Acte 1/scène 2

## *#2A - Jet Song Chase (Orchestra)*

*5:30 P.M.*

*A back yard.*

*On a small ladder, a good-looking sandy-haired boy is painting a vertical sign that will say: "DOC'S." Below, RIFF is haranguing.*

**RIFF**

Riga tiga tum tum. Why not? ...You can't say ya won't, Tony boy, without sayin' why not?

**RIFF**

Because it's me askin': Riff. Womb to tomb!

**TONY**

Sperm to worm!

*[Surveying the sign.]*

You sure this looks like skywritin'?

**RIFF**

It's brilliant.

**TONY**

Twenty-seven years the boss has had that drugstore. I wanna surprise him with a new sign.

**RIFF** *[shaking the ladder.]*

Tony, this is important!

**TONY**

Very important: Acemen, Rocketmen.

**RIFF**

What's with you? Four and one-half year I live with a buddy and his family. Four and one-half years I think I know a man's character. Buddy boy, I am a victim of disappointment in you.

**TONY**

End your sufferin', little man. Why don't you pack up your gear

and clear out?

**RIFF**

'Cause your ma's hot for me.

*[Tony grabs his arms and twists it.]*

No! 'Cause I hate livin' with my buggin' uncle uncle UNCLE!

*[Tony releases him and climbs back up the ladder.]*

**TONY**

Now go play nice with the Jets.

**RIFF**

The Jets are the greatest!

**TONY**

Were.

**RIFF**

Are. You found something' better?

**TONY**

No, But

**RIFF**

But what?

**TONY**

You won't dig it.

**RIFF**

Try me.

**TONY**

OK... Every single damn night for the last month, I wake up-and

I'm reachin' out.

**RIFF**

For what?

**TONY**

I don't know. It's right outside the door, around the corner. But

it's comin'!

**RIFF**

What is? Tell me!

**TONY**

I don't know! It's-like the kick I use to get from bein' a Jet.

**RIFF** *[quietly]*

...Or from bein buddies.

**TONY**

We're still buddies.

**RIFF**

The kick comes from the people, buddy boy.

**TONY**

Yea, but not from a Jet.

**RIFF**

No? Without a gang you're an orphan. With a gang you walk in two's three's four's. And when your gang is the best, when you're a Jet, buddy boy, you're out in the sun and home free home!

**TONY**

Riff, I've had it.

*[Pause.]*

**RIFF**

Tony, the trouble is large: The Sharks bite hard! We got to stop them now, and we need you! [Pause. Quietly.] I never asked the time of a day from a clock, but I'm askin' you: Come to the dance tonight...

*[Tony turns away.]'*

...I already told the gang you'd be there.

'**TONY** *[after a moment, turns to him with a grin]*

What time?

**RIFF**

Ten?

**TONY**

Ten it is.

'**RIFF**

Womb to tomb!

**TONY**

Sperm to worm! And I'll live to regret this.

**RIFF**

Who knows? Maybe what you're waitin' for'll be twitchin' at the dance!

*[He runs off.]*

**TONY**

Who knows?

*(Note : Ne fonctionne pas sur iPad ou sur tout support ne prenant pas en charge le format audio .ogg.)*

*[MUSIC starts and HE SINGS:]*

## *#3 - Something's Coming (Tony)*

COULD BE!...

WHO KNOWS?...

THERE'S SOMETHING DUE ANY DAY;

I WILL KNOW RIGHT AWAY,

SOON AS IT SHOWS.

IT MAY COME CANNON-BALLING DOWN THRU THE SKY,

GLEAM IN ITS EYE,

BRIGHT AS A ROSE!

WHO KNOWS?...

IT'S ONLY JUST OUT OF REACH,

DOWN THE BLOCK, ON A BEACH,

UNDER A TREE...

I GOT A FEELING THERE'S A MIRACLE DUE,

GONNA COME TRUE,

COMING TO ME!

COULD IT BE? YES IT COULD.

SOMETHING'S COMING, SOMETHING GOOD,

IF I CAN WAIT!

SOMETHING'S COMING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS,

BUT IT IS

GONNA BE GREAT!

WITH A CLICK, WITH A SHOCK,

PHONE'LL JINGLE, DOOR'LL KNOCK,

OPEN THE LATCH!

SOMETHING'S COMING, DON'T KNOW WHEN BUT IT'S SOON

CATCH THE MOON,

ONE-HANDED CATCH!

AROUND THE CORNER,

OR WHISTLING DOWN THE RIVER,

COME ON-DELIVER

TO ME!

WILL IT BE? YES, IT WILL.

MAYBE JUST BY HOLDING STILL,

IT'LL BE THERE!

COME ON SOMETHING, COME ON IN,

DON'T BE SHY,

MEET A GUY,

PULL UP A CHAIR!

THE AIR IS HUMMING,

AND SOMETHING GREAT IS COMING!

WHO KNOWS?

IT'S ONLY JUST OUT OF REACH,

DOWN THE BLOCK, ON A BEACH...

MAYBE TONIGHT...

(DIM-OUT)