Act III. The Terrasse of the Cafe Pataplon. That same night.

The Carnival Ball. Drinking and laughter and much gaiety. Maisie and Dulcie and Fay and Nancy. Bobby and Alphonse and Marcel and Pierre. Hortense, The Brockhursts, all plots intersect.

All but Polly’s, who is home for the evening, heavy with heartbreak, eyes swollen with tears. Made to think her lover a common thief. Made to think he’s after her money after all.

Percival’s heart is softened by his daughter’s sadness and the enchantments of the evening. Embracing Kiki, he wishes the night to go on and on and on and on.

The boys have all proposed marriage and the girls are withholding their answers until midnight. After all. When something happens for which you’ve waited your entire life, don’t you want to relish the moment? What will we do until then? The boys ask in anguish, sopping juice off their mouths. We dance! Wiggle the girls.

You are only just beginning to remember.