"TOPSY AND EVA"

Act II.

Musical Numbers

ACT II.

--Scene I--

Place..........Drawingroom of St. Clare home, New Orleans.

Time..........Late afternoon six months later.

SCENE..........A lovely second floor room, with door leading to another room D.R. An archway with short flight of steps leading up to alcove U.R., diagonally arranged. This alcove has French windows leading out to balcony which balcony opens upon a wide court. (This balcony, extends entirely around the house, on the outside). U.L. is another archway without steps, leading to hallway. D.L. perhaps is another French window. Alcove, window and door U.L. have similar draperies. A spinnet with revolving seat stands D.C., a small bench at lower side, and ornamental one-arm chair sits slightly R. of spinnet. A console is against wall U.C., with pair of tall vases. Handsome carpet on floor, alcove and "steps." Crystal chandeliers in both room and alcove. An oil portrait or two on walls. Chairs are artistically placed. There is an air of aristocracy and wealth about the place, and tho' a formal room, yet it is not cold or stiff.

..........

  BEFORE RISE OF CURTAIN an orchestra is heard playing.

..........

  CURTAIN rises...and we discover Mariette's friends dancing from balcony to alcove, then down the steps to drawingroom proper. They wear the quaint costumes of the period, and their dance is equally quaint and demure.

  (After the DANCING INTRODUCTION, the girls line up at either side of steps, forming a semi-circle, as music continues and...

ENTER MARIETTE

who remains on upper step and sings to the girls

.....NUMBER 1.....

"THE LAND OF LONG AGO"

(Mariette and Girls)

(She comes down, and ENSEMBLE join her in Refrain. Marie strolls C...girls on either side)

(Bus.)

(Bus.)

.....DANCE and exit U.R. thro' alcove to balcony.....

.....ENCORE.....

TOPSY and EVA, dressed in funny, oldtime clothes of their elders. Eva in lady's dress with train--and Topsy in male attire, enter from behind the curtains at R. and L. of alcove. They mimic Mariette and Girls and bow and curtsey exaggeratedly, then laugh.

(Enter Mariette in alcove, accompanied by several girls attracted by the laughter)

(Eva and Topsy turn and make same quaint curtsey to Mariette)

  You little rogues! What are you children doing at my birthday-party?

  It's our party, too. Isn't it Topsy?

  Sho' it ou' pahty! Ain't dis Miss Eba's house? An' Miss Eba's drawrin'room? An' Miss Eba's me?

(Indicating herself pompously)

(Children laugh)

  You naughty girl!

(To Eva)

  Wait till I tell your papa!

(With a toss)

  Oh papa won't say anything! If he does, I'll faint! Won't I, Topsy?

  Sho'! An' skeer him to deff! Den ah'll chase off de witches!

(In doorway D.R. staring at children)

  Good Lord! Ha-ha-ha!

(Running into his arms)

  Oh, papa, I want a birthday party, too. Topsy and I!

  But this isn't your birthday, dear!

  It my buffday!

  Your birthday? Why, you had a birthday last week and the week before...and the week before that!

  Sho! I has all de buffdays I likes. Dat's de nice thing 'bout bein' a orphan. Ha...ha..ha!

(Turns cartwheel)

(Mariette's friends are convulsed)

  Look at her, will you? Cousin Augustine, you just must send them out!

(Throwing herself violently into his arms)

  No, Papa, please! You beg him, Topsy!

  Faint, Missy, faint! Dat'll do it!

  I will!

(Excitedly)

  Papa! We must have a birthday!

  I'm sorry, darling, but this is Mariette's party...

(Bursting into tears)

  Oh, papa!

(Begins to weaken as she sobs)

  Pa...pa! Pa...pa!

(Sinks at his feet)

(In a panic)

  Eva! Don't faint! You know how it frightens me!

(Drops to knees, and lifts her head up, but her eyes are closed)

  Look at me! Speak to me! Topsy, for heaven's sake, bring her to!

  Yo' hab to gib into her, sah, o' Ah cain't do a damn t'ing wiff dem witcheses!

  I give in to you, darling!

  Say..."It' Topsy's buffday!"

  It's Topsy's birthday!

  Say "Yo' can hab yo' pahty!"

  You may have your party!

  Den heah goes!

(Waves assafoedita-bag and drones)

(Blows in Eva's face and makes funny passes)

  Come to, li'l Missy...he done gib in!

