Scene 5 – Attempt at Stardom
Scene 5
Attempt at stardom
Set: Kitchen
Scene: Allison is putting away dishes. Tommy comes in sporting a new look. The long wavy hair has been shorn down by a clipper set at 1/8th of an inch. The moustache is gone.
Allison “It’s going to take some getting used to”
Tommy “It’s just easier this way. I don’t have to do anything after I swim and I don’t have to wear a bathing cap. I like it!”
Allison “I like it too, and I can finally tell you…The mustache was so fucking ugly”
Scene: Tommy tells Allison that he has been listening to his old cassette and he’d like to enter in a local competition.
Tommy “I really think some of the songs stood the test of time”
Allison is not quite sure what to make of this. She thinks that it is a mid life crisis thing and is a little threatened at first.
Allison “Why?”
Tommy responds with “Some guys buy a sports car, some run off with a younger woman. All I want to do is play some of my original songs”.
Tommy I’ve been asking around and I’ve found a few guys who are into it.”
Allison “Into it?”
Tommy “Want to hear my selection criteria?”
Before she can respond
Tommy “First, they have to be vastly superior to me musically; second, They have to be prepared to play original music. Most people at this age just want to play cover songs; third, they have to like my music. Otherwise why would they do it? and four, they have to have time.”
Allison “and you found some?”
Tommy “not only that. They’re good! We’re entered in an original song competition for a radio station”
Allison’s reaction is a cross between skepticism and disbelief. “When?”
Tommy “Two weeks from Wednesday.
Set: The set transitions from Kitchen to the Rock set from the opening scene
An audience fills in where the kitchen set was
Scene: Nightclub music venue.
50 year old’s waiting their turn surrounded by young musicians. Feeling out of place and intimidated.
A couple of young girls are talking to Tommy. He is shy but obviously enjoying the attention.
Allison is watching from across the room.
MC steps up to the mic and introduces the next band
MC “When I saw our next group backstage I thought it was somebody’s parents”
Waits for a laugh
MC “Seriously, I heard them at sound check and… well, we’ll let you decide. Please welcome the Pinball Wizards”
Song-Brave new me
I’m leaving home.
No too ways about it.
I’ve been called away there is
no way I can stay leaving home.
Mama this is good bye, don’t cry
The time has come and I must fly.
Fly away. Fly away. Fly away.
By plane or sea or motorcar No matter where it is too far
Got to find a place to hide
Poor Mary-Ann I made her cry.
And when I think about it. All I can see is a brave new me.
Those poor old saps I left behind
Those rock and rollers just can’t find
Answers that they’re looking for
Are right behind the magic door,
They’re free and you all can be like a brave new me.
I’m leaving home.
No two ways about it.
I’ve been called away there is no way I can stay leaving home.
Mama this is goodbye, don’t cry
The time has come and I must fly. Fly away. Fly away. Fly away
____________
Intermission.