RENT- Gargoyles style.
Hi all! Well... in an effort to give you some class (wink, wink) Here is my FAVE musical ever, Gargoyles style. Now, some people may not be too happy with is, seeing most of the charcters from RENT have AIDS... well, guess what? DEAL. I hope you enjoy. RENT was written by the late great Jonathan Larson, and although some of the libretto has been *tweaked*, (Angel, a drag queen, being played by Angela, who is a girl) It's all been done in respect and great love for this masterpiece.. Also, becuase of mere length, this will be in four parts, each part divided like the cassette version of the recorded music.
Enjoy! Love-Mara
PS.. I hope to have some pictures for this sooner or later... Be patient, ok? If you make any, feel free to send them to me here.
(Note, the name changes for all you Rentheads is as follows:
Mark Cohen-Lex
Roger Davis-Brooklyn
Tom Collins-Broadway
Benjamin Coffey III-David Xanatos
Allison- Janine Reanard (Foxy)
April-Maggie
Sata-Sata
Angel-Angela)
Lexington toils with his camera, describing the layout of the small East Village loft he shares with his roommate and rookery brother, Brooklyn. "We begin on Christmas Eve with me, Lex, and my roommate, Brooklyn. We live in an industrial loft on the corner of 11th street and Avenue B, the top floor of what was once a music publishing factory. Old rock 'n' roll posters hang on the walls. They have Brooklyn's picture advertising gigs at CBGB's and the Aerie Pyramid Club. We have an illegal wood burning stove; its exhaust pipe crawls up to a skylight. All of our electrical appliances are plugged into one thick extension cord which snakes its way out a window. Outside, a small tent city has sprung up in the lot next to our building. Inside, we are freezing because we have no heat."
He then points the camera to Brooklyn, who is furiously tuning his guitar to no avail. "Smile!"
"December 24, 9:00pm, EST.. from here on end I shoot without a script." Lexington narrates, thinking aloud. "See if anything comes of it; instead of my old shit. First shot: Brooklyn, tuning the fender guitar he hasn't played in a year-"
"This won't tune." Brooklyn mutters half-heartedly.
"So we hear." Lexington smirks from behind the camera, and says in a conspirator's whisper "He's just coming back, from half a year of withdrawal."
"You talking to me?"Brooklyn cuts in, glaring at him threateningly.
"Not at all.."Lex placates with a grin. "Are you ready? Hold that focus steady! Tell the folks at home what your doing, Brooklyn!"
"I'm writing one great song-" Brooklyn is cut off by the ring of the telephone.
"The phone rings!"Lex interjects, narrating again.
"Saved!"Brooklyn mutters under his breath.
Lex states. "We screen. Zoom in on the answering machine."
The machine starts, with Lex and Brooklyn's combined voices: "SPEAK.", then beeps loudly.
Lex's mother can be heard on the other line. "That was a very loud beep. I don't even know if this is working, Lex? Lex, are you there? Are you screening your calls? It's Mom. We just wanted to call and say we love you, and we'll miss you tomorrow. Asrial and the kids are here, send their love-Oh! I hope you like the hot plate. Just don't leave it on, dear, when you leave the house. Oh, and Lex? We're sorry to hear Demona dumped you, I say "C'est La Vie." So let her be a lesbian- there are other fishies in the sea. Love, MOM!"
Lexington rolls his eyes, before beginning to taunt Brooklyn again. "Tell the folks at home, what your doing, Brooklyn!"
"I'm writing one great song-" Once again, Brooklyn is cut off by the telephone.
"The phone rings!" Lex exclaims.
"Yes!" Brookyln sighs, relieved.
"We screen." The combined recorded voices again state. "SPEAK."
"Chesnuts roasting-" A familar voice to them both sings.
Both exclaim, "Broadway!"
Broadway smiles, at the payphones, under the building. "I'm downstairs. Brooklyn picked up the phone?" He asks, hopeful.
"No it's me" Lex says.
Broadway grins, looking up at the loft from the payphone below. "Throw down the key." Lex dangles a spare set of keys out of the window, and drops them, Broadway catches them.
"A wild night is now pre-ordained!" Lex smiles.
Broadway notices two Quarrymen thugs have surrounded him. "I may be detained." The sound of punching is heard and then the line goes dead.
Lex hangs up, hoping that Broadway calls back. As if on cue, the phone rings again. Instead of screening,
he picks it up, concerned for his rookery brother. "What do you mean, detained?"
"Ho, ho, ho." Another familar voice is heard.
