The
Wall
A stage
opera written by Zak Bartels
Inspired
by the music of Pink Floyd
The Wall
and all related materials are owned by Roger Waters and I hold no
rights to it at all. This is just a tribute to the original.
Characters
Pink
Floyd
Young
Pink
The
Personification of The Wall
Pink's
Father
Mother
The
School Master
Mrs.
Floyd
Record
Exec
Groupie
The
Judge
Soldiers/School
children/Concert attendees/Wall Guards
-Intro-
The show
begins as soon as the audience begins to enter. The stage is empty
except for a single armchair sitting in the middle with a table next
to it. On the table are a telephone, some empty or half empty
glasses, a pack of cigarettes, and a little black book. Pink is
seated in the chair, unmoving, with a lit cigarette burning to ash in
his hand. On the very back of the stage is a large projection screen.
There is no preshow music.
As the
doors close the song "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn begins to
play. As soon as the words, "Some sunny day" are sung the lights
go out.
-In The
Flesh?-
The
Personification of the Wall walks out from behind the screen twirling
a long, thin, white cane in his hand. He is wearing a black Nazi
storm trooper uniform and a long black trench coat with a red band
around his arm. On the band is an image of two crossed hammers. A
spotlight follows him as he walks. He whistles the tune from "Outside
the Wall" in a very jovial manner as he makes his way toward
Pink sitting in the chair. As he reaches Pink he stops whistling and
kneels to Pink, smiling widely. He turns to the audience and stands.
The
Wall: (Speaking, not singing) So you thought you might like to go to
the show? To feel the warm thrill
of confusion that (chuckling) space cadet glow? (Looking confused and
with mock concern on his face) Tell me is something eluding you
sunshine? (Gesturing to himself and Pink sitting in the chair) Is
this
not what you expected to see? (With the big smile on his face) If you
wanna find out what's behind these cold eyes, (Singing) You'll just
have you claw your way through this disguise!
The
stage explodes in light as the music kicks in. The Wall walks back to
Pink as two soldiers dressed in storm trooper uniforms pull Young
Pink onstage and drop him to the ground. His parents follow behind
him trying to pull him back.
The
Wall: Lights! (Multicolored lights flash in various directions
haphazardly)
Young
Pink tries to claw his way to Pink sitting in the chair. Pink takes
no notice of anything happening.
The
Wall: Roll the sound effects! (Planes, tanks, explosions, gunfire,
and other sounds of war all begin playing quietly and slowly get
louder. The lights move in rhythm with the sound effects)
Pink's
mother eventually pulls Young Pink forcibly back and holds him. The
Wall stands directly behind Pink in his chair and stretches his arms
out.
The
Wall: Action! (White bricks begin falling on the screen behind him as
the sounds get louder and the lights get more intense)
The Wall
sharply turns to go behind the screen again calling the soldiers with
him. He grabs one of the soldiers and turns his attention to Pink's
father. They all then go behind the screen. The lights move in rhythm
with the final hits of the music and then all go out except for a
spotlight on Young Pink on his parents and another much softer light
on Pink in his chair.
-The
Thin Ice-
Mother:
Momma loves her baby.
Father:
And Daddy loves you too.
Mother:
And the sea may look warm to you baby.
Father:
And the sky may look blue.
Mother/Father:
Oooooooh, babe. Oooh, Baby blue. Oooooooo Ooooooooo, babe.
The
soldiers come over and grab Pink's father, pulling him away from
Young Pink and his mother and begin dressing him in a soldier's
uniform.
Father:
(To Young Pink) If you should go skating, on the thin ice of modern
life. Dragging behind you the silent reproach of a million tear
stained eyes.
Another
soldier appears from behind the screen carrying a rifle.
Father:
(To Pink) Don't be surprised when a crack in the ice appears under
your feet. You slip out of your depth and out of your mind.
The two
original soldiers grab Young Pink and his mother and pull them away
from Pink's father as they try to reach for him.
Father:
With your fear flowing out behind you. As you claw the thin ice.
The
soldier with the rifle slaps it into Father's hands as the lights
all come on and more soldiers come out. The soldiers and Pink's
father all go into fighting the unseen enemy. Soldiers fall and die
in this battle as they all run offstage and behind the screen. Mother
leaves to the other side of the screen in grief. Young Pink is now
alone onstage. The lights begin to fade again.
-Another
Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1-
Young
Pink stands and walks to the pile of his father's clothes left
behind by the soldiers. He rummages through them, finding some papers
and photographs. He carries these to the front of the stage where he
sits.
Young
Pink: Daddy's flown, across the ocean. Leaving just a memory.
Young
Pink stares closely at the photographs.
Young
Pink: A snapshot in the family album.
He looks
up from the photos, sad.
Young
Pink: Daddy, what else did you leave for me?
His
sadness turns into anger. He crumples the photographs and tosses them
aside.
Young
Pink: Daddy! What'd you leave behind for me!?
He holds
his head in his hands as bricks are added to the wall behind him.
Young
Pink: All and all it was just a brick in the wall. All and all it was
all just bricks in the wall.
He
stands and walks to Pink standing in his chair. He passes him without
a glance and stares at the beginning wall. From behind the screen
come three other men about Young Pink's age all dressed similarly.
They're all excited to see each other and begin talking seriously.
One reaches back behind the screen and comes back with a guitar,
which is handed to Young Pink. He stares at it for a moment and
begins testing it. He counts down and whistles as he begins playing
the guitar part of the song. A woman walks out from behind the screen
and catches Young Pink's attention. He stands and leaves his band
mates and starts talking to her.
-The
Happiest Days of Our Lives-
The
sound of a helicopter quickly roars into presence as a spotlight
strikes Young Pink as he is talking with the woman. The School Master
appears suddenly from behind the wall pointing his long white cane at
Young Pink.
School
Master: You! Yes, you! Stand still laddie!
The
school master runs over and forces the guitar out of Young Pink's
hands as school children come in carrying desks and chairs, setting
up a school room on stage. The School Master takes the guitar and the
woman forcibly behind the starting wall. Young Pink is forced into a
chair by the School Master as soon as he returns, he then hits Young
Pink on the back of the head with his cane.
