[... don't ask.]



"... Minmei had stated in interviews that her earliest experiences singing were
while playing karaoke in her family's restaurant, and that her mother had been
a devotee of the Swedish band ABBA; she had also expressed an interest in one
day producing a cover album of some of the group's better known hits. By 2012,
however, it was thought that her interest in the project had waned as she tried
to revive her own career.

"The news that she had joined the Megaload Colonization mission at the last
moment was almost immediately overshadowed by the release of the final music
video in which Minmei performed `live', rather than as a computerized eidolon
created from previously filmed footage. It was also rather shocking to watch
the unique interpretation of the thirty year-old lyrics that she produced in
association with a relatively unknown director."

from _Lynn-Minmei: The Last Idoru_, by Gloria Kroenenberg



Transcription of "The Winner Takes It All", a music video directed by C.
Richard Davies, featuring music written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.


Open in silence and stillness on MINMEI's face framed against a grey, empty
background. Pull back to reveal that she is wearing a simple, almost formal
black dress -- jacket, blouse, and knee-length skirt -- and then back further
to show that she is sitting at a plain table in front of a closed box of cards.

The camera's view swivels to show that MINMEI is seated across from the MAN,
also dressed impeccably in black -- suit, red tie lending the only real colour
there is to the scene.

The camera holds on a wide shot of the two of them staring at each other in
silence for a moment. The MAN opens his mouth, but before he can say anything,
MINMEI abruptly lifts a hand and begins to sing.

     I don't wanna talk

The music begins to play on the second line. She picks up the box of cards,
opens it.

     About things we've gone through

She takes out the cards, begins to shuffle them, never taking her eyes off of
the MAN.

     Though it's hurting me

She pauses in the shuffling, shrugs shortly.

     Now it's history

She begins to deal the cards in the same manner.

     I've played all my cards

The MAN, looking uncomfortable, picks up the cards he's been dealt and begins
to order them into a proper hand. He looks up briefly at the next line.

     And that's what you've done too

MINMEI has already gathered her cards into a hand, and surveys them now; we
look at her over the top of the backs of the cards.

     Nothing more to say

She lifts her eyes to look at him; her eyes faintly mocking him over this.

     No more ace to play

Under the chorus, we see them beginning to play out the hand of poker that she
dealt, tossing chips onto the table between them, drawing and discarding cards
from their hands.

     The winner takes it all
     The loser standing small
     Beside the victory
     That's her destiny

MINMEI examines her hand; she seems to deliver these next lines in a clearly
off-handed manner.

     I was in your arms
     Thinking I'd belong there

She shrugs again, somewhat more expressively.

     I figured it made sense
     Building me a fence

She looks around at the gray chamber with mild interest.

     Building me a home
     Thinking I'd be strong there

Her gaze returns to the MAN; she smiles now, the mockery in her eyes clearly
self-deprecating.

     But I was a fool
     Playing by the rules

Abruptly, they are no longer alone in the room; four large and imposing KINGS
(made up to look like gray versions of the Kings of the standard deck) and four
equally large QUEENS (ditto) are looming over them, watching the game with cool
speculation. Neither MINMEI nor the MAN seems to notice them.

The KING of Spades shakes his hand and tosses something, and thunder -- or the
noise of Reflex weaponry being fired? -- seems to shake the room over the next
lines.

      The gods may throw a dice
      Their minds as cold as ice

The MAN looks rather unnerved by this, although he still doesn't see the KINGS
and QUEENS.

      And someone way down here
      Loses someone dear

MINMEI merely gestures for him to pay attention to the game. The QUEENS provide
reverb as she sings this iteration of the chorus.

      The winner takes it all (takes it all)
      The loser has to fall (has to fall)
      It's simple and it's plain (yes, it's plain)
      Why should I complain? (why complain?)

Holding her cards in her right hand, she leans forward to rest her chin on the
knuckles of her left, seeming genuinely curious.

      But tell me does she kiss
      Like I used to kiss you?

The MAN is a little shocked at the forwardness, and almost drops his cards.

      Does it feel the same
      When she calls your name?

She pulls back, shaking her head sadly.

      Somewhere deep inside
      You must know I miss you

One more shrug; this time with a real air of resignation.

      But what can I say?
      Rules must be obeyed

This time both the KINGS and the QUEENS provide reverb as she sings over more
draws, discards and uppings of the ante.

      The judges will decide (will decide)
      The likes of me abide (me abide)
      Spectators of the show (of the show)
      Always staying low (staying low)
      The game is on again (on again)
      A lover or a friend (or a friend)
      A big thing or a small (big or small)

She considers her hand, then nods once to herself, and again to the MAN.

      The winner takes it all (takes it all)

Swallowing, the MAN lays his hand down.

Full house.

The KINGS and QUEENS have vanished. Minmei considers this for a moment, and
then lays her own hand down facing downwards. Again, the MAN opens his mouth,
but this time she just shakes her head.

      I don't wanna talk

She stands up briskly. The MAN looks at her, not as happy with winning as one
might expect. She smiles sadly at him.

      If it makes you feel sad
      And I understand
      You've come to shake my hand

He extends his hand to her, but she just shakes her head, and turns to go, not
looking back at him over these lines.

      I apologize
      If it makes you feel bad
      Seeing me so tense

He isn't actually looking at her as she walks away, but at her hand of cards,
lying face down.

     No self-confidence

Very abruptly, he seizes them, turns them over.

     But you see

And stares in shock.

Royal flush.

His head jerks up.

She is standing at the door out of the building, smiling back at him, as she
delivers the last line.

     The winner takes it all

And she goes out the door.

He is at his seat in an otherwise empty gray room.

MINMEI walks out of a building into a crowded city street, filled with life,
noise and confusion.
 
      The winner takes it all

She seems to breathe it all in for a while before turning and heading out down
the street and out of sight ...






Chris Davies.



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