Company Policy, a musical by Daniel Laubacher

ACT I

1.                    Overture (Instrumental) (3:32) [LISTEN]
2.                    Grinzing Inn where our Hearts have always been (Max, Guests, Herr & Frau Berghoff) (2:12) [LISTEN]
3.                    Buying Low and Selling High (Schmidt and Schnitzel) (1:05) [LISTEN]
4.                    The three important Things in Life (Chairman and MGRRC Board) (2:13) [LISTEN]
5.                    Merry-go-Round Round Nr. 1 (Employees) (:40) [LISTEN]
6.                    It’s Company Policy (Employees) (2:50) [LISTEN]
7.                    So friendly we serve (Employees, MGRRC Customers) (3:37) [LISTEN]
8.                    What more can I do for Heaven’s Sake? (Morris) (2:55) [LISTEN]
9.                    Place your Bets on the Company (Roger, Walter, Talihoe, MacWiggel) (4:14) [LISTEN]
10.                Merry-go-Round Round Nr. 2 (Employees) (:42) [LISTEN]

ACT II

11.                If you buy me a Drink (Ethyl - “The Little Devil”) (2:23) [LISTEN]
12.                I don’t want this, I want much / no more (Helene, Roger) (3:25) [LISTEN]
13.                Love can wait, to be alone is not what I fear (Sophie) (2:17) [LISTEN]
14.                Mémoires de Vienne (Instrumental Ball Music) (1 :55) [LISTEN]
15.                Once upon a Midsummer Night (Sophie, Homer) (3:20) [LISTEN]
16.                Don’t smile till Christmas (Chairman, MGRRC Board Members) (3:54) [LISTEN]
17.                Monkey see as Monkey do (Schmidt and Schnitzel) (1:07) [LISTEN]
18.                I confess I’m the Chairman (Chairman, Ensemble) (2:11) [LISTEN]
19.                Finale (Ensemble) (2:42) [LISTEN]

Total Duration of Music (excluding transition music): approx. 47 Minutes

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Detailed Synopsis (including Texts to Songs)

ACT I

Background of the Story
The global recession of 2008 and 2010 has not spared the city of Vienna, the capital of Austria. A growing number of businesses have been badly affected and the unemployment rate is accelerating to record highs. A well-connected politician named Gustav Grabenheimer, who made his fortune in the early days of the internet boom, sees the financial crisis as an opportunity to fuel his populous political ambitions. He decides to start a new political party called The Corporate United Party or CUP which promises that all who “Drink from the CUP of Opportunity” will benefit even during these desperate times.

No. 1 - Overture [LISTEN]

Scene 1: The Grinzing Inn (Out with the Old, in with the Crooked)
Max, who has been the accordion player at The Grinzing Inn for nearly 35 years, has been observing the gradual political development of the CUP. He knows that its leader, Gustav Grabenheimer, is very opportunistic. Max has not forgotten the numerous attempts the politician has made to secure his prominence in Vienna’s lucrative financial scene. Some guests at The Grinzing Inn - Maria, Pierre and Rollie - request Max to play the theme song of The Grinzing Inn.

No. 2 - Grinzing Inn, where our Hearts have always been [LISTEN]

MAX
Two hundred years, perhaps even more
The grapes have grown for the wine.
Generations have seen that traditions
Have lasted the test of time.

ALL
Grinzing Inn, where our hearts have always been,
To leave is but to mean we'll be back again.
Singing songs from days of long ago,
There's nowhere that we feel so much at home.

MAX
An evening meal, a warm fireside
Meeting friends at the end of the day.
Conversations seem to go on
Till everyone goes their way.

ALL
Grinzing Inn, where our hearts have always been,
To leave is but to mean we'll be back again.
Singing songs from days of long ago,
There's nowhere that we feel so much at home.

Instrumental – Herr and Frau Berghoff dance

PART 1

Grinzing Inn, where our hearts have always been,
To leave is but mean we'll be back again.
Singing songs from days of long ago,
There's nowhere that we feel so much at home.

PART 2

Grinzing Inn, where hearts have been.
To leave is but to mean we’ll be back again.
Singing songs from days long ago.
There’s nowhere that we feel so much at home.

Max has noticed that two of Grabenheimer’s closest followers - Herr Schmidt and Herr Schnitzel - have been making regular visits to The Grinzing Inn over the past few months. Grabenheimer has given them orders to “encourage” the owner - Herr Berghoff - to accept “an offer he can’t refuse.” And what does Grabenheimer want with The Grinzing Inn? He aims to convert it into the first of many fast food restaurants as part of the chain called The Merry-Go-Round Restaurant Company or MGRRC. With the profits produced by the MGRRC Grabenheimer wants to fuel the finances of the Corporate United Party’s political machine. After turning down their offer a number of times, Herr Berghoff finally gives in to the pressure to sell. He realizes that he has also been hit hard by the recession. Many of the tourists prefer to go down the street to Miracle Burger where they can order the same food wherever they go at cheap prices. And, if he doesn’t sell now, he could be at risk of losing everything which, so soon before retirement, could be leave him and his wife with nothing to live off of. With great reluctance and a sense of shame for giving up the Grinzing Inn to Grabenheimer and his manipulative political strategy, Herr Berghoff signs the tavern over to MGRRC. Schmidt and Schnitzel are very proud of their accomplishment and look forward to the big money they will make off the deal.

