SCENE 2
STUDENTS:
O hallowed halls and vine-draped walls…
The proudliest sight there is
When gray and sere our hair hath turned
We shall still revere the lessons learned
In our days at dear old Shiz
Our days at dear old…
GALINDA:
Oh-oh-oh-oh-old…
GALINDA AND STUDENTS:
Dear old Shiz-zzzz…
ELPHABA:
What? What are you all looking at? Oh--do I have something in my teeth? Alright, fine--we might as well get this over with: No, I’m not seasick; yes, I’ve always been green; no, I didn’t eat grass as a child…
WITCH’S FATHER:
Elphaba!
ELPHABA:
Oh! This is my younger sister, Nessarose! As you can see, she’s a perfectly normal color.
WITCH’S FATHER:
Elphaba! You stop making a spectacle of you self! You remember, I’m only sending you to this school for one reason.
ELPHABA:
I know: to look after Nessa.
WITCH’S FATHER:
My precious little girl, a parting gift.
NESSAROSE:
Father! Jeweled Shoes!
WITCH’S FATHER:
As befit’s the future Governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba, you take care of your sister. And try not to talk so much.
NESSAROSE:
Elphaba…
ELPHABA:
Well, what could we get me? I clash with everything.
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Welcome! Welcome, new students. I am Madame Morrible, Head Shizstris here at Shiz University. And whether you’re here to study law, logic or linguification, I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say: we have nothing but the highest hopes for some of you.
ELPHABA:
Excuse me. Pardon me.
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Oh! You must be the Governor’s daughter! Miss Nessarose, isn’t it? What a tragically beautiful face you have. And who is…Ohhhhh!
ELPHABA:
I’m the other daughter, Elphaba, I’m beautifully tragic.
MADAME MORRIBLE:
I see. Well, I’m sure you’re very bright.
GALINDA:
Bright?! She’s phosphorescent!
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Now regarding room assignments--is this regarding room assignments?
GALINDA:
No, but thank you for asking, Madame Morrible. But I’ve already been assigned a private suite. But! You can all come visit me whenever you want.
PFANNEE:
How good of you!
SHENSHEN:
You are so good!
GALINDA:
No I’m not!
PFANNEE AND SHENSHEN:
Yes you are!
GALINDA:
Oh now! Stop!
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Do you have a question?
GALINDA:
Oh yes--you see, I am Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands? I’ve applied to your sorcery seminar; indeed, that is my sole purpose in attending Shiz: to study sorcery, with you. Perhaps you recall my entrance essay--“Magic Wands: Need They Have a Point?”
MADAME MORRIBLE:
However, I do not teach my seminar ever semester. Of course, if someone special were to come along…
GALINDA:
Well, exactly!
ELPHABA:
Madame Morrible, we haven’t received our room assignments.
MADAME MORRIBLE:
The Governor made his concern for your sister’s wellbeing quite apparent. She will share my compartment where I can assist her as needed.
ELPHABA:
But I’ve always looked after my sister.
NESSAROSE:
Elphaba…
MADAME MORRIBLE:
He never mentioned you. Just a slight gulch. No need to fret, we will find someplace to put you.
ELPHABA:
But, Madame…
GALINDA:
I don’t even think she read my essay.
BOQ:
That is so unfair. You should say something.
GALINDA:
Should I?
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Attention! Which of you young ladies will volunteer to share with Miss Elphaba?
GALINDA:
Madame Morrible…
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Thank you, dear. That is very good of you.
GALINDA:
What?
MADAME MORRIBLE:
You see, Miss Elphaba you will room with Miss Galinda. To your rooms young ladies! To your dormitories!
ELPHABA:
Let her go!
NESSAROSE:
Elphaba!
MADAME MORRIBLE:
How did you do that?!
GALINDA:
How did she do that?!
NESSAROSE:
Elphaba, you promised things would be different here!
MADAME MORRIBLE:
You mean this has happened before?
ELPHABA:
Something just comes over me sometimes. Something I can’t describe. But I’ll try to control myself. I’m sorry, Nessa.
MADAME MORRIBLE:
What?! Never apologize for talent! Talent is a gift! And that is my special talent, encouraging talent! Have you ever considered a career in sorcery?
ELPHABA:
Not really…
MADAME MORRIBLE:
I shall tutor you privately--and take no other students!
GALINDA:
What?!
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Many years I have waited
For a gift like yours to appear
Why, I predict the Wizard could make you his
Magic Grand Vizier!
ELPHABA:
The Wizard!?
MADAME MORRIBLE:
My dear, my dear
I’ll write at once to the Wizard--
Tell him of you in advance
With a talent like yours, dear
There is a defin-ish chance
If you work as you should--
You’ll be making good…
GALINDA:
Madame Morrible…
MADAME MORRIBLE:
Not now, dear. Shoo! Shoo, shoo!
GALINDA:
Something’s wrong. I didn’t get my way. I think I need to lie down.
ELPHABA:
Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I’ve tried
To suppress or hide
Is a talent that could
Help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I’ll make good…
When I meet the Wizard
Once I prove my worth
And then I meet the Wizard
What I’ve waited for since--since birth
And with all his Wizard wisdom
By my looks, he won’t be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or like Munchkins, so small-minded?
No! He’ll say to me:
“I see who you truly are
A girl on whom I can rely!”
And that’s how we’ll begin
The Wizard and I…
Once I’m with the Wizard
My whole life will change
‘Cuz once you’re with the Wizard
No one thinks you’re strange
No father is not proud of you
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When by the Wizard, you’re acclaimed
And this gift--or this curse--
I have inside
Maybe at last, I’ll know why
When we are hand in hand--
The Wizard and I!
And one day, he’ll say to me: “Elphaba,
A girl who is so superior
Shouldn’t a girl who’s so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here to an absurd degree
Seem fixated on your verdigris
Would it be alright by you
If I de-greenify you?”
And though of course that’s not important to me
“all right, why not?” I’ll reply
Oh, what a pair we’ll be
The Wizard and I…
Yes, what a pair we’ll be
The Wizard and…
Unlimited!
My future is unlimited
And I’ve just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know, it sound’s truly crazy
And true, the vision’s hazy
But I swear someday they’ll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That’s all to do with me!
And I’ll stand there with the Wizard
Feeling things I’ve never felt
And though I’d never show it
I’ll be so happy I could melt
And so it will be
For the rest if my life
And I’ll want nothing else till I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me, they will scream
For half of Oz’s fav’rite team:
The Wizard
And I!
