(audience chattering, laughing)
-(tapping microphone) -(audience quiets)
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen,
we now ask for your complete attention.
If you want to sing, laugh, clap,
cry, yawn, boo or fart,
please, do it in your head,
only in your head.
(microphone feedback)
You are now kindly requested to keep silent
and to hold your breath until the very end of the show.
Breathing will not be tolerated during the show.
So, please take a deep, last breath right now.
(audience inhales deeply)
Thank you.
(record player hissing)
Underneath the moonlight
My good friend Pierrot
(static crackles)
(static crackling)
(lighter clicking)
(electrical buzzing)
(amp humming)
(plays rock riff)
(drums play)
(saxophone and drums warming up)
(chords warbling)
-(guitars strumming) -(woman vocalizing)
WOMAN: Ah, ah.
♪ ♪
Nastya, it’s going to start.
(female chorus warming up)
(guitars playing random chords)
So...
may we start?
RUSSELL: So may we start?
RON: High time to start
(cymbal roll plays)
One, two, three, four!
(piano plays upbeat rhythm)
(tambourine joins in)
So may we start?
-So may we start? -So may we start?
It’s time to start
-High time to start -High time to start
They hope that it goes the way
-It’s supposed to go -It’s supposed to go
There’s fear in them all but they can’t let it show
They’re underprepared but that may be enough
The budget is large but still it’s not enough
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
It’s time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
High time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
We’ve fashioned a world, a world
Built just for you
A tail of songs and fury
-With no taboo -With no taboo
We’ll sing and die for you
-Yes, in minor keys -Yes, in minor keys
And if you want us to kill, too
-We may agree -We may agree
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
It’s time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
High time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
So close all the doors and let’s begin the show
The exits are clearly marked
Thought you should know
The authors are here so let’s not show disdain
The authors are here
And they’re a little vain
A little vain
Now...
The music resounds and all the flames are lit
So, ladies and gents, please shut up and sit
The curtain of our eyelids
Lazily rise
But where’s the stage, you wonder
Is it
Outside
Or is it within?
-Outside? Within? -Outside? Within?
Outside? Within?
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
It’s time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
High time to start
May we start, may we, may we now start?
-So may we start? -(saxophone joins in)
May we start, may we, may we now start?
So may we start?
May we start, may we, may we now start?
-It’s time to start -May we start
-May we, may we now start? -(siren whoops)
-High time to start -May we start
-May we, may we now start? -(siren whoops)
OFFICER (over speaker): Don’t try to start.
-May we now start -OFFICER: Don’t try to start.
-May we now start -May we now start
-(saxophone playing) -May we now start
-Bye, Henry. -Bye, Henry.
-(motorcycle engine starting) -May we now start
Bye, Henry.
Good luck!
(car engine starting)
BOY: Bye-bye. Bye.
-RUSSELL: Bye, Ann. -RON: Bye, Ann.
Bon voyage.
-RUSSELL: Bon voyage. -WOMAN: Bye.
-Bye-bye. -Bye.
(horn honking)
Bye-bye.
(car engine humming)
(gentle, intriguing music begins)
RUSSELL and CHORUS BOYS: True love always finds
Always finds
-A way -A way
-Afraid -But true love often goes
-Afraid -Astray
Astray
♪ ♪
True love always finds
Always finds
-A way -A way
But true love often goes
Often goes
Astray, astray
(chorus vocalizing)
(Ann vocalizing)
(low, audience chatter)
(grunting rhythmically)
(audience shouting, whistling)
(audience clapping rhythmically)
MAN: Come on! Come on, Henry!
AUDIENCE (chanting): Henry! Henry! Henry!
-WOMAN: Henry, I love you! -Henry! Henry!
(dramatic music plays)
(audience laughing)
Yes, laugh, laugh, laugh.
(man talking low in distance)
(gentle music begins)
(breathes deeply)
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
One, two, three, four, five,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
-Ladies and gentlemen, -(upbeat music plays)
are you ready?
-AUDIENCE: Yeah! -No.
No one is ever ready for
a mildly offensive evening with...
The Ape of God.
(whistling, cheering)
Here for his triumphant new show,
the world infamous Henry McHenry!
(audience cheering loudly)
♪ ♪
(audience continues cheering loudly)
(applause, cheering, whistling)
-(Henry coughing) -(cheering)
(whistling)
WOMAN: Love you, Henry!
(Henry coughing)
(audience quiets)
(audience laughter)
(coughing)
-(coughing continues) -(scattered laughter)
-(hawking loudly) -(audience groans)
Oh, this smoke shit.
(scattered laughter)
(slurping liquid through teeth)
(laughter)
What is this ****ing smoke supposed to mean anyway?
I think I’m getting allergic to it.
Wish they’d use laughing gas instead.
(scattered laughter)
Would make my life easier.
Or even better,
cyanide gas.
(laughter)
So... I’m here to make you laugh tonight.
(audience whooping, applauds)
Yes, laugh, laugh, laugh.
(scattered laughter)
I’m not sure I can do it tonight.
(audience aahing)
Not sure I should even try.
(audience groaning)
Making people laugh is a disgusting...
(laughter)
...deceitful trick anyway.
Yes. Why should I activate
Your ventromedial prefrontal cortex
So your 15 facial muscles will contract
So your ****ing zygomatic muscle will react
While your epiglottis half-closes your larynx
Clap
(applause, cheering loudly)
Yes, why the **** should I?
Why should I make you...
HENRY and CHORUS GIRLS: Laugh, laugh, laugh
But don’t make me, don’t make me, don’t make me
Can’t stand to hear you
Laugh, laugh, laugh
’Cause you bore me, you bore me, you bore me
I’ll still make you
Gasp, gasp, gasp
But don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry
You probably will not
Choke, choke, choke
Kick the bucket, kick the bucket, kick the bucket
-Kick the bucket -(raspy choking)
(cheering and whistling)
(audience quiets)
(exhales) Huh.
(scattered chuckles)
Well, of course,
I’ve heard the rumors, too.
They say my show kills.
(laughter)
But relax, see my contract?
Save your breath.
Says so here:
(nasally): "Mr. Henry McHenry is not allowed
to make the public laugh to death."
-(raspy choking) -(laughter)
Can’t make your alveoli pop tonight.
No dislocated jaws, no belly explosions.
-However, asthmatics, -(upbeat music plays)
keep your inhalers in position!
-Okay? -AUDIENCE: Okay!
-Ready? -AUDIENCE: Ready!
Laugh.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha
Okay, shut up.
(orchestra plays dramatic music)
(music transitions to gentle melody)
♪ ♪
-(laughter) -Yes.
Why did I become a comedian?
(echoing): Why did I become a comedian?
To entertain some balding men?
To bring a touch of levity to tragic times?
-Not me. -(laughter)
To bring some joy to those who have none?
To cast a skeptical eye toward common knowledge?
-Uh-uh. -(echoing): Why did I become a comedian?
To make you notice what you’ve always surely noticed,
never noticing you noticed until I ask you:
-"Have you ever noticed?" -Why did I become a comedian?
