[Amneris:]
I may leave a great impression
As I race through a succession
Of the latest crazes, chase the newest fad
I feel better when beguiling
Find that fashion keeps me smiling
But in my heart I know it's rather sad
[Aida:]
That a life of great potential
Is dismissed, inconsequential
[Amneris:]
And only ever seen as being cute
So I'll flutter to deceive
[Aida:]
Oh no you must believe
That one day you're bound to find
[Aida and Amneris together:]
A Stronger Suit
(RADAMES enters the room, catching AIDA and AMNERIS off guard.)
[Amneris:]
Radames! This is my bedchamber. You can't just… you know you shouldn't…
Aida, leave.
(AIDA turns to walk out.)
[Radames:]
No, stay. Pour the princess a cup of wine.
(AIDA goes to the wine pitcher and pours the wine.)
[Amneris:]
Are you trying to get me drunk, Radames? You know it's not necessary.
[Radames:]
Is that your bed in there?
[Amneris:]
Silk covered and fat with feathers.
[Radames:]
Why don't you go in and I'll join you in a moment.
[Amneris:]
Radames, are you sure? We're going to be married in a week.
[Radames:]
Amneris, we've been engaged nine years.
[Amneris:]
Good point.
(AMNERIS turns and runs offstage.)
[Radames:]
You think you can speak to me like that, scold me like a shrew then walk away? You forget that I can have you carried off to the copper mines.
[Aida:]
And you forget that I am her property now, not yours.
(AIDA turns to leave.)
[Radames:]
It doesn't matter. Because I know now that you were right.
(AIDA gives him a disconcerting look.)
What?
[Aida:]
I'm shocked. Even in enlightened Nubia, one never hears a man admit he's wrong.
[Amneris:]
(Offstage.)
Radames, I'm ready!
[Radames:]
(Calling offstage.)
I'll be right in princess.
(He turns back to AIDA.)
Aida, I was wrong. I have been selfish. If Pharaoh does not recover, Egypt is going to need a new leader. A strong leader. And I don't think that is Amneris.
[Amneris:]
(Offstage.)
Radames, your engagement party is waiting.
[Aida:]
You should go to her.
[Radames:]
Were you a noblewoman before you were captured?
[Aida:]
What does it matter? There's nothing noble about me now.
[Radames:]
You're wrong. You are noble and courageous. Very few of us dare to speak so honestly. And considering you're a slave…
[Aida:]
Yes, we mustn't ever forget that I'm a slave.
[Radames:]
I cannot take back the past, Aida. But even if I could… I'm not sure I want to. Aida, I —
(AMNERIS interrupts him, storming into the room wrapped in a sheet.)
[Amneris:]
Radames! You barge into my bedchamber, waging a full-frontal attack, so to speak… and now you're stalling. Why?
[Radames:]
I'm sorry, I didn't realize…
[Amneris:]
There's a buck-naked princess lounging in her bed, calling your name. What exactly didn't you realize? Before our wedding night, pack up some of that dried monkey meat and have the royal cartographer draw you a map of the female body, Captain. Maybe then you'll be more inclined to come explore.
(RADAMES looks around and then runs out of the room.)
Was it something I said? When we were children we understood each other so well. Now he's a mystery to me.