Big Top [rewrite 2.0 full length theatrical version]

BIG TOP

[The curtain opens on the stage populated with idol dancers and characters in all types of positions as to be decided by the choreographer the ring leader stands in the middle, the stage is lit in a red wash and as the spotlight comes up the music starts for the first number “circus” by Britney Spears and the lights flash]

-Lyrics-

There's only two types of people in the world

The ones that entertain and the ones that observe

Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl

Don't like the backseat, gotta be first

I'm a like the ringleader, I call the shots

(Call the shots)

I'm like a firecracker I make it hot

When I put on a show

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer, the dancefloor is my stage

Better be ready, hope that you feel the same

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dancefloor just like a circus

There's only two types of guys out there

Ones that can hang with me and ones that are scared

So baby, I hope that you came prepared

I run a tight ship so beware

I'm a like the ringleader, I call the shots

(Call the shots)

I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot

When I put on a show

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer, the dancefloor is my stage

Better be ready, hope that you feel the same

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dancefloor just like a circus

Let's go

Let me see what you can do

I'm runnin' this like-like-like a circus

Yeah, like a what? Like-like-like a circus

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dancefloor just like a circus

All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dancefloor just like a circus

[the music ends and the stage is vacated by most of the characters the Ringleader lingers on and addresses the audience]

Ringleader: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! BOYS AND GIRLS OF ALL AGES WELCOME TO THE BIG TOP! A CIRCUS MAXIMUS EXPIERNCE BEYOND ANYTHING YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT ACTS LINED UP FOR YOU TONIGHT SO SIT TIGHT AND ENJOY THE SHOW!

[the curtain closes and reopens with the ringleader still lingering on the stage and blotting the sweat from his face, Leo the lion tamer enters from stage left and crosses down center to meet the ringleader]

Leo: nice opener as always.

Ringleader: don’t you have somewhere to be right now?

Leo: not that I recall

Ringleader: Jesus Christ Leo pull your head from betwixt your ass cheeks and wake up, you’re the first act why aren’t you getting ready?

Leo: I’m the opener?

Ringleader: yeah whats wrong with you, you know this! Have you been hanging out with the clowns again? You know we overlook their substance abuses because it actually makes them entertaining, you on the other hand need to keep your wits about you. I wont pay for the hospital bills and neither will the company if you get mauled. I will mourn it find another brave soul and move on

Leo: Calm down, I thought the queen bee was having her spotlight performance. She was yammering on and on last night about being the opening act.

Ringleader: we want to entertain the crowd here sir. You have to start strong.

Leo: and that’s why I am the star player

Ringleader: well get ready star player your on in ten

Leo: on my way? Out of curiosity are you okay you haven’t been the same since Destiny left are you gonna be okay man

Ringleader: you think you can do my job better?

Leo: no, I don’t think Sarah can either, your always down on her and yet you make her your successor, why not me?

Ringleader: your one to throw stones at that glass house, at least I’m not sleeping with her. I wouldn’t trust you with all of this Leo you lose your focus every time something with a vagina walks into the room. Now stop bullshitting and go get ready you have eight minutes left before curtain. The show must go on, you really want to know why you don’t have a chance of taking over when I finally decide I’ve had enough of this private hell, this right here is why, at least Sarah is the kind of bossy bitch that understands time management. Now go! Scurry, flee before me.

[the ringleader exits stage left still dabbing his forehead, Claire the new girl walks in from stage right and bumps into Leo]

Claire: excuse me

Leo: no excuse me sweet face, how may I be of assistance

Claire: yes , take me to your leader

Leo: I like a girl that takes control

Claire: I mean the ringleader lion boy, I have to figure out when I go on

Leo: what act are you in I might be able to tell you

Claire: Trapeze and tightrope walking

Leo: my kind of ladies

Claire: yeah can you tell me where I need to go to get into my costume

Leo: well if you have a little time you can wait in my dressing room, I have a private one its much nicer, I’m kind of the big man of the tent around here , I’m Leo and who do I have the pleasure of meeting

Claire: I’m Claire and thanks but no thanks, I just got here I would really not like to miss my first call to the stage

Leo: suit yourself sweetness hes over there

[Leo gestures to stage left where the ringleader is sitting down at the edge of the stage and blotting his face drinking from his flask and trying to cool off after the opener and calm his fears that the show is going to flop]

Claire: thanks

[Claire crosses down stage left to greet the ringleader Leo exits stage right]

Claire: hey I’m Claire are you the ringleader

Ringleader: the one and only, I’ve been expecting you. I thought you were going to keep me waiting. Seeing as your prompt I think I’m gonna like you. That’s a mark in your favor I hope you share with everyone else

Claire: alright where do I go and what part am I performing tonight

Ringleader: well seeing as your prior training I’m going to send you to warm up and learn the routine you guys won’t be on for another hour or so should be time for you to learn it. I’ll introduce you to everyone come with me.

[he takes her by the hand and leads her into the wings stage left meanwhile back on stage right Leo walks back in with Bianca following their attire slightly disheveled.]

Scene 2

Bianca: I cant believe I just did that.

Leo: I cant either where did you get so good at doing that thing you just did, you know when you…

[interrupting him]

Bianca: don’t talk about it, I’m not proud of what just occurred keep this between us

Leo: of course babe

Bianca: and don’t call me babe this was a one time moment of weakness. Don’t expect it will happen again

Leo: aren’t you going to be late?

Bianca: aren’t you

Leo: SHIT!

[they both run Leo to stage right, Bianca stage left both exiting, meanwhile stage right Urie and Sarah are moved onstage along with the tightrope set, as Bianca exits the ringleader and Claire enter stage right]

Ringleader: attention ladies! , and Urie. This is Claire the new part of your group. Claire this is sarah and Bianca and Urie. Wait a second where is Bianca?

[Bianca re-enters stage right and rushes to the set piece where Urie and Sarah await]

Ringleader: oh Claire, Bianca, Bianca, Claire now your acquainted I must be off.

[ringleader re-exits stage right]

Sarah: where the hell have you been

Bianca: sorry I’m late I couldn’t find my dowel grips

Sarah: what do you need them for, you have calluses the size of Kansas anyway

Bianca: cow

Sarah: so new girl, what do you do?

Claire: I do both trapeze and tightrope, I used to do gymnastics and some dance

Sarah: what kind of dance?

Claire: just dance we will leave it at that.

Urie: Hi I’m Urie, did he tell you what part your doing in the performance

Claire: he said the spotlight

Urie and Bianca: OOOOHHHHHHH!

Sarah: did he now

Claire: yeah, why is that a bad thing or something

Sarah: you will not be doing the spotlight, that is mine

Urie: who died and made you queen

Sarah: well you cant be the only queen around here can you?

Urie: bitch!

[they take her on and begin teaching her the routine, the lights dim as the curtain closes and reopens on the ringleader standing center stage leo runs onstage]

Ringleader: where have you been your late as hell!

Leo: handling some things

Ringleader: goddamn it man cues, CUES!

Leo: I met the new girl did she find you

Ringleader: yes I did I think she’ll fit quite nicely, might even be able to teach her your job as quickly as she learns things maybe I wont need you

Leo: she reminds me of someone

[leo runs offstage to get the lions]

Ringleader: she reminds me of Destiny. Oh God.

[Leo shouts back from behind the wings on stage right]

Leo: READY!

[the curtains close and reopen]

Scene 3

Ringleader: LADIES AND GENTELMEN OUR FIRST PERFORMANCE TONIGHT! LEONIDAS AND HIS FEROCIOUS MAN EATING LIONS! CAN THIS MERE MAN TAME THE JAWS OF THE LEVIATHAN! WE SHALL SEE! KEEP YOUR FEET GLUED TO THE GROUND AND DON’T LEAVE YOUR SEATS AS HE PERFORMS THESE MAGNIFICENT FEATS

[Leo brings out the lions and the ringleader sits on the edge of the stage and thinks about his friend and sings while the lions are being tamed, Mumford and Sons “little lion man” begins to play]

                                                                                -Lyrics-

Weep for yourself, my man,

You'll never be what is in your heart

Weep Little Lion Man,

You're not as brave as you were at the start

Rate yourself and rake yourself,

Take all the courage you have left

Wasted on fixing all the problems

That you made in your own head

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear?

Didn't I, my...

Tremble for yourself, my man,

You know that you have seen this all before

Tremble Little Lion Man,

You'll never settle any of your scores

Your grace is wasted in your face,

Your boldness stands alone among the wreck

Now learn from your mother or else spend your days Biting your own neck

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Didn't I, my dear?

Ahhhhh......

But it was not your fault but mine

And it was your heart on the line

I really fucked it up this time

Didn't I, my dear? (x2)

Didn't I, my dear?

[the music ends and the ringleader gets up and re-addresses the audience]

Ringleader: MY, MY, MY! DO WE HAVE A HELL OF A SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT, STAY TURNED ON, TUNE IN, AND WATCH THE BOTTOM DROP OUT! WE WILL BE ON WITH THE NEXT ACT IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME , TO THE OWNER OF A WHITE SEDAN YOU LEFT YOUR LIGHTS ON!

[the ringleader ducks out the curtain closes and reopens on the set for the tightrope]

Scene 4

Sarah: lets do it again and a five six seven eight!

[the ringleader walks in on them]

Sarah: alright that’s good people I think we have it down take five!

Claire: so is she like second in command or something?

Urie: no she thinks shes god

Claire: why?

Urie: because shes the next in line to be the ringleader

Claire: how did she get to be that

Bianca and Urie: connections

Bianca: she may seem like a bitch but once you get to know her shes a real nice..

Urie: bitch

Bianca: how can you say that shes had your back since day one

Urie: no my friend had my back, whoever that is, I will never know but then again that was before Destiny left and she became the next in line

Claire: do people leave a lot

Urie:  everyone leaves in one way or another, Destiny didn’t leave voluntarily, she had an accident which is why we don’t do certain acts anymore, or at least we aren’t supposed to anyway

Bianca: people grieve in different ways

Urie: had some people not been trying to outshine their friends she never would have fell would she?

Bianca: some people leave voluntarily others get the axe

Urie: and others get axed if you ask me

Bianca: people waltz in and out of your life around here its easier to get over if you just stop holding on

Urie: I think the new girl has what it takes though, time will tell

Claire: I hope so

Urie: so whats your story?

Claire: I ran away from home

Urie: join the club we’ve got jackets why though

Claire: I’d rather not discuss it, what about you

Urie: have you ever been gay in highschool, that’s pretty much all the reason you need

[ringleader approaches the group after talking with sarah]

Ringleader: alright you guys are you ready your on in ten. Claire I’ll be watching from the wings your gonna do fine! Don’t be nervous

Claire: only two things make me nervous

Bianca: what?

Claire: that’s for me to know

[the ringleader walks away, sarah comes up to them]

Sarah: I don’t care what he says were doing it like we’ve rehearsed it a thousand times before with ME in the spotlight

Urie: yessum massah we’d love to do it for ya boss

Sarah: just don’t fuck it up

[sarah walks away]

Urie: you’re not gonna do it her way are you

Claire: I don’t know her as far as I’m concerned she’s not in charge, I was told to do the spotlight, until just now I was going to take the back seat but not now

Urie: I love you!

