Amadeus Page #42

MOZART:

(to Karl)

Well, you liked it, didn't you?

Monkey-flunki-punki.

CONSTANZE:

Half the house! You'll never see a

penny. I want it here, in my hand.

MOZART:

(dirty)

Stanzi-manzi, I'll put it in your

hand!

CONSTANZE:

Shut up! I'll not let you put anything

in my hand until I see some money.

He giggles like a child.

CUT TO:

INT. SCHLUMBERG HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY 1780'S

Dogs are barking wickedly. Michael Schlumberg comes in from

his salon. Mozart stands there looking very unwell and

bewildered. He is also drunk, but making a careful attempt

to keep his composure.

SCHLUMBERG:

Herr Mozart. What a surprise. What

can I do for you?

MOZART:

Is my pupil still anxious to learn

the art of music?

SCHLUMBERG:

Well, your pupil is married and living

in Mannheim, young man.

MOZART:

Really? Perhaps your dear wife might

care to profit from my instruction?

SCHLUMBERG:

What is this, Mozart? What's the

matter with you?

MOZART:

Well. Since it appears nobody is

eager to hire my services, could you

favour me with a little money instead?

SCHLUMBERG:

What for?

MOZART:

If a man cannot earn, he must borrow.

SCHLUMBERG:

Well, this is hardly the way to go

about it.

MOZART:

No doubt, sir. But I am endowed with

talent, and you with money. If I

offer mine, you should offer yours.

Pause.

SCHLUMBERG:

I'm sorry. No.

MOZART:

Please. I'll give it back, I promise.

Please, sir.

SCHLUMBERG:

My answer is no, Mozart.

CU, Mozart. His voice becomes mechanical.

MOZART:

Please. Please. Please. Please.

Please. Please.

CUT TO:

INT. THE IMPERIAL LIBRARY - DAY - 1790'S

Von Swieten and Salieri stand close together. Several scholars

and students are examining scrolls and manuscripts at the

other end of the room.

VON SWIETEN:

(keeping his voice

down)

This is embarrassing, you know. You

introduced Mozart to some of my

friends and he's begging from

practically all of them. It has to

stop.

SALIERI:

I agree, Baron.

VON SWIETEN:

Can't you think of anyone who might

commission some work from him? I've

done my best. I got him to arrange

some Bach for my Sunday concerts. He

got a fee - what I could afford.

Can't you think of anyone who might

do something for him?

SALIERI:

No, Baron, no. I'm afraid Mozart is

a lost cause. He has managed to

alienate practically the whole of

Vienna. He is constantly drunk. He

never pays his debts. I can't think

of one person to whom I dare recommend

him.

VON SWIETEN:

How sad. It's tragic, isn't it?

Such a talent.

SALIERI:

Indeed. Just a moment - as a matter

of fact I think I do know someone

who could commission a work from

him. A very appropriate person to do

so. Yes.

The opening measures of the Piano Concerto in D Minor steal

in.

CUT TO:

INT. THE COSTUME SHOP - VIENNA - DAY - 1790'S

This is exactly the same shop which Mozart and Constanze

visited with Leopold. Now Salieri's servant stands in it,

waiting. We see a few other customers being served by the

staff:
renting masks, costumes, etc. One of the staff emerges

from the back of the shop carrying a large box, which he

hands to Salieri's servant. The servant leaves the shop.

Through the window we see him hurrying away through the snowy

street full of passers-by, carriages, etc.

INT. SALIERI'S APARTMENT - DUSK - 1790'S

The D Minor Concerto continues. Salieri, alone, eagerly opens

the box from the costume shop and takes out the same dark

cloak and hat that Leopold wore to the masquerade, only now

attached to the hat is a dark mask whose mouth is cut into a

frown, not a laugh. It presents a bitter and menacing

expression. He puts on the cloak, the hat and the mask and

turns his back. Suddenly we see the assembled and alarming

image reflected in a full-length mirror. The music swells

darkly.

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