[Intro]
[Intro Theme – Motor]
What happens when things spiral out of our control? How do we react? Do we deny that there is problem? Do we get angry? Do we try to make deal with God? Or do we do all of the above? We’ll try to find out some of those answers in this episode.
[Pod Lick]
Hi. I’m Tim Rose and this is Part Two of the podcast version of my musical “The Waiting Room”. I you haven’t listened to part One, I highly suggest that you do so before listening to this episode. Otherwise, you may be confused as to what is going on. In this episode we’ll listen to three scenes and their accompanying songs – the first scene covers the anger we feel when we discover that there is nothing we can do to alleviate a situation, the next scene is a little comic relief as we poke fun at death, and the last scene of this episode our character turns to God for some help.
[Pod Lick – Big D]
[About This Part]
I our last episode we were introduced to the concept of the show. What the purpose and setting for the show is and how we’ll follow various patients on their journey through the waiting room. Various scenes will play out in Waiting Room or in the minds of our characters.
We introduced Rene our sassy but lovable receptionist who is training the bright-eyed and somewhat naïve Kelsey to do Rene’s job. Rene seems to be hiding something, but more on that later.
Last episode, to bring Kelsey up to speed, Rene and the cast introduced us to the concept of the five stages of grief in the song DABDA.
Then, the couple of Reed and Chris gave us an example of denial, the first stage of grief, in the song “Keep It Together”. During the course of the song the two come to recognize that by denying the seriousness of their problem they are distancing themselves from each other.
And that’s where we left off last episode. And so without further ado, let’s dive right in.
[Pod Lick]
[Act I - Scene 4 – The Point]
KELSEY: (After several beats, looking around) Is it always this quiet?
RENE: Pretty much.
KELSEY: I mean I’m not complaining, mind you, but it seems a lot to have both of us.
RENE: Maybe…
KELSEY: (worried and nervous) It’s just in my last job they kept coming through and reducing the staff. I guess, I just want to make sure that I’ll be okay. At least for a little while…
RENE: (sighs, pause) Ok. Look, I’m going to be taking some time off and you’ll need to take over for me while I’m gone.
KELSEY: Oh! I hope you’re going somewhere nice. I haven’t been able to take a vacation for years what with all the starting up and no money or vacation and all. Where are you going?
RENE: (a bit curt) I’m not going on vacation. I just need the time off…
KELSEY: (hurt, but still curious) Sorry for asking. (pause) Still, it would be nice to know if I’ll have a job when you get back.
RENE: I – I may not be coming back.
KELSEY: What do you mean by…..
(MAX, obviously agitated, comes out of the exam rooms and storms up to the desk.)
MAX: (interrupting) I need to make another appointment for next week, although I’m not sure why!
RENE: If you’d like I can have your doctor speak with you.
MAX: Forget it. I don’t have the time to waste. What’s the big idea with making me wait so long to see the doctor in the first place?
RENE: Well I’m sorry that you had to wait…
MAX: (Interrupting) You people could learn a thing or two about how to run this place more efficiently!
RENE: (taking it all in stride) I’m sorry you had to wait. It’s difficult sometimes to estimate how long….
MAX: (Ignoring RENE and interrupting) I haven’t had to wait this long to see the doctor before. Ever! I don’t know what this world is coming to.
RENE: (pause, nonplussed) You said you need to make another appointment. Your doctor is available on Thursday at 2:00. Does that work for you?
MAX: Sure. Whatever. 2 o'clock Thursday. (MAX walks away from the desk)
KELSEY: (aside to RENE) Wow! He seems really angry?
RENE: Just so.
MAX: (sings, “The Point”)
A D E Asus A VERSE 1
What’s it all about? My life, I mean. I wonder, what’s the point of everything?
F#m B7sus B7
When all the noise and clutter has died down again,
E Asus A
I wonder, what could be the point of everything?
F#m B7sus B7
Yesterday my life stretched out so far and wide,
E Asus A
today, as it turns out, it’s a much shorter ride…
F#m D E Asus A
So someone tell please, so little time remains. What’s the point of everything?
