I returned to Shiz, a few hours later, and when it was time for class, I still managed to be one of the first ones to the room. I took my regular seat and waited patiently for the other students to arrive—I was the first student to arrive in all of my classes—I usually ended up helping the teachers get ready for the class—it did make good use of time, and I still was reacting as if I was still at Court—trying to get all my work done, not complaining if I didn't get it done, and staying out of trouble, or at least trying to.
Later today, as I was walking to my second class, I was nearly run over. Turning to the boy in the cart, I snapped, "You nearly ran me over." "Well, maybe the driver saw green and thought it meant go," he replied. I glared at him and said, "You were asleep, weren't you?" "Of course," he replied. "It's daytime." I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "You wouldn't have lasted one day at Court."
I returned to the library and began working on tonight's homework. I had almost finished my work, when one of my teachers came in, and I immediately hurried outside. I returned to my room and grabbing Courage, said, "C'mon. Let's go for a ride." Courage said, "We went riding last night." "I know," I replied, "but we left the Dancing Dove way too early."
We returned to the Dancing Dove again and, smacking Solom, said, "Alright, where's George?" "Port Caynn, lass, but he'll be back tomorrow night," he informed me. I nodded and returned once again to Shiz.
On my way back to Shiz, I saw the Great Mother Goddess a second time. "My mother," I said, dismounting and kneeling respectfully. "My daughter, you seek my help in Oz, do you not?" she replied. I nodded and she said, "I can not help you in the ways I've helped you here in Tortall, but I can make one prediction." I nodded and said, "I will hear your prediction." "Sir Elphaba Thropp of Trebond and Conté, princess of the Realm of Tortall, you shall choose to do the right thing, but at the loss of a special friendship and the cost of a dream," she said. I nodded and then the Great Mother Goddess ordered, "Return to Shiz—your sister is waiting for you."
When I arrived at Shiz, everyone was preparing to go to a party.
"THE TROUBLE WITH SCHOOLS IS THEY ALWAYS TRY TO TEACH THE WRONG LESSON. BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF ENOUGH OF THEM TO KNOW. THEY WANT YOU TO BECOME LESS CALLOW, LESS SHALLOW. BUT I SAY WHY INVITE STRESS IN? STOP STUDYING STRFE AND LEARN TO LIVE 'THE UNEXAMINED LIFE...' DANCING THROUGH LIFE, SKIMMING THE SURFACE, GLIDING WHERE TURF IS SMOOTH. LIFE'S MORE PAINLESS FOR THE BRAINLESS. WHY THINK TOO HARD? WHEN IT'S SO SOOTHING. DANCING THROUGH LIFE. NO NEED TO TOUGH IT. WHEN YOU CAN SLUFF IT OFF AS I DO. NOTHING MATTERS, BUT KNOWING NOTHING MATTERS. IT'S JUST LIFE, SO KEEP DANCING THROUGH. DANCING THROUGH LIFE. SWAYING AND SWEEPING AND ALWAYS KEEPING COOL. LIFE IS FRAUGHTLESS WHEN YOU'RE THOUGHTLESS. THOSE WHO DON'T TRY NEVER LOOK FOOLISH DANCING THROUGH LIFE. MINDLESS AND CARELESS. MAKE SURE YOU'RE WHERE LESS TROUBLE IS RIFE. WOES ARE FLEETING. BLOWS ARE GLANCING WHEN YOU'RE DANCING THROUGH LIFE. So, what's the most swankified place in town? That would be the Ozdust Ballroom. Sounds perfect! LET'S GO DOWN TO THE OZDUST BALLROOM! WE'LL MEET THERE LATER TONIGHT. WE CAN DANCE TILL IT'S LIGHT. FIND THE PRETTIEST GIRL—GIVE HER A WHIRL. RIGHT ON DOWN TO THE OZDUST BALLROOM. COME ON, FOLLOW ME. YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO BE THERE. DANCING THROUGH LIFE DOWN AT THE OZDUST. IF ONLY BECAUSE DUST IS WHAT WE COME TO. NOTHING MATTERS, BUT KNOWING NOTHING MATTERS. IT'S JUST LIFE, SO KEEP DANCING THROUGH. Miss Galinda—I hope you'll save at least one dance for me. I'll be right there, waiting, all night. Oh—that's so kind. But you what would be even kinder? SEE THAT TRAGIC'LLY BEAUTIFUL GIRL, THE ONE IN THE CHAIR. IT SEEMS SO UNFAIR WE SOULD GO ON A SPREE AND NOT SHE. GEE—I KNOW SOMEONE WOULD BE MY HERO IF THAT SOMEONE WERE TO GO INVITE HER. Well, maybe—I could invite her. OH, BIQ, REALLY? YOU WOULD DO THAT FOR ME? I would do anything for you, Miss Galinda. So... So, I'll be picking you up around eight? After all—NOW THAT WE'VE MET ONE ANOTHER. IT'S CLEAR WE DESERVE EACH OTHER. YOU'RE PERFECT. YOU'RE PERFECT. SO WE'RE PERFECT TOGETHER, BORN TO BE FOREVER DANCING THROUGH LIFE."
When I learned Nessa was going, I was more determined than ever not to go.
"Oh, Elphaba—isn't it wonderful? FIN'LLY FOR THIS ONE NIGHT, I'M ABOUT TO HAVE A FUN NIGHT WITH THIS MUNCHKIN BOY GALINDA FOUND FOR ME. AND I ONLY WISH THERE WERE SOMETHING I COULD DO FOR HER TO REPAY HER. ELPHABA SEE, WE DESERVE EACH OTHER AND GALINDA HELPED IT COME TRUE. WE DESERVE EACH OTHER, ME AND BOQ. Please, Elphaba, try to understand. I DO..."
Later, when Galinda gave me a hat as a present, I told myself, "Elphaba, you've worked very hard ever since you came to Shiz. You deserve a break. Tonight, you are going to that party!"
"Galinda, listen, Nessa and I were just talking about you—And I was just talking about you! I thought you might want to wear this hat to the party tonight! IT'S REALLY, UH, SHARP, DON'T YOU THINK? YOU KNOW BLACK IS THIS YEAR'S PINK! YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER, THIS HAT AND YOU! YOU'RE BOTH SO SMART! YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER, SO HERE OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF MY HEART!"
I went to the party, and I made my first friend in Oz that night—my roommate Galinda Upland.
"Listen—NESSA. Yes? UH—NESSA I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO CONFESS A REASON WHY, WELL WHY I ASKED YOU HERE TONIGHT. NO I KNOW IT ISN'T FAIR. Oh, Boq, I know why. You do? IT'S BECAUSE I'M IN THIS CHAIR AND YOU FLET SORRY FOR M. WELL—ISN'T THAT RIGHT? No! No! It's because, because...BECAUSE YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! Oh, Boq, I THINK YOU'RE WONDERUFL! AND WE DESERVE EACH OTHER! DON'T YOU SEE THIS IS OUR CHANCE? AND WE DESERVE EACH OTHER, DON'T WE BOQ? You know what? LET'S DANCE... What? LET'S DANCE! DANCING THROUGH LIFE DOWN AT THE OZDUST IF ONLY BECAUSE DUST IS WHAT WE COME TO. AND THE STRANGE THING, YOUR LIFE COULD END UP CHANGING WHILE YOU'RE DANCING THROUGH!"