Manhattan Reborn 1978

New York, Manhattan.

Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York Public Library.

After David sent away the three future founders of Oracle, it didn't take long for David to welcome Alicia Nash and Angel Fund project leader Ben Likert.

(Ben Richter, introduced in Chapter 113, head of the Angel Fund, from the movie "The Big Short", played by Brad Pitt.)

This time, David directly led the two of them to a nearby coffee shop to sit down and chat.

Alicia took out a few disposable lighter samples from her small bag, put them on the table and said.

"This is the first batch of samples that we have processed after searching for all the companies with the best injection molding technology in the country."

"James Watson Hendry invented the first gas-assisted injection molding technology that could produce multiple complex, hollow plastic lighter casing products in one go and cool them quickly."

"This new technological breakthrough greatly improves design flexibility and mold reusability, reducing production time, cost, and raw material loss and waste."

David and Ben Likert each held a lighter in their hands and tried using it several times. They felt that it felt good in their hands.

"So now that it is mass-produced, are there any technical problems?"

Alicia smiled and said: "There are no technical difficulties in mass production~ It's just that the cost... will be relatively high~"

"Oh~ you've already figured it out? Tell me~"

"The average cost of each of the samples you have is about $12."

"Of course, these are prices that are processed using traditional techniques and the costs of failure and waste are added in."

"If we open a factory and purchase a large gas-assisted injection molding machine for mass production, its overall production cost should be controlled within 2 knives."

"2 knives...?"

David fiddled with the lighter in his hand, lighting it with his fingertips from time to time, and turned to Ben Likert and asked.

"What do you think?"

Ben Likert put the lighters on the table, lit them one by one, looked at the slightly dancing flames, and asked Alicia.

"What's the liquid inside it?"

"Butane!"

"The main component of natural gas we often talk about is alkanes, of which methane accounts for the majority, with small amounts of ethane, propane and butane."

"In addition, there are generally hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor, a small amount of carbon monoxide and trace amounts of rare gases, such as helium and argon."

"Methane cannot be compressed into a liquid at normal temperature. To compress it into a liquid, it must be below its liquefaction critical temperature before it can be compressed into a liquid."

"Butane is different. It can become a liquid when pressurized slightly at room temperature, and it can become a gas when decompressed."

"So, our disposable lighters and the commonly used liquefied gas tanks are filled with liquid butane."

"Liquefied gas tank?" Ben Likert raised his eyebrows and gently weighed the lighter with his hand.

"Will it... also explode?"

Alicia picked up the lighter with a smile and said: "If it is subject to a violent collision or is exposed to a high temperature environment, its internal pressure will be abnormal, and it will instantly release the pressure and explode, with a sound like a firecracker."

"But you don't have to worry about it turning into a little bomb..."

"Even if it explodes, the hazard is very low~"

"If you don't believe it, you can try throwing it hard~"

Ben Likert turned to look at David.

David shrugged, stood up with a lighter and said with a smile: "Let's go outside and throw one together for fun~"

"it is good!"

. . .

After a few minutes.

David and Ben Likert went outside the coffee shop and on the street. After playing two "cannon balls", they happily returned to sit down next to Alicia.

Ben Likert spoke first at David's signal: "It's a very nice gadget~"

David smiled happily: "Do you think you can invest?"

"Of course~ If the production cost can be further reduced and the output can be guaranteed to be a stable order of magnitude, this is a good investment project!"

"Hmm~"

"Alicia, in terms of costs, you..."

"can!"

"However, more funds will be invested in the initial construction of the factory to purchase equipment for the production of accessories."

David and Ben Likert looked at each other and asked, "How much investment will be needed before mass production can be achieved?"

Alicia took out a notebook from her small bag, flipped through it for a while, and said, "The equipment costs almost 20 U.S. dollars."

"20.."

"What about the cost? What about the output?"

"The output is expected to reach about 5000 qualified products per day, and the overall cost can be reduced to less than 1 dollars each."

David thought about it in his mind.

Based on 30 days per month, 15 units can be produced in one month. .

With an investment of 20 yuan, if the market can be successfully opened and sales are guaranteed to be stable, plus it is a consumable product.

It is expected that the investment cost will be recovered in less than two years. After that, every year’s revenue will be pure profit!

"Ben, you and Alicia will discuss the details again and come up with an investment plan as soon as possible~"

"How much money is there in the angel investment capital pool now?"

Ben Richter said with a hint of joy in his smile: "Nearly 300 million dollars!"

"Hmm~ Very good!"

"Then for this lighter project, half of the investment amount will be released to customers who want to invest."

"By the way, have you done market research recently? Have you found any good projects?"

"Of course!"

