So here's the deal. It takes place in a Dystopian Metropolis where the slums are (quite literally) overshadowed by the High Society that have built their glorious city above the Slums. Those in slum have never seen the blue sky, can never leave, and in turn a rebellion has developed known as the Vampire Bats (the only animals that willing live in the slums.) They are fighting for their most basic rights while the young males in the High Society are busy fighting a war with an unknown enemy at the coast. tldr; those in the slums never see the sun and never leave the city, those in High Society are busy fighting a war and the rebellion.
Our play starts with The Government Protects the Mighty as the Vampire Bats prepare and enter into another rebellion with the High Society policing force known as the Cutters. A young soldier returning from the front, Johnny, finds himself caught up in the rebellion and ultimately rescued by a young rebel, Rachael. Johnny wakes up in Rachael's bar in the heart of the slums, The Tarantulove, and listens for some time as she sings to herself The Future Language of Slaves while she cleans the bar. He ultimately disturbs her and the banter lightly for a few minutes until the rest of the rebels return to the bar triumphantly, led by their leader, Shicker, and Rachael's elder sister, Sarah Jane. Shicker gives a heroic speech to the mass until he is interrupted with a warning that the Cutters are coming to raid the bar again.
Shicker slips into a drunk act as the leader of the Cutters, Tomas, enters with his people. Tomas appears to know Johnny but says nothing, instead accusing Shicker and the rest of the group once more of being Vampire Bats, to which they reply We Ain't No Vampire Bats. Tomas informs Shicker that he will take one of his people for interrogation and chooses Johnny, much to the amusement of everyone in the bar. Outside, Tomas warns Johnny that he is in a world of trouble.
Back inside the bar, the group is dispersing for late night services, which take place after the set curfew. Rachael and Sarah Jane talk briefly about Johnny and their parents, who have long since died. Sarah Jane reminds her sister of what they are fighting for through their mother's old lullaby, Sweet Hallelujah.
Rachael is going through the Slums when she is caught by one of the Cutters, a particularly sleazy man by the name of Twig, who professes a certain level of, let's say attraction, for Rachael (Papershoes/Striptease) She is ultimately able to fend him off with the help of Shicker, and his girlfriend, Delilah. Shaken by the incidence, Rachael expresses her confusion for the world she lives in, and is told by Shicker that she has to man up; Oh You Delicate Heart.
Together, the three of them continue on to the Chapel. Back in High Society, Tomas takes Johnny to his lover, Claire Fontaine, who is dismayed, as she wasn't aware that he had been discharged. Johnny nervously tells her that he wanted his return to be a surprise, but as soon as Tomas leaves them alone, Claire points out that he stopped writing long ago and it's quite simply that their love has died. Johnny neither confirms nor denies this, and Claire urges him to continue with the charade for the sake of propriety; Piano Blink.
