The Heat Is On In Saigon
officers. The girls parade around and get the crowd to buy raffle tickets: the winner of the
"beauty contest" will be the prize.)
AMERICANS
the heat is on in Saigon
the girls are hotter 'n' hell
one of these slits here will be Miss Saigon
God, the tension is high, not to mention the smell
the heat is on in Saigon
ESTEVEZ (A MARINE)
is there a war going on?
AMERICANS
don't ask, I ain't gonna tell
(two friends, CHRIS and JOHN, are among the Marines. JOHN is with one of the girls)
CHRIS
how are you doing there, John?
JOHN
I got the hots for Yvonne
we should get drunk and get laid
since the end is so near
CHRIS
I tell you, buddy, I've had it
I don't want to hear
JOHN
the heat is on in Saigon
but till they tell me I'm gone
I'm gonna buy you a girl
CHRIS
you can buy me a beer
(the girls leave the men and move onto the stage)
MIMI
see my bikini, it's just the right size
YVETTE
don't you enjoy how it rides up my thighs?
look from behind, it'll knock out your eyes
YVONNE
I'll show you: my special trophy of war
MIMI
for a Marine, I'll show more
AMERICANS
you won't get up off the floor
the heat is on in Saigon
don't tell me I'm reassigned, all that chickenshit sucks
tonight I'm out of my mind, not to mention ten bucks
GIGI
if I'm your pin-up, I'll melt all your brass
stuck on your wall, with a pin in my ass
if you get me, you will travel first class
I'll show you, we will make magic, cheri
ENGINEER
you buy more tickets from me
the winner gets her for free
CHRIS
the meat is cheap in Saigon
why can't I just play the game, we lost the war long ago
what is this bug up my ass? You tell me, I don't know
(the ENGINEER pushes KIM forward)
KIM
I'm seventeen, and I'm new here today
the village I come from seems so far away
all of the girls know much more what to say
but I know
I have a heart like the sea
a million dreams are in me
CHRIS
Good Jesus, John, who is she?
AMERICANS (AND CROWD)
the Cong is tight'ning the noose
is it a week or a day or an hour that we got?
tonight could be our last shot got to put it to use
(the GIRLS come off the stage and mingle with the men.)
ALL, INCLUDING GIRLS
tonight I bet that you and I will get along
forget about the threat, forget the Vi-et Cong
ALL MEN
Mimi, Gigi, Yvette or Yvonne
gonna buy me a beer, and elect Miss Saigon
(the ENGINEER holds the election by holding his hand over each girl's head for applause.
When KIM is judged, CHRIS claps loudly, which makes her notice him.)
ENGINEER
Yvonne, Yvette, Mimi, Kim, Gigi
(GIGI wins)
ENGINEER
attention, s'il vous plait!
by popular demand
Miss Gigi Van Tranh
is elected Miss Saigon!
(the ENGINEER puts a cheap tiara on GIGI and a ribbon which says "Miss Saigon".)
AMERICANS
the heat is on in Saigon
and things are not going well
but still at midnight, the party goes on
a good-bye party in hell
ENGINEER
and now who wins her?
(the ENGINEER holds a bowl; GIGI picks up a ticket.)
GIGI
number 66!
(it is one of the Marines. He cheers with his friends. The scene freezes