TERRACE DUET

 

 

FLORENCE

This is the one situation

I wanted most to avoid

Nothing I say will convince him this isn't a trick

 

ANATOLY

A drink on a clear moonlit night - I relax, she smiles

There's something peculiar going on

 

FLORENCE

So, through no fault of my own,

I'm in it way over my head

Embarrassed, outnumbered, marooned

 

ANATOLY

Now she can't be working for them - I mean us -

She seems to know what she's doing - but where is he?

 

FLORENCE

He has to show up

It can't come to nothing

Perhaps it can

 

ANATOLY

Maybe he's scared

But he didn't seem scared in the game

 

FLORENCE

Oh I just couldn't care less

He can go right ahead, go and wreck his career,

I know I've done my best

 

FLORENCE

Well at least she's a good-looking spy

 

FLORENCE

What if my Russian friend thinks that my plans

Have nothing to do with the chess?

If I don't say something and soon

He'll go - Maybe I'm on nobody's side!

 

ANATOLY

(joins her)

Listen, I hate to break up the mood

How do you say, begin the beguine

Haven't you noticed we're still one character short

In this idyllic, well-produced scene?

 

FLORENCE

How could I not, Miss Vassy regrets

Anything goes with your opponent

 

ANATOLY

Never mind him - I haven't missed him so far

(light-heartedly)

Maybe it won't do any harm

To struggle on without his charm

(more seriously)

Funny how all at once I feel

Nothing about that meeting matters any more

 

FLORENCE

This is the one situation I wanted most to avoid

 

ANATOLY

My dear opponent - I really can't imagine why

 

FLORENCE

You'll think I'm the dangerous kind

Well I am!

 

ANATOLY

You, you're not dangerous

Who could think that of you?

 

FLORENCE

You - you are so strange - why can't you be what you ought to be?

 

BOTH

You should be scheming, intriguing, too clever by half -

 

ANATOLY

I have to hand it to you

For you've managed to make me

Forget why I ever agreed to this farce

 

BOTH

I don't know why I can't think of anything

I would rather do

Than be wasting my time with someone like you

 

(as the song ends, they kiss. Freddie enters and sees them.)

 

FREDDIE

Who'd ever think it?

Such a very pretty setting!

Tell me what's the betting

Very pretty plotting too?

No matter - I've done all your work for you.

 

Who'd ever guess it?

Daughter in collaboration

With the very nation

Gave her father third degree!

Where’s Daddy? Dead or in the KGB?