Lyrics: Dear Old Shiz

(Scene fades as Shiz students appear. Elphaba enters with them.)

[Students:]
O, hallowed halls and vine draped walls
The proudliest site there is.
When grey and seer our hair hath turned,
We shall still revere the lessons learned
In our days at dear old Shiz (dear old Shiz)
Our days at dear old...
[Galinda:] (Being wheeled in on a big cart filled with luggage.)
Old…
[All:]
Shiz… (dear old Shiz…)

(Frex wheels Nessarose on stage.)

[Elphaba:] What?! What are you looking at? Oh, do I have something in my teeth? Okay, let's get this over with. No, I’m not seasick, yes, I’ve always been green, no, I didn't chew grass as a child.
[Frex:] Elphaba!
[Elphaba:] Oh, this is my younger sister, Nessarose. As you can see, she is a perfectly normal color.
[Frex:] Elphaba, stop making a spectacle of yourself! I’m only sending you here for one reason...
[Elphaba:] Yes, I know, to look after Nessarose.

(Frex holds out a box.)

[Frex:] My precious little girl: a parting gift.
[Nessarose:] Now, father...

(He pulls silver shoes from the box. Jeweled shoes!)

[Frex:] As befits the future governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba, take care of your sister. And try not to talk so much!

(He kisses Nessarose and exits.)

[Nessarose:] Elphaba...
[Elphaba:] Well what could he have gotten me? I clash with everything!

(Mme. Morrible enters)

[Morrible:] Welcome, new students! I am Madame Morrible, headmistress here, at Shiz University. And whether you're here to study logic, literature, or linguification, I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say we have nothing but the highest hopes for some of you. Now, regarding room assignments...
(Elphaba & Galinda raise their hands. She notices Galinda first.)
Yes, is this regarding room assignments?
[Galinda:] Oh, Madame, thank you for asking, but I’ve already been assigned a private suite...
(Noticing her followers' disappointment.)
But you can all come visit me whenever you want!
[Shen Shen:] How good of you!
[Pfanee:] You are so good!
[Galinda:] No I’m not!
[Both:] Yes you are!
[Galinda:] Now stop! (Swishes her hair.)
[Morrible:] Do you have a question?
[Galinda:] Yes, you see, I am Galinda Upland of the Upperuplands... I’ve applied to your sorcery seminar, and indeed that is my sole purpose of attending Shiz; to study sorcery with you. Perhaps you recall my essay, "Magic Wands, Need They Have A Point".
[Morrible:] Yes... However, I do not teach my seminar every semester, unless, of course, somebody special were to come along.
[Galinda:] Well, exactly!
[Elphaba:] We have not yet received our room assignments.
[Morrible:] Yes, yes, of course! Oh, you must be Miss Nessarose, the governor's daughter. What a tragically beautiful face you have! (Sees Elphaba, snorts)
... And you must be…
[Elphaba:] I’m the other daughter. Elphaba. I’m beautifully tragic.
[Morrible:] Yes, yes, I’m sure you're very bright.
[Galinda:] Bright? She's phosphorescent.
[Morrible:] I don't seem to have you on my list. Oh, well a slight gulch, but not to fret! We'll find someplace to put you.
[Galinda:] Y'know, I don't even think she read my essay.
[Shen Shen:] That's so unfair!
[Boq:] You should say something!
[Galinda:] Should I?
[Pfanee:] Do it!
[Morrible:] Now, which one of you young ladies would like to volunteer to share with Miss Elphaba?
[Galinda:] Madame Morrible...
[Morrible:] Thank you dear. Oh, how very good of you!
[Galinda:] What?
[Morrible:] Miss Elphaba, you may share with Miss Galinda.
[Galinda:] Huh?
[Morrible:] The governor made his concern for your sister's well being quite clear. So, I thought it would be best if she share my private compartment where I can assist her as needed...
[Elphaba:] But Madame, I’ve always looked after my sister.
[Morrible:] Everyone, to your dormitories.
[Elphaba:] But Madame...
[Elphaba:] Let her go!!!

(Nessarose's wheelchair is torn from Morrible's hands and begins to wheel itself back to Elphaba.)

[Morrible:] How did you do that?
[Galinda:] How did she do that?
[Nessarose:] Elphaba!
[Morrible:] You mean this has happened before?
[Elphaba:] Uh... Something just comes over me sometimes... I’m sorry, Madame.
[Morrible:] What? Never apologize for talent! Talent is a gift! Have you ever considered a career in sorcery?
[Elphaba:] Sorcery?
[Morrible:] I shall tutor you myself, and take no other students.
[Galinda:] What?

(All students but Galinda exit.)

[Morrible:] Oh, Miss Elphaba...
Many years I have waited for a gift like yours to appear
Why I predict the wizard could make you his magic, grand vizier!
My dear, my dear, I’ll write at once to the wizard
Tell him of you in advance
With a talent like yours, dear, there is a defin-ish chance
If you work as you should
You'll be making good
[Galinda:] Madame Morrible...
[Morrible:] No, not now dearest. (She exits.)
[Glinda:] This will just make me a better person.

(She smiles. She runs off.)