Orphans on Broadway

Orphans on Broadway Part Two

Scene Three: The girls and boys dorm.
(lights on stage right, center, left. platform moved/stage left. Girls stage left/ Boys stage right.)

Anna and Penny are working on their enormous task, packing the sweater that were finished. Soon after, the other orphan girls enter the scene (stage left) and pull the two away from their task and storm though the halls as the boys do the same in their own dorm.

( SHORT END OF THE STICK )

Penny:
It's adoption or bust!
And getting busted is all we get.
Everyone is out for number one,
No one cares for an orphaned kid!
Pete:
Money ain't worth dust,
And we're treated as worth less.
That's just the status quote,
Toss the garbage, close the lid.
All:
Our life's so rotten, it makes us sick,
It's always a lie, it's always a trick!
Orphans always get the sort end of the stick!
Boys:
The cops can't help us!
We have to steal to earn our bread.
That's just the way it is,
It's all for sale- let's hear your bid.
Girls:
We're all abandoned!
We're all abandoned and alone.
Mom and dad have gone away,
That's what makes you an orphaned kid.

All:
So unwanted it makes us sick!
Under the rug, they give us a kick,
Orphans always get the short end of the stick!

It's adoption or bust!
And busted is all we ever get!
Everyone is out for number one,
No one wants an orphaned kid!

We're the leftovers from a better day,
the last of the pick!
Orphans always get the short end of the stick!

Unless it's always a lie, it's always a trick,
ORPHANS ALWAYS GET THE SHORT END OF THE STICK!

The girls and boys bump into each other in a hall adjoining the two dorms (center stage.) Each side pauses, surprised to see the other.

PEG:
What are you boys doing in the girls' dorm?

PETE:
(catching Penny's eye.)
Hi.

PENNY:
(shyly.)
Hi.

JACK:
(pulling Pete back.)
You're too nice for your own good, Pete.

(turns to Peg.)
You must have your wires crossed, doll, this is the boys' dorm.

PEG:
(rolling up one sleeve.)
You want to call me that again?

The two stare each other down for what seems to be forever.

(less than a minute.)

ALLEN:
(standing between Peg and Jack.)
Hold up, all of you. This hall must join the two dorms, I don't think any of us are supposed to be here.

ANNA:
I think he's right. We'd better get back into our own dorms before we get caught.

SCHEME:
(behind the boys.)
It's too late for that.

ANNABELLE:
(behind the girls.)
What are you girls doing in this hall? You should know by now that it's off limits. (turns to Scheme.) Mortin.

SCHEME:
(nodding at Annabelle.)

Miss Annabelle.
Ace hides among the orphan boys, (out of view of the audience) so not to be seen by Mr. Scheme.

ANNABELLE:
Since you're not so tired, ladies, why don't you help Penny and Anna on the next quota.

SCHEME:
That goes for you too, boys. The sooner you get done, the sooner you can all eat.

Annabelle and Scheme escort the children back into their own dorms. As they do, Penny and Pete turn to look at each other, wondering.

(lights out stage left and right.)
(brief pause.)
(lights on center stage.)
Penny and Pete again meet each other in the forbidden adjoining hallway (center stage.)

PETE:
Hi, again.

PENNY:
(with a small laugh.)
Hi, again.

PETE:
It looks like you girls have it just as rough as we do.

PENNY:
Yeah, it's rough. But tell me, why does Mr. Scheme send you guys out into the streets every night?

PETE:
(with a hint of anger.)
He sends us out to steal.

PENNY:
(confused.)
Steal what?

ALLEN:
(stepping in from stage right with Ace in tow.)
Anything that can be hocked on the street. If we don't bring in a good haul every night, we don't eat.

PENNY:
(with a gasp.)
That's horrible!

PETE:
(hushes her quiet then turns to Allen.)
What are you two doing here?

ALLEN:
We could ask you the same thing, Pete.
(turns to Penny.)
Our life is a real drag, but we survive. Ace is one of the lucky ones, he got himself adopted.

ACE:
I only came back to see how everyone was doing, obviously no one is interested in adopting kids these days.

PETE:
Yeah, it's real bad here.
(turns to Penny.)
Tell me, what does Miss Annabelle have you girls doing at all hours of the night?

PENNY:
(with the same hint of anger.)
She forces us to make sweaters and dresses to sell at the markets. We don't get to sleep until we each reach our daily quota.

PETE:
(surprised.)
What does she do with the money?

ANNA:
(stepping in from stage left.)
She tells us that they're to raise money for the dorm, but we don't see any of it.
(extends her hand to Allen.)
Hi, I'm Anna.

