Return to New York
After Simon convinced Steve Wozniak to join his new company Atari it took him a few days to settle his business and they arrived in New York on December 21th 1970. Simon already received some angry calls from his mother. His father even threatened to withdraw the loan if he could not get back in time.
Woz was extremely excited about everything along the way and couldn't wait to see the new company building and production hall. When he arrived at Staten Island and saw the large industrial park Simon was going to rent from next year on he was elated.
"Steve I know you must know some technicians who are not appreciated by current standards by having hands-on ability. You can invite any technical personnel you want. You will have the final say on technical questions in the company. The business and financial management will be decoupled, but I will order them to follow your needs as much as possible." Simon explained to the excited Woz. Steve Wozniak was probably not even listening, already thinking about chip design for the Arcade Machine and what he would need to build the rest of the console.
After booking a hotel room for Steve and letting him gather his thoughts and needs for the next week Steve arrived at the home of his family on Long Island. The family owned a large estate on Long Island for the last forty years. They hold yearly gatherings and invite many friends of the family and important clients. As one of the largest and most respected law firms of New York and even the whole East Coast, they are very well connected with many extremely rich people and even politicians and federal judges. The brother of Simon's paternal grandmother was at one point a member of the Supreme Court until his death five years ago. The connections and favors the Smith family owned were incredible and invaluable assets for Simon's future path.
When he arrived at the villa his family was already waiting for him. Before he could take too many steps his mother was already hugging him.
"Simon, can you not worry me so much all the time? You leave to Europe alone at the age of 16 and Caroline shows me pictures of you with different women in every city! If I didn't know about Dennis protecting you I would have died of worry!!"
Simon's mother complained endlessly. Only under the care of his two grandmothers would she slowly calm down.
He was pretty much rebuked by every family member except for his siblings and only by repeatedly promising not to leave New York in the coming year was he finally allowed in the house. At the dinner table he was telling all the stories about his visits in Europe and how many nice people he met in all kinds of situations in Europe. The long history and endless art was simply something only the old continent could have, at least western art.
Overall he spent a few very nice days with his family. Christmas was amazing and the homely feeling was like a drug to Simon. He didn't receive any more gifts though, as his family was already rather generous with all the support for his new company. His grandfathers kept complaining about how he would waste his inheritance and that they didn't want to become a laughing stock in New York for having a prodigal grandson. This led to many arguments with each of their wifes. Only his parents, grandmothers and siblings showed unconditional support for him. But when he left the estate on December 26th both his grandfathers explained many things to him about them founding their law firm back then and how he should handle things. They reassured him a lot and explained that they were always on call whenever he needed them. Simon held back the tears and left the estate after, but in the car he couldn't help it and shed a few tears of happiness. It was time to become a successful person and give back to the family that nurtured and cared for him during all the years he was in pain and confusion when he first was born into this world. He would make them proud!
On December 27th 1970 the first meeting of the new company would take place. Simon woke up full of vigor. After doing some morning sport in his personal gym he took a shower and had breakfast in front of the huge glass windows. When looking down on the central park he was a little dazed. Thousands of people were either doing sport in the central park or were on their way to work and it looked so small from his apartment. Today would be the start of his journey. A journey that would make him famous around the world. He was getting increasingly excited. When he arrived at the car in the underground garage Dennis was already waiting for him. It took them roughly an hour to arrive at the company, due to the high traffic even at the end of the Year.
When they arrived at the gate the external security guards informed him that all the participants on the list were already waiting for him in one of the large conference rooms in Building A. Building A is meant to be the office for the future management team and will contain all financial and management personnel.
When Simon and Dennis arrived at the conference room there were already seven people talking and laughing about their personal experience. Woz was a little quiet as he was the only one not with a degree from a famous university and he was the youngest with only 20 years of age. But upon entering the room Simon went to Woz and hugged him directly. They didn't meet during Christmas and Woz spent all his time alone in the hotel. Steve immediately saw the expensive watch on Steve's hand which was his christmas gift for him, delivered by Dennis. Honestly, Woz probably didn't know how high the value of this watch really was, but Simon noticed many of the people in the room glancing at the watch from time to time. After finishing his personal greeting with Woz, Steve finally turned his attention to the rest of the people in the room.