Tism - 2Pot Screama –A Rock Opera In One Act lyrics

Scene One 1. Recitative and Chorus [Suburban living room, Friday night. Father and son sit on couch, watching television. Theme from The 7:30 Report is heard in background.] Father: Brendan, turn it up will you? Kerry O'Brian's got Reith on Brendan: Dad, can't we watch Third Rock Fro- Father: Turn it up Brendan [muttered]: Jesus... [Sound from television increases in volume.] O'Brian: Mr. Reith, if what you say is true, does it not directly contradict your statement of yesterday? Reith: Kerry, circumstances change. The government is adopting a flexible policy. Given the parameters of the figures, even our opponents would agree with me that our actions are appropriate... [Reith's voice continues. Over the top of the television Brendan speaks.] Brendan: Dad, can't we turn it over to- Father: Brendan, shut it. Christ, I hate this Reith guy [Reith's voice has not stopped.] Reith: ...within the constraints of our legitimate concerns. 58% is not a bad return – it's better than our opponents managed in their ten years in government. Thirty-seven thousand million dollars have been generated. The worker, the battler, is the person who benefits. People should listen. Even teenagers benefit. Even little fifteen year old boys should listen. Even if they're bored on a Friday night, watching the 7:30 Report. Even you, Brendan! [Suddenly, thunder and lightening is heard. Apocalyptic confusion reigns – sound of cannon, horsemen galloping, swords clashing. Reith's voice rises to a hideous pitch.] Reith: Are you listening, Brendan? I'm coming for you, Brendan. I'm coming for you [Reith's demonic laughter resonates, then:] Reith: Come, my devils, come! Sing, my evil choir! Tell this heinous boy who I am! Reith's Devil Choir: We thought tax scams were devious; We thought free beer was cheap; We thought Nine's news egregious; We thought it's sheep that bleat; We thought that school yard bullies all Get smacked right in the teeth; We thought on talk back minds were small – Then we met Peter Reith Reith Reith Peter Reith Reith Reith Peter Reith We thought snide supercilious Salesmen knocked at your door; We thought it made us bilious To cast blame on the poor; We thought being a bovver boy Was Mike Munro's set piece; Root can*l work would annoy – Then we met Peter Reith We thought agnostics believed in naught; We thought that toddlers whimper; We thought the bad guys all got caught; We thought that soap stars simper; We thought that oil could be slick; We thought Satan was chief; We thought that we were vicious pricks – Then we met Peter Reith [Reith's demonic laugh rings out again.] Reith: I thought Kim Beazley's arse was toast; I thought the unions yellow; I don't know who I hate the most: Peter or Tim Costello; I thought that both of them should be Zapped with electric shock I thought I'm just one big softie – Then I saw Brendan's co*k Reith's Devil Choir: Soft, soft, Brendan's co*k Soft, soft, Brendan's co*k Reith: What light in yonder window breaks? It is Stephanie aloft – But Brendan ain't got what it takes: Let me quote the Bard: he's "soft" I thought Neil Blewitt's the one bent; I thought Dubai a bungle; I thought we'd solved unemployment – Then I saw Brendan's mongrel Reith's Devil Choir: Soft, soft, Brendan's co*k Soft, soft, Brendan's co*k 2. Recitative, Solo and Recitative Brendan: Why do you torment me so? Reith: Look at yourself: sitting there watching the 7:30 Report with your dad. That's f**ing pathetic, man Brendan: But I didn't want to watch it Reith: Yeah – Third Rock from the Sun. That's what you wanted. Third Rock from the f**ing Sun! What next? You gonna really go wild and watch Burke's Backyard? f** me, man, that's rad. That's sick. That's mad Brendan: But- Reith: The Nanny? You gonna watch The Nanny? You should, mate, cos you need one Brendan: In the middle of the Gibson the spinifex is sparse – You're standing in the bu*tcrack of Satan's lonely arse – There's zero life on Venus, and on Mars it's pretty sh**e: But for true desolation, try my place on Friday night Wall to wall f** all You can only play Nintendo for a few days in a row Before you start to wonder where non-virtual people go: There's parties and there's discos, there's wickedness and sin – What's happenin' at my place now they wouldn't let me in? My dad, he's watchin' telly; my mum, she's washing up – I told them both it's stereotyped, they