#07 - 'INNKEEPING'
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ACT 1 - Scene 2
Performed by
Iseppo & Marco
Iseppo
& Marco are a couple of dodgy, but good hearted, characters who
run the Inn - Il Punto Nero.
They explain how difficult life can be as Innkeepers.
Lyric
MARCO
WE’RE HERE TO BRING SOME COMFORT TO THE POOR WORKING MAN
TO LEND A FRIENDLY EAR, DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN
IT’S A PERMANENT STRIFE,
BUT WE’RE LIVING OUR LIFE INNKEEPING
ISEPPO
EVERYBODY THINKS ITS EASY BEING NICE FOR LIVING
I OUGHT TO MAKE ‘EM PAY FOR THE ADVICE I AM GIVING
I ACT LIKE I CARE
THAT’S THE CROSS THAT WE BEAR WE’RE INNKEEPING,
WE’RE INNKEEPING
MARCO & ISEPPO
SO EVERY NOW AND THEN WE CUT A CORNER OR TWO,
ISEPPO
A DROP OF WATER IN THE WINE,
MARCO
(HOLDS UP RAT)
A DIFFERENT MEAT IN THE STEW
MARCO & ISEPPO
BUT YOU WON’T FIND BETTER VALUE ALL ALONG THIS RIVERSIDE
IT’S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE... AND NO-ONE’S EVER DIED,
MARCO
(SPOKEN)
WELL NOT YET... BUT THERE WAS THAT SAILOR WHO, ER...
ISEPPO
WE WINE THEM AND WE DINE THEM WITH THE BEST WE CAN BUY
(HOLDS PLATE OF FOOD)
MARCO
QUALITY IS TESTED - AND IT’S USUALLY HIGH
(HOLDS NOSE)
MARCO & ISEPPO
THE STANDARDS ARE MET
AT THE LEVEL WE SET - WE'RE INNKEEPING
THERE’S A SAYING IN THIS BUSINESS THAT THE CUSTOMER IS RIGHT
SO IF ANYONE COMPLAINS TO US WE’RE NEVER IMPOLITE
AS BEFITS OUR NOBLE BREEDING, WE NEVER FUSS AND SHOUT,
JUST LISTEN VERY COURTEOUSLY... AND THEN WE THROW THEM OUT!
MARCO
(SPOKEN)
BUT NOT BEFORE THEY’VE PAID...
ISEPPO
(SPOKEN)
OH NO...
ISEPPO
SOME SAY THAT WE ARE MEAN, DO WE DESERVE THIS REPUTATION?
WE BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET - IT’S A TRICKY SITUATION
MARCO & ISEPPO
WITH OUR BACKS TO THE WALL
WE’RE KEEPING IT ALL INNKEEPING
WE’RE INNKEEPING
WE’RE KEEPING IT ALL... INNKEEPING