Lex's jaw gapes and covers the mouthpiece of the phone, speaking to Brooklyn. "David."
Brooklyn is unimpressed. "Shit.
"Dudes, I'm on my way." David continues.
Lex, trying to be optimistic. "Great."
"Fuck." Brooklyn mutters.
"I need the rent." David finishes, twirling the phone cord around his pinky.
Both gargoyles are stunned.
"What rent?" Lex asks, disbelieving.
Coolly, David answers. "This past year's rent, which I let slide."
"Let 'slide'?" Lex begins to get angry at his former roommate."You said we were golden-"
"-when you bought the building!" Brooklyn finishes for him.
"When we were roommates... " Lex asks, trying to be patient.
"Remember?You lived here!?" Brooklyn says angrily.
"Remember?" David laughs." How could I forget! You, me, Broadway and Demmie- how is the drama queen?"
"She's performing tonight!" Lex says.
"I know, still her production manager?" David asks, a strain of hope in his voice.
"Two days again, I was bumped." Lex sighes.
"You still dating her?" David tries again.
Lex sighes again, rubbing at his temples. "Last month, I was dumped."
Brooklyn comments, smirking. "She's in *love*."
David raises an eyebrow intrigued. "She's got a new man?"
"Well... no." Lex stutters.
David, grinning. "What's his name?"
Both, Brooklyn and Lex. "Margo."
"Rent, my amigos, is due. Or I will have to evict you. Be there is a few." Then, David hangs up. Suddenly, the lights go out in the apartment.
Lex narrates again." The power blows."
LEX
How do you document real life
When real life is getting more
Like fiction each day
Headlines -- bread-lines
Blow my mind
And now this deadline
"Eviction -- or pay"
Rent!
BROOKLYN
How do you write a song
When the chords sound wrong
Though they once sounded right and rare
When the notes are sour
Where is the power
You once had to ignite the air
LEX
And we're hungry and frozen
BROOKLYN
Some life that we've chosen
TOGETHER
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent
Lex holds up a large box of matches. "We light candles." The two huddle around hte illegal wood burning stove, and try to build a fire.
BROOKLYN
How do you start a fire
When there's nothing to burn
And it feels like something's stuck in your flue
LEX
How can you generate heat
When you can't feel your feet
BOTH
And they're turning blue!
LEX
You light up a mean blaze
Brooklyn grabs one of his own posters. "With posters-" Lex grabs old manuscripts. "And screenplays"
BROOKLYN & LEX
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent
Lights go down on the loft and go up on Margo Yale, who's at the pay phone. Speaking into the phone. "Don't screen, Demmie. It's me -- Margo.Your substitute production manager. Hey hey hey!" She pauses. "Did you eat?"
Over the phone, Demona says "I'm so nervous!"
Margo rolls her eyes."Don't change the subject, Demmie"
"I'll be sick if I eat something!" Demona whines into the phone.
"But darling -- " Margo interjects patiently. "You haven't eaten all day."
Over the phone, Demona keeps at it. " But, they'll be so many humans! I may throw up!"
Margo does her best to try to coach Demona,"You won't throw up.You won't throw up."
"How's the digital delay for the protest?" Demona abruptly changes the subject.
Margo blanches."The digital delay --- Didn't blow up (exactly). There may have been one teeny tiny spark."
"I'm calling Lex!" Demona speaks into the phone, "He'll know what to do."
This is the last thing Margo wants. "You're not calling Lex!"
Broadway, leaning against the payphones under the building, badly beaten up by the Quarrymen. "How do you stay on your feet, when on every street it's 'trick or treat'? And tonight it's 'trick'!'Welcome back to town'. Oh, I should lie down. Everything's brown and uh -- oh. I feel sick
Lex, looks out the window trying to find Broadway. "Where is he?"
Broadway moans softly, holding his sotmach, "Gettin' dizzy." He collapses.
LEX & BROOKLYN
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent
Lex and Brooklyn stoke the fire with memorabilla. Crosscut to David's Range Rover. He speaks into a cellular phone. "Jeanine baby -- you sound sad. I don't believe those two after everything I've done. Ever since our wedding I'm dirt -- They'll see, I can help them all out in the long run."
Three locales: Margo at the pay phone, Lex and Brooklyn in their loft, and Broadway on the ground. The following is sung simultaneously.
DAVID
Forces are gathering
Forces are gathering
Can't turn away
Forces are gathering
BROADWAY
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh-- I can't think
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh-- I need a drink
Lex reads from a script page. "The music ignites the night with passionate fire"
MARGO
Demmie -- I'm not a theatre person!
