Act Two – Putting Things Right

Scene One: “Stone-Cold Psychology”

(The curtain rises on the cafeteria of the Supreme Court. There is a lunch line where the Progressive Justices stand and are being served by the Supreme Lunch Ladies. The Retrogressive Justices are already sitting at the 'cool kid' table. Here they stand and sit backwards on chairs, with unzipped robes, unlit cigarettes behind ears, and busy themselves by heckling the Progressives. The 'nerds' struggle with their Supreme lunch trays and the one or two law books they have each brought to read during the lunch break. They sit at a table opposite the others, and try to ignore the 'legal jocks' and their antics with open books and eye rolls. As Supreme Lunch Ladies finish their chorus, the 'cool kids' pummel the 'nerds' with food)

 

No. 9 – Chorus of Supreme Lunch Ladies with Paula Solo

 

SUPREME COURT LUNCH LADIES:

Supreme Lunch Ladies are we,

Mad to be at school again;

Survey the sad scene we see –

Kids turfing out their terrain.

 

The Retrogressives act the cool one

Who bully the nerds Progressive;

The Reprobates say it's just for fun,

But their motives are transgressive.

 

[Solo]

PAULA:

Division itself

Is a pity,

And it's 'know thyself'

That perfidy.

 

I too long was on their side,

(gestures to the 'cool kids' table)

Keeping myself aloof

When from me I tried to hide,

Acting like a goof.

 

SUPREME COURT LUNCH LADIES:

She too long was on their side,

Keeping her self aloof

When from her she tried to hide,

Acting like a goof.

 

PAULA:

It's 'come together'

As a new song

We should sing whether

Softly or strong.

 

SUPREME COURT LUNCH LADIES:

By our Supreme hair netting,

We know it will soon begin –

The cool kids will start tossing

Those potato rolls again!

 

(Near the end of the number, Selvin arrives with the Reality TV Couples, and puts them in the lunch line. As he turns to look for Jacky, Malcontent takes him aside. Her Posse backs her up. Brink and Jacky eavesdrop. Exit Paula)

 

[Dialogue]

MALCONTENT:

(adjusting Selvin's tie)

Lookin' fine Selvin, but I'd be careful.

 

SELVIN:

Careful? Of what..?

 

MALCONTENT:

You and I have the same bosses. This thing is all privately-funded, so do your job.

 

SELVIN:

(annoyed)

And what 'job' is that?

 

MALCONTENT:

The Show! This, sham, marriage-a-palooza-looser. Look, you and I both know 'traditional' marriage has worn through so that its veneer is all that's left. Polish it up! Straight marriages statically end in divorce, or forced misery, so it's all about the party at the beginning!

 

SELVIN:

Look, I really have to…

 

MALCONTENT:

Hold it buddy. Your couples don't look 'traditional' enough. Where are their veils; their boutonnières?

 

JACKY:

(aside)

What a bitch.

 

BRINK:

(aside)

I know. She's hot.

 

(Jacky gives Brink a double-take)

 

MALCONTENT:

It's terrible how rumors get started. My advice to you: stay in the cupboard. If all your type suddenly flipped the light switch on, the 'gay agenda' myth would scurry under the bed like a cockroach – you people would be all around us – and that's the last thing traditional values could marginalize.

 

 

No. 10 – Trio for Malcontent and her Posse with Arietta Solo

 

[Verse One]

MALCONTENT:

We wouldn't want a little blip,

A bit of blogosphere mix-up

That may be nothing but a slip,

Revealing exactly what's up.

But oh, it could ruin a career,

To have it whispered someone's queer.

 

MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

But oh, it could ruin a career,

To have it whispered someone's queer.

 

[Verse Two]

MALCONTENT:

If you think real life sucks, just wait –

Virtual reality

Is a shark with some bloody bait,

And stone-cold psychology.

A 'gay' on TV – what the Hell?

But they'd say they could always tell.

 

MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

A 'gay' on TV – what the Hell?

But they'd say they could always tell.

 

[Arietta]

MALCONTENT:

Terrible how these rumors start,

And once launched they just never quit –

An actress, who once played a part,

Had to say it was all legit

As she smooched a girl with a kiss,

But the crits went on to say,

From morning till night without dissent,

They never saw anything so 'Gay.'

