Ayreon : The Theory of Everything

Progressive Metal / Netherlands
(2013 - InsideOut Music)
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DISC 1

1. PHASE I: SINGULARITY

a/ Prologue: The Blackboard

8:49 This morning

The dew of morning still glistens on the salt grass that grows along the foundation of the old Lighthouse. It isn't in active service anymore, but has been renovated to serve as a private dwelling.High in the tower inside, a young man is slumped on the floor in the corner of the room, apparently in some kind of trance.Someone has put a blanket over him. He is deadly pale, but the steady, almost imperceptible rise and fall of his chest shows that he still clings to life. Standing next to him are (a ?) young woman and an older man. Both are obviously shocked and distressed. Their frequent glances toward the door give the impression that they're waiting for someone who is yet to arrive. On the wall next to them is a blackboard covered with impenetrable mathematical equations. The older man is holding a crumpled piece of paper - it appears to be a note scribbled in haste by an unsteady hand. What follows here is the story of what happened.

[Teacher]

Will we ever understand
This complex genius
This visionary thinker

Will we ever get this close again
Uniting the forces
Of our universe

[Girl]

Will we ever understand
His isolation
Or his sense of wonder

We will never get this close again
It's been too long...
I think he's gone

b/ The Theory of Everything Part. 1

11 years earlier

The Father, a brilliant scientist, has devoted his life to finding the Theory of Everything, the equation that will explain and unite all the physical forces of the universe. He's obsessively working day and night, unaware that his wife and introverted son need far more attention than he has been giving them. The Mother has always supported her husband's scientific pursuits, but the strain of dealing with their asocial child's special needs has worn her down to the point of desperation.

[Father]

I'm so close to the answer
A dazzling symphony of cosmic strings
I feel the pulse, vibrating just out of reach
The music of space

One single master equation
Unification of the great and small
I hear the notes but the arrangement is wrong
I'm starting to doubt, but I can't give up now I'm so near

[Mother]

Can't you see that I need you out here
And what about our boy?
I think there's something to give
What secrets lie... Beyond these hollow eyes

[Father]

I'm sorry you feel neglected
But it's clear that you don't understand
I'm aware and I want to be there
I just need some more time, for the answer is blindingly near

[Mother]

Are you trying to drive us away?
Just when we need you most
You might find he's got something to give
What secret lies beyond his eyes?

c/ Patterns

The son is so withdrawn because his mind is overwhelmed by analysing the chaotic stimuli of the world around him, and the mathematical patterns he sees in everything - even in nature. His brain seems to operate on a completely different level than other people's. There is something very special about him, indeed.

(Instrumental)

d/ The Prodigy's World

The [Mother] is determined to connect with the [Prodigy], but he is completely irresponsive. He is simply incapable of relating to her emotionally, even though on some levels he wants to.

[Mother]

Talk to me

[Prodigy]

I know you're there, but I won't reach you
I hear your voice, but it can't reach me
Let me in
It all seems so trivial
In the scheme of things
Talk to me
I feel your touch but it can't move me
I hear uour words but they confuse me
Let me in
It all comes to nothing
In the scheme of things

[Prodigy]

Patterns emerge in nature's dance
Numbers are born in the wheel of chance
Why do I see this?
What does it mean to me?

A grand design in all its majesty
Vibrating strings, quantum gravity
Why was I chosen?
What does it mean to me?
Tell me why!

e/ The Teacher's Discovery

7 years ago

As the students work in a test in science class, a gust of wind from the open window blows a paper full of math equations off the Teacher's desk. Unnoticed by the Teacher, it lands at the [Prodigy]'s feet. Already having finished the test, he picks up the paper. His face lights up as he begins writing.

[Teacher]

I can't believe it... This can't be true.
How could you know?
I've tried to solve this
For as long as I recall

Is it your work? Be honest now
How did you do it?
I'm not angry, boy
But I really need to know

[Prodigy]

I'm sorry, sir, I can't explain
It's the way I've always been
You see, the numbers just appear
Before my eyes

[Rival]

Don't believe him, no! He is envious!
I've felt it from the start
In every class, I've always been the genius
And he just wants to be like me

Don't let him deceive you
He's nothing but a fake
A sad pretender
Trying to get my place

Don't let him deceive you
He's nothing but a fake
A sad pretender
A total waste of space

f/ Love and Envy

Why is the Rival constantly bullying the Prodigy? And why is the Girl compelled to protect him?

