The Thief

"The Thief" is the first track of the second act of The New Albion Radio Hour, and the seventh track of the album overall.

## Performers

#### Cast Album

Paul Shapera as "Lloyd Allen"

Lauren Osborn as "Constance O'Brien"

## Lyrics

[LLOYD:] (spoken)

And now, a word from our sponsor. Folks, in these troubled times there's so many stresses that can get you down one often wishes they could just take the anxieties of the day and sweep them away. Well, I'm here to tell you, you can! With Papaver cigarettes you can grab the peace and happiness you deserve. And don't forget, one less stress you don't need to worry about with Papaver cigarettes is money! That's right, times are thin? Well chin up, you can use your government issued credits to buy Papaver cigarettes. All the pleasure without spending a dime! And now, back to The New Albion Radio Hour!

Welcome, listeners, to the second act of tonight's broadcast. And tonight we have a special treat. The one and only Constance O'Brien, star of the stage, is here in our very own studio to perform the lead role in of our second act. Welcome, Miss O'Brien. We're big fans here at The New Albion Radio Hour.

[CONSTANCE:] (spoken)

Oh thank you, Lloyd, the pleasure's all mine.

[LLOYD:] (spoken)

So who will you be playing for us tonight?

[CONSTANCE:] (spoken)

Well, as soon as I get in character, I'll be Inanna, a young attendee of New Albion's high society soirees, who has a secret agenda of her own.

[LLOYD:] (spoken)

Well, listeners, while Constance gets ready, why don't you let me Lloyd Allen and The Dieselpunk Orchestra here set the stage for our next act and tell you a little bit about her character. Here, on The New Albion Radio Hour!

[LLOYD:]

The thief is a lady
A lonely girl who maybe
Knows the ways of loss from end to end
The world where she’s staying
Its high class rules seem crazy
And she’s a low class girl who smiles and just pretends

She’s taking her time
She’s taking your cool
She’s taking your heart
While she’s taking your jewels
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking it all
She’s taking your mind
She’s taking it on
Taking you for a ride, yeah
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight

The thief is a lady
On her mother’s grave cried daily
And still lights a flame on Sundays at the shrine
But now she’s been staying
In a world refined and stately
Where beauty hides a fierce and cruel design

She’s taking her time
She’s taking your cool
She’s taking your heart
While she’s taking your jewels
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking it all
She’s taking your mind
She’s taking it on
Taking you for a ride
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight

In the upper class of Albion, the laws are quite clear
If you’re female and divorced, you have no rights to adhere
Your wealth, your home, your children are all his to decide
Ladies drink their tea in fear of being tossed aside

The thief has seen this very thing happen up close
Man cheats, then divorces, then down his wife goes
At 50 all her money, children, world, and friends
Are gone in one brief flash and all she knows just ends

Amongst these fine ladies
Word of mouth says maybe
If he decides to cast you cold aside
A thief, she can save thee
She only works for ladies
She’ll get that little nest egg he denied

She’s taking her time
She’s taking your cool
She’s taking your heart
While she’s taking your jewels
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking it all
She’s taking your mind
She’s taking it on
Taking you for a ride
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight
She’s taking tonight