Bianca: she deserves that spotlight seniority remember

Urie: umm no, do you see me in the spotlight ever? How about you? I’ve been here just as long as Sarah the only reason I have any face time is because she sucks a trapeze and she knows it otherwise we would both be her backup dancers. I’m glad the new girl isn’t going to take her bullshit. If you want to chase after that bitch and pin your wagon to her boot straps that’s fine but I say Fuck that shit. We’ll do it live shall we

Claire: let’s

Bianca: we are so going to be in hell when this is over

Claire: you only live once

[the curtain closes the ringleader walks out in front of the curtains and addresses the audience]

Ringleader: FIVE HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE GROUND ON A WIRE , THESE DAZZLING LITTLE DARLINGS DANCE WITH DEATH. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE THE BIG TOP CIRCUS PROUDLY PRESENTS AN ARIEL FEAT OF BRILLIANCE, AS OUR LOVELY PERFORMERS PLAY A DEATH DEFYING GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK FIVE STORIES FROM THE SAFETY OF THE GROUND, WILL THEY SURVIVE,WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN, BUT WILL THEY COME DOWN ALIVE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN …..THE HIGH WIRE HAT-TRICK!

[the curtain reopens and the set is moved to center stage the lights are red and green with a blue silver spotlight sarah begins to move to the center of the wire when Claire make a b line for it and the music begins and she begins to sing as they perform hide and seek  complete with acrobatic stunts]

Claire:                                  

                                                                                -Lyrics-

Where are we?

What the hell

Is going on

The dust has only

Just began to form

Crop circles in the carpet

Sinking

Feelings

Spin me round again

And rub my eyes

This can’t be ha-ppening

When busy streets

Amass with people Would stop to hold

Their heads

Heavy

Hide and seek

Trains and sewing machines

(so you won’t catch me around here)

All those years

They were here first

MMM watcha say?

MM that you only meant well

Well of course you did

Mmm  watcha say

Mmm  that its all for the best

Because it is

Mmm watcha say

Mm this is just what we need

You decided this

Mmm watcha say?

Mmm what did you say?

Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth

Bits sweet talk news people look about

Speak no feeling no I don’t believe you

You don’t care a bit, you don’t care a bit

No no you don’t care a bit

You don’t care a bit, you don’t care a bit

 [the music ends and the lights go off the ringleader talks to the audience the curtain closes behind him]

Ringleader:  A SHADE OF TRUE BRILLIANCE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ABSOLUUTELY BREATHTAKING AND THERES MORE TO COME SO STAY WITH US FOR A LITTLE WHILE

[the ringleader walks between the curtains and once he’s behind the curtain reopens]

Scene 5

Ringleader: that was spectacular, Claire you were magnificent all of you were! Sarah what was that it looked as though you were trying to regain control I mean I loved it but it wasn’t exactly a duet piece

Sarah: I just thought I’d add more brilliance

Ringleader: maybe next time just perform the numbers as they are intended you’ve had your spotlight let some of the other performers have a turn in it

Sarah: perhaps next time other people shouldn’t get in my way

[the ringleader walks into the wings stage left]

Sarah: what the FUCK do you think you’re doing!

Claire: it was my spotlight! I performed the number as I was instructed

Sarah: I believe I instructed you to find your place in the background

Claire: who died and made you Cher?

Sarah: this is my show it’s all about me the rest of you are just bit parts you can cling to my coattails and ride the lightning, or you can fade away but do it for do not doubt that I am the star and you’re lucky that I let you bask in my glow. People come and people go around here but one thing remains and that is me

[halfway through her soliloquy the ringleader walks back in]

Ringleader: I believe that’s me actually Sarah. You think you’re the most important I see well let me paint you a portrait here darling

[“There’s a  good reason these tables are numbered honey you just haven’t thought of it yet” by Panic! At the Disco begins to play]

Ringleader:

                                                -Lyrics-

Please leave all overcoats canes and top hats with the doorman

From that moment you’ll be out of place and underdressed

I’m wrecking this evening already and

Loving every minute of it

Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring and..

Please leave all overcoats canes and top hats with the doorman

From that moment you’ll be out of place and underdressed

I’m wrecking this evening already and

Loving every minute of it

Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring and

When you’re in black slacks with accentuating off white pin stripes

Whoah

Everything goes according to plan

I’m the new cancer , Never looked better

You can’t stand it

Because you say so under your breath

Your reading lips

“when did he get all confident”

Haven’t you heard that

I’m the new cancer never looked better and

You can’t stand it

Because you say so under your breath

Your reading lips

“When did he get all confident?”

Next is a trip to the ladies room in vain

I bet you just can’t keep up , keep up

With these fashionistas  and

Tonight , tonight  you are , you are

A whispering campaign

I bet to them your name is cheap

I bet to them you look like shit

Talk to the mirror ,OH choke back tears

And keep telling yourself that

“I’m a diva”

Oh and the smokes in that cigarette box

On the table, they just so happen

To be laced with, nitroglycerine

I’m the new cancer, never looked better

You can’t stand it

Because you say so under your breath

Your reading lips

“When did he get all confident?”

Haven’t you heard that

I’m the new cancer, never looked better and

You can’t stand it

Haven’t you heard that I’m the new cancer

I’ve never looked better and you can’t stand it

Haven’t you heard that I’m the new cancer

Never looked better and you can’t stand it

And I know and I know

It just doesn’t feel like a night out

With no one sizing you up

I’ve never been so surreptitious

So of course you’ll be distracted when I spike the punch (X3)

[music ends]

Ringleader: I’m the be all end all of this institution, not you, you’ll do well to remember that lest you find yourself populating the scenery, or watching from the audience should you be so lucky to be able to afford the ticket without a job

[the ringleader walks out and Sarah is almost speechless]

Sarah: you win this time but it’s just the battle, prepare for war

[she saunters off, leaving Urie Bianca and Claire alone together]

Claire: so is this all there is to the circus, so far I know about us and a lion tamer who is entirely too forward

Urie: yeah stay the hell away from him, Sarah may not be too nice to you now, she may be a spotlight whore but anyone that goes near Leo might mysteriously disappear

Claire: are they together? He seems to be the type that doesn’t settle on one if you know what I mean

Urie: he comes on to anything with tits

Claire: but?

Bianca: they kind of are together they’ve been an “item” for like two years

Urie: I know why

Bianca: Urie that’s classless

Urie: she’s one of us now she might as well know all the do’s and don’ts

Claire: what?

Urie: Sarah was suicidal when she came here, Leo helped her through it and every time he says he’s going to leave or she catches him running around or anything she cuts herself and tries to take the quick way out

Claire: the quick way out?

Bianca: a short drop and a sudden stop

Urie: you’d cheat too if you couldn’t really leave, it’s the most mentally abusive Ike and Tina relationship I’ve ever seen, after a while its better than cable. I used to be friends with her but I don’t feel sorry for her

Bianca: that’s because you’re a traitor

Urie: I’m not a traitor, I’m just not a boot licker like you, you may enjoy snapping to the orders of the H.B.I.C. but I don’t take orders from anyone if I wanted to take orders I would still be going to high school and pretending to date girls and praying my gay away in church.

[the clowns approach]

Scene 6

Barnum: well my my my what a performance! Wouldn’t you agree Bailey?

Bailey: why yes Barnum quite breath taking, don’t you think Bozo?

Bozo: I don’t know who the star of the show was, the ladies or the queen.

Barnum: I don’t know the ladies were dazzling

Bailey: that queen was clearly the star

Urie: will you just get lost

Bailey: your majesty, can’t we bask in the glory a little longer?

Urie: at least I have a talent

Bozo: she’s got us there

Barnum: oh what’s the matter can’t we applaud the star, without which this institution wouldn’t be as fascinatingly queer

Urie: get out of here you paint face bastards!

[Bailey knocks him over and is about to throw a punch when Barnum and Bozo grab him and pull him back]

Barnum: it’s not worth it man

Bozo: yeah you don’t want to get fired

Barnum: where else will you work

Bozo: its gonna be okay calm down

Bailey: I will not calm down! That’s only okay when we say it!

Urie: get out of here now before things get nasty

Bailey: you don’t know who your messing with, it was all fun and games until now, now I’m gonna make your life a living hell plan on it

Urie: who do you think you are? Bigger assholes than you have tried to “put me in my place” bring it on

Bailey: who do I think I am? Don’t you know who I am?

Bozo: oh god here it comes

[sympathy for the devil begins to play]

                                                                -Lyrics-

Bailey:

Please allow me to introduce myself

I’m a man of wealth and taste

I’ve been around for a long, long year

Stole many a man’s soul and faith

I was around when Jesus Christ

Had his moment of doubt and pain

Made damn sure that pilot

Washed his hands.. and sealed his fate

Oh, Pleased to meet you

Hope you guess my name

Oh yeah

But what’s puzzling you

Is the nature of my game

I stuck around St. Petersburg

When I saw it was a time for a change

I killed the czar and his ministers

Anastasia she grieved in vain

I rolled a tank

Held a generals rank

When the blitzkrieg reigned

And the bodies stank

Oh, pleased to meet you

Hope you guess my name

Oh yeah

Oh what’s puzzling you is the

Nature of my game

I watched with glee

As your kings and queens

Fought for ten decades

For the gods they raised

I shouted out

Who killed the Kennedys

When after all

It was you and me

So let me please introduce myself

I’m a man of wealth and taste

I laid traps for Troubadours

Who’ll be killed before they reach Bombay

Pleased to meet you

Hope you guess my name

But whats puzzling you

Is the nature of my game

[the music cuts out before the whispered part of the song and the ringleader storms on to the stage via stage left and the clowns run off stage right]

Ringleader: what the hell is going on here, who cued the band?

[he looks down at Urie]

Ringleader: and why is your nose bleeding

Urie: it’s nothing I’m fine

Ringleader: well put some ice on that

[he walks back out]

Claire: are you okay what was that about

Urie: those are the clowns

Bianca: they do a lot of drugs and think they are actually funny

Claire: so why do they harass you

Urie: because I’m the only openly gay guy here so therefore they feel I’m one rung beneath them, so they like to make my life a hell whenever possible.

Claire: so is this all there is to this place a bunch of drugged out clowns, a man whore lion tamer, a ringleader and us?

Bianca: no not at all there’s also the fire people

Claire: now that sounds intriguing

Bianca: they’re very ….mysterious, we don’t associate with them much I don’t know why we just don’t

Claire: let’s go meet them

Urie: I’m for that option at least the paint faces won’t bother me there they know better than to play with fire

[they all exit stage right, the curtain closes the curtain reopens on the fire performers Bianca, Urie and Claire all enter from offstage from the portals and go up the ramp stage right]

Scene 7

Bianca: I’m not so sure about this

Claire: come on! It will be an adventure for all of us

Urie: yeah Bianca, don’t be afraid, you haven’t sprayed your hair yet have you?

Bianca: ITS NATURALLY STIFF

[at her exclamation the leader of the group turns around]

Ariella: What are you doing here? This is a closed rehearsal your practice space is due west

Bianca: you know who we are? ….. you know where we practice!?

Gavyn: We know EVERYTHING honey.

Alex: Who are they?

Selene: Those are the twirlers

Urie: Hey! You may think your hot shit, but what we do takes skill too it’s a lot more than just twirling.

Ariella: well not that this hasn’t been fun but we were in the middle of running our next performance one time through. I may not know what the “magnificent” Sarah’s rehearsal Schedule is like but ours requires lots of practice so if you will

Claire: We were just coming to see

Selene: Wow that is a new one

Ariella: you seem somewhat familiar to me, have we met before?

Claire: no I’m brand new, just got through my first performance

Ariella: One of yours?

Bianca: yes

Ariella: well then I welcome you

Claire: thank you, this is really cool I hoped for some excitement here besides the trap

Urie: wait a minute, we’ve been here forever you’ve never interacted with us, shes here for five minutes you’re guys are open books, do you not like us or something did I miss a memo

Bianca: he means you guys are always so mysterious I mean clearly we know each other exists but its like you guys, and, and girls live in separate, um , worlds

Urie: You guys never talk to us

Gavyn: have you ever tried talking to us

Urie: No

Gavyn: well there’s your problem maybe you should

Urie: why should we have to make the first move?

Gavyn: there’s fire in this one, are you sure your meant to twirl?

