WINTERLOVE

by

Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

WINTERLOVE

A play in two Acts

CAST

EMPRESS ELISABETH OF AUSTRIA (SISSI)

KING LUDWIG II OF BAVARIA

CAPTAIN FREDERICK VON EBERHARDT

WINTERLOVE

ACT ONE.  SCENE ONE.

[Optional.

On the front cloth, projected footage of Prussian and Austro/Hungarian march-pasts in full panoply, with cavalry, foot-soldiers and heavy guns.  On the sound track, martial music, loud and discordant, and barked military commands.  The sounds die to silence.

LUDWIG, King of Bavaria, in full regalia, enters stage left.  He pauses, nods in response to his people, traverses, stares out at the audience, unsmiling.  At the same time SISSI, the Empress of Austria, enters stage right.  She is magnificently dressed, in a full evening dress with diamonds and a small diamond crown.  She receives the applause of the `crowd' with a gentle hand gesture, and a warm smile.  The two traverse the stage.  As they pass each other they exchange a small friendly smile and touch hands briefly.  They exit.]

Lights up on the interior of a detached hunting lodge.  Though simple in style it is well-appointed, with signs of regal splendour.  There is a glowing log fire, comfortable seating and side tables.  On one of the tables is a large swan made of ice holding an ornate dish of oysters, with knives to open them.  Separately, in the background, is a long, narrow table with a white damask cloth, appointed with crystal and flowers and laden with food, including a dressed boar's head.

Late afternoon - the light fading outside.

The sound of voices, off.

LUDWIG enters, waving someone away.

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no!

He is followed in by CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT, in his ornate pale brown uniform.

			LUDWIG
		Not outside the door, not on the verandah, not on the steps...

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		With due respect -

			LUDWIG
		...I order you and the rest of your louts to freeze your undoubtedly inadequate parts -

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Sire!

			LUDWIG
		...at the end of the lane, by the gate and no closer.  Where are the oysters?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Oysters?

			LUDWIG
		The oysters, where are the oysters?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Behind you.

			LUDWIG
		(Turns and sees them.)  Put a thug on the gate to wave a lantern when the carriage arrives -

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		I must protest! -

			LUDWIG
		What?  What?  What did you say?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		My men and I are in charge of your protection -
			LUDWIG
		And I am ordering you to clear off.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		I beg your pardon, Sire.  But may I implore you to allow a small detachment around the lodge, out of sight, they won't be heard or seen -

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!  Linderhof and the forest around for miles are ring-fenced with your ugly faces - isn't that enough?  I don't want you in my sight!  Do I make myself clear?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Sire.

			LUDWIG
		Outside - outside the gate you are to stand under the trees.  Keep out of sight, I don't want her to see a single soldier...she hates soldiers.  Wave the lantern for the coachman, open the gates, swing the lantern high so that I know she's coming.  When the coachman returns, close the gates after him and no-one - no-one is to approach - do you hear me?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		(Sulky)  Yes, Sire.  I hear you.  Sire.

			LUDWIG
		Apart from anything else I will not have you in that ludicrous brown - you look like the platoon privy - where is the blue?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Almost ready, Sire.

			LUDWIG
		Well hurry them up or I'll have you all on parade bollick-naked.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		(Sullen)  As Your Majesty wishes.

LUDWIG glares at the possible impertinence but decides to let it go.  The CAPTAIN bows and goes, pauses at the door.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		The snow's thickening.  Would you like me to have the steps cleared?

			LUDWIG
		No.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		It's half-way up the -

			LUDWIG
		Get out!

CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT goes.

LUDWIG strides about, irritated.

			LUDWIG
		(Mutters)  No, no, no, no, no...

He crosses, looks at himself in the glass, straightens his jacket, picks a flower from an ornate arrangement of gardenias, smells it, puts it in his buttonhole, looks in the glass, decides against it, throws the flower at the fire, rescues it at once, cradles it, pours water into a wine glass and places the flower into it.

			LUDWIG
		(To the flower)  Forgive me.

He inspects the food, rearranges two dishes.  He crosses to the glass again, smooths his hair.  A clock chimes four.  He smiles, shakes his head.

			LUDWIG
		She will - of course - be late.

			SISSI
		Slanderer.

She is in the doorway, smothered in furs, with a pale silk gauze scarf over her hair.  He turns, goes to her.  She enfolds him in her arms for a long moment.

			LUDWIG
		Vereint sind Liebe und Lenz.

			SISSI
		Liebling...belovéd.

			LUDWIG
		My dearest, dearest friend - my light - I was afraid that you wouldn't -

			SISSI
		I know.

			LUDWIG
		They told me -

			SISSI
		I know.

			LUDWIG
		You got here safely?

			SISSI
		Yes.  You've sent all the soldiers away?

			LUDWIG
		Of course.

			SISSI
		Thank you.

She kisses the top of his head, pulls back and inspects him.

			LUDWIG
		Well?

			SISSI
		For someone surrounded by a regiment of vipers you look surprisingly well.

			LUDWIG
		I'm in face today.  Bien dans la peau.

			SISSI
		Absolument.  You look adorable.

			LUDWIG
		Comme toujours, but - ?  (Pats his face in enquiry.  She walks round him on a tour of inspection... pauses to sniff the gardenias, smiles her thanks.  Regards him keenly, nods.)

			SISSI
		The regime has worked.

He pats his flat midriff, gratified, and helps her off with her furs.  She removes the gauze scarf from her head, crosses to the glass to arrange her magnificent Titian hair, scattering haircombs.  He grovels at her feet, picking them up.  She turns to display her new ensemble.

			LUDWIG
		Paris?

			SISSI
		Of course.

			LUDWIG
		And designed by Worth.

			SISSI
		Of course.  Made in three days by poor little midinettes ruining their eyes so that I should look decent for you.

He inspects her, nods.

			LUDWIG
		Bravo, les petites.  May they have long and fabulous lives.

			SISSI
		Not so fabulous to sew through two and a half nights.

			LUDWIG
		For the Empress?  Whom they adore?  Ecstasy.

She smiles at him and he escorts her to a seat, putting an ornate stool under her feet.  He fetches a large wolfskin rug and puts it over her knees and places a cushion behind her head.  He bends over her, kisses her hair.

			LUDWIG
		(Touches her temple)  No more pain here?

			SISSI
		Not as much.

			LUDWIG
		And the hip?

			SISSI
		(French accent)  Brutal.  But I rode yesterday.

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!  You could take a fall!

			SISSI
		Into delicious deep snow......

			LUDWIG
		Not necessarily.  Stay in the warm!

He attends to the fire, which blazes up.

She looks down at his bent shoulders.

			SISSI
		(Gently)  How are you, dearest?

He looks up at her, holding an eloquent glance.

			SISSI
		I expected to find you in Munich.

			LUDWIG
		To hear the annual list of complaints?

			SISSI
		They say they can't pay the army.

			LUDWIG
		It's my money, I can do as I please, I AM the King!  Anything new?

			SISSI
		(Shakes her head)  The usual.  Linderhof was acceptable as a royal folly, but Neuschwanstein -

			LUDWIG
		Oh, not still!  I never go near it - I hate the place!

			SISSI
		Then why did you spend all that time and money building it?

			LUDWIG
		(Shrugs)  I was depressed.

			SISSI
		It's the most lyrical castle!

			LUDWIG
		From the outside.  Inside a punitive retreat for the deranged.  I shall never use oak again.

			SISSI
		They're worried about the new one on the lake.

			LUDWIG
		Herrenchiemsee?  Why can’t they understand - building on an island is bound to cost more!  (Pause)  There must be a way to grow orange trees out of doors - oh damn, it was meant to be a surprise for you.  They say lemons are easier - I thought pipes, miles of hot pipes - oranges growing in the snow, shall you like that?

			SISSI
		Wonderful.  (She takes his hands.)  They're looking to Uncle Otto.

			LUDWIG
		Uncle Otto?

			SISSI
		To replace you.

			LUDWIG
		Uncle Otto? - who wears his shoes on the wrong feet, served me boiled beef and onions and all the way through an increasingly tragic menu talked about latrines?

SISSI laughs.

			LUDWIG
		That wasn't the half of it.  After chocolate cannonballs in blood sauce he insisted, yet again, that I looked at his collection -

			SISSI
		- of mortars and ramrods.  I've seen them.  We must resist Uncle Otto.

