BASTIANO, or THE ART OF RIVALRY

January5,2021

Copyright©2021CareyPerloffAllRightsReserved

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BASTIANO,or

THEARTOFRIVALRY

ByCareyPerloff

Representation:LeahHamos

[email protected]

213634-8153

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CHARACTERS:MICHELANGELO,(aversionof)the16thcenturysculptor,painter,poet,architect—abroodingtalentwithaquicktemper.Gaybutsecretiveaboutit.Religious.Competitive.FromFlorence.Hecomesfromaminorfamily(theBuonarottis)withmajorpretensionsandverylittlemoney.RAPHAEL,the16thcenturypainterandarchitect,fromUrbino.Heisurbaneandwell-dressed,immenselycharmingandtalented,afavoriteofPopeLeoX.SEBASTIANODELPIOMBO—awarm-heartedVenetiancoloristwithapassionforgoodfoodandgoodtimes,broughtbyJuliuslltoRome.AnearlyfriendofMichelangelo’swithwhomhecollaboratedonmanypaintings.Atthemomentoftheplay,heisabouttobecomeafatherandisthusalwaysinneedofmoney.MarriedtoBEATRICE.BEATRICE,Sebastiano’swife(don’tbotherGooglingherbecauseImadeherup!),apoetandoccasionalmodelforpainters,fierce,imaginative,longingforimmortalityinaculturethatbarelyrecognizesherexistence,pregnantforthefirsttime.Shehasbig“Venetianred”hair.Alsoplays:THEYOUNGMONK,DANILO,servanttoCardinalGiuliode’Medici,whoseexpertiseisdressingtheCardinal.CARDINALGUILIODE’MEDICI,thepowerful,arrogantsecond-in-commandtoPopeLeoXandlaterPopehimself(ClementVll).Aself-satisfied,quixoticbutbrilliantmanwhorelishespowerandlovesart.ItishewhoisresponsibleformanyofthemostimportantPapalcommissionsoftheperiod,includingSebastianoandMichelangelo’s“TheRaisingofLazarus”andRaphael’s“TheTransfiguration.”AGOSTINOCHIGI—awily,well-connectedRenaissancefinancierwhofirstpittedRaphaelandSebastianoagainsteachotherbycommissioningthemtopaintadjacentmuralsinhiselegantVillaFarnesinainRome.BankertoPopeLeoXandclosefriendofCardinalGiuliode’Medici,Chigiistheinventorof“indulgences”bywhichtheCatholicChurchpaidforthebuildingofSt.Peter’s.TIMEANDPLACE:Theplaytakesplacebetween1516-1520inRenaissanceRome.LocationsincludethehomeandstudioofSebastiano,ananteroomofChigi’seleganthouseinRome,andtheCardinal’sdressingroom.Wemovefluidlyfromspacetospacewithnobreaks.SETTING:Alargeroomofclassicalproportionsandstyle.TherearewindowswithItalianshutters.Perhapsthereisaprojectionsurface.Thereisprobablyacentraltable,and

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aneaselortwowhereMichelangeloandBastianocanreviewtheirwork.Bytheendoftheplay,wewillneedtoseebothpaintingsandaseriesofdrawings—thisisentirelyuptothedirectortosolve!Analmosttotallybarestagewouldworkperfectly—leavetherestuptoourimaginations.NOTESONTHEPLAY:BASTIANOORTHEARTOFRIVALRYwasbegunduringaWriter’sResidencyattheBogliascoFoundationontheLiguriancoastofItaly(forwhichIameternallygrateful).ItwasinitiallyinspiredbyanexhibitionattheNationalGalleryinLondoncalled“MichelangeloandSebastiano”thatchronicledthestrangefriendshipandcollaborationbetweentwoartistswhowereradicallydifferentbuteventuallyjoinedforcesagainstacommonenemy,Raphael.In1516,SebastianoandRaphaelwereeachcommissionedtocreateapaintingforthealtaroftheNarbonneCathedralinFrance.Sebastianowasassigned“TheRaisingofLazarus”,Raphael“theTransfiguration.”Thecompetitionwasfierceandintense.SebastianorecruitedhisfriendMichelangelotocreateandpaintthefigureofLazarusinhispainting;Raphaelwaiteduntilhehadsecretlyseentheirworkbeforehecompletedhisownpainting.Bothpaintingscontainmanymysteries.RomeunderPopeLeoXwasacomplicatedanddangerousplace,inwhichgreatartistscompetedforlucrativecommissionsforthePapalpalace,thetombsandvillasofthewealthy,andchurchaltarpieces.Thiswasaperiodofimmensechange,asthewindsoftheProtestantReformationwerebeginningtoblowandtheVaticanwasunderconstantthreatfromFrenchkingstothenorthandotherItaliancitystatestotheeast.AsMatthiasWivelnotesinhiscataloguefortheexhibition,thetaletakesplace“inaperiodofwar,schismandrevolution,butalsoofphilosophicalrenewal,radicaltheologyandgreatartisticinnovation.”Onthesurfacewasexquisitecreativeexpression,underneathwasadeepterrainofanti-Semitism,homophobia,racism,misogynyandfearofchange.Whatgrippedmethemostaboutthisstorywashowincrediblyhighthestakeswereformakingartinthesixteenthcentury.BattlesragedoveraestheticchoicesandPapalpreferences,overmoneyandbelief(orlackthereof)andinterpretation,over“authentic”expressionversuscorporateacquiescence.TensofthousandsofpeoplelineduptoseeRaphael’slastpaintingafterhedied.Hundredsofyearslater,theworkofthatperiodismoremysteriousthaneverandalsooftennotwhatweexpect;asourownlenshasradicallychanged,whatdotheseastonishingpaintingstellusaboutwhowearenow?ThesearethequestionsIhavetriedtowrestlewithasIwroteBASTIANO.Andherearethepaintingsthatcameoutofthecompetition:

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RAPHAEL’STRANSFIGURATION(Inthepainting,theApostlesareinthelowerleftforeground,lookingastonishedandpointingatthesky.Thereisapossessedboyonthelowerrightsideofthepainting,alsopointingup,withhiseyesrolledbackinhishead.Inthecenterofthepaintingisabeautifulwomaninpink,MaryMadgalene,herbodytwistedtowardstheApostlesinaserpentinepose.Inthetopthirdofthepainting,Christmiraculouslylevitates,hiswhiterobesandlongredcurlsblowing)

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THERAISINGOFLAZARUSbySebastianodelPiomboandMichelangelo.(ThePaintingdepictsoneofthefinalmiraclesofChrist,inwhichJesusreturnstothetownofBethanywhereabelovedyoungmanhasdied,andagreestohelphissisters,MarthaandMary,bybringingLazarusbackfromthedead.Sebastianopaintedtheentiresurroundofthepainting,includingthefiguresofChristandthewomen,whileMichelangelopaintedthemassivefigureofLazarusandthetwomenhelpinghimoutofthetomb).

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ACTONERome,1516.BeatriceismodellingforherhusbandSebastiano,whoispaintinga“MadonnaandChild”.Beatrice,herwildredhairflowingoverhershoulders,ispregnant,althoughithardlyshows.Sheisdrapedwithadeepbluecloth;herrighthandcradlesarolled-upbundlestandinginforthebabyJesus.

SEBASTIANOShakeoutyourmane,mydarling!(shetossesherhair)That’sit!I’mgoingtoover-glazeeverystrandwithatouchofleadwhitesoyourhairglowsinthesunlightlikeMosesandtheburningbush.

BEATRICETheburningbush?!(shelaughs)WouldyoustilllovemeifIwerebald?

SEBASTIANOSuchathingisimpossibletoimagine.(sketching)Justthink,whenthebaby’sborn,I’llhavetheperfectVirginandtheperfectbabyJesustopaint…

BEATRICEThat’sright.ThefullMadonnakit.

SEBASTIANOCanyousplayyourlefthandmore?(demonstrating)Likethis.I’mtryingtocatchtheshadowcastbyeachindividualfinger…(workingaway)Didyouknow--DonJeronimowassoobsessedbyyourhandsinmyLamentation,hecommissionedthisMadonnajustsoI’dpaintthemagain!

BEATRICEAren’tweluckytheSpanishAmbassadorappreciatesmybodyparts…(shestretches)Sorry.Myneckhurts.(beat)Ihaveanidea!Whatifthebaby’sabouttoslideoffherlapandshelooksdownquickly,andcatcheshim—(shedemonstratesagracefulcatch)

SEBASTIANO(laughing)I’mnotsuretheBabyJesusshouldslideoffherlap.She’stheVirginMary!

BEATRICEDoesbeingaVirginimplyyou’reagoodmother?Thatdoesn’tbodewellforme.

SEBASTIANOYou’regoingtobeperfect.

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BEATRICE

Iguessit’salltrialanderror…(thinking)MaybeMaryhasacrankybabywhowon’tsitstill.Howaboutinsteadoftryingtoholdhiminherlap,she’slyingdownandflyinghimaroundintheair—likethis!(shedemonstrates)

SEBASTIANOThat’sbeautiful—withyourhairfallingoverthebench—letmetry…

BEATRICEGetready.Ifwehaveagirl,you’llhavetostartpaintingfemalebabyJesuses.

SEBASTIANO

(smiling)Youthinkso?

BEATRICENoquestion.Artimitateslife.WhenMichelangelo’spaintingawoman,everyoneknowsit’sjustamalemodelwithbreaststackedon,andnoonecomplains!(sherollsoverandlooksatBastiano)Doyouthinkhecares?Whatpeoplethink?

SEBASTIANO

Ithinkhecareswhatonepersonthinks.

BEATRICERight.(beat)WillTomassoeveracknowledgehim,doyouguess?

SEBASTIANOMichelangelowouldneverlethim…he’stootormentedaboutthewholething…

BEATRICEPlentyofmenhavelovedothermen—isitsoterrible?

