The Death Of The Punchline

Gemini genuflects and says a Hail Mary
For his money on the Monday night game.
The girl in the sequins let him buy her a Sea Breeze
But he still don't think she's using her real name.
Me I'm on the border with my back in the corner
They way it's been since we closed out the war.
I've seen this whole scene play out here before.
Gemini flying high until he screams when he sees what the score is.

Back in my homeland our heroes were hardcore.
Man, our martyrs booked the matinee shows.
The theme of our prom was Banned in DC
And the last dance was We Gotta Know.
My date came in late wearing clove cigarettes
Like some uptown Dracula debutante.
The sketch looked like extras from the set of River's Edge
And the straights kind of seemed like old astronauts
From back in the 50s floating freely on black and white TVs.
Baring their teeth to sell junk in the ads before movies.

I got out of the service and got in some business
With a guy that I met at Fort Jackson.
He said Pensacola's under his cousin's control
But he could probably cut me in on some action.
Long story quick my partner got sick
But he showed me how to shake the right hands.
Stayed in the biz. Took a hit. Did a bid.
Now I'm trying to manage some bands.
Looking for sad kids writing anthems for the big time.
Hands in the air and a flag at half mast on the grapevine.
Mourning the American dream and the death of the punchline.

I was watching the news and they showed me this dude
Who made 2 billion bucks playing videos.
I printed up cards that said Seeker of Stars
For the people I don't already know.
I haven't hit yet but I've sharpened my pitch
And this one guy brought me out to his restaurant.
When he made the proposal to merge and go global
He was touching me under the table.

With his eyes on the TV
And his three points on the home team.
Gin in his blood from a lifetime in front of some barkeep.
Jokes in his head to break up the ice at the parties.
A whole lifetime trying to find someone to laugh
After the death of the punchline.