Scene 2 – Set 5 (Mike’s Club “HATS”) – Song #13
It’s sometime during the heart of the evening. It is assumed that Mike has been home and had dinner. He is back at the club and on stage. He introduces a song that he dedicates to all of the frustrated performers in the world. This song reflects his frustrations and lack of fulfillment professionally.
MIKE
I wrote this next song as a tribute to all the struggling performers in the world. Few of us are able to make a living in the profession we love.
The music starts to Song #13 – “You Should See Me Now.” The lights go down except a spotlight on Mike.
All my life I have been
searching for the way in which I fit in.
Holding jobs for the pay
until I find my way.
Bound by conventionality.
Playing roles they expect of me.
But never feeling satisfied.
Only emptiness inside.
MIKE & STEVE
Then one day it occurred to me,
I can’t go by what others see.
Making music makes me sing.
I’ve got to follow my dreams.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Everybody will come to see
me celebrating victory.
I’ll become a star you will see.
But you should see me now.
MIKE
Lord knows I’ve paid my dues
in broken dreams, smoky bars, stale booze.
I look into my lover's woeful eyes.
Many nights I've cried.
Spotlights are increased in intensity.
MIKE & STEVE
But now, the lights, they shine on me.
Sweet success, prosperity.
And all the hurt a forgotten thing.
Feeling better than my wildest dreams.
Live video of some rock concert audience filmed by someone on stage appears on the projection screen overhead at the appropriate time to the words in the next verse.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Everybody is here to see
me celebrating victory.
I’ve become a star. I’m so relieved.
And you should me now.
MIKE
Music playing. People saying how good I’ve become.
Friends and family living happy, sharin’ in what I’ve done.
Projection screen darkens. Spotlights are brought back to their original brightness on Mike.
Music fades something startles me.
Something cold and wet on my knee.
I shake my head and wonder where am I,
as tears come to my eyes.
MIKE & STEVE
You see it just has occurred to me.
I fell asleep watching late TV.
The drink I held slipping from my hand,
shaking me from a distant land.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Everybody had come to see
me celebrating victory.
But it was just a dream you see.
And you should see me now.
And you should see me now.
MIKE
You should see me now.
Music fades. Lights fade to black. End of Scene 2, ACT II.