Bel Canto

The morning after Mr. Hosokawa’s first visit to Roxanne’s room, she does not come down for her morning performance. The others also note that Mr. Hosokawa, who is usually the first one to rise in the morning, still snoozes on the sofa. They are discomfited about the break in their routine. Kato goes to the piano to play anyway, and suddenly, one of the terrorists, Cesar, begins to sing. His imitation of Roxanne is uncannily precise. She hears him, amazed, but rushes down to stop him before he attempts the highest notes of the aria; he could damage his vocal cords, though he does not know it. He thinks she is embarrassed or angered by his imitation, so he runs outside and climbs into a tree.

Roxanne wants to apologize and to tell him he has a wonderful voice, but the hostages are not allowed outside. Gen asks Carmen to make the request to the Generals; again, she is fearful and does not want to but she refuses to disappoint her lover and her friend. She tentatively approaches General Benjamin, who peruses the papers as if he has gotten bad news. When she makes her request, the General surprises her by saying that everyone should go outside.