La Piccola Donne Di Puccini
(Puccini’s Little Women)
Act Two
Scene Twelve
NESSUN DORMA FROM TURANDOT
OPENING BARS PLAYED ON THE ACCORDION.
(The musician sits down sensibly. Elvira smells the flowers. She takes the dead flowers from the vase and replaces them with the fresh. She arranges them.)
Elvira So, we know you are a good worker, Doria.
Your work has always been exemplary
for your youth.
And of course your dear family…
Doria Yes, Madam.
Elvira Our friendship has been…
Doria Yes, Madam.
Elvira And now we need you very much,
very much indeed.
Doria Madam. It is an …(Nods her head.)
Elvira The Maestro has lost his mobility
and is in a delicate state.
He needs constant attention
and sympathetic nursing to return to his former
vigour.
Giulia (An aside.) Yes, vigour is a nice word.
Doria Yes, Madam, I under….
Elvira Yes, I know, Doria,
but it is important
at a time like this
to spell things out.
To make things clear.
For your sake,
for the Maestro’s sake
and for the sake of his health.
And of course for my sake.
Doria I will do anything.
(Elvira stops flower arranging and gives her whole attention to Doria.)
Elvira You need not do ‘anything’, Doria.
Your duties are very clear.
Doria Yes, I see Madam.
Elvira You will rise early
and set and light the fire in the music room.
Before the Maestro rises
you will see to his laundry.
I don’t have to remind you of the special attention that must be made to his collars and cuffs,
because I know you are a girl who has an eye for detail.
The Maestro has often praised your ironing.
(Giulia laughs.)
Doria Thank you Madam.
Elvira Your last task,
before you take the Maestro his mid morning latte
will be to iron the newspaper,
so that it is nice and crisp for reading.
Doria I could read….
Elvira The leg fracture is slow to heal, but,
oh beloved Jesus,
the Maestro was spared.
Doria (Whispering and crossing herself.) Thank you blessed Virgin.
(Giulia crosses herself.)
Elvira He did not die in that automobile.
The Lord kept him
and me
in the palm of his hand.
He is still able to use his genius,
though of course the injuries from such an accident
take their toll mentally
as well as physically. (Pause.)
The Maestro is exhausted.
He needs complete bed rest,
though he will insist on the wheel chair.
You will take the greatest care when you lift him.
Another accident must be avoided at all cost.
We cannot allow him to fall.
God wills a safe recovery.
Doria I will pray for the Maestro’s full….
Elvira The praying you will do
in private.
We do not want the Maestro to think his recovery has to be prayed for.
Doria Of course not, Madam.
Elvira You will not touch the bandages
- you understand,
that must be left to the physicians at the hospital.
But you are required to keep the Maestro comfortable.
Doria I see, Madam, does that mean…?
Elvira No it doesn’t.
It doesn’t mean that.
I or the boy will deal with that.
You will boil the water and layout the requirements.
You will empty and clean out the pot.
Your nursing will not be….
how can I say it….
intimate.
You are for general nursing.
Doria That is no problem, Madam.
Elvira When it comes to meal times,
it is important that they are regular
and the food is not too rich,
because of the Maestro’s diabetes.
The kitchen will prepare light nutritional meals.
When a patient is incapacitated
and they are unable to exercise,
it is important to keep the intake limited to aid digestion.
Albina He will need encouragement to eat.
Elvira His morning eggs should be lightly boiled
as he likes them.
Doria The timing is crucial to….
Giulia He prefers them scrabbled.
Elvira He will need help with the egg shell.
He needs help with his egg shell,
when he’s fully fit.
We have his Mother Albina to thank for that.
May she rest in peace.
Doria With the angels on His right….
Elvira If they come visiting from the village,
send for me.
A gift of a duck egg for the Maestro’s breakfast
will be welcome.
Fish welcome too, for supper.
They must be sent to the kitchen door
with any produce they might bring,
but under no circumstances may they visit the Maestro.
The Maestro will want to see them,
but I forbid it.
Do you understand?
Doria I understand Madam.
Elvira You will make sure that the Maestro eats and eats alone,
at the allotted time,
either in the music room
or if it is warm enough,
outside on the terrace,
if that is his desire.
A big girl like yourself will have no problems
pushing the chair onto the terrace.
A little sunlight will aid the healing process.
Doria The late afternoon light on the terrace is….
Elvria Yes.
The Maestro may like you to read the paper to him.
But beware,
avoid the sensational stories.
It is important that he keeps calm. (Pause.)
And remember there will be no extras.
Doria No extras. Madam?
Elvira Absolutely none.
And he should have only red wine.
Albina Just red wine.
Elvira You understand?
Doria I understand my duties, Madam.
It is an honour to be of service
to the great Giacomo Puccini and to yourself,
as always.
In this hour of need
I will work tirelessly to help the Maestro return
to his former robust health. (Pause.)
Tobacco, Madam?
What about smoking, Madam?
Elvira What about it, Doria?
Doria The Maestro?
He’s allowed his cigars?
Elvira But of course, Doria, you stupid girl.
Can you imagine the Maestro without a fine corona in his hand?
Doria Perhaps not Madam.
Elvira It relaxes the body and relieves tension.
Just what is needed at a time like this.
Maybe we could all do with a good cigar, Doria.
(Indicating the dead flowers.)
Take the dead flowers out and put them on the compost.
(Doria smells the dead flowers and puts them in the pram.)