"The market research on small household appliances is nearing completion. A complete data report will be available in a few days~"

"In terms of new projects, I have placed advertisements in newspapers in major cities, and the results are very good~"

“Many people have contacted us and told us about their little inventions~”

"However, we haven't found any projects with great market development potential yet~"

"Okay~"

David turned to Alicia and said: "I contacted a software development company in Silicon Valley, California, and asked them to write management software programs for the data research center."

"I want... to let Professor Nash join this software development project."

"With his knowledge of mathematics, he should be able to help a lot~"

"No problem ~ I'll tell him when I get back!"

"Hehe~"

"You can help me tell him that after accumulating experience in writing software this time, he can also write software on the computer that is helpful for his mathematical research."

Alicia smiled and responded, "Do you want him to use the calculator as a calculator?"

"Hahaha~ Why not?"

"Tools are always for people to use~"

"The computing efficiency of computers is much faster than his calculations by hand..."

Alicia thought of her husband, Professor Nash, writing calculation equations on the glass of the Flint Library, and the smile on her lips became wider and wider.

. . .

After the three people discussed the matter.

David sent Alicia to the door, looked at her back as she was being transported, and sighed in his heart for Professor Nash's good luck.

In the movie "A Beautiful Mind", Alicia used her thin body and unremitting efforts to barely maintain a family on the verge of being broken up, accompany her husband, and finally allowed him to stand at the top of the mathematics community again. On the podium.

The movie "A Beautiful Mind" tells more than just the story of Professor John Nash, who used his tenacity to overcome schizophrenia.

It also tells the story of Alicia, a beautiful, gentle and strong woman who has never given up on love and companionship.

Of course, Alicia Nash's beautiful face that belongs to Jennifer Connelly adds a responsible and fantasy color to Alicia, a female top student in the Harvard Physics Department.

(In the era before photo fraud, Jennifer Connelly’s appearance definitely belonged to the most attractive group of actresses in Hollywood.)

. . .

Back to the cafe.

David asked Ben Likert, who stayed behind specially: "You want to see me if you have something to do?"

"Yes~"

Ben Likert pondered for a moment, smiled awkwardly, and then said: "I would like to recommend my...brother-in-law to work in an angel fund or other companies under your name."

"...Brother-in-law? Your wife's brother?"

"That's right~"

"His name is Agel MacFarlane. He used to be a middle-level employee of an inland shipping company. He was in charge of business sales. He is very capable and very hard-working."

"A few months ago, the shipping company was on the verge of bankruptcy. After receiving three months of severance pay, he lost his job~"

After listening to Ben Likert's introduction, David did not agree immediately, but talked about another thing.

"Have you been in contact with your old friends working on Wall Street during this time?"

Likert was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes~ We had a chat in the bar a few nights ago~"

"So have you heard any latest news?"

"Um... the MBS project is coveted and targeted by many people, does it count?"

"Haha~ Of course it counts! Is there anything else?"

Likert blinked, thought for a long time, shook his head and said: "No more~"

David leaned back, fiddled with a lighter left by Alicia, and said.

"Ager MacFarlane?"

"..right!"

"Let him come to me first and be an assistant, so I can get to know him comprehensively~"

Ben Likert's eyes lit up and he readily agreed: "Okay! I'll ask him to find you on the fourth floor of Stanley tomorrow."

David smiled and spread his hands: "Are you satisfied? Haha~"

"Is there anything else?"

"..No more~hahaha~thank you!"

"You're welcome! Haha~"

. . .

Ben Likert rushed to pay the bills of several people in the coffee shop, stood on the street, and saw David off. After watching him go away, he let out a sigh of relief.

David's assistant!

As far as Likert knows, his last nominal assistant was Ben Whitcott of DA Company.

Now, Ben Whitcott is the third person in DA company after Polly and Andy~

Judging from Whitcott's resume, it is not an exaggeration to say that he has now entered the top ranks of the middle class~

Argyle MacFarlane~

Ben Likert was lamenting his good luck for this brother-in-law.

----

The sun is westward.

As if affected by the cold wave that has not yet arrived, the sky in New York is filled with dark clouds as evening approaches.

New York Public Library.

David handed the folder in his arms to Black Mike, stretched, and smiled at Sam and Mu Brandes who came over.

"all the best?"

Sam smiled and nodded: "Perhaps the announcement from the regulatory authorities SEC and CFTC has worked. The trading conditions in the heating oil market are very calm today."

"Wow~ Then we should have a drink for Randas Horik's wise decision!"

"Let's go, guys!"

“I’ll treat you to the most authentic Chinese cuisine tonight!”

. . .

Manhattan.

