Study from Blueby Johanna Miklós |
Part 1 appears in this issue. |
| conclusion |
A distant drumbeat is heard.
The drumbeat grows louder and more frantic.
The lights come up on the COUNT and MAGDA entering the garden from opposite sides. Sudden end of drumbeat.
Count
The beautiful Magdalen! How I’ve missed thee! Have sought thee in all chambers, endless corridors and stooping caves.
Drum beat starts again — very low.
Magda
I have a maid’s work to do, Sire. My Mistress Kati’s dress needed mending, the fowl wanted tending, and the cook called for herbs.
Count
Hast not a moment to spare? Is the maid not also a young woman?
Drums grows louder and faster.
Magda
Sire, I have my duties, which must be done.
Count
Is the violet not your twin in shape?
Magda
The violet, Sire? She’s the flower of my Lady the Duchess. Violets adorn every path, grace every vase of castle and grounds.
Count
Is the bud of the daisy not your heart’s image?
Magda
The daisy’s a weed to be seen only in fields. There is no place for such a flower here.
Drums beating very fast.
Count
The crimson rosebud not your lips’ cousin?
Drums stop when the Count kisses Magda. He lifts her skirt.
Frenzied drum roll as they struggle until Magda throws the Count down. Drums stop.
Magda
You mock me, Sire.
Count
It is I who am mocked! I am but a foolish man who wanders day and night through these grounds to catch but a glimpse of thine young sweetness.
Magda
You must not speak with me thus, Sire. ’Tis not fitting. I’m a simple maid. See my hands? Roughened by working on my uncle’s land and now reddened by the water of my Mistress’ laundry. You’re rich and old! You think I’m a toy. And what would the parties say, if they knew? What of the duchess’ trust in me?
Count
Sweet Magda, what know they of my dreams? They know not that my wealthy flesh longs for you, sweet maid. (Kisses her hands) These sweet strong fingers. How often in my reveries have I seen them caress my greying flesh? You will be gentle with me, sweet Magda? As I can be generous with you.
SFX approaching footsteps on gravel.
Magda
Release my hands, Sire! Someone’s coming.
Magda tears herself away and runs off.
Count
Hop along, little frog! I’ll catch you yet! Just like a little frog! Really — a poor frightened frog. (Laughs)
Robert enters carrying a red lasso followed by the servant holding a red butterfly net. Robert motions the servant to ‘catch’ the Count with the net. The Count tries to escape. The servant is very clumsy.
Count
(Caught in the net) Grow up, Robert!
Robert
You’re a much missed man, sir. The entire court is looking for the man of numbers.
Count
I gather, the Duchess summons me to her side. Call off the hunt, I’ve been found.
The Count and Robert wave the servant away. He bows and exits with the lasso and net.
Robert
My mother requests the pleasure of your company. And so do I, later.
Count
I know of her designs. What will be yours, my friend?
Robert
While searching for you, I sighted some sporting fowl. There are speckled hens and young doves bathing in the stream. Quite unattended and most cheerful. Accompany me on some splashing fun, if you’re of mind and body.
Count
Young doves in a sparkling stream, say you? Why — always to my taste. Question not the prowess of my body — my greying hair has fooled many afore you. Are there to be others of the party?
Robert
Jeanne might find pleasure there. I also thought of your son Charles. ’Tis time he’s introduced to man’s most entertaining game if my honorable sister Kati is to be his spouse.
Count
That is your dear mother’s honest wish.
Robert
I fear fumbling mating of your shoot with our fertile soil. But then, had you a daughter, she’d be mine to lay in a trap.
Count
I find you in an odd humor Robert. My son bears a very sincere affection for your stepsister in his young heart.
Robert
I doubt not the sincerity of his affection! His agility where the fair sex is concerned is what I question.
Count
You should not hinder the flight of his cupid’s arrow. It would greatly vex the duchess, your mother.
Robert
His prey will stand fixed. Let him not miss his mark.
Count
We are of one mind then?
Robert
In this matter, dear Count.
Count
The Duchess awaits me. I must to her pleasure and shall meet with you at the gurgling stream post haste.
Count exits.
Robert
You do that! And do it well ! Just keep your aging carcass from my tender grounds. Who would have thought such juices to flow in the shriveled branch? Indeed, I must not underestimate the old fool! He has experience where I have but youth. He faces the urgent pressing of closing days where I am lax and lazy with the endless stretch of time before me.
Robert sits down on the bench and yawns.
SFX approaching footsteps on gravel.
Kati enters.
Kati
The blushing maid is safely locked in her chamber. Hast thou found the rogue?
