ACT TWO

(The curtain rises once more on the jail cell. MOTHER is gone, and in her place is KATE, a fellow gypsy. BEKAH is in the corner, looking out the window, starving for freedom. She has not changed much, except that she is filthy, and her legs are twisted, broken, useless. KATE notices BEKAH, and walks over.)

KATE
(hesitant) Bekah? Are... Are you okay?

BEKAH
(Her gaze not moving) No.

KATE
What's wrong?

BEKAH
It's been five years, to this day, that she's been dead.

KATE
Who's been dead?

BEKAH
(flatly) My mother.

KATE
Oh.

(They are awkward for a moment, KATE doesn't know what to do, having very little love in her heart. BEKAH finally looks away from the window, but avoids Kate's eye)

BEKAH
She was my only family member that I knew. Forever it had just been me and her. And for a moment, for a moment, we had Jakob. We were complete. But now we're torn. Torn forever to shreds, and no one can mend us. Ever. I'll be crippled, in this jail cell, forever. I'll never see the light again. I'll never breathe right again. I'll never be whole again.

KATE
Gee, my mother left me for dead in the forest.

BEKAH
My mother loved me. She loved me with all her heart, because she only had one child to love.

When somebody loved me
Everything was beautiful

Every hour we spent together
Lives within my heart
And when she was sad
I was there to dry her tears
And when she was happy so was I

When she loved me...

(A ghost of MOTHER appears on the bench next to BEKAH. BEKAH smiles, even though she knows it is a ghost)

Through the summer and the fall
We had each other that was all
Just she and I together
Like it was meant to be

And when she was lonely,
I was there to comfort her, (The ghost MOTHER comforts BEKAH in her grief)
And I knew that she loved me

So the years went by
I stayed the same
But she began to drift away(As she sings this, the ghost MOTHER drifts away. BEKAH, reaches out for her, but she does not come)
I was left alone
Still I waited for the day
When she'd say I will always love you

(BEKAH smiles, looking at KATE)

Lonely and forgotten,
Never thought she'd look my way
But she smiled at me and held me
Just like she used to do
Like she loved me
When she loved me

(BEKAH looks away, again to the sky)
When somebody loved me,
Everything was beautiful
Every hour we spent together lives within my heart
When she loved me

(Slowly, she breaks down into sobs. KATE gently hugs her, and BEKAH buries herself into her, still sobbing. As she does, a SOLDIER unlocks the door and walks in.)

SOLDIER
You two, get out here, now.

BEKAH
What?

SOLDIER
It's Topsy Turvy day. All the prisoners are parading through the streets on the Royal floats.

KATE
(In ecstasy) Really?

(KATE runs out, then looks back to BEKAH, who has not moved)

KATE
Aren't you coming?

BEKAH
I can't. My legs.

(KATE takes the SOLDIER and whispers into his ear. He rolls his eyes, then walks over to where BEKAH is and picks her up, carrying her out. BEKAH emits a groan of pain as he picks her up, but bites her lip and endures the pain, still fierce, even when thoroughly defeated. The Lights come down on the jail cell and up on MADAME PORTRY'S house. We see a bureau of potions, a bubbling and glowing cauldron in the middle of the room. MADAME PORTRY is there, mixing a potion in her cauldron. The SOLDIER carrying BEKAH enters, KATE closely behind.)

SOLDIER
Madame Portry.

PORTRY
Yes?

SOLDIER
(Sets BEKAH down) This gypsy has to parade through the streets. Her legs are crippled. Can you fix them?

(PORTRY inspects BEKAH closely)

PORTRY
Yes, I think I have a potion that will fix them. Can you stand up, dearie?

BEKAH
(Shaking her head) No, I can't even feel my legs.

PORTRY
Well then, you (She motions to the SOLDIER) can pick her up, and dip her legs in the potion when it's done.

(The SOLDIER picks BEKAH up again as PORTRY grabs potions from her shelves, pouring them into her cauldron. The cauldron sparks, bubbles, changes colors, before finally settling. The SOLDIER carefully dunks BEKAH's filthy legs into the potion. BEKAH screams in pain, then suddenly calms. The SOLDIER takes BEKAH'S legs out, and they are healed like new.)

SOLDIER
(Setting BEKAH down) Thank you, Madame.

PORTRY
Always happy to help.

SOLDIER
You two. (He motions to KATE and BEKAH, both marveling over the miracle that has just occured.) Come on. We have to get you ready for the parade. (He walks offstage, BEKAH and KATE following. The LIGHTS come down on MADAME PORTRY'S HOUSE and up on the dress shop, where BEKAH and KATE are getting new dresses. They are clean, their hair brushed and pulled back. KATE is dressed in an extravagant gown, adorned with jewelry and frills and gloves, while BEKAH is wearing a simple dress, easy to move around in, like her old one. She is wearing a simple golden band around her head; It reminds her of the gypsies)

KATE
Oh Bekah, isn't this exciting? Look at all this, and we get it for free!

