MISS SAIGON - LIBRETTO ACT I ** 1 ** OVERTURE/BACKSTAGE AT DREAMLAND (A Friday night in April 1975. Backstage at an after-hours club in Saigon. Vietnamese bar-girls are getting into costumes.) GIRLS one of us will be Miss Saigon ENGINEER I spread the word - it's Miss Saigon GIGI who's left to screw who hasn't gone ENGINEER shut up! and get your hot pants on GIGI each day more GI's disappear ENGINEER there's still some left and they'll all be here ALL GIRLS a girl can trust the Engineer (THE ENGINEER brings in a new girl, KIM) ENGINEER surprise! I found this new girl, get her dressed from the country untouched GIGI just give that virgin act a rest ALL GIRLS (mocking the new girl) "you are my first American" (they laugh) ENGINEER allez! allez! allez! why does it take all day? get your asses on stage... I'm raising cash tonight GIRLS tonight I will be Miss Saigon ENGINEER they say Saigon has weeks I say it's time to pack GIRLS tonight I will be Miss Saigon ENGINEER each day these little buns of theirs are worth less and less I need a visa fast, and I'm not looking back (the ENGINEER looks through the door into the club.) ENGINEER son of a bitch, they're here! I can still engineer it's like the old days, my little gamines GIRLS oh sure! ENGINEER you know who's out here? a gang of marines! GIRLS they're here? ENGINEER we'll pick 'em clean that's what this contest's about GIRLS yes, sir! ENGINEER one of these boys might be your ticket out (turns to KIM) why is she in that dress? ah! it's my new princess ah, yes! a bride will give the guys a treat lower your eyelids and play sweet men pay the moon to get fresh meat allez! allez! allez! get out and do your song! don't make the show too long voila'! on stage all! welcome to... Dreamland!!! ** 2 ** THE HEAT IS ON IN SAIGON ("Dreamland" is a club filled with American Marines, civilians and south Vietnamese officers. The girls parade around and get the crowd to buy raffle tickets: the winner of the "beauty contest" will be the prize.) AMERICANS the heat is on in Saigon the girls are hotter 'n' hell one of these slits here will be Miss Saigon God, the tension is high, not to mention the smell the heat is on in Saigon is there a war going on? don't ask, I ain't gonna tell (two friends, CHRIS and JOHN, are among the Marines. JOHN is with one of the girls) ENGINEER ah, monsieur Chris! monsieur John! you've come to win Miss Saigon JOHN I gotta get my friend laid as a last souvenir CHRIS I love you, pal, but your bullshit I've had up to here ENGINEER, CHRIS and JOHN the heat is on in Saigon JOHN but 'til they tell us we're gone I'm gonna buy you a girl CHRIS you can buy me a beer (the girls leave the men and move onto the stage) MIMI see my bikini, it's just the right size YVETTE don't you enjoy how it rides up my thighs? look from behind, it'll knock out your eyes YVONNE I'll show you: my special trophy of war MIMI for a Marine, I'll show more AMERICANS you won't get up off the floor the heat is on in Saigon don't tell me I'm reassigned, all that chickenshit sucks tonight I'm out of my mind, not to mention ten bucks GIGI if I'm your pin-up, I'll melt all your brass stuck on your wall, with a pin in my ass if you get me, you will travel first class I'll show you, we will make magic, cheri ENGINEER you buy more tickets from me the winner gets her for free CHRIS the meat is cheap in Saigon I used to love getting stoned, waking up with some whore I don't know why I went dead, it's not fun anymore (the ENGINEER pushes KIM forward) KIM I'm seventeen, and I'm new here today the village I come from seems so far away all of the girls know much more what to say but I know I have a heart like the sea a million dreams are in me CHRIS Good Jesus, John, who is she? AMERICANS (AND CROWD) the Cong is tight'ning the noose is it a week or a day or an hour that we got? tonight could be our last shot got to put it to use (the GIRLS come off the stage and mingle with the men.) ALL, INCLUDING GIRLS tonight I bet that you and I will get along forget about the threat, forget the Viet-Cong ALL MEN Mimi, Gigi, Yvette or Yvonne gonna buy me a beer, and elect Miss Saigon (the ENGINEER holds the election by holding his hand over each girl's head for applause. When KIM is judged, CHRIS claps loudly, which makes her notice him.) ENGINEER Yvonne, Yvette, Mimi, Kim, Gigi (GIGI wins) ENGINEER