Terrible how these rumors start,

And once launched they just never quit!

 

[Verse Three]

MALCONTENT:

Awful how these things slip out,

A whisper campaign's a bitch,

Just ask any ousted Boy Scout,

And they'll tell you which is which –

Oh be careful, and be on guard,

Lest you go down like a diehard.

 

MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

Oh be careful, and be on guard,

Lest you go down like a diehard.

 

[Verse Four]

MALCONTENT:

See, the internet's calling card

Is stock and trade in misuse,

And you don’t want a disregard

To strangle-slip like a noose,

But advice is freely given –

Do your job, and all's forgiven.

 

MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

But advice is freely given –

Do your job, and all's forgiven.

 

MALCONTENT:

But oh, it could ruin a career –

A 'gay' on TV – what the Hell?

To have it whispered someone's queer,

But they'd say they could always tell!

 

MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

Oh be careful, and be on guard,

But advice us freely given –

Lest you go down like a diehard,

Do your job, and all's forgiven!

(together from: "But oh, it could ruin…" etc)

 

MALCONTENT and MALCONTENT'S POSSE:

Do your job, and all's forgiven!

 

(Exit Malcontent and Posse. They bump momentarily into Sassy as she enters, and meanders up to Selvin)

 

[Dialogue]

(Brink and Jacky aside; Brink pulls out his cell phone)

 

JACKY:

We can't let homophobia win.

 

BRINK:

Don't worry. I'll call in some favors, and we'll see how deep the dirt goes on our hottie – Little Mizz Malcontent.

 

(They exit still conferring. Selvin turns to go after Jacky, but Sassy steps in front of him. He bristles and sighs)

 

SASSY:

Hello, Selvin…

(under her breath; with a cough)

…bitch!

 

SELVIN:

Not here. Hate me all you want, but this day is hard enough.

 

SASSY:

You know why I hate you?

(looks around)

You broke Jacky's heart, and the twisted thing is, I know you love him as much he loves you. So don’t talk to me about 'today.' Today is the day you can put things right.

 

SELVIN:

I didn't mean to break his heart, it's just…just…

 

SASSY:

(rolls her eyes; becomes coldly tender as she touches his forearm)

If it matters to you, I will forgive you – and apologize in public – And, Jacky will forgive you too, if you do the right thing today. Right for history; right for the man who loves you.

 

(as Sassy exits, the lights dim and a scrim begins to fall behind Selvin)

 

 

No. 11 – Scena of Ballad and Dance Duet for Selvin and Jacky

 

[Ballad]

SELVIN:

Our hidden history,

When it bears on other lives,

Is no ones property,

And beyond the grave survives.

 

All the burned love letters,

The buried secrets too;

All burdened love matters,

Of the famous who's who –

 

None of them are private

When even one revealed

Would rock every secret

And a better world yield.

(recap: "Our hidden history…" etc)

 

(enter Jacky, who approaches Selvin, then looks worried and pauses)

 

[Duet – Part One – Hesitation]

JACKY:

Selvin, I'm sorry to disturb…

 

(He turns to go. Selvin runs up to him; stops him by stepping in front of him)

 

SELVIN:

Jacky, you could never perturb…

 

In fact, you were just in my heart,

As you are always on my mind.

 

(reaches out to take Jacky's upper arm; Jacky turns his back)

 

JACKY:

Why torture me right from the start,

When you won’t leave your fear behind?

 

(Selvin slowly hugs Jacky from behind)

 

SELVIN:

Sometimes it takes a miracle

To turn and heal the blind –

Others a shouted oracle

Through the darkness to find…

 

JACKY:

Something's gotten through your thick skull?

Could your feelings be mine?

(a due at recapitulation from: "Others a shouted…" etc)

 

[Duet – Part Two – Dancing]

SELVIN:

(they begin to circle each other and dance)

Softly steals in my love for you:

It moves my legs as my words –

Calmly it tells me what to do,

To keep me going forwards.