Young
Pink: When we grew up and went to school, there were certain teachers
who would hurt the children any way they could.
The
School Master walks up and down the desks, hitting students on the
head for seemingly no reason, or throwing papers and books down the
ground for the children to pick up.
Young
Pink: By pouring their derision on everything we did. Exposing every
weakness, however cleverly hidden by the kids.
The
School Master picks up papers from Young Pink's desk and laughs as he
reads them. He crumples them and throws them to the ground and hits
Young Pink as he tries to pick them up again.
Young
Pink: (Standing) But in the town it was well known when they went
home at night their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them
within inches of their lives.
Young
Pink turns and knocks his own desk over. The School Master quickly
races to him to put him in his place. Young Pink quickly turns and
faces the School Master, grabbing his cane before it strikes him.
-Another
Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2-
Young
Pink: We don't need no education.
He pulls
the cane away from The School Master and takes several steps toward
him.
Young
Pink: We don't need no thought control.
Young
Pink tosses his own desk to the floor while walking toward to the
School Master who slowly backs up.
Young
Pink: No dark sarcasm in the classroom.
The
other students slowly begin to stand out of their desks.
Young
Pink: Teacher leave them kids alone.
They all
slowly advance on the School Master in unison.
Young
Pink: Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!
The
students all jump the School Master at once and bring him to his
knees. Bricks are added to the wall in the background.
Young
Pink: All and all it's just another brick in the wall.
Young
Pink points the long white cane directly in the face of the School
Master.
Young
Pink: All and all you're just another brick in the wall.
Young
Pink snatches the School Master's mortarboard, puts it on his own
head and leaps to the front of the screen as the School Master is
taken behind the wall by school children. The rest of the students
all line up facing the wall. Words appear on the screen and Young
Pink points to them with the cane as if giving a lecture.
School
Children: (Reading the words on the screen) We don't need no
education. We don't need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the
classroom. Teachers leave them kids alone.
The
children begin their advance on Young Pink. Pink slowly realizes what
is happening.
School
Children: Hey! Teacher! Leave those kids alone!
Young
Pink backs up to the wall.
School
Children: All and all you're just another brick in the wall.
Young
Pink drops the cane and the mortarboard.
School
Children: All and all you're just another brick in the wall.
Young
Pink sits against the wall as the school children begin to wreak
havoc on the schoolroom that was set up. Pink and his chair remain
untouched during all of this. The children grab Young Pink against
the wall and pull him into the chaos against his will.
The
School Master appears from behind the wall, grabs his cane and
mortarboard, and hits Young Pink on the back of the head.
The
School Master: Wrong! Do it again!
The
children all begin to disperse as the School Master shoves them all
aside and hits several of them. He grabs Young Pink by the back of
his collar and pulls him up to face him.
The
School Master: If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any
pudding!
He
shoves Young Pink back to the ground. Bricks continue to stack in the
background.
The
School Master: How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your
meat!?
He
brings his cane up to smack Young Pink when something catches his
eye. He walks toward it shaking his cane.
The
School Master: You! Yes, you behind the bike sheds! Stand still
laddie!
The
School Master walks off chasing the children who have now all run off
stage, carrying with them the broken down school room.
Young
Pink is now alone on stage once again. He holds his head in his hands
and he crawls down to the edge of the stage. Upon getting there, he
looks at his hand, rubs his head, and breaths a deep sigh.
-Mother-
Young
Pink: Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb? (Looking out at
the audience) Mother do you think they'll like this song? (Holding
his aching head) Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls?
(Looking up to the unfinished wall) Oooo, ah. Mother should I build
the wall?
Young
Pink leans back, relaxed.
Young
Pink: Mother should I run for president? (Sits upright, concerned)
Mother should I trust the government? (Looking back to the pile of
his fathers belongings) Mother will they put me in the firing line?
Oooo, ah. Is it just a waste of time? (Puts his head in his hands,
holds himself)
Pink's
mother walks out from behind the screen and holds Young Pink in her
arms.
Mother:
(Very sweetly, motherly) Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry.
Momma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true. (Retains
sweetness, despite what she's actually saying) Momma's gonna put
all of her fears into you. Momma's gonna keep you right here under
her wing. (Holds Young Pink's face) She won't let you fly, but
she might let you sing. Momma's gonna keep baby cozy and warm. Ooo,
babe. Oooooo, babe. Ooo, babe. Of course Momma's gonna help build
the wall.
She
pulls Young Pink to his feet as bricks fall into place behind them.
She begins to lead Young Pink back behind the wall when an attractive
woman walks across the front of the stage. Young Pink stops and turns
to follow her. Pink turns his head to follow her as she walks. She
stops at the end of the stage. Young Pink breaks away from his
mother.
Young
Pink: Mother do you think she's good enough, for me? (His mother
tries to pull him back, he resists) Mother do you think she's
dangerous, to me? (His mother takes a hold of him and pulls him back)
Mother will she tear your little boy apart? (His mother wraps her
arms around him) Mother will she break my heart? (She walks off
stage, Pink returns to his vacant stare)
Mother:
Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry. Momma's gonna check out all
your girlfriends for you. (She strokes Young Pink's hair) Momma
won't let anyone dirty get through. (She holds Young Pink at arms
length) Momma's gonna wait up until you get in. (Young Pink turns
to look at the woman again, she pulls his gaze back to her) Momma
will always find out where you been. Momma's gonna keep baby
healthy and clean. (She forcefully hugs Young Pink) Oooo, babe.
Ooooooo, babe. (She lets go of Young Pink and begins to walk back
behind the wall; she strokes Pink's hair as she passes) You'll
always be baby to me.
Young
Pink watches her leave, and then looks up at the wall. One side of it
has been finished.
Young
Pink: Mother did it need to be so high?
-Goodbye
Blue Sky-
The
lights, and the projection screen, all go black. The sounds of
nature, wind, birds chirping, etc play lightly. On the projection
screen appears footage of an airplane flying through the sky in slow
motion.
Voice of
Little Girl: Look mummy, there's an airplane up in the sky.
The
plane then strikes the World Trade Center. Footage of the 9/11
attacks plays through the opening of the song. Before the lyrics kick
in the footage freezes on the faces of those on the ground during the
attacks in New York City. It fades to black. Young Pink appears in a
very soft spotlight at the edge of the stage. He is wearing his
father's clothes, like Pink does in the chair.
