samples_7_apeiron

Apeiron 1

Radio Drama (Excerpts)
by Michael Esser (Original Language: German)
The German Contribution to the Prix Italia 2004
translated from German to English by Christiane Bergfeld

Dramatis personae (in order of appearance):
Kaysa Ledig, chief executive officer
Chorus
Martin Grünwald, head of marketing
Bob Robert, financial officer
Programmers - various voices from the programming department
Christine Schön, secretary
Paul Schöpfer, consultant and creator
Employees - various staff voices
NewsMail - various voices from the newsgroups
Captain - aboard the plane

Preface

Each character is assigned an individual acoustic space. Grünwald always hears whatever he says in the background, Schöpfer the synopsis of literary works read by Jenny, his assistant, Kaysa listens to German stock exchange news and Robert to international market news, Christine is surrounded by the noises of simple computer games etc.

All characters only communicate with each other by e-mail, except for Bob Robert who uses the telephone.

The news from the Frankfurt stock exchange always runs in the background.

Kaysa

How are you getting on with the sheets for the kick-off?

Cyra dear, I'm making good progress - organising, planning, doing. All of us here are going to get rich - very rich, provided we manage to win over the top people. Saw your designs in wallpaper. They're beautiful - as usual. Thinking of you, Kaysa.

Dear All, as of today our staff comprises 470 members. Great times are in store for us. Kaysa Ledig – Chief Organisation Officer, Gameland Europe. .

Grünwald

Our company develops interactive three dimensional worlds for the Internet.

Kaysa

Hello Bob, the software company purchase is all settled. Twenty new comrades in arms; top notch people.
Please arrange a personal talk for me and our Don.

Christine, cancel my appointment at the dentist's and fix a new one. And keep trying to contact our Don.

Grünwald

Our company develops interactive three dimensional worlds for the Internet.

Kaysa

Hello Bob, the software company purchase is all settled. Twenty new comrades in arms; top notch people.

Please arrange a personal talk for me and our Don.

Christine, cancel my appointment at the dentist's and fix a new one. And keep trying to contact our Don.

Grünwald's speech runs in the background.
These online environments are about virtual reality units, enabling everybody to move freely within virtual rooms, where multiple choices of communication, information, e-commerce, edutainment, infotainment and entertainment wait.

Kaysa

Schöpfer, go for it. Actually, you can't refuse. Just please yourself, as Head of Concept. You'll get a fantastic salary and loads of share options into the bargain. What's your problem? Why haven't you accepted long ago? Kaysa.

Chorus

Millenium of grand delusions,
This time is brimming with profusions,
A world electrically controlled
With self-styled heroes like of old
Find this a place for fantasy,
The height of data ecstasy.

Grünwald

Bob, the budget for the purchase of marketing data is too small. I even brought that up at the last meeting. I need reliable data, and they're expensive. I'll write a new proposal for the budget needed, defining the total costs and the maturity grade of research. Hoping for a speedy roll out. Rgds, Grünwald, Chief of Marketing.

Bob, things aren't running according to plan yet. Our COO's reactions are too slow. Impeding the basics for professional workflow. I'm under the impression that Kaysa Ledig is not quite aware of our leverage factors and the procession progress. Her management style is so old economy. We need more speed and tougher organisation. Of course, this impression is my personal opinion, so I need you to keep my remarks confidential. But I think you should know what I think. Grünwald.

Chorus

Electroland sends out a call
    The mob can hear it and then all
    The treasure hunters try their luck
    In making a fast buck.

Stock analysis and commentaries in the background - alternating between German, English, Spanish, etc. - coming from the radio. Bob speaks on the telephone; a short sequence of beeps between onversations; dialling the next telephone number. Bob leaves messages in the everyone's voice mailboxes.

Since 1985 Translation - Copywriting - Editing

Apeiron 1

Since 1985
Translation - Copywriting - Editing