MIDAS

You know the way I work

I never shy nor shirk

from greasing palms

of even down town clerks.

Nor am I averse to paying perks

Or reimbursing bright Young Turks.

SCHULZ

Oh No.  The way we’ve worked

We’ve never shied nor shirked

MIDAS

From dealing in sleaze.

SCHULZ

Spreading round the murk.

MIDAS

Nor are we averse

SCHULZ

to lying like Turks

MIDAS

Or clubbing with thieves

BOTH

Screwing plain Joe Berks.

MIDAS

Keep your nose in the trough.

That’s how it works.

And don’t be afraid

BOTH

of the other hog’s quirks.

MIDAS

But I’ve long drawn the line

at Jumped Up Jerks

SCHULZ

Cos we found they screw

MIDAS(Snarls)

The Whole Damn Works !

SCHULZ

You don’t mean ?

MIDAS

No I had a word with him before he left.

MIDAS     

I waited till he’s packed his bags and then I grabbed him. Caught him by the throat. I said ‘Look Hugo’- You should have seen his face. I told him

You got to get to them before they get to you

BOTH

Cos one sweet day they’re going to turn on you.

MIDAS

So don’t screw this up or I’ll have your butt

And then my friend

BOTH

You’ll run out of luck.

MIDAS

Then he went quite white. Kinda stared at me.

So I said I’ll tell you this for free.

BOTH

I’ll stick by you if you stick by me

But I warn you Babe. Don’t fall foul of me.

MIDAS

Cos depend on it. On the day you do

This much for sure I promise you.

I’ll take your hide and remove your nuts.

I’ll cause real grief Friend in your guts.

SCHULZ

So go get now.

MIDAS

Before I get to you.

BOTH

Just hope and pray

MIDAS

I don’t turn on you.

SCHULZ

That’s when he flounced out.

MIDAS

Hell !  He flew !  

TREASURY

In this room with a view from the top

there's a gloom but still few see the drop.

That looms near, have no fear we could fall,

As the nation slips and slithers to the wall.

D.T.I. MEN

In this room in the square of Saint James

It's with doom that we pass around the blame

For our sloth, our lack of growth, our lack of will

to compete, stand on our feet and pay the bill.

WESTMINSTER

From our view from the top it is plain

M.P.s

our destiny can never be the same.

We must change, re-arrange all our views.

We're too small to stay alone. We'd surely lose.

CABINET

Pulling wires. Pulling strings from the top.

It's quite plain the music's got to stop.

But it's hard to impose tight controls

as outside forces group en masse and start to roll.

CBI

In our view from the top we must expand.

DIRECTORS

We must harness the resources of the land.

We must fight. We must unite. We must apply

all our strength to have a chance to just get by.

T.U.C.

All our lives we've always fought for equity.

LEADERS.

We've had to strive to survive believe you me.

Now we've power we'll still fight through thick and thin.

We won't compromise sell out our kith and kin.

SHOP

In our view those at the top don't merit trust.

STEWARDS

They've sold us out before. They're not for us.

As for those fools. Those turncoat moles in Congress House.

They'll be forced to step in line and fight with us.

CABINET

In our view from the top the bell could toll.

Don't they know power's spread beyond control.

It's so diffused that we're confused, but still we try

to play down truth, to soothe the wounds with soothing lies.

SIR HENRY

In all my life at the top I must say

CASSON

I've never seen such trauma or dismay.

Such Fear. Such Foreboding laid out bare.

There's a smell in the air of despair.

As for me all I see is decay.

Life will never be the same for me again.

VOICE

Ice. Cool. Calm and collected.

That’s the way to be.

Ace. Cool. Precisely objective

Never let them see

Inside. There’s someone quite different.

Screwed up !  You’re tense and frustrated.

You’re yearning to be free !

IST GROUP

Two pink gins and a tete a tete

OF BROKERS

Two Havana cigars. Come celebrate.

Champagne cocktails and vintage port

While he tells you of matters,

which will boggle your thought.

Get the low down on the Deal.

2ND GROUP

Take a bite of smoked salmon.

OF BROKERS

Take a taste of caviar.

The stock he’s got on offer

is discounted from par.

3RD GROUP

He’s got the breeze of a secret oil find

OF BROKERS

that will send you in a spin

That will blow your mind.