Young
Pink: Did, did, did, did you see the frightened ones?
On the
screen plays footage of wars, both recent and past. Footage of
airplanes dropping bombs and the massive damage done by them plays.
Young
Pink: Did, did, did, did you see the falling bombs?
Footage
plays of people who are caught in the war, grief, pain, and the
nameless victims.
Young
Pink: Did, did, did, did you ever wonder why we had to run for
shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath the
clear blue sky?
The
lights come on in a very soft blue to reveal the soldiers from The
Thin Ice all lying dead on stage. Pink's father walks out from
behind the wall. His uniform is badly tattered and bloody. Before he
can make it to Young Pink he collapses and dies. On the back
projection the footage of war horrors continue to play.
Young
Pink: Did, did, did, did you see the frightened ones? Did, did, did,
did you see the falling bombs? (The projection screen goes black) The
flames are all long gone but the pain lingers on. Goodbye blue sky.
(Lights begin to go out one by one) Goodbye blue sky. Goodbye.
Goodbye. Goodbye.
A single
blue spotlight is left on over Young Pink that fades out. A white
spotlight remains over Pink in his chair. The projection screen
returns to the unfinished wall.
-What
Shall We Do Now?-
A
spotlight follows the woman as she walks out from behind the wall. A
light appears on Young Pink as he sit curled up on the edge of the
stage. He slowly stands and the two of them walk toward each other.
They meet in front of Pink in his chair; they circle around each
other, embrace, and kiss passionately. The image of the Wall on the
projection screen fades away. They hold each other and stroke each
other. Young Pink looks out into the audience with a smile. He looks
back at Mrs. Floyd.
Young
Pink: What shall we do to fill the empty spaces where waves of hunger
roar?
She
stares up at Young Pink and smiles. She breaks away from their
embrace to hand him his guitar. He takes it and stares at it wildly.
He looks back at her with a huge grin. She gestures to the audience.
Mrs.
Floyd: Shall we set out across this sea of faces? (Young Pink sings
with her in unison) In search of more, and more, applause?
The
lights come on as the stage it turned into a rock concert. Amps,
drums, guitars, are all brought out. The bass drum has the same
hammer logo that The Wall wore around his arm. Young Pink is handed
an electric guitar. Concert attendees flock in and gather in front of
the band. Lights of different colors go on and off around the band,
giving the stage the look of a rock concert. Mrs. Floyd stands off to
the side of the stage, cheering.
Young
Pink: Shall we buy a new guitar? Shall we drive a more powerful car?
Shall we work straight through the night? Shall we get into fights?
Leave the lights on, drop bombs, do tours of the east, contract
diseases, bury bones, break up homes, send flowers by phone, take to
drink, go to shrinks, give up meat, rarely sleep, keep people as
pets, race rats, fill the attic with cash, bury treasure, store up
leisure, but never relax at all? With our backs to the wall.
The
stage explodes in light and pyrotechnics. The crowd chants "Hammer!
Hammer!" The band assembles on the front of the stage and does a
collective bow. They cross their arms to mimic the band logo of the
crossed hammers. The crowd does so as well. The attendee's leave
and the band mingle about on stage. Young Pink and Mrs. Floyd embrace
and kiss. Young Pink is finally happy.
-Have a
Cigar-
The
lights go out but spotlights keep Young Pink's band illuminated. A
man in a very, very nice suit appears on stage, he his surrounded by
other men in not as nice suits. In his hands is a cigar box.
Record
Exec: Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far.
(He opens the box and Young Pink and the band all take cigars) You're
gonna fly high, you're never gonna die. You're gonna make if you
try, they're gonna love you.
The band
and Young Pink follow the Record Exec around the stage as he throws
money around. Mrs. Floyd does not follow.
Record
Exec: I always had a deep respect and I mean that most sincere. The
band is just fantastic, that is truly what I think. Oh and by the
way, which one's Pink?
Young
Pink gets pushed up in front of the Record Exec by the rest of the
band. Mrs. Floyd tries to hold him back but she gets ignored and
pushed aside by the band.
Record
Exec: And if we tell you the name of the game, boy. (He forcibly
takes Young Pink's hand and shakes it fiercely) We call it riding
the gravy train.
The
Record Exec produces a piece of paper and the band all rushes to sign
it. Mrs. Floyd takes Young Pink's hand to hold him back. He forces
his hand from her and signs the paper. She takes several steps back
from the band. Pink, in his chair, watches her step back.
Record
Exec: We're just knocked out. (He stuffs the paper back into his
jacket pocket) We heard about the sell out. (He picks up a guitar and
hands it to Young Pink) You gotta get an album out, you owe it to the
people. We're so happy we can hardly count. (He throws another wad
of money across the stage)
The
spotlight on Mrs. Floyd eventually goes out as she leaves behind the
projection screen. Pink watches her go. When she's gone, he returns
to his vacant stare.
Record
Exec: Everybody else is just green. Have you seen the chart? (A sales
chart appears on the screen, the numbers and red arrow continue to
reach higher and higher) It's a helluva start; it could be made
into a monster (he slaps his hand on Young Pink's shoulder) if we
all pull together as a team. (He slaps Young Pink on the back) And
did we tell you the name of the game, boy? We call it riding the
gravy train!
The
concert attendees flock to the stage as Young Pink blasts into the
guitar solo under a pink colored spotlight. Girls climb on stage and
hang off of Young Pink as he plays. Tour dates fly by on the screen,
images of huge garages filled with cars, Learjet, large parties, rock
concerts, and more images of wealth appear on the screen, money gets
thrown at the band, the sales chart reaches higher and higher.
The
music then fades out as the band takes the equipment and leaves the
stage. Young Pink picks up the phone on the table next to Pink and
dials. The sound of the waiting tone plays as Young Pink grooms
himself, bursting with pleasure.
Young
Pink: (As the waiting tone continues to beep) Ticking away…the
moments that make up a dull day…(The phone is answered).
Man's
voice: Hello?
Young
Pink loses his happiness instantly. He stands in utter shock.
