Every Man's Dream - copyright 1998
	a Musical
	(The Characters)
	John - starting at the shelter, works his way up in Hermann's Company. James dies and suddenly John questions whether he is happy.
	James - worked on wallstreet but left it all, now hangs out at the Shelter.
	Catherine - has always wanted to take over for her father hermann, but has never told him.
	Hemann - his wife died when Catherine was young, he blames her death on her working so hard.
	(Overview of Scenes)
	ACT ONE (Every man's dream) performed off stage (or at the shelter) as lights come up.
	Scene 1 (at Shelter) John and James. John, believing he has failed as a writer, gives his writing
	notebook to James. Hermann and Catherine walk by on their way to work. John looks
	on whistfully. James talks about being "A Suit" and having ajob. (I am free / James solo)
	Scene 2 (at Office) Hermann and Catherine. Catherine convinces Hermann to start a Jobs
	Program at the Company.
	Scene 3 (at Shelter) John and James talk about the Jobs Program. John decides he's had enough of
	sitting around and he's going to try it. (I can make it/ John and James)
	ACT TWO (four years later)
	Scene 1 (at Office) Hermann tells Catherine that he is very impressed with John, Hermann makes
	John the Foreman on an important job. John bumps into Catherine on the way out and
	asks her to go out with him to celebrate his promotion. To his surprise. she accepts.
	Scene 2 (at Park) After dinner they go for a walk and realize they both had a wonderful time.
	(Maybe I Love You / John and Catherine, duet)
	Scene 3 (at Shelter) John tells James about being made Foreman and going out with Catherine.
	(I am free, reprise / James and John)
	Scene 4 (at Office) Hermanns 60th Birthday. Catherine and John give him a present that reminds
	him of his wife. Catherine leaves and Hermann talks to John about starting the business.
	(If you were my Son / Hermann, solo)
	Scene 5 (at Office) Hermann dies, stipulating in his will that John will be President of the Company.
	ACT THREE (four years later)
	Scene 1 (at Office) John receives his old writing notebook, because James has died, he walks to the
	Shelter. (I was free / John. solo)
	Scene 2 (at Office) Catherine asks where he has been. John says he is leaving the Company.
	(South of France / John and Catherine, duet) John walks out.
	Scene 3 (at Park) John and Catherine meet and talk about their dreams, and staying together.
	(This wonderful feeling inside/ John and Catherine, duet)
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	Every Man's Dream
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, ©1998
	(SONG - Every Man's Dream / James, solo)
	(Sung off stage, or at the shelter)
	You've got every man's dream, that's what he said.
	And as he turned, I shook my head.
	This is not my dream, you don't understand.
	How hard it is to live, the dream of every man.
	Oooh, the dream of every man, Oooh.
	You've got everyone's dream, what a funny thought.
	As if happiness, can be bought.
	As if I'm a machine, without a heart and soul.
	A race without a goal, but I have a dream.
	Oooh, I have a dream, Oooh.
	And sometimes it seems so close to me.
	That I lose myself in daydreams.
	And sometimes it feels like it's years away.
	And I wonder if it will happen.
	You've got every man's dream, that's what he said.
	And as he turned, I shook my head.
	This is not my dream, you don't understand.
	How hard it is to live, the dream of every man.
	Oooh, the dream of every man, Oooh.
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	Act 1, Scene 1 (Beside the Shelter, trash cans and newspapers, John is reading a newspaper that James is using as a blanket, both dressed in ragged clothes. John tries to turn the page and James wakes up with a start)
James	Good God, what are you doing?
John	Sorry, just reading, there was a literary review.
James	Anyone we know?
John	Ha, Ha (pause) actually it's someone I knew, in school, he got into this internship thing, and then he starts writing books, now here's another.
James	Well is it any good? the book I mean.
John	How would I know, it's just a review. He always seemed like a jerk to me, but HE falls right out of High School into a book deal!
James	Well good for him, now why don't you go read someone elses blanket. I've got some serious business to attend to.
	(lays back down and covers his face)
John	Now that's serious.
James	Hey, how many people out there do you think get even five minutes to do this. I'm just making up for some of them,
John	I think you're making up for ALL of them.... Life sucks!
James	Yeah, it does some times.
John	I can't believe that jerk has another book.
James	Johnny!
John	He's an idiot, he skipped class all the time.
James	Will you leave the guy alone. What did he ever do to you?... besides succeed.
John	I don't have anywhere to go.
James	Amen!
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	Every Man's Dream
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John	I don't have anything to do but sit here.
James	Heaven.
John	God I'm a failure.
James	Is that what you think? You can't think of anything better to do so you're all washed up?
John	I told you, I failed. I spent all my money, wasted all that time, everybody elses time. and it all came to nothing, I failed.
	In case you haven't noticed, this isn't an apartment, I don't have a car or a
	phone, and I'm living on handouts.
James	So, what? You just give up, twenty-five years old and you just give up?
John	Life's been a lot easier since I gave up. You gave up... well didn't you?
James	Look at me Johnny. I'm an old man and I'm tired. I didn't just give up I wore down. Don't go comparing my life to yours. My life is over, or getting close, But your dream just had a setback, you've got plenty of time.
John	You're wrong. My dream is dead. It got thrown out. it's over.
James	You still carry that pad around.
John	I haven't written a thing for months. I should just throw it away....
	unless you want it.
James	I don't want your notebook Johnny.
John	Well that's the problem, no one does. (goes to throw it in trash can)
James	Now wait, if you're gonna throw it away I'll take it. I'll keep it for you, just till you need it again.