			LUDWIG
		How?  With what?

			SISSI
		Charm?
		
			LUDWIG
		Not a negotiable bond.  Goddam it...if I choose to spend on beauty rather than death and all its weapons - are they sane or am I?  I am building for delight -

			SISSI
		And for the future.

			LUDWIG
		They don't see it that way.
			SISSI
		Do you expect them to?

He ponders this.

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, of course not.

A comfortable pause.

			SISSI
		I hear Wagner has been dismissed again.

			LUDWIG
		You hear correctly.

			SISSI
		May one know why?

			LUDWIG
		His own fault.

			SISSI
		It always is.  Not another abortion for the  mistress?

			LUDWIG
		(Shakes his head)  No, no, no.  The man is a -he's nothing but a greedy, grasping bastard.

			SISSI
		Are you speaking?

			LUDWIG
		Not at the moment.  No.  Finished.

			SISSI
		Forgive him, darling.  Make up.

			LUDWIG
		I think not.

			SISSI
		Please.  For me?  For me.

			LUDWIG
		And you'll make my life a misery if I don't.

			SISSI
		A nest of cobras!  (She waves her arms at him like a snake-charmer.)

			LUDWIG
		He'll have to find some sublime chord sequences.

			SISSI
		Which he will.  And thanks to your generous heart we shall have a splendid new opera and the world will be a richer place.

			LUDWIG
		And I shall be bankrupted.

			SISSI
		Guten Kaufs macht den Beutel leer - buying well empties the purse.

			LUDWIG
		That I can confirm.

			SISSI
		Let me see.  You can't get rid of the horses.  The Royal plate?

			LUDWIG
		Already pledged.

			SISSI
		Good, it's hideous.  The Crown Jewels?

			LUDWIG
		Also hideous.

			SISSI
		Then you won't miss them.

			LUDWIG
		The Cellini epergne will have to go.

			SISSI
		Never mind.

			LUDWIG
		Oh, wär ich nie geboren.

He rises and crosses to the side table.  She turns to see him with a dangerous-looking knife in his hands.

			SISSI
		Darling, you're not going to kill us both?

			LUDWIG
		And deprive the rest of Bavaria of that pleasure?

			SISSI
		Don't.

			LUDWIG
		Sorry.

			SISSI
		You aren't careful enough.

			LUDWIG
		Yes I am.

			SISSI
		No, you're not.  You go about incognito, everybody knows who you are -

			LUDWIG
		No, they don't.

			SISSI
		Of course they do, your face is on every pfennig.  Darling, there's no excuse.  If you were stupid - but you're not.  Must I remind you, in your position it is normal to be in danger.   We both are, it’s the royal condition.  It goes with the wave from the balcony, the sapphires and the pearls -

		 	LUDWIG
		(Presenting the ornate dish of heaped oysters.)  The knife is for these.

SISSI throws up her hands in pleasure.

			SISSI
		Oysters!

He does a turn, the dish held high.  She claps.

			SISSI
		Darling, darling boy - you always remember.

			LUDWIG
		Brittany.  We walked on the beach -

			SISSI
		- without shoes -

			LUDWIG
		And the wind took your hair and it streamed behind you like a flock of flamingoes -

			SISSI
		Flamingoes?!

			LUDWIG
		Unique, adorable creatures.

			SISSI
		With legs that go backwards.

			LUDWIG
		Golden orioles then.

He attacks the oysters.

			SISSI
		Do be careful.  Why weren't they opened for you?

He gives her a brief smile, opens an oyster, lays it on the plate - chooses a second, opens it, inspects it, puts it in the palm of his hand and brings it to her.  She smiles up at him, frowning in puzzlement.  And looks down at the oyster.

			SISSI
		Oh Ludo!  A pearl!

			LUDWIG
		An Enormous pearl.

			SISSI
		My dear -

He picks out the pearl from the oyster, rinses it in his mouth, wipes it clean on his lace cuff, drops it into her open hand, and eats the oyster.

			SISSI
		A pearl.  A pink pearl.

They inspect it together.

			LUDWIG
		Probably the light from the fire.

He begins to open more oysters.

			SISSI
		More?  (She rises and joins him.)

			LUDWIG
		There'd better be.

He opens oysters.  She takes a knife and they both open an oyster, eating them as they go.  He pours wine and they drink in between.

			LUDWIG
		Here's another!

She picks out the pearl, swills it in her mouth and inspects it.

			SISSI
		(Showing him)  I found one!  Even bigger!

But he is distracted by another pearl in his mouth.  He frowns, taking it out and peering at it.

			SISSI
		What's the matter...is it a bad colour?

			LUDWIG
		There's something wrong with this one - it's gritty on the tongue.

			SISSI
		Dearest, that's how you know pearls are genuine.

They feed each other one more oyster each, wash their hands, he dries hers, she dries his.  He brings the dish of pearls, places them on her lap.

			SISSI
		One, two, three, four, five!  And so large!  Where are they from?

			LUDWIG
		The South Seas.

			SISSI
		Oh, to be there!

			LUDWIG
		Yes.  Warm sand - palm trees - blue ocean - just you and me - and Peko of course.  (He looks round)  Where is Peko?

			SISSI
		I didn't bring him.

			LUDWIG
		Why ever not?

			SISSI
		You're jealous of him.

			LUDWIG
		True.

			SISSI
		How can you be jealous of a little dog?

			LUDWIG
		He has bigger eyes and a prettier tail than me.

SISSI plays with the pearls.

			SISSI
		Five pearls.

			LUDWIG
		Oh - I forgot.

He jumps up, takes a large suede bag from his jacket pocket.  And pours a river of pearls into her lap.
			LUDWIG
		Happy anniversary.

He slides beside her on the wide seat and they kiss tenderly.

			SISSI
		Oh my darling...

They kiss again.

			SISSI
		So many years...

			LUDWIG
		From my first vision of you across the parade ground on the grey...

			SISSI
		I was riding Nightfall -

			LUDWIG
		And I helped you down -

			SISSI
		- and caught my heel in the stirrup -

			LUDWIG
		- And we looked in each other's eyes -

			SISSI
		And there it was.

			LUDWIG
		There we were.

			SISSI
		You were me.

			LUDWIG
		And I was you.

Slight pause.

			LUDWIG
		So strange.  Inconvenient.

			SISSI
		Inconvenient?

			LUDWIG
		Poor timing.  You'd already been sold off to that old lecher -

			SISSI
		Ssh...

			LUDWIG
		- that dreadful, diseased old lecher -
		
			SISSI
		Please don't.

			LUDWIG
		Why not?  It's true.

			SISSI
		I feel sorry for him.

			LUDWIG
		Pity? - for your destroyer?  You're not saying you forgive him?

			SISSI
		I must dearest, otherwise I am destroyed.

			LUDWIG
		There's no forgiveness.  He has tainted your poor body.  I should like to throw him into a vat of hot metal.

			SISSI
		Don't.

			LUDWIG
		Watch his eyes as he looks up with one last agonised glare.

			SISSI
		Stop it.

He picks up pearls from the floor, she scoops them from her lap, and they pour them back into the suede bag.

He pulls her to her feet.

			LUDWIG
		Come and choose.

He leads her by the hand to the table laden with food and wine.  She bends to smell the gardenias again.  He gestures to the food.

			SISSI
		Delicious!

			LUDWIG
		And all for you.

			SISSI
		Every little bit?
		(LUDWIG nods.)

		Promise?

			LUDWIG
		Cross my heart.

			SISSI
		(Prowling the food)  Oh, your heart -

			LUDWIG
		What do you mean, my heart?

			SISSI
		Hardly stable currency.

			LUDWIG
		Hah!  A gold coin for every female fickle fish in this room.

			SISSI
		Touchée.  But there it is.

		I am fickle, therefore I am.

			LUDWIG
		A retreat to the Cartesian is no absolution.

			SISSI
		"Il est bien difficile enfin d'être fidèle
		A de certains maris faits d'un certain modèle." 

		Don't expect me to pursue virtue.  At least not yet.  (They laugh.)

		You have made us a feast.

			LUDWIG
		Let me be your maitre.

He takes her arm, walks her along the table.

			LUDWIG
		Wild boar - as you see.

			SISSI
		With a less than charmed expression.

