Scene  3

 

Later that day

Interior Studio

 

 

Aragona  goes to Salai at Leonardo’s studio in panic. However Lisa is already there with Salai.

Totto has followed Aragona and uses the secret passage to eavesdrop.

 

 

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

 

 

(SALAI and LISA are alone in the studio, laughing and flirting)

 

(SFX CUE: <DOORBELL>)

 

                       SALAI

Who can that be? We’re not expecting anyone. You’d better hide Lisa. Go up to my room and lock yourself in. Go, go...

 

(LISA goes to hide. SALAI goes to answer the door)

 

(TOTTO has entered by the secret passage. HE appears behind the wall and listens.)

 

(ARAGONA enters, distressed, with Salai)

 

 

                       SALAI

Aragona! Whatever’s the matter?

 

(ARAGONA embraces Salai)

 

                       ARAGONA

Oh Salai, we’re in trouble. Deep trouble. There is a man - an evil man –  called Bastiano, the Inquisitor. Many years ago I rejected his advances and he tried to have my dear mother drowned as a witch. I helped to put him in prison. He was banished from Florence but now he’s returned, vowing revenge.

 

                       SALAI

(Frivolously) 

Whoa, whoa, slow down. Your mother?  Drowned as a witch?

 

                       ARAGONA

Yes. It’s a complicated story my love.

 

                       SALAI

Revenge? What can he do? Tell your husband about him. He’ll have him arrested and thrown back in jail!.

 

                       ARAGONA

That’s the problem Salai. Bastiano knows about us. He says he’s going to tell Ludovico.

 

                       SALAI

Knows about us? So what? He can’t prove anything! You’re my patron, we spend time together. It is a common thing in Florence.

 

                       ARAGONA

Salai, the accusation is bad enough, but he says he has a witness – one of the Machiavelli. Ludovico will have to listen to him.  Oh Salai, I fear he will kill both of us.

 

                       SALAI

(SALAI paces, now concerned)

So... what are we going to do. I... I need to time to think.

 

                       ARAGONA

We haven’t got time. Ludovico is coming home at the weekend.  We’ll just have to go away!  

 

                       SALAI

Go away? We can’t just ‘go away’ Aragona. Where would we go?

 

                       ARAGONA

We can stay with my sister, Guilia. She’ll understand. And Captain Donati will help us, he’s an old friend, we can rely on him. Salai you will have to arrange it -  

 

                       SALAI

But... this is madness!

 

                       ARAGONA

I’ve got the money.

(hands Salai a purse)

We can be together Salai. No more hiding away.

 

                       SALAI

(reluctantly)

All right, I’ll speak to the Captain in the morning, but look I’m sure there must be some other way...

 

                       ARAGONA

I must go, I have so much to do.

 

(ARAGONA leaves)

 

 

         #19   BLUE                                           Salai                                 PLAY MUSIC         

 

 

                       SALAI

Oh GOD! What a mess! I need time to think....

(remembers)

Lisa...! Lisa!

 

 SALAI brings LISA out of hiding

 

                       SALAI

I’m sorry... It was my patron Aragona, I couldn’t get rid of her.       

 

                       LISA

What did she want?

 

                       SALAI

Oh nothing. Just checking on her investment. She does pay me well. I’m very grateful.

 

                       LISA

Not too grateful I hope. Or I might just be jealous.

 

                       SALAI

Cara Mia...  how could you think such a thing. You know you’re the only one I love...

 

                       LISA

I hope so Salai. I do love you so much. I couldn’t bear the thought of you with someone else.

 

(They embrace and kiss. TOTTO hears their talk of love)

 

(SFX CUE: < Front door slams - interior>)

 

(TOTTO leaves)

 

                       LEONARDO

(Distant)

 Salai!

 

                       SALAI

It’s Leonardo! Don’t let him find you here. Use the secret passage. Quickly now.

 

(SALAI ushers LISA towards the concealed door. One last brief kiss and LISA leaves)

 

(LEONARDO enters)

  

                       LEONARDO

Is everything all right my boy?

 

                       SALAI

Y-Yes, Leonardo, everythings fine. Why?

 

                       LEONARDO

I thought I heard voices... Anyway, it’s been a good day. The council finally agreed my design for the great mural in the Salone dei Cinquecento. Did I mention that fool Michelangelo is to do one on the opposite wall?

 

                       SALAI

You did Master.

 

                       LEONARDO

Piff! I’ll show him what a mural should look like. We’ll see who is the real artist.

 

                       SALAI

(Preoccupied)

Yes Master. I’m sure we will...

 

                       LEONARDO

How about some supper?

 

(Salai is silent)

 

                       LEONARDO

Salai?

 

 

 

BLACKOUT