Leonardo’s studio.  

Some weeks and several sittings later

Lisa is by now relaxed, flirty, and teases them. Salai and Lisa are getting on well. They are young and enjoy each other’s company

PROJECTION ON CURTAIN:  <SOME WEEKS LATER>

------------------------------------------------------------

         #12A         MUSIC ENDS

CURTAIN RISES

LEONARDO is painting. SALAI paints Lisa also.

                       LEONARDO

Come now Lisa, where’s that smile? You seem quite sad today.

                       LISA

Well, I am a little sad Leonardo. You know I’m beginning to believe I shall miss coming here when the painting is finished. It’s turned out to be such fun. 

(Sighs)

I don’t really laugh much at home.

                       LEONARDO

Oh dear me...  No-one should sad on a beautiful day like this - should they Salai.

                       SALAI

Certainly not Master...

         #13   BEAUTIFUL DAY          Lisa / Salai / Leonardo                        PLAY MUSIC

(Song ends with laughter)

                       LEONARDO

Things are going well Lisa, but there’s still much to be done.

                       SALAI

No, I wouldn’t worry just yet. My master isn’t known for finishing things.

                       LEONARDO

Salai! How unkind you are. I just like to take my time, that’s all...  and if it’s not a good day then...

(Shrugs his shoulders)

                       LISA

Yes Salai. There’s no need to be unkind. I certainly won’t miss you...

                       SALAI

(Teasing)

Not even a little bit...

(LISA pulls a mocking face)

                       LEONARDO

You know Salai you could learn to take a little more time yourself, put more thought into your work.

                       SALAI

I’m sure you’re right.. but I’m young. There’s so much to be done, so much life to be lived. What do you say, Lisa?

                       LISA

I say you’re both right. A man should certainly have energy, and vigour...

(Suggestively)

...but then again he needs experience does he not... Sometimes youth can be too, er.., hasty. The job may be finished, but not done properly, to the client’s satisfaction...

(SFX CUE: <DOORBELL>)

                       LEONARDO

Damn. Who can that be? Go and see who’s there, Salai.

(SALAI exits)

                       LEONARDO

I do so hate being interrupted. We were just getting started, and I feel it will be a good day...

(SALAI returns)

                       SALAI

It’s one of the gonfaloniere’s men. He says Soderini wants to see you at once about ‘the mural’.

                       LEONARDO

 Ahhh. The mural...  Did you tell him I was here?

                       SALAI

Well yes... I didn’t realise.

                       LEONARDO

Oh-ohhh. I’ve foolishly agreed to paint a battle scene for the city - in the Hall of Cinquecento at the Palazzo Vecchio.

                       SALAI

I thought you weren’t going to do any more murals. Too time consuming you said.

                       LEONARDO

That I did. But they told me that buffoon Michelangelo Buonarroti is also painting one - on the opposite wall! Pah...!

                       SALAI

Really, Leonardo I would have thought such childish rivalries were beneath you.

                       LEONARDO

I know. I know.  I suppose I’d better go. They’ll want to know when I’m going to start.

                       SALAI

Or perhaps finish...

                       LEONARDO

I’ve told you before, true art is never finished Salai. A thousand apologies Signora. You’ll understand I can’t refuse...  I could be gone a little while, perhaps we’d better arrange another day.

                       SALAI

Master, would it not be a good idea for me to carry on with my painting for a while, and if you should return before too long, then the day is not wasted.

                       LEONARDO

Fine. If the lady agrees...

                       LISA

Sadly, I have nothing better to do Leonardo. Go about your business, and we’ll see what the day brings.

                       LEONARDO

I am most grateful Signora. You’re so kind.

(LEONARDO exits.

SALAI returns to his easel and starts to paint. There is an awkward, romantic tension in the air.)

                       SALAI

He’s so much in demand...

                       LISA

Yes... such a busy man.

(A pause, then they both start to speak at once)

       SALAI                                LISA

So what...                     How did...

                       SALAI

(Laughing)

Sorry

                       LISA

No go ahead.

                       SALAI

I was going to ask what do you do with yourself all day. I can’t believe you have nothing better to do than to sit here.

                       LISA

Oh, I could go out and spend some more of my husband’s money I suppose. Even that gets boring, I have so many fine clothes - but I rarely get chance to wear them.

                       SALAI

You don’t go out much then?

(SALAI goes over to her and turns her head a little. HE takes her right hand and places on her left arm. HE holds it a little longer than he needs to.

LISA gazes up at him. SALAI returns to his easel)

                       SALAI

Ye-e-s. that’s better.
How about your friends?

                       LISA

Francesco doesn’t approve of my friends. He says they are too.. frivolous.

                       SALAI

By that I suppose he means too young. So what does your husband like to do for fun.

                       LISA

Fun! My dear Salai he’s a cloth merchant, from a family of cloth merchants. He lives and breathes weaves and patterns. His idea of fun is the annual Arte di Calimala Ball.

                       SALAI

Ah, the Cloth Merchants Guild? I’ll bet that’s quite an occasion.

                       LISA

I’ll say it is. You’ve never seen such fine costumes. 

                       SALAI

Really? And what do the women wear?

(THEY laugh. SALAI goes over to her again)

                       SALAI

Please. If you could just tilt your head a little so... If I could only capture that laughter in your eyes, such beautiful eyes. Your husband is a very lucky man.

                       LISA

You really shouldn’t say such things.

(Hesitantly)

I don’t think he notices, Salai... He’s older.. and he has his business to worry about.

(SALAI takes her hand again on the pretext of moving it. He looks into Lisa’s eyes and she holds his gaze)

         #14   LOOK INTO YOUR EYES (Full)         Salai / Lisa                    PLAY MUSIC       

                       SALAI

(Over Intro)

How could he not notice...

(LISA stands, still holding Salai’s hand)

(During the song they kiss )

(As the song ends LISA remembers herself and pulls away, confused)

                       LISA

No Salai!  This is wrong. I’m a married woman.

(LISA quickly starts to gather her things together and makes to leave)

                       LISA

We can’t do this! I must go.

(At the door LISA hesitates and looks back at Salai. She is torn)

                       LISA

(Tearfully)

Oh Salai...

                       SALAI

Will I see you at the Festival tomorrow?  It’s a feast day - everyone will be there...

                       LISA

I... I don’t know...

(LISA exits. SALAI sits quietly)

(LEONARDO returns, goes to the table and picks up some sketches)

                       LEONARDO

I got half way there and realised I’d forgotten to take my sketches...   Why is Lisa leaving?

(accusingly)

Salai..? Have you been upsetting her again.

                       SALAI

No master. No, she wasn’t feeling too well. You know how it is with women.

                       LEONARDO

Oh well not to worry, there’s plenty to be getting on with.

I’d better get a move on!

(LEONARDO exits)

(SALAI is pensive)

CURTAIN