The Servant of Two Masters
Act One, Scene One
Page 81 - 93
A room in Pantalone’s villa.
Characters:
Pantalone, Doctor Lombardi, Silvio, Brighella, Smeraldina, Clarice, Beatrice
Occasion: The Betrothal of Dr. Lombardi’s son to Pantalone’s daughter.
The betrothal is quickly dispatched.
Props: bag of money, two formal letters
Props: bag of money, two formal letters
It is revealed that Clarice, Pantalone’s daughter, was betrothed once before to another, but that her first fiancee, Federico Rasponi, was killed in a duel to uphold his sister’s honor. Clarice had never met her now deceased fiancee and so her honor is intact. The two fathers drink to Clarice still being intact.
Pantalone, knowing that Brighella is a great cook, asks him to fix something delicious with a lot of gravy, which Brighella agrees to.
There is a knock at the door. Smeraldina, the maid, is sent to see who is knocking. She returns to say there is a mysterious stranger who insists on only speaking to Pantalone. He is ushered in and announces to the astounded audience that he is Truffaldino Battocchio from Bergamo, the servant of Signor Federico Raspino! Pantalone insists that cannot be true for Signor Federigo is dead! This confuses Truffaldino for his master was alive when he just left him downstairs! He excuses himself to see for himself if his master is really dead.
There is immediate chemistry between the servant Truffaldino and the servant Smeraldina who is most anxious for the handsome young man to come back!
The young servant comes back most exercised by what he takes as abuse and ridicule. He found his master Signor Raspino to be in great health and waiting downstairs. The two fathers, Pantaloon and Doctor Lombardo, demand that this Signor Raspino, once dead, now risen from the grave, come upstairs immediately. Truffaldino, on his way out to retrieve his master, makes plans for an assignation with Smeraldina. Smeraldina, suddenly aswoon, asks permission to leave the room.
Signor Federigo Raspino enters - actually, it is his sister, Beatrice, dressed as her deceased brother, who enters the room and lambasts Pantalone for leaving her/him waiting in the streets!
Brighella, in an aside, immediately recognizes Signor Federico as his sister Beatrice! And Pantalone is not convinced that it is indeed Signor Federico risen from the dead.
Beatrice explains that she was not killed but merely wounded in the duel and as soon as “he” was healed, he set out for Venice to claim the prize that is Clarice.
Pantalone demands proof of “his identify” which “Signor Federico” promptly produces - four letters from Pantalone’s correspondents, one of whom is his banker - attesting to “Signor Federico’s identity!
Beatrice/Federigo recognizes Brighella and in an aside begs him not to give her away. He agrees. Brighella reacquaints himself to “Signor Federigo” as Brughella Cavicchio, the inn keeper from Turin, and Beatrice promises to lodge at his inn. Brighella says under his breath “Running contraband, I’ll be bound.”
Beatrice calls upon Brighella to confirm that he is who is he says he is and Brighella confirms he is truly Signor Rasping. This forces Pantalone to accept him as the returned from the dead fiancee of his daughter. Clarice and her Silvio are beside themselves with anxiety that they may not marry after all.
Beatrice points to the trembling Clarice and inquires about her identity. She is told that she is her affianced, Clarice. Beatrice, not foreseeing this development, mutters to herself - “I’m in a pretty mess!”
Beatrice, wanting to have a little fun, demands that their betrothal continues as contracted. Clarice does not like this idea. Beatrice points to Silvio and asks whom Silvio might be; Pantalone lies and answers that he is his nephew, to which Silvio angrily spits out that he is not Pantalone’s nephew! He is the promised husband of Clarice!
Pantalone begins to panic and babbles that Signor Federico’s claim to Clarice is still on for his was the first claim and that Silvio should see the situation and be satisfied with it. Silvio, however, does not see the situation at all, and informs Signor Federigo that Clarice will not accept his hand in marriage, that she is betrothed to him, and that if Signor Pantaloon does him wrong he will avenge himself upon him. And anyone who desires Clarice will have to fight for her against his sword.
Doctor Lombardo, being the lawyer he is, tells the two Signors, Pantaloon and Federigo, that the law is on his and Silvio’s side, and spouting some Latin, storms off with his son.
Beatrice asks Clarice how she feels about all of this and she responds tearfully “I’d rather marry the hangman!” and runs off.
Pantalone is about to run after her, but is stopped by Signor Federico who asks for an advance on the dowry which Pantalone agrees to.
Smeraldina runs in and says there is another visitor waiting for him downstairs. He quickly exits, muttering “I don’t want trouble in my house!” leaving Signor Federico alone with Brighella.
Brighella, now alone in the room with "Signor Federigo", now turns to "him" and demands to know what is Signora Beatrice doing???? Beatrice explains that her fiancee Florindo escaped to Venice with his life after the duel with her brother. Beatrice, disguised in her brother’s clothes, followed him here where she plans to collect her brother’s money owed to him by Pantalone, find her lover Florindo, and help him. She begs Brighella not to betray her identity and that she will richly reward him with money if he continues the scheme. He asks why she simply does not ask for her brother’s money since she is his heir, but she replies that Pantaloon would begin treating her as if he were her guardian, worrying about her, monitoring her goings and comings, and scolding her that her behavior is unbecoming to a young noblewoman. She’d rather be free of all that nonsense. Brighella agrees, saying that she’s always been one to have her own way, and that he will help her by keeping her secret.
