Jessa Price

Annie
Scene 1:
Molly:
(awaking from a bad dream and crying out)
Mommy! Daddy!

Kate:
Be quiet already!

Molly:
Mommy! Daddy!

Pepper:
We’re tryna get some sleep! So put a pin in it!
(Pepper shelves molly on the ground.)

July:
Hey, leave her alone! She didn’t do anything to you!

Pepper:
Well she is keeping me awake! Is she not!

July:
No you are! You blabbermouth!

Pepper:
Are you gonna do anything about it!
(Pepper pushes July and sticks her tongue at her.)

July:
(July stands back up with hatred in her eyes.)
Oh it's on!

(July and Pepper start to fight.)

Tessie:
(Tessie sits up, holding a teddy bear.)
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! They're fighting and I ain’t gonna get no
sleep all night. Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!
 Annie:
(Annie walks in with a bucket in her hand.)
Pipe down all of you! Miss Hannigan will hear us! Go back to sleep. (To Molly) It’s
ok Molly, Annies here.

Molly:
It was my parents Annie, we was riding on the ferry boat and my daddy held me
up to see all the big boats and then…. (Molly starts to whimper) and then I
couldn’t find them no more!

(Annie holds a tissue out for Molly. Molly blows her nose.)

Annie:
Blow. It was just a bad dream sweetie. Now go on back to sleep. It's after
three o’clock.

Molly:
Annie, read me your note.

Annie:
Again? I’ve already done it 100 times in the last week!

Molly:
Pretty please with cherries on top?

Annie:
Ok fine.

Kate:
Here we go again.
(Kate rolls her eyes and looks at Pepper.)

Pepper:
Tell me about it.

(Annie takes out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket, unfolds it with
caution and starts to read it to Molly.)

Annie:
“Please take good care of our little angel. Her name is Annie.”

Kate:
(Mockingly; she stands up)
“She was born on October 28th. We will be back for her soon.”

Pepper:
(Mockingly)
“We have left her a silver locket around her neck and kept the other half-”

Pepper, Duffy, Kate:

“-so that when we come back for her we will know that she is our sweet little
darling.”

Tessie:
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Now they’re laughing.

Annie:
All right all right! Do you wanna sleep with your teeth in your mouth or not?!

(Annie puts her note in her pocket and leans her head on Mollys head.)

Molly:
Gee, Annie you're lucky you have parents. I would give anything to have parents
like you.

(Maybe begins.)

Scene 2

(Annie's escape begins. A church bell is the distance rings. It's 4:00 am Annie jumps
up and starts to pack a bag. The orphans are waking up as Annie turns on a flash
light.)

Pepper:
Now what?
 Kate:
Annie, whattaya doin’?

Annie:
Runnin’ away.

Tessie:
Oh my goodness.

Annie:
(puts on her sweater)
I ain’t waiting for my folks no longer. I gotta get to them.

July:
Annie, are you nuts or something? If Miss Hannigan finds out she’ll ring your neck.

Duffy:
And then she’ll give you… The paddle!

Annie:
I’m willing to take that risk. I can’t stand another minute here. (With the bag over her
shoulder.) Okay. I’m ready, wish me luck.

All except Pepper:

Good luck, Annie!

Pepper:
So long dumbbell. And good luck you're gonna need it.

(With the bag over her shoulder and shining the flashlight in front of her Annie sneaks
on her tiptoes across the stage to the front door. As Annie reaches to open the door
Miss Hannigan, Wearing a bathrobe, flings the door open.)

Miss Hannigan:
Aha! Got you this time!
(Miss Hannigan pushes Annie to the ground. The lights turn on.
Get up, get up!
(Miss Hannigan grabs annies shirt and pulls her up.)

Annie:
Yes Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Turn around.
(Annie doesn’t move.)
I said turn around!
(Annie turns around slowly with an upset look on her face. Miss Hannigan hits
her on the back with a paddle.)
There! Now what do you say? What…do...you...say?

Annie:
(Reluctantly, Through her teeth)
I love you Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Yeah yeah. Rotten orphan.

Annie:
(Angrily)
I’m not an orphan. My parents will come back for me
some day!

Miss Hannigan:
That was 1922; this is 1933.
(Miss Hannigan looks at all the orphans and blows her whistle.)
Get up! Now, because of Annie you will all get down on your tiny little knees and clean
until your arms become noodles.

