Document:

-2-
VCSYNOW NOTE.FINAL-2
                                                               EXHIBIT 10.115(b)

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                          SECURED BY SECURITY AGREEMENT

$600,000                                                 Los Angeles, California
                                                               February 13, 2004

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  VERTICAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. and
NOW SOLUTIONS,  LLC,  JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY  (Makers),  promise to pay to ARGLEN
ACQUISITIONS,  LLC (Payee), or order, the sum of SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100
DOLLARS ($600,000), in the following three installment payments:

      1. On or before  April 6, 2004,  Makers  shall pay the sum of TWO  HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000) to Payee.

      2. On or before  June 4, 2004,  Borrower  shall pay the sum of ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000) to Payee.

      3. On or before  September  3, 2004,  Borrower  shall pay the sum of THREE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000) to Payee.

All payments on this  Promissory Note Secured by Security  Agreement  (Note) are
payable to Payee,  in lawful  money of the  United  States of  America,  by wire
transfer in accordance with the wire transfer  instructions herein set forth, or
in such other manner or at such other place as Payee,  or other  holder  hereof,
shall hereafter notify Makers in writing.  Payee's wire transfer information and
instructions are:

      For the Account of Arglen Acquisitions LLC
      Account No. 134 1018841 65
      Bank Routing Number ABA # 021-000021
      JPMorgan Chase Bank, 401 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017
      Telephone Number (212) 661-0607; Bank Contact, Ms. Pavlova Shah

      All or any portion of the principal or interest due under this Note may at
any time or times be prepaid without premium or penalty.

      Makers hereby waive presentment,  protest,  demand, notice of dishonor and
of  nonpayment.  Makers  hereby  further  waive any and all  rights  of  setoff,
recoupment and  counterclaim  with respect to principal and interest due on this
Note,  including rights of setoff,  recoupment and counterclaim  with respect to
this Note which arose from or are based on claims,  transactions or events which
occurred on or before the date of this Note.

      This Note shall be governed by and  construed  under the laws of the State
of California.  Makers hereby submit to personal  jurisdiction  and venue in the
State of California, County of Los Angeles, for the enforcement of Makers' joint
and several obligations under this Note.

      This Note is secured by that certain  Security  Agreement  executed by NOW
Solutions, LLC, as Debtor, and Payee, as Secured Party.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

      In addition to the rights,  powers and remedies given in this Note,  Payee
may, at any time, and from time to time,  exercise any and all rights and powers
and  pursue any and all  remedies  now or  hereafter  given by law or in equity,
including,  but not limited to, any rights and remedies granted by California or
federal case,  statutory or regulatory law. The failure to exercise any right or
remedy  given  Payee in this Note,  or by law or  equity,  shall not waive or be
deemed a waiver of that right or remedy  unless  Payee has so agreed,  expressly
and in writing, and the failure to so exercise any right or remedy, if any event
of default shall occur,  shall not preclude  Payee from  exercising any right or
remedy  given  in  this  Note,  or by law or  equity,  in  case  of one or  more
subsequent  events of  defaults.  The written  waiver by Payee of any default by
Makers  hereunder  shall not  constitute a continuing  waiver or a waiver of any
other events of default or of the same default on any future occasion.  No power
or remedy herein conferred is exclusive of or shall prejudice any other power or
remedy of Payee given by law. No course of dealing  between the Makers and Payee
and no delay on the part of Payee in exercising its rights under this Note shall
operate as a waiver of the rights of Payee.  No covenant or other  provision  of
this Note or any event of default in  connection  herewith may be waived,  other
than by a written  instrument  signed by the parties so waiving such covenant or
other provisions of this Note or event of default;  provided,  however,  that no
such waiver shall extend to or impair any obligation not expressly  waived,  nor
impair any right  otherwise  consequent on such covenant,  provision or event of
default.

      It shall be an "Event of  Default"  under this Note if Makers  fail to pay
when due any amounts payable under this Note.

      Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, which remains uncured for five
(5)  calendar  days after  Payee has  notified  Makers in  writing by  facsimile
transmission  of said  failure  to pay,  at the  option  of  Payee,  the  entire
remaining  amount of principal owing under this Note,  together with interest at
the statutory  rate of 10% per annum,  shall,  without  further  notice,  become
immediately  due  and  payable.   Makers'  facsimile  numbers  are  512-692-1836
(Vertical Computer Systems, Inc.) and 817-335-7667 (NOW Solutions,  LLC). A copy
of such notice shall also be provided to counsel for Makers,  Derek A. Wolman of
Wolman, Babitt & King, L.L.P., whose facsimile number is 212-867-3784.

