Amadeus Page #29

INT. MOZART'S WORKROOM - DAY - 1780'S

It is littered with manuscripts. In the middle stands a

billiard table. The beautiful closing ensemble from Act IV

of Figaro:
Ah, Tutti contenti! Saremo cosi plays in the

background. Standing at the billiard table, Mozart is dreamily

hearing the music and playing shots on the table.

From time to time he drifts over to a piece of manuscript

paper and jots down notes. He is very much in his own world

of composition and the billiard balls are an aid to creation.

Presently, however, we hear a knocking at the door.

CONSTANZE:

(outside the door)

Wolfi! Wolfgang!

The music breaks off.

MOZART:

What is it?

He opens the door.

CONSTANZE:

There's a young girl to see you.

MOZART:

What does she want?

CONSTANZE:

I don't know.

MOZART:

Well, ask her!

CONSTANZE:

She won't talk to me. She says she

has to speak to you.

MOZART:

Oh, damn!

INT. MOZART'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY - 1780'S

Mozart comes out. Framed in the doorway from outside stands

Lorl, the maid we noticed in Salieri's house. From his bedroom

Leopold peeps out to watch. Mozart goes to the girl. Constanze

follows.

MOZART:

Yes?

LORL:

Are you Herr Mozart?

MOZART:

That's right.

LORL:

My name is Lorl, sir. I'm a

maidservant. I was asked to come

here and offer my services to you.

MOZART:

What?

LORL:

They'll be paid for by a great admirer

or yours who wishes to remain anon -

anonymous.

CONSTANZE:

What do you mean? What admirer?

LORL:

I can't tell you that, ma'am.

MOZART:

Are you saying that someone is paying

you to be our maid and doesn't want

us to know who he is?

LORL:

Yes. I can live in or out just as

you wish.

Mozart turns to his father.

MOZART:

Papa, is this your idea?

LEOPOLD:

Mine?

The old man emerges from his bedroom. His son looks at him

delightedly.

MOZART:

Are you playing a trick on me?

LEOPOLD:

I never saw this girl in my life.

(to Lorl)

Is this a kind of joke?

LORL:

Not at all, sir. And I was told to

wait for an answer.

LEOPOLD:

Young woman, this won't do at all.

My son can't possibly accept such an

offer, no matter how generous, unless

he knows who is behind it.

LORL:

But I really can't tell you, sir.

LEOPOLD:

Oh, this is ridiculous.

CONSTANZE:

What is ridiculous? Wolfi has many

admirers in Vienna. They love him

here. People send us gifts all the

time.

LEOPOLD:

But you can't take her without

reference. It's unheard of!

CONSTANZE:

Well, this is none of your business.

(to Lorl)

Whoever sent you is going to pay,

no?

LORL:

That's right, ma'am.

LEOPOLD:

So now we are going to let a perfect

stranger into the house?

Constanze looks furiously at him, then at Lorl.

CONSTANZE:

Who is we? Who is letting who?

(to Lorl)

Could you please wait outside?

LORL:

Yes, ma'am.

Lorl goes outside and closes the door. Constanze turns on

Leopold.

CONSTANZE:

Look, old man, you stay out of this.

We spend a fortune on you, more than

we can possibly afford, and all you

do is criticize, morning to night.

And then you think you can -

MOZART:

Stanzi!

CONSTANZE:

No, it's right he should hear. I'm

sick to death of it. We can't do

anything right for you, can we?

LEOPOLD:

Never mind. You won't have to do

anything for me ever again. I'm

leaving!

MOZART:

Papa!

LEOPOLD:

Don't worry, I'm not staying here to

be a burden.

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