(Healthily flinging her arms around Topsy's neck)

  You darling!

(Rising)

  Oh, how she frightens me!

(Gently releasing herself from Eva's embrace)

  Heah! Don't mash me, chile! Ise full ob assafetety, I is!

(Replaces the "charm" down her neck)

(Petulantly)

  Oh, come along, girls!

(She and her friends run off U.R. and exit)

(Entering U.L. and staring at children in their party costumes. On her arm hangs a silk work-bag and on her neck is a small fur tippet)

  How shiftless!

  Oh, Lo'd! Heah dat Mis' Shif'less poppin' in!

  Don't call me "Miss Shif'less!"

(Strides towards her)

  'Scuze me, Mis' Shif'less!

  Ha, ha! I will them to you, Cousin! Go to it!

(Throws up hands and exits D.R.)

  We're going to have a party!

  Well, before you have any party, you'll sit down and have your lessons!

.....NUMBER 2.....

"DO...RE...MI"

Topsy, Eva and Ophelia

.....DANCE.....

(Ophelia sits on bench D.C.--Eva stands at her R....Topsy at her L.)

(Forcing her down roughly to cushion on floor)

  Now SIT...DOWN!

(Coming down with bump)

(Rubs her hip and continues grimacin' dazedly)

  Ooh! Ise hurted!

(Very dubious)

  Nonsense! Let me see!

(Still massaging bruised spot)

  Can't! Ise sittin' on it!

(Eva laughs...Topsy looks at her and ha-ha-ha's)

  Stop laughing at her, Eva. It only encourages her to be bad!

  No, ma'am! Ah don't need no 'couragement to be bad...Ise jes' nach'ly wicked, I is!

(Eva laughs...Topsy makes funny faces and glances at her and joins in)

(Rising and drawing Eva up)

(Topsy steals several articles out of her silken bag, and stuffs them about her person)

  Go to your father, Eva...I can't manage two of you...I'll be in my grave!

(Fussily)

  I want to stay with Topsy! I want to stay with Topsy! I want to stay with Topsy!

  You shan't stay with Topsy.

(Escorts child D.R.)

  I'll faint! I'll faint!

(Opening door D.R.)

  Then faint in there on the couch where it's comfortable.

(Closes door and turns key...Topsy, having stolen everything stealable from bag, now assumes a very prunes and prisms expression...crosses her eyes, rolls them upward, folds hands in prayerful attitude, and sings)

(Sings)

(Waves to "angels")

  Oh, no, it's not angels you see--it's the devil!

(Topsy grins and sinks down, meekly and "ha-ha-ha's.")

  You...bad...girl, you're as sinful as Sambo, and he's the worst nigger on the place!

(Sits, wearily)

  No, ma'am, Ise the wusstest! He knows cussier wu'ds n' me, but Ah knows more ob 'em!

(Then, proudly)

  Ise de ornryes' niggah below de Dixon an' Mason line! I is!

  I believe you!

(Smiling)

  Yaas, ma'am! Yo' don' know what a prize yo' got in me, Mis' Shif'les'!

(Ophelia throws up her hands)

  I can lie de mostest...an' steal de quickes'...

(Ophelia faces D.R. and Topsy steals Ophelia's little fur tippet)

  an' cuss! Yo' nebbah heerd me cuss, Miss 'Feely!

  What?

(Stares at her)

  Oh, Ah means real purty cussin'! Yo' know what Ise gwine to ax God to make me nex'?

  What?

  Si'mese twins so Ah kin cuss double! Haw...haw...haw!

(About to stand on her head)

(Roughly drawing her back and plumping her down roughly, with hand raised as if to strike her)

  Behave!

(Peeking up at the raised fist)

  HELP! Ise about to be slewed!

(Spying her "tippet")

  You little vandal! You've stolen my tippet!

(Draws "animal" out from within her coat)

(Staring at it crosseyed)

  Lawdee! Whah dat animule come frum at?

  That's what I want to know, you rogue. Where did it?

  Ah dunno, Miss 'Feely--

(Then with grin)

  'nelse it growed on me!

(Pats it)

  Pussy...pussy...pussy!

  Give it to me!

(Jerks it away from under her hand)

(With longing eyes)

  Ise only keepin' it wa'm fo' yo', Mis' Feely! It was cryin' out dere in de cold...po' li'l possum...