-Sure, but not only that. -Why did I become a comedian?
To convey with a smile
these deep-seated feelings of hatred and humiliation
we all seem to be sharing?
-When... -(upbeat music plays)
All the Catholics hate the Muslims
And the Muslims hate the Catholics
And the Tutsis hate the Hutus
And... everybody hates the Jews
(laughter and applause)
-MAN: So, why, Henry? -WOMAN: Yes, why, Henry?
Why?
AUDIENCE: Yes, why did you become a comedian?
-For the money? -For the money?
Oh, no, no.
No, I’ve come from poverty and severity
and now have reached big money and obscenity.
So why did you become a comedian?
-For the fame? -For the fame?
-Oh, no, no. -(audience gasps)
Though fame is like a flame,
glorious,
superfluous.
So nice being famous for being infamous.
Okay, but why did you become a comedian?
-Fear of death? -Fear of death?
Oh, no, no.
’Cause you see, I have sympathy for the abyss.
(murmuring): What did he say? What is "abyss"?
A-B-Y-S-S!
You illiterates.
(scattered chuckling)
That’s why I must never...
never cast my eyes towards the abyss.
♪ ♪
Lady, that’s quite an abyss you’ve got.
-(high-pitch tittering) -(audience laughing)
So why, why did you become a comedian?
For the women?
Oh, no, well...
Okay, let me explain.
(piano plays gentle melody)
You see...
my serial ***** days are over.
(scattered chuckling)
Because, well...
I’ve, I’ve just met someone.
(audience whoops)
Someone so...
It all went so fast.
I just moved into her tiny hidden palace,
’cause, yes, she’s a queen.
And now,
I’m engaged.
(audience whooping, applauds)
I know, I know.
Marrying a girl when you’re as young and green as me,
it’s like... swimming the Atlantic
with a concrete block tied to your left testicle.
(laughter)
Well, yes, now, I’m engaged.
Copped out in my early age.
So who, you ask, would marry me?
Who would be the least likely?
No, this ain’t a joke so far:
-Yes, Ann Defrasnoux, -WOMAN: Oh, no!
-the opera star. -(laughter)
What?
What’s wrong, lady?
Ann and me, you disagree?
What is it, blasphemy?
Why, is she too...
perfect?
AUDIENCE: Yes, yes, yes
And I, some loathsome insect?
Yes, yes, yes
Okay, I’ll accept that.
(scattered laughter)
(laughter fades)
(gentle melody plays)
HENRY (voice-over): First time I fell in love...
...woke up next to the girl...
...rushed out to buy myself
the biggest motorbike I could find
and escaped
fast and far.
(singing aria)
HENRY: But Ann the soprano has changed me.
(singing aria)
I have changed.
How?
I’m still not sure.
Time will tell.
What I see in her
is obvious.
What she sees in me,
hmm...
it’s a little more puzzling.
♪ ♪
HENRY: Wish that she could be here now
But she’s at the opera tonight
Opera, where everything is sacred
Amen!
First she dies and dies and dies
And then she bows and bows and bows
She’ll be bowing now till dawn
Ann, dear, I love you so
But all that bowing’s got to go
Take a last bow, enough
Make it seem more off the cuff
(scattered laughter, applause)
WOMAN: But, Henry, you didn’t answer:
why?
AUDIENCE: Yes, why did you become a comedian?
So, why did you become a comedian?
Yes, why did you become a comedian?
Hey, Henry?!
Why?
I’ll tell you why.
To disarm people.
(quietly): Make them laugh.
It’s the only way I know to tell the truth
without getting killed.
Anyway, every ****in’...
-(automatic gunfire) -(audience screaming)
-(gunfire, screaming continue) -(man laughing loudly)
(gunfire stops)
-(man continues laughing) -(scattered screams)
(audience exclaims)
-MAN: Oh, shit. -(audience murmuring)
WOMAN: Henry, you *******!
-(murmuring continues) -(man chuckles)
HENRY: Ooh.
MAN: **** you, Henry!
See, I, too, can die.
(scattered chuckles)
And then...
bow.
(cheering loudly)
Okay, well, that’s it for tonight.
AUDIENCE: Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, yes, yes, ’cause I’m sick and tired of making you...
Laugh, laugh, laugh
But don’t leave me, don’t leave me, don’t leave me
Can’t bear to hear you
Laugh, laugh, laugh
’Cause you bore me, you bore me, you bore me
But I need to hear you
Clap, clap, clap
Yes, I’m ****y, I’m ****y, I’m ****y
Want each one of you to
Clap, clap, clap
Like a loony, like a loony, like a loony, like a loony
We promised that you’d laugh
We promised that you’d laugh, laugh, laugh, laugh
Laugh, laugh, laugh
’Cause he’s Henry, he’s Henry, The Henry
He didn’t make you choke, choke, choke
Or kick the bucket, kick the bucket, kick the bucket
-(audience cheering loudly) -He needs to hear you
Wants each of you to clap, clap, clap
So let’s hear it, let’s hear it
Let’s hear it, let’s hear it!
(song ends)
(applause and cheering)
(audience cheering, shouting "Bravo!")
WOMAN: Ann, we love you!
(people clamoring nearby)
(clamoring continues)
-Ann, please, look this way. -Ann, please.
Give us a smile! Over this way! Over this way!
-Ann, you’re looking great! -Thank you!
(clamoring continues)
(clamoring quiets)
(camera shutters clicking)
(crowd exclaims)
How did the show go?
I killed them...
destroyed them...
murdered them.
Good boy.
And your gig?
I...
I saved them. (laughs softly)
Well, you die so magnificently.
Honey, you’re always dying.
MAN: Ann, Henry, how about a smile?
-Over here! -How ’bout a smile, Ann?
-Give us a smile, Ann! -How ’bout a smile, please!
Give us a smile, please!
Henry, please
In the frame, in the frame
-Henry -(shutters click rhythmically)
Helmet off, Henry
In the frame, Henry
Helmet off, Henry
-How ’bout a smile, please -How ’bout a smile, please
-Give us a smile, please -Give us a smile, please
Henry. your helmet
-How ’bout a smile, please -Take off your helmet!
Give us a smile, please.
(birds chirping)
♪ ♪
(lighter clicking)
(birds continue chirping)
(dramatic intro plays)
♪ ♪
We love each other so much
We’re scoffing at logic
This wasn’t the plan
We love each other so much
Counterintuitive, baby
And yet we remain
We love each other so much
Counterintuitive, baby
And yet we remain
We love each other so much
(driving rock beat plays)
We love each other so much
So hard to explain it
So hard to explain
We love each other so much.
(song ends)
(turns off engine)
(coyotes barking in distance)
(distant thunder rumbling)
(gentle melody plays)
(frogs croaking)
-Tied the knot... -for "Show Bizz News,"
bringing you the latest
on Ann and Henry’s whirlwind romance.
The two stars, both at the pinnacle of their careers,
have officially tied the knot.
