Music | Insight | Overview | Act I | Act II |
---|
Scene 1 | Scene 2 | Scene 3 | Scene 4 | Scene 5 | Scene 6 | Scene 7 |
---|
Old man | (with his dying breath) Rocky.... |
Father | Honey, how do you feel? |
Mother | I feel that something is about to happen |
Father | Honey is that how you feel? |
Mother | Yes, I feel that something is about to happen |
Doctor | You have a son, he is the one who will rule the world You have a son, he is the one who will rule the world |
Doctor | Congratulations! You have a bouncing baby boy. |
Father | Thank you, Doctor. I couldn't have done it by myself. |
Doctor | That's true. Without your wife you probably wouldn't have had much luck |
Father | How is she? |
Doctor | Just fine. She's sleeping right now. Would you like to see the baby? |
Father | Sure! Could you tell me how old he was when he was born? |
Doctor | It's hard to say. We'd have to take X-rays and study his dental charts first. A lot of trouble. |
Father | Well, it really doesn't matter. Let's see him. |
Doctor | All right. He probably won't recognize you at first. In fact, he may even be frightened. It's something like a kid first seeing Santa Claus. |
Father | You don't think he'll reject his father, do you? |
Doctor | No, with luck he'll be asleep. Maybe your wife is awake now. I'll bring the baby to the room |
Father | Hello, dear. How are you feeling? |
Mother | (Puzzled) Just a minute... give me time... I'll get it yet... That's right. Hi, honey. I thought I'd seen you somewhere before. |
Father | The good doctor is going to bring the baby in here. |
Mother | Baby? Oh, that's right. |
Doctor | You may find your wife a little incomprehensible. She was given a pill to help her sleep. |
Father | I haven't noticed any difference. She just woke up. |
Mother | I had a dream while I was sleeping. |
Father | That's usually when they happen. |
Doctor | What was it about? |
Mother | There was me and the baby. But he wasn't a baby, he was a man! And he was singing! |
Father | Singing! He can't even talk yet. |
Mother | Don't be too sure. |
Doctor | What was he singing? |
Mother | I don't know, but there were a lot of people there. They all seemed happy. And a strange smell in the air. |
Father | How can you smell in a dream? |
Mother | Well, it looked like it smelled funny. |
Mother | I dreamed I saw my baby and he stood as a man He stood there, he was singing, in front of a long-haired band A voice as shrill as birds in flight, as low as a croaking toad He said, "please come here mother, and take this heavy load." Many people were around To hear the filling sound As the music filled the air. He was where he had to be Smoke so thick I couldn't see. The atmosphere of a fair. I dreamed I saw my baby in the middle of the stage He sat there all alone, the crowd left in a rage. His sobs I heard as music now but the shouts would no longer grow. He said, "Please come here mother, and take this heavy load." No more people were around To hear the filling sound; No more music rocked the air. He was where he was meant to be, Tears ran down so he couldn't see, Now singing should be rare. |
Doctor | That was some dream! |
Father | By the way, where's the baby? |
Doctor | Baby? Oh, that's right. Let's see now. Where is he? |
Father | I guess the hardest part is over. We'll be going home in two or three days. |
Mother | It was worth it. What should we name him? |
Father | I want to name him "I." |
Mother | Where did you come across a name like that? |
Father | It's in the dictionary. Ninth letter of the alphabet. |
Mother | But why would we choose it as a name? |
Father | I like the sound of it. A nice ring to it, don't you think? |
Mother | Hmm, it's also the Roman Numeral I. Fitting, for our first and only child |
Father | Only? |
Mother | You don't expect me to go through that again, do you? |
Father | Well, I'm sure it wasn't that bad. |
Mother | You really have no idea. Well, I certainly hope the doctor finds the baby. |
Father | Baby? |
Doctor | That was incredible, Mrs. Mall! For this to be on the six o'clock news... it's just incredible! It's a shame your husband wasn't here. |
Mother | He mumbled something and took off just before the TV crew arrived. Probably went to the coffee shop downstairs. |
Doctor | I'm really delighted that I was here to witness it. You must be very proud of your new son. |
Mother | Indeed I am. His father will be sorry he missed it. Where's the baby? |