Tessie:
(starting to cry)
But it's four o’clock in the morning.

Miss Hannigan:
(mockingly)
But it's four o’clock in the morning. Do I look like I care!?

All:
Yes, Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Now!

(Hard Knock Life Begins)

(Molly runs behind the laundry hamper and is covered with sheets the children
have stripped from the beds.)

(Miss Hannigan who is now dressed enters and whistles. Annie and the orphans run
and form a line in the front of the stage. But Annie’s attention remains on the laundry
hamper as she is hatching a plan.)

Miss Hannigan:
Good morning, children.

All except Annie:

Good morning, Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Well?

All except Annie:

We love you Miss Hannigan.

Molly:
(From behind the hamper)
I love you Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
You! What are you doing back there?

Molly:
I don’t know.

Miss Hannigan:
(To Duffy)
Pull her out of there!
(To Molly)
Quit messing around or else!
(whistle)
All right. Time to eat you filthy magots!

All:
(unenthusiastic)
Hot mush? Yuck!

Miss Hannigan:
No, not hot mush.
(all rejoice)
Cold mush.
(all groan)
And after you eat you will go to sewing machines. There's an order of dresses to
finish, if you have to work till your fingers fall off.

All:
Yes Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Now line up you little pests!

(The orphans stand still as Miss Hannigan inspects them. Then Mr Bundles enters
pushing a laundry hamper.)

All:
Mornin, Bundles.

Bundles:
Mornin kids, clean sheets once a month whether you need ‘em or not.

(Annie sneaks behind the rest of the orphans and hides behind the laundry basket.)

Hey, hey, hey, Aggie. How's the prettiest girl south of 14th street?

Miss Hannigan:
Bundles, get outta here with that laundry.
 Bundles:
(Pushing the laundry basket, with Annie behind it.)
So long, gorgeous, and merry christmas.

Miss Hannigan:
(Looking at the floor.)
Huh, you call this clean Annie? This place looks like a pigsty… Annie? Annie?!

Duffy:
Annie ain’t here!

Miss Hannigan:
What do you mean “Annie ain’t here”?

Tessie:
She just went. With Mr Bundles.

Molly:
Behind the laundry basket!

Miss Hannigan:
(laughs, pauses)
Bundles!
(runs out)
Police! Police!

July:
No more hard-knock life for Annie!

Kate:
Lucky.

(Hard-knock life reprise starts)

SCENE 3
(Lights up. A few trash cans set us up on a street corner at St Mark’s place. It's a chilly
December afternoon, a few hours later A DOGCATCHER with a rope runs across the
stage. An APPLE SELLER enters, appealing to the occasional PASSERBY)

Apple Seller:
Apples! Apples! Two for a nickel.

Annie:
(Runs out from behind the curtain)
Excuse me, sir, but would you be so kind as to donate an apple to the orphan’s picnic?

Apple Seller:
(gives Annie an apple)
Why not? Nobody’s buying ‘em anyway.

Annie:
Gee thanks, Mister!

Apple Seller:
Say kid, when is the orphan’s picnic?

Annie:
Soon as I take a bite.
(Smiling and taking a big bite of the apple)

(The APPLE SELLER shakes his head at having been conned by a child and wanders
offstage in search of customers.)

(The sound of barking dogs is heard from offstage and a DOGCATCHER enters,
holding a rope, the DOGCATCHER crosses to centerstage, looking for stray dogs. He
speaks to Annie)

DOGCATCHER:
You seen any stray mutts around here?

Annie:
No, sir. But if I do I’ll tell you.

Dogcatcher:
Good. Then they must all be runnin’ wild over to Astors Place.
(The DOGCATCHER exits. Annie watches him go and then turns and notices a DOG)

Annie:
Hey, you missed one!

(DOGCATCHER keeps walking)

Annie:
Dumb dog, I don’t no food for you! I barely have any for myself!

(dog whimpers, Annie gets down on her hands and knees and pets the dog. Annie
sighs)
They're after you ain't they? I guess we’re a lot alike. But don’t worry they ain’t gonna
catch us, everthings gonna be fine!

(Tomorrow begins.)

