The New Yorker in Tondo

The song continues and Lights Dim, then on again The song becames louder and plays for 15 seconds. The stage is still empty until Mrs. Mendoza comes in, dress in leggings and off shoulder dress, high heels and a crazy hair cut. She carries a big bag full of make ups and stuffs. MRS. M (Shouting by window) Aling Ising, Aling Ising, maawa naman kayo sa mga kapitbahay ninyo! Nagmula sa alas sinco ng umaga hanggang hatinggabi wala na kayong tinugotg kung hindi iyang demonyong plakang iyan!...Maski naman gaano kaganda niyang damuhong Hot N Cold na iyan ay pinagsasawaan din Aling Ising! Huuuy! Aba, mga bingi yata ito a Tama na iyang Hot N Cold na iyan kung hindi babasagin ko sa mga mukha ninyo iyan. Mariosep! (Stops music)

MRS. M: (As she walks toward the door) Visitors, always visitors. Nothing but visitors all day long. Naku, Im beginning to feel like a society matron. (She opens door. Tony steps in, carrying a bouquet. Tony is 26, dressed to kill, and is the suave type. Right now, however, he is feeling a trifle nervous. He starts slightly on seeing Mrs. Mendoza.) MRS. M : Tony! I thought you were in the province. TONY : MRS. M : TONY : MRS. M : (Startling) But is that you, Aling Atang? ( Laughing) --- Of course. Its I, foolish boy. Who did you think it was Angelina Jolie? You you dont look like Aling Atang. (shyly touching her boyish bob) I had my hair cut. Do I look so horrible?

TONY : Oh, no, no you look just wonderful, Aling Atang. For a moment I thought you were your own daughter. I thought you were Kikay. MRS. M : (Playfully slapping his cheek) --- Oh, you are as palikero as ever, Tony. But come in, come in. (She moves toward the furniture and Tony follows.) Here, sit down, Tony. How is your mother? TONY : (As he sits down, still holding the bouquet) --- Oh, poor mother is terribly homesick for Tondo, Aling Atang. She wants to come back here at once. MRS. M : (Standing beside his chair, putting on an apron) How long have you been away?

TONY : Only three months MR. M : Only three months! Three months is too long for a Tondo native to be away from Tondo. Ay, my kumare, how bored she must be out there! TONY : Well, Aling Atang, you know how it is with us engineers. We must go where our jobs call us. But as soon as I have finished with that bridge in Bulacan, mother and I are coming back here to Tondo.

MRS. M : Yes, you must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her whenever we play bingo. TONY : (Laughing) --- That is what she misses most of all. MRS. M : Now I understand how she feels! Your mother could never,never become a provinciana, Tony. Once a Tondo girl, always a Tondo girl, I always say. (She pauses, struck by a thought). But I wonder if thats true after all. Look at my Kikay; she was over there in America for a whole year, and she says that she never, never felt homesick at all! TONY : (Beginning to look nervous again) --- When when did she, Kikay, arrive, Aling Atang? MRS. M : Last Monday. TONY : I didnt know she had come back from New York until I read about it in the newspapers. MRS. M : (Plaintively) That girl only arrived last Monday and look what has happened to me! When she first saw me, she was furious. She said that I needed a complete overhauling. She dragged me off to the beauty parlor, and look what she has done to me! My hair was cut, eyebrows shaved, nails manicured. And wheneve I go to the market, I use lipstick! All my kumare are laughing. People think Im a...a...what you call that again? ... loose woman. And at my age too! But what can I do. You know how impossible it is to argue with Kikay. And she says that I must learn how to look and act like an Americana because I have a daughter who has been to America. Dios mio, do I look like an American? TONY: (Too worried to pay much attention) You look just wonderful Aling Atang. And... and where is she now ? MRS. M : (Whos rather engrossed in her troubles too) Who ? TONY : Kikay? Is she at home ?

MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M

Of course, she is at home! Shes still sleeping. (Glancing at his watch) Still sleeping! She says that in New York people do not wake up before Twelve oclock noon. (Glancing at his watch once more) Its only Ten Oclock now! Besides, she has been very, very busy. Uy, the life of that giurl since she came home! Welcome parties here and welcome parties there, and visitors all day long! That girl has been spinning around like top! (Rising disconsolately) Well, will you just tell her I called... to welcome her home. Oh, and will you please give her these flowers? (Taking flowers) But surely, youre not going yet, Tony? I want to see Kikay, Aling Atang, but if she doesnt get up until twelve noon...