  Well, you don't need to mind keeping it warm. You keep hands off my property, if you please!

(Spies her scarf...and starts to draw it out from front of Topsy's sleeve)

  And my scarf! Heavens!

(Stuffs it down at her side)

(Pouting)

  Humph! Yo' nebbah gib me nuffin', Miss 'Feely, an' afta all Ah done gib you!

  GAVE ME? You never gave me anything but trouble!

  Yaas MA'AM! Ah gabe yo' de mumps, an' yo' nebbah eben thanked me fo' 'em!

(Falling back weakly and closing eyes)

  Help!!!!

(Topsy again steals tippet, then assumes innocent expression)

(Sitting up and staring at the hopeless imp)

  How old are you, Topsy?

  Dunno, Mis' Shif'les'!

  DON'T CALL ME MISS SHIFTLESS!

  'Scuze me, Mis' Shif'les'!

(Tips her high silk hat)

(As Topsy replaces hat...Ophelia impatiently rams it far down on her head, covering her entire face)

  You imp!

(Pantomiming swimming, cries in muffled tones)

  Help! Help! Help!

(Ophelia then angrily pulls it up off her head and tosses it down at Topsy's side! TOPSY'S eyes go crossed and she sways back and forth comically as if dazed)

  There!

  Whew! Yo' pull me out jes' in time, Miss 'Feely--Ah's goin' down fo' de third time.

  I wish you'd sunk! Topsy, who was your mother?

  Nebbah had no mammy!

(Picks up hat)

  Who was your father?

  Nebbah had no pappy! Nebbah had nuffin'! Dunno nuffin! Ain't nuffin'! Haw-haw-haw!

  Where were you born?

  Nebbah was bo'n!

  Then how did you get here?

(With wicked grin)

  Dunno, Miss 'Feely. Spec's Ah jes' growed!

(Xes eyes, grins and sets hat cornerwise on head, hand inside coat a la Napoleon)

(Pulling a glove from inside hat)

  Topsy...where did you get this glove?

  Glub?

(Then peers into hat and sees glove is missing)

  Lawd, Mis' Shif'les', yo' suttinly got gimlet-eyes!

  Answer me--how did this glove come to be in that hat?

  A dunno, Miss 'Feely...'nelse it a trick hat!

(Takes it up and looks in it, holding it at right angles before her eyes and blows in it!)

  Mebbe Ah kin ketch a rabbit! Come out, rabbit!

(Jabs hand in, then looks outside to see if a rabbit escaped)

(Snatching hat and tossing it down between them again)

  No, you stole it! Look at me, Topsy.

(Topsy looks crosseyed at her)

  Now tell me...what all have you stolen from me? EVERYTHING, mind you!

(Hand to head)

  Mah goodness, Mis' 'Feely, yo' sho' t'inks Ah got a long mem'ry! Ah been heah six months!

  Tell me. What all did you steal?

  Ah done steal yo' sca'f, Mis' 'Feely...

(Takes same scarf from bosom)

  What? Again? Good heavens!

(Seizes it and sits on it)

  An' yo' animule!

(Takes tippet from other side)

  You little devil!

(Snatches it and sits on it, too)

  An' yo' glub...

(Takes mate of glove from hat)

  Give it to me!

(Sits on it)

  An' yo' sash...

(Takes same from one pocket)

  My best girdle!

  Yaas'm...Ah suttin'ly has good tas'e!

(Ophelia snatches it and stuffs it in bag)

  An' yo' lace stockin's!

(Takes one from R. and one from L. pocket at same time)

  So that's where they went!

(Stuffs them into her bag)

  An' some hank'cheefs!

(Takes out a handful of lacey hdkfs. from hip pockets)

(Seizing them and stuffing them in bag)

  My Paris ones!

  An' yo' switches!

(Holds up long hair switch)

(Grabbing same and pins same on head)

  Oh, my God!

  An' yo' ribbon!

(Draws bright red ribbon from inside her vest)

  You imp!

(Snatches same...but it is a whole bolt and continues to unwind yards and yards and yards without end)

(Staring at the quantities of wide red ribbon emanating from her side)

  Stop! Ise bleedin' to deff! Help! Get a doctor an' a white sheet an' a hearse an' a tombstone!

(As the end is reached, sits back weakly as she stuffs the ribbon away)

  Oh, what a pest! Well, what else did you steal?

