ch 41. Cherie's mid credit crisis

[Trombone glissando — clarinet trill — piano bangs out four bouncy chords — walking bass locks in] Da-da-dee — da-da-da — Down below where the sulphur fumes dwell! Da-da-dee — da-da-da — What a perfectly putrid place as well! 🎵 VERSE 1 — (0:15–0:45) [Bright conversational vocal — light brass stabs] [Female voice] I wanted to travel — see the universe wide But I landed right here — deep inside! A grotty stench-ridden hole — dark and foul In the very bowels — of the nethermost ground! And what’s worse — I’m stuck right here while those [female voice] Flatulent, unctuous, pusillanimous prats — oh yes! Flap about taking all the credit now For every problem I pointed out — ages ago! [brass tinkle] They act like heroes — but I was the first to know! [Full band kicks in — danceable, catchy — call-and-response brass] [female voice] STUCK IN A HOLE — AND THE STENCH IS BAD! EVERYONE’S TAKING THE CREDIT — AND I’M GETTING MAD! THEY’RE FLATULENT, UNCTUOUS — PUSILLANIMOUS TOO! THEY’VE STOLEN THE GLORY — WHAT’S A POOR SOUL TO DO?! I pointed it out — I said it first! Now I’m left here — cursed and immersed! STUCK IN A GROTTY HOLE — AND THE STENCH IS STRONG! IT’S AWFUL — AND I’M NOT HAVING ANY FUN! [Slightly slower, indignant — muted trombone behind] Then a voice came from the room beside me Who in the universe could it be he said “For goodness sake woman — you can hush your chatter?! I was a nostril hair away — from ruling this matter! Victory was mine — this realm in my hand Till that obstreperous Bob — made his stand! Preposterous principles — getting in the way! Now my glorious reign — has withered away!” To be kind and friendly I really tried And regardless of what he said I soon replied “So you’re Pride — I heard tell you meant to turn things around Build a new order — make this place renowned!” He remained rude and cut me short Responding with this retort “Something like that — but the universe won’t comply I’ve got a choice — and I’d rather die! Be erased entirely — or sent below to mend Rehab — no work — till they say I’m fit again! The crown was in sight — now it’s vanished from view And there’s nothing — absolutely nothing — I can do!” Then suddenly I filled with cheer I could see a way to get out of here [Bass lightens — brushes on snare — conspiratorial tone] [Female voice] “You’re a forlorn old sod — aren’t you just? Wouldn’t you like to slip away — escape the dust? Fight another day — somewhere else entirely new?” “D’you hear that clinking sound — coming through? You're tied to a chair — just beside your cell door They left the key right here — on the table and more! If you know a contact in Limbo — who knows the way out! We can reach it — but if I do it alone my success is in doubt!" So I slid the key through Ai asked if hed set me free too?” “Oh yes — of course! I swear it — I promise you true! Open the door — and we’ll both see this through!” “Thank you ever so much ....... ta-ta for now!” He threw the door wide — knocked me over onto my crack Vaulted over merrily and didn’t look back! Up the stairs he went — light as a feather and free Forgot every single word — he’d promised to me! Here I lie — taped down — in the stinking mire Legs akimbo in the air — covered in muck and mire! He’ll regret this — oh yes — mark my words well One day he’ll wish — he’d never left me in Hell! [Full band — one final defiant blast] CHERIE — screaming at the ceiling: YOU BASTARDS!!! [brass raspberry — cheeky trombone slide] Yep… one day… you’ll all be sorry… [sarcastic little piano tinkle — fade]