	(Catherine and Hermann walk by on their way to work)
John	Oh my God James will you look at that.
James	Wow... nice suit.
John	Not the suit, the suit's daughter! At least I hope it's his daughter.
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	Every Man's Dream
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James	And not his wife. Yeah, She's all right, But look at that suit. 'Dress me up and take me downtown', That's what my wife used to say. I do miss a new suit now and then.
John	When did you wear a suit ?
James	Oh, years ago. When I worked on Wallstreet.
John	Come on!
James	Tenth floor, private office, steel and leather.
John	Well, what happened? How did you end up here?
James	Don't look at me like here is the end of the road! I almost died in that private office. Another five years and I'd have been remembered fondly by my associates. Cause of death, stress! You see money flowed like water in that place, a million dollars would walk in one door and ten million would walk out another, like being blindfolded in the ring with a heavyweight, ducking and weaving, all the while thinking one day, I'm gonna be laid out cold. One day, I just walked away.
John	All that money?
James	Doesn't mean a thing. This may sound strange to you, but I'm happier now than I was then, oh I might be taking simplicity a bit too far, but I'm happy, no planning, no expectations,...
John	No life.
James	That's what you think, I've got more than enough life for any man.
	(SONG - I Am Free / James, solo)
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	I Am Free
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander ©1998
	(Solo / James)
	Well... here I am, at the bottom of the heap.
	May not have money, but I sure enjoy my sleep.
	Don't pity me... I am free.
	I enjoy my walk, in the park every day.
	It doesn't matter, how short or long I stay.
	Don't pity me... I am free.
	See those people always got a phone stuck in their ear
	Rushin' pushin' shovin' just to get from there to here.
	I just can't believe that people want to live that way.
	They'll keep on climbin' till their dyin' day.
	So you want to be rich, well now that's okay.
	But make sure that drive, doesn't make you pay.
	Don't pity me... I am free.
	No one to tell me, where to go or what to do.
	I'll have no regrets, when my time is due.
	Dont pity me... I am free.
	No dont pity me... I am free.
	Don't pity me... I am free.
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	Act 1, Scene 2 (In office, polished steel, very clean)
Catherine	I don't understand why this is so hard for you.
Hermann	I'll tell you why it's hard for me. You are still my little girl, I know you've gone to college, now you say you're grown up, but to me you are still my little girl and you are telling me how to run my business!
Catherine	I'm not telling you how to run your business I'm merely suggesting that you are in a position to help others, to be more supportive to the community.
Hermann	I'm not supportive? I support hundreds of workers - contractors, subcontractors, plumbers, electricians, YOU!!!
Catherine	I know all that. I'm not attacking your business it's just that we have a lot Papa and there are a lot of people who don't. Did you know that there is a shelter just two blocks from here? We live in a huge place with rooms we never use, and those people dont even have one room to call their own.
Hermann	You want them to move into our house?
Catherine	No!! Be serious.
Hermann	I am being serious. When I came here I had nothing. I started at the bottom and built this business into what it is today. If I can do it, they can do it.
Catherine	Sure, you started with nothing but who gave you a job right away?
Hermann	My uncle..... of course. Oh, he got his money's worth out of me.
Catherine	And when you started the business who loaned you money for equipment?
Hermann	Your mother's brother. But I paid him back with interest!
Catherine	And Mother took in work during those first years.
Hermann	I never wanted your mother to work.
Catherine	What I am saying is that you may have started with nothing but you had help from friends and family when you needed it most. Well, some people dont have friends and family who can help.
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Catherine	You're always saying your subcontractors need Apprentices, you could sponsor workers from the shelter, just to smoothe the transition.
Hermann	I don't know.
Catherine	I've already spoken to the Director at the shelter and...
Hermann	Your pushing!!
Catherine	Just try it for a little while.
Hermann	All right, I'll try it, I'll try it.
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	Act 1, Scene 3 (At the Shelter)
John	Well, what do you think?
James	This is why I only hang out here part of the year, the orators get a little verbose in the spring time.
John	So I suppose you summer in the South of France?
James	Indupitably young Sir.
John	I meant, what did you think of the Program?
James	There was a Program? Damn I must of missed it.
John	The new Jobs Program they talked about.
James	Oh that, well first of all the words'New' and'Jobs Program' simply don't mix. Second of all they're just trying to get you to shave and take a shower... which you could use by the way. Anyhow I like my life just the way it is.
John	James!! I was thinking about it for me! I'm just sitting around here day after day.
James	Yeah It's great ain't it?
John	No It's not great, not for me, this isn't a life, this is nothing. I want to be
	somebody, I want a girl like the one we saw the other day, to smile at ME that way. I want to have money to send her flowers, or take her out to dinner. What am I doing here, what am I waiting for?
James	Christ Johnny, I'm sorry, I keep forgeting your just a kid, I keep spouting off about taking it easy, like you're as old as me. (Pause) Hell, you know what I did when I was your age? I hopped a train to Washington D.C. and worked as a cab driver. I woke up one morning and just went.
John	How long did you stay ?
James	Oh, quite a few years. I liked driving, and I liked all the different people you meet as a Cabby. My point is. If you like the sound of this job thing, you should give it a shot. You may like it.
John	Do you think they'll accept me? I mean, I don't have any experience or anything.
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James	Oh listen to you. What do you think they expect? A bunch of P.H.D.'s to show up for an entry level job like this? you'll do fine.
John	Yeah? I guess I want to do better than fine.
