SAME ROUTE

[INTRO] [sound: forklift ignition, scanner beep, warehouse alarms, radio static counting in] [CHECKERFLAG-9 — male voice, crisp filtered radio, calm rally co-driver] REDLINE-04. You ready? [REDLINE-04 — male voice, close mic, energetic but confused operator] Yeah. [pause] [REDLINE-04 — quieter] I think. [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Same route. [sound: forklift engine rev] [VERSE 1 — REDLINE-04 — male voice, determined] Yellow lines underneath me Same marks on the floor I swear I've seen this corner A hundred times before The lights are hanging crooked The signs are faded too But everybody's moving Like they already knew [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio, short pace note] Left at the loading bay. [REDLINE-04] I know. [CHECKERFLAG-9] You know? [REDLINE-04] I don't know. [sound: drums accelerate] [CHORUS — REDLINE-04 + CHECKERFLAG-9] [REDLINE-04 — singing] Same route! Same night! Same warehouse lights! [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio echo] Same turn. Same line. [REDLINE-04] Same call! Same run! Same race I never won! [ALL] Round again! One more time! Follow the yellow line! If I did this yesterday... I'll do it right tonight! [VERSE 2 — REDLINE-04] The scanner keeps talking The radio keeps calling The clock says something different Than the feeling in my body I check the paperwork I check the load I check the same old corners On the same old road [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Checkpoint ahead. [REDLINE-04] Already passed it. [pause] [CHECKERFLAG-9] Copy. [REDLINE-04] You believe me? [CHECKERFLAG-9] Doesn't matter. [BRIDGE — CALL AND RESPONSE] [REDLINE-04] How long have we been running? [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Keep moving. [REDLINE-04] Where does this route end? [CHECKERFLAG-9] You'll know. [REDLINE-04] Have I done this before? [pause] [CHECKERFLAG-9] You tell me. [sound: distorted guitars rise] [FINAL CHORUS — FULL BAND] [REDLINE-04] Same route! Same night! Same warehouse lights! Same engine! Same sound! Same wheels rolling around! [CHECKERFLAG-9 — radio] Stay on line. [REDLINE-04] No starting line! No finish sign! Just another overtime drive! [ALL] If this is the first time... Why does it feel like mine? [OUTRO] [sound: forklift idling, radio static] [CHECKERFLAG-9 — filtered radio] REDLINE. [REDLINE-04] Yeah? [CHECKERFLAG-9] See you next run. [pause] [REDLINE-04] Next run? [sound: radio cuts] [END TRANSMISSION]