Volume 4: White Devil Chapter 305 Convert Her
It was just as Microsoft expected. Although the launch of Amiga OS seemed to be a perfect fusion of art, entertainment and business, and it received rave reviews in newspapers, its sales were not very good. It only topped the list of best-selling commercial software in the first week of its release, and then it quickly declined. On the contrary, Windows 3.0 was released shortly afterwards and received numerous praises. Although the price was as high as US$149.95, its sales exceeded 120,000 copies in the first week.
Both sides are rushing to release new products at this point, in fact, it is all because of Gorbachev, who arrived in the United States on June 1 for a visit. Many American entrepreneurs hope that when this pro-Western Soviet friend returns home, their products can be packaged up and given to him as gifts by the president.
Microsoft launched a strong public relations campaign for its Soviet friend, mobilizing almost all of its connections. When Gorbachev visited cities such as New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and Boston, Microsoft executives or pro-Microsoft politicians were present, waiting for opportunities to strike up a conversation with the other party.
On the other hand, Tommy had almost no positive tactics in China. Apart from letting Ted publish the Microsoft scandal on the front page of his own newspaper every day to overshadow Gorbachev, he had almost no action. The only time when the other party visited Stanford University was when Tommy, Jason and a group of Stanford alumni went to the dinner and bought expensive tickets to listen to a speech given by the other party.
Another thing is that at Guns N' Roses' Boston concert, a Soviet rock band that came to the United States at the same time as Gorbachev was a guest. This made Americans who were not optimistic about AmigaOS suddenly remember that the appearance of this band seemed to be an invitation from AmigaOS to Guns N' Roses, which helped to slightly rekindle the popularity of AmigaOS.
"Everyone thinks you might want to talk to them." Stephen Bean sat in the headquarters office of Vox News Network. Although he looked at Tommy with a smile, his face was actually a little ugly. "I told them that you came to Washington, and you definitely didn't run away, but they obviously want to hear you tell them in person."
America is so realistic. Tommy can bring them endless wealth, and all shareholders can respond to his warmest and brightest smile, but once Tommy makes them feel that the gains are not worth the losses, that's it, and they want to hear Tommy give them an explanation.
There were four phones on Tommy's desk. He didn't even look up at Stephen. He was flipping through various documents and said, "Because the sales of AmigaOS have suffered a Waterloo?"
"It cost a lot of money to develop it, and the accounts show that you are still burning money like crazy." Stephen sat on Tommy's desk and sighed.
He actually didn't want to come, but business is business. If it was just his own investment, he wouldn't be here, but the problem is that there are a bunch of shareholders behind him.
"How long can you keep those shareholders silent? Or can't you do it even for a day? If you can't do it, I will call Mr. Sargent Shriver or Uncle Pete myself and let them deal with it. Give me a week. After a week, I might be interested in patronizing those shareholders." Tommy took the cigarette out of his mouth and flicked the ash. He took the time to look up at Stephen and asked, then continued to work with his head down.
"Windows 3.0 has sold 270,000 copies in two weeks. Tommy, no one can sit still." Stephen looked at Tommy's busy appearance and finally said, "Forget it, I trust you. I will deal with them in a week, but if you break your promise after a week , I will be very sad."
“Zoe, are you safe now? Have you reunited with the rest of our crew?” Tommy asked into one of the phones, not even noticing when Stephen left.
On the other end of the phone, Zoe Winters, a well-known reporter for VOX News Network in Germany, said excitedly: "Of course, it's very safe. I can't believe that while other TV reporters were still paying attention to the spontaneous demolition of the Berlin Wall by the West German people, I was already standing on Bernauer Strasse in East Germany."
"Keep in touch." Tommy said, and then shouted into another phone: "Susie! How are the venues and products you prepared? I asked you to go to Germany, not for tourism. If you mess it up, even if I don't care, our first lady will send you and Jason to Africa to help the niggers grow cassava!"
"It's ready. We've rented high-speed broadband networks from two universities, as well as conference rooms on two floors of the Bourne Building that can accommodate hundreds of people. What you should worry about is that nothing happens to the actors," Susie said on the phone.
Tommy turned to the next phone and continued, "Mr. Bullock! Mr. Bullock! Are the highest-paid actors ready?"