Brooklyn, reading from the same page. "The narration crackles and pops with incendiary wit"
MARGO
Could never be a theatre person
LEX
Zoom in as they burn the past to the ground
Margo realizes she's been cut off "Hello?"
LEX & BROOKLYN
And feel the heat of the future's glow
Margo tries again."Hello?"
The phone rings in the loft. Lex picks it up. "Hello? Demmie?--Your equipment won't work?
Okay, all right, I'll go!"
LEX & HALF THE COMPANY
How do you leave the past behind
When it keeps finding ways to get to your heart
It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out
Till you're torn apart
Rent!
BROOKLYN & OTHER HALF OF COMPANY
How can you connect in an age
Where strangers, landlords, lovers
Your own blood cells betray
ALL
What binds the fabric together
When the raging, shifting winds of change
Keep ripping away
David, coaching himself. "Draw a line in the sand and then make a stand."
"Use your camera to spar!" Brooklyn teases.
Lex counters. "Use your guitar."
ALL
When they act tough - you call their bluff
LEX & BROOKLYN
We're not gonna pay
LEX & BROOKLYN W/HALF THE COMPANY
We're not gonna pay
LEX & BROOKLYN W/OTHER HALF OF COMPANY
We're not gonna pay
ALL
Last year's rent
This year's rent
Next year's rent
Rent rent rent rent rent
We're not gonna pay rent
BROOKLYN & LEX
'Cause everything is rent!
Downstairs, Broadway is nursing his wounds after being mugged for his trenchcoat. He has a busted knee. A young lavender female gargoyle calls to him from a large Christmas tree sculpture that she is sitting on, a plastic pickle tub between her knees, like a drum. "You ok, honey?"
Broadway sighs, shivering a tiny bit from the cold."I'm afraid so."
"They get any money?" She presses, walking closes to him.
"No.. " he shakes his head. "..had none to get. But they purloined my coat... Well you missed a sleave!" Sarcastically he mutters. "Thanks."
The female grins and shrugs. "Hell, it's Christmas eve! I'm Angela."
"Angela?" Broadway repeats, looking her over." Indeed. An angel in the first degree. Friends call me Broadway.. uh.. just Broadway. Nice tree."
Angela smiles and takes his arm. "Let's get a band-aid for your knee. I'll change. There's a Life Suppport meeting at 9:30." As if to answer and unspoken question, charmingly. "Yes, this body provides a comfortable home for the Aquired Immune Defiencency Syndrome."
Broadway perks up. "As does mine."
"We'll get along fine! Get you a coat, have a bite, make a night. I'm flushed!" She smiles again, flirtily.
"But-" Broadway just remembers. "My friends are waiting."
She postively glows. "You're cute when you blush! The more the merri -Ho ho ho. And I do not take 'No.'" The two of them walk away, already half in love.
Back at the loft, Lexington is about to step out. "Where you going?" Brooklyn asks from over his guitar.
"Demona calls."
"You're such a sucker!" Brooklyn remarks to Lex.
Lex ignores the coment. "I don't suppose you'd like to see her show in the lot tonight?" Brooklyn shrugs. "Or come to dinner?"
Brooklyn counters. "Zoom in on my empty wallet."
"Touche. Take your AZT." Lex says softly, speaking to himself as he holds up the camera."Close on Brooklyn. His girlfriend Maggie left a note, saying "WE GOT AIDS." before slitting her wrists in the bathroom." Then, to Brooklyn. "I'll check up on you later - Change your mind. You have to get out of the house."He leaves.
All alone now, Brooklyn strums the strings on the guitar, trying to coach himself. "I'm writing one great song before I." He sits on the edge of the table, playing the guitar, trying to find the words he so desperately needs. The light from the window distorts his shadow, making it loom above him. His voice is soft, but clear.
ONE SONG GLORY
One song
Glory
One song
Before I go
Glory
One song to leave behind
Find one song
One last refrain
Glory
From the pretty boy front man
Who wasted opportunity
One song
He had the world at his feet
Glory
In the eyes of a young girl
A young girl
Find glory
Beyond the cheap colored lights
One song
Before the sun sets
Glory - on another empty life
Time flies - time dies
Glory - One blaze of glory
One blaze of glory - glory
Find
Glory
In a song that rings true
Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame
Find
One song
A song about love
Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find
The one song
Before the virus takes hold
Glory
Like a sunset
One song
To redeem this empty life
Time flies
And then - no need to endure anymore
Time dies
There is a knocking at the door, rather abruptly. "The door." He says obviously and hops off the table to open it. Expecting Lex, he asks coldly "What'd you forget?"
