Four Heart, One Roof

Eight: Marcus's Big Pitch

[Scene: Early morning in the apartment. Marcus is pacing nervously in the living room, dressed in a suit.]

Marcus: (muttering to himself) Market projections... revenue streams... competitive advantage...

[Aiden emerges from his room, rubbing his eyes sleepily]

Aiden: (yawning) Marcus? Why are you up so early?

Marcus: (startled) Oh, Aiden! Sorry, did I wake you?

Aiden: (shaking his head) No, I have an early class. Are you okay? You seem stressed.

Marcus: (sighing) I have a huge presentation today for my Entrepreneurship class. We have to pitch our business ideas to a panel of actual investors.

Aiden: (concerned) That sounds intense. Is there anything I can do to help?

Marcus: (smiling weakly) Unless you can magically calm my nerves, I don't think so. But thanks.

[Jace stumbles out of his room, hair a mess]

Jace: (sleepily) What's with all the chatter? Some of us are trying to sleep here.

Marcus: (apologetically) Sorry, Jace. I'm just nervous about my presentation.

Jace: (perking up) Presentation? Oh yeah, your big pitch thing! Want me to be your practice audience?

Marcus: (hesitantly) I don't know...

Aiden: (encouragingly) That might actually help, Marcus. We could all listen and give feedback.

[Leo emerges from his room, already dressed and ready for the day]

Leo: (overhearing) That's an excellent idea. Practicing your presentation could help alleviate your anxiety, Marcus.

Marcus: (looking at his roommates) You guys would really do that for me?

Jace: (grinning) Of course! What are roomies for?

[They all gather in the living room, Jace and Aiden still in their pajamas, Leo and Marcus fully dressed]

Marcus: (clearing his throat) Okay, here goes. Imagine a world where...

[Marcus begins his presentation, explaining his idea for a sustainable, eco-friendly clothing line]

Jace: (interrupting) Wait, wait. Can you make the clothes play music? Like, built-in speakers in the collar?

Leo: (sighing) Jace, please. Let him finish.

Marcus: (chuckling) Thanks, Leo. As I was saying...

[Marcus continues, gaining confidence as he speaks]

Aiden: (listening intently) This is really impressive, Marcus.

Leo: (nodding) Indeed. Your market research is quite thorough.

Marcus: (beaming) Thanks, guys. Now, for the financial projections...

[As Marcus finishes his presentation]

Jace: (applauding) Bravo! Encore!

Aiden: (smiling) That was great, Marcus. You're going to do amazing.

Leo: (thoughtfully) I have a few suggestions, if you're open to them.

Marcus: (eagerly) Absolutely! What do you think?

Leo: (pointing to Marcus's slides) Your SWOT analysis could be more detailed here, and perhaps you could elaborate on your supply chain management here.

Marcus: (nodding) That's a great point. Thanks, Leo!

Jace: (dramatically) And don't forget the built-in speakers!

[They all laugh]

Marcus: (checking his watch) Oh shoot, I should get going. Thanks so much, guys. This really helped.

Aiden: (softly) Good luck, Marcus. You've got this.

Jace: (giving a thumbs up) Go knock 'em dead, business boy!

Leo: (nodding) You're well-prepared, Marcus. Stay calm and you'll do fine.

[Marcus leaves, feeling more confident]

[Time skip to that evening. The apartment is quiet, everyone anxiously waiting for Marcus to return]

Jace: (pacing) What's taking him so long? The suspense is killing me!

Aiden: (nervously sketching) I'm sure he'll be back soon.

Leo: (trying to read, but distracted) These things often run late. I'm certain Marcus is fine.

[The door opens, and Marcus enters, his expression unreadable]

Jace: (rushing over) Well? How'd it go? Don't keep us in suspense!

Marcus: (slowly breaking into a grin) They loved it! One of the investors even wants to set up a meeting to discuss potential funding!

[The room erupts in cheers]

Aiden: (hugging Marcus) That's amazing! Congratulations!

Jace: (jumping around) I knew it! Our boy's gonna be a big shot businessman!

Leo: (smiling proudly) Well done, Marcus. Your hard work paid off.

Marcus: (beaming) I couldn't have done it without you guys. Your support this morning... it made all the difference.

Jace: (dramatically) Group hug!

[They all gather in a slightly awkward but warm group hug]

Marcus: (laughing) Okay, okay. Enough mushy stuff. Who's up for a celebration dinner? My treat!

Jace: (excitedly) Now you're talking! Where are we going?

Aiden: (smiling) Anywhere is fine with me.

Leo: (checking his watch) As long as we're not out too late. Some of us have early classes tomorrow.

Marcus: (throwing an arm around Leo) Come on, Leo. Live a little! This is a special occasion!

[As they all get ready to go out, there's a palpable sense of joy and camaraderie in the air]

Jace: (as they're leaving) So, Marcus, when you're a big CEO, you'll still remember us little people, right?

Marcus: (laughing) Are you kidding? You guys are gonna be my executive board!

Aiden: (quietly) I call dibs on designing the company logo.

Leo: (dryly) I suppose someone will need to keep the books in order.

[They all laugh as they head out, the future seeming bright and full of possibilities]

[End of Chapter Eight]