RAVENAL

Who cares if my boat goes upstream,

Or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?

I drift along with my fancy

Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free -

And other times I wonder where's that mate for me?

(MAGNOLIA begins again on the piano, off stage. He looks up.

She hesitates in her fingering at a certain point. He pantomimes

the serious anxiety a listener always feels, hoping she'll hit

the right note. He sits on a cotton bale and goes on with his

musing, idly tapping his cane on the ground)



RAVENAL

The driftwood floating over the sea

Someday finds a sheltering lee,

So, somewhere there surely must be

A harbour meant for me -

(MAGNOLIA enters on the upper deck of the show boat)

I drift along with my fancy -

Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free,

And other times I wonder where's the mate -

(He turns and sees MAGNOLIA. What a picture! A very young

face, and a fluffy dress all pink with flowers and everything -

and she is becomingly shy - yet bold enough to return his gaze -

and to speak first)



MAGNOLIA

Hello...



RAVENAL

(taken by surprise - an unusual thing)

Er - how do you do?



MAGNOLIA

Do you live here?



RAVENAL

No - I'm just a way-farer along the river



MAGNOLIA

So am I - which way are you going?



RAVENAL

Either way - where are you going?



MAGNOLIA

Anywhere Papa gives shows.



RAVENAL

(a trifle jarred)

Oh - are you a player?



MAGNOLIA

You mean like on the pianner? Yes - I play a little.



RAVENAL

Oh - was that you I heard just now -?



MAGNOLIA

Yes - that was me!



RAVENAL

(