Instead of Lex, however, there is a beautiful jade-colored female gargoyle. "Got a light?" She smiles at him prettily.
His jaw nearly scrapes the floor in surprise. "I know you. You're- you're shivering."
She smiles weakly at him. "It's nothing. They've turned off my heat. And I'm just a little weak on my feet. Would you light my candle?" She notices his blank gaze at her, as he lights the candle and says defensively."What are you staring at?"
"Nothing. "Brooklyn blushes.. then drifts off. "You're hair in the moonlight. You look familliar. Can you make it?" He asks again, slightly concerned as she stumbles against the door.
She waves it off. "Just haven't eaten much today... At least the room stopped spinning anyway." She notices his stare again. "What?!"
"Nothing.. Um, you're smiled reminded me off-"
She smiles, bitterly. "I always remind people of. Who is she?"
"She died." Brookltn says softly. "Her name was Maggie."
"It's out again!" She pouts to him, holding out the extinguished candle. "Sorry 'bout your friend. Would you light my candle?" He lights it and they both linger, shyly. A bit of the wax drips onto her finger. "Ouch!" She hisses.
"Oh.. the wax!" Brookly says, apologetically. "It's..."
"Dripping" The green gargoyle finishes with a sexy grin." I like it between my.."
"Talons! I figured. " Brooklyn would be bright red right now save for his coloring. "Oh well. Goodnight." He sees her out. She blows the lighted candle out halfway down the hall, the returns.
"It blew out again?" Brooklyn asks, expectedly.
"No. I think that I dropped my stash." The girl says, worriedly. She begins a furtive search of the apartment loft.
"I used to see you out and about,, when I used to go out. Your candle's out. "Brooklyn points out. The gargress's mind however, is with her stash.
"I'm illin'. I had it when I walked in the door. It was pure!" She complains, then goes on hands and knees, looking under the table. "Is it on the floor?" Her rear end in right in Brooklyn's view.
"The floor?" Brooklyn asks, eyes widening.
"They say that I have the best ass below 14th Street. " The girl says, noticing his stare. "Is it true?"
"What?"
She pouts, since he hasn't seem to realize she's flirting. "You're staring again."
Brooklyn stutters. "Oh no... I mean- you do. Have a nice...I mean. You look familliar."
"Like your dead girlfriend?" She asks, raising a brow ridge.
He brings a head to his head, and smiles. "Only when you smile, but I'm sure I've seen you somewhere else."
The female puckers her lips thoughtfully. "Do you go to the Kat Scratch Klub? That's where I work-I dance. " She sighs, frustrated and continues to search for her stash. "Help me look?"
"Yes!" He exclaims, finally recognizing her, "They used to tie you up."
She shrugs. "It's a living."
"I didn't recongize you without the handcuffs." Brooklyn grins.
She douses out the candle again and smiles sexily."We could light the candle. Oh won't you light the candle?" Brooklyn lights it again.
"Why don't you forget that stuff? You look like you're sixteen." Brooklyn comments, knowing all to well what it is to be addicted to that stuff.
The girl makes a face."I'm nineteen, but I'm old for my age. I'm just born to be bad" She sways her hips tauntingly.
"I once was born to be bad." Brooklyn reminscies.. introspective. "I used to shiver like that"
"I have no heat - I told you!" she tries to cover up.
He isn't fooled."I used to sweat."
"I got a cold." She rolls her eyes, not believing her own excuses, herself.
Brooklyn crosses his arms over his lean chest. "Uh huh. I used to be a junkie."
She shrugs, not denying it. "But now and then I like to-"
"Uh huh"
"Feel good" She finishes, hugging her elbows.
"Here it - um."Brooklyn stoops and picks up a small object: her stash.
"What's that?" The girl asks, a thread of desperation in her voice.
Brooklyn puts it behind his back and into his pocket."It's a candy bar wrapper."
"We could light the candle.." She purrs. Brooklyn discreetly blows out the candle. "What'd you do with my candle?" They stand together in darkness.
"That was my last match." He says, apologetically.
She smiles."Our eyes'll adjust, thank God for the moon."
"Maybe it's not the moon at all." He says with a straight face. "I hear Spike Lee's shooting down the street."
"Bah humbug ... Bah humbug!" She grins and places her hand under his, pretending to do it by accident.
Brooklyn smiles at her. "Cold hands."
"Yours too." She replies. "Big. Like my father's," Abruptly she asks, swaying her body to some unheard rhythm. "You wanna dance?"
