SIDE 1

(THE MARKETPLACE. Realizing the coast is clear, the two cloaked figures turn downstage and remove their hoods; they are ALADDIN and JASMINE. JASMINE reaches under her cloak and withdraws the loaf of bread, which she extends to ALADDIN.)

JASMINE

I don't understand. Why would anybody steal a loaf of bread?

ALADDIN

Gee, I dunno. Acute hunger pangs? Lightness of head? Rude growling noises from the stomach? All of the above?

JASMINE

Hunger pangs? What's that?

ALADDIN

You're not from around here, are you?

JASMINE

Of course I'm from around here!

ALADDIN

Nah. You're too nice. And too scared.

JASMINE

Well, sure I'm scared. Those people chasing us were so angry!

ALADDIN

That's Agrabah: hungry and angry. But when you're trapped here, you get used to it.

JASMINE

Believe me, you're not trapped. You're free to go anywhere you want. Do anything you want.

ALADDIN

Tell me the truth. This is your first time in the marketplace, isn't it?

JASMINE

(looks around, cagey)
Well my first time in this particular marketplace.

ALADDIN

It's the only marketplace we have.

JASMINE

(caught)
Oops.
(ALADDIN and JASMINE laugh.)

ALADDIN

So you don't wanna tell me where you're from. Fine. But I bet wherever it is, it's -- well, it's gotta be --

JASMINE

Boring?

ALADDIN

Beautiful.
(JASMINE is pleased, but she looks away. ALADDIN changes the subject.)
Wow! The Palace looks amazing from here, doesn't it?

JASMINE

(bored)
Oh, yes, it's wonderful. Always perfectly wonderful.

SIDE 2

(ALADDIN stands and dusts himself off.)

ALADDIN

But I do like Jasmine. I mean, "The Princess!" Ugh! I must've sounded so stupid! Then again, what does it matter? I'm never gonna see her again. Me, the "street rat"!

(beat)
Besides, she deserves a prince. Or at least someone better than me. Oh why did I ever meet her?
(beat)
Boy, I'm glad I met her!
(ALADDIN collapses to a sitting position. For the first time, he takes notice of all the objects around him.)
Look at all this junk! I bet no one's been in here for years.
(A small lamp catches ALADDIN's eye. He picks it up.)
Something's written on this thing. Let's see here...
(ALADDIN rubs the lamp with his sleeve. Lights flicker. Smoke fills the air. Lights snap to black. When lights are restored, a GENIE stands before ALADDIN.)

GENIE

Oy! Ten thousand years in a tin can'll give you such a crick in the neck!
(cracks his neck)
Okay, that's better!
(to ALADDIN)
Now then, "Your wish is my command," yadda yadda, you know the drill, so shoot...
(ALADDIN is too astonished to speak. He looks from GENIE to the Lamp and back to GENIE.)
C'mon, kid, what's it gonna be? Cash, camels, Casbahs?
(ALADDIN still can't form words.)
You must want something...
(GENIE claps his hands in ALADDIN's face.)
Hey! What's you say your name was?

ALADDIN

(wary)
Aladdin.

GENIE

"Aladdin." He speaks! Okay! This is gonna be a snap! May I call you "Al>" You know, Al, you're a lot smaller than my last master. Either that, or I'm getting bigger. Do these harem pants make me look fat?

ALADDIN

(amazed)
Wait a minute - I'm your "master>"

GENIE

Hello? "Direct from the lamp?" It's the Genie with the light brown hair!

ALADDIN

You mean I, like, get to make a wish and everything?

GENIE

Yeah, Al, like three wishes!

ALADDIN

Awesome!

GENIE

But no wishing for more wishes, okay? 'Cuz that is just so yesterday. But otherwise, you're the boss. This is your lucky day. All your dreams are coming true
(beat)
Maybe I should explain. Fine.
(as if to a musical conductor)
Maestro? What key are we in?

(A bell tone sounds. ALADDIN is completely bewildered.)
It's a musical!