It’s said you like a flutter

And a tipple or two.

Well he’s got the main stakes

laid out for you.

VOICE

Ice. Cool. Calm and collected.

That’s the way to be.

Ace. Cool. Precisely objective

Never let them see.

4TH GROUP

Just off the coast of Iceland

OF BROKERS

there’s a tract of sea bed,

where they’ve surveyed for oil,

but reports have led

to zero ratings for making a yield

of oil and natural gas within that field.

VANRITTART

But via my connections I’ve had a report

that the surveys were wrong,

too confined and too short.

Take a look at these papers.

You won’t find them a bind.

Note their authentic stamp.

Note by whom they are signed.

CHORUS-

Guaranteed Bone Fides.

ALL GROUPS

With concessions underlined.

OF BROKERS

There’s a fantastic chance

of a Major Oil Find !

There’s a fantastic chance

of a Major Oil Find !

VANRITTART

Lammerson Old Chappie. The deal’s without a flaw.

I’ve got options for concession rights

on terms I can’t ignore.

I’ve go the go ahead from Iceland.

On the quiet you understand.

It was set up by my contacts –

They’ve got sway within the land.

I’m forming a consortium, but I want to keep it small.

Raising finance is no problem, but secrecy is all.

Come on now Guy. It would surely be a sin

With the state of the market if I didn’t cut you in.

I, myself, am committed

To the limit through and through.

But I need a major partner

I was thinking of the True.

CHORUS

How nice he needs a partner

And so he thought of you.

LAMMERSON

It’s incredible, but possible…

CHORUS

He’s found some fertile ground.

He needs the facts, figures, legal side.

LAMMERSON

So I can kick it all around.

CHORUS

If he still likes the look of it

LAMMERSON

I’ll put it to the Board.

But they’ll want a quick redemption.

CHORUS

They don’t want large funds cold stored.

VANRITTART

Dear Lammerson Old Chappie

I’m confident you’ll heed

The rewards are for the taking,

but we’ve got to move with speed.

You’re a cool handed cookie

And we’re going to win right through.

CHORUS

It’s said he likes a Flutter and a Tipple orTwo.

It’s great to have a Flutter and a Tipple or Two.

It’s said he likes a Flutter and a Tipple or Two

It’s great to have a Flutter and a Tipple or TWO.

DEALERS

We put a bill out on collection on a Bank in Buenos Aires.

Got a letter of acceptance for a deal made in Brazil.

We’ve taken up an option for long bonds in Minnesota.

And we’re buying into Europe while there’s paper in the till.

MANAGERS

We’ve syndicated credit to finance huge expansion.

We’ve given help to moguls over, over and again.

DEALERS

We’ve sold our debts in dollars, but we’ll reinvest the proceeds to forward purchase Deutsche marks and to stake our claims in Yen.

MANAGERS

We’ve underwritten projects for railroad reconstruction.

We’ve long term financed airways from Malaga to Peru.

DEALERS .

We’ve moved back into shipping on the signs of freight inflation, but still our funds are moving in the search for something new

MANAGERS/

Money !

DEALERS You got to move that Money. Take a gambler’s shot.

Slide that credit in its proper slot.

Take your profit and make your turn.

For the market’s rocking and the risks are stern.

DIRECTORS

Changing, Changing Images Reflections.

Changed the nature of the things we do.

Changing. Changing. Following the fashion.   

Changed Adventures into pastures new.

MANAGERS

We’ve got to be more cautious.

We got burned in Nickel mining.

We’ve got to be decisive- loss stakes we’re re-assigning.

DEALERS

But we can’t afford the pitfalls of neglecting all our options.

When the baby’s name is Money

We wet nurse our new adoptions.

ALL

Money !

DEALERS

If you can’t raise the ante and your borrowed short

 Just keep your cool lest you get caught

MANAGERS

With your funds in the wrong spot with no way out.

DEALERS

If you can’t ride the switchback you’ll be cleaned right out.

MANAGERS

Gotta keep your sense of timing. Gotta hold your nerve.

DEALERS

We’ve had to play the market with a gambler’s verve.

DIRECTORS

Changing.  Changing.

MANAGERS

Images.   Reflections.