"With you?" he asks, eyes widening slightly.
She smirks. "No -- with my father."
Realizing he hasn't introduced himself to her yet. "I'm Brooklyn"
"They call me... They call me Sata!" They come extremely close to a kiss. Sata reaches into his pocket, nabs the stash, waves it in front of his face, and makes a sexy exit.
Margo's loft. In blackout another phone rings. We see Demona insilhouette."Hi. You've reached Demona and Margo. Leave a message and don't forget"Over the Hunter's Moon" -- My performance, protesting the eviction of the Homeless(and gargoyles) from the Eleventh Street Lot. Tonight at midnight in the lotbetween A and B. Party at Life Cafe to follow." (BEEP)
MR. YALE
Well, Margo -- We're off
I tried you at the office
And they said you're stage managing or something
MRS. YALE
Remind her that those unwed mothers in Brigton.
Need her legal help too
MR. YALE
Call Robyn for our itinerary or Owen at Pound Ridge
Or Brendan at the state department in a pinch
We'll be at the spa for new year's
Unless the senator changes his mind
MRS. YALE
The hearings
MR. YALE
Oh yes Kitten
Mummy's confirmation hearing begins on the tenth
We'll need you alone - by the sixth
MRS. YALE
Harold!
MR. YALE
You hear that?
It's three weeks away
And she's already nervous
MRS. YALE
I am not!
MR. YALE
For Mummy's sake, Kitten
No endangered snake Armanis this time, and wear a dress
Oh, and Kitten -- have a merry
MRS. YALE
And off with that headband!
(Lex and' Brooklyn's loft. Lexington points the camera to broadway, who has just entered."Enter Broadway, culinary genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist, who ran naked through Prince Malcolm's wedding." Broadway carries Angela's pickle tub, now filled with provisions.
LEX & BROADWAY
Bustelo - Marlboro
Banana by the bunch
A box of Captain Crunch will taste so good
BROADWAY
And firewood
LEX
Look - it's Santa Claus
BROADWAY
Are you calling me fat?
BROOKLYN
Oh hi
BROADWAY
'Oh hi' after seven months?
BROOKLYN
Sorry
BROADWAY
This boy could use some Stoli
BROADWAY, LEX & BROOKLYN
Oh holy night
BROOKLYN
You struck gold at MIT?
BROADWAY
They expelled me for my theory of Actual Reality
Which I'll soon impart
To the couch potatoes at New York University
Still haven't left the house?
BROOKLYN
I was waiting for you, don't you know?
BROADWAY
Well, tonight's the night
Come to the Life Cafe after Demmie's show
BROOKLYN
No flow
BROADWAY
Gentlemen, our benefactor on this Christmas Eve
Whose charity is only matched by talent, I believe
A new member of the Alphabet City avant-garde
Angela Destine-Wyvern!
(Angela sashays in. She's gorgeously done up in a Santa outfit, with a fan of
twenty-dollar bills in each hand)
ANGELA
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me
BROADWAY
And you should hear her beat!
LEX
You earned this on the street?
ANGELA
It was my lucky night today on Avenue A
When a lady in a limousine drove my way
She said, "Dahling be a dear haven't slept in a year
I need your help to make my neighbor's yappy dog disappear"
"This Akita-Evita just won't shut up
I believe if you play non-stop that pup
Will breathe its very last high-strung breath
I'm certain that cur will bark itself to death"
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me
We agreed on a fee - A thousand dollar guarantee
Tax-free - and a bonus if I trim her tree
Now who could foretell that it would go so well
But sure as I am here that dog is now in doggy hell
After an hour - Evita - in all her glory
On the window ledge of that 23rd story
Like Thelma & Louise did when they got the blues
Swan dove into the courtyard of the Gracie Mews
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me"
Angela does a fabulous drum and dance solo.
"Then back to the street where I met my sweet
Where he was moaning and groaning on the cold concrete
The nurse took him home for some mercurochrome
And I dressed his wounds and got him back on his feet
Sing it!
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me
Today for you - tomorrow for me
David walks up to the building, first shooing away a homeless person from his Range Rover. "Joy to the world .Hey, you bum! Yeah, you, move over. Get your ass off that range rover."
Lexington sighs and protests to David. "That attitude toward the homeless is just what Demona is protesting tonight." Holds camera up to David. "Close up: David Xanatos, our ex-roommate who married JanineRenaurd, of the Westport Renaurds - then bought the building and the lot next door from his father-in-law in hopes of starting a cyber studio, gaining immortality and taking over the world. Not neccessarily in that order."