BEKAH
(half-way interested) Yes, wonderful.

KATE
Why aren't you dressed up?

BEKAH
Kate, what if there's a chance we can escape?

KATE
Escape? You mean, go back to the gypsy camp?

BEKAH
Yes of course! It's our home.

KATE
But it's been deserted for years! No one's there, everyone was captured.

BEKAH
(Remembering Jakob) Not everyone.

KATE
But still, don't you think they'd know we'd try to escape? The town's probably filled with guards.

BEKAH
Guards never stopped us before.

KATE
Things are different this time Bekah. We're not strong like we used to be. You still haven't gotten used to your legs yet.

BEKAH
But I will! You can help. Everyone can help. Together we could be strong, I know it.

KATE
(Solemn) Bekah, we can't.

BEKAH
Because you won't try! What happened to the family I used to know? My family has strength to overcome anything, anything we can put our mind to! My family never gives up, even in defeat! Kate, don't you understand? This is our chance! My mother died behind bars, and if I die, I'll die for freedom. Because we aren't meant to be in captivity. We're human beings! Living, beathing, human beings! Not animals to be put in cages. My mother taught me that, and if everything she taught me is wasted, then she died for nothing. She died so that I could live in freedom, not in a cage!

(There is silence for a moment, BEKAH turns and looks at herself in the mirror, fingering the band around her head. After a moment she rips it off, throwing it on the ground. KATE watches this, looking at her own made-up reflection. She realizes this is not herself, it is what she wants. She moves over to BEKAH, silent on the floor.)

KATE
Bekah, I--

(She is interrupted by a SOLDIER, walking in)

SOLDIER
Come on, time for the parade.

(BEKAH proudly stands up, walking as smoothly as she can. KATE watches her for a moment, then takes her hand, helping her out.)

(The lights come down on the dress shop, and come up on the gypsy camp. It is different from when we've last seen it; The tents and campfire are gone, the riverbank is now a flowing stream, and the entire camp is overrun by weeds that cover everything. From a tangle of weeds emerges JAKOB. He is older now, more built, stocky, and looking more like a gypsy. He is still dressed the same, but the clothes are ill-fitting, grubby, and tattered. His face has lost its boyish features, and is now hard and gruff. He looks behind him)

JAKOB
Tippy, Shaggy.

(TIPPY and SHAGGY emerge; They have changed too. Their fur is overgrown, matted, and filthy. All three are like wild animals.)

TIPPY
Woah, what happened to this place?

JAKOB
I don't know. But no one's here. We were wrong. Let's go.

(JAKOB begins to walk away, but is stopped by the sound of quiet gypsy chanting)

GYPSIES
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

SHAGGY
Uh, what is that?

JAKOB
I don't know...

(A single spotlight quickly shines on the STORYTELLER, dressed once again in his hat and robe, carrying his staff)

STORYTELLER
Night!
And the spirit of life
Calling

GYPSIES
Oh oh iyo

STORYTELLER
Mamela

GYPSIES
Oh oh iyo

STORYTELLER
And a voice
With the fear of a child
Answers

GYPSIES
Oh oh iyo

STORYTELLER
Oh Mamela

GYPSIES
Oh oh iyo

GYPSY
Ubukhosi bo khokho
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke

(JAKOB, TIPPY, and SHAGGY begin to run off, but the STORYTELLER holds up a hand, causing them to freeze)

STOTYTELLER
Wait!
There's no mounatin to great
Hear these words and have faith
(Oh oh iyo)
Have faith

(Suddenly, the ghosts of all the GYPSIES come forth, dancing wildly around the group. JAKOB looks among them for Bekah, but she is not there)

STORYTELLER
She lives in you!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in me!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She watches over
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Everything we see
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the water
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the truth
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
In your reflection
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in you

GYPSIES
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

(The GYPSIES continue dancing wildly, JAKOB, TIPPY, and SHAGGY, backing away. Suddenly, in the midst of their dancing, the ghost of BEKAH enters, happy, full use of her legs obtained. JAKOB gasps, and moves forward, but SHAGGY holds him back, for he knows she is nothing but a mirage)

STORYTELLER
She lives in you!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in me!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She watches over
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Everything we see
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the water
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the truth
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
In your reflection
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in you

She lives in you...

(The STORYTELLER turns to JAKOB)

STORYTELLER
So wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear the words and have faith
(Oh oh iyo)
Have faith

STORYTELLER
She lives in you!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in me!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She watches over
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Everything we see
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the water
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the truth
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
In your reflection
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in you

STORYTELLER
She lives in you!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in me!
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She watches over
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Everything we see
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the water
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
Into the truth
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
In your reflection
(Eh uh, eh mamela)
She lives in you

GYPSIES
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

STORYTELLER
She lives in you... She lives in you...

