repo! the genetic opera libretto, act 1

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA

ACT I

as of March 24, 2002

Copyright 2001~2002. Words and music by Darren Smith & Terrance Zdunich. Note: SUNG PASSAGES ARE INDICATED BY A BOLD TYPEFACE , USING ALL CAPS. Spoken passages are in a regular typeface and sentence case.

ANNOUNCER:

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the future! Its the year 2036 and you dont want to look like youre caught at the turn of the century. Get with the times. Upgrade your organs now! Try a new heart or pancreas today! Bad credit? NO problem! No credit? NO problem! GeneCO. will finance any BODY!!! So, throw out your generic parts and upgrade to the organ brand that always makes the grade, GeneCO.!!! Financed organs are subject to all legal default remedies, including repossession by a GENETIC REPO MAN.

C.CHORUS:

(random gasps and fearful murmurs about repo men)

ANNOUNCER:

Ladies and gentlemen,

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA

Scene 1:

THE GENETIC REPO MAN

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BACKSTAGE TAVERN-

VICTIM #1 wanders from the tavern and nervously paces as CYBORG CHORUS describes the fear and urban mythology surrounding repo men.

C. CHORUS:

Out from the night, from the mist steps the figure.

No one really knows his name for sure.

He stands at six-foot-six, head and shoulders.

Pray he never comes knocking at your door!

Say you once bought a heart or new corneas,

But somehow never managed to square away your debts.

He wont bother to write or to phone you.

Hell just rip the still-beating heart from your chest!

REPO MAN surfaces from the audience. HE is dressed in demonic identity-concealing surgical garb, holding a doctors bag. CYBORG CHORUS crescendos in a haunting and thunderous Wagnerian refrain.

C.CHORUS:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

HE corners the pleading VICTIM, injecting a disabling serum. Hunching over the paralyzed VICTIM, REPO MAN goes to work. The music comes to a screeching halt as REPO MAN removes the VICTIMs heart, raising it above his head in a monstrous pose. CYBORG CHORUS mutters the VICTIMs fading heartbeats.

C.CHORUS:

Thump-Thump

Thump-Thump

Thump.

REPO MAN places the VICTIMs heart into

a hi-tech organ canister and exits.

Scene 2:

DEPRAVED-HEART MURDER

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BACK-STAGE TAVERN-

At the side of the stage, and out of sight, REPO MAN is slowly removing his repo attire. HE stuffs it piece by piece into his doctors bag. BLING MAG enters. SHE is an elegant woman in her early 40s with intricate and colorful transplant tattoos encircling her eyes. Holding a gig bag and dressed in an overcoat with white cotton gloves, SHE mournfully approaches the VICTIMs body.

C.CHORUS (M):

Depraved-heartmurderDepraved-heartmurder... (cont.)

MAG:

ITS THE SAME IN EVERY TOWN,

BEFORE WE EVEN PUT OUR LUGGAGE DOWN,

ANOTHER CHILD SLAIN,

ANOTHER BODY ON THE GROUND.

REST IN PEACE.

C.CHORUS:

REST IN PEACE.

MAG kneels over the VICTIM and places the shall that is draping over her shoulders on top of the VICTIMs face. HEATHER SWEET, donning large black Jackie O-style sunglasses and a fitted trench coat, passes the body in disgust.

HEATHER:

ITS GETTING SO A GIRL CAN HARDLY WALK THESE STREETS!

ITS GETTING SO A GIRL CAN HARDLY WALK THESE STREETS!

DONT THESE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU GET

WHEN YOU DONT PAY YOUR DEBTS?!

UGH, SOMEONE CLEAN THESE STREETS!

HEATHER storms away.

MAG:

THERES NO TURNING BACK.

THIS IS WHERE THE ROAD HAS BROUGHT US.

THERES NO TURNING BACK NOW.

MURDER JUSTIFIED BY PROFIT.

WHEN OUR VERY LIVES ARE ASSETS,

WHO OF US IS NEXT?

IS THERE TURNING BACK?

The GRAVE-ROBBER, a sleazy character in his mid-20s,

enters and approaches the VICTIM.

HE picks the corpses pockets.G-ROBBER:

THEY DIDNT HAVE THE HEART TO TELL YOU, FRIEND,

HEARTS LENT AINT NEVER HEART SENT!

THIS MARKET MAKES AN HONEST MAN HEARTLESS.

DEAD DOLLARS FIND THERE WAY TO LIVING HANDS.

AND SINCE YOURE IN A SHARING MOOD,

ILL TAKE MY SHARE, MY FRIEND.

MAG:

REST IN PEACE.

G-ROBBER:

Someone always does.

ALL:

REST IN PEACE.

The GRAVE-ROBBER drags the VICTIMs body off the stage.

MAG:

THERES NO TURNING BACK.

THIS IS WHERE THE ROAD HAS BROUGHT US.

THERES NO TURNING BACK NOW.

MURDER JUSTIFIED BY PROFIT.

WHEN OUR VERY LIVES ARE ASSETS,

WHO OF US IS NEXT?



MAG picks up her gig bag and exits, entering the Backstage Tavern.

C. CHORUS:


REPO MAN completes his unmasking. The transformation is impressive. HE is NATHAN WALLACE, an unassuming middle-aged man. Nobody suspects that HE is a REPO MAN.

Scene 3:

SHILOS GIFT

INT. WALLACE FAMILY APT. -

NATHAN lights up in anticipation of his daughter, SHILO, who excitedly enters, interrupting him. SHE is wearing virtual computer headgear, which sits atop her head comically, like an oversized bicycle helmet. SHE is 17 and high-spirited.

NATHAN:

SHILO, IM HOME.

SHILO:

DAD!

NATHAN:

LET ME SEE THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!

SHILO:

YOU WONT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW LAST NIGHT!

IT WAS A MONSTROUS THING!

HE WAS SO FRIGHTENING!

IT WAS AMAZING!

NATHAN:

SHILO, SLOW DOWN.

DONT YOU WANT YOUR BIRTHDAY PRESENT?

SHILO is silenced. SHE stares at NATHAN through the magnified lenses of her headgear, then at the gift, then back at her father, before swiping the present from his hands.

SHILO:

Zoink!

NATHAN chuckles as SHILO begins to make quick work of the wrapping paper.

NATHAN:

Happy 17.

SHILO:

Oh, I hope this is the new hi-speed Valkyrie 5.9 master chip!

Its .08 times faster then Elektra 3000!

Shaking his head, NATHAN unfastens the V-helmet and removes it from SHILOs head with care.

NATHAN:

You know, Shilo, these computer games are gonna fry your brain.

SHILO turns to NATHAN earnestly.

SHILO:

Dad, Im a keyboard samurai. I have no choice.

SHE returns her focus to the gift and completes the unwrapping. It is a leather journal with a single snap opening. SHE is disappointed.

SHILO:

A book?!

NATHAN:

Not just any book, Shilo. This was your mothers.

Before she passed away, she was always writing, like you.

SHILO is moved by this unsuspected gift. NATHAN begins to sing to her tenderly.

NATHAN:

YOUR MOTHER, REST HER SOUL,

WANTED THIS FOR YOU,

AND THOUGH YOU CANNOT SEE HER, SHILO,

SHE IS HERE WITH YOU.

AND SHE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU

IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.

SHILO, YOURE THE WORLD TO ME.

NATHAN:

I figured that you were old enough to appreciate this now.

She inscribed this to you, in the hopes that you would fill its pages.

SHE opens the journal and reads the inscription.

SHILO:

To my unborn child: Chase the morning. Yield for nothing.

Trust your heart. -Marni Wallace.

SHILO turns to her father endearingly.

SHILO:

I KNOW THAT ITS BEEN HARD TO RAISE ME ALL ALONE.

SHILO looks at her father with that perfect blend of apology and playfulness.

SHILO:

SOMETIMES IVE BEEN A BUTTHEAD, DAD.

NATHAN:

SOMETIMES IVE BEEN ONE TOO.

TOGETHER:

BUT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE EACH OTHER

IN OUR TIMES OF NEED.

SHILO/DAD, YOURE THE WORLD TO ME.

THEY embrace. As THEY separate, NATHAN awkwardly attempts to be hip. HE is quite proud of himself.

NATHAN:

So, whats the upload?

SHILO:

Oh, dad, thats so 2025.

NATHAN laughs, uncomfortably shrugging off this momentary deflation.

NATHAN:

Well, what were you so excited to tell me about earlier?

SHILO:

Didnt you see the body on the way up?

NATHAN freezes. SHILO erupts.

SHILO:

Dad, it was amazing! Last night when I was sleepingI

mean, weve all heard the stories, but I just neverIt was like

a dream, Dad, a dreamWhat precision! One chop and she

was a crumperA Repo had her, and Im thinkin that this is

just a clean clone, but its a stinkin master! Wait, backslash

that, a heavy metal master!! It was like "REPO MAN", then

triple-dot-slam, brother, he took this girls heart out!!! People

were so terrified by this monster that they!

NATHAN:

I, I, I dont know if its fair to call him a monster.

SHILO:

Dad, he killed a person.

NATHAN:

Shilo, repossessions are legal.

SHILO:

Its still murder!

NATHAN direly searches for some justification.

NATHAN:

Shilo, you cant justSome people

HE COULD BE A WORKING MAN, JUST THE SAME AS ME,

WITH OTHER MOUTHS TO FEED.

A NORMAL LIFE TO LEAD.

SHILO:

Normal?!

NATHAN:

WE CANNOT CONDEMN A MAN SIMPLY FOR ONE DEED.

SHILO, LEAVE IT BE.

SHILO, LEAVE IT BE.

SHILO suddenly seems scheming.

SHILO:

YOURE ON TO SOMETHING.

NATHAN:

I know that look.

SHILO:

THIS IS ROMANTIC.

NATHAN:

Shilo, no.

SHILO:

A WONDROUS STORY!

NATHAN:

I want you to stay away from these people at GeneCO.

SHILO:

THE PERFECT COVER-UP

SHILO suddenly has a revelation. SHE begins to intensely scribble in the journal.

SHILO:

GeneCO! OF COURSE, WHO ELSE WOULD?

NATHAN:

Shilo, this is too dangerous.

SHILO:

YOU SAID THE MAN IS HARMLESS.

NATHAN:

Shilo, thats not what I said.

SHILO:

YOU SAID WE CANNOT JUDGE HIM.

NATHAN:

Shilo, I know what I said.

SHILO:

PERHAPS ILL FIND THIS MAN OUT!

This freezes NATHAN in his tracks. NATHAN: Shilo. SHILO clutches the journal intently.

SHILO:

THIS IS THE PERFECT STORY!

NATHAN:

Shilo, I need you listen to me.

SHILO:

THIS IS THE PERFECT MORNING!

NATHAN:

Shilo, I told you to stay away from this man!

SHILO:

THIS IS THE PERFECT STORY!

NATHAN:

Shilo, thats not why I gave you this book!

SHILO:

THIS IS THE PERFECT

NATHAN:

Shilo, STOP!

SHILO is caught off guard by how frazzled her father is. SHE tries to make light of it.

SHILO:

Geez, dad. Dont overload. Its not like we know this guy!

NATHAN:

SHILO, IM SORRY.

LETS NOT RUIN YOUR SPECIAL MORNING.

HE turns to her, still frazzled.

NATHAN:

Its been a really long night at the hospital.

SHILO, sensing that her father needs to be alone, touches her fathers arm compassionately then turns and exits to her bedroom with her new journal.

Scene 4:

THE LEGAL ASSASSIN

Once SHILO is out of earshot, NATHAN speaks to his deceased wife, MARNI. HE is torn between his roles as REPO MAN and father.

NATHAN:

WHO IS THIS MAN SHE SAW,

THIS MONSTER WITHOUT A FACE,

WHO BLEW IN LIKE A STORM

AND LAID A SOUL TO WASTE?

CYBORG CHORUS whispers accusations.

C.CHORUS:

Assassin! Murderer! Monster!



NATHAN agonizes. Their words cut into him like a knife.

NATHAN:

MARNI, I NEED YOU NOW.

LOOK WHAT IVE BECOME.

THE MONSTER THAT PEOPLE FEAR

IS THE FATHER YOU LEFT ALONE!

C.CHORUS:




NATHAN:

THE YEARS ROLL BY WITHOUT YOU, MARNI-

SEVENTEEN HAVE COME AND GONE

I RAISED OUR SHILO WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS,

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING I CANT TELL HER. I AM LOST WITHOUT YOU HERE.

I AM ONLY LIVING OUT A LIE!

BUT SHILOS THE WORLD TO ME!

SHE IS MY EVERYTHING!

MARNI, I SWEAR TO YOU

THIS MONSTER SHELL NEVER SEE!

C.CHORUS:




NATHAN:

THE YEARS ROLL BY WITHOUT YOU, MARNI-

SEVENTEEN HAVE COME AND GONE

I RAISED OUR SHILO WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS,

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING I CANT TELL HER!

I AM LOST WITHOUT YOU HERE.

I AM ONLY LIVING OUT A LIE!

C.CHORUS:

Assassin! Assassin! Assassin (cont.)!

CYBORG CHORUSs accusations crescendo as NATHAN violently transforms. HE dismisses his guilt and delights in the label legal assassin.

NATHAN:

IM THE MONSTER!

IM THE VILLAIN!

WHAT PERFECTION!

WHAT PRECISION!

KEEN INCISIONS I DELIVER!

UNSCATHED ORGANS I DELIVER!

REPOSSESSIONS I DELIVER! I AM NATHAN, LEGAL ASSASSIN!

NATHAN exits.

Scene 5:

COME TO THE GENETIC OPERA

INT. GeneCO. SOUNDSTAGE-

HEATHER SWEET dressed in a sexy ensemble consisting of thigh-high leather boots and a low-cut leather bodice hails a large APPLAUSO sign. SHE beams like a futuristic Vanna White.

HEATHER:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to a live-taping of

The Genetic Opera! Put your hands together for your hosts, Luci,

Pavi & Rotti! The Genetic Opera is brought to you by GeneCO:

Serving better genetic solutions since 05!

LUCI, PAVI & ROTTI step forward. THEY look like the 3-tenors, dressed in matching tuxedos, speaking in exaggerated Italian accents. THEY appear uncertain when to begin singing, but give a failed go.

TOGETHER:

BRAVI, BRAVI, BRAVISIME

ROTTI:

Stop! Stop! Stop the singing! Luci, you were the flat.

LUCI:

I was not the flat.

ROTTI:

Yes, brother, I have the perfect pitch, you were the flat.

LUCI:

I was the flat?

ROTTI:

Si.

LUCI:

I was the flat?!

ROTTI:

Yes.

LUCI:

Then I flatten you! How you like that?! I make you the flat!

I punch you two times in you fat ass, and spit!

I was not the flat.

ROTTI questions a MAN in the audience.

ROTTI:

Signor, do you think my brother, Luci, was the flat?

LUCI gestures to do harm to the MAN if he answers yes.

LUCI:

If Im the flat then I kill you! How you like that?! I cut your

ear from throat-to-throat and leave you body in the river!

ROTTI calms his older brothers rage.

ROTTI:

Okay, fratello, okay. Maybe Pavi was the sharp.

