Dear Old Friends

5, 6, a-5, 6, 7, 8

Bathing beauty, on the beach

Bathing beauty, say hello

What a cutie, what a peach

Bathing beauty, watch her go

Alright, Meg, take 5, girls, take it one more time

Bathin beauty, on the beach

Very nice, Meg!

Do you think so, mother, realy?

You've come a long way since the beginning of the season

Does he agree?

It's been three months, he never comes to see the show

Even a word from him, just one

You may get more than that

He has been composing again, late at night

Not this cheap Vaudeville trash, something glorious

For, for me?

Continue to work hard

Make yourself useful to him

Mother

Patience, Gustave, first I must find the stage manager

My dressing room, the musical director

Then we'll go look for our friend and go see the island?

I'm sure he'll send for you when he's ready

Well, excuse me, miss, would you mind?

Heaven help me, could it be?

No, it couldn't possibly

Sorry, do I?

Yes, I think you do!

Have we?

Go on, take a guess!

Wait, it can't be! Is it?

Yes!

Oh my God, I can't believe it's you!

Look at you, Christine!

Regal as a queen and beautiful!

Meg, and you as well!

I could hardly tell it's you!

My dear old friend!

Can't believe you're here old friend!

After all this time!

So glad you came!

You look... Sublime!

You look the same!

My sweet old friend

Never thought we'd meet, old friend!

Look at you, a star!

And you, a wife!

And isn't life a splendid thing?

And here we are

Too see the sights!

And sing

To... Sing?

And of course, as a treat for my son. Meg, meet Gustave

Who hired you to sing here?

You!

(... And right past her, astonished at another figure who has just appeared.)

It can't be you!

Is this a jest?

How can this be?

We've come to work

At whose request?

The contract's here

I want to see! (opens, skims)

My God, the price

It's rather high

Why, it's absurd!

Oh, yes, I know

Inform your boss that

By the by

The fee goes up

Or else we go

My dear old friend

Here's how things appear, old friend

He who pays the bill

Times two or three

Be sure he will

And handsomely

And dear old friend

Now that we are clear, old friend

That's all very well

But till you're gone you'll wait Upon my boss's whim

Ah yes, your boss

And who is that?

It's him

(The focus turns back to Meg and Christine.)

Sorry, did I hear you right?

Here to sing?

Tomorrow night

I'm afraid there must be some mistake

You can't be performing

Why?

Mainly, dear, 'cause so am I

I'm in fact the star, for heaven's sake!

What are you to sing?

Just one little thing, an aria

No

Please, you needn't fret

I'm sure you will get your due

(Back to Madame Giry and Raoul.)

Him?

That's what I said

You work for him?

Now so do you

And my poor wife

We thought him dead!

She'll be appalled!

Unless she knew

(Raoul is thunderstruck. He storms over to Christine.)

Darling, please, are you all right?

Tell me now! That music!

Who was its creator?

Darling, please, don't squeeze so tight

Something's going on here

I'll deal with you later

(As they confer, Meg and Madame Giry have their own whispered colloquy.)

Did you know?

How could I know?

Why would they come?

Why won't they go?

(All four catch each others' eyes and immediately regain their social graces.)

My dear old friends!

Can't believe you're here, old friend!

Dear old friend!

Such good friend!

Speaking as your host

As an artiste

What a surprise

To say the least

Yes, dear old friend

That's a happy tear, old friend!

I can't conceal

Try though I may

The way I feel

So why pretend?

I'm sure it's clear, to such a dear old friend!

You mustn't stay!

Why would I leave?

Why are we here?

Don't play naive!

What dear old friends!

Don't we all revere old friends!

Nothing has been changed

And never will

Just rearranged

And yet we're still such grand old friends

Such devoted and old friends!

Words could not suggest what's in my heart

And for the rest?

Why even start?

You're dear old friends

(Dear old friends!)

So much more thean mere old friends!

(Such true friends!)

Old friends back again at last

(Back again)

With everyone

(Everyone)

Isn't this great!

(God it's great!)

Won't this be fun!

(So much fun!)

With dear old friends

Utterly sincere old friends!

Honey, break a leg

Madame, good day

Enjoy your stay

Hope it extends

So glad you're here our lovely dear old friends!

Old friends!