(Tony opens door and Totoy steps in.

Totoy is the same age as Tony and is more clearly a Tondo sheik. Both boys extend their arms out wide on beholding each other.) Totoy: Tony! Tony: Totoy! (They pound each others bellies)

Tony:

Yes! Miss Tondo has become Miss New York!

Totoy: (Laughs) Nagbibiro ka ba?! Parang kailan lang ah, nagbebenta siya ng puto sa lansangan. Ganito pa nga yun eh (Stands up and imitates a puto vendor) Puto, puto! Bili na kayo ng putooo! Tony: (Laughing)

Totoy: Lumalaki tayo ah! Tony: Lakas pre ah! Nagsalita ang hindi malaki. Someones knocking at the door. Totoy hears and goes to open it. [Nena enters] Nena is a very well possessed young lady of 24. Nena: Totoy! Totoy: Uy Nena! (Opening his arms) Nena: (Brushing him aside as she walks into the room) and Tony too! Anung meron? Reunion? Party? Totoy: (Following behind her) Oh! We have come to greet the New York girl Nena: Oooooh So have I! Is she at home ba? Tony: Oh yes. But her mothers trying to wake her up.

(Arms around each others shoulders, they march across the room laughing) Totoy: Pero hindi nga pare, what happened to you? Ive heard lots of things about you. Tony: Naku, Tony! Let them be. Kaya nga ako nandito e para kamustahin kat magkwento sayo!

Totoy: And you did a good thing. Tony: Haha! Good to see you, old pal here, have a smoke.

Totoy: (Taking a cigarette) I thought you were in Bulacan. Tony: I am. I just came to say hello to Kikay.

Totoy: (As they light cigarette) Know what Tony Ive been hearing a lot of chismis about that girl. Tony: (Laughing as he sinks into a chair) So have I.

Nena: Haha! Anu yan tulog mantika? Hanggang ngayon naghihilik pa ang tumbong? What time is it narin oh and yet shes still sleeping pa. Totoy: Eh baka naman napahimbing lang at napasarap. Aling Atang suddenly enters, appearing in the center doorway Aling A: Uy nooo Shes awake already. And shes changing. Oh... Good morning, Nena. Good morning, Totoy! (Totoy and Nena are staring speechless. Aling Atang is carrying a vase in which she has arranged Tonys flowers. She self-consciously walks into the room and sets the vase on the table amidst the silence broken only by Totoys helpless wolf whistle.)

Totoy: (Sitting down too) Baliw na ata yun eh. Tony: No. I dont think so. She has only gone to New York.

Totoy: (Makes a face) Hng! Sige nga, what was she doing there aber? Tony: (Mumbles) W-well shes studying cosmetology. Cosmetics, make-ups, hairdo and whatever.

Totoy: Uy talaga lang ha! Akalain mo yon. Tony: (Scoffs) Ha! She is not Kikay anymore. She is Fran-CES-ca!

Totoy: (Makes a face again) Fran-CES-ca?!

Aling A: (Having set the vase on the table) Well? Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring at me like that? May dumi ba sa mukha ko? May panget ba sa suot ko? Kaloka kayo ah. Nena: I-i-is that you Aling Atang? Totoy: Husmiyo! IT IS Aling Atang! (collapses into a chair) Tony: Totoy It is Mrs. Mendoza now. She prefers to be called like that.

Aling A: No, idiot! I want you to help me carry something. Nena: Aling Atang, dont prepare anything for us. Were not visitors. And were not hungry. Aling A: Its only orange juice, Nena. I was preparing some for Kikay. She takes nothing else in the morning. She says that in New York nobody eats breakfast. Now, come along, Totoy! [Exits Aling A and Totoy] Left alone, Nena and Tony are silent for a moment. [Tony seated] [Nena stand behind the sofa] Nena: (coughs) ehem Well Tony? Tony: I havent talked to Kikay yet