(The STORYTELLER and GYPSIES still sing softly, in whispers as they fade away, all except for BEKAH, who stands tall, facing JAKOB. JAKOB comes forward, as does BEKAH, but just as their hands are about to touch, BEKAH rips away, quickly sprinting offstage. JAKOB runs after her, but gives up once he is centerstage, simply staring off after her as she fades away. TIPPY and SHAGGY stay behind, letting him have a beat or two, before slowly coming forward. They all begin to walk offstage, when suddenly faint music is heard; It's happy, joyous, celebration music. JAKOB is distracted by it)

JAKOB
What is that?

TIPPY
(Walking over) Must be Topsy Turvy day. The whole town gets turned upside down. The peasants are kings, the nobles are beggars, and there's this huge parade where... (A moment as he realizes) All the prisoners get all fancied up! Jakob, don't you see? This is it! Topsy Turvy day is your opportune moment! You can get away with anything today! And we are gonna bust Bekah and them out of there!

JAKOB
What? No Tip, Bekah's dead.

TIPPY
(In shock) What?!? Kid, if there's one thing I know, is that you can't even get a bull to kill Bekah! Your sister can handle anything they throw at her! This I know.

JAKOB
Then how come all this time we've never seen her?

TIPPY
Well secruity's been bumped up recently. I mean, I can't blame 'em, usually they were out of the slammer in an hour or two.

JAKOB
Tip, come on, you don't seriously believe that Bekah's still alive, do you?

TIPPY
With all my heart, kid. With all my heart.

(A beat as JAKOB waits. He looks in the direction of the town. He goes with what Tippy says, for he trusts him)

JAKOB
All right, let's go.

(The three go offstage as the lights quietly fade out. Slowly they fade back in on Paris once more, only this time it is different. It is no longer gloomy, but instead is festive and cheery. Everyone is dressed richly, and banners hang from the cathedral. Everyone is dancing and singing, celebrating the joyous day. A large curtain covers the cathedral's doors.)

TOWNSPEOPLE
Come one!
Come all!
Leave your loops and milking stools
Coop the hens and pen the mules
Come one! Come all!
Close the chruches and the schools
It's the day for breaking rules
Come and join the feast
Of...

(The STORYTELLER bursts through the curtain, dressed in new finery.)

STORYTELLER
Fools!
Ha ha ha!
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Everyman's a king
And every king's a clown!
Once again it's topsy turvy day!
It's a day the devil in us gets released
It's a day we mock the prig and shock the priest
Everything is topsy turvy at the feast of fools!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy Turvy!

STORYTELLER
Everything is upsie-daisy!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy Turvy!

STORYTELLER
Everyone is acting crazy
Dross is gold and weeds are a bouquet
That's the way on topsy turvy day!

(JAKOB, TIPPY, and SHAGGY enter, looking around.)

JAKOB
Are you sure this is gonna work?

TIPPY
Of course it is! We're gonna make you up, and you'll be the king of fools. Bekah is going to be the queen of fools, so it's perfect!

(Meanwhile, the lights have come up on the large curtain, and we see KATE and BEKAH silouted against it)

BEKAH
Kate, no one said I had to dance, or be the queen of fools!

KATE
Oh but Bekah it's such an honor! The queen of fools is the prettiest girl!

BEKAH
But I--

(They are blocked by the TOWNSPEOPLE, who come together singing)

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy Turvy!

STORYTELLER
Beat the drums and blow the trumpets!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy Turvy!

STORYTELLER
Join the bums and thieves and strumpets
Screaming it from Chartes to Calais
Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy
On the sixth of January

TOWNSPEOPLE
All because it's Topsy Turvy Day!

(The music changes to it's triumphant calling tune as the crowd parts to make way for the STORYTELLER. The light has risen again and KATE and BEKAH are still pantomiming an agruement as the Storyteller sings)

STORYTELLER
Come one, come all!
Hurry hurry, here's your chance!
See the mystery and romance
Come one, come all!
See the finest girl in France
Make an entrance to entrance!
Watch the famous Bekah...
Dance!

(KATE finally succeeds in pushing BEKAH out of the curtain right on cue. BEKAH is startled at first, but slowly begins to dance in time with the music. She dances more rapidly, much to the cheers of the townspeople. As she finishes her dance, the STORYTELLER comes forward.)

STORYTELLER
Here it is! The moment you've been waiting for
Here it is! You know exactly what's in store!
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore
Now's the time we crown the king of fools!

You all remember last year's king?

So, make a face that's horrible and frightening!
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyles wing
For the face that's ugliest will be the king of fools! Why?

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy turvy!

STORYTELLER
Ugly folks, forget your shyness!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Topsy turvy!

STORYTELLER
You can soon be called your highness!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Put your foulest features on display
Be the king on topsy turvy day!

(BEKAH and the STORYTELLER walk down the row of ugly men. JAKOB is at the end, dressed up to look rather ugly. As BEKAH, now enjoying herself a little, comes to Jakob, she gasps, recognizing him)

BEKAH
(In shock) Jakob?

JAKOB
Bekah?

