STAR

Gyunhyeong

Composed

http://mynjlife.com

ⓒcopyright, Young Kim, 2016
Cast of Characters

JAMES:
MARY (JAMES’S WIFE)
JAMES’S DAUGHTER
JAMES’S SON

LINDA
ROBERT (LINDA’S HUSBAND)
LINDA’S DOCTOR

REWARDED STAR
DAVID (OLD MAN STAR)
SICK AND TIRED STARS
BRIGHT STARS
DARK STARS

KING OF HELL AND HIS SUBORDINATES

CHORUS

STAGE
The stage is the night sky where stars are shinning. In the progress of the play, the stage will represent two other places; the world where we struggle to live every day and Hell where dead people may be judged, punished and/or compensated.

1 JAMES

(Dark. The music starts. People are making noise. When illuminated, the stage is divided in two areas. The people at the downstage are celebrating the promotion of James (without clear lines and songs, only the atmosphere is created in a bar or office laughing and toasting), while the stars are shinning at the upper stage.)

SONG1 WE ARE THE STARS / STARS
WE ARE THE STARS BLINKING IN THE DEEP NIGHT SKY
WE ARE DEAD PEOPLE WHO BECAME STARS
DEATH IS THE CONSTANT FRIEND OF BOTH HUMAN AND STARS
LOTS OF TIME WE SPENT LEADING OUR LIVES IN THE WORLD
JOYFUL MOMENTS, HAPPY TIMES THAT WE ALL MISSED
SAD MOMENTS, LONELY TIMES FROM WHICH WE QUIT
WE ARE THE STARS HERE IN THE BLUE NIGHT SKY
WE ARE THE STARS WITH VARIOUS COLORS LIKE OUR LIVES WERE
HANGING HIGH IN THE NIGHT SKY WE GIVE LIGHT TO THE LIVING PEOPLE
PEOPLE WE LOVE, PEOPLE WE LONG FOR
BELOVED PEOPLE WE LEFT IN THE WORLD
TO ILLUMINATE AND TO REMEMBER THEM
WE ARE THE STARS BLINKING IN THE DEEP NIGHT SKY

(The stars are shinning the world from the upper stage, only James is on the down stage after the celebrating meeting has finished.)

SONG2 I HAD A DRINK / JAMES
I HAD A DRINK BECAUSE I AM HAPPY. YES, I DRANK WITH SO MUCH JOY
EVERYBODY KNOWS WHY I AM HAPPY
EVERYONE KNOWS HOW GLAD I AM
I SUCCEEDED AFTER STRIVING SO HARD
I HAVE BEEN RUNNING AND RUNNING UNTIL THIS MOMENT
I HAVE BEEN DOING MY BEST, EVEN SACRIFICING MY PERSONAL LIFE, MY FAMILY LIFE
THE MOMENT COMES, I NOW FINALLY OCCUPY THIS POSITION THAT I HAVE RUNNED TO TAKE
MY GOAL, THE SOURCE OF MY FUTURE HAPPINESS
I HAD A DRINK BECAUSE I AM HAPPY. YES, I DRANK WITH SO MUCH JOY
I AM HAPPY, I COULD ALMOST FLY TO THE SKY
WHAT IS AWAITING FOR IN FRONT OF ME IS ONLY HAPPINESS WITH MY FAMILY
I AM ON CLOUD NINE.

(He takes out his cell phone from his pocket and makes a call.)

MARY
(only voice)
Honey! Why are you calling me so late? I have been waiting for you for so long. Tell me the details.

JAMES
Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t find the time. I had a meeting with my team to start my project, and then, we had a drink after the work. I could finally find time to call you.

MARY
So your project is selected and you got a promotion as director of your project?

JAMES
Yes. That is what I meant.

MARY
Wow! Good news! Congratulations! I am so proud of you.

JAMES
It’s because you and our children have supported me understanding my situation.

MARY
Where are you? Are you on the way home?

JAMES
Yes I am. We can talk more about it when I get home soon.

MARY
Got it. But, but… you are going to be busier because you became a Director. Since you started preparing your project, it greatly affected our family life. Children couldn’t even see you every day. You are going to be a kind of money-making-machine, so I think it could be more difficult to see you often.

JAMES
What’s up? I am happy. You really know well why I worked so hard.

MARY
Yes, I know. I know well. However, we don’t only need money, but also I need a husband and a normal father to our children who can have dinner with us and chat about random things, and have trips sometimes. These are very simple and normal things for a family, but we were deprived of all these simple things since you started to concentrate on your project.

JAMES
Ok, I know, I know. I’ll take care of it.

MARY
You already said that several times. Anyway, it’s a really good news to celebrate. However, always put in your mind that we need you more, and especially for our children, your presence is really important. Do you even know they are now passing under puberty? It is not easy for me to handle them alone. Ok, I admit that money is important and promotion also, but this very time your children need you.

JAMES
I know and you know well that it is not for me alone. I only think of our family.

MARY
Ok, anyway come home soon.

JAMES
I see. Please give the phone to the kids.

MARY
One moment! (To son) your dad.

SON
(Only voice)
Daddy?

JAMES
Son, how is it going?

SON
I am watching TV after having dinner. What happened?

JAMES
I proposed a very important project to my boss and it was accepted, so I got a promotion as director.

SON
Good job. So can we be rich?

JAMES
Be rich? Yes. We can be rich.

SON
I have many things I want to buy.

JAMES
What do you want to buy? I will buy you whatever you want.

SON
Let’s say ….

DAUGHTER
(Only voice)
Pass me the phone!

SON
I am first.

DAUGHTER
You have many things to buy, make a list of them and tell dad after. Give me the phone! (She looks to take the phone from him) Congratulations Daddy! And to celebrate your promotion, why don’t we go out to eat this weekend, and don’t forget I need pretty clothes.

SON
(Inserting himself in the conversation) Daddy, I need a new phone and a new laptop!

JAMES
Ok. Ok. I promise you all those things. Since I was so busy that I could not take care of you enough, I will do everything you want from now on.

DAUGHTER
Ok, Mom said you’d better come home immediately, and she wants a bigger house and a new car.

JAMES
OK. Got it. Say to her I promise. I am now on the way home. Because I am a little drunk, I am walking to have a clear mind. I am going to arrive soon. Tell your Mom.

DAUGHTER
Ok

(After hanging up, looking at the sky)

SONG3 THE REASON TO WORK SO HARD / JAMES
YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY I HAVE WORKED SO HARD SO FAR
YOU, SHINING STARS, YOU ALL KNOW THAT
HAPPINESS, YES, IT IS HAPPINESS THAT’S THE REASON, TO BE HAPPY
I DID MY BEST EVEN SACRIFICING ALL THAT RELATED TO ME
I SPENT ALL MY TIME EVERY DAY EXPECTING TODAY
FROM NOW ON IT IS TIME FOR ME TO BE WITH MY FAMILY
SHARING ALL THAT I HAVE WITH THEM
KEEPING ALL THAT I PROMISED TO THEM
A BIGGER HOUSE, A NEW CAR, A NEW CELL PHONE AND NEW CLOTHES
THIS IS HAPPINESS, TO BE WITH FAMILY, TO KEEP THE PROMISE
HAPPINESS IS SIMPLE, TO BE WITH THEM

JAMES
I’m on my way home!

(He leaves the stage, staggering but fully excited. Sudden tremble of the stars. A sound of loud screeching brakes and crash.
The stage turns into the scene of Hell. The image of this scene could start the rumbling of thunder and, on the black sky, spreads out a grotesque image like the one which describes clouds heading nowhere, and the audience can also hear the Hell-like sound which could be scary or making goose bumps such as a cry of a person in agony and gnashing of teeth who is tortured in Hell. When clouds disappear, the King of Hell is at the center of the scene, and a huge book next to him. Back, the audience can see all the people who are being tortured at Hell.
The book is turning the pages itself and a scary voice is reading the sin committed the dead people, (of course, nobody can understand what is said because it should be written with the language which human beings can’t understand.) and the judgment given could be either they fall in the huge hellfire with the loudest cry we’ve ever heard, or goes to the sky to be stars. Many scary voices and cries and all kinds of horrible sounds of Hell. The stage reminds of of Michael Angelo.)

SONG4 WELCOME TO HEAVEN / KING OF HELL, STARS
KING OF HELL)
MEN, HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE COMING FROM THE LIVING WORLD
HOW WAS YOUR LIFE ON EARTH, YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE IN YOUR WORLD?
WITH COMPLAINTS AND PAIN, DID YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE?
WAS IT A SATISFYING LIFE FOR ALL THE GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME?
THIS IS THE MOMENT TO BE JUDGED ABOUT THE TIME YOU SPENT
THIS IS THE MOMENT TO BE JUDGED ABOUT THE LIFE YOU LIVED
EVEN IN YOUR MORTAL AND EPHEMERAL LIFE
YOU STILL CREATED A MYRIAD OF STORIES, WONDERFUL TALES AND COLORFUL HISTORIES
GOOD THINGS AND BAD THINGS, HAPPINESS AND GRIEF
HERE, YOU ARE NOW, COMING BACK AFTER LIVING YOUR OWN STORY

(James is led in front of the King of Hell. The huge book continues being turned with horrible voices and the King of Hell judges him.)

HUMAN BEINGS WERE GIVEN AN EMPTY CANVAS OF LIFE
WITH THE CHANCE TO PAINT IT WITH THEIR FAVORITE COLORS
LIVES PAINTED WITH MANY DIFFERENT AND VARIOUS COLORS
HAPPINESS, UNHAPPINESS, SADNESS AND GLADNESS,
HUMAN’S LIFE WITH DIFFERENT FEELINGS
YOU WHO HAD A GODLY AND HAPPY LIFE, YOU WILL BE ALL BLESSED
STAY COMFORTABLE AND TAKE A REST IN THIS SPACE OF RELAXATION AND PREPARATION
HAVE THE TIME TO PREPARE YOUR NEXT LIFE
THE COMPENSATION OF YOUR GOOD DEED DURING YOUR LIFE
IF YOU HAVE ANY PAIN, YOU WILL BE TOTALLY CURED
MORE HAPPINESS WILL BE SHOWERED TO YOU

(James leaves the stage and another dead person comes in. The person will be judged like the previous person, and he falls in the huge hellfire and we can see him being tortured.)

A BAD PERSON, TOO EVIL, TOO DARK, BEARING NOT EVEN A THREAD OF LIGHT
YOU WEREN’T GIVEN ANY EVIL, BUT YOU ARE TOO DARK MESSING THE CANVAS
FROM WHERE YOU GOT IT, FROM WHOM YOU LEARNED IT
STILL THE SOUND THAT REPROACHES YOU IS SCREAMING FROM THE WORLD
LEAVING PEOPLE IN PAIN, MOANING DEAFENINGLY
AN EYE FOR AN EYE, A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
YOU WILL RECEIVE THE SAME PAIN BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU LEFT IN THE WORLD
IT IS A RETURN OF THE SIN YOU COMMITTED DURING YOUR LIFE

(This situation in dead people’s coming and being judged keeps continuing on the stage while the song turns into a chorus.)

