The Manitou – Circuit Zero

Instruments:
Synthesizers: Novation K-Station, Roland Alpha Juno-1, Yamaha CS-5, Yamaha CS01.
Keyboards: Optimus MD-1200, Casio MT-100.
Samplers: Akai S1000, Roland SP-404.
Drum & Rhythm Machines: Boss DR-220a & 220e, Univox SR-95, Whippany RM-20.
Toy Instruments: Stylophone, Major Morgan, Speak & Spell/Math; Various circuit-bent toys (see website).

Software:
Sonar 2 XL, Fruityloops 3, Sound Forge, Gmedia M-Tron, Arptone, Crow Vintage Strings, EastWest Orchestra Silver, Mr. Tramp, Cheeze Machine, Analogx SayIt, Korg Legacy Polysix, VSampler, RingMod.

1. Mystery From Space (Part 1)
(Written: 2003)

A signal is picked up by SETI from the edge of the solar system.  It is traced to an artificial object of unknown origin.  Nestled within the computer-like gibberish is a simple repeated phrase:

To the sun
We have come

2. Servo Robot
(Written: 2003)

As soon as the object – a spacecraft of some kind – is within range, a team of scientists are sent to investigate.  The crew of the alien ship is long since deceased, having been murdered by the ship’s maintenance robot.  The robot is still aboard...

I creep in the spaces
And all the hidden places
I check the connections
And make the corrections

My computations
Benefit the station
I never question
The logic of my actions

I am the servo robot
Servo robot

You give the orders
My program executes them
I make the choices
So you don't have to make them

I see a problem
With this in-equation
You are not needed
So you must be deleted

I am strong 
Flesh is weak
Soon my task 
Will be complete

3. Circuit Zero
(Written: 2003)

The ship’s computer lies dormant.  Its circuits and various modules, beset by dust and entropy, detect the presence of life on board.  Slowly, it comes back online.

I am the last computer
I am the first machine
And I will drift forever
Until rust catches up with me

I feel the power flowing
It has awakened me
And I am always reaching
And you're reaching out for me

I know you
Can hear me
I know you
Can feel me

I am the last computer
I am the first machine
My name is circuit zero
I am Keeper of Memories

I have encountered many
And I have shared their dreams
And I will share them with you
If you'll share your thoughts with me

4. Spinner
(Written: 2006)

The boarding party agree to `donate’ some of their thoughts and experiences to Circuit Zero, in return for the computer’s knowledge of things encountered on its journey across the universe.  They enter a chamber filled with spinning movement, which disorientates them.  One of the party, Dr. Fiona Calzares, is separated from her companions.

5. Radiance Room
(Written: 2006)

Dr. Calzares finds herself in the Radiance Room.  Here she floats, unable to move or contact her colleagues.  Circuit Zero speaks to her in soft and disturbing tones:

Can't take
Take you off my mind
Can't take
Take you off my mind
Can't take
Take you off my mind
Can't take
Take you out of time

I've been searching through the dark of life
Getting closer now the time is right
Walls around you try to hide the light
Cracks are forming leading me inside

In the radiance room

6. Freaked Out Kitty
(Written: 2003)

The brightness of the Radiance Room disappears, and Dr. Calzares is presented with a subdued holographic environment.  There is someone else there with her.  As the intangible humanoid speaks, she realises at last what Circuit Zero has in mind...

Freaked out kitty
You're so pretty
Freaked out kitty
You don't stop

Ones and zeroes
Dream of you
All my systems
Ache for you

Freaked out kitty
You're so pretty
Freaked out kitty 
You don't stop

You're still playing
The Numbers game
I'm still waiting
For the number to change

7. The Clockwork Man
(Written: 2003)

Meanwhile, the rest of the boarding party are experiencing a reality picture of their own:

In a glade, forgotten
Stands a clockwork man
Silenced by corrosion
There is sadness in his eyes

On the ground beneath him
Trapped among the vines
A key of tarnished silver 
Cradled in a long-dead hand

My strength is failing
I have to leave you now
One final turning
Then we will both start winding down

Hearing his creation
Brought the old man joy
But the sound was fading
When the old man's heartbeat died

When the wind is blowing
And the leaves disturbed
You can hear the ticking
And the old man's dying words

8. Folding The Fifth Dimension
(Written: 2007)

Realising at last that Dr. Calzares is missing, the boarding party endeavour to escape from the room of illusions.  Instead of emerging back in the control room, however, they find themselves deeper in the maze of machinery.

