Act 1: Scene 2

SCENE 2

(In a parlor at Shiz University, the incoming STUDENTS gather.)

STUDENTS

            O HALLOWED HALLS AND VINE-DRAPPED WALLS…

THE PROUDLIEST SIGHT THERE IS

WHEN GREY 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 is the last to arrive, perched on an enormous stack of luggage.)

GALINDA

            OH-OH-OH-OH-OLD…

STUDENTS & GALINDA

            DEAR OLD SHIZ-ZZZZ…

            (GALINDA and all the other STUDENTS rudely gape at ELPHABA.)

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…

            (The WITCH’S FATHER enters wheeling in NESSAROSE)

WITCH’S FATHER

Elphaba!

ELPHABA

This is my younger sister, Nessarose! As you can see she’s a perfectly normal color!

WITCH’S FATHER

Elphaba! Stop making a spectacle of yourself. 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 befits the future Governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba, take care of your sister. And try not to

talk so much.

            (The WITCH’S FATHER exits.)

NESSAROSE

Elphaba…

ELPHABA

Well, what could he get me? I clash with everything!

            (MADAME MORRIBLE, the school’s headmistress, enters.)

MORRIBLE

Welcome! Welcome, new students! I am Madame Morrible, head mistress here at Shiz University. And whether you are here to study law, logic or linguification I know I speak for my fellow faculty member when I say: We have nothing but the highest hopes, for some of you. Oh, you must be the Governor’s daughter! Miss Nessarose, isn’t it? What a tragically beautiful face you have! And who is—

            (MORRIBLE sees ELPHABA and screams.)

ELPHABA

I’m the other daughter, Elphaba. I’m beautifully tragic.

MORRIBLE

I see, well I’m sure you’re very bright!

GALINDA

Bright?! She’s phosphorescent!

            (The STUDENTS laugh)

MORRIBLE

Now, regarding room assignments.

            (ELPHABA and GALINDA raise their hands)

MORRIBLE

Is this regarding room assignments?

GALINDA

No, but thank you for asking, Madame Morrible, I’ve already been assigned a private suite.  But you all can come visit me whenever you want!

PFANNEE

How good of you!

SHENSHEN

You are so good!

GALINDA

No I’m not!

PFANNEE & SHENSHEN

Yes you are!

GALINDA

Now stop it!

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. Perhaps you recall my entrance essay—“Magic Wands: Need They Have a Point?”

MORRIBLE

Yes, however, I do not teach my seminar every semester, of course if someone special were to come along—

GALINDA

Well, exactly!

ELPHABA

Madame Morrible, we have not yet received our room assignments.

MORRIBLE

The Governor made his concerns for you 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!

MORRIBLE

He never mentioned you. Just a slight gulch, no need to fret, we will find some place to put you.

ELPHABA

But, Madame…

GALINDA

You know, I don’t even think she read my essay!

BOQ

That is so unfair! You should say something!

GALINDA

Should I?

MORRIBLE

Attention! Which of you young ladies will volunteer to share with Miss Elphaba?

GALINDA

Madame Morrible—

MORRIBLE

Oh, thank you dear! That is very good of you!

GALINDA

What?

MORRIBLE

Yes, now you see Miss Elphaba, you can room with Miss Galinda! To your rooms, young ladies!

            (MADAME MORRIBLE starts to wheel NESSAROSE away.)

ELPHABA

No, wait!

NESSAROSE

Elphaba, please, I’ll be alright!

ELPHABA

But I promised father!

MORRIBLE

Young gentlemen, to your rooms!

ELPHABA

Let her go!!!

(ELPHABA loses control and makes something magical occur. NESSAROSE is mortified.)

MORRIBLE

How did you do that?

GALINDA

How did she do that?

NESSAROSE

Elphaba, you promised things would be different here!

MORRIBLE

You mean this has happened before?

ELPHABA

Well, something just comes over me sometimes, it’s something I can’t describe. I’ll try to control myself. I am so sorry, Nessa.

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…

MORRIBLE

I shall tutor you privately—and take no other students!

GALINDA

What?!

MORRIBLE

            MANY YEARS I HAVE WAITED

FOR A GIEFT LIKE YOURS TO APPEAR

WHY, I PREDICT THE WIZARD COULD MAKE YOU HIS

MAGIC GRAND VIZIER!

ELPHABA

The Wizard!?

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

Now, Madame—

MORRIBLE

Not now, dear. Shoo! Shoo, shoo, shoo!

            (MADAME MORRIBLE and the CROWD disperse)

GALINDA

Something’s wrong. I didn’t get my way. I need to go lie down!

            (ELPHABA is left alone, dazed but thrilled.)

ELPHABA

DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN?
HAVE I ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD?
THIS WEIRD QUIRK I'VE TRIED

TO SURPRESS 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 ACLAIMED
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 OBSURED DEGREE
SEEM FIXATED ON YOUR VERDEGRIS
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 SOUNDS TRULY CRAZY
AND TRUE, THE VISION'S HAZY
BUT I SWEAR, SOME DAY THERE'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 OF 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 FAVORITE TEAM:
THE WIZARD
AND I!