one formula

 

 // sexy woman's speaking voice, like an ad for something

"to make an actual man,

there's only one formula"

 

// singer

we drive our machines

we were built for driving

 

// to read like a cliche professor, philosopher

"a little natural history:  

the automobile

has always existed.

man has evolved

for the wheel

and the accelerator."

 

// singer and choir (Tallis Scholars) sing in imitation of gear changes, with each our/are/or as a shift and motor noise:

 

our machines:

are we driving them?

or

are they driving us?

are they

our machines?

 

// echo fragments

"the automobile...

the accelerator"

 

// singer

i am my machine

it makes me

faster than fast

faster than fast

this is my

time machine

i am the future

you are the past  // passed

 

// woman's speaking voice conspiratorially

"i know it's awful, but...

red flags attract me -

who wants to live...?

a life without danger?"

 

// singer

if you need me

i'll be

in the news

 

if you need me

i'll be

at the bar

 

if you need me

i'll be

round the bend

 

if you need me

i'll be

i'll be

the man on fire

 

// a narrator

when you hit the wall

there's a sudden now

an absolute transition

from maximum sound

to  // stop it abruptly