Brighella then asks about her crazy servant. Beatrice replies she picked him up on the way to Venice, and although he seems the fool, he isn’t always really, and that he is, more importantly, loyal!
Act One, Scene 2
Pages 93 - 108
Location: a Street near Brighella's Inn
Characters: Truffaldino, Porter, Florindo, Beatrice, Brighella, Silvio,
Props: large trunk, small bags of money, coins, three letters, envelopes, bread crust
Truffaldino is standing in front of Brighella's inn, fuming that he's tired of waiting, tired of starving, tired of not knowing where they are going to lodge, tired of standing around waiting for this crazy, forgetful, unorganized master who leaves his trunks at the landing, goes off to pay visits, and forgets all about his poor servants who is starving and wants to eat now! He considers going into this inn here and buying himself something to eat, but then he remembers he hasn't a penny!
Florindo enters with a porter struggling and complaining about the huge trunk he's carrying on his shoulders. Truffaldino seizes the perfect opportunity to make some money and politely inquires if he can be of service. He grabs the trunk away from the hapless porter - knocking the porter down - hoists it onto his shoulder, and totters with it into the inn. Florindo dismisses the porter who demands to be paid. Florindo pays the hapless porter a few twopence but when he demands more, Florindo kicks him and tells him to be gone. Watching him stagger off, Florindo pronounces him a humorous fellow and was "positively waiting for me to kick him."
Truffaldino reenters and tells Florindo that everything has been prepared for him at the inn. Florindo quickly interviews him - "Where are you from?" "I'm from Bergamo!" "Do you have a master?" To which Truffaldino answers "No" - and says to the audience in an aside "My master is not here, so I tell no lies." So much for Beatrice's misplaced trust in her servant.
Florindo offers Truffaldino probationary employment while he is staying in Venice. Truffaldino immediately begins to bargain and negotiate with his new master over his salary - "My old master gave me a shilling a day [but] you must give me more than that!" - "How much do you want?" Florindo asks. "A halfpenny a day for snuff!" Florindo agrees but asks him if there is NO one who knows him in Venice? "No one" Truffaldino answers. Florindo gives him a little errand to run to test his reliability and honesty. Florindo gives him half a crown to go to the Post to see if there are any letters for Florindo Aretusi; if there are, take them and bring them to him at once.
As soon as Florindo is out of sight, Truffaldino reveals to the audience that he lied - his former master did not give him a shilling a day. He only gave him six pennies a day, which might make a shilling, but he's not sure. He no sooner strikes out for the Post then he runs into his other master, Beatrice/Federigo with Brighella, who immediately begins to berate him for deserting her. Truffaldino makes up some excuse - "I went for a walk to take away my appetite!" - He's still thinking about food! Beatrice/Federigo tells him to go to the landing to fetch her/his trunk and take it to Brighella's inn where she/he will be staying - the same inn where Florindo is staying! Truffaldino is beside himself with anxiety - "The devil! In THAT inn!?"
Beatrice further instructs him to then go to the Post to ask for letters addressed to Federigo and/or to "his" sister Beatrice Rasponi. Truffaldino is about to have a heart attack - "Here's a pretty kettle of fish!!!"
Brighella inquires why she is expecting letters if she left in secret. Beatrice replies that she told her steward to write her but she's not sure which name he may use. She tells Truffaldino to be off and she retires to the inn, leaving Brighella alone with Truffaldino, who tell the servant to do well and he will be properly taken care of.
No sooner is Truffaldino alone then he immediately begins to calculate how he can work this to his advantage. "Wouldn't it be a fine thing to wait upon both of them, earn two men's wages and eat and drink for two?"
Silvio enters and recognizes Truffaldino as the servant of "Federigo Rasponi" and demands to know where his master is! Truffaldino says to the audience in an aside - "Well, I don't know - I'll send the first one I can find!" He ducks into the inn, finds Florindo, brings him out, points to Silvio and tells him there is the fire-eating gentleman who wishes to speak to him. Not wanting to stick around for the consequences, Truffaldino excuses himself to go to the Post to get the letters.
Florindo approaches Silvio and asks why his servant told him that he wanted to challenge him to a duel. Silvio replies he hasn't had the privilege of an introduction, and reasons that either Florindo's servant looks exactly like another servant he saw earlier today or that the servants waits on another person.
The misunderstanding is quickly resolved and the guys begin talking. "Where are you from?" "Turin." "The guy I want to kill is from Turin." "What's his name?" "Federigo Rasponi."That's impossible. I killed that guy. That guy's dead." "No! I saw him! He was standing in front of me, claiming my fiancee as his own. And Signor Pantalone investigated and has proof that Rasponi is alive."