James	You want to impress your new boss? I'll tell you how. Take a shower, shave and show up early every day, rain or shine. And.. well, It's a free country and all, but if I were you...I'd get a hair cut.
John	Lots of people wear long hair.
James	It's up to you.
John	You really think I should ?
James	You can always grow it back. There's always time to grow some hair. Why in my lifetime I've had long and short hair so many times... well listen to me, I'm talking like an old man again.
John	You really think I should ?
James	Oh, forget it Johnny. Hair short or long what you really need, is some pep... some pride. You need some'I am somebody'. You know what I mean?
John	I am somebody!
James	That's right.
John	I can do this!
James	You tell'em.
John	I can make it!
James	You can make it.
John	I can make it!
James	Yes sir.
	(Song, I can make it / John and James)
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	I Can Make It
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
	(John and James)
John	I... can make it, I... can hold my head up high.
	I... can make it, I... will reach the sky.
	I'm tired of living in the dirt.
	I'm tired of waiting for my hand out.
	Tell me who would it hurt,
	If I decided to get out ?
James	You... can make it, keep looking forward and never stop.
	You... can make it, you will reach the top.
John	I'm tired of doors closing in my face.
	I'm tired of people looking away from me.
	Tell me would it be such a disgrace,
	If I made a bunch of money ?
	I... can make it, I... can hold my head up high.
	I... can make it, I... will reach the sky.
	I... can make it, keep looking forward and never stop.
	I... can make it, I will reach the top.
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	Every Man's Dream
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	Act 2, Scene 1 - Five years later (Hermann is sitting at his desk, Catherine comes in)
Catherine	Here's your mail father, weeded of course.
Hermann	Thank you my dear. I seem to get more junk the older I get. (pause) Oh, I thought you would like to know. One of the workers in our jobs program is getting a promotion. He has proved himself to be an asset to the company, I must admit.
Catherine	Which one, what's the promotion?
Hermann	John, I'm making him Foreman on the Hadley building extension.
Catherine	The Hadley, why that's wonderful. Are you sure, can he handle it ?
Hermann	Can he handle it, Listen to you. I wouldn't give him the promotion if I wasn't sure, and I'll tell you something else. He reminds me of myself at that age.
Catherine	Is that good or bad ?
Hermann	What!?
Catherine	I'm teasing of course, (pause) Father, there's something I've been meaning to tell you about John.
Hermann	If it is detrimental to his promotion, you'd better tell me now.
Catherine	No. It's nothing like that. John and I have gone out a few times, just for lunch, I hope you don't mind.
Hermann	You are an adult, as you have told me many times, you don't need my permission to go out to lunch with someone. Now dinner, maybe.
Catherine	Oh no, you just said I don't need your permission, and I'm holding you to it.
Hermann	Your mother would be proud.
Catherine	And worried too? .
Hermann	Probably, your growing up and making your own decisions. How can a parent not worry? I try to stay out of your business, so I don't usually give advice, but if you need it, I am here.
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Catherine	Now that you mention it, there is something else about John that I've wanted to talk to you about.
Hermann	John again, thats the second time, in one conversation, that his name has come up. Now I AM worried.
Catherine	Father, It's no big deal. I like John, and I know it shouldn't matter where he came from, but I cant help thinking about it, thinking about why he was there.
Hermann	Could it be that my Daughter, who cajoled me to start the jobs program in the first place, is a snob ?
Catherine	I don't like thinking that way, I just wonder sometimes.
Hermann	Listen, when I was your age I had no money, as you know. My family was poor, but it was different there, we were a community, we helped each other. When I met your mother we used to take walks together in the country, because it was beautiful, but also because it was free. If I had been born here, I might have been at the shelter myself.
Catherine	Father. I can't imagine you at the shelter.
Hermann	I know it must seem strange to you, but living here, it could have happened. I talk to the workers, this is not a nice place to be poor. (Pause) Now, unless you're going to present the promotion yourself, you had better leave, he will be here in just a few minutes.
Catherine	Oh, well I'd better go. I'll stop by later. Goodbye.
Hermann	Goodbye dear.
	(Catherine leaves)
Hermann	I shouldn't be suprized, she gets older every day.
	(knock on the door)
Hermann	Come in.
	(John steps in)
John	I'm sorry Sir, I realize I'm early, I can come back if you'd like.
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Hermann	No, come, sit down. I would have been surprised if you were not early.
	John, I have asked you to my office to commend you on your performance, and to offer you a promotion and a raise.
John	Thank you sir, I accept!
Hermann	Now before you accept, consider the position carefully. What I am offering you is the position of Foreman, on the Hadley Building extension. This is not an offer to be taken lightly.
John	Foreman on the Hadley, are you sure sir? I know it's a very important account.
Hermann	(chuckles) I am sure, young man. The question is whether you are sure. It will be a much more complicated project than you have been in charge of
John	Why me sir? surely there are others who could run the project.
Hermann	Of course there are others, as well as other projects. I think you are ready for this one, so I am offering it to you first.
John	And if I choose not to take this position?
Hermann	You will continue in your present capacity, and I will offer you something else later.
John	What if I don't work out? on the Hadley, I mean.
Hermann	Oh I'm not giving you my undying support. If you aren't working out I will replace you, the position is not without risks. You can let me know tomorrow if you would like some time to think about it.
John	I don't need more time, I accept.
Hermann	Good, we will go over the plans next week. The raise is effective immediately, Congratulations, (stand's to shake Johns hand).
John	Thank you sir. I'll do my best.