CHORUS)
HUMAN BEINGS, YOU WERE GIVEN LIFE
A PURE LIFE WITHOUT ANY SMUDGES
HOW TO DRAW IT IS UP TO YOU, TO EACH OF YOU
YOUR OWN HAPPINESS WITH YOUR OWN COLORS
YOUR OWN TRUTH WITH YOUR OWN COLORS
HUMAN BEINGS’ LIVES WILL BE JUDGED HERE
YOUR POSITION AFTER JUDGMENT WILL BE DECIDED
COMFORTABLE BRIGHTNESS OR PAINFUL DARKNESS
SHINNING STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY, OR BEING IN THE HUGE HELLFIRE OF DEEP UNDERWORLD
DESIGN YOUR LIFE WELL. DON’T LET THE LIFE GO ASTRAY
MAKE YOUR LIFE HAPPY. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
YOUR GOODNESS AND BADNESS WILL BE JUDGED HERE IN HEAVEN

(The stage turns and the light changes.)

2 WE ARE THE STARS

(Night sky. A splendid dance of the stars. (I want that the audience can get feeling of endless waiting such as in “Waiting for Godot” in this scene.)

SONG1Re. WE ARE THE STARS / STARS
WE ARE THE STARS BLINKING IN THE DEEP NIGHT SKY
WE ARE DEAD PEOPLE WHO BECAME STARS
DEATH IS THE CONSTANT FRIEND OF BOTH HUMAN AND STARS
WE SPENT LOTS OF TIME LEADING OUR LIVES IN THE WORLD
JOYFUL MOMENTS, HAPPY TIMES THAT WE ALL MISSED
SAD MOMENTS, LONELY TIMES FROM WHICH WE QUIT
WE ARE THE STARS HERE IN THE BLUE NIGHT SKY
WE ARE THE STARS WITH VARIOUS COLORS AS IF OUR LIVES WERE
HANGING HIGH IN THE NIGHT SKY WE GIVE LIGHT TO THE LIVING PEOPLE
PEOPLE WE LOVE, PEOPLE WE LONG FOR
BELOVED PEOPLE WE LEFT IN THE WORLD
TO ILLUMINATE AND TO REMEMBER THEM
WE ARE THE STARS BLINKING IN THE DEEP NIGHT SKY

(James appears. He was unconscious of what was happening to him while he was led to the sky. He gets his consciousness back.)

JAMES
Where am I? And who are you? I remember there was a car coming towards me… Am I dead? Am I dead due to the car accident? No, No! It is impossible. I must see my family. They are waiting for me. I can’t die like this. It is impossible. I have to start a new life as a director right now. (He watches his surroundings, but nobody says anything.) No. I can’t die like this in vain. What can I do? How can I go to my family? I must go to my family right now! Right now! Please let me know what to do.

SONG5 LET ME KNOW / JAMES, STARS
JAMES)
LET ME KNOW, LET ME SEE WHAT TO DO
IT IS NOT HERE WHERE I MUST BE
MY FAMILY IS WAITING FOR ME
I HAVE TO KEEP THE PROMISE I MADE WITH MY WIFE, MY SON AND MY DAUGHTER
HELP ME AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO
IT CAN’T BE, IT CAN’T BE
FINALLY, I COULD HAVE TIME TO SPEND WITH MY FAMILY
NO, NO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE
I DIDN’T DIE, I SHOULDN’T DIE
I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS TO DO
THE TASK WHICH I CAN, ONLY I COULD FINISH
IT CAN’T BE, IT CAN’T BE
MY LIFE IS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME
I WORKED HARD FOR ONLY THIS MOMENT
THE MOMENT WHEN I ACHIEVED MY DREAM
I SHOULD START MY NEW BEGINNING
HOW CAN I FINISH IT, PLEASE TELL ME HOW
I CAN’T DIE, I CAN’T DIE
IT CAN’T BE, IT CAN’T BE
MY DREAM IS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE IT’S REALLY IMPOSSIBLE

STARS)
WEEP, YELL, AND GET ANGRY, WE ALL UNDERSTAND
RELEASE YOUR ANGUISH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
YELL AND CURSE.
BE MAD AND BE ANGRY
DO ANYTHING WHAT YOU WANT
YOU ARE DEAD, YES, IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE DEAD
YOU CAN’T LIVE AGAIN, YOU ARE DEAD

JAMES)
YOU ARE A LIAR, YOU LIE. I CAN’T BELIEVE. I DON’T BELIEVE
I DIDN’T DIE. I DIDN’T DIE
I CAN’T DIE, I CAN’T DIE LIKE THIS
NO NO NO, THIS IS NOT MY LIFE, THIS IS NOT MY FATE
I PROMISED MY CHILDREN TO HAVE A NEW PHONE AND TO BUY NEW CLOTHES
I PROMISED MY WIFE TO MOVE TO A BIGGER HOUSE AND TO CHANGE A CAR
I MUST KEEP ALL THESE PROMISES I MADE
I AM GOING TO KEEP THE PROMISES
YOU ARE LYING THAT I AM DEAD
I AM GOING TO KEEP ALL THE PROMISES
YOU LIE, LIE, I AM GOING TO KEEP ALL THE PROMISES
I AM NOT DEAD

(During the music, James becoming panic, looking for the gate, finally falls down himself.)

I AM DEAD I AM DEAD
NOT KEEPING THE PROMISE TO MY FAMILY
LEAVING THE WORK I MUST FINISH
NOT ENJOYING A HAPPY LIFE WITH MY FAMILY BEGINNING FROM NOW ON
LIKE THIS, NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING
I AM DEAD I AM DEAD

(All the stars, gathering around and consoling James,)

SONG6 I UNDERSTAND / LINDA, JAMES, STARS
LINDA)
I UNDERSTAND YOUR SUFFERING AND YOUR GREAT DESPAIR
YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE HERE IN THE SKY AND YOU ARE DEAD
YOU CAN’T BELIEVE, YOU DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE
BUT YOU ARE DEAD, YES IT IS TRUE THAT YOU ARE DEAD
YOU ARE GOING TO BECOME A STAR IN THIS DARK AND HIGH SKY
YES, ALL THE DEAD PEOPLE BECOME STARS IN THE SKY LIKE ALL OF US
WE ARE DEAD PEOPLE, WE ARE THE SHINING STARS HERE
TO THE FAMILY WE LOVE, TO THE PEOPLE WE LOVE,
WE GIVE THEM LIGHT, THAT IS OUR WORK
YOU HAVE TO SHINE IN THIS NIGHT SKY,
YOU HAVE TO ILLUMINATE ALL YOUR BELOVED.
YOU HAVE TO SHINE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO
YOU HAVE TO SHINE FOR THEM NOT TO BE LOST

JAMES)
OH GOD, OH GOD, WHY I AM HERE
WHAT DID I DO WHICH DESERVES THE DEATH
YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HOW I LIVE MY LIFE
WHY SHOULD I DIE? WHY SHOULD I DIE NOW?
HOW DO I KEEP MY PROMISES WITH MY FAMILY?
OH GOD WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS AWFUL THING TO ME
PLEASE DON’T DEPRIVE ME OF HAPPINESS, MY HAPPINESS
PLEASE GOD, I CAN’T DIE

LINDA /JAMES)
I UNDERSTAND YOUR SUFFERING / I CAN’T ENDURE, I CAN’T ENDURE
WE ALL HAVE OUR DISTRESS / I WANT TO GO TO MY FAMILY
WE ALL HAVE OUR FAMILY / I CAN’T ENDURE
WE ALL WANT TO BE BESIDE THEM / I WANT TO GO TO MY FAMILY

(During the music, the dance of the stars is unfolding charmingly and the ceremony to be the star for James is proceeding.)

STARS)
THE REASON WHY THE STARS SHINE AND GET BRIGHTER EVERY NIGHT
IT’S BECAUSE THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR LIFE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED
WHEN THE LIGHT ACHIEVES THE DEGREE OF SAVING THE WORLD
YOU CAN GO BACK TO YOUR LIFE, YOUR BELOVED FAMILY
ALL THE MEMORIES OF DEATH AND BEING STARS HERE
WILL DISAPPEAR LEAVING NOTHING
YOU CAN GO BACK TO YOUR LIFE AND FINISH TO LIVE IT AGAIN
THE TRUTH OF THE STARS THAT ALL THE STARS KNOW
YOU CAN GO BACK TO YOUR LIFE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED
OUR HOPE, OUR DREAM, OUR WILL TO GO BACK TO THE LIFE, TO THE FAMILY.
THAT’S WHY WE SHINE AND GET BRIGHTER EVERY NIGHT

(All of a sudden, a strong light beams to a star to lift him to Heaven. With a grandiose ritual, the stage is transformed into a fancy ceremony.)

SONG7 I FINALLY GO BACK / REWARDED STAR
I CAN FINALLY GO BACK TO MY LIFE, TO THE PEOPLE I LOVED
I CAN FINALLY ACCOMPLISH MY FANTASY THAT I DREAMED EVERY NIGHT
HOW MANY NIGHTS I HAVE BLINKED BEFORE THIS AWAITED DAY ARRIVES
HOW MANY NIGHTS I SHED TEARS FOR THIS MOMENT
I CAN FINALLY GO BACK TO MY FAMILY I LONGED A LOT
I CAN FINALLY BE A WINNER IN THE RACE OF THIS NIGHT SKY
I CAN FORGET ALL THE LONELINESS OF BEING A STAR
I CAN DO EVERYTHING FROM THIS MOMENT
STARS, STARS, ALL OF YOU CAN GO BACK AS WELL
DON’T LOSE YOUR HOPE BECAUSE NOBODY KNOWS WHEN IT COMES
HAVE YOUR DESIRE STRONGER THAN THE NIGHT SKY
YOU SHOULD BE BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER
FAREWELL STARS

(The rewarded star disappears beyond the sky and other stars envying him with desire and passion to return….)

SONG8 I BLINK HARD / ALL CAST
I BLINK HARD DAY BY DAY
I RUN THE ENDLESS NIGHT SKY EVERY NIGHT
TO FULFIL THE ENORMOUS TASK IN FRONT OF ME
TO GET THE WOULD-BE LAST HOPE
I BELIEVE I CAN COMPLETE MY PRECIOUS MISSION
I WILL BE THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE WHOLE NIGHT SKY
I WILL POUR ALL MY LIGHT TO THE PEOPLE I LOVE
UNTIL ALL MY EXISTENCE WILL BE BURNT OUT
I WILL DO EVERYTHING IF IT MAKES ME BRIGHTER
I DON’T MIND HOW MANY NIGHTS I SHOULD TWINKLE
IF I CAN HAVE THE CHANCE, THE VERY CHANCE
IF I CAN BE THE HONORABLE CHAMPION
I’M DOING ALL MY BEST IN THIS DEEP SKY

(With the music, their hopes and desires become stronger and they dance eagerly. James also attends actively all doings of the stars understanding what he should do.)