Florindo says to himself in an aside - "So I didn't kill Rasponi in the duel as everyone believes!" Silvio formally introduces himself and once again pledges that "either Rasponi or I must renounce claim to the love of Clarice or to life!" He says he is very surprised that Florindo has not seen Rasponi for he was supposed to stay in the Brighella Inn. Florindo replies that he was told by the inn that there was no one else staying in the hotel.
Silvio tells him that if he runs into Rasponi he must inform him for his own welfare to abandon the idea of marrying Clarice.
Florindo decides to hide his identity and introduces himself to Silvio as Orazio Ardenti.
Silvio exits, leaving Florindo alone to muse on the street. "I thought I had killed him but apparently not. It would be better for me to return to Turin and console my beloved Beatrice who is perhaps suffering from my absence."
Truffaldino, returning with another porter carrying Beatrice's trunk, spies Florindo, tells the porter to wait for him at the corner, and scurries over to Florindo. Silvio asks him to accompany him as his servant to Turin - right now. Truffaldino, still not having eaten, asks "Before dinner?" He is relieved when Florindo replies, "No, we will have dinner, and then, we'll go." Florindo then asks for his letters. Truffaldino panics - he has mixed up the letters of Florindo with Beatrice/Rasponi - and he cannot read!
Truffaldino makes up some story that he met another servant - a fellow by the name of Pasquale - who asked him to pick up his master's post for him. But when he cannot remember the name of Pasquale's master, Florindo grows impatient, takes this Pasquale's master's letter, and discovers that it is addressed to Beatrice Rasponi, his beloved whose brother he killed. Florindo tears the letter open, much to Truffaldino's dismay, and begins reading. The letter is from her faithful steward, Antonio, who writes that the court has discovered she has fled in men's clothing and that there is a warrant for her arrest. The letter reveals that her destination is Venice.
Florindo becomes excited and tells Truffaldino to find this Pasquale, find out if his master is male or female, and bring the servant to him and both he and Truffaldino will be richly rewarded. Truffaldino asks for the open letter.
Florindo muses aloud that his beloved Beatrice and his mortal enemy, her brother, are both in Venice. He must find Beatrice before her brother does, at all cost.
Truffaldino is left holding the opened letter and ponders what to do. He suddenly remembers an old trick his grandmother used to do - using chewed bread to reseal opened envelopes.
He rummages around in his pockets, finds a piece of crust, chews it, accidentally swallows it because he is so hungry. He rummages around for another piece of crust, accidentally swallows it again. Finally, the third time, he manages not to swallow it and messily smears the spit sodden bread on the envelope and after a fashion, seals it. He remembers the porter who is holding Beatrice's trunk, and calls him forth, just as Beatrice/Rasponi is coming out of the inn. There is an unpleasant exchange between Beatrice and the porter who demands immediate payment. When it is not forthcoming, the porter threatens to throw her trunk in the middle of the street, but instead of doing that, he goes inside the inn with her trunk.
Beatrice/Rasponi asks for her letter, which Truffaldino gives her - which has been opened and then resealed with half-eaten bread. When Beatrice/Rasponi questions him about the opened letter, he quickly lies and said that he also received a letter and since he cannot read very well, he accidentally opened the wrong one. She believes the story, reads the letter, and tell him to unpack her trunk, and then meet for dinner. Beatrice says as an aside that she has not seen Signor Pantalone and that she is anxious to have her money. She exits.
Left alone, Truffaldino exults that that went well; it couldn't have gone any better. "I am a great fellow; I think a deal more of myself than I did before."
Then Pantalone arrives and asks if Truffaldino's master is about, or will be back soon. Truffaldino is not sure which master Pantalone is referring to, but answers that he isn't around - which is true because neither of his two masters are around, but that he will be back soon - which is true because both said they would be back.
Pantalone hands him a bag of money - 300 guineas - to give to his master - Beatrice/Rasponi. He cannot stay because he has business to attend to.
Florindo appears and asks if he found Pasquale yet. Truffaldino answers no, but a gentlemen arrived and handed him this bag of 100 guineas to give to his master. Florindo wonders what for. Truffaldino asks if he were expecting money from anyone. Florindo says he was expecting a letter of credit to a merchant. This must be it. He asks Truffaldino what the businessman said and he replies "He told me to give it to my master." Florindo answers, "Then of course it is mine. Am I not your master? What doubt could you have?"
Truffaldino says in an aside "Yes, but what about t'other one?" Florinda asks him if he recognized the businessman, but Truffaldino says the man's face looked familiar but he can't place him. Florindo is assured that it must be the businessman who offered him the line of credit. He reminds Truffaldino to be sure to find Pasquale after dinner, and now, let's go eat!
Truffaldino is smug that he gave the money to the right master....but he didn't. He was supposed to give Pantalone's money to Beatrice - she is posing as her dead brother Federigo who is to receive Clarice's dowry.
