Bangkok, 1978

What a Waste

ENGINEER:
Check it out!
DOORMEN:
Girls! I got girls!
DOORMEN:
Gorgeous girls!
DOORMEN:
Very nice!
TOURISTS:
Hey, wow! Oh look! We gotta see!
DOORMEN:
Girls! I got girls!
Gorgeous girls!
Very nice!
TOURISTS:
I'm glad my wife's not here with me!
ENGINEER:
What a waste!
To pay for my keep
I'm rounding up sheep
To fleece here in Bangkok
I'm disgraced
I can't get ahead
There's nothing as dead
As peace here in Bangkok
Ten cents an hour, that's the most they pay
I'll have to swim to the USA
If you're looking for fun
Original sin
If you want to put out
Then you gotta come in
DOORMEN:
Girls! I got girls!
DOORMEN:
Gorgeous girls!
DOORMEN:
Very nice!
ENGINEER:
Gee, isn't Bangkok really neat?
The things they're selling on the street.
Fresh dog, if that's what you'd enjoy
A girl, or if you want a boy
DOORMEN:
Girls!
I got girls!
Girls!
Worth the price!
DOORMEN & ENGINEER:
Come, come to me
First drink is free
ENGINEER:
Don't be a lump, you can hump
For a small extra fee
Hump - "humpy, humpy"
I'm depressed
For hustling amours
To Japanese tours
Is no treat in Bangkok
I'm the best
But selling these runts
For sexual stunts
Leaves me beat in Bangkok
Ten cents an hour...
CLUB OWNER:
You said you'd fill my place up - where are they?
ENGINEER:
They're coming, Boss
CLUB OWNER:
Just get to work, half-breed!
ENGINEER:
...screw the Siamese
Look how they're ripping off... refugees
ENGINEER:
If you're looking for fun
Original sin
If you want to put out
Then you gotta come in
DOORMEN & ENGINEER:
Hey boys, don't stand around like wimps.
Watch out, those guys, they're really pimps.
You want some thrills, come-on and grab it!
Three girls, two gerbils, and a rabbit
DOORMEN:
Girls!
I got girls!
Girls!
Half the price!
DOORMEN:
Hey, come to me!
Look what you'll see!
ENGINEER:
Hey, that's a joke, mine blow smoke
For a small extra fee
VENDORS:
Come try the streets in every venue
With tricks, you'll pick from off the menu
ENGINEER:
Hey, Joe, try taking a little excursion
You'll all feel good from a little perversion.
Massage requiring total immersion.
Some strange positions they say are Persian
Drinks are on me
First girl is free
What can I say? You get me
For a small extra fee!
ENGINEER:
You want a girl sir? you'll like one of these
JOHN:
You have a Kim here, can I see her please?
ENGINEER:
You pick 'em well. . .
Monsieur John, is that you?
JOHN:
The Engineer!
Jesus Christ! you're here too
ENGINEER:
Of all my friends, you're the one that I miss
JOHN:
I'm looking for Kim
ENGINEER:
I love you so, you and your buddy Chris
JOHN:
I'm here about him
Kim has a child born in...
BOTH:
Seventy-five
ENGINEER:
I filled that out and it's you who arrive
You'll find the end of your quest here in our little dive
I'm impressed
American clerks, a system that works
There's really no other
JOHN:
Listen, spare me the gas
Is there really a child?
ENGINEER:
Yes, we're blessed
And Kim's on a trip
For citizenship, and I am her brother
JOHN:
You're her brother, my ass
Come on, take me inside
ENGINEER:
Look Kim, who got our application
I said I'd bring us all salvation
KIM:
Oh my God! Monsieur John!
Yes, of course he sent you
JOHN:
Not in here, is there someplace near we could talk?
KIM:
Take your hands off! We're finished! Go find someone else!
JOHN:
Come with me, there's a lot I've got to say first
KIM:
Chris is here! Say he's here! Oh my God, it's all true
ENGINEER:
I suggest, whatever may be
You leave it to me
Just play little mother
JOHN:
What I need to find out
She can tell me alone
KIM:
Can you take me to Chris?
I can leave here right now
We've been here for so long
Took this job to survive
One month at sea
I was sure we'd drown
But I thought about Chris
And we didn't go down
I've done terrible things
But we're safe and you're here
So perhaps all the gods
Have begun to forgive
CLUB OWNER:
Did the gentleman order champagne?
ENGINEER:
She was about to get it
CLUB OWNER:
You better get back on the chain, or get out
KIM (ENGINEER):
Monsieur John (I'm so sick of that prick
Quick before he gets wise)
Look at this (Let John look at your kid)
Come see love (See the lids of his eyes)
Come see Chris (Let John have his surprise)
ENGINEER:
Look Uncle Sam
How nice I am
I doing all this just for Tam
An American boy
KIM:
Look John, this is his son
Don't they have the same the smile
He's been waiting for his father
For a long, long while.

