ALEX
Wish my arms were longer…
Or the gap was wider…
One more go and
That should do it…
One more try and there —
That does it!
ROSE
You will rue the day
That you got me in this mess!
I’ve torn my one good dress!
You’re really a charmer!
ALEX
Rose, I know this seems
Like a scene from “Modern Times”…
The house is my uncle’s —
All right, I was lying —
He’s working in Paris,
He won’t come here prying…
Oh Rose,
Rose, can’t you see?
I would have said anything
To get you here with me…
Shall I make some coffee…?
ROSE
One cup of fresh coffee
Buys two kisses —
Shall we have dinner?
BOTH
Whatever happens,
We have this moment.
Who needs tomorrow,
When we have today?
Tonight we’ll mean
The things we say
Forever…
Seeing is believing!
My life is just beginning!
We touched,
And my head
Won’t stop spinning
From winning
Your love!
GEORGE
Damn the boy!
Damn the boy’s
Damn-fool schoolboy antics!
GIULIETTA
Calm down now, George…
GEORGE (interrupting, reads)
“Nephew Alex break in, stop.
Stealing household supplies, stop.
Living in sin, stop.
Please advise, stop.”
My gardener, Jérôme!
GIULIETTA (smiles)
How very nice!
How sweet!
GEORGE
How handy!
My bed!
My brandy!
GIULIETTA
He sounds like you —
I think you ought to introduce us!
GEORGE
Giulietta.
You’d better cancel supper at “Chez Max” —
This week was fun.
It shouldn’t end like this…
GIULIETTA
This interlude was heaven…
GEORGE
How sad to think that it must end
When it had just begun…
GIULIETTA
George, you’ve got a painter’s eye:
Everything is magnified!
I know you’re all he’s got,
But I don’t see why you should go.
GEORGE
No, I must go.
Our little fling has done us good.
I have my paint.
You have your clay:
We both have work…
GIULIETTA
I know, I know.
Don’t look so sad, George!
What times we’ve had, George!
GEORGE
There’ll be more…
GIULIETTA
Ah yes.
That’s true.
George…
There’ll never be another you…
But, as you say, you are his guardian,
And sacrifices must be made.
We must part,
I’m afraid…
So put “Giulietta” thoughts behind you,
Forget about your broken heart!
Back to Venice…
Tend my art…
GEORGE (moving across to her)
A love affair is not a lifetime.
It’s calendars and clocks, my friend.
All good things
Have to end.
A memory of a happy moment —
That’s what this week will one day be.
Life goes on,
Love goes free.
GIULIETTA (alone)
Life goes on…
Love goes free…
ROSE
This is what I ought to feel on stage…
Soaring up like snow-capped mountains…
I feel your beauty and your rage…
I could be those tumbling forests,
I could play those jagged hillsides…
Star of mountain,
Star of valley…
ALEX
Would Madam care for breakfast?
Will croissants and fresh coffee do?
Wonderful view!
Whenever we see those mountains,
We will think of me and you…
George insists on magnificent views.
ROSE
I think I should like your uncle…
ROSE
Alex, she’s beautiful. Who is she?
ALEX
My aunt Delia. She was an actress too.
ROSE
Delia! Was she famous?
ALEX
Yes. But she died very young. That’s why my uncle doesn’t
come down here very often. Too many memories.
ROSE
Haven’t I seen that somewhere before?
ALEX
Not the one you’re thinking of. That’s in the Louvre.
George did that one. Some people call it fraud, but he prefers to
think of it as a tribute.
ALEX (brandishing a rapier)
En garde!
ROSE (parrying with a tennis racket)
Fifteen love!
BOTH
Promise me today will never ever end!
ROSE (pulling out various tins)
Caviar! Anchovies! Peaches in brandy! We can have
a banquet tonight!
ALEX
When he does get down here, George doesn’t believe in
having to rough it.
BOTH
I could get to like it here!
Let’s not ever think of leaving!
ALEX
Look at this. Pierrot. Carmen.
For the ballroom? Or the bedroom?