			LUDWIG
		Unsurprisingly.

			SISSI
		But stoic.

			LUDWIG
		That's because he sits in a blueberry and wild garlic sauce on a bed of champignons and fleurettes de something or other in your honour...

		...or there's venison, marinaded for a week in walnut oil and lime juice, with red-currant and jus d'orange sauces.

		Sweetbreads a la mode ...carp a la Polonaise -

		- lemon sole au natural avec pommes vapeur and haricots vert - lobster of course - caviar - foie de veau -  

		No, no, no,  no, no!

		I expressly said no pommes frites!  (Throws the dish casually in the fire.)  What an insult, I'm so sorry - 

		- ah, ormers de Normandie sauce Dieppoise.

			SISSI
		Dear boy - delicious!

She bends and sniffs a dish.

			SISSI
		Unborn lamb?

			LUDWIG
		With apricots.

			SISSI
		And sage.

			LUDWIG
		And sage.

			SISSI
		Now how can that be?  Only Armand uses sage - no-one else would dare.

			LUDWIG
		A skewer to the heart if they did.

			SISSI
		Then - where did you - how did you?  By rail?  Days on ice?

			LUDWIG
		I wouldn't dream of offering you luggage as food.

			SISSI
		Then how on earth - ?

			LUDWIG
		I sent for him.

			SISSI
		For Armand?  Armand himself?  From Paris?  You're teasing me - he would never leave the quartier.

			LUDWIG
		Except for you.

He kisses her hand and they look at Armand's special dish.

			SISSI
		Beautiful, Utterly, utterly beautiful. You will thank him for me?

			LUDWIG
		I already have.

			SISSI
		With some little gift?

			LUDWIG
		A small chateau near Aix.  From us both.  With a fortified tower.

			SISSI
		Fortified?

			LUDWIG
		Against thieves.  His recipes!

			SISSI
		Of course.  The most brilliant chef in the civilised world and you brought him all this way to cook for me.  You're mad - fou!

			LUDWIG
		So the world tells me.

			SISSI
		And I am folle.  Thank God.

She prowls the table.

			SISSI
		All for me...all for me...

He puts a napkin on one arm.

			LUDWIG
		Madame desires?

			SISSI
		Oh, everything.  Mmmm...let me see.  The carp?

			LUDWIG
		Accompanied by seared whitebait, with crevettes au beurre blanc.

			SISSI
		It sounds irresistible.  Mr Boar?

			LUDWIG
		He will be enchanté -

			SISSI
		Or a little of this?  A bowl of - ?  No - a simple coq au vin with quenelles?  Or...mmm...you have presented me with a challenge, chéri.

			LUDWIG
		Un peu de viande? - ah, the ormers!

			SISSI
		Such a shame to destroy the ensemble.

			LUDWIG
		It shall rot away in your honour.

			SISSI
		Ah.

			LUDWIG
		Ah?

			SISSI
		I think -

			LUDWIG
		Yes?

			SISSI
		Perhaps?

			LUDWIG
		Yes?

			SISSI
		A soupçon of lemon sorbet - in a little white dish.

			LUDWIG
		Perfect choice.

He dishes out one tablespoon of sorbet into a white dish, puts it on a gold plate and crosses, waits for her to sit, places it on her lap, with the napkin to hand for her.

			SISSI
		Wicked boy, that's far too much!

He laughs.

			LUDWIG
		Forgive me.

He watches her fondly as she puts the spoon to her lips.  He puts a light shawl on her shoulders, adds a log to the fire, crosses and looks out of the window.  The wind begins to rise.

			LUDWIG
		More snow.

			SISSI
		Delicious.

She puts the plate and spoon aside, having eaten nothing.

			LUDWIG
		Perhaps we shall be marooned.

			SISSI
		Good.  (She joins him at the window.)

			LUDWIG
		There's plenty of wood outside -

			SISSI
		And food.  And we'll be safe!  If no-one can reach us, we'll be safe.

They look at each other and out at the snow.

			SISSI
		I am so frightened.

			LUDWIG
		Don't be.

			SISSI
		I worry about you.

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no - waste of time.

			SISSI
		But I -

He puts a finger against her lips.

			LUDWIG
		Ssh.  Look!

The snow is higher against the window pane.

			SISSI
		Oh!  We're going to be smothered!  In a snow house!

			LUDWIG
		We shall certainly be marooned.

			SISSI
		(Murmurs)  Das Wunderreich der Nacht.  How I love winter!

			LUDWIG
		Du bist der Lenz.

They embrace.

Lights to black and up.

ACT ONE.  SCENE TWO.

SISSI and LUDWIG are playing draughts, a small table between them.  He beats her with seven triumphant moves, clearing the board.  Maddened, she throws the whole lot in the air.

			LUDWIG
		I won.

			SISSI
		You cheated!

			LUDWIG
		You can't cheat at draughts.

			SISSI
		Yes you can!

			LUDWIG
		How?

			SISSI
		By going like this...(she imitates his rapid clearing of the board)...so I can't see what you are doing.

			LUDWIG
		Rubbish, you saw every move.  I went - (he imitates his movements in a studied manner.)  How could you not see that?  (Maddeningly, he does it again.)

			SISSI
		My eyes are bad, you take advantage, that's cheating.

			LUDWIG
		The King of Bavaria is not, has never been, nor will ever be a cheat.  He is deeply insulted and demands his pearls back.

			SISSI
		The King of Bavaria can go to Siberia.

			LUDWIG
		Now you're for it.

He chases and catches her and they roll on the floor.  He holds her firmly.

			SISSI
		You - have a very, very cruel streak.  Cruel hair, cruel knees and cruel feet.

			LUDWIG
		I am the mildest, most humane, sweetest-tempered man in the civilised world and you know it.

			SISSI
		Then why were you so vile to Paul?

A heavy silence.

			LUDWIG
		Shall we not talk about that?

			SISSI
		You mean you daren't.

			LUDWIG
		Not at all.

			SISSI
		Because you're ashamed.

			LUDWIG
		I am not.

			SISSI
		Ashamed of the way you behaved.

			LUDWIG
		Rubbish.

			SISSI
		All Europe is talking.

			LUDWIG
		So, now I'm King Pédé.  Bravo.

			SISSI
		Better than being King Boor...well, that title is already taken...I'm married to him.

Silence.

			LUDWIG
		I didn't behave badly.

			SISSI
		You werevile.

			LUDWIG
		I was not.

			SISSI
		You were vile, vicious -

			LUDWIG
		Je l'ai trop aimé pour ne point haïr. 

			SISSI
		- worst of all, unkind.

			LUDWIG
		I'm allowed a little hate surely.

			SISSI
		You humiliated him.  Publicly.  Was that necessary?

			LUDWIG
		Absolutely.

			SISSI
		Why?

			LUDWIG
		Revenge.

			SISSI
		There you are - in your own mouth.  Revenge.

			LUDWIG
		Deliberate.  And public.  Pour décourager les autres.  I will not have vipers in my household.  He can eat dirt and enjoy it - Staub soll er fressen, und mit Lust.  Rache ist mein Gewerbe.

			SISSI
		And how can you avoid the evil ones?

			LUDWIG
		By kicking them out.

			SISSI
		And you know who is reliable - faithful to you?

			LUDWIG
		Of course not.  I was a fool.  I fell in love.  Ridiculous, it always ends badly.

			SISSI
		Yes.

He grasps her hand, briefly.

			LUDWIG
		We both suffer the hours spent listening to flattery knowing that you will never be liked, loved for yourself.

			SISSI
		That's always true for women.

		Beauty - the cosmic imperative!  When I was fifteen I cut off my hair and wore black, so they'd love me for the real me.

			LUDWIG
		And did they?

			SISSI
		Of course not!  Everyone desires a fifteen year old...anyway, who in the world is the real me and what chances have you and I of that voyage of exploration?

			LUDWIG
		To be denied choice is a sin against humanity.

			SISSI
		Then humanity is very sinned against since most are denied.

A dull sound.  She starts - he puts a protective arm around her.

			LUDWIG
		It's the snow, falling from the roof.  Come by the fire - I'll fetch more wood.

He goes to the door, opens it, and snow falls in.  The doorway is completely covered in driven snow.  She joins him.

			LUDWIG
		The wind’s driven the drifts onto the verandah.