attention, s'il vous plait! by popular demand Miss Gigi Van Tranh is elected Miss Saigon! (the ENGINEER puts a cheap tiara on GIGI and a ribbon which says "Miss Saigon".) AMERICANS the heat is on in Saigon and things are not going well but still at midnight, the party goes on a good-bye party in hell ENGINEER and now who wins this pussycat? (the ENGINEER holds a bowl; GIGI picks up a ticket.) GIGI number 66! (it is one of the Marines. He cheers with his friends. The scene freezes.) ** 3 ** THE MOVIE IN MY MIND GIGI they are not nice, they're mostly noise they swear like men, they screw like boys I know there's nothing in their hearts but every time I take one in my arms it starts: the movie in my mind the dream they leave behind a scene I can't erase and in a strong GI's embrace flee this life flee this place the movie plays and plays the screen before me fills he takes me to New York he gives me dollar bills our children laugh all day and eat too much ice cream and life is like a dream dream the dream I long to find the movie in my mind KIM I will not cry, I will not think I'll do my dance, I'll make them drink when I make love, it won't be me and if they hurt me, I'll just close my eyes KIM GIRLS and see they are not nice, they're mostly noise the movie in my mind they kill like men, they die like boys the dream that fills my head they give their cash, they keep their hearts a man who will not kill but every night again it starts KIM who'll fight for me instead he'll keep us safe all day so no one comes at night to blow the dream away dream the dream I have to find the movie in my mind ALL GIRLS and in a strong GI's embrace flee this life flee this place KIM a world that's far away where life is not unkind the movie in my mind ** 4 ** THE TRANSACTION (the ENGINEER approaches JOHN) ENGINEER hey monsieur John, how'd you like to get rich go home in style. . .? JOHN yeah okay, what's the pitch? ENGINEER an U.S. visa to help me out lend me a bit of your embassy clout JOHN there isn't a chance pal, you're too well known look, what I want is that girl in the dress ENGINEER you have a good eye her name is Kim, she's my new princess you give her a try? JOHN it's my friend Chris who's the one feeling down MARINE I ordered a beer! ENGINEER she'll get him up, it's her first night in town but I have to warn you she don't come cheap it's got to be twenty for my princess JOHN twenty dollars?? ENGINEER she's sort of a virgin, well more or less for twenty more you get a room and key for fifty bucks, she's got the whole night free MARINES no one gives us a buzz like the Engineer does (JOHN approaches CHRIS with Kim) JOHN stop drooling white boy you're losing your cool you like this jail bait CHRIS John, open your eyes this is the end of the line this whole rotten scene this little girl, we could be in the sack for what it costs me to buy a big mac John, it's time to go back - you know what I mean JOHN I'm starting to cry pal you're so out of touch the trouble with you is you think too much ooh ol' Dr. John knows what you need alright I've bought you a present she yours all night MARINES no one gives you a hit like the Engineer's shit!! (Across the room, the ENGINEER speaks to KIM.) ENGINEER see little princess, I was right you got the biggest score tonight you caught that sergeant by the nose you stay with him until he goes call him Chris he'll like that KIM that marine wants his beer ENGINEER you said you needed a job you said you'd turn a trick you'd better prove it, and quick! (he leads KIM to CHRIS) ENGINEER voila! ** 5 ** THE DANCE (A MARINE begins to play the saxophone. CHRIS and KIM start to dance. For a long time they don't speak. Finally:) KIM my name is Kim (trying to do her job) KIM I like you Chris CHRIS don't talk like that KIM what did I say? CHRIS you shouldn't be here (CHRIS hands KIM some money) get the hell out. . . ENGINEER what's going on? you don't like her? CHRIS oh, yes I do KIM I like him too ENGINEER take her away KIM take me away don't say a word just come with me ** 6 ** WHY GOD WHY? (KIM leads CHRIS out of the Club, and into a tiny cubicle, which has in it only a bed, a table, and a small window overlooking the moonlit city. Later in the night, CHRIS is dressed and standing at the window. KIM is asleep. Outside, Saigon still bustles.) CHRIS why does Saigon never sleep at night? why does this