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Italic type indicates spoken lines.
Act II
(The COMPANY enters from all directions and forms a line across the apron of the stage.)
SEASONS OF LOVE
COMPANY
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure -- measure a year?
In daylights -- In sunsets
In midnights -- In cups of coffee
In inches -- In miles
In laughter -- In strife
In -- Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
SOLOIST #1
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
SOLOIST #2
In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she died
ALL
It's time now - to sing out
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
SOLOIST #1
Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Top
HAPPY NEW YEAR
(New Year's Eve. The scene opens on the street outside the apartment. One table, lying on its end, serves as the door.)
MARK (carrying mock door)
Pan to the padlocked door. New Year's Rocking Eve. The breaking-back-into-the-building party...
(ROGER and MIMI try in vain to pry a padlock from the door. They appear to be happy.)
MIMI
How long 'til next year?
ROGER
Three and half minutes...
MIMI
I'm giving up my vices
I'm going back -- back to school
Eviction or not
This week's been so hot
That long as I've got you
I know I'll be cool
I couldn't crack the love code, dear
'Til you made the lock on my heart explode
It's gonna be a happy new year
A happy new year
(MARK enters the scene.)
MARK
Coast is clear
You're supposed to be working
That's for midnight
Where are they?
There isn't much time
MIMI
Maybe they're dressing
I mean what does one wear that's apropos
For a party -- that's also a crime
(MAUREEN enters wearing a skintight "cat burgular" suit and carrying a bag of potato chips.)
MAUREEN
Chips, anyone?
MARK
You can take the girl out of Hicksville
But you can't take the Hicksville out of the girl
MAUREEN
My riot got you on TV
I deserve a royalty
MIMI
Be nice you two
Or no god awful champagne
(MAUREEN takes out a cellular phone and dials.)
MAUREEN
Don't mind if I do
No luck?
ROGER
Bolted plywood, padlocked with a chain
A total dead end
MAUREEN
Just like my ex-girlfriend
(on cellular phone)
Honey...?
I know you're there ...
Please pick up the phone
Are you okay?
It's not funny
It's not fair
How can I atone?
Are you okay?
I lose control
But I can learn to behave
Give me one more chance
Let me be your slave
I'll kiss your Doc Martens
Let me kiss your Doc Martens
Your every wish I will obey
(JOANNE enters)
JOANNE
That might be okay
Down girl
Heel...stay
I did a bit of research
With my friends at legal aid
Technically, you're squatters
There's hope
But just in case
(JOANNE whips out...)
MARK & JOANNE
Rope!
MARK (pointing off)
We can hoist a line --
JOANNE
To the fire escape --
MARK
And tie off at...
MARK & JOANNE
That bench!
MAUREEN
I can't take them as chums
JOANNE
Start hoisting...wench
(All three cross upstage and attempt to throw up the length of rope over a plank. ROGER and MIMI are laughing and holding each other.)
ROGER
I think I should be laughing
Yet I forget
Forget how to begin
I'm feeling something inside
And yet I still can't decide
If I should hide
Or make a wide open grin
Last week I wanted just to disappear
My life was dust
But now it just may be a happy new year
A happy new year
(COLLINS enters with ANGEL. COLLINS, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, carries a bottle of champagne. ANGEL wears a plastic dress and blonde wig: a small blowtorch is slung around his shoulder.)
COLLINS
Bond -- James Bond
ANGEL
And Pussy Galore -- in person
MIMI
Pussy -- you came prepared
ANGEL
I was a boy scout once
And a brownie
'Til some brat got scared
COLLINS (to MIMI)
Aha! Moneypenny -- my martini!
MIMI
Will bad champagne do?
ROGER
That's shaken -- not stirred
COLLINS
Pussy -- the bolts
(COLLINS takes a swig of champagne as ANGEL grabs the blowtorch.)
ANGEL
Just say the word!
(ANGEL turns on the blowtorch.)
MIMI
Two minutes left to execute our plan
COLLINS
Where's everyone else?
ROGER
Playing Spiderman
MARK
Ironic close up: tight
On the phone machine's red light
Once the Boho boys are gone
The power mysteriously comes on
Top
VOICE MAIL #3
(Lights up on MRS. COHEN, who's standing on a chair and holding up a phone.)