Hermann	I trust you will.
	(John leaves the office, and on the way out he meets Catherine)
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	a Musical
Catherine	What hit you?
John	A promotion, and a raise!
Catherine	That's wonderful, congratulations. You're quite the up and comer these days.
John	Oh, I guess I'm doing all right.
Catherine	You've done very well for yourself, you should be proud.
John	Well I hope I can keep it up.
Catherine	What do you mean ?
John	The promotion is a big step. I guess I'm still trying to get used to it.
Catherinne	My opinion may not make much difference, but I think you'll do great.
John	Thanks, well I'd better go.
Catherine	Yeah, me too. Bye.
John	Bye... No wait.
Catherine	Yes?
John	I'm going out to celebrate tonight, would you, Um, do me the honor, of
	accompanying me to dinner?
Catherine	A party, or just the two of us?
John	Oh, um, just the two of us.
Catherine	I'd love to. What time?
John	Uh, is seven okay?
Catherine	That's fine, should we meet here?
John	Sure. It's easy to find.
Catherine	That's true, I'll see you tonight.
John	Yes, tonight
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	a Musical
	ACT 2, Scene 2 (Between the Office, and the Shelter)
Catherine	That was a wonderful dinner, thank you.
John	It was my pleasure.
Catherine	What a beautiful night.
John	Yes it is. And you are too, beautiful I mean.
Catherine	Well thank you, that's nice to hear. (pause)
John	Listen, I have to know... if you really wanted to come tonight.
Catherine	Well that's straight forward.
John	I'm sorry. It's a beautiful night isn't it?
Catherine	John, I wanted to come. I'm not just being nice. I like talking to you.
John	I'm glad you do. I like holding your hand.
Catherine	I'm glad you do.
John	Just say the word when you want it back.
Catherine	I don't want it back... ever. (she laughs to lighten what she's said)
John	It might be hard to eat. I could feed both of us.
	(John mimes spooning food into their mouthes)
Catherine	And I could wipe our mouthes.
	(Catherine mimes wiping her mouth, when she wipes John's mouth she also strokes his cheek. They kiss)
John	Oh, what are we doing, what would your father say?
Catherine	Uh, I don't know what he'd say. Does it matter? I mean it's not like we're
	teenagers or something.
John	I know it shouldn't matter, I don't want it to matter.
Catherine	He know's we've been out a few times, I told him before he gave you the
	promotion. He's trying to give me space these days.
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John	Well, let's hope he's got lot's of space for you.
Catherine	I was a pretty tame teenager, he owes me.
John	You're different than the person I expected to find.
Catherine	(Giggles) That's a funny thing to say. How am I different, what kind of person did you expect to find?
John	Oh, I don't know, some nice girl in a pool hall.
Catherine	A pool hall? Are there any nice girls in a pool hall?
John	You'd be surprised. What about you, who did you expect to meet?
Catherine	Father is always introducing me to young men from wealthy families, but most of them are either boring or completely in love, with themselves.
John	I might be rich someday.
Catherine	You probably will. May you never fall in love, with yourself.
John	What if I fall in love... with you ?
Catherine	I don't know, I don't know.
John	How did we get here, like this, tonight. Your the bosses daughter, and I'm from the shelter, it doesn't make sense.
Catherine	Maybe it doesn't have to make sense.
	(SONG - Maybe You Love Me / John and Catherine. Duet)
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	Maybe You Love Me
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
	(Catherine and John, duet)
Catherine	What I feel for you, I am so unsure of, I wonder
John	I wonder.
	What I feel for you, seems to grow each minute, stronger
Catherine	Stronger.
	Maybe we should just pretend, that this night never happened,
	And go hack to having lunches, but I don't want that to happen.
John	Maybe you love me.
Catherine	Maybe I love you.
John	What I feel for you, I'm at a loss of words for, but so sure
Catherine	So sure.
	What I feel for you, I don't remember feeling, before
John	Before.
	I may never have the voice, or the right words to tell you,
	All that I am feeling right now, I want to tell you.
Catherine	Maybe you love me.
John	Maybe I love you.
Harmony	Maybe I love you, I'm sure I do.
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 2, Scene 3 (at the shelter)
James	Hey stranger, good to see you.
John	Hi James, how's life ?
James	Just fine, just fine. Although they're putting off painting the place again, I keep telling them, appearance is everything, you can't just... Hey what's gotten into you? You got a smile, like a crocodile.
John	Bet you can't guess who I went out with last night.
James	Oh!! So that's what's wrong with you.
John	Remember Catherine?
James	Well, no.
John	We saw her the day I started the jobs program.
James	That was four or five years ago John, I can barely keep the facts straight from last week, much less that long ago.
John	The girl with the suit
James	The Suit! Now I remember, Not his wife I hope.
John	No! His daughter. It's funny, we just went out to celebrate my promotion and...
James	Wait a minute, you got a promotion?
John	You are looking at the Foreman for, no less than, the new Hadley building extension.
James	Some big new building huh? hey John that's great, I am proud of you. You know I didn't think much of that jobs program thing when you started it, but I must say you've done great there, next thing you know you'll own the place, Ha Ha (pause) So how was the date?
John	Oh, it was like magic. I mean I've seen her around since I started there, and we've had lunch a few times...
James	You had lunch together, and you never told me?
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John	Well, I haven't been around much, and there really wasn't anything to tell. We just went out to lunch, you know pleasant conversation, but nothing personal. I've always felt she was a little distant, you know, just being nice.