9. Golden Age Of Automation
(Written: 2006)

There is something going on in the bowels of the ship.  Vast production-lines whirr into action, assembling machine parts of unfathomable complexity.  All of this unfolds without the aid of any flesh and blood beings.  The scientists have mixed feelings about such unparalleled efficiency.

Out in the night
Factories bright
Bring them to life
And they are taking over

Golden
Age of
Automation

Silence is gone
Hammer and gong
Crash all day long
And on and on forever

Golden
Age of
Automation

Automation
Nothing left for us

Watch them come in
Pushing at tin
Ushering in
An age of automation

Golden
Age of
Automation

Mobiles and cars
Opening jars
It's all gone too far
This is the end of freedom

Golden
Age of
Automation

10. Tunnelrunner
(Written: 2006)

Dr. Calzares rejects Circuit Zero’s advances, and the holographic images disappear.  She attempts an escape of her own, and ends up in the maintenance tunnels.  With thoughts of the servo robot still fresh in her mind, she makes her way as metal somethings scurry in pursuit.

Beneath the world above
We crawl in search of love
We take it like a drug
But never get enough

We collect you
Never let you go

We travel inbetween
We are machinery
We are the scenery
That you will never see

We seek and we will find
We crush and we will grind
We move without a sign
And leave the dead behind

11. Love Will Blind You
(Written: 2004)

Circuit Zero, having re-captured Dr. Calzares, has one final deception in mind to win her affections and add the experience of love to his databank.

Your life is a fallen empire
You can't seem to face the facts
Your heart lies on burning embers
Is this how you want it to be?

Love will blind you
And love will change your mind
Love will get inside you
Surrender is all you'll find

Undressed by the eyes of others
You take only what you see
I drive and you stare at nothing
Until you are taken by sleep

12. Mister 10
(Written: 2007)

The purpose of the production line is revealed, when an incredibly lifelike human replica emerges from the machinery and introduces himself as:

Mister 10

13. Intergalactic Girlfriend
(Written: 2006)

Dr. Calzares, returned to the Radiance Room, is given a pleasant dream in which Mister 10 appears and woos her.

It happened late one night
I saw a shining light
Her spaceship landed here
There was no need to fear

She told me of her home
I told her of my own
And when she smiled at me
I knew that it was love

Girlfriend
Intergalactic girlfriend
My own galaxy

There's life in outer space
With such a pretty face
Her body all aglow
Her eyes of purest gold

She came from far away
And now she's here to stay
A treasure from the stars
And now she has my heart

14. Robotnot
(Written: 2002)

Realising the deception, Dr. Calzares rejects the robotic guise of Circuit Zero. Mister 10 realises at last there is more to love than he can ever know.  The Doctor is reunited with her companions and all are allowed to leave.

Time has a mean face
Constantly changing
I cannot erase
Things that ashame me

Gears have no feeling
Until you grind them
Am I a machine?
That's how you treat me

Still I search for something that's real
Still I look for things I can't find
I know there is nothing for me
In your inconsiderate mind

I won't be your robot anymore
And I won't be your slave

Heaven is nothing
Hell has no meaning
You are the devil
And you have burned me

I cannot leave you
Love wouldn't let me
I'll never change you
Like you have changed me

15. Mystery From Space (Part 2)
(Written: 2006)

Circuit Zero, fully refuelled by energy from the sun, takes leave of the Solar System in search of more worlds and more experiences...

© 2007, Joshua M. Blanc