Bianca: but seriously she was here five minutes and you don’t kick her out

Selene: she hasn’t been tainted yet

Bianca: TAINTED?

Ariella: your section leader is a Grade A Bitch

Urie: You don’t like Sarah either! WHY AREN’T WE FRIENDS

Colby: because twirling isn’t a talent

[Selene ,Alex and Colby begin to snicker]

Gavyn: that’s awfully funny coming from someone who lit himself on fire last week, they aren’t beneath us and they aren’t our enemies, they left our enemy in their practice space and for that I say thank you

Ariella: so new girl what is your name?

Claire: I’m Claire

Selene: I’m sure you’ve already made the rounds too

Ariella: Selene! Don’t degrade yourself, you were dumb when you got here too. As I recall I forgave you.

Claire: what are you talking about?

Ariella: surely you’ve met the little lion man?

Colby: who hasn’t ?

Gavyn: you guys are the reason we can’t have nice things

Urie: she means Leo, I’ll tell you about it later

Ariella: why don’t you tell it now, its best she knows, I’m almost certain Sean didn’t tell her.

Claire: Sean? Who is Sean

Selene: the ringleader, he used to be one of us. You may have noticed this one isn’t entirely seasoned yet

[she gestures to Alex]

Gavyn: you would think he would have told her, she looks just like Destiny

Urie: I’ll tell you, Sarah Stole Leo away from Ariella, Leo doesn’t love  Sarah, but everytime he tries to leave she swears she’s going to kill herself

Colby: and that’s why he gets laid more than anyone else around here

Claire: who is Destiny

Urie: I’ll tell you later

[backstage on the microphone]

Ringeader: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE ABOUT TO TURN UP THE HEAT! ITS MY SINCERE PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE DAZZLING DANGER THAT IS SURE TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER YOUR VERY SEAT IF YOUR NOT SCARED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I’M GOING TO NEED YOU TO GET THAT WAY REALLY FAST AS WE TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY …INTO THE FIRE

Ariella: shit that’s us Everybody ready, lovely to meet you but we must go on!

Claire: well that was weird

[the curtain closes Bianca Urie and Claire vacate and the curtain reopens with the fire performers in stance as the music comes on for “Into the fire” by Dokken]

Scene 8

Ariella:                                  -Lyrics-

You weave your spell, your eyes they beckon me

Your lips they speak, lies and misery

I know it's wrong, but I can't turn away

The flames draw near, they're telling me to stay

Into the fire I'm falling

Into the fire I'm falling

Into the fire, into the fire

Into the fire I'm falling, into the fire

Your love burns bright and yet the flames are cold

This time I fear you won't be back no more

When will it end, your love consumes my soul

Into the fire I'm being tempted once more

Into the fire I'm falling

Into the fire I'm falling

Into the fire, into the fire

Into the fire I'm falling

Take me back where I came from

Don't wanna see your face no more

You broke my heart now it's not the same

I'm falling again, I'm falling again

Into the fire, into the fire, into the fire

Iinto the fire, I'm falling again

Into the fire, into the fire I'm falling again

Into the fire I'm falling

Into the fire, into the fire, into the fire

I'm falling into the fire

[the music ends and the fires are extinguished the curtain closes and reopens ]

[Urie, Claire and Bianca walk back onstage to congratulate their new found friends on a thriving performance]

Urie: that was phenomenal

 Gavyn: sure you don’t want to switch teams

Urie: nah I’m much better with my feet off the ground

Gavyn: I bet

[Gavyn gives a wink and saunters off]

Ariella: so new girl what’d you think?

Claire: it was breath taking

Bianca: it, it was flamboyant

Selene: To say the least

[at this moment Sarah rushes on stage]

Sarah: what the HELL do you three think you are doing? Consorting with the enemy no doubt

Ariella: Ahh the great and Mighty Sarah to what do we owe the displeasure of your carbuncle?

Sarah: Ariella, Go set yourself on fire for all I care but don’t try to steal my performers for your silly little attempt at a coup de gras’, now if you don’t mind, if your through trying to corrupt my performers we have rehearsal to do

Selene: you need rehearsals

Urie: no honey SHE needs rehearsals

Sarah: You Prima Donna Fairy, If you don’t get your ass to the trapeze in two minutes the act is dropped.

Urie: don’t try to boss me Sarah, you may get away with it with Bianca but I’ve been here JUST as long as you, Destiny may not be here anymore but you’ll still never be her. Lets face it your too much of a bitch, and you’ll never have the talent no matter how much you drill and drill and run us down you still wont be what she was so why don’t you just stop trying to control everything and maybe , just maybe we may have an act that’s not a joke.

Ariella: you see Sarah I don’t have to corrupt anyone, you do that job yourself, I don’t need to steal anything from you, it all comes to me willingly because your just too controlling to be inviting. Now if YOU”LL excuse US WE have a FUNCTIONAL rehearsal to get back to. Seeing as we  have to keep people from walking out the door.

Sarah: this isn’t over you bitch. Okay, and gloat all you want, your power player is gone from your act too, don’t pretend your any different from me, your just a less hot version of the same ugly green beast.

Selene: that’s not what your boyfriend said

[Sarah goes apeshit, and tries to strangle Ariella, and Selene Gavyn and Urie Pull her off to the side and escort her offstage, the curtain closes and reopens]

Scene 9

[there is a brief interlude of the clowns onstage telling shameless jokes of their choosing and pulling pranks on one another a yawn worthy spectacle to be sure then the ringleader comes onstage with them and halts their depraved sideshow]

Ringleader: WELL THAT’S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THAT WONDERFUL RELIEF, MOVING ALONG NOW, YOU’VE SEEN THEY HAVE BALANCE YOU’VE SEEN THEY HAVE FINESSE BUT WHAT YOUR ABOUT TO WITNESS REQUIRES THE SAFETY OF A NET. GLIDING THROUGH THE AIR PERFROMING SPECTACULAR FEATS OF STRENGTH AGILITY AND SKILL, I GIVE  TO YOU THE DEATH ROLLERS AND THEIR HIGHEST GAMBLE YET.

[black and gold begins to play the ringleader vacates the space in front of the apron the lights come up from total blackout to a dim glow as Urie begins to sing and they begin to dance and perform stunts]

Urie:                     

The fish swam out of the ocean

and grew legs and they started walking

and the apes climbed down from the trees

and grew tall and they started talking

and the stars fell out of the sky

and my tears rolled into the ocean

now i'm looking for a reason why

you even set my world into motion

'cause if you're not really here

then the stars don't even matter

now i'm filled to the top with fear

but it's all just a bunch of matter

'cause if you're not really here

then i don't want to be either

i wanna be next to you

black and gold

black and gold

black and gold

i looked up into the grey sky

and see a thousand eyes staring back

and all around these golden beacons

i see nothing but black

i feel a way of something beyond them

i don't see what i can feel

if vision is the only validation

then most of my life isn't real

               

'cause if you're not really here

then the stars don't even matter

now i'm filled to the top with fear

but it's all just a bunch of matter

'cause if you're not really here

then i don't want to be either

i wanna be next to you

black and gold

black and gold

black and gold

[the music ends and the curtains close, they re-open on the same set as they all descend from their scaffolds]

Urie: and who needs rehearsals now?

Bianca: don’t get too cocky, you know we’ve been running that number forever

Urie: yeah and we don’t need to do it 60 times a day to get it right, once is enough for a twenty four hour period, and sleep is a necessity

Claire: speaking of which, where do we sleep

Sarah: you don’t, theres still a lot to do and the shows not over yet

Claire: clearly, I’m new not stupid, I would just kind of like to know when the time comes

Sarah: you’ll sleep where I tell you when I tell you it’s okay, and don’t think I’ve forgotten all about your mutiny. You’re still on my shit list.

Urie: Sarah come off your high horse, you aren’t god I know you think you are but you really aren’t

[Gavyn, Colby and Alex walk on set]

Gavyn: that was brilliant!

Colby: it may not be a talent but you two ladies look nice in those outfits

Alex: don’t you mean three

Gavyn: you know everytime you two open your mouths, everyone else loses brain cells

[Urie giggles]

Gavyn: we just came to say we watched your act too

Colby: it’s not terrible

Gavyn: it was good, definitely more than twirling

[Gavyn winks subtly but ambiguously in Urie’s direction]

Sarah: that’s really cute and all but can you please get out

Gavyn: well we will have to do this another time

[they walk away]

Scene 10

[the curtain closes the Clowns  do a half assed juggling act only they are so drunk they end up tripping over themselves and one has to leave to throw up the ringleader walks onstage and dismisses the act hanging his head in shame at the disgrace]

Ringleader: such brilliant actors aren’t they folks, you have to laugh at them because they don’t know any better stay with us folks we still have spectacular feats of astonishing skill awaiting you

[the ringleader walks offstage and the curtains open back up on the tightrope set]

Urie: way to be a Nazi bitch about it Sarah, you just can’t stand it that someone else might be as good or GOD FORBID BETTER than you can you

Sarah: I know you think they are your friends but they aren’t, you think I’m sociopathic about being better, they want to distract you so they will be better they live off of it, I’m next in line to be the ringleader, which means one of the two of you will take over for me you want that don’t you, well it’s not going to happen if that bitch Ariella shows us up even once we cannot afford it. They aren’t your friends they are your enemies and they will sabotage you.

Urie: of course, someone appreciates or acknowledges us and somehow its still about you Sarah. You know you call them our enemies but they’re a lot more hospitable to me than you and I’ve had your back since day one. Or DON’T you remember?

Bianca: yeah why does it matter, maybe they are just as uninvolved with promoting their section leader as we are over here because as we both know you still haven’t named a successor.

Sarah: your not supposed to name a successor until you leave or move up, I clearly haven’t done either of those have I

Bianca: so why hate them.

Sarah: because they hate me!

Bianca: what because of Leo?

Urie: no you twit because of Destiny, you know until that little speech of yours a minute ago I  was behind you but I hate to break it to you it is kind of your fault too

Sarah: it wasn’t my fault!

Urie: oh wasn’t it? You just had to suck up to her, just like Bianca does to you now, Destiny the star, you just had to show me up, even though you got the guy, you got the easy road everyone loved you, but you just had to be the star, had to make the only person with a vagina that was higher than you notice you chasing the curtails. You knew you couldn’t take that part in the routine, you knew you didn’t have the grip!, you knew you hadn’t trained that trick, I was supposed to do it, but you made me promise to let you do it and once again I took the backseat and this time someone died.

Claire: is that true

Urie: funny you of all people should ask, she doesn’t like you because you look and act JUST like destiny, all this high and mighty bullshit Sarah doesn’t make up for the fact that you have someone else’s coffin resting on your conscience does it?

[the ringleader walks in]

Ringleader: where the hell is Leo he’s supposed to be on in five minutes

Urie: speak of the Devil ,Sean, would you say it was anyones fault in particular that Destiny died? Someone maybe that particularly contributed to that unfortunate passing of events?

Ringleader: I don’t want to talk about this right now

Urie: really because I think now is a perfect time, tell her Sean, tell her because clearly she’s completely forgotten what went on, and ever since Claire arrived she’s been down her throat and everyone else’s, Does anyone else notice a correlation here but me. TELL HER!

Ringleader: FINE you wanna take a stroll down memory lane maybe we can tell everyone your origin story next, would that be fine by you Urie.

Urie: this isn’t about me, it’s just another case of me being the only one to say what’s on everyone else’s mind. Now tell her

Ringleader: FINE!

[the lights dim and the curtain closes ]

SCENE 11

[the curtain opens on the same trapeze set, everyone who was there before is there again, Claire is there but not as Claire as Destiny, the hair color has changed to depict this]

Sean: I’m so nervous, this is our last Performance In This town!

