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Hooray, I've finished that story I started back in December.
Alexander Arnoldovich Tsypin was riding in a car and marveling. First and foremost, he marveled at the very fact that he was riding in a car: at home, he could only afford a train ticket. But the AeroTech company, which had invited a promising specialist from the Socialist Alliance of Pheron for an exchange of experience, proved to be surprisingly generous and provided Tsypin with a personal car and chauffeur. While traveling through the small Creatian town of Eastville in this marvel of engineering, the dwarf marveled at another circumstance—the town was surprisingly wealthy. No, Tsypin didn't particularly believe rumors about global poverty among the working classes in capitalist countries and all that... But this was almost too much; the dwarf had the impression that the town simply sat upon some kind of gold vein, across its entire area.
Meanwhile, the car pulled up to a large building with an "AeroTech" sign, equipped with a high spire, and to that spire, none other than an airship was moored. It looked quite unusual. The airship hung in the air and swayed slightly in the wind, although it couldn't swing much: additional ropes tied it to the square near the building all around its perimeter. Tsypin clicked his tongue and stepped out of the car, nearly hitting the chauffeur with the door, who had already approached to open it and help the important guest exit.
With every step into the building, Tsypin liked it more and more, and he even felt a bit lost. Inside, he was met by an extremely polite, smiling guard—nothing like that grumpy fat man whose tipsy face the dwarf was forced to observe every morning at the entrance to his research institute. And in general, it felt pleasant and light; there wasn't that oppressive atmosphere he was used to back home.
Tsypin came to the director's office, knocked, and entered.
— Hello! — he was greeted in Dwarven with a pronounced Creatian accent. Then they continued in Creatian, which the dwarf actually spoke quite well. — Alexander, correct? My name is Robert Collers, I have been expecting you for some time, please take a seat!
The dwarf accepted the invitation, sat on a leather sofa and looked around. "Yes, even back home we don't make furniture from such good wood, how lavish..."
— Would you like coffee or tea?
— No, thank you...
— How do you like the town? Any incidents on the road?
— Khem, thank you, everything is great. Well, there was one episode, of course. While sailing on a steamship, I saw some strange movement in the distance. I don't know, I can't judge the distance, but it was far. People were terrified then, all in a flutter! They said it was a kraken... Though that thing didn't swim closer to us; it dove immediately. Ah, maybe it was just some kind of mirage. We got lucky, anyway.
— Uh-huh, uh-huh... — apparently, the corporation director wasn't listening very closely, obviously thinking about something of his own. — I understand you have come to us with proposals for cooperation?
Tsypin patted his small briefcase.
— A few. I would like to get to the point. The thing is, our country now wants to begin the development of military aircraft: planes and airships. We need to make up for the lag in this field, as we have advanced more in ground and underground technology. The Reynolds Research Institute of Aero- and Hydrodynamics, which I represent, takes a particularly active part in the implementation of this plan. As I understand it, your company is engaged specifically in the construction of airships. Perhaps you could share your experience, show us the production process...
— Certainly! My colleagues and I will be happy to show and tell you everything; we have arranged tours for you. And afterward, we can raise the question of cooperation.
— Yes, perhaps at first we will indeed have to purchase some components... We also need to resolve the issue with helium somehow; perhaps you could recommend a supplier. And is it true that crystalline hydrogen can be used?
— Umm, I don't know about components, helium, or hydrogen; unfortunately, our company does not deal with those.
— Really? Perhaps I misunderstood something then. Do you only handle assembly?
— Not at all! Our activity is more specialized and professional. We do not deal with the airships themselves; we deal with the signs for them.
— Signs? — the dwarf was surprised. — You put signs on them? Do you produce some kind of special, waterproof paint?
— No, not exactly. We are responsible for the design.
— The design of the signs?
— No, not the signs. The letters on the signs.
— The design... of the letters?
— Yes, exactly. The curves.
— The curves?
— The design of the curves of the letters for signs on airships, — Mr. Collers pronounced proudly.
— So you don't deal with the airships themselves? — Alexander Arnoldovich was lost. "I came all this way for nothing... But it's my own fault; I should have learned more about them before the trip."
— What do you mean, we don't? I just said, we develop the design of the curves of the letters for signs on airships, — the director enunciated the last word and took an album from the desk drawer, then stood up and approached Tsypin. — Here, look at our catalog; I am sure you will be interested and will want to buy one of our designs. Or we can even develop a new one for you. We are ready to give our new foreign partner a good discount. Let's say, ten percent! What do you say?
The dwarf absentmindedly flipped through the catalog of letters and squiggles, between which he saw practically no difference.
— Well...
