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The Posthuman War Act 2: Caravan

by Paul Shapera

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1.
Kate: A show for the searchers, a show for the lost A show without answers, a show without cost A show that will challenge, a show for the strange A show that can hurt you, where you won't be the same Marjolein: Your shtick is odd Kate: So is the show Marjolein: Do you recommend it? Kate: Maybe... no Marjolein: You don't even recommend the thing you sell Kate: I don't know, it changed my life, but well, While in the end, I think the change was good It wasn't pleasant and, I wonder should I pitch it do even I have the right To interfere in other peoples’ lives? It rarely works, and the show’s intense And usually, it simply leaves a mess I’m just not sure this kind of thing’s for me I think perhaps maybe I should just leave Kate: Days revolve and days remain Days that stray it's the season of change Days are stranger than the strange Ages wane it's the season of change Marjolein: Days revolve and days they remain Days and days stray it's the season of change Days are stranger, stranger than strange Ages they wane it's the season of change Kate: I'm Kate Marjolein: My name is Marjolein My life, I think could use a change I've nothing, and I've even less to lose I'm all alone I thought that when I moved Away from my whole small and crappy town And family, things would maybe turn around And life is different here, it's different but I'm all alone, never meet anyone I'm shy and nervous and I question what I'm doing and then I go and screw it all up And being trans was a problem in the crappy town I grew up in So I don't know how to meet people or socialize So I hide and I read and I'm nervous and scared and then, well, I just end up feeling really bad about myself Cause I suck and I'm useless and I'm lost and I know Ok chill out Marjolein, take it slow Don't lose it, just breathe and wait Don't lose it, it'll be ok Kate: Days revolve and days remain Days that stray it's the season of change Days are stranger than the strange Ages wane it's the season of change Marjolein: Days revolve and days they remain Days and days stray it's the season of change Days are stranger, stranger than strange Ages they wane it's the season of change Kate: You poor thing, I wish that I could help I could, but only if the show goes well It could change your entire life Or it could hurt you, I don't know if I Should interfere at all or have the right To roll the dice with you and your sweet life The only thing of which I'm really sure Is I don't wanna do this anymore So take this ticket, only if you want I'm going to go, it's time that I set off See some worlds, try some different foods Go and pet and hug a dog or too You should keep walking, I'm not kidding but If you think you're really desperate enough Go ahead, walk in and try your luck The caravan will soon set off... Marjolein: What an odd conversation Kate: We're strange kinds of girls But I hope that you find all you need in this world
2.
Lloyd: It's a bit late for that. Just use duct tape. Well then use more duct tape. Have you found the missing veil? Ah, good. What's up with fres no.5? It looks ugh. Oh, you're trying it out then! Very well. Ok then cast, are we in places? Raven: I'm ready for my close up Mr. Allen Lloyd: Of course you are. Raven: I still think we should add the raunchy limerick Lloyd: PG13 Ravey, PG13 Raven: I don't even know what that means Lloyd: Of course, you don't. All right everyone! Break your appendages! House lights, prepare. Alright, let's razzle dazzle them. Raven: to to to to to mi mi mi mi mi papapapapapapa Lights, curtain, maestro! … Ah, welcome sweetlings to Outlaw Theatre, this evening we ride on caravan. We will be inviting two members of our audience to join in our journey a rousing tale of suspense… merriment… drama… With just a sprinkling of pizzazz. Volunteers? Volunteers? – ahh, madam, I see your hand. And over there, sir, excellent. Please step right this way. Sets, costumes, overture! ... When you step through the portal, you will be at the eastern side of the desert, where the Caravan will depart from. I must warn you, for the purposes of your own safety and the delicate art of foreshadowing, do not stray from the caravan's route or you may become hopelessly lost.
3.
Journey 08:32
