Manhattan Experimental Theater Workshop

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Because MXTW is a teaching program, each year some pieces are more derivative than others of the models embodying the styles our student authors have studied in preparing their scripts. In some scripts, there are even borrowed lines.

Naturally, MXTW's copyright claim does not extend to those elements of these scripts.

That said, you are free to use these in performance ON THREE CONDITIONS:

* You acknowledge the influences, the workshop authors, and the MXTW copyright

* You provide a citation to mxtw.org

* You notify us – at mxtw AT mxtw DOT org – of the dates and times of your performances

If at all possible, we would like to attend your performance or to see a recording.

CLAWS AND DIRTY FLUID

Written & performed by the company
Directed by the directing team
Under our own influence

Two measures of drum beats, in 4, then two more measures with sounds

Verse 1
Predators
We can be sadistic/ We can be superficial
We can be ignorant/ With a different sense of humor
Funny names are funnier/ Peep is a four letter word
We love unanswered questions/ Doesn't make it right

One measure of drum beats, sounds continuing

Verse 2
Prey
The animals are centered around it/ It quenches the thirst of thousands
These muscles are made for swimming/ All graceful and instinctive (but)
Those big eggs really scare us/ No one knows just what they are (sounds cease)
The freezing waters nearly kill us/ And we are destined to be food

One measure of drum beats, with no sounds

Verse 3
Predators
It makes like a different story/ Thanks to the public schools (sounds begin again)
It puts them in their place/ The story is misnamed
Prey
These people are like sand/ They come out of nowhere
They don't get metaphors/ It's really hot in here

Predators
Sends a horrible message/ It's not a dominant fact
Tastes odd, can be dirty/ What is a metaphor for?

Predators' Chorus
We are the story tellers/ This is our favorite part
Uncontrollable stockings claws/ smells like fish, stabs like a knife
It's rhythmically pleasing/ and there's good alliteration (and)
It takes all the animals/ and puts them in their place Yes
We are the story tellers/ We are full of imperfections
We love claws and dirty fluid/ Well fried and filled with paste

One measure of drum beats, with sounds continuing

Verse 4
Prey
Kill me majestic creatures

Predators
Because it was simple/ Because it still stood
Because it sheltered/ Because it was striking
Ugly finds his place in life/ Killed by his own kind

Predators' Chorus
We are the story tellers/ This is our favorite part
Uncontrollable stockings claws/ smells like fish, stabs like a knife
It's rhythmically pleasing/ and there's good alliteration (and)
It takes all the animals/ and puts them in their place Yes
We are the story tellers/ We are full of imperfections
We love claws and dirty fluid/ Well fried and filled with paste
We are the story tellers/ This is our favorite part
Uncontrollable stockings claws/ smells like fish, stabs like a knife
It's rhythmically pleasing/ and there's good alliteration (and)

Prey
These people are like sand/ They come out of nowhere.

Predators -- Yes
We are the story tellers/ We are full of imperfections
We love claws and dirty fluid/ Well fried and filled with paste

One measure of drum beats, with no sounds

Prey's chant
We can't throw it in/ We're not the last to hatch
We're not half the world/ We're the already exiled
We only slip on ice/ We can't admit the truth
The eel heads and the cat claws/ And we are afraid of drowning

One measure of drum beats, with sounds beginning again