Whore’s Lament

(A street lined with shops. The WHORE enters. DUSOLEIL observes her, unseen.)

[WHORE]
Nowadays, business is hard for a whore
Not like before
During the war
Then, there were lines to the end of the street
I was worked off my feet

Soldiers were risking their necks
Nowadays, nobody thinks about sex
Which is perplexing and hard for an old fille de joie
How about me?
What about moi?
Look in this window, there's diamonds and pearls
They go to other girls

Business-wise, I've got my back to the wall
Nobody comes
Or comes at all
Better a blow-job then no job at all
Still, the returns are small

Boys still stand up, make a fuss
But it's to give me a seat on the bus
So I can just cut the mustard with men in the park
They have to be drunk
It has to be dark
Much as I hunger for diamonds and pearls
They go to younger girls

[DUSOLEIL]
What is the purpose of doing what I do
If I can't help someone like you?
If I can't give to the weak and the poor
What are my talents for?

What is the point of doing this...

(He slips "into" the jewelry shop)

...if I can't promulgate bounty and bliss?

It'll be Christmas tonight on the streets of Paris
These are a gift from me

(He reaches through the storefront and bedecks the WHORE with gems.)

[WHORE]
Oh!
What is that feeling I've not felt for years?
The tingle of jewels on my neck
And my ears!
Where's my Prince Charming?

(Turns)

There's nobody there

Lovely fat diamonds
All out of thin air

All of my life, I've been loved and adored
God, how I've whored!
Here's my reward!
Yes, I've been loved and adored til it hurts
These are my just deserts

Something for nothing, how strange
Normally, men want my ass in exchange

My guardian angel is laughing and dancing up there
Scattering jewels over the square!
Set off the fireworks all over Paree
Somebody cares for me!

WHEE!