# SEVENTH FLOOR [Intro – Real acoustic metal drums, deep punchy kick, low distorted bass, syncopated guitar riff] [Male spoken voice] "Lift's dead again." [Drums slam into a heavy groove] [Verse 1 – MALE RAPPER ONLY: Pure percussive spoken rap, low dry baritone, precise articulation, NO melodic singing] Thirteen days, same sign taped to the lift "Thank you for your patience" from the people paid to fix it Six floors up with two blue shopping bags When a tin of peaches hits the concrete with a clang There's a woman from seven standing halfway to the top Trying to catch her groceries before the whole lot drops She says, "Don't make a fuss, I've done this all my life" Then bends to pick up peaches with a pocket full of pride I grab the heaviest bag, she says, "I didn't ask" I say, "Well, neither did I, but we're both doing the task" She laughs at my expression, says, "You're new around here" I say, "I've lived here seven years." She says, "Then where've you been?" [Refrain 1 – FEMALE VOCALIST ONLY: Clear warm intimate voice, unusual short descending melody, guitars drop out, only bass and natural drums] One more flight And I'll be alright I didn't ask you to save me Just don't go yet... [Instrumental – Heavy angular guitar riff, live double-kick accents, snare fills] [Verse 2 – MALE RAPPER ONLY: Faster articulate rhythmic rap, tight consonants, confident natural flow, NO singing] Tuesday night, I'm getting home at ten Find her sitting by the stairwell with a crossword and a pen She says the upstairs neighbor bought a brand-new TV And somehow doesn't know where the volume button should be We stand there talking longer than I ever planned She tells me she once played the drums in a local wedding band Says the drummer was terrible, then grins and says, "It was me" I tell her, "That explains the neighbors back in '83" There's a photo in her wallet of a car she used to drive An old red Ford with rust along the passenger side She doesn't ask about my job, or why I'm always stressed Just says, "You look like someone who could use a little rest" [Refrain 2 – FEMALE VOCALIST ONLY: Conversational melodic phrasing, subtle guitar harmonies, different rhythm from first refrain] One more flight Say something stupid Anything but "How are you?" Just don't go yet... [Instrumental – Heavy groove, distorted bass, tight organic live metal drums] [Bridge – Instrumentation strips down to bass guitar and acoustic snare] [MALE – Quiet, rhythmically spoken rap] The elevator finally works A new green light above the door I watch it climbing past the numbers Till it stops on seven's floor I haven't seen her in a week Guess she doesn't need the stairs I tell myself that's probably good Then wonder why I'm standing there [Brief silence] [FEMALE – Soft, close-mic melodic singing] Some people want a rescue Some people want a cure I only wanted company For a minute at my door [MALE – Aggressive precise rap, building over rising guitar riff] You get so good at keeping busy Keeping everyone outside You can live a hundred feet apart And never know somebody's life [Full drum-kit impact – Powerful real kick and snare] [Instrumental Breakdown – Crushing syncopated down-tuned guitars, huge acoustic metal kick, pounding toms, natural cymbals, no electronic drums] [Final Refrain – FEMALE VOCALIST ONLY: Begins soft and low, changes to a powerful bright emotional rock melody, full band supporting without overpowering her] One more flight And we both arrive [Short instrumental pause] It was never about the stairs [Powerful sustained melodic note] Just don't go yet... [Outro – Heavy instruments stop, a lift bell rings] [MALE – Quiet spoken voice] "Lift's working now." [FEMALE – Dry amused spoken voice] "I can see that." [MALE] "Want to take it?" [FEMALE] "Only if you're carrying the peaches." [Both laugh softly] [End – Elevator doors close, gentle guitar harmonic fades]