Operator:
Yes, this is a collect call to Mrs. Floyd from Mr. Floyd. Will you
accept the charges from the United States?
The
phone is hung up. Young Pink wears the same vacant expression as Pink
in the chair.
Operator:
Oh, he hung up. I wonder why he hung up. That's you residence
right? I wonder why he hung up? Is there supposed to be someone else
there besides your wife there to answer?
The
phone rings again.
Man's
voice: Hello?
Operator:
This is the United States calling, are we reaching,
The
phone is hung up again. Young Pink hasn't moved, similar to Pink in
the chair.
Operator:
See he keeps hanging up. And it's a man answering,
Young
Pink hangs up the phone.
-Empty
Spaces-
He sits
down on the floor alone next to the table. Bricks begin to fall on
the screen behind him.
Young
Pink: (Lyrics only, music-less) What shall we use to fill the empty
spaces where we used to talk. (Looking up to the screen as an almost
completed wall appears) How shall I fill the final places? (Looking
to his guitar that's lying on the ground) How should I complete the
wall? (He grabs his guitar)
-Young
Lust-
Young
Pink stands straight up as the concert attendees all flock around
him.
Young
Pink: I am just the new boy. Stranger in this town. Where are all the
good times? Who's gonna show this stranger around? (Young Pink is
offered various drinks and other substances, which he ignores).
Ooooo, I need a dirty woman. (He looks through the crowd around him)
Oooo, I need a dirty girl.
The men
in the crowd all leave the stage, leaving Young Pink surrounded by
these groupies who hang off of him, caress him, kiss him, etc.
Young
Pink: Will some woman in this desert land, make me feel like a real
man. Take this rock and roll, refugee. Oh, babe, set me free.
The
girls begin to leave Young Pink, until he is left with only one.
Young
Pink: Ooo, I need a dirty woman. Oooo, I need a dirty girl.
The
groupie moves into Young Pink and the two embrace and kiss deeply.
Bricks fall into place behind them. Pink brings his hand to his head.
The groupie breaks away.
Young
Pink: Ooo, I need a dirty woman. Oooo, I need a dirty girl.
The
groupie walks away behind the wall, and peeks back playfully, making
sure Young Pink is still with her. Young Pink sets his guitar down as
the band and concertgoers swoop in setting up his hotel room. Young
Pink picks up the telephone receiver; before it makes it to his ear
he stops and hangs it up again. He kneels down and holds himself,
wiping tears away. He stands, picks up the cigarettes sitting on the
table and lights one. Instead of using it himself, he puts it into
Pink's hand and walks offstage.
-One of
My Turns-
The
groupie comes in from the other side of the wall, stunned.
Groupie:
Oh wow, what a fabulous room! (Running her hand over the tops of the
guitars on the one end)
Pink
picks up the remote control on the table and turns the TV that is now
sitting in front of him on.
Groupie:
Are all of these your guitars? (She sits down next to Pink, seeing
he's not paying attention) This place is bigger than our apartment.
(Pink gazes at her for a moment and then goes back to his TV) Erm,
can I get a glass of water? (She stands up and begins to walk
offstage) Can I get you some? (She leaves the stage. From off stage)
Oh, wow! Look at this tub! You wanna take a baaaath? (She enters
again with a glass of water; her shirt is also wet now. She sits down
next to Pink) What are you watching? (She tries to move into Pink's
line of sight, he moves away from her) Hello? (Pink brings his hands
up to his head and rubs his temples) Hey, are you feeling okay? (She
takes Pink's hand in hers and begins kissing it, one finger at a
time)
Pink:
Day after day, love turns gray. Like the skin on a dying man. (The
groupie tries to move in on Pink who doesn't react at all) And
night after night, we pretend it's all right. But I have grown
older and you have grown colder, and nothing is very much fun
anymore. (The groupie gets up off of Pink and walks away. She sits in
the corner next to the guitars. Pink doesn't watch her leave) And I
can feel one of my turns coming on. And I feel cold as a razorblade,
tight as a tourniquet, dry as a funeral drum.
Pink
screams and kicks the TV off of the stand with both of his feet. He
bolts out of the chair and throws it across the stage. The groupie
runs for cover as Pink picks up various objects in the room and throw
them or topple them over.
Pink:
Run to the bedroom in the suitcase on the left you'll find my
favorite axe! Don't look so frightened this is just a passing
phase, one of my bad days! (Kicking the television on the floor)
Would you like to watch TV? Or get between the sheets? Or contemplate
the silent freeway? Would you like something to eat? (Pink picks up a
tray of food and throws it to the floor, he then runs to the end of
the stage, balancing on the very end with his arms outstretched)
Would you like to learn to fly? Would you like to see me try? (Bricks
fall into the wall) Oh, no! (The groupie tries to flee but get caught
in Pink's path of destruction; she finally cowers behind the chair)
Would you like to call the cops? Do you think it's time I stopped?
(She bolts for the wall and disappears behind it) Why are you running
away!?
-Don't
Leave Me Now-
Pink
falls to the floor and begins picking up pieces of destroyed items in
the room. He eventually drops everything and holds his head in his
hands. His mother appears from behind the wall, he reaches out to
her.
Pink:
Oooo, babe. Don't leave me now. Don't say it's the end of the
road. (Pink crawls toward her, grabbing a pile of flowers that had
been knocked to the ground, he offers them to her) Remember the
flowers I sent? I need you, babe. (He begins mashing the flowers in
his hands) To put through the shredder, in front of my friends oh,
babe! (His mother disappears behind the wall, Mrs. Floyd appears from
the other side) Don't leave me now. (He crawls toward her) How
could you go? When you know how I need you. (He stands straight up
and beats his fist into his hand) To beat to a pulp on a Saturday
night ohhhhhh, babe! (She disappears behind the wall; the groupie
appears from the other side and walks toward him) How could you treat
me this way? (He grabs her by the chin) Running away? I need you,
babe. (She knocks his hand away and runs behind the wall) Why are you
running away?! Ooooo, babe.
Pink
walks into the destroyed mess of his room. He picks up his guitar and
prepares to play. He clenches his fist and shakes with rage. He
screams a terrible shriek and bashes his guitar into the ground,
breaking it into pieces. The final bricks begin to fall.