Act 1, Scene 3
Pages 108 - 113
Location: a room in the house of Pantalone
Charactes: Pantalone, Clarice, Beatrice, Smeraldina
Props:
The scene opens with Pantalone sternly telling Clarice that she will marry Signor Federigo. It is clear that he is adamant about this despite his daughter's deep unhappiness over the arranged marriage.
Smeraldina enters to announce Signor Federigo's arrival. Beatrice arrives dressed as her brother. Pantalone immediately asks Beatrice/Federigo if "he" has received the 100 guineas, which she answers no, but not to worry. She has not seen her servant yet and when she does she is certain he will give her the money.
Beatrice notices that Clarice is weeping and asks her father why. Pantalone lies that the news of her/his death upset her so that she cannot restrain her tears. Beatrice asks to be alone with Clarice so that she might talk to her. Pantalone agrees leaving the two women alone.
Beatrice tells Clarice the truth about what's going on: She is actually a woman; her brother, Signor Federigo was, indeed, killed in a duel with her beloved; she is dressed like a man to find her beloved, Florindo. She swears Clarice to secrecy and not to tell anyone - not even to Silvio! Clarice agrees. And for a moment everything seems fine.
Then Pantalone returns and is overjoyed to see his daughter restored to her usual happiness so he decides to have the wedding immediately. Beatrice implores him to wait - they have the financial transactions to settle, after all - but he brushes that aside and says it can be taken care of in a matter of hours. He announces he is going to tell Silvio about the immediate wedding, but Clarice warns him not to anger her beloved. He tells her "But me no buts. 'Tis settled. You are husband and wife." And then he exits to immediately make arrangements for the wedding.
Clarice wails that she's now in a worse fix than before.
Switching to a different version of The Servant of Two Masters - adapted by David Turner and Paul Lapworth, courtesy of Samuel French. Faster, funnier, not as wordy!
Act One, Scene 10 - page 25
The streets of Venice
Truffaldino, Silvio
Truffaldino is alone on the street musing on how cool it would be to have two masters - double the income, double the food...and double the trouble if he gets caught, but he shrugs it off and says "If one of them sends me packing, I can always stay with the other one." Satisfied with his sudden good fortune, he begins to saunter off to get the mail for his two masters, when he is accosted by Silvio, who demands that he fetches his master. "Which one?' Truffaldino wonders. Silvio wants to challenge his master - Federigo/Beatrice - to a duel over the hand of his beloved Clarice. If Truffaldino doesn't comply Silvio threatens to break every bone in his miserable little body. Truffaldino hurries off and confides to the audience "I'll send the first one I find!"
Scene 11 - page 26
The streets of Venice
Silvio, Florindo, Truffaldino
Silvio's tights are in a twist about what he is going to do to Federigo. He is pacing up and down the street going "Oooo! I am resolved! Ooo, I am! Either Federigo here renounces all claims to my dear Clarice, or we shall put it to the test - life against life!"
Florindo and Truffaldino enter and see Silvio fuming. Truffaldino warns him that Silvio is extremely dangerous, but Florindo says "I don't know him!" Truffaldino immediately does an about face and says "Oh, well, off to the post office!" and runs off.
Florindo approaches Silvio with his sword half drawn. Silvio has already drawn his.
They approach each other warily, like dogs. Florindo says to Silvio that he has asked for him, which surprises Silvio for he doesn't know him. Florindo protests that Silvio's servant told him that he threatened to issue a duel Silvio answers that his servant made a mistake for he had only asked to see the other servant's master. Florindo answers that he is the servant's master. To which Silvio deeply apologizes and says that Florindo's servant is the very image of a man he had seen this morning. The two men immediately see the humor in the situation, sheathe their swords, and begin laughing heartily.
Florindo, in the course of their conversation, reveals that he is from Turin. This takes Silvio by surprise for the man he wishes to speak to is also from Turin - a man by the name of Federigo Rasponi. Does Florindo know him by any chance? Florindo answers that he used to know him. Silvio gets his tights all in a bunch again when he tells Florindo that Federigo, the scoundrel, wants to snatch from him the woman he loves, but he will run him through with his sword before that happens.
Florindo snorts "Kill him? How can you kill him? He's already dead!" But Silvio assures him that he is quite alive for he showed up today with letters proving he's alive! This floors Florindo. In an aside he says, "So - I did not kill him then!" Silvio answers that he arrived from Turin this morning, is safe and sound, and is staying at this inn - Braghella's inn. This horrifies Florindo - Federigo is staying at the same inn as he!
Florindo sees the irony in this - "I fly from justice and I come face to face with my enemy!"
Silvio asks for a small favor from Florindo and asks that when he sees Federigo to tell him - "for his own good" - and here, Silvio half unsheathes his sword - "for his own good, do you understand me? That he must abandon all ideas of this marriage!"
Silvio sheathes his sword, introduces himself, and clicks his heels together.
Florinod, completely mystified, agrees that he will tell Federigo when he sees him, gives out that his name is Grazio Ardenti, and also bows and clicks his heels together.