No. 3 - Buying low and selling high [LISTEN]

SCHMIDT
The C-U-P’s just right for me, the cup of opportunity.
Fill it up and drink it down and see.

SCHNITZEL
M-G double R-C’s the way I plan to take a holiday.
Far from here for years when all this pays.

BOTH
Buying low and selling high is
How to make our profits rise.
If we follow all the rules
We’ll surely be the ones to beat the fools.

SCHMIDT
The C-U-P’s just right for me, the cup of opportunity.
Fill it up and drink it down and see.
M-G double R-C is the way to a holiday.

Far from here for years when all this pays.

Buying low and selling high is
How to make our profits rise.
If we follow all the rules
We’ll surely be the ones to beat the fools.

SCHNITZEL
C-U-P is an opportunity.

Fill it up and drink it down.
M-G double R-C’s the way I plan to take a holiday.
Far from here for years when all this pays.

Buying low and selling high is
How to make our profits rise.
If we follow all the rules
We’ll surely be the ones to beat the fools.

Scene 2: The MGRRC Boardroom (A new Business in the making means Money for the taking)
Now that the deal has been signed, sealed and delivered the Chairman (behind the silhouette screen) and members of the Board of Directors for MGRRC are discussing the details of the new chain restaurant business. Mr. Grabenheimer, who may not attend such meetings so that “politics and business don’t mix,” has personally written up a set of 1001 rules and regulations for the employees of the company to follow. These “guidelines” - otherwise known as Company Policy - are intended to keep the employees on their toes to assure the correct portrayal of the corporate image and, at the same time, forcing employee service and loyalty to the company. According to Grabenheimer “employees, next to politicians, are the lowest form of human.” All employees must sign, as part of their contract, that they will uncompromisingly abide by Company Policy. Failure to do so could lead to termination of contracts. The aim is lead to an optimization of company profits which should translate into making money for the investors of the MGRRC Quick Profits Fund. After all, isn’t money among the three most important things in life?

No. 4 - The three important things in Life (1. Money, 2. Money, 3…) [LISTEN]

Everybody knows that the three important things in life
Are one - (all shout) money, two - (all shout) money, three - (all sing) money.
Money buys us happiness and all we'll ever need
So make more money, bring it to me, and see what I mean, see what I mean.

Money as sweet as honey
You're never alone when you've got money
Profits bring you lots of friends
Two for one in the end, two for one in the end.

Nothing brings me so much joy
As rising profits and falling gold.
And what a thrill when I'm in the black
I can buy my youth back and will never grow older, older.

Money makes the merry go round,
round and round until you win.
You can't collect the money until,
You've gone around and round again.

PART 1
Everybody knows that the three important things in life are one, money! two, money! three, money!

Money buys us happiness and all we'll ever need,

so make more money, bring it to me, and see what I mean. See what I mean.

PART 2
Money, as sweet as honey, you're never alone when you've got money.

Profits bring you lots of friends, two for one, in the end;

two for one in the end.

PART 3
Nothing brings me so much joy, as rising profits and falling gold.

And what a thrill when I'm in the black, I can buy my youth back

and will never grow older, older.

Money makes the Merry Go Round, round and round until you win.

You can't collect the money until you've gone around and round again,

until you've gone around again, around again,

around again.

Money, money

Ah, around again.

Money, money

Ah, around again.

Scene 3: The Carousel Room at the Merry-Go-Round (“This holy Thing called Company Policy”)

Without delay, the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant is open for business. With the tackiness of the uniforms and a cheap amusement park-like design for the restaurant, one would hardly have thought that The Grinzing Inn had ever existed.

No. 5 - Merry-Go-Round Round No. 1 (“mechanically” performed in 4 parts as a round) [LISTEN]

Merry Go Round at the center of town
Has everything you need
We serve with a smile
Great food worth your while
So many already agree

Ms. MacWiggel, the first manageress of the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant, doesn’t waste any time implementing Company Policy. Though she is just following her orders from on high, the employees begin to despise her. Mr. Talihoe, the assistant manager and close follower of the CUP, is glad to see that she is unpopular and is hoping she will fail so that he can become manager. MacWiggel writes up several company policy violation reports: on receptionist Fanny and waiter Zack for having a flirtatious personal conversation on the job, dishwaher Morris T. Asterson for breaking a pile of dishes, and Alex the waiter for having been “rude” to a customer by not allowing him to smoke at a table marked “non-smoking.” Was Alex actually framed? But why then did Ms. MacWiggel spare Roger for putting a juicy pickle in his mouth while cooking? The high point of the scene is when the employees show their frustration - in song and dance - about “this holy thing called Company Policy.”