-Another
Brick in the Wall, Pt. 3-
Pink
throws the destroyed pieces of the guitar to the ground and points to
the audience.
Pink: I
don't need no arms around me! (He kicks a pile of debris on the
floor) I don't need no drugs to calm me! (He turns and faces the
completed wall) I have seen the writing on the wall! Don't think I
need anything at all! (Slowly turns back around) No! Don't think I
need anything at all!
From
behind the wall come his mother, father, the School Master, Mrs.
Floyd, the Record Exec, the Groupie, the two original soldiers, and
the school children. Pink turns to face them with pure hatred.
Pink:
All and all it was all just bricks in the wall. (Pink turns to face
the audience and points to them) All and all you were all just bricks
in the wall.
-Goodbye
Cruel World-
The
people from his life all turn around and go behind the wall once
again. Pink stares at the completed wall. He turns around and sets
his chair back upright, but he doesn't sit down. He just stands
behind it.
Pink:
Goodbye cruel world. I'm leaving you today. Goodbye, goodbye,
goodbye.
Pink
turns and walks toward the wall. He turns around and waves to the
audience.
Pink:
Goodbye all you people. There's nothing you can say to make me
change my mind. (He walks to the very edge of the wall and turns
around once again)
Pink:
Goodbye.
He steps
behind the wall and the lights go out.
End Act
One
-Intermission-
The
lights come back up and the stage is cleared away. The image of the
completed wall remains on the screen. During the intermission the
original album versions of Shine On You Crazy Diamond followed by The
Great Gig in the Sky play.
As the
audience reenters the colors of the wall become inverted, the bricks
are now black with white lines dividing them.
-Hey
You-
The
people from Pink's life, his father and mother, The School Master,
his wife, his band mates, the record executive all come out from
behind the wall and stand on stage, all separate from each other. The
lights go out and leave them all in darkness as the music begins.
Pink, looking the same as he did at the end of act one. He walks to
the front of the wall and sits with his back against it. Young Pink
appears on stage.
Young
Pink: Hey you, out there in the cold getting lonely getting old, can
you feel me? (He approaches Pink) Hey you, standing in the isles with
itchy feet and fading smiles and you feel me? (Young Pink kneels next
to Pink and grabs him by the arm) Hey you, don't help them to bury
the light. Don't give in without a fight.
The
Personification of The Wall spins out from behind the screen and
points at Pink with a smile. Young Pink stands.
The
Wall: Hey you, out there on your own sitting naked by the phone can
you touch me? (The Wall runs to Pink and places his hand on his
chest) Hey you, with your ear against the wall (The Wall grabs Pink's
face and looks him in the eye) waiting for someone to call out would
you touch me? Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone? (The
Wall gestures up to the image of the wall. Speaking very lovingly)
Open your heart, (Looking up at Young Pink) I'm coming home.
Pink
puts his hand on The Wall's shoulder, the Wall helps him stand.
Soldiers now dressed in the same Nazi Storm Trooper uniforms of The
Wall march in and set up Pink's chair, television, and table. The
Wall carries Pink to his chair very carefully and slowly.
Young
Pink: (Stepping away) But it was only fantasy. (Gesturing up to the
wall) The Wall was too high, as you can see. (Gazing at Pink as The
Wall puts him into his chair) No matter how he tried he could not
break free. (Wall Guards grab Young Pink and begin carry him back
behind the wall) And the worms ate into his brain.
The
lights go out except for a single spot in the center of the stage
lighting Pink and The Wall. The Wall makes certain Pink is
comfortable and begins to walk away. Pink grabs The Wall by the arm.
Pink:
Hey you, (a spotlight appears on Young Pink before he vanishes)
standing in the road always doing what your told can you help me?
(Looking out at the audience) Hey you, out there beyond the wall
breaking bottles in the hall can you help me? (Looking up at the
wall) Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all. (Pulling The
Wall down to him) Together we stand, divided we fall.
The Wall
forces himself away and casually walks away behind the wall. The Wall
Guards pull Young Pink behind as well. Pink sits alone on stage in
darkness once again.
-Is
There Anybody Out There?-
Pink
stares blankly at the audience as he did though act one.
Pink: Is
there anybody out there? (Looking to the left) Is there anybody out
there? (To the right) Is there anybody out there? (Slowly turning to
the wall) Is there anybody out there?
-Nobody
Home-
Pink
sits back down in his chair. He looks at the table sitting next to
him and picks up a little black book. He flips through it.
Pink:
I've got a little black book with my poems in. Got a bag, and a
toothbrush, and a comb. When I'm a good dog they sometimes throw me
a boney. (He looks himself over. He holds his feet up in the air)
I've got elastic bands keepin' my shoes on. (He looks at his
hands) I've got those, swollen hand blues. (Looking at the
television) I've got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose
from. (He throws the little black book at the television. Looking up
at the light above him) I've got electric light. (Looking to the
audience) And I've got second sight. I've got amazing powers of
observation. And that is how I know. (Picking up the phone) When I
try to get through on the telephone to you. (He hangs it up before it
reaches his head) There'll be nobody home.
Pink
stands up and walks to the back of his chair.
Pink:
(Running his hands through his hair) I've got the obligatory
Hendrix perm, and I've got pinhole burns. (Running his hands over
the front of his shirt) All down the front of my favorite satin
shirt. (He rips the shirt off and throws it to the floor. He holds
his hands up his face) I've got nicotine stains on my fingers. (He
covers his face) I've got a silver spoon on a chain. (He leans
against the chair) I've got a grand piano to prop up my mortal
remains.
Pink
stands up again and walks to the front of the stage. His eyes are
wide open and crazed.
Pink:
I've got wild staring eyes. (He spreads his arms out) And I've
got a strong urge to fly! (He slowly sits down on the edge of the
stage) But I've got nowhere to fly to. (Looking up to the sky)
Oooh, babe. When I pick up the phone. (He slowly looks back down)
There's still nobody home. (He stands again and sits in his chair)
I got a pair of Gohills boots. And I've got fading roots.
-Vera-
Sounds
of war once again fill the stage as the soldiers run out fighting an
unseen enemy. A plane flies over, followed by an explosion and the
soldiers lay dead in the same way they did in Goodbye Blue Sky.
