Peri goes to Horror High opens with a high-energy ensemble of demons, led by the devil himself, setting the tone of a dark artistic journey. 

DEMONS:
WELL HELLO THERE
WE’VE COME FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEAST
ALL THE WAY HERE
AND THIS IS YOUR MEET-AND-GREET

I SEE YOURE  EXCITED
IT’S LIKE WE’VE LIFTED YOU OFF YOUR FEET
WE’RE SO REHEARSED WE COULD BE SCRIPTED
WE ARE YOUR TWISTED MASTERPIECE

LUCIFER:
MEET YOUR MUSE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE’LL BE YOUR GUIDE
YOU WON’T NEED ANYONE
OR ANYTHING FOR A WHILE

WE’RE YOUR MUSE
WE’LL BE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
FOR THE MOMENT
KEEP YOUR ARMS AND YOUR LEGS
INSIDE THE RIDE
UNTIL WE ARRIVE

DEMONS
WE’RE THE SHAKESPEARE’S
RINGING IN YOUR LEFT EAR
KNOCKING AT YOUR SKULL
YOU COULDN’T MAKE THIS ANYMORE PERSONAL 

LUCIFER:
MEET YOUR MUSE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE’LL BE YOUR GUIDE
YOU WON’T NEED ANYONE
OR ANYTHING FOR A WHILE

WE’RE YOUR MUSE
WE’LL BE YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
FOR THE MOMENT
KEEP YOUR ARMS AND YOUR LEGS
INSIDE THE RIDE
UNTIL WE ARRIVE 

(DIALOGUE)

WELL HELLO THERE
I HEARD YOU WERE CALLING TO THE DEEP
I NEVER LEFT YOU, I’VE JUST BEEN FAST ASLEEP

YOU’VE BEEN LONELY
I’M THE ONLY PROMISE YOU’LL KEEP
YOU WON’T BE WHOLE BUT YOU’LL HAVE A MASTERPIECE

LUCIFER
MEET YOUR MUSE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I’LL BE YOUR GUIDE
I CAN BUILD YOU THE GREATEST LEGACY
AT THE LOWEST PRICE

YOU’LL MEET YOUR MUSE
I KNOW THE ENTERTAINMENT
HAS BEEN VACANT
I’LL BE THE SHORTEST OF CUTS
YOU’LL EVER SEE
YOU’RE WASTING TIME

Lucifer delivers a charismatic sales pitch to Peri, tempting her to sell her soul for literary success and fame. With a mix of charm and menace, he reveals the seductive perks of ambition.

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS:

BUB
Presenting his most malevolent majesty master of mother’s earthly nature, and humanity’s most trustworthy friend, I give youuuu Luuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

LUCIFER

YOU GOT SOMETHIN’ TO SAY BUT THE WORLD’S NOT LISTENIN’
YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ABOVE THE NOISE
WELL LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF AND MY ASSOCIATE
WE JUST CAN’T HELP BUT HEAR YOU WHEN YOU SCREAM INTO THE VOID

HAVE YOU’VE BEEN DOUBTIN’ YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS
HAVE YOU’VE BEEN STARIN ’ AT AN EMPTY PAGE
WELL IF YOU’RE IN THE MARKET FOR SOME HIGH END INSPIRATION
LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I GOT IN MY BRIEFCASE

EVERYONE KNOWS IT’S THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
LIKE EVERY OTHER TYPE OF RETAIL
IT’S ALL IN THE DIVIDENDS AND PRESALE
DON’T MEDDLE IN THE DEVIL IN, THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

BUB
Excuse me uh excuse me

BUB
EXCUSE ME, SIR. I’M SORRY, I DON’T MEAN TO INTERRUPT BUT YOU ASKED ME TO REMIND YOU OF YOUR MEETING WITH THE TRUMPS. AT 3PM, REMEMBER YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ELON.

LUCIFER (in rhythm)
Every day something else goes wrong

BUB
SO, I’M THINKING IF WE WRAP THIS UP BY NOON, THAT SHOULD GIVE US TIME FOR KANYE’S LUNCH AT TWO. SO SEE WE REALLY DON’T HAVE TIME TO STAY …

BUB
We’re already running late!

