Act I, Scene V
Giovanni and Annabella are lying in bed, smoking cigarettes that they quickly extinguish and place in separate ashtrays on opposite ends of the King-sized bed.
They sit up in bed, staring out at the fourth wall, feeling a bit awkward after the exchange that the audience assumes just took place, and perhaps feeling slight guilt.
Small panic sets in.
Annabella: So... what are we going to do now?
Giovanni: I don’t know...
Unwelcomed silence.
ANNABELLA smiles to herself.
GIOVANNI slightly smiles at her, but eyes then go askance.
Giovanni: No more a sister, but a love cherished so dearly.
Annabella: Brother, I cannot help but blush crimson. To think, how something so wrong... can feel so right.
She giggles.
Giovanni: I find that when it comes to matters of the loins, dear sister, it’s best not to think at all and just enjoy the moment.
GIOVANNI feels some wetness under the sheets and inspects quickly.
Giovanni: Why, you're bleeding.
Annabella: What?
GIOVANNI lifts the sheets to show her.
He puts his hand in the area, and then removes it from the sheets to reveal to the audience a hand stained with red.
ANNABELLA looks under the blanket. She looks up in shock. GIOVANNI looks at his hand and at her, she looks away, he looks away and she looks at him, he looks back and she looks under the sheets again.
Annabella: (Looks under) ‘Tis only a small spillage.
She laughs nervously.
Giovanni: Small? The last time I saw a spillage like that the animal died after I tracked it for 2 hours.
ANNABELLA slightly panics.
Annabella: (Sticks head under sheets for a better look) It’s nothing dear brother.
Giovanni: Quickly! Before we should be caught red-handed!
Annabella: I don’t know if it’s your hand you should worry about.
GIOVANNI brings his head under the sheets.
ANNABELLA soon follows.
They bump heads while under the covers and sheets.
Together: Ow!
Rubbing his head, he emerges from beneath the sheets holding the part of his head that made contact with Annabella’s, his face slightly perspiring and red.
ANNABELLA follows a moment later.
Annabella: The maidservants can take care of this.
Giovanni: Can they?
GIOVANNI motions to all the mess.
Giovanni: They familiar with clearing up the site of a massacre?
Annabella: Well, at least once a week.
GIOVANNI clears his throat and brushes a tendril away from ANNABELLA’S distracted downward gaze in an earnest attempt to change the subject.
ANNABELLA is undeterred, continuing to spit-n-rub off some of the blood from the sheets.
Giovanni: I oft wonder…
Annabella: Yes?
Giovanni: (Curtly) You know, you must be married.
Annabella: And? What of it?
ANNABELLA begins to register disappointment, and she gazes at GIOVANNI in a yearning expression.
Giovanni: If anyone were to ever find out...
Annabella: No one has to know.
GIOVANNI gazes down at the floor in deep pontification.
Giovanni: It would matter to society. If this were ever to come to light, no one would have you.
Annabella: But why can’t we... brother?
Giovanni: Thou would really tell father of this and request to be married? Don’t be foolish, sister.
ANNABELLA sits up.
Giovanni: Perhaps we should come clean. (Looking at the stain) Forgive my turn of phrase.
GIOVANNI leaves the bed and changes into clothing.
ANNABELLA follows behind, trying to slow GIOVANNI down.
Annabella: Please don’t utter those words without jesting. I shan’t bear it.
GIOVANNI studies ANNABELLA’S face.
(...To Be Continued )