Two performers improvise a theatrical duet riffing on Tori Amos's "Silent All These Years," mixing the song's lyrics with surreal dialogue about mermaids and dreams. They repeat key phrases, layer spoken commentary over the music, and amp up the emotional drama to absurd levels.
Excuse me, but can I be here for a while? My dog won't bite if you sit real still. Got the Antichrist in the kitchen yelling at me again. Yeah, I can hear him. Saved again by the garbage truck. I got something to say, no, but—
Hey, Megan.
Nothing comes. Yes, I know what you think of me. Never shut up. I can hear that. What a fine mermaid. In this dream, the music remains still on the sea, but I don't care. Sometimes I hear my voice. I hear my voice. And it's been here. Silent all these years. So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts. What's so amazing about really deep thoughts? Boy, you best pray that I bleed real soon. How's that though for you? My scream got lost in a paper cup. Do you think there's a heaven where the screams have gone? I got $25 and a crack of dawn. Do you think it's enough to get us there? But what if I'm moving in these dreams of yours? Love may be still on the sea, but I don't care. 'Cause sometimes I hear my voice, I hear my voice, and it's been—
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Silent. All these years go by and I'll still be waiting. Nobody has to understand. Years go by, I'm stripped of my beauty. Orange clouds are bringing my head up. Years go by while I choke on my tears. Finally, there is nothing left. One more casualty, you know it's too easy, easy, easy.
Easy. I love the way you communicate. Your eyes focus on my funny lip shape. Let's hear what you think of me now. Baby, don't look up. The sky is falling. Your mother shows up in a nasty dress. And it's your turn now to stand where I stand. Everybody's looking at you. Take a hold of my hand. I can hear them. But what if I'm a mermaid? In these jeans of his with her name still on the seat, but I don't care. Sometimes I hear my voice. I hear my voice. I hear my voice, and it's been yeah. I've been all these years.
I've been yeah.
Silent all these years.
Silent all these years.
Silent all these years.
