Living Colors

The chapter "Living Colors" is divided into the three segments listed below. Read the segments in the order they are listed. You can go to the segments by clicking the red hyperlinks below.

When the song "Onstage" ends, the live action continues. The show at the Palace has ended with the song "Onstage" and Josh and his band come to the front of the stage to take a bow and thank the crowd. They pass around a bottle of bourbon and throw guitar picks, drum sticks, cassettes and other rock paraphernalia into the crowd. Women cast members in the audience go crazy and attempt to get onstage but are prevented from doing so by security. The band members then kneel down, talk with security and point out the girls they want to join them backstage. With the help of the bouncers, these girls are lifted up onstage and they hang all over the band drinking and joining in on the celebration. As the lights onstage begin to dim and eventually fade out, everyone except Joshua leaves the stage.

Joshua: (Alone on the darkened stage with a spotlight focused on him, Joshua continues to revel in his adoring audience and looks upward raising a bottle of bourbon into the air.) It doesn't get any better than this. Nothing can stop me now! (After Joshua completes this sentence, the word "now" echoes and will continue to do so until Joshua leaves the stage. After a few echoes, Joshua turns around and begins walking towards the back of the stage with the spotlight fixed on him. As soon as he is offstage and no longer in sight, the live action ends, the echoing stops and video begins to play on the video screens set up on each side of the stage. In the video, we see Joshua join his band, the band's manager Les, his pregnant girlfriend Darlene, some record executives, the road crew and numerous friends backstage).

Friends: (The friends are giving Josh and the band "high-fives", shaking their hands, patting them on the back, yelling and offering them drinks.) You guys kicked some butt tonight. Here's to the next supergroup. This is the best you've ever sounded man. Madison Square Garden is next! Listen to them, they love you!

Les: Josh, Josh could you and the boys come over here. I want to introduce you to some people. (Joshua, Darlene and the band walk over to Les who is with a couple of record executives.) Josh, this is Terry Johnson and John Williams from Sunset Records.

Terry: Likewise, John and I were just telling Les that we haven't seen a more promising new band in ten to fifteen years. You're an exceptional talent. I honestly believe you might be the rock n' roll hero of the 21st century.

John: Well gentlemen, we like to put our money where our mouth is. We've briefly discussed with Les the terms of a contract we'd like to offer you. Sunset Records would like to sign you to a multi-album deal which would include a sizeable budget for videos. This deal would be comparable with that of other top bands that are already well established in the industry. Plus we'll kick in a million dollar signing bonus. (Upon hearing this, the band and everyone in the area is celebratory and ecstatic. However, Josh appears solemn and unenthused).

Terry: A deal like this is unprecedented for a new act. You guys are something special and we don't want to lose you to another label. Congratulations guys. (The band says a collective "thank you" and shakes hands with Terry and John.) Les, you've got my card. Please call my office first thing Monday morning so we can hammer out the details of the contract and make arrangements for its signing.

Les: No problem, I'll see you Monday. Thanks a lot. (Les shakes the executives hands).

Les: What a night! Let's party! We've got all the catered food you can eat and all the alcohol you can drink. (Les puts his arm around Josh and looks into his face.) Josh what the hell is wrong? This should be one of the happiest days of your life and you're acting like someone just died.

Joshua: Nothing is wrong man. I'm in a state of shock. I thought we might get a record deal but not one as big as this. It's going to take a little while to sink in.

Les: (Motioning towards the party backstage) Are you going to join us?

Joshua: Yeah, I'll be there in a little while. I need to talk to Darlene.

Les: Don't take too long because we've got a lot of partying to do. (Les and Josh shake hands and Josh half-heartedly smiles. Les then leaves and goes to the party backstage leaving Josh and Darlene alone).

Joshua: Babe, let's step outside for a few minutes. (With their arms wrapped around each other, Josh and Darlene go outside).

Darlene: (Once outside, Darlene stands in front of Josh and holds his hands.) Joshua, please tell me what's wrong. You can fool them but I know you better. There is something bothering you.

Joshua: I don't know what it is. I just don't feel right. Les is right, my dreams are coming true and I should feel like I'm on top of the world. All the riches of the world are at my fingertips but I have an empty feeling inside like none of this even matters. I've got to get out of here right now. Tell the guys something came up and ask Les to give you a ride home.

Joshua: No baby, I really need to be alone. Just go home, relax and take care of our child. (Josh moves his hand over Darlene's pregnant stomach.) Don't worry, everything will be o.k.. This isn't the end of the world.

Joshua: I love you too. (They hug and kiss one another.) Don't worry, I'll call you as soon as I get home. (Darlene goes back into the club and Josh walks to the parking lot. On the way, he is stopped by a man handing out Christian tracts).

