• {A dimly lit stage; a darkened curtain; from above a faceless puppet descends}

    [Voice 1]

    Come my puppet, dance with me
    I want to be the only one you see
    You’re mine forever, I belong to you
    We’ll show everyone what we can do

    I want you for me and me alone
    No other masters will I condone
    Focus only on what I desire
    Our passion should burn like wildfire

    {A struggle; the strings are pulled away; a new master takes control}

    [Voice 2]

    You shouldn’t listen to such things
    Let me be the one to pull your strings
    We’ll be partners, you and I
    Straight to the top and make them cry!

    Let’s give them hell, let’s get a rise
    Out of them all, before our eyes
    You will be like my right hand
    Loyalty from others we’ll command!

    {A struggle; the strings are pulled away; a new master takes control}

    [Voice 3]

    You should do what you feel is right
    Do what you want, in your mind’s sight
    Don’t let others decide for you
    What it is that you should do

    You have a heart and you deserve
    Your own destiny to reserve
    I know that you know how I feel
    I just hope you know that it’s real

    {A struggle; the strings are pulled away; the puppet falls, unmoving}

    [Puppet]

    Tick, tock, tick, tock…
    One by one the voices talk
    Two by two, the voices knew
    Everything that I should do

    Tock, tick, tock, tick…
    The voices make me feel heartsick
    Do I know what’s right for me?
    They seem to know, what could it be?

    This feeling numb, inside and out
    I should know without a doubt
    Then why is it that I can’t tell
    If this is Heaven or if it’s Hell?

    {A string is pulled quickly}

    [Voice 1]

    Come to me my darling doll
    Come with me to have it all

    {A string is pulled quickly in another direction}

    [Voice 2]

    Over there you do not belong
    I’ll show you that they have it wrong

    {A string is pulled quickly in another direction}

    [Voice 3]

    Stay away, the both of you!
    Let him choose what he wants to do!

    {All strings are pulled quickly; a feeling of tension}

    [Puppet]

    What is it that I must decide?
    Do I stay or do I hide?

    I’ve been called a cheat, a liar
    All it does is fuel my ire

    Happiness, sorrow, anger, guilt
    All of these are what I’ve felt
    Empty, hollow, dull, lifeless
    Cold, indifferent, uncaring, listless

    {The strings are pulled tight; a snapping sound echoes; broken strings lay scattered}

    [Voices 1, 2 & 3, to each other]

    Now look at the mess that you’ve created!
    It’s all your fault; you’re who should be hated!

    [Puppet]

    Nobody but me is to blame
    I had my time of fame
    Leave me be, let my joints rust
    Destined only to collect dust