Three Hundred, A Musical
Act II
Scene 3
(The BOWLING ALLEY. The LIGHTS come up after a brief pause. ARNIE, HARRY, WALTER and FRED are seated at a table near CENTER STAGE.)
FRED
I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so!
ARNIE
Who’d believe it?
HARRY
Yeah, well you were a lotta help. You barely broke one-twenty the second game!
WALTER
(To FRED.)
It was your wife who started all this.
FRED
Well, I said I didn’t like the looks of it.
ARNIE
Me, too. (Points at HARRY.) You’re the one who said there was no way they could beat us. A buncha broads!
WALTER
And now we gotta bowl with ‘em!
HARRY
I need a drink.
WALTER
(As BILLY enters STAGE RIGHT and crosses to them.)
Uh-oh, there’s Billy.
HARRY
Don’t tell him.
BILLY
Don’t tell me what?
FRED
He’ll find out sooner or later. We just lost a match to our wives.
BILLY
You gotta be kidding. To your wives?
ARNIE
Hey, it’s not funny. Now we gotta join the mixed league with ‘em.
HARRY
Tell me there aren’t any openings left.
BILLY
(Still laughing.) Oh, I think there’s room for four more teams!
WALTER
Great. Now we gotta buy ‘em balls and bags and shoes.
BILLY
This is great! You guys don’t know how much I needed a laugh right now. (Sees that THEY aren’t laughing.) Hey, cheer up. At least you and your wives are all still together.
ARNIE
No telling how long that will last.
FRED
You still having problems with Marie?
BILLY
Yeah. I think it’s pretty much over.
ARNIE
Hey, I’m really sorry to hear that.
HARRY
Yeah, tough break, Billy. She’s a cute kid.
BILLY
Well, I can’t let it bother me. Especially not tonight.
WALTER
That’s right! The Tournament! Don’t worry about it. You’ll do great.
FRED
We’ll all be here to cheer you on, right, guys? We just havta take our wives home.
JUDY
(Entering STAGE LEFT with the other WOMEN.)
Hey, are you guys coming?
HARRY
Yeah, we’re coming.
(The MEN rise.)
Good luck, Billy.
(The MEN cross to STAGE LEFT and EXIT.)
BILLY
(Crosses to counter as MARVIN enters from behind counter.)
I’m punching out now, Marv. Gotta get cleaned up.
MARVIN
You better hurry, kid. It’s almost time.
BILLY
Don’t worry. (HE exits STAGE LEFT.)
MARVIN
Worry? Why should I worry? I’ve only got a million people showing up here tonight. And my best employee can’t help out because he’s in the finals. And what’s more, he’s having trouble with his girlfriend and thinking of taking up tennis. My back is killing me, and I’m slowly going broke. Aside from that, life’s a bowl of cherries!
MCDONALD
(Enters STAGE LEFT, looks around tentatively, crosses to counter.) Hello?
MARVIN
Mr. McDonald, isn’t it? From the hotel?
(THEY shake hands.)
Ted. We met at the Rotary Club Luncheon last year.
MCDONALD
Yes, I remember. Marvin, right?
MARVIN
Right. What can I do for you. Planning to bowl a few games? I can get you right on.
MCDONALD
No, thank you. Bridge is more my game, I’m afraid.
MARVIN
To each his own, I guess.
MCDONALD
Yes, quite apropos, actually. I’m here to see Billy.
MARVIN
You just missed him. But he’ll be back in a while for the tournament. Say, you’re Marie’s father, aren’t you?
MCDONALD
Yes, I am.
MARVIN
Those two are having some problems, eh?
MCDONALD
Yes. That’s what I wanted to talk to Billy about. You see, I offered him a job, and . . .
MARVIN
A what?
MCDONALD
A job. At the hotel.
MARVIN
But he already has a job. Here.
MCDONALD
Yes, I know, but Marie feels that Billy is too enamored of bowling, and perhaps if he came to work for me, it would steer him in another direction.
MARVIN
Look, Ted, I know you mean well and everything, but Billy doesn’t need to be steered in another direction. He’s gonna be a great pro bowler some day. He might not make a lot of money at first, but he’ll do okay. And if those two kids really love each other, they’ll find some way to work it out.
MCDONALD
I know. That’s what I wanted to tell him. As a matter of fact, I came here to withdraw my offer.
MARVIN
Really? Does Marie know this?
MCDONALD
Not yet. I wanted to talk to Billy First. But I can’t...
MARIE
(Entering, STAGE LEFT. Sees her father.) Daddy, what are you doing here?
