Dear Old Friend

5, 6, a-5, 6, 7, 8 Bathing beauty, on the beach Bathing beauty, say hello What a cutie, what a peach Bathing beauty, watch her go (Alright, Meg, take 5, girls, take it one more time) Bathing beauty, on the beach Very nice, Meg Do you think so, mother, really? You've come a long way since the beginning of the season Does he agree? It's been three months, he never comes to see the show Even a word from him, just one You may get more than that He has been composing again, late at night Not this cheap Vaudeville trash, something glorious For, for me? Continue to work hard Make yourself useful to him Mother Patience, Gustave, first I must find the stage manager My dressing room, the musical director Then we'll go look for our friend and go see the island? I'm sure he'll send for you when he's ready Well, excuse me, miss, would you mind? Heaven help me, could it be? No, it couldn't possibly Sorry, do I? Yes, I think you do Have we? Go on, take a guess Wait, it can't be, is it? Yes Oh, my God, I can't believe it's you Look at you, Christine Regal as a queen and beautiful Meg, and you as well I could hardly tell it's you My dear old friend Can't believe you're here, old friend After all this time So glad you came You look sublime You look the same My sweet old friend Never thought we'd meet, old friend Look at you, a star And you, a wife And isn't life a splendid thing? And here we are To see the sights And sing To sing? And of course, as a treat for my son Meg, meet Gustave Who hired you to sing here? You It can't be you Is this a jest? How can this be? We've come to work At whose request? The contract's here I want to see My God, the price It's rather high Why, it's absurd Oh, yes, I know Inform your boss That by the by The fee goes up Or else we go My dear old friend Here's how things appear, old friend He who pays the bill Times two or three Be sure he will And handsomely And dear old friend Now that we are clear, old friend That's all very well but till you're gone You'll wait upon my boss' whim Ah, yes, your boss and who is that? It's him Sorry, did I hear you right? Here to sing Tomorrow night? I'm afraid there must be some mistake You can't be performing Why? Mainly, dear 'cause so am I I'm in fact the star, for heaven's sake What are you to sing? Just one little thing, an aria Please you needn't fret I'm sure you will get your due Him? That's what I said You work for him? Now so do you And my poor wife We thought him dead She'll be appalled Unless she knew Darling, please, are you alright? (Tell me now, that music, who was its creator?) Darling, please don't squeeze so tight (Something's going on here, I'll deal with you later) Did you know? How could I know Why would they come? Why won't they go? My dear old friend Can't believe you're here, old friend Speaking as your host As an artist What a surprise To say the least Yes, dear old friend That's a happy tear, old friend I can't conceal, try though I may The way I feel so I pretend I'm sure it's clear To such a dear old friend You mustn't stay Why would I leave? Why are we here? Don't play naive What dear old friends Don't we all live here, old friends? Nothing has been changed And never will Just rearranged And yet we're still Such grand old friends Such devoted and old friends Words cannot suggest What's in my heart And for the rest Why even start? My dear old friends So much longer near, old friends Back again at last When everyone Is doing great Won't this be fun? With dear old friends Utterly sincere old friends Honey, break a leg Madame, good day Enjoy your stay Hope it extends So glad you're here A lovely dear old friend Old friend Gustave, Gustave, Gustave? Must we always be chasing after the boy? I promise you, when I find him No, I will look for him Break's over, Meg, back to work A-5, 6, 7, 8 Bathing beauty, on the beach Bathing beauty, say hello What a cutie, what a peach Bathing beauty, watch her go