"Ready." Sandra Bullock's father said in the same affirmative tone. He was in East Germany at the moment. Although ordinary people could not enter East Berlin at will, and Bullock was a retired American soldier, the two countries were in the Cold War, but fortunately East Berlin was not affected by the Cold War. East Germany firmly implemented the post-war Four-Power Agreement. Allied military and civilian personnel could enter and exit East German checkpoints without being subject to diplomatic and passport control. Therefore, Bullock had a civilian identity given by the Allies. He had been selecting actors in East Germany during this period. Even Zoe and others could enter East Germany at will, which was all due to his operation.
"Great, there's only one left." Tommy picked up the receiver of the last phone and dialed a number:
"Charles, are your actors and crew ready?"
On the other end of the phone, Charles said neatly, "Of course."
After receiving Charles' reply, Tommy breathed a sigh of relief: "OK, next, let the world witness A migaOS."
It is now June 13, 1990. He turns his eyes to the TV in his office. On the screen, VOX News Network is reporting a piece of news that has attracted the attention of people all over the world.
The East German border guards laid down their weapons, picked up various demolition tools, and officially dismantled the 168-kilometer-long Berlin Wall.
Although the world witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall as early as November 1989, it was not officially demolished. It was only because Günter Schabowski, the first secretary of the East Berlin City Party Committee, mistakenly announced at a press conference that East German people could cross the border between the two Germany unconditionally, which eventually led to the temporary opening of several border checkpoints in the city center. A large number of East Germans living in Berlin took the opportunity to enter West Germany.
Then, West German people began to use tools to destroy the Berlin Wall, smashing multiple holes so that East German people could drill through them to enter West Germany without being inspected.
This mistake led to tens of thousands of East Germans illegally entering West Germany. Günter Schabowski, who made a big mistake, was expelled from the Socialist Unity Party. After that, the checkpoint was closed again . Although some holes were not repaired, because there were more than 20,000 border guards guarding this 100-kilometer-long section of the Berlin Wall, except for the initial people who crossed the border and some young people who chose to take risks for freedom, a large number of ordinary people chose to stay and wait and see. There were no large-scale incidents of crossing the border through holes. One reason was that they were afraid of being shot by the border guards. Second, the sudden influx of a large number of people in West Berlin caught West Germany off guard. A large amount of daily necessities in West Berlin were purchased out, and some people were even left on the streets. The West German government even called East Germany and asked them to control the population flow problem first, as they were not mentally prepared for thorough development.
The fall of the Berlin Wall had won Zoe a major journalism award while she was guarding the Berlin Wall. But that was obviously not enough for her. This time, she led a team of VOX reporters and entered East Germany through the checkpoint during a live broadcast, leaving other media reporters without military identities with nothing to do but look at her and spread their hands in despair.
Reporters from VOX News Network's London, Paris, East Berlin and West Berlin news stations almost took turns appearing in the live broadcast.
Subscribers of VOX News around the world were watching East Germany tearing down the Berlin Wall on TV while watching British Prime Minister Thatcher holding a press conference. Why did they give the British this picture? Of course, it was because Mrs. Thatcher had privately stated that it would be irresponsible for East Germany to tear down the Berlin Wall. The demolition of the Berlin Wall would completely change the situation in Europe after World War II, which could have serious implications for international peace and Britain's security. But at this moment, she hypocritically welcomed East Germany for making the right choice on stage.
The attitude of the French government is similar to that of the United Kingdom. A spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry expressed regret that Germany's act of dismantling the Berlin Wall and attempting to unify the country has no less historical significance than when Adolf came to power. The whole of Europe will have to bear the consequences of a series of chain reactions brought about by the unification of Germany.
VOX even obtained a clip of Gorbachev's internal speech at a dinner in Boston during his visit to the United States and played it directly on the news network. At the dinner, Gorbachev said that Mrs. Thatcher had called him specifically and hoped that he, as the leader of the Soviet Union, would play a leading role and directly interfere in the issue of the reunification of the two Germanys, so that East Germany would always be in the Soviet camp. This would be beneficial to both the Soviet Union and Britain. A defeated country like Germany should not enjoy freedom and independence.
The people in the VOX news studio didn't understand why they had to focus on instilling Britain and France's attitudes on the matter when they were paying attention to the demolition of the Berlin Wall. Only Jason, who took the time to look at the news, said:
"After being exposed by an American news network to the global public and causing all the peace-loving people in the world to curse her, if she can still allow Microsoft of the United States to expand its market in the UK with a clear conscience, I will no longer believe in Jesus or Tommy, but in her instead."