TONY

MRS. M TONY

MRS. M

(Firmly) Shes going to get up right now and see you, Tony. Why, you and she grew up together! Sit right down again, Tony... I will go and wake her up. Oh, please dont bother, Aling Atang. I can come back some other time. (Moving Away) You wait right there, Tony. Shell be simply delighted to see her old childhood friend. And shell want to thank you in person for these flowers. How beautiful they are Tony... How expensive they must be! (Sitting down again) Oh, theyre nothing at all, Aling Atang. (Pausing already at center doorway) Oh, Tony... Yes, Aling Atang? You must not call me Aling Atang

TONY MRS. M

TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M

Why not? TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M TONY MRS. M Kikay doesnt like it. She says I must tell people to call me Mrs. Mendoza. She says it is more civilized form of address. So... especially in front of Kikay... you must call me, Mrs. Mendoza. Yes, Aling...I mean, yes, Mrs. Mendoza. (Turning to go) Well, wait just a minute and Ill call Kikay. (To himself as he sits down) Hah! (Turning again) Oh and Tony... (Jumping up again) Yes, Aling... I mean, yes, Mrs. Mendoza? You must not call Kikay Kikay (Blankly) And what shall I call her? You must call her Francesca. Francisca? Not Francisca... Fran-Ces-Ca. But why Francesca? She says that in New York , she says thats the way they pronounce he name, it sounds like chi-chi so Italian, be sure to call her Francesca and not Kikay. Oh, how she hates that name! (Limply sitting down again) Yes, Mrs. Mendoza

TONY

MRS. M

(Turning to go again) Now, wait right here while I call Francesca. (Someones knocking at the door. She turns around again.) AIE DIOSMIO!!! (Jumping up once again)Never mind Mrs. Mendoza, Ill answer it. (He goes to open the door.) (as she exits) Just tell them to wait, Tony. Tony opens door and Totoy steps in. Totoy is the same age as Tony. Both boys do their secret handshake.)

TONY MRS. M

TOTOY TONY ---TOTOY ---TONY TOTOY TONY

(Arms extending to hug Tony) Tony! Totoy! (Then they pund each other in the bellies) You old son of your father! You big carabao! Mayroon ba tayo dyan? You ask me that and you look like a walking goldmine! How many depots have you been looting, huh!!?? Hey hey!! More slowly there.. It is you the police are looking for. Impossible! Im a reformed character! (As, arms around each others shoulders, they march across the room.) Make way for the Tondo boys... Bang! Bang! (Pushing Totoy away and producing a package of cigarettes) Good to see you old pal.. Here, have a smoke. I thought you were in Bulacan, partner. I am. I just came to say hello to Kikay. Tony. Ive been hearing the most frightful things about that girl. (Sinking into chair) So have I. (Sitting down, too) People say she has gone crazy. No, she has only gone New York . What was she doing in New York anyway?

TOTOY TONY TOTOY

TONY

TOTOY TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY

TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY

Oh, studying. Studying what? Hair culture and Beauty Science. She got a diploma. Imagine that! Our dear old Kikay! Pardon me, she's not Kikay anymore,.. She's Fran-CeS-ca.. Fran-CeS-ca?? Miss Tondo has become Miss New York. Our dear Kikay is now an American. Dont make me laugh! Why I knew that girl when shes still selling rice cakes.. (Stands up and Imitates a girl Puto Vendor) Puto kayo dyan!! Bili na kayo ng puto mga suki!! (Laughing) Remember when we pushed her into the canal? She chased us around the streets. She was dripping with mud! Naku! How that girl could fight! (Fondly) Dear Old Kikay! (Knocking at door.) Totoy goes to open it. Enters Nena. Nena is a pretty young lady of 24)

TONY TOTOY TONY TOTOY TONY

NENA TOTOY NENA

Why, its Totoy! Nena, my love. (Brushing him aside as she walks into the room) And Tony, too.. Whats all this? A Canto Boy Reunion ? (following behind her) We have come to greet the Lady from New York . So have I. Is she at home? Aling Atang is trying to wake her up. To wake her up?! Is she still sleeping?? (Appearing) No, shes awake already. She's dressing. Good morning Nena and Totoy. (Totoy and Nena are staring speechless. Mrs. Mendoza is carrying a vase in which she has arranged Tonys flowers. She self-conciously walks into room and sets the vase on the table amidst a silence broken only by Totoys helpless whistle)

TONY NENA TONY NENA MRS. M

MRS. M NENA TOTOY TONY MRS.M

(Having set vase at the table) Well, Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring me like that? Is that you Aling Atang? Naka! It is Aling Atang! (He collapses into chair) To inform you, she now prefers to be called Mrs. Mendoza. Oh, Tony! It is not I but Kikay who prefers it. She was delighted with these flowers. Nena, If you dont stop gazing at me like that I will pinch you hard! When we were children you always used to do that to us...

