Hallway of the hotel in Cannes. MRS. SING, dressed to travel and carrying a suitcase, is heading down the hall. The music from the previous scene continues. MS. ODDI, a little drunk, in a beautiful gown, steps out into the hall and hurries after MRS SING.
MS. ODDI: Oh! Where are you going?
MRS. SING: (escaping) Good-bye, Ms. Oddi.
MS. ODDI: Good-bye? (clearly drunk) What do you mean, good-bye?
MRS. SING: I am returning to Paris.
MS. ODDI: But… we’re only just becoming friends! Don’t you want to stay and be my friend?
MRS. SING: Oh, Ms. Oddi. I am such a fool. You don’t want to be my friend.
MS. ODDI: But Mrs. Sing—where did you get that idea? You are so sensitive! You know I was just pretending! (flamboyantly, drunk) I was just joking around…
MRS. SING: No, I’m not like you, Ms. Oddi. I have to go home now.
MS. ODDI: Not like me? But what am I like?
(MRS. SING begins to head off.)
MS. ODDI: Well I—(haughty, defensive, suddenly sober) All I wanted is a better life!
(MRS. SING pauses, turns.)
MRS. SING: There is no better life, Ms. Oddi. There is no better life.
(MRS. SING leaves.)