By simply holding on to you:

It moves my arms as my heart –

Calmly it beats out what to do

And with the music keeps the part.

 

So sweet the feeling,

So firm the accents healing,

Just never let me go.

 

JACKY:

Strongly keep me safe, and stray true:

Love moves my heart with your words –

Calmly it tells me what to do,

Happier than two bluebirds.

By simply holding onto you

Maybe we'll have a fresh start

And somehow we'll know what to do

If we let love play its part.

 

So sweet the feeling

So firm the accents healing,

Just never let me go.

(a due at recapitulation from: "Softly steals…" etc)

 

SELVIN and JACKY:

(they pause dancing; winding up in a face-to-face embrace)

So sweet the feeling,

So true the impulse dancing,

Just hold me so,

(they kiss)

And never let me go.

 

         

Scene Two: “They ring 'Amen'”

(Selvin and Jacky separate as the noise of the crowd comes up; the scrim begins to rise, and the lights brighten. In the corridor before the central doors of the Supreme Court Chambers, the Reality TV Couples are being primped and preened by Malcontent and her Posse with Party City polyester veils and silk flower boutonnières. The camera crews buzz around and show this on the monitors. The Two Girls direct their crew, and Paula is 'hiding' near the Supreme drinking fountain)

 

No. 12 – Divided Chorus for Reality TV Couples

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN:

(uncomfortable)

Maybe this was not such a good idea –

It's like assembling a shelf

Without the directions from Ikea;

Slot 'A' to slot 'B' – note to self!

 

REALITY TV WOMEN:

(eyeing their prospective 'husbands')

We have our concerns and our fears

That after the ceremony

Our men will start a new career –

Suing us all day for palimony!

 

REALITY TV MEN:

(eyeing their prospective 'wives')

These gals my reputation smears

If my cumad accidentally

Sees this thing when it appears –

She'll get the wrong idea, apparently!

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN:

(Malcontent makes the final adjustments)

With Party City veil and boutonnière,

At least we have the trappings,

If not the attitude by which to steer

Through these old-fashioned proceedings.

 

(Malcontent and her Posse are satisfied. The Chamber doors begin to open, and folks file in)

 

[Dialogue]

SELVIN:

(taking Jacky's hand briefly)

You and I will continue this later; but now I have work to do.

 

(Selvin rushes up to his Couples and camera crew. As they make their way into Chambers, Paula goes up to Jacky)

 

PAULA:

It's always best not to give up on love; don’t make the mistake I did.

 

 

No. 13 – Ballad for Jacky and Paula with Three-Part Obbligato

 

(As Jacky sings the Two Girls rush up to pull him into the court, then get drawn into his song)

 

JACKY:

Trapped in those shadows stark –

So full of fears;

Cornered by worries dark

That lurk so near.

Held there as if in ice –

Glued to the spot;

Ah, but take my advice –

Your sorry lot; your sorry lot

Is just a plot

Made by your own device.

 

TG:

Ah, but take his advice –

His sorry lot; his sorry lot

Is just a plot

Made by his own device.

 

PAULA:

Love will open his eyes –

And make him yours;

So, retract all the sighs

Your love endures.

I predict wedding bells –

Can you hear them?

Ah, hear their mighty knells,

They ring 'Amen;' they ring 'Amen,'

And knock down the last walls –

Now is the then; here is the when!

 

TG:

We predict wedding bells –

Can you hear them? Can you hear them?

 

JACKY and PAULA:

Ah, hear their mighty knells,

They ring 'Amen;' they ring 'Amen.'

(together from: "We predict wedding…" etc)

 

JACKY and PAULA:

They knock down the last walls –

Now is the then! Here is the when.

 

TG:

Ah, hear their mighty knells,

They ring 'Amen!' they ring 'Amen.'

 

[Dialogue]

(The Two Girls pull on Jacky to go into the court room. He pauses a moment to take Paula's hands – a silent 'thank you' – then he and the Two Girls exit. The Chamber doors close, and in a moment, Budmash peeks out of the side door with his Hello Kitty mug. Paula quickly conceals herself. He checks that the coast is clear, then goes to the Supreme drinking fountain)

 

PAULA:

(steps out)

Budmash…

 

BUDMASH:

(does not look; fills cup)

Oh. It's you.