[Girl]

Why do you torment him, are you jealous?
There must be a reason you're so cruel
What have you got against him?
Does he scare you?
What did he ever do to you?

[Rival]

Oh no, I can't believe
You're falling for this loser
Oh no, I thought you knew
That I am so much cooler

[Girl]

Why do you despise him, are you frightened?
Are you being driven by your pride?
I think you feel threatened by his brilliance
But still you admire him, deep inside

[Rival]

Oh no, I can't believe
You're falling for this loser
Oh no, I thought you knew
That I am so much cooler

Oh no, I always thought
That we should be together
Oh no, I really think
That you can do so much better

g/ Progressive Waves

(Instrumental)

h/ The Gift

The Teacher visits the Father, bringing him surprising news about his son.

[Teacher]

I'm glad you could meet me
I'm here about your son
I've never seen a mind like this
Especially so young

He's got a gift for numbers
Never known before
An outstanding genius
Who shouldn't be ignored

[Father]

You must be mistaken
He's useless and he's weak
There's no sign of genius
The boy can hardly speak

He just sits there, lifeless
For hours at a time
No expression on his face
His eyes staring into space!

[Teacher]

How can you be so heartless?
There must be so much more that we can do

[Father]

Who are you to judge me?
You don't even know what we've been through

[Teacher]

Just give him more attention
You'll see there's so more to him than meets the eye

[Father]

Fine! I'll try to help the child
Better not be wasting my time!

i/ The Eleventh Dimension

(Instrumental)

j/ Inertia

The Prodigy wants to improve his relationship with his Father, but doesn't know how to reach out.

[Prodigy]

Are you trying to drive me away?
Just when I need you most
I think... I've got something to give
I just don't know... How...

k/ The Theory of Everything Part. 2

The Mother and the Father agree to enlist an outside expert to help with their son, but their motivations to do so couldn't be more different.

[Mother]

We need to take him to therapy
Help him function in society

[Father]

It's worth a try, who knows...
He could help me complete
The Theory of Everything

[Mother] and [Father]

A future to build
A role to fulfill
Something to give
A reason to live!


2. PHASE II: SYMMETRY

a/ The Consultation

The Mother takes the Prodigy to a Psychatrist for assessment. He performs a diagnostic interview and battery of tests on the Prodigy.

[Psychatrist]

I know it's hard to find the words
But tell me all about your world
To you struggle to adapt?
Do you feel detached?

[Prodigy]

It seems I'm always out of place
Like some alien machine
I never know how I should be
Or what to feel, or what is real

[Mother]

Can you help us reach our son?
Can we put our faith in you?
Can you help him overcome?
There is brilliance shining through
Do you see it too?

[Psychatrist]

Let's talk about your dreams
Can you tell me what you see?
Can you describe the way you feel?
Do you feel anything at all...

[Prodigy]

I see things that don't belong
In this four-dimensional world
There is so much more beyond
More to unveil, more to reveal

[Mother]

Can you help us reach our son?
Can we put our faith in you?
Can you help him overcome?
There is magic shining through

[Mother]

Can you help us reach our son?

[Prodigy]

I, I need a future I can build
Can you tell us what to do?
Give me a role that I can fulfill
Can we help him rise above?
I know I've got something to give
A reason to live!

b/ Diagnosis

The Psychatrist informs the Mother and Father of his findings. But will they accept eh unconventional course of treatment he suggests?