— Fine, I agree to a fifteen percent discount. After all, it's not every day someone comes from the Pheron Alliance to conclude a profitable deal.
— Yes, indeed. It's just that it seems to me this is slightly off... Please don't misunderstand me...
An awkward silence hung in the air, as the dwarf could not find the words for a polite refusal, and Collers pretended not to notice his "client's" mood, dreamily rolling his eyes in anticipation of future cooperation.
Tsypin's eyes scanned the office and he saw some book on the director's desk.
— Reading? — he nodded toward the little book.
— Huh? Yes, yes. I've already read it. I re-read it during lunch breaks sometimes. A good book. A fairy tale.
— Is it interesting?
— Yes. I can summarize it briefly. It is about a princess and a young leatherworker. One very talented leatherworker made shoes for the princess. The princess was incredibly beautiful, the loveliest in all the world, and the leatherworker fell in love with her. He made her the best little boots he was capable of, and the princess greatly appreciated his diligence and talent, so in the end they became friends and were inseparable. And then a handsome prince arrived on a white raven horse, and the princess, without a second's doubt, left with him to the ends of the earth. The leatherworker could not bear the separation from his beloved and slit his veins; he was found dead in his workshop.
— What a terrible story...
— What? No, not at all! The prince and princess married, lived long and happily, and died on the same day.
— I see...
"No, I can't do this. I'll probably decline the tour," — the dwarf reflected. "I'll go to the hotel room they promised me and definitely write letters to my own people. I think they will be interested to read about the Creatians and their oddities. Yes, oddities..."
+++++++
The court hearing had been going on for quite some time. There were a number of humanoids in the hall; the judge sat in the center, and to the sides were Tsypin, an AeroTech representative, and the prosecutor, who was just finishing formulating the plaintiff's position, which coincided with that of the prosecution. The defendant had no lawyer: he could not afford to hire one, and both free lawyers attached to this court happened to be on sick leave that day. The dwarf had to defend himself... Thus, the prosecutor concluded:
— Therefore, the lost profit of the AeroTech company is estimated at 49 million u.c.*, and the moral damage caused to this organization by the defendant is 10 million u.c. However, the defendant obviously cannot pay this sum, nor the fine of 20 million u.c. in favor of the state. Thus, the prosecution insists on the seizure of property and life imprisonment in the Sailorsile special-purpose prison, according to article 88ac of the criminal code of the Folklim Commonwealth.
— Is that all, Mr. Prosecutor? — the latter nodded and the judge immediately turned to the dwarf, who sat as if he were neither alive nor dead. — Defendant, present your version of what happened.
Tsypin stood up, took a deep breath, braced himself, then sighed once more and then answered:
— Your Honor. I do not understand the reasons why I am even in this courtroom. Honestly. I simply wrote letters to my relatives, friends, and colleagues at the Reynolds Institute. Is there anything illegal or forbidden in that? This is not the first time I have gone on a business trip to another country, and I always write letters. No violations or crimes have ever been noticed on my part; I try to obey the laws of the countries I am in. But this... I simply do not understand what I am being accused of. I do not understand how all these patents concern me, what they have to do with it?
— It seems to me the prosecutor clearly formulated his position. We are talking about the theft of intellectual property, specifically the curves of letters...
— But what theft? This is my handwriting! My own native handwriting. I used it when these very patents didn't even exist!
— Can you provide evidence?
— No... But I don't carry around all sorts of papers and letters; I am not a walking office.
— So you have nothing to support your words, — the judge summarized.
— But this is just absurd! No matter how I draw my letters, AeroTech patented every possible curve! Every single one! — in desperation, the dwarf clutched his head. — I read that patent, damn it all! There is simply no possibility to write a letter without violating this! Accursed! Patent!
— Objection! — the prosecutor stood up. — The details of the patent are irrelevant to the case.
— Objection sustained, — the judge nodded. — Defendant, speak to the point. Furthermore, I demand respect for the court: if you continue your swearing, the remainder of the hearing will proceed without you.
The prospect that his case could be considered not only without a lawyer but also without him personally finally broke Tsypin and he simply fell silent. His silence lasted about half a minute until the judge addressed the dwarf again:
— Do you have anything else to add to the case?
— No, Your Honor.
— Very well, — the judge turned to the clock hanging behind him on the wall. — Hm, my working day is already ending. Prosecutor, do you have any questions for the defendant?
— Yes, Your Honor, — the accuser approached Tsypin, who looked at him with the gaze of hunted game. — Mr. Tsypin, do you confirm the fact that the plaintiff initiated you into his latest, most current developments?
— It was just a catalog...
— But it contained all the technical details, correct?