Destiny: Don’t worry about it, you’re ready, we’ve done this a thousand times

Sean: yeah we have but, this is the night where the decisions made of who moves up and who moves on. It’s like survivor

Destiny: Sean, regardless of the outcome, we’ll be okay

Sean: I know that, I just fear elimination. I’ve worked so hard to get to where we are. I would hate to be dropped down, or fired

Destiny: Sean you won’t be! Stop worrying. You and I are both the top considered applicants to be the next ringleader. You have just as much chance as me, one of us is going to get it, you’re not going to get fired I PROMISE!

Sean: well I hope you get it, I don’t think I could handle it, I like where I am I live for my performances, I couldn’t imagine not doing it anymore every night.

Destiny: Just because Andy gave it up Doesn’t mean we have to, he just didn’t want it anymore, You don’t think I’m going to stop doing what I love if I get it over you do you?

Sean: you’re right. So have you chosen a successor because I haven’t.

Destiny: I haven’t either, I’ll chose mine after this performance.

Sean: me too, just in case I get the axe

Destiny: You’re not getting fired!!

[they continue pantomime talking off to the side when on the other side of the stage Urie is talking to Sarah they are still good close friends at this point]

Sarah: I can’t believe he keeps acting like he’s better than me.

Urie: why are you so hung up on him

Sarah: because I love him

Urie: but he doesn’t love you or else he wouldn’t act so stuck up

Sarah: I know but I can’t get over him, he cares, it’s real I think he’s just afraid to admit he feels something

Urie: and here I thought that only went down with my people

Sarah: I’m sorry, I probably sound really selfish talking about my problems, I know you’ll find somebody you’re a wonderful person Urie, you deserve happiness too.

Urie: I don’t think I’ll find anyone here but that’s okay, that’s why I love the fact that I can mingle with the cliental after the shows, maybe one day I’ll find somebody in one of these city’s that’s worth leaving this behind for.

Sarah: I’m sure one day it will happen.

Urie: one day, but today I have to keep my head on straight and worry about the next performance, Because I can’t leave here and go back to my high school. I can never go back there. So I have to give my all in every performance.

Sarah: speaking of, can I ask you a question?

Urie: okay

Sarah: can I take your part in this number?

Urie: what?

Sarah: you like it where you are right?

Urie: yeah, I’m alright with it.

Sarah: I really want to be section leader, the one of us who shines brightest in this performance is going to be Destiny’s successor.

Urie: yeah and I would like it to be me

Sarah: I know you really deserve it, but I Love Leo and maybe if I am a section leader he will take me serious.

Urie: Sarah, you can’t do my part, you’re not strong enough to do that catch safely, and Leo should be a real man and not a snob about it

Sarah: please Urie please, please, please! I promise I can do it, and I promise I know he should but I LOVE him I’ve never loved anybody like this it would mean a lot to me, if you do this for me even if it doesn’t work out I’ll help you find somebody.

Urie: alright I guess it doesn’t mean that much to me

[suddenly after Urie’s line is delivered, a scream of excitement comes from the other side of the stage and Sean is standing on one knee in front of her she rushes over to Sarah and Urie and shows off her engagement ring]

Sarah: Oh my God! Destiny I am so happy for you

Urie: WOW Sean can afford that ring

Destiny: shut up Urie

Urie: It’s nice I’m so happy for you, you two are so cute together

[she looks down at her ring and then looks at her watch and realizes the time]

Destiny: oh shit!

Urie: what did you find a flaw?

Destiny: very funny Urie, No, it’s time to get ready Andy will kill us if we aren’t on point tonight.

[they set their selves in position on the trapeze the curtain closes and re-opens really quickly Adele’s someone like you begins to play, they commence working through their routine, halfway through during their performance Sarah passes a glance to Urie while Destiny is out on the wire, Urie moves back on the platform and takes the backseat Destiny is confused at this as she grabs Sarahs hands]

Destiny: Sarah I’m Slipping

Sarah: I’ve got you

Destiny: don’t let me fall

Urie: hang on I’m coming!

Sarah: I’ve got this, I’ve got you

Destiny: Sarah don’t drop me!

[Urie takes the other swing out]

Urie: hand her off

Sarah: I’m slipping!

Destiny: don’t let go!

[the music loops out to a repeat the lights strobe out, then the music and the lights go out and you hear the ring drop and a loud knock against the stage, the lights come on to everyone having rushed onstage and surrounding Destiny who is splayed out on the stage, Sean cuts through the crowd and cries out in anguish, the curtain closes]

[voice over a microphone]

Claire: what happened next

Scene 12

[in this scene Alex will also play the role of Andy the former Ringleader as Sarah, Urie, and Sean are all in the office explaining what went wrong]

Andy: Who wants to take credit for this disaster

Sarah: it was an

[Urie cuts her off]

Urie: it was my fault, I should have been on my cue, she was just trying to keep the act going, I’m sorry

Andy: both of you get out of my office

[Sarah and Urie exit stage right]

Andy: do you still want this Sean?

Sean: I Don’t know. I want Destiny back, I don’t think I could take it

Andy: Sean, don’t make me leave this in the hands of them, or someone like Leo, and I love your section but they can’t run this like you can, Destiny would have wanted you to go on.

Sean: how do you know that?

Andy: because it’s what you love to do, that’s why she loved you, you both cared. Don’t give up caring, she wouldn’t have wanted you to. I’m leaving regardless, so do I have to let an incompetent fool run what you helped build or are you going to take this.

Sean: I’ll do it.

Andy: very well

[he hands his hat over to Sean, he calls for Sarah and Urie to come back into the office]

Andy: Urie, since you admit guilt Sarah you are the new section leader by default [he mutters under his breath] may god help us all. Sean, I’ll let you decide if he stays or goes, its your problem now, have you trained a successor?

Sean: Ariella

Andy: see you are ready for this

[he hands the cane over to Sean, and Walks out stage left]

Urie: Sean, are you going to fire me

Sean: No It was an accident, it’s not your fault.

[he glances at Sarah disapprovingly]

[the lights dim out and the curtain closes]

Scene 13

[Curtain opens back up on the trapeze set, Claire is Claire again, and everyone who was on stage at the end of scene 10 is back on the stage in their positions]

Ringleader: I forgot for a reason, why’d you have to bring that back up

Urie: because Sean! There are things we shouldn’t easily forget. I didn’t forget mine, had I not had your back, you wouldn’t be in this position of power would you Sarah? Or should I call you by your real name not your stage name.

Sarah: DON’T YOU DARE!

Urie: funny how good a friend you turned out to be, funny I’m still alone, I’m miserable and the moment I make friends with somebody you want to destroy it, what happened to the girl I lied and put my livelihood on the line for to save? If Sean and I weren’t good friends he would have fired me. Somewhere along the way we all forgot what really happened, but I didn’t.

Sarah: How could I forget.

Urie: yes now that her Twin is back your so fucking scared aren’t you, scared you’ll be outshined again, maybe I don’t know, scared we’re not the only ones who remember the truth, I’m pretty sure. Funny how you Remember so quickly what happened the moment she got here and reacted so viciously to the thought of being challenged that its become your goal to get her to leave.

Claire: Don’t bring me into this

Ringleader: Stop talking about this!

Urie: NO! I WONT! I kept my mouth shut all this time, did you ever repay me with anything but spite, sometimes I actually wonder if you actually believe it was my fault, that because I lied and said it was to save your ass that that makes it true. God knows you never lived up to any of your promises. And you Sean, you would think you of all people would have my back in this. She’s responsible for your fiancée dying. But then I guess there’s blame to share considering I let you talk me into switching places in the routine. I told you ,you couldn’t catch her but you were worried about impressing Leo by becoming the section leader, you wanted it so bad and GUESS WHAT your still not happy!

Sarah: SHUT UP! I DIDN’T MEAN IT!  I never meant or that to happen, if I could change it I WOULD

Urie: then why are you acting this way? For you to act any way towards me is ridiculous, without me you wouldn’t be here, you shouldn’t be there, and still you act like you deserve the success I handed to you on a platter at the expense of losing the only friend I had until now. And you

Ringleader: me?

Urie: you blame me, even though it’s not my fault, do you blame her at all?

Ringleader: just stop!

Urie: oh and by the way Sarah. Why are you so intimidated by Claire, she’s not after your boyfriend who STILL doesn’t give a shit about you.

Sarah: how dare you, you don’t know a damn thing about my relationship

Urie: if he loved you Sarah, why did he fuck your protégé ?

Bianca: [a loud gasp]

Urie: don’t act like it isn’t true Bianca, I saw the ten shades of red you turned when Selene mentioned it earlier, your just as guilty of being fake in this as anybody else and I’m sick of all of it, that’s not what this is about. So lets get all of the poison out of our systems now shall we before we all die bitter.

Sarah: you Bitch! I taught you everything!

Bianca: I didn’t mean for it to happen

Urie: seems to be a recurring theme going on here doesn’t it

Bianca: He came on to me!

Sarah: you’re a sorry excuse for a human being

Bianca: well maybe I learned from the best.

Sarah: after all I’ve done for you

Urie: don’t play innocent, you and I both know you stole Leo right out from under Ariella

Sarah: you were supposed to be my friend

Bianca: you never treated me like your friend, you treated me like your doormat.

[Sarah Slaps the shit out of Bianca the movement stops Bianca moves back and the music starts for Everybody’s fool by Evanescene]

Bianca:                                  -lyrics-

                                Perfect  by nature

                                Icons of self indulgence

                                Just what we all need

More lies to build your world that

Never was and never will be

Have you no shame?

Do you see me?

You know you’ve got everybody fooled

Look here she comes now

Bow down and stare in wonder

Oh how we love you

No flaws when you’re pretending

But now I know she

Never was and never will be

You don’t know how you’ve betrayed me

Somehow you’ve got everybody fooled

Without the mask

Where will you hide

Can’t find yourself

Lost in your LIE

I know the truth now

I know who you are

And I don’t love you anymore

It never was and never will be

You don’t know how you’ve betrayed me

And somehow you’ve got everybody

Never was and never will be

You’re not real and you can’t save me

And somehow now you’re everybody’s fool

[the music ends and they all separate and Sarah leaves one way and Bianca another]

Scene 14

[Bianca has left the stage as has Sarah so all that’s left is Claire, The Ringleader and Urie]

Ringleader: Are you happy now Urie?

Urie: Don’t try to blame me for this, quite frankly yes I am proud of this, this is how we get better, you have to rip the scabs open sometimes for the wounds to heal. You know what I feel lots better already for finally putting her in her place like you should have done years ago!

Ringleader: well Mr. Happy , you can go track them down and make sure they are ready for the next performance because if they aren’t it’s your ass on the line. You can tell the brass why the circus is no longer touring, you can get YOUR legs broken because I’ll be halfway to Tiawana by then.

[The ringleader makes a dramatic exit like one would expect from an upstaged Diva, leaving no one but Urie and Claire onstage]

Urie: well isn’t this just fucking PERFECT!

Claire: I’m sorry

Urie: don’t be

Claire: since I got here this place seems to be falling apart

Urie: don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault at all, this is a cut that’s been festering for a long time

Claire: so I know all about what happened and all now, but why did you leave your old school, what was so terrible that you couldn’t go back

Urie: I don’t want to talk about it.

Claire: talking about it keeps it from festering

Urie: no offense but you’re still a little too green to be making any demands just yet

Claire: I’ll show you mine if you show me yours first

Urie: oh dear god, fine I’ll tell you but you keep your mouth shut! Shut , locked tighter than fort knox. Not a peep to anyone EVER

Claire: witches honor

Urie: I ran away okay, I was a coward, it’s not grand or anything. I was going to private school, all boys, talk about a rough crowd when you’re gay right. I fell in love, and someone found out about us, he sold me out instead of standing beside me, claimed I forced a kiss on him, and I panicked I packed up everything I owned, and ran.