SCENE 4
(Lights come up as Miss Hannigan goes into her office, which contains a desk, and a
rolling office chair. On the desk is a cathedral-style radio. Tessie walks in and goes up
to Miss Hannigan. Little girls begins)

(Pepper and Duffy have been playing cards and a fight erupts. We hear Pepper saying
“You cheated.” Duffy answers “Did not!” and Pepper responds with “You did too.” over
and over. The other orphans gather around encouraging the fight. Miss Hannigan
enters and blows her whistle.)

Miss Hannigan:
Shut your pie holes!

(Miss Hannigan returns to her office and collapses into her chair. Officer Ward enters,
dragging by the collar.)
 Officer Ward:
Good afternoon ma’am. I found a runaway waltzing around main street, is she one of
yours?

Miss Hannigan:
(Exaggerated)
Oh my goodness Annie! We have all been so worried about you. sweet angel? Thank
you so much Officer.

Officer Ward:
She had a mangy mutt with her too but he got away.

Miss Hannigan:
Oh Annie what we do without you. I hope you didn’t get influenza out there in the
freezing cold with nothing but that thin sweater. ( To Officer Ward) How can I ever
repay you Officer?

Officer Ward:
No need ma’am I just love to see everyone safe and happy.

Miss Hannigan:
There has got to be something…… like dinner for two?

Officer Ward:
(Turns to Annie)
Well anyway don’t ever let me hear about you running away from this nice lady again.
Got that?

Annie:
Yes sir!

Officer Ward:
Welp I gotta get back home to my Wife and kids.
(Officer Ward exits stage)

Miss Hannigan:
Next time you walk out that door you will be in your mid 30’s. (Miss Hannigan grabs
her paddle and whacks Annie on her back.)So are you glad to be back? Huh?
 Annie:
(rubbing her back)
Yes Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Liar! That’s the one thing I taught you never ever tell a lie!
(Miss Hannigan grabs Annie’s shoulders and shakes her violently and then tosses her
under her desk as she hears someone coming. Grace knocks on the door) Yes who is
it?

Grace:
(As she enters)
Good afternoon Miss Hannigan I presume. I’m Miss Grace Farrell. I'm going to pick up
an orphan for Mister Warbucks.

Miss Hannigan:
Oliver Warbucks! The billionaire?

Grace:
Yes. Mr Warbucks has decided to invite an orphan to spend Christmas with him at his
mansion.

Miss Hannigan:
Well I better not keep him waiting. What kind of Orphan did he have in mind?

Grace:
Well, she should be friendly right?
( any waves at Grace)
And intelligent.

Annie:
Mississippi. Capital M-I-double-S-I-double-S-I-double-P-I Mississippi.

Grace:
And cheerful

(Annie laughs.)

Miss Hannigan:
(kicks Annie to quiet her)
You be quiet. And how old?

Grace:
Oh, age doesn't really matter. Maybe eight or nine.(any gestures up word to indicate
she wants Grace to say a higher age)
Ten.
(Any gestures still hire)
Eleven.
(Annie gestures to Grace to stop and then points to her own hair.)
Yes, 11 would be perfect. And I almost forgot mr. Warbucks prefers red-headed
children; he likes the color.

Miss Hannigan:
Eleven? A redhead? Sorry, we don't have any orphan's like that.

Grace:
What about this child right here?

(Miss Hannigan rushes in between Grace and Annie and pins Annie behind her back.)

Miss Hannigan:
Annie? Oh no! you don't want her.

Grace:
Annie, would you like to spend the next two weeks at Mr. Warbucks’ house?

Annie:
I would love to ma'am.

Miss Hannigan:
You can have any orphan here, just not Annie.

Grace:
Why?

Miss Hannigan:
She’s a liar and a drunk.

Grace:
Perhaps I should call the board at orphans and…

(Miss Hannigan last.)

Miss Hannigan:
Fine if Annie you want it’s Annie you get.

Grace:
It's Annie I want.

Annie:
Oh, boy!

Grace:
If you’ll get her coat, I’ll get her out of here right away.

Miss Hannigan:
She ain’t got a coat.

Grace:
Then we will buy her one.

Annie:
Oh, boy!

Grace:
Come along, Annie the limousine is just right outside.

Annie:
Oh, boy! I can hardly believe it a limousine.

Miss Hannigan:
She can hardly believe it? Oh please.

(Grace and Annie start to leave. The orphans gather around Annie in the hallway.)
 Annie:
Hey guys, I’m getting out for Christmas! I’ll write to ya and I’ll bring presents for all of
you.

(Little Girls reprise begins.)

