ACT I

Charlie’s Dream

(Narrator)
There are limits to what man can achieve
Unknowns are best left that way
Slaves of information toil to keep pace
Humanity is losing the race
In the end man has only one refuge
The sanctity of the mind

Regular Guy

(Charlie)
I’m just a regular guy
Standard issue, your basic regular type
I’m just a regular guy
Paycheck to paycheck, I can’t seem to save a dime

And you all know what it’s like
Naturally, normally, a typical regular guy

I’m just a regular guy
Stuck with a day job when a passion lives inside
I’m just a regular guy
Chasing a dream, that I refuse to compromise

And now I know that it’s right
Straight-shooting, hard-working average regular guy

The hardest thing about getting somewhere
Is knowing that you’ll have to go alone
There’s no lifeline on the other end of the phone
With directions home

I’m just a regular guy
80% truth, 20% lie
I’m just a regular guy
And I’m trying to write the story of my life

Man’s Best Friend

(Charlie)
Man’s best friend has turned on me
Now I don’t believe in the dog anymore

Every occupation has a catch
Mafia bosses, they get whacked
Rock stars are prone to suicide
For the mailman it’s the dog attack

Machines can solve any problem
The answer seems perfectly clear
I’ll build me a better dog whistle
To attack the canine’s ear

Philosophy is useless
Religion’s all a trend
Technology is the savior
Science not the dog is man’s best friend

That’s it!
I’ll build an electronic whistle
An electronic dog whistle
A sonic gun

It shouldn’t be too hard to build
Some power and a simple feedback loop
A frequency not audible to humans
But to a dog, ever so acute

Sociology is pointless
And God is just a trend
Technology’s my savior
Science not the dog is man’s best friend

Enter Wayne

(Wayne)
Charlie, are you down there man? What the heck is that???
(Charlie)
All right, don’t laugh. I’m building an electronic dog whistle.
Come on it’s not that funny.
(Wayne) It’s pretty funny.

In The Basement

(Wayne)
Charlie Childs…the name fits you well
Tinkering with toys like a boy
Your job is slipping. The boss is flipping
I bet you haven’t slept in days
This thing you are making, this crazy undertaking?
Some kind of sonic device
You say it makes a sound, piercing to a hound
But not audible to a man
Your obsession has gotten out of hand

In the basement
His kingdom, his laboratory
But the place it feels right to be
Charlie’s basement
The only place where ideas flow
Where the world runs fast and the world runs slow
Where else would you want to go?
Nowhere else that I know
In the basement

(Cindy)
Hey guys. What’s up?
There you are my ‘dear,’ thought you might be here
Wayne said to meet here at eight
Hello Wayne, has Charlie gone insane again
I bet he hasn’t eaten in days
Another invention, another intervention
What are you up to this time?
Your passion runs deep, but everyone needs sleep
Circles are under your eyes
So I brought you a burger and fries

(Cindy and Wayne)
In the basement
His kingdom, his laboratory
But the place it feels right to be
Charlie’s basement
The basement is where friendships grow
Where the world runs fast, and the world runs slow
Where else would you want to go?
Nowhere else that I know
In the basement

Charlie Childs, the name fits you well

(Wayne)
Good call on the burgers and fries Cindy. Hey Charlie, you got any
ketchup upstairs?< /br> (Charlie)
Yea, maybe.

The First Kiss

(Cindy)
I’ve known him for many years, but we never spoke of this
Been together a thousand times, but we never acted on it
Watching as a friend while all along
Love was growing up, love was growing strong
How I’ve loved him from afar
Waiting for the moment

That we kiss
The first kiss
How I want that kiss
To taste your lips
On my lips
Baby, quench my thirst
Quench it with your kiss

(Charlie)
I’ve known her for all my life, but never spoke of this
Been together a thousand times, but never acted on it
Watching as a friend while all along
Love was growing up, love was growing strong
I’ve loved her from afar
Waiting for the moment…

(Charlie and Cindy)
That we kiss
The first kiss
How I want that kiss
To taste your lips
On my lips
Cause I know I’ll want another
In a desert you are water
Quench my thirst
Quench it with your kiss

And I couldn’t count the pieces I’d be in
Without hope, the hope that keeps my heart alive
It’s like a hunger that’s been denied
A spring flower waiting for sunshine
What I do wrong, you do right
When I see darkness, you see light

The first kiss
The first kiss
How I want that kiss
To taste your lips
On my lips
Cause I know I’ll want another
In a desert you are water
Quench my thirst
Quench It
Baby, quench my thirst
Quench it with your kiss

Sonic Boom

(Charlie)
Okay, back to work.