(Pulling her side pockets insideout, but her eyes lightning on Ophelia's jewelry, and feet enumerates them)

  Ah steals yo' breas' pin...an' yo' watch an' chain...an' yo' bracemalets...an' yo' high heel shoes...

(Feeling and seeing each article with quick rapid motions)

  Liar! I have them on. You haven't stolen them!

(With wise grin)

  No'm, not yet.

(Working her fingers hungrily as she eyes these articles)

  Not yet?

  Oh, yo' means what Ise already stoled...Ah t'inks yo' mean what Ise gwine to steal! Haw...haw...haw!

  You little outlaw! What can I do with you?

(Grinning)

  Ah dunno...guess Ah needs a whippin', Ah dooze!

  Yes, and you're going to get one!

(Gives her a little crack on head with her fan)

  Take that!

(Topsy grins and scratches head quickly on hit spot)

  And that!

(Same bus.)

  And that!

(Same bus.)

  Lawdee! Ise itchy! What dat fly buzzin' at?

(Glances around)

(Trying another form...slaps her several times)

  How's that?

(Sweetly...laying head, smilingly, against Oph's chair)

  Pat me som mo', Mis' 'Feely...Ah didn' know yo' lub' me so! Ah didn't know nobuddy love niggahs!

(Drawing away)

  LOVE you? I wasn't patting you...I was whipping you!

(Lifting head and staring at her)

  WHIPPIN' me? Law, Mis' Pheely, dat ain't no way to whip a niggah. Ah'll show yo'!

(On knees and about to assassinate Ophelia in her attempt to illustrate the ordeal)

  Stop! Don't illustrate...merely explain!

  Wall, de bes' whippeh I ebbah had was Marse Legree! Um-um!

(Shakes head cockily)

  But HE was a purty whipper...haw-haw-haw! How he could flog! He bang mah haid against de do' till de do' gib 'way...den he lash me wiff a cowhide till de whip go broke...den he kick me wiff his boot till de boot weared out...den, afteh he go rest up...

(Rising)

  Oh, you're hopeless!

(And rushes madly off D.R., unable to hear the rest of the child's torture!)

(Staring after her, calls)

  Bring a big whip, Mis' Shif'les'! Wid a cracker on it! Ah needs a floggin'...not a ticklin'!

(Door slams shut)

  Haw...haw...haw...

(MUSIC)

(She steals bag of articles and hides it behind her, at same time muttering to herself...as she begins to wind up her sore toe in a huge bundle, giving it a final touch of a lace handkerchief, tied with a sassy little bow on the top...and sings)

  Yass'n deedy...Ah suttin'ly needs a lickin', don't I, Toe?

.....NUMBER 3.....

"LICKIN'S"

(Rises...spies negro-faces peering in at French window D.L. and beckons them to enter. They come in sneakingly...and join in REFRAIN dance)

  REFRAIN...

.....DANCE...EXIT...D.L......

(Topsy...first coming back to take out the stolen bag with its contents, together with the "tippet" and red ribbon which she ties to "animule" and exits with the yards and yards of red ribbon behind her grandly, dancing to music all the while buring bus.)

.....NUMBER OVER.....

(Enter TOM U.L., with a large legal-looking envelope in his hand. He comes to spinnet and lays it there, D.C.)

..........

(Rattling door D.R.)

  Uncle Tom...Uncle Tom!

(Unlocking door)

  Yaas, Mis' Eba?

  Where's Topsy?

  Outside playin', Miss Eba.

(Rushing into his arms)

  Oh, Uncle Tom, Aunt 'Feely's going to send Topsy away from me!

  Ah, no, Miss Eba.

(Tearfully)

  But she is! She told me! Because she steals!

  Don't cry, honey. Come an' tell Uncle Tom what's breakin' Li'l Missy's heart!

(Sits...and draws her up on his knee)

  Oh, why can't she be good?

  'Cose she don't lub de Lawd...dat's why, li'l Missy.

  But why doesn't she love him? I love him...and you love him...

  Po' lonely li'l Topsy! Ah reckon all de lub in huh done been whipped out!

  Poor Topsy! and tonight papa's going to take her back to the plantation...and you, too, Uncle Tom, and 'Geegee and 'Liza and little Harry...

(Uncle Tom smiles wisely and lifts the legal-looking letter from spinnet at his side)

and poor Mrs. Shelby will have to move away from her home.

  Why, honeylam'!

