[Intro] (Orchestral Tango start, sharp violin stabs) [Verse 1 - Public Persona] (Sweetly, Melodic, Smooth) [Conrad] Twenty-five years, my darling, my dear. Through every storm, we’re still standing here. [Victoria] Love and respect, that’s the secret, they say. Keeping our vows until our dying day. [Pre-Chorus] (Music drops to a low, menacing bass rumble) [Conrad] (Low whisper) Are you okay? [Victoria] (Sharp whisper) Of course not. [Conrad] We have to smile, we have to play the part. [Victoria] Even with this wreckage in my heart. [Chorus] (Explosive Tango Rhythm, Loud and Dramatic) [Both] It’s the Art of Illusion! Perception is reality! We hide the guilt with high society hospitality. Smile for the lens, while we tear it apart. Lying is a science, but we made it an Art. (Staccato) The Art. Of. Illusion. [Verse 2] (Music becomes frantic, nervous strings) [Conrad] Victoria, listen, I had my hands full! [Victoria] (Sarcastic) Oh, perhaps you can tell me where your hands have been? [Conrad] I wanna make this right, I want to begin again. [Victoria] (Aggressive belting) Then you should have never slept with my best friend! [Bridge] (Tempo slows down, heavy emotional tension) [Victoria] Look at us, Conrad. Look at the wreckage of this arrangement. [Conrad] Arrangement? You mean our marriage? [Victoria] (Cold, deliberate) This isn’t a marriage. And I am not sure if it ever was. Clearly not for you. Not ever. [Verse 3] (Building up speed again) [Conrad] Oh come on, Victoria, don't be so cold. Where is the witty repartee of old? You think you can break me with that icy stare? [Victoria] (Powerful, high notes) If you are expecting me to reveal even a wince of pain... Under the wimps of your emotional torture... You can forget it! [Conrad] (Spoken, cynical laugh) Color me disappointed. [Chorus] (Grand Finale, Big Orchestral Swell) [Both] It’s the Art of Illusion! Perception is reality! We hide the guilt with high society hospitality. The front page of the paper, above the fold! The greatest lie that was ever told! Twist the knife while we hold the pose! (Long Note) That’s how the story goooooes! [Outro] (Sudden silence. One single piano note.) [End]
