a rock opera

Music & Lyrics by J. Landon Marcus w/ Benjamin Sherman Book by Chas LiBretto

Draft date: 12/2/20

Agent contact: Katie Gamelli [email protected] A3 Artists Agency Literary Division The Empire State Building Fifth Ave. 38th Floor New York, NY 10118 DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Polyphemus, a CYCLOPS , a Greek General , a , a Satyr KROTOS, a Satyr KOMOS, a Satyr SIMOS, a Satyr , God of PENELOPE, wife of Odysseus (ensemble)

Time/Place: A Cave on , shortly after the end of the Trojan War

Link to Composer Demos: https://soundcloud.com/landon-marcus/sets/cyclops-a-rock-opera-original-demos

Set List: 1. For Your Gaping Gulf 2. O Dionysus 3. Strophe/Epode 4. Put Your Elbow Right 5. Here Comes the Cyclops 6. Bloodier Than the Cherry 7. Monster Like Me 8. Sing Muse 9. Cyclops Suite 10. 11. Put Your Elbow Left 12. Sodomy 13. Soon a Crab 14. Hasten and Thrust ( by Benjamin Sherman) 15. Nobody Nowhere 16. I'm a Cyclops 17. There Goes the Cyclops Darkness.

We hear the distant sounds of waves and sea creatures: gulls and seals and then...what almost sounds like faints screams and yelling. A low roaring can be heard.

The lights begin to brighten and we see that we are inside a cave.

SILENUS, a Satyr (half man, half goat), prepares body parts on platters to something in shadow...a monster, not clearly seen in the darkness of the cave. There is blood, and bones, and limbs, as well as various cutting instruments and seasonings.

His sons, younger , each behind a musical instrument, bleet and ‘bah’ and cower in fear as Silenus does the dirty work of preparing and serving their master’s ghastly meal.

SONG: “FOR YOUR GAPING GULF”

SILENUS (singing) FOR YOUR GAPING GULF! AND YOUR GULLET WIDE! THE RAVINE IS READY ON EVERY SIDE! THE LIMBS OF THE STRANGERS ARE COOKED AND DONE! THERE IS BOILED MEAT, AND ROAST MEAT, AND MEAT FROM THE COAL! YOU MAY CHOP IT, AND TEAR, IT AND GNASH IT FOR FUN! AND HAIRY GOAT-SKIN CONTAINS THE WHOLE! LET ME BUT ESCAPE AND ME O’ER THE STREAM OF YOUR WRATH TO A SAFER SHORE THE CYCLOPS AETNEAN IS CRUEL AND BOLD

Bones and skulls roll out of the shadows, as SILENUS serves the Cyclops each course.

SATYRS HE MURDERS THE STRANGERS THAT SIT ON HIS HEARTH AND DREADS NO AVENGERS TO RISE FROM THE EARTH! 2.

SILENUS HE ROASTS THE MEN BEFORE THEY ARE COLD HE SNATCHES THEM BROILING FROM THE COAL AND FROM THE CAULDRON PULLS THEM WHOLE!

The figure in shadows stands to its full height, still unrevealed. The CYCLOPS.

AND MINCES THEIR FLESH AND GNAW AT THEIR BONE WITH MY CURSED TEETH! TILL ALL BE GONE! FAREWELL FOUL PAVILION! FAREWELL RITES OF DREAD! THE CYCLOPS VERMILION, WITH SLAUGHTER UNCLOYING, NOW FEASTS ON THE DEAD.

CYCLOPS IN THE FLESH OF STRANGERS JOYING!

The CYCLOPS departs, leaving SILENUS and his sons to clean up the mess.

SILENUS begins picking up plates and bowls and bloody bones.

One of his sons hands him a mop and he sings as he mops the bloody floor.

SONG: “O DIONNYSUS”

SILENUS O DIONYSUS, WHAT A WORLD OF TOIL, BOTH NOW AND ERE THESE LIMBS WERE OVERWORN WITH AGE, HAVE I ENDURED FOR THEE! FIRST WHEN THOU FLED’ST THE MOUNTAIN-NYMPHS WHO NURSED THEE, DRIVEN AFAR BY THE STRANGE MADNESS SENT UPON THEE; THEN IN THE BATTLE OF THE SONS OF THE EARTH, WHEN I STOOD FOOT BY FOOT CLOSE TO THY SIDE, 3.

NO UNPROPITIOUS FELLOW-COMBATANT, AND DRIVING THROUGH HIS SHIELD MY WINGED SPEAR, SLEW VAST . CONSIDER NOW, IS IT A DREAM OF WHICH I SPEAK TO THEE? BY IT IS NOT, FOR YOU HAVE THE TROPHIES! AND NOW I SUFFER MORE THAN ALL BEFORE. FOR WHEN I HEARD THAT HERA HAD DEVISED A TEDIOUS VOYAGE FOR YOU, I PUT TO SEA WITH ALL MY CHILDREN QUAINT IN SEARCH OF YOU, AND I MYSELF STOOD ON THE BEAKED PROW AND FIX’D THE NAKED MAST, AND ALL MY BOYS LEANING UPON THEIR OARS, WITH SPLASH AND STRAIN MADE WHITE WITH FOAM THE GREEN AND PURPLE SEA, AND SO WE SOUGHT YOU, KING. WE WERE SAILING NEAR MALEA, WHEN AN EASTERN WIND AROSE, AND DROVE US TO THIS WILD AETNEAN ROCK; THE ONE-EYED CHILDREN OF THE OCEAN GOD, THE MAN-DESTROYING CYCLOPS INHABITS, ON THIS WILD SHORE, HIS SOLITARY CAVE, AND ONE OF THESE, NAMED , HAS CAUGHT US TO BE HIS SLAVES; AND SO, FOR ALL DELIGHT OF DIONYSIAN SPORTS, SWEETS DANCE AND MELODY, WE KEEP THIS LAWLESS GIANT’S WANDERING FLOCKS, ON FAR DECLIVITIES, YOUNG THINGS THEMSELVES, TEND ON THE YOUNGLING SHEEP, BUT I REMAIN TO FILL THE WATER-CASKS, OR SWEEPING THE HARD WOOD FLOOR, OR MINISTERING SOME IMPIOUS AND ABOMINABLE MEAL TO THE FELL CYCLOPS. 4.

I AM WEARIED OF IT! AND NOW I MUST SCRAPE UP THE LITTER’D FLOOR WITH THIS GREAT IRON RAKE, SO TO RECEIVE MY ABSENT MASTER AND HIS EVENING SHEEP IN A CAVE NEAT AND CLEAN. EVEN NOW I SEE MY CHILDREN TENDING THE FLOCKS HITHERWARD. HA! WHAT IS THIS? ARE YOUR SICINNIAN MEASURES EVEN NOW THE SAME, AS WHEN WITH DANCE AND SONG YOU BROUGHT DIONYSUS TO ’S HALLS?

SILENUS bows to his sons. His son SIMOS approaches his father with an instrument, gives a bleet, and then begins to sing.

SONG: “STROPHE / EPODE”

SIMOS WHERE HAS HE OF RACE DIVINE WANDER’D IN THE WINDING ROCKS? HERE THE AIR IS CALM AND FINE FOR THE FATHER OF THE FLOCKS; HERE THE GRASS IS SOFT AND SWEET, AND THE RIVER-EDDIES MEET IN THE TROUGH BESIDE THE CAVE, BRIGHT AS IN THE FOUNTAIN WAVE. NEITHER HERE, NOR ON THE DEW OF THE LAWNY UPLANDS FEEDING? OH, YOU COME! – A STONE AT YOU WILL I THROW TO MEND YOUR BREEDING; GET ALONG YOU HORNED THING, WILD, SEDITIOUS, RAMBLING!

