ACT II
Scene 1
The scene opens with a piano solo of the music to the song 12 to 21 playing softly. Mr. N.E. Body returns to his home in the same manner as Act I. We find Joel being thrown out into the street at break of day. Joel 2, is center stage with his back to the audience. His is arguing with the landlord who is kicking him out. He is back far enough so the audience cannot see his face (Joel 2).
(You here Joel speak)
But wait a minute!!!…
Landlord
I’m not waiting for no more of your loud music practice and singing here!
The landlord throws the guitar case out the
door stage left. At the same time a look-alike
guitar case flies out the door stage right, any
town USA as passer buy watch.
Landlord
I don’t want to see any more of your sleazy friends. I know you are up to something. No wonder you’re weird! Anyone who stays up all night playing loud music and then sleeps all day will never amount to anything. Anybody who eats those green sandwiches…
(Joel’s voice now can be heard coming from stage
right doorway where the guitar flew out of.)
Joel
You mean avocado and alfalfa sprouts sandwiches?
Landlord
Green hairy things, that’s all I know! Alfalfa, that’s what cows eat! That’s right you don’t eat me either because you are a vegetable.
Joel
I’m just not eating any meat right now. It’s too expensive.
Landlord
No wonder you act like an animal. You eat like an animal. I can’t take it anymore. Who will pay your bill?
Joel
I will send you the money, you’ll see.
Landlord
I’ll see no more of you, you hippie beatnik.
The landlord throws Joel’s bag out the door on
stage left. At the same time they fly out the door
on stage right. People walking down the street
dodge the bags and split, looking back. Joel 2
walks out the door at the same time the other Joel
walks out onto the street looking around. He picks
up his things and starts to sing. People on the
street pay only half attention to him.
ACT II
Scene 2
Joel is holding bills in his hand as he walks
down to the end of the street towards center
of the audience he starts to sing.
That about thinks it up
I got my phone bill the other day… But it was one I already paid… They turned it off anyway… What do you think about that?
(Joel singing to passer-by)
Now what you gonna do… In this day and age… When the only way to get jobs…
Is in the yellow page… It will put you in a rage… Now, I won’t think about that…
Mr. N.E.Body picks up phone and orders a pizza.
You can hear his conversation in the auditorium.
Mr. N.E. Body
No anchovies, you guys!
Joel
That about thinks it up… My mind is ready for a change… I’m going to fill my own cup…
Done the old-fashioned way… That about thinks it up… You know that I’m going to stay… Talk is cheap by the way… And the burden is too great… Admit today you’re afraid to change…
Before Mr. N.E. Body can hang up the phone the
Pizza delivery boy arrives and delivers pizza. Joel
watches the delivery boy until his exit. The trick to
delivering the pizzas is that there is always only one
slice in the box so he runs out quickly.
(Mr. N. E. Body pays him and asks)
What took you so long?
Enter more people who proceed to center
stage, setting up for dancing. Joel sings.
Joel
(Joel looks at his bills)
Utility company went out of their way… To turn off the gas on Christmas day….
I didn’t have a turkey anyway… They didn’t think about that.
(Joel tears up bills)
I have read about some natural ways…
(monitor, solar power wind power)
Of supplying us with power to last for days…
(Monitors, pollution, waste, smog)
No pollution to make you craze-hey… what you think about that?
Plant actors – a couple.
The couple that was escorted off the stage at the beginning of the performance now start to interact. The lady is around 45 years old, wearing a long skirt and carrying a big black purse. She has on red lipstick and her hair is penned up in an outdated hairstyle. The man, her husband, is shorter and lighter in weight, balding head, and dark horn rimmed glasses. The couple has blended into the audience until now. She stands up and starts to sing along in groove with the music.
(All the dancers are on center stage and sing along with Joe.)
That about thinks it up… My mind is ready for a change… I’m going to fill my own cup…
Done the old-fashioned way… That about thinks it up… You know I’m gonna stay…
Talk is cheap, by the way… Time runs out day by day… Till your heavy, unsteady, and the burden is too great… Admit today you’re afraid to change.