Chinatown, Xincheng Restaurant.

Boss Zhang Jinhong, who was sitting at the door of the restaurant drinking tea, was surprised when he saw David leading a few people into the restaurant. He quickly stepped forward and led them to the best table in the restaurant.

After everyone sat down.

David joked with Boss Zhang: "Why haven't I seen you for a few days? You seem to be more energetic? Is there any happy event?"

"Hahaha~ People feel so refreshed when happy events happen!"

"Wenbiao's store is about to open. Can I, the uncle who grew up watching him, be unhappy?"

"Okay then, please give us some of the most authentic Chinese dishes!"

"Oh, by the way! They can't eat spicy food, you..."

"I know~ Don't worry!"

"I still have some good liquor here~ Do you want a drink?"

"Okay~ But you have to have a drink with me!"

"Hahaha~ good!"

"I'll go to the kitchen first and serve you food right away!"

. . .

Nearly two hours later.

Sam and M. Blanco, two pure New Yorkers, fully experienced Boss Zhang's "warm" hospitality.

All kinds of Chinese dishes that they had never heard of or seen opened their eyes and made their stomachs full.

Of course, the Huaguo liquor, which is comparable to vodka, was also consumed by half a glass or half a glass. .

When David took steps that were beginning to show signs of drunkenness, he pulled the two people whose footsteps were already full of alcohol and said goodbye to the red-faced Boss Zhang.

Sam and Mu Brandes were blown away by the cold wind of the autumn night, and suddenly felt a surge of alcohol on their foreheads, making them dizzy. .

Black Mike, who didn't drink alcohol tonight and only ate vegetables, was watching the excitement. He held one in each hand with a smile and threw the two of them into the car.

After half an hour.

David rinsed briefly in the bathroom of the apartment, climbed into bed, and went to play chess with Duke Zhou.

Black Mike was responsible for driving and took Sam back to their respective homes.

----

Yemu is getting deeper and deeper

Manhattan.

Gold Coin Hotel, second floor.

The red-haired beauty Elena Mesa, dressed luxuriously, shuttled among the people at the reception.

From time to time, she whispered something to a certain guest, which made the guest burst out laughing~

After a while.

Winston, the manager of the Gold Coin Hotel, walked to the door of the reception hall and smiled when he saw Elena walking towards him.

"Is there anything else I can help with?"

Elena looked tired and shook her head slightly. She glanced around and complained after seeing no one else.

"Sure enough, they are all the same~!"

"Whether it's in Europe or New York, my beautiful face, in front of these self-proclaimed elites, will only make them drool and arouse their unwanted thoughts~"

"These men who think with their lower bodies don't care how hard I work, they only care about what I can bring to them."

Winston raised his eyebrows, looked at the men who were the majority at the reception, led Elena to the corner of the door, and smiled.

"What? Do you regret it? Do you need me to tell Mr. Parker?"

Elena hesitated for a moment, sighed with a slightly gloomy expression, and shook her head: "Forget it~ This is my own choice. Going to him will only make me more embarrassed."

Winston put away his smile, looked at Elena's charming face, and said softly.

"You just said that whether you are in Europe or the United States, as a single woman, if you want to gain respect among men and don't want them to take advantage of you, you can only make yourself stronger first."

"Have you never thought of finding a man to be your backer?"

Elena showed a wry smile, raised her hand to brush the broken hair around her ears and said, "That kind of couple life of using each other and being hypocritical is not what I want!"

"Man, I've seen too much!"

"Including you!"

"Don't you have the slightest desire or desire for me?"

Winston was silent for a moment, then smiled and said: "Of course I want a one-night stand without any responsibility!"

"Hahaha~"

Elena smiled happily~

She raised her head and exposed her fair neck in front of Winston, but the light in her eyes became dimmer.

In a daze, a slightly unfamiliar face flashed through her mind.

Elena slowly stopped laughing, lowered her head, looked at Winston and smiled: "I thought of... a good idea!"

Winston tilted his head to the right, smiled and opened his arms: "I am always willing to serve you~"

Elena smiled, gave him a big hug, and said in his ear: "Thank you~!"

----

a new day.

David opened his eyes on the bed with a dry mouth.

He looked down at Susan, who was curled up like a big cat, huddled next to him, rubbed her forehead, and slowly got out of bed, wanting to go to the bathroom to take a shower and wake up.

After David took a shower, he did not feel any symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or body aches after drinking, but he was just a little thirsty. .

Last night, the two bottles of wine Boss Zhang had were indeed good wines.

. . .

ten minutes later.

David bought himself an extra coat, picked up the prepared small bag and briefcase, and walked out of the apartment.