DIRECTORS

Stances.  Poses.

MANAGERS

Customs.  Predilections.

DIRECTORS

Changing.  Changing.

MANAGERS

Radical Conceptions.

DEALERS

Changed Adventures

TELLERS

Into Pastures New.

SECRETARIES

Changing.  Changing.

TYPISTS

Taking New Directions.

DEALERS

Who’s to censure

ALL

Anything we do.

VOICE

Freeze !

RECEIVER

Right.  No more trading.  Cease all dealing.

As from now.  This very moment. Cease !

ASSISTANT

Right.  All you Tellers.  Over this side.

BAILIFFS

Man the doorways. Guard the exits.

LAWYERS

All Employees.  Sign this paper.

ACCOUNTANT

Vouch the Leases.  Check the Ledgers.

RECEIVER

One by One I’ll see Directors.

ASSISTANT

Weekly workers.  Get your pay cheques.

RECEIVER

Single files.    Outside my Office.     Please !

WHISPERS

Out of sight their lending, dealing.

Taking Chances.  Wheeling.  Dealing.

Changing. Changing.  Speculating !

VOICE

Hush !

RECEIVER

As Receiver I advise you.

ALL STAFF

Burney’s Bank ?

RECEIVER

Is Busted !

FORSYTH

Let me be plain Guy.  I'm a snob.

BROKERS/

He's a Pooh Pooh Too Too Touche

BAR GIRLS

Dilettante Arrant Snob.

He's a shade too fey or fancy.

Far too racy for the mob.

ECONOMIC

With connections in high places

LEAGUE

He's no time for pop or polls.

FORSYTH

I've no time nor toleration

for the rumblings of the proles.

I ask you

ECONOMIC

Do we ?

LEAGUE

Really need the Plebs ?

FORSYTH

I've no time for vacillation

Prissy rules.  Faint hearted men.

When rules don't work. Ignore them

till firm rule's struck again.

In this country there's stagnation

E/LEAGUE

All our rights are on the ebb

FORSYTH

I ask you

E/LEAGUE

Really. Why appease the Plebs ?

FORSYTH

Look. Forgive my irritation.

BROKERS

Now to matters close to hand

FORSYTH

Don't fuss about VANRITTART.

BROKERS

Old Van's a brilliant man.

FORSYTH

Some times he roams in waters

BROKERS

Where some would fear to tread

FORSYTH

But my advice is

E/LEAGUE

Let him have his head.

FORSYTH

Come Guy.  No hesitation.

SIDEKICK

You must either sink of swim.

FORSYTH

He can't delay the options

BROKERS

The deal is spread too slim.

FORSYTH

His contacts are restricted

SIDEKICK

Any leak means loss of face.

FORSYTH

Let's speak plainly

SIDEKICK

They'd face Scandal and Disgrace.

BROKERS

Yes.  Scandal and Disgrace.

FORSYTH

Guy. They'll get their finance elsewhere

If they can't count you in.

There are others in the wings Guy

BROKERS

You can almost see their fins.

FORSYTH

If you don't take the plunge Guy

BROKERS

You'll be out before you're in.

FORSYTH

Guy. I urge you

BROKERS

Let them count you in.

FORSYTH

Make your move Guy.

BROKERS

Let them count you in.

CHORUS

Guy I urge you.  Let them count you in.

(Fading away)

Guy I urge you.   Let them count you in.

Guy. I urge you.Let them count you in.

THE ONCE GREAT HENRY CASSON.

MATTHESON

Dilatory  Conservative and Cautious in Extreme.

MAINE

Too bad.  It's sad.  He's living in a dream.

ELMS

He's slowing down.

MATTHESON

He hasn't got a glimmer of a notion.

MAINE

Not a clue.

MATTHESON

Of what to do.

MAINE

Or how to act.

MATTHESON

Or what's about him.

ELMS

All around him.

MAINE

Can't he see ?  Why can't he see. The writing's on the wall.

MATTHESON

We can't just sit by idly while he stalls and stumbles through.

MAINE

While he stalls and stumbles daily.

MATTHESON

He'll take us all down if we do.

MAINE

He'll take us all down with him if we don't act on cue.

MATTHESON

Of all our problems he's the number one.