Too Much for One Heart/Chris Is Here

JOHN:

I'm not here as a friend. I have a job to do.

It's strange to find my work should lead me here to you.

Chris knows all about you, I have shown him all this.

But I think that it's time you know all about Chris.

KIM:

Yes, tell me everything, I beg you

How I´ve longed for this to start?

All my prayers have finally answered

This is too much for one heart

JOHN:

Kim, he went crazy when he lost you.

Spoke to no one for a year.

Then he finally said, "I'm home now.

My life has to go one here."

Kim, let me finish talking please.

This was three whole years ago.

KIM:

Yes. Yes, I know.

I know how pain can grow

When the rock you hold onto is a love miles away.

Listen, please, I already know this story.

Take us to the USA.

JOHN:

When we're finished here you'll see him.

Chris arrived with me today.

KIM:

Oh, Tam, he's here! He's here,

He's so near, we might breathe the same air tonight!

Your father's here!

KIM (JOHN):

I dreamed so hard (I can´t tell her like this)

I kept my faith and now it´s true (I should not be the one)

(Chris must first see his son)

Now, I can see we´ve matched over and our lives about to start (They don't say in the files there's a woman in love here)

Sun and moon wil be together (What sustained her for miles Chris still knows nothing of)

BOTH:

This is too much for one heart

JOHN:

There´s only one thing I can do

I must bring Chris here, to see you

KIM:

Thank you

JOHN:

Ok

CLUB OWNER:

I thought I said, "no kids around"

So what's that brat doing here

You better take care,

I'm watching both of you

You, and your Engineer

Sir, would you like a massage?

JOHN:

No thanks, it's not my scene

CLUB OWNER:

You can find boys at La Cage

ENGINEER:

Why is he leaving?

What is that look?

He was right on the hook

Don't tell me he slipped free

KIM:

Engineer, Chris is here

John is going to get him

And bring him to me

My heart's ready to burst

I don't know what I'll tell him first

ENGINEER:

That guy is no one to trust

Or a soldier who's just learned he's fathered a son

You got to get to Chris first

I will find his address now

Before he can run

KIM:

You can trust what he'll do

Don't you worry

I'll mention you

ENGINEER:

You´ll mention me?

Don't screw with me, little bitch

I don't want any hitch

You just do as you're told

You'll go to his hotel

I'll be working as well

Guarding our bag of gold

KIM:

Tell me where, and I'll go

He´ll be longing for me, I know

You have brought me through the lightning

You have watched me from afar

You know all and you forgive me

Loving parents that you are

ENGINEER (KIM):

(Please, let your daughter have your blessing)

Go on, talk to your ghosts, little girl, 'til you're blue

(On the life that starts today) You have one chance

(We must journey to a new world) Just one he's here

Talking to you

(This is too much for one heart)

Kim's Nightmare/The Fall of Saigon

Sun and Moon (Reprise)

KIM:

You are sunlight and I moon

Joined by the gods of fortune

Midnight and high noon

That's what we are

How in one night have we come so far?

Outside, day starts to dawn

One long night time has gone

I feel you near

I reach your place

I know you're here

I touch your face

And our love is reborn!

Bright'ning the sky

With the flame of love

Made of sunlight

Moonlight

ENGINEER:

Kim! Kim! Chris is at this hotel! Go quickly!

I'll take care of Tam! Don't screw this out!

Room 317

KIM:

Sorry

ELLEN:

Don't turn the bed yet, thank you.