 

PAULA:

You knew I’d be here, and, you know what I want. So, don't act coy.

(goes up to straddle him from behind)

Well, the two things, I want.

(her hands slip around Budmash's waist, and the Chief Justice swoons a bit; his cup leaves the stream of the fountain, and he leans back into her lips on the side of his neck)

Don’t disappoint your 'Mama.'

 

BUDMASH:

(rights himself and faces her a bit weak-kneed)

No – don't start that 'Mama' stuff again…

 

PAULA:

Why not?

 

BUDMASH:

You know why –

 

PAULA:

Come on, baby. You know what your 'Mama' wants. You and me, we had it good. We're both adults here: we can have what we want…

(steps in again)

 

BUDMASH:

But, Queer marriage…

 

PAULA:

Shooooshhhh……

(puts her finger to his lips)

I'm talking about us, baby. If you come back to your, 'Mama,' I know you'll have the strength to do the right thing.

 

BUDMASH:

(backs away; hurts her)

You're too old. We can't be together – a union between one man and one woman is about one thing, and one thing only – children.

(to the inevitable laughs arising from the audience, Budmash makes faces at them)

 

PAULA:

(stern; playful)

Baby needs a spanking….and a lesson. Marrying the one you love is, about love – what comes next, comes next.

 

(Budmash turns his back to Paula, and faces the audience. He bites his bent finger and dips a bit at the knees, in a 'that's hot' attitude. Paula slips in behind him)

 

PAULA:

(sweet)

But if enticements do not work – think of your reputation.

(turns him)

You wouldn't want it out of the closet how you let yourself be 'used' by an older woman. Would you?

 

BUDMASH:

(swoons within her embrace)

'Mama.' That'd probably only heighten my allure. It's cool now to be hunted by a cougar…

(closes his eyes for Paula to kiss him; leans back in her arms, and with a 'dip,' Paula goes in for the smooch. But then, she pauses, hearing something)

 

(enter Malcontent and her Posse. They do not see Busdmash and Paula. Paula lets the Chief Justice fall to the floor, then quickly picks him up and ushers themselves into a hiding spot. Malcontent gestures to the Chamber doors, and the Posse exits. Enter Brink, who begins to circle Malcontent; Paula and Budmash watch)

 

MALCONTENT:

What do you want?

 

BRINK:

Like my shit-eating grin?

 

MALCONTENT:

(lies)

Not particularly. Now, if you'll excuse me…

 

BRINK:

(steps in front of her)

I've something to say.

 

MALCONTENT:

(circles him in slow-motion menace)

Oh yeah? What –

 

BRINK:

Leave the Gays in peace.

 

MALCONTENT:

(snorts)

Or….what?

 

BRINK:

(smiles; begins to march her backwards)

You think I do not have an 'or what,' do you?

 

MALCONTENT:

(stops him)

Well, do you?

 

BRINK:

(pulls out some paper from his pocket)

Yes. I have a print-out. One Melissa Malcontent, buying two confirmed tickets – On An Olivia Cruise!

 

(Brink wags the paper under her chin. Malcontent laughs; tries to grab it)

 

MALCONTENT:

That's…

(lowers her voice; comes closer to him)

…not for me.

 

BRINK:

(scoffs)

A likely story.

 

MALCONTENT:

(looks around; comes clean)

It's for…my, two, moms. Their wedding anniversary is coming up…

 

BRINK:

You, evil, little, blogosphere…

 

MALCONTENT:

You wouldn't release that Olivia Cruise info. I'm not Gay.

 

BRINK:

(firmly in control; circles her again)

All the sort of people who listen to you, do not listen to reason. Just the hint, the rumor, the 'soup's on' suspicion of you being Queer, and poof – your 'empire' is gone, and so are all your rabid sponsors.

 

MALCONTENT:

(circling him)

You wouldn't.

 

BRINK:

Stand up for Marriage Equality. It's a family issue; an issue for your family. How can you not?

 

MALCONTENT:

(stops; her hand goes to his face)

Damn it Brink; you're so goody-goody…it's fricking hot.