Tied the knot.
(instruments warming up)
♪ ♪
(piano plays melody)
(instrument warm up continues)
I’m an accompanist, I’m an accompanist.
I’m an accompanist for Ann, for Ann.
Ann’s the one with the genius, the grace.
I’m the one with the technical expertise.
Ah, the tease, ah, the tease
of being so near, so far
from the star...
from the stars.
But someday I’ll join them ’cause
I’m a conductor, I’m a conductor,
conductor at heart.
It’s a temp job I’m doing.
This should only be seen as a means to an end.
In the end, in the end
-I’ll lead orchestras, -(audience applauds)
near and far.
Every bar, every bar
will bear my own signature,
but I’m an accompanist for the present
for Ann.
That’s what I do.
I’m an accompanist.
For the present.
For Ann.
But now, let’s listen to her sing.
(gentle orchestral music plays)
(rhythmic whooshing)
(dramatic music plays, cymbals crash)
(orchestra quiets)
(gentle melody playing)
ANN: There’s a chill in the air
On this night
Where is the moon
Where is the starlight?
Bearings lost, we’re adrift
On this night
Where is the moon
Where is the starlight
Tonight?
Afraid, don’t know why
Where is the moonlight?
Afraid, don’t know why
Where is the starlight?
Afraid, ’fraid of you
-Something about the look -(rumbling)
In your eyes
Hurry, dawn
I need help, I need light
Cut short the night
I am in danger
Though I thought that I knew him
I’m wrong
I don’t know him
He is a stranger
Tonight
Afraid, don’t know why
Where is the moonlight?
Afraid, don’t know why
Where is the starlight?
Afraid, ’fraid of you
Something about the look
In your eyes
♪ ♪
(motorcycle engine revving)
♪ ♪
-Hi. -Hi.
♪ ♪
ANN: I am love
A fickle thing, a finite thing
I am love
Do not approach me
(Ann screams)
♪ ♪
I was love
A gruesome thing, a gruesome thing
I was love
And now I’m dying
Dying, dying, dying, dying
Dy... ing
♪ ♪
(song ends)
(applause)
(applause continues)
(audience cheering, shouting "Bravo!")
(applause, cheering continues)
(applause, cheering fades)
(musical chiming)
CHORUS: Newborn girl
CONNIE: And, in "Show Bizz News,"
anonymous sources report that the singing and laughter
around the Defrasnoux-McHenry household
will soon be drowned out by the cries
-of a newborn girl. -(camera shutter clicking)
(baby cries)
(snip)
(baby crying)
She’s out of this world
Out of this world
Welcome to the world, Annette
She’s out of this world
Out of this world
Welcome to the world, Annette
-She’s out of this world -Out of this world
Welcome to the world, Annette
-She’s out of this world -Out of this world
Welcome to the world, Annette.
(birds chirping)
(baby chatters nearby)
(Annette grunting)
-♪ ♪ -(birds chirping)
HENRY (voice-over): This is a baby.
This is my baby.
(crickets chirping)
HENRY (voice-over): Tonight,
while she’s singing and dying,
I’m baby... sitting.
(echoing): Sitting, sitting, sitting.
-(glass shatters) -(audience laughter)
(laughter continues)
ANN: Dy... ing.
(laughter continues)
-(laughter stops) -(gentle music plays)
CHORUS: Something’s about to break
But it isn’t clear
Is it something we should cheer?
Is it something we should fear?
Something’s about to break
But it isn’t clear
Is it something we should cheer?
Is it something we should fear?
(Annette coos)
Something’s about to break
But it isn’t clear
Is it something we should cheer?
Is it something we should fear?
(music fades)
NEWSMAN (on TV): Crews faced a major battle yesterday
in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles,
where flames came dangerously close
to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
and to nearby neighborhoods...
ANN: Oscar, I feel like sleeping now.
Please wake me up before we get there.
OSCAR: Sure.
NEWSMAN: Judy, what do you see there?
NEWSWOMAN: Well, good morning.
This fire is raging right now.
You can see the vortex of flames,
smoke and wind blowing in our direction.
Imagine what it’s like for firefighters
to approach flames like that.
NEWSMAN: Despite an all-out assault,
the flames still managed to jump the freeway,
forcing nearby neighborhoods to be evacuated.
The fire quickly consumed this barn,
where volunteers helped rescue animals...
-♪ ♪ -(newsman continues indistinctly)
(newsman continues indistinctly)
♪ ♪
CHORUS: Six women have come forward
Each with a similar story
Subjected to Henry McHenry’s abuses
Witnesses to his violence
REPORTERS: Why now?
Why now?
Each of us has come forward
All with a similar story
Subjected to his abuses
Witnesses to his violence
And his anger, his anger
Six women have come forward
Each of us have come forward
-Each with a similar story -All with a similar story
Subjected to his abuses
Witnesses to his violence
And his anger, his anger
JOURNALISTS: -But why? -Why only now?
-Why only now? -Why come forward now?
-Yes, but why only now? -Yes, why?
Why only now?
I, I fear for Ann
She must be warned
McHenry is not
Not what he seems
-So charming that I -Why?
-A woman with sense -Why come forward now?
I quickly became
A moth to a flame (sobs)
A moth to a flame
-Six women have come forward -Each of us have come forward
-Each with a similar story -All with a similar story
Subjected to his abuses
Witnesses to his violence
-And his anger, his anger -(horn honking)
His anger
-His anger -(horn honking)
His anger!
-(gasps) -NEWSMAN: The cause of this fire
has not yet been determined,
but Southern California Edison utility
did say that it started near one of their power lines
and they had not returned power at the time the fire started.
(newsman speaks indistinctly)
NEWSWOMAN: All right. Thank you very much...
(crickets chirping)
(tenor singing)
(tenor and Ann singing)
(dramatic music plays, cymbals crash)
(Ann singing)
(tenor singing)
-(dramatic music plays) -(Ann singing)
(chorus singing "Toreador Song" from "Carmen"
(Ann repeating note over sparse, minor-key harmony)
(Ann singing dramatic aria)
-(coughs, gasps) -(orchestral crescendo playing)
(coughing)
(music swells)
(music fades)
(motorcycle engine humming)
-(upbeat music plays) -(audience whistling)
ANNOUNCER: And now,
here in Vegas, for the very first time...
The Ape of God,
Mr. Henry McHenry!
(audience cheering, whistling)
♪ ♪
(coughing)
-(whooping) -Henry!
Whoo! Yeah!
-MAN: Henry! -(audience cheering)
HENRY: ****ing idiotic smoke.
(scattered laughter)
(banging on door)
Have you no sense of proportions?!
(scattered laughter)
(audience quiets)
Having to be funny here, it’s like...
...trying to enjoy a blow job in a gas chamber.
(laughter)
MAN: Ah, man.
MAN: That was not funny, Henry.
(audience quiets)
You’re right, not funny.
(sighs)
I’m so...
...too ****ing tired.
-(metallic squeak) -(scattered chuckling)
I knew it. I should’ve cancelled the show tonight.
