Amadeus Page #9

SALIERI:

Bene! Bene!

She gives a little curtsey, flattered and giggling and is

shown out. Salieri turns back to his work, chewing. He plays

through a complete line of the march. He smiles, pleased

with the result.

SALIERI:

Grazie, Signore.

He inclines his head to the Christ above the fireplace, and

starts to play the whole march, including the phrase which

pleased him.

INT. A WIGMAKER'S SHOP - VIENNA - DAY - 1780'S

The march continues on the forte-piano as we see Mozart,

seated in front of a mirror, wearing an extravagant wig. On

either side of him stands a SALESMAN, one of them holding

another wig, equally extravagant. Mozart takes off the first

wig, to reveal his own blonde hair, of which he is extremely

proud, and hands it back.

MOZART:

And the other one?

The Salesman puts the second wig on his head. Mozart pulls a

face of doubt in the mirror.

MOZART:

And the other one?

He takes it off and the other Salesman replaces it with the

first wig on his head.

MOZART:

Oh, they're both so beautiful, I

can't decide. Why don't I have two

heads?

He giggles. The music stops.

INT. GRAND SALON - THE ROYAL PALACE - DAY - 1780'S

A door opens. We glimpse in the next room the Emperor Joseph

bidding goodbye to a group of military officers standing

around a table.

JOSEPH:

Good, good, good.

He turns and comes into the salon, where another group awaits

him. It consists of Von Strack, Orsini-Rosenberg, Bonno, Von

Swieten and Salieri. The room contains several gilded chairs

dotted about, and a forte-piano.

JOSEPH:

Good morning, gentlemen.

All bow and say, Good morning, Your Majesty!

JOSEPH:

(to Von Strack)

Well, what do you have for me today?

VON STRACK:

Your Majesty, Herr Mozart -

JOSEPH:

Yes, what about him?

VON STRACK:

He's here.

JOSEPH:

Ah-ha. Well. There it is. Good.

SALIERI:

Majesty, I hope you won't think it

improper, but I have written a little

March of Welcome in his honour.

He produces a paper.

JOSEPH:

What a charming idea. May I see?

SALIERI:

(handing it over)

It's just a trifle, of course.

JOSEPH:

May I try it?

SALIERI:

Majesty.

The Emperor goes to the instrument, sits and plays the first

bars of it. Quite well.

JOSEPH:

Delightful, Court Composer. Would

you permit me to play it as he comes

in?

SALIERI:

You do me too much honour, Sire.

JOSEPH:

Let's have some fun.

(to the waiting

Majordomo)

Bring in Herr Mozart, please. But

slowly, slowly. I need a minute to

practice.

The Majordomo bows and goes. The Emperor addresses himself

to the march. He plays a wrong note.

SALIERI:

A-flat, Majesty.

JOSEPH:

Ah-ha!

INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - VIENNA - DAY - 1780'S

Taking his instructions literally, the Majordomo is marching

very slowly toward the salon door. He is followed by a

bewildered Mozart, dressed very stylishly and wearing one of

the wigs from the perruqier.

INT. ROYAL PALACE GRAND SALON - DAY - 1780'S

Joseph finishes the march. The door opens.

MAJORDOMO:

Herr Mozart.

Mozart comes in eagerly. Immediately the march begins, played

by His Majesty. All the courtiers stand, listening with

admiration. Joseph plays well, but applies himself fiercely

to the manuscript. Mozart, still bewildered, regards the

scene, but does not seem to pay attention to the music itself.

It finishes and all clap obsequiously.

ORSINI-ROSENBERG

Bravo, Your Majesty!

VON STRACK:

Well done, Sire!

The Emperor rises, pleased with himself. He snatches the

manuscript off the stand and holds it in his hand for the

rest of the scene.

JOSEPH:

Gentlemen, gentlemen, a little less

enthusiasm, I beg you. Ah, Mozart.

He extends his hand. Mozart throws himself to his knees, and

to Joseph's discomfort kisses the royal hand with fervour.

MOZART:

Your Majesty!

JOSEPH:

No, no, please! It is not a holy

relic.

(raising Mozart up)

You know we have met already? In

this very room. Perhaps you won't

remember it, you were only six years

old.

(to the others)

He was giving the most brilliant

little concert here. As he got off

the stool, he slipped and fell. My

sister Antoinette helped him up

herself, and do you know what he

did? Jumped straight into her arms

and said, Will you marry me, yes or

no?

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