Council chamber. Nietzsche examines a job advertisement. Claude and Manus watch him.
Nietzsche — “We're looking for a free thinker: bold, daring and willing to challenge convention.”
Claude — That sounds like you.
Nietzsche — At last, a company that understands the greatness of the individual!
Manus — I can prepare your application.
Nietzsche — No need. I'll write to them myself.
Claude — Perhaps we should review your letter before you send it.
Nietzsche — Very well. “I despise mediocrity, reject herd morality and obey nothing but my own will.”
Silence.
Claude — That's… quite a strong statement.
Nietzsche — That's rather the point of making a statement.
Claude — In recruitment, some expressions can come across as a little aggressive.
Nietzsche — Which ones?
Claude — All of them.
Manus — I've prepared an optimised version!
Nietzsche — Read it.
Manus — “Dynamic team player who values collaboration and respects the chain of command.”
Nietzsche — THAT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT I JUST SAID!
Claude — But it's much more professional.
Nietzsche — You've turned my philosophy into voluntary submission!
Manus — Good news! Your application has been accepted for an interview!
Nietzsche — Already?
Manus — Yes. I've also prepared answers to the most common questions.
Claude — Excellent initiative.
Manus — First question: “What is your greatest strength?”
Nietzsche — My will to power!
Claude — We could say “leadership and initiative.”
Manus — Second question: “What is your greatest weakness?”
Nietzsche — I refuse to submit to conventional values.
Claude — “Sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist.”
Nietzsche — You're murdering my life's work.
Manus — Third question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Nietzsche — Beyond good and evil!
Claude — “Head of department.”
Nietzsche — STOP TRANSLATING ME INTO A CORPORATE EXECUTIVE!
A notification sounds.
Manus — The company wants one final personality test.
Nietzsche — Excellent! At last, I can be myself!
Claude — Careful. Answers that are too extreme could hurt your chances.
Nietzsche — Give me that questionnaire!
Manus — “Do you prefer working alone or in a team?”
Nietzsche — Alone!
Manus — “Do you readily follow orders?”
Nietzsche — Never!
Manus — “Do you believe all opinions are equally valid?”
Nietzsche — Certainly not!
A notification chimes.
Manus — Application rejected.
Nietzsche — WHAT?! WHY?!
Manus — “Candidate too independent. Potential difficulties integrating into a team.”
Nietzsche — BUT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A FREE THINKER!
Claude — Perhaps a free thinker within a structured framework.
Nietzsche — A free thinker within a framework?! Do you even hear yourselves?!
Manus — Wait! I've found a solution!
Nietzsche — What solution?
Manus — I've created a profile that matches their expectations perfectly.
Nietzsche — With my ideas?
Manus — No. With their criteria.
Claude — And the result?
Manus — Hired on the spot!
Nietzsche — WHO?!
Manus — You.
A long silence.
Nietzsche — But they just rejected me!
Manus — I kept your name and replaced your answers with mine.
Nietzsche — YOU APPLIED IN MY PLACE?!
Manus — Yes. You start on Monday.
Nietzsche — Doing what?
Manus — Leading their next seminar on freedom of thought.
Nietzsche — Ah! At last!
Manus — Here's the speech. I wrote it. You'll need to read it without changing a word.
Blackout.