BEKAH
Oh my God, I thought I'd lost you forever!

JAKOB
Come on, we're getting out of here. Where's Mother?

(BEKAH'S smile fades. The STORYTELLER comes forth, breaking the two apart)

STORYTELLER
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the king of fools, Jakob!

(The TOWNSPEOPLE cheer as JAKOB is placed forcefully into a throne that is propped up. BEKAH tries to jump up, but is pushed back by the crowd.)

STORYTELLER
Everybody!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Once a year we throw a party here in town!

STORYTELLER
Hail to the king!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down

STORYTELLER
Oh what a king!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Once a year the ugliest will wear a crown

STORYTELLER
Girls, give a kiss!

TOWNSPEOPLE
Once a year on topsy turvy day

STORYTELLER
We've never had a king like this and--

TOWNSPEOPLE
It's a day we do the things that we deplore
On the other three-hundred and sixty-four
Once we love to drop in
Where the beer is never stoppin'
For the chance to pop some popinjay
And pick a king who'll put the top in
Topsy Turvy
Topsy turvy!
Mad and crazy, upsie-daisy, Topsy Turvy day!

(The song finishes with bursts of confetti, the TOWNSPEOPLE going back to their conversations and colorful carts. JAKOB and BEKAH finally find each other)

JAKOB
(Ripping off the 'Kingly' attire) Bekah! Come on, let's get Mother and get out of here.

BEKAH
Jakob, wait!

JAKOB
(Already half-way across the stage) There's no time! Hurry, if we run we can make it. The gypsy camp is only a short walk away!
(He looks behind him, stopping as he realizes that BEKAH has not moved)

BEKAH
(Hesitant) Jakob... Mother isn't, that is... Mother's dead.

JAKOB
(In shock) Dead?

BEKAH
For five years. To this day.

(JAKOB freezes, in shock. He paces for a moment, registering this fact. Finally he looks up at BEKAH)

JAKOB
We're going. Now.

(Without waiting for her response, he walks deliberately to the gates of the city. BEKAH follows him clumsily, not quite used to her legs.)

JAKOB
Tippy? Shaggy?

(The two come forward from the shadows)

SHAGGY
Yeah?

JAKOB
Come on, we're leaving.

(Two SOLDIERS come from the shadows, blocking the group's path)

SOLDIER
Halt!

JAKOB
Out of our way.

ANOTHER SOLDIER
(He grabs BEKAH by the arm) This one's a prisoner. She's coming with us.

BEKAH
Let go of me you goon!

(She punches the SOLDIER'S face, and he reels back. The other SOLDIER comes forward, but is stopped by JAKOB, who knocks him down with a roundhouse kick. The other Soldier has recovered, and now tackles JAKOB. TIPPY and SHAGGY pull the SOLDIER off of him, and throw him against the wall. He becomes unconscious. Meanwhile, the other SOLDIER and BEKAH are circling each other. The Soldier comes forward with a punch, dodged by BEKAH, who punches him in the stomach. The four quickly run off, one of Bekah's bangles falling off as GASTON enters, strolling calmly through the town. A TOWNSPERSON runs up to him.)

TOWNSPERSON
Gaston! You have to help! A couple of gypsies and their animals came through here, and they injured those soldiers!

(GASTON stops, rembering Bekah; he still loves her. He rushes over to the soldiers. He notices Bekah's bangle, picking it up.)

GASTON
Bekah...

(He immediately jumps up, running offstage to the gypsy camp as the lights fade out. The lights fade back in on the gypsy camp. BEKAH, JAKOB, TIPPY, and SHAGGY enter, all laughing and panting from running.)

BEKAH
Oh, I haven't done that in years!

JAKOB
(Looks at Shaggy and Tippy) That's practically everyday for us over the past five years.

BEKAH
(Looking around the rundown gypsy camp) What happened to this place? Where have you guys been living all these years?

JAKOB
Wherever we could find a place.

BEKAH
We gotta find the others.

JAKOB
Bekah, we can't.

BEKAH
We have to! I've been in those cells, they're terrible! Like cages for wild animals! If we don't save them, no one will!

JAKOB
Bekah we can't!

(He reaches out and grabs her hand. She turns around, shocked. A beat as they look at each other. They're both in love for some crazy reason, but they know it shouldn't be possible. They are brother and sister. Slowly, they pull away, eyes down at the ground. TIPPY and SHAGGY are watching from afar as the music strikes up.)

TIPPY
I can see what's happening

SHAGGY
What?

TIPPY
And they don't have a clue!

SHAGGY
Who?

TIPPY
They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line:
Our quartet's down to two!

SHAGGY
Oh.

TIPPY
(In a sarcastic mock-French accent) Ze sweet caress of twilight
(No accent gone, still sarcastic) There's magic everywhere!
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Disaster's in the air!

OFF-STAGE VOICES
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
The world for once, in perfect harmony
With all its living things

JAKOB
So many things to tell her
But how can we be?
The truth about our past--
It's impossible!
She'd turn away from me

BEKAH
It's coming back from hiding
But what, I can't decide
Why can't he be the Jake I know he is?
The Jake I see inside?

