(Music
resumes as the Colonel, the Doctor and Fosca head off with Giorgio
trailing behind)
Scene Four The
dining quarters.
Clara stands at one side
of the stage with a letter in hand, Giorgio similarly opposite her.
|
| Clara |
My
darling, you did as you should. You had no choice. |
|
| Giorgio |
After
all, her cousin is my superior. |
|
| Clara |
Yes,
you must think of your career. |
|
| Giorgio |
But
how could I turn from such a desperate soul? |
|
| Clara |
You
showed pity |
|
| Giorgio |
And
yet I have a sinking feeling. |
|
| Clara |
It'is
difficult for a man and a woman to be friends. |
|
| Giorgio |
I
sense that she needs more. |
|
| Clara |
Be
careful to keep your intentions clear. |
|
| Giorgio |
I've
opened the door |
|
| Clara |
Desperation
can take its toll
(Fosca is revealed on the stairs, descending; she also carries
a letter) |
|
| Fosca |
Three
days ... |
|
| Giorgio |
I
don't wish you be cruel... |
|
| Clara |
There
is nothing wrong with thinking of oneself. |
|
| Fosca |
Three
days ... |
|
| Giorgio |
All
I think of is you. |
|
| Clara |
Keep
your distance. |
|
| Giorgio |
Keep
my distance. |
|
| Clara |
Be
unavailable to her. |
|
| Giorgio |
Unavailable. |
|
| Clara |
Aloof. |
|
| Fosca |
Three
days ... |
|
| Giorgio |
I
love you so much. |
|
| Clara |
I
love you more. |
|
| Fosca |
Three
... |
|
| Giorgio |
Forever
yours. |
|
| Fosca |
...
days |
|
| Clara |
As
always. |
|
| Giorgio |
Giorgio. |
|
| Clara |
Clara. |
|
| (Clara
and Giorgio exit in opposite directions. Fosca reads from her letter
as she crosses to the table.) |
| Fosca |
Giorgio,
These past three days have been perhaps the most painful of my life.
I have looked for you everywhere. No matter how poor my health,
I have made my way to the dining room, praying you would be there.
You promised me your friendship, Giorgio. But it is clear to me
that your promise was a hollow one. Did you know how your absence
would upset me? I wish I could strike you from my mind and my heart.
But I cannot. You may disappear, Giorgio, but I will not. |
|
| (She
folds the letter and slips it under the napkin at Giorgio's place
setting, then sits. Everyone follows and the scene comes to life. |
| Barri |
...
so I applied for a new pair of horses, but they only had bays or
piebals. |
|
| Lombardi |
Piebalds! |
|
| Torasso |
You
certainly don't want piebals. |
|
| Rizzolli |
Perhaps
you should go to Turin. There's a wonderful stable there - |
|
| Barri |
No.
That stable is no longer reputable
(Giorgio enters) |
|
| Torasso |
Ah,
Bachetti ... |
|
| Colonel |
We
haven't seen you in days. |
|
| Giorgio |
Yes,
sir. I decided to accompany my troops on maneuvers. |
|
| Barri |
Your
hard work will show us all up. |
|
| Giorgio |
I
doubt that.
(He sits and as he takes his napkin, the lights elsewhere darken.
He discovers the letter and is about to open it when he looks to
Fosca, who returns the look. He immediately sticks the letter into
his pocket. The lights restore as he begins to help himself to food.)
Excuse me, Doctor. Why do you always place that gold coin on the
table at mealtime? |
|
| Doctor |
For
thirty years, I've done that whenever I dine with other officers.
The first meal where no one talks about horses or women,
(As some of the other officers chime in)
I'll surrender my golden coin.
(Laughter) |
|
| Barri |
Some
risk! You'll never lose it! |
|
| Rizzolli |
I
remember a wager that Lieutenant Barri made once -
(The lights suddenly change. Fosca grabs Giorgio's hand as he
reaches for the salt; she draws his hand by her side and out of
view under the table) |
|
| Fosca |
(to
Giorgio, whispering) I've missed you so much. |
|
| Giorgio |
Please. |
|
| Fosca |
You
must read my letter. |
|
| Giorgio |
Let
go of my hand. Let go.
