Pennyfoolish

[Intro – whispered] Rain ticks tin on the storm-drain grate. A red balloon bobs. Something laughs too late. “Come closer, children…” [Pause] “Wait—who put my shoes on backwards?” [Verse 1 – conversational Southern rap] Pennyfoolish rose where the runoff ran, White paint crooked, one glove, no plan. “Fear me, folks—I’m the drainpipe king!” Then he bowed to a raccoon and dropped his ring. Red balloons tied up with a shoelace knot, He tugged one hard—whole clown went plop. From the manhole mouth came a dignified squeak: “Fear is my specialty. I scare folks all week!” [Chorus – gang vocals] Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Down the drain—then whoops, back up! Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Big red balloon, little paper cup! “Come on down!”—the ladder falls through! Pennyfoolish! We’re not scared of you! [Instrumental break – calliope, guitar, cowbell] [Manic laughter] [Verse 2 – rap, bouncier] He hid by the pump where the Halloween kids Would pass with their masks and their candy tin lids. He sprang from the grate with a thunderclap pose— His wig caught a branch; now the branch wears his nose. He offered a balloon: “It floats, guaranteed!” It snagged on a gutter and dragged him at speed. He slid past the bakery, spun round the square, Shouting, “I meant to do that!” to nobody there. [Chorus – gang vocals] Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Down the drain—then whoops, back up! Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Big red balloon, little paper cup! “Come on down!”—the ladder falls through! Pennyfoolish! We’re not scared of you! [Bridge – whispered, then rising] Storm clouds gather over Derry’s old lane. The laughing stops. The balloons strain. A small voice calls from under the street— “Hey, can somebody help me find my feet?” [Beat cut] A giggle answers from the drain. Then his own balloon tugs him under again. [Instrumental break – dissonant strings, stomping drums] [Verse 3 – frantic rap] He built a big trap with a bucket and string, Put “FREE CANDY” on it—forgot the candy thing. A gust hit the sign; it slapped to his face. He chased his own shadow clear out of the place. Now the town’s asleep and the rain taps slow, One red balloon drifts where the dark waters go. A squeak from below: “I’ve got this, all right!” Then—clunk—“Who put a door at the end of the night?” [False ending – whisper] Good night, little town… [Silence] [Final chorus – shouted, chaotic] Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Down the drain—then whoops, back up! Pennyfoolish! (Ha! Ha!) Big red balloon, little paper cup! “Come on down!”—the ladder falls through! Pennyfoolish! We’re not scared of you! [Outro – one music-box note, whispered] The balloon’s still floating. The clown’s still below. He’s learned how to whisper. …but not where to go. [Manic laughter fades]