Pink:
Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn? (Pink's father walks out from
the darkness) Remember how she said that, we would meet again, (a
high pitched squeal sounds and he falls and dies on the same spot as
before) some sunny day? (Pink's mother and Mrs. Floyd walk out from
the darkness and lay down next to Pink's father) Vera! Vera! What
has become of you? Does anybody else in here, feel the way I do?
-Bring
the Boys Back Home-
As the
drum march begins, the fallen soldiers all raise and stand in rows.
Pink's father, mother, and Mrs. Floyd all stand as well. They all
face the audience. Pink stands. The house lights come on.
All:
Bring the boys back home! Bring the boys back home! Don't leave the
children on their own! Bring the boys-
Pink:
Back home!
The
soldiers and Pink's family all leave the stage as Pink slowly sinks
into his chair once again. The waiting tone beeps in the place of the
music.
The
School Master: (From behind the wall) Wrong! Do it again! Wrong! Do
it again! (Repeated)
Groupie:
(From behind the wall) Are you feeling okay? (Repeated)
Operator:
(From behind the wall): And it's a man answering, he keeps hanging
up. (Repeated)
A loud
knocking drowns the other noises.
The
Wall: (From behind the wall) Time to go! (Knocks) Time to go!
(Repeated)
Pink:
(The rest of the noises all stop) Is there anybody out there?
-Comfortably
Numb-
The Wall
appears from behind the screen. He is now wearing a white doctors
coat over his Nazi uniform and carrying a clipboard and a pen. He
walks casually toward Pink.
The
Wall: Hello. Is there anybody in there? (He bends over to look Pink
in the face) Just nod if you can hear me. (The Wall nods at Pink) Is
there anyone at home? (The Wall stands straight upright and holds out
his clipboard) Come on, now. I hear your feeling down. Well I can
ease your pain; get you on your feet again. (The Wall produces a pen
from a coat pocket) Relax. I need some information first. Just the
basic facts, can you show me where it hurts? (The Wall clicks his pen
and begins to write)
Pink:
(Never once looking up at The Wall) There is no pain, you are
receding. A distant ship smoke on the horizon. You are only coming
through in waves. (Glancing up at The Wall) Your lips move, but I
can't hear what you're saying. (Looking around, trapped in
thought) When I was a child I had a fever. (Holding his hands up) My
hands felt just like two balloons. Now I've got that feeling once
again (he drops his hands) I can't explain, you would not
understand, this is not how I am. I have become comfortably numb.
The Wall
clicks his pen and puts it back in his pocket. He moves over to the
table and places a small kit from his pocket on it. He opens it and
pulls a syringe from it.
Pink: I
have become comfortably numb.
The Wall
taps the syringe and walks back to the other side of Pink. He grabs
Pink's arm.
The
Wall: Okay. Just a little pinprick. (He stabs the needle into Pink's
arm) There'll be no more, (He and Pink scream in unison). But you
may feel a little sick. (The Wall pulls out the needle and
haphazardly throws it aside) Can you stand up? (Pink begins to stand)
I do believe it's working, (Right next to Pink's face) good.
That'll keep you going for the show. (Taking off his white coat)
Come on its time to go.
Pink:
There is no pain, you are receding. (Wall Guards move in and begin to
take things off stage) A distant ship smoke on the horizon. (Looking
to The Wall as he walks away) You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying. (Mrs. Floyd
walks out from behind the wall and moves across the stage) When I was
a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I
turned to look, (He moves toward her but his held back by The Wall)
but it was gone. (He reaches out to her as he his pulled back,
extending one finger in desperation to reach her) I cannot put finger
on it now. (Mrs. Floyd walks off stage. Pink stands defeated) The
child is grown. The dream is gone. (The Wall presents Pink with a
shining new guitar) I have become comfortably numb. (The Wall Guards
and The Wall all walk off the stage and behind the wall as the lights
go down to a single spot on Pink as he stands in the middle of the
stage playing the guitar solo. He doesn't move. There is no
passion, no feeling, and no emotion in what he plays. The music
eventually fades out)
-The
Show Must Go On-
Pink
stands alone onstage as the song begins. There is no emotion in his
face as he lifts his hands from the guitar. He looks into his hands
and then blankly into the audience.
Pink:
Must the show go on?
Two wall
guards come in from behind the wall and take the guitar from Pink and
lead him up to the wall.
Pink:
(Delirious, to the wall guards) Take me home. (Echoes. Slowly
regaining feeling and emotion) Take me home!
Pink:
There must be some mistake, I didn't mean to let them take away my
soul, am I too old is it too late? Where has the feeling gone?
(Looking to the Guards holding him back) Will I remember the songs?
Wall
Guards: The show must go on.
The
lights cut out.
-In The
Flesh-
The
lights come back on as Wall Guards come out and begin setting the
stage, a podium is placed in the place of Pink's chair, and three
red flags with the crossed hammer emblem in the center are draped
over the wall. Wall Guards march in and line up in front of the
podium. They stand in two rows leaving a wide space between the two,
making the podium easily visible. The Wall Guards holding back Pink
begin to put the Storm Trooper uniform on him as the lights all go
down. A spotlight follows The Wall make his walk between the Guards,
shaking the hands of some as he goes, to the podium, he's carrying
in his hand a long white cane. He stands behind the podium and gives
a smiling wave to Pink. He turns to the Guards and the audience.
The
Wall: So you, thought you, might like to, go to the show. To feel the
warm thrill of confusion that, space cadet glow. (He leans in on the
podium) I've got some bad news for you, sunshine. (Gesturing to
Pink) Pink, isn't well! He stayed back at the hotel. (The Guards
pull Pink back against the wall) And they sent us along as a
surrogate band. We're gonna find out where you fans really stand!
(He leans in again and scans the audience very carefully) Are there
any queers in the theatre tonight? (Standing back with his arms
spread) Get them up against the wall!
Wall
Guards: Against. The. Wall.
The
Wall: (A spotlight lights up a random point in the audience. The Wall
points to it) There's on in the spotlight, he don't look right to
me! Get him up against the wall.
Wall
Guards: Against. The. Wall.