told me to shut up It's 7:38 precisely – oh, it's just gone 39; Soon it'll be 7:40 – know what happens at that time? Reith: I can help you, Brendan. I will send you one who will show you how to get out of this hell. They call him [dramatic pause] 2Pot Screama Brendan: When do I meet this 2Pot Screama? Reith: He will be sent. [Reith's voice loses its demonic reverb.] As I was saying, Kerry – and I wish you'd listen to me – when the figures are seasonally adjusted it shows conclusively that in terms of performance based contracts there is little or no evidence that what the Opposition is saying is correct; indeed, even our opponents would concede that.... [Reith's voice fades to background.] Father: Brendan? Brendan?! Wake up, kid. Turn this crap over, will you. I wanna watch Burke's Backyard Brendan: Wha-? Father: World of his own. Channel 9. I'm sick of Reith. He's full of it. Son, I don't want you ever believing anything that man tells you Brendan: No, Dad Scene Two 1. Recitative and Solo [Secondary school cla**room. Very noisy – students laughing and shouting. Teacher is struggling to gain order.] Teacher: Jason! Jason! I've asked you once. Jason! Sit! Jason: Ya-mum Teacher: What? Jason: Ya-mum Teacher: Just find a seat Girl: Sir, you said we'd have the test today. I studied last night Teacher: Yes, Stephanie. I know. If people would just- Jason! Sit! Jason: Ya-mum Teacher: Here's the test question: "Macbeth's downfall is due to his own evil, not the witches." Jason: f** ya mum Teacher: What did you sa- Jason: O teacher it's recess; the bell went; it's later! I've got to go see the co-ordinator; My pumper is broken, with asthma I'll seize; O teacher O teacher, I'm unable to breathe – Can I get out of cla** please? The speaker just called me up to the Head; My parents have split up; my dog, he is dead; To Mecca I must pray; my toes, they will freeze; The law says you must, it's one hundred degrees – Can I get out of cla** please? I've a doctor's appointment; I've landed a job; I've contracted cancer; I've a bank to rob; Famine, war, hunger; pestilence, disease Will devour the world lest you hear my pleas – Can I get out of cla** please? [Music continues under following dialogue.] Teacher: Yeah, well, it'll get you out of here I suppose Jason: Brendan wants to come to Brendan: Wha-? Jason: Shut up! Sir, can Brendan come? Teacher: Go, the both of you [Jason resumes song:] Jason: O teacher, I thank you; I'll be back so quick: You're a good man, and trusting, and kind to the sick [sotto voce] We're off to the dunnys, you witless s**-arh – We're smoking a joint, then spraying your car [Noise of cla** recedes. Sound of match scratching, and cigarette being lit.] 2. Recitative and Solo Jason: Want one Brendan? Brendan: Nah... Jason: C'mon. We're in the dunnies. No one's gonna see Brendan: sh** man, are you really gonna spray his car? Like, are you a member of a gang or something? Are you like those hedge-burner guys? Jason: Hedge burners are all just some private school poofs Who're pretending they won't go to uni: If they're outlaws, that makes Mariah Carey Bi-afran cos her waistline is puny Most homies are jerks; shoplifters are turds; I'm sick of the half wrecked train carriage A rich boy who gets a tram to his school Did to protest his mother's new marriage You can bullsh** the skaters; arsewhip the Goths; In punk gangs they talk about clothes; But wog-boys or Turkish, weapons or not There's one thing that all of them knows: Don't muck with the Springy Nips The Nips, they aren't jokin' – they're fresh off the boat And there's no way that they're goin' back: These boys are the sons of the army that once Kicked the white devils out of Núi Dat Don't muck with the Springy Nips Their future is rotten, their present is worse Their past is what makes them such f**ers: Try reason; bring chains; pack knives; release dogs – You don't argue with flying nun-chuckers Don't muck with the Springy Nips 3. Recitative Brendan [in awe]: You hang with the Springy Nips? Jason: Well, I'm not a Kambrook, so I can't be officially part of em. But, yeah, we hang Brendan: Man, I heard that they have all this Asian sh**, so when they fight they do all that kick-boxing. They can break your jaw with just their toes alone Jason: That's it, man. [Jason speaks in ridiculously false Asian language:] Xing sou phat nui zong bui! Brendan: sh**! What's that sh**? Jason: It means: "d**h from