Scene Eight
 
 

IRENE races across the stage pursued by the DETECTIVE. THEY dance on and off three or four times. A large map of North America descends. A spot focuses on the area around Kodiac Island and hovers there to a sting of music. IRENE looks up, sees the light and appears to vanish into the backdrop. The spot remains shimmering at the same point. DETECTIVE hurries on stage, regards the light on the map and also seems to vanish into the backdrop. As soon as he does, another spot flashes next to the first one. The two lights continue hesitating for a moment. Then, to the tune of You Take the Cake, the two spots dance across the map---the second in pursuit of the first---forward, backward, sideways---until the first light reaches Mexico and halts at Guadalajara, finally extinguishing itself in exhaustion. As it does, the map backdrop is replaced by a screen with a rear projection of one of the wealthiest and most elegant sections of Mexico. Then it changes to the exterior of a very upper class nightclub. A few tables, chairs and palm trees slide on. IRENE enters, dressed to the nines, a chinchilla coat slung over her shoulder. Her hair is again black, and she looks very Spanish. IRENE pauses, observes the scene. A HEADWAITER appears leading a group of very expensively attired men and women. The largest and handsomest is JORGE MONTANARO. He extracts a wad of bills, peels off two and hands them to the Headwaiter. IRENE's eyes grow larger when they settle on the bills. JORGE looks up, sees Irene. Their eyes lock. Another sting of music. Without a nod to his companions, HE dances sensually toward her, and she to him. He takes her in his arms and leads her into an exotic tango. When THEY have executed a few steps, HE sings.)
 
 
JORGE
Lovely lady,
Where have you come from?
It must be heaven---
You're so divine!
Lovely lady,
I could get numb from
The chills that are running
Up and down my spine.

Each time we're dancing
And we glide 'cross the floor,
I say "Un poquito más,
"Un poquito más,
"I want a little more."

Each time you touch me,
And I melt and I soar,
I say, "Un poquito más,
"Un poquito más,
"I want a little more."

I want a little more
Of the soul and the heart of you;
I want a little more
Of every heavenly part of you.

Each time you kiss me
And I'm thrilled to the core---
I say, "Un poquito más,
"Un poquito más,
"I want a little more."
I must have more,
More, more.

(In balletic terms, we see JORGE lead her off. Lights dim. The rear projection is now the exterior of Jorge's hacienda. When the lights rise JORGE is reclining on an antique sofa as IRENE stands behind him and massages his neck. Suddenly HE turns, grabs her, kisses her passionately and again THEY dance. As they do, a DOWDY LITTLE WOMAN enters, followed by SIX CHILDREN of ages varying from 16 to 6. SHE glances over at the couple, averts her eyes and insists the children do the same. IRENE waves graciously without pausing in the dance. JORGE pauses, pulls out his billfold, extracts another wad of pesos and scatters them over Irene's head. THEY dance offstage left. FIVE COUPLES dance on, all doing a similar sensual tango. The FIVE MEN repeat Un Poquito Más to their companions. In a series of rear projections, we see a horse track, a yacht, a bullfight and a costume ball. Through these changes, JORGE whirls and twirls IRENE in the different dances of the period and the location. They are backed up by the FIVE COUPLES. With very simple additions, they are all able to alter their clothes to suit the projection on the screen. And periodically, JORGE stops to shower Irene with pesos. Suddenly we hear the roar of a canon. Someone shouts "Revolución!" On the screen are slides of bloody fighting. COUPLES disperse, panicking and running in different directions. JORGE and IRENE now dance more slowly, much more tentatively. A SOLDIER marches on wielding a bayonet. HE goes directly to Jorge and plunges the blade into his back. JORGE falls. IRENE is distraught, but not too distraught to ignore his billfold with the pesos. As she does, the WOMAN and the CHILDREN race on, grab the money from her and begin to rip her elegant clothes to shreds.)
BLACKOUT