JAMES)
I BELIEVE I CAN COMPLETE MY PRECIOUS MISSION
I WILL BE THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE WHOLE NIGHT SKY
I WILL POUR OUT ALL MY LIGHT TO THE PEOPLE I LOVE
UNTIL ALL MY EXISTENCE WILL BE BURNT OUT
I WILL DO EVERYTHING IF IT MAKES ME BRIGHTER
I DON’T MIND HOW MANY NIGHTS SHOULD I BRIGHT HERE
IF I CAN HAVE THE CHANCE, THE VERY CHANCE
IF I CAN BE THE HONORABLE CHAMPION
I’M DOING ALL MY BEST IN THIS DEEP SKY

(While their dance continues …)

SONG9 LIVING AND DYING / KING OF HELL (from the faraway sky), STARS
HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN IN THE WORLD WITH THEIR GIVEN LIVES
THEY WILL LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH GIVEN FATE
ONCE THE PROMISED TIME FINISHED, HUMAN BEINGS WILL ENCOUNTER ANOTHER WORLD
THEY MUST GO BACK TO THE SKY TO BE STARS.
ONE CERTAIN DAY, ALL HUMAN BEINGS WILL GO BACK TO THE SKY FROM WHERE THEY CAME
TO WAIT FOR A NEW LIFE THAT THEY WILL PAINT WITH THEIR OWN COLORS
UNTIL THEY WILL BE FORGOTTEN BY THE PEOPLE THEY LEFT ON EARTH
HUMAN BEINGS ARE SHINING STAR IN THE SKY

(I hope human’s four stages of life, birth, maturation, old age and death may be shown while the song is played. And the song may be sung the stars.)

THE STARS SHINE THE WORLD AND THEIR BELOVED
EVERY NIGHT THEY LOOK AT IT WITH LOVE AND LONGINGNESS
BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER EVERY NIGHT HOPING TO GO BACK
UNTIL THEY ARE FORGOTTEN
ONE DAY WHEN THE STARS HAVE NO MORE LIGHT
ONE DAY WHEN THE STARS ARE FORGOTTEN BY EVERYBODY
THEIR EXISTENCE AND THEIR LIGHT WILL DISAPPEAR
THEY WILL BE GETTING FORGOTTEN AND THEIR MEMORIES WILL DISAPPEAR
THAT IS THE END, END OF A LIFE
IT IS HOWEVER THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE
A LIFE DISAPPEARS AND A NEW LIFE WILL BE GIVEN
BEING BORN AND DEAD, BEING BORN AND DEAD
ENDLESS REPETITION OF LIFE AND DEATH THAT GOD PREPARES FOR US
THAT IS SAMSARA

THAT IS THE END, END OF A LIFE
IT IS HOWEVER THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE
A LIFE DISAPPEARS AND A NEW LIFE WILL BE GIVEN
BEING BORN AND DEAD, BEING BORN AND DEAD
ENDLESS REPETITION OF LIFE AND DEATH THAT GOD PREPARES FOR US
THAT IS SAMSARA

(End of the song and the stage changes.)

3 THE STORIES OF THE STARS

(Linda’s reminiscence begins on the down stage. Her husband and doctor appear.)

DOCTOR
We studied in different angles, but the cancer cells spread seriously that any operation is useless.

ROBERT
Please don’t let her die. Please don’t give up on her.

LINDA
Is there no other choice? Is the operation really impossible?

DOCTOR
In my opinion, the operation will be more dangerous choice. I’m sorry. If you want, I will introduce you to another hospital. (He gets out of the stage.)

(Heavy silence. Linda’s husband weeps.)

LINDA
Are you crying? (The crying sound of her husband is getting louder without controlling himself) It’s my first time seeing you cry. When I die, I need you to cry sorrowfully like now without dancing with the thought that you can get married to another beautiful woman.

ROBERT
Let’s go to another hospital. I think we can find a better qualified doctor.

LINDA
Honey, this is the best hospital in our country and that doctor is one of the most famous experts.

ROBERT
But, but, let me look for it. We can go anywhere to find a good doctor. Let’s try. You can live. I believe you can live.

LINDA
Do you remember when we went on a camping?

(The light changing, the two go to the mountain with a tent on the back. Once arrived, they assembled the tent. The light changes.)

LINDA
It’s pure beauty. Is it like the stars are looking at us and talking to us? People say that they are those who love us.

ROBERT
Who said that?

LINDA
I don’t know. I just heard it. Anyway, this is our final trip before our wedding, isn’t it? You must be good to me when we get married. You must always come back early and we will have dinner together every night, OK? I hate eating alone, understand?

ROBERT
Of course. As you like it.

LINDA
I want to have a pretty daughter. Then, can I live until we have a daughter?

(She comes back to the present)

LINDA
Why I was born with this kind of fate? I wanted to leave after having a ba and left her to you. I am so sorry.

SONG10 I AM SO SORRY / LINDA
I AM SO SORRY DARLING, MY APOLOGY. IF WE ONLY HAD A PRETTY BABY
FORGET ME NOT, REMEMBER MY LOVE FOR YOU
YOU DON’T KNOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT YOU
YOU DON’T’ KNOW HOW MUCH I REALLY MISSED YOU
LOOK AT THE STARS THAT SHINE BRIGHTLY IN THE SKY, FEEL ME THROUGH THE LIGHT
I AM LOOKING AT YOU AND I STILL LOVE YOU
I WANT TO TOUCH YOU, I WANT TO FEEL YOUR BREATHING
I DON’T’ WANT TO STAY HERE IN THE NIGHT SKY, ALONE AND LONELY
I WANT TO GO BACK, I WANT TO GO BACK IMMEDIATELY
FORGET ME NOT, REMEMBER MY LOVE FOR YOU
OUR LOVE IS STILL VIVID FOR ME, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU
THIS COLD NIGHT SKY ON WHICH YOU DON’T FEEL MY LOVE
THIS COLD NIGHT SKY THAT YOU DON’T LOOK AT
I AM LONESOME, I AM LONELY I MISS YOUR ARMS
ENCOURAGE ME TO GO BACK TO YOU
FORGET ME NOT UNTIL I GO BACK TO YOU
THE THING I WANT, THE ONLY THING I WANT
THAT IS GOING BACK TO YOU

(During the song, Robert leaves the stage after having disassembled the tent, and the stage turns to the sky. From now on, the stories of the stars will be said simultaneously. (James’s following monologue is an example. At least the same length of the monologues will be said the stars at the same time. Each star who attends the scene will write his or her own story and the stars may go down to the audience to say what his or her story is. The stories of the stars may be sad, because all the stars are dead people. And the audience may listen to what the stars say, not all the stars at the same time, but one that an audience chooses. So the stars must not throw into the air what they speak. It must be oriented to the people who want to listen to. This scene must be well managed for not being into chaos and the audience can understand the whole atmosphere.) The atmosphere of this scene can start sadness and then will be oriented to the fury, because the stars are not satisfied with not being able to go back to their life. Sadness, fury and yelling, and the final step will be praying. This scene should be arranged in that way.)

JAMES
Yes. I have really been treated unfairly. I have lived my life always doing my best without doing any harm to others. I think I could become the director thanks to this behavior. However, where am I? What I am doing now? All the things that I put aside to do after I become the director, all these things lost meaning. Yes, I am really unfairly treated.

(From this point, maybe, other stars can start to speak according to their rhythm.)

JAMES
Since I was young I always have done my best. I woke up earlier and went to sleep later than others, and finished everything that was distributed to me at any cost. I didn’t make mistakes and really handled perfectly all things. It was because I could feel happy while I was working. I like working. After my marriage, I am definitely decided to open a happy future for my family. My thought was that I fortified my place getting promotion and after that I could imagine a better life such as buying a bigger house, a new car, sending my children to a good school, and going oversea trips with my family. This was what I have been thinking. That’s why I proposed my project to my company. After that moment, and especially after the decision of the company that my project will be estimated after 1 year of testing, I couldn’t even go home regularly. I thought that this project must be successful and that I should give a good impression about my ability. Once I thought that if it doesn’t work, anything will not remain to my family. I couldn’t do anything else but concentrating on my project. Not only my personal life but my family life disappeared. Only there was a person who was tightly bound to his work. I did my best for a year to prove the effectiveness of my project and my ability. During this moment, I couldn’t help neglecting my family. It was difficult even to see the face of my children. However, I didn’t blame anybody, because it was me who chose this way. Of course, my family understood me and I thought that a better future came to my family soon if I worked a little bit harder. I thought that the life was an invest for the future. And my project was excellent like that I expected because it could more than double the sales, and also I could get company stock for the increased sales. I thought that it might be starting of the happiness for my and for my family. However, at this important moment, at this crucial moment, at this moment when the most important thing for me is achieved and when my new life begins, I die, I die! How is it possible? It can’t be? No! Absolutely no! Why at that moment? It is not possible. There may not be a person who is more unfortunate than me. All my time and my passion were in vain. Why god deprived me my life at that moment? It can’t be! How this absurd situation could be possible? Why god killed me at this moment, this important moment instead of any other moment? If I were a bad person, I committed crimes and because of that if I were punished, yes I might admit this situation. However, I lived my life without being ashamed always doing my best. Then I died like this in vain, I died in vain…

(The sad and furious feelings of the stars are getting stronger and stronger, and the next song is a kind of indignant scream.)

SONG11 DEATH IS / STARS
DEATH IS THE BIGGEST SORROW
IT SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM ALL THEIR BELOVED
BURIED IN COLD GROUND WITH TEAR-SHEDED FLOWERS
DARK, LONESOME, VAIN, EMPTY, IMMOVABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE
DEATH IS THE BIGGEST CRUELTY
IT MAKES EYES CLOSED, BODY COLD,
AND BREATH STOPPED
NO LONGER DO ANYTHING, STOPPED
FORGOTTEN, DISAPPEARED, STOPPED, CUT, BROKEN
AND NOTHING
DEATH ROBS EVERYTHING FROM PEOPLE
DEATH MEANS NO MORE ANYTHING
DEATH IS THE LAST THING PEOPLE ENCOUNTER

STAR1
I want to go back to the people I left in the world!

STAR2
Please let us go back!

STAR3
I don’t want to be hung in the lonely sky!

STAR4
Please have pity for us and give us the hope.

STAR5
Please let us go back now.

STAR6
God, oh god. Give us life.

(Dance of fury of the stars. Every star expresses their fury and the stage is filled with their angry for a certain moment.)