Act 1, Scene 12 - Page 29
The streets of Venice
Florindo
Florindo is left alone in the street, musing over the news that Federigo is actually alive and somewhere in Venice. He frets that Federigo has walled up his beloved Beatrice in a nunnery. What does he care about Federigo now? He must immediately return to his Beatrice in Turin and rescue her from the convent.
Act 1, Scene 13 - Page 30 (This scene is identical to the one in Act 1, Scene 2 in the Dent translation)
Truffaldino, returning with another porter carrying Beatrice's trunk, spies Florindo, tells the porter to wait for him at the corner, and scurries over to Florindo. Silvio asks him to accompany him as his servant to Turin - right now. Truffaldino, still not having eaten, asks "Before dinner?" He is relieved when Florindo replies, "No, we will have dinner, and then, we'll go." Florindo then asks for his letters. Truffaldino panics - he has mixed up the letters of Florindo with Beatrice/Rasponi - and he cannot read!
Truffaldino makes up some story that he met another servant - a fellow by the name of Pasquale - who asked him to pick up his master's post for him. But when he cannot remember the name of Pasquale's master, Florindo grows impatient, takes this Pasquale's master's letter, and discovers that it is addressed to Beatrice Rasponi, his beloved whose brother he killed. Florindo tears the letter open, much to Truffaldino's dismay, and begins reading. The letter is from her faithful steward, Antonio, who writes that the court has discovered she has fled in men's clothing and that there is a warrant for her arrest. The letter reveals that her destination is Venice.
Florindo becomes excited and tells Truffaldino to find this Pasquale, find where his master lives and he, Truffaldino will be richly rewarded. Truffaldino asks for the letter and then questions Florindo about how he will explain that it's open. Florindo dismisses his questions "Oh, don't worry about that!" "Still going to Turin, are we?" Florindo impatiently snaps, "Certainly not!" "What about my dinner, then?" Florindo waves him away with, "I've got more important things to think about than your dinner!" Truffaldino scampers away on his errand.
Florindo muses aloud that his beloved Beatrice and his mortal enemy, her brother, are both in Venice. He must find Beatrice before her brother does, at all cost.
Act 1, Scene 14 - Page 34
The Streets of Venice
Truffaldino, Waiter, Porter,
Truffaldino is again on the streets of Venice holding the opened letter and pondering what to do. He suddenly remembers a trick his old granny used to do - using chewed bread to reseal opened envelopes. The only problem is he has no bread. Suddenly, a waiter appears hoisting a tray of bread on his shoulders; as he passes, Truffaldino pilfers a chunk of it, chews it, and accidentally swallows it because he is so hungry. He rummages around for another piece of crust, accidentally swallows it again. Finally, the third time, he manages not to swallow it and messily smears the spit sodden bread on the envelope and after a fashion, seals it.
There is a loud whistle and a bellowing from the porter off stage, "'Ere! 'Ow much longer I got to wait then?" Truffaldino remembers the porter who is holding Beatrice's trunk, and calls him forth -
Act 1, Scene 15 - Page 36
Continuation of the prior scene -
Trufaldino, Porter, Beatrice
- just as Beatrice/Rasponi is coming out of the inn. Beatrice asks for her letters and is taken aback when one of the letters Truffaldino presents is open. When she asks about the open letter, Truffaldino immediately begs his master's pardon and begs his forgiveness, but there was a letter at the post office waiting for him too - from his dear old granny. Since he cannot read, he opened Beatrice's letter by mistake. Beatrice asks if he cannot read, then why bother opening the letters at all? Truffaldino replies, "I was anxious to feel the paper that Granny's loving hands had touched."
Beatrice is satisfied with his answer and after reading her maid's letter, she breathes a sigh of relief - "What a faithful servant you are!" She then turns to Truffaldino and presents him with the key to her trunk and orders him to open it up and give her clothes an airing.
Truffaldino takes the key and says, "One key, one trunk." What could go wrong, right?
Beatrice exits.
Act 1, Scene 16 - Page 37
Truffaldino, Florindo
Florindo, entering just as Beatrice is exiting, asks Truffaldino if he has put his trunk in his room? Florindo answers in the affirmative and Florindo hands him the key to his trunk and orders him to air out his clothes. He then turns his attention to this Pasquale character, but Truffaldino doesn't remember Pasquale. Florinod has to remind him, "You were to meet him in the town square, under the clock, and ask him whom he serves under." Thinking quickly, Truffaldino answers,"I'm not supposed to meet him until two thirty" - which would give them just enough time to squeeze in a small meal. Surprisingly, Florindo agrees and walks into the inn. Truffaldino utters a quick prayer, "For what we are about to receive may nothing stand in the way!" He dashes into the inn after Florindo.
Act 1, Scene 17 - Page 39
A room in the house of Pantalone.
Clarice, Pantalone
Props:
The scene opens with Pantalone sternly telling Clarice that she will marry Signor Federigo. It is clear that he is adamant about this despite his daughter's deep unhappiness over the arranged marriage.
Act 1, Scene 18 - Page 40
Smeraldina enters to announce Signor Federigo's arrival.