PAVI pulls away from the hand-mirror that HE has been preening himself in this entire time.

PAVI:

Did someone say something about looking the sharp?

ROTTI:

No, Pavi, you sounded the sharp.

PAVI:

I am always the sharp.

LUCI:

No, you are always the stupid!

"Did someone say something about looking the sharp?"

ROTTI:

Brothers, please! Lets try this again.

THEY attempt another round of synchronized singing. PAVI jumps the gun, but with operatic fervor.

PAVI:

BRAVI, BRAVI, BRAVISIME

ROTTI:

Stop, Stop the singing! Pavi, you came in too soon.

PAVI:

Ask your wife if I came in too soon.

ROTTI:

Pavi, you came in too soon! You have no timing!

PAVI looks for assistance from a LADY in the audience, but quickly becomes distracted.

PAVI:

Signora, was I tooHello.

PAVI loses his Italian accent and leans in whispering to the woman.

PAVI:

Meet me after the show and Ill show you if I come in too soon-

if you know what I mean.

ROTTI stops PAVIs flirtations.

ROTTI:

PAVI!!!

PAVI realizes his younger brother means business. ROTTI takes a deep breath then resumes with the audience.

ROTTI:

Buongiorno, everyone!

HEATHER hails a BUONGIORNO sign.

ROTTI:

Today we have the HOTTEST, the SEXIEST, the NEW organ

fashion from Roma modeled by the beautiful, Heather Sweet!

HEATHER strikes a pose, gleaming from this momentary spotlight.

HEATHER:

Dont forget that now is your chance to own a piece of the

company that owns a piece of you, GeneCO!!! Come to

tomorrows public offering and organ auction extravaganza!

HEATHER raises the APPLAUSO sign.

ROTTI:

Grazie!

LUCI, PAVI & ROTTI sing The Genetic Operas theme song.

ROTTI:

LADIES! GENTLEMEN! SIGNORE! SIGNORI!

LUCI:

DONT YOU DARE TOUCH YOUR TV!

PAVI:

VENGA ALLA OPERA CON MI!

ROTTI:

COME TO THE OPERA WITH ME!

YOU WONT NEED NO PROGRAM

TO KNOW WHOS THE WHO!

YOU WONT NEED NO LENSES TO SEE!

LUCI & PAVI chime in with operatic revelry

LUCI/PAVI:

LOPERA MI AMOR!

Don't call him the flat! Luci is portrayed by Jimmy Patterson.

ROTTI:

YOU WONT NEED NO TICKETS, THIS OPERA IS FREE!

YOULL LAUGH!

LUCI/PAVI:

HA!

ROTTI:

YOULL CRY!

LUCI/PAVI:

HO!

ROTTI:

YOULL SING!!!

TOGETHER:

BRAVI, BRAVI, BRAVISIME!

ROTTI:

THE GENETIC OPERA IS GOOD!

TOGETHER:


LUCI sarcastically pokes fun at his youngest brother.

LUCI:

YOURE ENGLISH IS-A NOT-A SO GOOD!

PAVI chuckles.

ROTTI:

SO, GATHER AROUND YOUR TVS.

BRING THE WHOLE FAMIGLIA TO SEE!

PAVI:

LA VIDA DOLCE WILL BE!

ROTTI:

WHEN YOU COME TO THE OPERA WITH ME!

Heather models the latest genetic fashion - sketch by Terrance Zdunich.

YOU WONT FIND THE GLAMOUR ON ANY OTHER SHOW!

LUCI:

FROM THE TRANSPLANTS!

PAVI:

TO THE SURGEONS!

ROTTI:

BELLISSIMO!

LUCI/PAVI:

LOPERA MI AMOR!

ROTTI:

AND ITS PURE ITALIANO, YOU HAVE MY GARANZIO!

VERDI AND PUCINI WOULD AGREE!

TOGETHER:


THE GENETIC OPERA IS GOOD!


LUCI:

AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT

TOGETHER:

YOU SHOULD!!!

LUCI, PAVI & ROTTI freeze, holding a festive pose.

HEATHER:

And we will now leave for commercial with this public

service announcement to the teens of Los Angeles:

Dont do zytrate-It will mess you up!

B. LEADER:

And cut. Places in 5.

THEY separate, losing their festive demeanors and over-the top Italian accents. Two scantily-clad NURSES enter and approach ROTTI. NURSE #1 holds a medical clipboard in her hand, while NURSE #2 takes a handkerchief and begins to wipe ROTTIs brow. ROTTI is all business.

ROTTI:

Good job, people. Lets get ready for the next setup.

HEATHERs true colors begin to show. SHE is a real bitch.

HEATHER:

Well, Im ready now! Why arent we shooting?!!

SHE storms off in a huff.

ROTTI:

Luci, control your daughter.

LUCI calls to her, but dejectedly gives up.

"Brothers, don't worry. We got our best guy on it." John Scheker as Rotti.

LUCI:

Heather...Heather...?!

PAVI:

What flew up her ass?!

PAVI returns to his hand mirror.

PAVI:

Oh, great! Why didnt anyone tell me that my lip-liner

was crooked?!

ROTTI turns to the NURSES.

ROTTI:

Alright. Speak to me, girls. How are the signups on the

organ donee list coming?

NURSE #1 hands ROTTI the clipboard. ROTTI flips through the pages and then aggressively hands it back to her.

ROTTI:

This is unacceptable. We didnt put you in these outfits

because its hot outside. We need our organ numbers up.

Now, get out there and work it! This crowd reeks of sucker.

NURSES:

Yes, Mr. Largo.

THEY exit.

PAVI:

Uh, Rotti, what are we gonna do about that Hendelman

account?

LUCI:

That hand is 90 days past due!

ROTTI:

Brothers, dont worry. We got our best guy on it.

ROTTI begins to laugh sinisterly. LUCI & PAVI join in. ROTTI leads his brothers off.

Scene 6:

EXT. GeneCO. SOUNDSTAGE-

NURSE #1 unleashes a blood-curdling scream from within the audience. Seconds later, REPO MAN emerges slowly from the audience. HE marches through the people holding a severed hand above his head.

C.CHORUS:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

CYBORG CHORUS continues as REPO MAN exits stoically.

Scene 7:

21st CENTURY CURE


The GRAVE-ROBBER enters, dragging VICTIM #1s body out onto the middle of the stage. HE stops and begins to pedal the drug zytrate to the audience.

G-ROBBER:

INDUSTRIALIZATION HAS CRIPPLED THE GLOBE NATURE FAILED AS TECHNOLOGY SPREAD AND IN THIS WAKE A MARKET ERECTED AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY BUILT ON THE DEAD

BUT I TRADE NOT IN BONES OR IN KIDNEYS FOR EVERY MARKET A SUB-MARKET GROWS AND THERE IS MORE THAN JUST DIAMONDS AND RUBIES

HIDDEN BENEATH THE CONCRETE BELOW

HE holds up a vial of Z, which glows within the container.

G-ROBBER:

ITS CLEAN. ITS CLEAR. ITS PURE.

IT WILL EASE YOUR MIND REST ASSURED.

ITS THE 21ST CENTURY CURE.

AND ITS MY JOB TO STEAL AND ROBGRAVES!

HE removes a switch blade from his pocket and kneels over the VICTIM to go to work. SHILO unknowingly wanders upon this.

SHILO:

What are you doing?!

G-ROBBER:

What does it look like Im doing?

SHILO takes one look at his knife and the carnage and begins to run off. A sick fascination stops her. SHE turns back.

SHILO:

What does a dead person feel like?

G-ROBBER:

Dead.

SHILO:

Can I touch it?

The GRAVE-ROBBER is taken aback by SHILOs interest with this macabre subject.