Robert
That I have! And expedited him to our mother. There he can his duty do, catering to her ripe hunger. May he prove satisfactory and her humor restored. Magda — you say she is locked...?
Kati
I have the key: here’s the proof! (Shows him the key on a long chain around her neck that she then returns to its place in her bosom) Mother’s happiness has been assured — at least for the moment. Magda’s innocence — if she still had it — is well preserved. Our work, my friend, is done for this day. Was I not to be shown the defendable in the villain’s philosophy? Have you forgotten your prize?
Robert
Lead the way, Kati! Never shall a Lady say: Robert retracted on a promise!
KATI laughs and takes her brother’s hand. Together they skip off.
BLACKOUT
SFX approaching footsteps on gravel.
Lights come up on the DUCHESS reclining on the bench. The Count enters.
Count
You summon, and I am at your service.
Duchess
(Sits up straight) Service?! How crude of you, dear Count. I thought it joint pleasure.
Count
Dear Lady, to serve you is pleasure. Pure pleasure. But, you did summon...
The Count kneels on the bench and starts to undo the many laces on her dress.
Duchess
Have you become less fond of me, dear friend? Is impatience with my now familiar ways sapping your ardor? My ripe beauty putting that frown on your brilliant head? What dark designs now hide your once fiery gaze?
The Count makes a huge knot of the laces.
Count
Forgive me, if I seem distracted. It must be the season.
Duchess
Less attentive than before. Even my friend Jeanne has made the remark. Have I done aught to vex thee, my love?
The Duchess, fed up with his fumbling, frees one of her shoulders.
Count
(Kisses her now freed shoulder) Never that, my naughty Duchess. Why listen to the dark Jeanne? She is herself neither the man I am nor the woman you are! Now man, then wench — as suits her morbid schemes!
Duchess
If it be put passing humor — I forgive you! Who could bear a grudge against such a magnificent nibbler?
SFX approaching footsteps on gravel.
Duchess
Hurry, my love. I see my dearest friend come to join us.(Gives him her hand to nibble) Yes! This finger. And this one. Yes!
Jeanne enters. Her garments are torn as if slashed by a knife.
Duchess
Why Jeanne! Have you been in battle?
Jeanne
An encounter, my friend. Quite delicious.
Count
Should one send aid to the other party?
Jeanne
Hardly, my dear Count. Hardly. You will understand — my breeding forbids that I reveal more. Only this, there are unexpected depths to be found even in the beautifully young and chaste.
Count
Is that blood on your hands?
Jeanne
Blood?
Jeanne swoons and is caught by the Count.
Duchess
A delicious encounter? Rather wild! What will she think of next? I fear some angry gamekeeper seeking revenge for harm done to his offspring ! Is she unwell? Perhaps, a doctor?
Count
(Lifts Jeanne in his arms and groans under the strain) Perhaps. Someone should find the other... man? Child? Beast? With her mad tastes it could be anyone or thing!
SFX approaching footsteps on gravel.
The Count carries Jeanne off.
Robert enters the garden and throws himself at the Duchess’ feet.
Duchess
Robert! What ails?
Robert
Can you aid a son who has wronged where he meant but to love? Mother! Can you aid where a simpler mother’s heart would shake and cry and threaten to burst?
Duchess
Speak ! What hast thou done?
Robert
If I, who am your only son, have wronged, will you find it in your heart to forgive? Mother! Will you find the strength to forgive me?
Duchess
Torture me no more! Speak, my son! Speak, my first born! Speak, who are heir to your mother’s nature. (Kneels and takes his head in her hands) Speak, my true love.
Robert
I, who am heir to your name and face and passionate heart, have loved beyond this passion. I have loved blindly and with unpardonable greed. To obtain what my wicked youth most desired, I robbed, lied, betrayed what you protected. I come to you to confess my sin. I come to plead your generous love.
Duchess
My heart has ceased beating. Speak, son of my flesh, child of my first passion. Speak and destroy the thousand monsters my mind creates! Speak and name the deed that would make a simpler mother’s heart shake and cry and threaten to burst!
Kati enters in a temper.
Robert
Mother! I must...
Kati
You grovel at her feet, when it is I you wronged? My friend has packed her bag and vowed never to return! Such an affront!
Duchess
Child? Kati? What has occurred in this house?
Kati
His peasant taste! I lovingly present him with my friend — a noble lady beyond all reproach! But he tears the key from my bosom — glowing with sisterly pride — locks me and my friend in my chamber only to enter the maid’s chamber!
The Duchess crawls away from Robert.
Duchess
What monster have I bred?