MRS. COHEN
Mark, it's the wicked witch of the west
Your mother
Happy new year from Scarsdale
We're all impressed that the riot footage
Made the nightly news
Even your father says Mazeltov
Honey -- call him
Love, Mom
(MRS. COHEN, stepping off the chair, passes the phone to ALEXI DARLING.)
ALEXI DARLING (on the chair)
Mark Cohen
Alexi Darling from Buzzline
MARK
Oh, that show's so sleazy.
ALEXI DARLING
Your footage on the riots: A-one
Feature segment -- network -- dealtime
I'm sending you a contract
Ker-ching ker-ching
Marky give us a call 970-4301
Or at home try 863-6754
Or -- my cell phone at 919-763-0090
Or -- you can e-mail me
At Darling Alexi Newscom dot net
Or -- you can page me at --
(Beeeep!)
Top
HAPPY NEW YEAR B
MAUREEN
I think we need an agent!
MARK
We?
JOANNE
That's selling out
MARK
But it's nice to dream
MAUREEN
Yeah -- it's network TV
And it's all thanks to me
MARK
Somehow I think I smell
The whiff of a scheme
JOANNE
Me too
MAUREEN
We can plan another protest
JOANNE
We?!
MAUREEN
This time you can shoot from the start... (to MARK)
You'll direct (to JOANNE)
Starring me!
(Lights shift back to downstairs.)
ALL
5, 4, 3... Open sesame!!
(The door falls away, revealing MARK, JOANNE, and MAUREEN.)
Happy new year
Happy new year
Happy new...
(BENNY enters.)
BENNY
I see that you've beaten me to the punch
ROGER
How did you know we'd be here?
BENNY
I had a hunch
MARK
You're not mad?
BENNY
I'm here to end this war
It's a shame you went and destroyed the door
MIMI
Why all the sudden the big about face
BENNY
The credit is yours
You made a good case
ROGER
What case?
BENNY
Mimi came to see me
And she had much to say
MIMI
That's not how you put it at all yesterday
BENNY
I couldn't stop thinking about the whole mess
Mark -- you want to get this on film
(MARK picks up his camera.)
MARK
I guess
BENNY (formally)
I regret the unlucky circumstances
Of the past seven days
ROGER
Circumstance? You padlocked our door
BENNY
And it's with great pleasure
On behalf of CyberArts
That I hand you this key
(BENNY hands him the key.)
ANGEL
Golf claps
(They oblige.)
MARK
I have no juice in my battery
BENNY
Reshoot
ROGER
I see -- this is a photo opportunity
MAUREEN
The benevolent God
Ushers the poor artists back to their flat
Were you planning on taking down the barbed wire
From the lot, too?
ROGER
Anything but that!
BENNY
Clearing the lot was a safety concern
We break ground this month
But you can return
MAUREEN
That's why you're here with people you hate
Instead of with Muffy at Muffy's estate
BENNY
I'd honestly rather be with you tonight than in Westport --
ROGER
Spare us old sport, the soundbite
BENNY
Mimi -- since your was are so seductive
MIMI
You came on to me!
BENNY
Persuade him not to be so counterproductive
ROGER
Liar!
BENNY
Why not tell them what you wore to my place?
MIMI
I was on my way to work
BENNY
Black leather and lace!
My desk was a mess
I think I'm still sore
MIMI
Cause I kicked him and told him I wasn't his whore!
BENNY
Does your boyfriend know
Who your last boyfriend was?
ROGER
I'm not her boyfriend
I don't care what she does
ANGEL
People! Is this any way to start a new year?
Have compassion
Benny just lost his cat
BENNY
My dog -- but I appreciate that
ANGEL
My cat had a fall
And I went through hell
BENNY
It's like losing a --
How did you know that she fell?
COLLINS (Hands BENNY a glass of champagne)
Champagne?
BENNY
Don't mind if I do
To dogs!
ALL BUT BENNY
No, Benny -- to you!