NENA

NENA : (Laughing) How you used to pinch and pinch me, Aling Atang, when I was a little girl. MRS. M : You were a very naughty girl, always fighting with Kikay. You were all very naughty children. (She points at Totoy) This one, especially, always sneaking into our backyard to steal mangoes from our mango tree. TOTOY : Do you still have the mango tree? MRS. M : Well Yes, its still out there in our backyard. TOTOY : (Jumping up) Come on, Nenalets steal their mangoes! MRS.M : Ah-ah, you just try! I still run as fast as ever. See if I dont catch you again and pull your pants off! TOTOY : (Gripping his pants) ah, but I wear suspenders now, Mrs. Mendoza. MRS. M : Oh, you rascal! Come with me to the kitchen. TOTOY : Why? To pull my pants off? MRS. M : No, idiot! I want you to help me carry something. NENA : Aling Atang, dont prepare anything for us. Were not visitors. And were not hungry. MRS. M : Its only orange juice, Nena. I was preparing some for Kikay. She takes nothing else in the morning. She says that in New York nobody eats breakfast. Come along, Totoy. (Exits Mrs. Mendoza and Totoy. Left alone, Nena and Tony are silent for a moment. Tony seated; Nena stands behind the sofa.)

TONY NENA TONY NENA

You shouldnt have come today, Nena Oh, why not? I havent talked with Kikay Yet. You havent talked with Kikay Yet? But I thought you were coming here to tell her everything last night! I lost my nerve, I didnt come last night. Oh tony, Tony! (Irritated, Imitating her tone) Oh, Tony, tony ... use your head, Nena. Whoever heard of a man breaking off his engagement just like that! Its not easy! Are you inlove with Kikay or with me? Of course Im in love with you. Im engaged to you. Yes, and youre engaged to Kikay too. But that was a year ago. Oh, you wolf! Nena, Nena you know I love only you! How could you have the nerve to propose to me when you were still engaged to Kikay! I wish I had never told you that. This is what I get for being honest. Honest! You call yourself honest! Getting me to fall in love with you when you still belonged to Kikay! I... I thought I didnt belong to her anymore. It was only a secret engagement anyway. Secret! I proposed to her just before she left for America... O...?

TONY NENA TONY

NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA

TONY NENA

TONY NENA TONY NENA

TONY

And she said we must keep our engagement a secret until she come back. But when she had been there a couple of months she stopped answering my letters...

NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA

Good...! So I considered my self a freeman again. Thats why you proposed to me? No!... I mean... Yes. And then asked me to keep our engagement a secret also! Because right afterwards, I found out that Kikay was coming back. Well, Im tired of being secretly engaged to you; what fun is it being engaged if you cannot ... kuan ... tell everybody. Just give me a chance to talk to Kikay and explain everything to her. Then you and I will announce our engagement. Well, youd better hurry. Im getting impatient. The trouble is, how can I talk to Kikay now? Why not? Well, you are here... and Totoy is here. You dont expect me to talk about it infront of everybody, do you? You want me and Totoy to leave? No, just give me a chance to be alone with Kikay for a moment. Okay, Ill take care of Totoy. Thats good. You just leave it to me. But settle this now and forever ha? (Totoy enters with glasses on a tray) Puto kayo diyan... Bili na kayo ng puto... (Mrs. Mendoza enters) Drink you orange juice and Ill see if Kikay is ready. Listen, everybody... here comes Kikay... But remember she prefers to be called Fran-Ces-ca! (Kikay Appears, garved in a trailing gown trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief which she keeps waving about as she walks and talks. In the other hand she carries a cigarette. Kikays manner and appearance are... to use a hollywood expression Chi-chi like mad.)

