Acte 1/scène 3

## *#3A - Something's Coming Chase (Orchestra)*

*6:00 P.M.*

*A bridal shop.*

*A small section, enough to include a table with sewing machine, a chair or two.*

*ANITA, A Puerto Rican girl with loose hair and slightly flashy clothes, is finishing remaking what was a white communion dress into a party dress for an extremely lovely, extremely young girl: MARIA. Anita is knowing, a sexual, sharp. MARIA is an excited, enthusiastic, obedient child, with the temper, stubborn strength and awareness of a woman.*

**MARIA** *[holding out scissors]*

Por favor, Anita. Make the neck lower!

**ANITA**

Stop it, Maria.

**MARIA**

One inch. How much can one little inch do?

**ANITA**

Too much.

**MARIA** *[exasperated]*

Anita, it is now to be a dress of dancing, no longer for kneeling in front of an altar.

**ANITA**

With those boys you can start in dancing and end up kneeling.

**MARIA**

Querida, one little inch; uno poca poca

**ANITA**

Bernardo made me promise

**MARIA**

Ai! Bernardo! One month have I been in this country-do I ever even touch excitement? I sew all day, I sit all night. For what did my fine brother bring me here?

**ANITA**

To marry Chino.

**MARIA**

When I look at Chino, nothing happens.

**ANITA**

What do you expect to happen?

**MARIA**

I don't know: something. What happens when you look at Bernardo?

**ANITA**

It's when I don't look at him that it happens.

**MARIA**

I think I will tell Mama and Papa about you and 'Nardo in the balcony of the movies.

**ANITA**

I will rip this to shreds!

**MARIA**

No. But you perhaps could manage to lower the neck-

**ANITA**

Next year.

**MARIA**

Next year I will be married an no one will care if its down to here!

**ANITA**

Down to where?

**MARIA**

Down to here.

*[Indicates her waist.]*

I hate this dress!

**ANITA**

Then don't wear it and don't come to the dance.

**MARIA** *[shocked]*

Don't come!

*[Grabs the dress.]*

Could we not dye it red, at least?

**ANITA**

No, we could not.

*[She starts to help MARIA into the dress.]*

**MARIA**

White is for babies. I will be the only one there in a white

**ANITA**

Well???

**MARIA**

Ahhhh-sí! It is a beautiful dress: I love you!

*[As she hugs Anita, BERNARDO enters, followed by a shy, gentle sweet-faced boy: CHINO.]*

**BERNARDO**

Are you ready?

**MARIA**

Come in, 'Nardo.

*[Whirls in the dress.]*

Is it not beautiful?

**BERNARDO *[looking only at MARIA's face]***
Yes.

*[Kisses her.]*

Very.

**ANITA**

I didn't quite hear...

**BERNARDO** *[kissin ANITA quite differently.]*

Very beautiful.

**MARIA**

*[watches them a second, then turns to CHINO]*

Come in, Chino. Do not be afraid.

**CHINO**

But this is a shop for ladies.

**BERNARDO**

Our ladies!

**MARIA**

'Nardo, it is most important that I have a wonderful time at the dancing tonight.

**BENARDO** *[as ANITA hooks up MARIA]*

Why?

**MARIA**

Because tonight is the real beginning of my life as a young lady of America!

*[SHE begins to whirl in the dress as the shop slides off and a flood of gaily colored streamers pours down. As MARIA begins to turn and turn, going OFF-STAGE. SHARK GIRLS, dressed for the dance whirl on, followed by JET GIRLS. By BOYS from both gangs. The streamers fly up again for the next scene.]*