Carlotta heard a rattle at the door. And then loud knocking. She sighed and put down her work. She went to the door, but before she could reach the knob, it had already been flung open.
TERESINA: The door was stuck, Mother. Again.
CARLOTTA: Where have you been?
TERESINA: I was watching them erect that statue in the Town Square.
CARLOTTA: Don't you have better things to do with your time?
TERESINA: Not on a day like this. Mother, today's a festival!
CARLOTTA: I'm not feeling particularly festive. I have plenty of orders to fill, and tonight -
TERESINA: Tonight I'm going to watch the fireworks. And I heard that the whole Royal Family is going to be here! I'll wear my favorite blue dress, because I want the Prince to see me in it. And for my hair, I'll...
CARLOTTA: Teresina, haven't we discussed this before? Your grandmother is coming tonight.
TERESINA: I'm sure she'd like to watch the fireworks with me.
CARLOTTA: Teresina, your grandmother is old. She won't be going to the fireworks. Or to anything.
TERESINA: Not even to see the Royal Family?
CARLOTTA: She lives in the palace. She sees them everyday.
TERESINA: Not even to watch the dancers or the jugglers or the -
CARLOTTA: Nothing.
TERESINA: Poor thing. I should make her a cake or - oh, she can't eat cake, can she? I'll make her something.
CARLOTTA: How very kind of you.
TERESINA: But whatever is, it has to be quick, and it can't be messy. I have to find out what I'm going to wear tonight when the Prince sees me.
CARLOTTA: Teresina, must we go through this again? You are not going to the festival. You are staying here with your grandmother and me.
TERESINA: But, why?
CARLOTTA: I need all the help I can get. Your grandmother can hardly help herself.
TERESINA: But I'd get in the way! She doesn't want children around, does she?
CARLOTTA: You're not a child. You're a young woman, and your grandmother and I both need you here.
TERESINA: Mother!
CARLOTTA: There will be other festivals.
TERESINA: I'll kill myself!
CARLOTTA: That's what you said when I wouldn't let you wear that low-cut dress in the Temple, and look at you - you're still alive. Unless you're a ghost.
TERESINA: You're not funny, Mother.
CARLOTTA: No, I'm serious. Let me see if I can stick my hand through you...
TERESINA: Don't touch me! |