(Tries to peer into her face)

  But she shan't go! She mustn't go! I'll die without her! It will break my heart!

(Buries face on his shoulder...)

  Don' cry, li'l Missy. De Lawd allus make' things come right!

  Uncle Tom?

  Yaas, Missy?

  I've an idea!

(Sits up brightly)

  You know the fountain...

(Indicates U.R.)

in the Court...with the birds? Asleep on the rim?

  Yaas, li'l Missy?

  They say at night...the birds wake up...to take care of us.

  Yaas, li'l Missy.

  Then why couldn't we sleep there tonight, Topsy n' me, in the basin? The birds would take care of us...and Aunt 'Feely wouldn't find Topsy then, to take her away!

(Smiling indulgently)

  Wall, Ah reckon you could, li'l Missy...

(Slipping to feet)

  Then we'll do it! Come on an' we'll go tell Topsy...Geegee can answer your bell if it rings.

  Sho' Uncle Tom come wiff yo', li'l Missy.

(Pulling him D.L.)

  Hurry! Somebody's coming! (Exit Eva and Tom D.L.)

(ENTERING U.L.)

  Come in, please...

(Enter GEORGE, erect and alert and smiling with MARKS in his Sunday best, a rose in his buttonhole)

  I'll call Miss Mariette!

(With sly smile)

  An' Miss Opheely!

(Eliza draws chair for George)

(Mischevously)

  You devil! I thought that rose in your buttonhold sniffed of romance. Congratulations.

  Wall, Ah ain't popped the question yet...you'd bettah hol' yo' blessin' in status quo for a bit.

(Gaily)

  But here's hoping, eh? Ha-ha!

  Yaas. But yo' nebbah can tell 'bout these No'the'n gals.

  Oh, yes, you can! They're the salt of the earth!

(As Eliza starts to call Mariette, off U.R.)

  Just a moment, Eliza, before announcing us to the ladies. First call Uncle Tom and Geegee! I've got good news for you!

  Oh, Marse Gawge...yo' don't mean...

(Pulls bellcord to summon Geegee)

(Entering excitedly with a fiddle in each hand)

  See, Mammy? My noo fiddle's nearly more bigger as Uncle Tom's.

(Running to him)

  Yes, honey. Run out to the garden and call Uncle Tom.

  Yaas, mammy.

(Rushes off H.L., calling)

  Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom!

(Enter Geegee U.L., an eager expression on his face)

  Geegee, heah's Marse Gawge an' Mistah Marks wiff good news!

(Beaming and coming swiftly to George)

  You mean...

(Waving hand toward George)

  He'll tell yo'! Ah'll leave your young master in charge of the ceremonies...

(Then with wink at George)

  While I peep at th' young gals dancin' out heah on de cou't.

(Chuckles and runs comically, on the tips of his toes U.R. as if he were doing a very naughty thing. He goes to balcony and remains, back to room, throughout the lines that follow)

(Putting out his hand)

  How are you, Geegee?

(Grasping his hand)

  Mighty gooh, sah. No use askin' afteh yo', Marse Gawge...yo' jus' shine out yo' happiness!

  Ha, ha!

(Raling in, fiddle under arm, D.L. dragging along TOM with fiddle)

  Heah's Uncle Tom, mammy!

  UNCLE TOM!!!

(Puts out his hands)

  Marse Gawge! Marse Gawge!

(They clasp hands)

(Rushing to Gawge his hand out)

  Heah's me, Marse Gawge!

(Laughter)

(Staring at him)

  Why bless me, if it isn't little Harry!

(Swings him up)

(Good Lord! How you've grown!)

(Cockily)

  You didn't know me when I come in, did yo'? That's co'se Ise a boy now. Las' time yo' saw me Ise only a gal!

(Laughter)

  But I turned myself back...see?

(George puts him down)

  See? Pants n' ebbahthing! Like a mans!

  Think of that, will you?

  An' I got a noo fiddle...see? A more bigger one?

(Exhibits same)

  Nebbah min', honey. Please go on, Marse Gawge, with the noos!

  Then gather 'round me, all...

(Eliza and George remain at his L. Tom and Harry stand at his R.)

and prepare to share my joy! My friends...WE'RE GOING BACK TO OLE KENTUCK'!

  Thank de Lo'd!

  Oh, Marse Gawge!

  Thank God!