James	She's the bosses daughter John, that's bound to set you back a little.
John	Yeah that's true. well anyway, this time was different. We went to a REALLY nice place, and we talked about ourselves, you know, growing up, our families, and when the bill came I didn't even glance at it, just paid it like it was nothing at all.
James	That's the way to do it.
John	Then after dinner we held hands while we walked around the park....
James	Oooeee, Johnny my boy you got bit, and hard, by the love bug and the money bug (points to each hip in turn) Bit, bit. You better figure out how to get rid of that silly grin before you go to work, or tongues will be wagging all over the place.
John	What silly grin ?
James	That silly grin, you should look at yourself in a mirror. You look... well... you look like a million Johnny.
John	Now you're smiling.
James	Well It's rubbing off on me. Boy, I remember one night when my wife and I had just met. We were at a party, dancing really close, eyes closed. Well I guess it was late, and someone called the police, it got pretty loud,
	A little later the music stopped, but we just kept dancing. I finally looked up and we were all alone. The owner of the place must have gone to bed, and left us there dancing in the silence, (pause) God I miss her sometimes.
John	I'm sorry James.
James	I don't think about her as much now as I used to, you know, the passing of time.
John	It must be rough to lose someone like that.
James	Oh hell, It's been years, just seeing you now kind of brings it back.
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James	When you get to be my age a lot of good things are memories, (pause) But you, Mr. Foreman, it sounds like you're making memories right now. I'm happy for you John, for work and for love.
John	Thanks James, you know I was thinking, my new place has a lot more
James	Thats really nice of you to offer, but no. I'm fine where I am.
John	I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately.
James	Man, you look sorry, what happened to that smile like a crocodile you had on a minute ago.
John	It's just that everything is going so well for me. and...
James	And. you deserve it. Things are going well for me too, so what's the problem? Hey what's that song I used to sing ? Well here I am at the... you know.
John	Uh. here I am at the end of the street?
James	No, it was... bottom of the heap.
	(thinking) bottom of the heap...
	(Song, I Am Free / James and John)
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	I AM FREE
	(reprise)
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander. © 1998
	(James and John)
James	Well, here I am at the bottom of the heap.
	May not have money but I sure enjoy my sleep.
	Don't pity me... I am free.
	I enjoy my walk in the park every day.
	It doesn't matter how short or long I stay.
	Dont pity me... I am free.
John	Here I am climbing up the ladder of success.
	It doesn't matter... if I have to wear... a dress.
	Don't pity me...
James	I pity you.
John	I am rich.
James	Here I am just watching you climb.
	You may be rich but you've forgotten how to rhyme.
	Don't pity me... I am free. Don't pity me... I am free.
	No don't pity me... I am free.
	22
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 2, Scene 4 (Catherine and John outside of Hermann's office)
John	Why don't you give it to him from just yourself ?
Catherine	Because you thought of it.
John	He's your father, not mine. I feel like I'm intruding.
Catherine	As far as I'm concerned, we're family.
John	You may think we're family, but I dont know if he does. I dont want to be pushy.
Catherine	If anyone's being pushy, it's me. and I'm his daughter, so it's kind of my job.
John	It's not your job I'm worried about.
Catherine	Oh, now your being paranoid. John, you've worked for him for six years, we've been living together for two, what is the problem?
John	It's one thing to know that we live together, It's another to see it.
Catherine	John, he's my father, and I'm telling you he's not like that. You're making such a big deal out of this!
John	Okay, I'm sorry. I'll come in with you.
Catherine	Thank you. (Catherine raises her hand to knock)
John	It's just that the subject of you and I, together, has never come up in conversation, what do I say to him ?
Catherine	Happy birthday would be fine. Listen, I'm going to be late for my appointment, if we don't get in there and give him his present.
John	Okay, I'm coming.
	(Catherine knocks on the office door)
Catherine	Father?
Hermann	Catherine, come in, what a wonderful surprise. And John, good to see you.
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
John	Good to see you Sir.
Hermann	Please, It's Sunday, call me Hermann.
John	All right, Hermann.
Hermann	How did you know I was here?
Catherine	You're always here, besides the housekeeper confessed.
Hermann	Ah, well. You know, as I get older, I love to come here on Sundays, just to listen to the quiet. (hand to ear) No phone ringing.
Catherine	Well, speaking of getting older. Happy Birthday!
John	Happy Birthday, Hermann.
Hermann	Thank you, both of you. It's very good of you to remember, much less, to give me a present.
Catherine	Well open it.
Hermann	All right.
Catherine	It was John's idea. I hope you like it.
	(Hermann opens the package)
Hermann	Oh my word, it looks like our wedding day. But how? We didn't have any
	photographs of that time.
Catherine	John found a portrait artist, who talked to relatives about the setting, and then worked from every old photo I could find.
Hermann	Thank you, both. I am deeply touched.
Catherine	I'm glad you like it father, I'd stay longer but I have an appointment. In fact I'm already late, bye bye.
Hermann	Goodbye dear.
	(Catherine leaves)
Hermann	She was so beautiful that day. Sorry, can you stay a while?
	24
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
John	Sure, it is Sunday after all.
Hermann	Well, sit down.
John	Thanks, we've been pretty busy lately.
Hermann	This is true. (pause) I must say, I am overwelmed by this picture. It brings back so many memories.
John	I'm glad you like it. Happy memories, I hope.
Hermann	Oh, no, mostly sad, some happy. They're all mixed together. I remember that day we were married, we were going to be leaving our homeland a week later, such sadness, such hope. We left everything we knew and loved, hoping to find something better.