girl smell of orange trees? how can I feel good when nothing's right? why is she cool when there is no breeze? Vietnam you don't give answers, do you friend? just questions that don't ever end why God? Why today? I'm all through here, on my way there's nothing left here that I'll miss why send me now a night like this? who is the girl in this rusty bed? why am I back in a filthy room? why is her voice ringing in my head? why am I high on her cheap perfume? Vietnam hey look I mean you no offense but why does nothing here make sense? why God? Show your hand why can't one guy understand? I've been with girls who knew much more I never felt confused before why me? What's your plan? I can't help her, no one can I liked my mem'ries as they were but now I'll leave rememb'ring her (CHRIS leaves some money on a table and goes out into the street. CHRIS is accosted by Vietnamese who beg for help leaving the country. He pushes them.) when I went home before no one talked of the war what they knew from TV didn't have a thing to do with me I went back and re-upped sure Saigon is corrupt it felt better to be here driving for the embassy 'cause here if you can pull a string a guy like me lives like a king just as long as you don't believe anything (CHRIS stops, then goes back into KIM'S room.) why God? Why this face? why such beauty in this place? I liked my mem'ries as they were but now I'll leave rememb'ring her just her ** 7 ** THIS MONEY IS YOURS (KIM wakens. CHRIS hands her the money he had left.) CHRIS this money's yours please take it all hey, you want more? KIM no, no, I don't want anything CHRIS hey, what's wrong with you? KIM I've not done this before CHRIS that can't be true! KIM why would I lie? CHRIS all the girls lie! they just want to get out of here maybe you're not like that but I don't know who you are KIM do you want one more tale of a Vietnam girl? want to know I was bound to a man I don't love? do you want to be told how my village was burned? want to hear how my family was blasted away? how I ran from the rice field and saw them in flames? how my parents were bodies whose faces were gone? I have had my fill of pain I will not look back again I would rather die CHRIS can I see you tonight? KIM well, I'll be at the club selling "beaucoup amour" CHRIS no, you won't how would you like... KIM how would I like...? CHRIS how would you like living with me? it feels good like this so that's how we should be so would you like? KIM yes, I would like! CHRIS okay, it's set no more to say screw the Engineer you're the one good thing that I've found out here ** 8 ** SUN AND MOON KIM you are sunlight and I moon joined by the gods of fortune midnight and high noon sharing the sky we have been blessed, you and I CHRIS you are here like a mystery I'm from a world that's so different from all that you are how in the light of one night did we come so far? KIM outside day starts to dawn CHRIS your moon still floats on high KIM the birds awake CHRIS the stars shine too KIM my hands still shake CHRIS I reach for you BOTH and we meet in the sky! KIM you are sunlight and I moon joined here bright'ning the sky with the flame of love BOTH made of sunlight moonlight KIM tomorrow will be the full moon I can bring friends to bless our room with paper unicorns and perfume if you want me to CHRIS unicorns? sure. . . ** 9 ** THE TELEPHONE SONG (It is the middle of the next day. CHRIS is on the telephone.) CHRIS John, is that you, buddy? Listen to me do I sound diff'rent? how else could I be? last night I spent a whole lifetime in paradise. hey, tell the CO I'm taking all of my leave we're gonna play house, oh John, it's like Christmas eve we have sworn we won't see the sun for forty-eight hours (JOHN at the Embassy, in the midst of chaos: files being packed or burned, typewriters crated, etc.) JOHN what are you saying? Are you out of your mind? all leaves are canceled, you could be left behind Saigon is falling apart, and you'd better be here here is the news, since you've been on the moon cities in the boondocks are dropping like flies wives and civilians will be shipping out soon crowds around the Embassy have tears in their eyes Thieu has resigned, the new regime may not hold people at the place think we'll send the marines we are sending nothing from what I've been told buddy, are you there? Do you know what this means? sure! Time