Leonardo’s Studio

Thursday  -  Six o’clock

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Leonardo, Salai and Lisa are waiting for the Captain. LISA is tearful.

Totto is hiding in the secret passage behind the wall

                       LEONARDO

You know, this can’t be right. Surely there must be some other way.

                       SALAI

We’ll be fine Master. Maybe someday we’ll be able to return, but for now we cannot stay. Totto is not one for empty threats.

(SFX CUE: <Doorbell Rings>)

                       SALAI

That’ll be the Captain

                       LEONARDO

I’ll go...

(LEONARDO exits.)

(SALAI and LISA embrace)

                       FRANCESCO

(VOX OFF - Shouting)

I know she’s here Leonardo

                       LEONARDO

(VOX OFF)

Yes but...

                       LISA

Francesco! It’s Francesco!! Oh God!

(SALAI and LISA separate)

(FRANCESCO storms in, followed by LEONARDO)

         #28   LOVERS           Francesco, Leonardo, Lisa & Salai            PLAY MUSIC 
                                                           (DIALOGUE SUNG)

                    FRANCESCO

SO IT IS TRUE! I AM BETRAYED! THE LOVERS RUN AWAY.

  (FRANCESCO MOVES TOWARDS SALAI AND LISA)

                    LISA

NO, NO!

  (LEONARDO STEPS BETWEEN THEM)

                    LEONARDO

LOVERS? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FRANCESCO.

EXPLAIN YOURSELF I PRAY

                    FRANCESCO

I’VE HAD THIS NOTE LEONARDO, AND IF WHAT IT IS SAYS PROVES RIGHT.

THESE TWO ARE SECRET LOVERS, AND THEY’VE PLANNED TO LEAVE TONIGHT.

                    LEONARDO

A NOTE! SURELY YOU CAN’T...

                    FRANCESCO

HOW I WANT TO DISBELIEVE IT! BUT NOW I SEE IT PLAIN AS DAY

THE NOTE READS TRUE, THEY MEET AT SIX TO MAKE THEIR GETAWAY

WHAT ELSE AM I TO THINK, WHAT OTHER EXPLANATION CAN THERE BE.

                    SALAI

SIGNOR GIACONDO, HOW COULD YOU EVER THINK SUCH A THING WAS TRUE.

LISA CAME TONIGHT TO ASK FOR HELP - SHE DIDN’T WANT TO TROUBLE YOU.

                    LEONARDO

THAT’S RIGHT – SHE WAS AFRAID AND CAME TO SEE ME IN SUCH DISTRESS

SHE THOUGHT THAT I MIGHT HELP, IT SEEMS SOME MAN HAS MADE AN EVIL THREAT

                    FRANCESCO

THEN WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME FIRST, I FIND THIS HARD TO GRASP

                    LISA

I WANTED TO, BELIEVE ME, BUT I FEARED HOW YOU’D REACT

WE’RE DEALING WITH A FAMILY WHO BRING TROUBLE TO EVERY LIFE THEY TOUCH.

                    FRANCESCO

  (SPOKEN)

SO TELL ME NOW LISA – I SHALL HAVE THE TRUTH!

                    LISA

PLEASE, OH PLEASE FRANCESCO. HOW COULD YOU EVER DOUBT MY LOVE,

AND BECAUSE OF A NOTE! – UNSIGNED I IMAGINE. OH DEAR GOD ABOVE,

THIS IS THE WORK OF TOTTO MACHIAVELLI. HE’S AN EVIL MAN - HE LIES!

BECAUSE I REFUSED HIM HE THREATENED TO RUIN MY LIFE.

I DIDN’T WANT TO WORRY YOU, SO I TURNED TO LEONARDO FOR ADVICE. 

                    FRANCESCO

MACHIAVELLI!

(TOTTO comes out)

(EVERYONE gasps)

                       TOTTO

Yes Machiavelli!

(FRANCESCO goes to his sword)

                       TOTTO

Hold fast, Giacondo! What I say is true and I have all the proof you need. Ask him about the painting of your sweet Lisa he keeps out of sight upstairs - the one where she’s naked!