(Giorgio tries to free his hand with no success; the lights restore) |
|
| Rizzolli |
Well,
of course there was no chance for anyone but him to win. |
|
| Barri |
No
one's forced you to bet, Major. |
|
| Doctor |
Would
you please pass the salt?
(Giorgio is extremely embarrassed, because he still can't free
his hand.)
Not hungry, Captain? |
 |
| Giorgio |
Yes,
yes.
(He helps himself to some veal with his left hand)
Colonel, I've received a letter this morning. I'm urgently needed
in Milan. I request a leave of at least five days. |
| Doctor |
What?
(The table noise suddenly quiets) |
| Colonel |
If
you had asked me this in my office, I might have refused. You've
been here only a month ... |
| Giorgio |
I
know sir. It's of some importance. |
|
| Colonel |
When
do you want to leave? |
|
| Giorgio |
First
train tomorrow, sir. |
|
| Colonel |
Very
well. After all, how can I refuse a guest at my table? |
|
| Torasso |
By
this time tomorrow, Bachetti, you'll probably be in the arms of
some young beauty. |
|
(The
table fills once more with conversation as Fosca lets go of Giorgio's
hand and dissolves into herself. Giorgio quickly turns from her
and continues with his meal as the lights slowly fade to black.
In a ghostly fashion, the Soldiers perform their drill.)
Transition |
| Augenti,
Soldier 1&2 |
All
the time I watched from my room ... |
|
| Augenti |
Thinking
we'd meet ... |
|
| Soldier
1 |
Thinking
you'd look at me ... |
|
| Soldier
2 |
Thinking
you'd - |
|
| Augenti,
Soldier 1&2 |
-
be repelled by what you saw. |
|
| Soldier
1&2 |
Don't
reject me ... |
|
| Others |
Don't
deny me ... |
|
| Augenti,
Soldier 1&2 |
Understand
me, be my friend. |
|
| All |
They
hear drums, we hear music
Be my friend ... |
|
Scene Five
The courtyard.
Morning fog covers the stage as military exercises take
place. Giorgio enters with a suitcase in hand, salutes the Soldiers,
then begins to cross the stage. The formation marches off as Fosca
surprises him out of the shadow. |
| Fosca |
When
will you be back? |
|
| Giorgio |
What
are you doing out at this hour? |
|
| Fosca |
When
will you be back? |
|
| Giorgio |
You
know I have a five-day leave. |
|
| Fosca |
Will
you think about me when you're gone? |
|
| Giorgio |
Thinking
about my work, my superiors, of your cousin, I will of no doubt
also think of you.
(He begins to walk away but Fosca steps in his path)
Please Signora. Don't make this difficult.
(He walks further, but she continues to block his path. He raises
his hand to impede her; Fosca grabs it and presses it to her breast,
then kisses it. Giorgio pushes her away)
Please! Stop this behavior immediately. What will people think if
they see this display? |
|
| Fosca |
What
does it matter if they see me? What do I care if the whole world
knows how I feel? I adore you. Is that something I should be ashamed
of? Is that something I should hide?
(He tries once more to escape, but she drops to the ground and
wraps herself around his legs)
I'm not a fool. I know you don't feel the same way as I do. But
one loves a dog, an animal. What can I do to get you to love me
- a human being like yourself?
(She begins to weep) |
|
| Giorgio |
Get
up Signora, please.
(he helps her up)
Calm down. Calm down, please. I have to leave straight away. I am
touched by your affection. It flatters me greatly. My mind is racing
with so many thoughts ... |
 |
| Fosca |
Tell
me your thoughts. |
| Giorgio |
I
have to leave straight away. |
| Fosca |
Write
me. |
| Giorgio |
Fine. |
| Fosca |
Promise. |
| Giorgio |
Yes,
I promise. |
| Fosca |
Tomorrow. |
| Giorgio |
Tomorrow.
Now, please go. I want no one to see you here. |
| Fosca |
Bless
you. |