No. 6 - It’s Company Policy [LISTEN]

ALEX
The first thing you should know is you're on stage at all times

ZACK
Each and every move is being watched

FANNY
No matter where you are, doesn't matter where you've been

WALTER
There'll be someone there to clue you in.

ROGER
The next thing on the list is of most importance

CONNIE
The customer so they say is always right

HELENE
You never argue down, Nor do you ever challenge their ground

HOMER
'cause they'll win despite their narrow insight.

ALL
It's company policy we aim to serve by
Otherwise we'll be unemployed
Every now and then I can't help but see
Exactly what's behind this holy thing called “Company Policy.”

Instrumental

ZACK
The last you'll be sure to make a note of later

FANNY
Once you're on the clock your soul is owned

WALTER
Your time belongs to them as does your mind

ROGER
But not to fear the checks get signed.

ALL
It's company policy we aim to serve by
Otherwise we'll be unemployed
Every now and then I can't help but see
Exactly what's behind this holy thing called Company Policy.

ALL (mysteriously)
It's Company Policy
It's Company Policy

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Scene 4: The Carousel Room (Alex gets the Sack and some rather odd Clientele visit the MGR)
Helene prepares her station for the dinner rush. When Alex does not appear as scheduled, she asks MacWiggel if he is perhaps coming in late. MacWiggel tells Helene that Alex’s loyalties were not in the right place and will not be coming in. He had been sacked just after the incident with the customer. MacWiggel then orders Zack to help Helene to cover Alex’s station. But no time to dwell on the matter. There was work to be done. A group of rather odd customers has entered to dine at the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant. Roger explains that these people are CUP supporters and close followers of Gustav Grabenheimer’s politics. How would he know this?

No. 7 - So friendly we serve (as long as they don’t get on our nerves) [LISTEN]

Instrumental introduction

MR. AND MRS. HUMBLENOT
We are the elite, members of high class, When we eat, we expect first class
We only accept the best, Why settle for anything less
We're the elite, So serve us complete.

EMPLOYEES
Our customers are always number one. We go the length to please everyone
Of course, so friendly we serve
As long as they don't get on our nerves
And leave a big tip on the plate.

MR. ROBOLITE
Don't bother with the menu, the usual of course will do.
Pen in the hand and ready!
Write every word I say!
My wife will have the combination plate
And I will have the shrimp and sirloin steak.
Bring the children milk with the meal, yes you should,
And we would like our wine at this time if you could.

LUCY and BRUCY
For dessert a Merry Hot Fudge Sundae with extra topping!

EMPLOYEES
Our customers are always number one. We go the length to please everyone
Of course, so friendly we serve
As long as they don't get on our nerves
And leave a big tip on the plate.

LOUISE CRABBLE (distressed):
Waiter, waiter bring me a cup of tea
I don't have the time to sit around all day.
Bring my order or I'll go across the street now! - I said
Waiter, waiter!

EMPLOYEES
Bring a tea and bring it now for this mad old cow!

LOUISE CRABBLE
Bring my order or I'll go across the street…

ZACK (to Louise in a lullaby-like manner)
Thanks for your patience, little darling, now is your time.
We hope your order's as you wish and everything's fine.

ALL EMPLOYEES
Just give us a ring if you need anything.

Our customers are always number one
We go the length to please everyone
Of course, so friendly we serve
As long as they don't get on our nerves
And leave a big tip on the, leave a big tip on the, leave a big tip on the plate!
Yes, leave a bit tip on the plate!

Our customers are always number one
We go the length to please everyone.
Friendly but nerving

Leave a tip, leave a tip
Leave a tip on the plate
Yes, leave a bit tip on the plate!

Scene 5: Outside, behind the Restaurant (Looking for a another Job on Company Time)
Roger is just finishing his ten-minute break, having just ended a telephone conversation with his mother. Morris comes out for his break and mentions to Roger that he is following up on a job application as an assistant bookkeeper. Roger politely acknowledges this and exits. Morris takes out his mobile telephone and makes the phone call. A silhouette of someone wearing a top hat appears to be observing Morris. Mr. Talihoe also passes by and, pretending to be busy, listens in on Morris’s conversation. Morris, not taking any notice, asks the person on the telephone about the status of his application. After some dialog exchanges the person hangs up, obviously not interested in having Morris as an employee. Talihoe exits unnoticed by Morris.

No. 8 - What more can I do for Heaven’s Sake? [LISTEN]

MORRIS
When I'm lonely, I pray for comfort yet.
I know it's only sometimes heard.
I'll keep trying and, then maybe,
I'll get that job that's long waited for me.

I will never give up my dreams.
I will never stop shooting for the stars.
I can do it, yes, I know it,
All that I need is the chance to show it.

I'd sell my soul to the devil if I knew I would succeed.
I'd work without a moment's rest the chance is all I need.
What does it take to get that first big break?
What more can I do for Heaven's sake?

I'd risk my life riding rodeo if they'd look at me.
I'd climb to the top of the Matterhorn just for them to see, (tell me):
What should I say to convince them I'm worth their pay?
Is it really worth all the trouble anyway?