Hey guys come over here. I think I’m done. I’m turning it on. Okay,
here goes nothing.

Discovery Dialogue

(Charlie)
Hey, I think it’s working.
(Wayne)
I don’t think this thing is working at all. I don’t hear anything.
(Charlie)
Of course you don’t think it’s working, cause you’re not a dog. You
can’t hear it.
(Cindy)
That was bad.
(Wayne)
Another dud by Charlie.
(Charlie)
Did you say another dud by Charlie?
(Cindy)
What’s going on?
(Wayne)
No I didn’t. I thought another dud by
(Cindy)
Why can I hear your voice, but I can’t see your mouth moving?
(Charlie)
Wayne, think of something really weird. Just think of it, don’t say it.
(Wayne)
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
(Cindy)
Oh my god!
(Charlie)
Your lips didn’t move.
(Wayne)
Your lips aren’t moving either.
(Cindy)
Wait a second.
(Wayne)
This is weird. This is crazy!
(Cindy)
I think I’m reading your mind.
(All)
We’re reading each other’s minds.
(Cindy)
This is amazing.
(Charlie)
It’s the gun! We can read each other’s minds because the gun is
putting out some kind of signal.
(Cindy)
Oh my god!
(Wayne)
That’s weird dude.
(Charlie)
It’s putting out some kind of frequency, some high frequency - a
frequency of thought.

Frequency of Thought

(Charlie)
Well it feels like I’ve woken up inside someone else’s head
Can someone take my pulse to make sure I’m not dead?
(Cindy)
As I read your thoughts I feel so wide awake
I feel free because there’s nothing left to fake
(Wayne)
It isn’t magic or religion. It makes scientific sense
An open conduit to a whole new level of consciousness
(Charlie)
I’ve seen strange things before, but this really takes the cake
Funny how the mother of invention is usually a mistake

(All)
There’s a frequency of thought
It’s connected to your mind
To your mind, to your mind

(Cindy)
If there ever was an answer then this has to be it
No lies, no hollow promises, no political bullshit
(Wayne)
I see a world where evil is caught before it’s acted out
A judicial system where there’s no plausible doubt
(Charlie)
I’ll be the talk of the town on the front page of every paper
The world will want the gun and they’ll want to meet the maker
(Cindy)
Still there’s a sanctity that’s needed when you don’t want to share
your thoughts
With a push of a button you just turn the machine

…

(All)
There’s a frequency of thought
It’s connected to your mind
To your mind, to your mind
To your mind, to your mind
To your mind, to your mind
There’s a frequency of thought
It’s connected to your mind

(Narrator)
That night Cindy had a dream.

ACT II

Brand New Day

(Cindy)
Restless night, dreams so real
Lost in darkness, cold as steel
Morning light, a new day has begun
Filled with hope and anticipation
Warmed by the sum
Take my hand, walk with me
To the sun, the brilliant sun of a brand new day

Charlie You’re A Genius

(Charlie)
Wayne, wait up dude!
(Wayne)
Hurry it up man. Dude you like crap. Didn’t you get any sleep last
night?”
(Charlie)
Are you kidding? You fell asleep after all that?
(Wayne)
Can you believe last night – a mind reading device?
(Charlie)
It’s the most unbelievable thing that’s ever happening to us.
(Wayne)
Amazing, I swear you’re a genius.
(Charlie)
Yea, right.
(Wayne)
You’re a genius.
(Charlie)
But I don’t even know how that thing works.
(Wayne)
Who cares how it works – it works.
(Charlie)
Well, technically it doesn’t work. It’s supposed to be an electronic
dog whistle.
(Wayne)
It works.
(Charlie)
All I’m saying is that I can’t be a genius if it was just a complete
accident.
(Wayne)
But, the best things are never planned. Check this out.

The Best Things Are Never Planned

(Wayne)
Once upon a time there was a caveman
He was a regular guy
Rubbing two sticks together
When smoke got in his eyes
A flame lit up
The wind blew like a fan
Man would be forever changed

Because the best things are never planned
They’re never planned

Once upon a time there was another guy
Making squares out of stone
One day he cut off all the corners
And the wheel was born

Time rolled on and cities grew from the land
All because the best things are never planned
They’re never planned
They’re never planned

Charlie Childs you’re sitting on a gold mine
The breakthrough of our time
Be a man, seize the moment
Be the ball Dan
Because the best things are never planned
They’re never planned

Once upon a time there was a doctor
Growing mold in a dish
Next thing you know nobody’s dying
This guy invented penicillin

Charlie, you hold the future in your hands
Genius is in the timing
Cause the best things are never planned
They’re never planned
They’re never planned

Good fortune’s calling out to you
There’s only one thing to do
Grab the reigns, be the change
Don’t try to understand
Because the best things are never planned
They’re never planned.