ROSE
Mérimée, “L’Occasion”. I know this — it’s a wonderful
play!
ALEX
Really?
ROSE
Let’s do it. You can be the priest, I’ll be Doña Maria Colemenares.
ALEX
But I don’t know anything about the theatre.
ROSE
I’ll teach you. We’ll do it. Tonight.
ALEX
“What are you doing? Pull yourself together…”
ROSE
This one is gorgeous!
ALEX (looking up)
It was her favorite dress…
ROSE
He must have loved her so much.
ALEX
Rose, leave things as they are…
ROSE
I can just see her…
I feel I know her…
FATHER EUGENIO (ALEX)
What does this letter contain? Give it to me.
DOÑA MARIA (ROSE)
But promise me not to read it while you are here. Read it
this evening — wait till this evening. Promise me. And
tomorrow…no, never speak to me about it. If you give it
back I shall punish myself for my folly…but for God’s sake
don’t scold me.
FATHER EUGENIO (ALEX)
Hand it over.
DOÑA MARIA (ROSE)
Have pity, I implore you. I have resisted as long as I could,
but you mustn’t open it here. Oh, God, what are you doing?
Father Eugenio, I implore you. For pity’s sake, give it back.
Father, you are killing me.
FATHER EUGENIO (ALEX)
What are you doing? Pull yourself together.
GEORGE
You must forgive this rude intrusion,
But I really felt I had to say “Well done”!
ALEX
Oh, uncle George,
Come in, come in…
ROSE
I’ve heard a million things about you…
GEORGE
And you are…?
ROSE
I am Rose Vibert.
GEORGE
I hate to spoil your fun,
But I was dying for a gin —
But don’t let me disturb you.
ROSE
Oh, it’s nice to meet you…
GEORGE (warming to the situation)
Surely Mérimée’s “L’Occasion”?
ALEX
Lemon? Ice?
ROSE
The perfect play.
GEORGE
Yet overstated…
ROSE
Yes, that’s true.
GEORGE
…And somehow dated now —
A living fossil!
ROSE
How concise!
GEORGE
And Alex, you show promise.
ROSE
Well, he is my pupil!
GEORGE
Ah, so this is your profession?
ALEX
Rising star!
GEORGE
I’m sure, I’m sure.
ROSE
I’m playing Hilde…
ALEX
…In two weeks.
GEORGE
“The Master Builder”?
ROSE
Yes.
GEORGE
What a courageous girl you are.
ROSE
I hate to tear myself away,
But I must go and change —
Please promise me you’ll stay.
GEORGE
I wouldn’t dream of going far!
I’d like to be the first
To say “She’s perfect!” —
A face like that
I haven’t seen in years!
ALEX
You must forgive us
For breaking in here.
I’ll make it up, George,
Have no fear —
But please don’t throw
Us out of here,
I beg you…
Seeing is believing —
I saw her and I loved her…
You must understand what I’m saying —
She’s not just someone…
GEORGE
A love affair is not a crisis.
Enjoy it like a fine champagne —
Taste, but never let it
Cloud the brain.
A memory of a happy moment —
That’s what this time will one day be.
Life goes on,
Love goes free…
ALEX
Some girls are like that,
They’ll love you and leave you,
But Rose —
There’s only one Rose…
I’m telling you,
This is not some schoolboy game —
My life will never be the same.
GEORGE
I look at you and
I remember
How many times I’ve
Felt this way —
Ah, the tricks
Love can play…
GEORGE
Alex, quick!
Some brandy!
ROSE
You go…
ALEX
I’ll go…
ROSE
Quickly…
ALEX (hurrying out)
I’m going…
GEORGE
Do forgive me…
So unlike me…
You looked just like her…
My wife…
Delia…
I thought for a moment…
The dress was hers,
But you look just as lovely —
It should be worn…
I’ve caused such drama here…
ROSE
You mustn’t think that…
GEORGE
It wasn’t meant, my dear…
I’d better leave you two alone…
ROSE
You’re in no state to travel —
No,
You won’t go anywhere.