AUDIENCE: No, no, no!
Yes, yes, yes.
(laughter)
You see, my house was...
...broken into last night,
and, mm, *******s stole all my jokes.
(laughter)
No, the truth is...
...now that I have my own soprano
-(applause) -and baby...
...I’m not sure I have it in me anymore
to make sad people laugh.
(audience exclaims)
No, the truth is, this morning,
something happened.
I-I... No, no, I can’t say.
No, the truth is I’m sick.
Being in love makes me sick.
Sick!
Well, the true truth is...
this morning...
I, um...
I killed... (low): my wife.
-What? What was that? -(audience murmuring)
-WOMAN: Louder! -MAN: Louder, Henry!
-Can’t hear you back here. -Your mic, Henry!
I killed my wife.
(audience exclaims)
Yes, laugh, laugh, laugh.
Laugh, laugh, laugh.
So, I’ve said it:
I killed my wife.
(audience murmuring nervously)
I didn’t mean to.
God knows I didn’t mean to.
She woke up,
so beautiful.
-♪ ♪ -She looked at me and smiled.
That smile.
She is-- was-- a very shy person, you see,
and I know, I knew this shy smile
meant she wanted to ****.
But this time, I pretended not to get it.
And I kept on pretending and so she said it,
ever so shyly:
"Please, Henry.
**** me, Henry."
And I could see the effort in her smile,
for her to ask that,
to say those dirty words,
to be wicked and bold, so out of character.
With that very shy smile I loved so much.
But I couldn’t answer,
I couldn’t meet her desire.
’Cause, yes, being in love makes me sick.
Sick!
I had been sleepless all night, you see,
suffocating, suffocated by love.
A wreck.
Absolutely no desire left.
WOMAN: Come on, Henry, drop it, please!
-WOMAN: Yeah. -(audience murmuring)
What? Am I letting you know more than you care to know about me?
Mm-hmm.
About her?
***?
Death?
Yes, no desire left.
Zero.
So I was looking for something,
anything to change the subject,
to spare us both this horrible,
dreadful moment of rejection.
That’s when the idea came to me.
I remembered how extremely ticklish she is-- was--
especially on the soles of her feet.
So I thought: I’ll tickle her,
to change the subject.
So I grabbed her legs,
locked both of her feet under my arms
and started to tickle them.
I could see in her eyes she understood it all.
(grunting)
Why I was doing what I was doing
to change the subject.
(grunting)
And it seemed impossible she would laugh this time.
She was hurt. (grunting)
And ashamed. (grunting)
And sad and confused.
(grunting)
But I persisted, I tickled gently...
(grunting)
"Stop it, Henry."
It wasn’t working.
So I tickled stronger.
(giggling)
I tickled madly.
(laughing)
I tickled wild.
(grunting)
(laughing hysterically)
(screams)
Ann?
Ann.
Ann? Ann!
(breaths loudly into microphone)
No, no, no, Ann!
(panting rhythmically)
Ann!
(sobs) No!
(sobbing)
No, Ann!
No!
I had tickled her to death.
-(audience murmuring) -(scattered applause)
(sobbing)
(audience quiets)
I then tried to kill myself.
The same way, tickling myself.
(scattered chuckles)
(gasping sobs)
(cries)
You know, but it didn’t work.
(audience murmuring)
This is how I killed my wife.
WOMAN: Enough. I’m out.
MAN: You’re sick!
(audience chattering, grumbling)
MAN: That’s ****ed up.
AUDIENCE: That was sick!
You’re sick!
Poor Ann!
Poor Annette!
(shouting, whistling)
HENRY: I sense some animosity.
Am I right, or is it me?
You must’ve bitten something bitter in your cradle!
Bitten, bitter, cradle!
So why did I become a comedian?
You’re not! You’re not!
Not anymore!
So why did I become a comedian?
***hole! ***hole!
Sick, sick, sick!
-MAN: ***hole! -Okay.
-Go home! -Ready?
Laugh!
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha
We promised that you’d laugh
We promised that you’d laugh, laugh, laugh, laugh
-Laugh, laugh, laugh -(audience booing)
’Cause he’s Henry, he’s Henry...
Okay, everybody, thank you very much, but enough already.
Have a good night!
Kick the bucket, kick the bucket, kick the bucket
He needs to hear you clap, clap, clap
-(loud thud) -(audience exclaims)
’Cause he’s Henry, he’s Henry, The Henry
(singing continues indistinctly)
(upbeat rhythm plays)
You used to laugh
But now you sure ain’t laughing at me no more
You used to laugh
(rhythmic clapping)
But now you sure ain’t laughing at me no more
What’s your problem?
What’s your ****ing problem?
What’s your problem?
Your ****ing problem?
-Do you think I care? -Henry, Henry, we’ve had enough
Do you think I care what you all think of me now?
-Do you think I care? -Henry, Henry, we’ve had enough
Do you think I care what you wimps think of me now?
-What’s your problem? -(buzzing)
What’s your ****ing problem?
-What’s your problem? -Henry, Henry, we’ve had enough
-Your ****ing problem? -Henry, Henry, we’ve had enough
My dear public
Get off, get off, get off the stage
My dear public, you ****ing headless beast
You’re makin’ me sick
Get off, get off, get off the stage
-You ruthless -Get off, get off
-Unpredictable beast -Get off the stage
-It’s your problem -Get off, get off
-****, it’s not my problem -Get off the stage
Get off, get off, get off the stage
-It’s your problem -Get off, get off
-Get off the stage -Your ****ing problem
Get off, get off, get off the stage
-Well, you better laugh -Get off, get off
Get off the stage
Or I’ll get the hell right off of this stage
-If you don’t laugh -Get off, get off
Get off the stage
-You gonna feel, feel, feel -Get off, get off
-The fire of my rage -Get off the stage
We used to laugh
-You got a problem -What’s your problem?
-A big old problem -What’s your ****ing problem?
-You got a problem -You’ve got a problem
A big old problem
-A big old pro... -(audience booing)
...blem!
(booing continues)
Ha, ha!
Ha, ha! Ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Goddamn it! ****ing damn it!
****!
God, ****, damn it, ****!
(birds chirping)
Henry, I’m worried about you.
I’m worried.
But she didn’t want to be there
She didn’t want to be there
At all
She had the voice
Of a goddess
Strings, winds and horns
Inside her chest
Hour after hour
She would struggle
Till her voice became
Her royal realm
She wanted just to be there
Only wanted to live there
Really wanted to live there
Forever more
She headed west
The wild direction
No longer plain
No longer plump
The men were on her doorstep
Many men were on her doorstep
Her voice had brought her beauty
And set her free
But she never listened to those men
-Who came and whispered: -(toilet flushing)
"You’re a flame to me, a flame to me
A flame to me, a flame to me"
She was a queen, didn’t need a king
Who’d put her brand-new palace
In jeopardy, in jeopardy, in jeopardy
A queen should never be a moth to a flame
♪ ♪
I have a wonderful gift,
and a beautiful child.