John	I can't imagine moving to another country, that must have been hard.
Hermann	I worked two jobs while starting this business in a strange country, and my dear wife worked up till the very day Catherine was born. I wish she could see her little girl today.
John	I'm sorry. My father died when I was quite young, but I still miss him sometimes. I wonder what he would think, if he could see me now.
Hermann	I am a father, and I can tell you with complete certainty, that he would be proud. I sometimes wish I had a son, someone to carry on the family business.
John	What about Catherine?
Hermann	Catherine? What do you mean?
John	She knows a lot about the business, she grew up with it.
Hermann	Catherine is very nice to me, she always sorts my mail, like when she was young, our little joke, and show's a polite interest in this old place, but she is busy with her own work, which I wish, (getting emotional) I wish she wouldn't work so hard. (thinking) No, I wouldn't want this for her, I want to protect her. (pause) It takes someone like me at the top... or maybe, someone like you.
John	Me?
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Hermann	Yes, you.
John	I started in the jobs program, you must be joking.
Hermann	I started with nothing, what's the difference.
John	Well there must be a difference, because I'm a foreman, and you own the place.
Hermann	Do you know why I have this company, why it has succeeded.
John	I don't know.
Hermann	I think... I was lucky.
John	That's it, that's the difference between us? Luck?
Hermann	Oh, I've worked very hard, and it didn't happen over night, but I have also been lucky, here and there, just enough.
John	Has the business always done well?
Hermann	No, the first few years were horrid. I can laugh now, but at the time it was far from funny. So many memories fade, back then all I could see was the future, now... the future doesn't hold as much for me now.
	(Song, If you were my son / Hermann, solo)
	26
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	If You Were My Son
	Words and music by
	Charles Sjolander © 1998
	(Solo/Hermann)
	Years I have seen, days without end it seems.
	Why do I work hard, if there's no one to teach.
	All of this to, someone like you, if only you were my son.
	My wife used to smile, in a way that made it all worth while.
	Now there's an emptiness, I cannot fill.
	And never will, years gone and still, I miss the way she smiled.
	I'm getting old I can see my life ending,
	But what will happen to all that I have made.
	Will it continue and shine with new glory,
	Or will it turn to dust and slowly fade.
	If you were my son, Oh how proud I would be.
	I'd teach you and share with you, all that I know.
	Watching you grow, to let the reigns go, If only I, had a son, like you.
	27
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 2, Scene 5 (at the Office, Catherine sitting at the desk, staring off into space)
John	I came as quickly as I could. What's up? (pause) Catherine, where's Hermann, what's going on?
Catherine	He's gone.
John	What do you mean? Where?
Catherine	He died this morning.
John	Oh my god.
Catherine	I meant to phrase it better... (starts to cry, and John holds her while she cries)
John	Catherine, is there anything I can do?
Catherine	I don't know, just hold me.
John	Okay, I will.
Catherine	I'm alone...
John	No, your not alone, I'm here.
Catherine	I know your here, but you're not my Father.
John	I know, I don't know what to say.
Catherine	Oh, I don't have time to cry anymore. I've got papers to go through, and I do much better when I'm busy.
John	Well, if you have to do them now, Can I at least help you with them?
Catherine	I don't know, just, stay here with me. (Catherine starts to leaf through the papers, John beside her)
John	Do you want me to make the arrangements or anything?
Catherine	No... I went on automatic when I heard, the funeral is Friday, it's all arranged. Karen, his housekeeper, contacted family and friends, lots of people coming that I've never even met. Karen's the one who called to say he had gone to the hospital... not feeling well I guess, I was about to
	28
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Catherine	go there when they called... to say that he... (Catherine starts to cry again, and John holds her)
John	Catherine, I wish there was more I could do.
Catherine	You can stand beside me at the funeral, and hold me up.
John	Of course I will.
Catherine	Now, I've got to get through these.
John	What is all this stuff?
Catherine	You won't believe it.
John	What?
Catherine	It's his will.
John	His will?
Catherine	Well part of it.
John	Part of it?!
Catherine	I have no idea how big the whole thing is. Apparently he was one of those people who adds something every week.
John	Aren't lawyers supposed to handle this sort of thing?
Catherine	They have, they've got sections and subsections. I called his lawyer this morning to check if he even had a will.
John	Boy does he ever.
Catherine	Tell me about it, anyways, we went over the main issues together, but he said there were some documents that he kept here at the office.
John	Some documents? (dead pan)
Catherine	I expected a page or two. I think I've got them organized now.
John	So what are these?
	29
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Catherine	Those are just notes to himself.
John	And that pile?
Catherine	Those are some request's, but they aren't signed or anything, so they'll probably get thrown out.
John	And door number three?
Catherine	These are all official looking stuff, with signatures, and witnesses, so I'm going through them more carefully. Look at this one, it's a trust fund or something. I don't recognize the name or anything about it.
John	Could be someone from back home.
Catherine	I guess so.
	(Catherine nods, and starts to cry, John holds her, she looks at papers again)
Catherine	Look at this, (laughing, exasperated) it's to start a foundation or something. Why couldn't he do this when he was alive?
John	I don't know. (shaking his head)
	(Catherine is reading something very intently)
Catherine	Oh my god.
John	What ?
Catherine	Well it's signed, and dated, and witnessed...
John	Catherine, what is it?
Catherine	It's a last request, and it's pretty recent.
John	Number, one hundred and two?