SILENUS BUT WHERE FOR ME? THE DANCE, THE GLEE? OF DIONYSUS AND HIS MAIDS DIVINE! THE TIMBREL’S CLASH, THE FOUNTAINS FLASH, THE ENLIVENING CUP OF WINE? 5.

KROTOS NYSSUS’ HILL IS FAR AWAY,

MARON HERE NO NYMPHS AT TWILIGHT PLAY

SIMOS YET STILL THE DINOYSIAN LAY

SATYRS I CHANT TO BEAUTY’S QUEEN. HOW OFT, HER WITCHING SMILES TO GAIN, I’VE SOUGHT EACH HALLOWED SCENE, WHERE LOVELY PLAYED THE DIONYSIAN TRAIN,

MARON SAY, DIONYSUS, SAY WHERE THOU, SEQUESTERED, WANDEREST NOW THY GOLDEN TRESSES FLOATING ON THE GALE? REFT OF DEFENSE, IF THY PROTECTION FAIL,

SATYRS CLAD IN THIS SHAGGY COAT, SNATCH’D FROM THE GRIM HE-GOAT,

SILENUS DRUDGE OF THE ONE-EYED CYCLOPS, SEE FORLORN THY FAVORITE VOTARY.

The Satyrs begin to chant a melody. It has an almost religious fervour and builds to a fever pitch. As it builds, a group of ethereal MAENADS enter the space, cavorting and dancing to their music. Their presense brings new energy to their cave.

SATYRS AN IACCHIC MELODY TO THE GOLDEN WILL I LIFT, AS ERST DID I SEEKING HER AND HER DELIGHT AN IACCHIC MELODY TO THE GOLDEN APHRODITE WILL I LIFT, AS ERST DID I 6.

SEEKING HER AND HER DELIGHT AN IACCHIC MELODY TO THE GOLDEN APHRODITE WILL I LIFT, AS ERST DID I SEEKING HER AND HER DELIGHT AN IACCHIC MELODY TO THE GOLDEN APHRODITE WILL I LIFT, AS ERST DID I SEEKING HER AND HER DELIGHT!

The Maenads, in a frenzy, collapse to the floor.

SATYRS WITH THE MAENADS, WHOSE WHITE FEET TO THE MUSIC GLANCE AND .

SILENUS helps them up, and they weep together. He looks up to the roof of the cave.

SILENUS IN THESE WRETCHED GOAT-SKINS CLAD, FAR FROM THY DELIGHTS AND THEE.

The Satyrs and Maenads are broken-hearted. Their prayer to Dionysus has seemingly failed. Their God is nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a bedraggled sailor enters the space. It’s the Greek General ODYSSEUS, fresh from his toils in the Trojan War.

ODYSSEUS Friends?

SILENUS Dionysus?

ODYSSEUS (pointing to himself) Friend. Me friend. Can you show me some clear water spring, The remedy of our thirst? 7.

The Satyrs murmur confusedly to each other, and whisper ‘Dionysus’ a few times. Odysseus seems frustrated.

Will anyone furnish with food my crew of mighty Greek seamen?

The Satyrs stop, and then have a laugh at this.

SILENUS Heh. “Seamen.”

ODYSSEUS I seem to be arrived at the blithe court of Dionysus. I observe this sportive band of Satyrs near the cave. First let me greet the elder – Hail!

SILENUS Hail thou, O Stranger! Tell thy country and thy race.

ODYSSEUS I am the Ithacan King Odysseus.

SILENUS Oh! I know the man, Wordy and shrewd.

ODYSSEUS I am the same. But tell me, friend Hast thou seen my companions? Six or so in number? Mighty Greek -

SILENUS kicks a skull behind him.

SILENUS No Seamen here! None that we have seen.

ODYSSEUS Really? I could have sworn they went -

SILENUS Whence sailing do you come to ?

ODYSSEUS From Ilion and the Trojan toils. The strength of tempests bore us here by force. 8.

SILENUS The self-same accident occur’d to us.

ODYSSEUS Were you then drive here by stress of weather?

SILENUS Yes. Following the pirates who had kidnapp’d Dionysus. That’s how we ended up here.

ODYSSEUS What land is this, and who inhabits it?

SILENUS Aetna, the loftiest peak in Sicily.

ODYSSEUS And who possesses the land? The race of beasts?

SILENUS Cyclops, who live in a caverns, not in houses.

ODYSSEUS Obeying whom? Or does the Cyclops govern himself?

SILENUS Nobody listens to no one no way.

ODYSSEUS Nobody?

SILENUS Nobody.

ODYSSEUS Does he sow corn of ?

SILENUS On milk and cheese, and on the flesh of sheep.

ODYSSEUS Has he the Bromian drink from the vine’s stream?

SILENUS Ah! No; we live in an ungracious land. 9.

ODYSSEUS Is he just to strangers? Hospitable?

SILENUS He thinks the sweetest thing a stranger brings is his own flesh.

ODYSSEUS What! Does he eat man’s flesh?

SILENUS No one comes here who is not eaten up.

ODYSSEUS Your master, the Cyclops now – where is he? Not at home?

SILENUS Absent on Aetna, hunting with his dogs.

ODYSSEUS Do you know a way out of here?

SILENUS No, Odysseus, but I’ll help you any way I can.

ODYSSEUS I need to find my crew. You will provide us food, of which we are in want.

SILENUS Cows’ milk there is, and store of curdled cheeses.

ODYSSEUS Bring out! I would see all before I bargain.

SILENUS But how much will you engage to give?

ODYSSEUS Oh, I bring no gold. But barrels and casks of wine!

The Maenads enter the cave, bringing casks of wine from ODYSSEUS’ ship. The Satyrs are elated! 10.

SONG: “PUT YOUR ELBOW RIGHT”

SILENUS (singing) ‘TIS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THESE DRY LIPS WERE WET WITH WINE THAT I CAN SCARCELY REMEMBER THE DAY. WHEN MY BELLY FILLED AND MY WILLY WAS PULLED, BY THOSE DIONYSIAN NYMPHS HOW WE PLAY. THE MAENADS HAVE BROUGHT OUT ODYSSEUS’ WINE CASKS. THEN I CAME UPON THIS WRETCHED SHORE, O DIONYSUS YOU THRILL ME NO MORE. SO COME FELLOW, MIGHT YOU BE A FRIEND – PUT MY THIRSTY ELBOW RIGHT AND LET ME DRINK AGAIN.

ODYSSEUS THE GREAT GOD DIONYSUS GAVE IT TO ME.

SILENUS WHO NURSED ME AS A LITTLE BABY. HAVE YOU NOW OR IS IT STASHED ON YOUR SHIP?

ODYSSEUS OLD MAN, THIS SKIN CONTAINS IT.

SILENUS WHY THIS WOULD HARDLY BE A MOUTHFUL TO ME.

ODYSSEUS NAY I HAVE FOUNTAINS BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE.

SILENUS SAY COME MY DEAR FELLOW PUT TALK TO AN END. PUT MY ELBOW RIGHT AND LET ME DRINK AGAIN.

ODYSSEUS HERE’S THE CAP ALONG WITH THE SKIN.

SILENUS GREAT DIONYSUS CALLS ME FORTH TO DANCE ONCE AGAIN.

SATYRS JOY! JOY! JOY! JOY!

ODYSSEUS DOES IT FLOW SWIFTLY DOWN THE LENGTH OF YOUR THROAT? 11.

SILENUS SO THAT IT TINGLES THE NAILS OF THIS GRACIOUS HE-GOAT.

ODYSSEUS I’LL GIVE YOU GOLD AS WELL FOR THAT WHICH WE ASK.

SILENUS LET GOLD ALONE, ONLY UNLOCK THE CASK.

ODYSSEUS NOW OUT WITH THE MEAT AND THE CHEESE WE NEED.