the Dragon to all who betray." Never betray the Nips, man. Never. I never will. I know what's coming to me if I do Brendan: f** Jason: You wanna do this car? Got a can right here. Let's go [Sound of shaking spray can. Sound of spraying.] Brendan: What's that, man? Jason: That's my tag, man Brendan: What's it say? [reading, trying to make out the words] Trollop Weenie? Jason: f** you Brendan: Sorry, man. It says... Spot the Weiner? Jason: sh**, man. 2Pot Screama. That's who I am – 2Pot Screama Brendan: f** Scene Three 1. Recitative and Solo [Party noises. Techno music.] Brendan [shouting over music]: Great party, Stephanie Stephanie: Thanks Brendan. My mum and dad have gone for some conference for doctors or something Brendan: Yeah. [struggling for words.] Great. [pause] Great party! [Long awkward pause.] Stephanie: Look, I'm just gonna get myself another Kahluha and milk Brendan: Some people, they get legionnaires From cooling tower stacks; Some will suffer running sores And psoriasis attacks; There's hepatitis A thru C; The blind; the lame; the deaf – All of those mean naught to me Cos I've got golden Steph For who could once see Stephanie And want inoculation? Meningococcal viruses Are lesser inflammations: All parts of her in prefect poise – Her lips! Her hair! Her breath! – Tis they the epidemic spread Cos I've got golden Steph And yet I fear another boy Has a more deadly case: Let me be taken, O cruel God In that person's place – The pain of no recovery Is one I will endure: For Stephanie my illness is And Stephanie the cure 2. Recitative and Chorus [Back to party sound f/x, with techno beat going.] 2Pot Screama: Yo, Brendan man Brendan: 2Pot! What are you doing here? I thought this'd be too stiff for you. Stephanie's a pretty straight chick 2Pot Screama: You don't know sh** man, do you Brendan: What? 2Pot Screama: She's my girl, man Brendan: Stephanie! 2Pot Screama: These straight chicks, dude. They love it rough Stephanie: 2Pot! 2Pot Screama: Hey, Steph. Let's go. Make like the drunk chick in the anti-alcohol ad [Sound of techno music gets louder. Party is getting more frenetic. More yelling and laughing. Then, still over the sound of techno, there is screaming and things smashing. Chorus, over the techno music, which doesn't change:] Party goers: It ain't our place; We're off our face In any case: Let's smash the joint Her folks away So who's to say That we should pay? Let's smash the joint Monday at school We'll be so cool: Man, piss ups rule! Let's smash the joint It's not quite clear: Are the Nips here? We're full of beer – Let's smash the joint [Confusion continues. Sounds of techo music, bottles smashing, people yelling, laughter, etc. Voices can be heard in the background: "It's the Nips!" "The Springy Nips are here!" "The Nips! The Nips!" Over the top of it all is the demonic, reverberating laughter of Reith.] Reith: Yes, yes, you fools! All act like ghouls! And, O, what tools Ye mortals be! Stephanie: When my folks see This anarchy They'll murder me! I'll call the cops! Brendan: Where are the Nips? I think that it's Just drunken sh**s Stop them, 2Pot! 2Pot Screama: The phone's up stairs – You go call there Someone who cares: Let's smash the joint! [Confusion and anarchy. Reith's laugher rings out. End with cop siren wailing.] Scene Four 1. Recitative and Solo Adult voice [stern]: The principal is interviewing your parents right now, Brendan. You and Jason sit there until they are ready Brendan [whispered]: sh**, 2Pot. What are we here for? 2Pot Screama: The car Brendan: f**. How'd they know it was us? 2Pot Screama: They don't. They're just guessing cos we were out of cla** at the time. Relax Brendan: Relax! My f**ing folks are in there. They'll call yours, too. We're f**ing dead 2Pot Screama: Yeah, right. Let me tell you something, homie... So you think your Dad is a knob? Next to mine, he's Snoop Doggy Dog; My folks didn't want to be around – I had to do my own ultrasound; Babysitting was not a prob - Greg Domisevitch got the job My parents are complete arseholes It's not something that I want hid: I love it being a disturbed kid Who would choose polite and docile When you can be anti-social? My heart goes out to all you f**ed kids Who cannot act self destructive I met some kids who're really sad – They loved their mum, respected dad: They saved and bought a suburban pad I knew that they would turn out bad They f**ed up, like their parents