SEBASTIANOHe’sabeliever,Michelangelo.Honestly--he’smorereligiousthananyofus!HethinkshisfeelingsareasinagainstGod,againsteverythingtheChurchstandsfor.Sohe’sconstantlytorn…

BEATRICEWhatanightmare.

SEBASTIANO(shrugging)It’swhyhisworkissodramatic.

BEATRICE

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Heshouldaskhismuseswhattheyfeelaboutdoingsuchbizarrethings.Imean…dothoseguyswanttobepressedagainstastonepillarforhoursonendwhileheexperimentswithimprisonment?

SEBASTIANO

They’remodels!

BEATRICEThey’repoorpeopletryingtopaytheirrent.It’sseemssounnecessary.Maybeit’stimeforusmusestorevolt.(shesitsup,tossesherhair)

SEBASTIANO(watchingher)NowwhatamIdrawing?Maryinrevolt?

BEATRICEYes!HowaboutMaryrebellingagainstimmaculateconception—thatwouldbegood.

SEBASTIANOHowcansherebelwhenshehassuchanadorablebaby?

BEATRICEDoyouthinkshehadmorningsickness?DidtheVirginMaryeverpukeupwhilecarryingOurLord?

SEBASTIANOHardtosay.TheBibleissilentonthatpoint…

BEATRICEIfyouwereMichelangeloyouwouldn’tcarehowoutrageousyourworkwas.You’dpaintwhatyouwanted.

SEBASTIANOWhyareyousoobsessedwithMichelangelotoday?

BEATRICEBecauseIknowhe’scomingbacktoRomesoon,andthenyoutwowilldisappearintoyourstudioandI’llbelefttendingbasilplantsinthekitchenwindow…

SEBASTIANOThinkofallthewritingyou’llgetdone!(beat)He’sgoingtohelpmewithmyFlagellation…

BEATRICEAh.Michelangelocanalwaysbecountedonforagoodflagellation.

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SEBASTIANO

Let’scatchthislight!Couldyousitupforasecandimagineyou’reseeingalittlelambfrolickingoveryourrightshoulder!

BEATRICEAlamb?

SEBASTIANOHegoeswithmyJohntheBaptist.Whenadonorasksforalamb,Imakesuretogivehimalamb.

BEATRICECantheVirginroasttheBaptist’slamboveraspit,withsomenicepastaontheside?(shegetsup)I’mstarving.

SEBASTIANOOkay.Dinnertime.(hekissesher)Whatarestlessmuseyouhavebecome!What’sthematter?

BEATRICE(pacingaround)Itjustseemswrongtome.Whyaremodelsalwaysfoddertobeusedupandtossedaway,whenwe’reprovidingalltheinspiration…?

SEBASTIANOIwillneveruseyouup.

BEATRICEWell,Iwarnedyou,mydarling!Onedaysoonwe’regoingtoriseup—alluspoorunrecognizedmuses—we’regoingtodancearoundnakedanddemandourrights!AndtheninchurchesacrossRome,paintingswillsuddenlybefullofscreamingprotestinghumanity,andallyourCardinalsandPriestsandpatronswillpanicandwonderwhathasbecomeoftherefinedbeautyofRenaissanceart?Watchout,Bastiano.Thisisgoingtobehuge!CrossfadetotheCardinalandhisbanker,AgostinoChigi,intheCardinal’sroomsattheVatican,inthemidstofaheatedconversationwhiletheyplaychess.

CARDINALItwillhavetobehuge.Thataltarisenormous.(hemovesapawn)

CHIGIHowmucharewepaying?

CARDINAL

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Whyshouldwepay?Getthemtopay,Chigi!Narbonneisincrediblyrich.WhyelsedidLeowantitbackfromtheFrench?

CHIGIToscrewCardinalBriconnetoutofhisbishopricsoyoucouldhaveitinstead.

CARDINAL(smiling)Thattoo.NeverunderestimateaMedici.Yourmove.(beat.Chigimoves)Weneedtofindtheperfectcandidatetopaintit.SomeonetoinspirethefearofGodinpeoplesothey’llshutupabouteverythingelse…

CHIGI(nodding)ItworkedwiththeSistine.

CARDINAL

ThoseSistinefiguresweretootormented.TheChurchdoesnotneedtobepeddlingtorment.Infact,wedon’trequiredoubtofanykind.Artistheoppositeofdoubt.(hemovesapiece)

CHIGI(agreeing)Especiallyifyouwantittosell…(movesapiece)

CARDINALSowhogetsthecommission?

CHIGIEveryonegoodisalreadyoverbooked.

CARDINAL

Theremustbeanexcitingyoungthingwho’sjustcometotown…someVenetianwithagreatcolorpalette?(hepicksupapiece)Onsecondthought,maybeaFlorentine…theyfollowtherules.(movesapiece)

CHIGIHowaboutGiulioRomano?

CARDINALHe’ssopedestrian.ThispersonhastodeliveragorgeousMaryMagdalene.Herrelicsareinthecryptthere.

CHIGITheyare?Howdidthathappen?

CARDINALFate.ForgetRomano.Surelywecandobetterthanhim.

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CHIGI(movingapiece)AndreadelSarto?

CARDINALBland.Hisfaceslooklikepuddings.Andhe’sslow.(beat)WhataboutLorenzoLotto?He’snotthesubtlest,buthecomesthroughwhenyouneedtodeliverbig.

CHIGI

IthinkhisMadonnaslookliketheycameoutofakit.

CARDINALYoudo?(helaughs)

CHIGIYourmove.

CARDINALHe’ssuchanervousNellie,anyway—weshouldsendhimbacktoBergamo.(movesapiece.Chigiswoopsinandtakesit)Damn.Missedthat.

CHIGI

Forgiveme,YourEminence.(beat)Okay.Whodoesgorgeouswomen?

CARDINALRaphael,handsdown.Themostbeautifulbreastsintown.

CHIGIRaphael’sgotathousandcommissions--

CARDINALButhemightdothisoneifwemadeitworthhiswhile.ThinkhowravishinghisMagdalenewouldbe…(hethinksforamomentandmoveshisQueen.Chigiwatcheshim)

CHIGIYoudon’twanttodothat.

CARDINALWhynot?I’mwillingtosacrificeaQueenforthepromiseofgreaterthingstocome…

CHIGIYouandRaphaelhavethatincommon.(takinganotherpiece)Ikeephopinghe’llpaint‘Cescaoneday.

CARDINAL

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Youalreadyhaveherinyourbed,whydoyouneedherhangingonyourwall?

CHIGIItpleasesmewhenmyartistsandmyloverscreatevaluetogether.

CARDINAL

Andyoumakemoneyoffthemboth.

CHIGI(movinghispawnbesidetheCardinal’squeen)Check!

CARDINAL(startled)Already?

CHIGI

Afraidso.(hesmiles)Ifyouthoughtmoreaboutchessandlessaboutart,maybeyou’dwinonceinawhile.

CARDINALIfyouthoughtmoreaboutartandlessaboutchess,maybeyouwouldn’tbesuchaphilistine!(thinking)IcouldtrytogetLeotogiveRaphaeltheSt.Peter’scommissioninexchangefordoingusthislittlefavor…

CHIGIMichelangelowillkillyou.

CARDINAL

(angrily)Lethimtry.GettingtheSistinedonewasalivinghell—Irefusetogothroughthatagain.(hesweepsthepiecesofftheboard,backintotheirbox)Raphael’ssocharming,hemakeseverythinglookeasy.

CHIGIAndhesendswinefromhisownvineyardjustwhenyouneedit.

CARDINAL

Helikesbeauty!That’sallthatmatters.Narbonnedoesn’twantagony.TheywantRaphael.

CHIGI

Anothergame?

CARDINALNo.Ihatechess.

CHIGI

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(laughing)Why?Winningisthekeytolongevity!(beat)Infact,IhaveanideaforyourNarbonnecommission.

CARDINALAchessmatchinthecrypt?

CHIGIEvenbetter.Whynotsetupacompetitionforwhopaintsthealtarpiece?

CARDINALThat’lltaketwiceaslong.

CHIGIIt’llraisethestakes!Rivalrybringsoutthebestinartists—it’slikebear-baitingfortheculturalelite.WhenBastianoandRaphaelcompetedtopaintmyvilla,thewallsturnedintoabattlefield.Imeanit--bytheendtherewasbloodonthefloor—allforasimplefrescoinadiningroom.

CARDINALButwasitagoodfresco?

CHIGISublime.(hesmiles)Theseartiststhinkthey’regods—Iliketodisabusethemofthatillusion.

CARDINALDoesthatmeanwecouldgettwopaintingsforthepieceofone…andkeepthembothifthey’regood?ThatwouldpleasethePope.

CHIGIOfcourse.(hesmiles)WhocouldwepitagainstRaphael?

CARDINALWhynotSebastiano?Thisgiveshimtheperfectchanceforrevenge.

CHIGIWecan’tputthepoorfoolthroughthatagain.He’smyman—IfoundhiminVeniceanddraggedhimheremyself!IpromisedI’dlookafterhim.

CARDINALThendoit!I’msureheneedsthemoney.Myspiestellmehiswifeispregnant.

CHIGIFinally.They’vebeentryingforyears.(thinking)SebastianowouldcertainlykeepRaphaelonhistoes…

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CARDINAL

Andhiscolorswouldbesublime…allthatwateryVenetianlight…(thinking)It’sagoodidea.RaphaelversusSebastiano!

CHIGIWhatsubjectmatterwereyouthinkingof?

CARDINALForRaphael--theTransfiguration!It’sthePope’sobsessionrightnow--thepoweroftheTrinitytovanquishtheDevil.ItwillneedtoincludeastunningMaryMagdalenefrontandcenter,rightunderJesus.Andamoon!Therewillhavetobeamoon!

