Thirty Pieces And A Smile Smug Tony (Fire Cut)

[Start] [Intro – Ragtime Piano Hustle / Brass Stabs] Ladies... Gentlemen... Investors in poor decisions... Gather round. Tonight’s lesson: How to ruin your reputation and still call it networking. [pause] A true professional never says “betrayal.” That’s terrible branding. [Beat Kicks In] [Verse 1] Judas walked in with a confident grin Pressed his coat, tucked his conscience in Said, “I’m not a villain, I’m handling affairs Just moving some pieces, arranging some chairs” No dramatic speech No evil mustache curl Just a man with a plan and a very small world He said, “It’s business, it’s timing, it’s all just a role Everybody wants something, everybody has goals” And Tony said, “Beautiful, elegant spin” Then whispered, “Unfortunately, the ending comes in.” [Pre-Chorus] Every deal has a handshake Every bargain has a cost Some men count the money Some men count what they lost [Chorus] Thirty pieces and a smile That’s a bargain, that’s style Everybody has a price Everybody plays the game Call it fate Call it fate Call it business, call it great But a kiss that sells a friend Still remembers who to blame Thirty pieces and a smile Very polished, very vile You can dress up any crime With a ledger and a name [Verse 2] Now Judas, my boy, had magnificent nerve A salesman of excuses with a masterful curve “I didn’t hurt him, I created a chance” “I didn’t betray him, I altered the dance” Marvelous wording A beautiful fraud The kind of performance that impresses a god He sold himself first Before selling the rest Put a gold little ribbon on a terrible test And I, Smug Tony, know something of flair A man can sell anything if he styles the air But here’s the problem with deals made in the night: The contract looks clever until morning brings light [Pre-Chorus 2] Oh, what a performer Oh, what a show The confidence sparkled The emptiness showed [Chorus] Thirty pieces and a smile That’s a bargain, that’s style Everybody has a price Everybody plays the game Call it fate Call it fate Call it business, call it great But a kiss that sells a friend Still remembers who to blame [Break – Piano Roll / Call-and-Response] Was it strategy? (Absolutely!) Was it clever? (At the time!) Was it profitable? (Thirty pieces!) Was it wise? (Not in hindsight!) Did Judas have confidence? (Oh, plenty!) Did Judas have a soul? (Ask the accountant!) Did the deal go through? (Perfectly!) Did the reputation survive? (Well...No.) [Verse 3] See, I admire the hustle The nerve and the pose The way a man can smile while the whole world knows A proper performance A professional lie A curtain, a spotlight, a confident tie But genius requires more than a scheme More than a handshake and a flattering dream You can sell your brother You can sell your name You can call it ambition You can call it a game But somewhere beneath all the velvet and grin The cheapest transaction is the one from within [Bridge – Beat Pulls Back / Smug Spoken-Rap] Now listen carefully. I am not judging. Judgment is exhausting. I am observing. Like a gentleman watching a carriage crash while taking notes on the craftsmanship. The confidence? Impressive. The presentation? Excellent. The final decision? Well... Even MY standards have SOME standards. [Final Chorus] Thirty pieces and a smile That’s a bargain, that’s style Everybody has a price Everybody plays the game Call it fate Call it fate Call it business, call it great But a kiss that sells a friend Still remembers who to blame Thirty pieces and a smile Put a ribbon on denial You can polish up the story You can dress it in champagne Thirty pieces and a smile A legendary little trial The world remembers Judas Not the quality of the sale [Outro – Spoken / Piano Stumble] So remember the lesson. Never sell your soul cheaply. [pause] If you absolutely must... At least negotiate. Thirty pieces? Honestly... Embarrassing. .......... I'd at least've gotten 100..... pathetic. [End]