JIM

(taking the floor)

Ladies and gentlemen - I regret to announce that Miss Julie Wandell

is indisposed and cannot appear tonight.

(The crowd groans its disappointment)

Now wait, wait please. We are fortunate, however in obtaining the

services of Miss Magnolia Ravenal, who will sing for you an old

favorite.

(more groans)



DRUNK

(at nearby table)

Magnolia Ravenal - who the hell is she?



ANDY

(getting up and starting to take his coat off)

I'll show you who the hell she is!

(MAGNOLIA enters and comes down stage. She starts to

sing rather timidly and is ill at ease)



MAGNOLIA

A little maiden

Climbed an old man's knee,

Begged for a story,

"Do, Uncle, please."

(CROWD murmurs)



ANDY

Quiet!



MAGNOLIA

Why are you single?

Why live alone?



ANDY

Quiet!



A MAN

Get the hook!



MAGNOLIA

Have you no babies?

Have you no home?



ANDY

Nola!

(She turns in the opposite direction to where he is

sitting, but is evidently trying to see who called her.

The CROWD grows noisier)



MAGNOLIA

I had a sweetheart,

Years, years ago,



ANDY

Nolie!

(She sees ANDY, and gains confidence)



MAGNOLIA

Where she is now, pet,

You will soon know.

(She has begun to sing quite well

and the CROWD grows quiet)

List to the story,

I'll tell it all,



ANDY

Smile, Nola!



MAGNOLIA

I believed her faithless

After the ball.

After the ball is over,

After the break of morn,

After the dancers leaving,

After the stars are gone;

Many a heart is aching,

If you could read them all;

Many the hopes