Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

Leo returns to the offices of Whitehall and Marks where and his boss, Mr. Marks, chastises him for being six minutes late. Marks also takes the opportunity to remind Leo that he will never amount to anything and will never rise to any higher level in the company. The other accountants watch in horror, as if seeing their own fates played out in front of them.

When Marks leaves the room, Leo and the accountants sing about how unhappy they are in their jobs. This dismal mood sends Leo into a fantasy sequence. He imagines his life as a Broadway producer, where he is surrounded by beautiful women and his name glows in lights on marquees. Chorus girls appear out of cupboards in the office and dance and sing with Leo.

Suddenly, the music stops, and Marks re-enters the room. He...