Chapter 15: Registration and Gift-Giving

Now that Attorney Barbara had pointed him in the right direction, Ethan was resolutely determined to follow it.

Upon returning home, after a simple lunch prepared by Linda, he retrieved the California Yellow Pages and located a number.

After a brief wait, a dispassionate female voice answered the call.

"This is the California Office of the United States Patent and Trademark Office."

"Hello, ma'am. I have an invention for which I would like to apply for a patent. It's a personal application and a provisional one. What documents do I need to bring, and where should I submit them?" Ethan clearly articulated his request.

"Sir, we appreciate your support for our patent office," the voice on the other end said with precision. "The process for a personal provisional patent application is quite straightforward. You only need to bring the drawings and description of your invention to our office. Our address is 26 Fourth Street, San Jose. You can come here from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additionally, please note that there is a $70 application fee for provisional patents."

"…"

'That's quite expensive,' Ethan thought.

He winced as he hung up the phone.

Previously, his weekly wage at Miroa was only $80, and the total cost of materials for "Snake Game," including Evelyn's donated second-hand TV and joystick, was only around $400.

And now, a provisional patent application costs $70?

This was hardly something an ordinary person could easily afford.

"Indeed, capitalism measures everything in terms of money," Ethan mused, shaking his head. "No wonder Gongzong made a special video for Walter Hunt. Having the capability to invent without the means to secure a patent is truly disheartening."

Nonetheless, he had no choice but to proceed.

After ending the call, Ethan prepared as instructed.

He painstakingly transcribed the arcade machine schematics Evelyn had drawn, emphasizing the game's features: the snake moves on its own when the game starts, and it can turn when the joystick is manipulated, among other details.

As for technical drawings like circuit diagrams, he had neither drawn nor needed to.

After all, Barbara had mentioned that provisional applications were not scrutinized, and the most important aspect was to detail what one most desired to protect legally.

By the time he finished, it was already past one in the afternoon. Ethan then spent twenty minutes traversing ten miles to San Jose, where he submitted his application to the Patent Office's California branch.

"Are you applying for the patent of the 'Snake Game' arcade machine under the names Evelyn Johnson and Ethan Jones?" the clerk inquired.

"Yes," Ethan nodded.

Including both names on the patent application was something he and Evelyn had agreed upon.

"Okay, please hold on."

Although the efficiency of American bureaucratic offices often faced criticism, this primarily applied to their fee-based services. When it came to accepting payments, their efficiency was impeccable.

The clerk swiftly made copies, and within five minutes, Ethan received a receipt for the provisional application.

It listed the provisional patent number, application date, invention name, and inventors' names.

The clerk also informed him, "Mr. Jones, the provisional application is complete. Over the next year, you may submit a formal application at any time. If you do not submit a formal application, the provisional application will automatically expire and be archived a year from now. If you do submit it, your provisional application will be publicly disclosed with priority rights."

"Thank you."

Looking at the somewhat rudimentary yet legally binding receipt, Ethan felt a surge of happiness.

After all, this document represented financial investment.

Humming a tune and singing cheerfully, he returned to his car.

Gazing at his watch, he noted that it was still early at two-thirty.

So, he turned his car around and stopped in front of a music store in San Jose.

The store's sign featured a poster of a golden-haired woman in a red dress, with the title "I Honestly Love You" by Olivia Newton-John.

"Wow, has this song already been released?"

Ethan was surprised, as he had quite liked this song in his past life.

Though it wasn't the original, but rather a cover by a male artist.

Muttering to himself, he waved at the store, and a portly middle-aged white man promptly came out.

"Sir, how can I assist you?"

"Do you have any new releases by Barbra Streisand?"

"Are you referring to last year's release, 'The Way We Were'?"

"Could you show it to me?"

"Please hold on, sir."

Moments later, the white man emerged again, carrying an album the size of a palm. The plastic cover displayed Barbra Streisand in a black gown.

The cover caught Ethan's eye, and he nodded, saying, "Yes, that's the one. Do you have a deluxe version? The kind with posters?"

"Certainly," the shopkeeper replied, disappearing back into the store.

When he reappeared for the third time, he was carrying a box the size of a backpack.

"The vinyl edition comes with a record, three posters, and a production booklet. If you're interested, it's fifteen dollars."

"Please wrap it up as a gift," Ethan requested.

"Sir, that will be an additional dollar for gift wrapping."

"Not a problem."

Ethan counted out sixteen dollars from his wallet and handed them over. A few minutes later, the shopkeeper returned with a gift box that could be cradled with both hands. The pure white wrapping and pink ribbon were unmentioned extras.

'Well done!'

Ethan smiled at the shopkeeper, then turned on the radio and drove to Stanford amidst soothing music.

Since he had arrived early, Ethan reclined his seat and relaxed in the car.

He had no idea how much time had passed when a series of knocks and playful banter interrupted his reverie.

"Wow~ You're in a good mood!"

As Ethan opened his eyes, Evelyn had already taken the passenger seat. "It seems things went smoothly?"

"Mm-hmm."

Ethan pulled out the receipt from his jacket pocket and gave it a light flick.

The A4-sized paper emitted a crisp sound.

Evelyn took the receipt and praised, "Oh~ Nice work, your efficiency is impressive."

"Of course," Ethan replied. "You handled the preliminary work, so if I couldn't manage this minor detail, I'd really need to find a place to crash."

"YoYoYo~ What's with you today? Did you have a milkshake from McDonald's or something?" Evelyn laughed. "Or maybe you're so happy you want to thank me? If it's the former, I'll tell Linda that you've been indulging in junk food again. If it's the latter… well, I don't accept verbal thanks!"

"Okay, okay, I understand."

Ethan made a dismissive gesture with his hands and said, "So, I'm not going to express my gratitude verbally."

With that, he pointed to the back seat.

Curious, Evelyn immediately turned around.

In an instant, she spotted the beautifully wrapped gift hidden under the clothing and eagerly took it in her hands.

"For me?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Shall I open it?"

"Please do."

Before the words were fully spoken, the ribbon was already untied.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still.

A scream of delight erupted, revealing the joy within.

"A vinyl edition of 'The Way We Were'???!!!"

"Oh My God!!! This is the one I wrote to you about the other day! No, wait! I only mentioned the album…"

"Oh Ethan! I absolutely adore you!!!"