RENT Libretto, Act II - Under Construction!!

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 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 till 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 (MIMI opens a bottle of champagne and offers someto ROGER) (MARK enters the scene.) MARK Coast is clear You're supposed to be working That's for midnight! (Takes bottle away from MIMI) 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 in her vinyl purse) 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 behind her) 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 AND JOANNE Rope! MARK (pointing off) We can hoist a line -- JOANNE To the fire escape -- MARK And tie off at... MARK AND 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. MIM is laughing, ROGER looks at her.) 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 over 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 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!) 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 (entering, blows party favor) 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 (picking up his camera) I guess BENNY 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 Oh, 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 sound bites! 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 AND 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 (MIMI snatches bag.) There, there...etc. (Fade out.) TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME (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 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 ground hog. To protest the ground breaking! MAUREEN It's a metaphor! JOANNE Well, it's less than brilliant! MAUREEN That's it, Ms. 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... Gimme 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 over-attentive 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.) 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 WITHOUT YOU (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. A s 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.) 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 VOICE MAIL #4 (The loft. The phone rings...) ROGER AND 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... 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 principles, minus BENNY, 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 AND COLLINS Fear! COLLINS Thick! COLLINS, MIMI AND MAUREEN Red, red Red, red Red, red -- please MAUREEN Harder ANGEL Faster MAUREEN Wetter MIMI Bastard! COLLINS You whore! MAUREEN You cannibal! MIMI AND ANGEL More! MAUREEN You animal! MAUREEN, COLLINS AND 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 fades as ANGEL dies) 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 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 that 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 AND 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 with 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 AND 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 HALLOWEEN (Outside the church) MARK (On the pay phone) 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... (sings) How did we get here? How the hell... (spoken)Pan left –(sung) 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...? 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 (to MIMI) You said you'd never speak to him again MIMI (to BENNY) Not now MAUREEN (to BENNY) Who said that you have any say In who she says things to at all? ROGER Yeah! JOANNE (to MAUREEN) Who said that you should Stick your nose in other people's ... MAUREEN (to JOANNE) 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 (to MIMI) Gave a mile to who? MARK AND BENNY Come on guys chill! MIMI AND 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... (They embrace.) JOANNE I missed you... MAUREEN I missed your smell... JOANNE I missed your mouth...Your... (They kiss, but MAUREEN pulls away.) MAUREEN Ow! JOANNE What? MAUREEN Nothing, Pookie. JOANNE No, baby, you said ow...What? MAUREEN Well, 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 laugh, hug, and wave goodbye, exiting stage right. 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. ROGER and MARK are left alone.) 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.) 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 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 quickly enters, with the PASTOR trailing behind him.) PASTOR Off the premises now, we give no 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 (To COLLINS) Don't you worry 'bout him. (To PASTOR) 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 AND COLLINS Punk! Let's go. (COLLINS and BENNY exit.) MARK (imagining) Hi. Mark Cohen here, reporting for Buzzline. Back to you, Alexi! Coming up next, vampire welfare queens who are compulsive bowlers... Oh my God, what am I doing? WHAT YOU OWN MARK 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.) VOICE MAIL #5 (Various locations.) (In blackout, once again the phone rings.) ROGER AND MARK'S ANSWERING MACHINE "Speak..." (Beep) 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 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.) 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 AND 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.) 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 [for once] and passionately. MIMI's head falls to the side and her arm drops limply off the edge of the table.) Mimi! (MIMI dies.) FINALE B (Suddenly, MIMI's hand twitches. Incredibly, she is alive again..) MIMI I jumped over the moon!! ROGER What? MIMI A leap of mooooooooooooooo-- 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 AND 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. Simultaneously:) 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 (ALL freeze.) END OF ACT II (ALL unfreeze, ANGEL appears from stage right. CURTAIN CALL.) I PROMISE, I WILL FIX THIS LATER, I KNW IT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK!!

Email: meg_the_colorful@hotmail.com