The
Wall: (A spotlight hits a different point in the audience) And that
one looks Jewish. (A different spotlight hits a different point) And
that one's a coon! (The Wall takes a step back, disgusted) Who let
all of this riff raff into the room? (A spotlight hits a point in the
audience, The Wall is shocked) There's one smoking a joint! (A
spotlight hits a point in the audience, The Wall is confused) And
that one's got spots. (The Wall leans in) If I had my way, I'd
have all of you shot!
A
firework explosion lights the stage as the Wall Guards break into
applause. The Wall walks in front of the podium and waves to them. He
raises his arms and does the crossed hammer salute. The Guards return
it. Pink takes the opportunity to sneak away from the Guards who were
holding him back against the wall.
-Run
Like Hell-
The
Guards salute The Wall as he stands in front of the podium. They
march together to close the gap between them as Pink tries to sneak
away. The Guards all turn to face the audience and raise their hands
in a Nazi salute. They swing their arm to the right, extending it all
the way out, and then extends their left arm out. They then bring
their arms together above their heads in the crossed hammer salute.
They then all turn and point as a spotlight hits Pink as he tries to
sneak away. Pink runs to the other side of the stage as a spotlight
hits him there too. Pink walks back to the middle of them all as the
spotlights meet. The Guards all march apart as The Wall walks down to
meet Pink face to face.
The
Wall: Run! (The Wall Guards join in chanting this at Pink who takes
several steps back and tries to run as Wall Guards step in front of
him every time) You better make your face up with your favorite
disguise! (Wall Guards hold Pink by the shoulders, as The Wall looks
him up and down) With your button down lip and your roller blind
eyes. (The Wall Guards throw Pink to the side, he falls to the
ground) With your empty smile (The Wall gives a fake smile) and your
hungry heart. (The Wall holds his hands over his heart. His face
turns to one of disgust) Feel the bile rising from your guilty past.
(The Wall reaches down for Pink who runs away from him, only to be
grabbed by Wall Guards) With your nerves in tatters and your
cockleshell shatters as the hammers batter down your door, (He raises
the white cane to strike Pink) You'd better run!
Pink
breaks from the guards and tries to run while being blocked off at
every angle by the Guards. The Wall Guards chant "Run" at him.
Pink is grabbed and brought to The Wall.
The
Wall: You'd better run all day and run all night. (He grabs Pink by
the chin and brings his face to his) Keep your dirty feelings deep
inside. (Wall Guards bring out the groupie from behind the wall and
bring her in front of Pink) If you're taking your girlfriend out
tonight, (The Wall grabs the groupie by the hair and pulls her head
back) you better park the car well out of sight. (He throws the
groupie to the ground) Cause if we catch you in the backseat trying
to pick her locks, (he grabs Pink from the Guards and brings him to
his knees) we're gonna send you back to mother in a cardboard box!
You'd better run! (The Wall throws Pink to the floor; as the
groupie is drug back behind the wall, Pink tries to reach for her as
The Wall kicks him to the ground)
Pink no
longer fights back. The Wall Guards pick him up and hold him against
the wall. They force him out of his clothes and begin dressing him in
the Wall Guard Storm Trooper uniform. The Wall laughs and applauds as
this happens. The Guards open up and reveal Pink in full uniform. He
salutes the Guards as they begin chanting "Hammer!"
-Waiting
for the Worms-
Pink:
Eins, zwei, drei, alle!
The Wall
walks over to Pink and drapes his black coat around him. Pink puts
his hand on The Wall's shoulder.
Pink:
You cannot reach me now. (To the audience) No matter how you try.
(Taking several steps forward) Goodbye cruel world, it's over. Walk
on by.
The Wall
steps back to the wall and walks behind it. The Guards line up in
front of Pink on his platform. Pink looks happy.
Pink: (A
single spotlight falls on Pink) Sitting in a bunker. (Turning to the
wall) Here behind my wall. (Looking down to the Guards and the
audience) Waiting for the worms to come. (Pink spreads his hands out.
The stage is lit by red lights that go in and out with the beat and
then returns to the single spot) In perfect isolation. Here behind my
wall. (Looking again to the audience) Waiting for the worms to come.
The Wall
appears from behind the wall and presents Pink with a megaphone as
the red lights pulse on and off. Pink brings it up and speaks. The
lights shift from Pink to the Guards when they speak, white when on
Pink, red when on the wall guards.
Pink:
(Pacing back and forth, through the megaphone) We're waiting to
succeed and we are going to convene outside Brixton town hall where
we'll be,
Wall
Guards: (Looking to the left) Waiting.
Pink: To
cut down the deadwood.
Wall
Guards: (Looking to the right) Waiting.
Pink: To
clean up the city. (Waiting) To follow the worms. (Waiting) To put on
a black shirt. (Waiting) To weed out the weakly. (Waiting) To smash
in their windows and kick in their doors. (Waiting) For the final
solution to strengthen the strain! (Waiting) To follow the worms.
(Waiting) To turn on the showers and fire the ovens. (Waiting)
(Pointing randomly into the audience) For the queens and the coons
and the reds and the Jews! (Waiting) To follow the worms.
Pink
lowers the megaphone and gazes across the audience. The light is a
peaceful blue like in Goodbye Blue Sky.
Pink:
Would you like to see Britannia rule again, my friend? (Pink extends
his hand to the audience) All you need to do is follow the worms!
The
lights return to the menacing red. The Guards are now standing in
rows facing to the right and the left; they are holding overly large
red and black hammers. They pound them to the ground in time to the
music. They stop suddenly as Pink addresses the audience under the
blue light.
Pink:
Would you like to send our colored cousins home again, my friend?
(Pink extends his hand to the audience) All you need to do is follow
the worms! (The flags fall down from the wall)
The
Guards begin pounding with their hammers chanting, "Hammer" as
The Wall appears and takes Pink's megaphone from him. The Wall
shouts orders to the Guards though it as Pink takes several steps
back, his hand on his head. He turns around to face the wall.
Suddenly footage of giant Marching Hammers appears on it. Pink takes
several steps back in shock, watching the Guards hammer away in
horror.
The
Wall: (To Pink) So you, thought you, might like to, go to the show?