	(John kidding, but Catherine keeps getting more serious)
Catherine	Yeah, but it's signed, and dated...
John	You said that already, Catherine whats wrong ?
	30
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Catherine	Congratulations John.
John	What?
Catherine	Well, unless something somewhere else changes it, (pause) Hermann made you president of the company.
	31
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 3. Scene 1 (At office, John sitting at desk reading something, papers everywhere)
John	Good god, we went over that at the start of the project, I should have chosen someone else. Maybe if I move Parker over from the Brooks building... I shouldn't have taken it. it's too damn big.
	(Catherine comes in while he is thinking)
Catherine	Mail and a package, I sorted out the junk of course.
John	Just put it down, I'll get to it later.
Catherine	(looks around) Where?
John	On my lap, for Christ's sake! Anywhere! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't snap at you.
Catherine	Can I help?
John	Unless you can stop time, I don't think so.
Catherine	You look so tense. I could massage your shol....
John	I know you want to help, but being less tense isn't going to change reality. We're behind schedule on too many jobs, and I underbid on a huge one. I just need time to think.
Catherine	Maybe it will help you think, if you read your mail. (set's it in his lap)
John	(smiles faintly) Funny. Okay, I'll read my mail. Happy?
Catherine	I'll stop by at, lunch?
John	I don't think so today, maybe dinner.
Catherine	Well I'll stop by just in case.
John	All right, see you later, (already reading again)
Catherine	Yes, later. (Catherine leaves)
	(John starts reading another report, then throws the whole pile down in disgust.
	looks through mail and gets to package, opens it, and takes out his old writing
	notebook)
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	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
John	Oh my god, It's my old writing notebook, but I thought I gave it to James... (takes out a sheet of paper from the package, and reads it.) Aw Christ, James. I always meant to visit, and now I never can. God it's been years, what have I been doing? You're only two blocks away. (thinking) Just two blocks away... just two blocks away.
	(rushes out of office, taking the notebook with him, jogs over to the shelter.)
	(Song, I Was Free / John. solo)
	(after the song, John sits down on trash and starts looking through his old writing notebook)
	33
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	I Was Free
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
	(John, solo)
	(verse 1)
	I can no longer comprehend, sleeping in the dirt, cardboard for my home,
	the lonely streets to roam.
	I can no longer comprehend, garbage for my food, hiding from police...
	doing as I please.
	(Refrain)
	I was free, to go where I choose, nothing to lose, nothing to gain.
	I was free, to sit completely still, to sleep and wake at will, to enjoy the sun and rain.
	In this land of freedom, in this land of wonder,
	Some freedom's here are cursed, and mine was the worst, freedom from greed.
	In this land of freedom, in this land of wonder, is it any wonder,
	I strove to be rich, reached for the top, climbed up the hill, but then couldn't stop,
	but then couldn't stop.
	(verse 2)
	I can no longer comprehend, everything I was, is foreign now to me,
	I simply cannot see.
	I can no longer comprehend, clothing ripped and torn, looking like a crime...
	No one asking for my time.
	(verse 3)
	I can no longer comprehend...
	34
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 3, Scene 2 (at office, Catherine sitting at desk going through papers, John walks in)
Catherine	John, where the hell have you been ?
John	I went for a walk.
Catherine	Without telling anybody ? I came by at lunch, and no one knew where you were. I've been putting out fires and lying through my teeth ever since.
John	I want out of the company.
Catherine	What?
John	I resign.
Catherine	You can't. I mean, you can't be serious.
John	I can't do it anymore.
Catherine	Can't do what anymore?
John	Pretend I like (grabs some papers) this. (throws them up in the air)
Catherine	No one likes (grabs some papers and throws them up) this. We're in debt, behind on some jobs, things are bad right now, but it'll get better, it always has.
John	I don't want to... I ca...
Catherine	You need a break. It's been years since we left this place for more than a day or two, we need a vacation, a real vacation. What's the name of that place we went on our honeymoon, in France ?
John	I don't remember. Catherine...
	(Song, South Of France / Catherine and John, duet)
	(after song, John walks out)
	35
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	The South of France
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
	(Catherine and John)
Catherine	Can't we return to the south of France.
	Days filled with laughter and sweet romance.
	Our honeymoon was there, come with me if you still care.
	Can't we return to the south of France,
	Loosen up your shoulders, we could learn to dance.
	A prince out with his princess, darling won't you please say yes.
John	Throw it all away, throw it all away and join me,
	You are more than this, dressed up like a prize,
	While your spirit slowly dies.
	Throw it all away, shackles made of gold have bound me,
	We've wasted all this time, on an endless upward climb,
	Never noticing the skies.
	I cannot return to the south of France,
	I feel as if I've awakened from a deadly trance.
	Everything's so clear to me, and this is not what I want to be,
Catherine	Throw it all away, You'd throw it all away and leave me,
	This is who I am, this is where I live, all I have to give.
	Throw it all away, throw away our years together,
	Look at all we've done, who are you to shun, the paradise we live.
	Oh can't we return to the south of France,
	Surely you and I are worth a second chance.
	Both of us could rest a spell, darling everything will be well.
	(continued next page)
	36
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	(The South of France, continued)
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
John	Throw it all away.
Catherine	How can you keep saying that to me?
John	Throw it all away and join me.
Catherine	I can't believe what I'm hearing.
John	Why can't you leave this place, leave this foolish race.
Catherine	It's not foolish to me.
Catherine	Throw it all away.
John	I'm going now you can have the company.
Catherine	You'd throw it all away and leave me.