— Yes, — the dwarf spoke through gritted teeth.
— Do you confirm that the letters attached to the case were written by you?
— Yes.
— Do you believe it was a right act on your part to take advantage of the plaintiff's favor and trust in order to copy his developments in your letters?
— Objection! — Tsypin slammed the table. — He is presenting as fact something that still needs to be proven, and which actually never happened!
— Objection overruled. The prosecutor has already provided the court with the results of an independent expert examination confirming his words. Answer the question.
— I did nothing wrong...
— Answer to the point.
— I didn't copy anything.
— I have no further questions, Your Honor, — the prosecutor summarized.
— Then it is time for me to withdraw to reach a decision...
— Your Honor, I have a question for the plaintiff! — Tsypin declared.
The judge looked at the clock once more, grumbled something, but allowed the defendant to ask a question, which he immediately took advantage of.
— The question is as follows... Whose money financed the "independent expert examination" that assessed the violation of your patent in my letters?!
— Objection! — the plaintiff enunciated. — The sources of funding for the independent expert examination are irrelevant to the case.
— Objection sustained. Defendant, do you have any more questions or can we finish?
Instead of an answer, Tsypin, driven to a white heat, kicked the leg of the table where the plaintiff sat with all his might, as a result of which the defendant was instantly expelled from the hall by arriving constables. Until the very last minute, the dwarf actively resisted justice, but in the end, justice prevailed.
+++++++
Alexander Arnoldovich was given life imprisonment, just as the prosecutor and the AeroTech representative wanted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Alliance of Pheron became very concerned about this case and began active negotiations for the release of a citizen of their country, but at the moment diplomacy, alas, has led to nothing.
And the manager who, a couple of months ago, suggested expanding AeroTech's patent to several related categories (among which personal correspondence), received a very substantial bonus for his work.
* u.c. -- universal currency. In circulation in some countries of Nero. Tied to the price of gold. Countries that officially accept u.c. also handle the issuance of this money. Strictly speaking, each of the listed countries has its own version of u.c., but their exchange rate is usually adjusted to avoid significant fluctuations. A humanoid possessing one unit of u.c. means that this humanoid is entitled at any moment to demand from a certain state (the one whose version of u.c. they possess) a mass of gold according to the exchange rate, or an equivalent of said mass of gold in the form of goods (services).
Two Days from the Life of Engineer Tsypin
Alexander Arnoldovich Tsypin was riding in a car and marveling. First and foremost, he marveled at the very fact that he was riding in a car: at home, he could only afford a train ticket. But the AeroTech company, which had invited a promising specialist from the Socialist Alliance of Pheron for an exchange of experience, proved to be surprisingly generous and provided Tsypin with a personal car and chauffeur. While traveling through the small Creatian town of Eastville in this marvel of engineering, the dwarf marveled at another circumstance—the town was surprisingly wealthy. No, Tsypin didn't particularly believe rumors about global poverty among the working classes in capitalist countries and all that... But this was almost too much; the dwarf had the impression that the town simply sat upon some kind of gold vein, across its entire area.
Meanwhile, the car pulled up to a large building with an "AeroTech" sign, equipped with a high spire, and to that spire, none other than an airship was moored. It looked quite unusual. The airship hung in the air and swayed slightly in the wind, although it couldn't swing much: additional ropes tied it to the square near the building all around its perimeter. Tsypin clicked his tongue and stepped out of the car, nearly hitting the chauffeur with the door, who had already approached to open it and help the important guest exit.
With every step into the building, Tsypin liked it more and more, and he even felt a bit lost. Inside, he was met by an extremely polite, smiling guard—nothing like that grumpy fat man whose tipsy face the dwarf was forced to observe every morning at the entrance to his research institute. And in general, it felt pleasant and light; there wasn't that oppressive atmosphere he was used to back home.
Tsypin came to the director's office, knocked, and entered.
— Hello! — he was greeted in Dwarven with a pronounced Creatian accent. Then they continued in Creatian, which the dwarf actually spoke quite well. — Alexander, correct? My name is Robert Collers, I have been expecting you for some time, please take a seat!
The dwarf accepted the invitation, sat on a leather sofa and looked around. "Yes, even back home we don't make furniture from such good wood, how lavish..."
— Would you like coffee or tea?
— No, thank you...
— How do you like the town? Any incidents on the road?
— Khem, thank you, everything is great. Well, there was one episode, of course. While sailing on a steamship, I saw some strange movement in the distance. I don't know, I can't judge the distance, but it was far. People were terrified then, all in a flutter! They said it was a kraken... Though that thing didn't swim closer to us; it dove immediately. Ah, maybe it was just some kind of mirage. We got lucky, anyway.