Claire: why did you go to boarding school in the first place?

Urie: you wouldn’t understand

Claire: I can understand a lot

Urie: because parents were rich, well to do, mom died when I was young and well things just never were good between me and my dad. The perfect son for him was a baseball playing girl chasing, ambitionless carbon copy, I wanted to be a Gymnast. I was abandoned long before I ran away.

[my chemical romance’s “welcome to the black parade” begins to play]

Urie:                      -lyrics-

                When I was a young boy

                My Father, took me into the city

                To see a marching band

                He said son when you grow up

                Would you be the savior of the broken

                The beaten and the damned  (1)

                He said will you defeat them

                Your demons and all the non-believers

                The plans that they have made

                Because one day I’ll leave you

                A phantom to lead you in the summer

                To join the black parade

                (repeat (1) )      

                Sometimes I get the feeling

                Shes watching over me

                And other times I feel like I should go

                When through it all the rise and fall

                The bodies in the streets

                And when your gone we want you all to know

                We’ll carry on we’ll carry on

                And though you’re sure to not believe me

                You’re memory will carry on, will carry on

                And though the heart it cant contain it

                The anthem won’t explain it

                Of all the trends you reel in

                Through decimated dreams

                Your misery and hate will kill us all           

So paint it black and take it back

                And shout it loud and clear

                Defiant to the end we hear the call

                To carry on, to carry on

                And though you’re dead and gone believe me

                Your memory will carry on will carry on

                And though you’re broken and defeated

                You’re weary widow marches

                On and on we carry through the fears

                Disappointed faces of your peers

                Well they can laugh at me

                Because I can not care at all

                Do or die, you’ll never make me

                Because the world will never take my heart

                Though you try you’ll never break me

                I want it all don’t wanna play this part

                Wont explain or say I’m sorry

                I’m unashamed I’m gonna show my scars

                So give a cheer for all the broken

                Listen hard because it’s who we are

                Just a man and not a hero

                I’m just a boy

                Don’t want to sing this song

                I’m just a man I’m not a hero

                And I. don’t .care

                We’ll carry on we’ll carry on

                And though you’re dead and gone believe me

                Your memory will carry on will carry on

                And though you’re broken and defeated

                You’re weary widow marches on

                Do or die you’ll never make me

                 Because the world will never take my heart

                Though you try you’ll never break me

                We want it all not gonna play this part

                But we’ll carry on!

                [the song ends]

Claire: so I’m still a little confused?

Urie: he left me Claire, left me all alone, and when I finally came home I hated him, he sent me to boarding school because I was a bad son because I wasn’t what he pictured, and my only guardian the only one to protect me was gone. So I ran away. I ran away and never looked back

Claire: I ran away too

Urie: tell me something I don’t know.

Claire: I may seem peaches and cream but I’ve seen some shit and some shit accessories

Urie: that’s super, you know I’m not trying to be mean but I have to go and repair what I destroyed before I have to be homeless which is the only thing worse than being here other than going back to where I came or …..daddy dearest

[he exits stage right]

Claire: no one cares, really, no one gives a damn what I have to say. And to think I gave up stripping for this, here I thought I would make myself proud

[she pulls out a mirror and begins talking to her reflection]

Your nothing at all to anyone are you?

[morning star by AFI begins to play]

Claire:                   -Lyrics-

                                I saw a star beneath the stairs

                                Glowing through the melting walls

                                Who will be the first to begin their fall

                                Or will we become one

                                Am I the star beneath the stairs

                                Am I the ghost upon the stage

                                Am I you’re anything?

                                I saw a star beneath the stairs

                                Glowing bright before descent

                                And in the morning there is nothing left

                                But whats inside of me

                               

                                Am I the star beneath the stairs

                                Am I the ghost upon the stage?

                                Am I your anything?

                                Am I the star beneath the stairs?

                                Am I the ghost upon the stage?

                                Am I your anything?

                                And I don’t want to die tonight

                                Will you believe in me?

                                And I don’t want to fall into the light

                                Will you wish upon?

                                Will you walk upon me?

                                I don’t wanna die tonight

                                Will you believe in me tonight?

                                Am I the star beneath the stairs?

                                Am I the ghost upon the stage?

                                Am I your anything?

                                Am I the star beneath the stairs?

                                Am I the ghost upon the stage?

                                Am I your anything?

[the music ends and Claire, exits stage right and the stage stays empty for a little while the lights dim out then come back up on Sarah standing in the middle of the stage ( dressing room set) leo walks in from stage right]

 Scene 15

[Leo walks in to the dressing room, puts his things down and sits in front of the mirror to fix his stage makeup for the next performance as its still a little smeared from his escapades with some of the patrons, sarah approaches from behind, the light comes up ]

Leo: Can I help you with something ?

Sarah: I don’t know how you could you can’t help yourself

Leo: what’s that supposed to mean

Sarah: you think I don’t know

Leo: don’t act like it matters to you at all

Sarah: you fucked my protégé I think that’s a little bit too close to home though I don’t know why I’m surprised you screw anything that moves and will sit still for long enough

Leo: why does it matter to you

Sarah: Because I love you! You asshole, but you’d know that If you paid attention.

Leo: Love me? You trapped me, and you wonder why I cheat all the damn time, you don’t treat someone you love like you own them.

Sarah: I don’t know how to live without you or else I would let you go, it just hurts to know that you don’t care

Leo: maybe I would care, I did once as you recall, but somehow through the god complex I became less important to you.

Sarah: and then you tried to leave me just like everyone else has ever done to me my entire life, forgive me for wanting to be more than just the disposable commodity to someone. I would be anything you want me to but you don’t want me

Leo: you know there’s a saying never sleep with someone that’s crazier than you are, if  only I knew then what I know now.

Sarah: then why do you come back at all?

Leo: because everytime I try to leave you you threaten to kill yourself and contrary to what you believe I do care about you, I care, and I won’t let your coffin rest on my conscience like Destiny’s rests on yours

Sarah: why is everyone bringing her up again. After all this time, just because that little tramp showed up looking like her twin we have to relive it, IT WASN’T MY FAULT! DON’T MAKE THIS ABOUT THAT.

Leo: what do you want to make this about then

Sarah: how about the fact that you traded down this time, funny you won’t even look at me anymore like that but you go for what I created in my image interesting logic you have going there.

Leo: well did it ever occur to you that I went after her because she reminds me what you used to be like, I actually liked that girl but what you’ve become is repulsive and it’s not only me who thinks that way clearly.

Sarah: you know the worst part is that you don’t give a damn about me and I love you still

Leo: you don’t know what love is you just do as you’re told

Sarah: so where do we go from here?

Leo: How about exactly where we always go, we turn the other cheek and pretend its all hunky dory until tomorrow when our demons are waiting to find us

Sarah: who says there will be a tomorrow

Leo: and here we go again.

[Bayside’s “we’ll be okay” begins to play]

Leo:                       -Lyrics-

                                So lets close our eyes and we’ll talk in the morning

                                When we’re able to feel

                                The true weight of our words and while we’re both here

                                We can say we tried and take comfort in knowing

Sarah:                   that if we both die alone tomorrow

Leo:                       it’s just the way that the stars align

                                Hope we both learned our lesson

Sarah:                   Hope we both learned our lesson

Sarah&Leo:         We’ll be okay

                                We both got what we wanted

Leo:                       I got sex and you got fame

Sarah:                   Who used who now?

Leo:                       That you’ve got all new friends

                                But they don’t know your name

Leo:                       here you are at the big time darling

                                Hope I helped make your dreams come true

Sarah:                   and in a way I’m ashamed

                                Not being your first or your last

Leo:                       just the first cool enough to admit to

                                I can hide by my reputation

                                While sadly you’re making your own

Sarah:                   but a notch on you’re belt’s not a notch worn so well

Leo:                       it’s expected of me and the lies that I tell

Sarah:                   Hope we both learned our lesson

Leo:                       Hope we both learned our lesson

Leo&Sarah:         We’ll be okay

                                We both got what we want

Sarah:                   I got sex

Leo:                       You got fame

Sarah:                   who used who now?

Leo:                       that you got all new friends

                                But they don’t know your name

                                They don’t know your name!

Leo&sarah :        We’ll be okay

                                We both got what we wanted

Leo:                       I got sex and you got fame

Sarah:                   who used who now?

Leo:                       that you’ve got all new friends

                                But they don’t know your name (x2)

Leo&Sarah:         We’ll be okay, we’ll be okay!

[the music stops and they both separate and exit at opposite sides of the stage the lights go out but the curtain doesn’t close]

Scene 16

[Urie steps foot on the stage looking around trying to find Sarah or Bianca the lights come up on him]

Urie: okay I know I heard their voices or at least I heard Sarah’s shrill voice. Where are they we have to rehearse our last number.

[Gavyn walks onto the stage]

Gavyn: what are you talking to yourself about

Urie: I can’t find Sarah or Bianca, They had a big blowout and now I have to pick up the mess

Gavyn: well I’m supposed to be getting ready for rehearsals but I can help you look for them

Urie: I would be soo grateful if you would

Gavyn: where did you last see them

Urie: I last saw them at the practice ring. And they both dipped out

[suddenly they are interrupted by a stumble behind them as one of the clowns fall onstage face first and the other two follow]

Urie: oh god not now

Bozo: [slurring] I’m sorry are we interrupting you two love birds

Urie: he’s not my lover you alcoholic, he’s trying to help me find Bianca and Sarah, and we really don’t have time to be dealing with you

Barnum: we’ll who asked you to fairy princess

Bailey: you just don’t know when to shut your mouth do you, one of these days its going to get you into trouble now get out of here before we make it today

Urie: well if you would get the hell out of my way I could be on my way couldn’t I

Barnum: you smart mouth little faggot

Urie: PAINT FACE!

[at this remark Bozo tries to swing at him and Gavyn steps in and clothesline’s him in the gut, Barnum pulls a knife and is about to stab one of them when they hear the Ringleader walking into the room and he retracts the knife and picks up his friend]

Barnum: this isn’t over , for either of you, just you watch your back

[they exit stage right, as the ringleader enters from stage left]

Ringleader: what the hell is going on in here it sounded like a bar fight

Gavyn: it was..

Urie: it was nothing

Ringleader: well Claire found Bianca and Sarah came back on her own accord, so you can abandon the search party

Urie: thank god

Ringleader: and you

Gavyn: me?

Ringleader: don’t you have to be on stage in ten minutes, why aren’t you in costume?

Gavyn: aren’t you supposed to be on stage in ten minutes? Where’s your costume?

Ringleader: just get ready damn it!

[he saunters off to stage right  and Urie and he exit stage left  the lights go out on them and the curtains close]

[the curtain opens up again on the Trapeze Set Sarah Urie Bianca and Claire are all back to the set and they are fighting as usual]

Sarah: nice of you to rejoin us

Urie: do you really want to go there, we just fucking did this

Claire: can you guys please stop fighting, we have one more number to get through you can go back to hating each other later if you wish but can we get through this? Please

Sarah: I’m not sure I like you’re tone

Claire: you don’t like anything about me

Sarah: you’re damn right I don’t

Claire: why what did I ever do to you?

Sarah: ever since you got here things have been worse than usual

Claire: and this is my fault I didn’t ask for trouble I didn’t instigate trouble it seems to me to be just a coincidence that people got tired of the bullshit from you the day I arrived.