MARVIN
Why did I just know she’d be the next person through the door?
MCDONALD
Hello, dear. I came to see Billy.
MARIE
(Brightening.) Did he change his mind about working for you?
MCDONALD
No. I did.
MARIE
You did? What do you mean?
MCDONALD
Honey, this whole idea is wrong. Billy has to follow his own path. And if you keep trying to change him, you’ll lose him.
MARIE
It’s too late, anyway. I’ve already lost him.
MARVIN
I wouldn’t count on that.
MARIE
Crossing urgently to Marvin.) Marvin, is he really that good?
MARVIN
At bowling? Yes, he is. He could have a great future as a pro. And he’s determined to make it, no matter what.
MARIE
With or without me, you mean!
MARVIN
I didn’t say that. Neither did he.
MARIE
He may have a future as a pro, but he doesn’t have any future with me!
MARVIN
You’re wrong, Marie. He’s crazy about you.
MARIE
(Crossing DOWNSTAGE RIGHT. LIGHTS dim, except for SPOT on MARIE.)
No, he’s not. If he really loved me, he wouldn’t treat me so mean. Anyway, I came here today to wish him good luck in the tournament and to say goodbye.
I CAN’T LOVE YOU ANY MORE.
BILLY
(Enters STAGE LEFT, picked up by 2nd SPOT.)
I’M GONNA MAKE IT ON MY OWN.
MARIE
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS FOR.
BILLY
I DON’T NEED ANYONE BUT ME.
MARIE
WE DON’T SHARE A SINGLE DREAM,
THERE’S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY, BUT
BILLY/MARIE
I’M GONNA MAKE IT ON MY OWN!/ I DON’T LOVE YOU ANY MORE!
BILLY
I can’t make it on my own. Who am I trying to fool? Nothing really matters without Marie.
MARIE
I do love you Billy. I always have and I always will, no matter what you do.
(THEY turn, see each other for the first time, and start to cross to CENTER STAGE, when the LIGHTS come up and the entire CAST comes pouring out onto the stage from all entrances. BILLY and MARIE can’t get to each other through the crush of people. Finally, discouraged, they disappear into the wings.)
MARVIN
Welcome, everybody! Welcome to the tournament!
WELCOME, EVERYBODY, GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE.
ALL THE LANES ARE OILED,
AND THE KEGS ARE FULL OF BEER.
THERE’S A TROPHY HERE JUST WAITING FOR A NAME.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO WIN IT,
YOU GOT TO PLAY THE GAME.
CHORUS
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
SOMEBODY’S GONNA WIN.
SOMEBODY’S GONNA LOSE.
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
PICK UP YOUR BOWLING BALL.
PUT ON YOUR BOWLING SHOES.
LET’S GO.
1ST MAN
EVERYBODY’S GOT AN EQUAL CHANCE TO WIN,
BUT YOU’VE GOTTA KNOCK ‘EM DOWN,
EVERY SINGLE PIN!
2ND MAN
IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU CAN DO IT EVERY TIME,
BUT YOU’VE GOTTA KEEP YOUR COOL,
OR YOU’LL NEVER WIN A DIME.
CHORUS
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
SOMEBODY’S GONNA WIN.
SOMEBODY’S GONNA LOSE.
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
PICK UP YOUR BOWLING BALL.
PUT ON YOUR BOWLING SHOES.
LET’S GO.
(FULL CAST dance number.)
1ST MAN
ALL MY LIFE I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE DAY
WHEN I’D FINALLY HIT THE BIG TIME
AND BLOW THEM ALL AWAY.
2ND MAN
THIS IS IT, WHAT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.
THE FINAL BATTLEGROUND
IN THE BOWLING ALLEY WAR!
CHORUS
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
SOMEBODY’S GONNA WIN.
SOMEBODY’S GONNA LOSE.
IT’S A TOURNAMENT! TOURNAMENT!
PICK UP YOUR BOWLING BALL.
PUT ON YOUR BOWLING SHOES.
LET’S GO.
(MUSIC continues, as people cross back and forth, greeting each other, shaking hands, for four bars of instrumental only.)
EVERYBODY’S READY FO
R THE TOURNAMENT!
TOURNAMENT!
(BILLY enters STAGE LEFT, crosses to front desk with his bowling bag.)
MARVIN
(Handing BILLY a slip of paper.)
You’re on Lanes Nine and Ten. Go get ‘em, kid!
BILLY
Thanks.
(HE crosses to table DOWNSTAGE RIGHT, as ARNIE, WALTER, HARRY and FRED enter, STAGE RIGHT.)