 

BRINK:

And you're so evil; it really turns me on.

 

(As Brink and Malcontent begins to square off, and then dance in the following number, Paula and Budmash are drawn out to do the same. Brink and Malcontent continue 'not to see' the others)

 

   

No. 14 – Dance Quartet

 

BRINK:

Oh when the tigress flails, her tail…

 

MALCONTENT:

Or when the love-dove sails, all pale…

 

BRINK:

The quarry by the prey

 

MM:

Is enchanted, they say

 

BRINK:

The quarry by the prey

 

MM:

Is enchanted, they say

 

BRINK:

And by choosing to stay, astray…

 

MALCONTENT:

Thereby squanders the day, away…

 

(they dance as Paula and Budmsh sing)

 

BUDMASH:

Oh when the cougar unveils, her nail…

 

PAULA:

Or when the bunny-tails, assail…

 

BUDMASH:

The quarry by the prey

 

PAULA:

Is enchanted, they say

 

BUDMASH:

The quarry by the prey

 

PAULA:

Is enchanted, they say

 

BUDMASH:

And by choosing to stay, astray…

 

PAULA:

Thereby squanders the day, away…

(they dance as couples)

 

BRINK:

Oh when the tigress flails, her tail…

 

BUDMASH:

Or when the cougar unveils, her nail…

 

MALCONTENT:

Oh when the love-dove sails, all pale…

 

PAULA:

Or when the bunny-tails, assail…

(together from: "Oh when the tigress…" etc)

 

BRINK and MALCONTENT and BUDMASH and SASSY:

Yes, the quarry often escorts the prey,

In an endless circling motion all day –

Where the one will lead,

The other must speed.

The tiger and the cougar know it well,

But cannot help but be bound by its spell.

 

(the dance ends with the women 'dipping' the men)

 

[Dialogue]

(Budmash and Malcontent use hands to fan respective faces, then exit stage left and right. As Brink and Paula come up to one another, enter Sassy)

 

SASSY:

What up, girlfriends!?

 

PAULA:

Things are looking up…

 

BRINK:

Yeah. Way up.

 

(The Two Girls come out of the courtroom door with their camera crew and Jacky. They go up to Sassy to pull her into Chambers)

 

SASSY:

(to Paula)

Do you think you've swung his vote?

 

(the Two Girls stop pulling; the camera starts rolling; the monitors come to life, and the scrim begins to fall behind them)

 

PAULA:

Possibly.

 

JACKY:

(to Brink)

Do you think Selvin will come out?

 

BRINK:

Definitely!

 

 

No. 15 – Sestet Madrigal

(begins a capella, joined by the strings, then the full orchestra)

 

ALL:

I feel a new day dawning;

The clouds being cast by the sunrise

To usher in our deep blue skies.

The warmth will dry our crying

And bells will peel across the land

Saying Liberty takes a stand –

That is equality's song!

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!

That rings for one and for all,

To make the last prejudice fall

So that we may rise and stand tall –

One with each; one with the All.

 

To the altars we'll come streaming;

One hand holding its most treasured prize

To make one of two separate lives.

Hand to heart will be joining

And there's nothing to 'understand,'

Just Freedom, Love and Self-Command!

That is equality's song!

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!

That rings for one and for all,

To make the last prejudice fall

So that we may rise and stand tall –

One with each; one with the All.

 

 

No. 16 – Finale of the Operetta

(The scrim rises on the full court. The Justices, without Budmash, are seated. The Real Couples drift towards the monitors, again with their kids and unlit candles)

 

[Part One – Choruses with Budmash Solo]

MALE and FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES:

It's after lunch and we are ready

To bring this matter to a close.

 

RETROGRESSIVES:

(yawn; stretch)

Yes, we're well-fed.

 

PROGRESSIVES:

(miffed)

And, we're well-read.

 

So now stuffed as we are all heady,

Order on this farce we’ll impose.

 

PROGRESSIVES:

(miffed)

Yes, they're well-fed.

 

RETROGRESSIVES:

(yawn; stretch)

And, they're well-read.

