Act I, Scene iv
Continued...
Donado: (directed to the opening of the bottle) One hopes, anyway...
DONADO takes another gulp...
Now breathing heavily after his second, large gulp.
Donado: (Aside) But he be such a dunce, I fear. What chance does he have anyway?
Takes another sip. Flings the bottle around as he speaks the following lines. Some of the liquid falls out of the bottle as he is speaking.
Donado: (Aside) If I was younger, I would do it myself. I don’t like to brag that it was easy for me back in the day to not only sweep a woman off her feet but to ensure that she landed on bed. But I don’t mind stating a fact. One line from me would have had her clothes explode off her body with only desire in her eyes. (beat). By my life, the boy just has no game.
DONADO shudders and then takes another sip.
Donado: If only I could put my knowledge in his brain…it has plenty of empty space. Oh well, I should lead this horse to water and pray it doesn’t choke on its own tongue.
DONADO is about to take another sip of liqueur when BERGETTO and POGGIO enter the scene just as his lips are suspended in midair, about to touch the opening of the bottle.
Enter BERGETTO and POGGIO.
Bergetto: Uncle!
Liquer falls on Donado’s face.
Poggio: Hello, sir.
Donado: (Aside, less than enthused) Here we go.
Bergetto: Uncle, I saw the most beautiful horse for sale today! With tail and head straight on an angle that could have given way to such speed, I swear't. (to Poggio) Was it not bounteous and beautiful, Poggio?
Poggio: (With minimal affect) Indeed, sir, ‘twas.
Donado: Have you any news?
DONADO grins, knowing that BERGETTO is not prepared to answer this question about the inroads he’s making with ANNABELLA.
BERGETTO hesitates before he speaks, unsure of what his uncle is eluding to. The entire thought of ANNABELLA is completely lost on him.
Bergetto: Only that my barber had this excellent horse for sale and hinted at giving me a discount.
DONADO’S face registers anger and frustration.
Donado: You fool.
Bergetto: What?
Donado: Come here.
DONADO beckons BERGETTO to approach him.
He reluctantly complies.
DONADO then takes a swipe at BERGETTO and connects with his head.
Bergetto: Ow! Uncle, what was that for?!
Donado: Your head is in the wrong place! Have you no mind to think on the business we spoke of earlier? Remember Annabella?! Fair Princess of Parma and royal Heiress to the Throne?!
DONADO attempts to take another swipe at BERGETTO but misses.
BERGETTO exchanges glances with POGGIO.
POGGIO shrugs his shoulders as if to say “What do you want me do?”
Poggio: (To Bergetto, half-encouragingly) Go ahead.
Bergetto: We did not meet this day, Uncle.
POGGIO raises his eyebrows, knowing this is a lie.
Donado: Are you kidding me?!
Bergetto: What?!
Donado: At all?!
Bergetto: Had you said anything, Uncle, I would surely have gone!
Donado: Stay back, Bergetto, for I fear that if you come any closer, I will be required to do something drastic such as pulling your under garments over your head and beating you with a broom like you were a filthy and dumb rug!
Silence.
Donado: Really... you didn’t speak to her at all today?
BERGETTO shrugs.
Bergetto: Okay... Maybe I did.
DONADO suddenly realizes his nephew has been lying. There’s a gravity of silence and fear that follows.
He studies BERGETTO who looks defeated as he sighs, recollecting his previous encounter with ANNABELLA.
Donado: Oh no, you didn’t...
More silence.
Donado: What... happened?
Even more silence.
Last photo was good.
Thank you! :)