— Uh-huh, uh-huh... — apparently, the corporation director wasn't listening very closely, obviously thinking about something of his own. — I understand you have come to us with proposals for cooperation?
Tsypin patted his small briefcase.
— A few. I would like to get to the point. The thing is, our country now wants to begin the development of military aircraft: planes and airships. We need to make up for the lag in this field, as we have advanced more in ground and underground technology. The Reynolds Research Institute of Aero- and Hydrodynamics, which I represent, takes a particularly active part in the implementation of this plan. As I understand it, your company is engaged specifically in the construction of airships. Perhaps you could share your experience, show us the production process...
— Certainly! My colleagues and I will be happy to show and tell you everything; we have arranged tours for you. And afterward, we can raise the question of cooperation.
— Yes, perhaps at first we will indeed have to purchase some components... We also need to resolve the issue with helium somehow; perhaps you could recommend a supplier. And is it true that crystalline hydrogen can be used?
— Umm, I don't know about components, helium, or hydrogen; unfortunately, our company does not deal with those.
— Really? Perhaps I misunderstood something then. Do you only handle assembly?
— Not at all! Our activity is more specialized and professional. We do not deal with the airships themselves; we deal with the signs for them.
— Signs? — the dwarf was surprised. — You put signs on them? Do you produce some kind of special, waterproof paint?
— No, not exactly. We are responsible for the design.
— The design of the signs?
— No, not the signs. The letters on the signs.
— The design... of the letters?
— Yes, exactly. The curves.
— The curves?
— The design of the curves of the letters for signs on airships, — Mr. Collers pronounced proudly.
— So you don't deal with the airships themselves? — Alexander Arnoldovich was lost. "I came all this way for nothing... But it's my own fault; I should have learned more about them before the trip."
— What do you mean, we don't? I just said, we develop the design of the curves of the letters for signs on airships, — the director enunciated the last word and took an album from the desk drawer, then stood up and approached Tsypin. — Here, look at our catalog; I am sure you will be interested and will want to buy one of our designs. Or we can even develop a new one for you. We are ready to give our new foreign partner a good discount. Let's say, ten percent! What do you say?
The dwarf absentmindedly flipped through the catalog of letters and squiggles, between which he saw practically no difference.
— Well...
— Fine, I agree to a fifteen percent discount. After all, it's not every day someone comes from the Pheron Alliance to conclude a profitable deal.
— Yes, indeed. It's just that it seems to me this is slightly off... Please don't misunderstand me...
An awkward silence hung in the air, as the dwarf could not find the words for a polite refusal, and Collers pretended not to notice his "client's" mood, dreamily rolling his eyes in anticipation of future cooperation.
Tsypin's eyes scanned the office and he saw some book on the director's desk.
— Reading? — he nodded toward the little book.
— Huh? Yes, yes. I've already read it. I re-read it during lunch breaks sometimes. A good book. A fairy tale.
— Is it interesting?
— Yes. I can summarize it briefly. It is about a princess and a young leatherworker. One very talented leatherworker made shoes for the princess. The princess was incredibly beautiful, the loveliest in all the world, and the leatherworker fell in love with her. He made her the best little boots he was capable of, and the princess greatly appreciated his diligence and talent, so in the end they became friends and were inseparable. And then a handsome prince arrived on a white raven horse, and the princess, without a second's doubt, left with him to the ends of the earth. The leatherworker could not bear the separation from his beloved and slit his veins; he was found dead in his workshop.
— What a terrible story...
— What? No, not at all! The prince and princess married, lived long and happily, and died on the same day.
— I see...
"No, I can't do this. I'll probably decline the tour," — the dwarf reflected. "I'll go to the hotel room they promised me and definitely write letters to my own people. I think they will be interested to read about the Creatians and their oddities. Yes, oddities..."
+++++++
The court hearing had been going on for quite some time. There were a number of humanoids in the hall; the judge sat in the center, and to the sides were Tsypin, an AeroTech representative, and the prosecutor, who was just finishing formulating the plaintiff's position, which coincided with that of the prosecution. The defendant had no lawyer: he could not afford to hire one, and both free lawyers attached to this court happened to be on sick leave that day. The dwarf had to defend himself... Thus, the prosecutor concluded:
— Therefore, the lost profit of the AeroTech company is estimated at 49 million u.c.*, and the moral damage caused to this organization by the defendant is 10 million u.c. However, the defendant obviously cannot pay this sum, nor the fine of 20 million u.c. in favor of the state. Thus, the prosecution insists on the seizure of property and life imprisonment in the Sailorsile special-purpose prison, according to article 88ac of the criminal code of the Folklim Commonwealth.