SILENUS JUST ONE MORE CUP OF WINE AND AS THE CYCLOPS YOU WILL FEED.

ODYSSEUS GO ALONG WE ARE FAMISHED, FOR FOOD YOU MUST SEND.

SILENUS I’LL JUST PUT MY ELBOW RIGHT ONCE MORE LET ME DRINK AGAIN!

Wine casks are passed around and the Satyrs drink to their hearts’ content.

SILENUS O thank you, Odysseus. But let me have a word in your ear.

ODYSSEUS Of course. From one friend to another.

SILENUS We’ve heard stories of the war. That city, and that woman, Helen, did you... Take them?

He winks at his sons. Both of them?

ODYSSEUS Yes, we’ve sacked the whole of Priam’s household.

SILENUS Sacked! Hm! Did you hear that boys? He sacked the city! Did you...ah, ’sack’ Helen then too?

The SATYRS all have a giggle. 12.

ODYSSEUS Yes, I just told you, we sacked the whole of - (noticing the laughter) What?

SILENUS No, nothing, nothing. Helen, though, she’s the reason the Greeks, ah, banged through the Trojan walls, isn’t she?

The SATYRS giggle.

ODYSSEUS Well, there were myriad reasons for the Trojan War. The Gods demanded we fight. Honor and nationhood were at stake, respect for Greek borders, tarrifs and shipping rights and -

SILENUS Oh, but that wanton wretch Helen!

ODYSSEUS What? No I just told you -

SILENUS She was bewitch’d to see the many-color’d anklets and the chain Of woven gold which girt the neck of , wasn’t she? And so she left that little guy ! Poor little fellow! Oh, there should be no more women in the world But such as are reserved for me alone! It reminds me of a song -

Some music begins to play but ODYSSEUS puts his hand up to stop it.

ODYSSEUS I have more on my mind than song and dance. You are misled and the war was honorable and just and necessary. Now, where are ths sheep and goats, good Silenus? Unsparing cheeses of press’d milk?

SILENUS claps his hands and Maenads deliver a cheese party platter to ODYSSEUS.

SILENUS Take them; depart with what good speed ye may; First leaving my reward, the Dionysian dew Of joy-inspiring grapes. 13.

A loud and terrible roar is heard offstage! The CYCLOPS is near!

ODYSSEUS What was that?

SILENUS Ah me! Alas! What shall we do? Polyphemus is at hand!

ODYSSEUS Old man, we perish! Wither can we fly?

SILENUS Hide yourselves quick within that hollow rock.

ODYSSEUS ‘Twere perilous to fly into the net!

SILENUS The cavern has recess numberless, hide yourselves quick.

ODYSSEUS That will I never do! The mighty Troy would be indeed disgraced If I should fly one man. How many times Have I withstood, with shield immovable Ten thousand Trojans! If I needs must die, Yet will I die with glory; if I live, the praise which I have gain’d will yet remain!

SIMOS has had it with this blowhard. He spits and hisses and bursts in.

SONG: “HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS”

SIMOS I DON'T KNOW WHY, YOU CAUGHT ATHENA'S EYE. YOU TALK A LOT OF SHIT MAN, BUT YOU'RE REALLY NOT A VERY BRIGHT GUY. YOU FUCKING TOOL, NOW WHAT YOU GONNA DO? 14.

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO PLAY GOD, BUT THE GODS ARE PLAYING YOU! NOW HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! YOU GONNA DIE! HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! GONNA EAT YOU ALIVE! YEAH, YOU BETTER RUN AND HIDE! GET YOUR MEN INSIDE!

MAENADS O GREAT WARRIOR, ART THOU AS GREAT AS THY PRIDE?

ODYSSEUS I FOUGHT THE GLORIOUS WAR!

SIMOS / MAENADS OVER A STUPID FUCKING WHORE

SIMOS BUT YOUR FAME, YOUR GREAT NAME DISSOLVED WHEN YOU WASHED ON THIS SHORE! NOW HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! YOU GONNA DIE! HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! GONNA EAT YOU ALIVE! NOW HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! YOU GONNA DIE! HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS! GONNA EAT YOU ALIVE!

SIMOS, KROTOS, and MARON venture downstage and take several incredible guitar solos.

During the tumult, ODYSSEUS hides himself behind some rocks.

The music gets wilder and wilder, and more and more doom-laden until...

The Cyclops arrives, grandiose and horrible. 15.

CYCLOPS What is this tumult? Dionysus is not here! Speak! I’ll beat you till you rain tears— Look up, not downwards when I speak to you!

SILENUS Oh, Master, see! I gape on Zeus himself!

CYCLOPS Well, is my dinner fitly cook’d and laid?

SILENUS All ready, if your throat is ready too! Only pray don’t swallow me.

CYCLOPS Well, where are they? Where are my beautiful cheeses?

SILENUS reveals ODYSSEUS’ hiding place.

SILENUS This stranger ate them!

CYCLOPS What?! How dare he?! Does he not know I am a God, sprung from the race of heaven?

SILENUS I told him so, But he ate all of your delicious cave-aged artisanal cheeses in spite of all I said.

CYCLOPS All of my delicious cave-aged artisanal cheeses?!

SILENUS Yes, all of your succulent cave-aged artisanal cheeses --

ODYSSEUS Liar! Good Cyclops, hear my honest tale. This old Silenus gave me in exchange This cheese for wine, which I provided the which he took and drank, There is no word of truth in what he says. 16.

SILENUS I? May you perish, wretch— My darling little Cyclops, If I speak false may those whom most I , My children, perish wretchedly!

MARON There stop! I saw him offering the delicious cave-aged artisanal cheese party platter to the stranger; If I speak false, then may my father perish, But do not thou wrong hospitality.

CYCLOPS Hospitality? Hospitality?!

SONG: “BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY”

CYCLOPS I RAGE! I RAGE! I RAGE! I THIRST… FOR BLOOD! YOUR FEEBLE GODS! WILL WATCH ME EAT YOUR HEART!

ODYSSEUS IT IS A CRIME! WE ARE YOUR WEARIED GUESTS!

CYCLOPS AH ME! A CRIME? BRING ME A HUNDRED LOGS OF DECENT WOOD TO BUILD A FIRE! FOR MY DELICIOUS GUEST…

ODYSSEUS INSULTS TO MIGHTY ZEUS YOU BREATH!

CYCLOPS THIS SWEET IGNORAMUS AMUSES ME! LIGHT THE FIRE! 17.

ODYSSEUS looks to the SATYRS and MAENADS for assistance of reassurance, but they ignore him and direct their attention to their master.

CYCLOPS O' BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY SWEETER THAN THE BERRY O' BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY SWEETER THAN THE BERRY OH WHAT DELIGHT WILL FILL EACH BITE MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY! OH WHAT DELIGHT WILL FILL EACH BITE MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY! MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY! MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY! O' BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY! SWEETER THAN THE BERRY! BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY! SWEETER THAN THE BERRY! BLOODIER THAN THE CHERRY! SWEETER THAN THE BERRY! OH WHAT DELIGHT WILL FILL EACH BIT MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY! HA HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA! FAT AND MERRY! OH WHAT DELIGHT WILL FILL EACH BIT MY GULLET FAT AND MERRY!

CYCLOPS But I must ask, O stranger; Who are you? And what city nourished you?

ODYSSEUS Good Cyclops, I am but an honest soldier Lost at sea and trying to make my way home From the war in Troy. 18.

CYCLOPS Troy? Troy! That was the one fought over that brazen whore Helen?

ALL Ha ha ha ha ha!

The laugh goes on for an uncomfortable long amount of time, until the CYCLOPS cuts it off!