Act 1, Scene 19 - Page 40
Beatrice arrives dressed as her brother. Beatrice notices that Clarice is weeping and asks her father why. Pantalone lies that the news of her/his death upset her so that she cannot restrain her tears. Beatrice asks to be alone with Clarice so that she might talk to her. Pantalone agrees, leaving the two women alone.
Act 1, Scene 20 - Page 41
Beatrice tells Clarice the truth about what's going on: She is actually a woman; her brother, Signor Federigo was, indeed, killed in a duel with her beloved; she is dressed like a man to find her beloved, Florindo who might be in Venice. When Clarice seems a little doubtful, Beatrice offers to show her irrefutable proof and begins to unbutton her pants. Clarice screams, "I believe you! I believe you!" Beatrice swears Clarice to secrecy and not to tell anyone - not even Silvio! Clarice agrees. And for a moment everything seems fine.
Act 1, Scene 21 - Page 43
Then Pantalone returns and is so overjoyed to see his daughter restored to her usual happiness that he decides to have the wedding immediately. Beatrice implores him to wait - they have the financial transactions to settle, after all - but he brushes that aside and says it can be taken care of in a matter of hours. He announces he is going to tell Silvio about the hasty wedding, but Clarice warns him not to anger her beloved. He tells her "But me no buts. 'Tis settled. You are husband and wife." And then he exits to immediately make arrangements for the wedding.
Clarice wails to Beatrice that now she's in a worse fix than before.
Act 1, Scene 22 - Page 44
The courtyard in front of Pantalone's house
Silvio, Pantalone, Dr. Lombardi
Props: sword
Silvio enters with drawn sword followed by his concerned father, who demands to know what he is doing. Silvio is outraged over being denied Clarice's hand in marriage, seeing it as a slight and a humiliation of the family name, and demands satisfaction in a duel with Pantalone. Lombardi, who is a lawyer after all, orders his son to obey him and put down the sword. He will deal with Pantalone in his own way. Silvio reluctantly sheathes the sword and leaves.
Lombardi muses aloud. He is grieved as a father over his son's suffering - suffering without remedy; however, the law is on their side and he is confident that Silvio will triumph in the end and have Clarice as his bride.
Lombardi is about to go speak to Pantalone about these legal matters, when Pantalone, scurrying out of the house, jumps in surprise upon seeing Lombardi. Lombardi informs him that his daughter will be marrying his son Silvio for it is against the law to force a daughter to marry - against her wishes - a man she does not love. Pantalone insists however that Clarice is in love with Federigo for when he left them, they were kissing and hugging and exchanging oaths and promises. Lombardi accuses him of intimidating and bullying Clarice into marrying Federigo and there are laws against that! He will sue Pantalone for breach of contract, blackmail of daughters, public slander of his family! And with that, he storms off, leaving Pantalone alone in the street.
Pantalone, however, isn't taking Lombardi's threats seriously because his daughter is going to marry a Rasponi!!! A Rasponi from the fabulously wealthy Rasponi family!!!! "Do you think I'd let her marry a mere Lombardi when she could marry a Rasponi!" While Pantalone is babbling aloud, exulting in the streets over his good fortune, Silvio returns and overhears the insults to his family - " One Rasponi is worth a thousand Lombardis!" Silvio already has his sword drawn and challenges him to a duel! Pantalone attempts to draw his sword but he can't - it's stuck! - so instead, he pulls a pistol out of his pocket! Silvio will not be daunted by this - a duel with a guy who has a gun and says he will still take him on anyway. Pantalone doesn't know how to use the gun either and struggles to pull the hammer when.....
Act 1, Scene 23 - Page 48
Courtyard in front of Pantalone's house
Beatrice, Pantalone, Silvio
Props: two swords, a pistol
Beatrice/Federigo races in with her sword raised to save Pantalone! She asks permission from Pantalone to kill Silvio; permission granted; she warns Silvio that she's been trained by the best; Silvio is unimpressed. They are about to fight when Pantalone accidentally fires the pistol. Silvio falls to the floor - in fright! As Pantalone is staggering about exulting "It works! It works!" Silvio and Beatrice fall back to fighting. Pantalone staggers between them screaming "It works! It works!" Silvio chases him away. Pantalone now starts screaming "Help! Not me! Him! Him!" as he runs off. Beatrice knocks the sword out of his hand and points hers at his throat when......
Act 1, Scene 24 - Page 49
Courtyard in front of Pantalone's house
Clarice, Beatrice, Silvio
Clarice runs in screaming, "Stop! Don't! Don't kill him!" to stop Beatrice's sword which is poised at Silvio's throat. Beatrice defends herself - "He challenged the house of Rasponi!" but Clarice begs her not to kill him. Beatrice reminds her of their agreement before sheathing her sword. She addresses Silvio, "Well, Silvio Lombardi - you're a lucky fellow! Be grateful to her!" Beatrice runs off quickly, leaving the two lovers alone in the courtyard.
