Sonata No. 11 in C Major, K. 330 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The scene begins where the lights fade on to a Victorian parlor. There are windows along the wall and several velvet benches. It’s midmorning and bright outside leaving very little need for other light in the room. In the middle of the stage is a large grand piano. Seated at this piano is a well-dressed woman who is fairly young and pretty. Her hair is pulled back into a bun at the back of her head. She is dressed in a light summer dress for indoor wear. In front of the piano, somewhat left and down stage, are two well-dressed gentlemen. One is dressing in riding clothes and gloves, the other in a suit. The one in the riding clothes, John, is shorter than the other and looks considerably younger. The man in the suit, George, is tall and lean with perfect posture that makes him taller; he carries an air of superiority about him. The woman at the piano, Emily, is doing her best to ignore them.
As the scene begins, so does the music, Mozart’s Sonata in C, 2nd mvmt. George’s line comes as the first chord is played; the first three pick up notes are played in silence. The song continues with the conversation.
George: It’s a lovely day.
John: Perfect day for riding.
George: (glaring at John) If you like riding.
John: What’s wrong with it?
George: It’s not a very lady-like thing to do. A walk into town would be much more acceptable.
John: All distinguished women ride, including our lovely Queen Victoria.
George: Ah, but you miss so much of the city on the back of a horse.
John: You wouldn’t go into the city with a horse, especially two. Besides, the country is so beautiful this time of the year.
George: But the fair is in town this weekend and it would be a shame to miss it.
John: It will be there tomorrow as well.
George: And so will the country.
John: And if I let her go with you today, what then? You will make up an excuse to take her out tomorrow and the next day…
George: My dear, sir. What are you implying?
John: You know as well as I that whether she rides or walks is not the matter at hand.
George: I don’t see what you’re saying.
John: Of course you do! It’s no secret that you’ve been after Miss Parker for months!
George: And why does this concern you?
John: She deserves better!
George: I don’t see why you would wish to marry you. You’re just a common boy.
John: Common? My father owns the largest cigar factory in England.
George: (laughing) Miss Parker doesn’t want a man from a cigar factory! It’s much more prominent to own half the railroad!
John: How do you know what she wants? She couldn’t want a swine like you!
George: You’re going too far! I never made a jab and you and your unwanted patronage.
John: Don’t insult me!
George: That would be too low.
John: For a snail, maybe, but I don’t think you’re quite there.
George: I don’t care for your childish squabbling. We’re both here for Miss Parker’s hand in marriage and you’re making quite a case against yourself.
John: You as well! Making side remarks about me and pretending I’m the one out of line.
George: Well you are.
John: (steps away from George angrily and glances at Emily. She is still engrossed in the music. He places a hand gently on the piano). I still think a ride through the country would be lovely today.
George: Oh, not this again!
John: Well, if you spent a little more time thinking about what she might want—
George: Have you considered she might not want to ride through the country today? She might want to go into town.
John: With you? She’d rather swallow lye.
George: Have you asked her?
John: It’s obvious! She hasn’t answered any of your letters or responded to any of your questions.
George: We were having a lovely conversation before you came in. She hasn’t responded to you either.
John: That’s because you’re in the room.
George: If you want to believe that, you may, but it’s just as likely as fairies.
John: I don’t see why you keep harassing me.
George: I just want what’s best for her.
John: (laughs)
George: What?
John: Listen to yourself. You honestly believe that?
George: Of course.
John: That’s about as likely as fairies.
George: Well, then, fairies must be common creatures.
John: Not as common as slugs.
George: At least I have more to offer.
John: I beg to differ. She couldn’t possibly love a rich prat like you.
Emily: (at the second to last chord, the woman at the piano stops and holds the chord. She looks at the two gentlemen, indignantly and says) Personally, I wouldn’t want to marry either one of you good-for-nothing, inconsiderate hagglers!
She plays the last chord somewhat hurriedly, but lets it ring, before getting up from the piano and exiting stage right in a huff. The lights fade on her and the two very perplexed and shocked men who follow her movement but do not walk after her.