[Psychatrist]

Yes I'm afraid I see signs of impairment
But there is something more
He's an exceptional savant, one in a million

His mind is ablaze with distraction
But maybe I can help
I'm testing a new drug that can help him focus

[Father]

Please tell us more, that sounds intriguing
Can he join your clinical trial?
If he could concentrate he could help me
He might even be of some use

Center the mind, cut straight to the core
Bringhten the flame, break open the cage
Shatter the wall, shut down the noise
Soften the pain, sharpen the brain

[Psychatrist]

I have to confess it's experimental
I'm still running through the tests
The side effects could include extreme delusion

[Mother]

No! Not on my life, I'll never allow it!
No matter what we could win
I won't let you endanger my child
I refuse to play dice with his life

c/ The Argument 1

Is the Psychatrist's experimental drug woth the risk? The Mother and Father have vastly different views - and motivations.

[Mother]

How could you even contemplate
Experimenting on our child?
Were you even thinking of yourself again?

[Father]

No! Why shouldn't we want to help him
You make it sound like it's a crime
I'm not giving up, this isn't over!

d/ The Rival's Dilemma

The Rival appear to have his own agenda

[Rival]

So... What if they are right
And he's so remarkable
How does that affect me?

Ever since I was a child
It all came so easy
I never had to try

If he's as brilliant as they say
How will I be noticed
Now I'm not so special... Anymore

I'm not sure why i'm afraid
No, he won't beat me
Not without a fight, no!

One day I'll show them I am the genius
One day the whole world will know
One day I'll show them who he really is
One day they'll know

e/ Surface Tension

(Instrumental)

f/ A Reason to Live

[Teacher]

Let's find him a future to build
He'll give me a role to fulfill
I know he's got something to give
We all ned a reason to live

[Girl]

A future to build
A role to fulfill
Something to give
A reason to live

g/ Potential

The Teacher and the Girl each have their own reasons for supporting the Prodigy.

[Teacher]

Where am I going?
How did this happen?
My life has unfolded
Depressingly average

But if I support him
Help him reach his potential
He'll be my contribution
I can still make my mark
My name will live on

[Girl]

His shyness is charming
I wish I could reach him
He's strangely disarming
I hope I can free him

[Teacher]

I know I can help him

[Girl]

He needs someone like me
To reach his potential
To learn how to feel
He'll be my contribution
I wish he'd let me in
They'll remember my name
Let me help him to live
My claim to fame

h/ Quantum Chaos

4 years later

As the Prodigy gradually disappears into a chaotic world of patterns and equations, the Father can't stop wondering if the Psychatrist's drug might help.

(Instrumental)

i/ Dark Medicine

The Father meets with the Psychatrist, this time... Alone.

[Psychatrist]

I know why you're here
You're a fellow man of science
Our point of view is very much alike

[Father]

The choice is clear
I don't need to be convinced
Denying him this chance is just not right

[Psychatrist]

Give him one a day
That's the safest place to start
At such a tiny dose, the risks are low

[Father]

Keep it between you and me
Oh, they would never understand
Let's both agree that no one needs to know

j/ Alive!

The Father has been secretly putting the drug in the Prodigy's food. The results are almost immediate... And stunning.

[Prodigy]

Patterns are forming
Breaking through the noise
A beautiful symmetry
Slowly falling into space

Inspiration is flowing
Filling up the void
A perfect harmony
Full of elegance and grace

I've come alive
The road is so much clearer now
I'm finally awake
Destiny waits

[Father]

Oh, I am getting through to you
Can you hear me, son?
I never doubted you
I always knew you'd win this fight

I am reaching out to you
Can you help me son?
I'm so close to the answer
But I need your brilliant mind

We've come alive
Our goal is so much closer now
Now it's time to turn the page
Destiny waits
Now we will fulfill our fate
Destiny waits!

k/ The Prediction

The Mother rejoices at the Prodigy's remarkable progress, unaware that it's all due to the drug she was so violently opposed to.

[Mother]

And soon you'll show them you're a genius
And soon the whole world will know
And soon you'll show them what life really is
One day they'll know!


DISC 2

1. PHASE III: ENTANGLEMENT

a/ Fluctuations

(Instrumental)

b/ Transformation

The Teacher has become the Prodigy's closest friend - and the only person the Prodigy trusts. He is glad to see the Prodigy's progress, but can't help wondering if something unhealthy might be behind it. Regardless, he is determined to help the Prodigy, who is having trouble finding his bearings in the strange new world that the drug is revealing to him.