KIM:

I'm not the maid

ELLEN:

Well, how can help you?

KIM:

317?

ELLEN:

Yes

KIM:

Christopher Scott´s room?

ELLEN:

Oh God I see, I know who you are.

You must be Kim, Chris went to find you.

Please come inside, no one will hurt you.

I'm Chris's wife, my name is Ellen

In a way, I´m glad I´m meeting you first

Understand, you were only a name ´til tonight

I don´t know how I´d feel if our own´s were a first

KIM:

Tell me you are lying

ELLEN:

We've been married two years, I'm sorry it's true.

KIM:

He said he'd come to get me

ELLEN:

He said he tried to reach you, but what could he do?

KIM:

Please tell my you´re not married,

You don't know you can't know what I've done to be here.

ELLEN:

You don't know how he needed a new start.

KIM:

I feel walls in my heart, closing in, I can't breathe, I can't win.

ELLEN:

And your child you say it's Chris's.

KIM:

Oh yes madam my son is Chris's.

I had a dream for my son to belong,

Not live his life in the street like a rat.

ELLEN:

We aren't rich, but we'll sholder our load.

Chris and I are totally together on that.

KIM:

Then you must take Tam with you.

ELLEN:

Take a child from his mother, impossible Kim.

KIM:

You must take Tam with you,

Then he'll get what I wanted for him.

ELLEN:

But, Kim, your child needs you

Chris is married to me we want kids of our own.

KIM:

Tam's chance lies with you now, not with me.

ELLEN:

No! It won´t work! He´s your child, he´s not mine.

KIM:

If you're saying that because you made him change his mind!

Chris must go away and leave me and his son behind!

If you're saying that, because my husband has another wife!

My child has no future like the dust of life!

Chris must come tonight to my place!

Tell me so to my face! 

ELLEN (spoken):

Chris, why aren´t you here now?

I don´t understand, I really need you here.

Please, please

Maybe

The Confrontation 

CHRIS:

We could not find her anywhere

Honey, what's wrong?

ELLEN:

Kim was here the one who had to tell her was me

CHRIS:

Oh my God, I knew we were gone too long!

ELLEN:

No, I think it's exactly what I had to see

You said you slepped with her, that's all you were

Only one thing you left out is that you loved her

CHRIS:

Yes, we were in love, but it was years ago

We were torn apart

ELLEN:

Don't explain

There's nothing you can say

It's like she's gone insane

She tried to give away her own child

You weren´t here, I saw the look in her eyes

Don't you see, she still thinks she's married to you

You must tell her she's not, she must hear it from you

'Course that only depends if it's true

CHRIS:

Please don't doubt me Ellen: you're my wife

Lots of guys came back and had no life

I had you

ELLEN:

You can say what you want but she's born you a son

In your nightmares the name that you shouted was hers

We´ve been married two years but not shared things you've done

Don't hold back

Let me see

Is it her now or me?

CHRIS:

Let me tell you the way it was

Back when I was a different man

Back when I didn't have a clue what was right

The feelings locked behind a dam

That kept me there in Vietnam

There in the shambles of a war

I found what I was looking for

Saigon was crazed, but she was real

And for one moment, I could feel

I saw a world I never knew

And through her eyes I suffered too

In spite of all the things that were

I started to believe in her

So, I wanted to save her, protect her

Christ, I'm an American, how could I fail to do good?

All I made was a mess, just like everyone else

In a place full of mystery that I never once understood!

I wanted back a world I knew

The story of my life began again with you

ELLEN (CHRIS):

It's all right now, that's all through (Oh Ellen, I should have told you)

We'll get past this, start anew (Will you ever trust me again?)

All I want in my life now is you (All I have in my life now is you)

JOHN:

Hey, you guys okay?

ELLEN:

Kim was here

JOHN:

My God, alone?

CHRIS:

Yeah, while we were out looking for her

JOHN:

Do you need some time?

ELLEN:

No, we´re OK now

JOHN:

Have you disguised Tam?

Look, I run a camp that is filled with Bui-doi

Looking for the fathers that they may never find

I don´t know what I do if Tam will my boy

Do you want to take him out or leave him behind?

CHRIS:

He's my son

I won't abandon him

Except that, Jesus Christ, John

There is also Kim, what of her?