to fall in love! CHRIS John, listen fast, you did not get this call you're the one who bought the girl for me after all "once you're a friend, you're a friend through and through" when you are in trouble, then I'll cover for you JOHN not this time, the town's too hot for one Kongai whore ol' buddy, I will not get you killed CHRIS she is no whore, you saw her too she's really more, like... the April moon JOHN april fuckin' moon!! CHRIS she's been hurt, you see both her parents died what else could she be? JOHN sweet as that, and she's an orphan too! how can a guy fight that? You got one day, not two then be back! ** 10 ** THE DEAL (At another location, CHRIS and the ENGINEER) ENGINEER my friend we had a deal for Kim, but that's on ice I'm sorry, sergeant, but I've changed the price I need a visa from your embassy you get me that, you'll get the girl for free CHRIS cut the crap, this money's all I got I don't give visas out, is this a deal or not? you tell me (CHRIS draws his revolver and aims at the ENGINEER) ENGINEER okay, okay, the money...it will do too bad, I had a Rolex watch for you I'll get my papers in another way I'll make a rich man of some attachˇ (CHRIS leaves) with little shits like him, you take the bucks and run he gave me six weeks income, I'll be gone in one ** 11 ** THE WEDDING CEREMONY GIRLS one of us girls is moving on one girl will get out of saigon GIGI so now who's really Miss Saigon GIRLS tv and stereo she gets and Elvis Presley on cassettes (KIM and CHRIS enter) GIRLS look how he bought her a new dress you did a job on him I guess KIM he simply asked me I said, "yes" GIRLS come on, let's bless the new princess GIRLS dju vui vay yu doi my dju vui vay vao nyay moy KIM will you give me life smile today look with favoring eyes on this man show your daughter's heart your forgiveness and send to us from your home above your blessing on our love GIRLS KIM (echoing) dju vui vay dju vui vay yu doi my yu doi my dju vui vay dju vui vay vao nyay moy GIRLS CHRIS dju vui vay it's pretty but what does it mean? GIRLS KIM yu doi my it's what all the girls sing at weddings (CHRIS looks up, startled) GIRLS KIM dju vui vay they didn't know what else to sing GIRLS CHRIS vao nyay moy it's the prettiest thing that I've ever heard (friends arrive carrying beer and a platter of food. The party gathers around the bed, and GIGI leads a toast to KIM.) GIGI to Miss Saigon! GUESTS Miss Saigon! ** 12 ** THUY'S ARRIVAL (the door opens. A stranger enters.) THUY you're here, at last I've come to take you home all night, I ran I made it through the line Kim, tell your friends, it's time to go away this life, it ends you're safe with me CHRIS this girl is mine! THUY yours? CHRIS now THUY you? TOGETHER who are you? KIM stop! THUY who is this man? this American man? do none of you see what's ahead have you gone mad? these are losers and whores who will soon all be gone or be dead CHRIS get out of here KIM you have no right to be here I'm not a prize you can claim we were promised at thirteen the woman I am now is not the same THUY our parents bound us together, and that is our fate you knew I'd come back to get you why didn't you wait? KIM my parents got themselves killed in the week you changed sides if there were promises all of them died when they died (CHRIS and THUY pull guns. The girl scream.) (GIGI and the GIRLS leave quickly) THUY Kim, leave this man behind KIM go on! and shoot! I will not change my mind! THUY you are still mine! KIM not anymore! THUY you're mine until we die! THUY Saigon is doomed and so is your GI CHRIS get the hell out! THUY you broke your father's word this is your curse! (THUY runs out. CHRIS runs out after him but he's gone.) CHRIS what a party that was! KIM you're going to leave me now CHRIS yes, I'm going to leave and take you out with me ** 13 ** THE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD CHRIS in a place that won't let us feel in a life where nothing seems real I have found you I have found you KIM in a world that's moving too fast in a world where nothing can last I will hold you I will hold you CHRIS our lives will change, when tomorrow comes KIM tonight our hearts drown the distant drums CHRIS and we have music all right tearing the night a song played on a solo saxophone a crazy sound KIM a lonely sound BOTH a cry that tells us love goes on and on played