      No change, amendment, modification, cancellation or discharge of this Note
shall be valid  unless the party to be charged  therewith  shall have  consented
thereto in writing. This Note may be assigned or endorsed in whole or in part by
Payee.

      If any provision of this Note is held by a court of law to be in violation
of any law or policy,  and if such court should  declare such  provision of this
Note to be illegal,  invalid,  unlawful,  void,  voidable,  or  unenforceable as
written, then such provision shall be given full force and effect to the fullest
possible extent that it was legal, valid and enforceable,  that the remainder of
this Note  shall be  construed  as if such  illegal,  invalid,  unlawful,  void,
voidable or  unenforceable  provision  was not  contained  herein,  and that the
rights,  obligations  and  interest of Makers and Payee  shall  continue in full
force and effect.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

      All covenants and agreements herein shall bind each of Makers'  respective
successors and assigns, and all such covenants and agreements shall inure to the
benefit of Payee and its nominees, successors and assigns.

      No  extension of time for the payment of this Note or any  installment  of
this Note made by agreement with any person now or hereafter  liable for payment
of this Note shall operate to release,  discharge,  modify, change or affect the
original joint and several  liability of Makers under this Note, either in whole
or in part.

      Makers   unconditionally  waive,  except  as  may  be  expressly  provided
elsewhere in this Note, any defense to the  enforcement of this Note based on an
election of remedies by Payee,  including,  without limitation,  any election of
remedies which destroys or otherwise  impairs any subrogation  rights Makers may
have for  reimbursement.  By accepting  payment of any sums secured hereby after
their due date,  Payee does not waive Payee's  rights to require  prompt payment
when due of all other  sums so  secured  or  evidenced  hereby,  or to declare a
default for failure to timely pay such sums.

      PAYEE AND MAKERS  HEREBY  WAIVE THE RIGHT TO ANY JURY TRIAL IN ANY ACTION,
CROSS-COMPLAINT,  COUNTERCLAIM,  OR OTHER PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF,
OR IN ANY WAY  RELATING  TO (1) THIS  NOTE,  OR (2) ANY OTHER  PRESENT OR FUTURE
INSTRUMENT  OR AGREEMENT  BETWEEN PAYEE AND MAKERS WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE, OR
(3) ANY  CONDUCT,  ACTS  OR  OMISSIONS  OF  PAYEE  OR  MAKERS,  OR ANY OF  THEIR
RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS, MEMBERS,  EMPLOYEES,  AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, OR ANY
OTHER PERSONS  AFFILIATED WITH PAYEE OR MAKERS,  OR ANY OF THEM, WITH RESPECT TO
THIS NOTE.

      Should any payment  under this Note not be made when due, or cured  within
the period of time for cure, Makers shall pay to Payee the reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs of collection incurred by Payee.

      Executed as of the day and year first above stated.

VERTICAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.            NOW SOLUTIONS, LLC,
A Delaware corporation                     a Delaware limited liability company

By_________________________________        By_________________________________
         Authorized Officer                         Authorized Officer

                                      -3-EXHIBIT 10.115(c)

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

      This Security Agreement  (Agreement) is made, entered into and executed as
of  February  13, 2004 by and between NOW  Solutions,  LLC  (Debtor)  and Arglen
Acquisitions, LLC (Secured Party) with respect to the following:

                                    RECITALS

      A. Vertical Computer Systems,  Inc.  (Vertical) and Debtor are indebted to
Secured Party for the principal sum of Six Hundred Thousand  Dollars  ($600,000)
(Obligation),  which Obligation is evidenced by a promissory note (Note) of even
date  herewith,  wherein  Debtor and Vertical are Borrowers and Secured Party is
Lender.

      B.  Debtor  desires  to pledge to  Secured  Party  its  rights in  certain
intellectual  property and personal  property,  and the proceeds  therefrom,  as
security for the payment of the Note and for the  performance of the obligations
in this Security Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

      In  consideration  of the  Obligation,  which is of direct and substantial
benefit to Debtor,  the mutual  covenants  contained in this Agreement,  and for
other good and valuable considerations, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
acknowledged, Debtor agrees as follows:

      1. Definitions.

            (a) The term "Accounts" means any right to payment for goods sold or
leased,  or to be  sold  or to be  leased,  or for  services  rendered  or to be
rendered,  no matter how  evidenced,  including  accounts  receivable,  contract
rights,  general  intangibles,  notes, drafts,  acceptances,  and other forms of
obligations and receivables.