At the chapel, Shicker speaks to the gathered crowd about the history of the area. That long ago during the Christmas Eve service the Cutters set a bomb in the chapel, killing Sarah Jane and Rachael's parents. Shicker warns about the dangers of falling for the glamorous nature of High Society, and reminds them of what they are fighting for and who they are Lethal and Young
Sometime later Johnny returns to the Tarantulove, allegedly because he is intrigued with the concepts of the Vampire Bats. He tells the gathered crowd that he was taken by the Cutters as a sort of draft, and sent to the front, and then has a flashback to his experience (Bullets), which results in the Vampire Bats encouraging him to fight against those that put him in such a scenario. He asks Rachael why precisely there is such hatred for the High Society and she explains that The City Is a Drag. There is to be another evening service and Rachael invites Johnny along, only to have them attacked by Tomas, Twig, and the Cutters (Whom Rachael proves to be quite adept at fending off for a solid portion because, dammit, she is not just that sort of female character.) (When You Gonna Flower)
Johnny bargains with them to take him away and let Rachael proceed to the chapel in peace. She protests but the Cutters take Johnny away. Back at High Society, Johnny is taken before the General (the Military Leader), who is Claire's father, and the Commodore, who is the ruler of the City. Claire is also there. Johnny is informed that they know he ran away from the war like a coward, and to save him from being executed as a traitor, the General wants him to infiltrate the Vampire Bats so they can be destroyed; Spider in the Salt. Johnny refuses out of principle, but Claire convinces him that they might be able to start over if he does this. She eventually woos him into it and he reluctantly agrees to betray the Bats in order to protect himself. Just as he agrees to this, the Commodore notes that they can hear the rebels coming
The Vampire Bats are indeed at the base of the plate to protest the arrest of Johnny (All of Us Kids), who is released to great fanfare and greeted by Rachael with a hug. Claire sees this as the crowd fades away and Tomas sings to her; Claire Fontaine. Sometime later, once again, Johnny and Rachael are headed towards the chapel where they watch the people of the slums pray for the dead (Lonely People). On their way home they are seen by Delilah and Sarah Jane who comment on the growing attraction between them (Blindness) and Sarah Jane privately mourns her own unobtainable love for Shicker. Ultimately Shicker goes off with Delilah, leaving Sarah Jane forlorn. She returns to the bar where Rachael is waiting, having noticed her sister's glum mood. Together they share a drink and talk about their parents prior to their deaths, and the time they spent living with the Commodore, which they don't share with the rest of the Vampire Bats. They had always wanted to see the coast but were never able to, even though that was where their mother was born (Organic Coast). Sarah Jane then tells Rachael to be careful with her heart.
Time passes and it is clear that Johnny becomes more enamored with Rachael, and she with him. It is Christmas time, and the Vampire Bats are having a celebration at the bar (3 Generations/Merry Christmas (I Love You)) where Johnny finally confesses to Rachael that he thinks he loves her. She is a little worried by this and escapes the bar only to be followed by Johnny, who encourages her to not be so worried about what might happen and try living in the moment (No Beginning and No End). They finally embrace, only to be seen by Claire and Tomas, who were coming to 'arrest' Johnny and take him home for Christmas.
Claire runs, Tomas follows, and Johnny, realizing that he might have ruined his cover, and being a bit of a terrible human being, leaves a stunned Rachael to chase after people he claimed were old friends. He encouraged her to go back to the bar, that he would follow her, and leaves. Tomas and Claire confront Johnny over his growing immersion into the Vampire Bats and his relationship with Rachael (Is This What You Call Love?) Johnny denies that he is becoming warped by his experience with the Vampire Bats, but it is clear that neither Tomas nor Claire believes this to be true.
Claire storms off and Tomas warns Johnny against Kissing Girls (You Shouldn't Kiss). When Tomas leaves, Johnny heads back towards the bar, not realizing that Rachael was in the shadows, and saw Claire's romantic movements towards Johnny. She muses over what the world might have been, all very introspective and dramatic (When These Mountains Were the Seashore). Tomas hangs back and interrupts her, warning against falling in love with a man who barely understands himself. Tomas leaves her and Johnny appears; Rachael feigns ease, and together they return to the bar.
The scene shifts to Claire, who has found Delilah, and appears to be telling her the truth about Johnny as the chorus of Vampire Bats exchanges Christmas presents and the males jokingly tell the women that they are Jealous of Your Cigarette. The song is interrupted by Delilah who returns with news (No More Named Johnny).
Rachael and Johnny return to the bar just as this is going on and Rachael confronts Johnny. He is forced to admit the whole plot, and Shicker accuses him of being the worst sort of traitor there is... a coward. Johnny tries to plead to Rachael but Shicker tells him to leave. There is confusion amongst the Vampire Bats as some think they might side with Johnny, or forgive him, and those that want his blood. Rachael tells him to leave and the stage fade to black (The Sweetest Thing There Is). As the song ends, the lights reappear and we see the whole cast as they are divided You Don't Just Want to Break Me (You Want to Tear Me Apart)
Thus ends act one.