Doctor | I took him back to the nursery after all the excitement. He's doing fine. Last I saw him he was laughing. Must be telling jokes to the others.(chuckles) |
Mother | When can I see him again? |
Doctor | I'll bring him back, if you'd like.(exits) |
Mother | Where have you been? You missed the big moment! |
Father | Big moment? I was there through it all! |
Mother | Not that big moment! I.B.C.! |
Father | I.B.C.? Something wrong? |
Mother | It's almost six o'clock. Let's turn on the news. |
Father | Where's the boy? I still haven't seen him yet. |
Mother | The doctor is bringing him in now. |
Father | Hi there, Tiger! |
Doctor | Please... only my wife calls me that. |
Father | I wasn't talking to you. |
Doctor | Oh, sorry. |
Mother | We've just turned on the news. |
Doctor | Mind if I watch? |
Father | No, please. What's going to be on? |
Mother | Watch and see. |
Voice | Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is the six o'clock edition of the I.B.C. news with Hardy Rochester, brought to you each evening by Fender Guitars. "With a Fender you'll never bend your ears." |
Hardy | Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the news There's nothing but bad news, all the good's been used That is the story, that's what I've heard you say It's not the same today, there's good news on the way. We have tonight a story of a special baby's birth So cease with all your worry, bring in merriment and mirth. On the screen behind me the story will unfold. This is the special baby, the one of whom you're told. Our correspondent on the scene has captured the event. We switch you now to California, where our film crew went: |
Judith | Miracle wonder boy, born today
They say he talks, has a lot to say. His name is I says UPI and rightly so. All that exists, there's nothing missed, is his ego. Born today to lowly chicken farmers Is not a boy, but a man. We'll try to get a few words if we can. |
Judith | Those were words! I could have sworn! |
Judith | Uh, Judith Abrey, California. |
Hardy | Thank you correspondent, now you've seen and heard
The baby's own first words..... |
Hardy | And that's December 3rd. Goodnight! |
Father | No! I won't believe it! A three-hour old baby just doesn't talk. |
Mother | Well, this one does. Both the doctor and myself distinctly heard something.(looking at baby tenderly) He surely must be something special. If you hadn't been out of the room you would have heard it, too. |
Father | I couldn't help that I had to go to the men's room. "When nature calls, don't ignore it." I always say. |
Mother | You always say a lot of things. Why don't you try thinking once in a while? |
Father | ignoring her comment Maybe the kid is special, but that doesn't mean he can talk. What's your opinion, doctor? |
Doctor | Sounds like what I've read in my studies. Just baby talk. |
Mother | This was not baby talk! I think he was trying to tell us something. A mother's intuition tells me he's already chosen his direction in life. |
Father | Hold it! Hold it! You mean to tell me you got all that out of three words? |
Mother | Not just three words, the manner in which they were spoken suggested... |
Father | Interrupting We haven't even agreed that he can talk and he's already given a speech. Next you'll be telling me he's running for president! |
Mother | Don't be silly, I wouldn't go that far. I'm just saying that he seemed to know what he was talking about. |
Father | Puzzled But "Rock and Roll" doesn't have much meaning as I see it. |
Mother | That's just it. It's definitely a new concept. If you could imagine all the notions churning around in this child's head, why.... it must have meaning to him. |
Father | Doctor, I think she's going delirious. Maybe a sedative. |
Doctor | No, I don't think so. I've read of cases like this in medical journals. A woman, having been one with the child for some nine months, can sense the thoughts of the infant, and when he is born, she acts as spokesman. Naturally, the three words spoken, whether or not by accident, must have some deep psychological meaning. |
Father | That's all fine and good, but what does he mean by "Rock and Roll"? |
Doctor | I have a feeling it's got something to do with gem tumbling. I've read in lapidary magazines... |
Mother | interrupting You've both got rocks in your heads. That's a new term for the kind of music they've started to play lately. You know, the songs with the bouncy beat. |