TONY

NENA TONY NENA TONY

NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA

TOTOY

MRS. M

KIKAY

(Having paused a long moment in the doorway, hands uplifted in surprise and delight.) Oh, hello, hello... you darling, darling people! (She glides into the room. Everybody is too astonished to move.) Nena, My dear, but how cute youve become! (Kisses Nena) And Tony, dear boy, how are you... (gives her hand to Tony) And Totoy, why you look like a Tondo superproduction Totoy, how does one say in TagalogIn Technicolor! Halika dito. But sit down everybody... Do sit down and let me look at you! Oh, Mumsy, Mumsy! Oy, whats the matter now? But how many times must I tell you, Mumsy dearest, never, never to serve fruit juice in water glasses! I couldnt find those tall glasses you brought home

MRS. M KIKAY

MRS. M

KIKAY

Oh my poor lil mumsy... She is so clumsy, no? But never mind, Dearest, dont break your heart about it. Here, sit down. No, I must be going to the market. Oh, mumsy, dont forget my celery. (to her visitors) I cant live without celery. Im like a rabbitmunch, munch all day. Well, if you people will excuse meTony, remember me to your mother. (She moves away) (Gesturing make up) and remember, mumsya little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks. Oh, Kikay, do I have to? Again, mumsy?

MRS. M : KIKAY :

MRS. M :

KIKAY :

MRS. M : KIKAY :

MRS. M : (Already in the center doorway) Do I have to paint this old face of mine, Fran-CES-ca? KIKAY : (Breaking into laughter and turning towards the others) But how dreadfully she puts it! Oh, mumsy, mumsywhat am I going to do with you? MRS. M : (As she exits) I give up! KIKAY : (Still laughing) Poor mumsy, shes quite a problem. (She waves her cigarette) Oh, does anybody have a light? (Totoy jumps up and gives her a light.)

KIKAY : Merci. TOTOY : Huh? KIKAY : I said merci. That means thank you in French. TOTOY : (As he sits down) Merci! (Kikay poses herself on the arm of the sofa where Nena is sitting and sipping orange juice. The two boys, also sipping juice and munching sandwiches, occupying the two chairs) NENA : Tell us about New York. KIKAY : (Fervently) Ah, New York, New York! TONY : How long did you stay there? KIKAY : (In a trance) 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes! TOTOY : (Aside to the others) and shes still there in her dreams! KIKAY : (With emotion choking her voice) Yes, I feel as if I were still there, as though I had never left it, as though I had lived there all my life. But I look around me (She bitterly looks around her at the three gaping visitors) and I realize that no, no Im not there. Im not in New York Im here, here! KIKAY : (She rises abruptly and goes to window where she stands looking out) Im home, they tell me. Home! But which is home for me? This cannot be home because my heart aches with homesickness. I feel myself to be an exileyes, a spiritual exile. My spirit aches for its true home across the sea. Ah, New York! My own dear New York! (She is silent a moment, looking across the horizon, her arms cross over her breast. Her visitors glanced uneasily at each other.) NENA : (To others) I dont think we ought to be here at all, boys. TONY : Yes, we shouldnt disturb her. NENA : (With a languishing gesture) And leave her alone with her memories. TONY : (Glancing at the entranced Kikay) Is that the girl we used to go swimming with in the mud paddies? TOTOY : (Crossing his arms over his chest) Ah, New York! My own dear New York! NENA : I really must go and say hello to our tree. You dont mind, Kikay, do you? KIKAY : (Laughing) Of course not, child. Do go. NENA : Totoy, will you come with me?

TOTOY : (Fervently, as he rises) To the ends of the earth! NENA : (In the Kikay manner) No darlingjust out to our dear little backyard. TOTOY : (Acting up too) Oh , the backyard of Tondo, the barong-barongs of Maypaho, the streets of Sibakong NENA : (In the center doorway) Listen, idiot, are you coming with me or not? TOTOY : (Following her) Anywhere, dream girl, anywhere at all! (Exits Nena and Totoy) KIKAY : (Sitting down on the sofa) Apparently, our Totoy still has a most terrific crush on Nena. (Tony is silent) Do wake up, Tony what are you looking so miserable about? (Tony rises from his chair and sits down beside Kikay on the sofa. He is nervous and cannot speak. Kikay smilingly gazes at him.) TONY : (Finally gathering courage) KikayI dont know just how to begin. KIKAY : Just call me Francesca... a good beginning. TONY : There is something I must tell yousomething very important. KIKAY : Oh, Tony, cant we just forget all about it? TONY : Forget? KIKAY : Thats the New York way, Tony. Forget. Nothing must ever be so serious, nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart. Tomorrow forget. And when you meet again, smile, shake handsjust good sports. TONY : What are you talking about? KIKAY : Tony, I was only a child at that time. TONY : When? KIKAY : When you and I got engaged. Ive changed so much since then, Tony. TONY : That was only a year ago. KIKAY:

To me, it seems a century. So much had happened to me. More can happen to you in just one year in New York . Listen, I dont want to talk about New York I want to talk about our engagement.

