Audition Central: Fiddler on the Roof JR.

Script: Hodel

SIDE 1

HODEL

That was a very interesting lesson, Perchik.
 

PERCHIK

Thank you.
 

HODEL

But I don't think the Rabbi would agree with your strange ideas.
 

PERCHIK

Certainly! Any new idea would be strange to you. Remember, the Lord said: Let there be light.
 

HODEL

Yes. But he was not talking to you personally ... Good day.
 

PERCHIK

You have spirit. Even a little intelligence perhaps.
 

HODEL

Thank you.
 

PERCHIK

And you are very brave. Do you know that in the city boys and girls can hold hands together, they even dance together - new dances - like this.

(HE seizes her and starts dancing, humming)

I learned it in Kiev. Do you like it?
 

HODEL

(Startled)
It's very nice.

PERCHIK

(Stops dancing)
There. We've just changed an old custom.

HODEL

(Bewildered)
Yes. Well, you're welcome - I mean, thank you - I mean, good day.

PERCHIK

Good day.

SIDE 2

(Exterior of TEVYE'S house. HODEL ENTERS, petulantly, followed by PERCHIK, who is carrying a suitcase)

PERCHIK

Please don't be upset, Hodel.

HODEL

Why should I be upset? If you must leave, you must.

PERCHIK

They expect me in Kiev tomorrow morning.

HODEL

So you told me. Then goodbye.

PERCHIK

Hodel, your father, the others here, think what happened at Tzeitel's wedding was a little cloudburst and it's over and everything will now be peaceful again. It won't. You understand?

HODEL

Yes, I - I suppose I do. Goodbye, Perchik.

PERCHIK

Before I go,

(Hesitates, then summons up courage)

there is a certain question I wish to discuss with you. A political question.

HODEL

Yes?

PERCHIK

The question of marriage.

HODEL

This is a political question?

PERCHIK

Yes. And I personally am in favor of it.

HODEL

Are you asking me to marry you?

PERCHIK

In a theoretical sense, yes, I am.

HODEL

I was hoping you were.

PERCHIK

And we can consider ourselves engaged, even though I am going away?

(SHE nods)

I will send for you as soon as I can. It will be a hard life, Hodel.

HODEL

But it will be less hard if we live it together.

TEVYE

(ENTERING)
Good evening.

PERCHIK

Good evening, Reb Tevye, I have some bad news. I must leave this place.

TEVYE

I'm sorry, Perchik. We will all miss you.

PERCHIK

But you can also congratulate me.

TEVYE

Congratulations. What for?

PERCHIK

We're engaged.

TEVYE

Engaged?

HODEL

Yes, Papa, we're engaged.

(Takes PERCHIK'S HAND)

TEVYE

(Pleasantly, separating them)
No, you're not. I know, you like him, and he likes you. But you're going away, and you're staying here, so have a nice trip Perchik.

HODEL

Please, Papa, you don't understand.

TEVYE

I understand. I gave my permission to Motel and Tzeitel, so you feel that you also have a right. But my answer is still no.

HODEL

Papa, you don't...

TEVYE

We'll find someone else for you, here in Anatevka.

PERCHIK

Reb Tevye, we are not asking for your permission.

TEVYE

You're not asking for my permission?

HODEL

But we would like your blessing, Papa.