Father | Speaking of beats, I hear drums outside. Is there a parade today? goes to window |
Doctor | I don't know what on earth for. Thanksgiving was almost a week ago, and Christmas is still three weeks away. I read in the newspaper that there's a parade due on the twenty-second. |
Father | If it is a parade, it's only a small one. Just three men. They're coming this way. |
Mother | Anyone we know, dear? |
Father | Let me take a closer look peers out window By George, it's the President! |
Mother | Of the Chicken Breeder's Association? |
Father | Of the United States! They're coming up the steps. |
Mother | Who's with him? |
Doctor | Looks like Albert Einstein, the famous genius. |
Father | I didn't recognize him. I'm not much on brains. |
Mother | You can say that again. |
Doctor | And that other one's Charles Ives, the composer. |
Mother & Father | Charles who? |
Trio | From the East we are kings and we follow the sound Of the music that plays in our heads. Where it leads, gifts we'll bring over water and ground To the place where the music has led. |
Trio | A young boy we are seeking Who'll change the course of the land. This young lad with his music Will form the best Rock and Roll band |
Ike | I am Ike, what I like is the sound of the drums And the horns keep me marching along. I bring praise, holidays, people cheer as I come And the music keeps me going strong. |
Trio | A young boy we are seeking Who'll change the course of the land. This young lad with his music Will form the best Rock and Roll band |
Bert | I am Bert, I'm not hurt by the ultimate power That is housed in this small baby's brain. He's so smart from the start, that within the past hour He's invented plutonium rain. |
Trio | A young boy we are seeking Who'll change the course of the land. This young lad with his music Will form the best Rock and Roll band |
Chuck | Chuck's my name, I have reigned for the last fifty years But it looks like I'll have to step down Music's changed, rearranged, but I'm shedding no tears. A new king has been born in this town. |
Trio | A young boy we are seeking Who'll change the course of the land. This young lad with his music Will form the best Rock and Roll band |
Father | Welcome, welcome! What brings you to our small town? |
Ike | We came in answer to the call of the child. |
Father | He's not talking now. Could be a loss for words. |
Ike | There were no words, just that strange music in my head. |
Chuck | Yes, unlike anything I've ever written. |
Ike & Bert | Yes, unlike anything Ives' ever written. |
Chuck | I've been called ahead of my time, but so is this boy. |
Doctor | That's not so. Mrs. Mall carried him for a full nine months. |
Chuck | coldly That's not what I meant. Let's see now.... Oh, yes, the music. The intertwining melodies and the strong bass line give it a character all its own. |
Bert | What intrigues me is the mathematical complexity of the rhythm. And the harmonic frequencies function on the mind in a most unusual way. |
Father | Could you put that in words that I could understand? |
Bert | I liked it. That's why I came. |
Mother | But what has all this got to do with our little baby? |
Ike | We feel that this drawing power of his brought us here for a special purpose. |
Chuck | That's right. We have great hopes for this young lad. Perhaps a diplomat, or a humanitarian. He is special indeed. |
Ike | One of these days, we will all be gone, but your son will be here to see that the world stays in shape. |
Father | What are you going to do with him? You're not going to take him away from us, are you? |
Bert | No, no, that's not what we had in mind. We came now to offer gifts of goodwill. (proudly) I have been called the smartest living man, but that was as of yesterday. Today we have a new genius in our midst: this boy. Therefore, I bring as my gift an honorary doctorate from the local university. Since I didn't receive my Ph.D. until I was a young man, this should surely be an honor. |
Chuck | As my gift, I've brought a selection from my music library which has never been published or performed. Perhaps in the quest for a perfect musical form, he can find direction in my work. But be careful, let him do nothing with it for at least ten years. (to baby) One day you'll hear the bells from the steeples, and rock will shout from the mountains! |