did: You need role models when you're a kid 2. Recitative, Solo with Chorus, and Spoken Word Diatribe Brendan: What are we going to say? How are we going to get out of it? 2Pot Screama: Simple, mate. Blame it on the Nips Brendan: What? 2Pot Screama: Blame it on the Nips. We say we saw em do the car. Everyone hates em anyway. Say they did it Brendan: But what about that tsui zing ping pong sh**? What about "The Dragon will eat the balls of all who betray"? You said you'd never betray th- 2Pot Screama: Blow it out your arse, bud. I'm saying it was the Nips Adult Voice: Jason, the principal will see you now 2Pot Screama: It was the Nips, mate. You know it as well as me Adult Voice: Brendan, you wait here alone Brendan: sh**... [Demonic cackle rings out.] Reith: It looks like you're cactus, Brendan my boy: I told you that, right at the top Just do what I do: blame it on others – You go for the option that's soft Blame it on the Springy Nips Nothing's your fault – it's the fault of your peers Or the unions, or star sign, or dad – I think that you'll find for every excuse There's something you've done that is bad Blame it on the Springy Nips Reith: Sing, my fellow fiends! Sing, and tell this boy how all the world agrees... D.J's: He taught all us D.J's how we should deny The money in brown paper packets; Statisticians: Showed us statisticians to prove X is Y; Sports stars: And us sports stars to bash in our raquets All: Blame it on the Springy Nips Chefs: He taught all us chefs how to serve up cous-cous With just the right petulant sneer That dinners now think to complain is to be A yobbo with pie and a beer Architects: We architects whine that the reason our shard Should stay there in everyone's way Is that the public should just shut up and leave True genius alone (and to pay.) All: Blame it on the Springy Nips Reith: Brendan my boy, there ain't no one these days Who stands up and then takes the rap: John Howard will tell you, and, yes, I agree – Saying sorry's a right load of crap Remember old Banquo? Of course you do not – Macbeth was a play left unread – Well he was the guy who just wouldn't lie: Ended up with an ax in the head All: Blame it on the Springy Nips Brendan: But the Nips – they didn't do it Reith: Yeah, Brendan; and everything I say to Kerry O'Brian is a load of bullocks too – but so what? Brendan, no one expects the truth; no one wants the truth; and, let me tell you pal, no one likes people who tell the truth. f**, mate, if I told the truth I'd be out on my arse so quick – the whining fat businessmen f**s I've got to put up with, feeding em the line it's all the unions' fault they can't buy their fat-arsed wives a trip to Vanuatu when it's because they are so lacking in brains or courage or wit they couldn't sell turds to dung beetles; my misguided, selfish or ego-maniacal cabinet colleagues, hooked on P.R. and easy s** with brainy groupies who are prepared to ignore their sweaty fat-cheeked grunts of doggy pleasure; the prodding, prating media hypocrites, blind to their own faults whilst hoping everyone else stumbles, dressing up their small mindedness as some great standard of press freedom when all they're doing, like everyone else, is working in a f**ing factory for a fat man – don't f**ing tell me the f**ing Nips didn't do it, Brendan you little sh**head, because if the f**ing Nips didn't do it then they're the first people I've ever met on this whole stinking sewer of a planet that aren't guilty. We're all guilty, mate. We're all guilty deep down in our guts where the f**ing truth is waiting to be revealed when we bend over and God himself puts his hand up our cornholes and pulls out the filthy crapulent mess that's inside. I'll rip you apart, you little turd. I'll rip you open and pull out the crap that fills you up and I'll shove it in front of your dying eyes so with your last glance you can see what's really there underneath your innocent idealistic adolescent skin Adult voice: Brendan, the principal will see you now... [Sound of doomed footsteps. Door opens, then closes.] Principal: Brendan, this is a most serious offence. Jason has told us that the hooligans who did this came from outside our school community. I myself would like to believe that no one from this school could perpetrate such a wanton act of vandalism. I am sure your parents too would be relieved to hear that you are above such criminal motives. Brendan, who sprayed that car? Brendan: Sir, twas I Scene Five 1. Recitative and Solo [Sound of children playing: kids laughing and yelling, footballs being kicked, skipping games being chanted, etc.] 2Pot Screama: c*nt Brendan: 2Pot! 2Pot Screama: c*nt. You told em Brendan: I said I did it 2Pot Screama: You did it means I did it too, c*nt. The c*nts didn't even suspend me: de-f**ing-tention. Pay half the cost of the re-spraying back with work. You're dead, c*nt Brendan: But I didn't- [Suddenly, bell rings.] 