Aling A: Tantanan niyo yang pagtitig niyo saken! Nakakaloka na talaga kayo! Nena: (laughing) Grabe Aling Atang Parang kailan lang oh. But now, look at you. You looked bongga than ever! Aling A: Naku! Nambola pa ang bruha. Kurutin ko singit mo e! Nena: How you used to pinch and pinch me when I was little girl. I will never forget that, Mrs. M. Aling A: Because you were a very naughty girl! Always fighting with Kikay! Not just you, but all of you were very naughty children! Especially you Totoy always sneaking into our backyard to steal mangoes from our mango tree. Totoy: And do you still have the mango tree, Mrs. Mendoza? Aling A: Yes, its still out there in our backyard. Totoy: (Jumping up) Yon! Come on, Nena Lets steal their mangoes! Aling A: Ah-ah, subukan niyo lang! I still run as fast as ever. See if I dont catch you again and pull your pants off! Totoy: (Gripping his pants) ah, but I wear suspenders now, Mrs. Mendoza. Aling A: Lokong Totoy ka! Halika! Come with me to the kitchen! Totoy: Why? To pull my pants off?

Nena: You havent talked to Kikay yet? I thought you were going to come here last night and tell her everything Tony: Im sorry I-I lost my nerve. I didnt come last night.

Nena: Yan ang problema sayo eh. Naku, Tony! Tony: (irritated) Eh yan ka rin nanaman eh! Use your head Nena! Ever heard of a man breaking off his engagement with a girl?! Nena naman! Its not usual! And God! Its not easy!

Nena: (aggressive) Are you in love with me or with Kikay?! Tony: Of course Im in love with you! Were engaged right?

Nena: (bitterly) Yes Pati rin k ay Kikay engaged ka, diba?! Tony: Nena naman That was a year ago! Matagal na yun!

Nena: (flaring up) Tignan mo! E di engaged ka parin sa babaeng yun! At kahit anong sabihin mo engaged kayo!

Tony:

(Jumping up and following her) Nena, uy, Nena naman You know I love you Only you.

[Only you song enters 5 seconds to fade] Nena: (whirling around to face him) How could you have the nerve to propose to me when you know you were still engaged to Kikay?! Tony: I-I thought I didnt belong to her anymore It was only a secret engagement anyway. I proposed to her just before she left for America and she said we must keep our engagement a secret until she came back. But when she had been there a couple of months, she stopped answering my letters so I considered myself a free man again.

large silk handkerchief which she keeps waving about as she walks. In the other hand, she carries a very long cigarette holder with an unlighted cigarette affixed. Kikays manner and appearance are of a Hollywood wannabe. Bongga! Kikay: (Having paused a long moment in the doorway, hands uplifted in surprise and delight) Oh, hello, hello you darling, darling people! (She glides into the room. Everybody else is too astonished to move) Nena, my dear oh how cute youve become! (She kisses Nena) And Tony, my little pal of the valley how are you? (She gives her hand to Tony) And Totoy my, how ravishing you look. (She walks all around the apprehensive Totoy) Goodness! You are a dazzle! A Hari ng Tondo man with matching macho mucho brusko huge muscles on his body like Im gonna grrrrr! Haha But sit down everybody do sit down and let me look at you. Aling A: Well, seems like well have a small reunion here. If youll excuse me, I must be going to the market. [Aling A moves away] Kikay: (gesturing make up) oh and remember momma bells, posh yourself up before going to the market. Paint your lips with red matte lipstick and bloom yourself with ever bloomy rose foundation. Mwa Aling A: Anu ba yan Kikay! Kailangan pa ba?!

Nena: (sarcastically) And you proposed to me Tony: (miserably looking in her eyes) Yes. Nena: And then asked me to keep our engagement a secret! Tony: Because right afterwards, I found out that Kikay was coming back. (Silence) Okay, look Nena Just give me a chance to talk to Kikay and explain everything to her. Then you and I will announce our engagement. Okay?
Totoy appears in the doorway with tray on his hands; glasses and a pitcher are on a tray. Aling Atang appears in the doorway, carrying a plate of sandwiches. Aling A: Okay, listen everybody! May I introduce to you my unkabogable and super duper pretty adorable daughter, Kikay! Ay este, Fran-CES-ca pala! Mrs. Mendoza moves away from the doorway and Kikay appears. Kikay is garbed in a trailing gown trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a