ANGEL
Let's make a resolution
MIMI
I'll drink to that
COLLINS
Let's always stay friends
JOANNE
Tho' we may have our disputes
MAUREEN
This family tree's got deep roots
MARK
Friendship is thicker than blood
ROGER
That depends
MIMI
Depends on trust
ROGER
Depends on true devotion
JOANNE
Depends on love
MARK (to ROGER)
Depends on not denying emotion
ROGER
Perhaps
ALL
It's gonna be a happy new year
ROGER
I guess
ALL
It's gonna be a happy new year
ROGER
You're right
(ANGEL brings ROGER and MIMI together. ANGEL and others move away from MIMI and ROGER.)
ANGEL
It's gonna be a happy new year
ROGER & MIMI
I'm sorry
ROGER
Coming?
MIMI
In a minute -- I'm fine -- go
(ROGER kisses MIMI and exits. THE MAN appears.)
THE MAN
Well, well, well. What have we here?
(He walks over to MIMI and holds out a small plastic bag of white powder.)
It's gonna be a happy new year
There, there...etc.
(Fade out.)
Top
TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME (Any location and Joanne's loft)
MARK
Valentine's Day...Pan across the empty lot. Roger's down at Mimi's, where he's been for almost two months now -- although he keeps talking about selling his guitar and heading out of town. (Still jealous of Benny)... God knows where Collins and Angel are...Could be that new Shanty Town near the river or a suite at the Plaza...Maureen and Joanne are rehearsing...
JOANNE
I said once more from the top!
MAUREEN
I said no!
MARK
That is, if they're speaking this week... Me? I'm here. Nowhere.
(Lights up on the scene.)
JOANNE
And the line is "Cyber Arts and its corporate sponsor, Grey Communications, would like to mitigate the Christmas Eve riots..." What is so difficult...?
MAUREEN
It just doesn't roll off my tongue. I like my version.
JOANNE
You -- dressed as a groundhog -- to protest the groundbreaking...
MAUREEN
It's a metaphor!
JOANNE
It's...less than brilliant.
MAUREEN
That's it, Miss Ivy League!
JOANNE
What?
MAUREEN
Ever since New Year's, I haven't said boo. I let you direct, I didn't pierce my nipples because it grossed you out. I didn't stay and dance at the Clit Club that night, 'cause you wanted to go home...
JOANNE
You were flirting with the woman in rubber!
MAUREEN
That's what this is about? There will always be women in rubber flirting with me! Give me a break.
Every single day
I walk down the street
I hear people say,
"Baby's so sweet"
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys - girls
I can't can't help it baby
So be kind
Don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
Take me baby or leave me
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage
Baby - let's have fun!
You are the one I choose
Folks'd kill to fill your shoes
You love the limelight too, baby
So be mine
Or don't waste my time
Cryin' -- "Honeybear -- are you still my baby?"
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
No way -- can I be what I'm not
But hey -- don't you want your girl hot!
Don't fight -- don't lose your head
Cause every night -- who's in your bed?
Who's in your bed, baby?
(Pouts in JOANNE's direction)
Kiss, Pookie.
JOANNE
It won't work
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make lists in my sleep
Baby what's my sin?
Never quit -- I follow through
I hate mess -- but I love you
What to do
With my impromptu baby?
So be wise
This girl satisfies
You've got a prize
But don't compromise
You're one lucky baby
Take me for what I am
MAUREEN
A control freak
JOANNE
Who I was meant to be
MAUREEN
A snob -- yet overattentive
JOANNE
And if you give a damn
MAUREEN
A lovable, droll geek
JOANNE
Take me baby or leave me
MAUREEN
And anal retentive!
BOTH
That's it!
JOANNE
The straw that breaks my back
BOTH
I quit
JOANNE
Unless you take it back
BOTH
Women
MAUREEN
What is it about them?
BOTH
Can't live --
With them --
Or without them!
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
Take me baby
Or leave me
Guess I'm leavin'
I'm gone!
(They both sit.)
Top
SEASONS OF LOVE B
COMPANY
In diapers -- report cards
In spoke wheels -- in speeding tickets
In contracts -- dollars
In funerals -- in births
In -- five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?
Figure in love
Figure in love
Figure in love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Top
WITHOUT YOU (Mimi's Apartment)
(MIMI's apartment. Three beds appear downstage. One, a hospital bed, is occupied by ANGEL. ROGER sits on another, JOANNE on the third. MIMI approaches ROGER, and then appears to be in a hurry.)
ROGER
Where were you?
