Twenty-Something (Show Version)

from Tales from the Bad Years

VOICES
Ooh ah.

RACHEL
Nothing’s standing in my way.
I’ve got a job.
Sort of.
Well, I’m temping.
But I pay my own rent.
Well, half the mortgage.
Dad says, “Why would I rent
When it’s a good investment?”

Everything is working out.
I’ve got a lot of range,
And a plan.
First, get a real job.
Worst case, I’ll work at Whole Foods,
I’m not a snob.
No matter what, I’m gonna change the world.
It’s the generation twenty-something ascending.

We might be young,
We might be poor,
But we know we deserve much more
Than what our parents have.
And we will not conform.
Or settle down.
Like, that’s not the plan.
Like, why shouldn’t I be twenty-something
While I still can? 

ONE VOICE
This is it, this what’s hot.

RACHEL
Everything is set in motion.

ONE VOICE
It’s your moment.
It’s your decade.

RACHEL
Just the notion that
I’m finally living my own life.
I’ll rent some cars,
Smoke pot,
Have a boyfriend.
I’ll prove to myself
And to my brother,
I am cooler than him.
I’m out living
While he’s practically married
In his mid-twenties malaise,
He needs to...
Raise a glass
To the generation twenty-something ascending.
No matter what,
No matter how,
No matter if we know it:
Now is when we get our way.
Tomorrow starts today.

I will not turn twenty-four
And look back, wanting more.
I’m twenty-something.
It’s time to soar.

VOICES
(various and overlapping)
This is it.
This what’s hot.
It’s your moment.
It’s your decade.
But you’re only twenty-something
Til you’re not.
Hurry up.
Do it now.
If you don’t,
If you blink,
Then it’s over.

Don’t think about tomorrow,
There’s enough to do today.
I’m young, smart, on my way.
This is my day.
You blinked.
You’re not twenty-something.

ALL
(in unison)
I’m young, smart, on my way.
This is my day.
You blinked.
You’re not twenty-something.
Raise a glass
To the generation
Twenty-something ascending.
We might be young,
We might be poor,
But we know we deserve much more...

RACHEL
Than what our parents had.
Just give me one good shot.
I won’t wait for someone to say the door’s open.
‘Cause my heart’s pounding.
My will is unbroken.
I am twenty-something
And that’s a lot.

Raise a glass to twenty-something
When at last you’re twenty-something,
‘Cause you’re only twenty-something
Til you’re not.