ORCHESTRAL INTRODUCTION (~2-4')

ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
	[CURTAIN] FLINT's home, brightly colored, gold, regal structures, fancy portraits lining the back wall. FLINT is lying on a large couch UC; he wakes and sits up. 

			FLINT
			Dreaming, dreaming.
			Why do we succumb?
			Why do we play along?
			Nightmares, dreams, plaguing our sleep
			Telling us what's not and what's wrong.

FLINT moves DR, takes a magnificent robe from wardrobe, puts it on while facing US. Turns DS.

			Such peculiar thoughts when arriving from a deep
			sleep... Never hasty, always heavy in the mind.
			
FLINT admires the robe's beauty.

			Gold... gold...
			A mirror reflecting power, awe.
			Calm in its nature,
			Stirring in its effect
			Intoxicating in its beauty.
			Let me in to your power
			Let me feel your warmth...
			Change me, fuel me, cover me
			Hold me tight...

FLINT starts pacing, mind running wild.

			Inside this world of answers
			A life to be led
			by a mind gone astray
			can see the influence of perception
			and the terror of knowledge.
			But the people outside,
			living free yet confined
			By the state of their minds
			Constricting thought,
			Killing insight,
			Taking what they find.
			I will not succumb.
			I will have life.
			I am deemed worthy, and
			I will not obey.
			Thoughts ravage my mind
			The secrets I hold deep
			Let them free. 
			Let me hold them out in spite
			Let me show the world I'm right.
			Let me -

Lights blast on, as if we are being taken out of one world and thrown into another. We see the home as it really is - dirty, in array, old. Front door is being unlocked, FLINT panics. MAID enters. They take a moment staring at each other. He is still, then erupts in anger.

			Who enters my home? Who enters MY home??

			MAID
			I was hired by the committee. They want this home cleaned 					and restored.

			FLINT
			The committee?? This house is my own - it is how I like it.
			I have a housekeeper, she keeps it how Kings live!

			MAID (looking around)
			This is no place to raise a family. I must begin work at once.

			FLINT
			A family? I have none... That is MY curse. Noone needs to help me.
			I will live my own life! Now leave here at once!

			MAID
			I must do the job I was given; I must clean this house. The 
			Chairman personally gave me this task. What would you have me tell
			him? You have no other housekeeper.

			FLINT
			I do have a housekeeper! There she is.
(points to a portrait on the wall)
			She keeps my home how Kings live!

			MAID (confused)
			But sir, the curtains are brown and ripped, the furniture battered, 				dust floats in the air. No king would live here!

			FLINT (very angered)
			And just who do you see before you, Madam?? Am I not Kingly, is this
			robe not of royalty?? Leave at once, lest I have my guards throw you
			to the street!

Suddenly the room comes alive with people: HOUSEKEEPER, GOVERNESS, TAILOR, COOK in a line facing US, other people walking about, like it's a party. MAID is confused, standing watching the people. Two men with sabers approach her.

			FLINT (approaching her)
			GO, woman!! Tell the Chairman this is MY home!! Tell the lot of 				them!! I WILL NOT BE DISTURBED!!

MAID screams and runs out. Immediately, a raucous chorus starts.

			PARTY-GOERS
			Sounds the bells, ring up to Heaven
			Let your heart burst out with pleasure:
			Drink to old 
			
or real folksong:

			Come all you bold heroes, give an ear to my song
			And well sing in the praise of good brandy and rum
			There's a clear crystal fountain near England shall roll
			Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl