NEW YORKER IN TONDO SCRIPT Kikay - A girl who goes to New York and fell in love with it.

She acquires all the New Yorkers' things - style, looks, language and manners. Mrs. Mendoza / Aling Atang, mother of Kikay, has been carried away by her daughter's way of living. She tries to converse with everybody in broken English. Tony, sweetheart of Kikay, decides to visit and catch things up with his friend. He is a simple guy who got secretly engaged with their other childhood friend, Nena. Nena is a tomboyish type of girl. On her visit in Kikay's house, she finds her friend different and weird. She gets irritated. Totoy, the Tondo "canto boy" is their other friend who is funny and has a secret love for Nena which has only been revealed when the two females had a clash. Scene 1: *doorbell rings* Mrs. M: (Gets up from seat) Visitors, always visitors, nothing but visitors all day long. I'm beginning to feel like a society matron. *opens door*

Mrs. M: Yes, you must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her when we play mahjong (Tony drinks more juice) Tony: Mm, that's what she misses most of all. Mrs. M: I understand. Once a Tondo girl, always a Tondo girl. I wonder if that's fit my Kikay because after a year in America, she says she's not homesick at all. Tony: When did Kikay arrive, Aling Atang? Mrs. M: Last Monday. Tony: I didn't know it 'till I read it in the newspaper. (drinks juice) Mrs. M: That girl only arrived last Monday and look what happened to me! She dragged me to the parlor and my hair was cut, eyebrows shaved and nails manicured. And when I'm going to the market, she makes me use lipstick! All my kumare are laughing. People think I'm a loose woman. But I can't do anything because it's hard to argue with Kikay. And she insists that I should look like an Americana! Tony: (places glass down on the table) Oh, but you look just wonderful. Anyway, where is she now? Mrs. M: Who?

Mrs. M: Tony! I thought you were on the province. Tony: Kikay. Is she here at home? Tony: Is that you Aling Atang? Mrs. M: She's still sleeping Mrs. M: of course it's me, foolish boy. Why? Tony: Still sleeping!!! But it's already 10:00! Tony: You don't look like Aling Atang. Mrs. M: She says that in New York, people don't wake up until 12:00 noon. Mrs. M: I had a haircut. Think it's horrible? Tony: Wow. They must be huge people. Tony: Oh, no, no. You look just wonderful. Aling Atang for a moment, I thought you were Kikay. Mrs. M: Oh, you are so palikero as ever, Tony. But come in. Here, sit down. (Tony takes a seat.) How is your mother? (Hands him a glass of juice from the table) Tony: Thank you. Oh, my poor mother. She's homesick for Tondo. (Sips juice) She wants to come back here at once. Hey, this is pretty good. Mrs. M: Thank you. How long have you been away? (Tony drinks more juice) Tony: Only 3 months.. Mrs. M: Three months!!! It's too long for a Tondo native to be away from Tondo. My poor kumare. She must be bored to death out there. (Tony drinks more juice) Tony: Well, you know, we engineers are always on call. But as soon as I finish the bridge in Bulacan, we'll be coming back here to Tondo. Mrs. M: Besides, she's busy. Since she came home, there've been welcome parties here and there and visitors all day long! She's spinning like a top. Tony: Well, will you tell her I came to welcome her? And kindly give her these flowers. *hands the flowers and stands to go* Mrs. M: But surely you're not going yet? Tony: I did want to see Kikay, but if she doesn't get up until noon Mrs. M: Wait a minute. I'll go and wake her up. Tony: Please don't bother, Aling Atang. I can come back some other time. Mrs. M: (stands and sits Tony down) No. no! She'll simply be delighted to see her childhood friend. Just wait here. The flowers are beautiful, how expensive they must be.

Tony: Oh, they're nothing, Aling Atang. Mrs. M: Oh, and Tony Tony: Yes Aling Atang? Mrs. M: You mustn't call me "Aling Atang" Tony: Umm why not? Mrs. M: Kikay says that it's more civilized to call me Mrs. Mendoza.

Tony: Totoy! Totoy: You old son of your father! Tony: You big carabao! Totoy: Mayroon ba tayo dyan? Tony: You ask me that and you look like a walking goldmine! How many depots have you been looting, huh? Totoy: Hey, hey!!! A little more slowly there. It's you the police are looking for.

Tony: Yes Aling- I mean, Yes, Mrs. Mendoza.. Tony: Impossible! I'm a reformed character! Come in Totoy. *lets Totoy in* Mrs. M: Wait a minute and I'll call Kikay. Tony: Good to see you old pal. Here, have a smoke. Tony: Okay. *hands Totoy a cigarette* Mrs. M: Oh! Tony, one more thing. Totoy: I thought you were in the province, partner. Tony: Yes, Aling- I mean, Mrs. Mendoza? Tony: I am Or, well, was. And will be again. I just came to say hello to Kikay. Mrs. M: You must not call her Kikay. Totoy: Tony, I've been hearing the craziest things about that girl. Tony: Then what shall I call her? Tony: So have I. Mrs. M: You must call her Francesca. Totoy: People say she's gone nuts. Tony: Francisca? Tony: No, she has only gone to New York. Mrs. M: Not Francisca, Fran-CES-ca Totoy: What was she doing there, anyway? Tony: But why Francesca? Tony: Oh, studying. Mrs. M: Because in New York, she says that's the way they call her. So be sure to call her Francesca and not Kikay. Tony: Yes, Mrs. Mendoza. Mrs. M: Now, wait right here while I call Francesca. *doorbell rings* Mrs. M: AIE DIOSMIO!!! Tony: Never mind Mrs. Mendoza, I'll answer it. Mrs. M: Just tell them to wait, Tony. Scene 2: (Stands up and imitates Kikay selling puto) Puto kayo dyan!! Bili na kayo ng puto, mga suki!!! Totoy: Tony! *Tony laughs* Totoy: Studying? Studying what? Tony: Hair culture and Beauty Science. She got a diploma. Totoy: Imagine that! Our dear old Kikay, getting a diploma in cosmetics Tony: Pardon me, she's not Kikay anymore,.. She's Fran-CES-ca now Totoy: Fran-CES-ca??? Tony: Our dear Kikay is now an American. Or is, at least, forcing us to believe she is one. Totoy: Tch! Don't make me laugh! I knew that girl when she was still selling rice cakes on the sidewalks.

Tony: And do you remember when we pushed her into the canal? Totoy: (laughs) She chased us around the streets! Tony: She was dripping with mud! *Both laugh* Totoy: Naku! How that girl could fight! Scene 3: *doorbell rings. Totoy stands to get it* Nena: Why, Totoy! Totoy: Nena, my dear. *Nena steps in* Nena: And Tony, too! What's all this? A Canto Boy Reunion? Totoy: We have come to greet the Lady from New York.

*Totoy starts following Aling Atang* Nena: Aling Atang, you don't need prepare anything for us. We're not visiting for very long. Mrs. M: It's only orange juice. I was preparing some for Kikay, anyway . *Goes into the kitchen, followed by Totoy. Nena and Tony are left alone* Nena: Well. Tony. Tony: You shouldn't have come today, Nena. Nena: Oh, why not? Tony: I haven't talked with Kikay yet. Nena: Not yet?! I thought you said it last night. Tony: I couldn't. I lost my nerve. Nena: Oh Tony! Tony: Use your head, Nena. It's not easy breaking off this engagement with Kikay, for God's sake!! Nena: Are you in love with Kikay or with me?

Nena: So have I. Is she at home? Tony: Aling Atang is trying to wake her up. Nana: Wake her up?! Don't tell me she's still sleeping!!! *Mrs. M enters, carrying a bag of juice powder* Mrs. M: No, no, dear, she's awake already. Just dressing. Good morning Nena, Totoy. (nods head at both of them) *Both stare at Mrs. M, wide-eyed*

Tony: Of course with you! I'm engaged with you. Nena: Yes, and with Kikay too! Tony: That was a year ago! Nena, you know how much I love you. Nena: How could you ask me if you're still engaged with Kikay! Tony: This is what I get for being honest!?

Mrs. M: Well, Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring at me like that? Nena: Is that you, Aling Atang? Totoy: Good God, it is her! Mrs. M: It's Kikay who prefers it for me to be this way. Nena: I can barely believe it's the same old Aling Atang. How you used to pinch and pinch us when we were little! Mrs. M: Because you were always naughty, especially you! Always sneaking into our backyard for mangoes Nena: Do you still have that mango tree? Mrs. M: (stares at Nena. Nena smiles sheepishly.) Yes. Now, come and help me carry something to the kitchen. Nena: Honest? Making me fall for you when you're in love and engaged with Kikay!? Tony: I thought I didn't belong to Kikay anymore. It's only a secret engagement anyway. I proposed to her before she left for America. But when she stopped answering my letters I considered myself a free man again. Nena: And so you proposed to me. Tony: Yes Nena: Then, you tell me to keep it a secret!? Tony: Well, that's because I found out that Kikay was coming back! Nena: Ugh! I'm tired of being secretly engaged to you! Tony: Just give me a chance to explain to Kikay. Then we'll tell them. All of it. To all of them. Nena: Well, you better hurry. I'm getting impatient.

Tony: I only have one problem. How can I talk to Kikay? Nena: What do you mean? Tony: You're here, and also Totoy. I don't wanna jilt Kikay in front of everybody. Nena: You want Totoy and me to clear out? Tony: No just give me a chance to be alone with Kikay for just a moment. Nena: Sure. I'll take care of Totoy. Tony: That's good. Thanks. Nena: You're welcome. Just leave it to me.

Kikay: But how dreadfully you put it. Oh mumsy, what am I going to do with you? Mrs. M: Oh, I give up! (exits) Kikay: Poor mumsy. How pathetic! Nena: Sotell us about New York. Tony: Yeah. Exactly how long did you stay there? Kikay: 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes. Tony: (Whispers) Maybe I was being too specific Totoy: And she's still there. In her dreams

Scene 4: *Mrs. M enters with glasses of juice on a tray* Mrs. M: Here comes Kikay, but remember, she wants to be called Francesca. *the three nod* Kikay: Oh hello darling people!! Nena my dear, you've gotten so gorgeous! And Tony, my little pal how are you? And Totoy my old friend! You all look great, like a Tondo Super Production in Technicolor!!! (laughs) But sit down everybody and let me look at you Oh mumsy!!! Mrs. M: (rolls eyes) What's the matter now? Totoy: Let's all just walk out very, very quietly. Kikay: How many times must I tell you never to serve fruit juices in water glasses? Mrs. M: I couldn't find those tall glasses you brought home. Kikay: Oh, poor li'l mumsy. She is so clumsy, noh? But never mind, don't break your heart about it. Here, sit down. Mrs. M: No, I must be going to the market. Totoy: To the ends of the earth! Kikay: Oh, don't forget my celery, then. I can't live without it. I'm like a rabbit, munching all day.(Laughs, the others exchange looks) Mrs. M: Okay. (Stands) Well, if you people will excuse me. Tony, remember to tell your mother I said "Hello". Tony: (Nods.) Yes, ma'am. Totoy: I'll follow you anywhere, dream girl. Anywhere at all!!! Kikay: And remember, a little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks. Say mwah, mwah. Scene 5: Mrs. M: Do I have to, Kikay? Kikay: Say that again, please, mumsy? Mrs. M: Do I have to paint this old face of mine? Francesca, what am I going to do with you? Kikay: Apparently, our Totoy still has a most terrific crush on Nena. (Looks at Tony) What are you looking so miserable about? Tony: Kikay I don't know how to begin. Kikay: Just call me Francesca that's a good beginning. Nena: UhNo. Just out to the backyard. Totoy: Oh, the backyards of Tondo, the barong barongs of Mypaho, the streets of Sibakong Nena: Listen Idiot! Are you coming with me or not??? Nena: And leave her alone with her memories. Kikay: Ah, New York , my own dear New York Nena: (stands) Totoy, will you come with me? Kikay: Yes, I feel as if I was still there, as though I had never left it, as though I have lived there all my life. But I look around me and realize that no. No, I'm not there. I'm not in New York. I'm at home, in Tondo, in the Philippines. But which is home for me? This cannot be my real home because here, my heart aches with homesickness *Kikay ad-lib about how life was so wonderful in New York. The other three whisper among themselves* Nena: I don't think we ought to be here at all. Tony: Yeah, we shouldn't disturb her as she... daydreams.

