The Visitor- Senes 2-3

Note: "The Visitor" is the newly titled continuation of "Untitled...for now"

Scene Two

The stage remains black for a short period in which the sets are being changed. During this period the fast section of the overture is played. The audience may or may not applaud afterwards, as this is up the audience not me. When the lights come back on, a background of a large corridor is used. Coming from the background is a set of steps. The stage is dark. Lights come up on the table and chairs at which CASANOVA and DA PONTE are seated, DA PONTE writing on the table with a pen and paper in hand.

DA PONTE

So you left Rome to go back to Venice…

CASANOVA

Yes.

DA PONTE

Then what happened?

CASANOVA

This is the point at which I think you should start the opera.

DA PONTE

Why?

CASANOVA

The rest of the story I told you isn’t very operatic. Don’t you think so?

DA PONTE

Well…

CASANOVA

My point exactly. Now, where was I?

DA PONTE

You just returned to Venice.

CASANOVA

Ah, yes, Venice. As soon as I got there, I decided I should have some fun. I heard that that old oaf Don Arriargo was giving a ball, and I went.

DA PONTE

Did you meet anyone?

CASANOVA

Someone.

DA PONTE

What was her name?

CASANOVA

Anna.

DA PONTE

Go on.

CASANOVA

She was a goddess! Round hips, a slender waist, huge…

DA PONTE

Are tits all you think about in a woman?

CASANOVA

No, I go the whole package, as it were. Why should one part of the body be superior to another?

DA PONTE

[laughing] I find your belief system fascinating.

CASANOVA

Isn’t it so? Now, back where I was. I snuck into the house, with intentions to attempt to…

DA PONTE

Rape her?

CASANOVA

I wouldn’t say “rape”, exactly, more like intercourse that is somewhat less than consensual.

DA PONTE

That’s rape.

CASANOVA

Tomatoes, Tomahtoes!

DA PONTE

That’s not funny.

CASANOVA

A common response, Lorenzo!

DA PONTE

Please change the subject.

CASANOVA

Will do. While I was trying to find a way in, I sent my servant, Enzo, to wait outside…

Scene Three

The lights darken on DA PONTE and CASANOVA. Lights go up on corridor backdrop and stairs. ENZO is seated on the steps, wrapped in a cloak, shivering and rubbing his hands against his arms. A GUARD walks across that stage, musket in hand. ENZO rises and backs away into the shadows. The GUARD hears him and slowly walks up the stairs, and cautiously looking to try and get a glimpse of him. When he sees him, he suddenly lunges towards him and leads him into the light, a bayonet to his neck.

GUARD

Who are you?! Tell me or I’ll kill you where you stand!

ENZO

Help! Someone! Help me!

GUARD

Shut your mouth! [ENZO continues to struggle. GUARD pushes him to the ground and points his gun at him]

GUARD

What’s your name?

[ENZO is frozen with fear]

Out with it, dammit! What’s your name?!

ENZO

[stuttering] Enzo!

GUARD

Who do you work for?

ENZO

Giacomo Casanova! He… He… He’s at the ball!

GUARD

[putting his gun away] Oh, why didn’t you say so?

ENZO

[shaken] I didn’t think of it, seeing as you were dragging me by the neck at knifepoint… It’s quite a shock, you know.

GUARD

Get up, ninny!

ENZO

Yes, sir. [stands]

GUARD

Where’s your master?

ENZO

Inside.

GUARD

Giacomo Casanova?

ENZO

Yes.

GUARD

The Giacomo Casanova? The one with the hundreds of mistresses?

ENZO

[annoyed] The very same.

GUARD

[surprised] Ha! What a coincidence. I’ve often heard about your master.

ENZO

[Even more annoyed] I’m sure you have. He’s made quite a name for himself.

GUARD

[chuckling] Indeed.

ENZO

yes. Everywhere I go it’s “Casanova” this and “Casanova” that.

GUARD

Lots of questions?

ENZO

An understatement! People ask me over and over. And not socially acceptable ones either. One lady even asked me how long his cock is.

GUARD

[laughing heartily] What did you tell her?

ENZO

I told her that I wasn’t the kind of person who looked. Then I told her to go and ask his mother.

GUARD

[laughing, to the point of being obnoxious] Bravo!

ENZO

[irritated] indeed.

[there is a scream from inside]

ENZO

That must be my master’s doing.

GUARD

I’ll go check it out. [turns to go, then, to ENZO] say hello to your master for me. [Exits]