OFFICER LANE
I’ll settle for one who’s awake!
Sergeant ZUNIGA enters.
ZUNIGA
Okay, men, keep your eyes open. Look out for terrorists.
OFFICER LANE
Yes, sir.
ZUNIGA goes off left.
OFFICER SHEA
Who’s he kidding? Terrorists wouldn’t attack this crowd. They only want to kill white people. Look-here comes Escamillo’s entourage now.
The dimly lit stage grows brighter, and a sign comes down that reads MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. A parade of “beautiful people” makes its way to the concert. We hear music in the background, a combination of hip-hop and Bizet.
A small crowd enters, the imposing figure of ESCAMILLO, dressed in all of his finery, at its center. CARMEN is on his arm. Photographers hover all around them. ESCAMILLO is shaking hands and smiling. He stops his entourage (made up of music types and some business types in suits) and whispers into CARMEN’s ear. He takes CARMEN’s face between his hands and lifts it gently as he kisses her.
ESCAMILLO
I’ll be thinking of you while I’m in there. All these suits may have their degrees and old-boy networks, but I have my street smarts-and the most beautiful woman in New York waiting for me. It’s almost not fair.
CARMEN
Be careful. I feel danger in the air.
CARMEN and ESCAMILLO kiss again, and then he goes off with his entourage in tow.
CARMEN is standing alone at center stage; we still hear the background music.
MERCEDES and FRASQUITA enter.
MERCEDES
Girl, you are looking good!
CARMEN
Girl, I am feeling good.
FRASQUITA
Carmen, he’s here!
CARMEN
Who?
MERCEDES
José. I saw him on the avenue. I said hello, and he just mumbled at me. He doesn’t look good at all. He hasn’t shaved, and he’s… funky!
CARMEN
I told him we were through, that I didn’t want to see him anymore.
FRASQUITA
(chewing her gum faster)
What did he say?
CARMEN
He didn’t… He didn’t seem to understand. It was as if I was just gaming him to pass the time of day. You ever tell somebody something and they act like you’re speaking another freaking language?
FRASQUITA
Baby, you need to be looking out for that man. José is not somebody I would turn my back on. Why don’t you come inside with us?
CARMEN
I’ll be okay. Right now I don’t think I can stand a crowd. I’m a little jumpy. I need to be alone with my thoughts for a bit. I told Escamillo I’d meet him outside so we can make a quick getaway when the show’s over.
MERCEDES
You falling for Escamillo now?
CARMEN
Escamillo and I understand each other. He lives for the minute, and I’m just one of those minutes. He’ll stop for a while and then move on. No big deal. No forever after, no por vida. I’m back to being Carmen again.
FRASQUITA
Okay, but watch your back, girlfriend. Remember, José’s a cop. You know how sneaky they can be.
CARMEN
Go on, guys. I’ll be okay.
FRASQUITA
Carmen, don’t forget us when you reach the top, baby. We don’t want anything, but just nod when you see us. We’ll understand.
MERCEDES
And be proud of you!
CARMEN
We’ll always be homegirls.
The three girls embrace, and then MERCEDES and FRASQUITA rush off to the concert.
We hear the music of the opening act begin. CARMEN, somewhat uncomfortable in her new role, moves to the beat and leans against a light pole. Then, from out of the shadows, comes JOSÉ. Unshaven, he is wearing a dark hoodie and sneakers. At first he appears drunk, but then we see that he’s distorted with rage.
JOSÉ
Carmen!
CARMEN
(shrinking away from him)
José! What…? What are you doing here?
JOSÉ
(his speech slow and hollow)
Carmen, I had to see you. I love you so.
CARMEN
(turning away)
No!
JOSÉ
Love doesn’t know such a word as no. Love can only know yes.
CARMEN
What do you want from my life, José? What do you want? I don’t have anything to give you. ¡No más! ¡No más! I need to be by myself.
JOSÉ
(taking something from his pocket)
Look, I’ve brought you something. A ring. It’s the symbol of my love for you. I give it to you, and my heart goes with it, as your heart came to me with the flower you gave me that sweet day.
CARMEN
(turning away)
I am ruined by love, a bright dayflower lost in his grave, dark eyes.
JOSÉ
Carmen, all I want is your heart. Is that too much to ask?
CARMEN
My heart, a pitiful handful of dust.
JOSÉ gives the ring to CARMEN. She looks at it for a moment, then flings it back at him, hitting him in the chest.
JOSÉ
No! Your heart is everything to me, Carmen, everything! You said you loved me.
CARMEN
Take it back, José. I don’t want it, or you. You have no love to give. You just have your darkness. I’m afraid of you.
JOSÉ
Carmen! That was my mother’s ring, and I gave it to you. You need me. I’m all you have in this world!
CARMEN
I gave you my heart once, José. But what we had was never real love. You planted a lie in my heart, and I nourished it too eagerly. We’re through.
JOSÉ
Give me one more chance.
CARMEN
Never! Never!
JOSÉ
So that you can laugh at me in Escamillo’s arms? So that the two of you can think of me and smile? You can’t do this to me! You can’t do this to me!
CARMEN tries to run, but José quickly catches her. She desperately tries to push away from him, and he just as desperately clings to her. ESCAMILLO’s theme, “The Toreador Song”, begins to play from inside the Garden.
CARMEN
José, please leave me alone. Let me lead my life in peace. You have somebody-that girl. Go with her and leave me in peace.
JOSÉ falls to his knees and puts his arms around CARMEN’s legs.
JOSÉ
Carmen, you can’t leave me. You need me. Admit it! From the first time you saw me, you needed me. You need me!
ESCAMILLO’s theme rises as CARMEN and JOSÉ struggle in the semi-darkness. In the background, the crowd noises become louder, as does the music.
JOSÉ
Where are you going? To be with him? To be with him while the world looks at me like some kind of freak to be pitied? Never, Carmen. Never, do you hear me? You need me. You will always need me!
JOSÉ pulls a gun from under his coat.
CARMEN
Fate closes the day.