JIM
(taking the floor)
Ladies and gentlemen - I regret to announce that Miss Julie Wandell
is indisposed and cannot appear tonight.
(The crowd groans its disappointment)
Now wait, wait please. We are fortunate, however in obtaining the
services of Miss Magnolia Ravenal, who will sing for you an old
favorite.
(more groans)
DRUNK
(at nearby table)
Magnolia Ravenal - who the hell is she?
ANDY
(getting up and starting to take his coat off)
I'll show you who the hell she is!
(MAGNOLIA enters and comes down stage. She starts to
sing rather timidly and is ill at ease)
MAGNOLIA
A little maiden
Climbed an old man's knee,
Begged for a story,
"Do, Uncle, please."
(CROWD murmurs)
ANDY
Quiet!
MAGNOLIA
Why are you single?
Why live alone?
ANDY
Quiet!
A MAN
Get the hook!
MAGNOLIA
Have you no babies?
Have you no home?
ANDY
Nola!
(She turns in the opposite direction to where he is
sitting, but is evidently trying to see who called her.
The CROWD grows noisier)
MAGNOLIA
I had a sweetheart,
Years, years ago,
ANDY
Nolie!
(She sees ANDY, and gains confidence)
MAGNOLIA
Where she is now, pet,
You will soon know.
(She has begun to sing quite well
and the CROWD grows quiet)
List to the story,
I'll tell it all,
ANDY
Smile, Nola!
MAGNOLIA
I believed her faithless
After the ball.
After the ball is over,
After the break of morn,
After the dancers leaving,
After the stars are gone;
Many a heart is aching,
If you could read them all;
Many the hopes
