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The Box (2011)

by Ian Gordon

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1.
Opening 02:46
"Jason sits before a flickering television in a shady bedsit. A loner, he has all but given up on life. Unbeknownst to him, his fragile grip on reality is about to slip." - Philosophical debate - Chat Show Host ...it's like the world you used to know When mother earth she opened your eyes Some things have changed and some things remain the same But all too soon we lose those eyes The warmth of ignorance no longer clouds our minds The veil of truth begins to descend Over those eyes Narrator The man in the chair he is closing his eyes Thinking about the youth he left behind It's funny how things change and some things remain the same Chat Show Host And all too often our children die We lose that infant feeling We never say goodbye Narrator The veil of truth is about to descend Over his eyes - Blackout -
2.
"Jason finds himself in total darkness. As bizarre imagery manifests itself on an inexplicable screen, an indistinct voice prepares him for a journey of sorts." Narrator Jason he currently isn't here Forced to face his silent fears The man has lost his refuge and his sentiment His scatty bedsit gone The life he lived undone Onto worlds unknown he's on his own Time to be moving on The demon has called its victim Remember the ones you love Your journey has just begun Shaking his head in dismay Ghosts from the past they surround him today And many painful memories still remain Time to be moving on The demon has called its victim Remember the ones you love Your journey has just begun
3.
- Waking - "Once again Jason's surroundings are stripped away, revealing a vast street littered with cars and inanimate bodies." Narrator The streets of New Babylon Where towering ancient buildings dominate all A silence worthy of kings' company Here awakens a nervous Jason all alone There are hundreds of people Each caressing the road Surrounding him a world so incredibly sublime As his focus shifts to darkening skies - Theme of New Babylon - Narrator A simple explanation would be welcomed here But the man within the picture is ignored Lifeless and deserted are the city streets The people on the ground are dead Monday it had always been an ignorant day Jason used to wish himself away His wish came true? Climbing to his feet he's eager to explore The people of the city unaware Confusing is the place he's come to occupy And sinister its content seems to be Seven towering buildings touch the motionless cloud As the road it twists and turns and stretches out Into what? Motorcars; twisted limbs; fast food stands; broken bones Everything here is so empty of life and the plot it has yet to unfold The city lacking conscience maybe lacked too much The fate it had invited was despair Jason Where am I? Narrator Market halls; shopping malls; record stores; and so much more Everything here is so empty of life and the plot it has yet to unfold - The Book Store - Narrator Approaching a book store he sees something strange in the window Standing behind it a mannequin clutches old paper Inward he dashes and quickly unfurls it, he's shaking "For Jason... not to be opened until Christmas!" His father passed away so long ago The gift it spoke of never made it home (made it home) Jason (vocal panned to the right) I didn't want you to go And I would do just anything to see your face No, I didn't want to let go Yes I would do just anything to see your face Narrator Elegantly poisoned, yes his father slipped away What better way to hurt someone, to tear someone apart? A letter, a simple letter, the only thing he left behind A note to make the angels weep and the devils cry His mother never really let him go The letter fuelled her anguish furthermore Jason No, I didn't want you to go And I would do just anything to see your face No, I didn't want to let go Yes I would do just anything for you - Funeral march - "Jason recalls a ditty his father used to sing." A Sailor's Song One went to and two went fro Toward the sea that they'll soon know To seek the truth in stormy skies To say goodbye to their old lives
4.
"Entering a large square, Jason is met by strange objects and eccentric townsfolk. A large gargoyle above the square announces an 'end of times' before initiating a celebration on the square." Narrator Hazy lights are shining As a square before him opens Emptiness it leaves him And faces they surround him Memories of the circus Candy floss and cider A statue stands before them Welcoming and golden Gargoyle Statue Dance, dance your lives away For this is the end Time to leave today So drink, drink till you sway The last time's today Narrator Silently he's poised now Marching men they enter Clowns equipped with laughter Surround him with their nonsense Gargoyle Statue Dance, dance your lives away For this is the end Time to leave today So drink, drink till you sway The last time's today - A clown encounter - "Several menacing looking clowns surround Jason and address him directly." Blue-faced Clown We have been waiting to spring this upon you Masking your fear was the start So much of your person is lost in your wisdom You must learn to open your heart All you will see is inevitably Drawn from a picture inside An outer portrayal of your future resides In this madness to which you're confined - Clown dance - Narrator Jason rooted to the spot The circus is on the move A drop of rain descends from the sky The lights are lacklustre and dim The people are missing The square is devoid As the statue points Into darkness
5.
The Theatre 07:29
