Necromerchant's Debt

Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich met in an L.A. acting class over a decade ago. They clicked right away and began performing together in the rock clubs as The Gallery, specializing in what they called "10-minute

operas." In 1999, they wrote one such opera, "The Necro-Merchant's Debt", a macabre tale about a grave robber who falls in debt to an organ repo man. The two knew they were onto something when audiences demanded to know more about the world of the Necro-Merchant and this mysterious organ-snatcher. Over the next two years, Darren and Terrance honed their vision and began shaping the original 10- minute terror into a longer format. They assembled a cast of actors and musicians and began staging rock n' roll cabaret shows at nightclubs throughout L.A. REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA was born!

## Lyrics

Lyrics to the short stage play, Necromerchant's Debt.

## Anno Domini

GRAVEROBBER:

Industrialization has conquered the globe.

Population doubled each decade that came.

Planetary migrations had failed

Leaving two or three bodies stacked in a grave.

Vast graveyards were built in the skies

With great silver headstones that blocked-out the sun.

And in the sweltering months of July,

You can smell the stench from above and below!

But it's all the same to me...

We all sweat and save for impossible dreams...

We all have bills to pay...

And it's my job to steal and rob graves!

Now I steal not for rings from dead fingers,

Nor take from dead teeth silver or gold.

But in the market of genetic coding

Trust me that I will not be undersold.

'Cause it's all the same to me...

We all sweat and save for impossible dreams...

We all have bills to pay...

And it's my job to steal and rob graves!

## The Genetic Repoman

GRAVEROBBER:

Out from the night, from the mist steps a figure.

No one really knows his name for sure.

He stands at six-foot-six, head and shoulders.

Pray he never comes knocking at your door!

Say that you once bought a heart, or aorta,

But somehow never managed to

square away your debts.

He won't bother to write or to phone you.

He'll just rip the still-beating heart from your chest!

Repo man! Repo man!

Now you can run. You can hide. You can try to...

But he always has a way of finding you.

He will come at your weakest hour,

When no one's around who might rescue you.

Repo man! Repo man!

Even I am not free from this horror,

For many years ago, I too fell in debt!

New fingerprints were needed to start my "grave-business",

And until this debt is cleared, I will live in fear of the repo man!

## Daybreak in the Graveyard

GRAVEROBBER:

Daybreak in the graveyard.

All is calm and quiet.

I must make haste.

Soon they’ll wake.

I must finish my work.

Twelve kidneys was the order, and twelve I shall deliver!

With this order met I’ll clear my debt.

I must finish my work.

Someone is approaching.

It’s the repo man collecting!

There is no time!

I must hide Where he won’t think to look!

Excuse me sleeping lady, Could you use a bunkie?

This coffin is tight.

It’s alright.

Here he won’t think to look!

We’ll just lie here quiet till he safely passes, Then I must leave.

Do not grieve.

I must go back to work.

Shhhh... An hour’s passed and he hasn’t passed.

He must know that I am hiding!

He must know that I am near!

This box is tight.

The air is slight!

If I don’t rise for air soon, I will suffocate in here!

But if I budge and repo sees me, Then he will surely kill me, lest a bargain can be reached.

The air in here is thin.

I have no choice but to take my chances with him!

Repo man, it is me, the necro-merchant!

I was just on my way to see you!

Repo man, there’s a debt that is owed you, And I was on my way to pay you off!

So let’s not act too rash my friend.

Killing me will not get you what you want.

This old heart has been abused, it is worthless.

It will not earn you a worthy prize.

But I will pay you three times my due balance!

Spare me just this once!

I will make it worth your while.

Surely it must be a deal that you’re after?

Please tell me what it is now that you want!

Repo man, we share a similar passion!

Wait!

What are you doing?!

Repo man!

Repo man?!

Oh god you don’t have to do this!

Repo man, please!

I can’t die out here like this!

Repo man!

Don’t take my hea--!