Kurt: I'm Kurt Marjolein: My name is Marjolein Kurt: What’s happening here is kind of weird and strange Marjolein: I met this woman in the street outside, who warned me that this show was wild Kurt: I think it's just a dream Marjolein: I’m not so sure I think this all just might be something more Kurt: I'll watch your back in case this all goes south Marjolein: Sometimes you have to go in to get out … Marjolein: The wind blows the sand in a dry, desert land As the caravan sets on its way Beneath stars that gleam we ride out in a dream Puzzled pilgrims both lost in a play Marjolein & Kurt: Whispers of djinn robes the blow in the wind Merchants speak of long lost, foreign sights Carts wind and they grind, as our line weaves through time Caravan wanders into the night You have to go in if you want to get out (You have to go in if you want to get out) You have to go in if you want to get out (You have to go in if you want to get out) Marjolein: Stars in their space diamonds shining in lace Camels speak but I can't understand We rest in the day, we are lost in the play As we move through these waves made of sand Marjolein & Kurt: The nomads describe lands forgotten by time We forget that we had other lives How did we accept that we just move towards death Caravan wanders into the night You have to go in if you want to get out (You have to go in if you want to get out) You have to go in if you want to get out (You have to go in if you want to get out) … Marjolein: Rags wrapped in loose linen a procession of children Moving, crossing desert moons Weaving through skylines, chanting surreal rhymes Swinging marionettes of bone Her doll looks round and gazes down Then smiles turns to me and says Doll: Do you believe in destination? Does the desert really end? Marjolein: Paint me a scene in pastel white Sing me a dream to ease the night … Marjolein & Kurt: You have to go in if you want to get out (You have to go in if you want to get out) x14 Choir: Fires in the nighttime as wheels within wheels within wheels unwind Drums grind on sand scrawling lines Living in downtime the creases between the lines x5 Marjolein: The pathway of sand winds up into the skyline Until we walk twixt stars and moon Dancing bewildered, this file of children Swinging marionettes of bone Rags wrapped in loose linen a procession of children Moving, crossing desert moons Weaving through skylines, chanting surreal rhymes Swinging marionettes of bone Rags wrapped in loose linen a procession of children Moving, crossing desert moons Weaving through skylines, chanting surreal rhymes Swinging marionettes of bone Paint me a scene in pastel white Sing me a dream to ease the night Craft me a cloud where I can fly Let me believe in better times Kurt: She holds her doll its red eyes full And laughs with eyes of mirth and woe Dancing files of tattered childs Swinging marionettes of bone Fires in the nighttime as wheels within wheels unwind Drums grind on sand scrawling lines Living in downtime the creases between the lines Flames scrawl on shadows once blind Fires in the nighttime as wheels within wheels unwind Drums grind on sand scrawling lines Living in downtime the creases between the lines Flames scrawl on shadows once blind Fires in the nighttime as wheels within wheels unwind Drums grind on sand scrawling lines Living in downtime the creases between the lines Flames scrawl on shadows once blind
4.
Timepiece 11:05
Lloyd: They’re doing very well this time Raven: Especially the girl. She’s got potential. I have a good feeling about her Lloyd: It’s always the female. Raven: I’m telling you the show is biased Lloyd: Likely so. The show is problematic. Unless… females are just generally more likely to flower. Raven: Did you really just say tha... Lloyd: Do NOT ever tell Jill I said that. Why I'd never hear the end of it. She’d gloat me to death. Raven: Time to up the weirdness level a few notches. … Choir: If you're on a journey and the timepiece breaks down Look out for what’s stopping, the moon will go out The cat scratched his whiskers "stay off of the ground” The stars might fall on it if the timepiece breaks down Marjolein: Ooo, time is a child's game Reality knows just change Development and decay and wheels connecting wheels Choir & Marjolein: A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds Choir: If you're on a journey and the timepiece breaks down The stillness will stifle. If you're used to racing round “Wear clean undergarments,” Mother said with a frown But the cat said, "at least your fire will never burn down” Marjolein: Ooo, time is a child's game Reality knows just change Development and decay and wheels