Slacker

(Marla)
Mr. Childs get in here right now!

(Charlie)
Yes Ms. Marla
I know that I’m late again
But something amazing has just happened
And well, I just couldn’t sleep at all last night

(Marla)
Mr. Childs
I see we’re running late again
I’m concerned about your attitude
Perhaps it’s time for a little punishment

(Charlie and Marla)
Please wait a minute
Mr. Childs
Hold on a minute
Rules run our government
Let me explain a minute
How easily you disregard them
Please
But you’re messing with the wrong woman.
Please try to understand

(Marla)
You’re a slacker
Where is your sense of responsibility?
You think you’re an inventor?
That’s not what it says on your 401K

(Charlie)
Hold on a minute
Because you know that I’ve never failed to deliver the mail
Not even once
Through the rain, the shine, despite the canine
Don’t you think you’re being just a little bit unfair?

(Marla)
Mr. Childs
For twenty years I’ve put in my time
I’ve seen punks like you before
You’re nothing but a dreamer
If I were a schoolmaster I’d take out my ruler

(Marla and Post Office Workers)
You’re a slacker
It’s time to put your nose to the grindstone
It’s your whole generation
And turn off that cell Phone!

(Charlie)
No, I’m not a slacker
No, My nose has always been glued to the grindstone
I’m an inventor
You’re gonna see, I’m gonna be, something more

(Marla and Post Office Workers)
You’re a slacker
You don’t deserve to be employed
Silly useless boy
Late to work late everyday
When will you realize slacking doesn’t pay?

Late to work, late everyday
Never gonna be anybody anyway
Late to work, late ever day
When will you realize slacking doesn’t pay?

(Charlie)
Wait a minute
Just hold on a minute

(Marla)
You think you’re an inventor?
You’re a slacker
Get out of my sight

Get out of my sight

(Charlie)
What a total bitch.

Voicemail

(Machine Voice)
You have two messages:
Tuesday, 11:24 AM

(Wayne)
Hey, I’ll be at Miller’s tonight at eight. Don’t be late, and bring the
gun. I got a really cool idea. Later.

(Machine voice)
Tuesday, 11:36 AM

(Cindy)
Hey you, it’s me Cindy. I got your message, but unfortunately I can’t
make it out with you guys. I’m so bummed. So call me, definitely
call me later. Bye, bye.
Charlie dials Cindy’s number

(Cindy)
Hello.
(Charlie)
Cind.
(Cindy)
Oh hi Charlie. Did you get my message?
(Charlie)
Yea, just now, but you’re not allowed to blow us off on a Tuesday
night. You invented Tuesday night. What do I got to do, send a
couple of my boys out to collect ya or something? No really though,
what’s up?”
(Cindy)
I promised my cousin that we’d go out on a double date tonight.
(Charlie)
With who?
(Cindy)
A man.
(Charlie)
I mean do I know him or something?
(Cindy)
Well, my cousin and her boyfriend are bringing another friend, and
they don’t want him to feel like a third wheel, so…
(Charlie)
Oh, sounds like fun.
(Cindy)
It’s not that big of a deal Charlie.
(Charlie)
I have to get off the phone, but have a great time tonight, and I’ll talk
to you tomorrow. Okay?
(Cindy)
Bye.

Best Friends

(Cindy)
As I hung up the phone it occurred to me
I think I detected a note of jealousy
Over me
Is this the sign I’ve been waiting for?
Is this the proof, that neon light hanging over my door?
Or did I just imagine it?

Right now I’m thinking I should redial
Tell him what I’m feeling
Maybe best to wait a while
And play hard to get

Being best friends is what we do
We share everything except saying I love you
Being best friends is what we do

(Charlie)
What wrong with me hanging up the phone?
What a stupid move
Now I’m all alone
But why should I care about a harmless date?
I know Cindy and she never stays out late
I’m worried about nothing

Maybe I should call her back right now
Just to say that I’m sorry (cause what the hell)
I was jealous over nothing
And won’t you forgive me Cindy

(Charlie and Cindy)
Cause being best friends is what we do
We share everything except saying I love you
Being best friends is what we do

How obvious do I have to be?
When I stare in your eyes I can see you staring back at me
What if there is no tomorrow?
What if life is nothing but sorrow?
Let’s live in the moment with no regret

Tonight we go our separate ways
And you don’t have to worry (but I do)
Know that I’m always thinking of you
Forever and forever

Being best friends is what we do
We share everything except saying I love you
Being best friends
Being best friends
Is what we do

ACT III

Thank God It’s Tuesday

(Narrator)
Wayward souls seek asylum in libation
The tavern is their destination
Intoxicated thoughts wander in the direction of truth
Desire ignites like fire

(Bar Patrons)
Bartender, tonight we ride
On the magic shine of the moon
Monday is safely behind
Wednesday won’t be here anytime soon

Thank God it’s Tuesday
Thank God it’s Tuesday

(Wayne)
This place is rocking!
(Charlie)
Okay, whose thoughts do you want to read first?
(Wayne)
The bartender. Let’s check out the bartender. That would be cool.
(Charlie)
Okay, all systems go.