LUDWIG goes to the window, now covered by snow.

			LUDWIG
		We are snowed in!

			SISSI
		Bravo.  Thank you, snow!  (She throws snow into the air.)

		Thank you, blissful, delicious snow.  You are my chevalier servant...my second best friend.

			LUDWIG
		They'll have us out soon enough -

			SISSI
		I daresay.

			LUDWIG
		- with you here, my badge of safety.  (Hugs her.)  We must keep warm.  Food!  We'll eat.

			SISSI
		Why not?

She prowls, inspecting the room.  She sees a pile of scripts, picks up the top script, flicks open the first page and reads.

			SISSI
		"A glass of your good Rhenish wine, mein Herr!"

She gestures with the script.

			SISSI
		What is this?  (She looks at the cover.)  A new opera?

			LUDWIG
		Yes, yes.

			SISSI
		Not by - ?

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no, no, no.  Just one more contender for his place.  They arrive daily.

			SISSI
		(Reads the title)  Das Weib ist schön - Women are Beautiful.  It sounds rather jolly.

			LUDWIG
		Be careful or I shall play you the music.

He brings a platter of food and napkins and they sit side by side under the wolf rug.

He rises, pours and brings wine.  She drinks.

			LUDWIG
		Spiced peaches?  Have one - just for me.

She takes one - eats obediently.  They eat in silence.

The wind rises outside.

He removes the food and they lie, cuddled together.  Candlelight lower.

			SISSI
		(Shudders)  Ugh - cold, liebling.

			LUDWIG
		I'll burn the furniture.

			SISSI
		No, don't do that.

			LUDWIG
		Then I'll keep you warm.  (He cuddles her close.)

		Shall I make love to you?

			SISSI
		Will that help?

			LUDWIG
		We'll keep it in reserve.  Unless I get too cold to manage anything.

They cuddle and look at the fire.  She looks at his profile.

			SISSI
		You look sad.

			LUDWIG
		Ich bin mein Himmel und meine Hölle.

			SISSI
		Don't.  (She takes his hand.)

		Have you been writing?

			LUDWIG
		No.  There'll be no more poetry.  My lyric phase, it seems, is over.

			SISSI
		To be replaced by more majestic imaginations.

			LUDWIG
		(Laughs)  Now they will do me in.

			SISSI
		We must lie low.  

They snuggle together.  Pause.

			SISSI
		Ludo?

			LUDWIG
		Mmmm?

			SISSI
		Do you love me?

He turns to her in surprise.

			LUDWIG
		Yes.
			SISSI
		Am I your friend?

			LUDWIG
		Yes.

		My best friend.

		My only friend.

			SISSI
		Do you trust me?

He looks at her - a momentary panic.  He dismisses it.

			LUDWIG
		I trust you with my life.

			SISSI
		Darling - go to Vienna.  Give way on something... just something - the army -

			LUDWIG
		The army?  That vat of abattoir meat?

			SISSI
		The secret service then.

			LUDWIG
		No!  Why should I support a phalanx of cross-eyed idiots whose wives would frighten every parrot in Brazil from its tree?

			SISSI
		To keep them on your side - to keep you safe.  Work up a few favourites - set one general against another, ridicule one spy, elevate another - create regal havoc - divide and rule.

		You must do something.

He fidgets with his hair.

			LUDWIG
		Why?

			SISSI
		Because, if you are killed, having no reason to stay alive, I shall welcome the assassin’s bullet.

A pause.  Then he lifts his hand up to her, and grasps hers.

			LUDWIG
		You’ve forgotten our agreement.  Never to give way to melancholy...remember?
			SISSI
		I know, I know, I know - but the feelings against you in Vienna frighten me.

			LUDWIG
		There is no need for that.  None at all.

			SISSI
		But the mood is so -

			LUDWIG
		I tell you it doesn’t matter.  None of it matters, I won’t be touched.  Believe me.

			SISSI
		Why not?  Plenty of precedent for regicide - for usurping a King -

			LUDWIG
		Sissi.  Look at me.

		I - will - not - be - touched.

			SISSI
		How do you know?

			LUDWIG
		Because no-one will dare.

			SISSI
		They will!

			LUDWIG
		No they won’t.

			SISSI
		Why not?

			LUDWIG
		Because they can’t.  Shall I tell you why?

		Bismarck likes me.

			SISSI
		Bismarck?  Is he - ?  Bismarck?

			LUDWIG
		Why do you think Bavaria exists - this pimple of a country?  Why haven’t we been - (he makes a slurping sound) - swallowed - erased from the map of Europe.

			LUDWIG (Cont’d)
		While I keep my looks, which I intend to do, I am safe and Bavaria is safe and what more can a ruler be expected to provide for his loyal, devoted and grateful subjects?

Silence.

			SISSI
		Are you sure?
		
			LUDWIG
		Yes.

		(He cuddles her.)

		How are the pigeons?

			LUDWIG
		Proliferating.

			SISSI
		Still pink?

			LUDWIG
		Still pink.  And Peko?

			SISSI
		Still bald.

			LUDWIG
		You tried the aloe?

			SISSI
		Yes!  Thank you! - the skin is much less cracked, though his poor little paws are as poignant as ever.

			LUDWIG
		Still has to be carried?

			SISSI
		Everywhere.

The candles are lower.

			SISSI
		Are you asleep?

			LUDWIG
		(Jerking awake)  No.  Shall I do it to you now?  Would you like that?

			SISSI
		Will it make us warmer?

			LUDWIG
		Yes I think so.  Probably.

			SISSI
		But is your heart in it, liebling?

			LUDWIG
		You know I've always loved you.

			SISSI
		So much that you'd risk syphilis?  I am a diseased person.

			LUDWIG
		Do you think I care about that?  It would be a privilege.

			SISSI
		No.  Don't ask for syphilis.

			LUDWIG
		What difference does it make?  I shall be dead long before the tertiary stage.

			SISSI
		Oh please, please don't talk like that, I can't bear it when you talk like that.

Pause.

She stirs, restless.

			LUDWIG
		Sissi?

			SISSI
		Relax, my dearest darling - it's not a sport we favour, either of us.  Der Körper ist nicht das ganze Tier...the body is not the entire animal.

			LUDWIG
		At least, as a woman, you can lie back.  Men are supposed to be king of the castle, cock of the walk -

			SISSI
		Oh, women hate all that.

			LUDWIG
		They do?  Truly?

			SISSI
		Yes.

			LUDWIG
		Thank God.  (Slight pause.)  What do they like?

			SISSI
		Tenderness.  To feel protected.  And a man who can make them laugh.
He jumps up, does animal imitations.  She laughs and applauds and he joins her and they cuddle.

			SISSI
		I'm glad we're not going to do it.

			LUDWIG
		Could spoil everything.

			SISSI
		I'm not sure it wouldn't come under the heading of incest.  Suppose we had a child?  With two heads...

			LUDWIG
		So long as they both looked like you.

They cuddle.

			LUDWIG
		Sleepy?

			SISSI
		A little.

He sings her a verse of a lullaby.

			SISSI
		Lovely...lovely.  And because I truly love you I shan't perform an encore -

			LUDWIG
		(Kisses her hair)  You have a beautiful voice -

She nestles in his arms, and then moves, restless.

She sits up, looks down at him.

			SISSI
		All this talk of sex.  What do you do when you feel restless?

			LUDWIG
		Think of higher things.

She barks with laughter.

			SISSI
		I pleasure myself.  Where's the harm, you damage no-one, don't you agree?

			LUDWIG
		Who knows?  I'm too terrified most days to get it up.
		Daily doses of fright put ardour to flight.

			SISSI
		Despite your powerful protector?  (She embraces him.)

		Oh my dear love.

They cuddle.  The candles are very low.

			SISSI
		Did I tell you - I bought the Murillo.

			LUDWIG
		(Excited)  The big one - with the tiger?

			SISSI
		Have it.

			LUDWIG
		Be careful, I might say yes.

			SISSI
		I shall have it shipped to you tomorrow.

			LUDWIG
		Lend it to me.  Ach!  (As she hugs him.)  I've been out on the slopes, sledging.

			SISSI
		Ludo, no!  You promised!

			LUDWIG
		Dearest, it's wonderful.  You’re so free - so alone - so alive on a sledge -

			SISSI
		Till you hit a tree.