CHIGIWhyamoon?

CARDINALDon’tyoueverreadthenews?NarbonnejustdroveouttheSaracens!ThoseMuslimsarefinallyontherun,draggingtheirloathsomecrescentbehindthem.Atleastwecancelebratethat.

CHIGI

Withoutadoubt!AndSebastiano?Wouldhepaintthesamestory?

CARDINALNo!He’sjustfinishingaTransfiguration--don’tyouevergotoChurch?Weshouldgivehimsomethingradicallydifferent…(thinking)whatcoulditbe?

CHIGIDon’tlookatme--Ijustwritethechecks.

CARDINAL(thinking)We’vejustdoneaDavid…

CHIGIAndMoses…

CARDINAL

AndAdam…

CHIGIAndChristbeingflagellated…

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CARDINALTwice.

CHIGISowhat’sleft?HowaboutPaulbeingconverted?

CARDINAL

No—thatone’salwaysaboutthehorse.(Hethinks.Then,anidea!)Lazarus!

CHIGII’msorry?

CARDINALLet’sassignBastianotheRaisingofLazarus.TheFrenchlovethatstory--LazarusevenpreachedinNarbonne.

CHIGI

Really?

CARDINALIt’sperfect.Lazarushappensintheearth,theTransfigurationhappensintheair—we’llattacktheproblemfrombothendsandseewhattheycomeupwith!Thiswillcementmylegacy!ThataltarpiececouldbemoresignificantthantheSistine!

CHIGILet’shopeit’llkeepthepublicdistractedforawhile…

CARDINALItmust!ThePope’sonaknifeedge--allthoseprotestsagainstindulgences—it’sadisaster!WeneedtoorchestratethefinestsmokeandmirrorstheChurchhaseverseen.Makeitwork,Agostino!WeseguetoSebastiano’sstudio.MichelangeloandSebastianoarefacinganeasel.

SEBASTIANOHelpme.Ican’tmakeitwork.

MICHELANGELOIjustcamebytotellyouIwasback.

SEBASTIANOIt’sfabuloustoseeyou.Here’stheproblem.It’sgoingtobeahugealtarpiece—thestoryhastobuildvertically—

MICHELANGELOUhhuh…

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SEBASTIANO

Buttheeventishorizontal.Imean,it’sallaboutatomb,right?EverywayIshapeit,thecompositionendsupfeelingflat…

MICHELANGELOWhere’sLazarussupposedtogo?

SEBASTIANODownhere.

MICHELANGELO

Andwhichmomentofthemiracleareyoutryingtopaint?

SEBASTIANOWhatdoyoumean?

MICHELANGELOIt’ssuchastrangestory–I’veneverbeenabletofigureitout.

SEBASTIANOLazarus?It’ssouplifting!

MICHELANGELOYouthinkso?Amanhasbeenundergroundforthreedays.Hisbodyisdecomposingsofastit’sstartingtostink…(Sebastianotriestointerrupt)Hissistersareinmourning,weepingbythetomb.AndsuddenlyalongcomesJesus,andboom,Lazarushastocomealiveagain…

SEBASTIANO

It’saboutbelief!It’ssobeautiful--listen.(BastianocrossestoacupboardandretrievesaBible.FlipsthroughtillhefindsthatLazarusstory.Reads)“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb where Lazarus was buried. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” (Sebastiano looks up at Michelangelo and grins)

MICHELANGELOIdon’thavetimetobathe.Youknowthat.Goon.

SEBASTIANO“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? I am the Resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ “The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’”

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MICHELANGELO

Okay.IfIwerepaintingthis—thefirstquestionIwouldaskis,whatifLazarusdoesn’twanttobeletgo?

SEBASTIANOWhywouldn’the?It’swhateveryonedreamsof.

MICHELANGELONoteveryone.

SEBASTIANO

Youwouldn’twantasecondchanceatlifeifyoucouldgetit?

MICHELANGELONo.

SEBASTIANOThat’sbecauseyouliveinahovelandhavenofriends.Exceptme.

MICHELANGELOThat’snotwhy.

SEBASTIANOAnyway,thinkofhissisters!TheylovedLazarussomuch,theycouldn’tbeartolosehim.Theresurrectionwasforthem.

MICHELANGELO

Yes,butwhatdiditactuallyaccomplish?Withtheloavesandfishes,starvingpeoplegottoeat!ButLazarus?Hewasonlybackforfourdaysandthentheylosthimagain.It’sanambivalentvictoryatbest,don’tyouthink?

SEBASTIANONo!It’samiracle!OneofChrist’sgreatestmiracles!That’swhytheVaticanchosethesubject.You’rejustlikemyBea—shealwayslooksforambivalencewhenit’sperfectlyclear.

MICHELANGELOWhat’sclearaboutit?Topaintit,youhavetoimaginehowthesituationmustfeel!IsJesusdoingthisoutofgenerosity,orisitjusttoproveapoint?Isitjustsomeinsanepartytricktomakepeoplebelieve?Imean,nooneevercomesbackfromthedead.Sowhowasthisman,Jesus,whocouldmakesuchathinghappen?That’swhatordinarypeoplewantedtoknow.(beat)That’swhatIwanttoknow.

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SEBASTIANOHe’soursalvation.

MICHELANGELOFromwhat?Fromourselves?(beat)Imean,whyshouldLazarushaveadesiretolivewhenthemanpointingathimisonlygoingtokeeplettinghimdown?

SEBASTIANO(shocked)Whatareyoutalkingabout?ThatmanpointingathimisChrist!AndChristisnottheproblemwiththispainting—I’vealreadydrawnhimfrontandcenterandhelooksamazing.TheissueisLazarus.

MICHELANGELO

TheissueishowLazarusfeelsaboutChrist.It’sexistential.

SEBASTIANOWhyareyoualwayssofullofdoubt?Youthinkit’sbecauseyourmotherabandonedyouasachild?

MICHELANGELO

(impatiently)Please,Bastiano—youcandobetterthanthat.

SEBASTIANOIworryaboutyou,Ireallydo.

MICHELANGELOI’mfullofdoubtbecauseIwanttounderstand!Tobelieve.Toreallybelieve.Don’tyou?Hereweare,likeLazarus,miredinthedirt,unabletocomprehendmorethanthemerestfractionofGod’swill.Welookupeverydaywithblindeyesandwewaitforenlightenment!Wheredoyouthinkthewilltolivecomesfrom?HasLazarusleftsomethingunfinishedinhislife—somethinghelongstoreturnto?Hasheeverexperiencedlove?Loss?Regret?IshereachinguptowardsChristlikeAdamreachingforananswerfromGod?

SEBASTIANOIdon’tknow…it’spossible…

MICHELANGELOAndifso…shouldthefigurelooksomethinglikethis?(hestartstosketchatallfigurewithanarmreachingoutliketheAdamoftheSistineceiling.Sebastianoiswatching)

SEBASTIANO(pointingtothedownrightcornerofthepainting)Becareful--ithastofitintothathole.

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MICHELANGELO

(sketching)Why?

SEBASTIANOItoldyou--I’vealreadydraftedtherestofthecomposition.AlltheApostles,thesisters—waittillyouseethesisters,they’resocharming!--andChristglowinginthecenter--

MICHELANGELOButLazarusiswhatcounts!He’sthefulcrum—theheartbeat—themystery!Withouthim,it’snothing.

SEBASTIANO

I’montheclock!We’vebeengiventillDecembertodeliverthepaintings—BeatriceisdueinOctober—andyouknowhowmuchweneedthemoney!Theywon’tpaytillit’sfinished—

MICHELANGELO

(payingnoattention)Whatdoyouthinkofthis—?(showinghimthedrawing)

SEBASTIANOOh.(heholdsthesketch)Helookssoconfused—

MICHELANGELO(nodding)Surprised.Yes.Andinpain.

SEBASTIANO

Youthinkit’saboutpain?

MICHELANGELOIthinkdesireispainful,yes.(hecontinuestodoodle)

SEBASTIANOOkay…

MICHELANGELOI’vemadetheheadtoosmall…

SEBASTIANO

Ilikeitsmall.He’sveiled.ItwillmakeuslookatChrist’sfaceinstead!

MICHELANGELOButthefigurefeelsweak.

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SEBASTIANO

Ofcoursehe’sweak—themomentbeforethis,hewasdead!

MICHELANGELO(ferociouslysketchingandre-sketching—nowheishooked!)You’veboxedmeintoaridiculouscorner.

SEBASTIANO

Ihave?(hehidesasmile)

MICHELANGELO(staringathisdrawing)You’regoingtohavetofindmorespace.Lazaruscan’treachtowardChristbecausethehole’stoosmall.It’llbepathetic,unlessthegestureactuallyhasroomtobreathe!(hetearsuphisdrawingandtakesupanotherpieceofpaper)Arewehopingtosensethebloodflowingthroughhisveinsagain?Likewhenyourleghasfallenasleepandyoufeeltheneedlepricksasitcomesbacktolife?

SEBASTIANOHowdoyoudrawthat?

MICHELANGELOGivemeafewdays.LetmeseeifIcansolveit.

SEBASTIANOSeriously?(grinningbroadly)You’regoingtoworkwithmeonthisone?

MICHELANGELOJusttheLazarus.I’mbusy.Youdotherest.

SEBASTIANO(delighted)Blessyoumyfriend!Howwonderful!Likethe“Pieta”alloveragain.Raphaelwon’tstandachanceagainstus.WaittilltheCardinalandChigihearthis—theircompetitionnowincludesthepainteroftheSistine!

MICHELANGELO

Theyhatedeverysecondofthatprocess.Bytheway,whydoyourcolorrenderingsshowJesusinarobe?Shouldn’thebenude?