Dealer

(Freddie)
If you’re looking for a glass of hope, come to me, I’m the dealer
If you’re looking for a shot of dope, come to me, I’m the dealer

If you need an aphrodisiac, come to me, I’m the dealer
If you’re looking for the white rabbit, come to me, I’m the dealer

Stay At Home Dad

(Jack)
See this tie around my neck?
The noose I wear for a fat paycheck
60, 70 hours a week
I get home and my kids are asleep

Duty calls and I can’t disobey
At least I usually have my Saturdays

See my hairline receding back
On my way to a heart attack
Business trips and hotel rooms
The day’s climax is pay-per-view

Duty calls and I can’t disobey
At least I usually have my Saturdays
But in a world where I have choice
I’d stay home with my three boys
I’d rather be a stay-at-home dad

Who the hell needs all this money?
I’d rather wipe a nose that’s runny
I’d rather be a stay at home dad.

Freedom

(Hank)
Gentlemen, what brings you here?
Won’t you buy a homeless guy a beer?
Come now boys no need for pity
I live like a king on the streets of the city

9 to 5 was getting me down me down
Knew I needed change or I was going to drown
The taste of freedom is quite sweet
Compensation for the shit I eat
I’m free

Who needs a bed, a box will do
Rest my head and I sleep the whole night through
After years of searching finally figured it out
The key to the journey is hanging out

9 to 5 was getting me down
Knew I needed change or I was going to drown
The taste of freedom is quite sweet
Compensation for the shit I eat
I’m free

Hey lady, could you spare some change?

(Maggie)
Get away from me you filthy bum.

Programmed To Believe

(Maggie)
Jesus loves us
Like history shows us
Died for our sins
Then he rose up
To protect us
I am saved
I am saved
The Jews are wrong
Muslims they should just die
The Buddhists are pagans
Who are you?
Who am I?
I am Maggie
Programmed to believe
One religion
Is all we need
Central processor
Central control
Receiving a message
Overload
Overload
Overload…

(Charlie)
What the hell is she thinking?
(Wayne)
That girl is whacked, but Charlie… Charlie, that girl over there is
looking at you.
(Charlie)
No.
(Wayne)
Dude, Go talk to her. Go, and bring the gun.
(Charlie)
All right!

Regular Girl

(Evette)
I’m just a regular girl
Light with makeup and an all-natural curl
I’m just a regular girl
Totally dressed up, but I don’t know what for
I’m just a regular girl
Completely made up and I want to see the world
I’m just a regular girl
Some days I’m a prude, and some days I’m a whore

But I do have a passion
Burning in me
I

to be alive
I want to touch the fire
I want to touch the fire

I’m just a regular girl
The guy I’m dating is turning out to be a bore
I’m just a regular girl
Sometimes cold, sometimes warm

But I feel a sensation
Coming over me
A burning desire
Burning like fire
Burning like fire

(Charlie)
I’m just a regular guy
Don’t be afraid girl, I can reach your mind
You look so fine
I’m just a regular guy
What will it be babe, your place or mind?
Yea….

(Evette)
So you want to go back to your place Charlie?

(Narrator)
Two strangers come together
Connected as one
True love is betrayed
Man can’t control the gun
That night Charlie had another dream

The Tyranny of Technology

(Prophet)
Time to wake my friend, be witness to the end
Warm-blooded creatures, outdated in a cold-blooded world
The frequency you’ve revealed, your unknowing zeal
The missing link, the human leash for a circuit-switched society
Stitch by stitch a new seam will be sewn
A new religion playing on our insecurity
Immaculately conceived
Beware the tyranny
Of technology

Apples and Blackberries, so seductive and sweet
A single byte is all it takes, and the poison is released
Dictation for the mass, life inside a glass
Worker bees in motion mindlessly watching time pass
One by one the world will climb aboard
And those that don’t believe will be destroyed
Beware the tyranny
Beware the tyranny
Beware the tyranny
Of technology