Tony: There's something I have to tell you something very important. Kikay: Oh, Tony, can't we just forget all about it? Tony: Forget??? Kikay: That's the New York way, Tony. Forget, nothing must ever be too serious; nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart, tomorrow, forget! And when you meet again, smile, shake hands just be good sports. Tony: What are you talking about? Kikay: Tony, I was only a child at that time. Tony: When? Kikay: When you and I got engaged. I've changed so much since then, Tony. Tony: But that was only a year ago Kikay: To me, it seems a century. So much has happened to me. More can happen to you in just one year in New York . Tony: Listen, I don't want to talk about New York I want to talk about our engagement.

Totoy and Nena suddenly walk into the room* Totoy: Hold it Tony! (pulls Tony away from Kikay) You must never, ever hit a woman. Tony: Let go of me! I wasn't going to! And if I did, it's her fault! Nena: What's all this? Kikay: Nothing nothing at all. Totoy: You expect me to believe that? What were you two quarrelling about? Kikay: We weren't quarrelling! Tony and I just decided to be good friends and nothing more! Nena: Tony, is that true? Tony: *glares at Kikay* Yeah. Nena: So now we can tell them! Kikay: Tell us what? Totoy: (lets go of Tony) What's going on here?

Kikay: And that's what we cannot do, Tony. Not anymore. Nena: Tony and I are engaged!! Tony: What?! Why?! Kikay: Engaged!!! Kikay: Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesn't exist anymore. She's dead. The person you see before you is Francesca. Don't you see, Tony, I'm a stranger to you. I hate to hurt you, but surely you see that there can be no more talk of an engagement between us. Imagine, a New York Girl, marrying a Tondo Boy! (laughs) It's so insane!!! (shakes head) No, it cannot be. Tony: Hey, look here Tony: (shrugs and speaks coolly) Well, I did try to tell you Kikay, I was trying to tell you Kikay: I'm sorry if I've hurt you, Tony. Kikay: You unspeakable cad!! Tony: I'm not going to sit here and be insulted! (Stands up) Nena: Hey, carefully there!! You're speaking to my fianc. Kikay: Hush, Tony! Hush! Don't shout, don't lose your temper. It's so uncivilized. People in New York don't lose their temper. Tony: What do you want me to do? Smile and say thank you for dissing me? Kikay: Yes, Tony. Be a sport, let's smile and shake hands, and just be friends, huh? Tony: I swear, if you weren't a woman, I'd I'd *leans very close to Kikay, points finger at her* Scene 6: * Kikay: He's not your fianc! Nena: Oh, no? And why not, huh? Kikay: Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you! Nena: Well, he's not engaged to you anymore, you just said it yourself. Kikay: Well, yeah, but I didn't know about all this! Tony: Now remember, Kikay (folds arms) it's so uncivilized to lose one's temper, people in New York don't lose their temper. Totoy: Engaged! Engaged?!?! Nena: Yes! We've been secretly engaged for a month! (walks over to Tony and holds his arm) Kikay: A month!? (stands) Why you.you

Kikay: I've never felt so humiliated in all my life! You beast, I'll teach you!!! *tries to slap Tony. Nena blocks it* Nena: I told you to leave him alone! He's my fianc!!! Kikay: And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him and I haven't released him yet. Nena: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! You're just being a dog in the manger!

Totoy: You take your hands off her! Tony: I told you to keep out of this! (Totoy socks him anyway. Tony is knocked down.) Nena: Oh, Totoy, you've saved my life! (Hugs Totoy) Kikay: (rushes over to Tony) Tony! Tony, open your eyes! Tony: (Opens eyes and sits up) Oh, get away from her! Nena: (Turns to Totoy and pleads) Take me away from here!

