Brutus 2400

Scene 3

The clock soundfades and this time the office has a warm light and a lot offurniture in it. There are plants, a sofa, the occasional desk and anarmchair in front of the desk. A young woman with long, dark brownhair sits on the edge of her desk and plays lost in thought with oneof her big curls. Jona enters, 30 minutes too late.

Jona:*breathless * Iam sorry, Madam! The bus, it was late!

Boss2: Don't worryabout that, take a seat. What can I do for you, or rather what do youintend to do for me?

Jona: Well... I amhere to present my invention Brutus 2400.

Boss2: Soundsstrong. I like strong things. What is it? A new training tool?

Jona: It's a serum.It makes soldiers strong and vital. I created it based on-

Boss2:I am pretty sure you know what you did. Sounds great. *getscloser to him *

Ithink we find a way to utilize it.

Jona: Really? Imean, of course! That's great!

Boss2: Just onequestion: in your test, where there any complications with allergicreactions or something like hat?

Jona: Well...Actually it has not been tested yet...

Boss2:*backs away and sits nowon her desk chair * Youwant to sell me a product for my men and didn't even test it?

Jona: Well...yeah. Inever had any financial support. But I could test it on myself andthen you know if-

Boss2: I am sorry,Mr. Williams, but I don't think your test results could berepresentative for a whole company. That's irresponsible. I amsorry, but the risk is too high.

Jona: No...It's mewho's sorry...

Jona is enteringthe stairway and today he is alone. He slowly walks to the door. Thelight switches from the stairway to his apartment. When he enters, aman in uniform already sits in the arm chair.

Jona: Father? Whatare you doing here?

General Williams:You've been ignoring my calls. Stand straight like a man!

Jona: Dad...

General Williams: Asyour father I tell you to stand straight. It's a sign of respect.Nobody will respect you with such a posture. How is yourbusiness going? I bet my son will be the next main deliverer formedical supplies for our forces, right? Your grandpa Stevealready fought in the Vietnam war, you know, great man he was. And me, your father, I'm one of the best generals of our US army.You know that I only expect the best of you?

Jona: Dad, it's notthat easy... Business is hard these days and-

General Williams:Son. Listen. If you need any help, I can arrange an appointment withvarious generals and managers.

Jona: I alreadytalked to them. Nobody wants to buy my-

General Williams: Ican't believe that. It must be your mistake. Caesar300 is surely agood product!

Jona: It's Brutus2400.

General Williams;Why? Caesar was much stronger. Why do you name it after the weak son?

Jona: Because theslogan is "Brutus 2400- for strength and vitality". It's forgetting stronger, not for being strong.

General Williams:Hogwash! Change the name and you will see it works. Or you will haveto get back home, to uncle Tony's farm.

Jona: But I want toserve my country! I want to have success and to gain money! Workingon a farm can't be anything I am able to reach in life!

General Williams:Did you forget that you are not able to serve our country? You aren'tborn as anything big.

Jona: How could Iforget? You can't stop making me remember what an disappointment Iam!

General Williams:Don't you dare to talk to me like that!

*ringfrom Jona's laptop *

Whatwas that?

Jona:A costumer! Somebody finally found my website! Out of the way,father! *runs to laptop which is standing on a small table next to the armchair where theGeneral is sitting*

Somebodyordered a bottle of Brutus 2400! Father, you have to go! I need toprepare everything! I'm gonna prove you wrong and show you that myfuture will be great!

(General off)