Kati
There was he to commit the most awful deed! Alerted by the maid’s screams, my own shame paled. My friend — a lady of our own status — would have given freely what he forced from the peasant maid.
The Duchess covers her ears and moans her distress.
Robert takes a dagger from his vest and hands it to Kati.
Robert
Take this, and kill me. I am not worthy of love. I’ve betrayed your trust. Shamed your friend. I am but driven by base...
The Duchesse exits screaming.
Kati
Is this defendable?
Robert
Kill me!
Kati
(Aside) To fool a fool. (To Robert) With this dagger in my hand, I demand the truth! Feel you sincere love for the maid? Know this, Robert: There must be a wedding or a funeral after all you have done!
BLACKOUT
Change of set to an interior.
Soft tones of a harp playing straight through to the end.
The lights come up on Jeanne sitting on the bench turned bed.
Magda is washing Jeanne’s hands in a red bowl.
Jeanne
You do this so gently. Have no fear, I’ve no wounds. ’Tis some other creature’s blood. Are you weeping, dear child?
Magda
To see this blood, dear Lady, I think of pain.
Jeanne
So terribly close to pleasure, is it not?
Magda runs off, sobbing. Charles enters.
Charles
I’m your servant!
Charles falls to his knees and buries his head in Jeanne’s lap.
Jeanne
Sweet, sweet thing. Did you see the maid cry? What soft eyes she has. How gently she washed my hands.
Charles
What care I for a maid’s tears? All my thoughts are with you! My mistress! My teacher!
Jeanne gently pushes him away.
Jeanne
Is your heart not with Kati? So easily distracted? My thoughts are with Magda. It is clear she loves — but whom?
Charles
You’re leaving? Where? Where are you going that I may follow? I must follow you now and forever.
Jeanne
(Shakes her head) Find your sweet Kati, Charles. I’ll be but a secret memory for you.
Jeanne exits.
Charles paces, then throws himself down and covers his eyes with his arms.
Kati enters.
Kati
Perchance dreaming of me?
Charles
Oh, Kati! How many months have I seen but your face when I closed my eyes? Sweet Kati, who deserves an honest man.
Kati
Wouldst flee my presence? Did you not wish for me to come? I have your poems, here, by my heart. Will you not see, my dearest heart? Why do you frown? Are the words no longer true? They are your pen. Your vows of love. They are the story of your love for me.
BLACKOUT
The lights come up and show the Duchess sitting on the bed.
Magda is brushing the Duchess’ hair.
Jeanne is standing next to Magda, watching the maid at work.
Kati and Robert are seated at their mother’s feet.
Kati
It is your fault, dear brother! ’Tis all your fault! Charles was mine until he read that book. He’s a changed man and lost to me.
Robert
My fault? I gave the book to Magda. Not to Charles!
The Count enters and sits down beside the Duchess. They hold hands.
Count
Evil thoughts. You, Robert, gave the thoughts and...
Robert
Passion is a rodent. It will chew its way through all defenses.
Magda
Passion sets her teeth, tearing and sucking.
Duchess
Clawing my heart.
Magda
And my heart.
Kati
And my heart.
Count
A mother’s heart. A sister’s heart. A lover’s heart.
Robert
(Jumps up) When time has muted the echoes of outrage...
Count
Love will settle all disputes. It is set then. You will do...
Charles enters with a red rose he gives to Kati.
Charles
Kati, you are my true love.
Robert
(Scoffs at Charles) It’s a sport and a game. Stop talking rubbish! It’s fun!
Count
Time you were wed, Robert!
Kati
(Takes Charles’ hand) You are truly changed, Charles. You were a stuttering boy but this morning — now you are a man. Am I truly in your heart?
Jeanne
Past fantasies will lose importance. He has only you in his heart.
Robert
I bid you romantics farewell! Sporting fowl awaits me by the stream.
Duchess
You begged me to forgive. You begged my heart not burst. I am a better mother than you wager, Robert. You will mend what you have broken or you will be banned.
Robert hesitates and most reluctantly takes Magda’s hand.
Count
These shall be the weddings then. My son Charles has finally won Kati’s heart and Robert will make honorable this sweet maid. The young ladies will be faithful wives. The young men honorable husbands. All shall be bound by oaths. (You too, Robert!)
Permit an aging fool to share a secret of life: Love is tested by the trials of daily life, aching joints, unruly hordes of children, familiarity and repetition. Protect your love with poetry. Cast off reality and allow yourselves to dream with each other.
Duchess
Well said, my friend.
BLACKOUT and end of Harp.
Copyright © 2012 by Johanna Miklós
