“BETTER BE READY”
RIO
SCENE FOURTEEN
“BETTER BE READY”
In a shadowy alley near the Copacabana strip, below the Pinnacle Restaurant building,
a gang enforcer is escorting Waterbug to the scene of his exchange.
In G min.
Enforcer You better be ready, there’s your contact walk-in’ round
There’s his signal, don’t let Tamanero down.
If you get lucky, in no time you’ll be like me!
(shows his arms) I get discounts, all the drugs I use for free.
WB Am I over my head in this business?
(Eb,F, Gm) Is this truly my destiny?
Now I’ve gotten what my mouth has asked for,
but is this what I’m yearning to be?
In G# min.
Enforcer You better be ready, check for cops along the beach
Keep your silence, switch your bag within his reach.
If there is trouble, run away with the bag in hand.
If you’re captured, you never saw me, understand?
John and Helena walk out of the building on to the beach.
Helena John, I Had such a wonderful evening!
(E,F#,G#) And I feel this is only the start.
There’s a world all around me we missed in the past
The world that lies deep in my heart….
In A min (faster) Waterbug starts to make the exchange.
John (sees WB) Hey kid, up to your old tricks I see.
Watch him mister,
Enforcer (spoken) It’s not your business
John ‘cause he also stole from me.
Sargeant What’s the problem?
WB I don’t know this man at all!
Sargeant What are you hiding?
Policeman Well it looks like quite a haul.
Policeman This scumbag is all too familiar
(F,G,A) We’ve been waiting for this rendezvous.
Sargeant Well Captain Carvalho will love this, (exclaims “Indeed”)
You’ve got Tamanero’s nephew!
In Bb
Enforcer No way! Drop your guns or prepare to die.
Sargeant Go to hell man!
Enforcer (yells) I’ll take you with me!
Policeman Then together we can fry!
Shooting commences as music continues.
Gb, Ab, Bb
WB Take me with you
John Don’t know where I’m going
WB Take me with you!
Helena I’ll show you the way!
WB Take me with you!
Helena We’ll try to protect you
But you’ve got to be willing to change
Helena & John Gotta Change
Bmin
As fighting continues, John and Helena and Waterbug start to slip away, in the shadows.
They hide in a back alley, as police keep shooting at the Enforcer. Police 1 is shot and killed. The nephew (exchange contact) is shot and wounded. The Enforcer is shot while escaping.
In B min. John, Helena, and Waterbug continue to run away.
Dialog:
John We better split up! I’ll need to explain things to the police.
Helena I’ll take the boy to my apartment, we’ll hide there.
John Watch him, he’s not to be trusted.
Helena John, he’s just a boy, and he is scared. I am not afraid.
She gives him a quick, but meaningful parting kiss.
John is slightly stunned.
No, I am not afraid.
She and WB run off.
The music accelerates to Cm, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#,A Bb,C, C#, D,D# (hold)
Guitar slides from E to A to begin “Rio” song, Scene 12 continuation.
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