2Pot Screama: There's the bell for period one; I'd advise you count em, son Cos you know, when the day is done I'm gonna get you after school Here's my first and last proposal: You and me, back of the oval I'll kick your arse, here to Rowville You know what time you'll come to grief? After school – you got that, chief? I'll bring my fist, you bring your teeth You're dead. You're gone. You've had it, pal You know what happens to kids who tell? You'll find out when they ring that bell – Bells ring all day, but wait and see: That final bell will come, matey And when it tolls, it tolls for thee 2. Finale: Solo and Chorus [Bell rings. Sound of clock ticking. Bell rings. Clock ticking gets louder, faster, starts to echo. Sound of teachers' voices, blurred and indistinct. More bells. Cla**room noises: kids asking questions, teachers answering. Whispered voices: "You know Brendan and Jason?" "Yeah, what?" "They gonna have a fight after school." "sh**." Clock ticking becomes frantic, builds to a hectic techno rhythm. Voice: "Down the oval – Brendan and Jason, after school. Pa** it on." Bells. Sounds of cheering, screaming, yelling. This coalesces into a chant:] Crowd: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! 2Pot: C'mon, Brendan, bring it on: 2Pot Screama'll have ya, son I'm like Tu-Pac, only meaner; Come and get hurt by Screama Crowd: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Brendan: From my dream I'm awakin' – You're a f**ing wa*ker, Jason Cursed are all who put belief In the words of Peter Reith! Crowd: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Stephanie: 2Pot! Brendan! Stop it! Halt! 2Pot, this is all your fault: Brendan told the truth – I see He must be the boy for me Crowd: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! [As the chant of "Fight!" continues, sounds of fighting: punches hitting flesh, gasps of pain, groaning. Then, over the top of the fight noises:] Reith: Look upon this scene with glee! Hate! Confusion! Anarchy! All of it is due to me! O what fools teenagers be! [Suddenly, fanfare and trumpets. Many Asian voices can be heard, shouting and aggressive.] Quan: Silence all: the Nips have come [Awed silence.] I am leader: call me Quan We are here to find the one Who blamed on Nips things he'd done Crowd [quiet, afraid]: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! Quan: All we Nips have heard the tale Even from a far Springvale How a liar did pretend And of one who's now our friend Crowd [still quiet]: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! Quan: The Nips are just! Nips are true! Stand and face us, coward, who Blamed us for his own false wrongs Come out now and face your Wongs Crowd: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! Quan: Stand forth, too, he that refused To let our name be abused Which stands proud? Which full of shame? All you white men look the same Crowd: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! 2Pot: f** me dead, I'm outta here Nips'll tear me ear from ear They're the ones always chasin' – Now they've got to catch Jason Crowd: Woos! Woos! Woos! Woos! Brendan: Quan, twas I your name preserved He has got what he deserved: Let him run, for I am sure 2Pot Screama is no more Crowd: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! Quan: We the Nips salute you, Brendan This saga, it is now endin' The Nips are just; Nips are true – Here's some beer we stole for you Crowd [joyful]: Nips! Nips! Nips! Nips! Quan: Yes, the Nips are friends, so peace – Let now all the fighting cease! Come, let us adults appall: Drink up – we stole slabs for all! Crowd: Piss! Piss! Piss! Piss! [Sound of laughter, celebration, partying. This continues, whilst over the top:] Reith: Curse these teenager ideals! Fools, you'll soon see how it feels – I'm beat now, but not for good: Wait till you see adulthood [Oblivious, the sound of the teenage party continues. Fade to silence.] The End