What does it mean to earn a million in half a year?
In Ethan's previous life, such an achievement would be nothing extraordinary, rather unremarkable. After all, in that era, a hundred thousand assets couldn't sustain a living, a million was considered poor, and ten million only warranted blind dates. Only a billionaire's wealth was truly noteworthy.
However, in this era...
A million dollars was a big deal! Consider that the world's first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, commissioned just this year, cost only a fraction of that. Even the Lakers, located in the neighbouring City of Angels, were worth only a few million. Back in September 1965, when Jack Cook purchased the team, it was for a mere five million dollars.
So, when Ethan emerged from Atari, his mouth never closed again!
While in the long run, "Snake Game" might not bring in as much profit as the MOS 6502 and Apple, who cares? The greatest advantage of electronic games is their ability to accumulate substantial cash quickly!
With real gold and silver in hand, Ethan had countless possibilities!
For example...
He first shared the good news with Linda at home, then swiftly headed to San Jose to buy a car.
In reality, when Ethan received his first bonus, he had thought about changing his car. The used Chevrolet was uncomfortable, but the uncertainty of future income, coupled with Thomas's passionate socializing, had temporarily delayed the decision. Subsequently, the emergence of the MOS 6502 and Steve Jobs' plea kept Ethan so busy that changing the car was put on hold.
But now...
The second round of bonuses was on its way, and there was no reason to hold back!
It was time to indulge in some serious shopping!
After wandering around San Jose, Ethan stopped in front of a car dealership.
In their showroom sat a two-seater, bright red sports car with a streamlined body, lower front, and higher rear.
Its headlights were protruding circles, and looking from the front, one could almost feel like they were facing not a car but a cute frog.
This design intrigued Ethan, and after getting out and inquiring with the salesperson, the brand mentioned made Ethan pause.
"Dino? What brand is this?" Ethan was puzzled.
The salesperson naturally responded, "Sir, Dino is a sub-brand of the Italian manufacturer Ferrari, founded by Enzo Ferrari in memory of his late son Dino. The car you're looking at is called Dino 246 GTS, a convertible sports car with a 2.4-liter V6 engine, max power of 240 horsepower, independent suspension, and equipped with power brakes..."
"Oh, it's a Ferrari?"
"I've never heard of it."
In his previous life, Ethan had no money to play with cars, and his knowledge was limited to the Ferraris, Porsches, and McLarens that often appeared in wealthy novels. So, he had no idea what the salesperson's detailed specifications meant.
But one thing he knew was that this handsome car was environmentally friendly.
Because it had a V6 engine! Not a V8 engine!
Doesn't meet the American big V8, eco-friendly standards!
"How much is this car?" Ethan asked, impressed.
"Sir, the base price for this car is fourteen thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars."
"I'll take it, how do I pay?"
"Sir, do you have a Bank Americard?"
"No."
"We can accompany you to the bank, and you can transfer the funds directly."
The Bank Americard mentioned by the salesperson was actually the future VISA credit card brand.
Credit cards have been around for a long time. In 1950, Diners Club introduced the first credit card in the United States. It was a small paper card that allowed credit only at restaurants, with full payment required each month. By 1958, American Express introduced the first plastic credit card, offering credit payments at multiple merchants and regions, allowing cardholders to make installment payments. In 1966, Bank of America extended its credit card services nationwide, and Bank Americard became the first universally accepted credit card in the United States. Ten years later, in 1976, Bank Americard would be renamed VISA.
Since Ethan had studied this financial history in school, he didn't express any surprise when the salesperson mentioned credit card payments. However, one thing puzzled him, "Don't you accept checks?"
This question made the salesperson pause, then smile and say, "Sir, that's up to Frank Abagnale. I heard he was released on parole last year. Originally, we accepted checks, but until this gentleman found a legitimate job with reasonable economic standing, accepting checks for us was indeed a challenging task."
"Please understand."
"Okay, I get it." Ethan smiled.
Because he thought of a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, called "Catch Me If You Can." In the movie, the character played by DiCaprio was based on Frank Abagnale.
Since he didn't have a credit card, Ethan followed the steps mentioned by the salesperson and went to the bank to complete the transfer. When the salesperson, who accompanied him, received the receipt issued by the bank, the brand-new Dino 246 GTS belonged to Ethan.
With the new car in hand, the first thing Ethan wanted to do was show off!
He raced to San Francisco, revving the engine in front of Frank's store. When Frank rushed out in surprise, wanting to see what was going on, Ethan immediately shifted gears and drove away.
Hey! You're not getting a glimpse!
He zoomed into Steve Jobs' house, revving the engine in neutral. When Jobs, with envy on his face, wanted to touch it, Ethan shifted gears again and happily drove away.
Hey! You can't touch it!
Next, he went to Thomas's orchard, revving the engine in front of him, and then...
He was dragged out of the driver's seat by Thomas.
He watched helplessly as the other person sat in.
Caressing the new steering wheel, Thomas's face was full of envy, "Oh! Fxxk! How much did you buy this car for?"
"With tax, it's about seventeen thousand."
"Sxxt! This car costs seventeen grand?" Thomas widened his eyes, "Why don't they just go rob a bank?"
"Because it's a Dino!" Ethan patted the car door, saying, "It's a Ferrari brand!"
Ethan thought that he would be scolded by Thomas for buying such an expensive car, but unexpectedly, this guy, upon hearing the Ferrari brand, immediately started the engine, shifted gears, and drove away smoothly~
Watching the suddenly departing figure, Ethan was dumbfounded, shouting, "WTF?!!! Thomas, what are you doing???"
Before he could finish his sentence, Thomas's excited voice echoed in the air —
"Let me drive this car! Let me go for a spin!!! Show off to some old friends!!!"
'...'
Ethan never expected that his newly bought car would be snatched like this.
Seeing that Thomas had no intention of turning back, he could only climb into the Ford pickup truck that had been abandoned by the other party, preparing to go home.
Just as he was about to turn the key and start the engine, he suddenly noticed another problem —
"Grass!
He didn't leave the keys in the car!"
"Bang!"
Smacking the steering wheel hard, Ethan, in frustration, went into the rest area of the orchard and made a call home.
"Hello~ Linda? Yes, it's me. I've been left in the orchard by Thomas. Can you see if there's a way to pick me up..."
"What? Why don't I come back myself? Oh! My car was stolen by him!"
"Yes! The newly bought car! A convertible sports car! He insisted on borrowing it, saying he wanted to go for a drive!"
"Hello? Hi! Linda? Oh damn!"
The call was cut...
While Ethan was sulking, the sound of "beep beep" came.
Looking up, outside the window, that show-off's red sports car was back.
Seeing Ethan's puzzled expression, Thomas in the car shouted, "Aren't you coming over?"
"Do you really think I'm going to steal your car!"
"I just wanted to have some fun; I turned back at the intersection!"
"This car is awesome, returning it to you~"