[INTRO — dark theatrical piano, dripping water, crackling fire] [FEMALE VOICE ONLY — anxious, restrained] No. We have children now. We have a home. I spent twenty years Learning to leave that woman alone. [MALE VOICE ONLY — amused, coaxing] And there's money. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] Тихон. [MALE VOICE ONLY] A lot of money. [VERSE — FEMALE VOICE ONLY — emotional] I taught them humans aren't the enemy. I taught them not to hide their teeth. I want our children walking freely, Not afraid of everyone they meet. I remember the river. I remember hands Clawing for something underneath. I put that life behind me. [MALE VOICE ONLY — suddenly gentle] Ты стала матерью. Not human. [CHORUS — MALE VOICE ONLY — building, persuasive] So be their mother. Keep them safe. Kiss them goodnight, Then go get paid. They give me a bastard— I give them flame. They give you a target— You disappear without a trace. A sink. A gutter. Rain in the street. Two inches of water— And he's at your feet. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY — disturbed, tempted] Stop. [MALE VOICE ONLY] You smiled. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] I did not. [MALE VOICE ONLY] Ты улыбнулась. [BREAKDOWN — FEMALE VOICE ONLY — slowly becoming darker] ...Two inches? [MALE VOICE ONLY — delighted] Two inches. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] I could come up behind him. [MALE VOICE ONLY] Да. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] Take the ankles. [MALE VOICE ONLY] Да! [FEMALE VOICE ONLY — low] Pull him under. [MALE VOICE ONLY] There she is. [BRIDGE — FEMALE VOICE ONLY — vulnerable] What if I become her again? [MALE VOICE ONLY — sincere] Then I remind her She has somewhere to come home to. [BEAT] [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] The children come first. [MALE VOICE ONLY] Always. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] No innocents. [MALE VOICE ONLY] Конечно. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] And if I say stop— [MALE VOICE ONLY] We stop. [FEMALE VOICE ONLY — pause, then grin in the voice] ...How much money? [ORCHESTRA EXPLODES] [FINAL CHORUS — FEMALE VOICE ONLY — FULL POWER] OH, FUCK IT. Call the sitter. Get the coats. Maybe Mama's tired Of staying afloat. I can be gentle. I can be good. And still drag a bastard Down where I stood. [MALE VOICE ONLY — ecstatic] Моя любовь! I bring the fire! [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] I bring the flood! [MALE VOICE ONLY] They wanted monsters— [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] Then pay us enough. [BOTH VOICES — huge theatrical finale] OPEN THE DOOR, POUR THE VODKA, WE'RE GOING OUT TONIGHT! [MALE VOICE ONLY] Fire! [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] Water! [MALE VOICE ONLY] Ready? [FEMALE VOICE ONLY] ...Да. [BOTH VOICES] LET'S MAKE THEM GET THEIR MONEY'S WORTH.