TONY

KIKAY TONY KIKAY

And thats what we cannot do Tony. Not anymore. Why not? Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesnt exist anymore. She's dead. The person you see before you is Francesca. Dont you see, Tony, Im a stranger to you. I hate to hurt you, but surely you see that there can be no more talk of an engagement between us. And as for marriage...(laughs) .... It would be a stark miscegenation. Imagine, a New Yorker, marrying a Tondo Boy!!! It's so insane!! (Blazing) Now wait a minute... (Very Tolerantly) Im sorry if Ive hurt you Tony. But I wanted you to realize how ridiculous it could be to think that I could still be engaged to you. Im not going to stand here and be insulted! Hush, tony, Hush! Dont shout! Dont lose your temper... its so uncivilized. People in New York dont lose their temper. Not people of the Haute made anyway. What do you want me to do... smile and say thank you for insulting me? Yes, Tony, Be a Sport! Lets smile and shake hands and just be friends. Be brave Tony... forget, the New york Way. Find another girl... any girl youll find find... someone more proper for you. More like a loser. If you werent a woman Id...Id...! (Totoy and nena Appear)

TONY KIKAY

TONY KIKAY

TONY KIKAY

TONY

TOTOY NENA KIKAY TOTOY KIKAY NENA TONY NENA KIKAY TOTOY

Hold it, tony... You must never, never hit a woman! Whats all this? Ano ba to? Nothing, nothing at all. What were you two quarelling about? We were not quarelling. Tony and I just decided to be good friends and nothing more. Tony, is this true? (shouting) Yes! Oh good! Now we can tell them. Tell us what? Whats going on here anyway?

NENA
KIKAY AND TOTOY

Tony and I are engaged. Engaged? Yes, weve been secretly engaged for a month. A month! (fiercely to Tony) why you... you! I did try to tell you Kikay... I was trying to tell you... You... You... you double-crosses! Two timer loser! Aba, careful there... your speaking to my fiance... Hes not your fiance! Oh, no?... why not? Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you! Well, he's not engaged to you anymore, you just said it yourself. Ah, but I didnt know about all this.. Now remember, Kikay it's so uncivilized to lose ones temper, People in New York dont lose their temper. Ive never felt so humiliated in all my life!! You beast, Ill teach you!! I told you to leave him alone! Hes my fiance! And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him and I havent release him yet. NENA : You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Youre just being a dog in the manger! KIKAY : You ought to be ashamed of yourselfstealing my man behind my back! What? What did you say!!?? Totoy, pull them apart! (to Totoy) You keep out of this or Ill knock your head off! Naku lumabas din ang pagka Tondo!

NENA KIKAY TONY KIKAY NENA KIKAY NENA KIKAY NENA KIKAY TONY KIKAY NENA KIKAY

NENA TONY KIKAY TOTOY

NENA : Shameless hussy! KIKAY : Man-eater! (They grapple and stagger. Tony and Totoy rush forward to separate them and finally succeeded but not before Kikay has socked Nena. Nena, infuriated, breaks away from Tonywhos dragging her away. and pounces on Kikaywhom Totoy is holding. Tony came spawling down)running but is too late to prevent Nena from socking Kikay. Kikay sags down in Totoys arms.Tony pulls Nena away.)

KIKAY TONY NENA TONY NENA TONY NENA

(Screams and faints) (furious) How dare you hit her! And why not? She hit me first! Look what youve done to her! Are you trying to defend her? You never defended me! Shut up! Oh, I hate you, I hate you!! (sobs)

TONY : Shut up or Ill bash your mouth off! TOTOY TONY NENA TOTOY TONY TOTOY NENA : Pare, dont talk to Nena that way. You keep out of this! Hes more of a gentleman than you are, he defends me! (To tony) Take your hands off her! I told you to keep out of this! (hits Tony on the face sends Tony sprawling. Meanwhile, Kikay woke up.) (Running to Totoy) Oh Totoy, youve saved my life.