To his surprise, only Black Mike and Giovanni were waiting for him downstairs.

David curiously looked around and in the car, and asked the two of them: "Where are Mike Bai and Ravis?"

Black Mike shrugged, rubbed his sleepy face, and said nothing.

Giovanni smiled energetically: "Mike Bai went to Detroit yesterday~"

"Lavis... I guess he's still sleeping with his girlfriend in his arms~ Hahaha~"

"Forehead.."

David scratched his head, tightened his coat and asked, "Lavis...forget it~!"

"What are you doing in Detroit, Mike?"

"Didn't you ask him to check on Neil Walker? Of course he is going to Neil Walker's house in Detroit to investigate."

"Oh~oh!"

David didn't expect that his unintentional move caused that lazy guy Mike Bai to go to Detroit. .

"Okay~ let's go have breakfast first, my stomach is already protesting!"

"Haha~ok! Let's go~"

----

Manhattan.

da film and television company.

Harvey and Tangtang, the highly motivated heads of the film and television company, summoned the new directors and screenwriters of the TV series to the company early in the morning to prepare for screening actors for the TV series that was about to start filming.

Tangtang put a pile of folders on the table, distributed one to each person, and explained.

"These are the actors we selected based on the characters in the script~"

"On the first page you saw, all the supporting actors on it have auditions scheduled for today~"

After Tangtang handed out the information, she looked at her watch and smiled at the sleepy faces of the people.

"Cheer up, guys, the first actor to audition should be here soon!"

"Ah~ah~ha!...ok!"

"Let him come in~"

Seeing that several people were in low spirits, Harvey couldn't help but smile and served hot coffee to them.

Tangtang gave Harvey a thumbs up and walked to the elevator, ready to go downstairs to have a look.

After a while.

The elevator door opened, and Tangtang led a few people out.

She found her information, took out the list, and said to several people: "The first role we are going to audition for is a black security guard in a bar~"

"Samuel L. Jackson?"

"How about you come first?"

"Ok!"

"This is your audition set-up for the role. You have five minutes."

"OK!" Samuel Jackson, who had an afro, took a piece of paper from Tangtang's hand, walked aside silently, and read it carefully.

Tangtang followed the list and called two other black men who came to audition. She gave them the same role setting and asked them to start auditioning after Samuel L. Jackson.

. . .

Samuel L. Jackson was born in 1948 and grew up in Tennessee. He was very serious about his studies since he was a child, and entered Morehouse College in Atlanta to study architecture, and later transferred to the drama department with a bachelor's degree in theater arts. graduate.

After graduation, Samuel L. Jackson moved to New York with the intention of looking for suitable acting opportunities.

But during the few years he came to New York, his life was not good.

He wanted to act in movies, but he encountered obstacles everywhere, so he had to make a living by starring in TV series on the small screen, or taking on extremely small roles in movies to earn a meager salary, while waiting for any opportunity that would allow him to act in movies. .

. . .

Samuel L. Jackson looked at the character setting in his hand, and kept adding some of his own understanding of the character in his mind. The time quickly reached 5 minutes.

Tangtang glanced at the few people who cheered up slightly, nodded to Harvey, and said.

"Gentlemen, it's time, let's get started~"

After Samuel Jackson handed the information in his hand to Tangtang, he walked to the middle of the room and twisted his shoulders and neck a few times. His expression gradually became stiff and numb, and there was a hint of joking and coldness in his eyes.

He glanced over everyone's faces with a look that had seen all the drama happening in the bar.

After a few seconds.

He turned around and found a chair, placed it in the middle of the room, sat down, and pretended to hold the wine glass with his hand. While sipping the wine, he stared at Harvey and Tangtang with vigilant and alienated eyes. et al.

After dozens of seconds.

Harvey rubbed his chin with his hand and nodded with satisfaction: "That's enough~"

"what's your name?"

"Samuel Jackson~!"

"Have you studied acting?"

"Yeah, I got my theater degree in Atlanta."

"ok~"

"You know our show is a comedy~"

"So the performance you just performed was just a scene of a Vietnam War veteran working as a security guard in a bar."

"When you start shooting, you will have a lot of lines for the supporting characters, and some comedy jokes that use dry humor to match the protagonists."

"Do you have any questions?"

"No~"

"..All right!"

Harvey picked up the pen, wrote a line on the list, raised his head and said.

“Leave a phone number where we can find you immediately and we will contact you again!”

Samuel Jackson raised his eyebrows, nodded with joy, and left the phone number of his store downstairs. .

. . .

ten minutes later.

Samuel Jackson walked out of the small building of Da Film and Television Company, stood on the street, looked around, then looked down at the new jacket he had spent half a month's food money on, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.