# Title: Track 6: The Granite Stage (My Turn to Sing)

[Childlike Tenor(Whispered Spoken)] [Musical: Out-of-tune piano traces hesitant habanera skeleton; accordion exhales a long, wheezing note.] So this is it, then. The last exit. [Childlike Tenor(Whispered Spoken)] That song you sang... it woke me up. I'll give you that. [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] [Musical: Pizzicato cello beats like a tense heartbeat; sparse piano repeats a brittle motif.] So this is it, the final stage, [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] The last line on the final page. [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] You sang your piece, you clever shade, [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] On this dark stage a choice is made. [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] You feast upon the things I feel, [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] And tell me that they are not real. [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] You call my love a childish game, [Childlike Tenor(Fragile Confrontation)] And whisper Chloe’s broken name. [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] [Musical: Strings accelerate nervously, accordion stabs syncopated chords, piano crescendos.] You say this pain is just a flaw, [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] A breach of some forgotten law. [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] You say it's thread for you to take, [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] For some grand, twisted art you'll make. [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] Well, listen close, you hollow king, [Childlike Tenor(Anxious Build)] Now you will hear the song I sing. [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] [Musical: Full ensemble explodes; floor toms stomp habanera waltz; EBow guitar screams microtonal slides; strings surge.] So come on now and take my pain! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Let's see you weave it in the rain! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Come on and show me your grand art! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Come tear this broken soul apart! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] I'll give you everything I am, [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] I really couldn't give a damn! [Instrumental Break(Call-and-Response Madness)] [Musical: Electric violin tremolo shrieks Segâh phrases; fretless EBow guitar answers with distorted, sliding moans.] [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] [Musical: Sparse cello drone and distant accordion whisper; piano muted and hollow.] This song’s for every teacher’s rule, [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] That taught me how to be a fool. [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] For every promise, every prize, [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] Reflected in my father's eyes. [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] To she who sang the perfect lie, [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] And he who never said goodbye. [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] You built the boy, so here's the man, [Childlike Tenor(Bitter Accusation)] Come see the end of your grand plan. [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] [Musical: Floor toms stomp; strings hammer ostinato; ensemble builds to massive dissonant chord.] You think this tragedy is yours to write? [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] This darkness here, this fading light? [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] This isn’t your grand masterpiece! [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] This is my war. This is my peace! [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] This final act, this leap of faith… [Childlike Tenor(Play-Acting Rage)] This stage belongs to my own wraith! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] [Musical: Ensemble returns with overwhelming force; tenor voice operatic, tragic, defiant.] So come on now and take my pain! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Let's see you weave it in the rain! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Come on and show me your grand art! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] Come tear this broken soul apart! [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] I'll give you everything I am, [Childlike Tenor(Overstretched Irony)] I really couldn't give a damn! [Childlike Tenor(Exhausted Whisper)] [Musical: Music cuts; EBow guitar sustains ghostly note; accordion wheezes final sigh.] The show is not over, you parasite king. [Childlike Tenor(Exhausted Whisper)] Not until I say it is. [Childlike Tenor(Exhausted Whisper)] Not until I sing. [End]