[Spoken intercom announcement — same male vocalist, electronically filtered, not sung] Now serving… Number fifty-two. [Low bass begins] I look down at the paper Crushed inside my hand Five-two-five I don’t understand The room is overflowing But no one makes a sound Every face is staring forward Every chair is bolted down [Verse 1] The clock above the counter Hasn’t moved since half-past ten I swear that same old woman Has been called three times again My collar’s getting tighter Sweat is running down my face I pull loose another button But there isn’t any space [Pre-Chorus] The walls are getting closer The ceiling’s coming down That pleasant little speaker Is the only living sound [Chorus] Next customer When will it be me? I’m holding number five-two-five They’re only on fifty-three Next customer I’m running out of air Life is crazy Nothing goes right But nobody seems to care I’m trapped inside A life of chaotic dreams Waiting for someone To finally call me [Verse 2] I loosen up my necktie And wipe my shaking hands The numbers keep on changing But I still don’t understand Fifty-four Then twenty-nine Then fifty-two again I ask the man beside me “How long have you been here?” He slowly turns and tells me— [Whispered] “I don’t remember when.” [Pre-Chorus] The hallway’s getting narrower The exit sign is gone Everybody looks familiar But every face feels wrong [Chorus] Next customer When will it be me? I’m holding number five-two-five They’re only on fifty-three Next customer I’m running out of air Life is crazy Nothing goes right But nobody seems to care I’m trapped inside A life of chaotic dreams Waiting for someone To finally call me [Breakdown – ticking clock, tightening bass pulse] Five-two-five Five-two-five Check the screen Check the time Five-two-five Five-two-five Lose your place Lose your mind Sit down Stay calm Wait here All day Your number Will be called Someday [Bridge – panicked vocal] The walls begin to buckle The floor begins to lean The numbers bleed together Across the glowing screen I climb onto the counter And scream, “What happens next?” The woman calmly smiles at me And points toward my chest My ticket isn’t in my hand Five-two-five Is printed on my skin [Final Chorus] Next customer It’s finally me But every door is locking And there’s nowhere left to leave Next customer I’m choking on the air Life is crazy Nothing goes right And nobody even cares I’m trapped inside A life of chaotic dreams They finally called my number— But it wasn’t meant for me [Everything stops] [Calm automated female voice] Now serving… Number fifty-three. [Fluorescent light clicks off]