Scene 5
(Lights up. The living room of the Warbucks mansion a couple of hours later. Drake the
English butler, is supervising the servants of the house, who are bustling about at
work: Cecille and Annette, a pair of French maids; Mrs. Greer, the housekeeper;
Mrs.Pugh, the cook, standing with pad and pen writing out a menu; and a couple of
other servants.)

(Grace and Annie enter. Annie is now wearing a whole new outfit including a hat and a
fur coat.)

Drake
Good afternoon, Miss Farrell.

Grace:
Good afternoon, Drake. Everyone.

Servants:
Good afternoon, Miss.

Grace:
Has Mr. Warbucks arrived yet?

Drake:
No, Miss. We’re expecting him any minute.

Annie:
(amazed)
Do you really live here? It's like a castle.

Grace:
Yes my dear we do live here.
Annie:
Wow it’s so...wow.

Grace:
Thank you. We try to keep it clean.
(To servants)
Now can all of you listen for just a moment, please?

Drake:
Quickly everyone.

Grace:
This is Annie. She’ll be with us for a couple weeks.
(To Annie)
Annie, this is everyone.

Annie:
Hi everyone!

Drake:
May I take your coat, Miss?

Annie:
Will I get it back?

Grace:
Don’t be silly, of course you will. Now what do you want to do first?

Annie:
The windows then the floors so that way if I drip I can just…

Grace:
(Cuts Annie off)
Annie, you won’t have to do any work. You are our guest.

(I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here Begins)

Warbucks:
(offstage)
Where is everybody?
(Oliver Warbucks enters and then a Chauffeur enters after Warbucks holding two
suitcases. Warbucks is holding a bulging briefcase.)
Oh there you are. Hello everyone!

Servants:
Sir.

Grace:
How was your flight sir?

Warbucks:
Not bad for only 13 hours. Grace?

Grace:
Yes sir?

Warbucks:
Messages?

Grace:
(Holding a notepad)
President Roosevelt wants you to come over for brunch at the White House.

Warbucks:
Yes yes I’ll get back to him later.

Grace:
Sir…

Warbucks:
All right, good to see you all again.

Servants:
Nice to see you, sir.

Warbucks:
Drake, dismiss the staff.
 Drake:
Yes, sir.

(The servants, not including Grace, exit. Warbucks turns to speak to Grace and, for the
first time, notices Annie.)

Warbucks:
And, Grace, if you'll get your notebook… who is that?

Grace:
This is Annie, Mr. Warbucks: the orphan who will be with us for Christmas.

Warbucks:
That’s not a boy. I wanted a boy.

Grace:
I’m sorry, sir, you just said “orphan,” so I chose a girl.

Warbucks:
Well, I suppose she’ll have to do .
(frowning, he approaches Annie.)
Annie, huh? Annie what?

Annie:
(Nervously)
Oh, I’m just Annie Mr. Warbucks, sir. I ain’t got a last name. I’m sorry I’m not a boy.

Warbucks:
Not at all. I couldn’t be happier. Grace, we’ll start with the figures on the iron-ore
shipments from...(looks at Annie)Toledo to...(looks at Annie once more) ummm.
(to Grace) What are we supposed to do with this child?

Grace:
It is her first night here, sir.

Warbucks:
Well, Annie, I guess we ought to do something special on your first night. Ahh I got it!
Annie, how would you like to go to a movie?
 Annie:
Gosh, Mr. Warbucks, I’ve never been to one.

Warbucks:
Then we’ll go to the Roxy. And then an ice-cream soda at Rumpelmayer’s and a
handsome cab ride around Central Park.

Annie:
Golly!

Warbucks:
Grace, forget about the dictation for tonight. Instead, you take Annie to the movies.

Grace:
Yes, sir.

Annie:
Wait, you're not coming?

Warbucks:
Well I can’t come, I'm very busy.

Annie:
I know… I just thought… that you were going to take me.

Warbucks:
I’m sorry Annie I can’t.

Annie:
Aw, gee.

Warbucks:
(regards Annie and is moved by her disappointment; calls offstage left)
Drake.

Drake:
(enters the stage)
Yes sir?
 Warbucks:
Get our coats.

Annie:
(smiling; she’s won)
Aw, gee!

Warbucks:
Grace, you’ll come as well.

Drake:
Which car will you be using sir?