John	I'm sure you'll find someone to replace me.
Catherine	Everything I am, you don't seem to give a damn.
John	I just can't stay.
Together	Throw it all away.
	37
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	ACT 3, Scene 3 (John and Catherine meet on the street, near the office)
John	Do you have a minute, I mean will you talk to me ?
Catherine	I'm not the one who ran out John. (Catherine keeps walking, briskly)
John	I know, I'm sorry, (John keeping up) I blamed you, and I shouldn't have.
Catherine	(Catherine turns) Throw it all away, that's what you said. Well it's thrown, your done.
John	I just wanted to tell you that I didn't mean to hurt you.
Catherine	Well you did a mighty good job anyways.
John	I'm sorry, I got all worked up, and stormed out, and I didn't even tell you why.
Catherine	I'm listening.
John	A good friend of mine died, and I don't even know if he had a funeral.
Catherine	John, you idiot, why didn't you tell me? I kept wondering why, what happened.
John	I know, I went a little over the edge.
Catherine	Over the edge? I'm still reeling from losing my husband, and taking over a company, all in one day.
John	I know, I shouldn't have left, I...
Catherine	Why didn't you tell me? Who was it, your old friend?
John	I met him at the shelter. James was his name, he and I talked a lot. He was sort of like... well, a second father to me. He was a character... (Smiles, shakes his head)
Catherine	How did you find out?
John	A package came. When he died he left me an old notebook that I had given him years ago. full of short stories, essays, even part of a novel. It was like opening a time capsule, all sorts of memories...
	38
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Catherine	Wait a minute, James was a writer?
John	No, James used to be a stock broker. I think he just snapped one day.
Catherine	Sounds familiar. So who was the writer?
John	I was a writer.
Catherine	You were a writer?
John	Well a failed writer, at least I thought so at the time.
Catherine	John, we've been together for years, you never wrote more than a memo...
John	I thought I had failed as a writer, so I left it behind, went on with my life. But when I got the notebook, I was stunned, the stories were good.
	A lot of my assumtions started to fall apart. I missed james, and the simple life we had back then.
Catherine	So you want to go live at the shelter?
James	No, that's all I could think of at the time, just getting out.
Catherine	Well you're out, all right. I told everyone I fired you.
John	You what?
Catherine	Firing your husband holds a certain prestige, I've found out, Things are running very smoothly right now.
John	They are, How? I mean, I expected you to be angry with me for leaving you with that place, and now I find out you sacked me.
Catherine	I'm still angry with you, not because of the business, but because you didn't talk to me about it, you just stormed out.
John	I'm sorry about that, I really am.
Catherine	I know, and I would be angrier if I wasn't... so happy running the company.
John	Happy? Wait a minute, you said things were going well at the company? We were in debt, overbid, and behind on some huge jobs. What did you do?
	39
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
Catherine	I gave away the two largest jobs, to larger firms.
John	You what? That's suicide, they're our competition.
Catherine	Our competition, have known my father for years. They thanked me for the work, and gave us some small jobs, they didn't know what to do with.
John	That's amazing? What about the debt's?
Catherine	Those will take a little longer to iron out, But we're a lot healthier than we were three days ago.
John	You're amazing.
Catherine	Well it's my turn to tell you something I should have long ago.
John	You're not married to someone else are you?
Catherine	No!
John	'Cause I don't think I could handle that right now.
Catherine	You're the only one I'm married to, now hush.
John	Okay, sorry.
Catherine	Since I was little, I've wanted to run my Father's business, but it never even occured to him. I think he spent most of his life...
Unison	Waiting for a son.
Catherine	Sometimes I'd find myself waiting for him to die, and I'd feel so guilty. Then when he did die, and made you president, I just couldn't bring myself to question his dying wish.
John	I remember the shock, when you told me I was President,
Catherine	Well, think of me. Hermann had just died and then I found that document, all signed and legal.
John	I should have run out then.
Catherine	I'm glad you didn't, I needed you then probably more than I ever will again. I've missed you these last few days.
	40
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
John	I missed you too. We're still married aren't we?
Catherine	As far as I'm concerned, we are.
John	So, what do we do now?
Catherine	Well, my struggling writer, we negotiate your termination, of course.
John	Gee thanks.
Catherine	Well, your definitely not coming back to the company, your fired.
John	Oh, I don't want to go back there, I meant personally.
Catherine	Well I don't know, it'll all work out somehow, won't it?
John	If we both want it to.
Catherine	Which we do.
John	Then I guess it will.
	(Song, This Wonderful Feeling Inside /Catherine and John, duet)
	41
	Every Man's Dream
	a Musical
	This Wonderful Feeling Inside
	Words and Music by
	Charles Sjolander, © 1998
	(Catherine and John)
Catherine	What are we doing here, just like so long ago,
	Starting again, and where it will end,
	I'd have to say I really don't know.
John	What are we doing here, how will our lives unfold,
	Each step we take, may be a mistake,
	But at least we have someone to hold.
	At least I'll have your hand to hold.
Catherine	It may be difficult at first, friends will worry for our future,
	But each day I feel so sure, together you and I belong.
John	I feel excited and afraid, starting again feels daring,
	But I know well keep sharing, this wonderful feeling inside,
Harmony	This wonderful feeling inside, this wonderful feeling,
	This wonderful feeling inside.
Catherine	I look toward the future and smile
John	With you beside me, never again to be hiding
Harmony	This wonderful feeling inside, this wonderful feeling,
	This wonderful feeling inside.
	The End
	42