STRONGEST SUIT (Reprise) Lyrics

AMNERIS
I may leave a great impression
As I race through a succession
Of the latest crazes, chase the newest fad
I feel better when beguiling
Find that fashion keeps me smiling
But in my heart I know it's rather sad

AIDA
That a life of great potential
Is dismissed, inconsequential

AMNERIS
And only ever seen as being cute
So I'll flutter to deceive

AIDA
Oh no you must believe
That one day you're bound to find

AIDA & AMNERIS
A Stronger Suit

(RADAMES enters the room, catching AIDA & AMNERIS off guard.)

AMNERIS
Radames! This is my bedchamber. You can't just... you know you shouldn't...
Aida, leave.

(AIDA turns to walk out.)

RADAMES
No, stay. Pour the princess a cup of wine.

(AIDA goes to the wine pitcher and pours the wine.)

AMNERIS
Are you trying to get me drunk, Radames? You know it's not necessary.

RADAMES
Is that your bed in there?

AMNERIS
Silk covered and fat with feathers.

RADAMES
Why don't you go in and I'll join you in a moment.

AMNERIS
Radames, are you sure? We're going to be married in a week.

RADAMES
Amneris, we've been engaged nine years.

AMNERIS
Good point.

(AMNERIS turns and runs offstage.)

RADAMES
You think you can speak to me like that, scold me like a shrew then walk
away? You forget that I can have you carried off to the copper mines.

AIDA
And you forget that I am her property now, not yours.

(AIDA turns to leave.)

RADAMES
It doesn't matter. Because I know now that you were right.
(AIDA gives him a disconcerting look.)
What?

AIDA
I'm shocked. Even in enlightened Nubia, one never hears a man admit he's
wrong.

AMNERIS
(Offstage.)
Radames, I'm ready!

RADAMES
(Calling offstage.)
I'll be right in princess.
(He turns back to AIDA.)
Aida, I was wrong. I have been selfish. If Pharaoh does not recover, Egypt
is going to need a new leader. A strong leader. And I don't think that is
Amneris.

AMNERIS
(Offstage.)
Radames, your engagement party is waiting.

AIDA
You should go to her.

RADAMES
Were you a noblewoman before you were captured?

AIDA
What does it matter? There's nothing noble about me now.

RADAMES
You're wrong. You are noble and courageous. Very few of us dare to speak so
honestly. And considering you're a slave...

AIDA
Yes, we mustn't ever forget that I'm a slave.

RADAMES
I cannot take back the past, Aida. But even if I could... I'm not sure I
want to. Aida, I -

(AMNERIS interrupts him, storming into the room wrapped in a sheet.)

AMNERIS
Radames! You barge into my bedchamber, waging a full-frontal attack, so to
speak... and now you're stalling. Why?

RADAMES
I'm sorry, I didn't realize...

AMNERIS
There's a buck-naked princess lounging in her bed, calling your name. What
exactly didn't you realize? Before our wedding night, pack up some of that
dried monkey meat and have the royal cartographer draw you a map of the
female body, Captain. Maybe then you'll be more inclined to come explore.
(RADAMES looks around and then runs out of the room.)
Was it something I said? When we were children we understood each other so
well. Now he's a mystery to me.