- A greeting - "Beyond the gargoyle statue, Jason happens upon a giant theatre. Observing seven paintings in the foyer, a short fellow in a black tuxedo greets him." The Greeter Welcome to The Theatre. Today's exhibition, "Manifestation". Before viewing the main exhibition, please take a moment to appreciate the seven paintings before you in the foyer... Narrator The greeter dissolves and he stands alone Eyes on the seven paintings Each host to a meadow in the Sun Familiar greens and birds in the sky The Greeter Go on into The Theatre Go on into The Theatre Walk on into The Theatre Feel it within The Theatre Narrator Searching for the truth But evading him is truth A bathroom door reads 'Enter here, see the painting Manifestation' (my bathroom door?) Nervously cautious he approaches the frame He's eager to look within The Greeter Go on into The Theatre Go on into The Theatre Walk on into The Theatre Feel it within The Theatre Narrator Searching for the truth But evading him is truth Stepping inside, the hall is beautifully wide And the elegant gods are towering The grandeur within reaches inside And rattles his beating heart Jason I'm sure that I arrived on my own But now I sense that I'm no longer alone A presence so unnerving is here Its eyes are on my back now I fear It's behind me... - First encounter - "Jason senses a presence in the rear gods above him. A shrouded figure stands there, looking down toward the stage." Narrator Turning his head now he looks to the rafters A figure is standing above in the gods There a black overcoat masks his reticent shape And a dark trilby hat cloaks his eyes and his face Hidden eyesight, stares through Jason Down toward the painting stage bound Beckoning him Down the aisle he quickly strolls Unaware of what awaits The painting sits upon the stage It lives to entertain Climbing up onto the stage to look it in the eye A thousand questions cross his mind without the reasons why The painting it reveals a landscape The same he'd seen before But then the colours start to fade and a cityscape is born A hidden picture comes to life before his very eyes Before the colours fade again - Leaving - Jason I feel bizarre I feel unearthly I've witnessed things I didn't believe in before Narrator Bewildered and bemused He leaves The Theatre now And wanders through a harbour to a waterside Six boats await him there
6.
"The harbour beyond The Theatre is small and quiet. As Jason approaches the waterside, a wall of mist manifests to his rear. It is to follow him for some time." Narrator A seventh boat just the left the waterside And Jason is contemplating sailing The sea is still and mist it creeps behind The seventh has travelled far into the fog Soon enough he boards the farthest boat His revelation on the ocean? What could be waiting in depths of night? He steers into darkness on the crest of a wave Water is still Calm as he sails Fog damply clings To everything The silence of the ocean Offers time to think Reflecting on the hours before His life it seems is at stake Slowly the waves they start to rise in height The fog in its thickness tries its best to disguise The changes occurring under mighty seas The ocean is tilting, it is no longer flat Shifting angles Flowing water The sea behind him It's slowly inclining Encroaching upon him The boat is sliding Out of control Into the deep dark depths The ship is sliding faster and faster like a sledge down a muddy hill What a time to recall his childhood, comparing fear to a quick cheap thrill The vertical limit is so close, where the slide it turns to a fall And the memories of a thousand years come knocking, knocking at your door - A Thousand Years - "Jason recalls forgotten memories. As a result he begins to understand cause and effect, and how pessimism is often just optimism in disguise." Narrator Regressed beyond his life unto a life he lived before Upon a watery ocean floating far away from shore The raft is sticks and stones Embedded, a bathroom door (my bathroom door?) Jason Maybe if I turn the handle I will meet my maker Narrator Opening the door he stares into what seems to be A window in the doorway and a sky it lies beneath Jason In I climb to see - Between realities - "Reality is in the eye on the beholder." Jason A mirror image of the ocean I was sailing on this morning This relates to something I am meant to understand I believe that this is meant to help me on my way The coin I flip will always land heads up for me today A mirror image of the ocean I was sailing on this morning This relates to something I am meant to understand Narrator Soon the sky above it falls He's quickly whisked away Returning to the silent waters Bobbing in the waves - Docked - Narrator Strangely the boat rocks comfortably The seventh boat docked up ahead Its passenger has gone Jason turns his head to see A vertical wall of water As tall as the eye can see
7.
Solutions 07:35
