New Yorker in Tondo

Arrival of Kikay

(Totoy appears in doorway with tray on his head; glasses and a pitcher are on tray)

TOTOY (Sailing in). Puto kayo diyan, bili na kayo ng puto...!

(Mrs. Mendoza appears in doorway, carrying a plate of sandwiches.)

MRS. M. Listen, everybody...here comes Kikay...but she prefers to be called Fran-CES-ca.

(She moves away from the doorway and Kikay appears. Kikay is garbed in a trailing ... gown trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief which she keeps waving as she walks and talks. In other hand she carries a very long cigarette holder with unlighted cigarette affixed. Kikay's manner and appearance are, to use a Hollywood expression, "chi-chi like mad.")

KIKAY (Having paused a long moment in doorway, hand uplifted in surprise and delight). Oh hello, hello...you darling, darling people! (She glides into room. Everybody else is too astonished to move) Nena, my dear... but how cute you've become! (She kisses Nena) And Tony, my little pal of the alley..how are you? (She gives her hand to Tony) And Totoy...my, how ravishing you look! (She walks all around the apprehensive Totoy) Goodness, you look like a Tondo super-production in Technicolor! But sit down everybody...do sit down and let me look at you. (Her three visitors sit down. She sees the tray with glasses and pitcher on the table and throws her hands up in amused horror) Oh mumsy, mumsy!

MRS. M. What's the matter now?

KIKAY. How many times must I tell you, mumsy dearest, never, never to serve fruit juice in water glasses?

MRS. M. I couldn't find those tall glasses you brought home.

KIKAY (Approaching and kissing her mother). Oh, my poor li'l mumsy.. She is so clumsy, no? But never mind, dearest, don't break your heart about it. Here, sit down.

MRS. M. No, I must be going to market.

KIKAY. Oh,mumsy, don't forget my celery. (To her visitors)—I can't live without celery. I'm like a rabbit... munch, munch all day.

MRS. M. Well, if you people will excuse me... Tony, remember me to your mother. (She moves away)

KIKAY (Gesturing make up). And remember, mumsy...a little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks.

MRS. M. Oh, Kikay, do I have to?

KIKAY. Again, mumsy?

MRS. M (Already in center doorway). Do I have to paint this old face of mine, Fran-CES-ca?

KIKAY (Breaking into laughter and turning towards others). But how dreadfully she puts it! Oh mumsy, mumsy...what am I going to do with you?

MRS. M (As she exits). I give up!

KIKAY (Still laughing). Poor mumsy, she's quite a problem. (She waves her cigarette) Oh, does anybody have a light? (Totoy jumps up and gives a light)

KIKAY. Merci.

TOTOY. Huh?

KIKAY. I said, Merci. That means thank you...in French.

(Kikay poises herself on arm of sofa where Nena is sitting and sipping orange juice. The two boys , also sipping juice and munching sandwiches, occupy the two chairs)
NENA. Tell us about New York.