G-ROBBER:

Yeah, you can touch it.

SHILO apprehensively does. A blend of horror and initiation washes over her.

SHILO:

Whoa, this is major MGz!

G-ROBBER:

This is hyper-hypno GGz, sister.

SHILO:

Whoa! What can you tell me about repossessions?

G-ROBBER:

Repossessions?

IT ALL BEGAN AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY-

NUERO-OVERSTIMULATION SYNDREOME.

SHILO:

N.O.S.?

G-ROBBER:

YES. IT STRUCK HALF THE PLANET.

ORGANS WERE FAILING-

SOME TEN MILLION DEAD.

SHILO:

THEN GeneCO?

G-ROBBER:

BINGO! THEY RODE IN LIKE HEROES.

SHILO:

AFFORDABLE ORGANS.

G-ROBBER:

FASHION UNSURPASSED!

SHILO:

SO, GeneCO. COULD LEASE YOU AND PIECE YOU

LIKE ASSETS.

G-ROBBER:

SWEETER GIFTS STILL COME FROM

THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED!

SHILOs curiosity is piqued. The GRAVE-ROBBER resumes sales pitch mode as HE presents a vial of zytrate. The female members of CYBORG CHORUS bid SHILO warning.

G-ROBBER:


C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, USE YOUR REASON.

G-ROBBER:

IT WILL EASE YOUR MIND REST ASSURED.

C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, DONT BELIEVE HIM.

SHILO:

What is it?

G-ROBBER:

ITS THE 21ST CENTURY CURE.

C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, YOU DONT NEED HIM.

G-ROBBER:

Z.

SHILO examines the vial with wonder.

SHILO:

Z?

G-ROBBER:

First times free.

SHE reaches for the vial but then terror kicks in and SHE backs away.

SHILO:

Um, my godmother is performing in the tavern next door.

I have to go.

SHILO runs off, entering the club. HE watches her exit like a predator studying its prey, then goes back to work on the VICTIM.

G-ROBBER:

AND ITS MY JOB TO STEAL AND ROBGRAVES!

HE drags the VICTIM back off stage.

Scene 8:

BUT THIS IS OPERA!

INT. BACKSTAGE TAVERN-

B.LEADER:

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to The Backstage

Tavern, Blind Mag and her Cyborg Chorus!

BLIND MAG struts the Backstage Taverns stage singing to the taverns mid-day patrons. SHE is dressed in a glamorous 40s-style gown with long satin gloves. SHE is accompanied by CYBORG CHORUS, who echoes her phrasings like a futuristic opera chorus. MAGs jewelry gleams and sparkles in the stages dramatic lights.

MAG:

KIND L.A. PATRONS,

PUT ON YOUR FAKE HORNS.

ITS OPERA TIME!

C.CHORUS (M):

OPERA TIME!

MAG:

IGNORE THE FAKE BLOOD

AND THE OVERWEIGHT STUDS, CUZ.

ITS OPERA TIME!

C.CHORUS (F):

OPERA TIME!

C.CHORUS (M):

BUT WHY DO THEY CALL YOU BLIND MAG, BLIND MAG?

MAG:

ONCE I WAS BLIND,

OH, SO VERY, VERY, VERY BLIND,

BUT NOW I CAN SEE!

C.CHORUS (M):

NOW SHE CAN SEE!

MAG:

GeneCO. WAS KIND,

OH, SO VERY, VERY, VERY KIND,

AND THEY GAVE SIGHT TO ME!

C.CHORUS (F):

NOW SHE CAN SEE!

MAG puts a hand to her ear, responding to the CHORUSs exclamations.

MAG:

BUT HARK!

C.CHORUS:

CRISTO!

MAG:

STOP!

C.CHORUS:

BRAVO!

MAG:

HALT!

C.CHORUS:

PREGO!

MAG:

LISTEN!

C.CHORUS:

IL RESPETUTTI!

MAG gestures to the band around her.

MAG:

CHORUS OF CYBORGS FROM L.A. HATH RISEN!

C.CHORUS:

FLANTO! DANTE! NICCE! DI CARRAVENZI!

SHE conducts them.

MAG:

SING!

C.CHORUS:

CARO E PRONTO IL TRATORE LOPERA!

MAG pauses dramatically, and then continues.

MAG:

OPRA HAS TAUGHT ME TO RELAX

AND TAKE LIFE LESS SERIOUSLY.

C.CHORUS (M):

SERIOUSLY!

MAG:

IN OPRA YOU DIE IN ACT I,

THEN YOU COME BACK A GHOST IN ACT III!

C.CHORUS (F):

SERIOUSLY!

C.CHORUS (M):

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, BLIND MAG?

C.CHORUS (F):

WHO TAKES THIS STUFF SERIOUS, BLIND MAG?

C.CHORUS:

THIS SOUNDS RIDICIULOUS, BLIND MAG?

MAG pauses dramatically, sighing.

MAG:

Ridiculous, I know. BUT THIS IS OPRA!!!

MAG wails as CYBORG CHORUS enacts common opera roles.

C.CHORUS (F):

RING THE HORNS! BEAT THE STICKS!

ALPHA-HELIX TRIPLE-CLICK!

C.CHORUS (M):

ITS THE YEAR 036!

C.CHORUS:

OPERA IS HAPPENIN!

CHORUS (F)#1:

DONT BE COY!

CHORUS (F)#2:

DONT BE SHY!

C.CHORUS (F):

YOU MUST NOW ACCEPT YOUR PLIGHT!

C.CHORUS:

WELCOME TO AN OPERA WITHIN AN OPERA OPRA!

C.J. DeAngelus on bass guitar.

CHORUS (M)#2:

IM THE DUKE OF JAPAN!

CHORUS (F)#1:

I AM POSING AS A MAN!

CHORUS (M)#3:

IM THE VILLAIN!

C.CHORUS (M):

WERE HIS CLAN! CHASE THEM TO UZBEKISTAN!

C.CHORUS (F):

WERE THE HANDMAIDS TO THE QUEEN!

CHORUS (M)#4:

I AM MEPHISTOPHELES!

THEY direct their unique casting choices to the audience.

C.CHORUS:

YOU WILL BE THE ANGRY HUNS!

SEIZE THE GOLD AND SACK THE CROWN!

OPERA! OPERA! OPERA!

A basso member of CYBORG CHORUS sings comically low.

CHORUS (M)#1:

OPERA!

The song triumphantly ends.

C.CHORUS:

OPERA! OPERA!!!

MAG thanks the crowd.

MAG:

Thank you. Thank you. Were the Cyborg Chorus.

SHILO enters and runs to MAG.

SHILO:

Mag!

MAG:

Shi?!

THEY embrace.

MAG:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. LET ME SEE YOU.

SO MUCH FOR SUPRISING YOU.

SHILO gives a coy shrug.

MAG:

17 YEARS. WHERED THE TIME GO?

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT I HELD YOU.

MAG/SHILO:

SHI/MAG, I LOVE YOU.

MAG:

MARNI WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU.

SHILO:

Oh, Mag, look what I got! Mom wrote in it just for me.

SHILO shows MAG the inscription.

MAG:

To my unborn, child: Chase the morning. Yield for nothing.

Trust your heart. Marni Wallace.

SHILO:

How is it that I miss someone so much that Ive never even

seen?

MAG:

I never saw her either.

SHILO:

Oh, Mag, Im sorry.

MAG:

Why? My blindness gave me a chance to see what most

people overlook, and even though GeneCO. Gave me these

eyes overgee, its been almost six years nowI still see

things like a blind person. Thats how I see your mother.

MAG reminisces to SHILO about MARNI, encouraging SHILO to seek comfort and beauty in the things SHE feels but cannot see.

