Amazing Journey

Passion

Scene Seven The courtyard *Transition*
Scene Eight The Colonel's dining room. We segue to a Christmas party in the dining quarters with all the Soldiers, household staff, the Colonel and the Doctor. Fosca plays the piano as Torasso sings a Christmas carol. *Christmas Carol*
Torasso	La pace sulla terra È a voi tranquilità. È nato un bambino Che il mondo salverà Dal gran poter di Sàtan E da sua protestà. O novella di gran felicità! (His grand ending is met with enthusiasm)
Colonel	Thank you so much, Lieutenant. (to Fosca) That was beautiful, my dear. (to all) So, Merry Christmas, everyone. Salute!
All	Salute!
Rizzolli	When is dinner to be served, Sergeant Lombardi?
Lombardi	The pheasants will be ready shortly.
Barri	We've been waiting for pheasant all year and we're still waiting. (Giorgio enters)
Colonel	Ah, look who's arrived. Thank you so much for coming, Captain. I am so happy you decided not to take your leave. (Augenti enters with a stack of letters, which he distributes.)
Augenti	Christmas post!
Colonel	We've come to think of you as part of the family.
Rizzolli	At last a letter for me. .
Giorgio	I appreciate that. (Augenti hands the Colonel a letter; he moves away, leaving Giorgio and Fosca alone)
Fosca	I hope you're feeling better, Captain?
Giorgio	Yes, thank you.
Fosca	It's so kind of you to join us.
Giorgio	My pleasure. You look very charming.
Fosca	Thank you.
Augenti	Captain. (He gives Giorgio a letter; there is an awkward moment between Fosca and Giorgio)
Fosca	It's alright, Captain. It's fine. Go ahead. Read your letter. (She retreats to the Doctor's side)
Barri	I can smell the perfume on Captain Bachetti's letter from here. A very fragrant perfume it is, Captain. My correspondence smells like it comes from a barn.
Rizzolli	It does.
Lombardi	Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. I've just put in the truffles.
Rizzolli	Truffles, indeed. I can't remember the last time I had truffles.
Torasso	I hope they'll be recognizable after Sergeant Lombardi ...
Colonel	Captain Bachetti - (Giorgio realizes the Colonel is addressing him) Is it you or the gentlemen from the ministry who are responsible for this surprise? (A hush falls over the room) You have been transferred back to headquarters. You are to report immediately.
Giorgio	(taken completely by surprise) Immediately?
Colonel	This is most unusual, Captain Bachetti.
Giorgio	Really, sir, (turning to the Doctor) I don't understand!
Fosca	(emotional) Giorgio, my darling. Please don't leave me. Please don't leave me there.
(She throws herself into his arms; there is an embarrassing moment as everyone in the room tries to hide his discomfort.)
Colonel	Gentlemen. (a pause) I speak to you later, Captain Bachetti. (he rushes out.)
Torasso	Well, more food for the rest of us then.
(Everyone except Giorgio exits. Giorgio pauses in confusion; Clara enters; music under) Farewell Letter
Clara	Giorgio ... (He stares) Giorgio ... Giorgio ... (Suddenly he remembers Clara's letter; he opens it and begins to read) I am writing to you, my angel, Though not long since you've been gone With a most unhappy heart. Because, in truth, as time goes on, I think of nothing else but you - And us. Oh, my love, my sweet, you've changed, I've watched you change, You're not the man I thought I knew. At times, these past few days together, I would wonder whether you were here Really here with me. I thought, was I naive to believe We'd continue year by year? Is it over forever? It seems to me the answer rests with you. Yes, I have obligations at home, Giorgio, but my heart is yours. When my son is older, when he goes off to school, there is the chance for us to be together. I will make the sacrifice you ask of me then. Please understand why I can't now. Will you wait for me, Giorgio? I have to know. We both have to know.
Giorgio	Just another love story.
Clara	No one is to blame.
Giorgio	A temporary love story.
Clara	But it needn't end the same.
Giorgio	I thought that we had more.
Clara	We had more -
Giorgio	We had something more -
Both	- than any other love story.
Clara	All that happiness -
Giorgio	You think that this is love?
Clara	- we had then -
Giorgio	This logical and sensible Practical arrangement -
Clara	We can have that happiness -
Giorgio	- this foregone conclusion -
Clara	- once again!
Giorgio	- You think that this is love? Love isn't so convenient. Love isn't something scheduled in advance, Not something guaranteed you need For fear it may pass you by. You have to take a chance, You can't just try it out. What's love unless it's unconditional? Love doesn't give a damn about tomorrow And neither do I!
Clara	All that happiness -
Giorgio	It was fine.
Clara	- in the past -
Giorgio	I was yours, you were mine.
Clara	That was not just happiness, Love was in that happiness That's why it will last.
Giorgio	Love is more, I want more.
Both	I thought I knew what love was -
Clara	I didn't know that Love was a complication.
Giorgio	I do know that it's not a negotiation.
Clara	We'll take it in our stride.
Giorgio	What we had -
Clara	You decide.
Giorgio	- wasn't bad.
Clara	We could have everything. I want you more than anything.
Giorgio	How sad -
Clara	To wait is nothing. We're young and time is nothing.
Giorgio	- that what we have is nothing ...
Clara	Nothing ...
Both	Nothing ...