Joshua: (Rolling his eyes into his head and speaking sarcastically) Yeah, he's lived at my house for the last 19 years. Look man, save your preaching for someone else I'm not interested.

Man: No problem, it's your choice.-(The man walks away. Joshua then gets into his truck and places the Christian tract on the passenger seat. He starts the truck and turns on his car stereo. At that exact moment, a instrumental song that is performed live and the videotaped segment "The Rapture" begin to play).

The video segment "The Drive" is the continuation of the prior video uninterrupted as Joshua leaves the Palace(club) in his truck. "The Drive" is set to a live instrumental song entitled "The Drive" that plays for the duration of this video segment. During the drive, Joshua observes numerous references to Christ which are a forewarning signaling something momentous is about to happen. In the beginning of this video segment, Joshua leaves the Palace(club) after his encounter with the Christian man in the parking lot and drives down Hollywood Blvd.. As he travels down the Blvd., the camera shots show the sites of Hollywood(The Walk of Fame, tatoo shops, nightclubs, the people etc.). The camera also focuses on a group of Christians witnessing on a corner, posters announcing a Christian concert, a billboard with a Christian message on it and a transient with an evil look on his face who is flashing the sign of the devil and yelling at motorists. When Joshua observes these different scenes, he looks like he is in deep thought, appears troubled and glances at the Christian tract on the passenger seat. The tract says "Don't wait, tomorrow may be too late." "ACCEPT CHRIST NOW!" As Joshua continues to drive, he gets on the freeway and sees a banner hanging from an overpass that says "Jesus Lives." Still on the freeway, Joshua passes a church bus full of teenagers. The youth inside put their Bibles against the window and point upward. Once again Joshua looks at the tract. He gets off the freeway and drives through a residential area. Pastor Gary and his family pull up beside him, wave and say hello. As Joshua continues to drive, he passes a Christian church that has a sign announcing Easter sunrise services and he looks at the tract again.

Finally, Joshua is driving in the mountains and goes by a water reservoir and painted on it is "He who believes in Me shall never thirst." When he looks at the tract this time, Joshua becomes visibly angry, grabs the tract and throws it out the window. He then pulls off the main road to an area that overlooks the city. He gets out of his truck with a guitar and a bottle of bourbon, and heads towards a large rock. As he approaches the rock, Joshua sees the phrase "Christ, the Rock of Salvation" written on it. He grins, shakes his head and looks upward with a sneer as if to say leave me alone. He climbs atop the rock and lights up a cigarette looking down at the city below. The bottle of bourbon rests at his side and the guitar in his lap. At this point, the instrumental "The Drive" and the video segment "The Drive" end. Immediately thereafter, we switch back to a live theatre format. The stage and auditorium are dark, and the stage is set up as shown in the 3-D model pictured below. The desired effect is that this live segment would appear to pick up where the video of Josh in "The Drive" left off. Joshua is sitting atop the rock onstage holding his guitar and a bottle of bourbon, and is looking down at the city below. A haunting wind howls and Joshua's hair blows about as he smokes a cigarette. At this point, the audience is cued to lift up different colored pieces of fluorescent tubing that were handed out prior to the show. Thus the audience becomes the city lights in this live segment. Joshua then begins to play the guitar which eventually leads into the next song "Living Colors." It's exactly midnight on Saturday when Joshua witnesses the Rapture from atop the rock in the song "Living Colors."

With guitar on a mountain on a cold black night
The colors of the city lights shined bright
The brown tint of bourbon sparkled in the moonlight
It was the last day he would see in black and white

He saw a rainbow of colors amidst the tiny white stars
In disbelief he dropped his metallic guitar
Christ came for his people like a thief in the night
Those left behind faced a colorless plight

Tragic orange fireworks lit up the evening sky
Pilotless planes like wounded birds cannot fly
Vehicles vacated as God's children went home
Carnage devoured the highways, blood polished the chrome

Sirens; red, white and blue danced on each street
As smoke and flames rose to a somber beat
This rainbow was not born of the rain and sun
But rather through death and destruction

The colorblind people were dazed and confused
Their souls black and blue and seriously abused
Thieves in the night looted bronze, silver and gold
Only a sketch of what was about to unfold

Hope Street now shrouded in gray
His face a pale white for he knew of this day
T.V. colors danced in the living room
The empty chair echoed the doom and gloom

The remnants of his own gone in an instant
The familiar surroundings seemed so distant
Colors blurred as his brown eyes filled with tears
Missed mom's Christian blue eyes of all these years

When the vocalist starts to sing the sixth set of lyrics in the song "Living Colors", video begins to play on the video screens once again. The video and the dialogue in it are coordinated with the music and the words of the song as shown below. It's now about 1:00 A.M. Sunday morning.