MIMI
I'm sorry. I'm late...
ROGER (interrupting)
I know. You lost your keys. No, you went for a walk; you had to help your mother. (As he picks up the guitar) And how's Benny? I'm gonna work upstairs tonight.
MIMI
Wait...
I should tell you
I should ...
Never mind...
ROGER
Happy spring
(ROGER exits. MIMI pulls out a just-purchased stash and angrily flings it across the room. As she sings the following, a stylized "musical beds" is choreographed around her; during the bridge of the song, COLLINS carries ANGEL from the hospital bed and ROGER takes his place. By the end of the song, MAUREEN and JOANNE are reunited, as are ROGER and MIMI. COLLINS and ANGEL have lain down together, where ANGEL dies.)
MIMI
Without you
The ground thaws
The rain falls
The grass grows
Without you
The seeds root
The flowers bloom
The children play
The stars gleam
The poets dream
The eagles fly
Without you
The earth turns
The sun burns
But I die
Without you
Without you
The breeze warms
The girl smiles
The cloud moves
Without you
The tides change
The boys run
The oceans crash
The crowds roar
The days soar
The babies cry
Without you
The moon glows
The river flows
But I die
Without you
ROGER
The world revives
MIMI
Colors renew
BOTH
But I know blue
Only blue
Lonely blue
Within me, blue
Without you
MIMI
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
ROGER
Without you
The eyes gaze
The legs walk
The lungs breathe
BOTH
The mind churns
The heart yearns
The tears dry
Without you
Life goes on
But I'm gone
Cause I die
ROGER
Without you
MIMI
Without you
ROGER
Without you
BOTH
Without you
Top
VOICE MAIL #4 (The loft. The phone rings...)
ROGER & MARK'S ANSWERING MACHINE
"Speak" ... ("Beeeep!")
ALEXI DARLING
Mark Cohen
Alexi Darling
Labor Day weekend
In East Hampton
On the beach
Just saw Alec Baldwin
Told him you say hi
Just kidding
We still need directors
You still need money
You know you need money
Pick up the phone
Don't be afraid of ker-ching ker-ching
Marky -- sell us your soul
Just kidding
We're waiting...
Top
CONTACT (Various fantasy bed locales)
(The COMPANY forms two main groups. As the music begins, a group of dancers start a sensual life and death dance, while a group of actors gather around a table centerstage to speak words of passion which punctuate the dancing. Eventually, the actors converge on the table and cover themselves with a white sheet, while moving to the music.)
GROUP A (ROGER, MARK, JOANNE, BENNY)
Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
Please don't stop please
Please don't stop stop
Stop stop stop don't
Please please please please
Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
Sticky-licky-trickle-tickle
Steamy-creamy-stroking-soaking
GROUP B (MIMI, COLLINS, MAUREEN, ANGEL)
Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
COLLINS
Touch!
MAUREEN
Taste!
MIMI
Deep!
COLLINS
Dark!
MAUREEN
Kiss!
COLLINS
Beg!
MIMI
Slap!
MIMI, MAUREEN & COLLINS
Fear!
COLLINS
Thick!
COLLINS, MIMI & MAUREEN
Red, red
Red, red
Red, red -- please
MAUREEN
Harder
ANGEL
Faster
MAUREEN
Wetter
MIMI
Bastard
COLLINS
You whore
MAUREEN
You cannibal!
MIMI & ANGEL
More!
MAUREEN
You animal!
MAUREEN, COLLINS & MIMI
Fluid no fluid no contact yes
No contact
ALL
Fire fire burn--burn yes!
No latex rubber rubber
Fire latex rubber latex bummer
Lover bummer
(The music explodes into a fevered rhythmic heat as ANGEL is revealed in a lone spotlight, dancing wildly.)
ANGEL
Take me
Take me
Today for you
Tomorrow for me
Today me
Tomorrow you
Tomorrow you
Love
you
Love you
I love
You I love
You!
Take me
Take me
I love you
(The music dies as ANGEL vanishes.)
ROGER'S VOICE
Um
JOANNE'S VOICE
Wait
MIMI'S VOICE
Slipped
COLLINS' VOICE
Shit
JOANNE'S VOICE
Ow!
ROGER'S VOICE
Where'd it go?
