Wicked Gift
 

Down for the Summer

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Down for the Summer :: a brief plot outline


Early one New Year's morning, the Narrator is shocked awake from an uneasy dream involving a firing squad. Having recently moved to the Beach to escape his old life, he now finds the novelty wearing thin and lies in bed mulling over his isolation and complete lack of human connection (The Same).

Deciding to take action, he calls up an old flame from his hometown, Girlfriend A, and proceeds to paint her a picture of what their life could be like as one long vacation in the surf and sun. (Down for the Summer). Having nothing to lose and still having feelings for him, she agrees to come.

She moves in and for several months their lives as as advertised (Energy). However, wanting to make the move permanent, she begins a campaign to "make it all official".

Feeling the pressure, he retreats for a solitary day at the beach and watching the bikinis go by muses about what it would be like to be single, available, and responsibility-free (Gliding)

Mutual frustration coming to a head, Girlfriend A delivers her ultimatum (Girltime) and a terrible fight ensues. The Narrator packs up and walks.

Deeply shocked at having her bluff called, she attempts to win back his favour by leaving love notes and little tokens of affection at his new place (Over). He shrugs it off.

Hoping to bury his guilty feelings, the Narrator meanwhile has taken up with a dancer at a local strip bar. Girlfriend B, who appears to share his l"love is for losers" philosophy exactly (Money's the Blood). Despite the fact that she has a psycho boyfriend, they embark upon a high octane affair (Rippin' up the Stitchin').

It soon becomes apparent, however, that Girlfriend B has no intention of ever leaving her psycho boyfriend - she's psycho herself - and that the whole thrill for her is the risk of being caught. The Narrator decides that life will be altogether safer back with Girlfriend A, and belatedly discovers he actually has feelings for her after all.

He attempts to win her back, but owing to an accidental slip about his affair (Mistake) she's already left him emotionally and proceeds to leave him physically.

The Narrator is rattled out of his emotional deep-freeze and goes for the heart-felt plea (Good-bye) but even he can see the moment has passed.

Back on his own, with the year winding down, he rationalizes away the whole experience having learned exactly nothing in the process (Time is a Lie) thereby setting himself up for an endless repeat of the entire performance. He drifts off to sleep and proceeds to have an uneasy dream involving a firing squad.

Down for the Summer is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

The Same

So you wake up in the morning,
and you’re done for the day
And your world, it keeps on turning,
but it’s turning away

Well, don’t even try to hide it,
cause it’s right there in your eyes
Lately it’s so plain
How you’ve never felt so
not like everyone else in your life
Guess I feel the same

Well, somebody tells you something,
and you know you should care
So you conjure up a reason,
but it dies in the air

Well, don’t even try denying
what you can’t hope to disguise
Ain’t no need for shame
So you’ve never felt so
not like everyone else in your life?
Guess I feel the same

Can’t help but wonder
how you got to be this way
Something you might’ve never
meant to do or say?
Is it whatever they’ve got headlining today
Makes you feel so tired?

So I hear you’ve got a secret,
but there’s no one to tell
And you’re worried ‘bout the future,
but it’s best not to dwell

Well don’t even try and hide it,
cause it’s right there in your eyes
Wasn’t that your name?
So you’ve never felt so not like everyone else in your life?

Guess I feel the same
Yes I feel the same
We all feel the same

Down for the Summer

So I’ve been out on the coast,
ever since the fall, here
Been turning white as a ghost,
waiting on the thaw, here
Still undecided, still unrequited
No one outside of me here even knows I play …

So I’ve checkin’ the lines,
thought you might be calling
I see the mayor’s resigned,
wasn’t that appalling?
Life here’s been only just short of lonely
Just want to be myself with someone else,
oh hey …

So won’t you please come down for the summer?
Nice if you come by the Fourth of July
And as the days roll ‘round into summer
We’ll lie in the sun, and we’ll let ‘em go by

I know a cool little drive,
down beside the ocean
You got a sweet little ride,
(you) got to be in motion
We’ll check out the nightlife,
low-life and high life
Roll up each morning to the sunshine,
wind, and waves

So won’t you please come down for the summer?
I’ll try and be done by the Fourth of July
And as the days roll ‘round into summer
We’ll lie in the sun, and we’ll let ‘em go by

So I’ve been asking myself,
“How’m I gonna say this?”
Don’t wanna blow it or else,
gonna have to weigh this
But, I’m so excited. You’re so invited
I’ll be your knight in shining irony, okay?