E A CHORUS 1
I’ve had my share of fortune, and my small share of fame,
D A
Neither of them ever seemed to matter much
F#m Bsus B
Although both made me happy for a little while,
D E E7
They never brought me friendship or a loving touch…
A D E Asus A VERSE 2
What’s it all about? My life, I mean. Hey God, what’s the point of everything?
F#m Bsus B E Asus A
I’m done with telling you how great thou art, ‘til you reveal my part in everything?
F#m Bsus B E
Yesterday my life was like a sunny day,
Asus A
today the setting sun burns out and runs away
F#m D
Someone tell please, so little time remains.
E Asus A
What’s the hell’s the point of every- thing?
E A CHORUS 2
I’ve squandered my good fortune, and my small share of time,
D A
I worked my fingers to the bloody bone
F#m Bsus B
I’ve been around the world about a million times,
D E E7
But I’d give anything for a few more months at home…
A D E Asus A, E A D A F#m Bsus B D E7 BRIDGE
A D VERSE 3 & ENDING
It’s just not fair and I don’t care about anything!
E Asus A
Until I get to know the point of everything
F#m B7sus B7
Why me, God? What did I do? I don’t deserve it and You know it, too,
E Asus A
Because they say that You know everything
F#m
They say You want my soul, You better look out, son.
B7sus B7
If you see me coming, I think you’d better run.
E7 Asus A
‘Cause I don’t get to get the point of everything
E7 Asus A
No, I don’t get to get the point of anything.
A E7 D A Asus A
No, I don’t get to get the point of ev-ery-thing…
(MAX exits as PAT re-enters)
KELSEY: Poor guy. I hope that there is some way they can find comfort somewhere.
RENE: Yeah. Well finding out you may die soon will do that to a person.
[Act I - Scene 5 – Go Ahead and Laugh]
PAT: It’s no fun getting blindsided like that, eh Rene? (RENE flashes daggers at PAT) I don’t think Max had any idea the diagnosis was going to be so dire.
RENE: I guess you could say Max was flum-Maxed.
PAT: Oww! That one hurt.
KELSEY: Well, I don’t think that was very nice to say.
RENE: Not a fan of gallows humor? It’s just my way of dealing with the situation.
PAT: It’s funny though. Ya’ ever notice how sometimes at the most inappropriate times situations strike you as humorous. I mean, it’s odd.
RENE: I know what you mean, Pat. Some of the best jokes I ever heard were at wakes and funerals.
KELSEY: I remember at my last job when they announced that they were laying everyone off I just burst out laughing.
(They both turn and look at KELSEY.)
Well, it seemed very funny at the time.
PAT: I know exactly what you mean. I don’t think it’s unusual at all in fact…
(Pat sings Go Ahead and Laugh)
Capo 3 as written
Am E F G Am Intro and 1st Verse
Sometimes when life is at it’s worse you may wonder why
D7 G G7
Instead of mourning your sad state you want to laugh instead of cry
C D7 1st Chorus
So go ahead and laugh. Just let it out
G G7 C
Life is funny, so is dying, there’s no doubt
Am
So when grief gives you a tickle
E
Don’t feel bad, you’re not fickle
F G C
Go on and laugh, laugh, laugh. Go ahead and laugh!
Am E 2nd Verse
When things go bad, I mean really bad.
F G Am
Like saying goodbye to the best friend you ever had
D7 G G7
So why instead of cryin’, do you just want to laugh.
C D7 2nd Chorus
So go ahead and laugh. Just let it out
G G7 C
Life is funny, so is dying, there’s no doubt
Am
As the butt of a cosmic joke
E
It’s OK to drop the yoke
F G C
Go on and laugh, laugh, laugh. Go ahead and laugh!
F E Bridge
I’ve heard it said that too much laughter may lead one to tears
F G Am
But I say, where’s the harm in that?
F E
You might just burst a blister that’s been festering for years
D7 G G7
And laugh away that sore spot where you sat – at!
C D7 3rd Chorus Instrumental
G G7 C A E
F G C E7
D E7 4th Chorus and Ending
So go ahead and laugh. Just let it out
A A7 D
Life is funny, so is dying, there’s no doubt
Bm
It’s all one crazy trip,
F#
So, baby, let ‘er rip
G A D
Go ahead and laugh, laugh, laugh. Go ahead and laugh!