(Joel sings by himself)
A lot of silly people think the earth is going to last…
(Monitors, erosion, waste, desert, etc.)
But most of its beauties are a thing of the past…
(Monitors, wasting dumps landfills and recycling)
Recycling is a little task… Most don’t think about that… There’s got to be a better way… To utilize what were wasting away… Get together and make it pay…
(Monitors, kids pulling together on a rope)
Now you can think about that…
The dancers and some of the plant actors start to sing along including the lady in the couple. Her husband cringes as if he doesn’t know her. He tries to get up and leave but she grabs him and pulls him back. All the time singing along.
(Everybody sings)
That about thinks it up… My mind is ready for a change… I’m going to fill my own cup…
Done the old-fashioned way… That about thinks it up… You know I’m going to stay…
Talk is cheap, by the way, time runs out day by day… Till your heavy, unsteady, and the burden is too great… Admit today you are afraid to change…
ACT II
Scene 3
The scene opens with quiet piano improvisation background music. Our couple in the audience is still making a scene. The lady has to keep convincing the husband to stay and watch the show.
(Joel speaks the words above the music)
With words from a simple mind… I express the feelings inside… You know the troubled times… Seems like a nursery rhyme…
(Monitors, times of trouble)
We all act a pantomime… Where none can be kind… Who looks for a sign…? But walks a narrow line…
Choreograph the dancers – more or less in bondage.
Movements of heavy restraints by chains, the
feeling of slavery.
(Joel continues speaking about the music)
What can you hope to say… As words only fade away…
(Monitors, pics of great speakers)
Memories from another day… Leave impressions that only may… Be clear as River clay… And leave you in dismay… Down on your knees and pray… For truth to come your way…
(Monitors, biblical scenes)
With tear filled eyes, a broken dream… Becomes true life on a movie screen…
(Monitors, old-time black and white movies)
For all in sorrow scream… This is not fighting clean…
(Monitors, nuclear war)
Instead of being mean… You know you can change the scene… Who is tricky, is not keen…
(Monitors, world leaders)
ACI II
Scene 4
The scene opens with a new band playing a blues
improvisation pattern. Three guys come up to Joel
with guitars, tambourine, and harmonica. One
of them asked Joel
Band member
Do you want to come and play with our new group?
Joel
Yeah!… Let’s go!
They all move to center stage which is a scene on the inside of the bar/restaurant stage right. There is a bar scene with a stage. Each member of the band takes a lead. They are all dressed like hippies for a gig at a psychedelic club. Monitors show early 60s scenes with pictures of early rock superstars. Mr. N.E. Body has the day off and he orders a Pizza as before but from somebody new. This time it takes much longer. Street scenes are now getting darker. Action of the dancers have changed into customers and bartenders for the bar scene. The band is now together in full swing. They start the music to rock and roller. Monitors show rock bands in bars across the USA
Rock n roller
(Joel sings)
Up every morning by one… Hardly ever see the sun… My day has just begun… When it’s ending for some… I’m a rock ‘n roller… My life is on the run…
(Monitors, life on the road)
All the time ain’t so fun… You know I’ve had a ton… Just can’t remember non…
(The bar fills up with people from the streets)
Joel
I’m a rock and roller… Midnight stroller… I am a rock and roller…
So when I and my day… I’m ready for rest… No matter come what may… I know I did my best…
I work in traveling bands… Play mostly one night stands… I love the ones I can…
To be any ladies man…I’m a rock ‘n roller…
(Monitors, rock concerts)
But when I work really hard… Pouring on the steam… I don’t feel so tired… You know what I mean… I’m a rock and roller… Midnight stroller…
I stay up real late… Practicing for the next date…
(Monitors, band rehearsal)
You know I really hate… To leave this lovely state…
Laugh-in door 1
You know, if you guys can play a little louder, I wouldn’t have to wash my windows!
