Amadeus Page #7

ARCO:

Follow me, please. The Archbishop

would like a word.

MOZART:

Certainly!

He follows Arco out of the room, through a throng of admirers.

INT. ANOTHER PALACE CORRIDOR - DAY - 1780'S

Mozart and Arco walk side by side. They pass Salieri who is

staring at Mozart in fascination. As they disappear, he steals

toward the music stands, unable to help himself.

MOZART:

Well, I think that went off remarkably

well, don't you?

ARCO:

Indeed.

MOZART:

These Viennese certainly know good

music when they hear it.

ARCO:

His Grace is very angry with you.

MOZART:

What do you mean?

They arrive at the door of Colloredo's private apartment.

ARCO:

You are to come in here and ask his

pardon.

Arco opens the door.

INT. ARCHBISHOP'S PRIVATE ROOM - DAY - 1780'S

The Archbishop is sitting, chatting to quests. Among them

are several ladies. Arco approaches him obsequiously.

ARCO:

Your Grace.

COLLOREDO:

Ah, Mozart. Why?

MOZART:

Why what, sir?

COLLOREDO:

Why do I have to be humiliated in

front of my guests by one of my own

servants?

MOZART:

Humiliated?

COLLOREDO:

How much provocation am I to endure

from you? The more license I allow

you, the more you take.

The company watches this scene, deeply interested.

MOZART:

If His Grace is not satisfied with

me, he can dismiss me.

COLLOREDO:

I wish you to return immediately to

Salzburg. Your father is waiting for

you there patiently. I will speak to

you further when I come.

MOZART:

No, Your Grace! I mean with all

humility, no. I would rather you

dismissed me. It's obvious I don't

satisfy.

COLLOREDO:

Then try harder, Mozart. I have no

intention of dismissing you. You

will remain in my service and learn

your place. Go now.

He extends his hand to be kissed. Mozart does it with a

furious grace, then leaves the room. As he opens the door we

see:

INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - DAY - 1780'S

A group of people who have attended the concert, among them

Constanze, are standing outside the private apartment. At

sight of the composer they break into sustained applause.

Mozart is suddenly delighted. He throws the door wide open

so that the guests can see into the private apartment where

the Archbishop sits - and he can see them. Colloredo is

clearly discomfited by this reception of his employee. He

smiles and bows uneasily, as they include him in the small

ovation.

Mozart stands in the corridor, out of the Archbishop's line

of sight, bowing and giggling, and encouraging the applause

for the Archbishop with conducting gestures. Suddenly

irritated, Colloredo signs to Arco, who steps forward and

shuts the door, ending the applause.

INT. PALACE GRAND SALON - DAY - 1780'S

Salieri, in this vast room, is standing and looking at the

full score of the Serenade. He turns the pages back to the

slow movement. Instantly, we again hear its lyrical strains.

CU, Salieri, reading the score of the Adagio in helpless

fascination. The music is played against his description of

it.

OLD SALIERI (V.O.)

Extraordinary! On the page it looked

nothing. The beginning simple, almost

comic. Just a pulse - bassoons and

basset horns - like a rusty

squeezebox. Then suddenly - high

above it - an oboe, a single note,

hanging there unwavering, till a

clarinet took over and sweetened it

into a phrase of such delight! This

was no composition by a performing

monkey! This was a music I'd never

heard. Filled with such longing,

such unfulfillable longing, it had

me trembling. It seemed to me that I

was hearing a voice of God.

Suddenly the music snaps off. Mozart stands before him as he

lays down the score.

MOZART:

Excuse me!

He takes the score, bows, and struts briskly out of the room.

Salieri stares uncomprehendingly after the jaunty little

figure.

OLD SALIERI (V.O.)

But why?

INT. OLD SALIERI'S HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT - 1823

OLD SALIERI:

Why? Would God choose an obscene

child to be His instrument? It was

not to be believed! This piece had

to be an accident. It had to be!

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