Let's face it he's long since become

ALL

A burden to The TRUE.

ELMS

It’s sad. There was a time.  And not so long ago.

I much admired old CASSON’S style.

He used to say in times of trial

One must be brave – And he was brave then.

MAINE

Had it all then

MATTHESON

But he’s blown it sadly. Thrown it all away.

MAINE

Now he’s an obstacle.  He’s had his day.

MATTHESON

And we must pass him

ELMS

Seize the Maestro’s heavy baton ?

MAINE

Break the rock that’s HENRY CASSON.

MATTHESON

Yes !

We’ll clear the ONCE GREAT HENRY CASSON

From our way.

ALL

Oh Yes.

We’ll clear the ONCE GREAT HENRY CASSON

From our way.

MATTHESON

As you know he’s off to Nassau.

It’s the first main stage

VANRITTART

of his round world trip

MATTHESON

Yes. He’d rather show the flag

than he’d man a listing ship.

VANRITTART

Then he’s moving on to Rio ?

MATTHESON

Meeting Gwent out there.

VANRITTART

Must be nice to bask in sunshine at this time of year.

MATTHESON

Oh. They’ll manage very nicely you need have no fear.

SIR HENRY

So I trust while I’m away you’ll keep a firm grip.

Beware the rogues are all about you.

Just run a tight ship.

VANRITTART

So we’re still left in the old man’s grip.

MATTHESON

But LAMMERSON is biting. He’s chafing at the bit.

SIR HENRY

Keep the Oil Deal frozen.

VANRITTART

Suspended in mid air.

SIR HENRY

We must find further finance to reduce our share.

In the meantime keep the brakes on

And steer well clear of any major decisions.

MATTHESON

In the meantime Let’s be certain. Let’s be quite clear.

We’ve got to move to get a decision.

VANRITTART

Don’t sweat.  I’ve a man who will help us here.

Believe you me.  We’ll get a decision

1ST CHORUS

Come now Aldermen.

Guildsmen of the Town

Take your places

in service to the Crown.

2ND CHORUS

Come now Masters.  Wardens standards bear.

Craftsmen. Tradesmen in unison declare.

Trust. Faith and Fellowship

In honour bound and free.

None give a service

Like the City Livery.

HOSTILE

See them assemble.  What do they resemble

CROWD

These champions of our urgent needs.

Old men in ancient robes

With pink polished ear lobes

Toying, Enjoying

their games with their beads.

What a selection

of rigged self election.

They bequeath themselves

rich golden chains

With power and arrogance

And false pomp and circumstance

They usurp our rights

In our name without blame.

HERALDS

Drumbeats. Trumpets. Hark to the Heraldry.

Flunkeys. Waiters. The City's Pageantry.

Come now members. Give the Sheriff your applause.

Come now Yeomen.  Raise your glasses to the Lord.

ALL

To the Mayor.  Lord Mayor. Lord Mayor.

LORD MAYOR

Bondsmen.  Citizens.   As you join me in this meal

At the time of this banquet

I thank you for your zeal.

For all here in good cheer

Hear the substance of my mission.

The toast is the City

and the City's great tradition.

Everyone in the hall rises to their feet.

ALL

Tradition.  Tradition from a noble heritage.

To Tradition.  Without condition

We give our solemn pledge.

LORD MAYOR

For ours is a wondrous illustrious history

of enterprise endeavour

and sharp integrity.

Of insight and vision

Of duty and respect

Of vigilance and purpose

Free thinking intellect.

ALL

Tradition.  Tradition from a noble heritage.

To Tradition. Without condition

We give our solemn pledge.

LORD MAYOR

As champions of freedom

We've fought some honoured fights.

With diligence.  Cohesion.

ALL

We've guarded City rights.

LORD MAYOR

So fellow kinsmen assembled in this hall

Salute with me the City and all within its walls.

The toast is to the City

And to all within its walls.

HOSTILE

Just dig the elation.  The standing ovation

CROWD

for those pompous echoes of cant.

LEADERS

Got to dig the reception. The brash self deception

of the privileged rich as they banter and rant.

Got to dig the emotion amidst the commotion

As they talk about people in need.

Get a line in devotion as it swells in an ocean.

As they sit in their temple.  Their Temple of Greed.