CYCLOPS I'LL MASH YOUR BONES INTO CUSTARD ON YOUR FLESH I'LL SPREAD SOME MUSTARD AND BOIL YOUR BRAIN ON RAGING FLAME AND FEAST ON BLOODY PUSS-CURD!

ODYSSEUS Puss curd?

ALL Puss curd?

CYCLOPS I’LL BOIL YOUR BRAIN ON RAGING FLAME AND FEAST ON BLOODY PUSS-CURD PUSS CURD! BLOODY PUSS CURD! I’LL BOIL YOUR BRAIN ON RAGING FLAME AND FEAST ON BLOODY PUSS-CURD!

ODYSSEUS O great offspring of the ocean-king Spare thy friends who visit thee, And place no impious food within thy jaws. For in the depths of we have uprear;d Temples to thy great father, .

CYCLOPS Hmph. 19.

ODYSSEUS Turn to converse under human laws, Receive us shipwreck’d suppliants, and provide Food, clothes, and fire, and hospitality.

CYCLOPS Pah! What does a soldier know of hospitality?

ODYSSEUS It means you should welcome a guest and not eat them. Troy’s wide land has widow’d Greece enough. If you should roast the rest, ‘Tis a bitter feats that you prepare, For where then would any turn?

SILENUS Let me advise you, do not spare a morsel Of all his flesh. If you should eat his tongue You would become most eloquent, O Cyclops.

CYCLOPS swats SILENUS away.

CYCLOPS Wealth, my good fellow, is the wise man’s God. All other things are a pretence and a boast. Stranger, I laugh to scorn Zeus’ thunderbolt. For those who complicate with laws of man, I freely give them tears for their reward. I will not cheat my soul of its delight Or hesitate in dining upon you. And that I may be quit of all demands These are my hospitable gifts; - fierce fire And yon ancestral cauldron, which o’erbubbling Shall finely cook your miserable flesh. Creep in!

SONG: “MONSTER LIKE ME”

CYCLOPS I SMELL THE BLOOD OF A STRANGER!

ODYSSEUS CYCLOPS! LET THIS END, LET ME LEAVE WITH MY MEN! 20.

CYCLOPS STRANGER DON’T YOU REALIZE THE DANGER? NE’ER AGAIN TO SEE THE FACE OF A FRIEND! THE ONLY SMILE YOU’LL SEE IS FROM A MONSTER LIKE ME!

ODYSSEUS MY MEN! CYCLOPS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THEM?! YOU ARE CRUEL AND VICIOUS! RELEASE US NOW FROM YOUR DEN!

CYCLOPS STRANGER YOU TOO WILL MEET A SIMILAR END. THEY WERE DELICIOUS! IF I HAD THREE WISHES, I’D EAT THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN! OH NO, YOU’LL NEVER LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER MONSTER LIKE ME! HEY, YOU LITTLE TWIT! CAN’T YOU SMELL THE SHIT UNTIL YOU’RE IN IT?

CYCLOPS ASK ONCE AGAIN AND I’LL RELEASE YOUR MEN FROM MY REAR END! I BROILED THEIR BRAINS ‘TILL NO THOUGHTS REMAINED! PEELED THEIR FLESH AS THEY GASPED FOR BREATH! ROASTED THE THIGHS AND SUCKED OUT THE EYES! TOSSED THE BONES IN MY CATACOMBS! SIZZLED THE LIVERS, I SAVED YOU A SLIVER! IT TASTE A SO NICE, WON’T YOU HAVE A SLICE? DICE UP A THE BICEP WITH A RED BEANS AND A RICE!

ODYSSEUS No!

CYCLOPS AS I WIPED THEIR REMAINS FROM MY GREAT CUTTING BOARD I STRUNG UP THEIR VEINS FOR MY HARPSICHORD! STRANGER! COULD YOU BE? A MONSTER LIKE ME? WE’RE RATHER ALIKE US TWO!

ODYSSEUS I’M NOTHING AT ALL LIKE YOU! 21.

CYCLOPS TELL THAT TO YOUR VICTIMS AT TROY! EVERY LITTLE INNOCENT GIRL AND BOY!

ODYSSEUS WE FOUGHT TO RID THE WORLD OF A TYRANNICAL KING! IT WAS OUR SACRED DUTY!

CYCLOPS LET FREEDOM RING! IT’S BEEN MANY A MOON SINCE FROM TROY YOU DID ROAM WHY DO YOU WANDER SO FAR FROM HOME? AFRAID OF THE DARKNESS THAT LURKS INSIDE? OF THE MONSTER THAT YOU’LL NEVER HIDE?

ODYSSEUS I…I…

CYCLOPS TO BURN IN THE LIGHT AND TURN IN THE NIGHT A PAWN OF THE BREEZE TO WANDER THE SEAS YES, YOU’LL ALWAYS BE YES, YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A MONSTER LIKE ME A MONSTER LIKE ME! A MONSTER LIKE ME!

The CYCLOPS is about to eat ODYSSEUS!

ODYSSEUS Wait!

CYCLOPS Yyyyes?

ODYSSEUS holds out a wine skin left over from earlier. He offers it to the CYCLOPS.

ODYSSEUS FIRST A TOAST! TO US MONSTERS! MAY WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE! 22.

YOU’RE A TERRIBLE HOST AND I’M A LOWLY IMPOSTER FIRST A TOAST! TO US MONSTERS!

The CYCLOPS cautiously takes the wine skin.

CYCLOPS WELL I SUPPOSE I COULD HAVE ONE OF THOSE IT MIGHT BE FINE AS I SIT DOWN TO DINE!

ODYSSEUS/CYCLOPS TO ALL THE TERRIBLE HOSTS AND THE LOWLY IMPOSTERS! HERE’S A TOAST! TO US MONSTERS HERE’S A TOAST! TO US MONSTERS! HERE’S A TOAST! TO US MONSTERS!

The CYCLOPS takes a swig.

CYCLOPS upends the bottle and empties it into his mouth.

CYCLOPS It’s too late to be a hero here, friend. Your Mighty Greek Seamen are all gone.

He belches.

And I fear you weren’t as much of a hero where you came from either. Why waste what little time you have left on such follies?

ODYSSEUS Because I have a wife at home who awaits my return. There are people who love me yet. Can you say the same, Cyclops?

The CYCLOPS looks at him for a moment. ODYSSEUS question has cut sharper than he knows. 23.

CYCLOPS drops the jug to the ground and leaves.

ODYSSEUS collapses to the ground.

SILENUS The wine has fascinated him!

ODYSSEUS Yes, and I filled him cup after cup Until the drink has warmed his entrails.

SILENUS I hope the wine wounds him soon And we can take sure revenge on that foul Cyclops!

ODYSSEUS Revenge? No. He is right, old man. I am a monster and the people of Troy would have cause enough To seek revenge upon me as I would upon the cyclops. If there were any survivors in Troy left living, that is.

SILENUS watches as ODYSSEUS walks to the far end of the cave and sits down on a stone.

SONG: “SING MUSE”

SILENUS SING, MUSE OF THE WORLD’S PAIN OF THE LIFE THAT STILL REMAINS THE MAN OF TWISTS AND TURNS THE AGELESS CITY OF TROY HE BURNED.

ODYSSEUS I HAD JUST TAKEN MY WIFE’S FAIR HAND WHEN I WAS PLACED IN COMMAND TO RAID THE CITY OF TROY I LEFT HER PREGNANT WITH OUR BABY BOY. OH, MY PENELOPE, MY DARLING, WAIT FOR ME. I’VE GONE ACROSS THE SEA 24.

TO FIGHT FOR PEACE AND LIBERTY. WE BURNED EVERY TRACE OF THE TROJAN RACE. WE SET THE WORLD ON FIRE AND THE FLAMES GROW HIGHER HIGHER.

