Updates On The Preacher Rock Opera and the next Rock Opera Thoreau

I'm thirteen songs into the new rock opera The Preacher. None of the characters go by names just titles. After this rock opera I will start a third rock opera Thoreau. My plan is to put the three together into one production released on a double CD. I figured with about a total a thousand lines of verse it could be encapsulated in less than 160 minutes of music. It's a little too long for a single disc I think, but none of the operas I wrote are worth getting individually but then again there's no music to judge by. The recording will (if it ever happens) will be done in a traditional cast form not the typical rock opera where all the parts are sung by a single lead singer (this I feel will help eliminate confusion in following the story). The title will be simple A Rock Opera Trilogy: Bettie Kaczynski Byproduct Of Society, The Preacher, Thoreau. I'm only half way through the second opera and have no composer, singers, musicians, record deals or studio time but if nothing else I want to leave behind the libretto even if nothing else comes to fruition. I almost forgot Thoreau is about a nature lover who fights to protect his neighborhood from corporate corruption. Primarily corruption against nature, the workers and the consumers. The corporation is a tobacco company hoping to expand its product making in the agricultural setting of the opera.

At Setter Hospital

Narrator:
At setter Hospital suddenly aware
Bettie felt naked and bare
As no one could reach him there
Down by the river he lost his phone
In quiet desperation he let out a vain moan
Knowing nothing he did matter now that he's all alone
He knew his mother would probably never be aware
That he was left anonymously under psychiatric care
United with his mother only by this common nightmare

Down By The River

Narrator:
Bettie couldn't return the call
Because he was at the hospital
He wasn't feeling well at all
Down by the bridge over the river stream
He looked at the water lost in a daydream
Feeling if he jumped it wouldn't be as bad as it seemed
Luckily a random stranger called 9-1-1
When he saw what Bettie had done
Paramedic:
Why did you do that son?
Bettie Kaczynski:
Is that what it takes to get help from someone?
Narrator:
The stranger just looked back stunned
Paramedic:
You cried for help and there wasn't anyone?
Bettie Kaczynski:
No one except only my mother
But what will I do when I don't have her
When I'm older I won't have her around anymore
Paramedic:
Well you're on your way to a hospital of Setter
Hopefully when you're better
You can write her a letter

Bettie's Missing

Mrs Kaczynski:
Help me Bettie's missing Dr Grey
He said he wanted to walk but he ran away
I've been calling for hours I haven't seen him all day
Dr Grey:
Isn't there a friend's house to call?
Mrs Kaczynski:
He doesn't have any friends at all
At least none he can just meet at the mall
He only associated via internet
and there's only one or two he's met
And not even face to face yet
Dr Grey:
Could you check his browser history?
Mrs Kaczynski:
I have and still no clue where he could be
I've tried calling him a million times he's not answering me

The Mobile Phone

Mrs Kaczynski:
Hey honey I got you a new mobile phone
It's just something I thought you'd like to own
You can chose your own ringtone
It has games, photos, music and video
So you can retreat and still get on the go
And if you want to it's a good conversation piece you know
Bettie Kaczynski:
Thanks Mom I'll use it when I walk around town
Just staying in this room is really a let down
Mrs Kaczynski:
What time will you be back around?
Bettie Kaczynski:
Probably around sunset
I don't quite know yet
Mrs Kaczynski:
I'll so check the messages you get

Bettie Can't Come

Mrs Kaczynski:
I'm sorry but Bettie can't come in today
He's keeping himself locked away
And there's nothing I can do but let him stay
Mr Mason:
Do you really think that's in his best interest?
Mrs Kaczynski:
I don't think you have a right to say what's best
Mr Mason:
I had to treat him like I would the rest
Mrs Kaczynski:
Then why did you punish him worse?
Mr Mason:
Because Fred had to go to the nurse
That's a rule we have to enforce
Mrs Kaczynski:
Then what about Bettie laying unconscious on the school grounds
And the fact Fred outweighs Bettie by twenty pounds
Mr Mason:
No teacher was there so it was out of our bounds