Act the Second.
Opens with the sorely neglected villains of the play (There needs to be a good opener song, but I haven't decided what yet.) General January and the Commodore, who are meeting with Tomas, Twig, and the Cutters. The General encourages the cruel attacks that the Cutters have been laying upon the slums (as it is clear some time has passed, and the Slums are in even greater disrepair)(Maniacs). It is clear that the Commodore isn't comfortable with the whole situation once Tomas, Twig, and the Cutters leave (after relaying that it is time for them to perform a very specific task that is obviously ominious.) The General comments on the Commodore's fondness for Sarah Jane and Rachael, and his bleeding heart because of what happened to their parents. The Commodore points out that they were responsible but not keeping 'him' in line (Addicted). They then comment on Johnny and Claire trying to make their relationship work, even though it is clear neither is happy, and the General reminds the Commodore that no one can be happy in the city, no matter which sort of sky they see.
Scene shifts to Johnny, who is wandering the Upper Class, feeling sorry for himself (What would You Say To Me, Lord?). Claire appears and she apologizes for trying to make him something that he is not, and maybe never was. They talk briefly about his time at the front, and she asks him if it was really so bad? He replies, after looking around, that it simply puts life into perspective (Prettier Face).
That allows for a transition back to the Tarantulove, where it is clear that the forces of the Vampire Bats are waning. Shicker tries his best to boost morale with little success. It is clear that the relationship between him and Delilah has finished, and he tries to woo Sarah Jane, who rejects him after she accuses him of shunning Rachael because of Johnny's betrayal. She goes off in search of Rachael and finds her in the chapel where they reaffirm their dedication to each other first, and the cause second (Safe and Sound). Sarah Jane then reminds Rachael that they are having another demonstration at the entrance to the Upper Class tomorrow, and Rachael, looking determined, tells Sarah Jane she will be there. The next day there is a demonstration between the two classes (Not Your Parents Music.) As the Vampire Bats leave, we see Shicker hang back momentarily and make eye contact with General January and the Commodore.
The next scene has the Vampire Bats preparing for a run at the plate. They are going for their chapel visit, but this time are more determined in their movements (Anger as Beauty). Sarah Jane leads the verses. As the song reaches its climax and several of the vampire bats leave the stage, along with Sarah Jane, there is an explosion (Theater magic!) And Sarah Jane is thrown backwards. The chapel has been destroyed in the same manner that originally killed Sarah Jane and Rachael's parents.
There is a heartfelt moment as Sarah Jane tells her sister to see the organic coast, and Rachael says goodbye (Song For Sarah Jane). Sarah Jane dies. As the remaining Vampire Bats gather her body and lead her away in a funeral processional, Johnny appears. Rachael angrily rejects him for his betrayal, viewing him as the reason why the bomb was planted in the first place; Johnny warns that the cause she is living for is killing her (No Stillness and No Rain). Johnny cruelly tells her off and leaves in a huff, leaving her to be comforted by a seemingly furious Shicker (who is looking more and more disheveled as the play goes on.) Rachael tells him how devastating the affair has been. Shicker gives her a speech about the cause, and effectively lights the fire in Rachael, despite Sarah Jane's last warning to her sister.
The scene shifts to the Upper Class where we see General January and the Commodore, the latter of which is filled with guilt for the death of Sarah Jane. Shicker then appears, and General January greets him with a warm embrace, establishing the three as brothers. The two speak about the power of fear over people, and its effects in controlling the more important upper class, and the three talk about their heritage (Bankrobber). Shicker explains that he was sorry to see Sarah Jane die, but now Rachael will be the perfect martyr for the cause, and her execution by the General's people will be exactly what they need. Twig overhears this conversation and rushes to Johnny, who attempts to leave to warn Rachael, but is captured by a now manic Tomas (Clever Not Beautiful). Twig is killed in the conflict and Johnny is imprisoned as the Vampire Bats can be heard preparing for an all out war in the slums below.