MIMI'S VOICE
Safe
COLLINS' VOICE
Damn
MAUREEN'S VOICE
I think I missed
Don't get pissed
ALL
It was bad for me -- was it bad for you?
JOANNE
It's over
MAUREEN
It's over
ROGER
It's over
MIMI
It's over
COLLINS
It's over
Top
I'LL COVER YOU (REPRISE) (In a church. ANGEL's memorial.)
MIMI
Angel was one of my closest friends. It's right that it's Halloween, because it was her favorite holiday. I knew we'd hit it off from the moment we met. That skin head was bothering her, and she said she was more of a man than he'd ever be, and more of a woman than he'd ever get...
MARK
...and then there was the time that he walked up to this group of tourists -- and they were petrified, because, A -- they were obviously lost, and B -- they had probably never spoken to a drag queen before in their lives...and he...she just offered to escort them out of Alphabet City, and then she let them take a picture with her, and then she said she'd help 'em find the Circle Line...
MAUREEN
...so much more original then any of us...you'd find an old table cloth on the street and make a dress...and next year, sure enough -- they'd be mass producing them at the Gap! You always said how lucky you were that we were all friends -- but it was us, baby, who were the lucky ones.
COLLINS
Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back
With one thousand kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you
Open your door -- I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there -- I'll cover you
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you were, my love, on life
All my life
I've longed to discover
Something as true
As this is
(The following is sung simultaneously.)
JOANNE & SOLOIST
So with a thousand sweet kisses
I'll cover you with a thousand sweet kisses
I'll cover you with a thousand sweet kisses
I'll cover you iwht a thousand sweet kisses
I'll cover you
COLLINS
If you're cold and you're lonely
You've got one nickel only
When you're worn out and tired
When your heart has expired
COMPANY
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred -- measure a year
Oh lover I'll cover you
Oh lover I'll cover you
COLLINS & COMPANY
Oh lover
I'll cover you
Oh lover
COLLINS
I'll cover you
COMPANY
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand seasons of love
COLLINS
I'll cover you
Top
HALLOWEEN
(Outside of the church. MARK is speaking on the pay phone)
MARK
Hi. It's Mark Cohen. Is Alexi there?...No, don't bother her. Just tell her I'm running a little late for our appointment...Yes, I'm still coming... Yes, I signed the contract... Thanks...
How did we get here?
How the hell...
Pan left -- close on the steeple of the church
How did I get here?
How the hell...
Christmas
Christmas Eve -- last year
How could a night so frozen be so scalding hot?
How can a morning this mild be so raw?
Why are entire years strewn
On the cutting room floor of memory
When single frames from one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up
On the 3D Imax of my mind
That's poetic
That's pathetic
Why did Mimi knock on Roger's door
And Collins choose that phone booth
Back where Angel set up his drums
Why did Maureen's equipment break down
Why am I the witness
And when I capture it on film
Will it mean that it's the end
And I'm alone
Top
GOODBYE LOVE
(The principals emerge from the church.)
MIMI (to ROGER)
It's true you sold your guitar and bought a car?
ROGER
It's true -- I'm leaving now for Santa Fe
It's true you're with this yuppie scum?
BENNY
You said you'd never speak to him again
MIMI
Not now
MAUREEN
Who said that you have any say
In who she says things to at all?
ROGER
Yeah!
JOANNE
Who said that you should
Stick your nose in other people's ...
MAUREEN
Who said I was talking to you?
JOANNE
We used to have this fight each night
MARK
Calm down
JOANNE
She'd never admit I existed
MARK
Everyone please
MIMI
He was the same way -- he was always
"Run away -- hit the road
Don't commit" -- you're full of shit
JOANNE
She's in denial
MIMI
He's in denial
JOANNE
Didn't give an inch
When I gave a mile
MARK
Come on
MIMI
I gave a mile
ROGER
Gave a mile to who?
MARK & BENNY
Come on guys chill!
MIMI & JOANNE
I'd be happy to die for a taste of what Angel had
Someone to live for -- unafraid to say I love you
ROGER
All your words are nice Mimi
But love's not a three way street
You'll never share real love
Until you love yourself -- I should know
COLLINS
You all said you'd be cool today
So please -- for my sake...
