They end up at a very fancy restaurant. Ambient classical music. A snooty waiter greets them.
WAITER
Good evening. Do you have a reservation?
INFINITE
Uh, no...not like that should matter, seeing as there's plenty of room.
WAITER
Yes, sir, there is—but we don't seat patrons without a reservation.
INFINITE
Yeah, well, next time I'll have my secretary call ahead. What's for dinner?
WAITER
I'm afraid, without a reservation, it's just not possible.
INFINITE
I'm a Mobian Mercenary. Good enough to protect you but I ain't good enough to eat your chow, that it?
WAITER
I'm going to have to ask you to lower your voice.
INFINITE
loud
Not a freakin' chance.
BIG
pulls Infinite aside
Finny, what are you doing?
Big goes to the waiter.
I'm real sorry about that, sir—and you don't have to make any exceptions for us—it's just—you see, it's our wedding night.
he acknowledges his non-wedding attire.
I know, look at me. But we—well, we don't have money for a dress you only wear once.
Infinite watches him in action
And it's my fault, you know, 'cause I wanted this night to be just perfect. A beautiful meal like the kind you make here. The two of us.
he touches his belly and try's to make his voice more feminine.
The three of us.
he starts to "cry."
Oh, there I go again—I promised myself, no tears tonight. I'm sorry.
he cries on Infinite's shoulder. He awkwardly comforts her. Stiff
WAITER
gives in
Let me see if I can't find you a table somewhere.
BIG
to Infinite, proudly
See? No black eyes or nothing.
waiter walks them to an empty table. Big looks around the restaurant.
It's so nice.
WAITER
Here we are.
BIG
I've never been here before.
WAITER
forced smile
Is that so?
Waiter Pulls Out A Chair For Big. Infinite Pulls Out The Other Chair, Offers It To Big. He Accepts Infinite's offer.
INFINITE
loudly, laying it on thick
Here, this is for you. A buck.
WAITER
That won't be necessary.
INFINITE
You're worth a buck—now, isn't he, Big? You've been so kind—you earned it.
Infinite stuffs the bill into waiter's jacket pocket.
WAITER
Thank you.
waiter flees. Infinite takes his seat. He picks up the menu, triumphant. Big is not pleased.
BIG
You really showed him, huh.
INFINITE
Wait 'til I'm through with that jerk: he won't know whether to run or go blind.
BIG
drops his menu, giving up
Okay, Finny, if you're gonna spend the rest of the night trying to make that man miserable, I'm going home.
INFINITE
We came here to have a nice dinner. I'd like a little respect from the man, that's all.
BIG
We'll have a nicer dinner if you just leave him be. What's the point of spending all your time and energy trying to get even with everybody?
INFINITE
Because it feels great! It feels freakin' great. Especially when there's an jerkface getting in my—
BIG
And what's the point of every word out of your mouth being a curse word? I asked you a hundred times. You sound awful. How would you like it if I talked that way?
INFINITE
Wouldn't bother me.
waiter reappears, approaches the table
WAITER
cautiously
So? May I get you anything to—
BIG
as gruffly as he can manage
Yes, goddammit, you can. I'll have the fucking poached salmon, with the son-of-a- bitching rice, and some dirty bastard salad with a shitload of Roquefort dressing. Who knows what this asshole wants.
waiter is stunned. Turns to Infinite.
INFINITE
I'll just take a freakin' beer.
WAITER
Yes, sir. Coming right up.
Waiter Escapes As Fast As He Can. Infinite And Big Can't Help But Laugh. After The Laughter Subsides, Big seems concerned.
BIG
That's all you're gonna have? A beer? But you must be starving.
INFINITE
bravado
Me? No way. I hadda cheeseburger last week.
An awkward moment. he eyes him suspiciously.
Whatchu looking at?
BIG
Nothing. I was just wondering what you'd look like with a real head of hair.
INFINITE
Well, not much better, that's for sure. We got a saying: "Shot at 'n' missed. looked at 'n' hit." That's me.
BIG
'Specially with your eye all swollen.
INFINITE
And it hurt too. You got a boxer for a dad? There's guys in the corps can't take a swing like that.
BIG
I didn't mean what I said before, back at the party. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I was just mad. What you did made me real mad.
INFINITE
I know.
BIG
You deserved it.
Beat. It felt good to say that to him.
And my dad wasn't a boxer, at least I don't think. I don't know much about him. They abandoned me.