on a solo saxophone it's telling me to hold you tight and dance like it's the last night of the world CHRIS on the other side of the earth there's a place where life still has worth I will take you KIM I'll go with you CHRIS you won't believe all the things you'll see I know 'cause you'll see them all with me BOTH if we're together that's when we'll hear it again a song played on a solo saxophone a crazy sound a lonely sound a cry that tells us love goes on and on played on a solo saxophone it's telling me to hold you tight and dance like it's the last night of the world KIM dreams were all I ever knew CHRIS dreams you won't need when I'm through BOTH anywhere we may be I will sing with you our song. . . (they dance together in the balcony) BOTH . . .played on a solo saxophone so stay with me and hold me tight and dance like it's the last night of the world ** 14 ** THE MORNING OF THE DRAGON (It is three years later. Saigon has been renamed Ho Chi Minh City. A street pageant is celebrating the glorious victory of North Vietnam and the Third Anniversary of Reunification.) FIRST GROUP on silent feet it came breathing a sheet of flame, it came closing in on its rightful prey burning a hundred years away the morning of the dragon truth lit up the street the tiger we were stalking walked on paper feet and in the clear white heat of dawn was gone. . . FIRST GROUP SECOND GROUP from every door they came victory these children born of war, they came victory sharing a secret word, which they victory waited a hundred years to say FIRST GROUP SECOND GROUP the morning of the dragon truth lit the morning of the dragon all the [up the street [walls fell down the tiger we were stalking walked brother greeted brother in a [on paper feet [sudden light and in the clear white heat of dawn and in the endless night it's gone was gone FIRST GROUP SECOND THIRD GROUP on silent feet it came victory may all our children learn breathing a sheet of flame, it came victory closing in on its rightful prey victory the tide of right will turn burning a hundred years away FIRST GROUP the morning of the dragon truth lit up the street the tiger we were stalking walked on paper feet and in the clear white heat of dawn was gone. . . (two soldiers enter with the ENGINEER) ENGINEER three years of school was nice in rice fields, planting rice you did good work you see re-educating me SOLDIERS who lives a lie must change or die ENGINEER three years - how quick they moved look how the world's improved Saigon, that queen of sin renamed for Ho Chi Minh SOLDIERS who lives a lie must change or die ENGINEER but men, will always be men they washed out my brain I'm still who I am deep inside, I know what I know wherever I go, I speak Uncle Ho and think Uncle Sam SOLDIER #1 your name is Trahn Van Dinh ENGINEER at your service SOLDIER #1 you're called the Engineer ENGINEER yes sir SOLDIER #1 the people's commissar ENGINEER am I free? SOLDIER #1 has ordered you back here SOLDIERS who lives a lie must change or die (THUY, now the people's commissar, enters) SOLDIER #2 we found the man that you wanted so bad SOLDIER #3 and Commissar, you were perfectly right SOLDIER #2 he had been take up north to a camp SOLDIER #3 we brought him down under cover of night SOLDIER #2 once he had served the American clique SOLDIER #3 selling our sisters and daughters for gold SOLDIER #2 notice we caught him in less than a week SOLDIER #3 when we get orders we do what we're told THUY alright, alright that's it, that's all you've done your job that's it now go back I'll take over now (the soldiers leave) THUY Kim. . . find my cousin for me I know she worked for you you knew who her friends were one of them is the clue sniff her out, you know how think now what would she do? ENGINEER I never saw her again I am a different man I've been enlightened since then but. . . men must help other men and seeing it's you I'll work to the bone THUY I'll give you 48 hours if you want to stay free don't come back here alone (the ENGINEER leaves) THUY and SOLDIERS FIRST GROUP SECOND THIRD GROUP on silent feet it came victory may all our children learn breathing a sheet of flame, it came victory closing in on its rightful prey victory the tide of right will turn burning a hundred years away FIRST GROUP the morning of the dragon truth lit up the street the tiger we were stalking walked on