Battle

(stomps, claps building)

ENSEMBLE:

Ladies and gentlemen! Step right up!

Education meets expectation—watch it erupt!

⸻

GRAD (fast, aggressive):

I was told “get a degree, that’s the key to the door”

Now I’m locked in a system I can’t afford

You sold me a promise dressed up as a plan

Now I’m paying for a future that I don’t understand

I did the work, I put in the years

Now I’m drowning in interest, choking on fears

You call it “investment,” I call it a trap

Signed at eighteen—who explains all that?

ENSEMBLE:

OOOH!

⸻

BANK (smooth, controlled):

Let’s get one thing straight—you made your choice

Nobody forced you, you had a voice

We offered a path, you took the ride

Now you mad ‘cause the cost came with the prize?

This is a system—it runs on trust

You borrow the funds, you pay what you must

You wanted the title, the status, the climb

Now you owe the bill—plus interest over time

ENSEMBLE:

Talk that talk!

⸻

GRAD (faster, sharper):

“Had a choice?” That’s funny, let’s break it down—

Go to school or get stuck in a minimum town

Every teacher, every ad, every voice said “go!”

But nobody mentioned the lifelong OWE

You profit off dreams, you package the hope

Then tighten the leash with a financial rope

I’m working two jobs just to stay in place

Tell me—where’s the freedom you said I’d chase?

ENSEMBLE:

HE GOT YOU!

⸻

BANK (cutting, slightly defensive):

You wanted returns—this isn’t a game

Degrees bring opportunity, not instant fame

We manage risk, we calculate cost

Some win big, some take a loss

You blame the system, but play your part

Signed your name—that’s where it starts

We didn’t create ambition or need

We just supplied what you chose to receive

ENSEMBLE:

Hmmmmm…

⸻

GRAD:

You built a ladder with missing rungs!

BANK:

You climbed it anyway—young and sprung!

GRAD:

You knew the fall would break my back!

BANK:

You signed the terms—don’t dodge the fact!

GRAD:

Dreams shouldn’t come with chains attached!

BANK:

Dreams cost money—that’s a match!

GRAD:

You sell the hope then own the soul!

BANK:

We fund the dream—you chose the goal!

⸻

ENSEMBLE (rhythmic):

Who’s to blame? Who’s to blame?

Is it the system or the game?

⸻