This cue was a conceptual demo for a potential ABC political sitcom about two friends running for the same seat in the state assembly.

The cue has 2 major sections, each with a completely different feel.

The first section might be described as: big, sweeping, patriotic, American, Presidential, grand, important, honorary, and noble.

The second section could probably be described as: quirky, small, off-beat, light-hearted, suburban, personal, humorous, and mundane.

The main theme in the second section (played by the clarinet) is actually the same theme as that in the first section (played by the strings/violins)- it's just faster, more upbeat, extended, and "jazzed up" the second time around.

So- what was I envisioning as I composed this?

In my mind, the shot opens on a press room with a a podium, flag, and official government seal all visible in the frame. We follow our always-smiling suit-and-tie "candidates" in a montage of shots as they are seen shaking hands, working with young children, appearing before the press, working at city hall (or the capitol, etc.), breaking ground on important new buildings/parks, planting trees (with shovel!), "leading" meetings, signing bills/paperwork, delivering speeches, working with firemen and police officers, etc. Changing the world. All-American, all the way.

Then, as the candidates are posing for photos and the camera zooms in on their smiling faces, the frame flashes white (symbolically a camera flash), and the men break down into very non-smiling faces (worry? fatigue? urgency?) for the first time. It's the end of the day, and these guys leave the "hallowed grounds" of their governemental/campaign locations. This is where the music transitions.

At this moment, the official public image/facade is stripped away, and the audience is given insight into who these people really are. The candidates quickly head home-- one is perhaps driving a ridiculously tiny compact car, another is perhaps on a bicycle. The town is quite small- rather suburban or even rural. Everything is quirky. We follow these men on their journey home. We see them both pull into the same neighborhood.

As they stand outside of their homes on their lawns (with abundant campaign signs posted, of course!), they face each other across the street.

Finally, the scene ends with a musical return to the grand, noble, and patriotic (the ideal). However, in the last moment, there is one final hint that reminds us of the personal, humorous, absurd, and irreverent (the reality).

End scene. :)