I can't believe he's gone
(to ROGER) I can't believe you're going
I can't believe this family must die
Angel helped us believe in love
I can't believe you disagree
ALL
I can't believe this is goodbye
(MAUREEN and JOANNE look at each other.)
MAUREEN
Pookie
JOANNE
Honeybear
MAUREEN
I missed you so much.
JOANNE
I missed you.
MAUREEN
I missed your smell.
JOANNE
I missed your mouth.
Your --
(JOANNE gives MAUREEN a firm kiss on the lips.)
MAUREEN
Ow!
JOANNE
What?
MAUREEN
Nothing, Pookie.
JOANNE
No, baby -- you said ow -- What?
MAUREEN
You bit my tongue.
JOANNE
No, I didn't.
MAUREEN
You did -- I'm bleeding.
JOANNE
No, it isn't.
MAUREEN
I think I should know...
JOANNE
Let me see --
MAUREEN
She doesn't believe me!
JOANNE
I was only trying to...
(They hug & exit. The PASTOR from the church emerges on the above.)
PASTOR
Thomas B. Collins?
COLLINS
Coming.
(The PASTOR exits above and COLLINS exits into the church. BENNY stands off to the side as MIMI approaches ROGER, who turns away. She hesitates before leaving with BENNY.)
MARK
I hear there are great restaurants out west
ROGER
Some of the best. How could she?
MARK
How could you let her go?
ROGER
You just don't know... How could we lose Angel?
MARK
Maybe you'll see why when you stop escaping your pain
At least now if you try -- Angel's death won't be in vain
ROGER
His death is in vain
(MIMI reappears up left, in the shadows. She overhears ROGER and MARK's conversation.)
MARK
Are you insane?
There so much to care about
There's me -- there's Mimi
ROGER
Mimi's got her baggage, too
MARK
So do you
ROGER
Who are you to tell me what I know, what to do
MARK
A friend
ROGER
But who, Mark, are you?
"Mark has got his work"
They say "Mark lives for his work"
And "Mark's in love with his work"
Mark hides in his work
MARK
From what?
ROGER
From facing your failure, facing your loneliness
Facing the fact you live a lie
Yes, you live a lie -- tell you why
You're always preaching not to be numb
When that's how you thrive
You pretend to create and observe
When you really detach from feeling alive
MARK
Perhaps it's because I'm the one of us to survive
ROGER
Poor baby
MARK
Mimi still loves Roger
Is Roger really jealous
Or afraid that Mimi's weak
ROGER
Mimi did look pale
MARK
Mimi's gotten thin
Mimi's running out of time
Roger's running out the door
ROGER
No more! Oh no!
I've gotta go
MARK
Hey, for somebody who's always been let down
Who's heading out of town?
ROGER
For someone who longs for a community of his own,
Who's with his camera, alone?
(ROGER takes a step to go, then stops, turns.)
I'll call
I hate the fall
(ROGER turns to go and sees MIMI.)
ROGER
You heard?
MIMI
Every word
You don't want baggage without lifetime guarantees
You don't want to watch me die
I just came to say
Goodbye, love
Goodbye, love
Came to say goodbye, love, goodbye
MIMI
Just came to say
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
goodbye
ROGER
Glory
One blaze of
Glory
Have to find
(ROGER exits. BENNY returns. MIMI steps away.)
MIMI
Please don't touch me
Understand
I'm scared
I need to go away
MARK
I know a place -- a clinic
BENNY
A rehab?
MIMI
Maybe -- could you?
BENNY
I'll pay
MIMI
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
Came to say goodbye, love, goodbye
Just came to say
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
Hello -- disease
(MIMI runs away. After a moment, COLLINS quicjkly enters, with the PASTOR trailing behind him.)
PASTOR
Off the premises now
We don't give handouts here!
MARK
What happened to "Rest In Peace"?
PASTOR
Off the premises, queer!
COLLINS
That's no way to send a boy to meet his maker!
They had to know we couldn't pay the undertaker.
BENNY
Don't you worry 'bout him. Hey, I'll take care of it!
(The PASTOR acknowledges BENNY and exits.)
MARK
Must be nice to have money.
ALL THREE
No shit!
COLLINS
I think it's only fair to tell you, you just paid for the funeral of the person who killed your dog.
