(ARIEL smiles again and flexes up and down on her toes.)

[PRINCE ERIC] (spoken)
You're nimble on your feet, aren't you? Well, dancing beats small talk any day. It's the way your legs smile... or laugh. It lets you say so many things.

[ERIC] (singing)
DANCING IS A LANGUAGE THAT IS FELT INSTEAD OF HEARD.
(PRINCE ERIC does a little jig.)
YOU CAN WHISPER, SING, OR SHOUT WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A WORD.

TRY IT, go on, LIKE SO...

(PRINCE ERIC repeats the steps. ARIEL imitates him.)

JUST LET YOUR EMOTIONS TELL YOUR BODY WHAT TO DO.
(PRINCE ERIC does another step. ARIEL imitates him.)
SEE HOW MUCH A SINGLE GESTURE CAN REVEAL!
AND EV'RY LITTLE STEP, EV'RY SINGL STEP
IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO SAYING WHAT YOU FEEL.

(PRINCE ERIC patiently teaches ARIEL a few more dance steps. She's a quick study. They become in tune with each other, moving as one, poetry in motion... Suddеnly, wafting through the night breeze are thе magical strains of Ariel's VOICE.)

[VOICE]
AH

(PRINCE ERIC stops abruptly.)
[ERIC] (spoken)
Did you hear something?

(ARIEL's eyes open wide but she shakes her head "no." PRINCE ERIC becomes distracted.)

[VOICE] (singing)
AH
AH

[ERIC] (spoken)
Forgive me – there's this voice – it's been haunting me...

[VOICE] (singing)
AH

[ERIC] (spoken)
Anyway, I should let you get some sleep. Good night.

(PRINCE ERIC bows, and ARIEL mimics him. PRINCE ERIC exits hastily.)