MR. MATTIELLO: No, it does not. Your Italian will need a little work.
(He notices his cell phone ringing or vibrating and he answers
it.)
MR. MATTIELLO:
Merry Christmas! (music begins to "Christmas Makes Us
One," p. 133) Yes, she is here.
MR. MATTIELLO:
(continues) Yes, it is a perfect time. (pause) We have been
looking forward to it. (hangs up phone, then) It's time,
Susanna.
SUSANNA:
It's time? (standing, then, to Mrs. Shepherd, smiling) Mrs.
Shepherd, it's time!
MRS. SHEPHERD:
Time? For what?
SUSANNA: Time for your surprise. It is your birthday, remember?
MRS. SHEPHERD:
Well, you already paid for my dinner.
SUSANNA: Oh, this isn't from me. It's from someone who's come a long
way, just to be with you.
(Michael enters stage right in his military uniform, holding his
phone as if he was just talking to Mr. Mattiello. He puts the
phone in his pocket and then crosses upstage and enters the
diner. Mrs. Shepherd sees him, covers her mouth in disbelief.
Michael crosses to her and they embrace. She releases to look
at his face, touches his cheeks, hugs him again.)
(All Cast and Choir sing this final song together, raising their
arms to heaven at the very end.)
132
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