Amadeus Page #18

MOZART:

Don't be stupid.

CONSTANZE:

All they want to see is your work.

What's wrong with that?

MOZART:

Shut up! Just shut up! I don't need

them.

CONSTANZE:

This isn't pride. It's sheer

stupidity!

She glares at him, almost in tears.

CUT TO:

INT. SALIERI'S MUSIC ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON - 1780'S

Salieri is giving a lesson to a girl student, who is singing

the Italian art song, Caro Mio Ben.

There is a knock on the door.

SALIERI:

Yes.

A SERVANT enters.

SERVANT:

Excuse me, sir, there is a lady who

insists on talking to you.

SALIERI:

Who is she?

SERVANT:

She didn't say. But she says it's

urgent.

SALIERI:

(to the pupil)

Excuse me, my dear.

Salieri goes into the salon.

CUT TO:

INT. THE SALON - LATE AFTERNOON - 1780'S

Constanze stands, closely veiled, holding a portfolio stuffed

with manuscripts. The singing lesson ends, with two chords

on the instrument. Salieri enters the salon. Constanze drops

him a shy curtsey.

CONSTANZE:

Excellency!

SALIERI:

Madame. How can I help you?

Shyly, she unveils.

SALIERI:

Frau Mozart?

CONSTANZE:

That's right, Your Excellency. I've

come on behalf of my hus band. I'm -

I'm bringing some samples of his

work so he can be considered for the

royal appointment.

SALIERI:

How charming. But why did he not

come himself?

CONSTANZE:

He's terribly busy, sir.

SALIERI:

I understand.

He takes the portfolio and puts it on a table.

SALIERI:

I will look at them, of course, the

moment I can. It will be an honour.

Please give him my warmest.

CONSTANZE:

Would it be too much trouble, sir,

to ask you to look at them now?

While I wait.

SALIERI:

I'm afraid I'm not at leisure this

very moment. Just leave them with

me. I assure you they will be quite

safe.

CONSTANZE:

I - I really cannot do that, Your

Excellency. You see, he doesn't know

I'm here.

SALIERI:

Really?

CONSTANZE:

My husband is a proud man, sir. He

would be furious if he knew I'd come.

SALIERI:

Then he didn't send you?

CONSTANZE:

No, sir. This is my own idea.

SALIERI:

I see.

CONSTANZE:

Sir, we really need this job. We're

desperate. My husband spends far

more than he can ever earn. I don't

mean he's lazy - he's not at all -

he works all day long. It's just!

he's not practical. Money simply

slips through his fingers, it's really

ridiculous, Your Excellency. I know

you help musicians. You're famous

for it. Give him just this one post.

We'd be forever indebted!

A short pause.

SALIERI:

Let me offer you some refreshment.

Do you know what these are?

He indicates a dish piled high with glazed chestnuts.

SALIERI:

Cappezzoli di Venere. Nipples of

Venus. Roman chestnuts in brandied

sugar. Won't you try one? They're

quite surprising.

He offers her the dish. She takes one and puts it in her

mouth. He watches carefully.

CONSTANZE:

Oh! They're wonderful.

He takes one himself. We notice on his finger a heavy gold

signet-ring.

CONSTANZE:

Thank you very much, Your Excellency.

SALIERI:

Don't keep calling me that. It puts

me at such a distance. I was not

born a Court Composer, you know.

I'm from a small town, just like

your husband.

He smiles at her. She takes another chestnut.

SALIERI:

Are you sure you can't leave that

music, and come back again? I have

other things you might like.

CONSTANZE:

That's very tempting, but it's

impossible, I'm afraid. Wolfi would

be frantic if he found those were

missing. You see, they're all

originals.

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