Anymore – Lyric

Regretting is a two-person musical about a husband and wife who the audience should root for equally. There is no villain. Anne and Clay must be equally sympathetic.

Because Anne ultimately decides to leave Clay, it was very important the audience believe Anne’s head-over-heels in love when she and Clay get married. We needed to write a love song, but I didn’t want to write a generic love song. What could Anne do or say that was different from what any other character had done and said? My idea: Anne could be so desperate to make sure nothing happened to cause Clay to change his mind, that she refuses to see him “anymore” until after they’re married!

ANNE
(to the audience)
He asked me to get married!
I must have done everything right.
I said:
(to Clay)
YES!
(Anne puts on the ring.)                                                        
(to the audience)
And before I could do something wrong…
(Anne scrambles out of the car and comes forward.)
I took off!
And promised:
(calling to Clay)
I’ll write!

(Anne runs away.)

 CLAY
Anne! Where are you going? Talk to me.

 (Anne continues to run, leaving Clay in the distance. Clay exits.)

 ANNE
I’m not gonna talk anymore.
I’m afraid to say another word.
He proposed but if he chose,
he could still walk out the door.
I’m not gonna to talk anymore.

I’m not gonnato see him anymore.
I will send him limericks and poems.
More time with me and he might see
a flaw he never saw before.
I’m not gonna to see him anymore.

(Anne composes a note to Clay on her laptop.)

 I’m sending this lim’rick to say,
I’m tied up until our wedding day.
There’s the door! It’s the caterer!
Gotta run! See ya later-er.
You’re gonna die when you see the buffet.

(Clay enters SR, reading Anne’s note, and crosses.)

 CLAY
Tied up until our wedding day? What is she thinking?

(Clay exits.)

 ANNE
I’m not gonna think anymore.
‘Cause I think it’s too good to be true.
Good in bed and good to wed?
I’ve always heard it’s either/or –
I’m not gonna talk to him,
Not gonna be with him,
Not gonna think of him…
‘Til after I marry him.

 (The thought of not seeing Clay is unbearable. Anne sends him another note.)

 I’m wondering if you can come by,
With a minister and a rabbi.
We must marry right now,
I don’t give a shit how.
Hurry up, or I fear I shall die.

 (Clay appears at Anne’s door.)

CLAY
(indicating with his left hand, then his right)
Your minister. And your rabbi.
(Anne and Clay face each other. Transition to their wedding ceremony.)

CLAY
My passion for you’s beyond measure.
Your face is the face I shall treasure.
please stop running away,

 ANNE
By your side I shall stay.

CLAY
I promise I’ll love you forever.

 ANNE AND CLAY
I promise to love you forever.