Hagai:
[leading Esther to Xerxes chambers] You can let go of my arm now. He will be the fortunate one to choose you... He will be the one who congratulations are due... [she still won't let go]
Hagai:
Esther, my arm.
Queen Esther:
[in Xerxes's chambers, walking towards the stool]
King Xerxes:
[standing in the shadows] The scroll is on the stool. You may begin when ever you are ready.
Queen Esther:
[glances at the stool and back towards Xerxes]
King Xerxes:
[pacing around] Is there a problem?... Did they not tell you I weary at this procession of candidates? I simply wanted someone to... [stops and looks at Esther]
King Xerxes:
Wait. You were the one who read to me before. You tried to beguile me with love stories. Did you not think I had the sense to see through your little parable? The arrogance, you speak to me as I were this Rachel, in need of help to look after my father's sheep!
Queen Esther:
My lord, I meant no disrespect.
King Xerxes:
[walking towards her] And this is how you come to see me? Your only adornment before your one night with the king.
Queen Esther:
It is, your majesty.
King Xerxes:
You consider yourself of so little worth, that I could purchase your love so cheaply.
Queen Esther:
I was taught... that when you visit a King, rather than expect a gift, one should bring one to lay at his feet. [removes her necklace and offers it to him]
Queen Esther:
This is my most valuable possession in the world. It is my past, my present, and my future. And all of it is yours.
King Xerxes:
[takes her necklace and turns away] Some would call you foolish, indeed. As they would call your Jacob. Of all commodities, love is the easiest... and the most cheaply purchased.
Queen Esther:
[considerate] If it is for sale, my lord. It is not love.
King Xerxes:
Even you... [moving closer]
King Xerxes:
Even you must have a price.
Queen Esther:
I am neither a buyer nor a seller of love.
King Xerxes:
[earnestly] Suppose, my lady. A man offered you a more treasured gift. Say a kingdom.
Queen Esther:
[near tears] The only gift I would accept is your heart.
King Xerxes:
[taking her hands] Than it is yours. And you didn't have to serve 7 years to get it. Tell me, Esther of Susa. Who are you really? Tell me of your people. Teach me of your ways.
Queen Esther:
My father told me it takes the glory of God to conceal a matter. And it takes the honor of Kings to search it out.
King Xerxes:
Than marry me and we shall spend an eternity discovering this 'truth'... together.
Reverend Mother:
Girl groups? Boogie woogie on the piano? What were you thinking?
Delores:
I was thinkin' more like Vegas, y'know, get some butts in the seats.
Reverend Mother:
And what next? Popcorn? Curtain calls? This is not a theater or a casino.
Delores:
Yeah, but that's the problem. See, people like going to theaters, and they like going to casinos, but they don't like coming to church. Why? Because it's a drag. But we could change all that, see? We could pack this joint.
Reverend Mother:
Through blasphemy? You have corrupted the entire choir! [in the hall, Monsignor O'Hara enters]
Monsignor O'Hara:
Excuse me. [he listens to the argument between Delores and Reverend Mother]
Delores:
How can you say that? I worked my butt of with these women! They've given up their free time to do this, and they're GOOD! I mean, sister, we could, we could ROCK this place!
Reverend Mother:
OUT of the question! As of tomorrow, Mary Lazarus resumes her leadership of the choir. [Monsignor knocks on the door]
Reverend Mother:
COME IN!
Elwood Blues:
[addressing the rest if the band] You may go if you wish. But remember this: walk away now and you walk away from your crafts, your skills, your vocations; leaving the next generation with nothing but recycled, digitally-sampled techno-grooves, quasi-synth rhythms, pseudo-songs of violence-laden gangsta-rap, acid pop, and simpering, saccharine, soulless slush. Depart now and you forever separate yourselves from the vital American legacies of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, Blind Boy Fuller, Louie Jordon, Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonnyboy Williamson I and II, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Elvis Presley, Lieber and Stoller, and Robert K. Weiss.
Donald "Duck" Dunn:
Who is Robert K. Weiss? [the rest of the band shrug]
Elwood Blues:
Turn your backs now and you snuff out the fragile candles of Blues, R&B and Soul, and when those flames flicker and expire, the light of the world is extinguished because the music which has moved mankind through seven decades leading to the millennium will whither and die on the vine of abandonment and neglect. [he walks off, followed by Buster, Mack and then the rest of the band]
Luxmore:
Their leading man is one Michaelangelo Abraxas, known to many, I am sure, as the elusive Pimpernel of the Popular Movement Against General Manuel Noriega. Abraxas is a man of proven integrity, skilled at clandestine warfare. His second in command, but, I submit, his equal in skill and resolution, is code-named "Marta," another veteran of the anti-Noriega resistance. For cover purposes, she is employed as a counter receptionist by our own Panamanian head agent, the redoubtable "Bucket."
Elliot:
[Later] Do you think, personally, this Abraxas is Presidential material?
Cavendish:
Oh... Scotty...
Luxmore:
Abraxas is world-class. Courageous. Unsullied. Incorruptible. A man to dream of when you're shaping nations. [Cut to Abraxas packing an armful of liquor bottles as his escape "supplies."]
