Lyrics

Albert exits the elevator, the red-eyed robot following close behind. As they walk into the control room, Albert to his desk and the machine to its usual post by the great window, neither notice the figure lurking in the darkness behind the pulsing transmitter at the back of the room They both turn at the sound of footsteps Albert struggles to make sense of it. Emerging from the shadows is a man he hasn't seen in more than 40 years, but one who has haunted every moment of his life since. Slowly the light reveals his former partner's aged face. His grey hair. His tattered overcoat. And the knife clutched in his shaking right hand The robot, registering the threat, reaches for its own weapon, but as Tom steps fully into the light, Albert looks into his eyes and is surprised by what he sees. Not rage. But a profound sadness Here, finally facing the man he has feared and hated for all of these years, he feels an unfamiliar emotion, pity Albert gives the robot a signal, staying the execution of his broken former partner Tom takes a ragged breath and begins to speak softly, as if to himself [Verse 1: Light] There's been blood on my hands such a very long timeSomedays I look down, I wish it were mine but it's not So I plead with the voices I still hear in my head The ones that I've lost, the ones that must wish I were dead and my Emily I stepped onto that train like a ghost of a man Who was killed by a world he could not understand, so alone For years I would wake up and scream in the nightI would long for the darkness when I turned on the lightIn sleep, at least she'd still cry out for me I don't know why, why she's gone, why I'm left to linger on But I know why I am standing here tonight [Lyric Note] Tom straightens up suddenly. Albert steps back reflexively toward his machine protector whose gloved hand hovers menacingly over its gun [Verse 2: Wily & Lyric Note ] That knife in your hands said you made up your mindThere's a price you expect now for taking a life and it's mine And an eye for an eye is a pretty fair cost [Lyric Note] The doors at either side of the control room open simultaneously. The imposing figures of two more Snipers step into the room, blocking the exits. Tom's eyes remain locked on his target [Verse 3: Light, Wily , & Lyric Note ] All the wheels we turned are stained with blood (There's no way out)You know somehow, it's got to stop (No one is stopping this machine!)Have you ever looked back at the wreckage we caused?Every move that we made, someone else paid the cost, it can't go on Tom steps forward. The three robots raise their guns in unison If there's a hell, then it's waiting for the both of us now And if I am the weight that drags both of us downI'll hold tight til the light goes out He raises the trembling knife... Throw the switch Turn it off! The robots reach for their triggers... Let the world carry on They'll be better off The knife clatters to the floor Just let it all go now... Albert watches, stunned, as Tom reaches into his overcoat and pulls out a small box, bearing the initials "E.S." He places it on the desk and steps back... Albert gently lifts the box Just let it all go now... [Lyric Note] His brow furrows as he thinks of Emily. His hands tremble as he pictures her standing on the balcony that night, tall and defiant the shadow of the machine he had ordered to end her life He opens the lid The whir of the motor floods the tense silence of the room... And then the music box begins to play. The melody, familiar and haunting ...It's more than Albert can bear He slams the box down on the desk and makes a motion to the machines, who descend upon Tom. The violence is sudden and shocking as they throw the old man to the ground. He doesn't cry out. He doesn't fight back ...Albert has won But the victory rings hollow and tears at him as he watches the man he'd once called his closest friend, the brilliant doctor, without whom none of this world could've been created, being beaten and bloodied at his feet At a word the machines stop their assault. They drag the battered prisoners across the control room floor. The two men's eyes meet one last time before the door closes, leaving Albert standing alone in the room He turns and walks to the window. He lifts his hand and runs his fingers across what was once a small chip in the glass, tracing the line of the larger crack that he now sees reaches all the way from the ceiling to the floor. On one side of the crack, he sees the shining city beneath him, on the other, the reflection of the music box He turns and picks up the knife, setting it beside the box, and sits down at his desk to prepare for what must happen next. Within hours the center screen and the loudspeakers proclaim the triumphant defeat of the greatest threat the city has ever known. The citizens are told to gather outside the eastern complex to witness the beginning of a new era of peace and freedom