We begin on Christmas Eve with me, Mark, and my roommate, Roger.
We live in an industrial loft on the corner of 11th Street and Avenue B.
It's the top floor of what was once a music-publishing factory.
Old rock 'n' roll posters hang on the walls.
They have Roger's picture advertising gigs...
...at CBGB's and the Pyramid Club.
We have an illegal wood-burning stove.
Its exhaust pipe crawls up to a skylight.
All of our electrical appliances are plugged...
...into one thick extension cord which snakes its way out a window.
Outside, a small tent city has sprung up in the lot next to our building.
Inside, it's freezing because we have no heat.
Smile!
December 24th, 9 p. m. Eastern Standard Time
From here on in, I shoot without a script
See if anything comes of it Instead of my old shit
First shot Roger
Tuning the Fender guitar He hasn't played in a year
- This won't tune - So we hear
He's just coming back From half a year of withdrawal
- You talking to me? - Not at all
Are you ready? Hold that focus steady
Tell the folks at home What you're doing, Roger
I'm writing one great-
- The phone rings - Saved
Re-screen Zoom in on the answering machine
- Speak. - Speak.
That was a very loud beep I don't even know if this is working
Mark? Mark? Are you there?
Are you screening your calls? It's Mom
We wanted to call And say we love you
And we'll miss you tomorrow
Cindy and the kids are here Send their love
Oh, I hope you like the hot plate
Just don't leave it on, dear When you leave the house
Oh, and Mark
We're sorry to hear That Maureen dumped you
I say c'est la vie So let her be a lesbian
There are other fishies in the sea Love, Mom
Tell the folks at home What you're doing, Roger
- I'm writing one great song - The phone rings
We screen
- Speak. - Speak.
- Chestnuts roasting - Collins
- I'm downstairs - Hey
Roger picked up the phone?
- No, it's me - Throw down the key
A wild night is now preordained
I may be detained
What does he mean?
What do you mean, detained?
- Benny. Shit. - Shit.
- Dudes, I'm on my way - Great, fuck
- I need the rent - What rent?
- This past year's rent, which I let slide. - Let slide?
You said we were golden.
- When you bought the building - When we were roommates
- Remember, you lived here? - How could I forget?
You, me, Collins and Maureen.
How is the drama queen?
She's performing tonight.
I know. Still a production manager?
Two days ago, I was bumped.
- You still dating her? - Last month, I was dumped
- She's in love - Oh, she's got a new man?
- Well, no- - What's his name?
- Joanne. - Joanne.
Rent, my amigos, is due, or I will have to evict you.
Be there in a few.
The power blows.
How do you document real life
When real life's getting more Like fiction each day?
Headlines, bread lines Blow my mind
And now this deadline Eviction or pay
Rent
How do you write a song When the chords sound wrong?
Though they once sounded Right and rare
When the notes are sour Where is the power
You once had to ignite the air?
- We're hungry and frozen - Some life we've chosen
- How we gonna pay? - How we gonna pay?
- How we gonna pay - How we gonna pay
- Last year's rent? - Last year's rent?
We light candles.
How do you start a fire When there's nothing to burn
And it feels like something's stuck In your flue?
How can you generate heat When you can't feel your feet
- And they're turning blue? - And they're turning blue?
You light up a mean blaze
- With posters - And screenplays
- How we gonna pay? - How we gonna pay?
- How we gonna pay - How we gonna pay
- Last year's rent? - Last year's rent?
Don't screen, Maureen, it's me.
Joanne, your substitute production manager.
Hey, hey, hey. Did you eat?
Don't change the subject, Maureen
But, darling, You haven't eaten all day
You won't throw up You won't throw up
The digital delay didn't blow up, exactly.
There may have been one teeny, tiny spark.
You're not calling Mark.
How do you stay on your feet
When on every street It's trick or treat
And tonight it's trick?
Welcome back to town I should lie down
Everything's brown And, uh-oh, I feel sick
- Where is he? - Getting dizzy
- How we gonna pay? - How we gonna pay?
How we gonna pay?
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent?
Allison, baby You sound sad
I can't believe those two After everything I've done
Ever since our wedding, I'm dirt They'll see
I can help them all out In the long run
The music ignites the night
- With passionate fire - Maureen, I'm not a theater person.
The narration crackles and pops With incendiary wit
Could never be a theater person.
Zoom in as they burn the past To the ground
And feel the heat Of the future's glow
Hello. Maureen.
Your equipment won't work? Okay, all right, I'll go.
How do you leave the past behind
When it keeps finding ways To get to your heart?
It reaches way down deep And tears you inside out
Till you're torn apart Rent
How can you connect in an age Where strangers, landlords, lovers
Your own blood cells betray?
What binds the fabric together
When the raging, shifting winds Of change keep ripping away?
Draw a line in the sand And then make a stand
- Use your camera to spar - Use your guitar
When they act tough You call their bluff
We're not gonna pay
Last year's rent
This year's rent
Next year's rent
Rent, rent, rent, rent, rent
We're not gonna pay rent
'Cause everything is rent
Christmas bells are ringing Christmas bells are ringing
Somewhere else, not here
You okay, honey?
I'm afraid so
They get any money?
No, had none to get
But they purloined my coat
Well, you missed a sleeve
- Thanks - Hell, it's Christmas Eve
I'm Angel
Angel
Indeed.
An angel of the first degree
Friends call me Collins.
Tom Collins.
Nice tree
Let's get a Band-Aid for your knee I'll change it
There's a Life Support meeting At 9:30
Yes, this body Provides a comfortable home
For the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- As does mine - Oh, well, you look fine
Get you a coat Have a bite and make a night
- I'm flush - My friends are waiting
You're cute when you blush
The more, the merry Ho, ho, ho
And I do not take no
- Where are you going? - Maureen calls.
You're such a sucker.
I don't suppose you'd like to see her show in the lot tonight...
...or come to dinner?
Zoom in on my empty wallet.
Touché.
Take your AZT.
Close on Roger
His girlfriend April left a note Saying, "We've got AIDS"
Before slitting her wrists In the bathroom
I'll check up on you later.
If you change your mind... You have to get out of the house.
I'm writing one great song Before I...
God.
One song Glory
One song before I go
Glory One song to leave behind
Find one song
One last refrain
Glory From the pretty-boy front man
Who wasted opportunity
One song He had the world at his feet
Glory In the eyes of a young girl
A young girl
Find glory
Beyond the cheap colored lights
One song Before the sun sets
Glory
On another empty life
Time flies
Time dies
Glory
One blaze of glory
Glory
Find glory
In a song that rings true Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame
Find one song
A song about love Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find the one song Before the virus takes hold
Glory Like a sunset
One song To redeem this empty life
Time flies
And then no need To endure anymore
Time dies
The door.
- What'd you forget? - Got a light?
I know you, you're-
You're shivering
It's nothing They turned off my heat
And I'm just a little weak on my feet Would you light my candle?
- What are you staring at? - Nothing
Your hair in the moonlight
You look familiar
- Can you make it? - Just haven't eaten much today
At least the room Stopped spinning anyway
- What? - Nothing
- Your smile reminded me of- - I always "remind people of"
- Who is she? - She died
- Her name was April - It's out again
Sorry 'bout your friend Would you light my candle?
- Well? - Yeah?
Oh, the wax
- It's- - Dripping
- I like it between my- - Fingers
I figured
Oh, well, good night
- It blew out again? - No, I think that I dropped my stash
I know I've seen you out and about
When I used to go out
Your candle's out
I'm illin' I had it when I walked in the door
It was pure Is it on the floor?