DAVID
Demmie is protesting
Losing her performance space
Not my attitude
BROOKLYN
What happened to David
What happened to his heart
And the ideals he once pursued?
David presses his case. "The owner of that lot next door has a right to do with it as he pleases."
"Happy birthday, Jesus!" Broadway mutters sarcastically.
"The rent." David reminds them, holding out his palm to Lex.
Lex says, annoyed. "You're wasting your time"
"We're broke!" Brooklyn says
Lex finishes Brooklyn's thought. "And you broke your word - this is absurd."
David strokes his chin thoughtfully."There is one way you won't have to pay."
"I knew it!" Brookyln says, eyes lighting up whitely.
"Next door, the home of Xanacorps, you see...And now that the block is re-zoned
Our dream can become a reality." He smiles to both of them.
DAVID
You'll see boys
You'll see boys
A state of the art, digital, virtual interactive studio
I'll forego your rent and on paper guarantee
That you can stay here for free
If you do me one small favor
"What?" Lex cuts in, unable to believe he's hearing this.
David smiles cockily. "Convince Demona to cancel her protest."
Lex rolls his eyes, knowing how difficult that would be, moral apprehensions aside. "Why not just get an injunction or call the cops?"
"I did, and they're on stand by." David grins, being one to not take any chance. "But my investors would rather I handle this quietly."
Brooklyn cries out."You can't quietly wipe out an entire tent city
Then watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' on TV!"
David fixes the cuffs on her shirt, as if he's heard that one before. "You want to produce films and write songs? You need somewhere to do it!It's what we used to dream about.Think twice before you pooh-pooh it."
DAVID
You'll see boys
You'll see boys
You'll see - the beauty of a studio
That lets us do our work and get paid
With condos on the top
Whose rent keeps open our shop
Just stop the protest
And you'll have it made
You'll see -
or you'll pack" he finishes, and leaves.
Angela makes a face, holding onto Broadway's arm. "That boy could use some prozac."
Brooklyn says, disgusted. "Or heavy drugs."
Lex, still trying to be optimistic. "Or group hugs."
"Which reminds me," Broadway says, looking at the smiling Angela. "We have a detour to make tonight. Anyone who wants to can come along" he says, glancing at Brooklyn meaningfully.
Angela nods. "Life support's a group for people coping with life... You don't have to stay too long."
Lex nods that he'll go. "First I've got a protest to save."
Angela looks to the red beaked gargoyle. "Brooklyn?"
"I'm not much company you'll find." He answers, testily.
Lex makes a face."Behave."
Angela smiles, giving him the benefit of the doubt. "He'll catch up later - He's just go other things on his mind.You'll see boys"
Lex and Broadway take up the tune, making fun of David's earlier words. "We'll see boys."
Brooklyn, a bit depressed. "Let it be boys!"
Broadway, gesture to Brooklyn, smiling at Angela."Just like boys.."
Angela flirts. "Boys like me."
All sing together. "We'll see."
The lot. Margo is reexamining the cable connections for the umpteenth time.Lex narrates again, sighing. "And so into the abyss...The lot. Where a small stage is partially set up."
Margo is playing with some wires, trying to get the contraption to work. "Line in... I went to Harvard for this?"
Lex narrates again. "Close on Lex's nose dive."
"Line out..." Margo says, shivering a bit from the cold.
Lex says dramatically, nervous about meeting his ex's new girlfriend. "Will he get out of here alive...?"
Margo notices Lex approaching. "Lex?"
"Hi." He says, smiling lamely.
Margo, still facing the equipment. "I told her not to call you."
"That's Demona." Lex shrugs. "But can I help since I'm here?"
Very coldy, Margo replies. "I hired an engineer."
"Great!" he sighs a breath of relief, off the hook. "Well, nice to have met-"
"Wait!" She gives a nervous giggle. "She's three hours late. The samples won't delay, but the cable."
Completely used to that situation from his previous stint as Demona's stage manager. "There's another way. " he hands her the mike. "Say something - anything."
"Test - one, two three" Margo,into the mike.
Lex makes a face. "Anything but that."
MARGO
This is weird
LEX
It's weird
MARGO
Very weird
LEX
Fuckin' weird
MARGO
I'm so mad
That I don't know what to do
Fighting with microphones
Freezing down to my bones
And to top it all off
I'm with you
LEX
Feel like going insane?
Got a fire in your brain?
And you're thinking of drinking gasoline?
Margo nodding. "As a matter of fact."