Narrator Somewhere it is written That only a fool Would try to explore a world beyond reality A fool would be wise To miss its highs - Gestures - "Jason hikes into dense woodland. Before long he encounters a band of dwarves, the head of which, Brian, is eager to converse with him." Narrator Leaving the dock Only woodland can be seen A winding pathway from the dock into the trees it leads A fool would be wise To step inside And seconds before, Jason saw someone Who quickly crept into the trees and was gone Now he is to assume that he must follow Into those woods The night has fallen on the withered trees The moon is shining through the space between A presence warming is apparent here All is silent there's no need to fear Darkness gathers Light unseen Distant figures Shapeless trees A flame it flickers in the distant breeze A figure wanders through the glare unseen A man of wisdom pursuing Jason takes him by the hand Off the beaten track he is to lead Dwarf Come with me You'll want to see All the things we need to show you You need to understand Come with me and join my people Sit beside the fire Narrator Jason follows guided wisdom Seeking answers Dwarf Questions lie unanswered in this place Narrator The trees give way to what appears to be A clearing host to figures, smoke and steam A wiser looking dwarf approaches, Brian is his name Brian Finally it seems you have arrived Fearful is this place you've found But soon you'll see you're homeward bound Listen here I need to tell you A man he came before Here to seek something uncertain A shadow cloaks his face Leave this clearing The house of solutions is near He's selling all the things in the world Solutions to your problems are there Narrator The trees before him lead onto a trail A quiet town is waiting up ahead - Visiting Worcac - "Jason follows the trail into Worcac, a small 'western' town. The 'fronts' of the houses are façades, propped up against wooden beams. The ambiguous nature of the town is discouraging, and it fills him with unease. Before long he encounters the 'House of Solutions', where he meets the life-form, Germeny, who says Jason must leave everything to fate." Narrator Brushing leaves aside now Jason strolls into the light The dusty streets are artificial, truth within it hides Between the fakes a wooden building, host to jaundice haze The door before him swinging lightly, empty is this place The light within it shines from eyes so bright and fiercely strange The man he speaks of things long gone from another time and place Germeny Signs of home you are to seek don't stray from what you know Leave the rest to fate until your sense of wisdom grows Narrator His eyes they close and darkness it befriends him once again Jason turns to leave, his words they echo in his head Signs of home await him in this enigmatic place Jason Why must I leave everything to fate?
8.
57 08:15
"Worcac has transformed into an endless, familiar street. Trusting in fate, he begins to explore it." Narrator Jason leaves the wooden shack And steps onto the road The western town has rearranged its features It has changed A seamless, endless street of houses Terraced buildings, all so similar He walks along As the houses change, their faces clearer He walks along And they resemble something so familiar Passing chimneys in the dark As the windows propagate And as the morphing slowly terminates There stands an ageing, darkened home He can't believe it As the street it turns into a cul-de-sac and he sees '57' The house that he grew up in long ago - The change - "Jason's world is reduced to a small terraced house and a cobbled yard. The wall of mist now completely surrounds both himself and the house, illuminated by a single street lamp." Young Jason I can hear my mother's music box It's coming from her bedroom window Mother, are you there? Narrator He wanders through the yard And opens up the door The fragrance is so strange The same as it had always been The way his mother had kept it clean He starts to climb the stairs He's eager to revisit his bedroom And after such a tiring day He couldn't think of a better place to stay A better place to be Jason Nothing could've of prepared me for this feeling To be home again after all these years And I can't believe who's lying on my bed Brian the Bear, who once was my best friend Narrator He climbs into his bed Exhausted and confused He wants to sleep instead Of living out this fantasy In this world that's not his own Brian is close at hand The comfort of his childhood pleases He always loved his bed Jason I just wish mum and dad were here Narrator On the verge of sleeping Pillow under his head Maybe he'll awaken somewhere else - Sleep - Silent Verse Time for sleep dear friend of mine I'll see you in the morning Your silent deeds don't go un-noticed I'll forfeit their worth For now I'll dream a little dream ...until the morning Narrator Somewhere it is written That only a fool Would try to sleep his madness off in a world of dreams But who's really right? And who is wrong?
9.
"Jason's dreams are saturated with powerful, biblical imagery. Once again, ambiguity takes precedent." Narrator Jason he currently isn't here Forced to face his silent fears The man has found his refuge and his sentiment A dream of fire in the sky A tower that rises deathly high A dream to bring the weakest to their knees A tiny box in flames, atop a cloudless sky it claims Nervous and corrupted human minds Time to be moving on The demon has found its victim Remember the ones you love Your journey has just begun
10.
The Child 08:16
"Waking from an undetermined period of sleep, Jason finds himself face to face with a younger version of himself. His younger self has grown fearful of a shadowy figure occupying the depths of a painting hanging in the library." Narrator His dreams they were eventful But didn't seem to offer much Awakening to the sound of a young boy Tapping him on the shoulder Jason You are me... Are you me? Young Jason Yes I am, I am you Narrator In the library many years ago A painting hung above the fireplace His father would make the world look bigger In the landscapes he would paint Young Jason And now it's changed above the fireplace It's come alive and you must see Within the trees there stands a man In darkness he's concealed He climbed into the frame and became a part of the scenery Now he waits and watches me You really have to see Narrator And he remembers how his father painted the picture long ago And the man in the frame had he always been there? Standing on his own Jason Wish me luck I shall try to climb inside In the heart of this picture I'll reside "Jason climbs into the open painting." - Passages -