SILENUS MUSE, TELL ME. OF THE MAN OF MANY WILES. THE MAN WHO WANDERED MANY PATHS AND EXILES HOMELESS ODYSSEUS.

ODYSSEUS THE MEMORIES IN MY MIND COULD MAKE A MAN GO BLIND WHO WAS I BEFORE THE MEMORIES OF THE TROJAN WAR? I SEE HER BEAUTEOUS FACE AND FEEL HER SOFT EMBRACE. IF I COULD BE THE ONE WHO STAYS TO RAISE OUR ONLY SON. WE BURNED EVERY TRACE OF THE TROJAN RACE. WE SET THE WORLD ON FIRE. AND THE FLAMES GROW HIGHER AND HIGHER WHAT IS THIS PLACE NOT A FAMILIAR FACE O GODDESS I TIRE OF YOUR FIERCE DESIRE WILL I EVER SEE YOU AGAIN? WILL I REACH MY JOURNEY’S END? I FOUGHT TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY FREE! BUT WILL I EVER BE? AND THE SHADES OF THE DEAD SCREAM AND MOAN IN MY HEAD! O ATHENA COULD IT BE? YOU HAVE ABANDONED ME? 25.

SILENUS SING MUSE, OF HIS ENDLESS SUFFERINGS! HEARTSICK ON THE OPEN SEA! WILL HE REACH FAMILIAR SHORES? MUSE, TELL ME.

ODYSSEUS WHAT IS THIS PLACE? NOT A FAMILIAR FACE? O ATHENA I TIRE, OF YOUR FIERCE DESIRE! WILL I EVER KNOW MY HOME AGAIN? WILL I REACH MY JOURNEY’S END? WILL I EVER SEE YOUR FACE? WILL ANOTHER TAKE MY PLACE? AND THE VOICES OF THE DEAD ARE SCREAMING IN MY HEAD! I FOUGHT TO BRING MY COMRADES HOME! I COULD NOT SAVE THEM AND ON I ROAM! IT WAS WAR! ALL IS FAIR! I DON’T KNOW WHY WE WERE THERE! A SOLDIER FIGHTS TO KEEP HIS COUNTRY FREE! BUT A SOLDIER WILL NEVER BE FREE.

ODYSSEUS takes a drink from the bottle of wine the CYCLOPS had left behind…and suddenly, there appears a glow. A vision. It is ODYSSEUS’ wife PENELOPE.

PENELOPE Our lives are much too brief… If a man is cruel by nature, cruel in action The mortal world will down curses on his head While he is alive, and all will mock his memory after death. But then if a man is kind by nature, brave in action, His guests will carry his fame across the earth And people will praise him from the heart.

The vision fades. ODYSSEUS stands up, an idea having come to him. 26.

ODYSSEUS Listen up, Silenus. I have a plan to free you and your sons from the Cyclops. My device is subtle.

SILENUS How then? I heard of old that thou wert wise.

ODYSSEUS Wise? I am Odysseus son of Laertes, known before all men for the study of crafty designs, And my fame goes up to the heavens. When, vanquish’d by the Dionysian juices, he sleeps, There is a trunk of olive wood within, Whose point having made sharp with this good sword I will conceal it in fire and fix it, burning yet, Within the socket of the Cyclops’ eye And melt it out with fire.

SILENUS Joy! I am mad with joy at your device!

ODYSSEUS And then with you, my friends, We’ll load the hollow depth of my black ship, And row with double strokes from this dread shore.

SILENUS Oh! I would lift an hundred wagon-loads, If like a wasp’s nest I could scoop the eye out of the detested Cyclops.

The Satyrs cheer!

ODYSSEUS Well, then, let’s get to it.

MARON Oh! But...Ah...oh.

Pause. Everyone looks at MARON. 27.

ODYSSEUS What?

SILENUS Oh, listen not to him, Odysseus. Always fretting, our Maron.

ODYSSEUS Young Satyr, if you have something on your mind...

MARON (blurted out) What happens if the Cyclops doesn’t pass out?

Everyone’s silent for a moment.

ODYSSEUS Hm. He does have a point, Silenus. The Cyclops is a sizeable creature.

SILENUS Leave that to me, Odysseus. Leave that to me. I know exactly what to do.

ODYSSEUS You’re certain?

SILENUS Yes, yes, nothing to worry about.

ODYSSEUS If you’re sure...

SILENUS Of course. Now, if there’s nothing else.

ODYSSEUS Right. Now, let us -

MARON Oh. Uh....

They all look at MARON again.

SILENUS Malakas, Maron! 28.

ODYSSEUS (annoyed) Go ahead, son.

MARON What if Polyphemus calls to his brother for help?

Silence.

ODYSSEUS Did you say...brother Cyclopes? As in...more than one?

SILENUS Oh. Yes. The caves here are all populated by members of the Cyclopean race. But they’re a lazy group and hardly ever -

ODYSSEUS How many?

SILENUS Oh just...a few dozen.

ODYSSEUS Dozen!

SILENUS Don’t worry! They are an unruly bunch and hardly every socialize.

ODYSSEUS And if the Cyclops calls to them for help against me?

SILENUS As I said, Odysseus... Nobody here listens to no one no way.

ODYSSEUS Nobody...what does that even -

SILENUS leaves.

Well, unless anyone else has any... (noticing MARON, who has his hand up) Yes, go ahead, Maron. 29.

MARON lowers his hand and then farts. The Satyrs all laugh. ODYSSEUS shakes his head with a scolding grin.

Come!

SONG: “CYCLOPS SUITE”

ODYSSEUS WHO IS FIRST, THAT WITH HIS HAND WILL URGE DOWN THE BURNING BRAND THROUGH THE LIDS, AND QUENCH AND PIERCE THE CYCLOPS’ EYE SO FIERY PIERCE?

MAENADS LISTEN! LISTEN! HE IS COMING, A MOST HIDEOUS DISCORD HUMMING. DRUNKEN, MUSELESS, AWKWARD, YELLING.

ODYSSEUS FAR ALONG HIS ROCKY DWELLING!

MAENADS LET US WITH SOME COMIC SPELL TEACH THE YET UN-TEACHABLE.

ODYSSEUS BY ALL MEANS HE MUST BE BLINDED, IF MY COUNSEL BE BUT MINDED!

MAENADS HAPPY THOSE MADE ODOROUS WITH THE DEW WHICH SWEET GRAPES WEEP, TO THE VILLAGE HASTENING THUS, SEEK THE VINES AND SOOTHE TO SLEEP.

ODYSSEUS HAVING FIRST EMBRACED THY FRIEND, THERE IS LUXURY WITHOUT END,

MAENADS WITH THE STRINGS OF YELLOW HAIR, OF THY VOLUPTUOUS LEMAN FAIR, SHALL SIT PLAYING ON A BED! – 30.

ODYSSEUS SPEAK WHAT DOOR IS OPENED?

A very drunk CYCLOPS is ushered on-stage by SILENUS.

CYCLOPS HA! HA! HA! I’M FULL OF WINE, HEAVY WITH THE JOY DIVINE, WITH THE YOUNG FEAST OVERSATED, LIKE A MERCHANT’S VESSEL FREIGHTED TO THE WATER’S EDGE, MY CROP IS LADEN TO THE GULLET’S TOP! THE FRESH MEADOW-GRASS OF SPRING TEMPTS ME FORTH THUS WANDERING TO MY BROTHERS ON THE MOUNTAINS, WHO SHALL SHARE THE WINE’S SWEET FOUNTAINS! BRING THE CASK, O STRANGERS, BRING! BRING THE CASK, O STRANGER, BRING! BRING THE CASK, O STRANGER, BRING! ODYSSEUS GIVES HIM A SWIG OF WINE.