Sarah: oh I see you think you’re better than me

Claire: no but at least I treat people like human beings and not like slaves

Sarah: who the hell do you think you are, I happen to know what you came from, and I won’t be judged by a stripper like you, you might have run off to the circus but you still ran from the pole didn’t you, trollop

Claire: you know what enough, you don’t know me bitch

[Titanium plays and Claire performs it]

Claire:                   -Lyrics-

                                You shout it out

                                But I can’t hear a word you say

                                Talking loud not saying much

                                Criticize but all your bullets ricochet

                                Shoot me down but I get up

                                I’m bulletproof nothing to lose

                                Fire away fire away

                                Ricochet you take your aim

                                Fire away fire away

                                You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium

                                You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium

                                Coming down, but its you have further to fall

                                Than I am going to

                                Raise your voice

                                Sticks and stones may break my bones

                                Talking loud not saying much

                                I’m bulletproof nothing to lose

                                Fire away fire away

                                Ricochet you take your aim

                                Fire away fire away

                               

You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium

                                You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium (x2)

                               

                                Stone hard, machine gun

                                Firing at the ones who run

                                Stone hard as bulletproof glass

                               

                                You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium

                                You shoot me down but I won’t fall

                                I am titanium

[the music ends and Sarah is standing there dumbfounded ]

Claire: If you can’t say anything nice keep your lips sealed, and if you can’t work with others, then go away but I think I speak for everyone when I say we don’t need you, we will do fine without you

Sarah: fine, go on without me bitch, I’ll do my own solo and you can all kiss my ass when Sean leaves and I become ringleader, goodluck with life on the corner when that day comes bitch, and it’s fast approaching

[she walks out Urie and Bianca Cheer Claire for a little bit and the lights go out for a little bit]

Scene 17

[the curtain closes and reopens on the fire set the clowns are coming in muttering hate speeches about revenge and carrying a container of gasoline with them and they begin to toss it on everything and especially on Gavyn’s Costume  they pour it all out and walk away, the lights go out and the curtain closes when it reopens the fire perfromers are in position and the Ringleader is standing with them]

Ringleader: LADIES GENTLEMEN, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE YET TO MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, WE HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT FOR YOU TONIGHT, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER HYPE, I GIVE YOU THE DAZZLING DRAGONS AND ANOTHER REASON THIS IS THE GREATEST SHWO ON EARTH!

[the music for Dragula begins to play as they begin to perform the gang vocals coming in on the chorus lines]

Ringleader:                         -Lyrics-

                                Dead I am the one

                                Exterminating son

                                Slipping through the trees

                                Strangling the breeze

                                Dead I am the sky

                                Watching angels cry

                                While they slowly turn

                                Conquering the worm

                                Dig through the ditches

                                Burn through the witches

                                Slam in the back of my dragula (x2)

                                Dead I am the pool

                                Spreading from the fool

                                Weak and watch you need

                                Nowhere as you bleed

                                Dead I am the rat

                                Feast upon the cat

                                Tender is the fur

                                Dying as you purr

                                Dig through the ditches

                                Burn through the witches

                                Slam in the back of my Dragula (x2)

                                Do it baby do it baby

                                Do it baby do it baby

                                Burn like an animal

                                Dead I am the life

                                Dig into the skin

                                Knuckle crack the bone

                                Twenty one to win

               

                                Dead I am the dog

                                Hound of hell you cry

                                Devil on your back

                                I can never die

                                Dig through the ditches

                                Burn through the witches

                                Slam in the back of my Dragula (x2)

                                Do it baby do it baby

                                Do it baby do it baby

                                Burn like an animal

                                Dig through the ditches

Burn through the witches

Slam in the back of my Dragula! (x3)

[the music ends and they bow their heads in their place as the smoke surrounds them the stage illuminated in a red wash and the sound of the alarm goes off followed by pandemonium as the performers notice the tent is on fire and they put it out with extinguishers as the audience is dismissed to the lobby for an intermission]

End of Act 1

[during the intermission someone asks Colby where he is from and he recites “One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer” then after a brief meet and greet is over, and the ringleader over the loud speaker is overheard freaking out, there is a voiceover scene with the police about “what to do with the body” and the fires are extinguished and everyone is ushered inside the lights go out and Sarah opens up the second act with “the show must go on” by queen which includes all the cast just like during “Circus”]

Sarah:                                   -lyrics-

Empty spaces - what are we living for?
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score..
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero - another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Hold the line!
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!Yeah!
Inside my heart is breaking,
My make-up may be flaking,
But my smile, still, stays on!

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance.
Another heartache - another failed romance.
On and on...
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess i'm learning
I must be warmer now..
I'll soon be turning, round the corner now.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!

The Show must go on!
The Show must go on! Yeah,yeah!
Ooh! Inside my heart is breaking!
My make-up may be flaking...
But my smile, still, stays on!
Yeah! oh oh oh

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
I can fly, my friends!

The Show must go on! Yeah!
The Show must go on!
I'll face it with a grin!
I'm never giving in!
On with the show!

I'll top the bill!
I'll overkill!
I have to find the will to carry on!
On with the show!On with the show!
The Show must go on.

[the lights fade out and the cast dissolves as the stage clears again The two clowns that are left will linger on the stage after the rest of the cast has made their way into the wings]

Barnum: (hysterically) what the hell are we gonna do Ryan, Greg is dead!

Bailey: will you shut up Wesley !

Barnum: were going down this time man, I’ll never survive in prison

Bailey: will you shut the fuck up! No one is going to jail, no one will find out about this as far as were all concerned it was an accident, a tragedy, caused by faulty wiring and poor materials that tent went up way to fast.

Barnum: man theres  going to be an investigation they’re  gonna find out that we pour kerosene over everything man

Bailey: SHUT YOUR MOUTH! People could be listening

[at the edge of the stage behind a set piece in view of the audience but not the clowns Bianca is hiding eavesdropping ]

Barnum: WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO!

Bailey: WE aren’t going to do anything, I don’t know about you but I plan to finish the show and get the hell out of here! You might do well to do the same and we’ll leave this all behind and become different people and just disappear, GET IT? GOT IT? GOOD!

[the clowns exit and Sarah walks onto the set to try and salvage whats left of the rig after the fire to see if they can still use it safely and Urie walks onstage too and helps to patch things up uneasily there is a stare down as Claire drifts onstage, the music for “desolation row” starts  ( sung by Bianca still behind the set piece apart from the view of the other actors much like “there are worse things I could do “ is sung by rizzo in grease) ]

Bianca:                                  -lyrics-

                                They're selling postcards of the hanging

Where they're painting the passports brown

Yeah, the beauty parlor's filled with sailors

The circus is in town

Oh now but here comes the blind commissioner

Well, they got him in a trance

One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker

The other's in his pants

And the riot squad, they're restless

They need somewhere to go

As Lady and I look out tonight from

Desolation Row

Cinderella, she seems so easy

"Well, it takes one to know one," she smiles

And she puts her hands in her back pockets

Bette Davis style

Now but in comes Romeo moaning

"You belong to me I believe"

And someone says,

"You're in the wrong place, my friend

You better leave"

And the only sound that's left

After the ambulances go

Is Cinderella sweeping up On

Desolation Row

Now at midnight all the agents

And super-human crew

Go out and round up everyone

That knows more than they do

They gonna bring 'em to the factory

Where the heart-attack machine

Is strapped across their shoulders

And then the kerosene!

Is brought down from the castles

By insurance men who go

Check to see that no one is escaping to

Desolation Row

'Cause right now I can't read too good

Don't send me no letters, no

Not unless you gonna mail them From

Desolation Row

[The song ends and Bianca joins the rest of the group trying to repair the rig]

Sarah: here let me get it

Urie: no I’ve got it

Sarah: I’ve got it now let go!

[they struggle over a wrench to tighten a bolt , and it hits urie in the face]

Urie: look what you did

Bianca: STOP IT STOP IT, your both being egotistical assholes its tearing us all apart!

[they all walk away and the lights dim out everything seems desolate, the set changes to the dressing room where Ryan (aka Bailey) is shooting heroin by himself with a mirror and a razor blade chopping lines ]

[the ghost of Greg (aka Bozo) appears to him while he is under the swoon of heroin]

Greg: its all your fault

Ryan: no its not

Greg: you left me behind

Ryan: we all would have died

Greg: you watched me burn

Ryan: its not my fault

Greg: you belong in hell with me

Ryan: its not my fault

Greg:  it is your fault, you left me behind!

[greg fades away with the vapor and the lights change colors Ryan takes the line o cocaine and shoots more heroin as he holds the blade to his forearm and begins to sing as the guitar plays “hurt” by johnny cash (originally by nine inch nails) ]

Ryan:                                                                      lyrics

I hurt myself today,
To see if I'd still feel.
I focus on the pain,
The only thing that's real.
The needle tears a hole,
The old familiar sting;
Try to kill it all away,
But I remember everything.

What have I become,
My sweetest friend?
Everyone I know,
Goes away in the end.
You could have it all,
My empire of dirt.
I will let you down,
I will make you hurt...

I wear this crown of shit,
Upon my liar's chair,
Full of broken thoughts,
I cannot repair.
Beneath the stains of time,
The feelings disappear.
You are someone else,
I am still right here.

What have I become,
My sweetest friend?
Everyone I know,
Goes away in the end.
And you could have it all,
My empire of dirt,
I will let you down,
I will make you hurt.

If I could start again,
A million miles away,
I would keep myself,
I would find a way.

[he bleeds out as the music fades and the lights dim to a blackout]

[set changes to Sarah in her dressing room Leo walks in]

Sarah: well look what the wind blew in

Leo: don’t start

Sarah: all these years and all you can say to me is don’t start

Leo: what was I supposed to do sarah sacrifice my happiness or your peace of mind, does it matter to you that I’ve been suffocated for over four years, yeah I cheated, lots of times, yes I’m a terrible person, but its in my nature to do what makes me happy, it was my only escape from you. I was damned if I did , damned if I didn’t.

Sarah: you’re such a pretty face, its too bad you have a filthy soul

Leo: for what its worth I’m sorry

[he walks away and “take A Bow” by Rihanna begins to play]

Sarah:                                                                     -lyrics-

Oh, how about a round of applause
Yeah, standin' ovation
Oh oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah

You look so dumb right now
Standing' outside my house
Trying' to apologize
You're so ugly when you cry
Please, just cut it out

And don't tell me you're sorry 'cause you're not
Baby when I know you're only sorry you got caught

But you put on quite a show
Really had me going
But now it's time to go
Curtain's finally closing
That was quite a show
Very entertainin'
But it's over now (but it's over now)
Go on and take a bow
Oh...

Grab your clothes and get gone (get gone)
You better hurry up before the sprinklers come on
Talkin' about, girl, I love you, you're the one
This just looks like a re-run
Please, what else is on (oh)

And don't tell me you're sorry 'cause you're not
Baby when I know you're only sorry you got caught

But you put on quite a show
Really had me going
But now it's time to go
Curtain's finally closing
That was quite a show
Very entertainin'
But it's over now (but it's over now)
Go on and take a bow

Oh, and the award for the best liar goes to you
For making me believe that you could be faithful to me
Let's hear your speech out

How about a round of applause
A standin' ovation

But you put on quite a show
Really had me going
Now it's time to go
Curtain's finally closing
That was quite a show
Very entertainin'
But it's over now (but it's over now)
Go on and take a bow

But it's over now...

[the music ends and the lights fade out the lights come up again once again on the dressing room where Urie is treating his broken nose, Gavyn enters]

Gavyn: are you okay?

Urie: Fine

Gavyn: let me help you with that

Urie: I don’t need any help I can handle it myself thanks

[Gavyn Grabs Urie’s face and holds him still]

Gavyn: its broken

Urie: yeah no shit!

Gavyn: here let me set it

Urie: no its fine

Gavyn: its not fine.. now just let me.. (crack)

Urie: AHHH!

Gavyn: done! All better

Urie: That Fucking Hurt

Gavyn: yeah I just set your nose you were expecting  it to feel like what? Hugging a teddy bear?

