******* WARNING -- LONG POST AHEAD *******
******* WARNING -- DRAFT SCREENPLAY ******
******* WARNING -- DIRECTOR's CUT *********
******* WARNING -- PG13 Mild Language ******
******* WARNING -- STRONG OPINIONS *******
{plot line} [I'm sensing a growing intensity in the level of anger and hostility directed towards JPOP lately, following the news that he would be attending Pinball Expo 2018 as a deeproot employee. I wonder what the impact would be if JPOP were to plan for and take the first thirty minutes of deeproot's seminar to address the issue head on? Would that be appropriate? or helpful? should it be a prerequisite? If ten in a room of 100 people (plus those who watch the archived podcast) healed a little bit from listening, enough to quit feeling the urge to strangle the man - that would be a small win and step in the right direction]
Where - Westin Chicago North Shore Ballroom
When - future (october 19th, 2018)
{director's notes} [JPOP should open up to the audience immediately by focusing remarks on his actions and the implosion of Zidware, rather than rambling about the early years. So many details ... so many scandals... Oh My! So many acid trips... so many shrooms ...
where have I heard that before. It's coming from inside my head.. my brain ... but it makes sense, right? and HE SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY for HIS ACTIONS and APOLOGIZE FOR THEM.]
beginning dream sequence ....
beginning dream sequence ....
beginning dream sequence ....
<stage notes> [a half-filled whisky bottle is tossed to the carpet. A lone man stands dressed in camo cargo pants, open collar shirt, jacket and a white Indiana jones hat. He wears a thick gold chain with medallion hanging from the neck, it reads 'Popalicious / o.g'. His face reveals three days of growth and the man's voice is gruff. He is wearing sandals and his breath is so bad, you don't know whether to offer him tic-tacs or toilet paper. His glasses are held together in the middle with a bandaid and one lens is cracked. His gold tooth shines, catching the light source when he smiles.]
I am JPOP and I founded a defunct company named Zidware. I presold 3 pinball machines, based on my reputation as the designer of 3 top 20 games and on my extensive background in pinball. I was actually developing 5 pinball machines and some web games when the money ran out and the house of cards fell. I took preorder money and mismanaged it badly.
<director notes> [historical reference - JPOP was founder of the Intentionally forGOTten Preorder ModelS or (IGOT_PMS). This was later shortened to Intentional MAnipulation of PreOrderS Model (IMA_POS). In 2012 the name was shortened again to preorder model. Occasionally it is referred to as the short CON ... if you haven't heard, the preorder model died in 2017.]
(soft laughter) I didn't understand how to run a company and didn't realize I didn't understand. (raises voice) Hell, I still don't know how to build a game. To this day I've never completed a single game. Some designs were so FUBAR they could never work, but that didn't stop me from pretending to be an expert in all requisite fields and giving it a go. I didn't know that I didn't know what I was talking about either. Some have said i didn't know shit. BUILDING PINBALLS IS HARD - who knew?
I marketed, sold and was paid to DESIGN and BUILD 3 GAMES and I LIED ABOUT THE REAL SITUATION and CONTINUED LYING and TAKING MONEY for THREE YEARS AFTER I KNEW THE COMPANY WAS INSOLVENT. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BUILD GAMES and PAY MY SALARY, one of these goals would have to go. yet I remained silent. I would like to spend the next ten minutes saying I AM SORRY to each and every person here that I screwed (allow 10 - 30 minutes).
Now that is the entire situation and I am truly sorry. I would like to ASK YOU TO CONSIDER FORGIVING ME THESE DISCRETIONS. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but know I have turned over a new leaf. I will be 100% open and transparent about the past. In fact, I will stay for one hour after this session to answer any and all questions you have about me or Zidware. Anything you want to know, no matter how personal or embarrassing, just ask. I'll be straight with you, it's my new leaf. From now on, I will do everything in my power to ensure your expectations are met or exceeded.
{stage notes} [man reaches down to retrieve retrieve the bottle and twists off the cap. He drinks half the remaining contents and slurs his words a bit. He returns the cap and tosses the bottle towards the audience <front row>]
I have been sued every which way to Sunday and have even sued my own customers, including some of you fine folks. Being honest, that was a new low for me. Sorry Recently I was ruled against in the courts - meaning I owe refunds to those defendants. I will be making those payments until everyone is paid back. For the others, deeproot has offered to credit your payments towards any of their pins. This is entirely their decision and it stems from their desire to try making things right for Zidware victims.
To all the designers, project managers, programmers, vendors and suppliers that were caught in the crossfire and are here today - I was a jerk and was wrong for jerking you off - by not paying when money was available and then slow paying you for services rendered. I know, I know, it's all a real big mess that I made myself. In order to pay the bills, I am now working for deeproot. I am here today as their employee and they've asked me to come and to discuss my new pinball design, since the machine is completed and three are sitting right here, you will be able to play them today and decide for yourself.
ending dream sequence ....
ending dream sequence ....
ending dream sequence ....
I guess that would help me if he were sincere. As it stands, I have no idea if he is repentant. He gave a written apology a long while back and that one wasn't effective or well received. How does he really feel about the situation? Does he accept the facts and did he learn anything? Without that - I don't want to be in the same room with the man. Until some form of apology is offered to Zidware customers and pinball community that is acceptable, JPOP and deeproot will be swimming against the tide.