John Kander
Perfectly Marvelous
[SALLY, spoken]
I think people are people, I really do, Cliff. Don't you?
I don’t think people should have to explain anything
For example, if I should paint my fingernails green, and it just so happens I do paint them green, well, if anyone should ask me why, I say, "I think it's pretty."
"I think it's pretty," I reply
So if anyone should ask about you and me, you have two alternatives:
You can either say, " Oh yes, it’s true; we're living in delicious sin," or you can simply tell the truth and say:
[SALLY]
I met this perfectly marvelous girl
In this perfectly wonderful place
As I lifted a glass to the start of a marvelous year
Before I knew it, she called on the phone, inviting
Next moment I was no longer alone
But sat reciting
Some perfectly beautiful verse
In my charming American style
How I dazzled her senses
Was truly no less than a crime
Now I've this perfectly marvelous girl
In my perfectly beautiful room
And we're living together
And having a marvelous time
[CLIFF, spoken]
Ah Sally, I'm afraid it wouldn't work out
You're much too distracting
[SALLY, spoken]
Distracting? No, inspiring!
[SALLY]
She tells me perfectly marvelous tales
Of her thrillingly scandalous life
Which I'll probably use
As a chapter or two in my book
And since my stay in Berlin was to force creation
What luck to fall on a fabulous source of stimulation
And perfectly marvelous too
Is her perfect agreement to be
Just as still as a mouse
While I’m giving my novel a whirl
Yes, I’ve a highly agreeable life
In my perfectly beautiful room
With my nearly invisible
Perfectly marvelous girl
[CLIFF, spoken]
Sally, I can't afford... do you have any money?
[SALLY, spoken]
A few marks...uh... six?
[CLIFF, spoken]
Oh god
[SALLY, spoken]
Oh please Cliff, just for a day or two, please?
[CLIFF]
I... met... this
Truly remarkable girl
In this really incredible town
And she skillfully managed
To talk her way into my room
[SALLY]
Oh, Cliff!
[CLIFF]
I have a terrible feeling I’ve said
A dumb thing
Beside, I've only got one narrow bed
[SALLY]
We'll think of something