LUCIFER
YOU GOT A MUSE THAT DOESN’T KEEP APPOINTMENTS
AND THEN YOU GOT ME WHO KEEPS A RECEPTIONIST
SO WHO YA THINK’S BEHIND THE WORKS OF SHELLEY, POE, AND SHAKESPEARE
YOU WANNA WRITE A HIT? LET’S DO SOME BUSINESS

EVERYONE KNOWS IT’S THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
LIKE EVERY OTHER TYPE OF RETAIL
IT’S ALL IN THE DIVIDENDS AND PRESALE
DON’T MEDDLE IN THE DEVIL IN,

(PERI dials 911. Lucifer’s cellphone rings.)

LUCIFER
Hello.

PERI
I’d like to report a break-in.

LUCIFER
A what?

PERI
A break-in. Two strange scary men broke into my house

LUCIFER
You mean breakdown.

PERI
What?

LUCIFER
You’re having a breakdown.

(PERI looks LUCIFER. He waves.

He talks into the phone, DEMON’S assault PERI with a cacophony of malevolent voices.

She drops the phone holding her head. LUCIFER dances with DEMONS)

LUCIFER
BUT I CAN MAKE THE VOICES GO AWAY.
AND HELP YOU GET THEM BACK WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF THINGS TO SAY
AND MAYBE YOU WON’T FEEL LIKE YOU’RE INSANE
LIKE YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME
LOSING YOUR MIND
AND WE CAN GET A CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY

PERI
While I can really appreciate whatever larping thing you’ve got going on here, I’m really busy. And, yeah you had me going. But if you’re the Devil, I’m a chicken.

LUCIFER
Excellent idea.

(He snaps his fingers. PERI transforms into a chicken. She dances and clucks about. He snaps his fingers again. She changes back to herself.)

PERI
What was that? What, who? You’re??

BUB
His Excellency…

PERI
Oh God

LUCIFER
Oh, Father.

BUB (whispers)
Daddy issues.

PERI
You can really control the voices?

LUCIFER
One hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed.

PERI
And all I have to do is sign?

LUCIFER
Just one small signature.

BUB
And a few drops of blood.

(He pricks PERI’s arm.)

PERI
Hey!

BUB
Actually, Sir, we need two signatures.

LUCIFER
Yes, yes.

BUB
And a hair sample.

LUCIFER
Later.

PERI
So those voices in my head...

LUCIFER
You’ll only hear them when you need them. Out of your head and onto the page.

In Horror High's detention room, the school's rebels—Grim Gary, Fran, and Frankie—launch into a song that expresses their frustration and disgust with the constraints and rules of high school. Toward the end, the group begins to mock Maddie, Medusa's daughter, as they spread rumors about her and mock her strangeness.

Maddie, overhearing the nasty comments, finally responds with 'Maddie’s Lament,' a haunting ballad that silences her classmates and reveals the loneliness, anger, and longing tied to the strange power she’s inherited from her mother.

(GRIM GARY, FRANKIE, FRAN, MADDIE and some other students in detention.)

GRIM GARY
THIS IS TOTAL FUCKING BULLSHIT
I’D LIKE TO SAY SINCE WHEN IS IT NOT OKAY
TO KILL SOMEONE AND BRING THEM BACK TO LIFE
AND OF COURSE YOU DO IT RIGHT
AND USE ALL THE PROPER KNIVES, BUT AM I RIGHT?

FRANKIE
Yeah! REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE FRESHMAN
THEY NEVER GIVE A FUCK ABOUT HOW WE WERE DRESSED
AND I’D BE LIKE, “HEY MAN, THIS IS JUST MY LIFESTYLE CHOICE”
AND THEY’D BE LIKE, “I’M SORRY SIR, ENJOY YOUR BLOINT, HERE’S SOME PINK FLOYD”

STUDENTS:
JUST A TWO HOUR PART OF A FOUR YEAR INCARCERATION OF EDUCATION
AT LEAST THERE’S A TIME WHEN WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION IT’S IN DETENTION

FRAN
CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THE RULES FOR PROM?

FRANKIE
DUDE, DON’T GET ME STARTED, WE’RE LIKE LIVING IN A POLICE STATE

GRIM GARY
NO SPELLS OR POSSESSIONS,
NO EXCEPTIONS
NOW HOW THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO SCORE A SMOKIN’ HOT DATE?

