LYRICS

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Lights up on Lady Bird and Zephyr Wright in the Johnson home. Door opens and Lyndon enters holding a large bag from which he pulls out a loaf of bread and a ballot box with the words “Precinct 13” written on it.

 

LBJ: Bird, I’m home! Is dinner on?

 

Lady Bird: Almost dear- (noticing the box) oh my, what on god’s earth?!

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LBJ: Oh yes. Bird, we need to hold on to this, just for the night.

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Lady Bird: Lyndon…that looks like a…ballot box

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LBJ: Don’t worry about what it is, Bird

We just need to make sure no one sees it. How about we find a place with the suitcases?

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Lady Bird staring incredulously, realizing….

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Lady Bird: But w-why…would you have a ballot box?

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LBJ: Huh? Oh it’s nothing, Bird! Just a little project.

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Zephyr is standing observing, with hands on hips, looking incredulously.

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LBJ: Zephyr, this is not a ballot box, correct.

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Zephyr: (obviously knows what’s up but playing along) What box, Mr. Lyndon?

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LBJ: Good girl. Now Bird, please, before our guests come in (hands it to her)

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Lady Bird takes it to closet at other end of stage and kneels down. LBJ sits in the couch and starts a cigarette and scotch. Zephyr is staring at him from behind the couch, shaking her head. Lyndon senses her judgement and slowly turns her head, and she quickly goes to dust candle sticks.

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As Lady Bird is shuffling things in the closet, to find room for the box, she finds a gold eagle statue.

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Lady Bird: Lyndon? Did you know there’s a gold eagle statue back here?

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LBJ: Huh? Oh that- from Rayburn I believe.

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Lady Bird (reading an inscription).

“And oh how we soared like eagles. Xxx- Alice” (Turning back). Alice Glass gave you this?!

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LBJ: Oh Bird, that’s from 8 years ago. She was grateful how we saved that conductor, that’s all. You understand.

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Lady Bird: (quietly, crestfallen). Of course

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LBJ: Oh gosh, the time! We gotta prepare for the primary tomorrow! Don’t forget- no one sees that box! (Runs out)

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Lady Bird:

My Lyndon’s got a box

And every night he locks

All his secret and his lies

Away from prying eyes

 

Stolen votes are locked inside

And stolen hearts he’d like to hide

Well maybe he’s still hopin’

That I’ll never get it open

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Box 13

Box 13

Some thing’s might be better

Just Left unseen

When you cheat at every game

And you’re treating me the same

You can keep the dirt inside

But you’re still unclean

With Box 13

 

I swore that I would fly

With him, but every lie

He puts behind that door

Clips my wings a little bit more

 

I have a dream I take the things inside

And spread his secrets far and wide

I'd take that giant down a notch.

I’d let him get his own damn scotch.

I’d leave him with his other loves

Cause I’ll be flying high above

Alone up in the atmosphere.

So why I am still standing here??

 

Box 13

Box 13

Some thing’s might be better

Left unseen

So I’ll believe his every word

I will be his steady Bird

And wipe every grain of dirt

Clean…

From Box 13.

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Zephyr:

Maybe you could face him and tell him how you fell

Put him in his place - now maybe that's how you heal?

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Lady Bird:

No, I learned long ago

that I'm a costar in his show

and if I let the curtain drop

Then life for both of us will stop

So I take each thought of every tryst

The feeling of my tightened fist

The stranger's bracelets left around

And every letter that I found

Each neglected negligée

And every word I'd like to say

I pick each thorn out of my skin

I take it all and put it in

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Box 13, Box 13

You end up feeling nothing when nothing can be seen

So, I will stand beside my king

And I will swallow everything

But in the end I'll win because I'll be the queen

Box 13, I'll forget about Box 13

Box 13. 

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Zephyr walks over and embraces Bird.

Lights out.