INFINITE
You know anything about them?
BIG
I don't think so. I mean, if I do, I don't remember I was alone till Frogor found me and took me in I never even met my actual parents.
Beat. Infinite Pulls The Medal Of Honor From His Pocket, Hands It To Big.
INFINITE
It's not the same thing, but…you can hold onto it.
BIG
What? Finny, no—
INFINITE
Keep it.
BIG
It's important to you—it's your father's.
INFINITE
It's nothing to me, okay? Only worth what I paid for it at that pawnshop back in Mazuri. No one's giving my dad a prize for anything, Big.
Infinite points at the scar across his eye
see this? This was the only thing of value he ever have me.
BIG
I'm sorry.
INFINITE
I'm not. Only one looking out for you is you. At least I know it.
Beat.
Keep the medal. Or leave it for a tip. I don't want it.
Waiter Delivers Big's Meal And Infinite's beer.
WAITER
Here you are: poached salmon and rice pilaf.
BIG
Oh, that's beautiful, thank you.
WAITER
And a beer.
BIG
Look at it, Finny. Looks too good to eat.
INFINITE
That looks good, real good.
WAITER
backing away quickly
Thank you.
BIG
grabs knife and fork, digs in
This is—mmm.
As he takes the first few bites, Infinite Watches Him—Watches His Food. Big notices.
See, you are hungry!
INFINITE
No sir, honest.
BIG
I work in a diner. I know a hungry look when I see one. Why didn't you order something?
INFINITE
considers him, then
Because I couldn't pay for it.
Big is aghast.
Don't worry, I can pay for yours. And this.
The beer.
But that's all 'til payday.
Big considers him. Then he slides half his food onto the empty plate in front of Infinite.
Hey—what's that for? Hey…
he persists.
Thanks.
Big smiles. He smiles.
BIG
first date
INFINITE
last night
BOTH
not quite what you pictured but alright
BIG
sorta strange
INFINITE
kinda bizarre
BOTH
but not a big disaster so far
and we go
bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum
bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum
Dingo's Tattoo, A Sleazy Tattoo Parlor. Dingo Smokes A Cigarette, Hard At Work On Deux's Arm. Cardinal Stands At The Window, Watches The Street, Ansty.
They Haven't Seen Infinite in hours
CARDINAL
Almost a full hour late, the bum. Maybe he can't find it or something.
DEUX
about his tattoo in progress
Lookin' good over here.
Cardinal approaches, check it out.
CARDINAL
It sure is, how about that. And it doesn't hurt too much, does it?
DEUX
Nothin' I can't handle.
CARDINAL
'Cause that's a ticklish place. I was thinking it might be too tender. But it's beautiful, just beautiful. That's the handiwork of a real professional, you can tell. I mean, you are a professional, right? You got a license for this sorta thing?
DEUX
Would you give it a rest, come on! After what you done tonight, you oughtta be all calmed down. You're still revved up as ever.
Deux's tattoo is now complete.
DINGO
There ya go.
DEUX
admiring the tattoo
Well, I'll be: Ralphie Deux, new and improved.
DINGO
You're up. Same thing on him, yeah? Aleph null?
DEUX
Heck yeah.
CARDINAL
Did you sterilize that thing—
DINGO
Park it.
CARDINAL
sits
Yes, sir.
DEUX
One more too. If he shows.
CARDINAL
He'll be here. He said he's gonna and he wouldn't lllll…
Dingo Gets To Work. Cardinal can't take the pain.
…llllucky freakin' strike! Sonofamother! You gotta do it so hard?
Cardinal Leaps Out Of The Chair, Away From Dingo. Deux Doesn't Have Any More Patience For Cardinal's antics.
DEUX
You a Mercinary or a little girl or what?
CARDINAL
Hey, I'm cool, I just—I oughtta save the best for last, you know, let Infinite take his turn first.
DEUX
certain
Our friend Infinite ain't comin'.
CARDINAL
Don't say that. Why would you say that?
DEUX
'Cause I ain't blind. We're supposed to have each other's backs. We gotta count on each other. The guy does he think he's doing, running out on us? Now don't you go soft on me too. You can't take a flippin' tattoo, what the heck you gonna do when you got something real to be scared of? Get your but over there. Now.
Cardinal Sits, Offers His Arm To Dingo. Dingo Resumes Work. A Silence.
Cardinal breaks it.
