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Scene 9 : A Psychiatric Clinic
Sparks (reprise)
A psychiatrist and his assistant experiment with
Tommy. The psychiatrist guides Tommy to a
cymbal, a drum and a bell, encouraging him to
play each instrument. The Walkers urge Tommy
on but he only responds like a puppet. Mr
and Mrs Walker become discouraged.
Tommy gets very tired and they all seem hopelessly defeated.
Scene 10: Heathfield Gardens
Eyesight to the Blind
The front door of 22 Heathfield Gardens appears as the disheartened Walkers lead Tommy
down the street. Mr. Walker puts his key in the door and lets Mrs. Walker and Tommy enter,
while he remains at the doorstep and takes out a package of cigarettes. He is clearly
upset.
The Hawker glides down the street, glances through the window and nods at a not yet
visible companion. A rather unsavory-looking character, he arrives at Mr. Walker's side in
time to light up his cigarette. While Mr. Walker smokes, the Hawker begins to sing
"Eyesight to the blind" and pulls out photographs of his woman, which he shows
to Mr. Walker. His proposition is clear and Mr. Walker is dubious.
The Hawker's companion appears down the street, playing wailing riffs on his harmonica.
Mr. Walker is now somewhat amused and looks at the photographs again with interest at the
prospect of a woman who could cure his son. After some hesitation, he goes inside and
rushes Tommy out of the house. Mrs. Walker appears at the door and seems to be about to
stop them but then thinks better of it and stands watching them go.
Mr. Walker and Tommy follow the two men through a heavily industrial, urban London
landscape. The Hawker continues to sing as he leads them to a godforsaken back alley where
aggressive hookers and filthy derelicts couch around fires buring in oil drums. A group of
thugs is gathered around a manhole on a circle of tires while, in the background, drunks
sip at cheap beer and rubbing alchohol. Despite the surroundings, Mr Walker, who is at his
wit's end about his son, is eager to meet the woman he's been told has "got the power
to heal"
Scene 11: The Isle of the Dogs
(The others slink away as the Hawker and the Harmonica Player lead Tommy and his father to
a hooded figure, a drug-addicted prostitute called the Gypsy, badly in need of a fix. She
looks down at Tommy, puts her hand on her head and gazes up at the heavens.)
Acid Queen
Gypsy:
If your child ain't all he should be now;
This girl will put him right.
I'll show him all he could be now;
Just give me one night.
(The Gypsy removes her cloak and steps into the light)
I'm the Gypsy- the Acid Queen!
Pay before we start.
I'm the Gypsy- I'm guaranteed
To tear his soul apart.
Give us a room and close the door.
Leave us for a while.
Your boy won't be a boy no more.
He'll be young but not a child.
I'm the Gypsy- the Acid Queen!
Pay before we start.
I'm the Gypsy- I'm guaranteed
To tear his soul apart.
Gather your wits and hold on fast;
Your mind must learn to roam;
Just as the Gypsy must do,
You're gonna hit the road.
When the work is done, you'll look at him;
He'll never be more alive.
My blood will run through his skin.
Watch his body writhe!
I'm the Gypsy- the Acid Queen!
Pay before we start.
I'm the Gypsy- I'm guaranteed
To tear his soul apart.
(The Gypsy hustles Mr. Walker away from Tommy and over to the Hawker. She dances sinuously
around the boy who seems to respond in a voluntary motion. Mr. Walker is encouraged enough
to pay her.)
If your child ain't all he should be now;
This girl will put him right.
I'll show him all he could be now;
Just give me one night.
I'm the Gypsy- the Acid Queen!
Pay before we start.
I'm the Gypsy- I'm guaranteed
To break your little heart.
(The Gypsy starts to lead Tommy off, but Mr. Walker, horrified at the actual deed, changes
his mind and pulls him away from her. As they exit, the Hawker takes the money from the
Gypsy, who turns away in despair.