Door 2
Yeah, it will sonically vibrate the dirt off!
(Joel and the band saying)
I’m a rock ‘n roller… Midnight stroller… I’m a rock ‘n roller…
Drummer in band
Hey you people, we’re just getting started! Sing it to them Joel!
Joel
Here is one we just put together. I think it’s in the key of E.
There are two pizza delivery boys. They are never seen both at the same time. Pizza boy 1 comes out the front door of the bar/restaurant stage right. He disappears down the street into the alley. At the same time pizza boy 2 comes out the other side stage left to deliver Mr. N.E. Body’s pizza and beer. He pays the delivery boy and opens a new beer, sets the pizza down and the beer on top. Pizza boy 2 returns the same way. Followed up by pizza boy 1 retracing his path back in the front door of the bar/restaurant. Joel starts on the piano and the rest follow. Monitors, bar scenes boys hustling girls.
(The drummer sings)
Playing all day the piano man’s life unselfishly… Place for you the best he can… He’s just got to be entertaining…
(Monitors, dancing, Joel and the band sing)
Playing those songs make you want to dance… The beat and the rhythm all around you… Throw your troubles away… Party down the rest of the day… Life is what you make it… You got a chance you can take it… Stick around and have a good time with us all…
All through the bar people are partying. The whole bar moves as the drummer sings.
The drummer
Your body is swaying now… It’s keeping time… Your ears enjoy the music now… That’s just got to be entertaining…
(Joel in the band sing)
Playing those songs make you want to dance… The beat and the rhythm all around you… Throw your troubles away… Party down the rest of the day… Life is what you make it… You got a chance you can take it… Stick around and have a good time with us all…
Dancers in bar began swinging to the music.
Two construction workers carry pieces of
scaffolding across the stage behind Joel and
in front of the drummer as the drummer sings.
Drummer
Not everyone could be where you’re at…
(Monitors construction workers)
Someone is working hard, breaking his back, entertaining…
(Joel and the band)
Playing those songs make you want to dance… The beat and the rhythm all around… Throw your troubles away… Party down the rest of the day… Life is what you make it… You got a chance you can take it… Stick around and have a good time with us all…
Construction worker 1
But I gotta get back to work!
Construction worker 2
Our boss will kill us if we’re late!
Only band sings
Dance to this rock ‘n roll waltz… Let yourself go free…
(Monitors old-time movies, waltzes)
Dancing ain’t got no faults… It’s just got to be entertaining…
Playing those songs make you want to dance… The beat and the rhythm all around… Throw your troubles away… Party down the rest of the day… Life is what you make it… You got a chance you can take it… Stick around and have a good time with us all…
ACT II
Scene 5
Enter Miss Devil Dead ringer. All eyes are on her.
The band hesitates the rhythm as she walks in the
bar. The bars light man puts the spotlight on her
as she walks up to the stage. She walks up to Joel,
puts her arms around his neck, and kicks over his
microphone. There is distortion, feedback smoke.
Band member
Someone get that gal out here!
(Gal to Joel)
Hey, lets you and me split this place!
One of the bouncer bodyguards pull her off Joel
and he starts to sing. The crowd in the bar reacts
humorously as the bouncer pulls her off. Joel
sings as she is being pulled off.
Get that Gal
Joel
I was playing on a stage in a bar… When this young gal through me for a jar… With arms around my neck, she said…
Monitors show instant replay of when
she attacked Joe moments ago.
(While being escorted to her seat the Gal shouts)
Let’s go raise some heck, honey… And go for a ride in my car
Band member
Someone get that gal out of here!
(Joel sings)
Someone get that gal out of here… If I fell for her, they’d put me away for a year… So someone get that gal out of here…
Now I’m not trying to be a superstar… I don’t even drive a fast car… Believe in what you is, is what you are… Pretending won’t get you very far…
Mr. N.E.Body runs out of beer and
tries to drink from the old can again.