People adore me,
and I adore this man, but...
Something’s wrong.
(Annette grunts)
Annette.
(grunting)
♪ ♪
That’s it, Annette.
Just keep right on walking
One foot then the other
(Annette grunts)
La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la
La, la-la-la, la-la
-La-la, la -(Annette giggling)
La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la
-La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la -(giggling)
La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la
-(giggling) -La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la
La, la-la-la, la-la, la-la, la
-(giggling) -La, la-la-la...
Whoo!
(crickets chirping)
(kisses)
(Ann chuckles softly)
(kissing)
(coyotes barking in distance)
(kissing, chuckling)
(distant barking continues)
(dramatic music plays)
HENRY: What goes up
Must come down
-My star’s in decline -(clattering)
Hah!
Once profound
For a clown
My star’s in decline.
-(Henry breathing heavily) -(song ends)
(musical chiming)
Connie O’Connor here for "Show Bizz News"
with exclusive news that Ann, Henry and Baby Annette
will be travelling on their yacht next week.
Could it be in the hope of saving the couple’s marriage?
And could the problems be due in large part
to the growing discrepancy
between their respective success?
CHORUS: Respective success, respective success
-CONNIE: We wish them the best. -We wish them the best.
(wind howling)
(thunder crashing)
CHORUS: A storm is rolling in, a storm is rolling in
A storm is rolling in, a storm is rolling in
A storm is rolling in
-A storm is rolling in -(toy rattling)
A storm is rolling in
(gentle melody plays)
I will calm the sea
Baby, don’t fear
I will stop the storm
Sleep, baby, sleep
The world revolves round you
My little innocent
Sleep a perfect sleep
I’m always here
Dream a perfect dream
-And never fear -(thunder crashing)
Thunder, rain nor lightning
My little innocent
All of the danger that I feel
I will dispel it with some magic
Alakazam, I’ll change the reel
Look at the happy family dancing
We’ll look back and laugh
That crazy night
As we walk a path
Neath city lights
The lights will shine on you
My little innocent.
-Henry! -(wood creaking)
Henry!
Henry, where are you?
(thunder crashing)
(wind howling)
Henry?
-(gasps) -Ann.
(dramatic intro plays)
Are you drunk, Henry?
Whoa.
I’m not that drunk.
-Let’s waltz. -(thunder crashing)
But I’ll kill my voice out here.
Henry, a storm is rolling in.
I’m well aware of that, my dear.
Let’s waltz in the storm!
CHORUS: A storm is rolling in, a storm is rolling in
A storm is rolling in, a storm is rolling in
Henry, you’re drunk
-Henry, you’re drunk -A storm is rolling in
-I’m not that drunk -A storm is rolling in
-I’m not that drunk -(thunder crashing)
Hey, where’s Annette? Where did she go?
Annette’s asleep, she’s safe below
Henry, you’re not the man I know
I’m not that drunk
I’m not that drunk, I’m not that drunk
-I’m not that drunk -Henry,
you’re not the man I know.
We’ll catch our death in this rain.
Henry, stop fooling around.
We could slip, we could drown.
Whoa!
-Henry, don’t fool around -(laughing)
There’s a storm, settle down
Careful, hey! What if we fell?
-No one could survive these swells -(scoffs)
You’re quite drunk, let’s calm down
When we’re safe, you can be a clown
What has gotten into you?
-What has gotten into you? -(thunder crashing)
With this storm and this sea
I feel scared, look at me
Comfort me, hold me tight
Oh, what a terrible, terrible night
(thunder crashing)
(Ann coughing)
My voice, Henry.
Is nothing sacred to you?
Oh, God knows everything is to you.
Always trumpeting values
The sacred values
-And then dying, dying -(thunder crashing)
Dying!
And then bowing, bowing, bowing
(Ann gasping)
-♪ ♪ -(thunder crashing)
(whimpers softly)
ANN: Henry, stop it, stop it now!
We’re gonna fall, gonna die!
What has gotten into you?
Think of Annette!
(yells)
♪ ♪
Henry, help me! Pull me out!
Where are you? Help!
(fading): Henry, I’m almost out of air!
There’s so little I can do
♪ ♪
There’s so little I can do
(thunder crashing)
There’s so little I can do.
(somber music plays)
(music fades)
(water splashing)
(Henry breathing heavily)
(kisses)
HENRY (quietly): We gotta go, gotta go, gotta go.
(waves lapping on shore)
♪ ♪
We washed ashore
Annette
On some island
Somewhere
Your mother’s gone, Annette
I’ll take care of you
(kissing)
Help is on the way
Annette
Someone’s heard
Our calls
In the meantime
Stars line up
They line up for you
(Henry panting)
(grunting, panting)
(waves lapping on shore)
(Annette vocalizing)
(panting)
(Annette continues vocalizing)
(continues vocalizing)
(chuckling)
-(gasping breaths) -(continues vocalizing)
Somehow I’m imagining Annette is singing.
Just as the light of the moon
lit her beautiful face.
How foolish.
(continues vocalizing)
How very foolish I can be.
(audience laughter)
Now, I can hear the...
stars laughing at me.
In the morning I’ll be...
free of all these hallucinations.
(vocalizing stops)
(waves lapping on shore)
(ominous music plays)
♪ ♪
I will haunt you, Henry
For the rest of your life
Through Annette, I’ll haunt you
Her voice will be my ghost
I am no longer love
I am now revenge
(waves lapping on shore)
(grunts quietly)
♪ ♪
I will haunt you, Henry
I’ll die day after day after day
I will haunt you, Henry
Night after night after night.
(waves lapping)
We are the police and we have got
-Some routine questions -(phone ringing)
You’re not suspected, but we have to ask some questions
It won’t take long, how ’bout some coffee with your questions?
It won’t take long, we don’t have very many questions
Not many questions
Can you describe the night and how your wife went missing?
There was a storm and I looked up and she was missing
And did you try at all to dive in and to save her?
The sea was rough, and with Annette, how could I save her?
The storm was very strong, there was no way to save her
And anyway, I had Annette, I had to save her
I had Annette.
We heard the rumors that you’re somewhat of a raver
Were there some problems between you that made you waver?
That is an insult, I loved Ann, was always faithful
How ’bout that comic piece in which you said you killed her?
Was that a prank or something more, an aspiration?
Everybody knows my acts are full of provocation
Well, that ’bout wraps it up, we sure are grateful, Henry
It now seems clear to us there is no guilty party
It was an act of God, that is our firm conclusion
It was an act of God
-And pardon the intrusion. -(song ends)
(indistinct police radio chatter)
-(sirens wailing in distance) -(people murmuring)
WOMAN: Yeah, that’s him.
Sure, I’ve sinned in all your eyes
But one thing you cannot deny is
I’m a good father, I’m a good father
I’m a good father, am I?
My Annette will ask someday
-"Where is my mother?" -GIRL: Mommy! Daddy!