Warbucks:
The Duesenberg. (thinks for a second) No, wait. This child’s been cooped up in an
orphanage. We’ll walk.

Grace:
Walk to the Roxy?

Warbucks:
Why not? It’s only 45 blocks.

Grace:
Alright then sir.

(As Drake helps Warbucks into his coat, the set begins to change to become upper
Fifth avenue. Warbucks strolls downstairs while Grace and Annie get into their coats
behind him.)

Warbucks:
Ah, smell those bus fumes! There’s nothing like the air of New York City. Come on, you
slowpokes! We gotta get to the Roxy before the prices change.

(N.Y.C. begins)

Scene 6
(Lights up on Miss Hannigan’s office in the orphanage, as in Scene Three. Miss
Hannigan is sleeping and snoring so loud.)

Grace:
(knocks on the door)
Miss Hannigan?

Miss Hannigan:
What? Mr. Warbucks fed up with Annie already?

Grace:
Actually he is very fond of her. But anyways this has to be signed and sent back to the
Board of Orphans as soon as possible.

Miss Hannigan:
Wait this must be a mistake, this is an adoption document.

Grace:
Oh no Miss Hannigan, that is not a mistake.

Miss Hannigan:
You're gonna adopt Annie?
(Miss Hannigan scoffs)
Grace:
No Miss Hannigan, Mr. Warbucks is going to adopt Annie.

Miss Hannigan:
Hah, that's really funny.
(Miss Hannigan laughs then realizes that Grace is being serious.)

Grace:
It’s no joke Miss Hannigan.

Miss Hannigan:
Oh, well then will you excuse me for a moment?
(Miss Hannigan walks far away from grace and screams into a corner. Then walks
back to Grace.)
Got any more wonderful news?

Grace:
Merry Christmas Miss Hannigan.
(As Grace exits, she bumps into Rooster.)

Rooster:
Oops pardon me Blondie.
(Grace gives Rooster a look and continues to exit.)
Hi ya, Sis. Long time no see. Did you miss me?

Miss Hannigan:
Rooster? You finally got out of prison again. What were you in for this time?

Rooster:
Some old geezer said I swindled him out of eleven hundred bucks.

Miss Hannigan:
Why’d he say that?

Lily:
(entering)
Because the Rooster swindled him outta eleven hundred bucks.

Rooster:
Sis I’d like you to meet a friend of mine from…

Lily:
Jersey City!

Miss Hannigan:
Hey Rooster me a favor get outta here and take Jersey City with you.

Rooster:
So who's the blondie I bumped into when I came in? Looks like she had a couple of
dollars.

Miss Hannigan:
She worked for Oliver Warbucks.

Lily:
The Oliver Warbucks?
 Miss Hannigan:
Annie, one of the orphans from here, is getting adopted by him.

Lily:
Crummy Orphan!

Rooster:
Yeah, Livin’ in the lap of luxury while the two Hannigan kids ended up on the skids!

(Easy Street begins)

Scene 7
(Lights up on Warbucks’ office in his mansion. Late morning of the following day.
Warbucks is seated at his desk, talking on the telephone. Grace is nearby with a
notepad.)

Warbucks:
(Into the phone)
Yes Mr President. No I am not asking for your help, but I’m telling you that you’ve got
to do something. All right, we'll talk about it on…
(Warbucks looks at Grace)

Warbucks:
Friday. Listen, Mr. President, why don’t we bury the hatchet and you come here with
Mrs. Roosevelt for supper Christmas Eve?
(disappointed)
You will? Wonderful. Goodbye, Mr. President.
(Hangs up phone)
Mrs. Pugh!

Mrs. Pugh:
Yes sir?

Warbucks:
Find out what Democrats eat.
 Mrs. Pugh:
Yes sir.

Grace:
Oh, can you make that cranberry sauce?

Mrs. Pugh:
Yes ma’am.

Warbucks:
Grace. The package from Tiffany’s?

Grace:
It arrived this morning sir.

Warbucks:
Fine. I’m going to give it to her and then tell her that I want to adopt her.

Grace:
She’s going to be the happiest little girl in the world.

Warbucks:
Get her down here.

Grace:
Yes sir. Annie.
(Grace exists. Annie enters. She is now wearing a red dress)

Annie:
Hello.

Warbucks:
Annie, can we talk man-to-man?

Annie:
You’re sending me back to the orphanage, right?