Dr. Grey

Dr Grey:
So Bettie what have you been up to?
Bettie Kaczynski:
World seven level two
Dr Grey:
Sorry I don't understand you
Bettie Kaczynski:
Oh I've been playing video games Dr Grey.
Dr Grey:
Do you play them all day?
Bettie Kaczynski:
What's wrong with what I play?
Dr Grey:
It can't substitute human interaction
Bettie Kaczynski:
It can if it gives me satisfaction
Dr Grey:
You can't live on a distraction
Bettie Kaczynski:
How is it different than the Zoloft you prescribe
It's better than the "real world" you describe
Your speech is nothing but an empty diatribe

Video Games

Bettie Kaczynski:
I am Mario I am Pacman
I conquer levels just because I can
With my finger on the button I am in command
I don't fear no dragon or no ghost
With extra lives backing me I'll boast
I always have a new high score on the post
This is my accomplishment my legacy
This is how people will remember me
If there was anyone here to see

Locked Up Reprise

Mrs Kaczynski:
Honey would you please open the door?
Bettie Kaczynski:
Not now Mom I'm working on my computer
Mrs Kaczynski:
I thought you didn't have any homework what's it for?
Bettie Kaczynski:
I'm writing in a journal I don't want you to see
Mrs Kaczynski:
What could you write that you wouldn't want to show me?
Bettie Kaczynski:
It's just a personal secret just let it be
Mrs Kaczynski:
If you want a project or an outlet
Why not something where people can be met?
A sports team or a band could get you some friends yet
Bettie Kaczynski:
I can't go wearing a disguise
Trying to live a compromise
Just to win a worthless prize
Don't misunderstand I only dislike the kids who beat me
But there are other ways they can mistreat me
I can never make friends if I can't sense sincerity
Here I'm in control and I'm free
Ruling over the technology
That turns on and off my little society

After Class

Bettie Kaczynski:
Here you go Mrs Abbott my project is done
Mrs Abbott:
Bettie the project was to get to know someone
Bettie Kaczynski:
You know that project was over before it begun
Mrs Abbott:
If you don't learn people skills how will you handle a career
Bettie Kaczynski:
I am a master of technology so I have nothing to fear
Mrs Abbott:
But what will you do about age appropriate friends my dear
Bettie Kaczynski:
I don't have to worry about that either thanks again to technology
Mrs Abbott:
Technology is not suppose to alienate you from society
Bettie Kaczynski:
No Mrs Abbott it doesn't it sets me free

The Cliques

Narrator:
Teenage youth with libido in full bloom
Sexting each other in the classroom
Bettie felt locked out in solitary doom
Friends, hook ups, cliques already have been made
Hopes of human contact already beginning to fade
His fate sealed in the seventh grade
Mrs Abbott tried classroom activities to get Bettie integrated
But customs of the cliques kept Bettie de facto segregated
The mysterious barriers were beyond what could be investigated
Something in him he felt they just couldn't relate
Maybe it was because none of them knew how to communicate
Or maybe it was simply they didn't have a common trait
Language was used for an ulterior motive
Each kid looking at what the other kid had to give
Deception and manipulation was the easiest way for them to live
So Bettie was bound to be antisocially prone
And asked Mrs Abbott if he could do the work alone
Happy with the work he got lost in a world of his own