CHASE THE MORNING

MAG:

ITS BEEN TWO DECADES.

I KNOW THE SCENE HAS CHANGED,

BUT THE ROAR, THE FLAVOR, REALLY IS THE SAME-

LATTE MORNINGS, MODEM MADNESS, SQUEAKY BREAKS.

BEEN ROUND THE WORLD AND LOS ANGELES DONT CHANGE.

WHEN I THINK OF MARNI, I DONT SEE A FACE.

I FEEL THAT SPIRIT THAT EVEN TIME CANT FADE.

OH, HE LOVED HER. OH, SHE SWEPT HIS HEART AWAY.

AND YOU SEEM LIKE HER MORE WITH EACH PASSING DAY.

SHILO:

OH, BUT EVERYTHING IS CRAZY,

AND YOU ARE FAR AWAY.

WHO CAN I TURN TO?

MAG puts her hand on SHILOs, on the journal.

MAG:

JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES,

YOU WILL HEAR MARNI SAY,

Blind Mag and Shilo sing Chase the Morning.

CHASE THE MORNING, YIELD FOR NOTHING, TRUST YOUR HEART!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, KEEP THEM GUESSING, YOULL GO FAR!

LIFE IS CRAZY, LIFE IS WONDROUS, CATCH YOUR STAR!

AND NO MATTER HOW APART IT SEEMS, IM NEVER FAR.

MAG turns to SHILO, maternal.

MAG:

JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES

FEEL HER HAND TOUCH YOUR HEAD.

SHILO:

I SEARCH FOR IMPRINTS, THAT THING I MAY HAVE MISSED,

A FAINT IMPRESSION, OR PHANTOM FINGERTIPS,

BUT GHOSTS ARE STORIES, SUPERSTITIONS IN YOUR HEAD.

MAG:

JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES, YOU WILL HEAR MARNI SAY,

CHASE THE MORNING!

SHILO joins in. SHE is beginning to understand MAGs message.

SHILO:

YIELD FOR NOTHING!

MAG:

TRUST YOUR HEART! COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

SHILO:

KEEP THEM GUESSING!

MAG:

YOULL GO FAR!

TOGETHER:

LIFE IS CRAZY, LIFE IS WONDROUS, CATCH YOUR STAR!

AND NO MATTER HOW APART IT SEEMS,

WERE NEVER FAR!

SHILO closes her eyes. SHE feels her mothers presence.

SHILO:

WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES,

MOTHERS HAND TOUCHES MINE.

MAG and SHILO embrace.

Scene 9:


HEATHER SWEET enters, making quite a scene. SHE struts forward in her not-so-inconspicuous, inconspicuous attire and saunters over to CYBORG CHORUS.

HEATHER:

Which of you is Magdaleen DeFoe?

MAG responds politely.

MAG:

Its Magdalene, but people call me Mag, Blind Mag.

HEATHER:

Hi. Im Heather Sweet.

The ladies of Repo! at rehearsal.

HEATHER pauses as though MAG should know who she is.

HEATHER:

Im on the show The Genetic Opera. My father is Luciano Largo.

SHILO:

Ive seen your show! I wanted to ask you about

HEATHER completely ignores SHILO and continues working on MAG.

HEATHER:

I read your vitae. You sing opera?

MAG:

Yes, I sing opera, and this is my

HEATHER:

Ive always wanted to be an opera star, but have never been given

a proper venue in which to demonstrate my talent in.

MAG:

Well, opera can be a

HEATHER:

Would you like to hear me sing?

MAG ponders for a moment.

MAG:

Sure.

C.CHORUS:

(random groans)

MAG and SHILO step aside as HEATHER swiftly removes prepared sheet music from her bag and aggressively hands it to the BANDLEADER. HEATHER dramatically takes center-stage and begins to warm up.

HEATHER:

ME. ME. ME.

This is an original piece entitled, Blame Not My Cheeks.

HEATHER lowers her head before nodding for the BANDLEADER to begin. SHE is melodramatic, posing and miming the songs absurd lyrics, which she phrases horrendously.

BLAME NOT MY CHEEKS

HEATHER:

BLAME NOT MY CHEEKS,

THOUGH PALE WITH LOVE THEY BE.

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!

HAVE YOU SEEN A LILLY GROW

BEFORE RUDE HANDS HAD TOUCHED IT?

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!

HAVE YOU FELT THE WOOL OF BEAVER?

OR THE NARD OF THE FIRE?

OR TASTED THE BAG OF THE BEE?

AND IM WATCHING MY TV,

AND A MAN COMES ON AND TELLS ME

HOW WHITE MY SHIRTS CAN BE.

Blame not her cheeks! Penney Wei as Heather Sweet.

I CANT GET NO

NO, NO, NO!

I CANT GET NO

NO, NO, NO!

I CANT GET NO! I CANT GET NO!

BLAME NOT MY CHEEKS!

HEATHER completes the song, bowing with oblivious dramatic conviction. SHE swipes back her sheet music and returns to MAG.

HEATHER:

So, you think that you can get me a recording contract?

MAG laughs, thinking that this is a put on.

HEATHER:

Im serious.

MAG:

What makes you think that I could get you that?

HEATHER:

Look, you know who my father is, and I know about your

little debt, Blind Mag. Those triple-helix corneas of yours

are the property of GeneCO. and are going into foreclosure.

Theyll be sending a repo man to collect.

SHILO:

That cant be. Mag, tell her!

MAG:

Its okay, Shilo.

HEATHER:

If you can get me the contract, then I might be able to put in a

good word with my daddy and GeneCO., and they might

forgive your debt.

MAG:

If I had those kinds of connections, I wouldnt be in debt.

HEATHER:

Youre in no position to play games, sweetie!

MAG:

Sorry kid, but you dont have the pipes.

HEATHER is really spurned.

HEATHER:

Dont have the pipes?! Yeah, right! Well, it doesnt matter

what you think! A repo is coming to take care of you!

SHE storms out. SHILO is beside herself.

"Don't have the pipes?! Yeah, right!"

SHILO:

MAG, TELL ME NOW THAT NONE OF ITS TRUE!

MAG:

EVRY THING WILL BE OKAY.

SHILO:

MAG, THIS IS BAD! NOW WHAT WILL WE DO?!

MAG:

EVRY THING WILL FIND ITS WAY.

SHILO:

STOP IT, MAG! THESE GUYS ARE MONSTERS!

THIS IS SERIOUS!

MAG:

NOW REALLY, SHI.

SHILO:

I MEAN IT! THEYRE DEMONS, IVE SEEN IT!

MAG:

I WAS BLIND BEFORE. IF I HAVE TO GO BACK

SHILO:

DONT YOU SEE THEY MAY TAKE MORE THAN JUST

YOUR EYES, MAG?! THEYRE KILLERS! WERE NOT

SAFE UNTIL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IS DEAD!!!

MAG:

SHILO WALLACE!!!

This stops SHILO in her tracks.

MAG:

I dont need y you kicking and screaming.

SHILO:

But, Mag!

MAG:

Look, Shi, I am scared. But I cant live my life running.

SHILO:

But, Mag

MAG:

Now, go home. Ill call you later. Ive got a show to do.

MAG hugs SHILO, who then exits. MAG stands forlorn for a moment, then returns to her performance.

Scene 11:

COFFIN CANTATA

INT. NATHANS BEDROOM-

NATHAN rises, yawning. HE is nodding out of consciences. CYBORG CHORUS conducts him into slumber.

C.CHORUS:

SLEEPSLEEPSLEEPSHHHH

As NATHAN passes into dreamland a cacophony of twisted and surreal nightmare music begins.