DEATH IS THE BIGGEST SORROW
IT SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM ALL THEIR BELOVED
BURIED IN COLD GROUND WITH TEAR-SHEDED FLOWERS
DARK, LONESOME, VAIN, EMPTY, IMMOVABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE
DEATH IS THE BIGGEST CRUELTY
IT MAKES EYES CLOSED, BODY COLD,
AND BREATH STOPPED
NO LONGER DO ANYTHING, STOPPED
FORGOTTEN, DISAPPEARED, STOPPED, CUT, BROKEN
AND NOTHING
DEATH ROBS EVERYTHING FROM PEOPLE
DEATH MEANS NO MORE ANYTHING
DEATH IS THE LAST THING PEOPLE ENCOUNTER

(Around the end of song, the mood changes. They are getting calm.)

STAR7
God, have mercy upon us, give us the hope.

STAR8
Please let us get back. Please.

(The stars’ indignation turns into pray. All the stars begin to pray at the same time and it looks like in a church when everybody prays making voice. (Different from previous scene where all the stars talked, the audience can’t understand what the stars are saying or murmuring. It is just kind of an agreeable buzz.) After a moment of praying,)

STARS)
GOD, OH GOD
YOU GIVE US THE LIFE AND THE HAPPINESS
I CAME INTO THE WORLD WITH YOUR BLESSING
I CAME INTO THE WORLD WITH YOUR GUIDING
GOD GIVES ME THE WAY AND THE CHANCE
PLEASE SAVE ME FOR NOT TASTING THIS SORROW
PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE AND SAVE ME FROM SORROW
GOD, OH GOD

(In a sudden, something is happening on Earth. Stars found a stray person. Every star participates to save him. James also does his best. Stars get brighter trying to lead him to the right way. Anyway, various movements, actions or dances spread all over the stage on which different sort of lights are added such as a light show to save the stray person.)

SONG12 THE STRAY PERSON / STARS
NO. STOP. THAT’S NOT THE CORRECT WAY, THAT’S NOT THE RIGHT PATH
NO. STOP. DON’T GO THERE. NO. STOP. COME BACK HERE
LOOK AT HERE, LOOK AT US WHO SHINE YOUR WAY, WHO SHINE YOUR PATH
LOOK AT US, LOOK AT THE LIGHT WE GIVE YOU
LOOK AT THE WAY, LOOK AGAIN AT THE WAY ILLUMINATED BY US
TURN, THAT’S NOT THE WAY. NO. NO, THAT’S NOT THE RIGHT PATH

(Dances and movements to save the stray person. Once he is saved,)

MANY PEOPLE GET LOST, EVERY NIGHT THEY ARE LOST
LEADING THEM TO FIND THE RIGHT WAY,
HELPING THE LOST FIND THE WAY, SO IN LIFE THEY CAN STAY
LEAD HIM BACK TO THE RIGHT WAY, DON’T LET HIM GO ASTRAY
SO MANY PEOPLE GET LOST IN THE DARK NIGHT
SO MANY PEOPLE GET SUFFERED FROM SORROW LIFE
THEY ALL ASK US WHICH PATH TO CHOOSE
LOOKING AT US, THEY ALL ASK US
SO MANY SORROW STORIES
WHICH FILL FULL THE NIGHT SKY
LEADING THEM, SHINNING THEM
TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WAY

(James getting out of the crowd,)

JAMES)
MY BELOVED FAMILY, I AM TRYING TO SHINE BRIGHTER
I BELIEVE THIS WOULD WORK, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT GOD KNOWS
FORGET ME NOT, REMEMBER ME
GOD KNOWS WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOON
WAIT FOR ME, WAIT FOR ME

(At the end of the song, all of a sudden, a sick and tired star appears.)

SICK AND TIRED STAR
(advancing)
You are so fool! That’s so silly! (To James) Hope? You’d better not have hope, because it will make your despair greater! (To other stars) You are still clinging to that hope that you can go back? That doesn’t make sense and you know that. True that we all saw the stars who went back, however it is very rare to find a star that can go back. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. We should wait in ages for us to go back. I have been shining for several decades, I have been trying to be brighter than any other star but still I couldn’t go back. We have to stay here until we are forgotten having vain hope to be able to go back. I give up that hope that I can go back.

SONG13 A LIE / SICK AND TIRED STAR, DARK STARS, BRIGHT STARS
SICK AND TIRED STAR)
A LIE, ALL ARE LIES, I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING
I DON’T WANT TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING
ALL YOU ARE SAYING, ALL YOUR HOPES
ALL WE ARE DOING HERE IS A BIG COSMIC LIE
WE ALL KNOW THAT, EVERY STAR KNOWS THAT IT IS A LIE
ALL ARE LIES, A LIE. GOD ABANDONED US
WE ARE SIMPLY FORGOTTEN EXISTENCE IN THE NIGHT SKY
WE ARE GOING TO DISAPPEAR AFTER HAVING SHINNED

(Dark stars staying in the corner join the sick and tired star)

DARK STARS)
WE JUST DON’T AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE THINKING
IT IS JUST A PLEA FOR THE TO BE FREE
TO GO BACK IS A FALLACY, TO HAVE HOPE SHOULD NOT BE THE POLICY
EVEN THOUGH WE STRUGGLE TO LIGHT EVERY NIGHT
NO ONE GIVES THE WAY, NO ONE WILL SHOW THE WAY
WE ARE JUST STRAYING STARS IN THE FARAWAY DARK NIGHT
WE WILL BE FORGOTTEN, SIMPLY NOBODY WILL REMEMBER US
WE WILL DISAPPEAR AFTER ALL OF THIS

BRIGHT STARS)
YOU MUST NOT LOSE YOUR HOPE
YOU MUST NOT BE IN DESPAIR
WE HAVE A PROMISE, YES WE HAVE A PROMISE
GOD GAVE US THE PROMISE, YES HIS PROMISE
WE MUST BELIEVE IT, IT’S HIS PROMISE
HE WILL NOT LEAVE US ALONE
HE WILL NOT FAIL OUR HOPE
WE MUST BELIEVE THAT WE CAN GO BACK
WE MUST BELIEVE THAT OUR LOVED ONES ARE WAITING FOR US

DARK STARS / BRIGHT STARS)
THAT’S AN EMPTY HOPE / YOU CAN GO BACK
THAT’S AN UNREALIZABLE HOPE / YOU MUST BELIEVE IT
WE DON’T BELIEVE IT ANYMORE / EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE
WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT ANYMORE / EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE
THAT’S A LIE, THAT’S A FICTION / YOU MUST BELIEVE IT
WE WILL STOP ON SHINNING / YOU MUST NOT DO THAT
WE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING / YOU ARE WRONG
WE WILL DISAPPEAR / YOU ARE WRONG
WE WILL BE FORGOTTEN / I WILL GO BACK
WE CAN NEVER GO BACK / I WILL GO BACK
NEVER NERVER NEVER / I WILL I WILL I WILL
I HAVE NO HOPE AT ALL / I WILL HOPE FOR MORE

SICK AND TIRED STAR)
I AM ANGRY BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED FOR SEVERAL DECADES
I HAVE AWFULLY TRIED TO BE BRIGHTER I DID ALL MY BEST
WHY STILL COULDN’T I GO BACK, WHY STILL COULDN’T I GO BACK?
DECADES HAVE PASSED IN THIS DARK AND COLD SKY
I HAVE SPENT TONS OF YEARS TRYING TO BE BRIGHTER EVERY NIGHT
MY UN-SUPPOSED DEATH HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN, I HAVE BEEN CRAZY
THE UNFAIR DECISION OF WHO GOES BACK HURTS ME
THAT I CAN’T GO BACK DESPITE MY EFFORT PAINS ME
I AM SICK AND TIRED, I AM SURE I CAN’T GO BACK
I BLAME GOD WHO RESTRICTS US WITH LIES
I BLAME GOD WHO DIDN’T PERFORM THE FAIRNESS

(The stars agitate. David goes in front)

SONG14 MAYBE / DAVID, STARS
MAYBE WE CAN’T GO BACK
AS IF WE COULD NOT HAVE OUR OWN WAY WHEN WE WERE LIVING
MAYBE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR OWN WAY WHEN WE ARE DEAD
WE SHOULD SIMPLY ACCEPT THAT WE ARE DEAD
WE MISS OUR LIFE
WE WANT TO GO BACK TO OUR LIFE
IF THE DEATH AND THE LIFE ARE SO EASY TO EXCHANGE THEIR PLACES
THERE MAY NOT BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEATH AND THE LIFE
THE DEATH AND THE LIFE ARE LOCATED FARAWAY FROM EACH OTHER
THEY ARE NOT COMPATIBLE EACH OTHER
WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT
THE DEATH AND THE LIFE CAN’T BE TOGETHER
HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GO FROM THE DEATH TO THE LIFE
FROM THE LIFE TO THE DEATH AS WELL
WE MUST ADMIT THAT
THE LIFE IS THE LIFE AND THE DEATH IS THE DEATH
THE ACCUMULATION OF THE LIFE WILL FINALLY END WITH THE DEATH
THE PROGRESS OF THE DEATH WILL FINALLY FINISH TO A NEW LIFE
GOING BACK TO THE LIFE IS A TEMPORARY DEVIATION FROM SAMSARA
THE BLESSING THAT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE SOMETIMES
NO NEED TO BLAME GOD

(The song turns into chorus)

OH GOD OH GOD YOU GAVE US LIFE
OH GOD OH GOD YOU PUT US HERE
WE ARE WAITING FOR THAT MOMENT
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR GRACIOUS HANDS
TO GIVE US THE CONVICTION AND JUDGMENT
HAVE MERCY AND GRANT US THAT MOMENT
THE DAY WE ARE WAITING FOR, OUR ONLY AIM
OH GOD, PLEASE REMEMBER US
OH GOD, PLEASE FUEL OUR HOPES
LET US GO BACK AND SAVE US
OH GOD, FUEL OUR HOPES
KEEP US SHINNING WITH HOPES

(The blinking of the stars in the night sky. Their hope is huge like the blinking. Light out and intermission.)

4 MARY’S NEED

(The scene starts a festival which is the hope of going back for the stars. It could be a kind of lighting show. With various lights, a colorful and spectacular lighting show is unfolding on the stage for a certain extent of moment with the song below.)