Invitation

Bettie Kaczynski:
Hey where do you live Eleanor?
eleanorrigby81:
Why do you want to know that for?
Bettie Kaczynski:
To pick you up and go to that new department store
Buy you some nice things it'll be my treat
I just thought going out would be neat
If you don't want picked up we can meet
Maybe go to the movies you can pick the show
But to recognize I just need to know
Am I looking at your current photo
eleanorrigby81:
That's nice but frankly I barely even know you
Other than what your blog will let me view
Bettie Kaczynski:
But in public that holds just as true
People meet each other not knowing who they really are
Being over-protective won't let any relationship go far
eleanorrigby81:
But there's more at risk here than just an emotional scar
What we do is just fine
As long as it just stays online
But all other offers I've have to decline

eleanorrigby81

Bettie Kaczynski:
So I guess you're a Beatles fan Eleanor
Will you still need me when I'm 64?
eleanorrigby81:
Cute I never heard that one before
What's a nice guy like you doing on Myspace for?
Bettie Kaczynski:
My social life is a just a bore
Do you wanna chat some more
eleanorrigby81:
Sure why not?
Bettie Kaczynski:
This is as far as I ever got
eleanorrigby81:
I think you underestimate your lot
Bettie Kaczynski:
I don't see what it's good for
I can never get what I'm chasing after
So I don't seem to see a lot in store
eleanorrigby81:
If you spent less time playing with your dick
You might learn the social trick
Of getting in with a clique
With me you found a common interest
You're learning what bonds to invest
So you're on a good start for your quest

Ersatz Interface

Bettie Kaczynski:
I got friends on Facebook I got friends on Myspace
If only the real world wasn't such a lonely place
It's basically masturbating with this ersatz interface
How can you say you're really meeting someone
I'm chatting with eleanorrigby81
She won't even know me when we're done

Mrs Abbott

Bettie Kaczynski:
Mrs Abbott is my only friend
She's the only one I can comprehend
With compliments and faith she makes my confidence mend
If Only I could be with her during the better part of the day
To see her in some other context some other way
But if I can see her at school then there I'll stay
But on my computer I'll look for girls like her
Thirty with freckles, glasses and dark curly hair should be easy to search for
Something of a geek fetish and the good girl next door

Second Return

Bettie Kaczynski:
Returning to the seventh grade
To face all the enemies I've made
If I understood why I wouldn't be so afraid
I think its very clear
That I don't belong here
And they can tell by my fear
To pass the day along
I'll escape in a song
Till I'm back where I belong

Surrogate Connection

Bettie Kaczynski:
Is it wrong or is it alright
To fantasize through the lonely night?
Libido and conscience in a constant fight
All over a simple website
Should I waste my restraining might
To banish another delight?
But I know if my mom walked through the door
She'd say this isn't what my body was meant for
But then what is this desire calling from my core?
Why can't this be a means to an end
At least until I get a girlfriend?
If the model's willing then who do I offend?
If this falls short of perfection
It's beyond my capabilities of correction
Because real or surrogate this is my only connection

Technology

Bettie Kaczynski:
Sitting alone in my bedroom watching tv
I see a world as I want it to be
I live in freedom by proxy
Thank God for technology
With my music louder than my doubt I can be free
Remote I'm in control of everything I see

Expelled

Mrs Kaczynski:
It's not fair that it's you they expel
Bettie Kaczynski:
Well at least I'm outta that hell
Mrs Kaczynski:
Don't say such words little angel
Bettie Kaczynski:
At least I have a tv, a computer and a stereo
I can still keep my grades up to passing you know
Mrs Kaczynski:
But you don't want your grade point to get low
Bettie Kaczynski:
What's the point I don't care
It's not like any good will come to me from there
Narrator:
So he retired to his room with only technology and despair

Another Retaliation

Fred:
I heard you told on us to Mr Mason
Meet us after school and we'll bash your face in
Think you're tough Bettie name a time and place then
Bettie Kaczynski:
I'm late for Mrs Abbott's class
And I don't have a hall pass
Fred:
Why do you always kiss her ass
You seem to be her little bitch
Is that why you decided to snitch
Narrator:
And Fred pulled up his arm just to see Bettie flinch
But Mrs Abbott caught him and said
Mrs Abbott:
That's enough of terrorizing him Fred
I caught you plain and simple with your hands red
Fred:
What are they going to do to me whore
They've done nothing and everything before
Narrator:
Then Bettie punched Fred knock down to the floor