You’re staying in that chair.
Why spend the evening on your own?
ALEX
Why, why must he spy on us?
It was perfect till he came!
Why, why must he ruin it?
GEORGE
…Of course, painting always was my first love.
ROSE
Oh, to be so gifted.
GEORGE
When I’m dead they’ll fetch a fortune.
ALEX
We shall see.
ROSE
I’d buy one now.
ALEX (to GEORGE)
You’d better tell her…
ROSE
Tell me what?
ALEX
…Before you sell her one,
That they’re just copies…
GEORGE
But by me!
ROSE (changing the subject, to GEORGE)
I’d love to hear your poems!
GEORGE
I shall write one for you…
ALEX
Byron isn’t here to sue you.
ROSE
Alex, please —
Don’t interrupt.
GEORGE
At least I do things.
ROSE
Yes, that’s true.
GEORGE
…I see a few things through…
We often have disputes like these.
Did Alex ever tell you…
ALEX
We’ll be here till breakfast…
GEORGE (ignoring him, continues)
…Why his final year
At school was rather short?
ROSE
No, not a word.
ALEX (horrified realization)
No, George, you couldn’t…
ROSE
Please go on!
ALEX
No, George, you wouldn’t dare…
GEORGE
I think it might amuse her…
I’ve had a splendid time,
A truly splendid time —
But I can see that I’m de trop…
I have a little tryst
Too tempting to resist,
And now I really ought to go…
I wish you both a charming fortnight,
Enjoy your little one-to-one —
Have your fling,
Have your fun…
A memory of a happy moment —
That’s what these days will one day be…
Life goes on,
Love goes free…
ALEX
I think I know where he’s gone —
He’s off to take his Italian lessons!
ROSE
How could you have let me wear this dress?
He must think I have no feelings!
You should have said what he was like…
I must seem a heartless woman!
I must seem a soulless creature!
Anyway, let’s not have a scene…
ROSE (offstage)
What was that?
ALEX (offstage)
What?
ROSE
There.
Listen.
It’s her ghost.
I’m frightened.
ALEX (himself a little scared)
Don’t be silly. I’ll go and have a look.
ROSE (from inside)
Well?
ALEX (covering his misgivings)
There’s nothing there. I suppose it must have been a rat.
ROSE
I can’t sleep in a house full of rats!
ALEX (following)
Well, I don’t want you to sleep just yet…
ROSE
Alex. Not now.
ALEX
Rose, where are you?
Rose, where are you?
ROSE
I’ve been out walking.
And what a day —
So crisp and clear!
And you’re not spending it in here!
Let’s breathe some mountain air!
ALEX
I thought you’d left me…
ROSE (continuing on her own line of thought)
What do you say?
ALEX
I had a dream you’d left me…
ROSE
Good idea?
ALEX (coming to)
Good idea!
ROSE
“Pas de tendresse
Et pas de joie,
Loin d’ici,
Loin de toi.
Rien de plus triste
Que mes soupirs,
Lorsque vient le jour
Où il me faut partir.
Chanson d’enfance,
Tu vis toujours dans mon cœur.
Toi, la plus douce!
Toi, la plus tendre!”
ALEX
What could be sweeter?
BOTH
Nothing is sweeter…
ROSE
Marcel wants me in Lyon…
He says that I’m needed today…
ALEX
Well, it must be important…
ROSE
I won’t go.
I don’t want to.
I’ll ignore it.
How can I desert you?
It’s all so unfair,
So unfeeling!
ALEX
How can you say that?
Don’t be a fool, Rose!
You can’t put me before your whole career!
You can’t let feelings interfere —
You must go!
ROSE
I’ll pick up my script and my dress.
ALEX
“A memory of a happy moment —
That’s what this week will one day be…”
George…you’re wrong…
Marcel — how could he have known where she was?
Unless she told him…or sent this herself…. And there was I,
completely taken in, when she was going all along…
No, she couldn’t…
Oh God, she wouldn’t…