Two plus two is simply four
No matter how it's added,
And two times two
Will be no more,
But zero if subtracted.

I'd stand on my head, make a funny face if they'd talk to me.
I'd walk through fire for the company as employee.
What can I do to prove I'd do the work of two?
Is it true there is nothing I can do?

Welcome to the Merry Go Round.
Would you like to order now?
French fries, mashed or baked potato?
The soup-of-the-day's tomato.

When that day comes, I will be ready,
God only knows when that day's gonna be.

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Scene 6: Kitchen of MGR (The Raise did not come through - Ever play Poker?)
Walter, who is the head cook at the restaurant, walks into the kitchen looking down at his paycheck. Nearly in shock, he realizes that he is being paid as a trainee cook. He tells Roger that MacWiggel promised to pay him on the correct scale. Then and only then could he finally quit his other job working at Miracle Burger. When he confronts MacWiggel on the issue she claims that he was late to work last week and did not bother to tell anyone about it. Talihoe, who has been “nonchalantly” listening in on the conversation, waits for MacWiggel to leave before entering the kitchen area. He tells Walter that MacWiggel was lying. He had indeed told her about Walter’s daughter breaking her leg and would be late to work to take the little girl to the hospital. Talihoe hints around that the only way to achieve change is to force it to happen. He then walks away but only to the side, remaining unseen in order to listen to how they react to his suggestion. Talihoe proudly grins as Walter and Roger make plans to stage a cooks’ walkout during the busy breakfast shift on Sunday morning. That should really get under MacWiggel’s skin.

No. 9 - Place your Bets on the Company [LISTEN]

WALTER
The checks came in today as expected
And what was not “accepted”?
They failed to add the raise to my pay again.

They promised they’d correct it,
Now life is getting hectic.

I can’t afford to pay my growing debts,
I can’t afford to pay my growing debts.

ROGER
They’re watching every move we’re making, A spy on every corner.
They’ll use what you do, what you say, to intimidate.

We need a plan of action,
We can’t work in this fashion.

They will have to know this ain’t a go,
They will have to k now this ain’t a go.

WALTER
Our plan has got to be clever with no room for error.
And when we draw the ace, we’ll put them in their place.

WALTER and ROGER
Place your bets on the company,
Then drink from the CUP of opportunity.

WALTER
Place your bets on the company
Then drink from the CUP of opportunity.

ROGER
Place your bets on the company
drink from the CUP of opportunity.

WALTER
We'll wait until a full house and then we'll roll a seven.
A straight will get them thinking before we deal again.

ROGER
Mix the cards well and let them split the pile.
Have them pick a card remember joker's wild.

TALIHOE
They'll never get away with this we're sniffing on their trail.
We'll spin the wheel of fortune and prepare their ship for sail.

MacWiggel quickly appears on the opposite side of the stage from Talihoe to remind the cooks about Company Policy. Starting with MacWiggel, each should begin in successive order, singing their distinct melodies the total number of times indicated:

MACWIGGEL (4 times)
Company Policy! Company Policy!

TALIHOE (2 times)
They'll never get away with this we're sniffing on their trail.
We'll spin the wheel of fortune and prepare their ship for sail.

ROGER (2 times)
Mix the cards well and let them split the pile.
Have them pick a card remember joker's wild.

WALTER (1 time)
We'll wait until a full house and then we'll roll a seven.
A straight will get them thinking before we deal again.

ROGER
They’re watching every move we’re making, a spy on every corner.

WALTER
They’ll use what we do, what we say, to intimidate.

ROGER
They'll see our plan of action and fail in their own fashion.

WALTER
Then they'll know this way just ain't a go.

ROGER
Yes, they'll know this way just ain't a go.

WALTER
They'll never guess what we're up to, won't even have a clue.

ROGER
And when they draw the joker, we'll walk out on the poker.

WALTER and ROGER
Place your bets on the company
Then drink from the CUP of opportunity.

WALTER
Place your bets on the company
Then drink from the CUP of opportunity.

ROGER
Place your bets on the company
drink from the CUP of opportunity.

Talihoe is especially pleased with himself for having “encouraged” the cooks to take action. In his mind, it is now a matter of time before he becomes the manager.

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Scene 7: Carousel Room of MGR (Morris is fired. Is Roger an Informer?)
The Merry-Go-Round Restaurant seems particularly quiet this evening. Why is this? The staff realizes that Morris has not come into work. When MacWiggel is confronted with this, she tells them that he was let go as a result of his “conflict of interest.” How did MacWiggel find out that Morris was looking for a job as a bookkeeper? Talihoe? Roger? Who was the figure behind the silhouette screen? As sad as it is, everyone has to watch every move they make.

No. 10 - The Merry-Go-Round Round No. 2 (sung in 4 parts as “round”) [LISTEN]

Merry Go Round at the center of town
Has everything you need
We serve with a smile
Great food worth your while
So many already agree.
If we could just believe,
If we could just believe.