11.
Framed 06:43
"Landing unscathed upon a green plateau, Jason heads toward a distant spire. Happening upon the village of Tenitor, he once again encounters the band of dwarves. This time however, Brian's intentions are clearer." Narrator The sky is tearing as he falls within Beneath the canvas of reality The grass is soft and dew drops moisturise The blades as sharp as knives upon the plain He sees a golden spire ahead of him It's in the distance glowing in the Sun Onward he goes In search of the shrouded man Jason meets an empty town A place beneath the golden spire Surrounding him are wooden huts The faces in the windows bare Village of Tenitor Welcome to another world Here we are again Face to face with something we just cannot understand Welcome to the other world Here we are again Face to face with dangers we just cannot comprehend - The spire of the golden church - Narrator Jason walks into the church alone He's reunited with his Dwarven friend Brian shakes his hand and sits him down Brian We've got some work to do so listen now... You must traverse the plains of Tenitor To reach the Citadel beyond the dust Onward you go In search of the golden crown Narrator Jason is to leave the town To plunder depths of dust unknown Brian Within the crown A precious stone Will help assist your journey home Village of Tenitor Welcome to another world Here we are again Face to face with something we just cannot understand Welcome to the other world Here we are again Face to face with dangers we just cannot comprehend Brian But beware of the Beings in the streets in the dark They will tempt you... - The Eternal City - "Once again accompanied by the wall of mist, Jason pursues the golden crown in the Eternal City." Narrator The atmosphere is thick with presence Yet the city streets are still Scattered corpses litter every road As does their smell The darkness has descended As he glares into the distance He sees the towers, the silent towers And the Citadel as lonely as the rest Of this old city It's oh so dead
12.
Aftermath 08:41
"A brief encounter with a lumpy and indistinguishable figure provides Jason with much needed impetus. He soon finds himself standing before the doors of the Citadel." Narrator The streets are growing darker As a voice is faintly heard The scent of something lurking Brings Jason to a halt The need to step into the darkness It is growing, it's overwhelming As he tries to keep to the light He submits to fright A limb so much darker than darkness Emerges from the shadows It attempts to pull him inside But he escapes Ignorant of the dangers He turns and starts to run Heading toward the glow of the Citadel Mist it follows... - The Citadel - "The Citadel is dark and unwelcoming, but onward he strides. Climbing high into darkness, voices and shapes from his past taunt him in an attempt to bring him down." Narrator The doors unfurl to candles bright Where shapes unfold beyond the light The hall it leads to something strange A wall of vines, a chore to face He grips his torch and lights it bright The shapes surrounding try to hide As slowly his ascent begins The dark around him closing in The roots above are tough to climb As Jason grips the torch From every angle things are moving in... The Shapeless Limbs of the Beings Remember me? You bastard! etc... "Escaping history, he finds himself in the throne room, face to face with the Eternal City's last king." Narrator Escaping the limbs of uncertainty Jason emerges intact A hall before him leads unto a throne A figure draped in gold Crown upon his head The king bestows his reverence Long time dead Lifting the crown, an object it meets his eye A simple box captivates, fills him full of desire - The Box? - "The indistinct box hypnotises Jason for several moments, before the presence of a lurking figure steals his attention. He pursues the shrouded man at speed before leaping blindly into darkness. Letting out a devilish scream, the wall of mist moves in swiftly to consume him." Narrator A figure behind him steals his thought The box it fades - he turns to run The figure it leaps deep into dark Beyond the hall and vines below The time has come to run As the walls begin to collapse Into the void he flies And into mist he disappears The mist consumes A saving grace His wounds are gone His life is saved Returned to where the dwarfs they sleep He's safe and sound He's fast asleep - Safety - "Opening his eyes, he is pleasantly surprised to find himself back in the village of Tenitor. Pleased with Jason's success, Brian discusses the shrouded man further." Narrator Brian is eager to see If Jason reclaimed the crown He talks of his dangerous journey And his exit so profound Brian The shrouded man came for the Box But his search will go on for a while For his prize it is yet to be found And that prize, well it is you...
13.
- Escape - "In order to leave Tenitor, Jason must pursue an 'exit window'. Heading back out onto the plateau, he spots the shrouded man in the distance. As he attempts to catch him up, the world surrounding him closes in." Narrator Returning to fields in the Sun A figure is seen up ahead He starts to run, begins to scream and shout But no closer Jason gets The world around him starts to lose its form it's closing in A central point beyond begins to grow from out of nothing The shrouded man is far beyond the singularity The sky it is descending and it's pressing down on him Jason Still I must run I must catch him I must find him I must... run Narrator A door is open in the air The focus of the energy It's strong enough to tear apart The fabric of reality Jason I must jump now I must jump through Everything is falling - The Theatre - Narrator Jason returns to the stage of The Theatre The hall it is host to a crowd so delighted Applauding his efforts they honour his entry While whistling and cheering the band starts to play... - The Inhabitant -