OFF-STAGE VOICES
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
The world for once in perfect harmony
With all its living things

Can you feel the love tonight?
You needn't look too far
Stealing through the night's uncertainties
Love is where they are

TIPPY
And if they fall in love tonight
It can be asumed

SHAGGY
His carefree days with us are history

BOTH
In short our pal is doomed

(The two break down sobbing as BEKAH and JAKOB hold each other. They smile as they look into each other's eyes, both smoldering with love for each other. They step closer as they lean forward, their lips beginning to meet--)

GASTON
Bekah! Bekah!

(BEKAH rips away from Jakob, running over to where GASTON has entered.)

BEKAH
Gaston!

(They embrace. JAKOB glares at the newcomer. He has always despised them.)

GASTON
Bekah, you've got to come back with me!

BEKAH
Come back? But... (She looks over at JAKOB)

GASTON
Come on, this place is a wreck! No one's here anymore! It's just the two of us now!

BEKAH
What? Last time I checked there were four of us. (She rips away from him and walks over to JAKOB, TIPPY and SHAGGY.)

GASTON
You're kidding, right? Bekah, what about us? What about the life we were going to live? Together?

BEKAH
That 'life' is a fantasy. There is no us. I have my family. This is my home.

GASTON
(Laughing) You're crazy! Well, good luck living here. You'll be dead by the end of the week! (He walks offstage)

BEKAH
Jakob, I'm sorry.

JAKOB
That's okay. He doesn't mean anything. Right now there's just the two of us.

TIPPY
Ahem?

JAKOB
(Smiles) The four of us.

(The lights come down on the gypsy camp, coming up on Gaston's manor. There is a party in the dining room. GASTON sits at the head of the table, a fixture of fury set on his face.)

GASTON
Who does she think she is? (He takes a swig of the beer beside him) That girl has tangled with the wrong man! No one says no to Gaston!

(LUERS enters, carrying new mugs of beer. He begins passing them around.)

LUERS
Of course sir.

GASTON
Dismissed, rejected! (He takes another swig of beer) Why it's more than I can bear!

(LUERS picks Gaston's empty beer mug up, wavering another one in front of him)

LUERS
More beer sir?

GASTON
(He knocks the beer out of Luers' hand) What's the point? Nothing helps. I'm disgraced.

LUERS
Oh Sir, you've go to pull yourself together!

Gosh it disturbs me to see you Gaston
Looking so down in the dumps
Every guy here'd loved to be you Gaston
Even when taking your lumps
There's no guy in town as admired as you
You're everyone's favorite guy!
Everyone's awed and inspired by you
And it's not very hard to see why!
No one's slick as Gaston
No one's quick as Gaston
No one's neck's as incredibly thick like Gaston's
For there's no one in town half as manly
Perfect and pure paragon!
You can ask any Tom, Dick, or Stanley
And they'll tell you who's team they prefer to be on

LUERS AND PARTYGOERS/SERVANTS
No one's big like Gaston
A king pin like Gaston

LEURS
No one's got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston!

(GASTON stands up, confidence regained)

GASTON
As a specimen yes I'm intimidating!

LUERS/SERVANTS
My what a guy, that Gaston!

Give five "hurrahs"
Hip twelve "hip-hips"

LUERS
Gaston is the best and the rest is all to rips!

LUERS/SERVANTS
No one fights like Gaston
Douses lights like Gaston
No one sweeps up a chimney like that! Like Gaston

For there's no one as burly or brawny

GASTON
As you see I've got biceps to spare!

LUERS
Not a bit of him scraggly or scrawny

GASTON
And every last inch of me's covered in hair!

LUERS/SERVANTS
No one hits like Gaston
Matches wits like Gaston

LUERS
In a sweeping match nobody sweeps like Gaston!

GASTON
I'm expecially good at expactorating!

(Makes a sweeping motion with his sweep)

LUERS/SERVANTS
Ten francs for Gaston!

GASTON
(He pulls a few of the Partygoers over, demonstrating sweeping techniques)

When I was a lad I ate four dozen eggs
Every morning to help me get large
And now that I'm grown I eat five dozen eggs
So I'm roughly the size of a barge!

LUERS/SERVANTS
No one shoots like Gaston
Makes those boots like Gaston

LUERS
No one stromps around wearing boots like Gaston!

GASTON
I use antlers in all of my decorating!

LUERS/SERVANTS
Say it again
Who's the man upon man
And then say it once more
Who's the hero next door
Who's the super successful sweep of Paris

There's just one guy in town who's got all of this down!

LUERS
And his name's G-A-S...T...(He struggles for a moment) G-A-S-T...E...G-A-S-T-O...(he gives up)

LUERS/SERVANTS
My what a guy!
Gaston!