Kikay: Whats that again mother dear? [Aling A already in the center doorway] Aling A: Kailangan pa ba ng chechebureche sa pagmumukha ko, my Fran-CES-ca?! Kikay: (Breaking into laughter and turning towards the others) Of course, motherrrrr! (sighs) Oh my

ever mother dearest what am I gonna do with you? Aling A: (As she exits) Ay jusmiyo Panginoon ko, patawarin mo po ako. Naloloka na ako KIKAY : (Still laughing) Poor mumsy, shes quite a problem. (She waves her cigarette) Oh, does anybody have a light? Totoy jumps up and gives her a light Kikay: Merci bien, Totoy. Totoy: Whatda? Kikay: Its Thank you. Thank you in French. Totoy: (As he sits down) Oh, merci bien too. [Kikay scoffs] Kikay poses herself on the arm of the sofa where Nena is sitting and sipping orange juice. The two boys, also sipping juice and munching sandwiches, occupying the two chairs. Nena: So. Tell us about New York. Kikay: (Fervently) Ah New York, New York! [New York oldie song plays 10 seconds to fade] Tony: Well, how long did you stay there?

Kikay:

and I realize that no no Im not there. Im not in New York Im here, here!

She rises abruptly and goes to window where she stands looking out Kikay: Im home, they tell me. Home! But which is home for me? This cannot be home because my heart aches with home sickness. I feel myself to be an exileyes, a spiritual exile. My spirit aches for its true home across the sea. Ah, New York! My own dear New York! She is silent a moment, looking across the horizon, her arms cross over her breast. Her visitors glanced uneasily at each other. Nena: (To others) I dont think we ought to be here at all, boys. Tony: Yes, youre right Nena. We shouldnt disturb her.

Nena: Lets just leave her alone with her memories. Totoy: Oo nga! Tara! Nakakahiya naman sa kanya. (imitates Kikay) Ah, New York! My own dear New York! Kikay: (Whirling around, enraptured) Listen oh listen! Now, in New York, its springtimeits spring in New York! Oh, we have a funny custom in New York an old, old and very dear custom. When spring comes around each year, we make a sort of pilgrimage to an old tree. Oh, its an old tree. Its been growing there ever since New York was New York. And we call it Our Tree. Every spring we go down to Our Tree and say hello to it and watch its first green leaves come out. In a way, that tree is our symbol for New York undying immortal, forever growing and forever green!

Kikay: (In a trance) 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes! Totoy: (Aside to the others) and look! Shes still there Sa panaginip! [Di makatulog sa gabi song plays 5 seconds to fade] Kikay: (With emotion choking her voice) Yes, I feel as if I were still there, as though I had never left it, as though I had lived there all my life! But I look around me

She laughs and makes an apologetic gesture Kikay: But please, please forgive me! Im just carried away by my emotions. I am heartily sorry for mooning away over things you have no idea about. No, you cant understand this emotion I

She bitterly looks around her at the three gaping visitors

feel for our dear old tree over there in New York. Nena: Oh, but I do, I understand perfectly! I feel that way too about our tree. Kikay: (blankly) about what tree? Nena: Oh, about our mango tree? Dont tell me you forget all about it Kikay! The happy and wonderful memories we had there when we were kids. Together with Totoy and Tony. Kikay: (still blankly) but wait a minute, wait a minute. What the hell is this tree youre talking about? Totoy: Yung mango tree nga dyan sa may bakuran niyo! Paulit-ulit lang, Kikay? Unli unli? O bingi bingi? Kikay: (Flatly) Ohhhhh. That tree Tony: Oh. Whats the matter Kikay? Dont you feel the same emotion for that tree as you do for the one in New York?

Kikay: (Earnestly) - Thats it exactly! Until youve been to New York, you cant, cant understand ever. Oh, believe menot to have lived in New York is not to have lived at all! That tree of ours over there it doesnt stand for kid stuff and childish foolishness. It stands for higher and finer things; for a more vivacious, a more streamlined, and a more daring way of life! Tony: But so you should know, I still prefer a tree that grows in Tondo.

Totoy: I second the motion. Nena: So do I. [Kikay makes a face] Nena: I really must go and say hello to that tree. You dont mind Kikay, do you? Kikay: (Laughing) Of course not child. Do go. Nena: Totoy, will you come with me? Totoy: (Fervently, as he rises) to the ends of the earth! [Exits Nena and Totoy] Kikay: (Sitting down on the sofa) Apparently, our Totoy still has a most terrific crush on Nena. [Tony is silent] Do wake up, Tony What are you looking so miserable about? Tony rises from his chair and sits down beside Kikay on the sofa. He is nervous and cannot speak. Kikay smilingly gazes at him. Tony: (Finally gathering courage) Kikay I dont know just how to begin.

