Stay Alive

ELIZA
Stay alive...
ELIZA/ANGELICA/ENSEMBLE WOMEN
Stay alive...
HAMILTON
I have never seen the General so despondent.
I have taken over writing all his
correspondence.
Congress writes, “George, attack the British
forces.”
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our
horses.
Local merchants deny us equipment,
assistance,
they only take British money, so sing a song
of sixpence.
WASHINGTON
The cavalry’s not coming.
HAMILTON
Sir!
WASHINGTON
Alex, listen. There’s only one way for us to
win this.
Provoke outrage, outright.
HAMILTON
That’s right.
WASHINGTON
Don’t engage, strike by night.
Remain relentless ‘til their troops take flight.
HAMILTON
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the
fight.
WASHINGTON
Outrun.
HAMILTON
Outrun.
WASHINGTON
Outlast.
HAMILTON
Outlast.
WASHINGTON
Hit ‘em quick, get out fast.
HAMILTON
Chick-a-plao!
WASHINGTON
Stay alive ‘til this horror show is past.
We’re gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast.
HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE
Raise a glass!
MULLIGAN
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship.
LAFAYETTE
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has
sent a ship.
LAURENS
I stay at work with Hamilton,
we write essays against slavery,
and every day’s a test of our camaraderie
and bravery.
HAMILTON
We cut supply lines, we steal contraband,
we pick and choose our battles and places to
take a stand.
And ev’ry day,
“Sir, entrust me with a command,”
and ev’ry day,
WASHINGTON
No.
HAMILTON
He dismisses me out of hand.
HAMILTON
ELIZA/
ANGELICA
Instead of me, Stay alive…
he promotes LEE
Charles Lee. Charles Lee.
Makes him
second-incommand:
LEE
I’m a General. Whee!!!!
HAMILTON
Yeah. He’s not the choice I would have gone
with.
HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth.
WASHINGTON
Ev’ryone attack!
LEE
Retreat!
WASHINGTON
Attack!
LEE
Retreat!
WASHINGTON
What are you doing, Lee? Get back on your
feet!
LEE
But there’s so many of them!
WASHINGTON
I’m sorry, is this not your speed?!
Hamilton!
HAMILTON
Ready, sir!
WASHINGTON
Have Lafayette take the lead!
HAMILTON
Yes, sir!
LAURENS
A thousand soldiers die in a hundred degree
heat.
LAFAYETTE
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of
defeat.
HAMILTON
Charles Lee was left behind
without a pot to piss in.
He started sayin’ this to anybody who would
listen:
LEE
Washington cannot be left alone to his devices
indecisive, from crisis to crisis.
The best thing he can do for the revolution
is turn n’
go back to plantin’ tobacco in Mount Vernon.
COMPANY
Oo!!
WASHINGTON
Don’t do a thing. History will prove him wrong.
HAMILTON
But, sir!
WASHINGTON
We have a war to fight, let’s move along.
LAURENS
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold
him to it.
HAMILTON
I can’t disobey direct orders.
LAURENS
Then I’ll do it.
Alexander, you’re the closest friend I’ve got.
HAMILTON
Laurens, do not throw away your shot.