I will say that
I’m a good father
I’m a good father, I’m a good father
But she’s gone
I’m a good father
Mother and father
-I’m a good father, am I? -(song ends)
♪ ♪
(Consuelo speaking Spanish faintly)
Hi, Consuelo.
How’s my Baby Annette?
Much better. No more fever.
Oh, thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Mr. McHenry.
Uh... see you tomorrow?
Yes. Have a good evening.
You, too.
CONSUELO: Bye-bye, my love.
♪ ♪
(Henry gasps)
Look at what I got for you.
(Annette grunting softly)
-What is it? -(opening package)
What is it, Annette?
(gasps)
What is that?
Look at that.
Are you excited?
(lamp playing gentle music)
Annette, isn’t it magical that...
(Annette vocalizing to music)
(music and vocalizing stop)
(gentle music resumes)
(Annette vocalizing to music)
Unbelievable
Amazing
It’s really happening
She sings
She’s a miracle
When the light shines on her
Astounding
Unbelievable
Amazing
(continues vocalizing)
It’s really happening
-To me. -(song ends)
(crickets chirping)
(thunder rumbling softly in distance)
(orchestra playing classical music, chorus singing along)
It’s a fast-changing world.
And I am now the conductor of the city’s finest orchestra.
No longer the self-deprecating accompanist
from such a short while ago.
Ann would be proud of me.
I do have my suspicions, though, about why she isn’t alive.
And doubts, too,
about something else, but...
Excuse me a minute.
(music swells)
(music continues quieter)
Henry has invited me to his place tomorrow...
...to discuss a matter that he says concerns Annette and Ann.
As awkward as it is for me to attend,
anything that concerns Ann and the future of Annette
is something that concerns me.
Excuse me one more time.
(music swells)
(music continues quieter)
My love for Ann has never died.
Neither has my regret
that our affair
was only an affair.
I had been hoping for so long.
Then at a time when she was in despair, we started an affair.
But the very next week, she met Henry.
That was the end of it, the end of me.
I’ll always regret that.
I deeply miss her-- her warmth, her voice.
I miss Ann. Excuse me.
(music swells dramatically)
(music ends)
(crickets chirping)
THE CONDUCTOR: Thank you.
Hey, Henry.
Thanks for coming by
My Conductor friend
Got something to show you
That will blow your mind
Follow me upstairs
As a friend of mine
You deserve to see this
It will blow your mind
Careful with the stairs
Have no fear, my friend
I’m not gonna play
Any trick of mine
♪ ♪
-Henry, what are you do... -Shh.
(lamp playing gentle music)
(Annette vocalizing to music)
(vocalizing continues)
Can you believe it?
I just can’t believe it.
-Can you explain it? -I can’t explain it.
-Is it really happening? -I don’t know what to think.
Is it really happening?
I really don’t know what to think.
To us?
-How ’bout a drink? -I need a drink.
(music stops)
A strong drink.
HENRY: Here’s my plan, my sweet Conductor
We three travel round the world
She performs with you conducting
Backing her around the world
All the world deserves to see this
It’s our moral duty, right?
Well, what do you think, Conductor?
Am I wrong or am I right?
If you would consent
To be there for her
Your fame will grow greater
Two hundred percent
We would tour the world
Show her to the world
Millions would go wild
Cherishing the child
This is really exploitation.
-No, not really -Sure it is.
This is really exploitation.
-No, not really -Sure it is.
You know what my future looks like
From a money point of view
With the income from performance
She could have a future, too
-You’re exploiting her, Henry. -No, not really.
-You’re exploiting Annette. -No, not really!
Please make up your mind
Please, Conductor friend
We cannot waste time.
♪ ♪
(song ends)
-(crickets chirping) -(coyotes barking in distance)
♪ ♪
HENRY: I have the same dream
Every night
Every night the same dream
Adrift
On an angry sea
And in a moment of rage
And stupidity
I kill
The one I love
Ann, forgive me
Ann
I beg you
Ann
Forgive me
♪ ♪
I have the same dream
Every night
Every night the same dream
She’s here
Lying by my side
An exercise
In futility
Did I kill
The one I love?
There’s no forgiveness
Ann
I beg you
There’s no
Forgiveness...
(screaming)
♪ ♪
(door creaks)
♪ ♪
(orchestra playing dramatic music)
(dramatic music continues)
ANNOUNCER: You’ve read about her
You’ve heard about her
But nothing will have prepared you for
What you’re about to see
Nothing will have prepared you
For what you’re about to see and hear
Tonight
-(cheering, applause) -Tonight
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome
To the premiere performance of
Baby Annette
I am Henry McHenry
♪ ♪
Cynics among you may doubt
that what you’re about to see is real.
That it is not faked in some way.
Let me assure you it is real.
Annette is a miracle.
Miracles do exist.
Without further ado
-I introduce to you -(applause)
Baby Annette
♪ ♪
(dramatic music pauses)
(orchestra playing gentle music)
(vocalizing to music)
(vocalizing continues)
(audience, murmuring)
(vocalizing continues)
(music builds)
(music and vocalizing continue quieter)
(music swells)
-(cheering, applause) -(people shouting "Annette!")
(cheering, shouting continue)
GIRL: We love you, Annette!
-MAN: Exploitation! -MAN: It’s exploitation.
-(music fades) -(cheering, shouting continue)
GIRL: I love you!
-GIRL: Annette! -GIRL: We love you!
GIRL: Annette!
We love you, Annette!
(crowd chattering excitedly)
Annette and me
And The Conductor are three
We’re traveling round the world
(jet engine whooshing)
♪ ♪
PILOT: Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure
your seats are in the upright position.
We’ll be landing...
BOTH: Shortly
Here in Madrid
CROWD: We love Annette
Here in Paris
CROWD: We love Annette
-Here in London -(excited chatter)
We love Annette, we love Annette
We love Annette
-We love Annette -(applause, excited chatter)
We love Annette
We love Annette, we love Annette
-(Annette vocalizing) -We love Annette
We love Annette, we love Annette
(fading): We love Annette...
(vocalizing continues)
(seagull chirping)
CROWD: Bon voyage
HENRY and CROWD: Bon voyage
(cheering, shouting)
We’re traveling round the world
-We’re traveling round the world -(crowd cheering)
We’re traveling round the world
Bon voyage
Here in Stockholm
-We love Annette -Bon voyage
Here in Cuba
-We love Annette -Bon voyage
Here in Tokyo
-We love Annette -Bon voyage
-We love Annette, we love Annette -Bon voyage
-We love Annette -Bon voyage
We love Annette.
(song ends)
What a beautiful, beautiful night, huh?
Hey, my friend, would you look after Annette while I go out
and let off just a little bit of steam?
Sure, Henry, I’ll look after Annette.
(kisses, blows)
(piano playing gentle melody)
We love each other
So much
So hard to explain it
So hard to explain
We love each other
So much
We love each other
So much
We love each other
So much
Speak soft when you say it
Speak soft
When you say
We love each other
So much.
