On The Terrace

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

ALEX
I knew it from the moment
I remember
That I saw her face...
How many times I've
There could
Felt this way --
Never be
Ah, the tricks
Any other
Love can play...
Love for me...
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...