SONG15 FESTIVAL OF THE STARS / STARS
WHEN THE NIGHT COMES, THE SKY IS FILLED WITH THE LIGHTS OF THE STARS
A COSMIC FESTIVAL, A SHOWCASE OF STAR’S EXTRAVAGANT LIGHTS
WATCHING THE EARTH, YEARNING FOR LOVED ONES, THERE GOES THE COSMIC FESTIVAL
SENDING RADIANCE WITH LOVE AND WARMTH, THERE GOES THE NIGHT, A COSMIC FESTIVAL

WHEN THE NIGHT COMES, THE SKY IS FILLED WITH THE LIGHTS OF THE STARS
A COSMIC FESTIVAL, A SHOWCASE OF STAR’S EXTRAVAGANT LIGHTS
WATCHING THE EARTH, YEARNING FOR LOVED ONES, THERE GOES THE COSMIC FESTIVAL
SENDING RADIANCE WITH LOVE AND WARMTH, THERE GOES THE NIGHT, A COSMIC FESTIVAL

(The dance diminishes)

SPLASHED IN THE NIGHT SKY, FULL WITH VARIOUS COLORS OF LIGHT
WE ARE THE SHINING STARS OF THE DARK NIGHT SKY

(Finishing of the festival. There are two scenes separately going on while the next song is singing ; one is the scene of James, another, Mary and children. While James is working hard, Mary and children have a quarrel, or the scene can describe some situations where they needed a father. These two scenes were being juxtaposed showing their lives.)

SONG16 THE HAPPINESS IS… / STARS
WHAT IS HAPPINESS TO HUMAN BEINGS?
BORN AND GROWN FROM THE LOVE OF PARENTS
FINDING THEIR OWN LOVE AND MAKING THEIR OWN FAMILY
FACING EACH OTHER PAINTING THEIR LIVES IN THEIR OWN WAYS
WHAT IS HAPPINESS TO HUMAN BEINGS?
TO TRY TO KEEP WHAT IS PRECIOUS FOR THEM
TO TRY TO RAISE WHAT IS EXQUISITE FOR THEM
WHAT IS DEAR FOR THEM, WHAT IS BELOVED FOR THEM
INNUMEROUS PEOPLE, COUNTLESS MOUTH
TALKS ABOUT HAPPINESS, HUMAN BEINGS’ HAPPINESS
HAPPINESS IS WHAT ENABLES PEOPLE TO SMILE
IT MAKES PEOPLE GLAD, IT MAKES PEOPLE SATISFIED
THIS IS HAPPINESS

(When the song finishes, only James is on the stage.)

SONG17 I THINK ABOUT IT / JAMES
I THINK ABOUT THE TIME I HAVE SPENT DURING MY UNACHIEVED LIFE.
IT WAS JUST A CONTINUOUS RUNNING AND CHASING FOR THE FUTURE
WHAT FAULT DID I COMMIT? WHY SHOULD I HANG AROUND HERE?
I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE HONESTLY WITHOUT STEPPING OUT OF LINE
AND I SURELY DID MY BEST
ALL OF MY CHERISHED DAYS WENT AWAY AS IF THEY DON’T HAVE ANY VALUE
NO MORE MEMORIES, NO MORE TRACES OF WHAT I HAVE DONE
FOR WHAT I STRIVED SO INTENSIVELY TO LIVE? IN ORDER TO DIE I LIVED MY DEAR LIFE?
GOD, PLEASE LET ME GO BACK, LET ME GO BACK
TO MY FAMILY, TO MY BELOVED.
GOD, OH GOD, PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE TO ACHIEVE WHAT I HAVE TO FINISH
DON’T DISTURB MY HAPPINESS

(A moment of grief, but he changes his mood into positive and with a desire)

MY FAMILY, MY DEAR FAMILY, PLEASE WAIT FOR ME, WAIT FOR ME
I WILL GO BACK TO YOUR ARMS AND TO YOUR HEART.
I ALREADY HAVE ALL THINGS READY TO MAKE US HAPPY,
YOU CAN TRUST ME. WE ARE READY. I PROMISE YOU
I WILL SHOUT THAT WE WILL BE HAPPY WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN
I WILL GO BACK TO YOU, TO YOUR ARMS AND TO YOUR HEART
I WILL GO BACK, I WILL GO BACK
MY FAMILY, WAIT FOR ME.

(When stars are shining, Mary appears holding a family picture. James runs to her with joy.)

SONG18 YOU ARE HERE / MARY, JAMES
MARY)
YOU ARE HERE IN THIS FADED PICTURE
YOU SEEM SO HAPPY IN THIS OLD PHOTOGRAPH
I CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER THE MOMENT WE TOOK THIS
MAYBE WE HAD A HAPPY TIME AT THAT MOMENT
IT HURTS ME TO LOOK AT YOUR SMILE IN THE PICTURE
IT BREAKS MY HEART KNOWING THAT YOU ARE NOT HERE ANY MORE
I DON’T KNOW, I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
IT’S JUST SO SUDDEN THAT I COULDN’T THINK STRAIGHT
I CAN’T FEEL ANYTHING BUT JUST SORROW
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I COULDN’T EVEN THINK WHAT TO DO
I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING. I COULDN’T EVEN THINK OF ANYTHING
I AM SCARED LIVING THIS LIFE ALONE
WHAT IS CERTAIN, THE ONLY ONE THING THAT IS CERTAIN IS
YOU ARE NO LONGER HERE AND WE ARE LEFT HERE ALONE WITHOUT YOU
KNOWING NOTHING ON WHAT TO DO AND NOT BEING MATURED ENOUGH YET
THERE ARE TWO CHILDREN AND A WOMAN, YOUR KIDS AND YOUR WIFE
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO

JAMES)
I AM DEEPLY SORRY MY LOVE, FORGIVE ME, BUT I NEVER WANTED IT THIS WAY
MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE YOU KNOW WELL WHAT I WANTED TO
YOU KNOW WELL THE REASON WHY I WORKED SO HARD
YOU KNOW WELL, EVERYTHING WAS READY. WAIT FOR ME

JAMES /MARY)
WAIT FOR ME / I CAN’T STOP BLAMING YOU
I WILL GO BACK TO YOU BEFORE LONG / EVEN THOUGH YOUR INTENTION WAS NOT SO BAD

JAMES)
I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME MY LOVE

MARY / JAMES)
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I HAVE TO DO / I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY
CAN YOU SAY WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO / FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME
YOU LEFT ME AND YOUR CHILDREN ALONE IN THIS CRUEL WORLD / FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME
I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO IN THIS LONG LIFE / I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY
I AM NOT SURE IF I CAN GO ON WITHOUT YOU / FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME
CAN YOU HELP ME, CAN YOU SHOW ME THE WAY EVEN A LITTLE BIT / I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY
I DON’T HAVE MUCH CONVICTION OF HOW TO LIVE / I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY
I DON’T KNOW AND I NEED YOU / I AM SORRY

(Mary cries.)

JAMES
(Approaching to Mary, James tries to tell her, but life and death can’t communicate each other.)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the Earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
(This is just an example of what James may say. And he says it differently than normal like inverse.)

MARY
I am sorry for saying this, however, the more I think of you, the greater my anger becomes. What did you do for your family? I know you have worked hard and that was not for yourself alone. Yes I know. However, your good intention led you to the pit of falsehood. Even though you don’t want to lie, even though you want to keep up with us, you are too trapped with your lies. This is the result. Furthermore, you couldn’t even do simple and ordinary family things such as eating, chatting, and travelling together. You didn’t even leave any clear memories. If you left us lots of happy memories, we may be happy even though we feel sorrow when we are touched them. Yes, it is memory that we keep inside and sometimes put it out to look back upon, and on this moment we feel sorrow but at the same time this memory makes us happy and it can cure us bring us to the past. That is memory and you didn’t leave us enough memory. Anyway, you did a big thing, because you really did achievement to your company that your company will support us economically. Good news? Yes, good news! I think your project was so good and you were really a competent person. Thanks. Thank you very much for this care you left. So what that you are so competent in your company? Would it help me raise our two kids? You left me our two kids but I don’t know what to do? Do you have any idea? Please, if you can see me, if you can hear me, please, tell me what I have to do! What I have to do? Tell me! I hate you for dumping us like this!

(Crying, Mary gets out of the stage and James is left, filled with despair.)

SONG19 GOD / JAMES
GOD, OH GOD WHO GAVE ME LIFE
GOD, OH GOD WHO TOOK MY LIFE
IT MAY BE YOUR WILL TO GIVE AND TAKE MY LIFE
IT MAY BE YOUR RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER ON MY LIFE
IF YOU ARE GENEROUS GOD, IF YOU HAVE A TOLERANCE
WHY DIDN’T YOU TAKE CARE OF THE TIME OF MY DEATH?
IS ONLY WORTH THE TIME THAT YOU DECIDE? IS MY LIFE UNWORTHY?
THIS IS THE LIFE THAT YOU GAVE ME, YOU, NO OTHER, YOU GAVE ME THIS LIFE!
GOD, OH GOD, PLEASE SHOW ME YOUR LOVE
PLEASE LET ME GO BACK, KEEP MY PROMISES WITH MY FAMILY
I HAVE TO GO BACK TO HELP MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN
PLEASE SHOW YOUR LOVE I NEED YOUR LOVE
GOD, OH MY GOD

(David approaches him.)

DAVID
Don’t be so distressed. As time goes , everything will be in order.

JAMES
You don’t know how much I am mortified to be mistreated. I have never caused any pain to anybody and I have been totally devoted to my work. Finally, I could get a chance to be happy with my family, now….

DAVID
Everybody feels regret for his or her death because we have to give up everything—our families, our career. However, be patient, everything’s gonna be OK. Just have a little patience.

JAMES
Is there any solution? I need just a short moment to talk with them.

DAVID
Do you think it is a good idea to talk with them? If so, what will you talk about?

JAMES
What? Anything. I want to tell them how much I loved them, how I lived my life for them to be happy. Now we can be happy because I worked hard, so we can, Oh, no, you can….

DAVID
You can…?

JAMES
You can….

DAVID
You see that life and death CAN’T coexist because there is no more place for you on Earth.

JAMES
I strongly disagree. I am sure there is another way for me to communicate with them.

DAVID
We all had the experience to go back, but no one could say anything. Life and death is absolute contrast, they don’t stand together. Did you ever think of living, being aware of your death?

JAMES
But …

DAVID
If you really want, you can go back but it’s not for a long time.

JAMES
Really? How? How can I go back?

DAVID
Here’s the rule. First, you can only go back within 30 days before your death. It will be your chance to prove to your wife and your family that you are worth waiting for, but you will still die the same date of your original death. That’s why you should savor the moment and spend it wisely.

JAMES
Am I allowed to say when will I die?

DAVID
Yes. You can say everything you want to. That is the 2nd rule. But you must remember that you CAN’T avoid your death no matter how you try to avoid it. You will always die on that day

JAMES
It’s OK with me. Just let me go back.

DAVID
There is also another rule, when you want to go back the 2nd time….

JAMES
No, no, it will not be necessary because I don’t need to go back 2 times. I will just say what is needed to be said and I will try to be brighter to go back definitely. Just let me go back.