CARDINAL
Hey, Deux? What is it we're supposed to be scared of?
DEUX
Huh?
CARDINAL
You said. Something real?
Beat.
You mean over there?
DEUX
Yeah, guess I do.
Cardinal, Perhaps Without Even Realizing It, Begins To Pep Talk Deux.
CARDINAL
It's not such a big deal.
DEUX
'Course not.
CARDINAL
I mean, it's what we trained for, right? They gave us the gun and they taught us how to use it. If they forgot something…well, we'll learn it. You help me and I'll help you, you know? The jackal squad. For forever.
Cardinal Sings Softly, Occasionally Wincing From The Pain Of Dingo's Work, But Always Intent On Supporting Deux.
a hero don't get soft a hero don't retreat
he's gonna get his way
'cause he won't accept defeat
Dingo Finishes Cardinal's Tattoo. Cardinal And Deux compare their new numbers. Proud, forever bonded.
CARDINAL & DEUX
guys like me and you
we're heroes through and through semper fi
do or die
you're a goddamn hero you're a goddamn hero
Lights fade on the tattoo parlor as music transitions us to…
Mystic Ruins. Infinite And Big Take In The Sight. Infinite is overwhelmed.
INFINITE
Wow. Oh man.
BIG
You can see the Pacific on that side. And here's the Bay.
INFINITE
And the whole city, jeez.
Infinite has started to climb.
BIG
Careful, Finny, what are you doing?
INFINITE
shouts
Wake up, Station square!
BIG
Get down from there.
INFINITE
Come on up.
BIG
No way, are you crazy? It's dangerous.
INFINITE
Not if you know what you're doing. It's nothing.
offers his hand
Come here.
he considers, then takes his hand. Infinite pulls him up. he is scared.
BIG
Oh my gosh. Finny—
INFINITE
I got you.
He holds him tight.
BIG
Don't look down.
INFINITE
I got you.
he takes in the sight. They observe together.
BIG
I've never seen it so clear. It's usually pretty foggy.
INFINITE
the view
That's something, huh.
BIG
I thought you'd like it.
Beat. They are physically closer than they've been so far—and they're both aware of it.
Then, Infinite sees something.
INFINITE
Whoa, look at that beauty. Come tomorrow morning, that could be my ship.
BIG
So it is tomorrow, mystic jungle?
INFINITE
First thing, yeah.
BIG
I thought it might be.
Pause. Then Big Starts To Climb Down. Infinite follows.
INFINITE
Hey, where are you going?
BIG
Finny, why didn't you tell me you're leaving so soon?
INFINITE
I dunno... I guess, I didn't think it was gonna matter.
BIG
Of course it matters. You knew you were leaving—why'd you come back and invite me to dinner?
INFINITE
I dunno...I wanted to see you. I felt bad, okay. I don't know what you want me to say.
BIG
I don't understand you.
INFINITE
I guess I screwed this up too.
Beat.
Why'd you come with me, Big?
BIG
Why?
INFINITE
Yeah—dinner. Why'd you say yes?
BIG
'Cause if I didn't, I'd just be what you thought I was. A lonely, pathetic, ugly fat cat. That's all I'd be.
[BIG]
An awkward boy with his pipa
Keepin' to himself
Friday nights alone
With the records on his shelf
A waiter pourin' ginger ale and Coke
Someone you ask out
As a joke
I've been that boy who fades away
Accepting what I've got
Stuck in what I am
And everything I'm not
I've only seen this tiny world I'm in
Where I can only be what I've been
See a world
Beautiful and strange
Spinnin' off somewhere
Sayin' "Meet me there"
Look, look
How fast it runs away
Singin' "Follow close
And reach for me
See that you've got so much more to be"
Before it's over
Before it's over
I can't go write another song
I'm too afraid to play
Or dream how things could change
But only see what's in my way
I can't go back to what I was before
Now that I can see so much more
See a world
Beautiful and strange
On a one-way track
And it won't come back
Look, look
How fast it runs away
Singin' "Follow close
And reach for me
See that you've got so much more to be"
Before it's over
I never even knew a world was waiting
Somehow, something awful made that world appear
Maybe this sounds crazy
But I'm happy that it happened
Happy that I came
Happy that I'm here
I can
See a world
Beautiful and strange
Can you see it too?
It's so close
Don't let it get away
There's so much to do
Before it's over
Before it's over