From Richard Zampella and Shannon Mulholland
New York City 1950
Richard Zampella, Shannon Mulholland
Come Up to My Place
On the Town
CHIP:
My father told me, "Chip, my boy,
There'll come a time when you leave home;
If you should ever hit New York,
Be sure to see the Hippodrome."
HILDY:
The Hippodrome?
CHIP:
The Hippodrome.
HILDY:
Did I hear right?
Did you say the Hippodrome?
CHIP:
Yes, you heard right.
Yes, I said the Hip-
(Hildy brakes.)
Hey what did you stop for?
HILDY:
It ain't there anymore.
Aida sang an "A"
And blew the place away!
CHIP:
Aw, I wanted to see the Hippodrome!
HILDY:
Give me a chance, kid;
I may not have 5,000 seats but the one I have is a honey!
Come up to my place.
CHIP:
Oh no, lady; the Forrest The-a-tre.
When I was home I saw the plays
The Ladies Drama Circle showed.
Now I am here, I want to get
Some tickets for "Tobacco Road."
HILDY:
"Tobacco Road?"
CHIP:
"Tobacco Road?"
HILDY:
Did I dig that?
Did you say "Tobacco Road"?
CHIP:
Yes, you dug that,
Yes, I said "Tobac-"
(Hildy brakes again.)
Hey what for did you stop?
HILDY:
That show has closed up shop.
The actors washed their feet
And called it "Angel Street."
CHIP:
Aw, I wanted to see "Tobacco Road."
HILDY:
Stick with me, kid, and I'll show you the road to ruin.
Come up to my place.
CHIP:
Oh no, Battery Park.
Back home I dreamt of catching fish
So big I couldn't carry 'em.
They told me that they have my size
Right here in the Aquarium.
HILDY:
Aquarium?
CHIP:
Aquarium.
HILDY:
Hold the phone, Joe?
Did you say Aquarium?
CHIP:
I'm still ringing;
But I said Aquar-
(She brakes again.)
Did you stop for what, hey?
HILDY:
The fish have flown away;
They're in the Bronx instead,
They might as well be dead!
Come up to my place.
CHIP:
No, Chambers Street.
They told me I could see New York
In all its spreading strength and power
From the city's highest spot,
Atop the famous Woolworth Tower.
HILDY:
The Woolworth Tower?
CHIP:
The Woolworth Tower.
HILDY:
Beat me, Daddy,
Did you say the Woolworth Tower?
CHIP:
I won't beat you,
But I said the Wool-
(Hildy brakes again.)
Did you stop for hey what?
HILDY:
That ain't the highest spot.
You're just a little late,
We got the Empire State!
Let's go to my place!
CHIP:
Let's go to Cleopatra's Needle.
Let's see Wanamaker's Store.
Let's go to Lindy's, go to Luchow's;
Let's see Radio City and Herald Square.
Go to Reuben's! Go to Macy's!
To the Roxy! Cloisters! Gimbel's!
Flatiron Building! Hippodrome!!
HILDY:
My place!!!
Richard Zampella
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