(Continues "In the Flesh?")
Pink
turns around, as his father appears behind him in his tattered and
bloody uniform. He begins to sing "The Thin Ice". The School
Master grabs Pink by his coat and throws him back as he shouts, "If
you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!" Pink's
mother puts her arms around him singing, "Hush now baby, baby don't
you cry". Soldiers appear on stage singing "Goodbye Blue Sky".
The Record Exec appears singing "Have a Cigar". The waiting tone
plays loudly as the Operator states that "It's a man answering"
and repeating the phone conversation. The groupie appears and
threateningly asks him if he's feeling okay. The Wall comes up next
to Pink and begins shouting "Time to Go!" repeatedly. The Hammers
continue to March as the Guards continue to chant "Hammer!" Pink
falls to his knees as all of the show falls down around him.
-Stop-
Pink:
STOP!
The
lights go out except for a single spot on Pink sitting in the middle
of the stage. The Wall, his mother, Mrs. Floyd, and The School Master
all leave the stage. The rest of the characters fall to the ground
and lay there in darkness as only one light shines on Pink.
Pink: I
wanna go home. (Taking off his Nazi outfit) Take off this uniform and
leave the show. (Pink crawls to put his back against the wall) I'm
waiting in this cell because I have to know. Have I been guilty all
this time?
The
color of the wall turns it's natural white.
-The
Trial-
The
people lying on the ground get back up and line themselves up in
front of the stage and sit down, making the jury. The Wall steps on
stage and stands in the center. He takes a large bow.
The
Wall: Good morning, Worm your honor. The crown will plainly show the
prisoner who now stands before you (quickly moves up next to Pink)
was caught red-handed showing feelings. (The Wall looks disgusted)
Showing feelings of an almost human nature. (He shakes his finger at
Pink who sits motionless) This will not do. Call the School Master!
(The Wall walks off to the side)
The
School Master: (Running in from behind the wall) I always said he'd
come to no good in the end your honor! (Shaking his cane at Pink and
advancing menacingly toward him) If they let me have my way I would
have (wringing his hands on his cane) flayed him into shape! (Quickly
turning on his heel and appearing disinterested) But my hands were
tied. The bleeding hearts and artists let him get away with murder!
(Raising his cane to strike Pink) Let me hammer him today! (The Wall
grabs his cane before he can strike and pulls The School Master to
the side. The Lights fade except a pink spotlight on Pink)
Pink:
Crazy. Toys in the attic I am crazy. Truly gone fishing. (On the wall
plays an animation of a leaf falling in the wind that slowly turns
into a man. I then turns back into a leaf and blows away) They must
have taken my marbles away!
Jury:
Crazy, toys in the attic he is crazy!
Mrs.
Floyd: (Running in from behind the wall) You little shit you're in
it now, I hope they throw away the key. (Running to Pink and grabbing
him up by the arm) You should have talked to me more often than you
did, (throwing Pink to the ground) but no! (Grabbing Pink up by his
collar) You had to go your own way, have you broken any homes up
lately? (To the jury) Just five minutes, worm your honor. Him, me,
alone. (The Wall grabs Mrs. Floyd and pulls her to the side)
Mother:
(Coming in from behind the wall) Babe! (She picks Pink up in her
arms) Come to Mother, baby, let me hold you in my arms! (She holds
Pink in a similar fashion as Mary holds Jesus in the statue Pieta by
Michelangelo; she rocks him back and forth) M'lud I never wanted
him to get in any trouble (she brings Pink up and hugs him tightly),
why'd he ever have to leave
me?
Worm, your honor, let me take him home! (The Wall separates Pink from
his mother and pulls her to the side. The pink spotlight again
illuminates Pink)
Pink:
Crazy. Over the rainbow I am crazy. Bars in the window. (Animation of
a man flying through the sky plays on the wall). There must have been
a door there in the wall. When I came in! (The man breaks through the
sky revealing the wall once again).
Jury:
Crazy! Over the rainbow he is crazy!
The
lights go out as a red light follows Young Pink dressed in Jurors
robes and a curled powdered wig. He carries one of the large red and
black hammers as a walking cane.
Judge:
(To the jury and the witnesses) The evidence before the court is
incontrovertible, there's no need for the jury to retire! (The jury
begins to talk amongst themselves. The Judge marches to Pink who sits
against the wall) In all my years of judging, I have never heard
before of someone more deserving of the full penalty of law! (The
Wall brings forward Pink's mother and Mrs. Floyd) The way you made
them suffer, you're exquisite wife and mother, fills me with the
urge to defecate! (His mother and Mrs. Floyd try to grab Pink, The
Wall holds them back shouting "Shit on him judge!" The judge
holds his hand up to them) Since! (Back to Pink) My friend, you have
revealed your deepest fear! (He picks Pink up and puts him on his
feet) I sentence you to be exposed before your peers! (He turns to
the jury and audience) TEAR DOWN THE WALL!!
All:
TEAR DOWN THE WALL! TEAR DOWN THE WALL! (Repeated)
The jury
and the witnesses grab their hammers and march up to the wall. The
lights go on and off in time to the chanting. The crowd reaches the
wall and pull back to strike it. When they strike the lights go out
and the image of the wall explodes and falls to rubble in slow
motion.
-Outside
the Wall-
A very
soft yellow light, like a sunrise, fills the stage as fog rolls in
from the debris of the wall. Young Pink throws his hammer down and
removes his wig and robes. His mother, father, and wife all stand and
go into his arms. He turns and addresses the audience.
Young
Pink: All alone, or in twos, the ones who really love you walk up and
down outside the wall. (He turns to Pink and extends his hand to him)
Some hand in hand, (Pink takes his hand) and some gather together in
bands. (Pink stands and joins the rest in a row) The bleeding hearts,
and the artists make their stand. (The rest of the jury stand in rows
behind Pink and his family) And when they've given you their all,
some stagger, and fall. After all it's not easy. Beating your heart
against some mad buggers wall.
Pink and
his family bow to the audience and leave the stage. The rest of the
cast steps forward row-by-row, bow, and leave. The house lights come
on.
-Outro-
As the
audience leaves, the original recording of the song Wish You Were
Here plays.