(the Reality TV Couples begin to bicker; Budmash enters with his mug)

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN:

This marriage thing may be hittin' the skids:

We need to get Maury in these affairs!

I demand DNA tests for my kids:

Even the moms don’t think the brats are theirs!

 

REALITY TV WOMEN:

We need to get Maury in these affairs!

 

REALITY TV MEN:

Even the moms don’t think the brats are theirs!

 

[Solo]

BUDMASH:

Cease your bickering, all of you,

For marriage will be the answer,

And end your woes when you're through.

 

PROGRESSIVES:

(miffed)

Right, the opposite-sexed value,

In endless cheating to ensure,

A Tijuana divorce is rushed through.

 

REALITY TV MEN:

This marriage thing may be hittin' the skids:

I demand DNA tests for my kids!

 

REALITY TV WOMEN:

We need to get Maury in these affairs,

Even the moms don’t think the brats are theirs!

(together from: "This marriage thing…" etc)

 

MALE and FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES:

It's after lunch and we are ready

To bring this matter to a close.

So now stuffed as we are all heady,

Order on this farce we’ll impose.

 

BUDMASH:

Cease your bickering, all of you,

For marriage will be the answer,

And end your woes when you're through.

(together from: "To bring this matter..." etc)

 

[Part Two – Ballad with Selvin, Jacky and Real Couples]

BUDMASH:

(bangs his gavel)

OK, let's get this off our plate.

Now we are ready to confirm

(gestures for Selvin to get ready)

The Sanctity of Marriage…

 

PAULA:

(rises)

…Wait!

 

(Sassy boldly steps up to the bench)

 

SASSY:

What up, Bee-Ah-Chez?

 

BUDMASH:

Oh, not you again.

 

SASSY:

Yes, and here's what the final report says,

From 'Marriage Inequity's' retro pen.

 

BUDMASH:

(stymied)

What the Retrogressive Action PAC says..?

 

SASSY:

Straight from their mighty backwards dripping pen.

 

RETROGRESSIVES and MALCONTENT and MALCONTENT'S POSSE and PAULA:

What the Retrogressive Action PAC says..?

 

PROGRESSIVES and SELVIN and JACKY and TG and BRINK:

Straight from their mighty backwards dripping pen.

 

(Budmash sighs and gestures for Sassy to proceed)

 

[Ballad]

SASSY:

(quotes)

"Steps needed to strengthen marriage holy:

Outlaw no-contest divorce;

Make parents of children born

Marry as a matter of course;

And live together, though lovelorn.

Those are the steps needed as you can see."

 

But, what does that

Have to do with love?

But, how enact

Our gift from above?

 

Marriage is a union holy

Lifted by the love that's inborn,

And never deserving of scorn,

But there to make all of us free.

 

REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN:

Marriage is a union holy

Lifted by the love that's inborn,

And never deserving of scorn,

But there to make all of us free.

 

SELVIN:

Yes, only that

Has to do with love.

And how enact

Out gift from above.

 

REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN and SASSY:

Yes, only that

Has to do with love.

And how enact

Out gift from above.

 

SELVIN and JACKY:

Marriage is a union holy

Lifted by the love that's inborn,

And never deserving of scorn,

But there to make all of us free.

(together from: "Yes, only that…" etc)

 

[Part Three – The Proposal]

(Selvin walks up to Jacky; two camera crews focus in on them. Selvin takes Jacky's hand as Sassy quickly pulls off a ring from her own finger and slaps it into Selvin's free hand)

 

SELVIN:

I have loved you for ten years,

And dreamed of the moment when

We stand in a church together,

And kith and kin see us married.

(gets on one knee; holds the rings before Jacky's finger)

So Jacky, will you marry me?

 

JACKY:

Baby, you'll bring me to tears.

(Selvin put the ring on, and Jacky helps Selvin stand)

It's just like we tell children:

When two people love each other –

Very much – then they get married,

And maybe, start a family.

(Selvin looks surprised; but soon they are kissing, and Budmash is dabbing a tear)

 

REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN:

It's just like we tell children:

When two people love each other –

Very much – then they get married,

And maybe, start a family.

 

PAULA and SASSY:

(aside)

Look at Budmash.

