Maybe the World Is Finally Changing((Because while everyone was busy freaking out over "Let It Go", I have to admit that I was super-charmed by "For the First Time in Forever" and realized that it
really worked for the start of our current plot arc.))
TEJA (excitedly, to a coworker producing the card in question from her pocket and holding it out proudly)The card I received says Mr. Veidt
Wants me as a guest on gala night
At the Plaza Hotel- some fundraiser-type thing?
(As they move back into the employee locker room, she tucks it back in her pocket)It’s probably full of the same rich snobs
That we have to deal with on the job-
(Opening her locker, officially now talking to herself more than anyone else)I wish I knew which handbag I should bring...
(Pulling on her coat)But I’ll be talking to politicians
Who might listen to what I say
(Looking at her nicely-dressed reflection:)It’s like I’m Cinderella for the day!
(Outside, she stops at a newsstand and picks up a paper which, surprisingly, has good news in its headline, and opens it to flip through it.)Because the world is finally changing
War is out and peace is in
And since the world is finally changing
Maybe the real work can begin
(She suddenly remembers where she is and pays the vendor, who’s holding out his hand to receive it.)And though I’m kind of freaking out here
It shouldn’t last too long
(She stuffs the newspaper in her purse and starts hurrying toward the bus stop. There’s a large puddle running along the gutter, and when a cab passes along the edge of the street, it sends up a small wave of filthy water- which completely misses hitting Teja, by a small margin. She’s startled, but pleased.)That’s one more sign the world is changing:
Nothing’s going wrong!
(In her apartment, Teja is sitting at her table, looking at a picture of Ashton in the paper. There’s a scrawny black cat in her lap; she scritches his ear and talks to him.)TEJA (spoken)I’ve never even heard of this guy, but I guess if Veidt’s endorsing him...
(She stands up and plops the cat on the other side of the table to be her stand-in Ashton.)TEJA (sung)He’ll sit at our table for a while
I’ll give him my most inviting smile
(She demonstrates this.)Then ask him just what he intends to do
(The cat looks very confused. Teja gets up and hurries around, picking up one of the cat’s paws and making a smug, pleased smile of her own- between the two of them, she’s giving her impression of what she assumes Ashton will be like.)He’ll say he cares, but that’s not enough
(She puts her hands on her hips; the cat looks back at her.)That’s when the questions get real tough
(She picks up the cat and holds it affectionately, rubbing one ear.)I’m sure he’ll say his promises are true...
(She now picks up the cat to face her.)But what if he really means it?
That’d be a change of pace
(Twirling with the cat held out.)Finally, someone honest in the race...
(Teja is now standing in front of the mirror, with her hair pulled up, finishing her makeup for the evening.)I guess my point of view is changing
I’ve let my expectations rise
But if the world is finally changing
Maybe he won’t rely on lies
(Muffled, as she pulls a dress over her head:)I’ll probably end up disappointed, pinning all my hopes on him...
(Her head pops through, and she pulls the dress down over her body in front of the mirror. She finishes fastening it.)But if the world is finally changing...
Maybe truth will win.
(She straightens up, pleased by her reflection, and smiles.
Meanwhile, in her own bedroom, Megan is finishing her own preparations for the evening in much moodier spirits. She’s wearing a much more ostentatious dress- provided by Veidt- and is finishing clasping a necklace over her throat.)
MEGAN (softly, to her reflection)I’ve got the jewels...
I’ve got the dress...
(She sighs, shoulders drooping, and goes to get her purse.)There’s no excuse to feel like such a mess.
(To her reflection again, forcing a smile as she looks back at herself.)
Don’t speak
Just smile
Just play along...
Remember, you can go home in a while...
(She starts making her way down the stairs.)Remember what to say...
TEJA
(prep-talking herself as she gets off the subway)Remember what to say...
(There’s a car waiting for Megan outside her house. She looks at it unhappily but keeps walking, shutting the door behind her.)MEGAN
I want to get away...
TEJA
(climbing the stairs and emerging on the southeast corner of Central Park, looking at the hotel looming only a short distance away)Can’t let him get away...
MEGAN
(climbing into the car and shooting Veidt a look. Bitterly:)I guess your brave new world is here to stay...
TEJA
(starting to cross the street and shyly, happily maneuvering through the crowd)To stay!
Maybe the world is finally changing
MEGAN
(looking gloomily out the car window, both at the passing scenery and her dim reflection)I’ve got the jewels, I’ve got the dress
TEJA
(showing her invitation at the door of the hotel)And the tides have really turned
MEGAN
God, why do I feel like such a mess?
TEJA
(checking her coat)Maybe there’s hope for this city yet
MEGAN
(getting out of the car outside of the hotel)I’ll smile...
TEJA
(watching a middle-aged white couple whose appearance just screams ‘snobs’ walk past and looking a little less confident)Perhaps they’ll finally learn...
MEGAN
(walking into the lobby, looking gracious on Veidt’s arm but gritting her teeth)Play along, it’s only for a while...
TEJA
(steeling herself and starting to walk to the ballroom)And maybe it’s too much to ask for
To hope for something new
But if the world is finally changing
(She is now facing the doors to the ballroom. A doorman nods his head to her and starts to open the door.)If the world is finally changing...
(Taking a deep breath, she steps into the ballroom.)Maybe I am, too!