  I've won back father's fortune...won out from a swindler...and redeemed our slaves...AND TONIGHT WE ALL START BACK TO THE PLANTATION!

  HOORAY!!!!!!

...ALL immediately burst into "We're goin' back to Dixie! Hooray! Hooray!"

(Then, swinging, jigging, Harry and Tom fiddling, all march about happily, ending the ONE REFRAIN ONLY, with Tom going off D.L. E., Gee., and Harry, U.L. and George U.R. to Mariette)

(Laughing, on alcove 2nd. step, applauding George as he passes, and coming on down into the room just as OPHELIA ENTERS D.R., who has been attracted by the confusion. MARK, himself, has swung into a jig to the MUSIC WHICH STILL CONTINUES faintly OFF)

  Ha...ha...ha!!! HOORAY!!!!!!

(Staring at the lunatic!)

  How shiftless!

(Stopping as if shot...turns and faces her, rather ashamed to appear ridiculous in the eyes of the prim lady)

  Chaw me up into sausagemeat and feed me to the hawgs...

(Unsmilingly, closing door)

  Mr. Marks, will you tell me why you're always begging to be chawn into greasy sausagement and cast before swine?

(Selfconsciously, sauntering toward bench D.C.)

  Aw...that's just a sayin' of mine, Miss Opheely!

  But couldn't you select something more...er...ah...dignified? More classical? For instance!

(Dramatically)

  "Romeo, Romeo, where art thou, Romeo?"

(Peering at her)

  WHAT?

  Or..."To be or not to be! THAT is the question!"

  Hey?

  Or...

(Very daintily and affectedly)

(Twiddles finger in air daintily)

(Down to earth)

  Say, who the hell do you think I am, woman? A gol' fish?

  OW!!!

(Squeals at "hell" and drops to bench D.C.)

(Mimicking her tone, tiptoe pose and finger-twiddling)

(Bites his nails frantically)^*

(Sits at her R.)

(Glaring at him)

  Be less explosive in your language, please. I'm a timid lady.

  Sho' yo're a lady an' a damn fine one, too...

(She cries "Oh" on "damn" and winces)

  That's what I like about you, Opheely...o' course you're only a female...but yo' No'thern gals suttinly got spunk! An' I like 'em spunky. An' I like yo', Miss 'Feely...blamed if I don't!

(Timidly)

  Oh, Mr. Marks!

  Call me Eu...ras...mus!

(Places hand over hers which is waiting)

  Eu-what-mus?

  Raz...raz..raz...

(She giggles in her handkerchief...this annoys him)

  Oh, it's a hell of a name, I know, but I didn't baptize myself, dammit!

  Sir, your language...

(Pulls herself up and away from him)

  Wall, chaw me up into sausagemeat and feed me to the hawgs...

  I'll do nothing of the kind, sir. I only eat white meat...

  WHITE meat?

  And I decline to condone either your cannabalistic propensity or your profanity. Let me pass, sir!

(Rises...she could easily pass around his feet but she doesn't even attempt it)

  Wall, gosh ding it...if you're goin' to gag me, how the...

(Pauses...changes the approaching "hell" to something less offensive)

blankety-blank-blank-blank can I get said what I've come to say...

(Then repeats this combination instead of "Damn")

Blankety blank blank blank blank!

(Scenting a proposal)

  Well, since you imprison me and won't let me pass, what can a weak, undefended female do but stay captive?

(Sits)

  Go on, big, strong jailer-man, but be as gentle as you can with me, I'm frail!

(Taking a deep breath)

  Wall, as I was about to say...when I was interrupted by a beautiful damsel from Vermont...it is Vermont, isn't it? Wellsville?

(Smiles upon her)

(Beaming)

  Ascutneyville.

(Continues, proudly)

  Lockbox 61.

(Giving her a little slap)

  Oh, you siren, you!

(Returning little slap)

  Now you stop! I'm not a siren! I'd never intentionally lead any man astray!

  You are a siren!

  Oh, EurasMICK, you're so forceful!

  No "mick"..."mus!"

  Oh, you're a muss? Well, then, go on...Mussy!

  Wall...as Ise about to say -

(Rubs hand over brow)

  What was I goin' to say? Durned if I hain't clean forgot!

(Shyly)

  Shall I prompt you?

  No, I'll take a fresh start.