paper feet and in the clear white heat of dawn was gone. . . ** 15 ** I STILL BELIEVE KIM last night I watched him sleeping my body pressed to him and then he started speaking the name I heard him speak...was Kim yes I know that this was years ago but when moonlight fills my room I know you are here... still I still I still believe you will return I know you will my heart against all odds holds still yes, still I still believe I know as long as I can keep believing, I'll live I'll live love cannot die you will return you will return and I alone know why (in a bedroom on the other side of the world, in America. A woman is sitting beside CHRIS who is sleeping. She is ELLEN, CHRIS' s wife) ELLEN last night I watched you sleeping once more, the nightmare came I heard you cry out something a word that sounded like... a name and it hurts me more than I can bear knowing part of you I'll never share never know but still I still believe the time will come when nothing keeps us apart my heart, forever more holds still (CHRIS wakes up from his sleep with a cry. ELLEN takes him in her arms and calms him) ELLEN it' s all over, I' m here there is nothing to fear Chris, what' s haunting you? won' t you let me inside what you so want to hide! I need you too! KIM ELLEN for still I will hold you all night, I will make [it all right I still believe you are safe with me as long as I and I wish you could tell what you don't [want to tell can keep believing, I'll live what your hell must be I'll live you can sleep now you will return you can cry now and I know why I'm your wife now I'm yours for life until we die until we die (In America, CHRIS holds ELLEN; in Vietnam, KIM is alone in her room.) ** 16 ** BACK IN TOWN (the ENGINEER enters, looking for KIM) ENGINEER coo-coo princess, look who's here your resurrected Engineer don't ask me how I tracked you down who has the sharpest nose in town? I'm here to throw a rope before you drown for men, will always be men you change the regime the lust doesn't stop you and I will team up again together we'll reap the cream of the crop KIM Engineer, I don't want you here I gave up that life you must understand ENGINEER out that door is a big shot who waits like a pup to come up and eat out of your hand Kim, the good times are back KIM don't go on it's too late ENGINEER not too late for my star! KIM please let me hide in peace ENGINEER better to screw the police enter, monsieur commissar (THUY enters) THUY three years I've been away I kept faith we would meet ENGINEER me, I found her for you THUY you, out in the street (the ENGINEER and the others leave) THUY I knew in time faith would weave a design tying your life and mine into one each day I'd wait like a soldier must wait trusting victory to come with the sun after the fight in the still of the night I would picture my bride, bright as jade you'll be my wife we will build a new life and fulfill the vow our fathers made KIM my father's vow I can't honor today and I pray in my heart he'll forgive what you want now are some words I can't say if I lied to you how can I live? THUY don't say anymore! not a word! you can change you can learn look at me don't decide too soon KIM somewhere deep in my soul shines the smallest of lights and no wind blows it out it burns steady and strong through the darkest of nights dju vui vay yu doi my dju vui vay vao nyay moy I made a promise once with these words which neither time nor distance has changed he will come to me, still THUY you must be mad, your american jack has gone for good and he'll never come back they ran away with the skin they could save the ones who stayed here are dead in a grave (the ENGINEER re-enters) ENGINEER come on now, princess, get off your cloud I'm sorry, sir, she was talking so loud the commissar is a powerful man a girl with brains makes a life where she can princess remember your place don't make people lose face THUY why do you look away? I can end all this shame all you need say is, "yes" (from outside, soldiers are heard marching by) you hear those soldiers out there they'll do whatever I say KIM I cannot change how I feel! THUY come inside! I think you can change before my eyes this me-my has just been found she hid the day we closed the bars show her that we don't forget no one is cured here without scars SOLDIER #1 you are a woman who lived without shame SOLDIER #2 you're an infection left over from war SOLDIER #3 you have dishonored the national name SOLDIER #4 re-education will cure the disease SOLDIER #5 you must be shown what we do to a leach SOLDIER #6 see how we teach an American's whore ENGINEER I have heard hundreds of speeches like these take it from me you don't want to hear more THUY it's time to act my friends it's time SOLDIERS her face betrays her crime she must pay, and her partner too THUY get out!! everybody out!! ENGINEER are you waiting for them to kill me? did you not get what he said? there's a big screw loose inside you I will rip it out of your head that's a mad dog on the rampage if you think he'll change, save your breath just say "yes", I don't care if you love him Princess, life has it all over death! KIM I have a husband I love real as the sun in the sky I cannot live with a lie THUY do you see now who has the power? do you still think crazy things? KIM Chris will come to me like the Phoenix and he'll take me off on his wings THUY you're a traitor to your country KIM if I am, then let it be KIM, THUY and the ENGINEER I am talking of life or death now I am talking of staying free ENGINEER so there it is now, I'll be moving on if you don't need me, I'd rather be gone two kids in love don't need strangers around THUY you just get out! ENGINEER right! I won't make a sound (grabs his sack and exits) THUY and as for you, come with me KIM no! there is a secret that you don't know there is a force here I never show you say it's treason to keep my vow season after season I survived somehow if you want the reason I will show you now Tam! (TAM comes out from behind the curtain and runs to KIM) look, Thuy, this is my son he has kept me alive now you see why I must tell you "no" ** 17 ** THUY'S DEATH / YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HIM THUY no one must ever see this thing you're showing me that bastard fouls our name KIM my baby's not to blame for what I've done THUY you must decide upon which side you're really on you whored to make this kid KIM that isn't what I did don't touch my son THUY you must seem how it is when you're my wife having that child of his brands us for life no alternative! This child cannot live! (THUY pulls a knife, threatening the boy.) KIM no! you will not touch him don't touch my boy he's what I live for he's my only joy KIM THUY you will not touch him he is my enemy it's he turns you from me don't touch my boy erase him from your life even your memory he's what I live for he's one drop in a flood left here to taint our blood he's my only joy our marriage bond was sworn forget that he was born (KIM pulls out a gun) KIM THUY of course you have a gun don't touch my little boy and now you'll shoot your cousin' and it's a U.S. gun and do not test my will a gun that lost the war you're the corrupted one I'm warning you, for him I'll kill go on and shoot! Don't wait to save your bastard son you must not hesitate KIM the earth moves where I stand I feel the turning of a wheel I feel nothing in my hand not even the feel of steel you will not take my child... THUY you don't know how to kill KIM I have no other choice what I must do I will (she shoots THUY and, at the same moment, the street pageant continues in the street outside.) CROWD this is the hour this is our land we found the power in our brother's hand and from a storm KIM no! CROWD pierced with light fierce and white the lightning came a bright'ning flame to end the night (a gigantic statue of Ho Chi Minh is raised in the square outside.) one man to heed us each girl, each boy one voice to lead us in a song of joy this is the hour this is the land (in the room, KIM stares at THUY'S body.) (KIM puts the gun, her family shrine and a few valuables in a sack and, taking TAM by the hand, escapes.) ** 18 ** IF YOU WANT TO DIE IN BED (The ENGINEER is making his way furtively through the city. SOLDIERS seem to be everywhere.) ENGINEER if you want to die in bed follow my example when you see a cloud ahead it's time to show your class hit the door before they make a target of your ass if you want to die in bed in times of revolution when the flag they fly is red let pride fill up your chest meanwhile pack a sack and take the first boat heading west (he enters the abandoned backroom of what was once "Dreamland", opens a trapdoor in the floor and removes a