[Intro – Queen] fire crackling, kettle softly hissing (soft, teasing) [spoken] Welcome in, my darling Hatter… Dinner's just begun. --- [Verse 1 – Queen] plated dish clink (cheerful, bouncy) Just a hint of honey, A little sage and thyme, I roast with care and mother’s touch — Now won’t you dine in time? The fire’s warm, the tea is hot, The room is dressed in gold, So take your place and say your grace — The rabbit’s not too cold. --- [Verse 2 – Hatter] (delighted, mid-mouthful) Ahh, savory and subtle, The texture — what a dream! You’ve outdone yourself again, my Queen, This tastes like heaven’s scheme. She’d love this too, our Alice, She always teased my taste… But this? This here? This rabbit leg — Deserves no ounce of waste! --- [Bridge – Queen] (music slows, lullaby melody underneath) (whisper-sung, to audience) Rabbit in the stewpot, Rabbit in the flame, She danced a little jig for me, But couldn’t win the game. She wriggled once, then stopped too soon… Such tender little feet… So now I serve a memory, Dressed up in seasoned meat. --- [Verse 3 – Queen] (music builds again, more bounce) (to audience, with glee) He eats and grins, the darling fool, Still lost in chase and cheer, Not seeing how the rabbit ran Right into dinner, dear. He missed the signs, he missed the scent, The truth behind the plate… But Hatter’s slow, and rabbit’s quick— Till rabbit meets her fate. --- [Verse 4 – Hatter] (musing, joyful) Now this is true perfection, The Queen outdoes the best. If Alice could have tasted this… She’d lay the past to rest. It’s almost like she’s with us here, This flavor’s oddly warm… Like all her clever little tricks… That always felt like storms! --- [Breakdown – Queen] (music quiets, sinister lullaby) (whispering, circling him) She’s here, my Hatter... You’re closer than you know. Each bite you take, a breath she lost… From just a while ago. You loved the game, not who she was, The running made you grin… But now the rabbit’s resting still… And sleeping deep within. --- [Refrain – Queen & Hatter] (duet, Hatter oblivious, Queen mocking) Queen: Just the leg… a lovely leg… so firm, so ripe, so sweet. Hatter: Every bite’s a masterpiece — a truly royal treat! Queen: You always had a taste for her… but never caught the beat… Hatter: Another perfect dinner! I’ll gladly take a seat! --- [Outro – Queen] (music softens to eerie lullaby) (to herself, almost tender) So eat your fill, you lovely fool, And smile as you chew… The girl you chased is closer now… She’s part of every stew. She’s not gone far — oh, not at all, She’s right there in your grin… Enjoy it, Hatter, while it lasts… She’ll never run again. (kettle whistles, fire flares) (final whispered line) (singsong) Sleep tight… my rabbit man…
