Land Boom! - Stephen Sondheim

Land boom!

With a double whammy, boy!

Land boom!

Profits this thick!

Land boom!

Down around Miami, boy-

The weather’s kinda clammy

But it’s get rich quick!

Brand-new communities

Just take your pick

Lots of opportunities-

All you need is capital

A little does the trick

Beg or steal or borrow

It’ll double by tomorrow

Only get your ass to Florida

And get rich quick!

(Train whistle sounds.)

(The bed has been transformed into a railway compartment. In it sits the

Handsome Young Man from the opening number.

Addison enters.

The Handsome Young

Man is revealed to be Hollis Bessemer.)

I have an aunt.

Two hours before the train left I found out she was stopping in

Palm Beach

Palm beach?

Tiny town, middle of nowhere.

Nothing there but a monstrosity of a hotel.

She’s looking for a place to build a house

Really?

A house?

I sent her a telegram, begged her to wait for me-

Friendly refuge till the storm clouds clear, eh?

No, it’s more than that.

I need her help

With what?

…if you’d rather not-

No!

No, I’ll tell you