NATHAN:

MarniMarniEverythings gonna be okay. The babys on

its way. Just keep breathing, baby. Its gonna be okay. Its

gonna be okay. Its gonna be

NATHAN fades away for a few seconds.

NATHAN:

Its a girl, Marni, a girl! Marni? Marni?! Dont leave me!

Im sorry. Marni, IM SORRY.

C.CHORUS:

Assassin! Assassin! Assassin! Assassin!

Assassin! Assassin! Assassin! Assassin!

SHILO barges in and violently attempts to wake her father.

SHILO:

WAKE UP!

NATHAN:

MARNIMARNI

SHILO:

DAD, WAKE UP!

NATHAN:

MARNI, IM SORRY.

SHILO:

WAKE UP! DAD, ITS ME!

Shilo is played by Stephanie Kane

NATHAN springs awake from his dream in a cold sweat.

NATHAN:

MARNI!!!

SHILO:

WAKE UP! ITS JUST A DREAM!

NATHAN:

SHILO?

SHILO:

I NEED YOUR HELP, DAD!

NATHAN:

HOLD ON.

SHILO:

THIS CANNOT WAIT, DAD!

THEYLL COME! THEYRE ON THEIR WAY!

GeneCO. IS AFTER MAG!

NATHAN:

WHAT? CALM DOWN.

SHILO:

THEY WANT HER EYES, DAD!

NATHAN:

SHILO, CALM DOWN.

SHILO:

I SAW HER EARLIER.

NATHAN:

YOU SAW MAG?

SHILO:

YES, DAD! WE HAVE TO HELP!

NATHAN:

SHES IN TOWN?

SHILO:

STOP, DAD, WE HAVE TO HELP!

PLEASE, DAD, SHES LIKE A MOTHER TO ME!

NATHAN:

OH, SHILO

SHILO:

PLEASE, DAD!

NATHAN:

WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME?

SHILO:

HELP ME FIND A REPO MAN BEFORE HE RIPS MAGS

EYES!!!.

NATHAN:

And what good would that do?!

SHILO:

What good would that do?! Im sure that there are a lot of

people who would love to give these guys a taste of their own

medicine! If I confront this local guy face-to-face then!

NATHAN:

THERE ARE THINGS IN LIFE THAT WED DO BEST TO

LEAVE ALONE

SHILO:

NO, DAD! THIS IS DIFFERENT!

NATHAN:

THAT ARE BEYOND CONTROL

SHILO:

NO, DAD, THIS IS DIFFERENT!

NATHAN:

THAT YOU DONT WANNA KNOW!

SHILO:

WAKE UP! HES A MONSTER!

NATHAN:

WE CANNOT CONDEMN THIS MAN SIMPLY FOR ONE

DEED

SHILO:

THIS MAN IS A MURDERER!

NATHAN:

SHILO, LEAVE IT BE.

SHILO:

THIS MAN IS A MONSTER! THIS MAN!

NATHAN:

SHILO, LEAVE IT BE!!!

NATHAN is frazzled. HE exits. Alone, SHILO makes a vow to her deceased mother.

SHILO:

MOM, WHY CANT I MAKE DAD UNDERSTAND?

THIS IS SOMETHING I CANT IGNORE.

I WILL DO THIS WITH OR WITHOUT HIM.

I WILL FIND OUT WHO THIS REPO IS!

SHILO exits.

Scene 12:

A POUND OF FLESH

INT. GeneCO. SOUNDSTAGE-

NURSE #1 and #2 wheel an elaborate organ cart across the stage. The cart is stacked with brightly-colored organ canisters and dangling inner-venous drip tubes. PAVI is relentlessly flirting with the NURSES who hand him a canister with a bright red pulsating heart in it and exit. LUCI & ROTTI are busy inventorying organs for tomorrows auction. THEY mark onto oversized e-clipboards.

ROTTI:

2,500 gene patents.

LUCI:

Check.

ROTTI:

3,000 red blood cell gift baskets.

LUCI:

Check.

"Mark it up!" The Largo Bros. inventory organs for the auction.

ROTTI:

5,000 miles of intestines.

LUCI:

Check.

ROTTI:

3,000 Tommy Hilfiger testicals.

LUCI:

Check.

ROTTI:

3,000 immuno

PAVI interrupts them clumsily.

PAVI:

THIS ORGAN JUST ARRIVED, ROTTI.

LUCI:

WHATS THE MATTER, PAVI,

CANT YOU SEE THAT WERE COUNTING?!

ROTTI:

Luci, its okay.

HE gestures to the canister.

ROTTI:

Have a heart, brother.

LUCI erupts into sinister laughter.

ROTTI:

Thank you, Pavi.

PAVI:

Well, what shall I do with it?

ROTTI:

What should you do with it?

ONE HEART-MARK IT UP!

ADD IT TO THE AUCTION BLOCK.

PAVI nods, placing the heart back onto the cart. LUCI & ROTTI go back to counting as PAVI retrieves another canister with a pair of kidneys in it.

ROTTI:

Okay, now where were we? Oh, yeah, 3,000 cherry-flavored

spleen drops.

LUCI:

Check.

PAVI:

WHAT ABOUT THESE KIDNEYS?

LUCI is disgusted by his younger brothers ignorance.

LUCI:

Pavi

ROTTI/LUCI:

MARK IT UP!

ROTTI:

THESE WILL YIELD A HEALTHY SUM TOMORROW,

AND NOTHING CAN GO WRONG, BROTHERS!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY, BROTHERS!

Its AUCTION TIME!

PAVI retrieves a canister, which is cracked and obviously contaminated.

PAVI:

This canister is cracked. Yech, lets throw it out.

LUCI:

What?!

ROTTI takes the brain canister from PAVI, and cradles it preciously.

ROTTI:

THIS GEM?!

LUCI/ROTTI:

MARK IT UP!

PUT IT ON THE VINTAGE CART!

GeneCO. GOES PUBLIC!

PAVI begins to understand his brothers diabolicalness. HE joins in.

TOGETHER:

MARK IT UP!!

MARK IT UP!!!

NATHAN bursts into the soundstage, disrupting LUCI, PAVI & ROTTI.

"This gem?!!" John Scheker as Rotti.

NATHAN:

I need to talk to you!

PAVI:

Buongiorno, Nathan!

LUCI:

Ah, Dr. Wallace.

ROTTI:

We got the heart. Nice work as usual!

PAVI:

As usual!

ROTTI:

But as you can see we are very busy.

PAVI:

Very busy.

LUCI:

Make an appointment.

NATHAN ignores LUCI and begins to plea to the man that HE knows is the real boss of GeneCO.

NATHAN:

ROTTI, THIS CANT WAIT. THIS IS URGENT!

LUCI:

Well, its gonna have to!

ROTTI signals to his older brother that its okay.

NATHAN:

IVE GIVEN YOU 17 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE.

NOW I HAVE A FAVOR,

JUST A SIMPLE FAVOR TO ASK OF YOU.

ROTTI:

NATHAN, YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE REASONABLE MEN.

NATHAN:

THIS FRIEND OF MY DAUGHTERS IN DEBT TO GeneCO.

Her name is Magdalene DeFoe.

ROTTI:

We know the case, sure.

NATHAN:

HER EYES ARE IN FORECLOSURE!

I WANT YOU TO FORGIVE THIS!

LUCI:

What?!

ROTTI/PAVI:

NATHAN, YOU KNOW THAT THIS ONLY BUSINESS.

LUCI:

We dont forgive debts!

"Yech! Let's throw it out!"

ROTTI:

NATHAN, YOURE A LOGICAL MAN, THINK WHAT

YOURE ASKING. IF WE STARTED TREATING DEBTS

LIKE THEY WERE OPTIONAL,

WHERE WOULD IT ALL END?

PAVI:

WHERE WOULD IT ALL END?!

