Scene Five

 

Outside of the Inn of the Five Winds. Dusk. A large mulberry tree stands center stage. Now "There May Be Others Before You" is played plaintively. The stage is deserted. Then MOLLY appears, disheveled---or as disheveled as a major star could be in 1932, which means a discreet tear in her dress and a patch of dirt on her cheek. SHE stops beneath the mulberry tree. From behind the tree, a BUDDHIST MONK appears. HE startles her. MOLLY                                                                      (cautiously)
While crossing the ice, the little fox gets his tail wet.

MONK

It must be checked with a brake of bronze.

MOLLY

Thank God!

                                                                            (SHE hands him the cigarette.)

MONK

No thanks. I don't smoke.

MOLLY

That cigarette contains the documents.

MONK

This?

MOLLY

I write small.

MONK

                                                             (tearing the cigarette open)
You have saved China, Mandalay Molly.

MOLLY

And lost the only man I ever loved. Well, the only man I ever loved since the first only man I ever loved, who I don't love anymore.

MONK

You are a great woman. A woman of courage and loyalty. You shall be rewarded, my child.

MOLLY

I don't want rewards. I want Johnny.

MONK

Perhaps if Buddha hears your prayers.

MOLLY

But I am not a Buddhist. I was raised a Catholic.

MONK

Buddhist, Catholic. Does it make any difference, my child? He is the same, no matter what we call Him. Kneel, my child. We shall pray together.

MOLLY

But aren't you General Wing Fang Fantan posing as a monk?

MONK

No. I am a monk posing as General Wing Fong Fantan posing as a monk.

MOLLY

I see.

MONK

Let us kneel and pray. Perhaps if you know a hymn, my child. He likes to be sung to.

MOLLY

I know none, Father. Except…

MONK

Yes?

MOLLY

One my maid used to sing before she was shot to death and when she used to lose at poker.

MONK

That will do, I'm sure. Do you remember the words?

MOLLY

I'll wing it.

MONK

And I shall hum along.

MOLLY

                                        Lawd,
                                        I'se been a sinner,
                                        I'se done strayed
                                        From da fold---
                                        I wansa gets back
                                        To You, oh Lawdy,
                                        To dose pearly gates
                                        And dem streets
                                        Dat's paved wid gold.

I can't. I can't go on, Father. I have sinned very badly. I can't continue the life I have led. Tell me, Father, are there any Chinese convents?

MONK

A convent is not for you, my child. Good Lord, think of the nuns.

MOLLY

What about Black Fever country?

MONK

What on earth is Black Fever?

MOLLY

I don't know…an epidemic that kills people. Surely in this enormous country there must be some epidemic where I can atone for my sins by mistakenly drinking out of the wrong glass.

MONK

No, you must not drink out of the wrong glass. You must go back into the world. You must return to Tahiti. Do what you have done in the past. After all, my child, sailors need something to live for, also.

MOLLY

But Father…

MONK

And while you entertain and drive men to their destruction, you must remember you can also do your Secret Service work at the same time. We need you, my child. China needs you. The world needs you.

MOLLY

Yes, Father.

MONK

Now, sing. Sing from the depths of your soul.

MOLLY

Lawd,
I is so weary,
I'se too long
On my own---
I wansa gets back
To You, oh, Lawdy,
Wid yo' hand in mine,
'Cause I don' wansa walks alone,
I don' wansa walks alone,
I wansa walks wid You.
  (As SHE sings and HE hums along, the sky lights up and a chorus of heavenly voices joins them.) LIGHTS DIM