Kikay: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Stealing my man behind my back! Totoy: Are you still engaged to him? Nena: What? What did you say?!?! Nena: No, and I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life! Tony: (worried) Totoy, pull them apart before anything happens! Totoy: Good! Come on, let's go! *Totoy tries to approach the girls, but Kikay yells at him* Tony: Hey! (Starts getting up to his feet) Kikay: You keep out of this or I'll knock your head off!!! Nena: Don't you speak to me, you brute! Totoy: Naku, lumabas din ang pagka-Tondo! Tony: Feeler! I wasn't talking to you! Nena: Shameless hussy!! Totoy: Don't you speak to me either! You have insulted the woman I love! Kikay: Man eater!!! Nena: Oh, Totoy, why have you never told me? *Nena punches Kikay in the stomach* Totoy: Well, now you know. Kikay: Aah!!! (falls on her knees to the floor, gasping for air) Tony: Oh please, I'm dying with the cheesiness. Tony: How dare you sock her?!?! Nena: Hmph! Let's go darling; I don't like the smell around here. Nena: Well, she hit me first! *The two exit* Tony: (Comes to Kikay's side) Look what you've done to her! Tony: Yeah! And good riddance! Nena: Are you trying to defend her? You never defended me! *Slowly begins sniffing armpit* Tony: Oh, just Shut up!!! Scene 7: Nena: I hate you! I hate you! (starts crying) Tony: (Turns to Kikay) You've ruined my life! I hope you're satisfied! Tony: Shut up or I'll bash your mouth off!! Kikay: I ruined your life??? You ruined mine!!! Totoy: Hey, don't you talk to Nena that way. Tony: You know what you need? What you need is a good spanking! (points finger at Kikay) Tony: You keep out of this! Kikay: Don't you come near me, youyou Canto Boy! Nena: He's more of a gentleman than you are. He defends me! (Tony stands and gets ready to punch Nena) Tony: I already warned you Tony: Don't worry; I wouldn't touch you. (Sits on the chair and cups face in hands). Kikay: And I wouldn't touch you. (Sits beside him)

Tony: (Shakes head and sighs exasperatingly. Looks up at Kikay) Just one year in New York and you forgot your old friends. Kikay: Just one year with me away in New York and what did you do? But when we got engaged, you swore to be true. You promised you'd wait for me. And I believed you. Oh, you're a fickle, fickle... (starts to cry) Tony: Tch! What are you crying about? Be brave, forget! Isn't that the New York way? Nothing must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long. Kikay: Oh Tony, please, please! Don't say that! Tony: (Crosses arms.) Besides, there could be no more talk of an engagement between us. Imagine a New York Girl, marrying a Tondo boy!!! Ha! What a joke! Kikay: Oh Tony, I've been such a fool... I'm sorry, Tony Tony: Well, I'm not! I'm glad I found out what kind of a person you are! Kikay: Oh Tony, you're wrong, you're wrong! I'm not that kind of person at all! Tony: Oh, so "person" is just a relative name, huh? Kikay: Yes, Tony. Look, I'm sorry! (Stands) That was Francesca saying all that. But Francesca exists no more, Tony. The girl standing before you now is Kikay. Tony: In that silly dress? Kikay: Oh this is just gift wrapping, Tony. Tony: (Amused) Well, well, well. (Sits back against backrest) Kikay: It's true Tony. I'm Kikay.remember me?? Tony: If I remember it right, then I was engaged to a girl named Kikay. Kikay: Yes, and you're still engaged to her, Tony! *Tony smiles. Kikay smiles* Tony: Welcome home Kikay. Tell me now, how was the trip? Kikay: Horrible!! I couldn't wait to get back. Tony: Liked it in New York? Kikay: Uh-uh! Give me Tondo anytime! Tony: Why didn't you answer my letters? Kikay: Francesca wouldn't let me write, Tony. Tony: That nasty girl. I'm glad she's dead.

*Both chuckle. Stare into each other's eyes* *Mrs. M enters* Mrs. M: Oh, Tony, are you still here? Francesca, don't be angry, but I couldn't find any celery. Kikay: Oh, never mind, Inay. I hate celery! Mrs. M: Hate celery? You said you couldn't live without it! Tony: That was Francesca, Aling Atang. And Francesca is dead. The girl right here before you is Kikay! Mrs. M: But Kikay is Francesca Kikay: Oh, no, Inay, I'm not Francesca, I'm Kikay! Mrs. M: Oh, I give up!!! (Walks out of the room!) *Music starts playing from outside* Kikay: Do you hear that? That tune! What memories it brings back! I first heard it in New York, at Eddie Candon's Tony: (stands, crosses arms) Uh-huh. Kikay: Sorry darling. May I have this dance with you? Tony: (gets into dancing position) I'd be delighted, Madame. (The two start dancing. END)