Album: Aida

The Docks

A small boat floats at the water's edge. It is tied to the dock by a heavy

rope. AIDA enters, wearing RADAMES' amulet around her neck. MEREB enters

with AMONASRO.

MEREB

Princess, we must hurry. They've sounded the alarm.

(AMONASRO climbs into the boat as RADAMES appears.)

AIDA

Radames!

AMONASRO

Aida! Undo the rope.

AIDA

Forgive me Father, but I need one last moment with him.

AMONASRO

Daughter!

(She leaps out of the boat and runs to RADAMES. He puts it together.)

RADAMES

Of course, you're the Nubian Princess. And you had me marry Amneris just so

your king could escape. What a fool I am. It was all a lie. An act. Every

word. Every kiss.

AIDA

No! But I have made too many mistakes and too many people have suffered. I

could not act selfishly now.

RADAMES

So you lied to me?

AIDA

Not when I said I love you. Say you believe me.

(As RADAMES struggles to find the answer, ZOSER appears on the rise.)

ZOSER

(Shocked to see AIDA. To one of the GUARDS.)

She's alive?

(MEREB rushes forward. He stands in front of ZOSER, brandishing a sword.)

MEREB

Stop there!

(MEREB and GUARD fight! MEREB cuts down the GUARD.)

AMONASRO

Aida, come!

RADAMES

Aida, get in the boat! This is your last chance.

(ZOSER pulls his sword and cuts MEREB down.)

AIDA

MEREB!

(AIDA pulls away from RADAMES and runs to MEREB. RADAMES takes MEREB'S sword

and lifts it high above the rope that secures the boat.)

ZOSER

Radames! For the love of Egypt stop them!

(RADAMES brings his sword down on the rope...severing it.)

NOOOOO!

AMONASRO

AIDA!

(The boat is swept away.)

ZOSER

Radames! What have you done?

RADAMES

It's all over, Father. When they come for me, they'll take you away too.

ZOSER

No - that can't happen - Egypt needs me -

RADAMES

You're the one who tied our fates together. Like father, like son. I think

you should run.

(ZOSER exits.)

AIDA

Radames. He's...

MEREB

Forgive me, Princess. I failed you.

AIDA

No...never! You, Mereb, inspired me.

MEREB

I wanted to go back to Nubia. Aida, take me home.

(AIDA holds MEREB as he dies. RADAMES moves forward and lifts AIDA into his

arms as the guards surround them.)