Hold on Hope

Rico, wounded, looks up and says to no one, "Carl. Buddy. Dose it look like my time, or what?"


Rico is saved, by Dizzy, from a lizard-type creature. On the skimmer, he's held by a distraught Dizzy, while the others look on with concern.

Every street is dark and folding
Out myseriously

The Roughnecks walk along the deserted streets of the ruins of Buenos Aires

Where lies the chance we take...to be
Dizzy and Rico say goodbye to Carl, before he's taken from Tophet.

Always working
Reaching out for
A hand that we can't see

Dizzy loses her balance on the cliff edge. Rico rushes to her, reaching out to her. Their hands barely touch before she falls over the edge

Everybody's got a hold on hope
Rico, in the tank, smiles at Dizzy, before going to sleep.

It's the last thing...that's holding me
Dizzy kisses the glass of the tank, leaving a lipstick mark.

Invitation to the last dance
Zander, in bug form, fights off the other bugs, as the mound falls in.

Then it's time to leave
Rico goes back to help Zander, but gets blown out of the mound.

But that's the price we pay
Rico and Dizzy argue. Rico storms off.

When we deceive
One another/animal mother

Tears run down Dizzy's cheeks//switch to Queen Bug

She opens up for free
Rico tries to get a shot of her, but she's using Carl as a shield

Everybody's got a hold of hope
The Roughnecks try to stop the Transport Bug.

It's the last thing...that's holding me
They helplessly watch the Transport Bug fly off towards Earth.

Look at the talkbox
Video image of Brutto, in the wheelchair, talking

In mute frustration
The Roughnecks react solemnly to what he's saying

At the station
There hides the cowboy

Brutto gives a salute and the video image fades


clips from "Letters Home" T'Phai pushing his children in a swing. Dizzy playing basketball with her brother. Gossard with his sister, watching the sunset. Doc lying in the grass of Earth, as a butterfly lands on his chest. Razak turning Higgins around to show who his "family" is.

Look at the talkbox
Razak swims towards the ship

In mute frustration
At the station

Just as he gets there, he's captured by a bug. Rico grabs Razak's hand. Razak activates a grenade

There hides the cowboy
Razak gives Rico a fond look, before Rico lets go of his hand

His campfire flickering
On the landscape

Razak is pulled beneath the waters, his hand holding a granade. A moment later, there's an explosion underwater

That nothing grows on
Rico, in grief, fires into the water

Time still goes on
Dizzy grabs him, forcing him to stop

Through each life of misery
The two stand there, Dizzy holding Rico

Everybody's got a hold on hope
It's the last thing...that's holding me

Rico, holding the remains of Razak, slowly walks past the other Roughnecks

Everybody's got a hold on hope
It's the last thing...that's holding me

The ship skims across the lake as Rico and Redwing scatter the ashes

Everybody's got a hold on hope
It's the last thing...that's holding me

Rico holds a picture, of Razak and the Roughnecks, for a moment before letting it go. The ship flies off, as the picture floats down


The picture lands on the water and immediately sinks


Written by Cindy Franklin
Posted July 7, 2000

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