(The lights change to a dark blue, signaling the lights have gone out. The PARTYGOERS slowly leave, staggering slightly from drunkenes. GASTON sees them off with a smile and turns to LUERS, who has lit a lantern, barely illuminating their faces.)

GASTON
Oh Luers, you know how to lift a man's spirits. But now I've got something to do. (He rises, beginning to walk toward stage right.)

LUERS
And what is that, sir?

GASTON
To go find myself a girl that won't run away.

LUERS
But what about Bekah, sir?

GASTON
(Offstage) Who is she?

(The lights fade out as we go from the manor to the forest outside of the gypsy camp. BEKAH is perched peacefully on the edge of the cliff, thinking. TIPPY and SHAGGY are close by, eating the nearby berries. Bekah is in deep thought, fiddling with a brilliant red rose she has picked nearby.)

BEKAH
Maybe it's just some faze... Maybe it'll wear off...

(TIPPY pokes his head out from the bushes)

TIPPY
Maybe what will wear off?

(BEKAH looks down, embarrased)

BEKAH
Uh, Tippy, Shaggy, can you keep a secret?

(TIPPY and SHAGGY look at each other, then trot up to where Bekah sits.)

SHAGGY
Of course Bekah. What is it?

BEKAH
Well, I think... And this is just a guess, but... I think I might be... In love with Jakob.

TIPPY
In love with Jakob? That's impossible! He's your brother!

BEKAH
I know, that's why you have to keep it a secret! You have to swear not to tell him!

SHAGGY
Of course Bekah, we swear!

(The lights fade out quickly and come back on at the same scene, except BEKAH is gone, JAKOB in her place. In the dark we have heard TIPPY and SHAGGY)

TIPPY AND SHAGGY
(Simultaneously)
Jaaaaaaakoooooooob!!!!!!!!

(They both run onstage and to the startled Jakob.)

TIPPY
Jakob! Jakob we were right!

JAKOB
What? What are you talking about?

SHAGGY
Bekah loves you too! She told us herself!

JAKOB
Really?

TIPPY
Really!

(JAKOB is ecstatic. He runs offstage, practically skipping as the music strikes up.)

TIPPY
And now they'll fall in love tonight

SHAGGY
It can be asumed

TIPPY AND SHAGGY
As it goes, they'll live in harmony
But we will be removed!

(The lights go down once more as the music plays though the dark, changing to a darker tone as the lights come up, dim, on Madame Portry's house. She is mixing a rather nasty-looking potion.)

PORTRY
Yes, yes. A cup of dragon blood, a bit of frog spit should do very nicely. And now--

(She is interupted by a knock on the door. She frowns, then puts on an artifical smile, her voice becoming sickly sweet.)

PORTRY
Come in my dear, come in!

(Her smile transforms into a scowl as BEKAH enters.)

PORTRY
Oh, it's you.

BEKAH
Yes, Madame Portry, I know you have massive power enough to fix my legs.

PORTRY
Massive, extraordinary, unimaginable power! It's all on the sign (She points to the sign overhead that reads 'Madame Portry: Massive, extraordinary, unimaginable power for your delight!')

BEKAH
Yes, and I was wondering if you-- Well, if you could, make a love potion.

PORTRY
Oh honey I know what you mean. I was never pretty enough to get a guy without the help of a potion.

BEKAH
Um, I don't need I potion for that kind of love.

PORTRY
Oh, then forget I ever said that.

BEKAH
Yes, forgotten. But I have a problem. You see my brother Jakob, well, I think I might be in love with him.

PORTRY
(She stares at her for moment, then bursts out laughing) Well, I daresay I've never heard that before.

BEKAH
I know. Which is why I was wondering, if you could make a potion to make him fall in love with me.

PORTRY
Honey I'm a sorceress, not a miracle worker.

BEKAH
But couldn't you at least try?

PORTRY
Well, the only way to get what you want, is to make it so you aren't related.

BEKAH
Can you do that?

PORTRY
My dear, sweet child, that's what I do! It's what I live for! To help unfortunate gypsies, like yourself.

I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me, well a witch
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented seen the light and made a switch
True? Yes!

And I fortunately know a little magic
It's a talent that I always have posessed
And dear lady, please don't laugh
I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed
(To herself) Pathetic...

(To Bekah) Poor unfortunate souls!
In pain! In need!
This one longing to be thinner, that one want's to get the girl
And do I help them?
Yes I do!

Those poor unfortunate souls!
So sad! So true!
They come flocking to my cauldrom crying
"Spells Madame please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do!

Now it's happened once or twice
Someone couldn't pay the price
And I'm afraid I had to rake them 'cross the coals
Yes I've had the off complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint!
To those poor unfortunate souls!

(She turns to Bekah.)

PORTRY
Now, here's the deal. I happen to be conjuring up a very powerful spell right now. Top secret, very hush hush. And with the right tweaking, it will be able to sperate all biological ties between you and your brother, and he will completely forget everything from the time he met you.

BEKAH
But what about him falling in love with me?

