Author's Notes: For a while now I've had an idea for a sequel (about two days after writing 'Your Song') and I finally decided to make it real. I might be killing it, but I just can't resist anymore. I hope I don't disappoint for all the people who supported 'Your Song' so wholeheartedly. Thank you, all of you. Please enjoy this.
Disclaimer: As you can probably tell – I don't own Gravitation. I also don't own any of the songs in this self-acclaimed "musical". I'm using actual songs that I thought would fit nicely. Assume that they were written for this musical's purpose. I take small amounts of liberty with the words at times – and even if the song is originally sung by a girl, just imagine it an octave lower. ; Don't sue…? Please? Song list at the end of each "scene."
Important Note: This is a sequel to 'Your Song'. If you have not read it, then I suggest you do. If you don't want to (and for those of you who need a quick refresher course) here is a quick synopsis of what happened in the previous story:
SHINDOU SHUICHI is the lead signer and lyricist to his band Bad Luck. Because his lyrics always seem to be overdue his boss, SEGUCHI TOHMA, hires a novelist to write lyrics for the band. The writer is YUKI EIRI. SHUICHI hates the fact that someone else will be writing his lyrics for him and proposes a deal: whoever writes the best song by SEGUCHI's deadline will be the victor. If SHUICHI wins, then EIRI is fired. If EIRI wins, then SHUICHI becomes his slave. The two wind up falling in love and writing the same song in the end. The outcome of the winner winds up being EIRI however, which SHUICHI doesn't seem to mind about anymore.
This play is based a mere week after the contest.
YOUR TANGO
The Second Gravitation Musical
ACT I
SCENE I
The grand curtain is merely a black screen that will be raised during the first blackout and will not fall again until the closing of ACT I and the end of the play. On the screen is printed in curvy letters "YOUR TANGO". Underneath it, in bolder letters, it states "The Second Gravitation Musical".
As the house lights go down the letters on the screen burn a fiery orange/red. Everything is pitch black except for the letters, which hang mid air.
Suddenly, two red spotlights turn on, one on stage left, and the other on stage right. On stage right stands SHINDOU SHUICHI. On stage left stands YUKI EIRI.
EIRI
(softly – to SHUICHI) On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
SHUICHI
(serenely) Will he offer me his mouth?
EIRI
Yes…
SHUICHI
Will he offer me his teeth?
EIRI
(hissing) Yes…
SHUICHI
Will he offer me his jaws?
EIRI
(a bit stronger) Yes.
SHUICHI
Will he offer me his hunger?
EIRI
(stronger) Yes.
SHUICHI
(testing) Again – will he offer me his hunger?
EIRI
(angrily) Yes.
SHUICHI
(still gentle) And will he starve without me?
EIRI
(impatient still) Yes.
SHUICHI
(smiling softly) And does he love me?
EIRI
(pauses – then, hushed) Yes…
SHUICHI
(repeating the answer with content) Yes…
EIRI
(more tender than the first time) On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
SHUICHI
(sighing dreamily) Yes…
EIRI
(scoffing) I bet you say that to all the boys. (throws a red rose in the direction of SHUICHI)
The spotlights suddenly go out, as well as the words on the screen.
The screen rises.
SET – EIRI's apartment, far stage left. One large back wall with an entrance center. The side wall on stage right tapers out, as well does the stage left wall. However, the stage left wall does not meet to the back wall to give and illusion as though there is a hallway leading off into the bedroom and bathroom. The room is scarcely decorated. There are light off-white walls. There is a black leather sectional sofa against the stage right area of the back wall. In front of it is a coffee table with a few random thing scattered about it – beer cans, an ash tray, a pen, some magazine, ect. The stage left wall consists of a kitchen-esque layout with the refrigerator far down stage at the tip of the set.
EIRI is leaning against the fridge, about to light a cigarette. SHUICHI is sitting on the couch, reading a piece of paper and tapping on his one knee.
The orchestra had begun to play the second the lights began to dim up. It is a strong beat.
SHUICHI
(singing from the words off the paper – rather awkwardly)
I never thought that you'd find out I did
I was so scared that you'd leave so I hid it
(stumbling over the words)
I know we said that we'd always be honest
So now I went out and messed up our nest
(getting a bit more comfortable)
It finally seems like we've turned into strangers
It's gotten so bad there's just no more anger
So now it seems like we can't get no further
I can't believe I'll be back for another
(tapping his pencil on the paper and really feeling the beat now)
I'll be the switch she turns on
She'll be mine till I get off
(grinning and singing much better)
I'll be the fuse that she blows
And even with the lights out we'll glow
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
(looks to EIRI, grinning and still smiling – EIRI ignores him and smokes his cigarette)
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
(goes back to the music)
So where's the sun… (mumbling the words)
Under the moon… (still not quite getting it)
And even Edison has no idea
(back on track now)
Of all the blackouts I've cause you and me-ah
(acting goofy and enjoying the music)
I'll be the switch she turns on
She'll be mine till I get off
(gets up from the couch and bobs over to EIRI, swinging around the paper and pen)
I'll be the fuse that she blows
(starting to mumble because he's forgetting the words)
And even with the lights out –
(stops – the orchestra cuts off – giggles)
It's really good, Yuki!! (kisses him on the cheek) But there are a few extra syllables in two of the lines…
EIRI
(gruffly) Excuse me. I wasn't aware of the tune when writing them. (sour) Please, forgive me.