The floor?
They say that I have the best ass Below 14th Street
- Is it true? - What?
- You're staring again - Oh, no
I mean, you do have a nice-
I mean, you look familiar
- Like your dead girlfriend - Only when you smile
But I'm sure I've seen you Somewhere else
Do you go to the Cat Scratch Club? That's where I work
I dance Help me look
Yes They used to tie you up
It's a living
I didn't recognize you Without the handcuffs
We could light the candle
Oh, won't you light the candle?
Why don't you forget that stuff?
- You look like you're 16 - I'm 19
But I'm old for my age I'm just born to be bad
I once was born to be bad I used to shiver like that
- I have no heat, I told you - I used to sweat
- I got a cold - Uh-huh, I used to be a junkie
- But now and then I like to feel good - Uh-huh
- Oh, here - What's that?
Candy-bar wrapper.
We could light the candle
Oh, what'd you do to my candle?
- That was my last match - Our eyes'll adjust
- Thank God for the moon - Maybe it's not the moon at all
I hear Spike Lee's shootin' Down the street
Bah humbug
- Cold hands - Yours too
Big Like my father's
Do you wanna dance?
With you?
- No, with my father - I'm Roger
They call me
They call me Mimi
Hi, you've reached Maureen and Joanne. Leave a message.
Don't forget "Over the Moon," my performance...
...protesting the eviction of the homeless and artists...
...from the 11th Street lot tonight at midnight, between A and B.
Party at Life Cafe to follow.
Well, Joanne, we're off I tried you at the office
And they said you were Stage managing or something
Remind her that those unwed mothers in Harlem need her help too.
Call Daisy for our itinerary Or Alfred at Pound Ridge
Or Eileen at the State Department In a pinch
We'll be at the spa for New Year's Unless the senator changes his mind
- The hearings - Oh, yes, kitten
Mommy's confirmation hearings Begin on the 10th
We'll need you alone By the 6th
- Harold! - You hear that?
Just three weeks away And she's already nervous
- I am not - For Mommy's sake, kitten
No Doc Martens this time And wear a dress, oh, and Kitten
- Have a merry - And a bra
Enter Tom Collins.
Computer genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist...
...who ran naked through the Parthenon.
Bustelo, Marlboro Banana by the bunch
A box of Cap'n Crunch Will taste so good
- And firewood - Look, it's Santa Claus
- Hold your applause - Oh, hi
- "Oh, hi," after seven months? - Sorry
This boy could use some Stoli
Oh, holy night
You struck gold at MIT
They expelled me for my theory of actual reality...
...which I'll soon impart to the couch potatoes at New York University.
- Still haven't left the house? - I was waiting for you, don't you know?
Well, tonight's the night. Come to the Life Cafe after Maureen's show.
No flow.
Gentlemen, our benefactor On this Christmas Eve
Whose charity is only matched By talent, I believe
A new member of the Alphabet City Avant-garde
Angel Dumott Schunard
Today for you Tomorrow for me
- And you should hear her beat - You earned this on the street?
It was my lucky day today On Avenue A
When a lady in a limousine Drove my way
She said, "Darling, be a dear Haven't slept in a year
I need your help to make my Neighbor's yappy dog disappear
This Akita, Evita, just won't shut up I believe if you play nonstop
That pup will breathe its very last High-strung breath
I'm certain that cur Will bark itself to death"
Today for you Tomorrow for me
We agreed on a fee $1000 guarantee, tax free
And a bonus if I trim her tree
Now, who could foretell That it would go so well?
But sure as I am here That dog is now in doggy hell
After an hour, Evita, in all her glory
From a window ledge Of that 23rd story
Like Thelma and Louise did When they got the blues
Swan-dove into the courtyard Of the Gracie Mews
Today for you Tomorrow for me
You go, girl.
Back on the street Where I met my sweet
Where he was moaning and groaning On the cold concrete
The nurse took him home For some Mercurochrome
Then I dressed his wounds And got him back on his feet
Sing it Today for you
Tomorrow for me
Today for you Tomorrow for me
I said Today for you
Tomorrow for me Today for you
Tomorrow
For me
Joy to the world
Hey. You bum. Yeah, you. Move over.
Get your ass off that Range Rover.
That attitude toward the homeless...
...is exactly what Maureen is protesting tonight.
Close-up: Our ex-roommate, Benjamin Coffin III...
...who married Allison Grey of the Westport Greys...
...then bought our building and the lot next door...
...from his father-in-law, in hopes of starting a cyber-studio.
Maureen is protesting Losing her performance space
Not my attitude
What happened to Benny?
What happened to his heart And the ideals he once pursued?
Any owner of that lot next door
Has the right to do with it As he pleases
Happy birthday, Jesus
- The rent - You're wasting your time
- We're broke - You broke your word, this is absurd
There is one way You won't have to pay
I knew it.
Next door, the home of CyberArts
And now that the block is rezoned Our dream can become a reality
You'll see, boys
A state-of-the-art, digital Virtual interactive studio
I'll forgo your rent And on paper guarantee
That you can stay here for free
- If you do me one small favor. - What?
Convince Maureen to cancel her protest.
Why not just get an injunction or call the cops?
I did, and they're on standby.
But my investors would rather I handle this quietly
You can't wipe out an entire tent city...
...then watch It's a Wonderful Life on TV.
You wanna produce films and write songs?
You need somewhere to do it
It's what we used to dream about Think twice before you pooh-pooh it
You'll see, boys
You'll see the beauty of a studio
That lets us do our work And get paid
With condos on the top Whose rent keeps open our shop
Just stop the protest And you'll have it made
You'll see
Or you'll pack.
That boy could use some Prozac.
- Or heavy drugs. - Or group hugs.
Which reminds me, we have a detour to make tonight.
Anyone who wants to can come along.
Life Support's a group for people coping with life.
We don't have to stay too long.
First I've got a protest to save
- Pleasure. - I'm not much company.
- Behave. - He'll catch up later.
He's just got other things on his mind.
We'll see, boys
Let it be, boys
- I like boys - Boys like me
We'll see
And so, into the abyss
The lot, where a small stage is partially set up.
Line in. I went to Harvard for this?
- Close on Mark's nose dive. - Line out.
Will he get out of here alive?
- Mark? - Hi.
I told her not to call you
That's Maureen, but can I help Since I'm here?
I've hired an engineer.
Great.
So nice to have met you.
Wait.
She's three hours late.
The samples won't delay But the cable-
There's another way Say something, anything
Test, one, two, three
Anything but that
- This is weird - It's weird
- Very weird - Fuckin' weird
I'm so mad that I don't know what to do
Fighting with microphones Freezing down to my bones
And to top it all off I'm with you
Feel like going insane? Got a fire in your brain?
And you're thinking Of drinking gasoline?
- As a matter of fact - Honey, I know this act
It's called the Tango: Maureen
The Tango: Maureen
It's a dark, dizzy merry-go-round
- As she keeps you dangling - You're wrong
- Your heart she is mangling - It's different with me
And you toss and you turn
'Cause her cold eyes can burn
Yet you yearn, and you churn And rebound
I think I know what you mean
- The Tango: Maureen - The Tango: Maureen
Has she ever pouted her lips And called you "pookie"?
Never.
Have you ever Doubted a kiss or two?
This is spooky
Did you swoon When she walked through the door?
Every time, so be cautious
Did she moon over other boys?
- More than moon - I'm getting nauseous
Where'd you learn how to tango?
With the French ambassador's daughter in her room at Miss Porter's.
And you?