(song ends)
Look so great to me
But will I ever be
-Lovable again? -(song ends)
(night birds calling)
(coyotes howling)
(crickets chirping)
(coyotes howling, barking)
(motorcycle approaching)
(howling)
♪ ♪
(coyotes continue howling, barking in distance)
I’m feeling just a little bit drunk
I’m feeling just a little bit tipsy
Shit.
Where, you might ask, did I go?
That would be none of your business
Where’d I put my house keys?
So glad to be back at home
(door closes)
Hey, Mr. Conductor friend, good to see you
Thanks for watching Annette
How is Annette?
She’s fine.
(small piano playing)
There’s my little Annette
How’s my little Annette?
(small piano playing "We Love Each Other So Much")
(Annette vocalizing to music)
♪ ♪
How does she know that song?
You had no right
to teach her that
You had no right
You had no right at all
You had no right
to teach her that
You had no right
You had no right at all
That song was our song, Ann’s and my song
That was our song, that song was our song
Ann’s song and mine
That was our song
No!
No, Henry, I wrote that song for Ann.
What?
So I had every right to teach it to my star pupil, Annette.
HENRY: Yeah, bullshit.
You’d think you were her father
Maybe... I am.
I think I am.
This can’t be true, this can’t be true
Sorry, Henry.
You see, before you came along, Ann and I...
This can’t be true
Could this be true?
No one must know this or I’ll lose my daughter
No one must know this
Or I’ll lose my child
♪ ♪
Well, let’s put Annette to bed
and then go by the pool and talk it over, okay?
(song ends)
(whispers): Good night, Annette.
♪ ♪
You see, my friend...
(grunts)
Henry, don’t fool around
The water must be freezing.
You wouldn’t want me to...
drown, would you?
I don’t know.
What was I about to say?
Shall we talk
As you’d asked?
I can’t stay, can you make it fast?
Not to be impolite
But it’s been a long, long night
Hey! Henry, no!
Stop fooling around.
You’re quite drunk
Let’s both sit down
What is it you need to say?
Sit down, Henry
Oh! Watch it! Hey!
Shh!
Okay, this isn’t funny anymore.
-Not the least bit funny anymore! -Shh!
-Get your hands off me. -Shh!
Get your hands off of me.
What are you trying to do to me?
What are you trying--
What are you trying to do to me?
Stop it. Just stop it.
Just stop it, stop it, stop it.
Okay, okay. Okay, okay.
Stop it.
Oh! Stop, stop.
(grunting)
(gasping): Henry, it’s freezing
Hen... ry, I’m going down
I won’t tell a single soul
Even you can’t be this cold
(coughs)
So it was you
After all
No.
(water splashes, then calms)
No.
(gasping)
If only
I had gotten Ann
To love me more
(water splashes)
There’s so little I can do
There’s so little
-I can do -THE CONDUCTOR: If only I’d gotten Ann
-To love me more -There’s so little I can do
If only I...
There’s so little I can do
If only...
♪ ♪
(song ends)
-(night birds calling) -(crickets chirping)
Annette.
You’re awake.
(lamp crashes)
(whispering): Everything will be all right now.
I promise, Annette.
(musical chiming)
-(chorus vocalizing) -Connie O’Connor here
-for "Show Bizz News" -(cameras clicking)
with the shocking announcement that Henry McHenry
has decided to end Baby Annette’s singing career.
CHORUS: Never again...
CONNIE: Before they move to Europe,
she will give one last performance
to be announced shortly.
CHORUS: Never again...
CONNIE: The baby will never perform again after that.
CHORUS: Never again
-Never again. -(song ends)
(crowd cheering faintly in distance)
♪ ♪
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome
CHEERLEADERS: Welcome!
Welcome to the Hyperbowl halftime show
-Wow! -To the thousands who are here in attendance
-Welcome! -And the millions who are watching at home
At home!
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome
-Welcome! -(crowd cheering)
Welcome to the Hyperbowl halftime show
To the thousands who are here in attendance
Welcome!
And the millions that are watching at home
Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome our cherished
Baby Annette.
(crowd cheering)
♪ ♪
GIRL: I love you, Annette! I love you!
ANNOUNCER: As you all know by now,
this will be her last public appearance.
So, ladies and gentlemen...
darkness.
Then a very sweet, soft light.
-(rock music begins) -(crowd cheering)
And then, for all eternity,
Baby Annette!
(rock music and cheering continue)
♪ ♪
CHORUS: Baby Annette
(chorus vocalizing)
(whistling)
-(music fades) -(crowd cheering)
ANNOUNCER: This is the largest audience
that Annette has ever performed in front of,
so some nervousness is completely understandable.
Ladies and gentlemen, Baby Annette.
-(crowd cheering) -(rock music begins)
CHORUS: Baby Annette
(chorus vocalizing)
(music fades)
(crowd cheering, murmuring)
(Henry chuckling)
We ask for your patience.
Baby Annette is a baby after all.
So please, once again...
Baby Annette!
(crowd cheering)
What the **** is that little ***** doing?
(rock music begins)
CHORUS: Baby Annette
(chorus vocalizing)
(music fades)
(crowd cheering)
(Annette sighs into microphone)
ANNETTE: Daddy...
Daddy killed people.
♪ ♪
RUSSELL and CHORUS: True love always finds
-True love always finds -(light thumping, echoing)
A way
But true love often goes
True love often goes
-(distorted chuckle) -Astray
(distorted laughing)
(light thumps)
♪ ♪
(distorted chatter)
-(light thumping) -(song ends)
(siren wailing)
(crowd clamoring outside)
MAN: Henry! Henry!
CROWD (chanting rhythmically): You are a murderer
-A murderer -(pounding rhythmically)
MAN: Murderer!
-CROWD: You are a murderer -♪ ♪
A murderer
He is a murderer, he is a murderer
There is no doubt at all that
-He is a murderer -MAN: Henry, you killed her!
-He is a murderer -Henry, you ****ing ***hole!
And he must pay the price and
-Whether it’s first-degree -Henry, I hate you!
-Or less than first-degree -****ing ***hole!
-The point is moot to us ’cause -(shouting continues)
He’s still a murderer
-And whether it’s death or jail -Goddamn murderer.
We’ll send him far, far, far away
-Murderer -WOMAN: Go to hell!
Murderer
-Murderer -(shouting continues)
He’s a murderer
You are a murderer
Murderer
-You are a murderer -Murderer
You killed the one that we all loved
Nearly religiously
Religiously
-Nearly religiously -Religiously
No more will she die for us
Who will now die for us?
Will die for us?
-Who will now die for us? -Will die for us?
No one can take her place
-But you who despises us -(shouting continues)
Despises us
-You who despises us -Despises us
We will now tame, break and destroy
-Henry! -Henry, over here!
-What you have to say? -Public has the right to know!
CROWD (chanting): Murderer!
Murderer! Murderer!
-Murderer! -(song ends)
Please... raise your right hand.
Henry McHenry,
do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
(sneezes): Truth!
-(clerk gulps) -Yes.
The truth is...
...you remind me so much of my mother.