ACT II

Scene 1: Lounge / Bar of MGR (Ethyl, “The Little Devil,” singing Troubles away)
Ethyl, “The little Devil,” an aging singer hoping for a revival of her career - which reached its high point in the late 1970s -, entertains anyone willing to listen. A group of middle-aged men sitting at the bar await her performance in anticipation.

No. 11 - If you buy me a Drink [LISTEN]

ETHYL
If you buy me a drink I'll always be your friend.
There's nobody like me who can keep a conversation
alive from beginning to end.

So stop wasting your time and buy me a fine wine.
Shake a little coin from your pocket.
I'll be true as long as there's booze,
Won't you buy me a drink?

If you ask me to join you I’ll tell you everything.
I’ve got secrets and stories about your next door neighbors
And a few tall tales about you.

So don't wait another moment and order a whiskey.
Don't be shy I'm really not fussy
I'll stay here for even a beer
Oh please buy me a drink!

When I was a little girl on my own
I worked and fed all my brothers.

Now men, have compassion for a poor little girl
Who can't afford a drink.

SPOKEN: Okay, for those of you who are a
little slow I'll repeat myself.

If you buy me a drink I'll keep you company.
I'll be yours until closing
And then I must be going
So hurry bring that liquor to me

So is there a gentleman here?
Who would like to volunteer?
To buy a lady - a grand ol’ lady - a drink?

SPOKEN: Even a coke would do!

Max explains to the audience that he has heard that the board (and Grabenheimer) has decided to throw the first annual MGRRC Employees Appreciation Ball. What better way to forget one’s problems than to simply waltz them away? But will it be enough to raise the morale of a demotivated staff?

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Scene 2: Carousel Room of MGR (Making the Rounds: Zack and Fanny, Helene and Roger)
Zack has promised his mother that he would take his “bookworm” cousin Sophie to the ball to “get her out of the late night library.” But Fanny and Zack would like to go to the ball together and did not want a third person “ruining” their good time. Fanny tries to sweet talk Homer into going with her. Homer is quick to figure that she was trying to get him to go for a totally different reason. Zack enters the conversation and admits that he wanted to “dump” his cousin on Homer. With some convincing, however, Homer agrees to “take her off of Zack’s hands” if Zack throws in the cost of the tickets. With some reluctance he agrees. Later in the scene, Roger makes a phone call to his father and, without giving it any thought, casually tells him that he and Walter will be staging a walkout during the Sunday morning breakfast rush. Helene, Roger’s girlfriend, overhears this and accuses Roger of being an informer for the MGRRC-CUP connection. She knows that Roger’s father is a member of the MGRRC board. Roger denies any wrong doing. The two, obviously at odds on the issue, use this as a reason to question their relationship. She claims he is “dragging his feet” and he believes she is “putting undo pressure” on him to move the relationship to a point he is not ready for. They express their differences in song.

No. 12 - I don’t want this, I want much / no more [LISTEN]

HELENE
Typical and cynical you walk away.
You can listen to what I’ve got to say.
And if you think it’s wasting your time,
Then you’ll know how you’ve wasted mine.
Playin’ second fiddle to your drum
You might think this sounds dumb.
I can’t take this attitude anymore,
I don’t want this, I want much more.

ROGER (belittling)
What’s wrong my little darling?
Have you had a bad day?
Can I help to make things seem better.
A little rest is all you need, a bit of sleep.
I’m sure that there’s an explanation.
Let’s talk tomorrow, a much better occasion.
If you’re still not feeling right,
take a day off and rest all night.

Instrumental (Waltz)- Roger motions her to dance, with spoken lines:

ROGER
Now see everything will be just fine.

HELENE
Let’s just sweep everything under the carpet, shall we?

ROGER
Indeed. Life’s too short to deal with such petty little topics.

HELENE
Indeed. The way you’re going, your life will definitely be short.

ROGER
There’s nothing like dancing to put everything into perspective, don’t you think?

HELENE
Again you’re right, Roger. Everything is still terrible.

ROGER
Don’t be so pessimistic, Helene. Remember all the good times.

HELENE
I’m very optimistic, Roger. And I do remember the good times. (firmly) Both of them!

ROGER and HELENE (sung)
Love is not all peach and rosy,
Birds and bees have always known.
Cupid was a clever fellow.
Happily, he was alone.

Break apart from dancing.

HELENE
I’m sure you’ve got an explanation.

ROGER
Let’s talk tomorrow, a better occasion.

HELENE
And if I’m still not feeling right?

ROGER
Take a day off and rest all night.

HELENE and ROGER
Typical and cynical you talk away.

ROGER
Now you listen to what I’ve got to say.

HELENE
Although it’s a total waste of my time?

ROGER
Now you know how you’ve wasted mine.

HELENE
Playin’ second fiddle to your drum.

ROGER
Now that sounds really dumb.

HELENE
I can’t take this attitude anymore
I don’t want this, I want much more, much more.

ROGER
I can’t take this attitude anymore
I don’t want this, I want no more, no more.