He is like the Grinch,

His heart grows a dash

Sitting at the bench.

 

BUDMASH:

(as if awakening)

You mean, that marriage,

Is not about Joint-Taxes then..?

Not about Law and its carriage..?

Not about children!?!

You say, it's about, who you love?

 

PAULA:

Budmash, cross that bridge…

 

MALE and FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES:

…It's not about Joint-Taxes then?

Not about Law…

Not about children?

 

PAULA and SASSY:

It's about manning up, and then,

Letting people come to marriage,

Loving who they love.

 

MALCONTENT and BA and SELVIN and JACKY and TG and MALCONTENT'S POSSE and SOLICITOR GENERAL and CONGRESSIONAL LAWYER:

(matter of fact)

…It's not about Joint-Taxes then,

Not about Law…

Not about children.

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN:

It's about manning up,

Letting people come to marriage,

Loving who they love.

 

[Part Four – Passing the Baton]

BUDMASH:

(bags gavel)

That report is nuts!

I'd much rather let the Gays share

Marriage pains, no if ands or buts,

Sooner than I'd dare

Haul us back to the dark ages.

 

REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN:

It's about manning up,

Letting people come to marriage,

Loving who we love.

 

BUDMASH:

(bags gavel)

So it seems the path is clear,

But I've vowed never to change,

(nods at the Retrogressive Justices; begins to stand and take off his robe)

So the only option here

(moves down to the front of the bench)

Is to step down and to arrange

For someone without prejudice.

I appoint Sassy Chief Justice!

 

PAULA:

(aside)

But, Budmash dear,

Can you do that?

 

BUDMASH:

Why not? You made

Shrub president.

 

PAULA:

(shrugs)

Fair enough!

 

REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN:

So it seems the path is clear,

But he's vowed never to change,

So the only option here

Is to step down and to arrange

For someone without prejudice.

He appoints Sassy Chief Justice!

 

(As the two female Justices come and help Sassy into her robes, and hand her the gavel and the Hello Kitty mug, the Reality TV Couples gather the Real Couples before the bench. They dress them in their veils and boutonnières. As the Justices take their places, the Reality TV men use their lighters and start to light the candles)

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN:

These things do matter,

And we took them for granted,

But now we're gladder

To share them so all may wed.

 

MALCONTENT:

(to Brink)

Opposites attract,

And it seems with love I burn.

 

BRINK:

Seems you have attacked,

And I have no where to turn.

 

BUDMASH:

(to Paula)

If you'll have me back,

I'll my bachelor days adjourn.

 

PAULA:

I knew you would crack,

And to my love you'd return.

(together at recapitulation from: "Opposites attract…" etc)

 

(Malcontent and Paula place veils on their men)

 

REALITY TV MEN and WOMEN, REAL COUPLES, MEN and WOMEN:

These things do matter,

And we/they took them for granted,

But now we're/they're gladder

To share them so all may wed.

 

[Part Five – The Decision and Marriage-a-palooza]

(Malcontent, Brink, Paula, Budmash, Selvin, Jacky and the Real Couples kneels facing each other and take hands. Sassy is in position on the bench with the female Justices on either side)

SASSY:

(bangs gavel)

I declare The Defenseless Marriage Act,

And all of its provisions, illegal.

So that justice will win the day in fact,

And love with love will be co-equal –

Rich; Poor; Man; Woman; Love to Love without strife.

 

SASSY and FEMALE JUSTICES:

(high five each other; turn to the cameras)

How you like us now, Bee-Ah-Chez?

 

SASSY:

(gesturing for the couples to rise)

We now pronounce you, spouses for life!

 

(The Couples stand; their children join them and the lights dim to show the glow from the candles)

 

TUTTI:

Swing the Liberty bell till it breaks,

For it was meant to ring for all,

And a mighty wedding chime it makes,

Ringing a new day for one and All!

(the principal couples kiss – one at a time, left to right)

A world to come free from fear,

Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah!

Where Love is greeted with a Cheer!

Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah!

 

(recap: " Swing the Liberty bell till it breaks…" etc)

 

 

(Darkness – End of Operetta)