connecting wheels Choir & Marjolein: A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds Choir: If you can't fix the timepiece and the world's shutting down Form lots of circles around all yourselves Run fiercely enough you'll ignite time and sound If you're on a journey and the timepiece breaks down Marjolein: Ooo, time is a child's game The world’s a web of change Development and decay and wheels connecting wheels Choir & Marjolein: A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds (A wheel and a wheel time unwinds) A wheel and a wheel time unwinds … Kurt: Marjolein, are you doing ok? Marjolein: Y… yeah I it it’s a little too trippy. I… but but how are you? Are you ok? Kurt: Yeah, I kinda like it, but I’m glad you’re here. This would be too weird if I was alone. Marjolein: Yeah, we we got each other's backs right? Kurt: Yeah, we’ll make it to the other side. I promise. … Choir: Oh, take me to your passage rights Let my soul spark and ignite Poised on pools that flow within Take my breath and let’s dive in Oh, take me to your passage rights Let my soul spark and ignite Poised on pools that flow within Take my breath and let’s dive in … Kurt: This is surreal, this is like we’re on a drug, you seem a bit unsteady Marjolein: This might be a little much. Kurt: I think it's just a ride, I stay a bit detached Keep it from affecting me… are you sure you’re not too bad Marjolein: I’m cool, it's good, I'm fine it’s just I'm starting to Have a little bit of trouble with reality and I feel like maybe I might not be able to deal and then I think maybe the problem is just me because I get really anxious and honest to god I'm kind of just a total wreck Ok chill out, Marjolein, take it slow Don't lose it, just breathe and wait Don't lose it, it'll be okay Kurt: Hold on to my hand. We’ll keep each other grounded, ok? Marjolein: Ok … Choir: Oh, take me to your passage rights Let my soul spark and ignite Poised on pools that flow within Take my breath and let’s dive in … Raven: The boy’s not engaging deeply enough Lloyd: The female is. She’ll break in the Mirage no problem Raven: She will. But but if she doesn't flower, we’re just being cruel Lloyd: It’s the nature of the show. This is as gentle as we can get Raven: Is it? It hardly ever works, and none of the boys even get close. Lloyd: Yes, you’re right. We do need to rethink this. Raven: The boy’s not gonna sing Forgotten Songs Lloyd: The male’s out of the running. The female is doing well though. Kurt: Look, do see over there? There’s lights. There’s something over there. Marjolein: Yeah, we have to go Kurt: But didn't the emcee say not to stray? Marjolein: Yes, but … it it’s part of the… this is like a test. We have to go there in order to pass it. Kurt: What makes you say that? Marjolein: I don't know, but I can… I can feel it. Can’t you? Kurt: Um…. Sure? Ok, let's go.
5.
Mirage 08:44
Choir: Here is a palace standing proud atop the sand Maybe we’re real or maybe you’re just going mad You cannot tell so now become one of the lost Welcome to your very own mirage We have such wonders we are sure to blow your brains Some really love it but a few might go insane It will be worth it so become one of the lost Welcome to your very own mirage … Kurt: Corridors and endless halls and things that move inside the walls And memories of foreign lands that once were home from which you ran Figures dart beyond your eye you once had lived upon a time And everything is always real except for you the time you steal Marjolein: And spinning round I'm floating on Down through hallways and beyond Ah, all your mind a woven montage And circling round the floor beneath Fractal ballrooms at my feet Ah, dancing in a woven mirage … Kurt: Hey Alex: Hey Kurt: Who are you? Alex: My name’s Alex, bro. I live here Kurt: This place is wild Alex: Yeah, you know you can stay. You don't ever have to leave Kurt: Um… I don't know that’s kind of creepy, man Alex: It’s all good, my dude. Explore the depths all you want Kurt: I gotta take care of my friend Alex: I had a friend once… I wonder what happened to her Kurt: Things you lost inside your mind that once were real upon a time Memories from lives long past, things that spells at one time cast What had once might just have been, paths you never thought to spin Corridors that twist and wind in dreams you lost inside your mind Marjolein: And spinning round I'm floating on Down through hallways and beyond Ah, all your mind a woven montage And circling round the floor beneath Fractal ballrooms