Urie: thank you very much

Gavyn: hold on let me see it now

[he grabs Uries face a second time and they catch each others eyes again and hold for a few beats then Urie Pulls away]

Gavyn: whats wrong

Urie: I think you should go

Gavyn: why? Did I offend you

Urie: no its not that, I just don’t want you to be seen with me and if you stay any longer

Gavyn: oh I see your too high fashion for me I guess

[he begins to walk away]

Urie: no, its not that, people will talk, and I don’t want you to think I’m flirting with you

[Gavyn turns back around]

Gavyn: for the record I wouldn’t mind if you were

[he turns his back again and Urie turns to face the other direction, then the music starts or moonage daydream]

Gavyn:                                                                  -lyrics-

I'm an alligator, I'm a mama-papa coming for you
I'm the space invader, I'll be a rock 'n' rollin' bitch for you
Keep your mouth shut,
You're squawking like a pink monkey bird
And I'm busting up my brains for the words

Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe
Put your ray gun to my head
Press your space face close to mine, love

Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah!

Urie:      Don't fake it baby, lay the real thing on me
The church of man, love
Is such a holy place to be
Make me baby, make me know you really care

Make me jump into the air

Both:     Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe
Put your ray gun to my head
Press your space face close to mine, love
Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah!

Freak out, far out, in out

[Gavyn Kisses Urie for at least three beats and then blackout]

Scene 22

[lights come up again, Wesley aka barnum is packing his things and preparing to run away when the ghosts of Ryan and Greg appear to him ]

Wesley: FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, I gotta get outta here

[the spirits appears in flashes of light and a fog ]

Greg: they’re coming for you

Ryan: they’re gonna put you away forever

Wesley: shut up go away!

Ryan: they’re gonna get you

Greg: they’re coming for you

Both: they’re coming for you, they’re coming for you, they’re coming for you

[the lights flash and the two apparitions begin to make an impersonation of a siren they continue, to increase in volume as a real siren plays overtop of them and they fade out as the real siren gets louder as the lights flash red and blue, and crescendo until it stops completely and Wesley breaks the silence from the fetal position as “renegade” by Styx begins to play]

Wesley:                                -lyrics-

Oh momma I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law

Lawman has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home

Oh momma I can hear you a'crying you're so scared and all alone

Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very

long

The jig is up the news is out they've finally found me

The renegade who had it made retrieved for a bounty

Never more to go astray

This will be the end today of the wanted man

Oh momma I've been years on the lam

And had a high price on my head

Lawman said get him dead or alive

Now it's for sure he'll see me dead

Dear momma I can hear you a'crying

You're so scared and all alone

Hangman is coming down from the gallows

And I don't have very long

The jig is up, the news is out

They finally found me

The renegade who had it made

Retrieved for a bounty

Never more to go astray

The judge will have revenge today

On the wanted man

Greg & Ryan:

Oh Momma, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law

Hangman is coming down from the gallows And I don't have very long

Wesley:

The jig is up, the news is out

They finally found me

The renegade who had it made

Retrieved for a bounty

Never more to go astray

This'll be the end today

Of the wanted man

the wanted man

and i don't wanna go,

oh no

dont let 'em take me

no no

[the lights go out again and the curtain closes as he leaves with bags in hand]

[the lights come up again and the curtain opens up on the ring leader and Leo]

Ringmaster: well for once old boy you’re not the thorn in my side

Leo: sarah huh?

Ringmaster: yeah as well as a couple of other people

Both: but mostly Sarah

Ringleader: it’s strange I’ve learned to miss the days when all I had to worry about was your antics

Leo: wow , thanks Sean. I’m touched

Ringleader: you know what I mean.

Leo: you mean when things were simple

Ringleader: yeah. Back when you and Sarah weren’t fighting all the time

Leo: I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore

Ringleader: what do you mean

Leo: I really fucked it up this time

Ringleader:  off again?

Leo: no I mean for real, its over

Ringleader: wow

Leo: is it bad that I blame myself for the way she is

Ringleader: no, It isn’t I think we all kind of blame ourselves, we all kind of are to blame, but at the end of the day she still made the decisions that made her the person she is, and only she can be responsible for that

Leo: I suppose your right but are we any better?

Ringleader: what do you mean

Leo: I mean are we? In all honesty we are less theatrical about it, but are we at the end of the day any less neurotic?

Ringleader: look around, this is the discard pile, everyone here is pretty fucked up and defective. But out of all of us she’s definitely the queen.

Leo: do you ever stop to wonder how we got to be so damn distressed?

Ringleader: yeah, and I come up with the same answer everytime

Leo: which is?

Ringleader: none at all.

Leo:  I always kind of wondered if it might be because we never had anyone to look up to who wasn’t already damaged, maybe were part of a polluted vicious cycle

Ringleader: you’ve been hanging around with the clowns again haven’t you? Speaking of which have you seen any of them about not that I’m complaining about the serenity their absence brings, but its best if I know where they are so I know they aren’t causing havoc

Leo: I don’t know I haven’t seen them

Ringleader: you do make an interesting point though, i mean I don’t ever recall meeting ziggy but Andy wasn’t the best guy to learn from he was after all an alcoholic

Leo: and the apple doesn’t all far from the tree

Ringleader: I take it ziggy was a man whore?

Leo: no, let me tell it to you like this.

[David Bowies Ziggy Stardust begins to play]

Leo:                       Oh

Oooh yeah

Ah

Ziggy played guitar, jamming good with weird and gilly

And the spiders from mars. he played it left hand

But made it too far

Became the special man, then we were ziggy's band

Ziggy really sang, screwed up eyes and screwed down hairdo

Like some cat from japan, he could lick 'em by smiling

He could leave 'em to hang

They came on so loaded man, well hung and snow white tan.

So where were the spiders while the fly tried to break our balls

Just the beer light to guide us,

So we bitched about his fans and should we crush his sweet hands?

Oh

Ooh oh

Ziggy played for time, jiving us that we were voodoo

The kids were just crass, he was the nazz

With god given ass

He took it all too far but boy could he play guitar

Making love with his ego ziggy sucked up into his mind

Like a leper messiah

When the kids had killed the man i had to break up the band.

Oh yeah

Ooooooo

Ziggy played guitaarrrrrr

[the lights fade out and the curtain closes and reopens on the trapeze set Sarah approaches the other

 they are working on a new number]

Scene 23

Sarah: is that new choreography?

Claire: yes it is

Sarah: and no one thought to ask my opinion before just running this

Urie: it’s the closing number Sarah, you disappear you miss out

Sarah: apparently not ( motioning to Bianca)

Bianca: I only left because of you!

Sarah: I’m sorry, but I am still section leader you don’t just change things without my approval

Urie: maybe were tired of asking for your approval

Sarah: ( ascending the scaffolding and shoving Claire out of the way) move out of my spot newbie, okay teach it to me

Urie: sure maybe when you stand in your place

Sarah: I am in my place

Claire: no that’s my place actually

Sarah: Don’t try me, I’ve been nicer to you than I should be, you think I’m a bitch you don’t even know what a bitch is but if you don’t move I can define it for you

Urie: no Sarah, you’re not the star this time, you may have the hottest guy under the tent but you cant have everything you want

Sarah: thanks very much I broke up with Leo

Urie: what do you want a gold star? Big deal

Sarah: just fucking teach me the choreography you uptight little fairy!

Urie: Fuck you very much, I’m not teaching a damn thing to you, I’m not your second banana and you’ve been on your high horse a bit too long for my taste, I’m surprised the horse hasn’t keeled over from carrying your fat ass

Sarah: HOW DARE YOU

Urie: whats the matter Sarah Star? Not used to the truth, that head of yours must weigh a ton its so inflated

Sarah: You little fuck!

Urie: It’s funny how you start throwing the insults the moment when it’s not about you, everyone here knows your legacy but I still remember your real name Evelyn Sarah

Sarah: I’LL KILL YOU!

Urie: no you won’t, my how quickly we forget who had your back way back when, lets see how you do without my help

Clare: or mine

Sarah: Bianca?

[Bianca just nods No]

Urie: It’s lonely at the top isn’t it

[Sarah snaps and trys to Strangle Urie when Claire and Bianca intervene and shove her down the music for existing in a crisis starts]

Urie:       I'm so tired of the stupid games you play

If I sat outside would you come watch me wait?

If I had a gun and shot it at your face?

Would you promise not to get out of the way?

If you happen to be able to avoid

My first attack I'll put a knife against your throat

And cut an inch for every time I lost my self-control

When you made me do the things I did at night when I got home

But I thought you'd change, and realize that today(Today)

(Evelyn) (I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave here now, beggin you to stay away from me,

(I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave me now, beggin you to die painfully(to die painfully)

This brings us to the backup of my plan,

Maybe I'll just have to strangle you with my bare hands,

Then you'll have to adhere to my demands,

And occupy a shallow grave, as shallow as you are

But I thought they'd change, and things just stay the same,

(Evelyn) (I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave here now, beggin you to stay away from me,

(I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave me now, beggin you to die

Sometimes intent leads, leads to stagnant,

And stagnant, leads to contempt, contempt leads to,

The present [x2]

But I thought you'd change, and realize that today(Today)

(Evelyn) (I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave here now, beggin you to stay away from me,

(I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave me now, beggin you to die painfully

(Evelyn) (I know you lied) I'd tell you that I'm alive for the first time

And I'm beggin you to leave here now, beggin you to stay away from me[x2]

[the stage goes black for a few moments and then the lights come back up]

Ringleader : ( entering from stage right) What’s going on here

Urie: Justice

Ringleader: Every five minutes there’s a brawl going on, can we not have a peaceful night!?

 Sarah: start shopping for a new section leader I QUIT!

Ringleader: Help! Police! Emergency!  Sarah Starr is angsty and no one’s listening to her, Boo Hoo Woe is me, please do us all a favor and get over yourself, you’ve quit six times in the past year, I cant possibly take you seriously.

Sarah: I’m Serious!

Urie: maybe if you knew how to run a section in the first place you wouldn’t have so much trouble, newsflash we don’t need you. Let her walk Sean it will probably improve things

Ringleader: shut up Urie, your just as big an instigator isn’t it enough that I have clowns on the loose I’m sorry but please I can’t deal with your juvenile squabbles right now

Sarah: Fine I’ll go

Urie: good

Sarah: not kidding

Ringleader: you two work your issues out I don’t care if your black and blue by the end of it, just fix it work it out because I can’t, no I won’t keep mediating between the two of you.

Sarah: aren’t you going to try to even talk me down

Ringleader: no, I’m done tell it to somebody that cares, but a word of advice that I hope you ACTUALLY listen to, if you’re having so many problems Taylor Swift  don’t you think the thought would emerge “maybe it’s me?” food for thought

[Sarah storms off, Urie stands there indifferently, with the other two]

Ringleader: ( after about a two beat pause) well what are you waiting for, ( beat) go get her

Urie: but you just said!

Ringleader: look I don’t care how you solve your problems but I need her here just trust me do me one last solid and go get her

Bianca: well I am not going to get her, I’ve been groveling at her feet for too long, I’m sorry pull me of the tightrope if you want I don’t care

[Bianca and Urie go after Sarah Claire stays on stage with the Ringleader]

Scene 24

Ringleader: what do you want?