Lex grins. "Honey, I know this act. It's called the 'Tango Demmie'"
LEX
The Tango Demmie
It's a dark, dizzy merry-go-round
As she keeps you dangling
Margo gasps. "You're wrong!'
LEX
Your heart she is mangling
"It's different with me." She protests.
LEX
And you toss and you turn
'Cause her cold eyes can burn
Yet you yearn and you churn and rebound
She pauses, thinking. "I think I know what you mean."
BOTH
The Tango Demmie
"Has she ever pouted her lips and called you 'Pookie'?" Lex asks, exchanging notes with her about Demona's behavior.
Margo smiles at the absurdity of it. "Never."
"Have you ever doubted a kiss or two?" he presses.
Mrgo blanches. "This is spooky. Did you swoon when she walked through the door?"
"Every time - so be cautious" Lex answers.
Margo asking again. "Did she moon over other gargs?"
Lex rolls his eyes, thinking about Goliath and Thailog... and Brooklyn that one time... and lord knows who else. "More than moon."
She makes a face, Demona being the first gargoyle she ever considered attractive, and only because she's human druing the day. "I'm getting nauseous." They begin to dance, with Lex leading.
"Where'd you learn to tango?" he asks.
"With the French Ambassador's daughter in her dorm room at Miss Porter's.And you?"
Lex shrugs. "With Delilah. The Mutate's adopted daughter at the Abandoned Cyberbotics
Reasearch Facility." They switch, and Margo leads. "It's hard to do this backwards"
"You should try it in heels!" Margo laughs, stamping her foot empathetically. They go back to talking about Demona. "She cheated?"
Lex nods. "She cheated."
Margo sighs. "Demmie cheated."
"Fuckin' cheated." He repeats, a bit angerily, remembering.
"I'm defeated,I should give up right now" She says, hanging her head.
Lex shrugs. "Gotta look on the bright side with all of your might."
Margo nods slowly. "I'd fall for her still anyhow."
BOTH
When you're dancing her dance
You don't stand a chance
Her grip of romance
Make you fall
"So you think, 'Might as well'" Lex says.
Margo finishes, "Dance a tango to hell."
BOTH
At least I'll have tangoed at all
The Tango Demmie
Gotta dance till your diva is through
You pretend to believe her
Cause in the end you can't leave her
But the end it will come
Still you have to play dumb
Till you're glum and you bum
And turn blue
Margo grins. "Like she is!"
"Why do we love when she's mean?" he asks dramatically.
Margo sighs, rolling her eyes, thinking about Demona. "And she can be so obscene."
Lex hold the mike out to her. "Try the mike!"
Margo speaks into the mike."My Demmie ( me, me, me...)"
Lex grins. "Patched!"
She sighs, nodding. "Thanks." She says, gratefully.
"You know I feel great now!" He smiles, realizing he's better off without Demona.
Margo, sighs, stuck and in love with her. "I feel lousy." The pay phone rings. Lex hands it to Margo. "Honey, we're... Pookie?! You never call me Pookie... Forget it, we're patched."She hangs up, looks at Lex.
BOTH
The Tango Demmiee
Angela and Broadway attend an AIDS Life Support group. Hudson, the
support leader, sits on the downstage railing above. Jason, one of
the members of the group, is standing downstage left, facing the
audience. As the members enter, they introduce themselves and form a
semicircle.
JON
Jon
GOLIATH
Goliath
VINNIE
Vinnie
JASON
Jason
BETH
Beth.
ANGELA
Hi, I'm Angela
BROADWAY
Broadway. I'm Broadway
HUDSON
I'm Hudson. Let's begin
ALL
There's only us
There's only this..
Lex blusters in noisily.
LEX
Sorry ... Excuse me ... oops
HUDSON
And ye are?
LEX
Oh - I'm not
I'm just here to
I don't have
I'm here with
Um - Lex
Lex - I'm Lex
Well - this is quite an operation
HUDSON
Sit down Lad
We'll continue the affirmation
ALL
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
JASON
Excuse me Hudson - I'm having a problem with this
This credo - My T-cells are low
I regret that news, okay?
HUDSON
Alright
But Jason - How do you feel today?
JASON
What do you mean?
HUDSON
How do you feel today?
JASON
Okay
HUDSON
Is that all, Lad?
JASON
Best I've felt all year
HUDSON
Then why choose fear?
JASON
I'm an Ex-Hunter.