(gallery murmuring, chuckling)
(gavel bangs)
Mr. McHenry,
-(blows nose) -this court won’t tolerate effrontery.
-(clerk gulps) -Clerk, please.
Once again please.
Please...
Henry McHenry...
do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,
so help you
Go-o-o-o-o, o-o-d?
No.
You’ll kill me if I do.
(shocked murmuring)
(gavel banging)
Stepping back in time
I’d pull Ann aside
"I’m so proud of you"
Stepping back in time, I’d pull Ann aside,
"I’m so happy for you
-I’m so happy for you" -(Ann vocalizing)
I’d say, "Ann, what gives me the most joy
"Is to watch you
-"I’m a small boy -(Ann vocalizing)
"Wide-eyed in my awe at your silken voice
"I admire you
-Never tire of you" -ANN: Never be tired of you
Teary-eyed, she’ll say
BOTH: "I’m ashamed to see
"That we both can’t be
Where we ought to be"
HENRY: Crying, you will say
BOTH: "It’s so sad, you see
"That we both can’t be
Who we ought to be"
HENRY: Stepping back in time, I could step aside
Not allow my rage to be magnified
To a dangerous point where a rash act
What an impact
I can’t grab back
-ANN: No, there’s no more time -There’s no more time
-What a shame -Oh, what a shame
-That we both can’t be -That we can’t be
-Where we ought to be -Where we ought to be
-No, there’s no more time -There’s no more time
-It’s so sad to see -So sad to see
-That we both can’t be -That we can’t be
-Who we ought to be -Who we ought to be
-ANN (whispers): Henry. -(gasps)
(wind blowing)
♪ ♪
Henry.
She won’t be the one keeping you company in jail.
I will.
Day after day after day
Night after night after night.
(doves cooing)
(bird squawks, wings flutter)
(bird squawking)
-(keys jingling) -(men shouting in distance)
(lock clicking)
-(Henry muttering quietly) -(distant footsteps)
-(footsteps echoing) -(Henry muttering)
(buzzer sounds in distance)
(footsteps echoing)
HENRY (low): It’s incredible.
(Henry muttering)
(Henry continues muttering)
(footsteps echoing)
(low muttering)
(footsteps stop)
(door lock clicks, door opens)
(men shouting in distance)
(door closes)
(soft footsteps)
(buzzer sounds in distance)
(ticking)
Annette.
Annette?
You’ve changed so much, Annette.
ANNETTE: Yes.
Yes, I have.
(clock ticking)
(low, shuddering breaths)
You, too, have changed.
But at least you’re safe here, yes?
You can’t drink and you can’t smoke here, can you?
No. No, I can’t.
And you can’t kill here, can you?
(soft laugh) It was a joke.
Mm, you are my daughter after all.
No.
No more killing.
Only time.
"Killing time." Have you heard that expression?
No.
But now, you have nothing to love.
Can’t I love you?
No.
Not really.
(clock ticking)
Annette.
We don’t have long.
♪ ♪
I’ll sing these words to you
I hope that they’ll ring true
They’re not some magic chimes
To cover up my crimes
Annette, of this I’m sure
Imagination’s strong
And reason’s song
Is weak and thin
We don’t have long
(music intensifies)
I stood upon a cliff
A deep abyss below
Compelled to look, I tried
To fight it off
God knows I tried
This horrid urge to look below
But half horrified
And half relieved
I cast my eyes
Toward the abyss
The dark abyss
(music slows, distorts)
I heard a ringing in my ears
I knew my death knell’s ugly sound
-(music resumes) -The overbearing urge to gaze
Into the deep abyss, the haze
So strong the yearning for the fall
Imagination’s strong
And reason’s song
Is weak and thin
We don’t have long
I’ll never sing again
Shunning all lights at night
I’ll never sing again
Smashing every lamp I see
I’ll never sing again
Living in full darkness
I’ll never sing again
A vampire forever
Annette, no.
No, no.
Annette, Annette.
No.
I sang these words to you
Can I forgive what you have done?
I hope, that they’d ring true
And will I ever forgive Mom?
Imagination is so strong
Her deadly poison, I became
And reason’s song is never strong
Merely a child to exploit
Imagination is so strong
Forgive you both?
-And reason’s song -Forget you both?
-So faint and shrill -To take that oath?
-I stood above the deep abyss -To take that oath?
Why should I now forgive? Why should I now forget?
I can never forgive, I can never forget
Both of you were using me for your own ends
For your own ends
Not an ounce of shame
The two of you, you’re both to blame
I wish that both of you were gone
Wish you were gone
-No, don’t blame Ann -Wish you were gone
-Annette, that’s wrong -Wish you were gone
-No, don’t blame Ann -Both of you gone
But is forgiveness the sole way
This horrid urge to look below
When all has gone so far astray
God knows I tried to fight it off
-Extract the poison -Half horrified
-From one’s heart -And half relieved
-And from one’s soul -I cast my eyes
-I can’t be sure -Down the abyss
Forgive the two of you or not
-I take this oath -Sympathy for
-Forgive you both? -The dark abyss
-I take this oath -Sympathy for
-I take this oath -The dark abyss
Forgive you both?
-Or forget you both? -Don’t cast your eyes
-I must be strong -Down the abyss
-I must be strong -Annette, please don’t
(door lock clicking)
GUARD: Time’s up.
(door closes)
No contact.
And now you have nothing to love
Why can’t I love you?
Can’t I love you?
Now you have nothing to love
Can’t I love you, Annette?
No, not really, Daddy
It’s sad but it’s true
Now you having nothing to love
-Annette. -(door opens)
My Annette.
Never cast your eyes down the abyss.
HENRY: Goodbye
Annette
Goodbye
Annette
Goodbye
Annette
Goodbye
Annette.
(softly): Goodbye.
♪ ♪
Stop watching me.
(music fades)
♪ ♪
(music ends)
("We Love Each Other So Much" plays)
♪ ♪
(song ends)
(coyotes barking in distance)
ANNETTE: Action!
(gentle melody plays)
ALL: It’s the end
So we bid you
Good night
Safe journey home
Watch out for strangers
If you liked what you saw
-Tell a friend -ANNETTE: Tell a friend?
If you’ve no friends
Then, tell a stranger
Tonight
WOMAN: Ladies.
Three, four, one.
WOMEN: Good night one and all
MAN: Men.
MAN and WOMAN: Three, four, one.
MEN: Good night one and all
-WOMAN: Everyone. -MAN: Come on.
Three, four.
ALL: Good night
One
And all
ANNETTE: Get ready.
(Annette laughing)
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
-Three, four. -ANNETTE: Ready?
ALL: Good night one and all
(Annette laughing)
ANNETTE: Good night one and all
WOMAN: Toutes les femmes.
Three, four.
WOMEN: Good night one and all
MAN: Tous les hommes.
Three, four.
MEN: Good night
ALL: One
And all!
♪ ♪
(indistinct chattering and laughter)
(chattering, laughter continues)
(dogs barking)
(chattering, laughter fading)