            (b)  The  term  "Collateral"  means  any and  all  intellectual  and
personal  property of Debtor that is hereby assigned or hereafter is assigned to
Secured Party as security or in which Secured Party now has or later  acquires a
security interest,  including but not limited to the personal property described
in Section 3 hereof.

            (c) The term "Debt(s)" or  "Obligation(s)"  means the payment of the
Note and the obligations and undertakings in this Security Agreement.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

            (d) The term "Equipment" means all of Debtor's equipment,  including
all furniture,  fixtures,  machinery and equipment, whether the same constitutes
personal  property  or  fixtures,  now owned or  hereafter  acquired  by Debtor,
wherever  situated,  including all substitutions,  accretions,  component parts,
replacements  thereof  and  additions  thereto,  and  the  proceeds  of all  the
foregoing.

            (e)  The  term  "Intellectual   Property"  means  (i)  each  of  the
copyrights  and rights and interests  capable of being  protected as copyrights,
which are presently, or in the future may be, owned, authored, acquired, or used
by Debtor including all proceeds thereof and all tangible property embodying the
copyrights;  (ii) each of the  trademarks  and  rights and  interests  which are
capable of being protected as trademarks,  which are presently, or in the future
may be,  owned,  created,  acquired,  or used by Debtor,  including all proceeds
thereof and all tangible  property  embodying the trademarks;  and (iii) each of
the patents and patent  applications  which are presently,  or in the future may
be, owned, issued,  acquired, or used by Debtor,  including all proceeds thereof
and all tangible property embodying the patents.

            (f) The term "Inventory" means all of Debtor's inventory  consisting
of raw  materials,  work in process,  materials used or consumed in its business
and all  goods  held  for sale or lease or to be  furnished  under  contract  of
service,  or if they  have  been  leased  or so  furnished,  now  owned or later
acquired, wherever located.

      2. Grant of Security Interest.  Debtor hereby grants, conveys, and assigns
to Secured Party,  as collateral to secure the performance of the obligations of
Debtor as a maker under the Note,  all of Debtor's  existing  and future  right,
title and  interest  in, to and under the  property  listed in Section 3 of this
Agreement. The security interest granted herein in the Collateral will be junior
to Debtor's present indebtedness to WAMCO 31, Ltd. (WAMCO), as assignee of Coast
Business  Credit of its  successors  and assigns.  The Secured Party agrees that
WAMCO  will have the right to  require,  as a  condition  to its  consent of the
security interest  provided to the Secured Party herein,  that the Secured Party
as the holder of the additional  security interest or lien sign an intercreditor
agreement on WAMCO's then standard form,  acknowledge that the security interest
is  subordinate  to the security  interest in favor of WAMCO.  The Secured Party
will not take any action to enforce its subordinate security interest so long as
any  Obligations,  as defined in the Loan  Documents  between  Debtor and WAMCO,
remain outstanding.

         3.  Description  of Property.  The  Collateral  subject to the security
interest is as follows:

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

            (a)  Intellectual  Property.  All of  Debtor's  present  and  future
Intellectual Property;

            (b) Equipment. All of Debtor's present and future Equipment.

            (c) Accounts Receivable. All of Debtor's present and future accounts
and accounts receivable, including all proceeds due under them;

            (d) Inventory.  All of Debtor's present and future inventory and the
proceeds and products thereof;

            (e) Other  Property.  All of Debtor's  present and future cash, bank
accounts, contract rights, and general intangibles; whether any of the foregoing
is owned now or acquired later;

            (f)  Replacements.  All  accessions,  additions,  replacements,  and
substitutions  related  to any of the  foregoing  and all  records  of any  kind
relating to any of the foregoing; and

            (g) Proceeds.  All proceeds of the sale or other  disposition of any
of the Collateral described or referenced herein.

      Each and all of the  above  are  assigned  to  Secured  Party by Debtor as
security for any and all  Obligations  of Debtor to Secured  Party,  whether now
owing or later incurred and whether direct, indirect, absolute or contingent.

