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Scene 5 The anteroom of the courthouse, March 9. ROXIE: I’m sorry Billy. I’ll do anything you say. BILLY: We’re clear about what you’re doing on the stand? ROXIE: I been up all night rehearsing. BILLY: Let’s get to my summation. I’m gonna start with justice and America – blah blah blah – then I’ll get to your repentance – blah blah blah – then I’ll say "If sorrow could avail Fred Casely would be here now, for she would give her life and gladly, to bring the dead man back." You nod. ROXIE: That’s all? BILLY: That’s all! Then I say – "But we can’t do that gentlemen. You may take her life, but it won’t bring Casely back." That’s always news to them and then I go into my final statement, winding up…"We can’t give her happiness. But we can give her another chance." And that’s all for you. ROXIE: Like hell it is. It’s me they want to see! Not you. BILLY: It’s my speech that brings ‘em in and it’s my speech that’ll save your neck. (They are back at it again.) ROXIE: Screw you, you Goddamned old crook! BILLY: (Overlapping ROXIE’s line.) Shut up, you dirty little – (BAILIFF enters.) BAILIFF: Mr. Flynn, his honor is here. BILLY: (Quietly.) Thank you. Just a moment. (The BAILIFF exits.) Are you ready? ROXIE: (Nervously.) Billy, I’m scared. BILLY: You got nothing to worry about. It’s all a circus, Kid. A three ring circus. These trials – the whole world – all show business. But kid, you’re working with a star, the biggest! "RAZZLE DAZZLE" BILLY: GIVE’EM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM GIVE’EM AN ACT WITH LOTS OF FLASH IN IT AND THE REACTION WILL BE PASSIONATE GIVE’EM THE OLD HOCUS POCUS BEAD AND FEATHER ‘EM HOW CAN THEY SEE WITH SEQUINS IN THEIR EYES? WHAT IF YOUR HINGES ARE ALL RUSTING? WHAT IF, IN FACT, YOUR JUST DISGUSTING? RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM AND THEY’LL NEVER CATCH WISE GIVE‘EM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE BILLY & COMPANY: RAZZLE DAZZLE’EM GIVE’EM A SHOW THAT’S SO SPLENDIFEROUS BILLY: ROW AFTER ROW WILL GROW VOCIFEROUS BILLY & COMPANY: GIVE’EM THE OLD FLIM FLAM FLUMMOX FOOL AND FRACTURE ’EM BILLY: HOW CAN THEY HEAR THE TRUTH ABOVE THE ROAR? COMPANY: ROAR ROAR ROAR! BILLY & COMPANY: THROW THEM A FAKE AND A FINAGLE THEY’LL NEVER KNOW YOUR JUST BILLY: A BAGLE RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM BILLY & COMPANY: AND THEY’LL BEG YOU FOR MORE! GIVE’EM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM BACK SINCE THE DAYS OF OLD METHUSALEH EVERYONE LOVES THE BIG BAMBOOZ-A-LER GIVE’EM THE OLD THREE RING CIRCUS STUN AND STAGGER’EM WHEN YOU‘RE IN TROUBLE, GO INTO YOUR DANCE THOUGH YOU ARE STIFFER THAN A GIRDER THEY’LL LET YA GET AWAY WITH MURDER RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM AND YOU’VE GOT A ROMANCE GIVE’EM THE OLD RAZZLE DAZZLE RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM BILLY: GIVE‘EM AN ACT THAT’S UNASSAILABLE THEY’LL WAIT A YEAR ‘TILL YOUR AVAILABLE! BILLY & COMPANY: GIVE’EM THE OLD DOUBLE WHAMMY DAZE AND DIZZY ’EM BILLY: SHOW’EM THE FIRST RATE SORCERER YOU ARE BILLY AND COMPANY: ‘LONG AS YOU KEEP ’EM WAY OFF BALANCE HOW CAN THEY SPOT YOU GOT NO TALENTS? BILLY: RAZZLE DAZZLE ’EM COMPANY: RAZZLE DAZZLE ’EM BILLY: RAZZLE DAZZLE ‘EM BILLY AND COMPANY: AND THEY’LL MAKE YOU A STAR! |