THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Archdeacon:    You can't right all the wrongs in this world by yourself. 

Esmeralda:     No one out there's going to help, that's for sure.

Archdeacon:    Perhaps there's someone in here who can.

(He gracefully motions towards the inside of the church, then exits. 
Esmeralda moves into the church.)

Esmeralda:     I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME
               OR IF YOU'RE EVEN THERE
               I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD LISTEN
               TO A GYPSY'S PRAYER
              
               YES, I KNOW I'M JUST AN OUTCAST
               I SHOULDN'T SPEAK TO YOU
               STILL I SEE YOUR FACE AND WONDER
               WERE YOU ONCE AN OUTCAST TOO?

               GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS
               HUNGRY FROM BIRTH
               SHOW THEM THE MERCY THEY DON'T FIND ON EARTH
              
               GOD HELP MY PEOPLE
               WE LOOK TO YOU STILL
               GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS, OR NOBODY WILL.

(She walks through the church slowly, as the shadows of those walking
past her float over her.)

Parishioners:  I ASK FOR WEALTH
               I ASK FOR FAME
               I ASK FOR GLORY TO SHINE ON MY NAME
               I ASK FOR LOVE I CAN POSSESS
               I ASK FOR GOD AND HIS ANGELS TO BLESS ME!

(Esmeralda is slowly moving to the light streaming through a giant
stained glass window.  Meanwhile, upstairs, Quasi has heard Esmeralda's
voice, and has come downstairs to watch her.)

Esmeralda:     I ASK FOR NOTHING
               I CAN GET BY
               BUT I KNOW SO MANY LESS LUCKY THAN I

               PLEASE HELP MY PEOPLE
               THE POOR AND DOWNTROD
               I THOUGHT WE ALL WERE THE CHILDREN OF GOD
              
               GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS, CHILDREN OF GOD.

(She finishes her song in the centre of the light from the window. 
Meanwhile, a parishioner has spotted Quasi.)

Man:           (Shouting)  You!  Bell ringer!  What are you doing down
               here!?! 

(Startled, Quasi jumps and knocks over a candlestaff.)

Man:           (Continues shouting)  Haven't you caused enough trouble
               already?

(Quasi runs off to his staircase.  Esmeralda gives chase.)

Esmeralda:     Wait!  I want to talk to you. 

(Quasi comes out the top of the staircase, followed by Esmeralda and
Djali.  The 'goyles watch from above.)

Laverne:       Look!  He's got a friend with him.

Hugo:          Yeah, maybe today wasn't a total loss after all.

Victor:        A vision of loveliness!

Hugo:          The one in the dress ain't bad either.

(Quasi reaches his room, where the 'goyles greet him.)

Hugo:          Quasi!

Victor:        Congratulations!

Hugo:          Got the girls chasing you already!

Quasimodo:     Actually, I--

Victor:        You mustn't run too fast, or she'll get away!

Quasimodo:     Yes, ah, ah, ah, I know. That's what--

Hugo:          Give her some slack, then reel her in, then give her some
               slack, then reel her in, then give her some slack--

Laverne:       Knock it off, Hugo--she's a girl, not a mackerel.

(Esmeralda finally enters, and the 'goyles go stone.)

Esmeralda:     Here you are.  I was afraid I'd lost you.

Quasimodo:     Yes.  Um, well, I uh, I have chores to do.  It was, uh,
               nice...seeing...you...again.  Ohh...

Esmeralda:     No, wait! 

(Djali is examining Hugo.  He briefly comes to life, makes kissing faces
at Djali, then goes back to stone.  Djali is confused.)

Esmeralda:     (Giving chase to the once again fleeing Quasimodo)  I'm
               really sorry about this afternoon.  I had no idea who you
               were.  I would never in my life had...pulled...you...up
               on the...stage.

(She slows down as she reaches Quasimodo's room, with its dangling glass
mobile and model of the city.  She is in awe.)

Esmeralda:     What is this place? 

Quasimodo:     This is where I live. 

Esmeralda:     Did you make all these things yourself? 

Phoebus:       Most of them.

(She fingers the mobile.)

Esmeralda:     This is beautiful.  If I could do this, you wouldn't find
               me dancing in the streets for coins. 

Quasimodo:     But you're a wonderful dancer. 

Esmeralda:     Well, it keeps bread on the table, anyway.  What's this?

Quasimodo:     Oh, no, please oh, I'm not finished--I still have to
               paint them...

Esmeralda:     (in surprise) The blacksmith, and the baker.  You're a
               surprising person, Quasimodo.  Not to mention lucky. 
               All this room to yourself.

Quasimodo:     Well, it's not just me--there's the gargoyles, and of
               course the bells.  Would you like to see them?

Esmeralda:     Yes, of course.  Wouldn't we, Djali?

(Djali, who has been munching on an unpainted figure, slurps it into his
mouth.)

Quasimodo:     Follow me.  I'll introduce you.

(Up in the bell tower)

Esmeralda:     Never knew there were so many.

Quasimodo:     That's Little Sophia, and...(quickly) Jean Marie, Ann
               Marie, and Louise Marie.  Triplets, you know. 

Esmeralda:     And who's this? 

Quasimodo:     Big Marie. 

(From under Big Marie, Esmeralda shouts a "Hello!", which echoes and
resonates richly.)

Quasimodo:     She likes you.  Would you like to see more?

Esmeralda:     How 'bout it, Djali?

(Djali, under Big Marie, belches loudly, which in turn echoes and
resonates richly.)

Esmeralda:     We'd love to. 

Quasimodo:     Good.  I've saved the best for last!