ALLEN:
(takes Anna's hand.)
Good evening, Anna. I am Allen. It seems as if we have a lot in common.

PENNY:
Yeah, we all have it rough, I think. But my friend, Anna has a plan that just might change all of that.

ALLEN:
(releasing Anna's hand.)
Tell me about it.

ANNA:
(showing Allen her poster.)
The girls and I have all written a two act musical play to bring attention orphanage and the problems we are facing.

PENNY:
We call it, 'Where are the Orphans?'

ANNA:
If enough people come to see our musical, it might spark some changes for the better. We have made a number of posters to advertise the play, I'm going to try to sneak out of here to hang them up.

ALLEN:
Wait a minute! You and the orphan girls are planning to run a musical here in the orphanage?

PETE:
(concerned.)
Sneaking out of here won't be easy. If you get caught...

ANNA:
(ignoring Pete.)
We are hoping it will lure people to the orphanage and, if we're lucky, move them to adopt a few of us out of this place.

PETE:
Then that song you girls were singing in the hall was...

ANNA:
(nods.)
Was one of the songs in our little production. I'm surprised you were practically singing the same song.

ALLEN:
We boys sing all the time, to make the days go a little better.

ACE:
In fact, dad is using the songs we boys always sing in the musical he is trying to put together for his Broadway theater.

ANNA:
(suddenly snaps her fingers.)
I just got the most brilliant idea! Why don't you boys join our little musical?

ALLEN:
Won't you have to rewrite it to get us boys in?

ANNA:
(lightly.)
Not really, we just add in a few lines here and there, maybe give a little extra practice. But with your story of what goes on around here added to our own, not to mention your own songs...

ACE:
(catching on.)
It will make your musical that much better.

ANNA:
It'll be a hit! (she frowns.) All I have to do is figure out how I am going to sneak out of here to hang the posters.

PENNY:
I think I have an idea on how we can sneak out of the orphanage.

ANNA:
What do you mean we? I can make it out on my own.

PENNY:
Not with Miss Annabelle watching us like a hawk.

ANNA:
(crossing her arms.)
Okay, Penny, I'll buy it. What's your great idea?

PENNY:
I'll only tell you if you promise to take me with you.

ALLEN:
Penny, it's a mean, cruel city out there. You might get hurt.

PENNY:
(stubborn.)
I don't care. You all have to promise me.

ANNA:
(sighing in surrender.)
All right, Penny. I promise.

PENNY:
(pointing.)
You're crossing your fingers, Anna!

ANNA:
(showing her hands.)
I promise I will take you with me, Penny. Now, tell me your great idea before I burst.

PENNY:
Well, the guardian of the boys dorm, sends the boys out every night to steal stuff. I saw Pete here through the window last night. Anna and I could sneak out with you guys when you go on your next raid.

ALLEN:
Are you suggesting we sneak you two out disguised as one of us?

ACE:
(impressed.)
That's not a bad idea. We already know there's a hall that connects the two dorms and, if we boys cover for them, Anna and Penny could sneak out tonight, hang all of their posters, and be back before Miss Annabelle knows they were gone.

ANNA:
(smiling.)
Penny, that's just crazy enough to work! But we'll have to wait until all of the other girls are asleep, Peg tends to hold a grudge.

PENNY:
Just remember your promise, Anna.

ALLEN:
(surprised.)
Are you girls nuts? It'll never work! I mean if you get caught...

PENNY:
(interrupting.)
I don't care, we have to try. We all want to get out of here, right?

Penny begins to cry. Anna comforts her, slowly rocking her back and forth, then turns to Allen, frustrated.

( ADOPTION DREAMS. )

(Anna)
Adoption dreams do come true.
But they can't come true by prayer alone.
We have to get out tonight,
We have to wake up this town,
'Got to let people know orphans need a home.
(Allen)
Listen to what you are saying.
The streets of this burg are dangerous and mean.
They'll wear you down and they will drag you under,
taking you to places where you will never be seen.
(Penny)
I really don't care.
Fate left me alone in the cold.
All I have left are tears,
there's no more to fear,
Adoption dreams are all I have to hold.
(Pete)
Penny open your eyes.
There's far more danger than you know.
You have to be tough and always on your toes,
or you might find yourself lying dead in the snow.
(Anna)
Don't you have a dream locked up deep inside,
A yearning, a burning, to be free?
Hear your heart, follow your dreams,
know that the future is up to you and me.
(Allen)
You never cease to surprise,
You are stubborn and brave.
I will help you with your plan,
I only pray it will not lead to your grave.
(Anna and Penny:)
I really don't care,
I've been an orphan long enough,
I want out of here!
What's it gonna be?
Are you a prisoner or are you free?
Adoption dreams!

