Act 2: Scene 9

            SCENE 9

            (In the Wizard’s Private Chambers.)

MORRIBLE

I don’t see why you’re so despondiary. I think it went quite well. They seemed thrilled to shreds with their brains and their hearts and everything.

            (GLINDA makes a sudden and unexpected entrance.)

MORRIBLE

Oh Glinda, I thought you’d be out festivating.

GLINDA

This was Elphaba’s.

MORRIBLE

What?

WIZARD

What’s that you say?

GLINDA

It was a keepsake. I t was her mother’s. I’ve only seen a little green bottle like this one other time. And it was right here, in this room. You offered me a drink from it.

WIZARD

This belonged to her mother?

YOUNG WIZARD’S VOICE

            HAVE ANOTHER DRINK

            MY DARK-EYED BEAUTY…

WIZARD

Oh my lord.—

                        (Sings)

            I AM A SENTIMENTAL MAN

            WHO ALWAYS LONGED TO BE

            A FATHER…

(The WIZARD sinks to his knees, heartbroken, realizing he has had his own daughter “liquidated.”)

GLINDA

So she was yours all along.

MORRIBLE

That’s it. That’s why she had such power: She was a child of both world.

GLINDA

I want you to leave Oz. I’ll make the pronouncement myself: that the strains of Wizardship have been too much, and you’re taking an indefinite—leave of absence. Did you hear what I said?

WIZARD

Yes, Your Goodness.

GLINDA

You’d better go get your balloon ready!

            (The WIZARD stumbles off, a broken man, as GLINDA turns to MADAME MORRIBLE.)

GLINDA

Guards!

MORRIBLE

Glinda dear, I know we’ve had our minuscule differenceations in the past—

GLINDA

Madame, have you ever considered how you’d fare? In captivity?

MORRIBLE

What? I don’t—

GLINDA

Captivity. Pri-son. Personally I don’t think you’d hold up very well. You see, my personal opinion is that you do not have what it takes. I hope you prove me wrong. I doubt you will! Take her away!

            (The GUARDS take MORRIBLE away.)

CELEBRANTS

            GOOD NEWS! SHE’S DEAD!

            THE WITCH OF THE WEST IS DEAD!

            THE WICKEDEST WITCH THERE EVER WAS

            THE ENEMY OF ALL OF US HERE IN OZ

            IS DEAD!

            GOOD NEWS!

            GOOD NEWS…

THE SCARECROW

It worked!

ELPHABA

Fiyero! I thought you’d never get here.

THE SCARECROW

Go ahead touch. I don’t mind. You did the best you could. You saved my life.

ELPHABA

You’re still beautiful.

THE SCARECROW

You don’t have to lie to me.

ELPHABA

It’s not lying, it’s looking at things another way.

CELEBRANTS

            NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED

            NOW AT LAST SHE’S DEAD AND GONE

            NOW AT LAST THERE’S JOY THROUGHOUT THE LAND

GLINDA

Fellow Ozians. Friends… We have been through a frightening time. And there will be other times, and other things that frighten us. But if you’ll let me, I’d like to try to help. I’d like to be—Glinda the Good.

CROWD

            GOOD NEWS!

THE SCARECROW

It’s time to go.

ELPHABA

We can never come back to Oz, can we?

THE SCARECROW

No.

ELPHABA

I only wish…

THE SCARECROW

What?

ELPHABA

That Glinda could know that we are alive.

THE SCARECROW

She can’t know, not if we want to be safe. No one can ever know.

CROWD

            GOOD NEWS…

THE SCARECROW

Come.

GLINDA

            WHO CAN SAY IF I’VE BEEN

CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

BUT…

ELPHABA AND GLINDA

            BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

CROWD

            NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED…

GLINDA

            BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

ELPHABA AND GLINDA

            I HAVE BEEN CHANGED…

CROWD

            NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED…

            WICKED…

            WICKED!

            END OF ACT II