Warbucks:
Of course not.
(pause)
Annie, I was born into a very poor family and both of my parent’s died before I was ten.
So I made a promise to myself-someday, one way or another, I was going to be rich.
Very rich.

Annie:
Now that was a good Idea.

Warbucks:
But, I’ve lately realized something. No matter how much money you’ve got, if you have
no one to share your life with, if you’re alone, then you might as well be broke.
(He takes the Tiffany package from his desk and hands it to Annie.)
I was in Tiffany’s yesterday and picked this up for you.

Annie:
For me? Gee thanks, Mr. Warbucks.
(Annie opens up the package and looks at the gift. She is clearly unhappy with it, but
pretends to like it.) Oh, gee.
Warbucks:
It’s a silver locket, Annie. I noticed that old, broken one you always wear, and I said to
myself, “I'm going to get that kid a nice new locket.”
(starting to take off Annie’s old locket)
Here, we’ll just take this old one off and…

Annie:
I’m sorry but I don't want a new locket.

Warbucks:
Oh I’m sorry Annie, why is it so important?

Annie:
(Starting to calm down. Touching her locket)
My folks left this locket around my neck when they left me at the orphanage. And a
note too. They‘re coming back for me. I know I’m real lucky to be here with you for
Christmas. But I know that they are out there somewhere.

Warbucks:
It’ll be alright… I’ll find your parents. If I had to put everyone in my organization on the
job. If I have to pull every political string there is to pull. Annie give your locket.
 Annie:
But, Mr. Warbucks….

Warbucks:
I understand. But it could be our best clue. We’ll have the F.B.I. trace it and find out
who bought it.

Annie:
Maybe you should have my note, too.

Warbucks:
You watch, Annie, you may be meeting your mother and father within a couple of days.

Annie:
Really?

Warbucks:
Really.

Annie:
Oh, boy, I gotta write a letter to kids about this!

(Maybe reprise begins)

(As Annie finishes her song, one of the Bert Healy girls raises an “Applause” sign to
the audience.)

Healy:
Thank you, Annie. And welcome to America’s favorite radio program, The Oxydent
Hour of Smiles, starring your old softy, Bert Healy. And good evening, Oliver
Warbucks, it’s nice of you to drop by.

Warbucks:
(Reading)
Good evening, Bert Healy. It’s nice to be here.

Healy:
Oliver Warbucks, I understand that you have something to tell the folks at home about
little Annie here.

Warbucks:
Yes, Bert Healy, I am now conducting a coast-to-coast nationwide search for Annie’s
parents. Furthermore, I’m offering a certified check for fifty thousand dollars to any
persons who can prove they are Annie’s parents.

Healy:
So, Annie’s parents, if your listenin’ in, write to Oliver Warbucks care of this station.
Thank you, Oliver Warbucks.

Warbucks:
Thank you, Bert Healy.

Healy:
Well, I see by the old clock on the wall that another one of our Thursday-night get-
togethers has gone by faster than you can say Oxydent. Yes, this your old softy, Bert,
saying…

(Never fully dressed without a smile begians)

( a Bert Healy girl holds up the ‘Applause’ sign to the audience.)

Scene 8
(The scene has shifted to Miss Hanigan’s office. A moment later. The orphans have
sneaked into the office and listened to the radio.)

Duffy:
Gee, Annie’s on the radio, she’s famous.

Molly:
Wish l was on the radio.

Duffy:
Me too!

Pepper:
Who wants to be on the dumb old radio?

Tessie:
I do.

(You’re never fully dressed without a smile begians)

(Miss Hannigan enters as the orphans break their final pose.)

Miss Hannigan:
What are you doin’ up?

Molly:
Annie was on the radio.

Miss Hannigan:
Yeah, I heard it. Next thing, she’ll be in the movies. Now get to bed!
(orphans run off stage.)
Fifty-thousand-dollar reward. Fifty thousand! What I wouldn't do with fifty thousand
dollars.

(Rooster and Lily, in disguise as Ralph and Shirley Mudge, enter.)

Rooster:
(humbly, as Ralph Mudge)
Excuse us, ma’am, are you the lady that runs this here orphanage?

Miss Hannigan:
Yeah, whatta ya want?

Lily (as Shirley):

Ma’am, was you workin’ here eleven years ago?

Miss Hannigan:
Yeah.

Rooster (as Ralph):

Well, we had terrible troubles