PETE:
(sighs in surrender.)
Can't we give it a try, Allen? I mean, their plan does make sense in a way. And it would be fun to be a part of a play, to just be a kid again, if only for a while.

ALLEN:
(rolls his eyes at Pete.)
I will think about it but I won't give you any promises.

PENNY:
(excited.)
Oh, thank you, guys! You won't be sorry, I promise!

Penny impulsively kisses Pete on the cheek and hurries back to her dorm (stage left.) with Anna close behind.
Pete watches them leave then slowly walks back to his own dorm, (stage right.) rubbing the cheek Penny had kissed with Allen and Ace at his side.

ALLEN:
I'm beginning to think Jack is right, Pete. You're just too nice for your own good.

(lights off, center stage.)
Scene four: The boys dorm.
(short pause: light on, center stage.)
Enter Anna and Penny, (stage left) quietly sneaking into he boys dorm, dressed in slacks, shirts, and hats. They met the boys who are getting ready for another of their nightly raids.

JACK:
(curious.)
Since when did they add new comers to the raids.

ALLEN:
They're not exactly new comers, Jack. (turns to Anna.) Show them.

Anna and Penny remove their hats and the boys gasp in astonishment.

CHANCE:
(whispering.)
You shouldn't be here! If Scheme finds out, all of our rears will be in the fire for a month!

Anna and Penny put their hats back on, hiding their long hair.

ANNA:
He won't find out if you boys cover for us.

ALLEN:
(smiling.)
The slacks and hats are a nice touch, where'd you get them?

ANNA:
From the laundry room. Washing your filthy clothes is part of our daily chores.

MATT:
Wait a minute here! You are not suggesting we sneak these two girls out of the orphanage, are you?

ALLEN:
Zip it, all of you.
(he turns to Anna.)
Pete has convinced me that your plan just might help us get out of this dump. I still think you're both crazy for trying it but I'm willing to take the risk if you are.

JACK:
Sneaking those two out of here under Scheme's nose is going to be easier said than done, chief.
(turns to the girls.) I hope you two are tough, those streets out there aren't friendly. Especially not to two pampered little girls.

ANNA:
(curling a fist.)
You want to say that to my face?

ACE:
(standing behind Allen.)
They got spunk, Allen.

ALLEN:
(turns to Ace.)
You stay out of sight so Scheme don't spot you!

(turns to the girls.)
I'm afraid that spunk is not nearly enough to make it on your own out there.
(he sighs.)
But I've already made up my mind to take them with us, we can use two extra pairs of hands. You guys just keep them close, I don't want to see either of them get hurt.

CHANCE:
(to the girls.)
You girls just stick close to us, we'll teach you the ropes.

SAM:
Welcome to the Petty crime blues.

ANNA:
(confused.)
Petty crime blues?

MATT:
Sing it, Sam!

PETTY CRIME BLUES (REVISED)

We thought you had it easy. (Na na na na!)
But life's been rough on yous. (Na na na na!)
I bet you had your own uniforms. (Na na na na!)
I should've known I would lose. (Na na na na!)
We thought you kept your gifts at Christmas! (Na na na na!)
Santa never came to this roof. (Na na na na!)
We thought you sang songs and told stories. (Yeah!)
But now we know the truth!
You girls are tough, got nothing to lose! (Ooooooo!)
It took real moxy to get this far! (No lie!)
Now you'll see what it's like in our shoes!
We'll keep you safe but hear this bad news,
You'll be singin' the- (Singin' the!)
Orphaned into petty crime blues!
Petty Crime blues! Oh yeah!

At the end of the number, Scheme walks into the room (stage left) and looms over Anna and Penny, both disguised as boys.

SCHEME:
Well, well. What do we have here?
(lifts Penny's chin with his hand.)
Two new comers? I don't remember enlisting them.

Penny discretely shivers in fright as Scheme removes his hand and turns to Allen.

SCHEME:
(coldly.)
Who are they, Allen?

ALLEN:
Just as you said, Scheme. Two new comers. Only I recruited them and my gang approved them. You don't have a problem with that, do you?

Scheme takes a step back as he eyes the other boys who all stand their ground as they each catch his eye. But, again, he is quick to regain his composure.

SCHEME:
As long as the two bring in their fair share of the haul, I really don't care who you enlist.
(eyes Allen.)
But next time you recruit someone, let me know about it.

ALLEN:
(as tough as he dares.)
I'll think about it.

SCHEME:
You do that.

Scheme opens the door and the children run out into the darkness (stage right), onto the dimly lit streets of the city.

(lights off center stage.)