Script

SIDE 1

Brothers and sisters, resist the Devil and he will flee from you. That is what the Bible tells us.

(NICELY, BENNY, RUSTY look on)

Hear me, you gamblers!

(Points to NICELY, BENNY and RUSTY)

... with your dice, your cards, your horses. Just around the corner is our little Mission where you are always welcome to seek refuge from this jungle of sin.

(RUSTY CHARLIE, NICELY and BENNY EXIT sheepishly)

Join me, Brothers and Sisters, in resisting the Devil, and we can put... the Devil...

(SARAH looks at ARVIDE hopelessly; HE motions to her encouragingly)

Remember, friends, the Save-the-Soul Mission located on 409 West 49th Street, open all day and all night... Oh, never mind.
 

SIDE 2

Do you take sinners here?
 

Indeed we do!
(Sees him)
Didn't I see you a little while ago on Broadway?
 

Possibly. I have been wandering around, trying to get up the courage to come here.
 

(Hands SKY pamphlets)
Here are two of our pamphlets. They will give you a good deal of comfort.

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

And we're holding a midnight prayer meeting on Thursday, which I'm sure you will wish to attend.

 

 

 

 

I'm sure ... Miss Sarah...

 

 

 

 

How do you know my name?

 

 

 

 

Allow me to introduce myself: Sky Masterson.

(SHE refuses to take his outstretched hand)

I hope you will not think I am getting out of line, but I think it is wonderful to see a pretty doll - uh - a nice-looking lady like you - sacrificing herself for the sake of others.

 

 

 

 

Here is another pamphlet that I think you should read.

(Gives him pamphlet)

 

 

 

 

Thank you.... Of course I will need a lot of personal help from you.

 

 

 

 

I'll be speaking at the Thursday prayer meeting.

 

 

 

 

I need private lessons. Why don't we have dinner or something?

 

 

 

 

I think not. Tell me, Mr. Masterson, why are you here?

 

 

 

 

I told you. I'm a sinner.

 

 

 

 

You're lying.

 

 

 

 

Well, lying's a sin ... Look, I'm a big sinner. If you get me, it's eight to five the others'll follow.

(SHE is silent)

Why don't you let me help you? I'll bet I can fill this place with sinners.

 

 

 

 

I don't bet.

 

 

 

 

I'll make you a proposition. When is this big meeting of yours - Thursday? I will guarantee to fill that meeting with one dozen genuine sinners.

 

 

 

 

And what's my end of the bargain?

 

 

 

 

Have dinner with me.

 

 

 

 

Why do you want to have dinner with me?

 

 

 

 

I'm hungry ... Here!

(Gives her marker - SHE takes it)

 

 

 

 

What's this?

 

 

 

 

Sky Masterson's marker for twelve sinners. If you don't think it's good, ask anybody in town. I.-O.-U. - one dozen sinners. I'll pick you up at noon tomorrow, for dinner.

 

 

 

 

At noon?

 

 

 

 

It'll take us some time to get there.

 

 

 

 

To get where?

 

 

 

 

El Cafe Cubana, in Havana.

 

 

 

 

Havana?

 

 

 

 

Where else do you want to eat? Howard Johnson's? The plane gets us there in five hours and back the same night. And the food is great.

 

 

 

 

Please go away.

 

 

 

 

Somewhere in the world there must be a guy who might appeal to the Sergeant. I wonder what this guy will be like?

 

 

 

 

He will not be a gambler.

 

 

 

 

I am not interested in what he will not be ... I am interested in what he will be.

 

 

 

 

Don't worry...

 

 

 

 

SIDE 3

 

 

(looks off)
Miss Adelaide certainly seems happy.

 

 

She s in love.

 

 

 

 

Yeah. I guess so.

 

 

 

 

What time is it?

 

 

 

 

I don t know. Four o clock.

 

 

 

 

I ve never been up this late before.

 

 

 

 

How do you like it?

 

 

 

 

It s so peaceful, and wonderful.

 

 

 

 

You re finding out something I ve known for quite a while.
(pause)
Obediah!

 

 

 

 

Obediah? What s that?

 

 

 

 

Obediah Masterson, that s my real name. You re the first person I ve ever told it to.

 

 

 

 

SIDE 4

(NIGHT. STREET OFF BROADWAY. ADELAIDE and SARAH ENTER and stand, looking agitated. Eventually, ADELAIDE notices SARAH)

 

 

 

 

Oh, hello.

 

 

 

 

(Uncertainly)
Good evening.

 

 

 

 

I'm Adelaide, the well known fiancee.

 

 

 

 

Oh, yes. When are you getting married?

 

 

 

 

The twelfth of never.

 

 

 

 

Oh, I'm sorry. But try to be forgiving and understanding, and the pain will go away. In the Bible it tells us in Obediah... Obediah....

(The thought is too much for her)

.... Obediah ....

(But she cannot go ahead)

 

 

 

 

You've got a boy friend named Obediah, huh?

 

 

 

 

(Through her tears)
Obediah was an ancient prophet.

 

 

 

 

Don't tell me. Nobody cries like that over an old guy .... Whoever it is, you got it bad. You know, when I saw you with Sky Masterson the other night -

(SARAH goes into a fresh outburst of tears. ADELAIDE looks at her)

Oh, no! Not Sky! You're not in love with Sky?

(No answer, which is its own confirmation)

You poor thing!

(SARAH gestures helplessly)

 

 

 

 

(Low-voiced)
I thought I hated him.

 

 

 

 

I thought I hated Nathan. I still think I hate him. That's love.

 

 

 

 

Adelaide - can't men like Sky ever change?

 

 

 

 

(Shakes her head)
For fourteen years I've tried to change Nathan. I've always thought how wonderful he would be, if he was different. But they just can't change.

 

 

 

 

A little while ago at our prayer meeting there were a lot of gamblers who acted as though maybe they could change.

 

 

 

 

Gamblers at your prayer meeting ... Was Nathan Detroit there?

 

 

 

 

I'm sure I heard that name. I think so.

 

 

 

 

How do you like that rat! Just when he should have been lying he's telling the truth! I'm glad I'm through with him!

(Turns to SARAH)

And you ought to be glad you're through with Sky, too.

 

 

 

 

(Thoughtfully)
I am.