Act 1, Scene 25 - Page 49
Clarice, Silvio
Clarice rushes to Silvio to comfort him but he snarls at her, calling her a deceiver, a cheat, a little fraud, a little Jezebel! But showing her loyalty and trustworthiness, Clarice refuses to tell him the oath she has sworn to "Federigo" - she would rather die than reveal a sworn oath. Silvio replies, "Then die! Because I would rather see you dead than lead a life of lies." Clarice, picking up his sword, answers, "Very well. If that is what you want, I'll die." And prepares to kill herself, when......
Act 1, Scene 26 - Page 50
Smeraldina, Clarice, Silvio
A basket of vegetables
Smeraldina rushes in with a basket of vegetables and stops Clarice from driving the sword into her breast! "What the devil are you doing!!!!????" Turning to Silvio, she begins screaming at him, "Drive her to this, would you?! To hell with you, that's what I say. Go on. Clear off. Rubbish!" Clarice bursts into tears and rushes off.
Act 1, Scene 27 - Page 50
Smeraldina, Silvio in the courtyard
She begins lambasting Silvio for just standing by and letting Clarice kill herself. He defends himself by calling Clarice a two-faced perfidious wretch! But Smeraldina isn't having it - "Soon as a woman starts having a mind of her own you men start ruining her reputation!" Smeraldina lets him have it and speaks truth to power!!! "You men invent scandalous tales about women, but given half the chance you're all committing as many infidelities as you possibly can. Why are we women always condemned and you men are always excused - cause the laws are made by you men! If I ran things, I'd make a rule that all cheating men would have to carry an oak branch, but then, on second thought, we wouldn't be able to move for all the branches being carried around!" Exasperated, Esmeraldina spits out, "You men!" And then she storms off.
Act 1, Scene 28 - Page 51
Silvio alone in the courtyard
Silvio is angered and humiliated and fuming. He is speaking aloud to the absent Clarice (an apostrophe for you A.P. students!) He is blaming Clarice for being deceitful, and swears revenge. "Fate did make me stumble before my rival." But in spite of fate, he will be avenged. Federigo will die, he says, and he seems to relish the idea of killing him. "Yes, Clarice, when next you see your lover, he will be steeped in his own blood. I swear it!"
He exits.
Act 1, Scene 29 - Page 52
At the Inn
Truffaldino, Beatrice
Truffaldino is speaking to the audience - "Would you believe it - two masters and none of them have had their dinner! You know what that means - they'll both want serving at the same time. I'll be in a right mess, then!"
Beatrice/Federigo bustles in and tells Truffaldino to order dinner for two - for her and Pantalone - at the Inn - something light, but Truffaldino suggests that she leave the ordering to him! He is quite an expert in food. Beatrice agrees and then exits on some errand. As Truffaldino is dancing around, squealing with pleasure at being able to order what he likes for dinner - "What do I fancy? What do I fancy?" Beatrice comes back in and hands him a banker's order for 4, 000 crowns to be placed in her trunk. He assures her that it will be safe with him. She believes him - "Then I shall leave everything to you." And she exits again. But just then Truffaldino is startled and distracted by Esmeraldina's entrance. He greets her saucily; she responds in kind and exits. He tells the audience that now is his chance to impress Beatrice/Federigo with his "gastronomical" abilities. But the problem is this wretched bank note he is supposed to put in Beatrice/Federigo's trunk. He shrugs, "I can always pop it in his trunk later." His stomach is calling him - "Feed me" - and he races into the inn yelling the great cook's name - "Brighella! Brighella!"
Act 1, Scene 30 - Page 53
The Dinner Scene
Truffaldino, Brighella,
Truffaldino speaks to Brighella about the accommodations for Beatrice and Pantalone's dinner. They discuss the meal - with Truffaldino trying to gouge the inn keeper for as much food as possible - and then quickly move on to the importance of the laying of the table. This begins the famous dinner ballet where the two lay out the table in a mimed, balletic, choreography which builds to an hysterical pitch ending with Truffaldino tearing up the bank notes Beatrice has given him. Much of this can be improvised.
Act 1, Scene 31 - Page 57
Beatrice and Pantalone enter from behind and see Truffaldino, in a fevered pitch, tearing up the bank notes to demonstrate to Brighella where he thinks the food, wine, and plates should go. Beatrice starts screaming at him, "What are you doing? I should box your ears!" Pantalone calms her by saying he will write her another check. She hands Truffaldino their swords, her hat, places Pantalone's hat on his head, which covers his face, and orders, "Off with you!"
Brighella tells her that since she ordered seven dishes for each course, dinner will take a little while. She shrugs and says her tastes are simple and potluck will be fine - a soup and a few dishes. Pantalone chimes in that he would like meatballs, for his teeth are no good. Brighella opens Pantalone's mouth, inspects his teeth, and concurs, "No, they're not good, sir, are they?
Beatrice tells Brighella she would like Truffaldino to serve them.
Act 1, Scene 32 - Page 59
Pantalone, Beatarice, Brighella, three waiters - a fat waiter, a young waiter, and a very old waiter.