(Lays hand over her waiting one)

  I been comin' here, Opheely...off an' on--

(A flask slips from his pocket to floor--he quickly tries to conceal it with foot)

(Without pause...eye on flask...now severe manner)

  Drunk and sober...

(Continuing pleasantly)

  Drunk an'...

(Realizes he's on the wrong tack)

  No, dammit!

(Ophelia sticks fingers in ears and utters "OW!")

(He sits back)

  Gol' durn it! If you ain't the blank-blank-blanket-i-est female...I' made love to many dames in mah time...

(Severely. Rising)

  That's just what I expected, Mr. Marks. Being a lawyer and taking care of widow's estates, you've toyed with women's hearts...

  Ha-ha-ha-ha! Any time yo' can fool a widder! Widders don't mean that to me!

(Snaps fingers)

  Nor no woman. Present comp'nay excepted, o' course!

  I'm not so sure, EurasMUSS!

  Well, I am! My clients? Pouf!

.....NUMBER 4.....

"Yes, You Do...Yes, You Don't!"

(Marks and Ophelia)

(Meaning the opposite)

  Yes, you don't!

  Well...I might!

  But you won't!

.....Funny little shuffle at feet and only a few comedy-steps.....

  (2)

  Yes, you do!

  Yes, I don't!

  Well, you should!

  But I don't!

.....Same little comedy-dance steps.....

(Dance ends...both sitting C....on last note)

  Wall--now that we got that outa our systems--as I was saying...

(Leans close)

  I've been coming here off and on...

(She speaks next three words, but he speaks them too, in perfect unison)

  DRUNK AND SOBER...Ha, ha! You didn't catch me that time. And now that I find myself, close by your side...

(Places arm gently around her waist)

(Drawing up stiffly)

  Eurasmus, I am a lone female...

(Awaiting caress)

  Yes, thank God, for once, alone! Usually you have a goldenhaired cherub popping out at one side...

(Peers down at his side)

and a black imp popping out at the other...

(she glances down at her side)

(He draws her roughly to him, nearly causing her to upset)

  Kiss me, woman!

(Kisses her a peck--glances quickly at his R.)

  Brute!

(Glances quickly at the L.)

  Never mind.

(Kisses her again)

  But I do mind!

(Sees her "switch" on floor)

  Ow!

(She reaches quickly for it)

(Lifting it up)

  My Gawd! You're beheaded!

  Give that to me!

(Snatches it and pins it on head at funny angle)

(He presses her roughly to him)

  Unhand me, you monster! How can a weak woman defend herself against a great giant like you? Let me go, sir...I'll call Augustine!

(Calls in a loud whisper)

  Cousin AUGustine!

  Don't yell so loud...he might hear you!

(As he releases her)

  Sir, you conduct is unpardonable.

(Glances U.R.)

  Somebody's coming!

(Rises instantly)

  If you wish to continue your conversation, I suggest we retire to the library. Besides...it's darker there...

(On his feet...his arm about her)

  OPHEELY!

(Quick kiss)

(Flustered)

  I meant...quieter

(Then, hurrying D.R.)

  Oh, dear me, you've got me so flustered!

(Glancing U.L....his eye catches LEGAL LETTER)

  Great Jehosephat! Here's the Judge's letter! Good! Now for the fireworks! Wait, baby, wait!

(Rushes after her)

(Exit D.R.)

(Mariette and George saunter in U.R. from alcove, happily)

  This is the happiest day of my life...and when I sign my name to the Judge's paper its happiest moment!

  But why wouldn't you come to see me all these months?

  I told you I wouldn't come till I could come right! And I wanted to prove to you I wasn't a worthless lazy boy, but a man!

  You didn't have to prove it to me. I knew you had the power! All you needed was the "push!"

  You gave me that!

  And to think...you did it all yourself! Won back our fortune! Your plantation! Your slaves!

  Yes...but the real climax will come when I face St. Clare and in his own hand, he deeds me back my home.

(Throws up his hand)

  Oh! What a moment!

  Yes, and he's planning to go, himself, on tonight's boat, to take possession! I was going, too. My portmanteau's packed!

(Overjoyed)

  NO!

  YES! And taking all your old servants! And have it for a country-place for Eva! Thank God your mother will put him out instead of him putting her! Oh, George...

(Seizes his two hands impulsively)

isn't it wonderful?

  TOO wonderful if you'll do me the honor of marrying me, Northern girl?

(Bows low)

(With curtsey of "Long Ago")

  The honor is mine, Southern boy!

