LUDWIG
& SLY

BETTINA

Now, Let’s see if we can figure out what’s going on. May I have your wrist?

(Bettina starts her extensive examination, pulse, eyes, ears, tongue etc…)

 

BEET

Your eyes are like two black pearls, deep and inviting.

 

BETTINA

Ludwig, pay attention. Sit still.

 

BEET

I am too distracted by your beauty.

 

BETTINA (sweetly deflecting)

You are out of balance. And you have stomach and intestinal discomfort.

 

BEET

And body aches.

 

BETTINA

I’m not surprised.

 

BEET

And heartache.

 

BETTINA

But I’m most concerned about the poor blood flow in your ear meridian. I’d like to conduct some tests, is that okay?

 

BEET

Whatever you desire.

 

BETTINA

But first and foremost, I need to know…who is Ludwig Van Beethoven? Who is the man behind the ailment?

 

(Song #8 I’m A Genius)

​

BEET

I WAS BORN IN BONN, GERMANY

MY PARENTS WERE NOT ARISTOCRACY

I LOVED MY MOTHER, MY FATHER WAS AN ASS

MY BROTHERS ARE LOYAL BUT OFTEN WANT CASH

I WAS A CHILD PRODIGY, LIKE MOZART

THEY STOLE MY CHILDHOOD AWAY FROM ME.

 

I PRACTICED ALL MORNING,    

COMPOSED THROUGH THE NIGHT

I STUDIED COUNTERPOINT,

ORCHESTRATION, I HAVE TO BE RIGHT  

TIL I STUDIED WITH HAYDN,

WHOM I’M BETTER THAN

AND I THINK DEEP DOWN

HE KNOWS THAT I AM

 

I WAS A CHILD PRODIGY,      

LIKE MOZART THEY STOLE MY CHILDHOOD AWAY FROM ME.      

I WAS GOOD, SO GOOD,

I’M A GENIUS     

 

(Ludwig and Bettina begin to waltz together)

 

BEET

AND I WALK THROUGH MY LIFE ALONE

JUST ME, JUST ME.

 

(They conclude the dance, return to the examination. Bettina struggles to reclaim her composure, unsure

of exactly what has just transpired. Sly and Neil chat:)

 

SLY

You fascinate me little man. I hope your gettin’ enough soul

sustenance to go along with that beautiful brain of yours.

 

NEIL

Well, I’m only 13. And, honestly, it’s been rough.

 

SLY

How so, Little Neil?

 

NEIL

Well, the Universe is under no obligation to make sense to us,

you see…

 

BEET

EARLY ON MY STOMACH HURT LIKE MAD

​

SLY (spoken)

That’s a big thought.

 

BEET

I BECAME UNPREDICTABLE,

 

NEIL(spoken)

Right?

 

BEET

OFTEN I'M SAD

 

NEIL (spoken)

And down here..

 

BEET
UNLUCKY IN LOVE, SOON MY HEARING WOULD FADE

​

NEIL (spoken)

There’s a lot of pressure on me…

 

BEET

STILL I AM DRIVEN

 

NEIL (spoken)

…to, you know…succeed.

 

SLY (spoken)

Why is that?

 

BEET

NEIL

I WAS A CHILD PRODIGY,

I AM A CHILD PRODIGY

LIKE MOZART THEY STOLE

BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY STOLE

MY CHILDHOOD AWAY FROM ME.

MY CHILDHOOD AWAY FROM ME

BUT I AM GOOD, SO GOOD,

BUT I AM GOOD, SO GOOD

I’M A GENIUS, A GENIUS

I’M A GENIUS, A GENIUS

A GENIUS

A GENIUS