G A D
Go ahead and laugh, laugh, laugh. Go ahead and laugh!
RENE: For a minute I thought Pat was going to walk up the walls and go full Donald O’Conner on us.
KELSEY: So, back to our earlier conversation. I don’t want to pry, and I totally respect your privacy and all, but if you’re not going on vacation, where are you going?
[Act I - Scene 6 – Miracle]
RENE: (aside to Kelsey) Hold that thought, here comes one of our program stars.
KELSEY: Doesn’t look very happy.
RENE: Bailey is a four-time cancer survivor in one of or programs.
KELSEY: What kind of program?
RENE: Trials. Lots of our patients are in trial programs searching for a cure. For some like Bailey, who’ve exhausted all the traditional methods of treatment, this is their last hope. Hello Bailey, back for another round? How's it going?
BAILEY: I’ll find out in a few minutes. If there’s no improvement, they’ll probably take me off the trial.
RENE: Oh! I hope not. I guess that would that mean we wouldn’t be seeing you around here anymore.
BAILEY: I'm afraid that's exactly what it might mean.
(BAILEY leaves the desk and sings Miracle)
D G Bm A INTRO
D G Bm A VERSE 1
Hello, Mr God. I’m sorry it’s been so long.
D G Bm Asus A
It’s just I haven’t needed much as not much has gone wrong
Bm A G F#+ F#
It's not that I'm ungrateful. Thank you for everything
Bm A G A7
Now I need your help again with this one tiny thing
D G CHORUS 1
I need a miracle, if you please
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I'm begging you here and now on bended knees
D G
I will do anything that you say
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I will go anywhere, pay any price, to make it all go a- way
G A D G Bm A
I need a miracle from you
D G Bm A VERSE 1
Although I haven't prayed too much I have tried to do good
D G Bm Asus A
Since we haven't spoken lately I'm not sure where I stood
Bm A G F#+ F#
The doctors say I don’t have long before my final bow
Bm A G A7
I just thought that you could help, maybe someway, somehow
D G CHORUS 2
I need a miracle, if you please
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I'm begging you here and now on bended knees
D G
I will do anything that you say
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I will go anywhere, pay any price, to make it all go a- way
G A C G D
I need a miracle from you oo ooo
C G D BRIDGE
I promise to be better. I promise to be true
C G A walk up neck on A end on Asus to A7
I promise every single day that I will pray to you
D G CHORUS 3
I need a miracle, if you please
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I'm begging you here and now on bended knees
D G
I will do anything that you say
Bm A G D/F# E7sus A7
I will go anywhere, pay any price, to make it all go a- way
G A
And I need a miracle from you just to make it
C G D BRIDGE
Through, Just to make it through
C G A walk up neck on A end on Asus to A7
Lord, I need your help to make it through
(The reception desk phone rings and KELSEY picks it up and mimes speaking to someone)
RENE: Bailey, they’re ready for you in Exam 3. Pat, please escort Bailey to Exam 3.
PAT: Will do. (PAT and BAILEY exit to exam rooms)
BAILEY: Thanks.
RENE: Bailey, good luck.
(BAILEY nods and exits to exam area)
[Podlick]
[Outro]
That’s all for this episode. Join us in two weeks when we conclude Act I and move on to Act II.
As always, please feel free to send me comments on this episode via Facebook at the Tim Tunes Podcast group or email me at timtunespodcast@gmail.com or via twitter @rimtoes or if you are a Patreon subscriber you can send me messages via Patreon.
All donations to the podcast are appreciated. And, if you’d like to donate to cancer research, may I suggest that you go to vohboston.org/donate and make a donation to Voices of Hope.
You can also help out the podcast by writing a review on whatever podcast tool you use or by liking us on Facebook or iTunes. That will go a long way towards increasing my reach. Also, you can support the show just by listening to some of my songs on your favorite music streaming service.
Whatever you do to support the show, I appreciate it.
We’ll be back in a few weeks with part 3. Until then…good day!
[Outro Pod Lick, [After Outro Pod Lick ends]
[Miracle instrumental Podlick]