Act 1, Scene 11

Question 1

[My White Knight from previous scene; start Act 1, Scene 11]

Answer 1

(ZANEETA is crossing followed by TOMMY wearing his invention.)

Question 2

TOMMY: … Zaneeta … Hey, Zaneeta –

Answer 2

(SHE stops and turns) Tommy, papa and mama are sitting right there in the bank. Ye Gods!

Question 3

TOMMY: All right, then meet me after supper.

Answer 3

I can’t. It’s Epworth League night. Meet you where?

Question 4

TOMMY: The footbridge.

Answer 4

You see? Isn’t that just what I said? Last time the lumber yard and now the footbridge. And where will you meet me after that? In the Black Hole of Calcutta? Ye Gods.

Question 5

TOMMY: I only want to show you my invention.

Answer 5

What invention?

Question 6

TOMMY: My music holder for a marching piccolo player. It still has a couple of minor flaws; see, when you keep it tight enough to hold the music steady you cut off the circulation and you can’t wiggle your fingers. Meanwhile – you could go blind.

Answer 6

(Gestures in alarm at OLIVER HIX’ office) Tommy! It’s Papa!

Question 7

GRACIE: Papa! The Wells Fargo Wagon is just comin’ up from the depot

Answer 7

(In hushed anticipation) The Wells Fargo Wagon!

Question 8

SHINN: The band instruments!

Answer 8

(The PEOPLE now form, looking up the street listening for the horse’s hooves which are now heard plainly in the music)

O-ho The Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ down the street
Oh please let it be for me
O-ho The Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ down the street
I wish, I wish I knew what it could be.

[various solos per line]
I got a box of maple sugar on my birthday
In March I got a grey mackinaw
And once I got some grapefruit from Tampa
Montgom’ry Ward sent me a bathtub and a cross-cut saw

[people]
O-ho The Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ now
Is it a prepaid surprise or C.O.D.

[solos]
It could be curtains
Or dishes
Or a double boiler
Or it could be

[people]
Yes, it could be
Yes, you’re right it surely could be

[solo]
Somethin’ special

[people]
Somethin’ very very special now

[solo]
Just for me

[people]
O-ho The Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ down the streetm
Oh don’t let him pass my door!
O-ho The Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ down the street,
I wish I knew what he was comin’ for.

[solos]
I got some salmon from Seattle last September
And I expect a new rockin’ chair
I hope I get my raisins from Fresno
The D.A.R. have sent a cannon for the courthouse square.

(During an orchestra modulation and extension, WINTHROP breaks through the CROWD and as THE PEOPLE slowly turn to look at him in amazement, HE sings:)

[skipping!]

[people]
O-ho you Wells Fargo Wagon keep a-comin'
O-ho you Wells Fargo Wagon keep a-comin'
O-ho you Wells Fargo Wagon don't you dare to make a stop
Until you stop for me.

(Marian pushes her way through the CROWD to crush WINTHROP in an embrace as the CROWD cheers Wagon’s arrival)

[people]
Ray-yy!