With Nanette Himmelfarb, the rabbi's daughter...
...at the Scarsdale Jewish Community Center.
It's hard to do this backwards.
You should try it in heels.
- She cheated - She cheated
- Maureen cheated - Fuckin' cheated
I'm defeated I should give up right now
Gotta look on the bright side With all of your might
I'd fall for her still, anyhow
When you're dancing her dance You don't stand a chance
Her grip of romance makes you fall
- So you think, "Might as well" - "Dance a tango to hell"
"At least I'll have tangoed at all"
The Tango: Maureen
Gotta dance till your diva is through
You pretend to believe her
'Cause in the end You can't leave her
But the end, it will come Still you have to play dumb
Till you're glum and you bum And turn blue
Why do we love when she's mean?
And she can be so obscene
Try the mike.
My Maureen
- Patched. - Thanks.
You know, I feel great now.
I feel lousy.
Hey, honey. We're- "Pookie"?
You never called me "Pookie. "
Forget it. We're patched.
The Tango: Maureen
Steve.
Gordon.
Ali.
- Pam. - Lisa.
Hi. I'm Angel.
Tom. Collins.
I'm Paul. Let's begin.
There's only us
There's only this
Sorry. Excuse me.
And you are...?
Oh, I'm not- I'm just here- I don't have- I'm here with...
Mark
I'm Mark.
Well, this is quite an operation
Sit down, Mark.
We'll continue the affirmation.
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
Excuse me, Paul I'm having a problem with this
This credo
My T-cells are low. I regret that news, okay?
All right, but, Gordon How do you feel today?
- What do you mean? - How do you feel today?
- Okay. - Is that all?
- Best I've felt all year - Then why choose fear?
I'm a New Yorker Fear's my life
Look, I find Some of what you teach suspect
Because I'm used to Relying on intellect
But I try to open up To what I don't know
Because reason says I should have died
Three years ago
No other road
No other way
No day but today
What's the time?
Well, it's gotta be close to midnight
My body's talking to me It says, "Time for danger"
It says, "I wanna commit a crime
Wanna be the cause of a fight
I wanna put on a tight skirt
And flirt with a stranger"
I've had a knack from way back
At breaking the rules Once I learn the game
Get up, life's too quick I know someplace sick
Where this chick'll Dance in the flames
We don't need any money
I always get in for free
You can get in too
If you get in with me
Let's go
Out tonight
I have to go
Out tonight
You wanna play? Let's run away
We won't be back Before it's Christmas Day
Take me out tonight
Meow.
Yeah
When I get a wink From the doorman
Do you know how lucky you'll be?
That you're on the line
With the feline of Avenue B
Let's go
Out tonight
I have to go
Out tonight
You wanna prowl? Be my night owl?
Well, take my hand, we're gonna
Howl
Out tonight
In the evening I gotta roam
Can't sleep in the city Of neon and chrome
Feels too damn much like home
When the Spanish babies cry
So let's find a bar
So dark we forget who we are
Where all the scars From the nevers and maybes die
Let's go
Out tonight
I have to go
Out tonight
You're sweet Wanna hit the street?
Wanna wail at the moon Like a cat in heat?
Just take me
Out tonight
Please take me
Out tonight
Don't forsake me
Out tonight
I'll let you make me
Out tonight
Tonight
Who do you think you are?
Barging in on me and my guitar
Little girl, hey, the door is that way
You better go You know the fire's out anyway
Take your powder Take your candle
Your sweet whisper I just can't handle
Well, take your hair In the moonlight
Your brown eyes Goodbye, good night
I should tell you I should tell you
I should tell you, I should- No
Another time, another place
Our temperature would climb There'd be a long embrace
We'd do another dance It'd be another play
Looking for romance?
Come back another day
Another day
The heart may freeze
Or it can burn
The pain will ease
If I can learn
There is no future
There is no past
I live this moment as
My last
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
Excuse me if I'm off track
But if you're so wise Then tell me
Why do you need smack?
Take your needle
Take your fancy prayer
Don't forget Get the moonlight out of your hair
Long ago you might have Lit up my heart
But the fire's dead Ain't never ever gonna start
Another time Another place
The words would only rhyme We'd be in outer space
It'd be another song We'd sing another way
You wanna prove me wrong? Come back another day
Another day
There's only yes
Only tonight
We must let go
To know what's right
No other course
No other way
No day but today
I can't control
Control your temper
My destiny
She doesn't see
I trust my soul
- Who says that there's a soul? - My only goal
Is just to be
Just let me be
- Who do you think you are? - There's only now, there's only here
- Barging in on me and my guitar - Give in to love, or live in fear
- Little girl, hey - No other path
- The door is that way - No other way
No day but today
The fire's out anyway
No day but today
Take your powder Take your candle
No day but today
Take your brown eyes Your pretty smile, your silhouette
No day but today
Another time, another place Another rhyme, a warm embrace
No day but today
Another dance Another way, another chance
Another day
No day but today
I'm writing one great song
Before I...
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
- Will I lose my dignity? - Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
- Will I wake tomorrow - Will I wake tomorrow
- From this nightmare? - From this nightmare?
- Will I lose my dignity? - Will I lose my dignity?
- Will someone care? - Will I lose my dignity?
- Will I wake tomorrow - Will someone care?
- From this nightmare? - Will I wake tomorrow
- Will I lose my dignity? - From this nightmare?
Will I lose my dignity?
- Will someone care? - Will I lose my dignity?
- Will I wake tomorrow - Will someone care?
- From this nightmare? - Will I wake tomorrow?
Christmas bells are ringing
- Christmas bells are ringing - Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Out of town Santa Fe
Honest living, man.
Evening, officer.
Smile for Ted Koppel, Officer Martin.
And a merry Christmas To your family
Right.
Who the fuck do you think you are? I don't need no goddamn help
From some Bleeding heart cameraman
My life's not for you To make a name for yourself on
Easy, sugar, easy He was just trying to-
Just trying to use me To kill his guilt
It's not that kind of movie, honey.
Let's go. This line is full of motherfucking artists.
Hey. Artist. You got a dollar?
Yeah, I thought not.
New York City.
Center of the universe
Sing it, girl.
Times are shitty, but I'm pretty sure they can't get worse.
I hear you.
It's a comfort to know
When you're singing The hit-the-road blues
That anywhere else you could Possibly go after New York would be
A pleasure cruise
Now you're talking.
Well, I'm thwarted by a Metaphysic puzzle
And I'm sick of grading papers That I know
I'm shouting in my sleep I need a muzzle
All this misery pays no salary So
Let's open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
Sunny Santa Fe would be nice
We'll open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
And leave this To the roaches and mice
- You teach? - I teach.
Computer Age Philosophy.
But my students would rather watch TV.
- America. - America.
You're a sensitive aesthete
Brush the sauce onto the meat
You can make the menu Sparkle with a rhyme
You can drum a gentle drum
And I can seat guests as they come
Chatting not about Heidegger But wine
Let's open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
- Santa Fe - Our labors would reap financial gain
- Gain - Gain
We'll open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
- Santa Fe - And save from devastation our brains
Save our brains
We'll pack up all our junk And fly so far away
Devote ourselves to projects That sell
We'll open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
Forget this cold bohemian hell
Do you know the way To Santa Fe?
You know, tumbleweeds
Prairie dogs
Yeah
I'll see you at the show I'll try and convince Roger to go
- Alone at last - He'll be back. I guarantee.
- I've been hearing violins all night. - Anything to do with me?
Are we a thing?
Darling, we're everything.
Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back With 1000 kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you
Open your door I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage To lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there and I'll cover you
- I think they meant it - I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
- A new lease you are, my love - A new lease you are, my love
- On life - On life
- Be my life - Be my life
- Girl, where you taking me? - Wherever you wanna go.
- All right. - My wig, hold on.
Just slip me on
I'll be your blanket
Wherever, whatever
I'll be your coat
You'll be my king And I'll be your castle
No, you'll be my queen And I'll be your moat
I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you are, my love
- On life - On life
- All my life - All my life
- I've longed to discover - I've longed to discover
- Something as true as this is - Something as true as this is
- So with a thousand sweet kisses - If you're cold and you're lonely
I'll cover you With a thousand sweet kisses
- You've got one nickel only - I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
- When you're worn-out and tired - I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
- When your heart has expired - I'll cover you
- Oh, lover - Oh, lover
- I'll cover you - I'll cover you
- Yeah, yeah, yeah - Yeah, yeah, yeah
- Oh, lover - Oh, lover
- I'll cover you - I'll cover you
Steve, Joanne. The Murget case? A dismissal. Good work, counselor.
We're okay
Honey bear, wait I'm on the other phone
Yes, I have the cowbell We're okay
So tell them we'll sue But a settlement will do
Sexual harassment And civil rights too
Oh, Steve, you're great No, you cut the paper plate
Did you cheat on Mark A lot would you say?
We're okay
Honey, hold on. Steve, I need- Hold on.
Hello?
Dad, yes, I beeped you
Maureen is coming To Mother's hearing
We're okay
Honey bear, what? Newt's lesbian sister? I'll tell them.
You heard? They heard.
We're okay
And you, Dad Yep, Jill is there
Steve, got- Jill with the short, black hair
The Calvin Klein model? Steve, gotta go
The model who lives In Penthouse A?
We're
We're okay
I'm on my way
Christmas bells are ringing Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are singing On TV at Saks
Honest living, honest living Honest living, honest living
Can't you spare a dime or two Here but for the grace of God go you
You'll be merry I'll be merry
Though merry Ain't in my vocabulary
No sleigh bells No Santa Claus
No yule log No tinsel
No holly No hearth
- No - Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer No room at the Holiday Inn
Oh, no
And it's beginning to snow
Hats, bats, shoes, booze Mountain bikes, potpourri
Leather bags, girlie mags Forty-fives, AZT
No one's buying Feel like crying
No room at the Holiday Inn Oh, no
And it's beginning to snow
How about a fur In perfect shape
Owned by an MBA from uptown?
I got a tweed Broken in by a greedy
Broker who went broke And then broke down
- You don't have to do this - Hush your mouth, it's Christmas
I do not deserve you, Angel
- Give, give - Wait
- All you do is give - What's on the floor?
- Give me some way - Let's see some more
- To show - No, no, no
How you've touched me so
Kiss me It's beginning to snow
She said "Would you light my candle?"
And she put on a pout
And she wanted you To take her out tonight?
- Right - She got you out
She was more than okay But I pushed her away
It was bad, I got mad And I had to get her
Out of my sight
Wait, wait, wait You said she was sweet
Let's go eat I'll just get fat
It's the one vice left When you're dead meat
- There, that's her - Maureen?
Mimi!
I should go Hey, it's beginning to snow
I'm dreaming of a white Right Christmas
Follow the man, follow the man With his pockets full of the jam
Follow the man, follow the man
Help me out, Daddy, if you can
- Got any D, man? - I'm cool
- Got any C, man? - I'm cool
Got any X? Any smack?
Any horse? Any jugie boogie boy? Any blow?
- Hey - Hey
I just want to say I'm sorry for the way
- Forget it - I blew up
- Can I make it up to you? - How?
- Dinner party? - That'll do
Hey, lover boy, cutie pie You steal my client, you die
You didn't miss me You won't miss her
You'll never lack for customers
I'm willin', I'm illin' I gotta get my sickness off
Gotta run, gotta ride Gotta gun, gotta hide, gotta go
And it's beginning to snow
We're out of luck, Allison The protest is on
L.L.Bean, Geoffrey Beene Burberry zip out lining
Mark, this is Mimi. She'll be dining with us.
- Here's a new arrival - That is an ounce
- Hats, bats, rats - That's my coat
- We give discounts - I think we've met
- Let's get a better one - It's a sham
- That's what he said - I said it's a gram
- She's a thief - But she brought us together
- Which investor is coming? - I'll take the leather
Your father? Damn.
Let's go to the lot
Maureen's performing
- Who's Maureen? - His ex.
But I am over her
I should tell you I have to tell you
- Let's not hold hands yet - Is that a warning?
I need to take it slow
I should tell you, I should tell you I should tell you, I should tell you
I should tell you I-
And it's beginning to And it's beginning to
Joanne? Which way to the stage?
Snow
Maureen's performance.
Last night I had a dream.
I found myself in a desert called Cyberland.
It was hot.
My canteen had sprung a leak, and I was...
...thirsty.
Out of the abyss walked a cow.
Elsie.
I asked if she had anything to drink. She said:
"I'm forbidden to produce milk
In Cyberland we only drink
Diet Coke"
Yes.
She said:
"Only thing to do
Is jump over the moon
They've closed everything real down Like barns and troughs
And performance spaces
And replaced it all with lies And rules and virtual life"
But there is a way out.
Leap of faith, leap of faith Leap of faith, leap of faith
Only thing to do Is jump over the moon
I gotta get out of here
It's like I'm being tied to the hood Of a yellow rental truck
Packed in With fertilizer and fuel oil
Pushed over a cliff By a suicidal Mickey Mouse
I've
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta find a way
To jump over the moon
Only thing to do Is jump over the moon
Then a little bulldog entered.
His name, we have learned, was Benny.
And although he once had principles...
...he abandoned them to live as a lapdog...
...to a wealthy daughter of the revolution.
A one, two, three "That's bull," Benny said
"Ever since the cat took up the fiddle That cow's been jumpy
The dish and the spoon were evicted From the table and eloped
She's had trouble with her milk And the moon ever since
Maybe it's a female thing
'Cause who'd wanna leave Cyberland anyway?
Walls ain't so bad
The dish and the spoon, for instance They're down on their luck
They come knockin' On my doghouse door
And I said 'Not in my backyard, utensils.
Go back to China"'
"The only way out is up" Elsie whispered to me
"A leap
Of faith"
"Still thirsty?"
"Parched. "
"Have some milk. "
And I lowered myself beneath her swollen udder...
...and sucked the sweetest milk I had ever tasted.
"Climb onboard," she said
And as a harvest moon rose over Cyberland...
...we reared back, we sprang into a gallop...
...leaping out of orbit.
I awoke, singing...
Singing.
Shit.
Leap of faith Leap of faith
Only thing to do
Only thing to do is jump
Only thing to do is Jump over the moon
Over the moon
Over the...
Moo with me.
Moo, yes. Oh, it's so great. Yeah. Up there, let me hear you.
Yes!
Thank you.
No, please, no, not tonight Mister, can't you go?
- Can't have a scene - What?
Please go. You- Hello sir. I said no. Important customer.
What am I, just a blur?
- You sit all night, you never buy - That's a lie, that's a lie
- I had a tea the other day - You couldn't pay
Oh, yeah.
Benjamin Coffin III, here?
Oh, no
Wine and beer
The enemy of Avenue A
And Mr. Grey.
What brings the mogul in his own mind to the Life Cafe?
I would like to propose a toast to Maureen's noble try.
- It went well. - Go to hell.
Was the yuppie scum stomped?