SHUICHI
(blinks – catches the bad mood) Oh, uh, no! It's ok! I'm not saying it's your fault! You didn't know!! I just wanted to let you know I'm gonna change it around a bit!
EIRI
Whatever. (smokes his cigarette angrily)
SHUICHI
Eh… Um… No, that's right – this is your song. You should be the one to fix it! (hands the paper EIRI – eager to rid his lover of his bad mood)
EIRI
(brushes by SHUICHI harshly, pushing the boy out of the way – trudges to the sofa and sits) Like I give a damn.
SHUICHI
(perplexed) Yuki…? Did… I do something wrong? Why are you so mad at me?
EIRI
(realizing his brusque matter – sighs and puts out the cigarette) I've got a headache.
SHUICHI
Oh! (scurries over to EIRI) Is there anything I can do for you? I mean, I am your slave, after all! (laughs)
EIRI
(out of character defeatist attitude) I don't care…
SHUICHI
Awww, you must really not feel well, sweetie! (kisses EIRI's temple) I'll take care of you, don't worry!
EIRI
(snapping) I don't WANT you to take care of me!! Christ – can't you just see I want to be left alone?!
SHUICHI
(taken aback – silent for a moment) Al-alright… (trying to recover) Why don't you go inside and take a nap?
EIRI
(quietly) Leave.
SHUICHI
(not catching what was said) What?
EIRI
(painstakingly, but louder) I said leave.
SHUICHI
(frozen) Wh—
EIRI
God, can't you take a hint?! (stands abruptly) I just want to be alone!! Can you grasp that?! ALONE!!
SHUICHI
(speechless from the sudden outburst)
EIRI
(at a loss for words)
(Both stand there for a moment, staring at one another, equally shocked. EIRI wants to apologize, but can't seem to swallow his pride down far enough to do it. SHUICHI is hurt, but tries to keep a calm demeanor)
EIRI
(walking to the "hall" – somber) I'm gonna go take a nap…
SHUICHI
(left alone – the orchestra begins a haunting melody) Oh, God… How could this happen?! (forlorn) I thought things were going well between us…? Things were going well between us! We were happy!! He warmed up to me!! But… but then… It's doesn't make any sense… How could he just change like that?! How could he just snap?! I didn't do anything!
I don't understand
You look just like the man
In the picture
By our bed
(disbelief)
The suspense is pounding and clouding up my head
I'm checking your clothes
And you wear the same size shoes
(desperate)
You sleep in his spot
And you're driving his car
But I don't know just who you are
(shaking his head)
There's a stranger in my house
Took a while to figure out
There's no way you can be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else
(quiet)
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do
(bitter)
He wouldn't adore me, but he wouldn't ignore me
So, I'm convinced
There's a stranger in my house
(standing and crossing to the kitchen)
Pop quiz
Tell me where we first kissed
(smiling sadly)
Tell me where my spot is
Tell me if I like it, love it
(realization dawning)
Or could it be
That the stranger is me?
(desperately)
Have I changed so drastically?
Is it I want more for me?
And you've remained the same!!
(keening)
It took a while to figure out
(in denial)
You can't be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else!
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do!
(passionately)
He wouldn't adore me, but he wouldn't ignore me!
So, I'm convinced—
(cuts himself off, but the orchestra keeps going – weary)
God… Please let this fix itself… I love him too much to just walk away…
EIRI
(re-enters wearily) Hey.
SHUICHI
(stiffens and spins to face him more) Y-yes?
EIRI
You're my slave, right?
SHUICHI
(nodding quickly) Yes!
EIRI
Then come inside… (gesturing down the "hall")
SHUICHI
B-but you said—
EIRI
(quietly but firm) Shut up.
SHUICHI
(grins widely - relieved) Ok! (bounds over to EIRI and kisses him on the cheek – goes down the "hall")
EIRI
(smiles out to the audience, but looks as though he's in pain – he reflects for a moment)
SHUICHI
(offstage) Yuuuuuuki!
EIRI
(sighs) Coming… (walks off)
Blackout
END SCENE I
Author's Notes: OK – I know the plot isn't exactly apparent yet, but it will be soon! I promise!! ;; Just give it a chance, ok?
Song List:
You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth – Meatloaf (from the beginning segment about the wolf and the red roses)
Glow – Alien Ant Farm
Stranger in my House - Tamia