He swallows an entire tankard of wine. When he tosses the empty cask aside, he sees a vision of light and glory... DIONYSUS has appeared to him.

DIONYSUS (singing) ONE WITH EYE THE FAIREST COMETH FROM HIS DWELLING; SOME ONE LOVES THEE, RAREST, BRIGHT BEYOND MY TELLING. IN THY GRACE THOU SHINEST LIKE SOME NYMPH DIVINEST, IN HER CAVERNS DEWY:-- ALL DELIGHTS PURSUE THEE. SOON PIED FLOWERS, SWEET-BREATHING. SHALL THY HEAD BE WREATHING.

DIONYSUS disappears. The CYCLOPS is left barely standing, mumbling to himself.

ODYSSEUS watches the stumbling, drunken monster and dangles another jug of wine in his face. 31.

ODYSSEUS Listen, O Cyclops, for I am well skilled In Dionysus, whom I gave you to drink.

CYCLOPS What sort of god is Dionysus then accounted?

ODYSSEUS The greatest among men for joy of life.

CYCLOPS I gulped him down with very great delight.

ODYSSEUS This is a god who never injures men.

CYCLOPS How does the god like living in a skin?

ODYSSEUS He is content wherever he is put.

CYCLOPS Gods should not have their bodies in a skin.

ODYSSEUS If he gives joy, what is his skin to you?

CYCLOPS I hate the skin but love the wine within.

ODYSSEUS Stay here, now drink, and make your spirit glad.

CYCLOPS No, no, I’ve had enough.

ODYSSEUS But there’s so much wine left to drink...

CYCLOPS Curse you, I said I was done! Besides, I wouldn’t want a belly ache when it’s time to eat you... Perhaps the right thing to do is to invite brothers, to share in this bounteous feast...

He stumbles closer and closer to ODYSSEUS. 32.

ODYSSEUS (nervously) Ah, Silenus? Now might be a good time for your part of the plan...?

SILENUS reenters.

CYCLOPS Silenus? Ah, there you are. Do you think my brothers have heard the good news about Dionysus?

SILENUS Oh, but good Cyclops, your brothers wouldn’t be interested in religion. Besides, the stranger is much too thin and gamey to share. Actually, there’s something I was hoping we might settle between the three of us...

CYCLOPS Oh yes? What’s that?

SILENUS The stranger here was telling me that the most beauteous queen in all the world was awaiting his return home.

CYCLOPS seems to rankle at this.

I told him that couldn’t be, for you yourself loved the most beautiful creature ever to walk the earth. And she lived right here.

CYCLOPS backs away from ODYSSEUS.

She had that lover you smashed with that rock. She got really upset about it, didn’t she? Called you a monster. Do you remember?

The CYCLOPS seems small and frightened.

The CYCLOPS doesn’t answer but he reaches out to touch the wine skin ODYSSEUS has left.

What was her name again, Polyphemus?

The lights shift.

Suddenly, it is as if the CYCLOPS is all alone on stage. 33.

SONG: “GALATEA”

CYCLOPS APHRODITE BOTH HEAVEN AND EARTH OBEY IMMENSE THY POWER AND BOUNDLESS THY SWAY THE CYCLOPS WHO DEFIES THE ETHEREAL THRONE AND THOUGHT NO THUNDER TO BE LOUDER THEN HIS OWN! BUT MY BARREN HEART BEGAN TO STIR WITH FIERCE DESIRE! OH, HOW I BURNED FOR HER WITH UNRELENTING FIRE! LOVE’S FLAMING BRAND HAD BEEN TOSSED IN HER TWO EYES, MY SIGHT WAS LOST. MY HEART WAS SET FREE BY THE FAIR DAUGHTER OF THE SEA. OH, LOVELY GALATEA WHITER FAR THAN FALLING SNOWS AND RISING LILIES ARE. LIKE SLIDING STREAMS IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD LIKE THEM FALLACIOUS THEIR FOUNTAINS COLD. HER HAIR WOVEN IN GOLDEN FLAME SPARKS MY PASSION AND PAIN! CRUEL CURSE OF THE GODS I DISDAIN THY THRONE! THE ONLY LOVE I’VE KNOWN WAS IN VAIN! BUT IF YOU KNEW ME WELL, YOU WOULD NOT SHUN MY LOVE BUT TO MY EMBRACES RUN! ZEUS’ FABLED THUNDER I DESPISE AND ONLY FEAR THE LIGHTNING IN YOUR EYES! GALATEA RISE YOUR BEAUTEOUS FACE ABOVE THE WAVES BRIGHTEN MY CAVES!

A light hits the CYCLOPS and he sees a vision of GALATEA.

GALATEA CYCLOPS YOU’RE A MONSTER, POLYPHEME! O RUDDIER THAN THE CHERRY SWEET THAN THE BERRY O NYMPH MORE BRIGHT THAN MOONSHINE NIGHT 34.

GALATEA CYCLOPS YOU’RE A MONSTER, POLYPHEME! O RUDDIER THAN THE CHERRY SWEET THAN THE BERRY O NYMPH MORE BRIGHT THAN MOONSHINE NIGHT

The vision disappears. CYCLOPS falls to the ground, sobbing.

SILENUS enters from the house, takes his guitar. His sons enter from the back of the stage with ODYSSEUS.

CYCLOPS Silenus! I hate the stranger! What shall I do? Cyclops sad! Cyclops smash!

He sobs. ODYSSEUS comes out to see.

Stranger! You say your wife is waiting for you, is she? Maybe I’ll find her and...and tell her all about That brazen whore Helen!

CYCLOPS laughs loud and obnoxiously but the joke falls flat and everyone just sort of looks at him like he’s pathetic.

CYCLOPS begins to sob.

SILENUS Well, you know Polyphemus, when drinking makes you sad… Sometimes the best thing to do is keep right on drinking. Why don’t you just... Put your elbow right and drink again?

CYCLOPS Again? No, no, the wine is too powerful And I am much too distraught. I won’t have another drop.

SILENUS Oh, but you don’t want to spend the rest of the night thinking about that Galatea, do you?

He holds out the wine skin to the CYCLOPS. 35.

SONG: “PUT YOUR ELBOW LEFT”

CYCLOPS HOW NOW?

SILENUS YE GODS, WHAT A DELICIOUS GULP!

CYCLOPS GUEST, YOU TAKE IT! POUR OUT THE WINE FOR MY CUP!

ODYSSEUS THE WINE IS WELL ACCUSTOMED TO MY HAND!

CYCLOPS POUR OUT THE WINE, YOU INSOLENT MAN!

ODYSSEUS I POUR ONLY BE SILENT! I CAN’T HEAR MYSELF THINK!

CYCLOPS SILENCE IS A HARD TASK TO HIM WHO DRINKS!

ODYSSEUS TAKE IT AND DRINK IT OFF! LEAVE NOT A DREG!

SILENUS THEN JUST PUT YOUR ELBOW RIGHT AND DRINK AND DRINK AGAIN!

ODYSSEUS O, THAT THE DRINKER DIED WITH HIS OWN DRAUGHT!

CYCLOPS PAPAI! THE WINE IS A SAPIENT PLANT!

ODYSSEUS IF YOU DRINK MUCH AFTER A MIGHTY FEAST: MOISTEN YOUR MAW! WELL YOU WILL SLEEP!

SILENUS IF YOU LEAVE AUGHT, DIONYSUS DRIES YOU UP!

CYCLOPS HO! HO! I CAN SCARCE RISE! I AM FUCKED UP! 36.

CYCLOPS is very drunk and falls over.

SILENUS nods at ODYSSEUS, but just as they think the job is done, CYCLOPS stumbles to his feet again!

CYCLOPS GUEST! TELL HOW THOU ART CALLED?

ODYSSEUS MY NAME IS NOBODY!