Kikay: (Tartly) Of course not! They theyre completely different! I dont feel any emotion for this silly old mango tree. It doesnt awaken any memories for me at all! Nena: (Rising) Well it doesfor me!! I really must run out to the backyard and say hello to it. Imitating Kikays tone and manner Nena: You know, Kikay, over here in Tondo, we have a funny custom An old, old and very dear custom. We make a sort of pilgrimage to a silly old mango tree growing in a backyard. And for us here in Tondo, that tree is our tree. In a way, it is a symbol Kikay: (interrupting) Dont be silly, Nena. Tony: Kikay: Look whos talking. (in amused despair) Oh you people cant understand at all! Of course not! Weve never been to New York!

Kikay: Just call me Francesca... its a good beginning. Tony: There is something I must tell you something very important.

Kikay: Oh, Tony, cant we just forget all about it? Tony: Forget?

Tony:

Kikay: Thats the New York way, Tony. Forget. Nothing must ever be so serious, nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart. Tomorrow forget. And when you meet again, smile, shake hands just good sports. Tony: What are you talking about?

Hes leaping up Tony: Im not going to sit here and be insulted.

Kikay: Dont shout, Tony! Dont lose your temper! People in New York dont lose their temper. Tony: (Shouting) Enough with the New York I said! And what do you want me to do?! Smile and say thank you for slapping my face?

Kikay: Tony, I was only a lame child at that time. Tony: When?

Kikay: When you and I got engaged. Ive changed so much since then, Tony. Tony: But that was only a year ago.

Kikay: Yes, Tony, be a sport. Lets smile and shake hands and be just friends, huh? Be brave, Tony forget: thats the New York way. Find another girl! Youll find somebody else someone more proper for you. Tony: Youre crazy and even stupid, Kikay.

Kikay: To me, it seems a century. So much has happened to me. Ive become a completely different person in just one year. After all, whats a year, whats a person? More can happen to you in just one year in New York than in all a lifetime spent anywhere else. Do you know I feel as if Ive always lived in New York. In spirit, I am and have always been a native of Manhattan. When I first arrived there, I felt I had come home at last. Its my real home. Oh, listen, last summer it was really hot one of the hottest summers we Tony: (Interrupting) Please! Enough with the New York thing! I want to talk about our engagement.

Kikay looked at Tony in surprise after telling her she is even stupid. [Nena and Totoy enters] Nena: Whats all this? Kikay: Nothing nothing at all. Totoy: What were you two quarrelling about? Kikay: We were not quarrelling. Tony and I just decided to be good friends and nothing more. Nena: Oh good! Now we can tell them! Kikay: Tell us what?

Kikay: And thats what we cannot do. Tony not anymore. Tony: Then why not?

Totoy: Wait! What the hells going on here?! Nena: (Taking Tonys hand) Tony and I are engaged. Kikay: (Rising) Engaged! Totoy: (At the same time) Engaged! Nena: Yes! Weve been secretly engaged for a month.

Kikay: Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesnt exist anymore shes dead. The person you see before me is Francesca. Dont you see, Tony, Im a stranger to you we dont speak the same language and I feel so much, much older than you. Im a woman of the world, you are only a boy. I hate to hurt you, Tony! Imagine a New Yorker marrying a Tondo boy! Tony: (Blazing) Now look here

Kikay: A month! (Fiercely, to Tony) How could you do this to me, Tony!! Tony: (Backing off) I did try to tell you, Kikay I was trying to tell you that!

Kikay: You unspeakable cad!

Nena: Hey, careful there! Youre speaking to my fianc. Kikay: He is not your fianc! Nena: Oh no? And why not, ha? Kikay: Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you! Nena: Well, hes not engaged to you anymore, you just said so yourself. Kikay: Ive never felt so humiliated in all my life! You beast! Ill teach you to humiliate me! Nena: (Blocking her way) I told you to leave him alone. He is my fianc. Kikay: And I tell you hes not! Hes engaged to me until I release him and I havent released him yet! Nena: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Youre just being a dog in the manger! Kikay: Oh yeah! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Stealing my man behind my back! Nena: (Exploding) WHAT! What did you say? Tony: (Keeping a safe distance) Totoy, pull them apart!

