The Mad Genius Page #2

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I'm going mad. I tell you,

I cannot stand it any longer.

Oh now, Serge. Don't take it so hard.

You'll be alright. I know you will.

Oh ..

My Nana.

Go on. Take your place.

Dancers .. one .. two.

Ivan.

Will you see me for a moment?

If it isn't taking up too

much of your time.

How can you treat me like this?

Aren't you human at all?

Is it impossible for you to forget that I

once took advantage of your propinquity?

You made me think you cared once.

If you hadn't done ..

I know. You never would have

made your first false step.

The music cue.

I know the truth now.

I meant no more to you than ..

Than that chair.

Well .. that was once a very

comfortable chair, probably.

And you could always

sit in the chair afterwards.

Come darling. Run away

or Serge will bite you.

No good! There is something wrong!

Oh, I can't stand it.

Hey!

What's the matter with you?

They are no good.

The whole morning, everyone

has done as they pleased.

Why, you fool. I've been

directing them myself.

They were working like the devil.

What's the matter with you? Are you crazy?

I cannot wait for tonight.

I must have some more. Now!

I have none here.

It is a lie.

I know you always have

some on you in case I ..

No!

I haven't slept since

the rehearsals started.

They keep going around in my head.

The people moving.

The music, the dancer's feet.

Until I feel as though, every nerve in

my body had a voice that was screaming.

How can I stand it unless

you give me all I need?

Not in the theatre.

Then I cannot go on.

I cannot think with that terrible

sensation of screaming.

No sound. Still that

sensation of screaming.

Shush!

I cannot go on. Please ..

Quiet ..

Everything is fine, yeah.

Get ready. Let's go!

One .. two ..

Thanks Karimsky.

I appreciate your suggestions.

That's alright, Fedor.

In fact, I'm utterly satisfied ..

With the analytical and psychological

construction of your work in the ballet.

However, there in the

second act of Cleopatra.

You know, when you leap

through the window?

Well .. leap a little higher and ..

Make sure that the window is open

when you leap through there.

I will.

I'm fully convinced though, Fedor.

That your greatest achievement will be

in the ballet story that I've written.

I'd like to have you read that.

Anything important?

There is another letter from the

mother of that girl in Vienna.

Personally, I think ..

Personally, you can't think!

Put it in a file with the others.

Well how are you Fedor?

How do you feel, huh?

Alright.

You sound tired.

Maybe you were out late last night, huh?

I was. With Nana.

Aha .. well?

You heard what I said: well?

Nana isn't like that.

She's very different.

Different .. well that sounds

wonderful. Tell me about it.

That isn't what I mean.

Nana has an innocence. A sweetness.

Ah.

You know, I can think of

nothing more revolting.

Than a human being licking envelopes.

Post them.

And take a brisk walk.

You look terrible.

I don't believe I'll walk very much.

My feet hurt me today.

Get out.

An amazing character.

Well, everything alright, Fedor?

I wouldn't change places

with anyone on earth.

Ah, that's good to hear, my son.

Real gratitude. Very rare.

Oh, it isn't just gratitude.

It's much more than that.

I owe everything I have and am, to you.

Why you .. you've been a father to me.

You can be one of

the greatest artists ..

In the world.

What more can anyone ask?

Nothing.

Right .. you are right.

Have ..

Have I ever been wrong in my

dealing with anything that ..

Concerns your happiness?

No. Never.

Then what was the matter last night?

Why did you make that long pause?

I just found out. It was Count Renaud.

When he came in the box before, I had the

same feeling I had on the stage last night

Only this time I knew what

it was. I hate that man.

What for?

He seems to think he has only

to look at any girl and she will ..

Well, unfortunately they do.

Any number of them have.

But not Nana Carlova.

Wouldn't you think that even he

could see that she's different?

Ah, you seem very sure for one so young.

How many times have I told you

never to place any woman too high?

It always saves so much fuss when ..

Things grow stale.

Here, have a drink.

No, thank you.

You will like it. It's very good.

I just got it from Bavaria.

Thanks.

Sit down. Sit down.

I .. I don't wish to pry into

your private affairs, my son.

But ..

Just what do you and Nana

mean to each other?

We've always been friends.

Hmm.

Oh, that's an amiable relationship.

As far as it goes.

But it's a little childish when it

interferes with your work, isn't it?

I admit I've been worried about her.

Since she is above temptation.

What harm can Count Renaud do her?

If she isn't .. then she's scarcely

worthwhile worrying about, is she?

But she is above it.

Well, in that case Renaud is

automatically eliminated, isn't he?

Huh?

Why ..

Well, of course.

I believe you could clear up anything.

Now I must get back to work.

Alright, boy. Oh, by the way.

I want you to come to supper with

me tonight, after the performance.

I want you to meet a

charming little recruit.

No thanks .. I think I'd better go home.

Hello.

Friedrichshafen neun sieben.

Hello? Hello, is that you, Renauld?

You just got home, huh?

I've just been talking to

a little friend of yours.

Nana Carlova. She just went out.

I know. I've changed my mind about that.

I tell you what you do.

Send her back the bracelet, huh.

And attach a little

bunch of violets to it.

You know. It is modest, sweet, simple.

She likes simple things.

Don't give up the ship, Renaud.

Remember the battle has just begun, huh.

Alright. Not at all.

Not at all, my friend.

Stage manager.

Send Olga Chekova in my office.

By the way.

The man at the store says there's

something wrong with the letters.

What?

We have to put stamps on them.

Now that you have a little time, I'd like

you to read the ballet story I've written.

I would rather have you lick envelopes.

[ Door knocks ]

Come in.

Take off your hat.

I was just thinking of that.

Come in. Come close.

But it isn't three o'clock.

Yes, the time is alright.

Don't be nervous. Sit down.

Sit down. I have something

very important I want to tell you.

Yes?

Someone is very much interested in you.

Yes .. who?

Fedor.

Fedor?

Why, he's hardly ever looked at me.

He will.

Listen.

Why, you are here early.

You are a hard little worker, huh?

Well .. was I right about Fedor?

No .. not exactly.

Oh my dear child. Don't be

embarrassed in front of me.

I understand these things.

I went to his room, as you told me.

Yes?

I knocked on his door.

Yes.

He came to the door and I

did what you told me to.

Yes, yes.

He laughed in my face.

No.

He did.

I think you were playing

a joke on me, Maestro.

No, my dear child.

The joke was on him.

Come to my office

tomorrow at three o'clock.

Ah .. make it two-thirty.

You'll take me seriously one day.

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