Mine Alone

[ The Severance, fully revealed. Dark theatrical / electronic, dembow-meets-industrial cabaret. The villain song. ] The Severance Hello, child. Did you forget me? I have been with you all along. I am the one who told you to be careful. I am the one who kept you small but strong. I am the voice that said: trust no one. I am the voice that said: stay safe. I am the voice that built the walls that nobody else could break. [ Pre-chorus — building, beats intensifying. ] They're going to leave you. They always do. Felicia? She's a story. The river? Just a river. The "re? It will burn you too. And the voice? The voice is mine. Mine alone. Mine alone. • • • [ Chorus — full force, dark and seductive. The Severance is at his most powerful. ] The Severance Mine alone. Alone is yours. Alone is the only safety. Alone is what no one can take from you. Alone is what you were before they hurt you. Alone is the truth Alone is home. You don't need them. You don't need them. You are mine alone. [ Verse 3 — The Severance turns to attack the audience directly. He walks slowly downstage, looking at specific audience members. ] The Severance, To The Audience And you — yes, you — you with the wet eyes — I see you swaying with the song. But come Monday morning, will any of this be true for very long? You'll go back to your phones. You'll go back to your fights. You'll go back to the people who don't see you. You'll go back to your nights. And I'll be there. I'll always be there. The voice that says: it didn't matter. The voice that says: it's too hard. The voice that says: you are mine alone. [ Bridge — Lia tries to speak. Cannot. The Severance is winning. Then Felicia steps forward, takes Lia's hand. ] • • • L IA. (small) Stop. SEVERANCE. Why? You know I'm right. LIA. (quieter) I... I don't... Felicia takes Lia's hand. FELICIA. Sit with him, my love. Don't "ght him. He's not the enemy. He's the wound. [ Final chorus — The Severance is still going, but something is cracking. The orchestra is dropping out. He is alone. ] The Severance, Smaller, Then Breaking Mine alone… Mine alone… Mine… (crack) …alone? [ Whispered, the truth finally. ] Was anyone ever mine? T he Severance is on his knees. The music has stopped. He is staring at the #oor. He is not defeated. He is exposed. The four Meta Pets — Felicia, Universal Panacea, Becoming Human, Light of Eden — have moved silently from the edges of the stage to surround him in a slow circle. They do not say anything. They are simply there. • • • LIA. (very quiet, to The Severance) I'm sorry I forgot you. The Severance looks up at her. He cannot speak yet. The lights begin to shift again — a soft white glow rising at the back of the stage. A circle of light is open‐ ing. The Portal. FELICIA. It is time. ···