BENNY
I know. I always hated that dog.
Let's pay him off, and then get drunk.
MARK
I can't, I have a meeting.
BENNY & COLLINS
Punk! Let's go.
(COLLINS and BENNY exit.)
Top
WHAT YOU OWN
MARK (imagining)
"Hi. Mark Cohen here for Buzzline. Back to you, Alexi. Coming up next -- vampire welfare queens who are compulsive bowlers." Oh my God, what am I doing?
Don't breathe too deep
Don't think all day
Dive into work
Drive the other way
That drip of hurt
That pint of shame
Goes away
Just play the game
You're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're living in America
Leave your conscience at the tone
And when you're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're what you own
(Lights up on ROGER.)
ROGER
The filmmaker cannot see
MARK
And the songwriter cannot hear
ROGER
Yet I see Mimi everywhere
MARK
Angel's voice is in my ear
ROGER
Just tighten those shoulders
MARK
Just clench your jaw till you frown
ROGER
Just don't let go
BOTH
Or you may drown
You're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're living in America
Where it's like the Twilight Zone
And when you're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're what you own
So I own not a notion
I escape and ape content
I don't own emotion -- I rent
MARK
What was it about that night
ROGER
What was it about that night
BOTH
Connection -- in an isolating age
MARK
For once the shadows gave way to light
ROGER
For once the shadows gave way to light
BOTH
For once I didn't disengage
(MARK goes to the pay phone and dials.)
MARK
Angel -- I hear you -- I hear it
I see it -- I see it
My film!
ROGER
Mimi I see you -- I see it
I hear it -- I hear it
My song!
MARK (on the phone)
Alexi--Mark
Call me a hypocrite
I need to finish my own film
I quit!
ROGER
One song--glory
Mimi
Your eyes...
BOTH
Dying in America
At the end of the millennium
We're dying in America
To come into our own
And when you're dying in America
At the end of the millennium
You're not alone
I'm not alone
I'm not alone
(Blackout.)
Top
VOICE MAIL #5 (Various locations.)
(In blackout, once again the phone rings.)
ROGER & MARK'S ANSWERING MACHINE
"Speak..." (Beeep!)
ROGER'S MOTHER
Roger, this is your mother
Roger, honey, I don't get these postcards
"Moving to Santa Fe"
"Back in New York
Starting a rock band"
Roger, where are you? -- Please call
(The following is sung simultaneously)
MIMI'S MOTHER
Mimi, chica, donde estas?
Tu mama esta llamando
Donde estas Mimi -- Call
MR. JEFFERSON
Kitten -- wherever are you -- Call
MRS. COHEN
Mark -- are you there -- are you there
I don't know if he's there
We're all here wishing you were here too
Where are you Mark are you there are you where are you
Mark -- are you there -- are you there
I don't know if -- Please call your mother
Top
FINALE (The lot and the loft)
ALL SEVEN HOMELESS
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
How time flies
When compassion dies
No stockings
No candy canes
No gingerbread
No safety net
No loose change
No change no
ONE HOMELESS MAN
Santy Claus is coming
ALL
Cause Santy Claus ain't coming
No room at the Holiday Inn -- again
Well, maybe next year
Or -- when
(Lights shift back to the loft. A small projector rests on a milk crate, which is on a dolly.)
MARK
December 24th, ten p.m. Eastern standard time
I can't believe a year went by so fast
Time to see what we have time to see
Turn the projector on
(A rough title credit, "Today 4 U: Proof Positive," appears, followed by a shot from last Christmas of ROGER tuning his guitar.)
MARK
First shot Roger
With the fender guitar he just got out of hock
When he sold the car
That took him away and back
ROGER
I found my song
MARK
He found his song
If he could just find Mimi
ROGER
I tried -- you know I tried
(MARK's image appears on-screen.)
MARK
Fade in on Mark
Who's still in the dark
ROGER
But he's got great footage
MARK
Which he's cut together
ROGER
To screen tonight
(BENNY's image appears on screen.)
MARK
In honor of Benny's wife
ROGER
Muffy
MARK
Alison
Pulling Benny out of the East Village location
(The projector blows a fuse. Blackout.)
ROGER
Then again, maybe we won't screen it tonight.
MARK
I wonder how Alison found out about Mimi?
