RAVENAL
Who cares if my boat goes upstream,
Or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?
I drift along with my fancy
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free -
And other times I wonder where's that mate for me?
(MAGNOLIA begins again on the piano, off stage. He looks up.
She hesitates in her fingering at a certain point. He pantomimes
the serious anxiety a listener always feels, hoping she'll hit
the right note. He sits on a cotton bale and goes on with his
musing, idly tapping his cane on the ground)
RAVENAL
The driftwood floating over the sea
Someday finds a sheltering lee,
So, somewhere there surely must be
A harbour meant for me -
(MAGNOLIA enters on the upper deck of the show boat)
I drift along with my fancy -
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free,
And other times I wonder where's the mate -
(He turns and sees MAGNOLIA. What a picture! A very young
face, and a fluffy dress all pink with flowers and everything -
and she is becomingly shy - yet bold enough to return his gaze -
and to speak first)
MAGNOLIA
Hello...
RAVENAL
(taken by surprise - an unusual thing)
Er - how do you do?
MAGNOLIA
Do you live here?
RAVENAL
No - I'm just a way-farer along the river
MAGNOLIA
So am I - which way are you going?
RAVENAL
Either way - where are you going?
MAGNOLIA
Anywhere Papa gives shows.
RAVENAL
(a trifle jarred)
Oh - are you a player?
MAGNOLIA
You mean like on the pianner? Yes - I play a little.