FRAN
IT’S LIKE THIS WHOLE SCHOOLS GOT A STAKE UP ITS ASS
AT LEAST I’M HERE NOW NOT LEARNING NONSENSE IN CLASS

FRANKIE
YEAH OUR PARENTS ARE LIKE, “FRANKIE, YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE”
AND I’M LIKE, “GUYS, TAKE A BREATH, THERE’S A.I. AND YOUTUBE”

STUDENTS:
JUST A TWO HOUR PART OF A FOUR YEAR INCARCERATION OF EDUCATION
AT LEAST THERE’S A TIME WHEN WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION IT’S IN DETENTION(x2)

GRIM GARY:
NO RESURRECTIONS?
NOW I DON’T EVEN KNOW
THAT LEAVES OUT PRINCESS DIANA AND MARILYN MONROE

FRAN
WHAT THAT NEW GIRL, UHM, PERI, YOU THINK SHE’S GONNA GO?

FRANKIE
OR YOU COULD TAKE TAKE MADDIE, I MEAN JUST AS A JOKE
I THINK SHE FAILED TRANSMUTATIONS
OH, AT LEAST THREE TIMES
AND HAS THIS WEIRD DARK SINISTER ATTITUDE.
OH, AND ON TOP ALL OF THAT, SHE DOESN’T LOOK YOU IN THE EYE
WHICH IN MY OPINION, DUDES, IS QUITE HONESTLY RUDE

MADDIE
Hey, I’m right here. And I can’t look at you. I’ve told you why a thousand times but no one seems to listen.

MADDIE’S LAMENT

MADDIE
I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME WITH MY EYES CLOSED
AND HOPE THAT NO ONE NOTICES
I’M HERE JUST TRYING TO FIND A LITTLE QUALITY TIME ALONE
I GUESS IT’S HOPELESS

AND HERE I MEAN NO HARM I’M JUST TRYING TO RELAX
BUT IT’S HARD TO THINK WHEN YOU LAUGH LIKE THAT
AND IF I LOOK AT YOU SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN
SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN
SOMETHING’S GONNA HAPPEN

IF I OPEN MY EYES
YOU BETTER TAKE COVER
IF I OPEN MY EYES
DON’T YOU KNOW WHO MY MOTHER IS?
MR. WISE GUY THINK YOU KNOW THE HARD LIFE?
WELL OPEN MY EYES
I DARE YOU TO TRY

I SPEND MOST OF MY DAYS WITH MY HEAD DOWN
AND STAY AWAY FROM STRANGERS
IN THE END NO ONE WOULD CARE IF I SKIPPED TOWN
AT LEAST YOU’RE OUT OF DANGER

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE LIVING LIFE ALONE
BUT MAMA SAID AT LEAST YOU DON’T TURN MEN TO STONE
AND IF I LOOK AT YOU SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN
SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN
SOMETHING’S GONNA HAPPEN

IF I OPEN MY EYES
YOU BETTER TAKE COVER
IF I OPEN MY EYES
DON’T YOU KNOW WHO MY MOTHER IS?
MR. WISE GUY THINK YOU KNOW THE HARD LIFE?
WELL OPEN MY EYES
MAYBE I’LL I GIVE IT A TRY (X2)

STUDENTS (WITH MADDIE SINGING “MADDIES LAMENT CHORUS)
JUST A TWO HOUR PART OF A FOUR YEAR INCARCERATION OF EDUCATION
AT LEAST THERE’S A TIME THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION IT’S IN DETENTION

In Human Studies Class, Dr. Medusa explains the day's assignment—dissecting fetuses. Peri, visibly uneasy, is paired with Eugene, Bigfoot's lovable but shy and awkward son. Using the fetus as a puppet, he launches into "Fetus Eugene," a heartfelt and earnest prom invitation to Peri.

EUGENE:
MY NAME IS FETUS EUGENE
AND I DIDN’T MEAN TO GIVE YOU A SCARE
I’M JUST A FETUS YOU SEE
DID YOU KNOW IT’S NOT POLITE TO STARE

FROM ALL MY TIME IN THIS WORLD
I’VE SEEN A LOT OF PRETTY GIRLS
BUT I THINK YOU’RE ONE OF A KIND
AND THOUGH THEY’D LAUGH IF THEY SEE US
WHAT CHANCE WOULD A FETUS HAVE
WITH THE COOLEST GIRL IN HORROR HIGH

I’M FETUS EUGENE
AND IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY GETTING YOU ALONE
BUT TODAY IT’S JUST MY LUCK
THAT YOU HAPPEN TO BE
SCHEDULED TO REMOVE ALL MY BONES
AND IF I’M NOT ASKING TOO MUCH

WHENEVER YOUR TEACHER
OPENED THE DOOR TO THE FREEZER
I’D HOPE TO CATCH ONE LOOK
BEFORE YOU WERE GONE
BUT NOW IT’S ALL ON THE TABLE
AND I’M FINALLY ABLE TO ASK
WOULD YOU ACCOMPANY ME TO THE PROM?