[Teacher]

I don't mean to interfere, but I see quite a change in you
The distant gaze has disappeared
The brilliant light behind your eyes is shining through

[Prodigy]

You're right, it's strange
It all seems different now
The mist has cleared, I'm finally awake
But it's hard to change
I want to live but I don't know how
I need someone to help me find the way

[Teacher]

You can count on me
I'm glad to have such a mind to teach
Life doesn't have to be a mystery
You can live my dream
And scale the heights I could never reach
We can play a part changing history
Our time is here!

I have to say, it's unusual
Such a transformation, overnight
I wouldn't have thought it was possible
I don't want to scare you, but it can't be right!

[Prodigy]

Well I don't mind, cause I feel so much stronger now
For the first time the world is making sense

[Teacher]

I'll be your guide
It's time to live and I'll show you how
A world of endless wonder lies ahead!

c/ Collision

As the Prodigy's confidence soars, he is finally able to stand up to the Rival

[Prodigy]
I can't believe I never saw
How insignificant you are
[Rival]
Ha! You're outshined
In every way
[Prodigy]
Well if you are such a genius
It didn't get you very far!
[Rival]
I'll prove you wrong
My mind's growing
Stronger each day!

[Prodigy] and [Rival]

No, you won't deceive me
You're nothing but a fake
You're a sad pretender
Trying to take my place

[Prodigy]

All the years you bullied me
Taking pleasure in my pain

[Rival]

It serves you right
Accept your defeat!

[Prodigy]

But now I realize you only wish
You had my brain

[Rival]

One day you'll see
You will be needing me

[Prodigy] and [Rival]

No, you won't deceive me
You're nothing but a fake
You're a sad pretender
A total waste of space

[Rival]

There can only be one

[Prodigy]

I'm pretty sure that it's not you

[Rival]

Mark these words
Coz one day you'll see
You will be needing me!

d/ Side Effects

3 years earlier

The Psychatrist comes to the Father with disturbing news...

[Psychatrist]

I'm afraid we've got a problem
The side effects have been confirmed
Severe psychosis and delusions
We have to stop the trial today
It's too dangerous
The boy desserves to know what's going on
What have we done?!

[Father]

Son, there's something I must tell you
I've been giving you a drug
I was convinced that it would help you
Can you forgive me what I've done?

[Prodigy]

No! How could you live with that?
Deceiving you own son to serve yourself
You can go to hell...

e/ Frequency Modulation

(Instrumental)

f/ Magnetism

As the devastated Prodigy rushes to school to find the Teacher, he runs into the Girl and the Rival. He explains that he's left home because his Faher has been secretely dosing him with a drug.

[Prodigy]

Now I've told you everything
Now there's nothing more to hide
I've got nowhere else to go
Can I stay with you tonight?

[Girl]

After all you've been through
How could I turn you away
We were always meant to be
I don't care what people say

[Rival]

Don't believe it
Don't be a fool
Manipulate you
Is all he wants to do

He will deceive you
You're being used
Don't let him play you
All he wants to do
He wants to be with you

[Prodigy]

The meds create a perfect world
Patterns, purpose, clarity
How will I ever live without?
What should I do... What's happening to me?

[Girl]

Don't you worry, it's all right
I will keep you safe from harm
Together we can beat this thing
Before the damage goes too far

g/ Quid Pro Quo

2 years ago

The Prodigy has been living with the Girl for some time now, but her loving attention is not enough. Without the drug, the overwhelming chaos in his mind returns, shutting him down and causing him to return to his introverted self. The the Rival comes up with a compelling but devious suggestion.

[Rival]

Let's make a deal
I'll get you what you need
You know I'm a brilliant chemist
I can duplicate your drug, but my offer has a price
If you want a new supply
You'll have to help me

[Prodigy]

Count me in, I'll do anything you want
But isn't it ironic?
The fate must be laughing
Your greatest enemy
Is the one who holds the key
What do you need from me?