Joel
Now what can a young fella say… When he works so hard for his pay…
Mr. N.E. Body gets up and goes to the refrigerator
and get a beer. He looks at the stale pizza on the
table smells it and puts it back. Then goes back
and sits down. The gal gets up runs towards the
stage and the bouncer makes her go back and
sit down again.
Joel sings
And this girl wants to neck and raise some heck… But it’s time for me to go back and play…
(Gal sneaks up to Joel and whispers in his ear)
Joel sings
Someone get that gal out of here… If I fell for her, they put me away for a year… So someone get that gal out of here…
Now I’m not trying to be a brute… But I’ve already been this here route…
Her husband, she says, is home in bed… And he can’t see straight enough to shoot…
(Gunshot sound effects)
Everybody but Joel sings
Someone get that gal out of here… If he felt for her, they put him away for a year… So someone get that gal out of here…
Joel
Someone get that gal out of here… I thought I made that perfectly clear…
I don’t want to play, and I don’t want to stay… If someone don’t get that gal out of here..
ACT II
Scene 6
As the band sings the last verse and vamps into
the next song, Joel is dragged off outside and we
see car headlights drive off and here squealing
tires. Very shortly we hear them return and the
squeal of the brakes. The two of them return inside
the bar and Joel is disheveled and his shirt is torn.
The gal starts to mingle and flirt.
Band member
Well, what happened to you? Did she attack you?
Joel
No not at all. She is a terrible driver and I ripped my shirt on the seatbelt trying to get out of the car before she took off again. She said we were going for a short drive and that one was not short enough.
Joel asks the band to take it for a while so
he can make a call to Susie Sweetheart. He
goes to the pay phone on the street as the
band vamps.
Joel on the phone
Hello, Mr. Sweetheart? Is Susan there?.. Yeah,.. Yeah… I know I haven’t written, but… But what? Phone number? Okay, 9669… Yeah, okay I got it, by.
(Joel to the audience)
She’s got her own place. That’s neat.
(Joel back on the phone he dials the number and answers)
Hello? Hello? Hello? Smarty? Smarty Martens, is that you? Hello? Hello?
Oh, Susie hello…. Yeah I know…ahh.. Why is smarty Martens at your house at this time of night?
All of Susie’s scene happen stage left,
with her sitting on the couch watching
TV with Smarty Martens while talking to
Joel. Smarty is flirting with her while she
is talking to Joel.
Susie’s voice over the phone
Nothing at all. Smarty just stopped by.
Joel
Say, I told you I would call as soon as I made some steady work. Well, I got some money saved and I bought you plane ticket.
(Joel holds ticket in his hand)
And I’m going to send it to you.
Susie still on the phone shares half her attention
with Smarty Martens. At times she uses the phone
receiver to stop Smarty Martens advancements
while watching television. Paying little attention
to Joel. The bar people are carrying on conversations
. The band starts to play the song, “About you”.
Monitors, Valentine’s Day.
About you
(Joel sings into the phone as the band plays)
If I could write a song for you… I want it to be the best I could do… You’d hear it late night on the radio… It would make you happy… Because it was… It’s about you
Susie seems to be surprised and somewhat
interested as she keeps on listening. Monitors,
scenes of Susie and Joel together earlier in the
performance.
Nothing I could say could describe how I feel about you…
Nothing I could say or do… Could change the way I feel about you…
Monitors, picture of Smarty Martens.
If anyone ever left us alone…
Susie stares at smarty. Susie sets the
phone down and is not listening at all.
I know I would take you home… You and I would begin… To become better friends… Become lovers and then…
Nothing I could say could describe how I feel about you…
Nothing I could say or do… Could change the way I feel, about you…
Susie picks up the receiver and listens
Care ’in, dare ’in, stare’n, and thinking about you
Susie
What? What you say?
Joel
Care ’in, dare ’in, stare’n, and thinking about you.
Susie is now in the spotlight. Joel’s lighting fades
slightly. Susie’s sings back at Joel through the phone
in a very liberating woman’s voice.