      4.  Covenants of Debtor.  Debtor  agrees and  covenants  that Debtor shall
promptly  pay  when  due  the  principal  of and  interest  on the  indebtedness
evidenced by the Note, and all other sums secured by this Agreement.

      5. Personal  Property Free of Security  Interests by Subsidiaries.  Debtor
represents  that  there  are no  security  agreements  or  financing  statements
covering  any  of  the   Collateral   or  its  proceeds  in  favor  of  Debtor's
subsidiaries,  or of  Debtor's  co-maker  under  the  Note,  or of any  of  said
co-maker's subsidiaries.

      6.  Perfection  of Security  Interest.  Debtor  agrees to execute and file
financing  statements,  and do whatever  may be necessary  under the  applicable
Uniform  Commercial Code in the state or states where the Collateral is located,
to perfect and  continue  Secured  Party's  interest in the  Collateral,  all at
Debtor's sole cost and expense.

      7.  Debtor  and Lien Not  Released.  Any  modification  of the  terms  and
conditions of the Note, to which all parties to the Note agree in writing, shall
not affect the obligations of (i) Debtor, (ii) Debtor's co-maker under the Note,

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

or (iii) Debtor's  successors or assigns under this  Agreement  and/or the Note,
and to observe the covenants of Debtor  contained  herein,  and shall not affect
the lien or priority of lien hereof on the Collateral.

      8.  Forbearance by Secured Party Not a Waiver.  Any forbearance by Secured
Party in  exercising  any right or remedy  hereunder,  or otherwise  afforded by
applicable  law,  shall not be a waiver of or preclude the exercise of any right
or remedy. The acceptance by Secured Party of payment of any sum secured by this
Agreement and/or under the Note after the due date of such payments shall not be
a waiver of Secured  Party's right to either  require prompt payment when due of
all other sums so  secured,  or to declare a default  for failure to make prompt
payment.

      9. Uniform Commercial Code Security Agreement.  This Agreement is intended
to be a security  agreement  pursuant to the Uniform  Commercial Code for any of
the items specified above as part of the Collateral which, under applicable law,
may be subject to a security interest  pursuant to the Uniform  Commercial Code,
and Debtor hereby  grants the Secured  Party a security  interest in said items.
Debtor  agrees  that  Secured  Party may file any  appropriate  document  in the
appropriate index as a financing  statement for any of the items specified above
as part of the Collateral.  In addition, Debtor agrees to execute and deliver to
Secured Party, upon Secured Party's request, any financing  statements,  as well
as  extensions,  renewals and  amendments  thereof,  and  reproductions  of this
Agreement and/or the Note, in such form as Secured Party may require, to perfect
a security  interest with respect to said items. Upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default (defined  below),  Secured Party shall have the remedies of a secured
party under the Uniform Commercial Code and, at Secured Party's option, may also
invoke the other remedies  provided in this Agreement and/or the Note as to such
items. In exercising any of said remedies, Secured Party may proceed against the
items  specified  above as part of the Collateral  separately or together and in
any order  whatsoever,  without in any way affecting the availability of Secured
Party's  remedies  under the Uniform  Commercial  Code or of the other  remedies
provided in this Agreement, the Security Instrument and/or the Note.

      10. Events of Default. The Debtor shall be in default under this Agreement
when any of the following events or conditions (Event of Default) occur:

            (a) The Debtor fails to comply with any term, obligation,  covenant,
or condition contained in this Agreement and/or the Note.

            (b) Any levy, seizure, attachment, lien, or encumbrance of or on the
Collateral  which is not discharged by Debtor within ten (10) days, or any sale,
transfer,  or disposition of any interest in the  Collateral,  other than in the
ordinary course of business or for commercially reasonable value.

      11.  Acceleration  in Case  of  Borrower's  Insolvency.  If  Debtor  shall
voluntarily file a petition under the federal  Bankruptcy Code, as such Code may
from time to time be amended,  or under any similar or successor federal statute
relating to bankruptcy,  insolvency,  arrangements or reorganizations,  or under
any state  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  act, or file an answer in an  involuntary
proceeding admitting insolvency or inability to pay debts, or if Debtor shall be

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

adjudged a bankrupt, or if a trustee or receiver shall be appointed for Debtor's
property,  or if the Collateral  shall become subject to the  jurisdiction  of a
federal  bankruptcy  court or similar  state  court,  or if Debtor shall make an
assignment  for the  benefit  of its  creditors,  or if there is an  attachment,
receivership,  execution or other judicial  seizure,  then Secured Party may, at
Secured Party's  option,  invoke any remedies  permitted by this Agreement.  Any
attorneys' fees and other expenses  incurred by Secured Party in connection with
Debtor's  bankruptcy  or any of the other  events  described  in this Section 12
shall be additional indebtedness of Debtor secured by this Agreement.

