(The scene has now changed to the docks in Egypt, where RADAMES' soldiers are unloading the ship and securing the slaves. A MERCHANT enters, carrying gold. MEREB, RADAMES' young servant, enters after MERCHANT, carrying a few casks of wine.)
[Merchant:]
Mereb, Mereb… Is that the wine?
[Mereb:]
You have the gold?
(They exchange gold and wine. The MERCHANT runs off. RADAMES comes down the platform and onto the docks.)
[Radames:]
Mereb!
[Mereb:]
(He stuffs the bag of gold down his shirt, then turns.)
Master, I am so glad you've returned.
[Radames:]
(Descending gangplank.)
Have you kept my house in order?
[Mereb:]
Yes, well except for a few casks of wine, which have mysteriously disappeared.
[Radames:]
Again?
(ZOSER and his MINISTERS enter from SR to RADAMES and MEREB.)
[Zoser:]
Here you are my son, home at last! Step aside Mereb!
[Mereb:]
(He bows to ZOSER)
Yes, oh Chief Minister Zoser… loved by the Gods, the people and himself.
[Zoser:]
Careful boy or I'll have you…
[Radames:]
(He embraces ZOSER.)
It's good to see you father.
[Zoser:]
You were gone for so long Radames, I was beginning to worry. You weren't injured in battle?
[Radames:]
No.
[Zoser:]
I kept telling the princess that no man could best you with a sword.
[Radames:]
No man got the better of me. Though a certain woman might have…
[Zoser:]
Really?
[Radames:]
Listen, beyond the fifth cataract the Nile heads directly toward Khartoum.
[Zoser:]
Then we can attack the city by water? Excellent! You recorded the landscape?
[Radames:]
With the maps we made, an illiterate foot soldier could find his way through Nubia.
[Zoser:]
And you brought us captives. Good. Take them to the copper mines. We can't seem to keep them alive down there.
(ZOSER motions the GUARDS forward.)
[Radames:]
Stop! Not this one.
(He takes AIDA from the GUARD.)
I need a gift for the princess.
[Zoser:]
Yes. She'll be expecting something.
[Radames:]
Take the others to the Palace Groundskeeper. They can help with the harvest.
(To ZOSER.)
They're all women. They wouldn't last a day underground.
[Zoser:]
As you wish. They're your slaves.
(RADAMES turns AIDA to face him.)
[Aida:]
Thank you.
[Radames:]
Give me your hands, Aida.
[Mereb:]
Your name is Aida?
[Radames:]
Mereb.
(To Aida, taking her chains off.)
I'm going to remove these. But know that if you dare try to escape, I will come after you myself.
[Aida:]
You flatter me, Captain. You don't look like a man who would chase after any woman.
[Radames:]
I'll make an exception for you.
(To MEREB.)
Mereb, take her to Princess Amneris with my compliments.
(AIDA and MEREB exit.)
[Zoser:]
You've been gone six months. I really think a personal appearance is in order.
[Radames:]
In good time, father. Though you and the Princess should know that as soon as my crew is rested, I am setting out again.
[Zoser:]
You can't. Radames, Egypt needs you now. Pharaoh is not the powerful leader he was when you left.