                       FRANCESCO

(Makes to draw his sword)

What! Machiavelli or not if you are lying you’ll pay with your life.

                       LISA

That’s not true!

                       TOTTO

It is true, I’ve heard them talk of it. I can show you where it is hidden.

                       LEONARDO

Salai?

                       SALAI

I.. I don’t know what he talking about Leonardo.

(SFX CUE: <Doorbell>)

                       LEONARDO

That’s all we need.

(Looks pointedly at Salai and Lisa)

I’ll send them away.

(LEONARDO goes to answer the door)

                       TOTTO

Ah, no doubt that’ll be my other guests - your transport. Now we’ll see who’s lying.

(ARAGONA enters followed by the CAPTAIN and LEONARDO)

(LEONARDO looks at SALAI and shrugs his shoulders)

                       SALAI

Aragona!

                       ARAGONA

(tearful and questioning)

Salai? What’s going on?

                       TOTTO

Oh. Even better! The good Captain and the other lover. This is quite a leaving party. Ask them who it’s for Giacondo!

                       FRANCESCO
Signora, what do you know of this? This man accuses my wife, and Salai...

(ARAGONA approaches SALAI)

(LISA steps between them)

                       LISA

Please I beg you.

(She sinks to her knees and takes out the Cornicello on her necklace)

I swear on my mothers life, none of this true. TOTTO LIES..

(sobs)

(ARAGONA sees the necklace)

                       ARAGONA

Where did you get that... your necklace?

                       LISA

This? F-from my mother...

                       ARAGONA

Your mother? Lucrezia Gherardini? You’re her daughter...?

                       LISA

Yes... it was given to her for an act of kindness, and she said I should wear it always.

                       GIOVANNA

(vox off)

You must pass this cornicello to your daughter, it will protect her from all evil...

                       ARAGONA

(turns to the audience)

An act of kindness...  An act of kindness that I promised to repay...

(turns to FRANCESCO)

She speaks the truth. Salai is leaving with me...

Is that not so Captain?

                       CAPTAIN

That is so Signora.

(FRANCESCO goes for his sword)

                       FRANCESCO

Machiavelli! You’ll die like a dog for your lies.

         #29   THE END (Instrumental)         (Music under)               PLAY MUSIC

(TOTTO draws a knife and grabs Aragona as a shield)

                       TOTTO

You stupid FOOLS!

(TOTTO backs off, holding Aragona. He puts the knife to her throat. The others react)

                       TOTTO

Get back! All of you.

(to Aragona)

Do you think you can betray me like this and get away with it!!

(TOTTO stabs Aragona through the heart)

(LISA screams)

(TOTTO escapes through the secret passage)

(LISA goes to help Aragona and cradles her as she lies dying)

                       FRANCESCO

(goes to Lisa)

My darling Lisa. How could I have doubted you.

Come on Captain, quickly. We’ll call out the Militia. He won’t get far.

(FRANCESCO and the CAPTAIN leave)

(ARAGONA dies)

         #29            MUSIC ENDS                                                  

                       LISA

(Looking up to SALAI)

Salai!  She.. She’s dead.

(SALAI comforts LISA. THEY stand)

(LEONARDO brings a sheet and tends to ARAGONA)

                       LEONARDO

Let this be a lesson for you both – for us all. You two must part - and stay apart. You’ve been very lucky. There’ll be no more sittings. Your painting has caused too much trouble.

                       SALAI

But Leonardo..

                       LEONARDO

No buts Salai! We shall go away until things settle down. Lisa, you’ll go home to your husband and family, and be thankful that you still can.

(LEONARDO exits)

(SALAI and LISA come forward. THEY hold hands)

                       SALAI

He’s right – so many lives were nearly ruined, and poor Aragona lies dead. Because of me.

                       LISA

Don’t just blame yourself dear Salai. We started this together, and now we must finish it.

         #30   TIME TO SAY GOODBYE    Salai / Lisa                          PLAY MUSIC

(As the song is ending the SALAI and LISA go to opposite sides of the stage. They are held in spotlights)

                       <BLACKOUT>

EPILOGUE