ROTTI:

PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES,

SEE IT FROM OUR END.

L, P & R:

WE CANNOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO COMPROMISE

OUR BUSINESS JUST TO SATISFY SOME

PRIVATE LITTLE WRONG!!!

NATHAN pleads to their compassionate sides.

NATHAN:

BUT MAGS A FRIEND OF MY DAUGHTER,

SHILO SEES HER LIKE A MOM

LUCI, PAVI, & ROTTI are unimpressed.

ROTTI:

SOOOO, SORRY, NATE, WE FIGURED THAT YOURE THE

ONE TO DO THIS.

NATHAN:

No, get somebody else!

PAVI:

NOBODY ELSE COULD GET TO HER LIKE YOU COULD.

NATHAN:

I wont do it!!

LUCI:

YOU HAVE A CONTRACT!

NATHAN:

ONLY A YEAR LEFT!

ROTTI:

THEN IT WOULD BE A PITY!

PAVI:

A REAL, REAL PITY!

L, P, & R:

IF WE WERE FORCED TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS AND

STRETCH YOUR CONTRACT FOR 5 MORE YEARS!!!

LUCI adds insult to injury.

LUCI:

AND THINK OF YOUR DAUGHTER,

SHOULD SHE FIND OUT WHAT YOU DO?

NATHAN:

She will never find out!

ROTTI:

Nathan, Luci, please!

ROTTI puts his arm around NATHAN and leads him aside.

ROTTI:

Look, Nathan, youre really good at this. I, we, respect

you. Nobody could do an assignment like you.

NATHAN:

I cant do this one, Rotti.

Luci is portrayed by Jimmy Patterson.

ROTTI becomes rather intense.

ROTTI:

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.

L, P, & R:

REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID TO MARNI.

This completely devastates NATHAN, who begins to shake and cower like a lost child.

ROTTI:

Now, we expect, no, we demand delivery tomorrow.

Thank you.

ROTTI turns and exits the room. LUCI and PAVI follow him, picking at NATHANs wounds.

LUCI:

Thank you for your concern.

PAVI:

Anytime you want to talk.

Scene 13:

THE NIGHT SURGEON

Alone, NATHAN is on the verge of tears. HE tenderly unzips his doctors bag as though careful not to wake a sleeping child.

NATHAN:

SLEEP LIGHTLY.

HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES TIGHTLY

CAUSE TONIGHT MIGHT BE YOUR LAST.

Darkness overtakes NATHAN.

NATHAN:

CAUSE THE DEBT DOCTORS GOT A HUNGRY SCALPEL.

HERES MY PROGNOSIS: WILL YOU LIVE?

DOUBTFUL.

IM THE STREET PHYSICIAN

CARVING FLESH SCULPTURES.

PAINT YOU LIKE REMBRANDT!

YOU LIKE THAT?!

BETTER START PRAYING

WHEN YOU SEE ME COMING.

CAUSE TONIGHT ITS CURTAINS!

IM THE NIGHT SURGEON!

NATHAN goes into his doctors bag and retrieves a large scalpel. HE maniacally puts on a pair of surgical gloves.

C.CHORUS (M):


C.CHORUS (F):

REMEMBER WHAT DID

NATHAN:

SEE MY KNIFE-PERFECT!

SEE IT GLIDE-PERFECT!

SEE MY HAND-PERFECT!

WHOS YOUR NIGHT SURGEON?!

WHEN I COME AND SEIZE YOURS

YOULL BE LEFT WITH SEIZURES.

ILL DO YOUR LIKE DISHES!

ITS AM-PU-TA-TION!

C.CHORUS (M):


NATHAN falls into an almost hypnotic state.

"90 days delinquent gets you repo treatment!"

NATHAN:

I REMEMBER.

C.CHORUS (F):


C.CHORUS (M):


NATHAN:

I REMEMBER.

C.CHORUS (F):

REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID TO HER.

C.CHORUS (M):


NATHAN:

I REMEMBER.

C.CHORUS (F):


C.CHORUS (M):


NATHAN:

I REMEMBER.

C.CHORUS (F):

REMEMBER WHAT YOU DID TO HER.

NATHAN:

I REMEMBER EVERY DYING WHISPER,

EVERY DESPERATE MURMUR! I REMEMBER!

EVERY TIME I SEE HER

SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU!

WHEN I REMEMBER, I DISMEMBER!

CAUSE THE CLAIMS MEDIC

DOESNT TAKE INSURANCE

C.CHORUS (M):


NATHAN:

90 DAYS DELINQUENT

GETS YOU REPO TREATMENT!

C.CHORUS (F):


NATHAN:

IM THE MASKED HORROR

ON YOUR STREET CORNER.

MAKE YOUR MOMMA MOURN YOU.

C.CHORUS (M):

"I Remember"


NATHAN:

IM THE...

NATHAN/CHORUS:

NIGHT SURGEON!

NATHAN closes his bag as if tucking his children into bed.

NATHAN:

I REMEMBER.

HE exits.

Scene 14:

KEYBOARD SAMURAI

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE SHILOS BEDROOM-

The GRAVE-ROBBER calls up to SHILOs window from the street below.

G-ROBBER:

Psst!!!

SHILO is wearing her computer headgear feverishly trying to hack into GeneCO.s computers. CYBORG CHORUS rhythmically whispers Shh-Shh, as if to announce the secretive nature of this late night meeting.

SHILO:

What the...?!

G-ROBBER:

Shilo, come to the window.

SHILO cautiously peers out her bedroom window, surprised to see the GRAVE-ROBBER. SHE whispers to him.

SHILO:

What are you doing here? How did you find?

G-ROBBER:

Whats with the hacker-headgear?

SHILO:

Im hacking into GeneCO.

G-ROBBER:

GeneCO?!!

SHILO:

Shhh!

"What's with the hacker-headgear?"

G-ROBBER:

Youll never get in. That systems unhackable!

SHILO:

I have no choice.

G-ROBBER:

Is this your repo thing?

SHILO:

Yeah. Look, you better go before my dad gets back.

SHILO turns and begins to walk away.

G-ROBBER:

Wait! I could help you.

SHILO stops and returns to the window.

SHILO:

Im listening.

G-ROBBER:

I got all kinds of dirt on GeneCO.the owners, the company,

employees, but that kind of dirt is expensive! Get cash and

meet me in the morning.

SHILO:

This cant wait till morning.

G-ROBBER:

Its gonna have to. Ill see you there.

The GRAVE-ROBBER turns and begins to walk away. SHILO stops him.

SHILO:

Wait!

SHILO is on the verge of tears.

G-ROBBER:

Relax, kid, dont take this so personal.

SHILO:

You dont understand! Its my friend!

G-ROBBER:

Well, I have something that could help you

SHILO:

What?

HE presents a vial of Z, dangling it seductively in front of SHILO. The female members of CYBORG CHORUS again heed SHILO warning.

G-ROBBER:


C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, USE YOUR REASON!

SHILO:

Zytrate?

G-ROBBER:

IT WILL EASE YOUR MIND, REST ASSURED.

C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, DONT BELIEVE HIM!

"IT'S CLEAN. IT'S CLEAR. IT'S PURE."

SHILO:

I dont know.

G-ROBBER:

ITS THE 21ST CENTURY CURE!

C.CHORUS (F):

SHILO, YOU DONT!

NATHAN approaches. HE sees The GRAVE-ROBBER outside SHILOs window and his protective instincts take over.

NATHAN:

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

SHILO hollers down from her bedroom window.

SHILO:

Dad, its okay.

G-ROBBER:

Youre her dad?!

Oh, my, this is interesting, cause shes tryin to

NATHAN threateningly grabs hold of The GRAVE-ROBBER.

