From the late 1990s and early 2000s, Robby Todino tried to use the Internet to connect with people in an attempt to deal with disruptive memories from his childhood. To accomplish this--in the period before online social networks--he obtained spam email lists and mailed out thousands of requests. His hope: that those who had the missing parts to his time machine would sympathize and respond. This is what I think happened to Robby and his time machine.
The music was finished on 24 Oct 2013. The MP3s below are exported from the MIDI. Before I could record the pieces, I developed a nerve condition in my right hand and could no longer perform.
1. The Ineffable (6:20)
2. ...was it a
truth that I should have believed? (3:38)
3. ...a clear discrepancy
between intent and practice... (3:42)
4. ...I hope that there's a dark
hole in the sky for me someday... (2:51)
5. ...a mountain up close is no
longer a mountain... (2:11)
6. The Calculus (4:56)
Below are the lyrics, MP3s, the score (in Finale's MUS format), and MIDI files. Use the Finale Reader to view the scores.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be fine.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be fine.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I'll be fine, I'll be.
I hope someday that I can figure it out.
A little lost but it's the best I can do.
Some days I
doubt that there's a chance I'll ever find my way home.
That damn device I need to take back my life.
That lonely moment when she poisoned our home.
When
people read this will they help me build my time machine?
I send my message through the signals to the cities.
I watch responses from the agents out to get me.
Do you have it?
I'll be waiting.
I'll be waiting.
I tell the people but my story is rejected.
A rare reminder that some truths go undetected.
Put
the light out.
Put the light out.
I hope someday that I can figure it out.
A little lost but it's the best I can do.
I'd send for
help but there's none, is there?
Booked a flight to Paris
Where I hope to see
A message from the ether left where I'll be.
Saw those kids after landing.
If they can save the world then maybe I can save myself.
I leave the airport and know the passage I need to enter.
Like an echo that's reversing, I remember.
To the alley,
Through the doorway.
I see the others all together who'd been divided.
We had the puzzle but the pieces weren't decided.
From the ages,
Down the mountain.
I put the light out and see my future within the darkness.
The tiles revealing an ancient message there
before us.
We knew we'd made it.
No more waiting.
Put a light out.
It's my last chance.
It's my last chance.
Far below the lowered lights, the lowered eyes, I see it clear.
I see my past before it passed into
today.
Quick and clear this damned device unsets the threads, I see it near.
The others see it
too: the sparks that charge away.
In the sky I think I see a black hole that glows for me someday.
There's a stillness in the room, a silent guide as we arrive.
We crowd the hallowed ground where ancient
plans were drawn.
Palled and pale and then we see a silent flash, the dragon's tail,
An
extra-spectral light expressed and then we're gone.
In the sky I think I see a black hole that glows for me today.
(instrumental)
I can't recall how I changed to an ordinary life.
Sort the pages from this history that's been
calculated.
If you ever felt like somebody else,
Somewhere safe,
Not today,
Follow
me.
That damn device, was it there? Was I lying in a dream?
Try to document those mysteries I've seen,
complicated.
If you ever felt like somebody else,
Find your place,
Live that life,
You'll be fine.