Script

SIDE 1

JAFAR

You have news?

IAGO

The Princess in back. Not a scratch on her.

JAFAR

And that thieving boy from the marketplace?

IAGO

In custody - with several scratches.

JAFAR

Excellent.

IAGO

Yeah, I thought you'd be pleased.

JAFAR

"Pleased?"

IAGO

Yeah! Ever heard of it?

JAFAR

(beat)
"Pleased" to be playing nursemaid to a spoiled Princess? "Pleased" to be keeping tabs on every petty thief in Agrabah? While day in and day out that blithering idiot remains Sultan!

IAGO

(changing the subject)
What'cha workin' on there, boss?

JAFAR

(sarcastic)
My penmanship.

IAGO

Looks like one very old, very important document.
(JAFAR blows to dry the ink.)

JAFAR

With a nice, new paragraph I just added. Listen to this: "Should an unmarried Royal Princess, who is sole heir to the throne, fail to choose a husband within the time allotted for such selection, the Sultan's highest-ranking official--"

IAGO

That would be you.

JAFAR

Let me finish!
(continuing)
"...the Sultan's highest-ranking official" -- that would be me -- "will immediately become betrothed to the Princess and will himself inherit all rights, privileges, and powers of the Sultan."

IAGO

So now all we gotta do is make sure she doesn't fall for anybody before tomorrow.

JAFAR

And if she does, we make sure he has ...

IAGO

A freakish, tragic accident.

JAFAR

A freakish, tragic accident.
(JAFAR and IAGO laugh wickedly.)

IAGO

As you wish, my "Sultan-to-be."

JAFAR

"As I wish!" When have things ever been as I wished?

 

SIDE 2

(All exit except JAFAR and IAGO.)

IAGO

There's something funny about that guy.

JAFAR

Agreed. Keep your eyes on this "Prince Ali."
(RAZOUL enters.)

RAZOUL

Hey Boss, that boy we found with Princess Jasmine? The boy from the marketplace?

IAGO

(light bulb, aside)
The boy from the marketplace?

JAFAR

Yes, yes, what about him?

RAZOUL

He's escaped?

JAFAR

How exactly does a boy "escape" from a dungeon, Captain?

RAZOUL

Um, well, Boss -- he wasn't exactly in a dungeon ...

JAFAR

I'm waiting.

RAZOUL

The dungeons were all full, so I thought it would be best to put him in your cave.

IAGO

The cave with all your treasures!

JAFAR

He's in my cave? With all my treasures?

RAZOUL

"Treasures?" Nuh-uh, boss - that cave with all the old junk.

JAFAR

Idiot! Those are precious items I've been stealing - I mean "collecting" - throughout my long career in public service. That filthy urchin could have stolen a fortune!
(beat)

Razoul! Why are you standing there? Go and find that boy! And this time bring him to me.

RAZOUL

Right away, Boss! Right away!
(RAZOUL exits.)

JAFAR

That fool! There's no telling where that street rat is by now! He could be anywhere, passing himself off as a sheik, or a maharajah ...

IAGO

Or a prince.
(JAFAR and IAGO lock eyes.)

JAFAR

"Prince Ali!" Of course!

IAGO

(aside)
"Thank you, Iago. That was brilliant!" Aw, shucks, Boss, just doin' my job.

JAFAR

The insolence! The gall of him! Right here under our noses, taunting us! But we'll have the last laugh!

IAGO

Or maybe not.

JAFAR

Why "not"?

IAGO

The guy with the earring.

JAFAR

Who? His musical sidekick? A thoroughly ridiculous person!

IAGO

But powerful.

JAFAR

In what way "powerful?"

IAGO

Ten to one, he's behind that carpet trick.

JAFAR

Because you suspect he's what exactly? A wizard?

IAGO

Better than that.

JAFAR

A sorcerer?

IAGO

Better than that.

JAFAR

What is this? "Three questions"?

IAGO

Nope. Three wishes.

JAFAR

(comprehending)
A genie!

IAGO

Bingo.

JAFAR

A genie, of course!