SONG20 I WILL GO BACK / JAMES
I WILL GO BACK TO MY PAST, TO MY LIFE
I WILL GO BACK TO MY FAMILY TO SAY WHAT MUST BE SAID
ON WHAT DAY SHOULD I GO BACK? SHOULD IT BE THAT MOMENTOUS DAY?
THE DAY I CHERISHED THE MOST? THE HAPPIEST DAY?
THE DAY WHEN I CAN TELL MY CHILDREN AND MY WIFE HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM
ON WHAT DAY SHOULD I COME BACK? I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO TELL THEM
TO TELL THEM THEY ARE MORE PRECIOUS THAN ALL THE SUCCESS IN THE WORLD
TO TELL MY WIFE HOW SHE PAINTED MY LIFE WITH JOY AND BLISS
TO TELL MY CHILDREN HOW THEY SHOW ME THE MOST CONCRETE DEFINITION OF LOVE
I SHOULD GO BACK TO THE PAST, NOT SO FAR FROM NOW
THE DAY I CAN TELL THEM ABOUT MY DEATH, MY FAREWELL

(The stage turns and James goes back to Earth. On Sunday. Mary appears.)

JAMES
(running to Mary and hugging her tight) Mary!

MARY
(surprised) What’s up?

JAMES
I am sorry. I am really sorry.

MARY
What, sorry for what?

JAMES
If I hadn’t been dead, you would not have any heartache.

MARY
What are you saying?

JAMES
Sorry, I am really sorry.

MARY
James, one moment. Do you have any problems? Dead? You are saying you are dead? What do you mean?

JAMES
I will die in a few days so I am here to tell you about it.

MARY
….

JAMES
You must believe me and even though I die, my company will support you.

MARY
What you are saying is not so bad… Is there any problem with your project?

JAMES
Honey, I am serious. You must believe me. To be honest, when I died, I became a star and I watched you over there and felt your agony. That’s why I am here temporarily to warn you about my death. Children? Where are our children?

MARY
… James…

JAMES
I know it’s difficult to believe, but you should believe. Where are our children?

MARY
They are sleeping now. Anyway is there a problem in your project? Even it goes bad, you shouldn’t think about death. James….

JAMES
You don’t believe me now? You must believe me.

MARY
Ok, Ok, then if you have some sickness….

JAMES
No, No, I know it’s difficult, but you must believe me.

MARY
Ok, Ok. Why don’t you take a day off for today?

JAMES
Of course. I will not go to work. I will not even go out of home until I die. You believe me? You must believe me.

MARY
….James

JAMES
And the children?

MARY
Children? They are still sleeping because today is Sunday.

JAMES
Wake them up, quickly.

MARY
….James

JAMES
I have to tell them about it also. They must know it.

MARY
James (scared)

JAMES
Quickly, wake them up.

MARY
It doesn’t matter to wake them up, however…. I am wondering if you are going well and your project is going well….

JAMES
No, no. That’s not matter. Why don’t you believe in me? I was dead and I come back temporarily. I am going to die because of the car accident.

MARY
James!

JAMES
You have to believe in me. You have to believe that I will die and I can come back if I shine hard. I will come back soon.

MARY
Stop, stop please. No more this story of death. You have not to think of death. We are still young and we have children who only have us.

JAMES
You don’t believe in me.

MARY
It is not important to believe or not, but you have not to think of death.

JAMES
Mary!

MARY
James.

JAMES
OK. I got it. First of all, please bring our children.

MARY
James.

JAMES
I see, I see. Please bring our children. I have something to tell them.

MARY
James, they are still sleeping now…

JAMES
Do you think I am crazy? I am not crazy. I just came back after having been a star. And I must go back. I am totally normal.

MARY
I know, I know…

JAMES
Please!

MARY
OK. OK. I will wake them up. Just stay here.

(Mary leaves the stage and James is left alone..)

JAMES
I have to say that I love them all. I have to let them know how much I cherish them. To die is something very unfair and I prepared all things for us to live in happiness. I have to say. I have to say how much I tried for my family. However, if nobody believes me…..

(Mary appears again with the children.)

MARY
Look, James ….

(At his sighting of his children, he couldn’t say anything. Only teardrops fall down.)

JAMES
(hugging all family members) Maybe, though, if something bad happens to me, I want you to know how much I love you. I really love all of you.

CHILDREN
What’s the matter, daddy. Are you going somewhere? Why are you crying?

MARY
James, please tell me. What’s the matter?

JAMES
No, no, no, no. Nothing, nothing. I just wanted to say how much I love you. You all know how much I love you. I love you. You all know how much I love you right?

CHILDREN
Don’t go daddy. Don’t go!

JAMES
Don’t worry. I will not go anywhere. You can trust me.

CHILDREN
Don’t go daddy, don’t go.

MARY
Children. Your daddy will not go anywhere. Go inside. I will follow you quickly.

JAMES
Even though I am no longer here, I will still love you all. Don’t forget that I tried all my best for our family to be happy. Don’t forget me. Don’t forget how much I love you.

CHILDREN
Don’t go, don’t go

MARY
No, no. Children, Go inside quickly. I will follow you soon.

(She forces the children to go back to their rooms.)

MARY
So, what’s the matter? What the hell is happening to you? Is something wrong? Did something awful happen to your project that makes you want to die? Is it true? You want to die because you failed your project?

JAMES
No no no no. That’s not the reason!

MARY
Is it not? Then what’s the matter? Where the hell you will go? Please, please tell me the truth.

JAMES
I will have a car accident ….

MARY
Stop, stop. I don’t want to listen to that kind of awful story. You really want to die because of your project? So did the company kick you out?

JAMES
No, it’s not about that?

MARY
And then? What’s the matter with you this morning? If it’s kind of a joke, I’ll kick you in the ass.

JAMES
So, even if I will die in…

MARY
Please, please. Stop that story. It’s too awful. If you die, what will we do? Please think of your family. I CAN’T raise two children alone. And what about the money? If things go bad, you have to find another job. I know you are a competent man. You can do well no matter what job you will have. With just one small project, you need to think of killing yourself. Please. Don’t think of it, but rather think of us.

JAMES
It is not like that. I am going to be killed. Certainly die.

MARY
Please, please. Think of your family. No, think of your children. If you love them, you must not choose that kind of way. Please honey, please.

JAMES
I am sorry, I am sorry, I CAN’T continue, I need to go now. Bye (He goes out in a hurry.)

MARY
Honey…

(James leaves the stage, and Mary follows after him. The stage turns and James appears again.)

SONG21 THEY COULDN’T BELIEVE / JAMES
THEY COULDN’T BELIEVE, I COULDN’T CONVINCE
CONVINCE THEM ABOUT MY DEATH, MY FAREWELL
WHEN I SAW THE FACE OF MY CHILDREN, IN THEIR LIMPID EYES
I COULD SEE THE SADNESS AND GRIEF I MIGHT LEAVE BEHIND
WHEN I FELT THE EMBRACE OF MY WIFE, MY LIFE
IT SEEMED THAT I LET MY WIFE HUGGED SORROW AND WOE
ALL I WANTED IS TO SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM
ALL I NEEDED IS FOR THEM TO BE PREPARED AND READY
FOR THE MOMENT WHEN MY LIFE IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM
WHICH I COULDN’T MAKE THEM BELIEVE
WHICH I COULDN’T MAKE THEM CONVINCE
THAT DEATH IS A THIEF WHO WILL MAKE HEIST
INTO OUR TREASURED LIFE, UNEXPECTEDLY
DEATH IS A THIEF, DEATH IS A ROBBER

(During the song, the stage turns again and the sky appears.)

DAVID
I already said that you will be more regretful.

JAMES
I am sure that god is nasty and he doesn’t want the happiness of people. He gave people life but takes it in very important moment without any hesitation. Does he know how many people are hurt his mischief and how many people will be frustrated their robbed lives? Does god know what the dead people feel and the living people think? After his creation of humans, he made plenty of people but he robbed their lives at the very important moment and looking at the sorrow of the people who were left behind and the shining stars’ teardrops, he applauds and has fun. God is crazy, he is a psycho.

SONG22 YOU ARE A PSYCHO / JAMES
WHY DO YOU CREATE HUMANS?
WHY DO YOU OFFER LIFE YET GIVE DEATH?
WHAT’S THE REASON TO GIVE AND TAKE THE LIFE?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? WHAT ARE YOU PLEASED WITH?
HUMANS IN AGONY, HUMANS WITH TEARS
HUMANS YELLING AND CRYING, ARE THESE YOUR JOY?
DESTROYED BY SORROW, FRUSTRATED WITH PAIN
BROKEN BY SUFFERING AND TORN TO PIECES BY DESPAIR
ARE THESE YOUR PLEASURES, YOUR ECSTASY?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO PROVE? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SHOW US?
YOUR AUTHORITY? YOUR POWER? YOUR OMNIPOTENCE?
WHY DO YOU ALWAYS TEST HUMANS, YOUR OWN CREATION?
YOU DON’T TRUST ON YOUR OWN CREATION
IF IT’S NOT YOU WHO MUST TRUST ON HUMANS, WHO WILL TRUST IN HUMANS?
SHOW ME YOUR LOVE, STOP TESTING US
SHOW ME YOUR GRACE, STOP THROWING US IN PAIN
WHO ARE YOU? WHO ARE YOU?
ARE YOU THE DEVIL? ARE YOU THE SATAN?
YOU EMPHASIZE US THE VIRTUE CONTINUOUSLY
YOU HAVE NO GOOD, YOU ARE NOT GOOD
YOU EMPHASIZE US THE LOVE CONTINUOUSLY
YOU HAVE NO LOVE, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
YOU DON’T LOVE HUMANS EVEN THOUGH IT IS YOU WHO CREATED THEM
YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING
I WILL DENY YOU, I WILL REFUSE TO ACCEPT YOU AS MY GOD
I WILL REJECT THE FATE YOU’VE GIVEN ME
YOU ARE A PSYCHO, BEING SCREWY AND ENJOYING HUMANS’ SUFFERING
YOU ARE A PSYCHO, THIS IS YOUR NAME.

(James screamed with lots of pain and despair. After a while, he falls on himself.)

IF IT REMAINS TO YOU
A LITTLE LOVE, A VERY LITTLE LOVE TO YOU
GOD, OH GOD, PLEASE LET ME GO BACK
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE

(Light out.)

5 JAMES’S CHOICE

(Light in.)

