ACT II SCENE 9

 

SONG: OR SHALL WE DIE (REPRISE)

 

 

 

 

 

[The Orchid Room. AIMÉE sits at a desk. She turns on a lamp, lifts the telephone and dials]

 

JOYBOY: [voice over] Hello. Joyboy here.
AIMÉE: It’s me.
JOYBOY: Speak up, honey. I can’t quite get you.

AIMÉE: I’m so miserable.

JOYBOY: It isn’t easy hearing you, honey. Mom’s got a new bird and she’s trying to make him talk. Can’t we talk about it tomorrow?
AIMÉE: Please, I need to see you.
JOYBOY: I couldn’t leave Mom. Not tonight. This is a big evening for her, honey. How would she feel? I have to be with her.

AIMÉE: It’s about our marriage.
JOYBOY: Honey, plenty of little problems come up. Just go to sleep. They’ll all look easier in the morning.
AIMÉE: I must see you.
JOYBOY: Now, Aimée – I’m going to be firm with you. Do as Poppa says or Poppa will be real mad at you.

 

[AIMÉE hangs up. She dials a number from a newspaper. The sitar motif returns]

 

SECRETARY: L.A. Post.

AIMÉE: I want to speak to the Guru Brahmin.

SECRETARY: Who?
AIMÉE: You know. He writes “Wisdom of the Guru Brahmin – Solace and Solution”.
SECRETARY: Oh. The spooks page. You mean Mr Slump. [The sitar theme cuts out discordently]
AIMÉE: But I thought . . .
SECRETARY: They’re the same person.
AIMÉE: His real name is Slump?
SECRETARY: That’s what they tell me, sister. Anyway, as of today he doesn’t work here any more.
AIMÉE: Couldn’t you give me his home number?
SECRETARY: Sorry. Not policy. Try Mooney’s Saloon. He spends most of his life there.

 

[AIMÉE hangs up and dials again]

BARMAN: Mooney’s.
AIMÉE: Is the Guru Brah – Mr Slump there?
BARMAN: [calling off] There’s a call for you. Are you here?
SLUMP: [on the line; disinterested] Yeah?
AIMÉE: At last I’ve found you. I’m Aimee Thanatogenos. You remember me?

SLUMP: Sure.
AIMÉE: I’m in great distress and need your advice. You remember the Englishman I told you about? Well, I said goodbye to him for ever but he’s managed to place doubts in my head about my marriage to Mr Joyboy. I’m just not sure any more. What am I to do? Hullo? Mr Slump, are you there? Hullo?
SLUMP: Yeah.
AIMÉE: You heard what I said?
SLUMP: Sure.
[Pause]
AIMÉE: Well – what should I do?
SLUMP: Do? I’ll tell you what to do. Just take an elevator to the top floor. Find a window and jump. Okay?
[Pause]
AIMÉE: Thankyou.
[The line goes dead ]

 

AIMÉE:

I LIFT MY EYES

TO FACE THE DAWN

THE MORNING SKY IS ALL I SEE
I WISH THAT SLEEP WOULD COMFORT ME

SO I CAN REST

OR SIMPLY DIE

BLUEBIRD WON'T YOU TELL ME WHERE WE'RE GOING

FAR BEYOND THE RAINBOW SO I'M TOLD

BLUEBIRD I AM BLIND AND I AM GROWING

VERY COLD

 

AND IS THIS ALL

WHAT TRUTH REMAINS

FOR IF YOU STUMBLE AT MY SIDE

WHO THEN IS LEFT TO BE MY GUIDE

IF I SHOULD FALL

OR SIMPLY DIE

 

[AIMÉE walks to the window. A moment passes. She then walks to a cupboard and takes out a syringe and a bottle. She draws off the liquid and rolls up her sleeve. AIMÉE turns out the light. Darkness and silence]