Do you still love me
(Susie sings while Smarty keeps pestering her)
Do you still love me?… Love me forever… Whether we are together or all alone… Take me for your own…
(Joel nods his head while listening)
Susie
Love in me I hold for you…
(She rises off the couch and continue singing)
Do you still love me forever?… No matter what the weather… And I’m not around… Can another be found?
(Susie sits back on the couch with smarty)
Do you still love me?… When I’m with another… Whether we are together… Or all alone?… Take me for your own… Love in me I hold for you…
Do you still love me forever?… No matter what the weather… And I’m not around… Can another be found…
(Joel’s lighting is back to normal and he asks)
Joel
Well, when can you leave?
Susie
I don’t think you heard me right, Joel. I’m not leaving here. Now I know that you have been having fun. You always do. Well things have changed now, so I’ll see you later. You’ll will always be like a big brother to me.
(Joel in desperation shouts)
Hold on baby I’m coming back home right now…
(Smarty Martens grabs the phone and shouts)
Oh that’s okay … I’m taking care of her …By now… Don’t bother to call back again!
You hear a click, buzz, as the line goes dead. The scene of Susie and Smarty fades to black. Leaving Joel standing dumbfounded outside the phone booth. The band starts to play the song, “Hold on”. Joel, still holding the phone in disbelief, starts to sing. The choir and the dancers sing in call and response to the words in the song.
Hold on
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
The dancers are all over the set.
Say that you love me… Save for me only… Love me, squeeze me, hug me all night long.
I’ll be your lover… And you will never suffer… If you always take me… Take me, take me, take me a long.
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
Say that you love me… Save for me only… Love me, squeeze me, hug me all night long.
I’ll be your lover… And you will never suffer… If you always take me… Take me, take me, take me a long.
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
Hold on…(hold on)…Hold on…I’m coming, baby, baby hold on
Joel takes out a picture of Susie from his pocket
and looks at it. All the monitors show a picture
of Susie. The bar people are paired off, and started
drifting out of the bar. Leaving the band playing
for just one couple.
Joel speaks lines
When I first met you… I was feeling half past dead…
(He looks at the picture of Susie)
Then I got to know you… And things look good instead… Now you’re gone you left me…
(Lights go up and down on Susie still flirting with Marty)
You heard I am no good… Reputation haunts me… Who do you love?
Monitors show pictures of youths doing foolish things.
I was young and foolish… Everything turned me on…
(Life in the fast Lane)
The good, the bad, the ugly… But love I had none… You came into my life like a warm winter wind…
(Monitors picture of Susie)
You are everything I wanted… All I ever loved… I must believe in karma… What you do is what you get… I never done no harm to you… Leastwise nothing yet…
If you hear the words of lies… And put them over the truth..
Then I release all our ties… And say I never loved… And say I never loved
ACT II
Scene 7
The bandstand has moved to center stage. The
set is a typical rock ‘n roll attitude and seen with
just the band. They start the music introduction
to the song Hurt. Mr. N.E. Body goes and gets
another beer. On his way back he picks up and
smells the same piece of pizza sets it down again
and goes back and sets down. Susie’s picture is
on all the monitors.
Hurt
(Joel sings as he looks at Susie’s picture)
You really know how to hurt a guy… Say that you love him …and tell a lie… When all the time you want ‘a pass it by… Doesn’t even matter if you make him cry…
(Joel walks over to the stage singing)
You know that I feel that I have to say… Wished I would have never ever passed your way…
(Monitors, chorus line)
Allowed myself to be caught that day… On the losing side of the game we played…
I took my chance… I let you dance… Now heads will roll… Bells have told… You Had your last chance…
Band plays an instrumental for the ending of that song.
The whole length of the guitar lead is preformed now.
Band member 1
I hear your high school sweetheart couldn’t wait for your first million, heh Joel?
Band member 2
Yeah, she preferred one boy in the hand over too much in the Bush!