ROGER
Maybe a little bird told her.
(COLLINS enters in the dark, with several twenty-dollar bills in each hand.)
COLLINS
Or an angel.
(Lights fade up.)
I had a little hunch that you could use a little flow
ROGER
Tutoring again?
COLLINS
Negative
MARK
Back at N.Y.U.?
COLLINS
No, no, no
I rewired the ATM at the food emporium
To provide an honorarium to anyone with the code
ROGER & MARK
The code --
Well...?
COLLINS
A-N-G-E-L
Yet Robin Hooding isn't the solution
The powers that be must be undermined where they dwell
In a small, exclusive gourmet institution
Where we overcharge the wealthy clientele
ALL THREE
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
With a private corner banquette in the back
COLLINS
We'll make it yet, we'll somehow get to Santa Fe
ROGER
But you'd miss New York before you could unpack
ALL
Ohh --
(MAUREEN and JOANNE enter, carrying MIMI.)
MAUREEN
Mark! Roger! Anyone -- help!
MARK
Maureen?
MAUREEN
It's Mimi -- I can't get her up the stairs
ROGER
No!
(They enter the loft.)
MAUREEN
She was huddled in the park in the dark
And she was freezing
And begged to come here
ROGER
Over here
Oh, God --
(They lay her down carefully on the table.)
MIMI
Got a light -- I know you -- you're shivering...
JOANNE
She's been living on the street
ROGER
We need some heat
MIMI
I'm shivering
MARK
We can buy some wood and something to eat
COLLINS
I'm afraid she needs more than heat
MIMI
I heard that
MAUREEN
Collins will call for a doctor, honey
MIMI
Don't waste your money on Mimi, me, me
COLLINS
Hello -- 911?
I'm on hold!
MIMI
Cold...cold... would you light my candle?
ROGER
Yes -- we'll -- oh God -- find a candle
MIMI
I should tell you
I should tell you
ROGER
I should tell you
I should tell you
MIMI
I should tell you
Benny wasn't any --
ROGER
Shhh -- I know
I should tell you why I left
It wasn't cause I didn't --
MIMI
I know
I should tell you
ROGER
I should tell you
MIMI (whispering)
I should tell you
I love you --
(MIMI fades)
ROGER
Who do you think you are?
Leaving me alone with my guitar
Hold on there's something you should hear
It isn't much but it took all year
(MIMI stirs and ROGER begins playing acoustic guitar at her bedside.)
Top
YOUR EYES
ROGER
Your eyes
As we said our goodbyes
Can't get them out of my mind
And I find I can't hide
From your eyes
The ones that took me by surprise
The night you came into my life
Where there's moonlight I see your eyes
(Band takes over)
How'd I let you slip away
When I'm longing so to hold you
Now I'd die for one more day
'Cause there's something I should have told you
Yes there's something I should have told you
When I looked into your eyes
Why does distance make us wise?
You were the song all along
And before this song dies
I should tell you I should tell you
I have always loved you
You can see it in my eyes
(We hear Musetta's Theme, played correctly and passionately. MIMI's head falls to the side and her arm drops limply off the edge of the table.)
Mimi!
Top
FINALE B
(Suddenly, MIMI's hand twitches. Incredibly, she is still alive.)
MIMI
I jumped over the moon!
ROGER
What?
MIMI
A leap of mooooooooooooo --
JOANNE
She's back!
MIMI
I was in a tunnel. Heading for this warm, white light...
MAUREEN
Oh my God!
MIMI
And I swear Angel was there -- and she looked GOOD! And she said, "Turn around, girlfriend, and listen to that boy's song..."
COLLINS
She's drenched
MAUREEN
Her fever's breaking
MARK
There is no future -- there is no past
ROGER
Thank God this moment's not the last
MIMI & ROGER
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
ALL
No other road no other way
No day but today
(As the finale grows, the entire COMPANY makes its way on stage.)
WOMEN
I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
MEN
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
(MARK's film resumes, along with two more films projecting on the back wall, "Scenes from RENT...")
WOMEN
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die
Without you
I die without you
I die without you
I die without you
MEN
There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No day but today
No day but today
No day but today
No day but today
ALL
No day but today
THE END
Back to the Top
All work © Jonathan Larson
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