Fear's my life
Look - I find some of what you teach suspect
Because I'm used to relying on intellect
But I try to open up to what I don't know
JASON & BROOKLYN (who sings from his loft)
Because reason says I should have died
Three years ago
ALL
No other road
No other way
No day but today
Sata's apartment, she dresses up, getting ready to go out. She sings to herself, dancing wildly out of hte apartment and up the stairs, towards Lex and Brooklyn's loft.
SATA
What's the time?
Well it's gotta be close to midnight
My body's talking to me
It says, Time for danger
It says I wanna commit a crime
Wanna be the cause of a fight
Wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt
With a stranger
I've had a knack from way back
At breaking the rules once I learn the games
Get up - life's too quick
I know someplace sick
Where this chick'll dance in the flames
She runs her hands down her sides, the mimes the gesture for cash with her hands.
We don't need any money
I always get in for free
You can get in too
If you get in with me
Let's go out tonight
I have to go out tonight
You wanna play?
Let's run away
We won't be back before it's Christmas day
Take me out tonight (meow)
She laughs.
When I get a wink from the doorman
Do you know how lucky you'll be?
That you're on line with the feline of Avenue B
Let's go out tonight
I have to go out tonight
You wanna prowl
Be my night owl?
Well take my hand we're gonna howl
Out tonight
A little introspective, she continues singing.. in a softer, sader tone.
In the evening I've got to roam
Can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome
Feels too damn much like home
When the Asian hatchlings cry
She recollects her thoughts, then says determinely
So let's find a bar
So dark we forget who we are
And all the scars from the
Nevers and maybes die
Let's go out tonight
Have to go out tonight
thinking of Brooklyn
You're sweet
Wanna hit the street?
Wanna wail at the moon like a cat in heat?
Just take me out tonight
Sata makes her way to Brooklyn's door and ends the song in front of
him.
Please take me out tonight
Don't forsake me - out tonight
I'll let you make me - out tonight
Tonight - tonight - tonight
The loft - Sata plants a huge kiss on Brooklyn, who recoils."Who do you think you are?
Barging in on me and my guitar. Little girl, hey!The door is that way!You better go you knowthe fire's out anyway.Take your powder take your candle, your sweet whisper I just can't handle.Well take your hair in the moonlight. Your almond eyes goodbye, goodnight!" A bit sadly he says."I should tell you I should tell you I should tell you I should- " He says suddenly angry," no!
BROOKLYN
Another time another place
Our temperature would climb
There'd be a long embrace
We'd do another dance
It'd be another play
Looking for romance?
Come back another day
Another day
Sata, touching his arm, sadness and love plainly visible in her eyes. "The heart may freeze or it can burn. " She speaks meanigfully to him. "The pain will ease if I can learn...There is no future.There is no past." Passionately, she cries out. "I live this moment as my last!"
SATA
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
Brooklyn raises an eyeridge at her. "Excuse me if I'm off track... but if you're so wise then tell me why do you need smack? Take your needle-Take your fancy prayer.And don't forget get the moonlight out of your hair! " He stares at her, saying with bittersweet emotion. "Long ago you might've lit up my heart-But the fire's dead ain't never ever gonna start."
BROOKLYN
Another time another place
The words would only rhyme
We'd be in outer space
It'd be another song
We'd sing another way
You wanna prove me wrong?
Come back another day
Another day
Sata, miserably. "There's only yes; Only tonight.We must let go to know what's right."
SATA
No other course
No other way
No day but today
Lights slowly fade up on the Life Support group.
SATA & OTHERS BROOKLYN (echoes their singing)
I can't control Control your temper
My destiny She doesn't see
I trust my soul Who says that there's a soul?
My only goal is just
To be Just let me be
There's only now Who do you think you are?
There's only here Barging in on me and my guitar
Give in to love
Or live in fear Little girl, hey
No other path The door is that way
No other way The fire's out anyway
No day but today Take your powder, Take your candle
No day but today Take your black eyes, your pretty smile, your
Silouhette
No day but today Another time, another place
No day but today Another rhyme, a warm embrace
No day but today Another dance, another way
No day but today Another chance, another day
No day but today
Sata and the Life Support group members exit. One person, Goliath remains. Slowly his concerned are voiced be the rest of the Company. They sing in round robin style.
GOLIATH
Will I lose my dignity
Will someone care
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
GROUP #1
Will I lose my dignity
Will someone care
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
GROUP #2
Will I lose my dignity
Will someone care
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
GROUP #3
Will I lose my dignity
Will someone care
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
GROUP #4
Will I lose my dignity
Will someone care
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
Brooklyn puts on his leather jacket and finally exists the loft.