This line in the song marks the beginning of this particular video segment. As the vocalist sings this line, we see Joshua speed around the corner on to Hope Street and come to a screeching halt in his driveway. He jumps out of his truck and runs to the front door.

Joshua: (During this line, we see Joshua burst through the front door. The camera zooms in for a close-up shot of Josh's face at the exact moment the vocalist sings the words "pale white." Josh is pale, sweating profusely, and looks scared and frightened. Joshua screams loudly) Mom, dad, mom, dad! Where are you?

Joshua: (Joshua hears the T.V. and looking somewhat relieved heads for the living room.) Hey dad, what are you watching?

Joshua: (As he approaches his dad's recliner, Joshua sees only his father's clothes in the chair. A Christian videotape about the book of Revelation is playing on the television. Josh picks up the remote, shuts off the tape and shakes his head in disbelief.) This can't be happening, this just can't be happening!

Joshua: (Hearing a blow dryer in his parent's room, he runs into the bedroom with a smile and a look of hope in his face.) Mom, is it o.k. if I come in? Mom, can I come in?

Joshua: (Upon hearing no response, Joshua enters the bathroom, finds a deserted blow dryer and his eyes begin to well up with tears. He then walks back into the living room and talks to himself.) I still don't believe it, I can't believe it. Maybe Dawn has some answers. (At this point in the video, Josh picks up and hits the remote to turn on the T.V. in the living room. At that moment, the video and the song "Living Colors" end and the stage goes dark. Shortly thereafter, the live theatre segment "The Rapture Newscast" begins).

Announcer: (The live theatre segment "The Rapture Newscast" begins with a bulletin from the public address announcer.) We interrupt our regular scheduled programming to bring you this live special report from UNN. Now here is Dawn Rivers from Los Angeles. (Following this announcement, the lights onstage come on and the stage has been transformed into a T.V. news station).

Dawn: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm reporting to you live concerning the events that have taken place in the last hour of which I'm sure most of you are aware. Reports are coming in from the L.A. area, the rest of the country and worldwide as evidenced by these satellite feeds. (News anchors from different countries are seen on the video screens reporting events caused by the Rapture.) Reports state that millions of people are dead or missing, planes are falling from the sky for no apparent reason and automobile accidents cover the streets. The situation is so bad in many areas that UNN has been informed by various police and fire spokesmen that they lack the necessary resources to deal with an emergency of this magnitude. Additionally, hospital spokesmen tell UNN that virtually all the hospitals in the area are filled to capacity and there is a shortage of medical personnel to treat all the injured. One last note before we go live to Scott Marier in Hollywood. Some people claim a religious event called the Rapture explains the disappearance of all the people and thus these catastrophic events. Following Scott's report, we will discuss this with noted theologian Dr. Adrian Beck. Now let's go to Scott Marier somewhere in the City of Angels for a live report. Scott, this is Dawn, where exactly are you and what's it like out there?

Scott: (At this moment, Scott appears on the video screens. He is on a residential street where there is a small gathering of people and a wrecked automobile. In the distance, fire and smoke can be seen and sirens heard.) We're a couple miles east of Hollywood Blvd., just north of the 101, in a small residential neighborhood. I was on Hollywood Blvd. and had hoped to bring you this report live from there but the situation is much too dangerous. There is widespread looting, vandalism and random violence throughout the city. Law enforcement agencies urge the public to stay off the streets and may impose a statewide curfew at any moment. The National Guard has just begun to arrive at various locations throughout the city. The scene is unbelievable! Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars fill the streets and there are accidents as far as the eye can see. Fires are burning out of control everywhere and the city looks like hell itself. As you reported Dawn, there is a lack of personnel and resources and some of the accident victims have been left unattended. The L.A. riots of 1992 were only a minor protest compared to this. The people are in a state of shock and confusion and look dumbfounded. This is a tragedy of monumental proportions! All this pain and suffering!

Dawn: Scott, has anyone you've talked to given you any type of explanation of what might have caused all this to happen?

Scott: I'm being told that people are disappearing. Many of the wrecked automobiles have no drivers. A group of baseball fans I spoke to told me that some players vanished from the field and fans disappeared from the stands. Hopefully to shed some light on this matter, I have with me a few eyewitnesses who saw some of these events take place. First let's talk to Jill Maxwell. Jill, what did you see take place tonight?

Jill: (Jill comes into view and stands next to Scott.) I'm not sure myself. My husband and I were walking down Hollywood Blvd. after taking in a movie and were approached by a group of those born again Christian fanatics. They held out their hands to give us some religious booklets and they disappeared into thin air. Right after that, I looked into the street and numerous cars went out of control and one headed straight towards us. We had to jump to escape being hit and the car crashed into one of the stores. One lady was killed and when we went to help the driver nobody was in the car. I know all this sounds crazy but that's what happened.