SILENUS / CYCLOPS HIS NAME IS NOBODY!

CYCLOPS (to SILENUS) WERE YOU ALWAYS SO EXQUISITELY BALD?

SILENUS WE’RE THE BEST OF BUDDIES!

ODYSSEUS THEY’RE THE BEST OF BUDDIES! NOW THAT YOU’VE ENJOYED MY WINE! WHAT FAVOR WILL YOU GRANT TO ME?

CYCLOPS WHEN I NEXT SIT DOWN TO DINE I’LL SAVOR THE FLAVOR I’LL TAKE MY TIME AND IF I SHOULD PLACE MY HAND UPON THINE I’LL SAVE YOU FOR LATER AND THAT IS MY FAVOR I’LL FEAST ON YOU LAST BEFORE MY FEASTING STOPS.

ODYSSEUS YOU GRANT YOUR GUEST A FAIR REWARD, O CYCLOPS!

CYCLOPS HA! WHAT IS THIS? STEALING THE WINE, YOU ROGUE? 37.

SILENUS IT WAS THE BOTTLE KISSING ME BECAUSE I LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL!

CYCLOPS YOU SHALL REPENT FOR KISSING THE COY WINE THAT LOVES YOU NOT!

SILENUS BY ZEUS! YOU SAID THAT I WAS FAIR!

CYCLOPS CURSED ONE! GIVE IT ME SO!

SILENUS NOT UNTIL YOU HAVE A TASTE OF THAT WINE FOR YOURSELF!

KROTOS FOR THE WINE IS SWEET!

SILENUS IT’S A TASTY TREAT!

MARON NOW HE’S FULL OF MEAT!

CYCLOPS LORD CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER CAN YOU FEEL THE HEAT?!

SONG: “SODOMY”

CYCLOPS THE HEAVEN AND EARTH SEEM TO WHIRL ABOUT CONFUSEDLY I SEE THE THRONE OF ZEUS AND THE GODS SMILING DOWN AT ME. BUT IF THE GRACES TEMPTED ME TO KISS, I WOULD NOT! IF THEY OFFERED ME A DANCE WITH BLISS, I COULD NOT! FOR THE LOVELIEST OF THEM ALL SLEEPS WITHIN MY HALLS! HOW I LOVE TO FINGER HIS CURLS AS HE'S PUSHED UP AGAINST THE WALL! SODOMY YOU AND ME, BOY!

SATYRS TONIGHT, TONIGHT! 38.

CYCLOPS SODOMY SET ME FREE!

SILENUS SOMETIMES THE NIGHTS CAN FEEL SO LONELY AND SO LONG!

CYCLOPS I'LL MAKE YOU GRUNT AND SQUEAL!

SILENUS WITH YOUR GIANT CYCLOPS DONG! AND IF I ASKED YOU IF YOU WOULD STOP?

CYCLOPS I WOULD NOT! YOU MIGHT WANT TO GRAB A MOP!

SILENUS I MIGHT NOT!

SILENUS/CYCLOPS FOR THE LOVELIEST OF THEM ALL SLEEPS WITHIN MY HALLS!

SILENUS I BET YOU SAY THAT TO ALL THE GIRLS!

CYCLOPS I'M GONNA BOUNCE YOU ON MY CYCLOPS BALLS!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! YOU AND ME!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! SET ME FREE!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT! 39.

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! YOU AND ME!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! SET ME FREE!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS LOVE IS A WAVE IN THE OCEAN! LOVE IS A GRAIN OF THE SAND! LOVE IS FOREVER IN MOTION! GONNA LOVE YOU TILL YOU CAN’T STAND!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! YOU AND ME, BOY!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! SET ME FREE!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! YOU AND ME, BOY!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT! 40.

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY! SET ME FREE!

ALL TONIGHT! TONIGHT!

CYCLOPS/SILENUS SODOMY!

CYCLOPS and SILENUS depart. ODYSSEUS remains, with the Satyrs at his side.

SONG: “SOON A CRAB”

ODYSSEUS SOON A CRAB THE THROAT WILL SEIZE OF HIM WHO FEEDS UPON HIS GUEST, FIRE WILL BURN HIS LAMP-LIKE EYES IN REVENGE OF SUCH A FEAST! A GREAT OAK STUMP NOW LYING IN THE ASHES YET UNDYING. COME, MARON, COME! COME, SIMOS, COME! COME, KROTOS, COME! RAGING LET HIM FIX THE DOOM! LET HIM TEAR THE EYELID UP OF THE CYCLOPS – THAT HIS CUP MAY BE EVIL!

MARON O, I LONG TO DANCE AND REVEL WITH SWEET BROMIAN, LONG DESIRED!

SATYRS IN LOVED IVY WREATHS ATTIRED!

MARON LEAVING THIS ABANDONED HOME—

SATYRS WILL THE MOMENT EVER COME? WILL THE MOMENT EVER COME? WILL THE MOMENT EVER COME? WILL THE MOMENT EVER COME? WILL THE MOMENT— 41.

The SATYRS are getting carried away with the song and ODYSSEUS, sensing this isn’t working, cuts them off!

ODYSSEUS Be silent, you wild things! No, hold your peace! Dare not to breathe, Or spit, or even wink, lest you wake the monster, ‘Till his eye be tortured out with fire!

MARON WE ARE TOO FEW, WE CANNOT AT THIS DISTANCE FROM THE DOOR THRUST FIRE INTO HIS EYE.

KOMOS AND WE JUST NOW HAVE BECOME LAME; CANNOT MOVE EITHER HAND OR FOOT.

KROTOS AH! I SPRAINED MY ANKLE!

ODYSSEUS WHAT, SPRAINED WITH STANDING STILL?

MARON HIS ULCER IS ACTING UP!

SATYRS HIS ULCER IS ACTING UP!

MARON AND I HAVE A DOCTOR’S NOTE. IT SAYS SPECIFICALLY TO REFRAIN FROM ANY HEAVY LIFTING. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HELP BUT MY BACK WOULD NOT FORGIVE ME. I WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR ENDEAVORS IT’S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE.

ODYSSEUS Cowardly dogs! Ye will not aid me then?

KOMOS WITH PITYING MY OWN BACK 42.

KROTOS AND MY ANKLE!

MARON AND NOT WISHING ALL MY TEETH KNOCKED OUT.

KOMOS THIS COWARDICE COMES OF ITSELF.

MARON BUT STAY, I KNOW A MAGIC SPELL TO SUMMON THOSE INVISIBLE. TO RAISE THE BRAND INTO THE SKULL OF HE WHO IS MOST TERRIBLE. TO SHARPEN THE BLADE AND PLUNGE THE KNIFE. I WILL DO THIS AT THE PERIL OF MY LIFE.

Through the magic spell, a light has appeared revealing the sleeping CYCLOPS.

Through the following song, ODYSSEUS and the Maenads hoist a large oak branch, sharped at the end and smoking, and bring it closer and closer to the sleeping CYCLOPS.

SONG: “HASTEN AND THRUST”

SATYRS HASTEN AND THRUST! AND PARCH UP TO DUST, THE EYE OF THE BEAST WHO FEEDS ON HIS GUEST. BURN AND BLIND THE AETNEAN HIND! SCOOP AND DRAW, BUT BEWARE LEST HE CLAW YOUR LIMBS NEAR HIS MAW!

The fiery brand plunges into the CYCLOPS face as he writhes in pain. 43.

SATYRS HASTEN AND THRUST! HASTEN AND THRUST! HASTEN AND THRUST! HASTEN AND THRUST! HASTEN AND THRUST! HASTEN AND THRUST!

ODYSSEUS pulls the brand out and the CYCLOPS is silent.

Is he dead? The SATYRS and MAENADS approach his body with trepidation, and begin to congratulate each other, when...

