Scene 9
Lights down on Kai, back up on the sleeping girls.
GARDENER (as DOVES)
Coo. Coo. We have seen Kai. We have seen him.
GERDA
What? Who said that?
DOVES
We did. Up here. We have seen Kai. He rode in the Snow Queen's giant sleigh. We saw them fly over the forest. Coo. Coo.
GERDA
The Snow Queen? Kai was with the Snow Queen? Where was she taking him? Do you know?
DOVES
She was on her way North to Lapland.
GERDA
Lapland? How do I get there?
DOVES
That's all we know. Ask the reindeer.
GERDA
Bae. Bae. Can you tell me how to get to Lapland? (pulling on Bae) Come on, Bae, talk to me.
ROBBER GIRL
Well, don't we learn quick.
GERDA
Belinda
ROBBER GIRL
What do you think you're doing?
GERDA
Nothing
ROBBER GIRL
It don't look like nothing to me. It looks to me like you're trying to steal my reindeer.
GERDA
No. I wasn't. I wasn't trying to steal him. I was... I was trying to...
ROBBER GIRL
What?
GERDA
Talk to him. I was trying to talk to him.
ROBBER GIRL
Un huh.
GERDA
I was. Belinda, the doves say they know where Kai is.
ROBBER GIRL
Yeah. Right.
GERDA
They do. They told me. He went with the Snow Queen, and she was on her way to Lapland.
ROBBER GIRL
So?
GERDA
They said Bae could tell me how to get there.
ROBBER GIRL
Well, did he?
GERDA
No. He won't talk to me.
ROBBER GIRL
That's because he only talks to me. He's a shy old reindeer. Ain't you Bae?
GERDA
You ask him.
ROBBER GIRL
What for? You ain't going nowhere, Gertie. You gotta stay right here and be my playmate.
GERDA
I can't. I have to go find Kai. Ask Bae how to get to Lapland.
ROBBER GIRL
Who made you the boss!
GERDA
Belinda, talk to that reindeer.
ROBBER GIRL
Bae! How do you get to Lapland? He ain't saying.
GERDA
Belinda!
ROBBER GIRL
All right. (She whisper to Bae) Bae, do you know where Lapland is? (Puts her ear near his mouth for his reply) You were? I didn't know that. Bae was born in Lapland. It's his home. (Puts her ear down again) Huh? That far. She couldn't? You could?(to Gerda) Bae says you would never find it by yourself. It's way far north. Over ice and mountains and frozen lakes.
GERDA
Oh.
ROBBER GIRL
Bae says he could take you.
GERDA
He could? Really? Will you let him?
ROBBER GIRL
What'll you gimme?
GERDA
I don't have anything. My muff. You can have my fur muff.
ROBBER GIRL
I already stole that.
GERDA
Oh. That's right.
ROBBER GIRL
How 'bout your hair, Gertie?
GERDA
My hair!
ROBBER GIRL
Sure. Cut off that braid and give 'em to me, and I'll let Bae take you to Lapland.
GERDA
But...
ROBBER GIRL
That's my price.
GERDA
All right.
Gerda starts to cut off a pigtail with the knife.
ROBBER GIRL
Stop! I don't want your hair.
GERDA
You don't?
ROBBER GIRL
I just wanted to see if you'd do it. I was testing you.
GERDA Well?
ROBBER GIRL
You passed. Come on. If you're going, you better get outta here before Ma wakes up.
GERDA
You mean you'll help me? Oh, Belinda.
ROBBER GIRL
Take this coat. It'll be colder'n ice where you're going. And here's some bread and ham.
GERDA
Why are you doing this? Giving me food and a coat and your reindeer?
ROBBER GIRL
The reindeer ain't for keeps. You send him back soon as you're safely there. And don't blubber.
GERDA
But why.....
ROBBER GIRL
Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. Cause I feel like it. Okay? Bae, you sweet old thing, take this girl to Lapland, then get back here on the double. You understand? Now get on that reindeer.
GERDA
Goodbye, Belinda. Thank you.
ROBBER GIRL
Good riddance to bad rubbish. (softer) Goodbye, Gertie.
GERDA as NARRATOR
And so they were off. Gerda and the reindeer, off to Lapland.
(GERDA and KAI as BAE dance. They reach Lapland in the dance and celebrate. The GARDENER as the LONESOME PINE enters.)
GERDA
Lapland? Lapland! Bae! Bae, stop running around.
Bae keeps running around
Bae! Did you hear me? We have to find someone who can tell us how to get to the Snow Queen's palace
GARDENER as LONESOME PINE
Go twenty miles due North, turn right at a bush with big red berries. You'll pass an old woman fishing. Ask her.
GERDA
Bae? Did you hear something? I must have imagined it. There's not a living thing for hundreds of miles.
LONESOME PINE
I am . I'm a living thing .
GERDA
Who was that?
LONESOME PINE
Me. Over here. You humans think you know everything. Believe me, we trees could tell you a thing or two.
GERDA
Bae. That tree is talking to me. What should I do. (leans her ear to Bae's mouth, then speaks to the tree ), Mr. Tree. How are you? My name is Gerda. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Do you have feelings too?
LONESOME PINE
Of course I have feelings. Do you think humans are the only ones with feelings ?
GERDA
Well, I don't know. I mean I just never thought, (starting to lose it) I, I am very tired and cold, and I'm trying to find my friend Kai who went with the Snow Queen. Have you seen them?
LONESOME PINE
Are you crying?
GERDA
No. Yes. What if I am. Just please tell me if you've seen Kai.
LONESOME PINE
A boy about so tall, wearing a blue and gold scarf?
GERDA
Yes! That's Kai!
LONESOME PINE
I saw him. Flew by with the Snow Queen on the way to her palace.
GERDA
Can you tell me how to get there?
LONESOME PINE
I already did. Go twenty miles due North, turn right at a bush with big red berries. Look for an old woman fishing in the ice. Ask her.
GERDA
Bae, let's go. Twenty miles due North, right, bush with big red berries. Old woman fishing in the....What if she's not there?
LONESOME PINE
Oh, she'll be there. How else would you know how to find your friend? She's called the Fisher Woman.
GERDA
The Fisher Woman. Right. Thank you, Tree.