I'm interested in doing all kinds of writing and songwriting. While I am focused on writing short-form music at the moment, I thought it would be a great challenge to write the script for an opera after I noticed Neil Gaiman Tweet about this project where people submit opera scripts for consideration. Learn more at: http://www.minioperas.org/ Here's my working script for the challenge!
"No Return"
by Simeon Peebler
based on Neil Gaiman's The Sweeper of Dreams
Summary:
A man stumbles upon a stranger in his yard; the confrontation leads to a major turning point.
SWEEPER
I am the sweeper
The sweeper of dreams
I am the one who
cleans up everything
I say very little and avoid all the chatter
I brush away what used to matter
I am the one just out of view
collecting orphaned hopes that have come to hate you
I know everything you are is what you left behind
MAN
Who is this stranger just out of clear view?
Carrying a broom big enough to knock little children into the road If he doesn't notice them walk by
as he swings it up high
sweeping with ferocity
SWEEPER
I am the sweeper
The sweeper of dreams
MAN
Excuse me, sir, I mean you no ill will
but why are you in my yard?
SWEEPER
I made this cigarette and drew my own tattoo
I make everything I need so I don't have to ask you
As you sleep, I take away what's left behind
I take away what you left collecting dust
I am the sweeper
I am the sweeper
I am the sweeper cleaning up what will pass
I am the sweeper of all this mess
from your dreams
MAN
But what of the kingdoms and castles
and angels and owls
mountains and oceans, and all the vibrant things
I just created, in my mind, while I slept, just minutes ago?
SWEEPER
I will not answer your questions about such things
There are those I no longer visit and you'e probably heard their screams
They have mouths that twitch
and eyes that stare
And walk in ragged clothes, or hide in the desolate places
They live in the wreckage of dreams
I will never return there
I am the sweeper
The sweeper of living dreams
MAN
Do you take my nightmares too? And all the things I feared true
The sharp-tooth hag biting my face
The broken arm emerging from the end of the tub
The worms that crawled from my chest when I tore off my shirt
If those remained I would certainly be, quite definitely, out of my mind
SWEEPER
I clean the stage
I remove the set
I clean out dark corners most forget
I am the sweeper
I am the sweeper of dreams
MAN
But not for us all?
SWEEPER
Don't press your luck
I clean the stage
I remove the set
I clean out dark corners your kind prefer to forget
I leave no stone unturned in places unsettled
I may be leaving you soon, if you don't turn away now
MAN
I will turn around
But my eyes will impossibly follow your every move
Through the back of my head
Straight through my brain
SWEEPER
Then I will say bye without saying much more
And the sweet peace of past ignorance
will forever chase you to the ends of your days
The sweeper leaves now
MAN
Come back!
Don't leave!
I need my...
Sweeper of Dreams?