(Meanwhile, Kikay has run to Tonys side.) KIKAY Totoy, how dare you hit him! (rushed to Tony) Tony... Tony.. Open your eyes! (Tony opens mouth) No, no, no, not your mouth, your eyes! TONY Where am I? KIKAY : (Kneeling beside Tony) Tony, Tony open your eyes! TONY : (Sitting up and brushing her hands away) Oh, get away from here. (Kikay rises and haughtily moves away. Tony continues to sit on the floor, in the attitude of Rodins Thinker.) NENA : Totoy, take me away from here! TOTOY : (Pointing to Tony) Are you still engaged to him? NENA : I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life! TOTOY : Good! Come on, lets go.

(He takes her arm and propels her to the door.) TONY : (As they pass him) Hey! NENA : (Pausing) Dont you speak to me, you brute! TONY : (Still sitting on the floor) I wasnt talking to you. TOTOY : Dont you speak to me either! You have insulted the woman I love! NENA : (Beaming up at him) Oh Totoy, why have you never told me? TOTOY : (Shyly) Wellnow you know TONY : (Still on the floor) Congratulations! NENA : (Coldly) Lets go darlingI dont like the smell around here. (Exit Nena and Totoy. Tony rises and dusts himself. Kikay is on the floor on the other side of the room, her haughty back to him.) TONY KIKAY TONY (to Kikay) Now, what you need is a good spanking. Dont you come near to me, you... you canto boy! Dont worry, I wouldnt touch you with a 10 foot pole.

KIKAY

And I wouldnt touch you with a 20 foot pole.

TONY

Just one year in New York and you forget all your friends.

KIKAY

Just one year that Im in New York and what did you do? But when we got engaged, you swore to be true, you promised to wait for me. And I believe you!! (cry) Oh, youre a fickle, fickle.. What are you crying about? Be brave... forget... thats the New York way.

TONY

KIKAY : Oh Tony, Ive been such a fool! Im so sorry, Tony! TONY : Well, Im not! Im glad I found out what kind of a person you are! KIKAY : (Alarmed, approaching him) Oh, Tony, youre wrong, youre wrong! Im not that kind of a person at all! TONY : Oh, person is just a relative term, huh ?

KIKAY : Yes, Tonythat was Francesca saying all those silly things. But Francesca exists no more, Tony. The girl standing before you is Kikay. TONY : In that silly dress? KIKAY : Its true, Tony. Im Kikayremember me? We used to go swimming together, when we were kids. Ive come back, Tony. TONY : If I were right, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay. KIKAY : Yes, and youre still engaged to her, Tony. TONY : Welcome home, Kikay! How was the trip? KIKAY : Horrible! I couldnt wait to get back. KIKAY : Uh-uh. Give me Tondo anytime. TONY : Why didnt you answer my letters? KIKAY : (After just a wee pause) Francesca wouldnt let me write, Tony. TONY : That misty girl. Im glad shes dead! (Offstage Mrs. Mendoza is heard calling Francesca, Francesca. Tony and Kikay listen, then burst into laughter.) MRS. M : (Appearing in doorway) FrancesOh, Tony, are you still here? Francesca, dont be angry but I couldnt live without it! TONY : (Moving towards the radio) That was Francesca, Aling Atang, and Francesca is dead. The girl standing before you is Kikay. MRS. M : (Dazed) But Kikay is Francesca KIKAY : Oh no, Inay. Im not FrancescaIm Kikay. MRS. M : (After gazing from on to the other, throwing her hands up.) I GIVE UP! (Exits) (Tony and Kikay burst into laughter. They have turned on the radio. Its playing Again or some such silly song.) KIKAY That music, Tony. I remember the first nightclub I went to in New York... they were playing that peace and I dreamed... Kikay, pag sinabi mong New york, babatukan kita... I dreamt of you. I dreamed we were dancing on and on... And I told you, I love you.

TONY KIKAY

TONY

Sweetheart, I love you too. MUSIC: Let The Love Begin Fades and Hot N Cold was played so loud

MRS.M :

(Enters Angry and Bursting) Aling Isiiiing! Talaga bang pinepeste niyo ako at niyang Hot N Cold na yan! Tugtugin niyo ulit yan at babasagin ko ang plaka niyo! Ang ingay niyo talaga! Katandang tao iyan ang pinakikinggan! (Tony and Kikay Laughing) Kayo ang tumigil diyan! Basagin niyo plato namin at babasagin ko mukha ninyo !

VOICE: