Scene 9


      Deck of an ocean liner as it is pulling into New York harbor. It is just before dawn, and in the background we can see the Statue of Liberty. MARITZA, NIKKO, MARIANNE and VASILY stand by the railing.
       
      MARIANNE
      Look, everyone!

      VASILY

      The gateway to freedom.

      NIKKO

      Here we shall start anew. Away from all munitions manufacturers.

      MARITZA

      There are no munitions manufacturers in America?

      NIKKO

      They don't need munitions in America. People are too happy there.

      MARIANNE

      But I thought everyone was happy in Montavia.

      VASILY

      They were…until the Kielbasians invaded.

      MARIANNE

      But thanks to Nikko, we won the war.

      NIKKO

      Yes, you won the war, but there are more munitions manufacturers left on the continent. And more turmoil in the future. Isn't that correct, Vasily?

      VASILY

      Yes. I see a carriage with an archduke and his archduchess. They are moving through a cheering crowd. When suddenly a shot rings out. The archduke slumps over...and there is fighting and killing. All Europe is involved. But here in America, there is only happiness and player pianos.

      MARIANNE

      Thank the Lord we left when we did.

      NIKKO

      My darling, will you miss not being a Princess?

      MARITZA

      Not for a moment. I want only to be a wife and to raise a whole house full of little Nikkos.

      MARIANNE

      But your highness…I mean, Maritza, what about your father?

      MARITZA

      Monarchies are on the way out. Soon there will be democracy in Montavia. Isn't that right, Vasily?

      VASILY

      There will be democracy in Montavia, Moravia, Marsovia, Monrovia, Zilania, Sylvania and Ruritania.

      MARIANNE

      Then there will be no princesses and princes to sing about.

      VASILY

      That is not entirely true. They will be captured in color and set in a talking stereopticon.

      MARITZA

      Vasily, really! You do go too far sometimes.

      MARIANNE

      Oh, mum, look at the dawn!

      MARITZA

      Why, it's just like…

      MARIANNE

      Some dawns twinkle across the sky.
       
            NIKKO
      Some dawns thunder and jeer.
       
      MARITZA
      Some dawns sputter and some dawns sigh.
       
      VASILY
      And some dawns never appear.
        NIKKO       But when you feel the whole world hum,
       
      MARIANNE
      You know a gypsy dawn has come.
       
      ALL FOUR
      Gypsy dawn,
      How strange and magical it feels!
      Gypsy dawn
      Is in your heart and in your heels.
      You long to dance,
      You long to glide across the floor.
      You want romance,
      A love you've never had before.
      Gypsy dawn,
      It casts a spell upon the dew.
      Gypsy dawn,
      It brings the thrill of something new.
      Then you will know
      By the time another dawn shall glow,
      Your dream of love will come true.
        (The lights have gradually flooded the stage with pink, blue and green. During the last verse, the CHORUS appears through the backdrop scrim and joins the Principals for the final part of the song.)
       
       
      CURTAIN