Amadeus Page #22

JOSEPH:

I don't think you understand me,

Court Composer.

SALIERI:

Majesty, I did. Believe me, it was a

most agonizing. decision. But finally,

I simply could not recommend Herr

Mozart.

JOSEPH:

Why not?

SALIERI:

Well, Sire, I made some inquiries in

a routine way. I was curious to know

why he had so few pupils. It is rather

alarming.

JOSEPH:

Oh?

With a gesture Joseph dismisses the butler, who bows and

leaves the room.

SALIERI:

Majesty, I don't like to talk against

a fellow musician.

JOSEPH:

Of course not.

SALIERI:

I have to tell you, Mozart is not

entirely to be trusted alone with

young ladies.

JOSEPH:

Really?

SALIERI:

As a matter of fact, one of my own

pupils - a very young singer - told

me she was - er - well!

JOSEPH:

Yes?

SALIERI:

Molested, Majesty. Twice, in the

course of the same lesson.

A pause.

JOSEPH:

Ah-ha. Well. There it is.

INT. SALIERI'S HOUSE - STAIRCASE - VIENNA - DAY - 1780'S

Salieri has just returned from the palace and is coming up

the staircase. He is met by his servant.

SERVANT:

Sir, there is a Herr Mozart waiting

for you in the salon.

Salieri is plainly alarmed.

SALIERI:

What does he want?

SERVANT:

He didn't say, sir. I told him I

didn't know when you would be back,

but he insisted on waiting.

SALIERI:

Come with me. And stay in the room.

He mounts the stairs.

INT. SALIERI'S APARTMENT - SALON - DAY - 1780'S

Mozart is waiting for Salieri, holding a portfolio. Salieri

approaches him nervously. Mozart stands not belligerently,

but humbly.

SALIERI:

Herr Mozart, what brings you here?

MOZART:

Your Excellency, you requested some

specimens of my work. Here they are.

I don't have to tell you how much I

need your help. I truly appreciate

your looking at these. I have

pressures on me - financial pressures.

As you know, I'm a married man now.

SALIERI:

So you are. How is your pretty wife?

MOZART:

She is well. She is - well, actually,

I'm about to become a father! She

only told me last night. You are the

first to know.

SALIERI:

I'm flattered. And congratulations

to you, of course.

MOZART:

So you see, this post is very

important to me right now.

Salieri looks at him in distress.

SALIERI:

Why didn't you come to me yesterday,

Mozart? This is a most painful

situation. Yesterday I could have

helped you. Today, I can't.

MOZART:

Why? Here is the music. It's here.

I am submitting it humbly. Isn't

that what you wanted?

SALIERI:

I have just come from the palace.

The post has been filled.

MOZART:

Filled? That's impossible! They

haven't even seen my work. I need

this post. Please, can't you help

me? Please!

SALIERI:

My dear Mozart, there is no one in

the world I would rather help, but

now it is too late.

MOZART:

Whom did they choose?

SALIERI:

Herr Sommer.

MOZART:

Sommer? Herr Sommer? But the man's a

fool! He's a total mediocrity.

SALIERI:

No, no, no:
he has yet to achieve

mediocrity.

MOZART:

But I can't lose this post, I simply

can't! Excellency, please. Let's go

to the palace, and you can explain

to the Emperor that Herr Sommer is

an awful choice. He could actually

do musical harm to the Princess!

SALIERI:

An implausible idea. Between you and

me, no one in the world could do

musical harm to the Princess

Elizabeth.

Mozart chuckles delightedly. Salieri offers him a glass of

white dessert and a spoon. Mozart takes it absently and goes

on talking.

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