tin box. He opens it.) my precious souvenirs of all the golden years Rolex watches in steel that look practically real I'll need a little stock to start me in Bangkok! if you want to die in bed forget about your karma when your life hangs by a thread don't cry about the fates grab a stash of cash and plan a rest'rant in the States let me stop for a bit this was my greatest hit Miss Saigon in her crown I made queen of the town I got 'em paying more for just another whore here I come USA your next champ's on his way for men will always be men the rules are the same for kings or for clerks give me Francs, or Dollars or Yen I'll set up a game I know how it works why was I born of a race that thinks only of rice and hates entrepreneurs? me I belong in a place where a man sets his price and you pay, and he's yours I should be... American! where every promise lands and every businessman knows where he stands first stop Bangkok then I roam cross that ocean white with foam to the place that's my heart's true home America! if you want to die in bed en route to your nirvana you grab a chance and plunge ahead and go where people win heaven's there... but, shit! you need a visa to get in! ** 19 ** KIM AND ENGINEER (KIM bursts into the ENGINEER'S shack, carrying TAM) KIM Engineer! Thuy is dead! he was going to kill my baby and I shot ENGINEER you did what? who is that? you'll be followed! Get him out of here! Good-bye! KIM we must leave! Tam and I! we must set off for America tonight ENGINEER all right! just like that! tell me how, and while you're at it, tell me why KIM I hear the voice of my soldier telling me to bring... his son ENGINEER you're telling me this half-breed brat is born the son of a marine? let me see his western nose this bastard is... the most beautiful sight I've ever seen! a passport in my hand my new life can begin your brat's American so they must let us in! in! the playground of mankind! the movie in my mind! I'm your dear brother from now on and all our family is gone boy, kiss your brand-new uncle Tran this kid is okay he is our entree to the USA with these two little diamonds to bait my hooks I'll book us on a cruise "boat-people" deluxe don't worry 'bout the sharks out in the Mekong bay the pirates taking us are more scary any day you just stay here and hide don't show your face outside take care of our little dear I will go "engineer" (He runs out.) (In the street) ENGINEER if you want to die in bed don't care too much for country hit the open sea instead and float there like a cork uncle Ho, ho ho ho! I'll have to call you from New York ** 20 ** I' D GIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU KIM you who I cradled in my arms, you asking as little as you can little snip of a little man I know I'd give my life for you you didn't ask me to be born, you why should you learn of war or pain to make sure you're not hurt again I swear I'd give my life for you I've tasted love beyond all fear and you should know it's love that brought you here and in one perfect night when the stars burned like new I knew what I must do I'll give you a million things I'll never own I'll give you a world to conquer when you're grown you will be who you want to be, you can choose whatever heaven grants as long as you can have your chance I swear I'll give my life for you sometimes I wake up reaching for him I feel his shadow brush my head but there's just moonlight on my bed was he a ghost? was he a lie that made my body laugh and cry? then, by my side, the proof I see: his little one, gods of the sun, bring him to me! you will be who you want to be, you can choose whatever heaven grants as long as you can have your chance I swear I'll give my life for you no one can stop what I must do I swear I'll give my life for you. (a CHORUS of VIETNAMESE gathering to leave the country) FIRST GROUP no place, no home no life, no hope no chance, no change SECOND GROUP FIRST GROUP no regret, no return no place, no home no good-bye, no regret no life, no hope no return, no good-bye no chance, no change SECOND GROUP FIRST GROUP THIRD GROUP no regret, no return no place, no home one day, one night no good-bye, no regret no life, no hope one day, one night no return, no good-bye no chance, no change one day, one night no regret... no... one day... (the ENGINEER, KIM and TAM join the boat people) CURTAIN END OF ACT I