(They both chuckle)
Joel
Yeah, that little girl leaving me just gave me soul. It don’t bother me none. No, not me.
Lonesome Rambler
The band is still playing but more acoustic style of
music for the song Lonesome Rambler. Monitors
show scenes of life on the road again Joel picks up
his guitar and sings.
I know I’m a Rambler… Feel it in my bones… I know if I stop rambling… I’ll lose all I own…
Freedom sweet freedom… So dear to me… I keep my feet moving… Down the road apiece…
(Monitors, scenes of camping out)
I know that I’m hungry… I know that I’m tired… I know it ain’t funny… Do a better job or you’re fired…
Freedom sweet freedom… So dear to me… I keep my feet moving… Down the road apiece…
(Monitors scenes of trucking)
I know that it’s a long road… I know that so well…
(Monitors life on the road)
I know you carry your own load… It’s you, you must sell…
Freedom sweet freedom… So dear to me… I keep my feet moving… Down the road apiece…
The band goes back playing Hurt to finish the song. Mr. N.E. Body orders a pizza from the bar/restaurant of the town anywhere USA. The delivery boy with the pizza comes out of the door the bar/restaurant stage right and disappears around the corner only to come out and approach Mr. N.E. Body’s door. This is accomplished by using the two delivery boy set up as before. Again delivery boy 1 disappears in the alley stage right and delivery boy 2 immediately comes out stage left. Obviously these two delivery boys need to be dressed identical. The pizza is paid for and there is no conversation between the two of them in the Boy goes back the same route to the bar/ restaurant. This is the same act but in reverse between boy 1 and 2. Mr. N.E. Body has another beer and takes a piece of pizza to his chair. All of the food must be fresh and hot so the audience can smell it. This helps get them hungry for the intermission stimulating the sense of smell. The bar is closing so the band huddled around with just acoustic instruments giving it that folk rock feeling and style. Joel sits on a stool with his guitar and sings with the band.
Your very own
Joel
Last night I heard the first signs of winter… Northern Ganders honking southern bound…
It’s getting colder at night, darker earlier… Lonely, feeling hungry, you’re not around…
(Monitors loneliness, bad weather)
Sometimes you know I think and wonder… About what all we had between us to…
But wanting some things to last forever… Is as possible as summer 12 months a year…
It’s going to be cold and lonely this winter… Now that your out having fun…
(Joel pretends to hug someone)
Don’t know how long since you’ve been here… Now that your loving another one…
Mr. N.E. Body is passed out asleep and knocks over his beer.
His TV is off the air showing the black-and-white test pattern.
Talking to you just makes me wonder… Why I really went so far… To believe our love could be so perfect…
(Monitors Smarty Martens picture)
That a best friend couldn’t pull it apart…
A night policeman passes by on the street.
The street is dim except for the streetlights.
(Joel and the dancers sing)
It’s going to be cold and lonely this winter… Now that you’re out having fun…
Don’t know how long since you’ve been here… Now that your loving another one…
(Joel sings by himself)
Now all that I say and could be written… Down on paper into the form of a song…
Even though I sang it real pretty… Wouldn’t change your mind and come to my home…
(Joel and dancers)
It’s going to be cold and lonely this winter… Now that you are out having fun…
Don’t know how long since you’ve been here… Now that your loving another one…
(Mr. N.E. Body snores Joel sings)
But all I can say is I’m truly sorry… I’m trying to make it the best I can… Even though I know you won’t listen… The song I’m singing is your very own…
It’s going to be cold and lonely this winter… Now that you are out having fun…
Don’t know how long since you’ve been here… Now that you’re loving another one…
The lights dim. Only Joel is visible in the closed bar.
He walks over to the piano. Monitors show pics of Susie
Sweetheart. As Joel starts to sing, the drummer is rolled
out along with the bass player. They start to play behind
him at the chorus but the rest of the band is not seen yet,
thus building up to a rock ‘n roll level.He plays a few
chords and sings.