at my feet Ah, dancing in a woven mirage … Raven: Alright, here we go… The vortex in the center dear, the people round it dance They slip into the vortex and their flesh turns back to sand The vortex in the center dear, the people dance around Just rest for a moment dear, lay your spirit down Lay Down Marjolein: Huh, What? Wait...hold on, I… I can’t think Wha... wait? I... what? What the hell is going on? I need a moment, this formless crevice If I could just recall who I am or was It’d be so easy, oh god I want to Just close my eyes and let my spirit go I need a moment, I know that I was someone If only I could get my grip and my fingernails don't crack and break I don't think I want to drown, I'm flailing splashing losing ground Just give me silence, I won’t go I won’t lay down Ahhhh ah ahhh ahhhhhahhahhhhhhh Raven: Yes! Yes! Break free! Yes!
6.
Kurt: Marjolein! Marjolein: Kurt! Oh my god Kurt: Oh, thank god I found you. Listen, this mirage is disappearing. We gotta get out of here. We gotta go now. Marjolein: I don’t even know where we are. I don’t even know… Kurt: You see that door over there? Just run to it. Marjolein: Okay. Kurt: Just run. I’ll be right behind you. Marjolein: Okay. (Mirage disappears) Kurt? Kurt? Kurt? Raven: She did it! We did it! Ahhh!!! Lloyd: Don’t jinx it, we’re not there yet! She still has to sing the song. Please sing the soliloquy… Raven and Lloyd: Please sing it… please Lloyd: Alright, queue the music…
7.
Soliloquy 05:35
Marjolein: Standing alone in desert sand beneath empty sky It seems to me there's some great metaphor here that's whizzing right by But spare me please the irony Oh my humors run dry Still, I guess I’ll keep wandering on Stumbling along, passing the time Nows the time when some old guy Who meditates day and night Should appear atop a sand dune And give me some great advice Oh, but wouldn't you know I'm all alone With nothing here but time I'm lost in a desert, the metaphor for my life I guess that I’ll try To find the caravan through this mountain of sand I suppose that the goal Is to finish the trek and return where I left But back to what do I really want To return to the life I knew Still, I guess I’ll keep wandering on There doesn't seem to be much else to do Anytime the clouds decide To part and shine down a light My schedule’s not full, I wouldn't refuse A flash of divine insight Oh, but wouldn't you know I’m all alone with nothing here but time So I'm lost in a desert, the metaphor for my life … The sand beneath crumbling, scraping, and stumbling No this wasn't what I wished I wanted to be free, I wanted a story There’s got to be much more than this Paint me a scene in pastel white Sing me a dream to ease the night I wanted to know things, I wanted eyes open No, I wanted fairy tales I wanted to be free, not stare at nothing But still, I will not break and flail Paint me a scene in pastel white Sing me a dream to ease the night … Still, I’ll admit at least the sky is magnificent And the patterns of sand Sparkle and weave so radiant Maybe I’ll just wander and while away the ongoing time Till I get a desire or even a hint Or maybe a plan or sign Oh but here I am, just me and the sand Wasting away the time I'm lost in a desert The metaphor for my life
8.
Underture 01:06
Raven: She's coming through now... Oh my god, I'm crying… I'm so happy.... okay… okay okay here she is… here she is! Ahh!! Yes! Yes!! Congratulations! What a show! What a magnificent job! Marjolein: Kurt! Where’s Kurt? Raven: Don’t worry, we go in after the show to get him. Just take your bow. Lloyd: We need to talk. There's a lot you need to know Marjolein: I don't understand anything that's happening Lloyd: Don’t worry, we'll explain everything. Just enjoy your moment…

credits

released March 8, 2022

Featuring Maggie Kozak as Marjolein
Daniel Collette as Kurt
and Kayleigh McKnight as Kate

Cover by Pixelwayve

Lyrics Proofread & Formatted by Jenna Soul

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Paul Shapera Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cama’s attempt to commune with higher beings failed; she only found Decadent Dottie. Together they roamed, indulging in dangerous forms of psycho-neural self-exploration which Cama hoped would present the key to her people’s further evolution. It only led to her destroying her people so that one of their pets could evolve. She sat in her former civilization's rubble and listened to Paul Shapera. ... more

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