SONG23 LONGINGNESS / STARS
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS GLIMMER SO BRIGHTLY
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS BLINK SO CHARMINGLY
A MULTITUDE OF GRACEFUL TWINKLING STARS WHICH GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY
WHAT ARE THEIR STORIES? WHY ARE THEY SHINNING?
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS GLIMMER SO BRIGHTLY
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS BLINK SO CHARMINGLY
THE STARS SHINE ON THE DEEP AND LONG NIGHT SKY
THEY SHINE BEAUTIFULLY AND SWEETLY BY SENDING SPLENDID LIGHTS
FROM THAT FAR OFF PLACE, THE STARS LOOKING AT THEIR LOVED ONES FEELING REGRETS
WHO ARE THEY LOOKING AT? TO WHOM ARE THEIR HEART YEARNING FOR?
PEOPLE MAKE VARIOUS WAYS OF LIFE AND FINALLY THEY ENCOUNTER DEATH.
DEATH IS A COMMON DESTINATION WHERE PEOPLE MAY GO EVERY DAY, EVERY MOMENT AND EVERY SECOND.
THEY ALL SHINE BRIGHTLY, YEARNING FOR SOMEBODY FROM THE LONELY SKY
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS GLIMMER SO BRIGHTLY
LONGINGNESS, LONGINGNESS IS THE REASON WHY THE STARS BLINK SO CHARMINGLY
THE BEAUTIFUL AND GRANDIOSE STARS SHINE FROM A FAR AND FAR DEEP SKY

(When the music is finished, the stage becomes the sky and the world again. Mary appears shedding tears on the down stage.)

MARY
I can’t endure. I really can’t endure. Your friends came today, your close friends with whom you hung out and your colleagues also came. They all praised you. How excellent and remarkable you were on your project. They all missed having good memories with you. However, what good memories, did you leave to your family, your kids and your wife? Only some memories? Not enough! Memories, happy memories are the source power that helps us resist the sorrow. They allow us to revive the very moment of happiness.

SONG24 IF YOU SEE ME / JAMES, MARY
MARY)
IF YOU SEE ME, IF YOU SEE ME NOW BY CHANCE
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO
IF YOU SEE ME, PLEASE APPEAR IN FRONT OF ME
AT THIS VERY MOMENT THAT I NEED YOU, RIGHT NOW
EXPLAIN TO ME THE THINGS YOU LEFT
CONVINCE ME TO BELIEVE YOU WERE GOOD HUSBAND
GIVE ME YOUR PRETEXT AND JUSTIFICATION
FOR BEING A GOOD HUSBAND

MARY
Yes, You can’t know how and what I feel because you are not here. I suddenly feel a distance between you and I when I saw your picture. Is this man my husband? Why does he look like a stranger? Whatever the reason is, I have lived my life with kids and you have tried to have a promotion, so our life has not match together. Yes, I suddenly want to cry, but I can’t.

I CAN REMIND OUR PAST IF I HAVE ENOUGH MEMORIES
I CAN GRAB THEM, TALK THEM, FIGHT THEM AND LEAN TO THEM
I CAN THINK OF TIME WE SPENT TOGETHER
I CAN REMIND THE PLACES WE WERE TOGETHER
I CAN DO EVERYTHING LIKE MY MEMORY IS YOU
LIKE I CAN CHAT WITH SOMEONE LIVING
I CAN TALK WITH MY MEMORY
MY MEMORY GIVES THE SORROW, YES SORROW
IT GIVES ALSO THE HAPPY MOMENTS WE SPENT TOGETHER
IT MAKES LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND PREPARING THE FUTURE

Mary
However, I couldn’t remember well who you were. I am sorry. Maybe, it’s because your memory in my mind is too fragmented. It bothers me. When I drive, eat, lay on the bed, prepare to go to office… Something comes up but I don’t know exactly what it is….

JAMES)
I AM SORRY, I AM SORRY, I DIDN’T KNOW THAT.
EVERY NIGHT I AM HERE IN THE NIGHT SKY
TRYING TO BE BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER TO GO BACK TO YOU,
THIS IS MY OWN INTEREST

MARY)
YOU ARE ALWAYS BESIDE ME BUT YOU ARE NOT THERE
I WANT TO CRY LOUDLY BUT I MISS SOMETHING
I WANT TO BLAME YOU BUT I MISS SOMETHING
DO YOU KNOW THIS EMPTINESS, THIS VANITY
YOUR EXISTENCE IS NOT TRUE
I WANT TO GRAB YOU I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU
HOWEVER
I MISS SOMETHING TO FEEL YOU ENOUGH
I CAN’T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE MEMORY ABOUT YOU IS LIKE A MIRAGE
I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS FORMLESS SHAPE
PLEASE, PLEASE GET RID OF ALL YOUR TRACES
AT LEAST, UNTIL I CAN ENDURE
AT LEAST, UNTIL THEN

(Mary leaves the stage. James falls down on himself. (During the next song, I hope to see the struggling image of people in their lives on the stage.)

SONG25 I LOOK BACK UPON MY LIFE / JAMES
I LOOK BACK UPON MY LIFE, A LIFE NOT TOO SHORT TO SAY ABOUT A LIFE
I HAVE CHASED ONLY HAPPINESS, I ALWAYS HEADED FOR THE FUTURE
WHEN I FOUND MY JOB, I MADE A PROMISE TO MYSELF THAT I WOULD DO MY BEST TO GRAB FAST THE LADDER OF THE CORPORATION
WHEN I GOT MARRIED, I AGAIN REPEATED THE SAME PROMISE TO MYSELF
BELIEVING THAT IT IS THE PATH TO HAPPINESS
I COULD DO IT, I DID IT AND I ACHIEVED IT. THAT WAS MY LIFE, A LIFE FOR THE FUTURE
I HAVE PREPARED THE FUTURE FOR A LONG LONG TIME AND I WAS PROUD OF IT
HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO PRESENT FOR ME, ONLY THE FUTURE MATTERED FOR ME
MY LIFE WAS STOPPED PERFECTLY WHILE I WAS TOTALLY READY
WHY I LIVED SO HARD? WAS I HAPPY?
NOT DOING SIMPLE AND ORDINARY THINGS, EATING, CHATTING AND TRAVELLING TOGETHER WITH MY FAMILY
WORKING ON WEEKENDS, WORKING ON HOLIDAYS
TO GET A PROMOTION, THINKING THE PROMOTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE HAPPY
HOWEVER, I DIED IN VAIN. THIS IS MY REGRETTABLE LIFE
EVERYTHING WAS READY, HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT

JAMES
I love my kids and my wife. Every night, I go up to the sky to see them. I try to be brighter and brighter and give more light, more light. However, this moment, I am just the cause of the sadness for them. Watching them is only guilt and shame, and I only give them sorrow and tears. My memories, my few memories with them give them only sorrow.

I WANT THEM TO REMEMBER ME,
I WANT TO SEE THEM EVERY NIGHT
HOWEVER, FOR THEM
REMEMBERING ME IS A SORROW, REMEMBERING ME ONLY BRINGS TEARS
I AM SADNESS, I AM TEARS

JAMES
(His feeling getting more blazed up.)
I was unfairly treated, unfairly. Why me? All my friends, all my colleagues, all the people I know are safe, except me, why only me, why should I die? Why only me? God, I blame you. I might be a father that my kids could not remember well. Furthermore, my remnants from their memories only makes them sad. If I could only have spent enough time with them! If I could only have left enough happy memories to them! However, you didn’t give me any chance to do it, any consideration about my life. How can you treat me like this? My life is the one that, not any other but you, yourself gave. Don’t you even have any love on your own belongings? (Crying and yelling) Will you let me go back? If I shine harder and if I become brighter, will you let me go back to my family? I can’t believe you because you have no love, because you don’t know how we are connected to each other love.

SONG26 YOU HAVE NO LOVE / JAMES
YOU HAVE NO LOVE. YOU SURELY HAVE NO LOVE
YOU GIVE LIFE AND TAKE IT. YOU JUDGE AND PUNISH
YOU DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO
YOU DON’T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT HUMANS
YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL
YOU HAVE NO LOVE. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
YOU HAVE NO LOVE. BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
IT IS YOU WHO CREATED HUMAN BEINGS. THEY ARE YOURS.
HOW CAN’T YOU HAVE ANY LOVE TO YOUR CREATION?
ISN’T IT YOU? DIDN’T YOU CREATE HUMAN BEINGS?
ANSWER ME. WHY DON’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?
I WILL NOT BLAME YOU IF I DON’T BELONG TO YOU
I WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING IF I AM NOT YOURS
ANSWER, ANSWER ME, ANSWER
YOU HAVE NO LOVE, YOU HAVE NO LOVE
YOU HAVE NO LOVE ON HUMAN BEINGS

(Once his enragement diminishes.)

DAVID
(Getting closer)
The time will resolve. The time is the only solution. And as you try to get brighter every night, you can go back someday. Even though you can’t go back, you will get another life.

JAMES
No, I can’t endure it. I have to go back right now and erase all my traces. I will remove all things, car, bed, desk, house… and also….

DAVID
Could it be a solution?

JAMES
I don’t know but I hope it will work. At least, my traces will have vanished and so as the sorrows.

DAVID
Well, then what are you going to do with the intangible things, the MEMORIES?

JAMES
I don’t know. I really don’t know. However, I am sure I can find the way once I return.

DAVID
I don’t think it will be resolved so easily. Everything can be resolved only time. Relax and take your time.

JAMES
But my family is so sad and cried a river because of me. Just because of me. I really must go back and somehow find the way.

DAVID
I don’t think it’s a good solution. Even though you go back again, as you already had experience, only you will be treated as a crazy person.

JAMES
I think there must be any chance.

DAVD
Maybe. Anyway, you have to die and it may give another sadness to your family and nobody can erase the memories.

JAMES
I want to go back.

DAVID
So you want to go back at that degree.

JAMES
I have to go back.

DAVID
OK. Here is another serious problem, the 3rd rule that you refused to hear. It is that your eternal life will disappear forever. So to speak, if you go back again for the second times, you can’t come back again here and you can’t be a star. You will disappear as shooting star and be removed from your eternal life.

JAMES
What the hell… Oh god, you really don’t want people to be happy.

DAVID
As I say, wait. Time will be a good help. I know that your actual life is important. I understand how much you feel pain because you died when everything is ready. I understand but you also have a live which will last forever. You’d better not think to give up it.

SONG27 I CAN’T GO BACK / JAMES
I CAN’T GO BACK ANYMORE TO MY FAMILY BECAUSE MY ETERNAL LIFE WILL BE THREATENED.
I WAS BORN IN THIS WORLD RECEIVING A LIFE
I LIVED THIS PRECIOUS LIFE ALWAYS DOING MY BEST
GETTING MARRIED, I COULD HAVE MY FAMILY, MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN
I DID EVERYTHING EXPECTING A GOOD LIFE FOR MY FAMILY
HOWEVER, I COULDN’T AVOID THE CAR ACCIDENT AND I DIED
I BECAME A STAR IN THIS NIGHT SKY, IN THIS DARK BLUE SKY
NOW, MY TRACES THAT I LEFT MAKES MY FAMILY SORROWFUL
HOWEVER, I CAN’T GO BACK TO REMOVE THEM BECAUSE MY EXISTENCE IS MENACED

LINDA
Time will help you. I also couldn’t endure it for the first time. I was so sad but, as time goes , everything gets blunt and I could endure. This is also a kind of habit.

