***** Vol.4 Chap.35 Signing ceremony *****
JB was in total euphoria when Johan came to fetch her for the signing ceremony.
Though Johan was a bit surprised but kept his poker face, not knowing why she was so ecstatic. He noticed that she put on the best business suit she had brought.
Good. We need a good impression. He thought, noticing that he himself was also dressed in a decent business attire.
They came out of the private quarter and, with his all-accessible ID card, they twisted and turned through many corridors. JB had never been to this part of the compound. In fact, she had no idea how big the compound really was.
Soon, they arrived at a large conference room. Johan pushed open the door to let her in first. She walked into what seems like a conference room with a dozen men also in business suits clapping to welcome her.
What a welcome! She had never had such a welcome before.
Now, this is a hero’s welcome!
Johan directed her to sit near the head of the table while he sat next to her. The rest of the men followed suit, still clapping.
JB looked around smiling and nodding her head and mouthing ‘thank you’ to the surrounding ones.
A strange thought rose up inside her. Why are some men seemed familiar? She wrecked her brain trying to remember where she may have met any one of them, but was drawing a blank. She had to put that thought aside as Johan stood up to speak.
“Gentleman, this is indeed a great day. We are all so happy that Dr. Smith was here to sign the patent application. We are all excited to be witnesses this signing.”
Strange, no introduction to her who the men are. Of course, they were all members of the upper management and they already knew one another.
But I don’t know anyone of them? She struggled with this strange and uncomfortable thought.
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Johan opened a stack of portfolios in front of him. There were three patent applications. He handed her the applications and a beautiful golden fountain pen.
“Please examine the patent applications and if all are proper to you, please sign where indicated, showing that you are the primary author and inventor of these patents. The upper management had already signed their respective places.
Perfunctorily, she flipped through the pages. She spot-checked a few places with the text and figures and they seemed to be what she and Johan ironed out. She picked up the pen and was just about to sign the papers.
“Just a minute.” One of the men said. “We must properly document this important moment. We must have a video of the signing. Johan, how can you call this a signing ceremony without a video properly documenting the signing?”
“Joe, I knew you would ask that. I came prepared with my cell phone.”
“OK.”
Johan fished out his cell phone.
“OK, Dr. Smith. Do you attest to be the inventor of the science described in this patent application?”
“Of course I do.”
“Very good. Please proceed to sign the applications.”
With a flare, she signed the applications quickly.
All the men clapped again.
She noticed that the cell phone camera was pointed at her the whole time.
“OK. Now that we are done with the formalities. Let’s start the feast!” Another man, being impatient, said loudly. Johan went to the door and signaled the waiters outside.
The first course was the appetizer with assorted goat cheese and crackers. Johan seemed quite knowledgeable about the food and pointed out the differences between the different types of cheese to her.
The men of the upper management seemed to be engaged in some heated conversation among themselves, leaving Johan alone to entertain their guest.
The second course was some kind of squash soup spiced with prosciuttos. She wasn’t sure she could tell what kind of squash that was.
The main course was lamb shank. The men at the other end of the table were obviously delighted at the portion of meat on their plate. They ate loudly and quickly, all the while commenting on how great the meat tasted. On the other hand, JB was not much for lamb and she picked at her food.
No dessert was provided. Instead, all were given a glass of sweet wine.
She thought at least she should blend in and be sociable and took a sip upon Johan’s urging. She felt a bit woozy after the first sip. Johan told her that was typical for those not accustomed to the wine. They chatted a bit more.
Then one of the men stood up and raise his glass and said, “This is a momentous event for the company. To the success of PPTSB!”
“To the success of PPTSB!” everyone responded.
“To a bright future!” He cried again.
“To a bright future!” responded everyone.
“Bottoms up!” He shouted the third time and down the glass in one gulp.
“Bottoms up!” Every one stood up and emptied the glass.
Johan turned to JB and raised his glass and toasted, “Bottoms up!”
Not knowing what else to do, she raised her glass as well.
They clinked their glasses and each emptied the glass.
JB felt back on her chair and was out cold.