Not counting the homeless, how many tickets weren't comped?
- Why did Muffy- - Allison.
Miss the show?
There was a death in the family if you must know.
- Sorry. - Who died?
Our Akita.
- Evita. - Evita.
Mimi. I'm surprised.
A bright and charming girl like you
Hangs out with these slackers Who don't adhere to deals
They make fun
Yet I'm the one Attempting to do some good
Or do you really want A neighborhood
Where people piss On your stoop every night?
Bohemia Bohemia's a fallacy in your head
This is Calcutta
Bohemia is dead
Dearly beloved
We gather here To say our goodbyes
Here she lies
No one knew her worth
The late, great daughter Of Mother Earth
On this night When we celebrate the birth
In that little town of Bethlehem
We raise our glass You bet your ass
To
La vie
Bohème
La vie bohème
- La vie bohème - To days of inspiration
Playing hooky Makin' something out of nothing
The need to express To communicate
To going against the grain Going insane
- La vie bohème - Going mad
- La vie bohème - To loving tension
No pension To more than one dimension
To starving for attention, Hating convention, hating pretension
Not to mention, of course Hating dear old Mom and Dad
To riding your bike midday Past the three-piece suits
To fruits To no absolutes
To Absolut To choice
To the Village Voice
To any passing fad
To being an us for once Instead of a them
La vie bohème
- Is the equipment in a pyramid? - It is, Maureen
The mixer doesn't have a case Don't give me that face
Hey, mister She's my sister
So that's five miso soup Four seaweed salad
Three soy-burger dinner Two tofu-dog platter
And one pasta with meatless balls
It tastes the same
If you close your eyes
- And 13 orders of fries, is that it here? - Wine and beer
To handcrafted beers Made in local breweries
To yoga To yogurt
To rice and beans and cheese
To leather To dildos
To curry vindaloo To huevos rancheros
And Maya Angelou
Emotion, devotion To causing a commotion
Creation Vacation
Mucho masturbation
Compassion To fashion
To passion when it's new
- To Sontag - To Sondheim
To anything taboo
Ginsberg, Dylan, Cunningham And Cage
Lenny Bruce
- Langston Hughes - To the stage
- To Uta - To Buddha
Pablo Neruda too
Why Dorothy and Toto Went over the rainbow
To blow off Auntie Em
La vie bohème
And wipe the speakers off Before you pack
- Yes, Maureen - Well, hurry back
- Sisters? - We're close.
Brothers
Bisexuals, trisexuals Homo sapiens
Carcinogens, hallucinogens, men Pee-wee Herman
German wine, turpentine Gertrude Stein
Antonioni, Bertolucci, Kurosawa
Carmina Burana
To apathy To entropy
To empathy Ecstasy
Václav Havel The Sex Pistols
8BC To no shame
Never playin' the fame game
- To marijuana - To sodomy
It's between God and me
To S & M
Waiter, waiter, waiter.
La vie bohème
In honor of the death of bohemia...
...an impromptu salon will commence immediately following dinner.
Mimi Marquez, clad only in bubblewrap...
...will perform her famous lawn-chair handcuff dance...
...to the sounds of iced tea being stirred.
And Mark Cohen will preview his new documentary...
...about his inability to hold an erection on the High Holy Days.
Maureen Johnson, back from her spectacular...
...one-night engagement at the 11th Street lot...
...will sing native American tribal chants backwards...
...through her vocoder, accompanying herself on electric cello.
Which she has never studied.
Your new boyfriend Doesn't know about us
- There's nothing to know - Don't you think we should discuss?
- It was three months ago - He doesn't act like he's with you
- We're taking it slow - Where is he now?
He's right- Where'd he go?
And Roger will attempt to write a bittersweet, evocative song...
...that doesn't remind us of "Musetta's Waltz. "
Angel Dumott Schunard will model the latest fall fashions from Paris...
...while accompanying herself on the 10-gallon plastic pickle tub.
And Collins will recount his exploits as anarchist...
...including his successful reprogramming...
...of the MIT virtual-reality equipment to self-destruct...
...as it broadcasts the words:
Actual reality. ACT UP. Fight AIDS.
Excuse me Did I do somethin' wrong?
I get invited, then ignored All night long
I've been tryin' I'm not lyin'
No one's perfect I've got baggage
Life's too short, babe Time is flyin'
I'm lookin' for baggage That goes with mine
- I should tell you - I've got baggage too
- Should tell you- - Baggage
Wine and beer
AZT break.
You?
Me
You?
Mimi
I should tell you I'm disaster
I forget how to begin it
Let's just make this part go faster
I have yet to be in it I should tell you
I should tell I blew the candle out
Just to get back in
I'd forgotten how to smile
Until your candle burned my skin
I should tell you
- I should tell - I should tell
- Well, here we go - Well, here we go
- Now we - Now we
Oh, no
I know this something is
- Here goes - Here goes
Guess so, it's starting to
- Who knows? - Who knows?
- Who knows where? - Who knows where?
- Who goes there? - Who goes there?
- Who knows? - Who knows?
- Here goes - Here goes
- Trusting desire - Trusting desire
- Starting to learn - Starting to learn
- Walking through fire - Walking through fire
- Without a burn - Without a burn
- Clinging a shoulder - Clinging a shoulder
- A leap begins - A leap begins
- Stinging and older - Stinging and older
- Asleep on pins - Asleep on pins
- So here we go - So here we go
- Now we - Now we
Oh, no
- I know - Oh, no
- Who knows where? - Who knows where?
- Who goes there? - Who goes there?
- Here goes - Here goes
Are we packed?
Yes, and by next week, I want you to be.
Pookie-
And you should see
They've padlocked your building And they're rioting on Avenue B
- Benny called the cops. - That fuck.
They don't know what they're doing
The cops are sweeping the lot
But no one's leaving. They're just sitting there mooing.
- To dance - No way to make a living
Masochism, pain, perfection
Muscle spasms, chiropractors Short careers, eating disorders
- Film - Adventure, tedium
No family, boring locations Darkrooms
Perfect faces, egos, money Hollywood and sleaze
- Music - Food of love, emotion
Mathematics, isolation Rhythm, power
Feeling, harmony And heavy competition
- Anarchy - Revolution, justice
Screaming for solutions Forcing changes, risk and danger
Making noise and making pleas
To faggots, lezzies, dykes Cross-dressers too
- To me - To me
To you and you and you You and you
To people living with Living with, living with
Not dying from disease
Let he among us without sin
Be the first to condemn
La vie bohème
- La vie bohème - Anyone out of the mainstream
- La vie bohème - Is anyone in the mainstream?
- La vie bohème - Anyone alive with a sex drive
- La vie bohème - Tear down the wall
Aren't we all?
The opposite of war isn't peace
It's creation
La vie bohème
The riot continues. The Christmas tree goes up in flames.
The snow dances.
Oblivious, Mimi and Roger share a small, lovely kiss.
Viva la vie bohème!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure Measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles In laughter, in strife
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure A year in the life?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life Of a woman or man?
In truths that she learned Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned Or the way that she died
It's time now to sing out The story never ends
Let's celebrate Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
You got to You got to remember the love
Don't you know Got to give love
Give love Give love
Measure, measure your life In love
Seasons of love
Gonna be loved Loved
Pan to the padlocked door.
New Year's Rockin' Eve.
The breaking back into the building party.
- How long till next year? - Three and a half minutes.
