Scene 9
The deck of the same
ocean liner we saw at the end of Act One. Again it is just before dawn,
but now only NIKKO, still in drag, and VASILY stand by the railing.
VASILY
Look! The gateway to freedom.
NIKKO
Except for the homeless and
the oppressed.
VASILY
Is it true the streets are
paved with gold?
NIKKO
In truth, they're paved with
horse manure. But for you, they'll be paved with gold.
VASILY
And I have you to thank.
For getting them to sign me up for my memoirs as the fellow who started
the Kielbasian war. But I do feel guilty leaving everyone there still fighting.
NIKKO
You won't. Once you see your
first check.
VASILY
What did you say it would
be again?
NIKKO
In Montavian krausbahs, it
will come to something like 463 thousand. And don't forget the coast-to-coast
tour with the slides of the Schlumperdink brothers for an additional sixteen
mil.
VASILY
Boy, is this cool or is this
cool!
NIKKO
I was just wondering what
happened to whatshername…the girl who was posing as the Princess.
VASILY
Marianne? I hear she's made
a big hit in photoplays.
NIKKO
Good for her. And the Princess?
VASILY
I'm not sure. I heard she
abdicated and is now living with an Armenian belly dancer in Copenhagen.
(There is a pause
as THEY both watch the dawn come up and suffuse the stage with pink and
amber lights.)
VASILY
Sixteen million krausbahs,
wow! You know, I've been meaning to tell you something. You look awfully
good in drag.
(NIKKO gives a self-effacing
grin. VASILY places his arm around his waist and draws him closer. NIKKO
delightedly nuzzles his head against Vasily's shoulder.)
VASILY
Blame it on the dawn,
This strange and queasy
feeling.
Blame it on the dawn,
You're paralyzed, but
reeling.
NIKKO
Blame it on the dawn
For someone to devour.
Searching for some brawn
To reinforce your power.
VASILY
You try to think, think,
But it's a very vain
sensation;
What would my shrink
think?
He would change my medication.
TOGETHER
Blame it on the dawn
For being numb and simple;
Blame it on the dawn
For every damned goosepimple.
You're free and open,
Yet strangely withdrawn---
You have to blame it
on something,
So blame it on the dawn.
(During the latter
part of the song, the lights behind the scrim illuminate the CHORUS who
join the two men in "Blame It On the Dawn". VASILY and NIKKO stand cuddled
together gazing romantically at the rising sun.)
CURTAIN