			LUDWIG
		Do you listen to me when I tell you not to ride?

			SISSI
		No.

			LUDWIG
		There you are then.

			SISSI
		It's not the same thing.

			LUDWIG
		Yes it is.

			SISSI
		(Pause)  Are you sleepy?

She murmurs a tune.

			LUDWIG
		Don't stop.

			SISSI
		Go to sleep.

			LUDWIG
		No.  Sing to me - I don't want to miss a second of you.

She sings a song from Schubert's Winterreise.

			LUDWIG
		Thank you.

They cuddle.

			LUDWIG
		You are the light of my life. 

		(Sits up abruptly.)  I have it!

			SISSI
		Dearest?

			LUDWIG
		It was there - in my brain.  I knew - I knew - (he laughs, excited) - oh, I have such a surprise for you - no, I can't wait, I must tell you, you'll find out anyway, it'll take years to build.

			SISSI
		Build what?

			LUDWIG
		Don't look so alarmed - not our mausoleums.

			SISSI
		What?

			LUDWIG
		The Forbidden Palace.

		Peking.

			LUDWIG (Cont’d)
		The Forbidden Palace, in the Chinese style throughout, from one mile's end to the other... on the border between Bavaria and Austria so we can meet more easily.

		Think of it Sissi - our own Chinese Palace - utterly authentic - Chinese silks - Chinese food -what do they eat I wonder, it can't all be birds' nest soup and hundred year old eggs.  Don't you think it's a good idea?

			SISSI
		(Sleepy)  A wonderful idea.

			LUDWIG
		I shall need Chinese designers - architects -

			SISSI
		(Sleepy)  Mmmm -

			LUDWIG
		And you must have those little slippers with no heels -

			SISSI
		But not on the wrong feet like Uncle Otto.

			LUDWIG
		Oh, your enchanting feet will be bound - you'll only be able to hobble, I shall have to carry  you -

			SISSI
		(Sleepy)  Splendid...

Pause.

			SISSI
		We will be rescued?  They will come for us?

			LUDWIG
		Yes.  Unless after a plenary session it is decided that Bavaria and Austria will be inestimably improved by a suffocation of snow.

			SISSI
		Would they - truly - do that?

			LUDWIG
		Where there is a Prussian, there is murder.

			SISSI
		And we are surrounded by them!  How can one take a breath without being afraid?

			LUDWIG
		Ssh.  Go to sleep.
The candles go out.  There is silence.  Cracking sounds of the weight of snow on the roof.  And then silence.

A long pause.  And then a shot - very loud.

SISSI and LUDWIG jerk awake and she screams.  He leaps for his gun on the side table.

A rumbling noise of snow falling from the roof.

			SISSI
		Goodbye, my darling - (she kisses him.)

			LUDWIG
		Farewell, Beloved.

			SISSI
		At least we're together.

Banging from above.  LUDWIG stands bravely, protecting ELISABETH.  He jumps aside, takes down an ornamental sword for his left hand.  The banging continues then there are loud, cracking sounds as a hole is hacked through the wooden roof.  (Alternatively a large skylight is opened.)  A stream of sunlight.

			LUDWIG
		Is that you, Fritz?

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Ludo, are you alive?

			LUDWIG
		Of course I'm bloody alive - dig us out.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		We had to fire a round to dislodge the snow.  We're digging our way to the door - is her Serene Highness safe?

			LUDWIG
		She's bloody cold - we both are!

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Hang on Sire!  (Aside)  Hurry up, there, with the fire - come on, their Majesties are freezing!

Noises from above then a brazier of live coals is lowered.  LUDWIG reaches for his gloves, releases and shakes the chain, and the chain is retrieved.

He holds out his hands to ELISABETH, she retrieves hers from her fur muff and he rubs them briskly.  They hold out their hands over the glowing coals.

Outside, voices, and sounds of the men digging.

			SISSI
		We're safe.
			LUDWIG
		I daresay.

			SISSI
		They're here to save us!  We're safe!

He shrugs.

			LUDWIG
		Did you think we weren't?

			SISSI
		We both did.

			LUDWIG
		Yes.  Such an excuse for two splendid funerals -

		- black-plumed horses - kings, queens, princes - what a deprivation.  I've already chosen my order of service - Wagner, but not exclusively...

			SISSI
		Stop it.

They stand, looking down at the fire, arm in arm.

			LUDWIG
		Safe.

			SISSI
		Yes.

They look at each other as the sounds increase outside the door.

			LUDWIG
		For now.

The door begins to be pushed open and snow falls in.  She grasps him, holds him firmly.

			LUDWIG
		It's all right.  They won't harm us.

			SISSI
		They will.

			LUDWIG
		Sssh.

			SISSI
		Promise never to let them kill you.

			LUDWIG
		I promise.

			SISSI
		Please...
			LUDWIG
		I promise.

He kisses her cheek gently and puts an arm about her as the voices and noises increase.  They jump back and SISSI screams as the door is pushed in and CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT is pitched into the room.  He straightens up, shaking and brushing off the snow, comes to attention.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		Sorry about that, Sire.  Your Serene Highness.

He bows before SISSI and kisses her hand.

			CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT
		We've dug a way out for you.

He beckons for SISSI to precede him but she draws back.

			LUDWIG
		I'll go first.  Come when I call.

He goes off, followed by CAPTAIN VON EBERHARDT.  SISSI steps forward, anxious.

			SISSI
		Your Majesty?  Are you there, Your Majesty?

			LUDWIG
		(Offstage)  They've made a tunnel for us.  So cold......

		Sissi are you there?

		Sissi?

		Sissi - where are you?

		Where are you?

SISSI makes to go forward, lifting her skirts over her arm.  But she pauses, afraid.

			LUDWIG
		(Offstage)  Sissi?

She follows him off.

ACT TWO.

The mirror room at Linderhof.  LUDWIG, exotically dressed in white flowing robes, with a white turban crested with a feather and a large jewel, strides about impatiently.  His patience running out, he crosses, pulls an ornate bell pull.  The sound of the bell, distant.  He lifts the voice tube.

			LUDWIG
		Where - is - my - dinner?

Crackling sounds from the voice tube - he holds it away from his ear irritably.

			LUDWIG
		Now...now!

He throws the voice tube aside, walks up and down, irritably.

A table rises up from the floor.  It is lavishly appointed for dinner.  Five places are set.

LUDWIG holds out chairs for his imaginary guests to sit.  Then he sits himself, at the head of the table, which is placed on the diagonal, with LUDWIG upstage.  He walks around the table, displaying the food to his imaginary guests.

			LUDWIG
		Your beloved Majesty, I am aware of the impertinence of offering this poor display of Bavarian rusticity.  Madame de Pompadour, Madame de Maintenon, my pleasure and honour and delight - yes, delight to see the exotic flowers of France at my simple table.  A rose for you, Madame - a fragrant lily, Madame, with my admiration.  Oh - and His Majesty allows me to say - with love.  As ever, cher Louis, the greatest of spirits - you are the model for us all, pray accept this set of diamond buttons - I believe they were Charlemagne's.  Madame de Maintenon - rubies?  Ca va.  Oh how kind.  I am relieved and gratified to please.  Madame de Pompadour - sapphires - I have had them set à la mode, but if they do not please, we shall submit to your commands with pleasure and joy.

		(He sits.)  You may find the eggs interesting.  A little Italian notion.

He helps himself liberally to food and begins to scoff.  He helps himself to drink, eats, head down, making low humming noises of pleasure.

The sudden whine of the voice tube startles him and he jumps to his feet.  He crosses, picks up the tube.

			LUDWIG
		(Snarls)  What?

		Who?

		Who??

		Ah.

		Ahh!

		Oh.  But - yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.  And you - stay at the bottom of the staircase.  I don't want to see your face - no Faces!

He wipes food from his face, throws off the turban and the Arabian robe, tidies his hair in the glass.  Satisfied, he turns and waits.

ELISABETH enters.  They fly to each other and embrace.  He lifts her off her feet, twirling her round.

			LUDWIG
		But how?  Why?

			SISSI
		You're here!

			LUDWIG
		Of course.  Safe at Linderhof, my castle of dreams.

			SISSI
		No.

			LUDWIG
		No?

			SISSI
		You are not safe.

Pause.

			LUDWIG
		This is why you are here?

