Charles Strouse
Let Me Be Surprised
(spoken)
[CHARLIE]
Where am I?

[ANNABELLE]
This is the Great Hall of Judgement

[CHARLIE]
Judgement?!

[ANNABELLE]
Oh, not to worry, Charlie. You'll go to Heaven. All dogs go to Heaven because, unlike people, dogs are naturally good, and loyal, and kind

[CHARLIE]
Ah, yeah, that's true

[ANNABELLE, sung]
Welcome to doing whatever you wish!

[CHARLIE, spoken]
Ah, this is really a lovely place you got here

[ANNABELLE, sung]
Eating whenever you please!

(spoken)
Follow me
(sung)
To a constant temperate climate
We keep it 73 degrees

(spoken)
We're still in Fahrenheit here

[CHARLIE, spoken]
That's fine with me

[ANNABELLE, sung]
Welcome to no more rat race!

[CHARLIE, spoken]
Oh boy

[ANNABELLE, sung]
To order and calm instead

[CHARLIE, spoken]
Ah, great

[ANNABELLE, sung]
Welcome... to being dead!

(spoken)
[CHARLIE]
What?! You mean I'm... I'm...
[ANNABELLE]
Stone-cold, I'm afraid

[CHARLIE]
I can't believe it! I've been murdered!

[ANNABELLE]
I'm having trouble finding any goodness or loyalty here. But let me see...

[CHARLIE]
He killed me!

[ANNABELLE]
I beg your pardon?

[CHARLIE]
There's a mistake been made here!

(sung)
I don't wanna die!
You got the wrong guy!
I was double-crossed by a dirty rat
Actually, this rat was a dog, but his car ran me down
I just blew outta jail
I just got back to town
Hey! This is hard to explain
May I speak to your superior?
'Cause I don't wanna die!
[ANNABELLE]
Welcome to doing whatever you wish!

[CHARLIE]
You got the wrong guy!

[ANNABELLE]
Laughing and singing all day

(spoken)
[CHARLIE]
Hey! My time's not up yet!

[ANNABELLE]
Oh, it is. There's no mistake about that. We know everything

[CHARLIE]
Murdered in the prime of my life!
Damn that Carface, I'll kill 'im!
Hey, this must be the watch department, huh?

[ANNABELLE]
You might call it that. See, this watch is your life... and it's stopped

[CHARLIE]
Well, can't you just wind it up or something?

[ANNABELLE]
And send you back? Oh no, no, no! No one's ever allowed to go back. Just put your paw right here

[CHARLIE]
What's that for?

[ANNABELLE]
For our book of records. You see, everything about you that was, or will be, is right here

[CHARLIE]
Oh, isn't that wonderful? I love it here. You mean there's no surprises or anything?

[ANNABELLE]
Oh no, no, no. We know everything

[CHARLIE]
Oh, that's just lovely. The clouds, the grass, the air

[ANNABELLE]
Heaven is a wonderful place

[CHARLIE]
Yeah. No surprises, huh? Say, would you like to dance?
You mean if I'm waiting for an inside straight up here I'd know in advance whether I filled it?

[ANNABELLE]
We know how it all turns out

[CHARLIE]
You must've studied dancing. You have natural rhythm. Unusual, for a whippet

[ANNABELLE]
Oh! I'm getting dizzy!

[CHARLIE]
Everything is so lovely here. So planned, so ordered... and that's what driving me crazy

(sung)
I need Brazil
The throb, the thrill
I've never been there, but someday I will!
Adventure and danger, love from a stranger
Let me be surprised!
(La-de-da-de-da-bom-ba-bom)
(Ha ha!)
Today there's sun
They said there'd be snow
When all's said and done
It's fun not to know!
What keeps my heart humming
Is guessing what's coming
Let me be surprised!
Oh! Ain't it great?

[ANNABELLE]
Ain't it great?

[CHARLIE]
When fate makes you wait?

[ANNABELLE]
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

[CHARLIE]
The world seems mirthless
You feel worthless
Then suddenly
There's a big bone on your plate!

[ANNABELLE]
Oh, Charlie, please remember
Down there's a world of used cars
And singles' bars
Broken dreams
And out-of-reach stars!

[CHARLIE]
But, it isn't over
Not for this rover
I don't like to steal
Ha ha!
But I don't buy this deal

[ANNABELLE]
La-la-la!

[CHARLIE]
In 'bout three seconds, she'll have realized
Ha ha!
And she's gonna be...

[ANNABELLE, spoken]
Charlie, what are you doing?

[CHARLIE, spoken]
Wait'll you see!

[ANNABELLE, spoken]
What's that you have behind your back?

[CHARLIE, sung]
She's gonna be...

[ANNABELLA, spoken]
Charlie, don't wind that watch!

[CHARLIE, sung]
Surprised!

[ANNABELLE, spoken]
Charlie!