Leonardo’s Studio

Later that day

Salai tells Leonardo about Bastiano. Leonardo is appalled. He then realises that Salai won’t have to leave, but Salai tells him about Totto’s threats to Lisa.

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LEONARDO is studying some plans on the table.

(SALAI enters noisily)

                       SALAI

Master! Master!

                       LEONARDO

What on earth...

                       SALAI

Master, It’s Bastiano...

                       LEONARDO

What about him? Salai, it’s all right, I’ve had a word with Niccolò Machiavelli. It seems it’s his brother Totto who’s been conspiring with Bastiano. I promise he won’t give you any more trouble.

                       SALAI

No he won’t  - he’s dead! Murdered.

                       LEONARDO

Bastiano murdered?

(Groans)

Ohhh. My God. I told Machiavelli no violence. I saw enough of that with Cesare Borgia. What happened?

                       SALAI

They found him in an alley near the river this morning. Knifed – in the back.

                       LEONARDO

This is terrible, and so unnecessary.

Have you told Aragona.

                       SALAI

No..

(LEONARDO takes hold of Salai by the shoulders)

                       LEONARDO

(Optimistically)

Well don’t you think you should. It’s a tragic thing that a man should lose his life like this, but it means you can stay!

                       SALAI

Leonardo. I think you’d better sit down, please. There’s something I have to tell you and you’re not going to like it.

(LEONARDO and SALAI sit)

                       SALAI

(Draws breath)

You know about me and Lisa..

                       LEONARDO

(Guardedly)

Yes, I do ....

                       SALAI

Well so does someone else, and he’s threatening to tell Francesco - if she doesn’t go with him.

                       LEONARDO

Someone else? Who someone else?

                       SALAI

You’re not going to believe this... it’s Totto Machiavelli!

                       LEONARDO

Totto! Of all the people to get on the wrong side of.  I doubt that he can be dealt with as easily – in fact I shouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t him that arranged Bastiano’s untimely end.

I blame myself. I should have put a stop to it long ago...

So, what are you going to do?

                       SALAI

We have little choice. She can’t give in to him can she? And I don’t think for one moment that he won’t carry out his threat. We have to do what I was going to do with Aragona - go away! I’ve re-arranged the boat with Captain Donati. We’ll leave tomorrow night.

                       LEONARDO

And Aragona?

                       SALAI

She’s in no danger now and by the time she finds out I’ll be gone. I’ll leave her a letter with the Captain. She’ll get over it. Maybe this will teach her a lesson.

                       LEONARDO

(Angrily)

You’re a fine one to talk about learning lessons. Have you any idea what you’ve done to poor Lisa. Her life will be ruined. And what’s Francesco going to think of me? I don’t doubt he’ll hold me responsible. And I can’t really blame him.

                       SALAI

It wasn’t all my fault – it takes two you know.

                       LEONARDO

...Yes I know but you should have been more responsible – she’s no Aragona, she’s so young, so innocent.

(THEY fall silent)

                       SALAI

I must go and pack some things. There’s so much to do, so much to think about.

(SALAI rises)

I do love her you know. Can’t you understand that Leonardo? Love can make a fool of any man..

(SALAI leaves the room. LEONARDO calls after him)

                       LEONARDO

Salai !  Salai, wait... I do understand.

(To himself)

 I understand. Only too well...

#26  A LOVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK IT’S NAME (Rep.)   Leonardo    PLAY MUSIC

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