As they sit in their temple. Their Temple of Greed.

1ST CHORUS

Pacem Pacem

Pacem in Terris.

Tempora Mutantur

Go in Peace.

Gaudeamus Igitur

Vede et Crede

For we will build bridges

Bridges to Peace.

2ND CHORUS

Pacem Pacem

Pacem in Terris.

Tempora Mutantur

Go in Peace.

The times are a changing

To times to be joyful

For we will build bridges

Bridges to Peace.

AFRICAN

Peace Peace Peace

LEADER

Got Peace on my mind.

CHORUS

Cry Peace in the World

For All Mankind.

ASIAN

An End to the waste

LEADER

of the Poor by the Blind.

AFRICAN

An End to the Wars

LEADER

that demean Mankind.

MIDAS

Hey Hey Hey Buddy Boy

Dig the scene.  It's a Rage.

If my life is an Act

Then the world is my stage.

MIDAS

Play it wise. Play it cool.

That's the way to succeed.

Play it big. Play it brash

But Buddy take heed

In the snake addled jungle

of those on the make.

You got to out fake the Fakers

In a world full of fakes.

AFRICAN

Cry Peace !  Cry Peace !

LEADER

Cry Peace in our time !

CHORUS

Cry Peace in the World

For All Mankind.

MIDAS

Never mind that you'll find

I'm the talk of the age.

At the court of tycoons

I'm King of the Stage.

But it's an Act Buddy Boy

Underneath I'm a sage.

So be shrewd like Saul Midas

Stay loose and be sage.

CHORUS

Pacem Pacem

Pacem in Terris.

Tempora Mutantur

Go in Peace.

Urbi et Orbi

Vede et Crede

Semper Fidelis

Go in Peace.

MIDAS

Why Nobosuke I’m honoured that you’ve graced our cause.

I’d like you to meet two fans of yours

 Ed Schulz and Lou Ferrari.

MIDAS

Hell.  He don't speak English but he's got sharp claws

So bite on your lip and groom him gently.

Cos this man Lou is in the van

The biggest pirate in all Japan

Sure this Hisisuji is destined to be

Within six months - Rely on me

A star in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The next Prime Minister

Or the next but one.

So do like I say and treat him gently.

Hell !  He peed where he stood

when he first met me.

He's a skulk headed monster

As you'll soon see.

But this guy Lou wants showing around

So give him a quick flip tour of the grounds

But for Pete's sake keep him clear of me

MIDAS

Sure I’ll see you soon when I get free.

MIDAS

But I’ll call you so don’t call me

He waves 

Sure Goodbye Nobosuke.  Sayonara Nobosuke.

Then more broodingly

Sayonara Hisisuji.

1ST NEWSMAN

Crash goes the Pound.

2ND NEWSMAN

Down through the ground.

3RD NEWSMAN

No more Bull pretensions.

1ST BROKER

Fear in the Land

2ND BROKER

Catastrophe at hand

3RD BROKER

There's no escape. Exemptions.

FUND MANAGERS

1ST MANAGER

Blow after Blow.

2ND MANAGER

Shares sunk to all time lows.

3RD MANAGER

A run on Banks has started.

ALL

Fear in the Land

Catastrophe at hand

All reason's long departed.

BANKERS

1ST BANKER

Outflow of funds

2ND BANKER

Spiralling of debt

3RD BANKER

Repayments Blocked. Suspended.

ALL

As holders run for cash

There's a massive wave backlash

of Policy Redemptions

REPORTERS

1ST NEWSMAN

Crash after Crash

2ND NEWSMAN

Politicians snarl and clash.

3rd NEWSMAN

As they watch the pound sink lower.

BROKERS

No more help from overseas.

T.V.NEWS

Central Banks apply the squeeze.

BANKERS

No Fresh Funds without more cover.

1ST NEWSMAN

Crash goes the Pound.

2ND NEWSMAN

Down through the ground

3RD NEWSMAN

In a slump of Huge Dimensions.

BANKERS

In the balance hangs the fate

POLITICIANS

of whole countries, nation states.

ALL IN CITY

In an air that’s charged with tension.

POLITICIANS

In the balance hangs the fate

UNIONS

Of whole countries, nation states

ALL

In an air white hot with tension.