.....KISS.....

.....NUMBER 5.....

REPRISE of "REMEMBERIN'"

.....KISS.....

(This reprise is NOT DANCED--merely sung as they stroll toward alcove, hand in hand, the last line and the KISS coming on the last step)

(Entering soberly D.R., legal letter in hand)

  Well, children.

  Ah! Here's Mr. Marks!

  Have the papers come? Oh! I see! Thank heaven! Well, where do I sign?

  I'm sorry, Mr. Shelby...

  Sorry? What do you mean?

(Xes to him)

  Yes, what do you mean?

(Marks hands George open letter)

  His Honor has ruled against us. We've lost!

  (1)...Lost? Oh, dear God!

  (2)...You mean St. Clare keeps the property?

  It's the law!

(Dazed)

  It can't be possible! Surely...

(Scans the page...turns...covers face)

  Oh, why did I write mother? And tell the servants? Why didn't I wait till I was sure? I can see her now hanging lanterns on the trees...and poor Chloe waiting for Uncle Tom...Oh, what a fool I've been! What a fool! What...a...fool!

(Drops to seat and buries face)

  It's a damned shame, lad...you deserved to win...you made a good fight...

(Rising)

  "Fight!" What's a fight if you don't win? Here I am...right back where I started...now can I tell mother I haven't the deed? That her beloved blacks are not hers after all?

(Turns quickly)

  Is there no hope, Mr. Marks? Can't I take it to a higher court?

  No, lad...

  It isn't fair! It's our property, morally...

  Yes, but the law gives and the laws takes away...

  Then damned be the name of the law! Forgive me, Mariette, and--

(Turns to Mariette)

  Goodbye!

(Kisses her hand)

  No! It's not goodbye!

(Pulls bellcord)

  Please! Wait for me if you will...it may be years...it may be a lifetime, it may be never! There are no strings, remember! I have no claim. Goodbye. And, Marks, I leave you to tell Tom and 'Liza. I simply can't!

(Exits U.L.)

  I'll tell them!

(St. Clare enters D.R.)

(Eliza appears U.L.)

  Eliza, bring me my cloak and my portmanteau! I'll change on the boat.

(Eliza exits)

(Surprised)

  Portmanteau? You're going away?

  Forever!

  With my permission, you mean.

  No, with or without it! A man who calls himself a gentleman...and who prides himself on his honor, yet who deliberately robs a widow of her dowry and steals the very roof from the fatherless can no longer give orders to me! I'm going, Augustine...

  Well, you can't go far! I'm still your guardian in law...

  To the devil with law! The only law I know is that of right and wrong! Thank God in another six months I'll be of age and my own boss!

(As Eliza brings her long cloak and bonnet and small handbag)

  But in the meantime...

(Throwing cloak on)

  In the meantime GOODNIGHT...AND...GOODBYE!!!

(Exits, U.L. slamming doors)

  Mariette...Mariette...

(Strides U.L....finds door locked...turns to Marks...)

  Whew! Aint' women hell?

  Your words are polite!

  No'thern gals suttinly are strongminded. I just tied up to a hussy, myself...an' come to think of it, mebbe Ise just a mite hasty!

  Go after her, Marks! Stop her. Bring her back--the little devil!

  I'll find her, sah.

(Tom enters with Topsy and Eva D.L., chatting...they stroll to seat at C.)

  Go out this way...through the court and head her off. If she refuses to come back, have an officer arrest her and drag her here!

  Yes, Mistah St. Clare!

  Where's Ophelia?

(Exit Marks U.R....exit St. Clare D.R.)

(TOM, sits D.C....Eva sitting on his R. on the seat...Topsy on the floor at his L. Girls take up their instruments at their sides)

  Yes, and he's sorry because you're all going away.

  Not me! Ha...ha...ha! Ise gwinter sleep in de fountain tonight...wif' Missy Eba an' de birds. Yo'll miss it, Uncle Tom...

  Yes, he'll miss that, but he's going back to his dear ole Chloey...

(Beaming)

  An' the' chilluns...in mah li'l logcabin in Kentuck!

.....NUMBER 6.....

"SIGHING"

..........

(with their stringed instruments)

  REFRAIN...

.....LIGHTS SOFTLY DIE DURING NUMBER.....

.....Birds twitter on the court.....

and

Scene...is...slowly...blacked...out.