Lyrics: The Lion Cub

(The students are in dr. Dillamond's class in desks. Elphaba walks in outrageously dressed.)

[Elphaba:] (Flips her hair) ... Flip flip! What?
[Fiyero:] Nothing, it's just... you've been "Galinda-fied". You don't have to do that, you know?
[Dillamond:] Alright, take your seats, class! I have something to say, and very little time to say it. This is my last day here at Shiz. I am no longer permitted to teach. I want to thank you for your sharing your enthusiasm, your essays, no matter how feebly structured, and even, on occasion, your lunch.

(Mme. Morrible rushes in.)

[Morrible:] Doctor Dillamond! I’m so dreadfully sorry.
[Elphaba:] Madame, we've got to do something.
[Dillamond:] Miss Elphaba, they can take away my job, but I shall continue speaking out.
[Scientist:] Come on, goat...

(Two men begin to carry him out of the room.)

[Dillamond:] They are not telling you the whole story! Remember that, class! Remember that.

(He is gone.)

[Elphaba:] Doctor Dillamond! (After a pause.) Well, are you just going to sit here in silence?
[Morrible:] Miss Elphaba, there is nothing we can do. Please take your seat.
[Professor:] Good afternoon, students!
[Morrible:] Good afternoon.
[Professor:] Every day, with every tick of the Time Dragon Clock, in every corner of our great Oz, one hears the silence of progress. For example: this is called a cage!

(He points to a cage with a cloth draped over it. He pulls off the cloth, revealing a lion cub inside.)

[Professor:] Now, we will be seeing more and more of them in the near future. This remarkable innovation is actually for the Animal's own good...
[Elphaba:] If this is for his own good, then why is he trembling?
[Professor:] He's just excited to be here, that's all. (Hits the cage.) Now, as I was saying, one of the benefits of caging a Lion cub while he's young is that he never, in fact, will learn how to speak.
[Elphaba:] What?

(He motions the students forward, toward the cage.)

[Professor:] That's right! Come closer!
[Elphaba:] (To Fiyero.) Can you imagine a world where Animals are kept in cages and they never speak?
[Professor:] Now, he may seem a bit agitated but that's easily remedied.
[Elphaba:] What should I do?
[Fiyero:] I don't know.
[Elphaba:] Well, somebody has to... do something!!!

(Sparks begin to fly everywhere. All students and the professor are moving uncontrollably except Fiyero and Elphaba.)

[Fiyero:] What's happening?
[Elphaba:] I don't know I got mad...and
[Fiyero:] Alright just don't move! And don't get mad at me... (He grabs the cage.) Well are you coming?
(She runs with him after he snatches the lion cub.)
[Elphaba:] Careful! Don't shake him!
[Fiyero:] I’m not!
[Elphaba:] We can't just let him loose anywhere, you know. We have to find someplace safe...
[Fiyero:] Don't you think that I realize that? You must think I’m really stupid or something!
[Elphaba:] No, not really stupid.
[Fiyero:] Why is it that every time I see you you're causing some sort of commotion?
[Elphaba:] I don't cause commotions, I am one.
[Fiyero:] That's for sure.
[Elphaba:] Oh! So you think I should just keep my mouth shut! Is that what you're saying?
[Fiyero:] No, I’m...
[Elphaba:] Do you think I want to be this way? Do you think I want to care this much? Don't you know how much easier my life would be if I didn't?
[Fiyero:] Do you ever let anyone else talk?
[Elphaba:] Oh, sorry... But can I just say one more thing? You could have just walked away back there.
[Fiyero:] So?
[Elphaba:] So, no matter how shallow and self-absorbed you tend to be...
[Fiyero:] Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.
[Elphaba:] No you're not. Or you wouldn't be so unhappy.
[Fiyero:] Fine, if you don't want my help...
[Elphaba:] No, I do! Poor little thing, its heart is trembling... I didn't mean for...
[Fiyero:] What did you mean to do? Why was I the only one you didn't do it to?
[Elphaba:] Oh look, you're bleeding... It must have scratched you.
(Referring to a cut on his face.)
[Fiyero:] Yeah... Or maybe it scratched me. I better get to safety... I mean the cub... Get the cub to safety. (He walks off.)
[Elphaba:] Fiyero...