Oh yes—you see, I am Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands? I’ve applied to your sorcery seminar. Perhaps you recall my entrance essay—“Magic Wands: Need They Have a Point?”
MORRIBLE
Yes, however, I do not teach my seminar every semester, of course if someone special were to come along—
GALINDA
Well, exactly!
ELPHABA
Madame Morrible, we have not yet received our room assignments.
MORRIBLE
The Governor made his concerns for you sister’s wellbeing quite apparent. She will share my compartment, where I can assist her as needed.
ELPHABA
But I’ve always looked after my sister!
NESSAROSE
Elphaba!
MORRIBLE
He never mentioned you. Just a slight gulch, no need to fret, we will find some place to put you.
ELPHABA
But, Madame…
GALINDA
You know, I don’t even think she read my essay!
BOQ
That is so unfair! You should say something!
GALINDA
Should I?
MORRIBLE
Attention! Which of you young ladies will volunteer to share with Miss Elphaba?
GALINDA
Madame Morrible—
MORRIBLE
Oh, thank you dear! That is very good of you!
GALINDA
What?
MORRIBLE
Yes, now you see Miss Elphaba, you can room with Miss Galinda! To your rooms, young ladies!
(MADAME MORRIBLE starts to wheel NESSAROSE away.)
ELPHABA
No, wait!
NESSAROSE
Elphaba, please, I’ll be alright!
ELPHABA
But I promised father!
MORRIBLE
Young gentlemen, to your rooms!
ELPHABA
Let her go!!!
(ELPHABA loses control and makes something magical occur. NESSAROSE is mortified.)
MORRIBLE
How did you do that?
GALINDA
How did she do that?
NESSAROSE
Elphaba, you promised things would be different here!
MORRIBLE
You mean this has happened before?
ELPHABA
Well, something just comes over me sometimes, it’s something I can’t describe. I’ll try to control myself. I am so sorry, Nessa.
MORRIBLE
What?! Never apologize for talent! Talent is a gift! And that is my special talent, encouraging talent! Have you ever considered a career in sorcery?
ELPHABA
Not really…
MORRIBLE
I shall tutor you privately—and take no other students!
GALINDA
What?!
MORRIBLE
MANY YEARS I HAVE WAITED
FOR A GIEFT LIKE YOURS TO APPEAR
WHY, I PREDICT THE WIZARD COULD MAKE YOU HIS
MAGIC GRAND VIZIER!
ELPHABA
The Wizard!?
MORRIBLE
MY DEAR, MY DEAR
I’LL WRITE AT ONCE TO THE WIZARD—
TELL HIM OF YOU IN ADVANCE
WITH A TALENT LIKE YOURS, DEAR
THERE IS A DEFIN-ISH CHANCE
IF YOU WORK AS YOU SHOULD—
YOU’LL BE MAKING GOOD…
GALINDA
Now, Madame—
MORRIBLE
Not now, dear. Shoo! Shoo, shoo, shoo!
(MADAME MORRIBLE and the CROWD disperse)
GALINDA
Something’s wrong. I didn’t get my way. I need to go lie down!
(ELPHABA is left alone, dazed but thrilled.)
ELPHABA
DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN? HAVE I ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD? THIS WEIRD QUIRK I'VE TRIED
TO SURPRESS OR HIDE IS A TALENT THAT
COULD HELP ME MEET THE WIZARD IF I MAKE GOOD SO I'LL MAKE GOOD…
WHEN I MEET THE WIZARD, ONCE I PROVE MY WORTH, AND THEN I MEET THE WIZARD, WHAT I'VE WAITED FOR SINCE—SINCE BIRTH! AND WITH ALL HIS WIZARD WISDOM BY MY LOOKS HE WON'T BE BLINDED DO YOU THINK THE WIZARD IS DUMB? OR LIKE MUNCHKINS, SO SMALL-MINDED?
NO! HE'LL SAY TO ME:
"I SEE WHO YOU TRULY ARE, A GIRL ON WHOM I CAN RELY!" AND THAT'S HOW WE'LL BEGIN THE WIZARD AND I…
ONCE I'M WITH THE WIZARD, MY WHOLE LIFE WILL CHANGE 'CUZ ONCE YOU'RE WITH THE WIZARD NO ONE THINKS YOU'RE STRANGE NO FATHER IS NOT PROUD OF YOU NO SISTER ACTS ASHAMED AND ALL OF OZ HAS TO LOVE YOU WHEN BY THE WIZARD, YOU'RE ACLAIMED AND THIS GIFT—OR THIS CURSE— I HAVE INSIDE MAYBE AT LAST, I'LL KNOW WHY WHEN WE ARE HAND IN HAND— THE WIZARD AND I!
AND ONE DAY, HE'LL SAY TO ME: "ELPHABA, A GIRL WHO IS SO SUPERIOR, SHOULDN'T A GIRL WHO'S SO GOOD INSIDE HAVE A MATCHING EXTERIOR? AND SINCE FOLKS HERE TO AN OBSURED DEGREE SEEM FIXATED ON YOUR VERDEGRIS WOULD IT BE ALRIGHT BY YOU IF I DE-GREENIFY YOU?" AND THOUGH OF COURSE THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO ME "ALL RIGHT, WHY NOT?" I'LL REPLY OH, WHAT A PAIR WE'LL BE THE WIZARD AND I… YES, WHAT A PAIR WE'LL BE THE WIZARD AND...
UNLIMITED!
MY FUTURE IS UNLIMITED AND I'VE JUST HAD A VISION
ALMOST LIKE A PROPHECY I KNOW—IT SOUNDS TRULY CRAZY AND TRUE, THE VISION'S HAZY BUT I SWEAR, SOME DAY THERE'LL BE A CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT OZ THAT'S ALL TO DO WITH ME! AND I'LL STAND THERE WITH THE WIZARD FEELING THINGS I'VE NEVER FELT AND THOUGH I'D NEVER SHOW IT I'LL BE SO HAPPY, I COULD MELT! AND SO IT WILL BE
FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND I'LL WANT NOTHING ELSE TILL I DIE HELD IN SUCH HIGH ESTEEM! WHEN PEOPLE SEE ME THEY WILL SCREAM FOR HALF OF OZ'S FAVORITE TEAM: THE WIZARD AND I!
SCENE 3
(GALINDA and ELPHABA are in their dormitory room, both dutifully writing home.)