PORTRY
Well, that's the thing. That part's for you. If he had feelings for you before, they'll still be there. If he didn't, well then you've got to coax him into it. And there's one more thing.

BEKAH
What?

PORTRY
The subject of payment.

BEKAH
But I don't have any money.

PORTRY
Don't worry dear, I don't need any of that. Money doesn't taste very good in a potion. All I want is your voice.

BEKAH
My voice?

PORTRY
Yes, I heard it the other day and it's one of the most exotic, enticing ones I've ever heard. It's just the one I need for a new spell I'm making.

BEKAH
But, without my voice, how can I--

PORTRY
You'll have your looks,
Your pretty face!
And don't underestimate the importance of body language!

The men up here don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yes up here it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear what is idle prattle for?

Come on, they're not not all that impressed with conversation!
True gentlemen avoid it when they can!
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady whose withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue
Who gets her man

Come on you poor unfortunate sool!
Go ahead!
Make your choice!
I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day!
It won't cost much!
Just your voice!

You poor unfortunate soul!
It's sad! But true!
If you want to cross a bridge my sweet you've got to pay the toll
(She pulls a scroll out with a dotted line at the bottom and holds out a quill pen)
Take a gulp and take a breath and go ahead and sign the scroll!
And now I've really got her boys
The boss is on a roll!
This poor unfortunate soul!

(The lights dim to just the light from the cauldron, strobe lights going off. PORTRY stands behind the cauldron, mixing her vile potion.)

PORTRY
Beluga Saruga
Come winds of the Caspian Sea
Larenxes, Glacitus
And max laryngitis
La voce to me!

Now, sing!

BEKAH
Ahhh...

PORTRY
Keep singing!

(As BEKAH continues to sing and lightning flashes, we see the lights come up dimly on the gypsy camp, where we can see the siloutte of JAKOB through his tent. He wakes up and looks around, and as he realizes he is in a place he does not realize, he begins to scream in panic. Bekah cuts off her voice, running offstage.)

BEKAH
Jakob!

PORTRY
No! The spell completed itself without payment! Get back here!

(The lights fade out on Madame Portry's house as the music changes and fades out. Through the dark we can hear Jakob's panicked yells, wondering where he is. The lights come up again as BEKAH enters, grabbing a hold of JAKOB as he stumbles around.)

BEKAH
Jakob, Jakob it's alright!

(JAKOB stops and looks at BEKAH, pulling away.)

JAKOB
Who are you? How do you know me? Where--Where am I?

BEKAH
I'm Bekah, and this is the Gypsy Camp, in the forest.

JAKOB
Gypsy camp? Oh, I'm not supposed to be here, I'm not supposed to...

BEKAH
Talk to a gypsy? I know, I get that a lot. But I know you don't mind.

JAKOB
Well... Yeah, I don't. How do you know that?

BEKAH
It's a long story that I'd rather not like to tell. You're just going to have to trust me.

JAKOB
Um, okay? How did I get here exactly?

BEKAH
Well, here's the thing, you are a gypsy.

JAKOB
No I'm not. My mother and father live in the country, on a farm.

BEKAH
Your adoptive ones do, but your biological ones were gypsies.

JAKOB
Really? Well, where are they?

BEKAH
Jail. I just busted out of there.

JAKOB
Then we have to save them!

BEKAH
Jakob, we can't. It's impossible to break in from the outside. The best way is getting out. We'll just have to wait until they break out themselves.

JAKOB
Are you sure?

BEKAH
Positive. Now come on, you have to meet Tippy and Shaggy.

(SHE jumps on a nearby vine. JAKOB stands still, staring.)

BEKAH
Aren't you coming?

JAKOB
Um, I don't think I can do that.

BEKAH
Why not?

JAKOB
I'm not what you would call the most agile person.

BEKAH
You've got the arms of an ape, I'm sure a vine is nothing. Just try it. You're more agile than you think.

(JAKOB akwardly jumps, grabbing a vine.)

JAKOB
Hey! You're right!

(BEKAH smiles)

BEKAH
You're a gypsy. It's in your blood.

(She swiftly swings offstage. JAKOB looks after her, then hesitantly swings, clumsily swinging off with an akward yell as the lights dim and the music begins. The lights come up on the area outside of the gypsy camp. It is daylight, and Bekah is teaching JAKOB how to fight.)

BEKAH
Okay, so you keep your stance, (She demonstrates) then dodge (She demonstrates while JAKOB keeps his stance), then punch. (She turns and punches him, hard.)

JAKOB
Hey! What was that for?

BEKAH
You must always be on your guard. (Her smile fades when she sees that Jakob is seriously hurt. She offers her hand to him. He takes it, standing up.) Are you okay? We can stop.

JAKOB
Are you kidding? We're just getting started!

