(A Friday night in April 1975. Backstage at an after-hours club in Saigon.

Vietnamese bar-girls are getting into costumes.)



GIRLS

one of us will be Miss Saigon



ENGINEER

I spread the word - it's Miss Saigon



GIGI

who's left to screw who hasn't gone



ENGINEER

shut up! and get your hot pants on



GIGI

each day more GI's disappear



ENGINEER

there's still some left and they'll all be here



ALL GIRLS

a girl can trust the Engineer



(THE ENGINEER brings in a new girl, KIM)



ENGINEER

surprise!

I found this new girl, get her dressed

from the country untouched



GIGI

just give that virgin act a rest



ALL GIRLS

(mocking the new girl)

"you are my first American"



(they laugh)



ENGINEER

allez! allez! allez!

why does it take all day?

get your asses on stage... I'm raising cash tonight



GIRLS

tonight I will be Miss Saigon



ENGINEER

they say Saigon has weeks

I say it's time to pack



GIRLS

tonight I will be Miss Saigon



ENGINEER

each day these little buns of theirs are worth less and less

I need a visa fast, and I'm not looking back



(the ENGINEER looks through the door into the club.)



ENGINEER

son of a bitch, they're here!

I can still engineer

it's like the old days, my little gamines



GIRLS

oh sure!



ENGINEER

you know who's out here? a gang of marines!



GIRLS

they're here?



ENGINEER

we'll pick 'em clean that's what this contest's about



GIRLS

yes, sir!



ENGINEER

one of these boys might be your ticket out



(turns to KIM)



why is she in that dress?

ah! it's my new princess

ah, yes!

a bride will give the guys a treat

lower your eyelids and play sweet

men pay the moon to get fresh meat



allez! allez! allez!

get out and do your song!

don't make the show too long



voila'! on stage all! welcome to...

Dreamland!!!