Sassy Little Girl
Joel
I’m all alone, sitting at home… Singing this here song… I’m thinking of you,ahh, what can I do?… Now that you’re gone…Sassy little girl out on the roam…
(Monitors pictures of Susie)
Sassy little girl, won’t you please, please come home?
(Spotlight on Joel)
When she came she said she couldn’t stay.. Like fading rain, she’d done faded away…
Sassy little girl out on the roam… Sassy little girl won’t you please, please come home?
The band plays a lead instrumental.
Joel
Sassy little girl out on the roam… Sassy little girl won’t you please, please come home?
The band breaks up and goes home for the night,
leaving Joel at the piano. The lights dim and Joel
passes out at the piano.
ACT II
Scene 8
The lights dim. It’s a new day in the bar. Mr. N.E. Body’s
alarm rings. He gets up and goes to the bar/restaurant
to clean the mess. We see Joel still sleeping at the piano.
He wakes up and goes to the men’s room to put himself
together. The band enters and start setting up for a
rehearsal. Mary enters with the band. She has her
eyes on Joel from the start.
Band member 1
Hey, Joel has been in a bad way lately.
Other band members
Yeah, yeah, he’s just not with it.
Band member 1
Well tonight we fix that.
(Holding up a ridiculously large pill)
I’m putting one of these in his drink now at rehearsal and by tonight he’ll be back to his old self.
(He calls over to Crystal cocktail waitress)
Hey Crystal, would you bring me a Coke please?
(Crystal brings him a Coke)
Crystal
Here ya go…
Band member 1
Crystal I want you to take Joel something to drink. Here drop one of these aspirins in his Coke. He’ll feel better.
(She takes Joel his Coke)
Crystal
Here ya go Joel…this will realy quench your thirst…you will feel so much better.
(He drinks it all)
Joel
Now I’m ready. Let’s practice. Let’s try that new song. The one that you sing.
(pointing to band member)
I don’t know the parts. I haven’t heard it enough.
Mr. N.E. Body is done working for the day and he goes home. Once there he goes through usual routine. Joel is becoming disoriented and confused. He sits down on a barstool. The band starts warming up. The lighting becomes very psychedelic. Colored shapes are projected around the auditorium. Monitors show scenes of flashing light, color and having a bad trip. Then all monitors show the same universal recognizable red circle with a line through it. Do not do this, is flashed on the screen. All the dancers (evil, dressed in black) are acting out scenes of tempting Joel. They fall to the stage as if dead whenever spiritual scenes are on the monitors. They dance and swirl around him suggesting a drug induced state of mind. All the dancers dressed in white are huddled together discussing what they can do. Mary passes by the bandstand and gets the go-ahead from them to get after Joel. She flirts by Joel and their eyes meet and all stops. Joel who can hardly stand sings like a little boy.
Mary
(All eyes are on Joel as he sings)
Mary, you are so dear to me… All I see that is lovely… Mary my heart bleeds for you… What to do, could I love you too?
Mary, do you hear me now… Am I bothering you… Mary, do not leave me now… Just started talking to you…
I should have said this before…Hope I didn’t wait too long…I’m going to tell you once more… Before I run along…Oh….
Mary, I’d like to call again… Even though just as friends… Mary, never know how this will end… Who knows where it all began…
I should have said this before…Hope I didn’t wait too long…I’m going to tell you once more… Before I run along…Oh….
Heavy psychedelic light show. The dancers are pushing
and pulling on Joel. The band finishes playing the song
Mary. The psychedelic light show increases. Joel appears
to be completely intoxicated. He picks up the empty Coke
glass and smells it.
Joel
What was in this Coke? I don’t smell anything? Hey Crystal what was in that Coke? My head is spinning.
Joel sings to Crystal and she comes over and
teases him. Mary is watching and acts jealous.
Crystal
Crystal you got my head a spinning… I think I’m beginning… To lose my grip on reality… Everything is crystal clear to me.
Crystal clear to see right through you… To see all the good that… Crystal, you said I never would… Everything is crystal clear to me.