THE CYCLOPS awakes with a bellowing scream! The band quickly returns to their stations and the CYCLOPS writhes in agony, as he begins to sing again...

SONG: “NOBODY NOWHERE”

CYCLOPS AH ME! MY EYESIGHT IS PARCHED UP TO CINDERS.

ALL WHAT SWEET MUSIC! SING IT AGAIN!

CYCLOPS AH ME! WHAT WOE HAS FALLEN UPON ME!

ALL WHAT SWEET MUSIC! SING IT AGAIN!

CYCLOPS BUT WRETCHED NOTHINGS THINK YE NOT TO FLEE?

ALL YOUR JAWS CAN’T CATCH WHAT YOUR EYE CAN’T SEE.

CYCLOPS AH ME, AH ME! MY EYE! I CAN’T SEE!

ALL HEE! HEE! HEE! HEE! HEE! HEE! 44.

CYCLOPS I PERISH!

ALL FOR YOU ARE WICKED!

CYCLOPS AND MISERABLE BESIDES. WHAT HAPPENED? WHO’S DONE THIS? IT WAS THAT STRANGER NOBODY.

ALL DID YOU FALL IN THE FIRE WHEN YOU WERE DRUNK?

CYCLOPS IT WAS NOBODY, THAT LITTLE HIPPIE, PUNK.

ALL YOU’RE TRIPPING MAN, YOU JUST GOT KRUNK.

CYCLOPS I’M GONNA TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB AND EAT THE CHUNKS!

ALL HERE COMES, THE CYCLOPS!

CYCLOPS AH ME MY EYE!

ALL HERE COMES THE CYCLOPS!

CYCLOPS YOU’RE ALL GONNA DIE!

The lights shift. The CYCLOPS finds himself alone in the darkness. And then several dozen red eyes appear in the blackness: The Eyes of the CYCLOPS’ brothers.

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES (voices) O Brother Cyclops, what is the trouble? Why do you scream into the night And wake your brother Cyclopes from their precious sleep? 45.

Somebody somewhere stealing your sheep? Somebody somewhere trying to kill you?

CYCLOPS ‘TWAS NOBODY DESTROY’D ME.

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES THEN NOBODY CAN BE TO BLAME!

CYCLOPS ‘TWAS NOBODY WHO BLINDED ME!

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES NOBODY IS NOT A NAME!

CYCLOPS ‘TWAS NOBODY!

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES THEN YOU CAN’T BE BLIND!

CYCLOPS ‘TWAS NOBODY!

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES NOBODY YOU CAN FIND!

CYCLOPS I WISH YOU WERE BLIND AS I AM

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES NOBODY MADE YOU BLIND! NOBODY’S YOUR MAN!

CYCLOPS YOU JEER ME, I ASK WHERE IS NOBODY?!

VOICES OF BROTHER CYCLOPES NOWHERE, O CYCLOPS, IS NOBODY!

ALL NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY! NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY! 46.

NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY! NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY, NOBODY!

CYCLOPS NOBODY! NOBODY! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

CYCLOPS lets loose an agonized, tortured howl. The Red Eyes all vanish.

All is silent in the cave for a long, uncertain moment... And then...

SONG: “I’M A CYCLOPS”

CYCLOPS IT WAS THE STRANGER THAT RUINED ME. I COULDN’T SEE THE DANGER AND NOW I CAN’T SEE. OH, HOW HE DECEIVED ME HOW HE LIED. NOW HE WON’T SEE ME CRY BUT I’M CRYING INSIDE. I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE FINDING FRIENDSHIP FAST BUT IT’S ALL IN THE PAST. TO THINK I WAS GOING TO EAT HIM LAST. OH, I JUST WANT TO DIE! FIRST HE GAVE ME WINE THEN HE BURNT OUT MY EYE. I’M A CYCLOPS! YES IT’S TRUE! OH, BABY I’M A CYCLOPS! AREN’T I A BIT LIKE YOU? I’M A CYCLOPS! YES IT’S PLAIN TO SEE! OH, YEAH I’M A CYCLOPS! BUT I DIDN’T ASK TO BE! HAVE THEY ESCAPED OR ARE THEY YET WITHIN? MY EYE HAS BEEN RAPED HELP ME FIND THEM I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!

SILENUS THEY STAND UNDER THE ROCK, AWAY FROM THE LIGHT! 47.

CYCLOPS AT MY LEFT OR MY RIGHT?

MAENADS ON YOUR RIGHT!

CYCLOPS WHERE?

MAENADS NEAR THE ROCK!

CYCLOPS THERE?

He smacks his head on a cave wall.

CYCLOPS OH, FUCK!

SILENUS QUICK! TURN AROUND YOU ARE VERY NEAR.

MAENADS THEY ARE FROZEN IN FEAR. NOT THERE.

CYCLOPS WHERE?

ALL OVER HERE! HA! HA! HA!

CYCLOPS AH, I AM MOCKED BY A FEEBLE GOAT! I’M GOING TO EAT YOU ALL BEFORE YOU GET TO YOUR BOAT! I’M A CYCLOPS! YES, IT’S TRUE! I’M A CYCLOP! AREN’T I A BIT LIKE YOU? I’M A CYCLOPS! OH YEAH! I’M A CYCLOPS! AS IF YOU WOULD EVEN CARE! 48.

I’M A CYCLOPS! IT’S PLAIN TO SEE! I’M A CYCLOPS! WHY CAN’T YOU JUST LET ME BE? I’M A CYCLOPS! CAN’T YOU TELL? I’M A CYCLOPS! MAN I’M GOIN’ THROUGH HELL! I’M A CYCLOPS! OH YEAH! I’M A CYCLOPS!! DON’T YOU CARE? I’M A CYCLOPS IT’S TRUE! I’M A CYCLOPS! DETESTED WRETCH! WHERE ARE YOU?

Through the CYCLOPS’ lament, ODYSSEUS, has escaped to the entrance of the cave, with the Satyrs alongside him.

SONG: “THERE GOES THE CYCLOPS”

ODYSSEUS FAR FROM YOUR TWISTED ASS! I GO TO MY HOME GRASS! AND I KEEP WITH CARE THIS BODY OF ODYSSEUS!

CYCLOPS WHAT DO YOU SAY? YOU OFFER A NEW NAME.

ODYSSEUS MY FATHER NAMED ME SO, AND I HAVE TAKEN REVENGE ON YOUR WICKED GAMES! I SHOULD HAVE DONE ILL TO HAVE BURNED DOWN TROY AND NOT REVENGED THE MURDER OF MY BOYS!

CYCLOPS AI! AI! THE ANCIENT ORACLE ACCOMPLISHED IT SAID THAT MY EYE WOULD BE VANQUISHED BY YOU COMING FROM TROY! DON’T YOU JUMP FOR JOY! 49.

YOU WILL PAY THE PENALTY BY WANDERING LONG OVER THE HOMELESS SEA!

ODYSSEUS I BID THEE WEEP— CONSIDER WHAT I SAY I GO TOWARDS THE SHORE TO DRIVE MY SHIP AWAY TO MINE OWN LAND, O’ER THE SICILIAN WAVE! I BID YOU SLEEP IN AN EARLY GRAVE!

CYCLOPS NOT SO, IF WHELMING YOU WITH THIS STONE I CAN CRUSH YOU AND YOUR MEN I WILL DESCEND UPON THE SHORE, THOUGH BLIND, I WILL CLIMB AND MAKE YOU SUFFER EVEN MORE!!

SATYRS BUT WE THE SHIPMATES OF ODYSSEUS SHALL SERVE DIONYSUS ALL OUR HAPPY LIVES!

ODYSSEUS ship sails away. The CYCLOPS is left alone in his cave.

THE END.