Non-Stop

BURR
After the war I went back to New York.
HAMILTON
A-after the war I went back to New York.
BURR
I finished up my studies and I practiced law.
HAMILTON
I practiced law, Burr worked next door.
BURR
Even though we
started at the very
same time,
Alexander Hamilton
began to climb.
How to account for his
rise to the top? ENSEMBLE
Maaaaan, the man is
non-stop!
Non-stop!
HAMILTON
Gentlemen of the jury, I’m curious, bear with me.
Are you aware that we’re making hist’ry?
This is the first murder trial of our brand-new
nation.
HAMILTON
BURR AND
ENSEMBLE
The liberty behind
deliberation–
Non-stop!
HAMILTON
I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt
with my assistant counsel—
BURR
Co-counsel.
Hamilton, sit down.
Our client Levi Weeks is innocent. Call your
first witness.
That’s all you had to say!
HAMILTON
Okay!
One more thing–
BURR
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in
the room?
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in
the room?
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in
the room?
Soon that attitude
may be your doom!
ENSEMBLE
Awwww!
BURR ENSEMBLE
Why do you write like
you’re running out
of time?
Why do you write like
you’re running out
of time?
Write day and night
like you’re running out
of time?
Ev’ry day you fight,
like you’re running out
of time.
Ev’ry day you fight,
like you’re running out
of time.
Keep on fighting. In
the meantime—
Non-stop!
HAMILTON
Corruption’s such an old song that we can sing
along in harmony and nowhere is it stronger
than in Albany.
This colony’s economy’s increasingly stalling
and
HAMILTON
BURR AND
ENSEMBLE
Honestly that’s why He’s just
public service seems
to be calling me.
Non-stop!
HAMILTON
I practiced the law, I practic’ly perfected it.
I’ve seen injustice in the world and I’ve
corrected it.
Now for a strong central democracy,
If not, then I’ll be Socrates
HAMILTON
Throwing verbal rocks
at these mediocrities. ENSEMBLE
Awww!
BURR
Hamilton, at the Constitutional Convention:
HAMILTON
I was chosen for the Constitutional Convention.
BURR
There as a New York junior delegate:
HAMILTON COMPANY
Now what I’m going
to say may sound
indelicate . . .
Awwww!
BURR
Goes and proposes
his own form of
government!
What?
His own plan for
a new form of
government!
What?
BURR
Talks for six hours! The convention is listless!
ENSEMBLE MAN
Bright young man…
ANOTHER ENSEMBLE MAN
Yo, who the f is this?
BURR
Why do you always COMPANY
say what you believe?
Why do you always Why do you always
say what you believe? say what you believe?
Ev’ry proclamation
guarantees
free ammunition for
your enemies!
Awww!
BURR AND MEN
Why do you write
like it’s ALL WOMEN
going out of style? Going out of style,
hey!
Write day and night
like it’s
Going out of style? Going out of style,
hey!
BURR AND COMPANY
Ev’ry day you fight like it’s
going out of style.
Do what you do.
BURR
Alexander?
HAMILTON
Aaron Burr, sir.
BURR
It’s the middle of the night.
HAMILTON
Can we confer, sir?
BURR
Is this a legal matter?
HAMILTON
Yes, and it’s important to me.
BURR
What do you need?
HAMILTON
Burr, you’re a better lawyer than me.
BURR
Okay.
HAMILTON
I know I talk too much, I’m abrasive.
You’re incredible in court. You’re succinct,
persuasive.
My client needs a strong defense. You’re the
solution.
BURR
Who’s your client?
HAMILTON
The new U.S. Constitution?
BURR
No.
HAMILTON
Hear me out.
BURR
No way!
HAMILTON
A series of essays, anonymously published,
defending the document to the public.
BURR
No one will read it.
HAMILTON
I disagree.
BURR
And if it fails?
HAMILTON
Burr, that’s why we need it.
BURR
The constitution’s a mess.
HAMILTON
So it needs amendments.
BURR
It’s full of contradictions.
HAMILTON
So is independence.
We have to start somewhere.
BURR
No. No way.
HAMILTON
You’re making a mistake.
BURR
Good night.
HAMILTON
Hey.
What are you waiting for?
What do you stall for?
BURR
What?
HAMILTON
We won the war.
What was it all for?
Do you support this constitution?
BURR
Of course.
HAMILTON
Then defend it.
BURR
And what if you’re backing the wrong horse?
HAMILTON
Burr, we studied and we fought and we killed
for the notion of a nation we now get to build.
For once in your life, take a stand with pride.
I don’t understand how you stand to the side.
BURR
I’ll keep all my plans
close to my chest.
ENSEMBLE
Wait for it, wait for
it, wait…
I’ll wait here and see
which way the wind
will blow.
I’m taking my time,
watching the
Which way the wind
will blow.
afterbirth of a nation,
watching the tension
grow.
I’m taking my
time, watching the
afterbirth of a nation,
watching the tension
grow.
ANGELICA
I am sailing off to London. I’m accompanied
by someone
who always pays.
I have found a wealthy husband who will keep
me in comfort for all my days.
He is not a lot of fun, but there’s no one who
can match you for turn of phrase.
My Alexander.
HAMILTON
Angelica.
ANGELICA
Don’t forget to write.
ELIZA
Look at where you are.
Look at where you started.
The fact that you’re alive is a miracle.
Just stay alive, that would be enough.
And if your wife could share a fraction of
your time,
if I could grant you peace of mind,
would that be enough?
BURR
Alexander joins forces with James Madison
and John Jay to write a series of essays
defending the new United States Constitution,
entitled The Federalist Papers.
The plan was to write a total of twenty-five
essays, the work divided evenly among the
three men. In the end, they wrote eighty-five
essays, in the span of six months. John Jay
got sick after writing five. James Madison
wrote twenty-nine. Hamilton wrote the other
fifty-one.
BURR
How do you write
like you’re ALL WOMEN
running out of time? Running out of time?
Write day and night
like you’re
running out of time? running out of time?
BURR AND MEN
Ev’ry day you fight,
like you’re
running out of time, running out of time,
like you’re
running out of time, running out of time,
are you
running out of time? Awwww!
FULL COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON)
How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive?
How do you write like you need it to survive?
How do you write ev’ry second you’re alive?
Ev’ry second you’re alive? Ev’ry second
you’re alive?
WASHINGTON
They are asking me to lead.
I am doing the best I can
to get the people that I need,
I’m asking you to be my right hand man.
HAMILTON
Treasury or State?
WASHINGTON
I know it’s a lot to ask,
HAMILTON
Treasury or State?
WASHINGTON
To leave behind the world you know…
HAMILTON
Sir, do you want me to run the Treasury or
State department?
WASHINGTON
Treasury.
HAMILTON
Let’s go.
ELIZA
Alexander…
HAMILTON
I have to leave.
ELIZA
Alexander–
HAMILTON
Look around, look around at how lucky we are
to be alive right now.
ELIZA
Helpless…
HAMILTON
They are asking me to lead.
ELIZA
Look around, isn’t this enough?