NATHAN:

I know who you are!

SHILO:

Dad, please!

G-ROBBER:

And I know who you are, man.

NATHANs entire demeanor and voice changes as he clutches the GRAVE-ROBBER firmly. HE speaks as REPO MAN.

NATHAN:

Then you must know what Ill do if I catch you near my

daughter again.

G-ROBBER:

Hey, relax, man.

NATHAN:

Im not your man. Im the night surgeon. GO!

NATHAN releases the GRAVE-ROBBER, shoving him off. The GRAVE-ROBBER flees. NATHAN runs upstairs to SHILO.

NATHAN:

Shilo, do you know who that guy was?!

SHILO:

Dad, I wasnt doing anything!

NATHAN:

Do you know why they call him the grave-robber?!

SHILO:

Dad, drop it! Okay?!

NATHAN:

Its because he extracts that stuff, zytrate, from dead peoples

bones! I dont want you near him!

SHILO:

Okay, dad, I wont!

NATHAN:

Shilo, I mean it! This guy is!

SHILO:

Dad, PLEASE!!!

SHILO begins to sob. NATHAN is silenced.

SHILO:

Mag needs my help.

NATHAN softens.

NATHAN:

Oh, Shilo. Is that what this is?

SHILO:

He said he could help me.

NATHAN embraces her, singing tenderly while drying her tears.

NATHAN:

My brave, brave, Shilo.

I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU

IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.

SHILO, YOURE THE WORLD TO ME.

Ill take care of this. Now, Promise me youll try to get some

sleep.

THIS WILL ALL BE SOLVED BY MORNING.

THEY separate and SHILO exits to her bedroom.

Scene 15:

COME UP AND TRY MY NEW PARTS


HEATHER SWEET paces. The GRAVE-ROBBER nonchalantly approaches.

HEATHER:

Where the hell have you been?!

G-ROBBER:

Look, I dont have time for this.

HEATHER:

Yeah, Yeah, up your scratch disc! Ill take three hits of Z.

G-ROBBER:

Did Daddy give you any money?

HEATHER:

I already spent my allowance.

"Come up and try my new parts."

G-ROBBER:

Ugh, why do you waste my time?!

HEATHER:

Look, tomorrows the public offering, I can offer you a piece

of GeneCO.

G-ROBBER:

Sorry, sister, I only take cash.

HEATHER:

Well, goddamit I dont have any

G-ROBBER:

Then you don't get any.

HEATHER:

Unless maybe youd like another kind of piece

G-ROBBER:

You dont impress me with your designer scars.

HEATHER:

You couldnt afford my surgeons.

G-ROBBER:

Look I dont give away freebies.

HEATHER:

Neither do I

I WANT A HIT OF Z,

AND WERE NOT TALKING FOR FREE.

I KNOW A PLACE UPSTAIRS

WHERE YOU CAN SAMPLE MY WARES.

COME UP AND TRY MY NEW PARTS!

GO ON AND BREAK EM IN!

IVE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART.


"You couldnt afford my surgeons!"

HEATHER begins to dance suggestively. The GRAVE-ROBBER does his best to ignore her advancements.

HEATHER:


GO ON AND BREAK EM IN!

IVE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART.


G-ROBBER:

You know, for a rich bitch despicable excuse for a

human being, you are really hot.

HEATHER:

Youre not so bad yourself, for a dirty, loathsome, grave-

diggin Z peddler.

HEATHER begins to lead The GRAVE-ROBBER through an erotic techno-tango.

HEATHER:

COME UP AND TRY MY NEW PARTS!!!

HEATHER grabs The GRAVE-ROBBERs hand and drags him off stage.

Scene 16:

EYE FOR AN EYE


MAG is alone. SHE is putting on her overcoat and cotton gloves, preparing to leave the tavern for the night. NATHAN enters. SHE recognizes his footsteps and acknowledges him before actually seeing him.

MAG:

Hey, Nathan.

NATHAN is on edge.

NATHAN:

You know I hate it when you do that.

MAG:

Its been a long time, but your footsteps havent changed.

"Shilo told me that you saw her today." Curt and Lateefah at rehearsal.

NATHAN:

Stop, I didnt come here to walk down memory lane. Ive

changed. You know that.

MAG:

Then tell me why you came.

NATHAN:

SHILO TOLD ME THAT YOU SAW HER TODAY.

MAG:

SHE GROWS MORE AND MORE LIKE MARNI EVERYDAY.

NATHAN:

Stop it!

MAG:

WAKE UP, NATE! SHE IS GROWN!

NATHAN:

Mag, drop it!

MAG:

NOT THIS TIME, SHILO NEEDS TO KNOW!

NATHAN:

NO!

MAG:

ITS THE PAST! NATHAN, LET IT GO!

SHE SHOULD KNOW! SHE SHOULD!

NATHAN:

THATS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT!!!

NATHAN regains his composure.

NATHAN:

You need to leave LA tonight!

MAG:

Tonight?!

NATHAN:

Theyll come for your eyes, Mag. You have no!

MAG:

Im not going anywhere!

NATHAN:

Are you blind?!

MAG:

Soon maybe.

NATHAN:

Mag, this isnt funny!

MAG:

Nathan, There are repo men in every city. So, tell me, Nathan,

why you really came to see me.

NATHAN:

FINE! ILL PAY YOUR DEBT MYSELF!

MAG:

And Ill refuse. Now, what is this about?

NATHAN:

ITS A DEBT, MAG! ITS NOT A GIFT!

MAG:

I know that.

NATHAN:

REPOSSESSIONS ARE DANGEROUS!

MAG:

I KNOW!

NATHAN:

IF NOT FOR ME, MAG, FOR SHILO THEN!

Mag, listen to me! Please! Maggie?!!

MAG is steadfast. NATHAN has no choice but to tell her.

NATHAN:

THEY GAVE ME THE ASSIGNMENT!!!

The scene comes to a screeching halt. NATHAN crumbles. HE cannot even look at her.

NATHAN:

They gave me the assignment.

MAG turns to NATHAN calm and almost pious.

MAG:

IVE MADE MY PEACE. I HOLD NO GRUDGE.

WHILE SHILO SLEEPS, YOULL HAVE TO CHOOSE.

BUT WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE?

NATHAN is overwhelmed. HE stumbles from the tavern to the street outside. SHILO is still awake in her bedroom. SHE pleads for guidance from her deceased mother.

SHILO:

MOTHER, I NEED YOU NOW.

MY WEAKEST HOUR.

IF DESTINY IS A CHOICE, THEN I NEED TO KNOW

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

From inside their soundstage LUCI, PAVI, ROTTI & HEATHER contemplate the success of tomorrows auction. The GRAVE-ROBBER approaches SHILOs window. THEY secure their plan to meet tomorrow.

L, P, R & H:

TOMORROW IS THE DAY.

MAG:

TOMORROW IS THE DAY.

L,P,R & H:

OUR GREATEST TAKE!

"Tomorrow is the day!"

MAG:

COME, COME WHAT MAY.

L,P,R & H:

ALL PLANS ARE LAID.

SHILO/G-ROB:

ILL SEE YOU THEN.

ALL:

ALL DEBTS ARE PAID!

MAG:

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE?

ALL:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

MAG:


ALL:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

MAG:


ALL:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

MAG:


ALL:

REPO MAN!

REPO MAN!

SHILO:

THERES NO TURNING BACK!

SHILO/MAG:

THERES NO TURNING BACK!

NATHAN, dressed in his full REPO MAN regalia, enters and stands solemnly in the middle of the stage.

-END ACT I-

The cast of Repo! live at The Gig in Hollywood on February 23, 2002.

repo! the genetic opera libretto, act 1

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