The waiters come in bearing trays of food. The old waiter is carrying a tiny tray with a tiny vase with a tiny rose in it. All these tiny little items are too much for the old waiter to carry as he crawls past. Pantalone comments that the waiters are very quick with their business here. Brighella answers, "Yes, quick as lightning" - and kicks the old waiter in the butt as he crawls past.
Act 1, Scene 33 - Page 60
The waiters, Pantalone
As the waiters set up the table, Pantalone muses aloud about his youth and how wonderful it was - his friends, their sincerity, their openness! But now, even though he is older, wiser, and far richer, his life is no longer like that and it should be. As soon as he gets rid of his daughter, his old life will return, and he will be young again!
Act 1, Scene 34 - Page 61 - 72
Beatrice, Truffaldino, Young Waiter, Florindo, Old Waiter, Fat Waiter
Much of this can be improvised
Florindo arrives and Truffaldino scurries between his two masters serving them dinner, without letting either one know of the other.
Act Break
Act 2, Scene 1 - Page 73
In front of the Inn
Smeraldina, Old Waiter
Smeraldina is in a quandary - she is standing in front of the Inn with a letter from her mistress Clarice to be given to Signor Federigo Rasponi. She prides herself on being a "respectable" young woman and refuses to go into an inn so she decides to yell loud enough so that someone inside the inn can come out and get the letter. The Old Waiter comes out with his napkin tied around his neck - "Were you calling me, miss?" She tells him what she needs - to give Clarice's letter to Signor Rasponi, but the Old Waiter can't, Rasponi is with Signor Pantalone. He suggests that he send Rasponi's servant to fetch the letter. Smeraldina breathlessly exclaims, "You mean, the young cute one?" "Yes", he answers. "Tell him I'm outside waiting!" The Old Waiter shuffles off, shaking his head, "She won't come inside, but she'll be seen talking to a young fellow in the street." Smeraldina sees a problem - "What if my master sees me here? I'll tell him 'I came looking for you, sir, bumped into this servant, and thought he might tell me where you were!'"
Act 2, Scene 2 - Page 75
The Courtyard
Truffaldino, Smeraldina
Truffaldino enters chewing food, with a napkin tucked under his chin. He sees Smeraldina and immediately begins the back and forth flirting. He asks her if she knows Truffaldino. She says no. Truffaldino kisses her, waltzes off, comes back on with a rose in his mouth, grabs Smeraldina and begins dancing around the courtyard with her. He dances off. A few seconds later, he marches back on and asks, "Did you see him? He is in love with you!" He broadly hints that he and Truffaldino are one and the same and that Truffaldino wants to marry her. Smeraldina is thrilled! He's reeling her in. He sweet talks her into showing him the letter. She searches her bosom for the letter. It's not there! She turns around, pulls her skirts up searching for it. Truffaldino falls to the ground to peak up her skirts. Smeraldina squeals. She finds the letter and shows it to Truffaldino. They are very curious about it. "What if the letter contains something that will so enrage my master that he gives me a beating?" They are like cats ready to pounce on a mouse - trembling with excitement. But how to reseal the letter? Truffaldino reassures Smeraldino - that's no problem. He has a trick to reseal. "Can you read?" "A little. How about you?" "A little!" Truffaldino rips into the letter, tearing it. "Read it!" "No, you read it." There is one problem - neither one knows how to read very well. Truffaldino offers that he had a few lessons. How far did he get, Smeraldino wants to know. Truffaldino answers, "To D!" "Well, I learned the alphabet once," Smeraldino offers. Truffaldino confidently chirps they have the basic fundamentals. "Let's get down to it!"
They are pouring over the letter. "That looks like an M." "No, I think it's an R....R's have little squiggles on them." "I thought M's have little squiggles." Truffaldino kisses her - a nice long kiss.
Act 2, Scene 3 - Page 80
Continuation of the preceding scene
The Courtyard
Pantalone, Smeraldina, Truffaldino, Beatrice
Pantalone and Beatrice enter. Beatrice sees that Truffaldino is holding a letter. She wants to know what it is and who is it for. Truffaldino tries to play it off, saying that it is of no consequence. Pantalone demands that Smeraldino hand him the letter, but Beatrice gets the letter away from Truffaldino and realizes it's been open and is addressed to her - the second time this day that this has happened! And it's from Clarice! Beatrice accuses him of opening the letter. Truffaldino denies it - "No sir!" Pantalone accuses Smeraldina of helping Truffaldino to open the letter. She denies it - "No sir! Innocent!" It goes back and forth - "you did it!" "No, sir!" "Then you did it!" "No, sir!" Pantalone asks, 'Who was delivering it?" They both accuse the other - "She/He did!" Truffaldino pipes up, "Yes, but Smeraldina brought it to Truffaldino!" This enrages Smeraldina who dumps Truffaldino. Pantalone blames her - "So you're responsible, you hussy! I've got a good mind to smack you!" No man has EVER smacked Smeraldina - "You'll have to catch me first. C'mon, let's see you run." He tries to catch her as she sprints in and out through open doors and off stage, with Pantalone scuffling behind her.
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