Scene 3: Sophie’s Bedroom (To go or not to go to Ball - that is the Question)
Sophie is dressed in her ball attire as she readies herself for a blind date arrange by her cousin Zack. He has already arranged several “dumping” dates before with some rather “questionable” characters. She is not very enthusiastic. She debates whether she should wear her “bookworm” glasses or wear no classes at all. Her mother calls to see how she is doing. Sophie tells her that she will try to have fun at the ball but that she doesn’t have any big expectations about her date, seeing that Zack had something to do with it. She tells her mother that, in fact, she does not at all mind being alone. Obviously, she agrees to go to the ball to make her mother happy.

No. 13 - Love can wait, to be alone is not what I fear [LISTEN]

SOPHIE
In Vienna’s Second District I've lived all my days,
I grew up on the Prater Allee.
Around goes the Ferris Wheel with its highs and its lows
this old city is all that I know.

I have danced till the sun rises danced sun go down,
But I've not yet been lifted off the ground.
So what is my fate?
Whose hand might I take?
Will my smiles turn back into frowns?

Love isn't something that just happens.
Love doesn't have to appear.
If it is meant not to happen, it’s best if it disappears.
Love can wait, to be alone is not what I fear.

I have walked by the opera its lights shining bright,
I gesture to Mozart on my way.
Though my best friends are made out of stone I don't mind,
they are part of my every day.

A figure in the silhouette screen, which represents the “shadow of herself,” appears and sings the lower part of the last chorus in duet.

Love isn't something that just happens.
Love doesn't have to appear.
If it is meant not to happen, it’s best if it disappears.
Love can wait, to be alone is not what I fear.

After singing, she decides she can’t see very well without her glasses and that she would be better off staying at home anyway. She picks up the book “Gone with the Wind” and begins to read…

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Scene 4: Ballroom. The MGRRC Employee Appreciation Ball
The MGRRC employees, MacWiggel, Talihoe, MGRRC board members and investors, and Corporate United Party supporters have come to the ball. The master of ceremonies welcomes the ball’s special guest speaker, Gustav Grabenheimer, who talks about promises the CUP plans to deliver if elected into power. While Grabenheimer speaks, it comes to the attention of the employees that Morris and Alex have come disguised as women so they would not recognized by the management. They tell the employees that they should go through with the walkout but could not provide any more details at this time. Once Grabenheimer finishes his speech, the master of ceremonies places the “honored” employees in the middle of the dance floor and all the other guests on either side. A rather spontaneous act of jealousy happens between Fanny and Zack as they end up grabbing other partners. The last call for dance partners is announced. Homer, who is still waiting for Zack’s cousin to appear, sees a young woman who has just entered. To have a partner, he quickly approaches her and gestures her to dance with him. She agrees and they join the others just as the music starts.

No. 14 - Mémoires de Vienne (Ball Music) [LISTEN]

Scene 5: Vienna’s City Park (Once upon a Midsummer Night)
During a break in the dancing, Homer and his partner find themselves leaving the ballroom to get some fresh air outside in Vienna’s City Park. Together the couple enjoys watching the sunrise. The time has simply slipped away. Homer confesses that he feels guilty since he was supposed meet the cousin of a colleague at the ball. It turns out, however, that he did not “stand anyone up” since she, admittedly, is Zack’s cousin, Sophie. He is both relieved and happy, though she is someone embarrassed to be related “to the bum.” The two have obviously fallen in love but they discover that they will soon be separated as she will be going to study art history in Salzburg. Coincidentally, he too had applied to go the university there but, due to the recession, will have to wait at least another year to go. The couple agrees, however, that it is much more important to focus on the moment. They sing about their new love.

No. 15 - Once upon a Midsummer Night [LISTEN]

HOMER
Once upon a midsummer night,
together under the light,
of the stars gazing brightly through the dark blue sky,
reflecting dreams in your eyes.

SOPHIE
Alone, below this heaven of stars
you took me into your arms,
and you said that you love me,
and we would always be together.

BOTH
Remember those midsummer nights
Till sunrise we'd walk hand in hand.
We'd dance through the night
Each moment hoping the time would never end.

INSTRUMENTAL (Flute solo)

BOTH
Above and beyond the stars on this night
we felt love take hold of us,
and we knew it was true,
and we would know this forever.

Remember those midsummer nights
Till sunrise we'd walk hand in hand.
We'd dance through the night
Each moment hoping the time would never end.

Once upon a midsummer night

The couple experience love’s first kiss and then they slowly exit. Max, who had been sitting on a nearby bench also enjoying the sunset, had overheard the couples’ declaration of love and talk about Salzburg. He remembers having kissed his wife for the first time at the same spot in Vienna’s City Park. Then and there, he made up his mind that Homer, too, will be going to Salzburg.

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Scene 6: MGRRC Boardroom (Ms. MacWiggel seeks Advice from the Board of Directors)
The plan of the walkout at the Grinzing Merry-Go-Round Restaurant has reached the Chairman and board of directors. Ms. MacWiggel has come to the Boardroom to ask for advice. Has she been implementing company policies too strictly? As a backup, she tells the board of directors that she will prepare a group of replacements in case the entire staff on the shift decides to leave the restaurant. The Chairman compliments her on her preparedness during this challenging time. In addition, the Chairman attempts to provide some encouragement: “if you are strict with the employees they will only love and respect you for it.”