Scott: Thank you Mrs. Maxwell. (Jill moves out of the picture.) Now I would like to...(At this point, Scott is interrupted by Dawn).

Dawn: I was wondering and I'm sure our viewers are interested in knowing what happened to that car behind you.

Scott: I was just going to discuss that. I have with me Brett Willis who has a fascinating story to share with our viewers. You were telling me earlier that you know the people who were involved in this accident.

Brett: Yes, the car belonged to Gary Tangeman, a neighbor of mine who lived in that house. (Brett points to a house which can be seen in the background.) Gary was the pastor at the Rock Christian Center in Hollywood.

Brett: (Brett points to his house which is behind him.) I was on my front porch and Gary drove by with his family. He honked his horn and waved to me. Right after that, the car went out of control and crashed into that telephone pole. (Brett points to the pole and car and the camera focuses on these objects.) I ran to see if anybody was hurt and there was nobody in the car. Only their clothes were on the seats.

Scott: (Skeptical) So you think the they vanished into thin air? You're absolutely sure they didn't leave the scene before you got to the car?

Brett: I'm telling you what I saw and I assure you there is no possible way they could have left that car without me seeing them. Take a look inside the car for yourself.

Scott: (Talking to his cameraman) Bob, can you get a shot of the inside of the car. (Scott and Bob move towards the car and the camera scans the inside of the car showing the abandoned clothes.) What can I say, I'm at a loss for words. Thank you very much for talking with us Mr. Willis.

Scott: I must add that other eyewitness accounts are very similar to these. Could tonight get any crazier? (At this point, the revving of an engine and the screeching of tires is heard, and a truckload of rioters comes into view. Shots are fired and all the people in the area including Scott dive to the ground.) Dawn, Dawn...(Scott's voice and the footage on the video screens go dead).

Dawn: Scott, Scott can you hear me? (pause) Apparently, we've lost contact with Scott. I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope they are all right. We will get back to Scott as soon as possible. What a night! What dramatic footage! Now let's talk to theologian Dr. Adrian Beck, close friend and religious advisor of Dr. Matthew Gold and leader of the powerful United World Church, who joins us via satellitte from Rome. (At this point, Dawn looks back at one of the two video screens and Dr. Beck appears on the screens). Welcome Dr. Beck.

Dawn: First of all, is there any supernatural explanation to account for the events that have taken place tonight?

Dr. Beck: As you've heard, some people believe an event known as the Rapture has caused all this upheaval.

Dawn: Dr. Beck, can you explain further and give us some insight about this event known as the Rapture?

Dr. Beck: Sure, the Rapture is an event discussed in the New Testament of the Bible in the book of 1 Thessalonians. According to some people's interpretation of this scripture, Jesus Christ will supernaturally take both dead and living Christians into heaven. This in turn is supposed to mark the onset of the Tribulation Period which is the last seven years of man's existence preceeding the second coming of Christ.

Dawn: So what you're saying is the Rapture has occurred and Christians throughout the world have been taken into heaven. This would explain the disappearance of the people and thus the catastrophic events which have taken place tonight.

Dr. Beck: (With skepticism in his voice) Yes, if you believe that scenario.

Dawn: Dr. Beck, being such a learned religious leader, I'm sure many people are interested in your personal opinion on this matter. What do you believe?

Dr. Beck: I don't believe any such event such as the Rapture has occurred. This belief about the Rapture comes from an extreme fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible that takes all the Christian scriptures literally. I don't believe the writings of the Bible and the other great religious texts should be taken literally. They all contain stories that are symbolic and seek to teach moral lessons for the good of mankind. Furthermore Dawn, within the past hour, I have talked to some of my friends who happen to be Christian ministers of various denominations. They are very religious people and they're still here. Surely, a loving God would not leave these people behind. I'm sure there will be a rational explanation for all that has happened.

Dr. Beck: Thank you for having me.-(At this point, the video screens go blank and Dawn turns back around so that she is facing the audience).

Dawn: This just in, Dr. Matthew Gold and his organization have already taken steps to deal with tonight's worldwide disaster. We have been informed that Dr. Gold will make a worldwide address very shortly and of course UNN will bring it to you live. That concludes our report. We will continue to update you on tonight's tragedy. I'm Dawn Rivers for the Universal News Network.-(At this point, the lights onstage go off and this live segment has concluded. Shortly thereafter, the videotaped segment "Alive" begins to play on the two video screens as we move to the next chapter in this musical which is "Alive").