			SISSI
		Yes.

			LUDWIG
		To warn me.

			SISSI
		Yes.

He takes her coat.  She collapses onto a seat.
			SISSI
		Forgive me - the journey.

He fetches her a crystal tumbler of water.

			SISSI
		Thank you.  I came from Vienna.

She drinks.

			LUDWIG
		Vienna?  From Vienna?  I thought you were in Switzerland.

			SISSI
		I had to go home for the Emperor's birthday.

She puts out a hand and strokes his face as he kneels beside her.  Pause.

			SISSI
		Ludo, I did a wicked thing.

			LUDWIG
		(He shakes his head.)  Impossible.

			SISSI
		I am a traitor to my country.

			LUDWIG
		Good.  Excellent.  What have you done?  Raided the vaults for me?  Stolen designs for the new heavy gun?

			SISSI
		I went to the Chancellery.  In an irresistible ensemble, and an even more irresistible hat.  I had a pretty little box, silver, with emeralds.  My begging box.  For Austrian widows and children.  I knew that the Chancellor and Herr von Brün were at the lake, fishing with my husband.  It was one of those quiet days.

			LUDWIG
		So?

			SISSI
		I thanked them all for their wonderful generosity, looked into every face with love.  And said that I was tired.  That I would rest on the Chancellor's fine couch.  And not to disturb me.

			LUDWIG
		(Slight pause)  And you were not disturbed?

She shakes her head.

			SISSI
		Of course not.

		I opened all the boxes.

		With my husband's key.

		So many!  My poor eyes!

			LUDWIG
		You read the dispatches?  Weren't they in code?

			SISSI
		Not the ones on Bavaria.

			LUDWIG
		Hah.  What did they say?

			SISSI
		That you are to be - to be removed.

			LUDWIG
		Removed?

			SISSI
		Deposed.

Despite himself LUDWIG reels.  He staggers to a seat and sits down, shaking visibly.

			LUDWIG
		You came.

			SISSI
		Of course.  I didn't dare to trust a messenger.

			LUDWIG
		No, no, no, no, no.

		No, of course not.

Silence.

			LUDWIG
		(A plea for help)  Sissi?

		Sissi...

			SISSI
		Dearest.

			LUDWIG
		What am I to do?

			SISSI
		Survive.

			LUDWIG
		How?

			SISSI
		By moving swiftly.  By removing every treacherous, lying traitor from your household, from your army and from your parliament.

			LUDWIG
		And how is that to be done?

			SISSI
		Call out the guard!  Have them all arrested!  Put a wall of steel around you.

		Protect yourself!

Silence.

			SISSI
		Is there no-one - no-one you can trust?

		There must be someone on your side.

			LUDWIG
		Architects - painters - composers.

			SISSI
		There you are - the people!  The people are for you, you give so much work to so many of them.  They'll defend you.

			LUDWIG
		With axes?  Scythes?  Against artillery?

		"Die Unruhe und Ungewissenheit sind unser teil."  Unrest and uncertainty are our lot.

		What do they say, the dispatches?

			SISSI
		(Pause)  Instructions.  For your incarceration.

			LUDWIG
		Incarceration?  When?  Where?  How?

			SISSI
		Tomorrow.  They intend to take you to Schloss Berg.

			LUDWIG
		That hideous - ?  No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

		I see.

		It's deliberate.  (As SISSI makes to enquire.)  The place has bad memories for me.  An old affaire.  Go on.

			SISSI
		Preparations have been made to have you declare - declared - (she cannot go on.)

			LUDWIG
		Insane.  Declared insane.  Well, there is enough precedence for that in my family...my brother, my aunt.  Go on.

			SISSI
		There is to be a formal announcement that you are no longer capable of performing your role - your position as King.  The doctors will sign affidavits to that effect.

			LUDWIG
		Doctors?  What doctors?

			SISSI
		Has no-one - did no-one approach - request to examine you?

			LUDWIG
		Do you think I would allow it?

Silence.

			SISSI
		(Quietly)  There is a list.  Of what you've - or haven't...what they think you -

			LUDWIG
		(Snarls)  Nothing I don't know about.

			SISSI
		They have had spies placed round you -

			LUDWIG
		I should feel lost without them.

SISSI opens the leather folder and hands LUDWIG a sheaf of papers.

			LUDWIG
		I won't read this filth.  (He throws papers into the air and paces.)  If they would just let me go quietly, with a pension.

			SISSI
		Has that been tabled?

			LUDWIG
		At my request, informally.  I was advised - informally - that assassination would most certainly follow.

			SISSI
		They used that word - assassination?

			LUDWIG
		Vital for the stability of the realm, it seems.

		Why?

		Why?

He stoops, picks up the scattered papers.

			LUDWIG
		I'm sorry.  Dearest one, how could I be so grotesquely ungrateful?

SISSI picks up the paper nearest to her, glances at it.

			LUDWIG
		What does it say?

			SISSI
		Such foolish, silly things.

			LUDWIG
		Go on.

			SISSI
		The dyed pigeons.

			LUDWIG
		Oh well.

			SISSI
		Five different uniforms for your personal guard - importing mango trees - the park for monkeys, giraffes and parakeets -

			LUDWIG
		The public love my parks.

			SISSI
		They say they're silly.

			LUDWIG
		Go on.

			SISSI
		My dear you know all this.  Money spent on buildings, on operas, on rarities...there's your hair.

			LUDWIG
		My hair?  What the hell's wrong with that?

			SISSI
		They object to the way you carry an umbrella on parade.

			LUDWIG
		But it would go out of curl!

			SISSI
		They don't see it that way.

			LUDWIG
		I do everything to make them look splendid - have you ever seen a soldier refuse new regimentals?  I make them look beautiful.

			SISSI
		(Lifts the papers)  Shall I go on?

			LUDWIG
		No.

		These are old insults.

		Nothing new.

Silence.

			LUDWIG
		Wo steht das geschrieben?  Where is it written?

		How should money be spent?  On weapons?  Or on flowers?

			SISSI
		Oh my dear...

			LUDWIG
		Which does the less harm?

		A gun?

		Or a magnolia tree?

		(Slight pause.)

		Am I entirely - utterly foolish...?

			SISSI
		No.  Not at all.  As a woman I must respect the imperative - the absolute and ultimate necessity for gentleness.  I have carried a living human  being, here, under my heart, felt the heart of another beating within me.  The heart of my son.  Not support what you stand for - the abnegation of force?  I worship you for it.

			LUDWIG
		Oh Sissi - no, no.  There's nothing admirable.  My reasons are far from moral, they're based on notions less than virtuous, on something colder - more pragmatic.

		I am against violence because from whichever angle I peruse it I can't - see - the - point!

			SISSI
		Oh, there's point enough.

			LUDWIG
		In real politik?

		What does it mean - real politik?

		Murder.

			SISSI
		It means acquisition.

			LUDWIG
		And for what - to what end?

			SISSI
		To subjugate people, countries.

			LUDWIG
		Why?!  Must everything be swallowed into one maw!

		Rule - by force?  Like Napoleon?

			SISSI
		Nothing more effective.  Beat an animal and you have an obedient animal.

			LUDWIG
		(Tired)  No, no, no, no, no, no.  You have half an animal.  (He sits.)

		(Quietly)  Why not my way?

		Why not, Sissi?

		Why not music?

			LUDWIG (Cont’d)
		Why not painting?

		Why not vibrant, honest, thrilling, absorbing LIFE?

		Why not?

			SISSI
		Oh my dear.

		One day.

			LUDWIG
		No.  Not one day!  Now!

		Why must they torture me?  Tell me!

		I am not a failure!

			SISSI
		No, you are not!

			LUDWIG
		"Hatte Gott mich anders gewollt, so hätt'er mich anders gemacht."  If God had wanted me different He would have made me so.

		Wouldn't he?

		How can you be a failure as an apple when you are an orange?  Garibaldi's right.  They offered him the crown of Italy, he said "Don't be medieval.  I am a sane man, ergo a Republican."

			SISSI
		(Thoughtful)  A Republic?

			LUDWIG
		Mmm?

			SISSI
		Ludo, if you abdicated and pronounced Bavaria a republic would the people be happier - do better?

			LUDWIG
		Who knows?  Reform offers promise.  Sometimes it works.  More often a mere change of hats.