Mary comes over by Crystal and pushes her back
out of the way. Then she stands directly in front
of Joel and smiles. Joel sings directly to her.
So far as we go… Were me go, you go… That makes me happy.
Crystal sneaks back up to Joel and scoots Mary
out of the way and also smiles at him. Joel sings
directly to Crystal.
When I look into your eyes… I start to realize… You were too easy to please… Everything is crystal clear to me.
Mary stands back and watches with her arms folded.
Mary looks at Crystal. Crystal looks back at Mary and
then leaves Joel alone and goes back to work. Joel
sings at Crystal as she walks away.
Crystal I could not see more clearly… Come on now can’t you hear me..
Crystal looks back at Joel and winks.
Your eyes tell me you do… And everything is crystal clear to you…
Mary comes over to Joel and he embraces her and sings.
So far as we go… Were me go, you go… That makes me happy.
When I look into your eyes… I start to realize… You were too easy to please… Everything is crystal clear to me.
Joel still embracing Mary looks back at Crystal and sings.
Crystal I can see right through you… Crystal you know I want to be… Crystal clear with you… Everything is crystal clear to me
There are now dancers starting to collect around Joel. Half
of them is dressed in white and half of them is dressed in
black. Joel overwhelmed at this point goes down on his
knees and begins to pray.
Rescue me
(Joel on bar stool in spotlight sings)
I’m lost in an ocean… Throw me a line… Tossed in emotion… A drift in the tide… I’m tired and I’m lonely…
Monitors, icons of the Lord Jesus. All the black dressed
dancers immediately dropped to the stage as if dead.
Hungry for you only… Please rescue me… Rescue me…
Cast away notions… Of reaching your side… Sin is the ocean… Don’t let me die
Mary looks back at the band and winks she gets
encouragement to keep flirting with Joel. She
passes him and pinches him on the shoulder.
I’m tired and I’m lonely… Thirst for you only… Please rescue me… Rescue me
(Heavy light show, psychedelic)
Joel is now unable to perform. Mary comes to his aid and escorts him out of the bar. The evil dancers torment and follow him all the way. They go behind a screen which only shows the shadows of the action between the evil dancers, Mary and Joel. The psychedelic light show continues on through intermission. Mr. N.E. Body’s alarm rings and he gets up and goes to work. The same delivery people come again while he is gone. The mailman, and bill collectors all stuff their bills in his already full mailbox. The 10 Little Indians countdown is back on the monitors. The plant actors move with the audience out of the auditorium into the lobby singing and humming the songs in the play they just heard. The intermission has a spacey psychedelic theme. There is piano jazz improvisation on center stage that breaks at the two-minute warning.
Intermission :
During the intermission, a real show starts everywhere. Joel has been faded out into the darkness. Now in the lobby there are art stands (leather workers, painters, potters, etc.), and food and drinks stands. Ladies are walking around handing out small one bite-size samples. Again whenever the venues are asked is their artwork for sale they will hand out a card that explains that will be done after the final act. There are several policemen in the lobby reinforcing no selling wares at this time. The circus people are acting around everywhere. The plant actors trie to direct attention to each scene. In the auditorium night has come to Any Town USA. Mr. N.E. Body is still passed out in his chair. His TV now comes on with a morning news show. His alarm goes off and he goes to work during intermission as a stand around, not helping so much during intermission. The paperboy comes and puts the newspaper in the mailbox marked N.E. Body. A salesman comes to the door and leaves a note. The mailman comes and leaves bills in the mailbox. Another salesman comes to the door and leaves his card. A bill collector comes in hands his card to the salesman who puts it in with his other cards. There are occasional passersby on the street (cop, streetwalker, bum, etc.). There are cartoons on the monitor screens in the old-style drive-in commercials counting the 10 Little Indians (“only seven more minutes to show time”). The plant actors, and monitor screens inform the audience that the cop goes off duty after the show and they can come back and purchase the items instead of during intermission.