[Rival]

I've found a way to infiltrate the banks
If you can break their algorithms
And bypass their systems
There's millions to be made, and all without a trace
We can't lose here

[Girl]

This can't be true
Now who's being used?
Don't let it end this way
It hurts me to tell you, you're gonna have to choose
What you really wanna do
Don't let me down!

h/ String Theory

(Instrumental)

i/ Fortune?

The Prodigy faces his own dilemna: Should he do something he knows is wrong - and even risk losing the Girl - to get the drug? The very drug that makes his new life possible? Hoping that the Girl will understand, he agrees to help the Rival.

[Rival]

Our plan has succeeded
We are rich beyond belief
We got more than we ever needed
We're free to live out our dream

[Girl]

I won't be part of this nightmare
I cannot live with what you've done
Get out of my life

[Prodigy]

What have I done?
Now she's gone...
What have I done?
Now she's gone...


2. PHASE IV: UNIFICATION

a/ Mirror of Dreams

3 months ago

The Girl has not seen the Prodigy since she told him to leave. She searches out for his Mother for comfort, wondering if there wasn't more she could have done.

[Girl]

I feel this shadow looming over me
Leaving me defeated and confused
His eyes still haunt me, if only I'd done more
Maybe I gave up on him too soon

[Mother]

I share your sorrow, but we are not to blame
His heart has always been a mystery

[Girl] and [Mother]

We'll never fathom, we'll never understand
Did he ever need us, were we real
Or mere reflexions in the mirror of dreams?

[Girl]

What holds his future, how will he survive?
Without us to save him from himself
Where has he run to, will he return?
I hope he knows I wish him well

[Mother]

It's up to him now, there's nothing we can do
I fear we cannot give him what he needs

[Girl] and [Mother]

Are we but phantoms inside his tangled mind?
Will he ever need us, are we real...
Or mere reflexions in the mirror of dreams?

b/ The Lighthouse

After being rejected by the Girl, the Prodigy turns to his only friend, the Teacher. The Prodigy needs a safe place where he can work on the Theory of Everything and take time to sort himself out. The Teacher knows the perfect place - there's an old renovated lighthouse up for sale. After pulling off the bank scam with the Rival, money is no object: the Prodigy buys the lighthouse and retreats there, virtually going "off the grid." The Teacher is the only one who knows his whereabouts, and checks on him every day.

[Teacher]

It's time to put things in perspective
Find your way again
Let me take you to the lighthouse
Where you can hide away

[Prodigy]

I only want to be alone
To work the numbers on my own
I need to show my Father
I need to show them all... I am the one

[Teacher]

Your time has come

[Prodigy]

To unlock the equation

[Prodigy] and [Teacher]

The Theory of Everything

[Teacher]

If you're troubled by the visions
The chaos in your mind
If the voices start to whisper
Call me, day or night!

[Prodigy]

Don't worry, I'll be fine

[Teacher]

Don't underestimate the danger
I'm gonna make the theory shine
You'll regret it sooner or later
I need to show my Father
I need to show them all... I am the one
Our time has come
I will find the equation
The Theory of Everything

c/ The Argument 2

The tension between the Mother and the Father comes to a head.

[Father]

Without him it's all over
We've got to bring him home again

[Mother]

He doesn't want to see you
Can't you get that through your head?

[Father]

But you can make him listen
All I need is one more chance

[Mother]

No! I can't take anymore
You never gave a damn!

d/ The Parting

Yesterday

After months of fruitless arguments with the Father, the Mother finally takes action.

[Mother]

And so it ends
It's time to let go
My spirit is crushed
Forsaken and cold

I'm leaving you
No tears left to cry
You'll never change
I've made up my mind
This is goodbye

[Father]

So this is the end
How can I go on?
My dreams unfulfilled
And now I'm alone

I let them down
I pushed them away
No reason to live
I'm ending this pain
There's no other way

Only one thing left to do...

e/ The Visitation

Last night

The Prodigy has been working on the Theory of Everything for months now. He's totally exhausted, but is sure that the final missing piece is just around the corner. Then one evening he gets an unexpected visitor.