Whatever you do,
I'll do it too
Show me everything and tell me how
It all means something
And yet nothing to me

I can see there's so much to learn
It's all so close and yet so far
I see myself as people see me
Oh I just know there's something bigger out there

I wanna know
Can you show me?
I wanna know about these strangers like me
Tell me more
Please show me
I wanna know about these strangers like me

(BEKAH smiles, knowing the Jakob she knows is coming out.)

BEKAH
Okay, but we're going to need some vines. Be right back.

(She walks over to the tangle of vines, starting to work out a few. As she does this, JAKOB stares at her, lovingly.)

JAKOB
Every gesture,
Every move that she makes
Makes me feel like never before
Why do I have
This growing need to be beside her?

These emotions I never knew
Over some other world far beyond this place
Beyond the trees, above the clouds
I see befoer me a new horizon!

(He runs up to her as she is walking back.)

I wanna know
Can you show me?
I wanna know about these strangers like me
Tell me more
Please show me
I wanna know about these strangers like me.

(BEKAH grabs a vine and begins climbing it, JAKOB following it.)

BEKAH
Come with me now to see my world,
Where there's beauty beyond your dreams
Can you feel the things I feel,
Right now,
With you?
Take my hand,

JAKOB
There's a world I need to know!

(The lights dim as the two look at each other, in love. The vine spins, as do they. They lean in to kiss, when suddenly the vine breaks, snapping them out of the moment, the lights snap back to life.)

JAKOB
I wanna know!
Can you show me?
I wanna know about these strangers like me!
Tell me more,
Please show me,
Something's familiar about these strangers like me.

(The two begin fighting again, JAKOB dodging BEKAH'S punches. As she spins around to throw another punch, he throws a fist and knocks her down. She smiles as the music ends. JAKOB helps her up, and the two exit offstage together as the lights dim)

(The lights fade back in on BEKAH standing at the edge of the river at the gypsy camp. It is almost trance-like as she stands completely still, taking a deep breath. JAKOB enters, standing next to BEKAH. He waits, watching as BEKAH'S eyes gently flutter open. She looks to him. He smiles.)

JAKOB
It's so... Peaceful here.

BEKAH
This is the first time I've ever seen this river. It was as dry as a desert my whole life.

JAKOB
Sometimes I wish life could be like a river, always the same, never changing, just going down one straight path set for you.

BEKAH
(Laughs) Oh, rivers change probably more than we do.

What I love most about rivers is you can't step in the same river twice
The water's always changing always flowing
But people I guess can't live like that, we all must pay a price
To be safe we lose our chance of ever knowing
What's around the riverbend!
Waiting just around the riverbend!
I look once more,
Just around the riverbend, beyond the shore!
Where the gulls fly free,
Don't know what for!
What I dream the day might send,
Just around the riverbend,
For me,
Coming for me

I feel it there beyond the trees or right behind these waterfalls
Can I ignore that sound of distant drumming?
For a handsome sturdy husband to build handsome sturdy walls
And never dreams that something might be coming,
Just around the riverbend
Just around the riverbend!
I look once more, just around the riverbend beyond the shore!
Somewhere past the sea, don't know what for!
Why do all my dreams extend just around the riverbend,
Just around the riverbend--

(BEKAH, who has been running and leaping to follow the river, JAKOB running behind her, stops at a fork. One is smooth, while the other is curved and rocky. She thinks of her love for JAKOB)

Should I choose the smoothest course,
Steady as the beating drum?
Should I tell him the truth?
Is all my hoping at an end?

Or do you still wait for me dream-giver?
Just around the river
Bend...

(She stands perfectly still, thinking. JAKOB walks up to her and carefully places a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she looks up. Their eyes meet, love emitting for each other. TIPPY and SHAGGY enter via the water, SHAGGY playing a makeshift drum)

TIPPY
There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got alot to say, but there's something about her
And you don't know why but you're dying to try you wanna
Kiss the girl

Yes you want her
Look at her you know you do
Possible she want you to
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word not a single word
Go on and Kiss the Girl

Sha la la la la la
My oh my!
Look like the boy too shy
He ain't gonna kiss the girl
Sha la la la la la
Ain't it sad
Ain't it a shame, too bad
You gonna miss the girl

(The lights dim, BEKAH and JAKOB still lost in each other's eyes. THE GYPSY GHOSTS enter, dancing around in a shadow of the Little April Shower dance.)

SHAGGY
Now's your moment
Floating in a blue lagoon
Boy you better do it soon
No time will be better
She don't say a word
and she won't say a word until you

TIPPY AND SHAGGY
Kiss the girl!

Sha la la la la la
Don't be scared!
You've got to be prepared
Go on and
Kiss the girl!

Sha la la la la la
Don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You want to kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la
Float along
Listen to the song
The song says
Kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la
Music play!
Do what the music say!
You wanna kiss the girl

(The GYPSIES encircle Bekah and Jakob as the music swells. They part momentarily to reveal--BEKAH and JAKOB, sharing a passionate kiss. Their kiss causes a sudden blackout as the GYPSIES cheer. The music ends as the curtain falls)

END ACT TWO