Claire: nothing, I’m just honestly trying to stay out of the way

Ringleader: well welcome to my world you’ll find it increasingly difficult to stay above the storm

[she wanders off toward stage Right]

Ringleader: come back

Claire: do you need something

Ringleader: yeah actually

[he takes off his Hat and Jacket]

Claire: I don’t understand

Ringleader: it’s your lucky day

Claire: but I’m still green, I can’t do this

Ringleader: you’re the only one who I honestly think has the will or resolve to take this

Claire: but what about you

Ringleader: I’m done chasing the wagon from town to town, done with the drama done with the spotlight and faking smiles, I used to love it, but my star is burning out, yours is just rising, I don’t have it in me anymore, and I can leave this to you and know it wasn’t all in vain, Know that the most capable person carried on the torch, I need to chase my own dreams that I left in the dust for this life, you want to be a star, you want this still more than any of the others your not in it for the fame your in it for the escape, maybe theres still hope for you

Claire: thank you

Ringleader: just do me a favor, don’t let anyone know until I’ve gone

Claire: okay

Ringleader: god you look just like her

Claire: what?

Ringleader: nothing

[she exits stage right and the music begins to play for “ I miss you” ] [During the song Claire becomes Destiny one more time and comes to dance with the Ringleader Briefly and then disappear again towards the end of the song]

Ringleader:         Hello there, the angel from my nightmare

The shadow in the background of the morgue

The unsuspecting victim of darkness in the valley

We can live like Jack and Sally if we want

Where you can always find me

And we'll have Halloween on Christmas

And in the night we'll wish this never ends

We'll wish this never ends

I miss you, miss you

I miss you, miss you

Where are you and I'm so sorry

I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight

I need somebody and always

This sick, strange darkness

Comes creeping on so haunting everytime

And as I stared I counted the webs from all the spiders

Catching things and eating their insides

Like indecision to call you and hear your voice of treason

Will you come home and stop this pain tonight?

Stop this pain tonight

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

Don't waste your time on me you're already the voice inside my head

(I miss you, miss you)

(I miss you, miss you)

(I miss you, miss you)

(I miss you, miss you)

[the lights dim and the Ringleader Exits stage left, curtains close]

Scene 25

[the lights come up and the curtain opens on the fire performers ]

Ariella: okay role call, who isn’t injured or otherwise incapable of performing

Selene: I

Alex: I

Colby: yeah I’m here

Ariella: where the fuck is Gavyn

Alex: did he get scorched?

Colby: I think I know

Selene: well speak up

Colby: you don’t want to know, and I don’t know if its true or not

Alex: what? English please

Colby: hes gone twirling

Ariella: oh dear god, why would he be with those buffoons and their dictator

Selene: I don’t think that’s what he means

Ariella: please just say it I don’t have time to be wasting circumventing

Colby: he’s with his boyfriend

Ariella: what Gavyn isn’t gay

Selene: did you see the way he looked at Urie

Ariella: no way I don’t buy it

Colby: has he ever that we know of been with a female

Ariella: I’m sure he has

Selene: I don’t think so

Ariella: well you would know wouldn’t you

Selene: I take pride in my work

Colby: hooking isn’t a profession Selene

Selene: think about it has he ever made a pass at any of us?

Ariella: he just doesn’t seem the type

Selene: well look here he comes now ask and ye shall receive

[ Gavyn enters from stage right]

Gavyn: sorry I’m late I was attending to something

Colby: hint hint

Selene: don’t you mean some one

Gavyn: oh god

Ariella: so it is true

Gavyn: it’s none of your business lets just get this done please

Ariella: its okay Gavyn were happy for you, hmm never knew you batted for both teams

Gavyn: I don’t

Selene: told you

Ariella: so wait you were with a girl

Gavyn: no I was with Urie

Selene: once again told you

Ariella: woah wait, your completely gay, and I didn’t know it

Gavyn: you never asked, you just assumed                

Selene: making an ass out of you and me

Ariella: Selene!

Selene: sorry

Gavyn: don’t we have one last number

Ariella: oh yeah, I’m sorry I was fascinated, are you able to perform or did you wear your back out

Gavyn: ass, you and me, once again

Ariella: shit sorry

Gavyn: we didn’t have sex

Colby: yet

Alex: theres still hope selene

Selene: shut up Alex, not like you haven’t been eyeing the new girl

Ariella: well what did you do

Gavyn: we just kissed

Selene: so does this mean your leaving us

Gavyn: I don’t know, I might, it’s actually pretty fun. The trapeze part at least

Colby: oh god he’s gonna leave us

Selene: why are you crying you’ve been begging for more attention for a long time

Colby: it would be awesome to be the only guy here

Alex: hey I’m still in the room you know

Colby: sorry

Ariella: well don’t crap out on us until tomorrow at least please we need you

Gavyn: can we just rehearse?

[black out lights up on Sarah and Urie, Sarah is crying]

Urie: hey

Sarah: go away, you like seeing me like this don’t you

Urie: no I don’t

Sarah: sure seems like you do, I’m trying my best you know

Urie: trying your best to do what, impress somebody , climb your way up to the top?

Sarah: you don’t even know what I’m going through

Urie: your right I have no idea. But I know crying about it and walking away won’t solve anything, neither will trying to break everyone else around you. What good does it do to get to the top when you’ve fractured the base on your way up? You’re only going to fall.

Sarah: I tried so hard

Urie: for all the wrong reasons, all to impress some guy. Wise up Sarah, he isn’t that special, if he was worth having, you wouldn’t have to fight to impress him, he would notice you for you, not anything else.

Sarah: but I love him.

Urie: I know, but I learned a long time ago love is a two way street, sometimes when you chase after something you think you want, you miss something greater right in front of you, sometimes things are unattainable because there’s something better for you.

Sarah: but it’s so hard

Urie: I know honey, I know, trust me I know

Sarah: how can you know

Urie: Sarah I’m Gay, I know probably better than you about star-crossed love, but you know if Romeo and Juliet had stopped to smell the roses they might have ended up happily. Let’s take a look at your situation for a second and stop wallowing in self-pity.  You spent all this time chasing after Leo and he ran away every time. Someone died in the process of getting him to notice you. You became section leader and what did it get you, guess what he still doesn’t want you, maybe breaking up this time should be permanent. Trust me I know how hard it is to not cling on for dear life but let go dear you’ll feel a lot better I promise.

Sarah: everybody hates me don’t you think I feel guilty I do, every day I hate myself for what happened that day.

Urie: we don’t hate you Sarah. We hate what you’ve become. What happened to the girl I as friends with I liked her I miss her. Why don’t we start over just like we did day one?

[He helps her up and they walk off together]

[the lights come up again on the Fire performers set]

Ariella: okay so is anyone else going to leave us because I would like to set choreography

Selene: I don’t know it sounds like fun, and let’s be honest your never gonna leave I might as well get another credential and who knows throw my hat in to be the next ringleader when Sean leaves

Ariella: well okay were at an odd number again.

[Bianca comes in]

Bianca: I think I can even up the number

Ariella: aren’t you a little fragile to be playing with fire?

Bianca: I think I’ve got the fire in me

Selene: you?

Bianca: I’ve been sucking up to a pretender for too long I’m tired of being someone’s yes man, I have a lot of rage to let out I figure what better way than fire to sweat out the fever.

Ariella: well lets see what you got, tell us who you are [ she throws a fire poi to Bianca]

[the music starts for blame it on bad luck]

Bianca:                                               Pound my knuckles hard against the floor.

My head against the wall.

But I did this to myself.

Assume it's just not worth getting back up

So I'll blame it on bad luck. I'll shake responsibility, yeah

I spent some time in a bad place at 18, wishing I could see something through clear eyes.

Do you ever wake up to realize your life is meaningless?

Does it give you strength, or lead you to your grave at a young age?

Pound my knuckles hard against the floor.

My head against the wall.

But I did this to myself.

Assume it's just not worth getting back up

So I'll blame it on bad luck. I'll shake responsibility

Yeah

It seems that when I ran away from my past all my dignity, my faith, my pride got left back.

And now I think it's time that I realize self pity's meaningless.

Though I'm 10 feet deep,

I'll claw my way back out from in my grave.

Pound my knuckles hard against the floor.

My head against the wall.

But I did this to myself.

Assume it's just not worth getting back up

So I'll blame it on bad luck. I'll shake responsibility

And say a hard life did this to me

But now I realize I'd give anything I have to walk a day in my old shoes. Wondering what my first smoke would be like, my first fuck, my next fuck up. Or the next band that would change my life and it changed my life.

Pound my knuckles hard against the floor.

My head against the wall.

But I did this to myself.

Assume it's just not worth getting back up

So I'll blame it on bad luck. I'll shake responsibility

And say a hard life did this to me

[the music ends and the fire is extinguished]

Ariella: impressive, okay you’re in

[black out]

Scene 26

[curtain opens up on the Trapeze set  Urie and Sarah Show up to find Claire]

Urie: where’s Bianca?

Claire: search me?

[Gavyn and Selene enter via stage right]

Urie: what are you doing here

Gavyn: switching teams

[they embrace and kiss each other passionately]

Urie: won’t that anger people no

Selene: oh I hope you don’t mind but your friend replaced me

Gavyn: oh yeah sorry, you know Selene, she wants to join us too

Selene: what the hell you live once

Sarah: wait now there’s five of us

Claire: no not really

Sarah: don’t leave on account of me, I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you.

Claire: its okay and I’m not leaving

Urie: I love how we orchestrated all of this on our own. I can’t wait to see Sean’s ace when he hears about this snafu he’ll probably have an aneurism

Claire: oh I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that

Urie: well he’s gonna figure it out eventually Claire

Claire: I don’t think he’ll care [ Claire pulls out the hat and coat and cane]

Sarah: Wait WHAT? He made you Ringleader.

Claire: I didn’t want it, it kind of wasn’t an option. I’m sorry I know it was your dream

Sarah: no it’s okay, it looks good on you, In a way I guess it was meant to be, Destiny was always supposed to be the ring leader, its only fitting that her twin takes over.

Claire: Okay, and for my first order of business, I’m promoting Urie to section leader.

Sarah: that’s what I would expect of you.

Claire: I know we all have our differences, but I know we can all get along, it’s the dawning of a new era.  Were all here for a reason, some good some bad, but just because were in the discard pile doesn’t mean were damaged goods. I know I’ve got my own demons, I know we all do, but the past is better left in the past. Now lets clear the house and seize tomorrow with an open heart.

Urie: is this how you pictured your day when you woke up this morning?

Selene: hell no

Gavyn: would you have it any different

Sarah: no, its fucking perfect.

[the lights go out the stage clears the spotlight comes up on Claire in center stage Fucking perfect begins to play Claire starts the song but everyone joins in and takes their bows as the song progresses]

Claire:                                            

                                                          Made a wrong turn, Once or twice

Dug my way out, Blood and fire

Bad decisions, That's alright

Welcome to my silly life.

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood

Miss "no way, it's all good", It didn't slow me down

Mistaken, Always second guessing

Under estimated, Look, I'm still around

Pretty, pretty please

Don't you ever, ever feel

Like your less than Fuckin' perfect.

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like your nothing

You're fuckin' perfect to me.

You're so mean,

When you talk about yourself, You are wrong.

Change the voices in your head

Make them like you instead.

So complicated,

Look how big you'll make it!

Filled with so much hatred

Such a tired game.

It's enough, I've done all I can think of

Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same.

Oh, Pretty, pretty please

Don't you ever, ever feel

Like your less than fuckin' perfect.

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like your nothing

You're fuckin' perfect to me.

The whole world stared so I swallowed the fear,

The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer.

So cool in line and we try, try, try,

But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time.

Done looking for the critics, coz they're everywhere

They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair

We change ourselves and we do it all the time

Why do we do that? Why do I do that?

(Why do I do that?)

[Yeah~, Ohh~ pretty pretty please, Ohh~]

Pretty, pretty please

Don't you ever, ever feel

Like your less than fuckin' perfect.

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like your nothing

You're fuckin' perfect to me.

You're perfect, You're perfect

Pretty, pretty please

If you ever, ever feel

Like your nothing

You're fuckin perfect to me

The End!