[Father]

I'm down here on my knees
Feeling the weight of shame
How could I have done this
To you, my son

[Prodigy]

I can't believe my eyes
Is it really you?
Why should I forgive you
After all you've done...

[Father]

I was driven and blind
Not so unlike yourself
We can still work together
If you allow me

[Prodigy]

Why should I give you a chance?
Why should I trust you now?
Ha... I bet you are helpless
Without me

[Father]

If we join our minds
Then together we can do this

[Prodigy]

We both want to be the first
We both want to change the world

[Father]

We can work all night
Till we find out what the truth is

[Father] and [Prodigy]

We'll solve this mystery
Be a part of history

[Prodigy]

I'm so damn close

[Father]

I'll fill in the blanks
I could use a hand
Just give me this chance
For we're on the verge of a breakthrough

The meds help me to see
It's too late to stop now
I'll take just a few more
Just till the answer's found
We can make it, we will find the truth

[Prodigy] and [Father]

Let's join our minds
It's our destiny to do this
We're going to be the first
We're going to change the world

We'll work all night
Till we find out what the truth is
We both know we'll never sleep
Till we make this quantum leap
We are in way too deep

f/ The Breakthrough

Together with his Father, the Prodigy works feverishly all through the night. He takes a far greater dose of the drug than usual, thinking it will help him see the solution.

[Prodigy]

Isolate the graviton

[Father]

Verify the Higgs-Boson
Photons, hadrons
Gluons, fermions
Demonstrate the tachyon
Find the missing baryons
Neutrons, protons
Nucleons, electrons

Ride a wave of gravity
Unravel super symmetry
Position x, sparticles
Momentum p, dark energy
Einstein's relativity
Meets Heisenberg's uncertainty
Causality, eternity
Sigularity, infinity!

Eureka! We found it, we broke it
Eureka! We solved it, we did it!
Eureka! We made it, we cracked it
Eureka! We nailed it, we got it!

g/ The Note

The Prodigy is exhausted by his mental efforts, and - on the verge of collapse - summons the last of his strength to write a note for his friend, the Teacher

[Prodigy]

Dear friend, my work here is done
Science has evolved
As the sun sets on [Father] and son
The mystery was solved

I'm broken, I'm falling apart
Slowly fading away
I'm sorry... I took it all too far
Thank you for... Your faith...

h/ The Uncertainty Principle

On his daily visit to the Lighthouse, the Teacher is stunned at what he finds: The Prodigy is slumped in a corner, totally irresponsive, his hand clutching a crumpled note. The Teacher reads the note and immediately calls the Girls, who rushes over to the lighthouse. When she arrives, the Teacher can hear her hurriedly saying goodbye to someone as she bursts into the room, fumbling to put away her phone. Her eyes are already red from crying, but a flood of new tears erupts when she sees the Prodigy. She turns to the Teacher to find out what happened...

[Teacher]

His mind took flight
And his eyes have lost their light
All we have to go on is a note

They changed the world last night
Working together, side by side
His Father is the only one who knows

[Girl]

You haven't been told?
That was his Mother on the phone
There was a tragedy last night

His Father can't have been there
It had to be a ghostly dream
For at the fall of day he took his life!

i/ Dark Energy

The Prodigy clearly believed that his Father helped him. But how is this possible?

(Instrumental)

j/ The Theory of Everything Part. 3

9:46 this morning

[Mother]

They were seduced by mystery
Something forbidden was uncovered here

[Mother]
My husband

[Girl]

My love
My son
All gone

[Mother] and [Girl]

Our world is not ready to know
The Theory of Everything

We need a future to build
A new role to fulfill
We've got something to give
We'll find a reason to live!

k/ The Blackboard (Reprise)

The present.

Everyone has left the Lighthouse but the Teacher. He stands staring at the blackboard, trying to make sense of the tangle of equations. Then he makes a startling discovery...

[Teacher]

Will we ever understand
How two different hand styles
Came to grace this blackdoard

What unseen forces did conspire
Uniting a Father
And... his son...

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