So won’t you please come down for the summer?
Decide, and it’s done by the Fourth of July
And as the days roll ‘round into summer
We’ll lie in the sun, and we’ll let ‘em go by
We’ll let it ‘em by…
We’ll let ‘em go by…

Energy

I ought to get myself some sleep
I pulled a double shift all week
But little love, I’m overdue,
And I’ve got Energy for you

So just a heart beat shy of five
It’s gonna be my turn to drive
I’ve got a fresh-cut flower or two
And I’ve got Energy for you

So call the clubs and restaurants
On down the boulevard
Cause high society tonight, babe,
Is anywhere you are

You always act like I’m to blame
Like I don’t even know you’re game
You want to be my ingénue?
I’ve got Energy for you

(How fine you are!)
Its closing time, babe,
But back in my car …

I’ve got a cabernet for wine
A touch of oil to tease your spine
I’ve got a kiss for your tattoo
And I’ve got Energy for you
Energy for you
Energy for you

Gliding

When the summer kids are all back in town
If it’s Sunday on the beach, I’m around
I’m not guiding, or providing
I’m just gliding on down

Here a flock of teenage girls, golden brown
Watch some volleyballers vie for the crown
They’re deciding, and confiding
I’m just gliding on down

Somewhere a pager pages
Somewhere a message plays
I’ve been on call for ages
But not today

Got my Captain Marvel sunglasses wound
‘Round my head to keep my eyes out of bounds
I’m not hiding, or presiding
I’m just gliding on down

(Break)

Got my novel in my bag on the ground
But it’s nothing you would call too profound
I’m not siding, or dividing
I’m just gliding on down
Sorry …

Girl Time

The moment I show up, she says
“Why don’t you just grow up?” she says
Can’t help it, what’s on her mind, cause
She’s living in Girl-Time

She’s getting like, all down hearted
I’m thinking, like, we just started
I’m all about, she’s so fine, but
She’s living in Girl-Time

We’re having a good time dating
Why must we be escalating?
It’s not about love or else, and
I’m living in Guy-Time myself

That’s nothing she wants to hear, now
Life’s whispering in her ear, now
Can’t help it, she’s in her prime, but
She’s living in Girl-Time

I’m thinking we’re celebrating
She’s all about ulti-mating
It’s tearing us all to pieces
I try to be cool, but she says

“You’re thinking I’ll wait forever
I’m thinking, like, who knows whether?”
Can’t help it, what’s on her mind, cause

She’s living in Girl-Time
She’s living in Girl-Time
Five Four Three Two One
(beep!)
Girl-Time

Over

There’s a note taped to my window,
who could it be?
There’s a rose left on my mantle reproachfully
I can see you’re not accepting the lay of the land
Because it’s down to this …
What part of over don’t you understand?

Messages on my recorder that play our song
Silences in my receiver that last too long
I’m inclined to be indulgent, but it’s out of hand
Because it’s down to this …
What part of over don’t you understand?

(Break)

Half-a-dozen e-mails, yesterday; more arrive
And it’s hard to see you keeping those hopes alive
But I just can’t see re-coupling, if that’s the plan

Because it’s down to this …
What part of over don’t you understand?
Because it’s down to this …
What part of over don’t you understand?

Money’s The Blood

I’m only human, I need communion
I need community to stay alive
I’m not a brain cell, more like a hangnail
But I’m of the body and I will survive!

Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Everybody’s willin’
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Try n’ make a killin’
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Ah, still about the money,
Money’s the Blood!

Let’s not be coy, here; I’m just a toy here
I only live to give you what you need
You want a bargain? I beg your pardon
Just open up your veins and let me feed!

Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Suckin’ out the fillin’
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Lickin’ up the spillin’
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Ah, still about the money, Money’s the Blood!

And could it ever buy you love, baby,
could it, could it?
Between the wallet and the warm place to put it, put it?
I’ve seen the casualties increasing all the time
Did you lose it for love, or just a better bottom line?

Because I’ve seen lovers tumble,
and foundations crumble
All for the magic of a little dough
So no confusion about illusions
Transfuse me baby, and I’m good to go!

Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Make a man a villain
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!
Root of all the illin’
Money’s the Blood! Money’s the Blood!

Still about the money
Money’s the Blood!
Still about the money
Money’s the Blood!
Still about the money
Money’s the Blood!

Rippin’ Up The Stitchin’

I’ve sent you valentines,
Pored over every line,
You’re still so nonchalant …

I know to ‘git’ ya
I gotta get wicked with ya,
That’s what you really want

Was it you who said to me,
“You never know your destiny”,
Well, I can see tonight is gonna find us
Rippin’ up the Stitchin’

In the misty moonlight fallin’
I can hear those church bells callin’
But, after all, ain’t nothing gonna bind us
Rippin’ up the Stitchin’

Gotta be so clever
To catch us an hour together
It’s not hard to see us happily messin’ up each other’s lives forever

What’s a fishnet stocking for,
If not to wind up ‘cross the floor, ‘n
Behind the door, (whatever), to remind us
Rippin’ up the Stitchin’

Kookaburra sits by the old oak tree
Merry, merry king in the bushes, he
Apple core,
Baltimore,
Kissin’ in a downpour

In the midst of going blind,
You bend your body next to mine, and
It’s time, and time is creepin’ up behind us
Rippin up the Stitchin’

Hello, welcome to the weekend
Another night for trippin’ off the deep end
Pop the back door latch and slippin’ out the kitchen

Oh no, nothing gets you lusted
Anything like almost gettin’ busted
And if you’ve been bad, there ain’t nobody snitchin’
(Get In!)