PERI:
Oh that’s so sweet. But it’s kind of weird considering you’re a fetus and all. Do they even let fetuses in the prom?

(EUGENE puts the fetus down.)

EUGENE:
Ok ... MAYBE THAT’S ENOUGH OF FETUS EUGENE
IT’S JUST SOMETIME HARD TO ARTICULATE EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN
I MEAN I THINK YOU’RE REALLY PRETTY
I KNOW PROM IS SORT OF SHITTY
I MEAN, I’M SORRY, MAYBE THAT’S YOUR THING
YOU’LL PROBABLY GO WITH LAST YEAR’S KING
BUT IF YOU’D LIKE A CHANGE OF SCENE

NOW MY HEAD IS SPINNING ... Ok.

(He picks up the fetus.)

THE POINT OF THIS SONG
WAS JUST TO ASK YOU TO PROM
AND NOW MY FRIEND HERE’S JUST TOO SHY TO BE SEEN
SO IF I MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST
AS A SUITABLE GUEST
MIGHT I POSSIBLY SUGGEST ...
EUGENE?

(PERI gently pushes the Fetus down from EUGENE’S face.)

PERI:
Yeah, why not Eugene?

Lucifer and his wife perform "Piece of My Heart," a captivating doo-op duet as the school's house band at prom. Their smooth harmonies and playful chemistry set the tone, keeping the students dancing and unaware of the tension simmering beneath the evening's charm.

DEVIL:
OUR LOVE IS A CADAVAR
THAT WILL LIVE ON INTO DEATH
A LOVE FOREVER AFTER
PAST YOUR DYING BREATH

ALONE
I’M ONLY AN OLD PAIR OF BONES
WANDERING WITH NO WHERE TO GO
SLOWLY BLEADING OUT ON MY OWN
OH NO


CUT A HOLE IN MY CHEST
IN THE SHAPE OF A STAR
ITS ONLY MY HEART
ITS ONLY MY HEART
YOU CAN SEVER MY LIMBS
KEEP ME NEAR WHEN WE’RE APART
FOR A PIECE OF MY HEART
ITS ONLY MY HEART

 MS LUCIFER:
OUR LOVE IS LIKE A COFFIN
YOU’LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE
A LOVE THAT WE ARE LOCKED IN
BURIED 6 FEET DEEP

DEVIL (with ML backrounds):
ALONE
I JUST ROT UNDERNEATH THIS HEADSTONE
WHERE THE MAGGOTS AND WORMS FEEL AT HOME
EVERY DAY I  DECAY ON MY OWN
OH NO

DEVIL:
WELL YOU SPRITELY RUFFIANS AND WILDEBEASTS
I FOR ONE COULDN’T IMAGINE A BETTER CULMINATION OF A SCHOOL YEAR
WHAT A PRIVLEDGE TO SPEND ONE LAST NIGHT SEEING YOUR
SMILING FACES, JUST A LITTLE MORE GROWN UP
A COLLECTION OF TRULY MATURED SPECIMINS
AND AS I RELEASE YOU TO EMBARK INTO YOUR TRIUMPHANT NEW ENDEAVORS
NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME, KIDDOS

BOTH:
SWALLOW ME WHOLE
NEVER LET GO

CUT A HOLE IN MY CHEST
IN THE SHAPE OF A STAR  
ITS ONLY MY HEART
ITS ONLY MY HEART
YOU CAN SEVER MY LIMBS
KEEP ME NEAR WHEN WE’RE APART
FOR A PIECE OF MY HEART
^ A PIECE OF MY UNEMBODIED
BROKEN, LONELY, BLOODY
HEART

Peri sings her final song after she is crowned prom queen. The stage freezes around her, capturing the moment in eerie stillness. As she finishes her song and the lights come up, Peri’s prom ballroom has been transformed into the ward of a psychiatric hospital, where she and her “classmates” are revealed to be patients clad in hospital gowns. Lucifer, the ward’s lead psychiatrist, observes his work with quiet satisfaction.

A Hollywood producer approaches Lucifer, eager to purchase Peri's story and turn it into a movie. With this “success”, the pact is complete, and Lucifer finally claims Peri’s soul.

The finale song reprises the opening theme. Lucifer's gaze sweeps over the audience as he looks for his next victim. His new lyrics whisper: “What would you give to go down in history?”