I'm giving up my vices I'm going back
Back to school
Eviction or not This week's been so hot
That as long as I got you I know I'll be cool
I couldn't crack the love code, dear
Till you made the lock On my heart explode
It's gonna be a happy New Year
A Happy New Year
Coast is clear
You're supposed to be working That's for midnight
Where are they? There isn't much time
Maybe they're dressing
I mean, what does one wear That's apropos for a party
That's also a crime?
Chips anyone?
You can take the girl Out of Hicksville
But you can't take the Hicksville Out of the girl
My riot got you on TV I deserve a royalty
Be nice, you two Or no God-awful champagne
Don't mind if I do No luck?
Bolted plywood Padlocked with a chain
- A total dead end - Just like my ex-girlfriend
Honey, I know you're there
Please pick up the phone Are you okay?
It's not funny It's not fair
How can I atone? Are you okay?
I lose control But I can learn to behave
Give me one more chance Let me be your slave
I'll kiss your Doc Martens Let me kiss your Doc Martens
Your every wish I will obey
That might be okay. Down, girl. Heel, stay.
I did a bit of research With my friends at Legal Aid
Technically, you're squatters There's hope
- But just in case - Rope!
- We can hoist a line - To the fire escape
- And tie off at that bench - That bench
- I can't take them as chums - Start hoisting, wench
I think I should be laughing Yet I forget
Forget how to begin
I'm feeling something inside And yet I still can't decide
If I should hide Or make a wide-open grin
Last week I wanted just to disappear My life was dust
But now it just may be A happy new year
- Bond. James Bond. - And Pussy Galore, in person.
Pussy, you came prepared.
I was a Boy Scout once, and a Brownie...
...till some brat got scared.
- Moneypenny, my martini - Will bad champagne do?
- That's shaken, not stirred - Pussy, the bolts
Just say the word
Two minutes left to execute our plan
- Where's everyone else? - Playing Spider-Man
Ironic close-up tight On the phone machine's red light
Once the boho boys are gone The power mysteriously comes on
Mark, it's the Wicked Witch Of the West
Your mother Happy New Year from Scarsdale
We're all impressed that the riot Footage made the nightly news
Even your father says mazel tov Honey, call him
Love, Mom
Mark Cohen, Alexi Darling From Buzzline
Oh, that show's so sleazy.
Your footage of the riots, A-one Feature segment, network, deal time
I'm sending you a contract
Ker-ching, ker-ching
Marky, give us a call 970-4301
Or at home try 863-6754 Or my cell phone at 919-555-0090
Or you can e-mail me At Darling Alexi Newscom. net
Or you can page me at-
- I think we need an agent - We?
- That's selling out - But it's nice to dream
Yeah! It's network TV And it's all thanks to me
Somehow I think I smell the whiff Of a scheme
Me too.
- We can plan another protest - We?
This time you can shoot from the start And you'll direct, starring me!
Five, four, three, open sesame Happy New Year
Happy New...
I see that you've beaten me To the punch
- How did you know we'd be here? - I had a hunch
- You're not mad? - I'm here to end this war
It's a shame you went And destroyed the door
Why all of a sudden The big about-face?
The credit's yours You made a good case
Mimi came to see me She had much to say
That's not how you put it At all yesterday
I couldn't stop thinking About the whole mess
- Mark, you'd wanna get this on film. - I guess.
I regret the unlucky circumstances Of the past seven days
Circumstance? You padlocked our door
And it's with great pleasure On behalf of CyberArts
- That I hand you this key - Golf claps
- I had no juice in my battery - Reshoot
Oh, I see This is a photo opportunity
The benevolent god ushers the poor artists back to their flat.
Planning on taking the barbed wire from the lot?
- Anything but that - Clearing the lot was a safety concern
We break ground this month But you can return
That's why you're here With people you hate
Instead of with Muffy At Muffy's estate
I'd honestly rather be with you tonight Than in Westport
- Spare us, sport, the sound bite. - Mimi, since you're so seductive
Persuade him not to be So counterproductive
- Tell them what you wore to my place - I was on my way to work
Black leather and lace My desk was a mess, I'm still sore
I kicked him And told him I wasn't his whore
Your boyfriend know Who your last boyfriend was?
I'm not her boyfriend. I don't care what she does.
People, is this any way to start A new year? Have compassion
- Benny just lost his cat - My dog, but I appreciate that
My cat had a fall I went through hell
Like losing- How'd you know that she fell?
- Champagne? - Don't mind if I do
- To dogs - No, Benny, to you!
- Let's make a resolution - I'll drink to that
Let's always stay friends
- Though we may have our disputes - This family tree's got deep roots
- Friendship is thicker than blood - That depends
- Depends on trust - It depends on true devotion
- Depends on love - Depends on not denying emotion
Perhaps.
- It's gonna be a happy new year - I guess
It's gonna be a happy new year
- You're right - It's gonna be a happy new year
- I'm sorry. - I'm sorry.
- Coming? - In a minute, I'm fine, go
Well, well, well. What have we here?
It's gonna be a happy New Year
There, there. There, there.
Valentine's Day. Pan across the empty lot.
Roger's down at Mimi's, where he's been for almost two months now.
Although, he keeps talking about selling his guitar...
...and heading out of town. Still jealous of Benny.
God knows where Collins and Angel are.
Could be that new shantytown near the river or a suite at the Plaza.
Maureen and Joanne are rehearsing.
- I said, once more from the top! - I said, no!
That is, if they're speaking this week.
Me? I'm here.
Nowhere.
The line is, "CyberArts and its corporate sponsor...
...Grey Communications, wish to mitigate the Christmas Eve riots. "
- What is so difficult about that? - It just doesn't roll off my tongue.
I like my version.
You, dressed as a groundhog to protest the groundbreaking?
- It's a metaphor. - It's less than brilliant.
- That's it, Miss Ivy League. - What?
Ever since New Year's, I haven't said boo.
I let you direct.
Didn't pierce my nipples because it grossed you out.
I didn't dance that night because you wanted to go home.
You were flirting with the woman in rubber!
That's what this is about?
There will always be women in rubber flirting with me.
Give me a break.
Every single day I walk down the street
I hear people say, "Baby" It's so sweet
Ever since puberty Everybody stares at me
Boys, girls, I can't help it, baby
So be kind And don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me, baby, or leave me
A tiger in a cage Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage Baby, let's have fun
You are the one I choose Folks would kill to fill your shoes
You love The limelight too, baby
So be mine Or don't waste my time
Crying, "Oh, honey bear Are you still my baby?"
Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me, baby, or leave me
No way can I be what I'm not
But, hey, don't you want Your girl hot?
Don't fight Don't lose your head
'Cause every night
Who's in your bed? Who?
Who's in your bed?
- Kiss, Pookie. - It won't work.
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make lists in my sleep, baby What's my sin?
Never quit I follow through
I hate mess But I love you
What to do With my impromptu baby?
So be wise 'Cause this girl satisfies
You got a prize So don't compromise
You're one lucky baby
Take me for what I am
A control freak.
Who I was meant to be
A snob, yet overattentive.
And if you give a damn
A lovable, droll geek.
Take me, baby, or leave me
An anal-retentive.
- That's it - That's it
The straw that breaks my back
- I quit - I quit
Unless you take it back
- Women - Women
What is it about them?
- Can't live with them or without them - Can't live with them or without them
- Take me for what I am - Take me for what I am
- Who I was meant to be - Who I was meant to be
- And if you give a damn - And if you give a damn
You better take me, baby
- Oh, take me, baby - Or leave me
Take me or leave me
- Take me, baby - Take me, baby
- Or leave me - Or leave me
- Guess I'm leaving - Guess I'm leaving
- I'm gone - I'm gone
In diapers, report cards In spoked wheels, in speeding tickets
In contracts, dollars In funerals, in births
In 525,600 minutes
How do you figure A last year on Earth?
