The Music Man Lines: Mrs. Paroo, Act 1

(Amaryllis plays her exercise wrong twice)

(Amaryllis plays her exercise wrong twice)

Is that you daughter?

MARIAN: Fine dear, now you exercises

AMARYLLIS: Yes, ma'am

I don't remember the liberry being open last fourth of july

MARIAN: It was, Mama, all evening. Mama, a man with a suitcase followed me home.

Oh- who?

MARIAN: I never saw him before.

Did he say anything?

MARIAN: He tried.

Did you say anything?

MARIAN: Don't get faster, dear.

If you don't mind my saying so, it wouldn't have hurt you to find out what the gentleman wanted.

MARIAN: I know what the gentleman wanted.

What, dear?

MARIAN: You'll find it in Balzac.

Excuse me for livin' but I've never read it.

MARIAN: Well, if that isn't the best I've ever heard!

AMARYLLIS: Thank you!

Winthrop. It's after dark. Is that a way to walk into the house?

WINTHROP: Hello.

That won't do at all. I'll have a kiss from my boy. The lady over there is your sister, young man.

AMARYLLIS: Hello, Winthrop

Winthrop, where's your manners?

AMARYLLIS: I'm having a party on Saturday. Will you please come? I would especially like it very much if you'd come... Winthrop?

Well, Winthrop, Amaryllis asked you to her party. Are you goin' or aren't you?

WINTHROP: No.

No what?

WINTHROP: No, thank you.

You know the little girl's name.

AMARYLLIS: He won't say Amaryllis because of the "s" because of his lisp.

We all know about his lisp, Amaryllis. Well, Winthrop.

HAROLD: Mrs. Paroo do you realize you have the facial characteristics of a Cornet virtuoso?

I don't know if I under stand you entirely, Professor

HAROLD: If your boy has that same firm chin, and those splendid cheek muscles- By George! Not that he could ever be really great, you understand, but-

Oh, is that so? And in the name of St. Bridget, why not?

HAROLD: Well- you see all the really great Cornet players were Irish- O'Clark, O'Mendez, O'Klein-

But Professor, we are Irish!

HAROLD: -Ah thank you. And of course, I'll need the boy's measurements for his band uniform.

His uniform!

HAROLD: A stripe? Certainly, my boy, a wide stripe on each side. What do you think of that?

You'll have to excuse Winthrop, Professor. We can't get him to say three words a day even to us. And if you get him to play in the band, you'' have St. Michael's own way with you. But if anybody can do it I'll bet you can. Where are you from, me bye?

HAROLD: Gary, Indiana.

I knew it! Gar- Where did you say?

HAROLD: Gary, Indiana. In fact, Gary Conservatory was my Alma Mater.

Was she now?

HAROLD: Of course! Paroo. I thought the name sounded familiar. I tried to see you the other night, but-

He wants to put Winthrop in the band!

MARIAN: We're not interested, Mama.

But Marian, the boy might have his father's musical gift. He does have my jaw, you know.

MARIAN: Do you burst in on everyone's home like this? Prying into personal affairs? We're not interested.

Marian!

HAROLD: I get the feeling she like the idea. Oh, a little cautious perhaps but I admire that in a woman. I'll be back later in the week.

Professor, I hope you'll excuse Marian. She's not really-

MARIAN: Has he gone?

He has. And I hope not forever. Darlin' don't you ever think of your future? Gary Indiana Conservation Class of '05- now darlin'-

MARIAN: Now Mama. Surely a girl's future doesn't depend on encouraging every fast-talking, self-centered, woman-chasing traveling man who comes to town. And the fact that he claims his commodity is music does not, in this particular case, impress me.

All right, darlin', all right. Only it's a well-known principle that if you keep the flint in one drawer and the steel in another, you'll never strike much of a fire.

MARIAN: You won't have to talk to anyone. I've written it all down. Thank you, dear.

Now what are you up to? Why do you need books at this hour of the night?

MARIAN: I have a feeling the Indiana Journal may help me poke some large holes in the Professor's claims.

Well, I give up. At your age if you don't mine me askin' what kinda white knoght do you expect to come ridin' along?

MARIAN: Well I'm not waiting for Luther Greiner who backs me into the Ancient History shelf every time he comes into the Library.

He does?