What is Apple, after all? Apple is about people who think

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The dim, golden light of the late afternoon poured through the windows of an old, quiet café. A low hum of distant conversations and clinking cups filled the air, but the corner where Jack and Jeeny sat was thick with silence. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the earthy scent of rain that had just begun to fall outside, creating a soft, soothing atmosphere. The world outside moved at its own pace, but here, time seemed to stretch, like the calm before a storm.

Jack sat with his back against the wall, his hands folded around a chipped mug, eyes fixed on the table in front of him. His face was hard, almost sculptural — the weight of years and decisions etched into every line. His grey eyes flicked up now and then, sharp and calculating, as if always evaluating, always questioning.

Jeeny sat across from him, her eyes deep, unfathomable pools of thought. She traced the rim of her own cup, as if searching for an answer in the circular pattern. Her face, framed by long black hair, softened in the dim light. There was a quiet strength about her, an energy that made her presence impossible to ignore.

Jack exhaled sharply, breaking the silence, his voice low and edged with cynicism.

Jack: “So, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that Apple, of all companies, is about people thinking outside the box? About creating something that makes a difference?”

Jeeny: “Yes. That’s what it’s always been about, Jack. That’s what Steve Jobs said. It’s about people who see the world not as it is, but as it could be — who use technology not just to get a job done, but to change everything. To create.”

Jack: “And you honestly believe that’s still true? That Apple, with its multi-billion dollar empire, is somehow about changing the world? I think it’s more about pushing products than pushing ideas at this point. Look at what they've become: a machine, a business, a brand built on hype.”

Jeeny’s eyes spark with intensity, her fingers tightening around the cup.

Jeeny: “But that’s where you’re wrong, Jack. You see, technology isn’t just about profit. It’s about the possibilities it opens up. Jobs didn’t create Apple to sell gadgets. He created it because he believed that innovation could transform lives. Yes, it’s a business now, but the vision started with something much bigger.”

Host: The café grows quieter around them, the sounds of distant chatter fading as their conversation intensifies. The light through the window shifts, growing darker as the sky above deepens into shades of stormy blue.

Jack: “You think it’s all about vision? Look, Jeeny, the world isn’t that romantic. Companies like Apple exploit the very thing they claim to value — they turn revolutionary ideas into consumer products. It’s not about creating something that makes a difference; it’s about creating something people want to buy, and then getting them to buy it over and over again. That’s the game.”

Jeeny: “And how is that any different from any other company? What makes Apple different is that their products have always been about inspiring people, empowering them. I mean, look at the Macintosh, or the iPhone. They weren’t just products; they were tools that allowed ordinary people to become creators. There’s magic in that. Don’t you see that?”

Jack’s lips curl into a tight, knowing smile.

Jack: “Magic? You’re talking about a marketing strategy. They didn’t just sell phones; they sold a dream, a version of the future where everyone is connected, everyone is part of the next big thing. And it worked. They made a difference by convincing people that their lives would be better with an Apple product. But at the end of the day, it’s about business.”

Jeeny leans forward, her voice quiet but fierce.

Jeeny: “You’re so cynical, Jack. Not everything is about profit. There are people in the world who truly believe in making a difference, who use their skills and their passions to change things for the better. And Apple gave them a platform to do that. What about the creators? The designers? The musicians who use Apple products to write songs, to make art, to connect with others? It’s about possibilities, not just money.”

Jack’s brow furrows. He crosses his arms, his gaze hardening.

Jack: “But what happens when those creators are locked into an ecosystem? When the very tools they use to express themselves become another commodity to be sold back to them? What happens when people start to believe that their identity is defined by what they own instead of who they are?”

Host: The air between them is thick now, heavy with the weight of their words. The rain outside begins to pick up, the patter of drops against the window a soft soundtrack to the tension rising in the café. Jack’s jaw clenches as he meets Jeeny’s gaze, but she doesn’t flinch.

Jeeny: “Maybe. Maybe there’s always a cost to progress. But does that mean we should abandon the dream entirely? Innovation isn’t just about making a profit. It’s about inspiring people to see beyond the immediate, beyond the material. Look at Steve Jobs. He built an empire, yes, but his dream was never just about selling a product. It was about creating something bigger than himself. And that kind of belief—it means something.”

Jack looks out the window, his voice quieter now, almost reflective.

Jack: “So, you believe that the vision is still alive in Apple? Even today?”

Jeeny’s eyes soften, her voice gentle.

Jeeny: “I do. But maybe it’s up to us, Jack, to remember why it all started. To remind ourselves that it wasn’t about selling; it was about creating. People still believe in that vision, even if the company itself has lost sight of it.”

There’s a long pause. The rain has slowed, leaving behind only the soft whisper of droplets on the glass. Jack shifts in his seat, his face softening just slightly.

Jack: “I guess… maybe there’s a part of me that’s still looking for that magic. For something that’s not just about products, not just about money. But I’m not sure if that exists anymore.”

Jeeny smiles, just a little.

Jeeny: “Maybe it does, Jack. Maybe it’s just not where we expect to find it.”

Host: The rain finally stops. A quiet, almost reverent stillness fills the space. Outside, the first hint of the evening sun breaks through the clouds, casting a warm golden light over the café. Jack and Jeeny sit in the silence, the weight of their words settling between them like a soft promise that things, sometimes, are not as they appear.

Climax and Reconciliation

The conversation lingers in the air, unspoken but understood. Jack’s sharp features have softened, and Jeeny’s quiet conviction remains, the two finding an unspoken truth between them. The world may be changing, but in the end, the dream—whether within a company or a person—has always been about believing that things can be better, that creation itself is an act of hope.

Host: The light outside now gleams bright, as if marking the end of the conversation, and the beginning of something else. Something more.