Figure in love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
- Where were you? - Sorry.
No, you lost your keys. No, you went for a walk.
Had to help your mother.
- How's Benny? - Baby-
- I'm working upstairs tonight. - Wait.
I should tell you I should-
Never mind.
Happy Spring.
Without you
The ground thaws
The rain falls
The grass grows
Without you
The seeds root
The flowers bloom
The children play
The stars gleam
The poets dream
The eagles fly
Without you
The Earth turns
The sun burns
But I die without you
Without you
The breeze warms
The girl smiles
The cloud moves
Without you
The tides change
The boys run
The oceans crash
The crowds roar
The days soar
The babies cry
Without you
The moon glows
The river flows
But I die without you
The world revives
Colors renew
- But I know blue - But I know blue
- Only blue - Only blue
- Lonely blue - Lonely blue
Within me, blue
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Without you
The eyes gaze
The legs walk
The lungs breathe
- The mind churns - The mind churns
- The heart yearns - The heart yearns
- The tears dry - The tears dry
- Without you - Without you
- Life goes on - Life goes on
- But I'm gone - But I'm gone
- 'Cause I die without you - 'Cause I die
Without you
- Without you - Without you
- Speak. - Speak.
Mark Cohen, Alexi Darling Labor Day weekend in East Hampton
On the beach
Just saw Alec Baldwin Told him you said hi
Just kidding
We need directors You still need money
You know you need money Pick up the phone
Don't be afraid of ker-ching, ker-ching
Marky, sell us your soul
Just kidding We're waiting
- Yes. - Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Yeah, right there.
- You got it. - Oh, you're gonna make me come.
Yeah, right there. Keep doing that.
Oh, yeah.
Hot, hot, hot, sweat, sweet
Wet, wet, wet, red heat
Hot, hot, hot, sweat, sweet
Wet, wet, wet, red heat
Please, don't stop, please Please, don't stop, stop
Stop, stop, stop Please, please
- Please - Harder
- Faster - Wetter
- Bastard - You whore
- More - You animal
- Sticky, licky, trickle, tickle - Fluid, no fluid, no contact, yes
- Steamy, creamy, stroking, soaking - Fire, fire, burn, burn
No latex rubber, rubber
Fire, latex rubber, latex bummer Lover bummer
Take me, take me, take me
Take me, take me Today for you
Tomorrow for me Today me
Tomorrow you Tomorrow you
Love you, love, love you Love you, I love you
I love you Take me, take me, take me
Take me, yeah
- Wait - Slipped
- Shit - Where'd it go?
- Safe - Damn
I think I missed Don't get pissed
It was bad for me Was it bad for you?
- It's over - It's over
It's over.
Angel was one of my closest friends.
It's right that it's Halloween because it was her favorite holiday.
I knew we'd hit it off the moment we met.
That skinhead was bothering her...
...and she said she was more of a man than he'd ever be...
...and more of a woman than he'd ever get.
And then there was a time...
...he walked up to this group of tourists...
...and they were petrified...
...because, A, they were obviously lost...
...and, B, had probably never spoken to a drag queen before in their lives.
And he...
She...
...just offered to escort them out of Alphabet City...
...and then she let them take a picture with her...
...and then she said she'd help them find the Circle Line.
So much more original than any of us.
You'd find an old tablecloth on the street and make a dress...
...and next year, sure enough...
...they'd be mass-producing them at the Gap.
You always said how lucky you were that we were all friends...
...but it was us, baby...
...who were the lucky ones.
Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back
With 1000 kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you
Open your door
I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage To lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there and I'll cover you
I think they meant it When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it A new lease you are, my love
On life
All my life
I've longed to discover
Something as true as this is
So with a thousand sweet kisses
If you're cold and you're lonely
With a thousand sweet kisses
- You've got one nickel only - I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
- When you're worn-out and tired - I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses
When your heart has expired
Oh, lover
- I'll cover you - Yes, I will
- Yes, I will
Oh, yes, I will
Oh, lover
I'll cover you
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Seasons of
- Love - I will cover you
Hi, it's Mark Cohen. Is Alexi there?
No need to bother her.
Just let her know I'm running a little late for my appointment.
I'm at my...
Yes, I'll still be there.
Yes, I signed the contract.
Thanks.
How did we get here? How the hell?
Pan left Close on the steeple of the church
How did I get here? How the hell?
Christmas Christmas Eve last year
How could a night so frozen Be so scalding hot?
How can a morning this mild Be so raw?
Why are entire years strewn On the cutting-room floor of memory
When single frames From one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up
On the 3-D Imax of my mind?
That's poetic That's pathetic
Why did Mimi knock on Roger's door And Collins choose that phone booth
Back where Angel set up his drums?
Why did Maureen's equipment Break down?
Why am I the witness?
And when I capture it on film Will it mean that it's the end
And I'm alone?
It's true you sold your guitar And bought a car?
It's true I'm leaving now for Santa Fe
It's true you're with This yuppie scum?
You said you'd never Speak to him again
- Not now - Who said that you have any say
- In who she says things to at all? - Yeah.
Who said that you should stick Your nose in other people-?
Who said I was talking to you?
- We used to have this fight each night - Calm down
- She'd never admit I existed - Everyone, please
He was the same way He was always
Run away, hit the road, don't commit You're full of shit
- She's in denial - He's in denial
Didn't give an inch When I gave a mile
- I gave a mile - Gave a mile to who?
- Don't you dare come at me. - Come on, guys, chill.
I'd be happy to die For a taste of what Angel had
- Someone to live for - Someone to live for
- Unafraid to say, "I love you" - Unafraid to say, "I love you"
All your words are nice, Mimi
But love's not a three-way street
You'll never share real love
Until you love yourself I should know
You all said you'd be cool today
So please, for my sake
I can't believe he's gone
I can't believe you're going
I can't believe this family must die
Angel helped us believe in love
I can't believe you disagree
I can't believe this is
Goodbye
- Pookie. - Honey bear.
- I missed you so much. - I missed you.
- I missed your smell. - I missed your mouth.
- What? - Nothing, Pookie.
No. No, baby, you said, "Ow. " What is it?
You bit my tongue.
- No, I didn't. - Yes. It's bleeding.
I think I should know.
- Let me see. I was just try- - She doesn't believe me.
Thomas B. Collins?
Coming.
I hear there are great restaurants Out West
Some of the best How could she?
How could you let her go?
You just don't know How could we lose Angel?
Maybe you'll see why When you stop escaping your pain
At least now if you try Angel's death won't be in vain
His death is in vain
Are you insane?
There's so much to care about There's me, there's Mimi
Mimi's got her baggage too
So do you
Who are you to tell me What I know and what to do?
- A friend - But who, Mark, are you?
"Mark has got his work"
They say, "Mark lives for his work" And, "Mark's in love with his work"
- Mark hides in his work - From what?
From facing your failure Facing your loneliness
Facing the fact you live a lie
Yes, you live a lie Tell you why
You're always preaching Not to be numb
When that's how you thrive
You pretend to create and observe
When you really detach From feeling alive
Perhaps it's because I'm the one of us to survive
Poor baby!
Mimi still loves Roger
Is Roger really jealous Or afraid that Mimi's weak?
Mimi did look pale
Mimi's gotten thin
Mimi's running out of time Roger's running out the door
No more Oh, no, I gotta go
Hey, for someone Who's always been let down
Who's heading out of town?
