CARMEN
Frasquita asked me why I’ve been talking about you so much.
JOSÉ
You’ve been talking about me? What did you say?
CARMEN
That you make me remember the girl I once was, the girl who believed in every dream that came her way, who used to roll the top of her skirts up outside of Saint Dominic’s, hoping the boys would notice her.
JOSÉ
You did go to Saint Dom’s.
CARMEN
In a way I did. I mean, it was me, but I wasn’t who I am now. I was just a little girl with wide eyes and teeny boobs. I was maybe softer inside than I am now.
JOSÉ
You are like a breath of fresh air to me, Carmen. My life has been just stupid for the last few months. First it was that kid-
CARMEN
I know about that, José. It was in La Prensa that you shot a boy who threatened you. But I know that’s not who you are. I know that.
JOSÉ
It really hurt to see the things they wrote about me in the papers.
CARMEN
Nobody wants to hurt another person.
JOSÉ
The thing with the boy-it happened so fast.
CARMEN
The thing?
JOSÉ
He came out of the shadows and…
CARMEN
(putting her fingers on his lips)
Don’t talk about it.
JOSÉ
I’ve been really depressed since it happened. I can’t sleep.
CARMEN
Let’s talk about us.
JOSÉ
Last night I tried to make my mind blank, just not think about anything. Then, in the morning, the air was all still and I reached over to get a glass of water and my hand touched the flower you gave me. You remember the flower?
CARMEN
You kept it? All this time?
JOSÉ
And suddenly the flower was more than just a flower. It was a promise that your soul had made to mine. I put the light on and took it in my hand, and the lightness of it just spoke of you. I put it to my lips and I could smell it, and it was as if you were near.
CARMEN
You speak very well, José. I’ve never been that good with words. They seem to only get in my way.
JOSÉ
Words are only tools, Carmen.
CARMEN, somewhat unsure of what JOSÉ is saying, stands and moves awkwardly away from him. He reaches for her and takes her wrist, and she turns to face him.
CARMEN
Dancing is a tool, too. Let me dance for you!
JOSÉ
Dance?
CARMEN
(brightly, changing the mood)
Yes, you’re the hero that kept me out of the slammer, and I’ll dance in your honor!
CARMEN begins to dance for JOSÉ. From time to time, he reaches for her swirling figure, but she moves away from him.
CARMEN
Look at me! Giddy as a schoolgirl. My body wants to move!
JOSÉ
You move your body, but you’ve captured my soul. We’ll be together from this moment on. From this very moment. Promise me. As the flower promised me.
CARMEN
(stops dancing and looks at JOSÉ)
José, my friends say that I’m taking a big risk.
JOSÉ
Take it, Carmen. I’m offering you my life.
CARMEN
(turning slightly away from JOSÉ)
José, why do you want me?
JOSÉ
Why? How can you ask a question like that? People look at you and they’re amazed. You’re the brightest star in their universe. People will look at us walking together and wonder what magic I performed to have you on my arm. They’ll know that together we’re somebody. That we’re special.
CARMEN
I don’t want to be that special. Just loved, José. I want to run and jump right into forever after. Does that make sense to you?
JOSÉ’s cell phone rings.
CARMEN goes over to him and puts her hand over the phone, which he now holds in his hand. JOSÉ turns as he answers the call.
JOSÉ
Yes?… Yes?… Of course! I’ll be there right away, sir.
CARMEN
What are you doing?
JOSÉ
They need me down at headquarters at once. It’s a big operation.
CARMEN
But I’m standing here promising you forever, and suddenly the phone rings and forever is put on hold.
JOSÉ
(checking his gun)
I have to go. I have no choice.
CARMEN
No choice? One minute you’re saying that you have no choice except to love me, and the next…
JOSÉ
This is my job.
CARMEN
(confused)
How can you-? Who are you? One minute you’re hopelessly in love, and… and the next minute you’re leaving?
JOSÉ
(roughly)
Be sensible! I have to go!
CARMEN
(emulating a ringing phone)
Brrring! Brrring! Calling all mice! Calling all mice!
Brrring! Brrring! There are crumbs on the carpet for you!
JOSÉ
You don’t understand, Carmen.
CARMEN
Yes, yes, you’re right. I don’t understand. And I don’t understand how I let myself fall in love again! What was I thinking?
JOSÉ
A man must do his duty, no matter what.
ZUNIGA enters. He is tipsy. His collar is unbuttoned, and he is carrying a brown paper bag that probably holds a bottle of liquor.
ZUNIGA
Carmen! I thought you might still be here. I was thinking about you all evening. Come sit with me. You old enough to drink wine? We could go someplace.
JOSÉ
Carmen doesn’t need a drink from you.
ZUNIGA turns slowly and eyes JOSÉ with contempt.
ZUNIGA
You still running around the city? When’s your hearing? Next week? Then you’ll be gone from the force forever, and maybe they can even give you some jail time for letting a prisoner escape. They’ll love you on the cell block. Now, get back to the precinct. They must have some wastebaskets that need to be emptied.
He puts his arm around CARMEN.
JOSÉ
(angrily)
Don’t tell me what to do! I am as much man as you are!
Curious about the shouting, DANCAIRO, RAIMONDO, and ANGEL enter from the back room.
ZUNIGA
(shouting)
You? A man? You’re a boy who occasionally dresses in the uniform of a man. Now, get out of here before I lose my temper!
JOSÉ
Go ahead: lose it!
ZUNIGA slaps JOSÉ, and for a minute the two men grapple. Then ZUNIGA throws JOSÉ to the ground.
ZUNIGA
Look at you! Lying on the floor like the child you are! See how all your friends stare at you-wondering if you have the nerve to stand up again.
CARMEN
(to both men)
Stop it! What are you doing?