Ike | I bring to you this day two gifts, although I appear to have none. This morning I sent to the United States Printing Office the plans for a new commemorative stamp to be issued next month in honor of today. |
Chuck | Isn't that cute. I likes Ike! |
Ike | And as my second gift, a song! |
Chuck | A song! I'm the musician! |
Ike | Not merely a song, a Proclamation! |
Ike | Today is a special day For the U.S.A. A Holiday. December third, as free as a bird, I appeared. |
Trio | I-Day we'll call it. Let's not stall it. Get it to the Congress, let them do their best. I-Day we'll call it. Let's not stall it. Get it to the Congress, let them do their best. |
Ike | We've needed a day like today for a long time. And now time has come, in fact it's a strong time. There's no one who'll tell me that this is the wrong time To celebrate... celebrate Today is a special day For the U.S.A. A Holiday. December third, as free as a bird, I appeared. |
Mother | Well, well. What a surprise! I thanks you, Mr. President. |
Father | (to Bert and Chuck) And you, too, you two! |
Doctor | Why don't you gentlemen follow me to the lounge for some coffee? I think the family would like to be alone. |
Mother | What do you think of your son now? |
Father | I'm not too proud to say that he's definitely a chip off the old blockhead. Yessiree, looks just like his dear old dad. |
I | Alright, you guys, line up! You're in the army now! |
Spike | Army?! Just a minute! This is recess. We're supposed to be playin' basketball or somethin'. |
Osgood | Why don't we play hopscotch or jumprope? |
I | Shut up, sissy, and get in line! We're gonna march now. |
Isaac | I don't want to march. My stomach hurts. |
I | You'll march or your head's gonna hurt. |
Spike | (To Isaac and Osgood)I don't like the idea of this at all. He's always giving orders. Man, I think we really are in the army. |
Isaac | Hey, look at that girl over there! |
Spike | Man, is she stacked! Must be one of those sixth graders. |
Osgood | You guys are always looking at those girls. I don't see anything good about them. |
I | You guys quit chattering back there! |
Osgood | Boy, what a bully. |
I | What did you say?! |
Osgood | (embarrassed) uh, I said lunch made me full. |
I | You shouldn't eat so much. That's probably why your stomach hurts. |
Osgood | But it doesn't hurt, Isaac's does. |
I | You do everything else he does, so you must have a sore stomach, too. |
Spike | Let's go play basketball. |
Isaac | I'd rather go smoke behind the backstop. I took a pack of cigarettes from my dad. |
I | There's no smoking during march practice. Now get going! Hup, two, three, four. Hup, two, three, four. |
Isaac | Ow! I stubbed my toe! |
I | I'm going to cut off your leg if you don't shut up! |
Spike | Whady'a say we take a break? |
I | I say when we stop. O.K., let's take a break. |
Spike | I'm going over to play basketball. |
Isaac | Me, too. |
Osgood | Me, three. |
I | You shut up and you sit down. I'm the only one who can walk around. I give the orders, I make demands. If you want to do something, then raise your hands. If you want to walk. If you want to talk. If you want to breathe. If you want to leave. |
Spike | We've all made up our minds fast. You're the only one here who's not gonna last. we're gonna fight, we might kill. If you're gonna stay, it has to be our will. |
Spike, Isaac & Osgood | If you want to walk. If you want to talk. If you want to breathe. If you want to live. Are you gonna stay? Are you gonna stay? Are you gonna stay? Are you gonna stay? |
I | Hey, where are you going! Get back here! |
Spike | Aw, g'wan, get lost! You ain't in this group no more. |
I | Whady'a mean? You can't leave. Only I can say when you leave! |
Spike | Only you can stuff it! Let's go, guys. |
I | O.K., we'll play basketball. But I'm captain. |
Isaac | Forget you! You're not playing at all. |
Osgood | That's right, you bully. You ain't playing. |
Mother & Father | It's your birthday, you're getting older. As each year passes, a little bolder. A long life lies yet before you, So fill it well and they'll be more You can't take it with you when you die Take advantage of it now and you'll get by. Another day, another dollar. You'll lead a pack, and they will follow. They'll understand the game you'll play And soon you'll hear the words they say You can't take it with you when you die Take advantage of it now and you'll get by. Happy birthday little one, our little son, you're number one. Felicitations to our kin, a crashing din will bring you in. The years that follow will be fullfilling So live them well, always be willing To change your ways to please the people. Your name will shout from hills and steeples. You can't take it with you when you die Take advantage of it now and you'll get by. |