ELLEN:

If there were only Tam

We´ll take him now

He is Chris´s son

We'd make it work somehow

But John, she still loves him

How can we have her there?

CHRIS:

There's no choice

I think the answer's clear

They'll have to stay in Bangkok

We'll support them here

ELLEN:

I think this is the answer

JOHN:

Listen, you didn't see what's in that girl's head

CHRIS & ELLEN:

For now, this is the answer

JOHN:

I hope you are both proud of what you've just said

ELLEN:

It's done

CHRIS:

It's done

CHRIS & ELLEN:

It's planned, Kim is smart

She'll understand

KIM:

You must take Tam with you

CHRIS & ELLEN:

In Bangkok, he will go to American schools

KIM:

I won't break my promise to my son

CHRIS & ELLEN:

They will start a new life

KIM:

You will take Tam with you

CHRIS & ELLEN:

We'll provide for their needs

JOHN:

You are talking like fools!

KIM:

You won't forget Tam is a part of you

CHRIS, ELLEN & JOHN:

We will (you should) do what is right

Right for Tam

Right for us

And for Kim

KIM:

I still taste your kisses

Your voice sings in my ear

You can betray what we were yesterday

But you'll come back tonight for him

Paper Dragons 

The American Dream

ENGINEER:

My father was a tattoo artist in Haiphong
But his designs on mother didn't last too long
My mother sold her body, high on Betel nuts
My job was bringing red-faced monsieurs to our huts
Selling your mom is a wrench
Perfume can cover a stench
That's what I learned from the French
Then it all changed with Dien Bien Phu
The frogs went home. Who came? Guess who?
Are you surprised we went insane?
With dollars pouring down like rain?
Businessmen never rob banks
I can sell shit and get thanks
That's what I learned from the Yanks
I'm fed up with small-time hustles
I'm too good to waste my talent for greed
I need room to flex my muscles
In an ocean where the big sharks feed
Make me Yankee, they're my fam'ly
Where selling dreams people need
What's that I smell in the air
The American dream
Sweet as a new millionaire
The American dream
Pre-packed, ready-to-wear
My American dream
Fat, like a chocolate eclair
As I suck out the cream
Ou revoir, Miss Saigon

I'm moving on

Grab what you can 'til it's gone
The American dream
Greasy chinks make life so sleazy
In the States I'll have a club that's four-starred
Men like me there have things easy
I'll have a lawyer and a body-guard
To the Johns there I'll sell blondes there
That they can charge on a card
What's that I smell in the air?
The American dream
Sweet as a suite in Bel-air
The American dream
Girls can buy tits by the pair
The American dream
Bald people think they'll grow hair
The American dream
Asses that stick out to there
The American dream
You can take more if you dare
The American dream
Banks print money from air
The American dream
Cocaine, shotguns and prayer
The American dream
Shlitz down the drain!
Pop the Champagne!
It's time we all entertain
My American dream!
ENGINEER & CROWD:
Come ev'ryone, come and share
The American dream
Take even more than it's there
The American dream
Call girls are lining Times Square
The American dream
Bums there have money to spare
The American dream
Spend and have money to spare
The American dream 
On stage each night: Fred Astaire
The American dream
ENGINEER:

Say can you see, land of the free?

CROWD:

Sure can!

ENGINEER:

Soon you will buy it from me
ALL:
The American dream! Dream! Dream!

ENGINEER:

That's what I smell in the air 

My American Dream!

This is the Hour (Reprise)/Finale

KIM:

Now, Tam, my brave boy

Our long wait has ended

Smile, Tam, for you have a father at last

He has come to take you home

All I dreamed for you he'll do

You're still mine but I can't go along

Don't be sad though I'm far away I'll be watching you

This is the hour I swore I'd see

I alone can tell now what the end must be

They think they decide your life

No, it will be me

Look at me one more time

Don't forget what you see

One more kiss

And then say goodbye

CHRIS:

Kim! Kim!

What have you done, Kim? Why?

KIM:

The gods have guided you to your son

CHRIS:

Please don't die

KIM:

Hold me one last time

How in one night have we come... so far?

CHRIS:

Kim... Kim!

No!