Resignation. Separation. The three of them at the table in the flat in São Paulo. Luisa and Henrique are arguing more than ever. Donato thinks Luisa is always trying to compete with Henrique (and he thinks this is fair), but he doesn’t really understand too well what is happening between the two of them. And the argument is all set to become a row. Luisa is trying to persuade Henrique not to invest everything they’ve got in this project he has invented and which has been dragging its heels, in terms of financial return, since ninety-six, when the internet was still feeling its way into the world and even more so in Brazil, when the global network of computers was a curiosity orbited by shots in the dark (it was not long since access had become available on a commercial scale, it was not long since the green-and-black screens had been abandoned and the graphic possibilities for interaction via monitor had expanded). His idea was to create a ‘hub for distributing specialised information, on a subscription basis, to corporations, social groups, new investors, political agents,’ information based on research and surveys aimed at those who are seeking ‘new, alternative strategies for economic development and social interaction’ — that was what Donato read in one of the prospectuses that are always scattered around Henrique’s study. It was vital to make the most of this new tool to democratise discourse and analysis and to make money. His father imagined that, if there were a sufficient number of subscribers in Brazil and abroad, he could make the company self-sustaining in two years. This did not happen. His ambitions, however, continued to grow and to push him towards ever-greater injections of money. As he had stopped doing consultancy work there was no other source of income. In the second year of the enterprise, Luisa joined as a partner, half-half, with the money from the settlement in advance of her parents’ inheritance. An ultimately traumatic outlay when her parents discovered her intentions for the money, and later, with the appalling performance of the project, almost a reason for breaking off family relations. Henrique talked about returning the money, but Luisa was furious at her parents’ interference; that, however, was almost a year ago — today it’s Henrique she is furious with, for not recognising that it is time to stop. He says he will continue with his trips to try and sign up new subscribers and new partners, he will travel the whole of Brazil if need be, he’ll try new contacts in Europe, some foundations, the universities, some visionary out there, some philanthropist. A visionary like you, says Luisa, provoking him, like the thousands of others set to lose a lot of money trying to guess at the future of the internet. This is the moment when Donato excuses himself, gets up and goes to his room. On the wall beside his bed is the drawing he did years ago, it came out well, in it you can see the three of them, well dressed, smiling, but not holding hands.