Tony: Oh yeah! And look what youve done to her! Totoy has dropped the knocked-out Kikay on a chair. Nena: Are you trying to defend her? How dare you! You never defended me! Tony: SHUT UP!

Nena: Thats it Tony! Youre such an asshole! I hate you! I hate you! Tony: Shut up or Ill bash your mouth off!

Totoy: (Deserting the reviving Kikay) Hoy, dont you talk to Nena that way! Tony: You keep out of this!

Totoy: (To Tony) You take your hands off her! Tony: I told you to keep out of this!

Totoy socks Tony. Tony drops to the floor. Nena: (Running to Totoy) Totoy Meanwhile, Kikay has run to Tonys side. Kikay: (Kneeling beside Tony) Tony, Tony open your eyes! Tony: (Sitting up and brushing her hands away) Oh, get away from here.

Kikay: (To Totoy, as he approaches) You keep out of this or Ill knock you out! Totoy: Naku, lumabas din and pagka Tondo! Nena: Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Malandi ka! Kikay: Mas malandi ka! Mangaagaw!! They grapple and stagger. Tony and Totoy rush forward to separate them and finally succeeded but not before Kikay has socked Nena. Nena, infuriated, breaks away from Tony whos dragging her away. And pounces on Kikay whom Totoy is holding. Tony came running but is too late to prevent Nena from socking Kikay. Kikay sags down in Totoys arms. Tony pulls Nena away. Tony: (Furious) How dare you sock her?

Kikay rises and haughtily moves away. Tony continues to sit on the floor. Nena: Totoy, take me away from here! Totoy: (Pointing to Tony) Are you still engaged to him? Nena: I guess not anymore. Hes an asshole and I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life! He deserves to be with that slut! Totoy: Good! Come on, lets go. He takes her arm and propels her to the door. Tony: (As they pass him) Hoy!

Nena: What? She hit me first!

Nena: (Pausing) Dont you speak to me, you brute!

Tony:

(Still sitting on the floor) I wasnt talking to you.

Tony:

In that silly dress?

Totoy: Dont you speak to me either! You have insulted this woman I love. Dapat sa kanya yung lalaking katulad ko hindi katulad mong gago! Nena: (Coldly) Lets go darling Umaalingasaw na ang kabahuan ng mga tao dito! [Exit Nena and Totoy] Tony rises and dusts himself. Kikay is on the floor on the other side of the room, her haughty back to him. Tony: Now youve ruined my life. I hope youre satisfied.

Kikay: Its true, Tony. Im Kikayremember me? We used to go swimming together, when we were kids. Ive come back, Tony. Tony: If I were right, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay.

Kikay: Yes, and youre still engaged to her, Tony. Tony: Why didnt you answer my letters?

Kikay: (After just a wee pause) Francesca wouldnt let me write, Tony. [Offstage] Mrs. Mendoza is heard calling Francesca, Francesca. Tony and Kikay listen, then burst into laughter. Aling A: (Appearing in doorway) FrancesOh, Tony, are you still here? Tony: (Moving towards the radio) That was Francesca, Aling Atang, and Francesca is dead. The girl standing before you is Kikay.

Kikay: (Whirling around) I... have ruined your life? You have just ruined mine! Tony: Just one year in New York and you forget your old friends!

Kikay: Just one year that Im in New York what did you do! When we got engaged, you swore to be true, you promised to wait for me. And I believed you, I believed you! (She begins to weep) Tony: What are you crying about? Be brave. Forget. Thats the New York way. Nothing must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long

Aling A: (Dazed) But Kikay is Francesca Kikay: Oh no, Inay. Im not Francesca Im Kikay. Aling A: (After gazing from on to the other, throwing her hands up.) Putragis! Nakakaloka ka, nyeta!

Kikay: Oh Tony, Ive been such a fool! Im so sorry, Tony! Tony: Well, Im not! Im glad I found out what kind of a person you are!

[Exits]

Kikay: (Alarmed, approaching him) Oh, Tony, youre wrong, youre wrong! Im not that kind of a person at all! Tony: Oh person is just a relative term, huh?

Kikay: Yes, Tonythat was Francesca saying all those silly things. But Francesca exists no more, Tony. The girl standing before you is Kikay.