No. 16 - Don’t smile till Christmas [LISTEN]

CHAIRMAN
Don't smile 'till Christmas
Save a little a grin for that day.
Stand firm and they'll follow you

ALL
Love

CHAIRMAN
and respect work that way.

Don't smile 'till Christmas
Let them know you mean what you say.

Never compromise
They'll take you for a ride for their sake.
Don't show your emotions

ALL
Don't let

CHAIRMAN
them believe you can break.

Never compromise
They'll give you nothing back for all they take.

BOARD MEMBERS
Christmas bells are ringing
Little Children singing.
Everybody's happy to share the joy.

Christmas trees lit brightly
Snow flakes falling lightly.
Santa's bringing gifts for good girls and boys.

CHAIRMAN
Don't smile 'till Christmas
Save a little a grin for that day.
Stand firm and they'll follow you
Love and respect work that way.
Don't smile 'till Christmas
Let them know you mean what you say.

BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIRMAN

Christmas bells are ringing
Little Children singing
Everybody's happy to share the joy

Christmas trees lit brightly
Snow flakes falling lightly
Santa's bringing gifts for good girls and boys,
Girls and boys.

Rinalinging,
Singalinging.
Everybody. Share the joy.

Trees lit brightly,
Snow falling lightly.
Santa's bringing gifts for girls and boys,
Girls and boys.

ALL
Don’t smile till Christmas
Christmas, Christmas.

Mr. Chairman asks her to wait outside for a moment while he discusses the issue briefly with the other board members. He requests Schmidt and Schnitzel to inform Mr. Talihoe that he may have to step in as manager on “Black Sunday” in case MacWiggel “falls apart.” After adjourning the meeting, the other board members exit and the Chairman asks Ms. MacWiggel back into the Boardroom for a final word. What did he have to say to her?

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Scene 7: Carousel Room of MGR (From “Black Sunday” to a Joker’s wild)
The breakfast orders have piled up on the rotation wheel of the cooks’ station. Walter and Roger leave the kitchen area and enter the main dining room of the restaurant where they sit at a table which has been “reserved” for them. They take out a deck of cards and begin dealing for poker. Ms. MacWiggel exchanges comments with them which relate to hands of five cards. Suddenly, Mr. Talihoe, Herr Schmidt and Herr Schnitzel come out and “release” Ms. MacWiggel of her duties as manageress. The reason for the dismissal was for the incorrect implimentation of Company Policy which eventually led to the planning of this walkout. Without a struggle, she leaves. Schmidt and Schnitzel add a moral statement of their own by scolding the employees for having “followed the sheep” in the mutiny.

No. 17 - Monkey see as Monkey do [LISTEN]

SCHNITZEL
What they make is what they take,
It doesn’t matter if it’s cake.
They go as far to bake it for their sake.

SCHMIDT
It’s too bad that you were not as
clever as you should have been
to do the right thing for your little self.

BOTH
Monkey see as monkey do,
They make believe they want it, too.
Now they’ve got to clear the mess,
They made with all the rest without a clue.

SCHMIDT
What they make is what they take
It doesn’t matter if it’s cake.
They go as far to bake it for their sake.

It’s too bad you were not so clever,
To do what was right for you.

Monkey see as monkey do,
They make believe they want it, too.
Now they’ve got to clear the mess,
They made with all the rest without a clue.

SCHNITZEL
What they make is what they take.

They will bake it for their sake.

It’s too bad that you were not as
clever as you should have been
to do the right thing for your little self.

Monkey see as monkey do,
They make believe they want it, too.
Now they’ve got to clear the mess,
They made with all the rest without a clue.

Thinking that the “replacement” staff is behind him, Talihoe fires all of the employees on the shift. But, for some reason, they do not budge. Rather than a new group to take the places on this busy Sunday morning breakfast rush, Ms. MacWiggel and two police officers enter. To eveyone’s surpise, Ms. MacWiggel turns out to be the daughter of Frau and Herr Berghoff, Police Inspector Elisabeth Berghoff. Apparently, she had been under cover to gather evidence on what appears to have been Gustav Grabenheimer’s ponzi scheme of the MGRRC Quick Profits Fund! P.I. Berghoff just received a call that Grabenheimer had been arrested at the Airport with a load of cash in large bills in a briefcase just as he was boarding a flight to Rio de Janiero. Mr. Talihoe, Andy Fargone, Herr Schmidt and Herr Schnitzel are escorted downtown to police headquarters to be questioned about their roles in the fraud.

But P.I. Berghoff could not have done it alone. She received invaluable help from some “top-hat spies” she arranged, namely Alex, Morris and Herr Berghoff, all of whom collected information for her. But what about the future of the MGRRC employees who are now “on the streets” since the company has gone under? Roger’s father, the president of the Fair Deals Investment Bank, has agreed to help Herr Berghoff to revive the Grinzing Inn with an updated 21st-Century look to appeal to both young and old alike. And Herr Berghoff has offered everyone work.