ARNIE
There he is, guys!
(All four MEN cluster around BILLY, while he sits down, opens his bag, takes out his ball and shoes, and puts his shoes on.)
HARRY
All right, this is it!
WALTER
You’re gonna kill ‘em, I know it.
FRED
Now, don’t be nervous, okay? Just stay loose and throw it like you know it.
BILLY
I don’t know. I think I’m coming down with something.
ARNIE
Ah, you’re as healthy as I am.
HARRY
Then he’s in a lotta trouble!
BILLY
No, really, I feel kinda feverish.
WALTER
C’mon, you never missed a night. I’ve seen you bowl when you had pneumonia!
FRED
You’re just nervous, that’s all. You gotta loosen up.
BILLY
(Finished tying his shoes, stands up and picks up his ball.)
Right, you’re right. I’m ready. Okay.
ARNIE
That’s the spirit!
(BILLY’S team members pat him on the back and shout encouragement as he descends the stairs leading to the approach, which is offstage. The lights slowly dim. Then the sound of a ball rolling down the alley is heard, followed by pins exploding and the crowd cheering.)
HARRY
That’s one!
(Dream sequence. Again the sound of rolling ball and falling pins is heard. The entire crowd begins to count, quietly at first, and then louder, with each strike. MARIE enters, STAGE LEFT, and stands watching.)
CHORUS
Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! Eleven!
(Suddenly BILLY appears, stumbles up the stairs and begins crossing to CENTER STAGE.)
WALTER
Hey, where you going?
BILLY
I don’t know. I can’t take it any more!
MARVIN
(Crossing quickly DOWNSTAGE from the desk area.)
Billy, don’t quit now. You almost got it!
BILLY
I can’t do it, Marv. I feel like I’m gonna explode!
(HE pulls away from MARVIN and continues on toward the STAGE LEFT exit. MARIE, still standing near the exit, crosses to BILLY.)
Marie!
MARIE
What are you doing?
BILLY
I’m freaking out. I didn’t know it would be like this
MARIE
But this is what you’ve always wanted. You can’t quit now.
BILLY
Isn’t that what you want?
MARIE
No, not like this. If you quit now, you’ll never know whether you could have done it or not.
MARVIN
Billy, you’ve gotta come back now, or you’ll be disqualified.
MARIE
Go on! Go do it, now.
BILLY
(HE starts to turn away, then turns back.) I love you, Marie.
MARIE
I love you, too, you big jerk. Now hurry up!
BILLY
Right, right.
(HE crosses quickly to Lane One, descends the stairs. After a moment, there is the sound of a ball rolling down the alley. The crowd lets out a long “ooooooo” sound, which cuts off suddenly as the ball hits the pins. There is a moment of silence, then the entire crowd erupts in cheers. BILLY appears, dazed, and climbs the stairs, is greeted by his team and other crowd members, in a frenzied display of emotion. BILLY sees MARIE, standing at CENTER STAGE. He crosses to her as she runs into his arms. They embrace.)
CHORUS
THREE HUNDRED!
BILLY
OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SOUND!
CHORUS
THREE HUNDRED!
BILLY
SO STRONG, SO SURE, SO ROUND.
NOW I’VE GOT MY PERFECT GAME,
TO MY SURPRISE I’VE FOUND
THERE’S ONE IMPORTANT THING I’VE GOT TO DO.
I DON’T WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE.
CHORUS
THREE HUNDRED
BILLY
I’VE BEEN BUILDING CASTLES IN THE AIR.
NOW I KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE.
NOW I WANT A HOUSE, A KID, A WIFE.
I’LL EVEN TAKE THE WORRY AND THE STRIFE.
CHORUS
THREE HUNDRED!
MARIE
YOU’VE BOWLED A GAME
WHERE EVERY FRAME
HAS AN X INSIDE.
BILLY
GONNA MAKE A START
AND GIVE MY HEART,
AND MAKE MARIE MY BRIDE!
NOW I’VE FINALLY FOUND MY TRUE ROMANCE.
CHORUS
THREE HUNDRED!
BILLY
IF SHE’LL JUST GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE.
I HAVE FOUND A MORE EXCITING GOAL.
NOW MY LIFE IS REALLY ON A ROLL.
MARIE
YOU COULD EVEN TEACH ME HOW TO BOWL . . .
(BILLY and MARIE pause, then embrace and kiss at CENTER STAGE, as the CHORUS movies in around them.)
ALL
THREE HUNDRED!
CURTAIN
THE END
SOME CLOSING WORDS