PERI:
ALL MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS
WHERE DID YOU GO
TO KNOW YOU WAS A DREAM
BUT NOW I’M ALL ALONE
THEY GAVE ME THE CROWN
I GUESS I MADE IT TO THE TOP
BUT THE SUMMIT FEELS SO LONELY
I CAN ONLY SEE THE DROP

EVERYTHING I WANTED IS EVERYTHING I GOT
I GOT NO MORE FIGHT
AND I’M TERRIFIED

DON’T LET IT DIE
MY STORY
WHEN I AM THE STORY

I BEEN RUNNING SO FAST
WHERE DID I GO
I NEVER LOOKED BEHHIND ME
ALL THIS TIME I’M CHASING GHOSTS
DON’T TELL ME WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE
MAYBE I DON’T WANT TO KNOW
THIS NOTHINGNESS IS VIOLENT
THIS DARKNESS HAS NO HOPE

EVERYTHING I WANTED
BURNED THEN FLICKERED OUT
NOW IN THE DIMMEST LIGHT
I’M TERRIFIED

SO DON’T YOU LET IT DIE
MY STORY
WHEN I AM THE STORY
DON’T YOU LET IT DIE
MY STORY
WHEN I AM THE STORY

(PRINCIPLE COOKIE puts the crown on PERI’S head.
SFX ELECTRIC SHOCK
PERI and EUGENE stare out.
Patients roam the space.
The WOMAN IN WHITE administers pills to some of the patients.
MR. HOLLAND WINDBAG enters, scans the room. He approaches LUCIFER.)

MR. HOLLYWOOD
Excuse me.

LUCIFER
Yes.

MR. HOLLYWOOD
My name is Holland Windbag. Maybe you’ve heard of me. I’m a Hollywood film producer.

LUCIFER
What can I do for you Mr. Holland Windbag?

MR. HOLLYWOOD
I heard that the author of Peri Goes To Horror High is a patient in this hospital.

LUCIFER
You heard correctly.

MR. WINDBAG
That’s amazing. I’m interested in purchasing the rights. It would make a brilliant film.

LUCIFER
I hold the rights to that book.

MR. WINDBAG
I see. Would you be willing to sell me the rights?

LUCIFER
I’m sure we can work out a deal.

(He does a take to the audience.)

MR. WINDBAG
That would be beyond—

LUCIFER
Yes it would.
(to NURSE)
Ms. White. Please show Mr. Windbag to my office.
(to MR. WINDBAG)
I will be with you shortly.

MR. WINDBAG
Thank you.

LUCIFER
No. Thank you.

(The NURSE leads MR. WINDBAG out.
LUCIFER goes to PERI.)

LUCIFER
I have great news. Your book is about to become a movie.
(calls out)
Bub!

(BUB enters with the contract.)

BUB
(reading aloud)
In your bilateral agreement with Lucifer, also known as The Devil, The Prince of Darkness, Ruler of Hell, etc., etc., etc.,

Made by him and between you, Peri (no last name), whereas you, Peri (no last name), is desirous of selling your immortal soul to His Darkness, and whereas, His Darkness is willing to purchase said soul under the terms and conditions set forth herein with the acknowledgement that the transfer is irrevocable and binding. The Transfer of said soul shall occur immediately upon execution of this contract.

LUCIFER
Which is now.

(LUCIFER proceeds to take PERI’S soul from her.
During this the DEMONS sing a reprise of the opening number.
When the soul is taken and the song ends, LUCIFER leaves.)

DEMONS:
WELL HELLO THERE
WE’RE BACK FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEAST
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY?
A LITTLE MAD THAT YOU HAVEN’T HAD THE LUCK THAT YOU NEED
IF YOU HAVE A DREAM THEN WE HAVE AN OPENING

LUCIFER:
OH MEET YOUR MUSE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
DO YOU FEEL ALIVE?
ALL YOUR DREAMS SEEM A MILLION MILES AWAY
BUT THEY NEVER DIED

LUCIFER AND DEMONS:
WE’RE YOUR MUSE
WE CAN MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS
FOR A PAYMENT
I CAN BUILD YOU THE GREATEST LEGACY

LUCIFER:
MEET YOUR MUSE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
ARE YOU READY TO SIGN
YOU WONT NEED ANYONE OR ANYTHING
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

LUCIFER AND DEMONS:
WE’RE YOUR MUSE
YOU CAN TEAR OUT THE PAGES
CAUSE YOU’RE AGELESS
I CAN BUILD YOU THE GREATEST LEGACY
DON’T WASTE TIME