DAVID
She is right. Consider this moment as a process of preparation for the next life.

JAMES
Yes. I understand and I agree with what you said. Surely time will resolve everything. But, to do so, I feel a sort of deep sorry to my family, because I feel too deficient for my family.

DAVID
Everything is already finished. You have to do your best for your new life.

LINDA
I think so. Don’t get a thought of going back again, and expecting your new life, I think you’d better try to be brighter. That is what we are doing now.

JAMES
I understand what you said. You may be right…, however,….

SONG28 IF THERE IS A WAY ….? / JAMES, STARS
JAMES)
IF THERE IS A WAY, A SINGLE WAY, I SURELY GO BACK
WHATEVER IT IS, IF I CAN DO, I DEFINITELY DO IT
ALL I WANT IS SO SIMPLE
TO REMOVE ALL TRACES RELATED TO ME
THIS IS ALL I WANT.
I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SETTLE THE PROBLEM THAT I MUST GET OVER

STARS)
STOP THINKING, STOP, NO MORE THINKING
IMPOSSIBLE IS IMPOSSIBLE, AND YOU SHOULD GIVE UP WHAT YOU SHOULD GIVE UP

JAMES)
DO I REALLY HAVE TO GIVE UP? DO I REALLY CAN’T DO ANYTHING?

STARS)
WE ALL TRIED BUT FAILED

JAMES / STARS)
BUT I DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP / IT’S A DANGEROUS IDEA
THERE COULD BE A WAY / ALL OF US ALREADY TRIED
I DON’T WANT TO FINISH AT THIS POINT / YOU WILL NOT REACH THE SATISFYING RESULT
I DON’T WANT TO STOP HERE / DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR OTHER LIFE

JAMES)
NOW I AM AT THE POINT OF PREPARING A NEW LIFE
HOWEVER, MY LIFE I HAD IS NOT YET FINISHED AND ALSO IMPORTANT TO ME
I JUST WANT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT MY FAMILY AND I ENCOUNTER
THERE IS NO WAY
I JUST LEFT SORROW WHICH IS NOT SO CLEAR
I SHOULD REMAIN AS DEFICIENT FATHER TO MY FAMILY
I DON’T ACCEPT IT, I WANT TO SETTLE IT,
I ALWAYS DID MY BEST IN MY LIFE.
THAT WAS THE CHARACTER GOD GAVE ME
I ALWAYS FOUND THE SOLUTION.
THAT WAS THE ABILITY GOD GAVE ME
I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS SITUATION WITHOUT BEING SOLVED
THAT IS NOT THE CHARACTER GOD GAVE ME
I MUST GO BACK TO THEM, HOWEVER, WHAT CAN I DO FOR THEM?
DO I SHINE EVERY NIGHT ONLY GIVING SORROW TO MY FAMILY?
IS THIS THE END OF THE LIFE I JUST HAD?
SHINNING INCOMPETENTLY IN THE NIGHT SKY

JAMES
Yes. I can just give up. I can give up considering that this is my life, my fate. However, simply, what if, if I was given the same life again? Then must I remain again as a deficient existence for the sake of the next life? And the next life again? Is this my fate? Is it my fate to give up?

DAVID
You can have a chance to go back definitely if you try enough. Don’t have that kind of extreme thought.

JAMES
Extreme thought? Yes, it can be. However, this is a very important question to me. I don’t want to remain as a deficient existence, and furthermore as an existence who must give up every time. No, I don’t want it. If giving up is my fate, I rather give up my fate.

DAVID
Don’t take it so easy. Everyone has his or her own fate, and it is our responsibility to live according to the given fate. Remember, we are the painter of our own canvas.

JAMES
However, if the new painting becomes the the same painting, I’d rather not be a painter.

DAVID
Too extreme, too far. That kind of thinking will eventually destroy yourself. We are the existence who live the given life and this is an unchangeable nature.

JAMES
Nature? Human’s nature? Yes, that is human’s nature unless god change his mind.

DAVID
Yes. God gave us an empty clean canvas and it is our duty to fill it.

JAMES
Yes. You are right. God gave us an empty and clean canvas. And what we will do is to fill it. It is not god who fills it but me who fill it with the colors I want, not the colors he wants. With my colors! Yes, even though I am born and will die the moment he wants, however it is me who paint while living.

DAVID
What are you thinking? Don’t be so obsessive.

JAMES
SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND, KNOCK AND IT WILL BE OPEN. It looks that I found the way. I can settle the problem. The way that I will not remain as a deficient dad and husband.

SONG29 I GO BACK / JAMES
I FOUND, EVENTUALLY, THE WAY
ERASING ALL REMNANTS CAN’T CHANGE ANYTHING AND I CAN’T DO THAT
THE MEMORIES LEFT ARE ALWAYS THE SAME MEMORIES
IF THEY WERE HAPPY THE HAPPY MEMORIES WILL REMAIN
IF THEY WERE SAD THE SAD MEMORIES WILL REMAIN
I CAN’T MODIFY ALREADY-PAINTED MEMORY
INSTEAD, I CAN CREATE NEW ONES. YES, I CAN CREATE NEW MEMORIES
WITH MY OWN COLORS, I WILL PAINT MY DYING LIFE
NOT BEING SORROWFUL AND SUFFERING OF MY DYING LIFE
TO LEAVE PLENTY OF HAPPY MEMORIES TO MY FAMILY
I WILL BE A HAPPINESS-MAKING MAN

JAMES
(Looking at the sky)
Oh god. Whatever you want me to be, you force me to cry, I will not give up. What is important finally depends on how I accept it. Yes, this is the way. If I can’t change the things, then, I can change myself. The only way that I can do is to change myself. Yes, to change myself. I will create my new life different from the one that I have lived. Simple and easy things. Coming home early every day, chatting much with my family, and going on trips together, From now on, I will spend time as much as they want, so I can make them remember me as a happiness-making man. To do so, when I die, even though recalling me makes them sad, happy memories about me will stay in their hearts. Yes, that’s the way. I will be the happiness-making dad and husband and I will remain like that in the memory of my family.

I WILL GO BACK TO MY FAMILY NOW
I AM WILLING TO GIVE UP A NEW LIFE BECAUSE I WILL BECOME THE MAN WHO GIVES HAPPINESS
I WILL GO BACK WITH A SMILE, WITH HAPPINESS
SO THAT THE MEMORY THAT MY FAMILY WILL HAVE IS HAPPINESS
I WILL GO BACK TO MY LIFE IN ORDER TO LIVE MY LIFE WHICH IS DESTINED TO DIE
I WILL GO BACK TO MY FAMILY IN ORDER TO LEAVE THEM HAPPINESS

(The stage turns, James goes back to the world with a big smile.)

6 EPILOGUE

(The light changes and the stage turns. In the far sky, the King of Hell keeps judging people and sending them to Hell or to the sky having made the stars. On the down stage, James having come back to his family is spending a real happy moment that he never has experienced. They are enjoying the moment, maybe at a amusement park. The scene MUST BE composed of many visual actions or things that will make the family look very happy. After an extent moment of joy, the scene changes into the mountain, they are assembling the tent.)

MARY
It’s been a long time that we enjoy this kind of a day.

JAMES
My apology for I am not always with you. I will do everything to make you happy from now on.

MARY
Really? And your company? Your project? Is all going well?

JAMES
Don’t worry about that. I am sure I’ll be the director in a week. You can trust me.

MARY
Good news. Is it decided?

JAMES
Not yet, however, it is certain.

MARY
It is a really good news. Children! Your father will get a promotion and we can maybe move to a bigger house and we can change the car also.

JAMES
Of course. I know since longtime you have said about it. I am sorry for that. That is the first thing we will do. You can do whatever you want.

SON
I need a new cellphone!

JAMES
I know it. I will change it tomorrow. OK?

SON
Good! Thanks!

DAUGHTER
And me?

JAMES
I will buy you a pretty clothes. Why don’t we go shopping and eat together tomorrow.

DAUGHTER
That’s exactly what I want.

JAMES
I know you, my girl. And of course I will always be with you, however if, maybe it will not occur, however, if I am no longer with you one day, remember how much I love you. I will always be beside you. And if I could have another life, I want to exist still having a relationship with you, even though I will become a dog.

CHILDREN
Wow! Yep!

MARY
Is this how you love your family? Fine. I vow that I will remember how vast your love for your family forever.

JAMES
Let’s count the stars here.

(Everybody lays down in front of the tent)

MARY
How many stars! And how bright the stars are!

SON
Yes, I’ve never seen so many stars and so bright stars before.

JAMES
Do you know that the stars are the dead people?

DAUGHTER
Really? How do you know that?

JAMES
I know that because (pause) I just know that. And the reason why they shine so bright is for them to come back to their lives if they are bright enough.

DAUHTER
With your words, it looks like the stars wave their hands to us.

SON
Can you feel it also? I can feel the same.

MARY
Me too. It looks like we are talking with the stars tonight.

JAMES
You are right. They are talking to us. I can feel it just like you. Let’s not forget the stars are dead people. We will make new happy memories tomorrow. Good night.

ALL
Good night.

(After the music starts, some time passes, James stands up and watches the sky, and waves his hands to the stars.)

SONG30 THE STARS / STARS
THE STARS ARE SHINING IN THE FARAWAY DARK SKY
FROM THE FARTHEST TRAIL OF TIME UNTIL TONIGHT THIS MOMENT
LIVING IN THE MEMORY OF ALL THE LIVING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
STARS WILL GIVE THEIR HAPPY LIGHT TO US
STARS HAVE THEIR OWN STORIES HAPPY OR SAD
STARS SAY THEIR SECRET STORIES TO US EVERY NIGHT
SOMETIMES AS RAINDROPS AND SOMETIMES AS DEW OF THE DAWN
THE STORIES OF STARS FILLING THE FARAWAY DEEP SKY EVERY NIGHT

(All the stars are seeking their beloveds. They call the names and say what they want to say. Because all the stars say at the same time, it could be very noisy, so the voice must be controlled and all the yelling sound must be good at hearing. And the images of the stars(actors) from the cameras can move around whole scene and audience. This scene can last a little while.)

STARS
(Finding their beloved from the audience)
Where are you? / Honey / I miss you. / I will remember you / I love you

LOOK AT THE FARAWAY SKY AND STRETCH YOUR HAND
TOWARD THE STARS THAT MISS YOU, LOVE YOU AND SHINE FOR YOU
GIVE YOUR SMILE, A BIG SMILE
WITH YOUR SWEET WORDS SAYING I MISS YOU
WAVE YOUR HANDS TO THE STARS
SAYING YOU HAVE HAPPY MEMORIES
SAYING I LOVE YOU
AND SAYING COME BACK SOON

(Light out and some moment later, shooting stars in the sky. The last part of the last song repeating, the images of the stars looking for their loves will be projected again in everywhere in the theatre.)

(The End.)