			SISSI
		Oh if I could understand any of it!

			LUDWIG
		I do what I can, to the best of my abilities - I use my energy, imagination, the money at my disposal - all, all for the people...and am called mad for it.

			SISSI
		Then why not a Republic?  If regality is medieval then a Republic is at least au courant -de nos jours.  The Marxists say -

			LUDWIG
		Oh, the Marxists!

			SISSI
		Do they alarm you?

			LUDWIG
		Mere theorists!  What do they know?

			SISSI
		For a start they say that God is not love, but justice.

Pause.

			LUDWIG
		Justice?  Hmm.  Even if they are right - which I beg leave to doubt, justice being the lesser quality - I know where I'll put my trust.

			SISSI
		In love.

			LUDWIG
		In love.  And even if what they say is true, and justice is the source of all human good...dearest heart, who am I to sit on my fatuous, badly designed and unchosen throne and judge anyone?

			SISSI
		Surely we play the cards dealt, the game laid out for us.

			LUDWIG
		No!  No, no, no, no, no.
		If the rules of the game make no sense -

		It must make sense, Sissi.

		If nothing makes sense -

		If everything is some fearful cosmic joke - some chaotic malevolence -

			SISSI
		It isn't.  Remember when we were young and we were in the garden and you showed me a leaf -

			LUDWIG
		An oak leaf - a Spanish oak -

			SISSI
		And you said "Look at this, Sissi - this has been designed."

		Not too rigidly you said.

		You said that God was flexible.

			LUDWIG
		And you didn't know what flexible meant.

			SISSI
		I suspect that Satan doesn't.

			LUDWIG
		You're probably right.  All straight lines.

Silence.

			SISSI
		Ludo, I'm afraid.

He takes her hand.

			SISSI
		Let me speak to the Emperor.  I have his ear - he listens to me.

			LUDWIG
		As his ornament.  We are not in the same position.  I am not a woman.  I am a man.  A King.  With a country.  An army.

			SISSI
		(Bewildered)  So you DO want to lead your troops?

			LUDWIG
		Yes!

			SISSI
		Into battle?

			LUDWIG
		Of course not, what are you talking about? - into life!  Into literature, art, philosophy - Plato, Aristotle - Goethe - Schiller - Shakespeare!

			SISSI
		But beloved - with no army - who will protect us from monsters?  You know they exist.  Those who must have what is yours because it is not theirs.  There are times when we have no alternative but to fight.  For survival - existence - to protect our homes, those we love.  Ludo, do you really believe that men fight for pleasure?

			LUDWIG
		Yes.

			SISSI
		Perhaps.  At first anyway.  But beloved you  must fight!  For your place.  Your life!

			LUDWIG
		Oh, my life...

			SISSI
		Your people then.  You say you love them and they most certainly love you.

			LUDWIG
		Ah, but you see, they are not my people.  Not yours, not mine - not theirs.  (He jerks his head towards the door.)  They are their own people.  I won't have it any other way.

			SISSI
		Then you are lost.

			LUDWIG
		Use force against force?  What force?  I have none.

He picks up a paper, scans it.

			LUDWIG
		I see the Prussian Embassy gives the outrage its full support.

		Naturally.  To be expected.

			LUDWIG  (Cont'd)
		En ce cas la -
		One solution.

		The only solution...

		Escape.

			SISSI
		Yes, Ludo, yes!  Now - tonight!

			LUDWIG
		Oh, dearest!  Darling girl...

		If only...

		This minute, fly away like swallows - find an island, with sweet, mild air -

			SISSI
		Yes, but we must -

			LUDWIG
		- incense palms - hibiscus flowers for your hair -

			SISSI
		Now!  We must go now!

			LUDWIG
		I haven't asked, how are the roses?

			SISSI
		What?

			LUDWIG
		Your roses.  How is the Gloire de Dijon this year?

			SISSI
		Magnificent.

			LUDWIG
		And my Malmaison?

			SISSI
		Flowering wonderfully.

But he walks away abruptly.

			SISSI
		Should we not - ?

			LUDWIG
		(Turns)  Winter flowers are the best.  Witch hazel - wintersweet - snowdrops in the snow...
		Spring, of course.  Autumn.  (Suddenly savage)  Not summer!

		There is something wrong with summer.

Silence.

			SISSI
		Ludo -

		Ludo -

		I've come so far to see you.

		May I not persuade you?

			LUDWIG
		To put up a fight?

		How?

			SISSI
		It may be possible.  There may be a way...a solution...a plan could be arranged.

			LUDWIG
		A plan?

		Solution?

He laughs.

			SISSI
		Yes.

			LUDWIG
		How?  Who can help me?

			SISSI
		Fritz.

			LUDWIG
		Fritz?  You mean my Fritz?

			SISSI
		I sent for him.  He forewent military duties to bring me here.

			LUDWIG
		Where is he now?

			SISSI
		Below.

LUDWIG rises, crosses to the voice tube.
			LUDWIG
		Hullo?  Hullo?  Hullo?  (Loud and angry)  Hullo!

Jerks at the voice at the other end.

			LUDWIG
		What the devil do you think you're doing?  Send up Captain Von Eberhardt.  Up here - Now!  What do you mean, who?  Von Eberhardt! -

			SISSI
		You will listen to him?

			LUDWIG
		Why should he help?  I threw him over years ago.

			SISSI
		He loves you.

			LUDWIG
		I wonder.

			SISSI
		He loves you!  Why would he have cut manoeuvres, upset his General -

			LUDWIG
		All right.  We'll see what he has to say.

They wait.  A pause.  They look at each other.  But then there is a knock.

			LUDWIG
		Enter.

FRITZ enters.  He bows to SISSI.

			SISSI
		Colonel Von Eberhardt.

			LUDWIG
		Captain - he's a Captain.

			SISSI
		Oh but - ?

			VON EBERHARDT
		I - ah - I have had the honour to be promoted, Sire.

			LUDWIG
		No, you haven't.  I haven't promoted you.  Colonel?  Have you lost your mind?

		I see.  I'm the one who's supposed to have lost his mind.  Without benefit of evidence.  Who says you're a Colonel?
			VON EBERHARDT
		General Obrecht, Sire.

			LUDWIG
		That ponce.  Tell him he's fired.  For insolence.  Take a message.

			SISSI
		The General is here.  We saw him on the steps.

			LUDWIG
		Clear off.  Tell him I want to see him.

Silence.

			LUDWIG
		What's the matter?  Have you gone deaf?

			VON EBERHARDT
		He - he's just left.  This minute.  On his way back to Munich.

			LUDWIG
		So, who's in charge below?

			VON EBERHARDT
		I am.

			LUDWIG
		You?

		You?  Are in charge of me?

He makes to strike FRITZ.

			SISSI
		Ludo!

			LUDWIG
		They've made you a Colonel - I see - I see - no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no - this won't do at all.

			SISSI
		Perhaps the Colonel - as your friend -

			LUDWIG
		As my ex-friend.

			VON EBERHARDT
		Whose fault is that?

			LUDWIG
		You laughed at me!

			VON EBERHARDT
		So did the whole of Switzerland!  Twenty alpenhorns!  (To SISSI)  One on every crag!  Then they must all be put aboard a boat, for a river cruise.  That was too much, even for you.

			LUDWIG
		You never had a musical bone in your body.

			VON EBERHARDT
		When the Duke of Wellington and Prince von Thurn und Taxis turned you down for loans, you ordered us to rob banks.

			LUDWIG
		I had no money!

			VON EBERHARDT
		They think you're mad, Ludo.

			LUDWIG
		Be good enough to address me correctly.

			VON EBERHARDT
		I beg your pardon.  Sire.

			LUDWIG
		If there was anyone whose loyalty I would have -

Silence.

			LUDWIG
		What are your orders?

			VON EBERHARDT
		To convey you to Schloss Berg.

			LUDWIG
		(Waves a paper at him)  Where all the door handles have been removed and peep-holes driven through every wall.

FRITZ looks at SISSI, realising where the information has come from.

			LUDWIG
		When is this - excursion - to take place - if we may be so bold as to ask?

			VON EBERHARDT
		Tomorrow morning.

			LUDWIG
		Tomorrow morning?

		Tomorrow morning.

		Get out of my sight.
FRITZ hesitates, agonised, turns to go.