SEBASTIANO

ThePopelikesmyluminouspink,youknowthat.Besides,therobewillsetofftheexquisiteultramarineblueI’mgoingtodrapeoverhisarms.

MICHELANGELOYou’resoVenetian…allyoucareaboutiscolor.

January5,2021


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SEBASTIANO

You’resoFlorentine…allyoucareaboutismuscle.

MICHELANGELOYoudon’tthinkittakesmuscletocomebackfromthedead?

SEBASTIANO

(laughing)Iwishyou’dcomehomemonthsago.

MICHELANGELOIwasinhidingfromLeo.Hewasthreateningtoabductme.

SEBASTIANO

Becauseyouwouldn’tcomeofyourownfreewill.He’sthePope.Youpromisedhim!

MICHELANGELOI’mnotaspigottheycanturnonatwill.

SEBASTIANOYes,youare.IntheeyesoftheVatican,we’realljustspigots.Getusedtoit.

MICHELANGELO

Iagreewithyourwife—IhateRomeandeveryoneinit.Thistownisfullofpoachersandthieves.ThatpigBramantegaveRaphaelthekeystotheSistinetheoneweekIwasaway—heclimbeduponthescaffolding,lookedatmyworkbycandlelight,copiedtheCreationofMan—andwhenIreturned,Ifoundwaxallovertheplanks,andadirectcopyofoneofmyfiguresinhisSchoolofAthens!Whatkindofpersondoessuchathing?

SEBASTIANOAfan!Anadmirer!

MICHELANGELOTheworstthingis--I’mnotevensurehe’sabeliever!AndstillthePopeshowershimwithcommissions.

SEBASTIANOHe’sacharmingman.Peoplelikehim.Ilikehim.

MICHELANGELO

Andme?AndInotacharmingman?

SEBASTIANO(Italianpronunciation)“Terribile”.That’sthewordtheyusetodescribeyou.

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MICHELANGELO

Why?(beat.Arealmomentofdoubt)Whydopeopledislikeme,Bastiano?

SEBASTIANOTheydon’tknowyou.Andyoucouldtakeabathonceinawhile…

MICHELANGELOIt’sRaphaeltheyshouldbewaryof.He’sakiller.It’sallalie—thattalkofsprezzatura!There’snothingremotelynonchalantaboutthatman!

SEBASTIANOButhegivesgreatpartiesandhewearsincredibleclothes.

MICHELANGELO(backtothedrawing)Lookatthis.Inthatridiculouslysmallspaceyou’veleftme,IhavetosqueezeinaheroicLazarusandthemenhelpingtoraisehimup!Youdon’tmakeiteasy,Bastiano.Whataretheysupposedtobe,midgets?

SEBASTIANOEnoughcontrappostoandanythingwillfit.

MICHELANGELOIhatepainting.AllIwantrightnowisachiselandsomestone.

SEBASTIANO(hesmiles)Whatatragedyyou’reneversatisfiedwithwhatyou’vecreated.

MICHELANGELO

Whatatragedyyoualwaysare.(beat)Okay.Let’sbeatRaphaelathisowngame.Pretentiousprick.Let’smakeaLazaruslikenothingtheyeverimagined.

SEBASTIANO(delighted)HowI’vemissedyou.Youknowyouarethesunandthemoontome,Michele.

MICHELANGELO

Thenslipbehindacloudandleavemealone.Letmeworkonthisfigure.

SEBASTIANOComeandeatfirst.We’llcookyouanicemeal.

January5,2021


23

MICHELANGELOIatethismorning.

SEBASTIANO(eagerly)DidyoureadBea’slatestpoem,Michele?TheoneIsentyou?

MICHELANGELO

Ionlyreadbillsthesedays.Myfamilyisdrowningisdebt.

SEBASTIANOWhat’sittoyou?Theyexpectyoutobailthemout?

MICHELANGELO

Theyhavethemistakenbeliefthatartisalucrativeprofession.Ikeeptellingthemwe’repatheticmendicants,feedingoffcrumbsfromtheChurch’sfortune.

SEBASTIANO(laughing)True.

MICHELANGELOAndwheredidthatfortunecomefrom?Indulgences!Oh--andsalt!DidyouknowChiginowhasamonopolyonsalt?AnotherreasontogetoutofRome!

SEBASTIANO

It’snobetteranywhereelse.AndIlovesalt.(smiling)Iwillneverunderstandyou,Michele.

MICHELANGELO

That’sbecauseyou’refromVenice.(lookingaroundwithparanoia)Okay.I’llworkonithereinsteadofbringingithome.Therearespieseverywhere.Makesureyoulockthedoorswhenyouleavethestudio.Andthewindows.Andtheskylight.Andputachaineddogontherooftobarkatintruders.

SEBASTIANO

Noonewantstobreakinhere,whywouldthey?(beat)I’llleavethekeyontheledgeforyou.Whereitalwaysis.Ifyouneedtogetin.

MICHELANGELO

Blessyou.Nowgetlost.(Bastianoexits.MichelangelocarriestheLazarusdrawingtothewindow,openstheshutters,andlooksatitinthelight.Sighs)Thisisnowaytomakeamasterpiece.Ontheothersideofthestage,thebankerCHIGI’SelegantroomsinTrastevere.RAPHAEL,chicandwell-dressed,hasentered,carryingabeautifulbasketofgrapes.

RAPHAEL

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Itwillbeamasterpiece,Ipromiseyou!

CHIGIHaveyouevenbegun?

RAPHAEL

(bluffing)I’mintheconceptualphase!Haveagrape.

CHIGI(takingone)You’dbetterstartpainting.You’rewaybehind.

RAPHAELDon’tworry,onceIgetgoing,I’mfast.

CHIGI

AllyouhavetodoisstickJesusonamountaintop.Nothingradical.He’seithernudeordressed,hehasflowinglocksorshortcurls,he’slookingupleftorhe’slookingupright.Basta.

RAPHAELSpokenlikethemanwhopaysthebills.

CHIGIStealsomethingfromSebastiano’sversion!Ihearhedidaniceversion…atsomeChurch...recently.

RAPHAELThere’snothingnewthere.

CHIGI

Peopledon’twantnew,theywantaRaphael.

RAPHAEL(amused)“ARaphael”!

CHIGI

I’mspeakingformyself.I’mabanker,IliketoknowwhatI’mbuying.

RAPHAELWhatwouldpleasethePope?

CHIGISomethinglikeyour“MadonnaoftheGoldfinch”!Givehimanotheronelikethat,andhe’llbefloatingonair!

January5,2021


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RAPHAELFloatingonair?That’sgood!MaybemyJesusshouldfloat.

CHIGI

Thenwe’dhavetoseehisdirtyfeet.Ihatedirtyfeet.

RAPHAELPerhapshisfeetaredirtytherestofthetime--buttheTransfigurationwashesthemclean!Thestory’saboutlight,afterall--thesuddenilluminationofdivinelight.

CHIGI

It’saboutdeliveringthealtarpiecebyEaster.

RAPHAELTheproblemis…

CHIGI

Theproblemis,ifyoudon’tstopditheringandgetitdone,Sebastianowillwin!

RAPHAELBastiano’sgotaction!He’sgotChristdoingamiracleandLazarusrisingupfromthedead!Ican’tjustpaintabunchofshockedApostlescollapsedonthegroundwhileJesustransfigures…itneedstobebeautiful…

CHIGITrue.ThingsarebadattheVatican.GivethePopesomethingtofeelgoodaboutandhe’llrewardyouhandsomely.Oh,andmakesureyouincludeamoon.

RAPHAEL

Themoonistheleastofit.

CHIGINo,it’snot.Trustme.

RAPHAELOkay.I’llpaintamoon.(beat.Wrestling)Here’sthething.TheTransfigurationhasnostory.JesustransfiguresfortwosecondsandtheApostlesdon’tevennotice.

CHIGIYourGalateahasnostoryeitherandwhocares?She’sgotthebestassintown.Allthoselusciousnymphsbeingfondledbynaughtycentaurs–they’reworththepriceofthewholefresco…Bytheway—couldn’tyoufindaplacefor‘CescainyourTransfiguration?Ihatetobugyou,butshekeepsasking.

January5,2021


26

RAPHAELReally?

CHIGIWhysleepwithabanker,shecomplains,ifhecan’tgetyouimmortalizedinafresco?Couldn’tyouuseherfortheMagdalene?

RAPHAEL

(dubiously)Canshesitstilllongenough?

CHIGIIfyouputherintherightposition.

RAPHAEL

I’lldomybest.(hesmiles)‘CescawillbetheinspirationforthefallenMagdalene.Shewillmeltyourloinsandmakeyousing!

CHIGI

Shealreadymeltsmyloinsandmakesmesing.

RAPHAEL

Luckyman.(fauxcasual)Sotellme…isittherumortrue?AboutMichelangelo?

CHIGIWhatabouthim?

RAPHAEL(nervously)IhearBastianohasropedhimintodesignthefigureofLazarus.

CHIGI(furious)Hehas?Whycan’twekeepthattrampinFlorence?!He’slikesewagethat’sbeensentouttoseaandkeepswaftingbacktotown!

RAPHAEL(smiling)Whatanaptsimile…

CHIGIIfMichelangelo’sinvolved,thatpoorLazaruswillbetwistedinextremecontrapposto,flexingeverymuscleknowntoman.

RAPHAELAllthatanatomy.You’dthinkMichelangelowouldhavemovedonbynow…

CHIGI

January5,2021


27

It’sgrotesque!AndBastiano’stoosweettorefuse.IfIwereyou,I’dforgetaboutwhatthey’reworkingonandgetcrackingonyourown.It’sacompetition!TheCardinalwantsfireworks!

RAPHAEL

I’llpaintsomekindofswirlinghumanchaosdownbelow.AndChristfloatingabove,atthepeakofthepyramid.Bathedinlight.Theagonyandtheecstasy.