14.
"Disturbed by the audience's bizarre behaviour, Jason exits The Theatre. A vast desert has replaced what was there before, and he is met by an immense tower. So immense in fact that the top disappears into thick cloud. Knowing the tower is his ultimate destination, he heads out across the desert." Narrator Quickly leaving, exit leading Sandy plains await The desert Sun above the dune It burns the empty space A tower climbs above the clouds And fades into the sky Shady land it beckons Jason Shelter from the light Jason Burning, I'm burning, I'm melting, I'm frenzied I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming, I'm drifting, daydreaming Narrator Closing in the shadow beckons Soon he'll be within A creature ailing, slowly dying Lies upon the sand The tower looms the creature dies With earth it reunites Jason falls upon the sand His eyes upon the skies Jason Waiting, I'm waiting, I'm patient, enduring My future, uncertain, I'm waiting, surviving Narrator The entrance opens Darkness follows Time to enter depths uncharted
15.
The Tower 04:37
- The entrance hall - "The grand tower opens up into total darkness. Following the glare of candles, Jason discovers a spiral staircase. The only way is up." Narrator The tower's lonesome entrance hall is dark and grim Battered clean with sand and wind, untouched by rain Scattered light illuminates soft etching underfoot Below a scarab beetle traces human curves And all is quiet within... Seven burning candles lie before a spiral stair Intently still they flicker casting light up there Foreboding is the staircase rising high into the dusk And the time has come to climb it, he knows he must And all is quiet within... Upon the steps he stares above Jason Does it ever end? Narrator The stairs pervade the height of the tower Up above he must ascend... - Climbing - Narrator Time passes slowly as each tick follows tock Round and round in circles goes the clock The candles are ascending with him fixed and aflame Illuminating rusty iron rails A tired, disillusioned Jason registers sound Footstep follows footstep up above With every step he takes it echoes endlessly The shrouded man is climbing up ahead Jason The man with no face is awaiting me up the stairs Beckoning me with each step The man with no face he is waiting to welcome me I'll follow his lead up the stairs Narrator Painfully he soon discovers, the stairs were on the move Elevation, the realisation that he didn't need to climb The top is reached nothing is seen but a rusty old red gate (mum's gate?) Jason What can this be doing here? Can anybody tell me?! - Confusion - "Here, atop an impossible tower, in an impossible world, Jason encounters an exact replica of his first home's rear yard gate. Recognising it as a sign of home, he knows he must enter." Jason The man with no face is awaiting me up the stairs Beckoning me with each step The gate '57' a sign, a reminder I must follow its lead to the end...
16.
Entombed 05:18
"Jason finds himself within a damp, stony room. Seconds later, the walls begin to close in. Fearing the end, the ceiling above cracks open as a slither of light penetrates." Narrator The door it creaks and slides wide open He steps on into the dark There's nothing there but a slither of light And some curiously brick laid walls Stony brown and green with moss they're slimy to the touch Entombed from every side the walls are closing in Above he sees the light it's falling down on him And a silhouette is looking down, he cannot see its intent But its thoughts project a beam of haze, it's coming to his aid Intently eager Jason waits for the intervening grace Silently he begins to rise, leaving fear behind in shreds... - Ascension - "The shrouded man pulls Jason out of the darkness and into the light." Narrator Blind to self and reason Blind to faith and hope The world beneath him shattered The fear has left and gone Anonymous Voice Come with me Step inside Narrator The light it enraptures and cradles his matter The beam it embodies it all No longer aware of the doubt and the danger The life he knew has gone His thoughts are exposed The light around him fades The truth will soon be revealed As the journey it draws to close - Landing - "Face to face now, Jason awaits the ultimate revelation." Narrator Brought to land he's face to face With a mountain high upon a snowy plain The world he knew it fades away As a figure emerges, with a hidden face The Shrouded Man I'm a traveller searching for elusive truths But my search it is over now that I've found you Narrator And now he's bowing slowly, he removes the hat And now his face is clear, and Jason stands aghast The Shrouded Man Come with me Stay here forever Jason ...dad?
17.
Crescendo 06:43
- Instrumental -
18.
The Box? 06:11
- Philosophical debate - Narrator It's like the world you used to know When mother earth she opened your eyes Some things have changed and some things remain the same And all too often our children die We lose that infant feeling We never say goodbye Until the desire it returns to explore Childhood again - The Box? - Anthony Look... Jason What is it? Anthony It's yours... Jason Mine? Anthony Yes Jason For Jason... Anthony Not to be opened until Christmas! - Fadeout -

