Stanford with soothing music playing.
Since he arrived a bit early, Ethan reclined his seat and leisurely lay in the car.
It was unknown how much time had passed, but when the sound of knocks resounded, playful words followed.
"Wow, in a good mood!"
Ethan had just opened his eyes, and Evelyn had already sat in the co-driver's seat. "It seems things went smoothly?"
"Hmm."
Ethan took out the receipt from his jacket pocket and shook it lightly.
The A4-sized paper made a crisp sound.
Evelyn took a look after receiving it and praised, "Oh, nice! Your initiative is strong."
"Of course. You've helped me with the preliminary preparations. If I can't handle such a small matter, I might as well find a place to crash."
"Oh-ho-ho, what's gotten into you today? Did you have a milkshake at McDonald's? Or maybe, you're happy and want to express your gratitude to me? If it's the former, I might have to complain to Linda that you went to eat junk food again. If it's the latter... Hmm, I won't accept any verbal thanks!"
"Okay, okay, I understand."
Ethan pressed his hands together and said, "So, I don't plan on giving verbal thanks."
Saying this, he pointed with his thumb to the back seat.
Evelyn, feeling puzzled, immediately turned her head.
In an instant, she saw the exquisitely wrapped package hidden under the clothes. She couldn't wait to pick it up.
"Is this for me?"
"Hmm."
"Can I open it?"
"Please."
Before the words were finished, the ribbon had already been untied.
Silence for a second, as if time had frozen.
A scream erupted, expressing joy from the heart.
"The vinyl edition of 'The Way We Are'???"
"Oh My God!!! This is the one I wrote for you that day! No, wait! What I wrote back then was just the album..."
"Oh, Ethan! I love you!!!"
TL Note:
Yellow Pages refers to a telephone directory containing a list of businesses, organizations, and phone numbers, commonly used in the United States.
Walter Hunt, an inventor, most famous for inventing the sewing machine.
Olivia Newton John, a singer and actress who co-starred with John Travolta in "Grease."