Street 4   

Thursday Afternoon

Totto has realised that Salai and Lisa are planning to run away. He tells Aragona, who refuses to believe.

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(ARAGONA enters. TOTTO steps out in front of her)

                       TOTTO

Ah! The lady Aragona...

                       ARAGONA

Totto! You startled me. What are you doing here? What do you want?

                       TOTTO

Want? Me? I want for very little as well you know. Actually I’m waiting for you, Signora Orsini. You do remember your married name do you? How is dear Ludovico? Coming home at the weekend I hear.

                       ARAGONA

Yes he is, but wha...

                       TOTTO  

No matter. You must be feeling very pleased with yourself, now that poor Bastiano has er... left us.

                       ARAGONA

Bastiano?  Bastiano doesn’t... didn’t matter to me. And why should I be pleased that some poor wretch has been murdered.

                       TOTTO

(Laughs) Some poor wretch! Bastiano might have been a fool but I’m not. Am I not a Machiavelli? I know everything about you and that puppy dog of Leonardo’s, and what trouble Bastiano had planned for you... I warned him but...  he couldn’t wait. Where were you planning to run away to Aragona.

                       ARAGONA

(Bravado)

What? Me? and Salai? How dare you. He’s just an artist that I sponsor, nothing unusual in that. He’s only a boy... Ludovico approves. And I’m certainly not running away! Now let me through.

(ARAGONA pushes past Totto)

                       TOTTO

No, there’s no need for you to run away now is there... but Salai is.

                       ARAGONA

(Stops)

What?

(Turns)

What do you mean ‘Salai is’?

                       TOTTO

I mean, that your ‘little angel’ has been playing a tune on more than one harp my dear lady, a younger model too! It seems there’s another unsuspecting husband waiting to ‘pluck their strings’ as it were. So, they’re going to do what you planned to do. It’s a good job Bastiano did the decent thing and got himself murdered or it would have got awfully crowded on that BOAT that you arranged.

                       ARAGONA

(Deflated)

The boat...  I don’t believe you Totto. Salai wouldn’t betray me.

                       TOTTO

Oh yes he would – he has done... He’s rearranged your love boat, and they sail tonight...! If you don’t believe me just go and ask your ‘friend’, the Captain.

                       ARAGONA

No! No, There’s no need...

                       TOTTO

(Angrily)

...then don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself. They meet at the studio at six, and I’m going to make sure it’s for the last time.  It’s going to be such fun, I’ve invited the lady’s husband to the sail-away party!

                       ARAGONA

Why are you doing this? What is it to you?

                       TOTTO

(Sternly)

She needs teaching a lesson. They both do. That’s why.

(TOTTO starts to walk off)

                       ARAGONA

(Tearful)

I can’t believe this..

(Shouts)

You’re a liar Totto!

                       TOTTO

(Turning)

You’ll see. Leonardo’s studio, six o’clock...

(TOTTO exits)

         #27   THE END OF LOVE               Aragona                                PLAY MUSIC

BLACKOUT

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