— Is that all, Mr. Prosecutor? — the latter nodded and the judge immediately turned to the dwarf, who sat as if he were neither alive nor dead. — Defendant, present your version of what happened.
Tsypin stood up, took a deep breath, braced himself, then sighed once more and then answered:
— Your Honor. I do not understand the reasons why I am even in this courtroom. Honestly. I simply wrote letters to my relatives, friends, and colleagues at the Reynolds Institute. Is there anything illegal or forbidden in that? This is not the first time I have gone on a business trip to another country, and I always write letters. No violations or crimes have ever been noticed on my part; I try to obey the laws of the countries I am in. But this... I simply do not understand what I am being accused of. I do not understand how all these patents concern me, what they have to do with it?
— It seems to me the prosecutor clearly formulated his position. We are talking about the theft of intellectual property, specifically the curves of letters...
— But what theft? This is my handwriting! My own native handwriting. I used it when these very patents didn't even exist!
— Can you provide evidence?
— No... But I don't carry around all sorts of papers and letters; I am not a walking office.
— So you have nothing to support your words, — the judge summarized.
— But this is just absurd! No matter how I draw my letters, AeroTech patented every possible curve! Every single one! — in desperation, the dwarf clutched his head. — I read that patent, damn it all! There is simply no possibility to write a letter without violating this! Accursed! Patent!
— Objection! — the prosecutor stood up. — The details of the patent are irrelevant to the case.
— Objection sustained, — the judge nodded. — Defendant, speak to the point. Furthermore, I demand respect for the court: if you continue your swearing, the remainder of the hearing will proceed without you.
The prospect that his case could be considered not only without a lawyer but also without him personally finally broke Tsypin and he simply fell silent. His silence lasted about half a minute until the judge addressed the dwarf again:
— Do you have anything else to add to the case?
— No, Your Honor.
— Very well, — the judge turned to the clock hanging behind him on the wall. — Hm, my working day is already ending. Prosecutor, do you have any questions for the defendant?
— Yes, Your Honor, — the accuser approached Tsypin, who looked at him with the gaze of hunted game. — Mr. Tsypin, do you confirm the fact that the plaintiff initiated you into his latest, most current developments?
— It was just a catalog...
— But it contained all the technical details, correct?
— Yes, — the dwarf spoke through gritted teeth.
— Do you confirm that the letters attached to the case were written by you?
— Yes.
— Do you believe it was a right act on your part to take advantage of the plaintiff's favor and trust in order to copy his developments in your letters?
— Objection! — Tsypin slammed the table. — He is presenting as fact something that still needs to be proven, and which actually never happened!
— Objection overruled. The prosecutor has already provided the court with the results of an independent expert examination confirming his words. Answer the question.
— I did nothing wrong...
— Answer to the point.
— I didn't copy anything.
— I have no further questions, Your Honor, — the prosecutor summarized.
— Then it is time for me to withdraw to reach a decision...
— Your Honor, I have a question for the plaintiff! — Tsypin declared.
The judge looked at the clock once more, grumbled something, but allowed the defendant to ask a question, which he immediately took advantage of.
— The question is as follows... Whose money financed the "independent expert examination" that assessed the violation of your patent in my letters?!
— Objection! — the plaintiff enunciated. — The sources of funding for the independent expert examination are irrelevant to the case.
— Objection sustained. Defendant, do you have any more questions or can we finish?
Instead of an answer, Tsypin, driven to a white heat, kicked the leg of the table where the plaintiff sat with all his might, as a result of which the defendant was instantly expelled from the hall by arriving constables. Until the very last minute, the dwarf actively resisted justice, but in the end, justice prevailed.
+++++++
Alexander Arnoldovich was given life imprisonment, just as the prosecutor and the AeroTech representative wanted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Alliance of Pheron became very concerned about this case and began active negotiations for the release of a citizen of their country, but at the moment diplomacy, alas, has led to nothing.
And the manager who, a couple of months ago, suggested expanding AeroTech's patent to several related categories (among which personal correspondence), received a very substantial bonus for his work.
* u.c. -- universal currency. In circulation in some countries of Nero. Tied to the price of gold. Countries that officially accept u.c. also handle the issuance of this money. Strictly speaking, each of the listed countries has its own version of u.c., but their exchange rate is usually adjusted to avoid significant fluctuations. A humanoid possessing one unit of u.c. means that this humanoid is entitled at any moment to demand from a certain state (the one whose version of u.c. they possess) a mass of gold according to the exchange rate, or an equivalent of said mass of gold in the form of goods (services).
