The scene switches to farce. Vittorio sings romantically to Ursula while passing a beer to the closet-hidden Charity. Puffing a cigarette, she watches through the keyhole as Vittorio and Ursula make love. 'Gee,' says Charity, impressed, '... talk about your foreign movies!' In the Hostess Room, the following night, the girls are disgusted that Charity didn't get more out of Vittorio. Nickie says she's not going to stick this crummy job for the rest of her life but Herman brings them back to down to earth. An electric light announces Charity's 'Big Decision'. She's going to get some culture from the YMCA on 92nd Street. At the Y, Charity gets stuck in the lift with shy, panicky tax accountant, Oscar Lindquist. While trying to calm him down, Charity finds out he isn't married. 'Oh, Oscar,' she declares. 'You're gonna be all right.' The lights go out and Act One ends with them yelling for help. Act Two finds them still in the elevator, but not for long. Finally released, Oscar invites Charity to go to church with him. It turns out to be The Rhythm Of Life Church, which is holding its unorthodox meeting in an underground car park. A police raid breaks up the meeting. Afterwards, Oscar proposes another date. On the subway home, he tries to guess Charity's job - it's in a bank. Unlike with Vittorio, Charity lies: 'You guessed it. First National City, Williamsburg Branch.' As they part, another sign lights up 'The First Kiss'. Oscar kisses her hand, and dubs her 'Sweet Charity'. Two weeks later, Oscar and Charity are still seeing each other and she still hasn't told him what she actually does for a living. Out at Coney Island Amusement Park they get trapped again - this time on the parachute jump. But now he is the calm one and she is scared - scared that she is starting to depend on him. Once again, Charity loses her nerve about telling him what her real job is. It's far too pleasant just listening to Oscar, who has turned manly and protective since meeting her. As the crowd look on, the couple kiss. On a slow night at the Fan-Dango, Charity is beaten to one of the few customers by the new girl. Finally disgusted by the whole business, she quits. But on Times Square she wonders what the alternative is. At Barney's Chile Hacienda, Charity meets Oscar to have it out. She admits that she's a dance hall hostess. But he knows. He followed her one night and watched for an hour. He doesn't care and wants to marry her. Charity leaves on cloud nine and packs a suitcase on which is printed 'Almost Married'. After a farewell party at the Ballroom Charity and Oscar walk in the park when Oscar drops the bombshell. He can't marry her. He's been thinking about the men before him. 'Marry me and I'll destroy you, Charity,' he says. 'That's okay,' says Charity, 'I'm not doing much now, anyway.' Urging her to run away, Oscar pushes her into the lake. Then he leaves. Charity emerges. 'Did you ever have one of those days?' she asks the audience. But at least she still has her bag. She is just thinking that maybe things are looking up when, right on cue, the Good Fairy appears. 'Dreams will come true tonight!' she promises, scattering stardust. She turns to go. On her back is a sign saying: 'Watch "The Good Fairy" Tonight ... 8 o'clock ... CBS.' Charity shrugs, and begins to dance, alone again as at the start. Three fluorescent signs appear in turn, reading: 'And So She Lived' ... 'Hopefully' ... 'Ever After'. CAST: - Male - 8+: Female - 10+ • Charity Hope Valentine • Dark Glasses (Charlie) • Bystander • Married Couple • Woman with Hat • Ice Cream Vendor • Football Player • Ballplayers • Career Girl • Spanish Young Man • Two Cops • Helene • Nickie • Carmen • Herman • Doorman • Ursula • Vittorio Vidal • Waiter • Manfred • Receptionist • Old Maid • Oscar Lindquist • Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck • Brother Harold • Brother Eddie • Policeman • plus chorus and dancers
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