The first batch of game consoles was finally delivered, and William White was very satisfied. Many people knew the release date and planned to grab one as soon as possible.
"Mark, why are so many people lined up?"
"You don't know?"
"Am I supposed to know?"
"Well, your childhood must've been incomplete."
"Aw, come on."
A freckled guy said in a disdainful tone, "Legendary World's video game. They've been advertising for a week. How do you not know?"
"Dang it, I gotta get in line too. With this, I won't have to fight for turns."
"It's not the same. Arcade games are definitely more fun."
"It's just too expensive. The good machines aren't available yet."
Similar conversations happened all over North America. Electronic chain stores were puzzled.
Releasing tomorrow, why are folks lining up today?
"Dang it, who placed these orders? How can such a tiny amount possibly be enough?"
No one answered. It was you who placed the order, ignoring the salesperson's advice. Now, great, go sell them yourself. Those folks lining up might just turn our shop upside down.
Limit purchase to one per person?
You've gotta be kidding me. When did they ever have such limits?
...
"What? Say that again?"
"Boss, fifty thousand consoles sold out on the first day for $299 each, including three game cartridges."
For all of this, William White was calm. Just fifty thousand, is there a need to make such a big deal?
"Geez, this guy wasn't kidding. America really can't make these things."
"Boss, we checked the costs, and it's perfectly within our budget."
"Hahaha, I'm going to order an additional two hundred thousand consoles. Now tell me, when can they be delivered?"
"Well..."
"Can't say, can you? Let me guess, not before the end of the year. And this is just the American market. What about Europe? Japan?"
"At least the shipping's cheap here, and the taxes are much lower too."
"Sigh, don't forget, they're going public next year. This kind of delay isn't acceptable."
"Oh man, if it stays a hot seller, next year's valuation will double."
...
This was William White's plan all along. He didn't need to desperately advertise; these game consoles couldn't even keep up with demand.
But when you're running a company, you can gradually expand. Capital games aren't played that way. As soon as you present the sales data, everyone will be amazed.
Thinking of getting a bit more cheap stock?
What are you thinking?
A group of shareholders was already celebrating, including British, desert tycoons, and Japanese investors.
As for a few American consortia, they really didn't care.
Valuation?
There's none, really. They're unavailable before this guy goes public, and the secondary market won't have any up for sale.
Okay, Citibank is crying in the bathroom again.
Their vision was sharp; they knew this was a tasty lamb chop. But unfortunately, they lost not only a chance to dabble but also the delicious morsel they had in their mouth.
Considering going back to settle the score?
Well, they really don't dare; too many interests are involved. They didn't plan to go against the world. William White's comic and game company has become an entity you wouldn't want to mess with.
A bunch of so-called Wall Street elites was confused by this move. Had William White set up a factory in America, this situation wouldn't have emerged. That's an uncontested fact.
What? You say we should support domestic factories for job creation.
Yeah, go campaign talking like that. Keep it up.
As for those capitalists, they don't care about jobs. Maximizing profits is their concern.
As for social responsibility?
Please, when you pay more taxes than I do, then you can criticize.
That kind of stuff won't fly in this era.
How did World War II start?
Wasn't it because of trade protectionism?
...
"Dad, did those consortia make a mistake? How can it be worth so much?"
Even George W Bush Jr. couldn't grasp, and George Sr. was also puzzled. Just playing games, what's the big deal?
"Do you have that console?"
"I got it a while back. It's fun, but not all that amazing."
George Sr. was speechless, thinking you're old, but if you find it interesting, those kids would be hooked.
"It really is valuable. Citibank's nearly crying blood. It's not about the loss; they've upset an important figure."
"Serves them right. Siding with outsiders, William White's right. They're traitors. If it comes to a fight, they'd be the first to betray."
"Sigh, don't say such things in the future. Not good talk."
...
As for William White himself, he's quite unique. When he messes around with friends, he never cares much. But for business talks, best send your dad to negotiate.
In many people's eyes, he's the ideal child, excelling in every way. Even in passing ventures like bottled water, he's managed to sell it worldwide.
The largest bottled water factory may not be his, but the most profitable water certainly is.
Check out his ads, aren't they top-notch? You can't even see the product. It's all about promoting the environment.
Once he even advertised for half a month straight, and yet, nobody knew what he sold.
Watching his commercials was more frustrating than anything. Truly the number one in the quirky department.
Was that money burning?
Quite the opposite, his sales and brand recognition climbed steadily. If you can't see it, maybe you're the one who's being dense.
*****
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