Ferdinand & Manuela C / houses.fedatamine.com

Ferdinand, Manuela enter the scene

Ferdinand

My princess is lovely, my princess is fair, She sings like cicadas in midsummer's air—

Manuela

Cicadas? Those noisy little bugs that swarm about? Endlessly mingling with one another?

Ferdinand

Oh! Good point. I will revise...

Ferdinand

My princess is lovely, my princess is fair, She sings like a swallow in midsummer's air—

Manuela

Migrating birds... Never sticking around for long. Always off to find love somewhere else...

Ferdinand

No! Wh-what I meant was, ah, hm...

Manuela

Oh, Ferdinand. You're just not yourself today.

Manuela

You don't seem focused. Your poetry...lacks poetry. Perhaps a break is in order.

Ferdinand

I would not dream of stopping now. This is my golden opportunity!

Manuela

Pardon me?

Ferdinand

We are finally alone. Just the two of us.

Manuela

Why...yes. We are, aren't we?

Ferdinand

You see, Manuela, I have long admired you.

Manuela

Is that a fact?

Ferdinand

I saw you perform countless times while you were with the opera company.

Manuela

I see. So, what did you think?

Ferdinand

The figure you cut, that heartbreaking voice... I was mesmerized.

Ferdinand

That is why I am tongue-tied. I am nervous about speaking to you alone, after idolizing you for so long.

Manuela

There's no need to be nervous, Ferdinand. That songstress you recall...is long gone.

Manuela

I get nervous too, you know. But I want you to feel relaxed around me. Understood?

Ferdinand

Yes! Uh, ahem... Yes, I promise to try.

Manuela

You're really full of surprises, you know that?

Manuela

I assumed you'd be more interested in combat than the arts.

Manuela

Come and chat sometime? I'd love to hear more about how my performances mesmerized you.