Johnny mourns his own cowardice, and ponders if Rachael could forgive him for the role he played in all of it (Even An Ugly Man). It is the morning of the final push, and Shicker's voice can be overheard to Rachael, who is sitting on stage alone, telling her to harness her anger and take it to the one who destroyed everything and took her sister, General January. From there, the chorus of Vampire Bats, led by Rachael, acknowledge that God Decides.
(Again, we need another good song here, if just an instrumental. Possible 'Striptease') There is an all out war between the Cutters (led by Tomas) and the Vampire Bats. Rachael fights for her life and breeches the forces with Shicker, entering the Upper Class. She makes her way towards the home of the General, gun in hand...
Off-stage we can see Johnny, still imprisoned, and Claire, who has just discovered him. She frees him, telling him that it's not time to fear the bullets She encourages him to run and save the girl he loves, and jokingly adds that perhaps Rachael could use a hand too. Johnny appreciates her laughter and they embrace for the last time.
Rachael has reached the General, and he is amused to see she is pointing a gun at him. He then becomes more worried when Shicker is late in entering and points his gun at the General as well. January, realizing he has been compromised, tries to explain that Shicker has always been the one to set the bombs, that it has all been his plan. Shicker kills the General just as the Commodore enters in hopes of saving Rachael. Rachael attempts to lunge as Shicker but he shoots the Commodore, then fires at her. With both of Rachael and the Commodore seemingly wounded, Shicker presses his gun into Rachael's hand and explains that the separation of classes is what keeps the world spinning, and that her execution will present those in the Slums with a reason to continue that separation, just as her parent's death did.
Shicker leaves, and Rachael weeps over the Commodore, who apologizes for everything, and protecting her from the truth. He tells her he feels she is so much wiser than she knows, and has the power to leave the circle if she wants to (It's a Long Life to Always Be Longing). The Commodore dies in Rachael's arms as Johnny arrives to find her wounded (Devastating). She urges him to leave before the Cutters get there, and he does so, reluctantly, once more showing a level of cowardice.
As the lights fade we see the ghost of Sarah Jane approach the Commodore, kiss him gently, and help him up, leading him away into a blue light, yet leaving Rachael behind. (Safe and Sound Reprise)
When the scene changes we see the Tarantulove, filled with flowers as Rachael has always said she wanted. Shicker is isolated, having been outed by Johnny, who is now tending the bar but looking pitiful. It appears as if Delilah is the new leader of the Vampire Bats, and is less blood-and-bones about it. Claire is also there. She and the rest of the Bats are speaking about the recent talks, and how they are having another demonstration in memory of those that died.
A figure enters the bar, dressed in a black cloak, humming Organic Coast. She appears to glance around, spots Shicker and approaches him. She drops a seashell onto the table before him and leaves. Johnny, surprised, follows her out, still in a stupor. He calls her name, and Rachael turns. She smiles sadly and asks him how he's been. He replies glumly that he hasn't been too good, and it was nice to see her. He turns to return to the bar and she urges him to stop. Ultimately the idea is that through this last song she urges him to cheer the hell up and not be a whiny little boy as the Vampire Bats rejoice at her return from the Organic Coast, and preparing for the non-violent demonstration.
The song is, appropriately, We Will Still Need a Song, but where it fades out at the end with the repeat, the characters sing harmonized, pointed lines from each of their major songs, while the protest signs they make have certain lyrics on them. It's big.
There is this whole crescendo towards it while Rachael holds her note. Then it goes dead quiet, and as she approaches Johnny for a kiss she sings softly "...we will still need..." and then the whole cast is like, dude, "A SONG!" Laaa.
And then it ends. I know there are a billion songs, but if you listen to them in this order, and just imagine them sung by women in a few parts, and see the stage that my bestest-besty designed, along with costumes.... It's pretty badass. I'm just saying, Hawksley Workman... Think about it. I've got part of a script. It would be neat. Just sayin' is all.
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