Prinzessin Turandot Page #5

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excuse me, why do you address me as "thou" all of a sudden?

did I call you "you" earlier?

have you forgotten, my little Mian Li?

and this? and that?

really?

do you want to have another baked apple?

what's that?

but you've eaten three of them a moment ago

try it

you take one bite

and I take another bite

tastes good, doesn't it?

you take one bite

- come on

- always as "you and me"

just like we did a short while ago

no thank you

I don't want it anymore

another bite, please,

then it'll taste better to me

I ... I've just eaten too much of it

and besides, I haven't returned because of the baked apples

because of me?

because of you neither

but?

but...

but because of the riddle, Calaf

I see

Calaf, please

tell me the riddle

you're going to pose to my Princess

why doesn't the silly person come and ask me herself?

but Calaf!

now that she's reached the end of her Chinese with me...

tell me, why does she send you? why?

what are good friends for?

I'm sorry, it's impossible

why is it impossible?

you must find a way out

you're so clever

it has nothing to do with being clever

the thing is this:

I can only think of the riddle

if my miracle bird sings

and my miracle bird only sings

if two people kiss each other

so?

if you want to learn the riddle

Turandot is to solve

then...

then I'll have to kiss you

Mian Li, listen to me

no no I don't want to

but Mian Li!

you'll only be doing a service of friendship for Turandot

what about you?

I?

well

I'd like to kiss you very much

Mian Li

but I thought you loved...

the Princess Turandot?

I do, but she isn't here right now, or is she?

I see

and because she isn't here,

you want to kiss me

what am I to do?

you want to know the riddle

without kissing the bird won't sing

and without the bird singing

I can't think of a riddle, it's that simple

yes

but if I tell the riddle to Turandot

and if she'll solve it

then she'll be free?

of course

and you'd agree to that?

since she doesn't love me

how can you be so sure?

if she loved me, would she let you come here?

Mian Li?

I...

so...

go ahead

no no

you mustn't lift the veil

but that's impossible

why?

the bird doesn't consent to compromises

he doesn't?

then turn off the lantern

alright

with greatest pleasure

no no, hold on, I can't think of the riddle that quickly

now I must go home

another kiss

no no

not a single more

Mian Li

Mian Li

but I haven't told you the riddle

of course

what is the riddle?

how many pearls are in the ocean?

but that's mean of you!

the riddles I had to solve weren't made of cardboard either

how many pearls are in the ocean?

if I may kiss you once more,

I'll tell you the solution

no thank you

now Turandot shall be tortured as well

Mian Li

my greetings to the Princess Turandot

help!

Mian Li, open up!

Mian Li, quick!

I'm being followed by the ghosts

of all the men I've had beheaded

close the door!

Mian Li!

it is I, Willibald

good heavens, let's shut the door

did you see?

the way they ran away from me

my brave Willibald

my hero

hero

that feels good

that feels even better

Princess

get out of my sight

you false snake

false snake?

but Princess!

why didn't you mention the thing about the baked apples?

did the bird sing too

while you were there?

which bird?

what happened?

did Calaf recognize you, Princess?

he didn't!

he thought I was you the whole time

and that's why he had been so fresh with me

the way you must have behaved with him!

behaved!

you, my friend?

a pretty friend!

eating baked apples with him!

"you take one bite,

I take one bite"

"you take another bite"

and the "shh" and the "shh"

and you know exactly that...

what do I know?

you know nothing at all!

Your Imperial Highness,

I'm desperate

did you at least manage to learn the riddle?

do you imagine I'm as useless as you are?

running away like a chicken

without getting the riddle?

and what is it?

"how many pearls are in the ocean?"

but who is to count them?

calm yourself

I'll find the answer alright

but then you'll be free, Princess

indeed I'll be free!

and Calaf will be free

and you'll be free too, Mian Li

I know exactly what you two are up to

you deserve each other

marry each other

you have my blessings

I'll be too glad if I don't have to see the both of you anymore

if he's left and gone with his ridiculous wagon

you can both sit and eat baked apples

till you're bursting!

which robe does Your Imperial Highness command

for today's audience?

I don't care at all

which shoes do you wish to wear,

Your Imperial Highness?

I don't care at all

which jewelry, Your Imperial Highness?

I don't care at all

where's the coral arrow?

the Princess' coral arrow

she always wears in her hair,

her talisman

no idea

you never have any idea

that's your specialty

I am sure the Princess wore it yesterday

what am I to do if she notices

that the talisman is lost

there'll be a catastrophe

what's that?

but this is an arrow to put into your hair

it is

it's a hair arrow, that is, no

no, this is a key

the hair arrow is a key?

why?

this is the key to my riddle

you see?

did you hurt yourself?

quite

what's the matter with him?

why is he pushing me?

but you've run across the Dragon Stairways

they're reserved for the Emperor

I see

how could I know that?

I ought to have been told

well, it doesn't matter anyway

yes, thank you

you're welcome

where do you want to go now?

to Calaf

and I?

Her Imperial Highness the Princess Turandot

approach, Calaf

You are to pose the riddle to me,

before my father and before the whole world,

which I have to solve

in order to regain my freedom

my riddle is very easy, Princess

last night I kissed a woman in my wagon

who was that woman?

but you were going to ask me something else!

how do you know?

only one person can know that

the woman I love

I held in my arms

perhaps I can make it easier for you

she wore this coral arrow

well, Princess?

who was that woman?

I?

is that true?

yes, Your Majesty

you've solved the riddle

you're free, Turandot

that's out of the question!

no way!

you're right, daddy

I don't want to owe you anything, Calaf

you're to get back what you've given me

the end

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