Father | Well, son, you're ten years old today. |
Mother | Daddy and I got you a gift. |
I | Oh, boy, what is it? |
Father | Open it and see. |
I | Neato, it's a radio. |
Father | Let's hear the ball game. |
Mother | Let him listen to what he wants. |
Father | Hey! Not so loud. |
Mother | Honey, it's his birthday. Would you like to see your cake? |
I | Yeah! What kind? |
Mother | Your favorite, chocolate. |
I | Can we eat it now? |
Father | Not now. Wait till after dinner. |
I | I'm going to show my radio to my friends. |
I | Hey, Spike, Osgood, Isaac! Look what I got. A radio! |
Spike | So what! Get outta here. We're playing. |
I | Can I play? |
Isaac | No, we already started. Go away. |
Osgood | Yeah, go away. |
I | I've discovered a way to get me through the day It's my music. I'd go stark-raving mad if I never had my music. Sounding sweet on the street I can hear at my ear My radio blasting out loud The beat can't stop, and I long for the top With people always coming 'round. You can have your equations and the power of the nations 'cause music is my life. It can lead me away, from it I'll never stray. Yes, music will be my life. With those other guys gone I know I can go on. I'll be famous. On my heavy guitar, I could be a great star. No longer nameless. And in time, at my prime, like a rage on the stage I'd be blasting out to the crowd. With all my records sold, I'd just lie back and grow old, But my music will know no bounds. You can have your equations and the power of the nations 'cause music is my life. It can lead me away, from it I'll never stray. Yes, music will be my life. |
I | That's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to be a musician.(Yells) You guys won't have I to push around anymore! Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do. But I don't know anything about music. Hmmm, couldn't be that hard. Besides, nothing's hard for me. |
Mother | Are you practicing in there? |
I | Yes, mom. (plays a few notes on the clarinet) (to himself) I don't know why I have to practice. I'm so good now, I can't see any use. (Yells) Mom, how long do I have to practice? |
Mother | (still from other room) Just a few minutes more. Remember, you have a challenger tomorrow. |
I | (again to himself) Gee, I'd rather be playing ball with the guys but they never let me do anything. I wonder why they don't like me? (plays a few notes) I got nothin' but this darn clarinet. At least I'm good at it. |
I | I'm a clarinet player In a high school band. No other can reach me; I'm high on the stand. I'm the best; ahead of all the rest I'm unbeatable! One time I was challenged By a fellow chair. Knew he couldn't beat me; Watched him as he stared. I could play to the very highest "A" Undefeatable! I learned my music and I learned it well. Amazing the teacher, you can never tell. (clarinet solo) I'm a clarinet player; Talent's on my side. When called on for a solo I stand and play with pride. Let them scorn when I blow upon my horn. Indefatigable! |
I | Mom, I'm finished practicing! |
Mother | Alright, do some homework now. |
I | Darn, this place is like a jail. I'm going to relax first. (turns on the radio) Man, I'd junk this clarinet any day for one of those guitars. |
Father | Shouldn't you be doing your homework, son? |
I | I was taking a break |
Father | Don't take too many breaks or you'll fall apart, heh, heh. Do you have to have that radio up so loud? (he turns it down) |
I | I wanted to hear the guitar. |
Father | You practically had the geetar sticking out of the speaker. How's the practicing coming along? |
I | I'm finished for today. It's starting to bore me. I want to learn to play the guitar. |
Father | Geetar, huh? I used to have a geetar when I was a teenager. I could play any Country-Western song you could name. |
I | I can't name one. Besides, I don't want a Country-Western geetar. I want an electric guitar. |
Father | Those things are pretty dangerous. You can get a bad shock from 'em. |
I | I'll take my chances. Can I have one? |
Father | Maybe we'll take a ride to the music store tomorrow. |
I | Great! |
Father | Now finish your homework! |