[Staging Note: Valerius is observing Elara from the shadows of a foggy street. She is checking her watch, suddenly panicked about her rebellious choice to sneak out. He steps into the gaslight, addressing her directly.] [Intro] [Music starts with a single, slow, plucked upright bass line and snapping fingers. A smoky piano sneaks in.] [Verse 1] [Female Vocals - Elara (Soprano)] (A nervous, breathless whisper to herself, looking at her pocket watch) It's getting late... they'll notice I'm gone... I shouldn't be out here so close to the dawn... [Male Vocals - Valerius (Baritone)] (Stepping out of the shadows, his voice smooth and arrogant) You look at your wrist like it’s holding a bomb, Tick-tock, little bird, is it time to go home? You’re rushing and running and gasping for air For people who soon won't know you are there. You count every second, you count every dime, But darling, you’re losing the war against time. [Chorus] [The tempo picks up slightly. An accordion or sultry brass section joins in, giving it a rich, theatrical dark cabaret feel.] [Male Vocals - Valerius] Time is a thief with a silver disguise, It steals all the light from your beautiful eyes. It hollows your cheeks and it whitens your hair, And leaves you with nothing but dust and despair. But here in the shadows, the clock doesn't chime, Step into the dark, and we'll murder time. [Verse 2] [Female Vocals - Elara] (Defensive, stepping back, but clearly intrigued) Who are you? Stepping out of the shade? With promises built to be broken and fade? [Male Vocals - Valerius] (The music slows back down, sultry and intimate. He steps closer.) I’ve watched empires crumble and cities decay, I’ve seen kings and queens turn to ash, blow away. I've tasted the vintage of centuries past, And learned that the beautiful things never last. Except for the ones who are willing to trade The warmth of the sun for the chill of the shade. [Chorus] [Tempo increases again, louder and more insistent.] [Male Vocals - Valerius] Time is a thief with a silver disguise, It steals all the light from your beautiful eyes. It hollows your cheeks and it whitens your hair, And leaves you with nothing but dust and despair. But here in the shadows, the clock doesn't chime, Step into the dark, and we'll murder time. [Bridge] [The music shifts into a chaotic, dizzying waltz. The piano pounds, the brass blares. He circles her, mocking her fragile mortality.] [Male Vocals - Valerius] Oh, the frantic little heartbeat! (Thump-thump, thump-thump) The rushing of the blood! A temporary vessel Made of fragile bone and mud. [Female Vocals - Elara] (Overwhelmed, pulled into the dizzying rhythm of the waltz) It's spinning, I'm spinning! I can't catch my breath! [Male Vocals - Valerius] You cling to all your burdens Like a beggar to a coin! When you could be eternal... If you only dared to join! [Outro] [The chaotic music abruptly cuts out. Just the slow, plucked upright bass returns.] [Male Vocals - Valerius] So throw away the watch, my dear. Forget the daily grind. Leave the dying world... (He offers his hand to her) ...behind. [A final, dissonant piano chord strikes and fades out.]