about

Introduction to "The Box" -

Jason is troubled. Plagued by guilt owing to the death of his father, he's become a loner; wiling away his evenings in front of a television in a cramped bedsit.

His life is about to change forever.

Inexplicably transported to an eerie world of towering cities and sprawling plains, Jason struggles as he is forced to face his demons. Reminders of his childhood are frequent, and a mysterious figure in black observes his every step.

Encouraged to seek out the memories of his past, can Jason piece together the puzzle?

Only the enigmatic Box can provide him with the answers he so desperately seeks...

Biography -

I grew up in a small town in Northern England. There I discovered the very things that would inspire me to compose "The Box", from the eerie woods and stories of ‘lost souls’, to the house I grew up in and the clutter that gave it character.

My first musical influences were those who weren't afraid to tell stories; Genesis, Rush and Iron Maiden amongst others. The progressive influence introduced me to the idea of experimentation, and much of the material that makes up "The Box" is a result of that experimentation.

Conceptually, the idea of one becoming ‘lost’ in some distant land was the catalyst for the story; in which a process of rediscovery would have to be undertaken in order for one to remember who they truly were. Being a fan of the surreal and the macabre, this concept evolved into something much more elaborate.

Conceived in the winter of 1999, a full 10 years passed before “The Box” was finally recorded. It has been a labour of love, and I'm pleased to be able to share it with the world at last.

Thanks for listening.

credits

released July 5, 2011

Written, recorded & produced by Ian Gordon

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The works of Ian Gordon: musician, writer, that HorrorBabble guy.

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