      12.  Waiver  of  Marshaling.  Subject  to the  existence  of the  security
interest in the Collateral held by WAMCO,  Secured Party shall have the right to
determine the order in which any or all of the Collateral  shall be subjected to
the remedies provided by this Agreement and/or the Note, and Secured Party shall
have the  right to  determine  the  order in which  any or all  portions  of the
indebtedness  secured by this Agreement are satisfied from the proceeds realized
upon the exercise of the remedies provided in this Agreement and/or the Note.

      13. Waiver of Jury Trial.  SECURED PARTY AND DEBTOR HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT
TO ANY  JURY  TRIAL  IN ANY  ACTION,  CROSS-COMPLAINT,  COUNTERCLAIM,  OR  OTHER
PROCEEDING  BASED  UPON,  ARISING  OUT OF,  OR IN ANY WAY  RELATING  TO (1) THIS
AGREEMENT,  OR (2) ANY OTHER PRESENT OR FUTURE  INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT  BETWEEN
SECURED  PARTY AND DEBTOR WITH  RESPECT TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  OR (3) ANY CONDUCT,
ACTS OR  OMISSIONS  OF  SECURED  PARTY OR  DEBTOR,  OR ANY OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, OR ANY OTHER PERSONS
AFFILIATED  WITH SECURED PARTY OR DEBTOR,  OR ANY OF THEM,  WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT.

      14. Miscellaneous

            (a)  Remedies  Cumulative.  Each remedy  provided in this  Agreement
and/or the Note is distinct and cumulative to all other rights or remedies under
this  Agreement  and/or  the  Note  or  afforded  by law or  equity,  and may be
exercised concurrently, independently, or successively, in any order whatsoever.

            (b) Notices.  Any notices permitted or required under this Agreement
shall be deemed  given  upon the date of  facsimile  transmission  addressed  to
Secured Party at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 2091, New York, NY 10111, facsimile
number 413-618-9011,  with copies to counsel Steven S. Karic at Hamburg,  Karic,
Edwards & Martin  LLP,  1900  Avenue of the  Stars,  Suite  1800,  Los  Angeles,
California 90067-4409, facsimile number 310-552-9291; and addressed to Debtor at
Chase Texas  Tower,  201 Main  Street,  Suite 1455,  Fort  Worth,  Texas  76102,
facsimile number 817-335-7667, with copies to counsel Derek A. Wolman at Wolman,
Babitt & King, L.L.P.,  521 Fifth Avenue,  38th Floor, New York, New York 10175,
facsimile number  212-867-3784 ; or at any other facsimile number and address as
any party may, from time to time,  designate by notice given in compliance  with
this Section 15.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

            (c) Law Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

            (d) Titles and Captions. All section titles or captions contained in
this  Agreement  are for  convenience  only and shall not be deemed  part of the
context nor effect the interpretation of this Agreement.

            (e)  Agreement  Binding.  This  Agreement  shall be binding upon the
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

            (f) Presumption.  This Agreement or any section thereof shall not be
construed  against any party due to the fact that said  Agreement or any section
thereof was drafted by said party.

            (g) Further Action. The parties hereto shall execute and deliver all
documents,  provide all  information and take or forbear from all such action as
may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

            (h) Savings  Clause.  If any  provision  of this  Agreement,  or the
application  of such  provision  to any  person or  circumstance,  shall be held
invalid,  the remainder of this Agreement,  or the application of such provision
to persons  or  circumstances  other than those as to which it is held  invalid,
shall not be affected thereby.

      Executed as of the day and year first above stated.

Debtor:                                   Secured Party:

NOW SOLUTIONS, LLC,                       ARGLEN ACQUISITIONS, LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company      a Delaware limited liability company

By:____________________________           By:____________________________
         Authorized Officer                     Authorized Officer

                                      -6-

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00068-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00068-of-00352.parquet"}]]