CHIGI

Wrongpainter.ThePopewantsjoyandinspiration.Agonydoesn’tsell.

RAPHAELThisisbecomingembarrassing.(herisesandopenstheshuttersofthewindowbesideMichelangelo,sothetwomenarestandingalmostsidebyside,inthesunlight.Raphaelstaresoutthewindow.Thelightflattershisgorgeousclothes.Michelangeloisstillstaring,unhappily,athisLazarusdrawing)

MICHELANGELOIt’sembarrassing.It’sjustAdam,alloveragain!Whatdoesamanlooklikewhohasjustawakenedfromthedead?Whatdoeshefeel?Terror?Joy?Wonder?(Hesighs.Beginstotryoutnewposesinhisownbody,twistingaround,experimentingwithdifferentangles…Ashedoesso,Beatricewalksin.Shestandssilently,observinghim)Theelbowwillhavetobend—(hedoesso,cringes)Ugh!There’snofuckinggrace!(heturnsandseesBeatrice)Excuseme—Ididn’trealize--

BEATRICEIt’sokay!Sorrytointerrupt.

MICHELANGELONevermind—itwasgoingnowhere—

BEATRICEIdidn’tknowyouwerehere.

MICHELANGELO(embarrassed)Letmegetoutofyourhair--

BEATRICE(laughing)Myhaircantakecareofitself.(carefully)IsthattheLazarus?

MICHELANGELO(eruptingwithdisgust)Hedoesn’tfit!Heshouldbestanding,triumphant!Butwiththespaceyourhusbandleftme,there’sonlyroomforadwarf.

BEATRICE

January5,2021


28

CallittheSquattingofLazarusandyou’llbedone!

MICHELANGELO(smiling)TheMiracleoftheMidget.Yes.(hesetsthedrawingdown)Igiveup.

BEATRICE(indicatingthedrawing)MayIsee?

MICHELANGELOHere.Writeacomicverseaboutit!(hehandsherthedrawing)

BEATRICEItlookslikeAdamfromtheSistineceiling,standingup--

MICHELANGELOThatwastheidea--Ithoughtthathisarmreachinghighwouldworkvertically,butitdoesn’t.It’sadisaster.

BEATRICEIt’snotadisaster,it’sjust…(shecatchesherself)

MICHELANGELO

What?BEATRICE

It’sasifLazarusisn’tsureheevenwantstocomebacktolife.

MICHELANGELOHe’snot.

BEATRICE

Iliketheface.Thewayit’stwistedaroundtolook—questioningwhat’shappening…

MICHELANGELO(frustrated)Butitdoesn’tmatchthebody,doesit?Thefigurehasnotension,nolife.Ineedtostartover.Tearthatoneup.Heturnstoclearuphisthingsandgo.Beatriceturnsthedrawingonitsside,wheresheseeshandwriting.Apoem.Shelooksmorecloselyatthetinylettersandbeginstoreaditaloud.Whenhehearsher,hestops,caught.

BEATRICE“IfthenmyheartcannotenduretheblazeOfbeautiesinfinitethatblindtheseeyes,Noryetcanbeartobefromyoudivided,Whatfateismine?”--

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MICHELANGELO(reachingforthepaper)Isaidtearitup.

BEATRICE

Onesec.(shekeepsreading)“Whatfateismine?Whoguidesorguardsmyways,Seeingmysoul,solostandill-betided,Burnsinyourpresence,inyourabsencedies.”

MICHELANGELOPlease.(heputshishandoutforthepaper)

BEATRICEIt’sbeautiful.

MICHELANGELOIt’snothing.I’dforgottenitwasonthere.

BEATRICE(thinking)Maybeit’saboutlove,theLazarusstory.WhyelsedoesLazaruswanttoliveagainifnotto…burninsomeone’spresence,asyousay?(Michelangeloisquietforamoment.Thenhetentativelyreacheshisrighthandoutinapose)

MICHELANGELO

Youthinkhe’sreachingforsomething?

BEATRICEMaybe.

MICHELANGELOThenwhat’stheobstacle?

BEATRICEMusttherealwaysbeanobstacle?

MICHELANGELOHaveyoueverfeltlovewithoutinstantlyencounteringanobstacle?(beat.Thinking)Whatifhe’sstillboundinhislongwhitewindingcloth?Couldhereachacrosshisbodyandtrytofreehimself...(turninghisfacetheoppositeway)…whilenevertakinghiseyesoffChrist?

SEBASTIANO(fromoffstage)Mangiamo!(“let’seat”)

BEATRICE

January5,2021


30

I’mcoming!

MICHELANGELOSohe’sburningforChrist’seyes…

BEATRICEAndresistinghisimprisonmentatthesametime!There’syourobstacle!

MICHELANGELOTheobstacleiswantingtobelovedbyGod.(embarrassed.Hetakesthepaperwiththedrawingandpoemonitandtearsitup)

BEATRICE(startled)No!Don’tdestroyit!

MICHELANGELOI’lldrawsomethingbetter,Ipromise.

BEATRICEAndthepoem?

MICHELANGELO(sadly)Itdoesn’tmatter.Iwouldneverhavesentitanyway.(theyexitinoppositedirections.CrossfadebacktoRaphaelandChigi)

RAPHAELI’mgoingtobreakintotheirstudioandseewhatthey’reupto.

CHIGINo!Absolutelynot.

RAPHAEL

It’llunlockmyimagination.

CHIGIToobad.Solveityourself.

RAPHAEL

Howaboutifyoudoit.Youlook,andreportback.Please.JustsoIknowwhatI’mcompetingwith.

CHIGIThisisn’tmyfight!

RAPHAEL

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Theytrustyou.(flattering)You’retheman!BankertothePope.Inventorofindulgences.

CHIGI(snapping)Ididn’tinventindulgences,Ijustfiguredouthowtomarketthem.(Raphaelsmiles.Chigiisdefensive)Well,howarewesupposedtopayforSt.Peter’s?ThePopeisoutofcash.Youhaveasmarteridea?

RAPHAELHandmeSt.Peter’stodesign—thatwouldbeasmarteridea.(pleading)Comeon,Agostino.SlipintoBastiano’sstudio…takealookattheLazarussketch…tellmehowitfitsintotheirscheme…andthenIwillgivetheCardinalaTransfigurationbeyondhiswildestdreams.

CHIGIYoudidthisatmyVillaandlookwhathappened.Bastianohadmadeabeautifulclearhorizonlineandyouruinedit!Youhumiliatedhim!

RAPHAEL

He’salwaysbeeneasytostealfrom!Butnowhe’sgotMichelangeloinhiscorner…

CHIGIIt’stheonlywayhecancompetewithyou.

RAPHAELThenlet’scompete!It’sbrilliant--thecollisionoftwotitansandahobbyist—andonlyoneofuscanwin.Thiswillbethecatalystmyimaginationrequires.Please,Chigi!Idareyou.

CHIGI

EvenifIseeit,whatamIsupposedtosay?Iknownothingaboutpainting.

RAPHAELSofindakeylyingaroundhisstudio.Slipitinyourpocket,andthendropitintothepottedbasilplantoutsidetheirdoor.I’llsneakinatnightandtakeaquicklook.Noonewillbethewiser…

CHIGIYou’reimpossible.

RAPHAELI’llneveraskanotherfavor.

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CHIGIDon’tdropanywaxonthefloor.Andput‘Cescaatthecenterofyourpainting.

RAPHAELIt’sadeal.Sendwordwhenyou’veputthekeyintheplant!Thepasswordwillbe…“pesto”.

CHIGIPesto?

RAPHAEL(laughing)Nevermind.Hebowsandexits.Inanotherpartofthestage,SebastianoentersanddiscoversBeatrice,atthewindow.Shehasawetclothandiscleaninganoldmenorah.Hestartlesherandshecoversthemenorahwiththecloth.Placesitonthetable.

SEBASTIANOSorryI’mlate.We’vebeenworkingontheLazarus.

BEATRICEIfiguredasmuch.Jesuscould’veperformedtenmiraclesinthetimeit’stakenyoutopaintone!

SEBASTIANOThepainting’shuge!IspentalldayonJesus’lefttoe!Whatareyoudoing?

BEATRICECleaningsomethingIfoundonthestreet.(beat)WhatdoesMichelangelothinkofthepaintingsofar?

SEBASTIANOHelovesit!EspeciallythefigureofMarthagesturinglikethis(hedemonstrates)–hesaiditremindedhimofyou.

BEATRICE(surprised)Hedid?

SEBASTIANOWell,Iknowhethoughtit.He’scrazyaboutyourhair.(hekissesher)ThereisnooneIlovepaintingmorethanyou.

BEATRICEThankyou,mylove.Justfinishit!It’sfreezinginhereandwe’rebroke.

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SEBASTIANOWe’renotbroke,we’rejustalittleshortrightnow.

BEATRICEYouneedtobeatRaphaelandcollectthefeesowecanorganizeourselves—fast--beforethebabycomes…DidMichelangelofindaLazarusmodel?

SEBASTIANOHe’s…trying.It’salwaysabitofatorment…

BEATRICEHedoesn’thavetosleepwithone,hejusthastodrawhim!

SEBASTIANO(affectionately)Butonedrawsbestwhatoneloves—youknowthat!

BEATRICEEvenifonelovessomeonewithtoomanyopinions?

SEBASTIANOEspecially.(hegrabsthetomatoesandbeginstocutthemupandtossthemintothepan)Dinner’scomingup.Howwasyourday?

BEATRICESomethingstrangehappened…

SEBASTIANO(excited)Thebaby?Didyoufeelhimkick?

