By Now the Room Was Moving

MAE
And Queenie set to pounce
ENSEMBLE
The gang at last
Was grooving fast
OSCAR
Progressing ounce by ounce.
BURRS
She knew that Burrs could harm her
EDDIE
But she was feelin’strange
ENSEMBLE
So through the wine
She drew the line and said
QUEENIE
Time to make a change
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
Kate
Burrs
Black
The night was moving forward
Not back
Not back
MAX
Then with no inhibition
SAM
Went Kate to conquer all
KATE
She fought to win
ENSEMBLE
She zeroed in KATE
To see who’d bag the ball.
ENSEMBLE
And Black took his position
To swiftly take the floor
BLACK
They’d start the dance
He’d get his chance
In just one minute more
ENSEMBLE
Queenie
Burrs
Black
Kate
And what was the order of business?
Some love
Some hate
They formed the figuration
They poured it down the hatch
And one wrong turn
The whole place would burn
BURRS
But who would strike the match?
QUEENIE
Who would strike the match?
QUEENIE, BURRS, BLACK, KATE
Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
ALL
Who’s it gonna be?
QUEENIE (approaching Black, seductively)
I don’t know you, we’ve hardly spoken but
I was wondering —
Are you available?
While you’re waiting for Kate to hurry back
I was hoping that Maybe we’d dance a while.
BLACK
I’m available and I’d love to dance
Won’t you offer your hand to me, Queenie?
Let’s dance.
(They dance.)
KATE
Won’t you tell me, Burrs
After seven years
Why we’ve never been into the sack before?
BURRS
Kate, don’t bother me KATE
I’ve just asking why:
BURRS
When we met you were less than a dirty whore.
KATE
Yes, but that was before I got smart
Now my whoring has turned into art.
BURRS
Maybe true, but I’ll be the judge of that.
KATE
Let’s forget it and tear up the carpet mat.
(They dance. Burrs leaves her to break up Queenie and Black.
Kate pushes ahead of him.)
KATE (to Black)
Do you think I could have this dance?
Queenie, darling, we’ve hardly talked
Black, why don’t you go get a drink?
(aside to Black)
Wink, wink, I know what you’re thinking.
We girls need just a quiet pause
Burrs, I’ll join you in just a mo',
Look, they’re starting to juggernaut
Let’s join in Let’s go go!