GIRL UNDER GRAIN
ORPAH
Thank you. Thank you, every one. Your appreciation is my wide world.
I can't see you all past these radiant lights, but I can hear your applause and it is like thunder. Like gunfire. Like a big big cannon keeping this country safe. I can't tell you how good it feels that so many of you chose me tonight. Are you ready for my song?
(Orpah leans into the microphone as if to sing, then pulls back and speaks)
Let me hear it again, boys. The big big sound of your love.
(She enjoys their appreciation)
You, and you, and you are my hero. Remember that when times get tight. It's not just your sweethearts and your mothers and your wives. It's girls like me that belong to no man who will pray all night for your safe return.
I've been working extra hard on my song.
(Again almost begins, then pulls back)
Do I look pretty to you?
Some girls believe in mystery but Miss Orpah will tell you straight. I've been working extra hard on my looks. I want to be so beautiful for you. Am I?
(Enthusiastic response)
Ooh. I'm in a little bit of pain.
(She removes one stiletto pump to the delight of the crowd, shakes it, and slips it back on)
A tiny stone. Now see another girl might dance on top of that all night and just bite her smile a bit but it's not in my nature to fake. Anything.
(Big response)
That's right. You gonna remember me?
(Crowd roars)
You’re not gonna just disappear like some?
You’re gonna come on back, right?
(Crowd roars. She whispers)
Come on back.
(Lights get harsh. Music jolts. Orpah begins a striptease)
I'm a lonely girl
Never seen the world
My body is the only place I know.
I'm the only girl
Remaining in my world
You're driving me as far as I can go.
(Orpah has stripped as much as she planned to take off)
Mmmm. That's as far as I go boys. How I would like to show you the very last bit. You'll just have to come home safe and see. Good night.
(Orpah blows a kiss. Pause. She waits for her spot to go out)
Thank you. I do enjoy the attention, I'm not ashamed to say. Thank you, every one. I will miss you, every one. Good night.
(Orpah blows another kiss. Pause)
CAN WE BRING THE LIGHTS DOWN PLEASE?
Got to leave a little mystery. We're not supposed to walk off in the light.
(Crowd gets louder)
PLEASE?
Got to keep you guessing. We're not supposed to turn our backs on the crowd.
FADE ME OUT NOW!
Well. Go on home, gentlemen. I'm dressing.
(Orpah hoists the dress onto her body)
Which one of you boys is going to zip me up?
Thank you. Thank you, every one. Your appreciation is my wide world.
I can't see you all past these radiant lights, but I can hear your applause and it is like thunder. Like gunfire. Like a big big cannon keeping this country safe. I can't tell you how good it feels that so many of you chose me tonight. Are you ready for my song?
(Orpah leans into the microphone as if to sing, then pulls back and speaks)
Let me hear it again, boys. The big big sound of your love.
(She enjoys their appreciation)
You, and you, and you are my hero. Remember that when times get tight. It's not just your sweethearts and your mothers and your wives. It's girls like me that belong to no man who will pray all night for your safe return.
I've been working extra hard on my song.
(Again almost begins, then pulls back)
Do I look pretty to you?
Some girls believe in mystery but Miss Orpah will tell you straight. I've been working extra hard on my looks. I want to be so beautiful for you. Am I?
(Enthusiastic response)
Ooh. I'm in a little bit of pain.
(She removes one stiletto pump to the delight of the crowd, shakes it, and slips it back on)
A tiny stone. Now see another girl might dance on top of that all night and just bite her smile a bit but it's not in my nature to fake. Anything.
(Big response)
That's right. You gonna remember me?
(Crowd roars)
You’re not gonna just disappear like some?
You’re gonna come on back, right?
(Crowd roars. She whispers)
Come on back.
(Lights get harsh. Music jolts. Orpah begins a striptease)
I'm a lonely girl
Never seen the world
My body is the only place I know.
I'm the only girl
Remaining in my world
You're driving me as far as I can go.
(Orpah has stripped as much as she planned to take off)
Mmmm. That's as far as I go boys. How I would like to show you the very last bit. You'll just have to come home safe and see. Good night.
(Orpah blows a kiss. Pause. She waits for her spot to go out)
Thank you. I do enjoy the attention, I'm not ashamed to say. Thank you, every one. I will miss you, every one. Good night.
(Orpah blows another kiss. Pause)
CAN WE BRING THE LIGHTS DOWN PLEASE?
Got to leave a little mystery. We're not supposed to walk off in the light.
(Crowd gets louder)
PLEASE?
Got to keep you guessing. We're not supposed to turn our backs on the crowd.
FADE ME OUT NOW!
Well. Go on home, gentlemen. I'm dressing.
(Orpah hoists the dress onto her body)
Which one of you boys is going to zip me up?