BEATRICE(correctinghim)Her.(beat)No.ItookawrongturnafterleavingmybootsatthecobblerandsuddenlyIwastotallylost.I’dbeenthinkingaboutsomethingelse…andwhenIlookedup…

SEBASTIANOYes?

BEATRICEIwasoutsidethegatesoftheGhetto.

SEBASTIANOTheGhetto!That’smilesaway.

BEATRICEIknow.(beat)Ilookedinside.Thestreetsarecoveredinfilth—howdotheystandit?

January5,2021


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SEBASTIANO

(sprinklingbasilleavesonthetomatoes)Isupposethey’reusedtoit.

BEATRICEIsawwomenwithbighair...andchildrenwithtinycoveredheadsanddarkeyes,staringoutthroughthebars.

SEBASTIANO

YoushouldbewalkingintheBorghesegardens,wherethesmellsaresweet.You’dhavemuchnicerthoughts.Haveanolive.(heputsoneinhermouth)

BEATRICE(chewing)SometimesIwonderwhywe’resoanxioustohaveachild,inacitywhereeveryoneisafraid…

SEBASTIANOHowcanyousaythat?We’renotJews!Andwe’velongedforthisbabyforyears!

BEATRICEWhathappenswhenIcan’tmodelanymore?

SEBASTIANOStopworrying.Theylovemehere—Borgherini’swaitingforanewportrait--Chigiwillhiremeassoonashisnewvillaisready,andtheCardinal—

BEATRICE(interrupting)TheCardinalthinkseverysurfaceintheVaticanshouldbepaintedbyRaphael.Idon’tgetit.Yourworkissomuchmorebeautiful--“Bastianomakesoilpaintbreathelikehumanskin!”That’swhatGiorgionesaid.

SEBASTIANO

(smiling)Youalwaysremembermynicereviews.

BEATRICEAllyourreviewsarenice!AfteryoupaintedChigi’sdiningroom,hesaidhecouldfeelthecloudspassingwheneverhewalkedin.(Bastianosmiles)Itwassostrange,staringthroughthosegates.Itfeltlikesomekindofmetaphor—

SEBASTIANOForwhat?

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35

BEATRICEIdon’tknow.ItwasasifIcouldseetherealityinthere…butIwasn’tallowedtogetatit—toexperienceit.(beat.Abruptly)Whyaren’twomenallowedintoyourlifedrawingclasses?

SEBASTIANOItwouldbeembarrassing.

BEATRICEForwhom?

SEBASTIANOEveryone!Tosketchanakedmodelwithawomanstandingbesideme?—itwouldfeel…wrong.

BEATRICEButhowareweeversupposedtocompeteifwecan’tlookatthesamethingsyou’relookingat?

SEBASTIANO(smiling)Areyouthinkingoftakinguppainting,mylove?

BEATRICEOfcoursenot,don’tworry!(justthen,theshutteropensandweseeChigioutside)Jesus!Isn’tthat--?(theshuttersshut)Howweird.Icould’veswornIjustsawyourbankerthroughtheshutters.Gosee!(Sebastianoexits.Beascroungesaroundforsomethingelsetoeat.Sebastianore-enterswithChigi)

SEBASTIANO

Lookwhowasdiggingaroundinourbasilplants!CHIGI

(embarrassed)Goodevening.IhopeI’mnotdisturbing.Ihappenedtobeout…and…

BEATRICEAlas,wehavenothingtogiveyou,notevenanolive!

CHIGIIrequirenothing!(disconcerted,improvising)Howstrange…Iseemtohaveacoinstuckinthesoleofmyboot.

BEATRICELuckyyou!

CHIGIMightyouhavesomethingwithwhichIcould…dislodgeit?

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BEATRICE

(laughing)Idon’tknow,Irarelygetcoinsstuckinmyboots…

SEBASTIANO(holdingoutabutterknife)Youwantaknife?

CHIGINono,thatmightdamagetheleather!(beat)Perhaps…haveyougotakeylyingaround,byanychance?

BEATRICE(mystified)Youmean,ahousekey?

CHIGIWhynot!Youknow,somethingwithlittleprongs…butnottoosharp…Beatricerunshereyesalongthecountertillsheseesherkey.

BEATRICEHereyougo…(Chigiturnsaway,hoppingaroundononefoot.BeatriceandSebastianoexchangeglances,amused.Bysomeelaboratemaneuver,Chigipretendstoscrapeagoldcoinoutofhisboot.)

CHIGISuccess!(hestandsstill,embarrassed)Manythanks,Madame.Inexchangeforyourhelp,letmepresentyouwithagoldcoinfromthestreetsofRome.Tobringyouluck.Withthebaby.

BEATRICE(looksatBastiano,whosmilesandnods)Howkind.Thankyou.(shepocketsit.Hepocketsthekey)

CHIGIIt’stheleastIcando.(toSebastiano)Andyou,myfriend?How’sthemightyLazaruscomingalong?Isherisingagain?

SEBASTIANOHe’sontheway!I’vefinishedeverythinginthecenterofthepaintingexceptChrist’stoes…andyouknowhowtrickytoescanbe…

CHIGI

Toes?(toBea)He’ssuchanenthusiast,yourhusband.

January5,2021


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BEATRICE

Ifyouthinkhe’senthusedabouttoes,waittillhegetsgoingonmyhands!

SEBASTIANODoesn’tshehaveexceptionalfingers,Agostino?

CHIGIAllherassetsarecommendable.(hishandsaredirtyfromhisboot—helooksaroundforaclothtowipethemandseestheonecoveringthemenorah)Myhandsarefilthy—mayI?(hetakesthecloth.Beneathisthemenorah.Hiseyeslightonit.Hepicksitup)Whatisthis,mayIask?

BEATRICEIt’saMenorah.

CHIGI(testy)Iknowwhatitis!Imeanttosay,whatisitdoinghere?

BEATRICEIfounditthisafternoon.Ononeofmywalks.

SEBASTIANO(quickly)She’slikeanarchaeologist,Bea—youneverknowwhatshemightbringhomeattheendoftheday!

CHIGI(staringatherhard)Doyouuseit?

SEBASTIANOWhywouldweuseit?

BEATRICEI’mnotsurehow.Otherwise,Imight.

SEBASTIANO(panicked)Bea!(smilingatChigi)Mywifeisapoet,Agostino.Shehasanactiveimagination!

CHIGI(drily)SoIsee.

SEBASTIANO(panicking)MayIofferyouadrink?Somethingtonibble?

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CHIGINottonight.‘Cescaiswaitingformeathome.Andyouknowwhattheysay…

BEATRICENo.Whatdotheysay?

CHIGINeverputofftilltomorrowwhatyoucanenjoytonight.

SEBASTIANO(laughing)Indeed.Nicelyput!Wellthen,letmeseeyouout.(ChigibowstoBeatrice,whosmilesback.Heexits.Whenhe’sgone,Beatricepeersthroughtheshutterstomakesurehe’sgone.Sebastianoreturns)

SEBASTIANOWhatonearth…?(hepicksupthemenorah)

BEATRICEWhatanannoyingman!Howdoyoustandhim?

SEBASTIANOHe’smybiggestpatron.Hegaveusagoldcoin!Whatisthisdoinghere?(heholdsthemenorah)

BEATRICEIfounditlyinginagutter.(imitatingBastiano)“MayIofferyouadrink?Somethingtonibble?”You’recrazy!(laughing)Aren’tweluckyhesaidno?

SEBASTIANOSometimesIthinkyou’retryingtogetusintrouble!Wemustn’tmakewaves…

BEATRICEThewavesaretherewhetherwemakethemornot,sweetheart.EverymorningmorehomelesspeoplehavepitchedtheirtentsalongtheTiber.AndwhatdoesthePopedo?Hestagesanotherparade.Somedaysoon,thewholehouseofcardsisgoingtocomedown.Andit’snotjustmewho’ssayingso.

SEBASTIANO(urgently)Thenlet’sjustdoourworkandenjoyourlives.(puttingthetomatoesinapanwiththeonionsandbasil)Okay!Pastasauceinhalfanhour.

BEATRICE

AndwhenthePopeisdrivenoutoftheVatican?Whosesidedoyouwanttobeon?

January5,2021


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SEBASTIANO

ThesideofGod!(quickchangeofsubject)Oh,speakingofGod--Michelangelohasagreedtobegodfathertoourchild!

BEATRICE(surprised)Seriously?

SEBASTIANOHewasextremelyhonored—hesaidnoonehadeveraskedsuchathingofhimbefore.

BEATRICE(laughing)Well,I’msurethat’strue.Ourpoorbaby—canyouimaginehavingsuchagodfather?

SEBASTIANOThepoorman—hegrewupinaquarry.Whatcanhedo?He’sonlyathomewithstone.Hewon’ttakepupils,orassistants—hedoesn’thaveasinglefriend.Exceptus.(heemptiesthelastofthewineintoaglassforher)Havethelastdropofwine,mylove.Dinnerwon’tbelong.(there’saknockonthedoor)IsthatChigiagain?Youthinkhefoundanothercoin?(anotherknock)

RAPHAELBastiano?(beat)Isanyonehome?

SEBASTIANO

(shocked)ThatsoundslikeRaphael.

BEATRICEThewholeworldisoutwalkingtonight!I’llgo!Watchwhatyousay.(shequicklyfixesherhair.Moreknocking.Sherushestothedoor.Voicesoff.Shereturns,leadinghimin)

SEBASTIANO

Mygoodness!Towhatdoweowethepleasure…

RAPHAELIwaspassingby…andmyeyewasarrestedbyyourbasilplantoutside…

SEBASTIANOWhatisitaboutourbasilplantthat’ssoarresting?!Chigijuststoppedby,sayingthesamething.

RAPHAEL

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40

Ohyes?Anddidhe…(hestopshimself)Well,Iguessnoonecanstayawayfromabeautifulwoman.(sniffing)Ismelldinner!