			LUDWIG
		You are a traitor to your country and to your King.

FRITZ stops, his back rigid.  Then exits.

			LUDWIG
		Sissi - quick - you must get me some poison.

			SISSI
		Poison?

			LUDWIG
		Yes, yes, yes.  Some poison, I must have some poison.  Do you really think I will allow them to take me there - to Schloss Berg - !  Hateful!  Poison - (clicks his fingers) - poison -

			SISSI
		But dearest - how?

			LUDWIG
		There must be some below -

			SISSI
		What shall I ask for?

			LUDWIG
		Don't ask - take.

			SISSI
		I don't know what it looks like.

			LUDWIG
		Oh my darling - forgive me.  My only friend, and, as ever, I make your life even more impossible.

She holds out a hand.  He crosses and sits beside her.  His head sinks onto her shoulder and she kisses his hair.

			LUDWIG
		(Murmurs)  Palms - casuarinas in the breeze - beaches with fine soft sand -

But he rises abruptly and begins to pace.  He stops, gazes down at her.  Then he resumes pacing.

			LUDWIG
		(Mutters)  It will be dark soon.

			SISSI
		Yes.

He paces.  She waits, hands clasped in tension.  He begins to stride more and more quickly until he is tearing manically round the room.  She watches him, alarmed.  And jerks back as he suddenly stops abruptly before her.

			LUDWIG
		Yes.

		Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

		Yes.

		(He looks about him.)

		I shall need a coat.

			SISSI
		A coat?

			LUDWIG
		A coat - yes, a coat!  To take a walk!

			SISSI
		A walk?  But -

He takes her hands, lifts her to her feet and gazes into her eyes.

			LUDWIG
		Dearest friend.

		Belovéd.

		We'll endure.  We will.  We will endure.

		Believe me.

		Say you believe me.

		Say it.

			SISSI
		Of course we will, or life will not longer -

			LUDWIG
		I can't do it without you.

			SISSI
		I'm here -

			LUDWIG
		Not without your blessing.

		I need your blessing.

A long pause.

			SISSI
		No, Ludo.

		Don't.

		Don't ask that.

		Don't take away the only thing I have.

		You're all I have!

			LUDWIG
		Rubbish, you have your son.  And Peko!

He shakes her arms to make her smile.

			SISSI
		No, Ludo.

		No.

			LUDWIG
		I need you.  I need your - your -

		(Silence.)

		(Savage)  I do  not want a military funeral.  See to it.

			SISSI
		How am I to - ?

			LUDWIG
		Get your stinking husband to wield his stick.

		Keep ME alive.

		Remember everything - our games - our hopes - our dreams - dressing up - playing Hansel and Gretel -

			SISSI
		Please, Ludo.

			LUDWIG
		I must have your permission.

		You do see that.

			SISSI
		But what of me?

		I shall be alone.

			LUDWIG
		And haunted if you don't do as I ask.

		I ask it, Sissi.

		As your friend.

		Be mine.

		Please.

A silence.  She stands before him, head bent.

			LUDWIG
		(Low)  Please.

Silence.

At last she looks up into his eyes.  She leans forward and kisses him gently on the lips.

			LUDWIG
		Good.

		Tell them.

He exits.  SISSI goes to the other door.  FRITZ enters.

			SISSI
		His Majesty would like to take a walk.

			VON EBERHARDT
		A walk?

			SISSI
		Yes.

			VON EBERHARDT
		Now, Serene Highness?

			SISSI
		Yes.

			VON EBERHARDT
		It will be dark soon.

			SISSI
		Yes.

Pause.

			SISSI
		I sent for you as his friend, Colonel.  Why did you come?  To assist in his destruction?

			VON EBERHARDT
		I was ordered.

			SISSI
		And you agreed.

			VON EBERHARDT
		I believed, Highness, that your presence - 

			SISSI
		Would save him?

			VON EBERHARDT
		No.  It's impossible.  Too late.

			SISSI
		Then why?  Why am I here?

			VON EBERHARDT
		To console him.

Pause.

			SISSI
		Do you think he's mad?

			VON EBERHARDT
		He's - unusual.

			SISSI
		It's not madness, it's -

		If only you'd let him! - (she stops short, giving up.)

Silence.

			VON EBERHARDT
		I'll arrange for an escort.

			SISSI
		Please don't.

			VON EBERHARDT
		Simply for his protection.

			SISSI
		From whom?

			VON EBERHARDT
		I'll escort him myself.

			SISSI
		I doubt if he'll have that.

LUDWIG enters, in a light coat.  He carries a hat and a walking stick.

			VON EBERHARDT
		May I walk with you?
			LUDWIG
		Out of the question.

			VON EBERHARDT
		Merely as protection.

			LUDWIG
		Shut up.  Is the doctor below?

			VON EBERHARDT
		Yes.  (LUDWIG glares at him.)  Yes, Sire.

			LUDWIG
		He can accompany me.  For protection.

			SISSI
		I'll come with you.

			LUDWIG
		No.

SISSI waves at VON EBERHARDT to leave.  He bows and goes.

SISSI and LUDO look at each other for a long moment.

			LUDWIG
		The basque suits you.

He nods civilly.

And goes.

SISSI restrains herself from running after him, from screaming.  She lurches, almost falls, collapses into a seat.

And sits, immobile as a statue.

A long, long, pause.

She jumps as EBERHARDT enters carrying a silver tray with a flagon of wine.  He pours a glass for her, leaves it at her elbow, bows and goes quietly.

A long, long pause.  SISSI sits, immobile.  The candles burn low.

And lower.

EBERHARDT enters quietly.  SISSI looks up in the gloom.

			EBERHARDT
		Serene Highness...

			SISSI
		His Majesty?

			EBERHARDT
		They have not yet returned.
			SISSI
		They?

			EBERHARDT
		The doctor accompanied him on his walk.

			SISSI
		(Murmurs)  Oh yes.

			EBERHARDT
		We have sent out scouts - I myself walked around the lake twice but - (he is shaking slightly.)

			SISSI
		Please, Colonel.

She indicates for him to sit.

They sit in silence.

			EBERHARDT
		(At last)  I would have died for him.

			SISSI
		(Quietly)  Then why not save him!

			EBERHARDT
		No.  Hopeless.  He'll take nothing from me.

			SISSI
		Why not?

			EBERHARDT
		Because he treated me badly.  I was abandoned.

			SISSI
		There must have been a reason for it.  What was it?  Disloyalty?  Chicanery?  Greed?

			EBERHARDT
		Oh, something much worse.  I bored him.

			SISSI
		(Rises)  Go and look!  Search for him!

			EBERHARDT
		(Rises)  Ma'am - I dare not.  My orders are to stay here - protect you.

She sits and indicates him to sit.

They sit in silence.  He moves, restless.  She waves a hand for  him to take a drink.

			EBERHARDT
		Thank you.

He indicates the wine but she shakes her head.  He drinks gratefully, refills the glass and drinks it back.

Silence once more.  SISSI is as still as a statue.  EBERHARDT fidgets, makes to take another drink, thinks better of it, sits back.  Changes his mind and drinks again quietly.

The lights are now very low.

A feeling of peace, somnolence.

EBERHARDT relaxes.

The peace is broken by the sound of hoarse shouting offstage.

EBERHARDT rises and leaves swiftly, his hand on the holster of his gun.  SISSI remains seated and unmoving.

More shouts, men's voices.

EBERHARDT enters.  SISSI looks up.

A pause.

			EBERHARDT
		Dead.  Drowned.

SISSI looks up, seeming vague, unable to take it in.  She shakes her head.  Then pulls herself together.

			SISSI
		The doctor?

			EBERHARDT
		Drowned also.

			SISSI
		How?!

			EBERHARDT
		They don't know.  We don't know.  They think -

		They don't know.

Broken, he turns away.

			EBERHARDT
		We'll never know.  No witnesses.

Pause.

			SISSI
		Have the bodies been recovered?

He turns to her, nods.
She rises stiffly.   He approaches to assist her.  She looks up into his face.

			SISSI
		(Quietly)  May I see him?

		(He nods, unable to speak.)

		Is he - ?

			EBERHARDT
		There is no - discolouration.

		He looks -

		- beautiful.

His voice breaks.

SISSI smiles gently, nods.  She pauses, then lifts her head and precedes him out of the room.

THE END.