Now hold on. What about the Chairman of MGRRC? Was Grabenheimer the doppelganger so that he could keep tabs on the doings of the Board of Directors? It seems he was at least cleared of this charge. But who then could it have been? Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, the silhouette of the Chairman appears.

No. 18 - I confess I’m the Chairman [LISTEN]

CHAIRMAN
I confess I’m the Chairman
I’m the one you are looking for.
There’s no reason for me to run away
Since you have seen me before.

ALL OTHERS
He is claiming that he’s the Chairman of the Board.
Can we trust that he is the one we’re looking for?
Why does he tell us that he will not run away?
Does he know what consequences he will face today?

Money is not all that we need.

CHAIRMAN
Friendship is more valuable.

ALL OTHERS
Money can make us open to greed.

CHAIRMAN
Then our friends might leave us.

May I invite you to be my guests?
A midnight meeting would be the best.
I’m sure we could all be friends
If all is forgiven in the end.

CHAIRMAN
I confess I’m the Chairman
I’m the one you are looking for.
There’s no reason for me to run away
Since you have seen me.

Money’s not all we need.
Friends we value.
Money can bring out greed.
Than our friends just might leave us.

ALL OTHERS
He is claiming that he’s the chairman of the board.
Can we trust that he is the one we’re looking for?
Why does he tell us that he will not run away?
Does he know what consequences he will face?

Money is not all that we need.
Friendship is more valuable.
Money can make us open to greed.
Then our friends just might leave us.

This mysterious Chairman of the Board turns out to be none other than The Grinzing Inn’s illustrious accordion player, Max, who explains just how this could happen. Completely by accident, the real Chairman had gotten cold feet before the first midnight meeting. He had asked Max, who had been there to “sneak a peak” at those attending, to step in for him just one time since he was very nervous. He said after this he would be fine and would then take over. But he never returned. So Max thought this might be the opportunity to break up the CUP-MGRRC scheme. After all, what did he have to lose?

After explaining the whole story, Max, exhausted from the whole ordeal, decides to go home and get some sleep. He exits.

Herr Berghoff announces that tomorrow is Max’s 35th anniversary as accordion player of The Grinzing Inn. They all decide to throw a big party for the hero of the day. No time to lose in getting The Grinzing Inn back on track!

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Scene 8: The new Grinzing Inn (The Grand re-Opening and Max as Guest of Honor)
Connie leads Max in. He is blindfolded. When she removes the blindfold, he is surprised to see the Grinzing Inn back again. Except for a few modern touches, it almost seems as if the Grinzing Inn had not missed a single day of its 200 years of history. Herr Berghoff hands Max his accordion. Excitedly, they all sing the final number.

No. 19 - Finale [LISTEN]

ALL
Grinzing In where our hearts have always been,
to leave means surely we'll be back again.
Singing songs from days not long ago,
there's nowhere that we feel so much at home.

PART 1
Our customers are always number one
We go the length to please everyone
Of course, so friendly we serve
As long as they don't get on our nerves
And leave a big tip on the, leave a big tip on the, leave a big tip on the plate!!

PART 2
Our customers are number one.
We try to please everyone.
We’re friendly, they’re nerving.

Leave a tip, leave a tip
Leave a tip on the plate!

Sung in three groups simultaneously (in front position, the board wearing top hats)

PART 1
Everybody knows that the three important things in life are one, money! two, money! three, money!

Money buys us happiness and all we'll ever need, so make more money, bring it to me,

and see what I mean. See what I mean.

PART 2
Money, as sweet as honey, you're never alone when you've got money.

Profits bring you lots of friends, two for one, in the end;

two for one in the end.

PART 3
Nothing brings me so much joy, as rising profits and falling gold.

And what a thrill when I'm in the black, I can buy my youth back

and will never grow older, older.

Money’s not all we need.
Friends we value.
Money can bring out greed.
Than our friends just might leave us.

Money is not all that we need.
Friendship is more valuable.
Money can make us open to greed.
Then our friends just might leave us.

Money’s not all we need.
Friends we value.
Money can bring out greed.
Than our friends just might leave us.

Instrumental

SPOKEN by SOLIST (as in an announcement)
The final thing on the list
We hope you’ll always remember:
Once you’ve come to us, you’ll know your place.
We won’t give you a line, just so you’ll dine.

SUNG by SOLOIST
And we’ll know the name behind the face.

PART 1
A friendly policy we aim to serve by,
Treating all our guests royally.
If you give us a chance we’re sure you will see
Exactly what’s behind our promise of a friendly policy.

PART 2
A friendly policy
Treating guests royally.
If you give use a chance,
We will promise a friendly policy.

Grinzing In where our hearts have always been,
to leave means surely we'll be back again.
Singing songs from days not long ago
there's nowhere that we feel so,
nowhere that we feel so much at home.