The First Kiss pt. 2

(Cindy)
Good morning sunshine
It’s me, it’s Cindy
Slowly opening my eyes
Dreams so real it’s still lingering
Like I was connected
To another world
A world where thoughts seem to disappear
Floating away

Today’s the day that I know I must tell him how I feel
How he haunts me like a shadow

Good morning sunshine
Why do I see a cloud?
Darkness all around me
This thing he’s invented
Will it make him who he wants to be?
Or leave him in obscurity?
But you see I don’t really care
Cause I like him just the way he is

Memories go back so far
Across a lifetime
No first date, no first anything
But there’s one first
I can feel it coming

The first kiss
The first kiss
How I want that kiss
To taste your lips on my lips
Cause I know I’ll want another
In the desert you are water
Quench my thirst
Quench my thirst

Confession

(Wayne)
I am so hung over! We went to Miller’s last night and we took the
gun, and it was amazing. We were like walking around.
(Cindy)
Listen Wayne, I gotta tell you something.
(Wayne)
What is it?
(Cindy)
Umm…
(Wayne)
Come on it’s me. You can tell me.
(Cindy)
I’m in love with Charlie, and I don’t know how to tell him.

Eliminate the Doubt

(Wayne)
On this big old planet spinning ‘round
True love is hardly found
It’s rare indeed, at least that’s what they say
So if you find it don’t squander it away

Follow your heart, ignore the mind
The mind will lead you astray every time
Girl you’ve got to go to him now
And let your heart sing out
Just eliminate the doubt

I’m no Casanova, no Don Juan
But a blind man could see that both of you belong together
Even though you might worry he doesn’t feel the same way
Find out for sure or you’re gonna regret it someday

Follow your heart, ignore your mind
The mind will lead you astray every time
Girl you’ve got to go to him now
And let your heart sing out
Just eliminate the doubt

Act on your feelings
Face your fear
Just tell him how you feel
Love won’t steer you wrong

Girl you’ve got to go to him now
And let your heart sing out
Just eliminate the doubt

Betrayal

The doorbell rings.
(Cindy)
Good morning Charlie.
(Charlie)
Hey Cindy
(Cindy)
How are you?
(Charlie)
I’m cool. It’s a little early isn’t it?
(Cindy)
I gotta tell you something.
(Charlie)
Okay, what is it?
(Cindy)
I’m not very good at this.
(Charlie)
That’s all right, Just tell me, what is it?
(Cindy)
I’m in lo….
(Evette)
Hi.
(Charlie)
Evette, this is my friend Cindy.
(Evette)
Charlie, I gotta get to work. I’ll talk to you later.
(Charlie)
All right.
(Cindy)
I’ll be in the basement.

Before It’s Too Late

(Charlie)
So the story goes, can this be the ending?
Not the grand finale I’d hoped to see
It’s all such a misunderstanding
And it’s all because of me

So many secrets I need to share with you
So many plans I wanted to make
Now I fear I have pushed you away
A terrible mistake

I’ve known it. I’ve known it for a long time
But I’ve kept my secret locked away
And now I fear, I fear I’m left with nothing
It’s time to tell her how I feel, the way it is, the truth.
I’ve got to say I love you, before it’s too late.

Lost In Thought

(Narrator)
Danger lurks in the unknown
Tragedy waits
Without another mind in range
The gun inflicts a deafening pain
Without the gravity of another’s thoughts
The mind is left to drift away

(Cindy) How can I stand here watching love slip by?
Wait I’ve got it, it’s right in front of my eyes

Let’s see what this gun can really do
Are you in reach, the signal will tell you “I love you”
Charlie can you hear me?
Am I getting through?
Feel my love, I’m sending it to you…

Something’s wrong the signal is strong
But you’re too far out of reach
Can’t turn it down so empty the sound
The pain is making me weak
Charlie can you hear me?
Let me know you care
Feel my love it’s vanishing into thin air
(Cindy screams in agony)

(Charlie)
Cindy? Oh my god! Cindy? No. Oh my god!
(Wayne)
Charlie? Charlie? You down here man? What’s going on dude?
Shit. I’ll call 911.

The Last Kiss

(Charlie)
I’ve known you for many years but never spoke of this
I’ve loved you for all my life, but never acted on it
Never acted on it….

(Cindy and Charlie)
The first kiss
The first kiss
How I want that kiss
To taste your lips
On my lips
Cause I know I’ll want another
In a desert you are water
Our first kiss
Is our last kiss
(don’t say that)
Our first kiss
Is our last kiss
(no)
…goodbye

(Narrator)
To live in the shadow of indecision
Is to chose regret as a companion
And so, Charlie turned the gun on himself
And left this world in search of Cindy.