BEATRICE

Wehavenothingtoofferyou.(Sebastianograbsherun-drunkglassofwine)

SEBASTIANOOnthecontrary!Haveaglassofwine!

RAPHAEL(Raphaeltakesit,amused.Drainsitinonegulp)Howkind.(smilesandhandsbacktheglass)IfI’dknownyouwerein,I’dhavebroughtsomeofmyown…thevinesfromUrbinohavehadspectacularresultsthisyear!

SEBASTIANO

Nexttime.Sitdown!Makeyourselfcomfortable!Whydoweneverseeyou?

RAPHAEL“We”who?Everyoneseesme.

SEBASTIANO

Butyouusedtovisitus—weusedtoeatfigstogetherandgossipaboutRome.

RAPHAELWedid,didn’twe?Alas,wherearethefigsofyesteryear?(helaughs)There’snotime!

SEBASTIANOTrue.

RAPHAELLifeisnothingbuttrivialities.IspendalldayshowingmyassistantshowtoputtinyleavesonthecypresstreesbehindmyMadonnas.Forthiswebecameartists?!

BEATRICE

Thenwhydon’tyoupaintsomethingelse?Somethingthatmatters.

SEBASTIANOBea…

RAPHAEL(eyeingherwithsurprise)Indifficulttimes,peopleneedbeauty,don’tyouthink?

BEATRICE

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Notreally.Ithinktheyneedthetruth.

RAPHAELBeautyismoreimportantthantruth.That’swhywe’reartists.

BEATRICEOrareyoujustscaredthetruthwillscareawayyourdonors?

RAPHAEL

(laughing)Thattoo!(beat.Charmingly)Iunderstandyouwritepoetry.Iamalwaysonthelookoutforversestoinspireme.Haveyouthoughtaboutanomdeplume?

SEBASTIANO

Awhat?

RAPHAEL(toBeatrice)Fooltheworldintobelievingyou’reabrilliantyoungman,andsooneveryonewillbereadingyourwork.

BEATRICE

TheMarchionessofPescarasignsherownpoems,andthePopeknowsthembyheart.

RAPHAELThenwemustmakesurethesamehappenstoyou!ShallweintroduceyourwifetotheliterarycirclesattheVatican,Bastiano?

SEBASTIANO

Ofcourse!Whatafriendyouare!Howcanweeverthankyou?

BEATRICETherearen’tenoughhoursintheday.

SEBASTIANOThat’swhat’sdepressingaboutRome,don’tyouthink?InVenice,therewasalwaystimeforadrink,apasseggiatawithfriends,afamilyvisit—herenooneeverhastimeforconversation!

BEATRICEExcuseme?

RAPHAEL

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Bea’sright.HereyouhaveMichelangelo.

SEBASTIANOWell,he’snotexactlychatty…

RAPHAELButIunderstandheismakingamagnificentcontributiontoyourLazaruscommission!

SEBASTIANOThat’strue!Waittillit’sdone!He’satitdayandnight.

RAPHAEL

Mayonesee?(BeatricethrowsaseverelookatSebastiano,toshuthimup)

SEBASTIANONo.Imean,notyet.Idon’thavethedrawingwithme--hecarriesitwithhimwhereverhegoes.

RAPHAEL(disappointed)Ah.Howunfortunate.

SEBASTIANOIndeed.(makingajoke)AllI’vegotisaholeinthepaintingwherethefigureisgoingtobe…

RAPHAELIsee.(beat)Mayoneseethehole?

SEBASTIANO(pleased)Youmean,what’saroundit?Wouldyouliketo?

BEATRICEBastiano.Don’tbestupid.

RAPHAEL

(laughing)YourwifethinksI’mgoingtostealfromyou.BEATRICE

Iknowit.

SEBASTIANONonsense!Sheunderstandswhatfriendsweare.Comeinsideandsee.I’vedonesomeApostlesyou’lllove,andthreewomenholdingtheirnoses!

RAPHAEL

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(smiling)Itsoundslikeaplay!

SEBASTIANOMartha’sinblueandorange,recoilinginawefromthemiracle,likethis!(hedemonstrates)AndinthecenterisLazarus’sisterMary,inyellow,fallingtoherkneesandlookingupatChrist.Beamodeledforme.Lookatherfingers!

RAPHAELHowblessedyouaretohaveamodelinyourownhome.Iwishyou’dlendhertome.

SEBASTIANO(laughingnervously)Toyou?Forwhat?

RAPHAELToposeformyTransfiguration…

SEBASTIANO

Butshe’s—

BEATRICE(interruptingquickly)Iwouldloveto,Rafaello.YouknowthatI’maninspiringmuse.

RAPHAEL

(beat.Heeyesher)OfcourseIalreadypromisedChigithathis‘CescacouldbeMaryMagdalene,butI’msurewecouldfindsomethingjuicyforyou…

BEATRICE

Trustme.Icantransfigurewiththebestofthem.

RAPHAELI’llbetyoucan!ShallImakeyouadisciple?

BEATRICEWhichone?

RAPHAEL

Hardtosay—noneisyoungandbeautifulenoughtodoyoujustice.

SEBASTIANORafaello!

RAPHAEL

MyTransfigurationisgoingtobehighlyoriginal.OnceIgetitstarted…

BEATRICE

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Howmuchwouldyoupay?

RAPHAELWhateverittakestomakeinspirationstrike.Cometomyroomstomorrowatsunset,andwe’llmakearrangements…

BEATRICEWhysunset?

RAPHAELThat’swhenJesustransfigures.(hesmiles.ToBastiano)Afteryou.SebastianoleadsRaphaeloff.Beatriceisleftintheroom.Shestirsthepastasaucedistractedly.Michelangeloenters,usinghiskey.

BEATRICEOh!Hello.

MICHELANGELO

Forgiveme!IjustcamebytoaskBastianoforsomehelp--

BEATRICEHe’sinside.With–(thinkingfast,whispering)–apotentialpatron.

MICHELANGELO

I’llcomeback--(heturnstogo)

BEATRICE(quickly)How’sourLazarus?

MICHELANGELOInert.(hesighs)WhatcanIsay?Ican’tseemtoblowlifeintohim…

BEATRICEHavefaith.(Sebastianocallsfromoffstage)

SEBASTIANO

Bea!Comehereaminute!Iwanttoshowhimhowyouposed!

BEATRICE(calling)Coming!(sheturnstoMichelangelo)Thisdonorlovesmyhands…

MICHELANGELO

They’revery…(beat)Yes.Icanseewhy.

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BEATRICE(onanimpulse)MayIask—(shestopsherself.Startsover)Thatwasn’tyouIsawthisafternoon,wasit?NeartheGhetto?Thelightwasbadbut—

MICHELANGELO(quickly)Yes.

BEATRICE(startled)Ithoughtso.Howstrange.(beat)Whatwereyoudoingthere?

MICHELANGELOLookingforamodel.

BEATRICEAmongtheJews?

SEBASTIANO(calling)Bea!

MICHELANGELOWhynot?LazaruswasaJew.

BEATRICEOfcourse.(beat)Didyoufindhim?(Michelangeloshakeshishead.Shecallsout)Onesec!(gettingclosetoMichelangeloforamoment)Trythedocks.IsawmenbeingledoffashipintheTibertoday,witheyesthatwouldbreakyourheart…

MICHELANGELOHe’scallingforyou.(sheexits.Hestaresafterher.)CrossfadetotheCardinal’srooms.TheCardinalisinadressinggown,withhisCardinal’secclesiasticalrobesandaccoutrementshangingonanelegantrackbesidehim.Chigistandsacrossfromhim;he’sjustarrived.

CARDINALWherehaveyoubeen?I’vebeencallingforyouallmorning.

CHIGI

(stressed)Forgiveme.Idohaveadayjob,YourExcellency.

CARDINALLetsomeoneelserunthebank.

CHIGITherearesomefinancialissues...

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CARDINAL

(interrupting)Whathappened?Didyoumakeabadloan?Loseyoursaltfranchise?

CHIGIAshipismissingatsea…

CARDINALIt’llturnup,theyalwaysdo.(beat)So.Isittrue?

CHIGI

Iswhattrue?

CARDINALThattherewasaraidonMichelangelo’sroomslastnight?Thatthepolicebrokeinanddiscoveredaroomfulofyoungmeninvariousstatesofundress?

CHIGINotaroomfulofmen.Oneman.Onemantotallyundressed.

CARDINAL

Amodel?Oralover?

CHIGIHardtosay.Hewasstandingnakedinthewindow.Ataroundmidnight.Fullylitfrombehind.That’swhenthepolicedecidedtopaythemavisit.

CARDINAL

Howdoyouknow?

CHIGIIwenttohavealook.Itwasquiteasight.

CARDINALI’msure.(Callingout)Danilo!IamreadytobedressedforMass!(heslipsoffhisrobeandstandsonalowplatform,awaitingtheYoungMonk)Whatweretheydoingupthere?WillIhavetoarrestthem?

CHIGI

FromwhatIcouldgather,theywereplaying“Lazarus”.

CARDINALHowdoyoumean,“Lazarus”?WhatdoesMichelangelohavetodowith—(hestops)Pleasedon’ttellme—

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CHIGII’mafraidso.Ourcompetitionisnolongeraduo,it’satrio,YourEminence.Michelangelohasjoinedthefray.

CARDINAL(shocked)What?Why?

CHIGIHe’shelpingBastiano.Justwiththemainfigure.(theCardinal’sfacehardens)Forgiveme.Icouldn’tstopit.They’vedonethisbefore.

CARDINALDoesRaphaelknow?

CHIGI

He’sincensed.

CARDINAL(eagerly)Really?Good!

CHIGIHewantstobreakintotheirstudioandstealwhatthey’vegot.