For someone who longs For a community of his own
Who's with his camera, alone?
I'll call
I hate the fall
You heard?
Every word
You don't want baggage Without lifetime guarantees
You don't want to watch me die I just came to say
Goodbye, love Goodbye, love
Came to say goodbye, love Goodbye
Just came to say
- Goodbye, love - Glory
- Goodbye, love - One blaze of glory
Came to say goodbye, love
- Goodbye - I have to find
Please don't touch me Understand
I'm scared I need to go away
- I know a place, a clinic - A rehab?
Maybe Could you?
I'll pay
Goodbye, love Goodbye, love
Came to say goodbye, love Goodbye
Just came to say Goodbye, love
Goodbye, love
Hello, disease
Off the premises now We give no handouts here
- What happened to "rest in peace"? - Off the premises, queer
That's no way to send a boy To meet his maker
They had to know We couldn't pay the undertaker
Don't you worry about him Hey, I'll take care of it
- Must be nice to have money. - No shit.
I think it only fair to tell you...
...you just paid for the funeral of the person who killed your dog.
I know. I always hated that dog. Let's pay him off and then get drunk.
I can't. I have a meeting.
- Punk. Let's go. - Punk. Let's go.
Hi. Mark Cohen here for Buzzline. Back to you, Alexi.
Coming up next, vampire welfare queens...
...who are compulsive bowlers.
Oh, my God. What am I doing?
Don't breathe too deep
Don't think all day
Dive into work
Drive the other way
That drip of hurt
That pint of shame
Goes away Just play the game
You're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're living in America
Leave your conscience at the tone
And when you're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're what you own
The filmmaker cannot see
And the songwriter cannot hear
Yet I see Mimi everywhere
Angel's voice is in my ear
Just tighten those shoulders
Just clench your jaw till you frown
Just don't let go
- Or you may drown - Or you may drown
- You're living in America - You're living in America
- At the end of the millennium - At the end of the millennium
- You're living in America - You're living in America
- Where it's like The Twilight Zone - Where it's like The Twilight Zone
- And when you're living in America - And when you're living in America
- At the end of the millennium - At the end of the millennium
- You're what you own - You're what you own
- So I own not a notion - So I own not a notion
- I escape and ape content - I escape and ape content
- I don't own emotion - I don't own emotion
- I rent - I rent
- What was it about that night? - What was it about that night?
- Connection in an isolating age - Connection in an isolating age
- For once the shadows - For once the shadows
- Gave way to light - Gave way to light
- For once I didn't disengage - For once I didn't disengage
- Angel, I hear you, I hear it, I see it - Mimi, I see you
- I see it, my film - I see it, I hear it, I hear it, my song
- Alexi, Mark. Call me a hypocrite... - One song, glory
- ... I need to finish my own film. I quit. - Mimi, your eyes
- Dying in America - Dying in America
- At the end of the millennium - At the end of the millennium
- We're dying in America - We're dying in America
- To come into our own - To come into our own
- And when you're dying in America - And when you're dying in America
- At the end of the millennium - At the end of the millennium
- You're not alone - You're not alone
- I'm not alone - I'm not alone
- Speak. - Speak.
Roger, this is your mother
Roger, honey I don't get these postcards
"Moving to Santa Fe" "Back in New York
Starting a rock band"
Roger, where are you? Roger, where are you?
Kitten, wherever are you?
Mark, are you there? Are you there? I don't know if-
Please
Call
Your mother
- Christmas bells are ringing - Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing How time flies
When compassion dies
No stockings, no candy canes No gingerbread, no safety net
No loose change No change, no
- Santy Claus is coming - 'Cause Santy Claus ain't coming
No room at the Holiday Inn again
Well, maybe next year Or when
December 24th, 10 p. m. Eastern Standard Time
I can't believe a year Went by so fast
Time to see What we have time to see
Turn the projector on.
First shot, Roger
With the Fender guitar He just got out of hock
When he sold the car That took him away and back
I found my song
He found his song If he could just find Mimi
I tried. You know I tried.
Fade in on Mark Who's still in the dark
- But he's got great footage - Which he's cut together
To screen tonight.
- In honor of Benny's wife - Muffy
Allison
Pulling Benny Out of the East Village location
Then again, maybe we won't screen it tonight.
I wonder how Allison found out about Mimi?
Maybe a little bird told her.
Or an angel.
I had a little hunch That you could use a little flow
- Tutoring again? - Negative
- Back at NYU? - No, no, no
I rewired the ATM At The Food Emporium
To provide an honorarium To anyone with the code
The code
- Well? - Well?
A- N-G-E-L.
Yet Robin Hooding Isn't the solution
The powers that be Must be undermined where they dwell
In a small, exclusive Gourmet institution
Where we overcharge The wealthy clientele
Let's open up a restaurant In Santa Fe
With a private corner banquette In the back
We'll make it yet We'll somehow get to Santa Fe
But you'd miss New York Before you could unpack
Mark! Roger! Anyone, help!
- Maureen? - It's Mimi!
We can't get her up the stairs!
No!
She was huddled in the park In the dark
And she was freezing And begged to come here
- Over here? Oh, God. - Yeah.
Got a light? I know you You're shivering
- She's been living on the street - We need some heat
- I'm shivering. - Okay.
We can buy some wood And something to eat
I'm afraid she needs more than heat
I heard that
Collins will call for a doctor, honey
Don't waste your money on me
Hello, 911? I'm on hold.
Cold, cold Would you light my candle?
Yes- Oh, God Find a candle
I should tell you I should tell you
Benny wasn't anything-
I know
I should tell you why I left
- It wasn't 'cause I didn't- - I know
- I should tell you - I should tell you
I should tell you, I love you
Who do you think you are?
Leaving me alone with my guitar
Hold on, there's something You should hear
It isn't much, but it took all year
Your eyes
As we said our goodbyes
Can't get them out of my mind
And I find
I can't hide
From your eyes
The ones that took me by surprise
The night you came into my life
Where there's moonlight
I see your eyes
How'd I let you slip away
When I'm longing so to hold you?
Now I'd die for one more day
'Cause there's something I should have told you
Yes, there's something I should have told you
When I looked into your eyes
Why does distance make us wise?
You were the song all along
And before this song dies
I should tell you I should tell you
I have always loved you
You can see it in my eyes
Mimi
- I jumped over the moon. - What?
A leap of:
She's back.
I was in a tunnel...
...headed for this warm, white light.
Oh, my God.
And I swear...
...Angel was there.
And she looked good.
And she said:
"Turn around, girlfriend...
...and listen to that boy's song. "
She's drenched.
Her fever's breaking
There is no future
There is no past
Thank God this moment's Not the last
- There's only us - There's only us
- There's only this - There's only this
- Forget regret - Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
- I can't control - Will I lose my dignity?
- My destiny - Will someone care?
- I trust my soul - Will I wake tomorrow
My only goal
- Is just to be - From this nightmare?
- Without you - There's only now
- The hand gropes - There's only here
- The ear hears - Give in to love
- The pulse beats - Or live in fear
- Life goes on - No other path
- But I'm gone - No other way
- 'Cause I die without you - No day but today
- I die without you - No day but today
No day but today
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure Measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles
In laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes
How do you measure A year in the life?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes
How do you measure The life of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned? Or in times that he cried?
In bridges he burned?
- Or the way that she died? - It's time now to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let's celebrate Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Oh, you got to You got to remember the love
You know that love is a gift From up above
Give love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love
- Seasons of love - Measure your life in love
With a thousand sweet kisses
How about
Love?
How about
Love?
How about
Love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love