Scene 4

 

The same part of the forest we saw in Scene 4 of Act One. MARITZA enters from upstage left dressed in the masculine clothes she wore in the previous act.

MARITZA

There's a scent in the air
And it smells like verbena;
Why do I keep thinking
Of poor Queen Christina?
Being a monarch
Is like living in stone.
Surrounded by people,
You're always alone.
Where is that someone
To share my throne?
Where can she be?
Where can she be?

Blame it on the dawn,
This strange and queasy feeling.
Blame it on the dawn---
You're paralyzed, but reeling.

Blame it on the dawn
For someone to devour,
Lying on the lawn,
Relinquishing your power.

You try to think, think,
But it's a useless situation---
What would your shrink think?
He would change your medication.

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Yet strangely withdrawn.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.
 

(As SHE repeats the song, the TWO HORSES gallop on stage, naying and winnying frantically.) MARITZA Blame it on the dawn,
This strange and queasy feeling. Will you stop that! I'm trying to sing! Blame it on the dawn,
You're paralyzed, but reeling.
  (HORSES pantomime two people having sex.) Get out of here, you horny little bastards! Go, I said! (HORSES reluctantly exit left.) Look at that pond! What I wouldn't give to rip off all my clothes and go skinny-dipping! Fuck it! That's exactly what I will do. (SHE hides behind the shrubbery and tosses her clothes on the bush. We hear a splash and her continuing to sing "Blame it on the Dawn". NIKKO appears. His voice overtakes hers.) NIKKO Blame it on the dawn,
This strange and queasy feeling.
Blame it on the dawn,
You're paralyzed, but reeling.
  (HE spots the clothes, goes to them, caresses the pants against his cheek, inhales their scent.) What gorgeous guy can these belong to? Blame it on the dawn
For someone to devour.
Searching for some brawn
To reinforce your power.
  (HE has now turned toward the audience, caressing, fondling the clothes and then placing his hand over his crotch. In a second MARITZA's arm surfaces over the bushes. When SHE cannot find her clothes, her head pops up spotting Nikko. SHE lowers her voice two octaves.)

MARITZA

What the fuck are you doing with my clothes? (When NIKKO turns toward her, her head pops down again. Reluctantly he places the clothes so she can reach them. SHE grabs them and begins to dress behind the bushes.) MARITZA What are you…some kind of pervert?

NIKKO

No. Just a romantic.

MARITZA

Romantics don't smell a guy's clothes and get a hard-on.

NIKKO

Yes, your highness. I mean, no, your highness.

MARITZA

                                        (now appearing from behind the shrubbery)
Why do you call me that?

NIKKO

Because you sound like some fucking prince.

MARITZA

Well, I'm not. I'm just an ordinary guy. And you're not my type.

NIKKO

Don't knock it till you tried it.

MARITZA

You don't have to be trampled by an elephant to know you're not going to enjoy it.

NIKKO

How's about your trampling me?

MARITZA

No one likes a smartass.

NIKKO

All depends on the ass, your majesty…

MARITZA

I said stop calling me that! And fuck off! (In the background we hear Angelu's voice singing "Why Me?" MARITZA's ears perk up. SHE follows the sound of the voice offstage left. NIKKO stands center stage, thumping his heart.)

NIKKO

What a mean nasty rotten prick! God help me, I think I'm in love! And I bet he's hung like a jackhammer. Just watch me go, go,
I am the swinger of the swingers.
Though he says, "No go",
He'll be putty in my fingers.
  (HE rushes off in pursuit of Maritza.)
 
  BLACKOUT