Switching on your WITCHING …

In the midst of going blind
Bend your body next to mine, and
It’s time, and time is creepin’ up behind us …


{Spoken}
What is all this savage sweetness?
This longing for completeness?
Never thought that I might git’ ta
Be rippin’ up the stitchin’ wit’ ‘cha

Isn’t like it’s no big mystery
You’re the one, that’s why she’s history
You’re the one, that’s why I’m switchin’
Rippin’ up the Stitchin’

 

Mistake

Well I can see that I’ve gone and upset you;
I’m sorry, okay?
Guess I didn’t know how it’d affect you;
I’m stupid that way
At the moment my own self-opinion
is not very good
If I could shoot myself now and get away with it
I probably would

It’s the kind of mistake
that you just hate to make
Put your foot in your mouth
on its way to the brake
Wish it all was a dream,
but you know you’re awake
Mistake, mistake, I made a mistake
Mistake, mistake, dishonest mistake

Well I can tell that you’re not
in the mood for apologies now
Guess it’s harder to handle the bull
when you’re having a cow
And for my kind of fool on your planet,
there’s no kind of room
Are you free for tonight?
Well, okay, never mind
I hope I die soon

It’s the kind of mistake that you just hate to make
Pour cement in your shoes and go jump in the lake
Wish it all was a dream,
but you know you’re awake
Mistake, mistake, I made a mistake
Mistake, mistake, dishonest mistake

Well I can see that I’ve gone and upset you,
there isn’t no doubt
Hard to get the paste back
in the tube after squeezing it out
Gonna have to regain my composure,
whatever I’ve got
Are you sure you don’t want to be me for a while?
Okay, maybe not

It’s the kind of mistake
that you just hate to make
When you bite off the candles
and blow out the cake
Wish it all was a dream,
but you know you’re awake

Mistake, mistake, I made a mistake
Mistake, mistake, I made a mistake
Mistake, mistake, dishonest mistake

Good-bye

So I’ve been thinking ‘bout you leaving town
I can’t help feeling sad
Because I can’t help but
think of all the times we shared
And all the fun that we had

And if I’m gonna have to say
good-bye to one more soul
Accept my life with one more hole
That no one else could ever fill
I think I’ll cry, I know I will
I think I’ll cry, I know I will

Don’t have to tell me all the reasons why
Reason’s on your side
And so I just have to wait until the moment I
Can take this better in stride

And if I’m gonna have to …

Don’t even ask me how I’m feeling
Like that could matter anyhow
Don’t even throw your arms around me
That might kill me now

Don’t want to think about you leaving town
I know you’ll be alright
And so I guess I’ll be working on my smile today
And all those feelings tonight

Cause if I’m gonna have to say
good-bye to one more soul
Accept my life with one more hole
That no one else could ever fill

I think I’ll cry, I know I will
I think I’ll cry, I know I will
I think I’ll cry, I know I will

 

Time Is A Lie

Well, I wish I’d saved a nickel
out of every dime I’ve spent
Cause it’s always like I had ‘em,
but I don’t know where they went
I repent every cent as they’re waving me good-bye
I repent, and the rent’s still a hundred dollars shy
But I tell myself, when there’s nothing left to try
It all falls together by and by

Oh, I know time, time, is just a lie
So I, I say, time, time, let it fly

Well, I wish I had some better
lines for all the girls I see
Who remind me how I started out,
and who I meant to be
Let me see, let me see; is the answer in your eyes?
Is it me? Could it be? Well, okay, I must be high
But I tell myself, ain’t nobody has to cry
We’ll all be together by and by

Oh, I know time, time, is just a lie
So I, I say, time, time, let it fly

Now a cold wind blows those
clouds ‘round the coast
And the shadows run by streaming
When the fog rolls up my street like a ghost
I’ll be one door down and dreaming

Well, I wish I had an hour back
for every night I’ve blown
And I wish I had a little bit more time to call my own
Now I’m grown, now I’m grown, I’m a moron in a tie
I’m a bone, I’m a stone; I’m a star out in the sky
And I tell myself, as another season dies
We’ll all have forever by and by

Oh, I know time, time, is just a lie
So I, I say time, time, let it fly
Let it fly