CARDINALEvenbetter!They’remorevenalthanI’dhoped.Maybethiswasmeanttobe!

CHIGII’mstirringthepot,Eminence.Pittingtheiregosagainsteachother,arousingtheirworstinstincts,incitingthosenarcissiststocompete.(smiling)Ihopeyou’llremembermewhenyoubecomePope.TheYoungMonkcomesin,coveredinacowl.

MONK

YourEminence.(hekneels,kissestheCardinal’sring)

CARDINALSalve,Frate.

MONK

Salve,Cardinale.

CARDINALYoumaybegin,Danilo.(hesips.Putshisarmsoverhisheadforthecassocktogoon.TheMonkliftsthecassockandslipsitovertheCardinal’sheadasChigitalks)Of

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courseI’llrememberyou—howcouldInot!Goon.TellmemoreaboutthenakedLazarus…

CHIGIHewasalltiedup,withropesandwindingcloths—andMichelangelowastryingtosethimfree.

CARDINALHowdramatic!Washeanactor?

CHIGIWhoknows--Inevergotothetheater.(theCardinalputshisarmsout.TheMonktieshissash)Hewascertainly…dark.

CARDINALDark?

CHIGI

Thelightingwasbad.Butevenso…

CARDINALMichelangelo’sbeenobsessedsincehestartedsculptingthosePrisonersinFlorence…youknowtheones…tryingtobreakfreeofthestone…(totheMonk,angrily)Notsotight!Areyoutryingtochokeme?(theMonkloosensthesash)Lacotta!(TheCardinalraiseshisarmsagain.TheMonkplacesthecotta,athigh-lengthwhitelacevestment,overhisheadandoverthecassock)WhatdoesanyofthishavetodowithLazarus?

CHIGIGoodquestion.They’realltheragethesedays,Africans.Idon’tknowahouseholdinRomethatdoesn’thaveatleastoneasaservant.

CARDINALThePopelovesthem—hecallsthem“thechildrenofHam”.(toDanilo)Lamozzetta!(TheYoungMonkreachesforashortredcapeormozzettawhichgoesoverthecotta.HeplacesitovertheCardinal’shead)

CHIGIButsurelyyou’renotgoingtopermitMichelangelotopainta…darkLazarus?

CARDINALLet’shopeit’sametaphor.Lazarusasaprisonerofdeath,beingliberatedbythewordofJesustorejointhehumanrace!I’msurethefigurewon’tactuallybeblack.Michelangelo’scomplicated.Buthe’snotcrazy.AndBastianowouldneverpermitit—hewantstobepaid.

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CHIGI

He’salreadyaskingformoremoney!Hefeelsthefeeistoolow,giventhathe’spaintingfortyfigures!

CARDINAL(TotheMonk)Lamozzetta!(TheMonkreachesforashortredcapeormozzettawhichgoesoverthecotta.Heplacesitoverthecardinal’shead)We’renotpayingbytheyard,Chigi.That’sabsurd!

CHIGIHehasaverydemandingwife.I’mnotsureItrusther.

CARDINALWhynot?(totheMonk)Ilzuccetto!Hurryup!(TheMonkscurriestogettheskullcapandplaceitontheCardinal’shead)

CHIGIAndnowthatMichelangelo’sinvolvedwiththeLazarus…

CARDINALAreyouimplying--don’ttellmeMichelangelowilldaretoaskforapayoutaswell!AfterwhatwewentthroughattheSistine?Thosemonthsofdelay—thePopenearlyhadastroke!(totheMonk)Labiretta!(Hishatisplacedovertheskullcap.Agitated)It’senough!Ispendmylifefundingtheserapaciousmen—Irefusetoputupwiththeirgreedandingratitude!Tosaynothingoftheirdemandingwives!(totheMonk)Andfinally,mycross.(Thepectoralcrossisplacedaroundhisneck.TheMonkstepsbacktosurveytheCardinal.Thedressingisnowcomplete.Hiscostumedpresenceisquiteanastonishingsight.TheMonkmovesthemirrorsotheCardinalcanviewhimself.TheCardinalsmiles)Excellent.Blessyou,Danilo.Youmaygo.(Danilobowsandscurriesoutoftheroom.TheCardinalturnsbacktoChigi)Isuggestyouremindouraugustcompetitors—allthreeofthem—tostopmessingaroundwithbreak-insandplayenactments.Weneedtwomajormasterpiecesbythenewyearortherewillbehelltopay.

CHIGII’mdoingmybest,YourEminence.

CARDINAL(raging)AndI’mtalkingabouttherealHell!Meaningexile,povertyandhumiliation!NomorecommissionsandnofinancialsupportfromtheChurch,everagain!(raisinghisrighthand)InthenameoftheFather,theSon,andtheHolyGhost.

CHIGI

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Amen.(CrossfadebacktoBastianoandBeatrice)

SEBASTIANOIt’shumiliating.Idon’twantit.

BEATRICEIt’smoney,sweetheart!Moneyforthebaby.I’llbecompletelycovered,don’tworry—notevenmybreastswillshow.

SEBASTIANOYourbreastsaremine…Iwantnooneelsetoseethem…

BEATRICEActually,mybreastsaremine.AndonceI’minhisstudio,I’llgettospyonhispainting!Aren’tyoucuriouswhatyou’recompetingwith?

SEBASTIANOThat’scheating—we’renotsupposedtoknow—

BEATRICE

We’renotsupposedtostarveeither.Hesawyourpainting,afterall.Ifyouwinthisone,you’llhavecommissionsforyearstocome.We’llbeabletomoveintoabighouse,likeRaphael—withtapestries–andaproperkitchen!

SEBASTIANOIcan’tleaveyoualonewiththatmanandabedsheet.

BEATRICEAbedsheet?KnowingRaphael,hischaracterswillbedressedinthemostexpensivevelvetandlace.(smiling)I’llbeahighlysubversivemuse,Ipromise.

SEBASTIANO

Evenso.

BEATRICEPlease.Iwanttoseewhathe’supto.Andhepaysfabulously.

SEBASTIANOI’llsupportthebaby,whydoyoualwaysdoubtme?

BEATRICE

Iwanttosupporther!Iwanttodosomethingotherthanjustcarryheraroundinmybelly!

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SEBASTIANOWhyareyousosureit’saher?

BEATRICEIthastobe!She’sgoingtobefierceandfunny,she’llspeakthreelanguagesanddancebarefootinthestreets,justlikemygrandmother!

SEBASTIANO

Yourgrandmotherdancedbarefootinthestreets?

BEATRICEShewasSpanish.Youknewthat.

SEBASTIANOImusthaveforgotten.

BEATRICEDon’tyoureadmypoemswhenIgivethemtoyou?(sherecites)“InaswirlofcolorandcastanetsAwomanisspinninglikeamagiclanternacrossthesquareFlashesofcolorblindingtheeyesOfpassersbyAsshedisappearsdownanalleywayLeavingonlyherscentbehind,Floatingintheairlikemist…”

SEBASTIANOHowwonderful!(hesmilesather)ShallImakeapaintingofyouspinningaroundwitharosebetweenyourteeth?

BEATRICEPaintthis:whenmygrandmothergottoVeniceasayoungwoman,shewasinhiding.Mygrandfathercametorepairacupboardandfoundherinside.Thatwasherfavoritestory.

SEBASTIANO

Whatwassheinhidingfrom?

BEATRICEIneverknew.MaybeanaffairwithaSpanishnobleman.(whispering)OrmaybetheInquisition!

SEBASTIANO(quickly)Don’t.Please.Whathasgottenintoyoulately?

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BEATRICE

I’mjusttryingtofigurethingsout.

SEBASTIANO(anxiously)Whatgooddoesthatdo?StopwalkingpasttheGhettoandgettingridiculousideasinyourhead—Ibegyou.Nomoremenorahs.Andnomoreofferingyourservicestorivalpainters.It’sembarrassing.Youhavetotrustme.Iwillwinthisthingonmyown.CrossfadebacktotheCardinal’srooms.TheCardinalhasjustfinishedgivingMass,splendidlydressed.Raphaelisshowinghimadrawingthatfeaturestheboyforthefirsttime.

CARDINAL

(staringatthedrawing,dumbfounded)Youthinkthisishowyou’regoingtowin?

RAPHAELIt’sanidea.

CARDINAL

Whoisthisawfulboy?Helooksderanged.Breakfast?

RAPHAELNothanks.I’veeaten.(aboutthedrawing)YourEminence…Iwonderedifyou’dconsideraslight…changeinsubject.

CARDINALWhatareyoutalkingabout?

RAPHAELIunderstandyouandthePopearelongingforaTransfigurationandofcourseIappreciatetheimmensevalueofthatstory—but–

CARDINALButwhat?

RAPHAEL

I’mnotinspired.

CARDINALFivehundredducatshavenotinspiredyou?

RAPHAEL(brazenly)Wouldyouconsidera“LastJudgment”instead?

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CARDINAL(furious)No!YoujustwanttogetyourhandsontheemptywalloftheSistine,don’tyou?

RAPHAEL

(reassuringly)Nono,IsurrendertheSistinetoMichelangelo.(beat)It’sjustthat--asuddenideacametomelastnight—somethingthatwouldmakearemarkablepainting.

CARDINAL

Thenemployitsomewhereelse.Youwerechosenforthiscommissionbecauseyourworkisharmoniousandyourwomenhavebeautifulbreasts.

RAPHAEL

I’mhonoredyouthinkso.(heshowshimthedrawing)Justtakealook.

CARDINAL(staringindisgustatthedrawing)Whoisthiscretin?Whyishepunchinghisfistintheairandshowingushisbuttocks?

RAPHAELIhadavision!IwasstandingoutsideMichelangelo’sdoortheothernightatdusk.

CARDINAL

YouandhalfofRome,fromwhatIcouldtell…I’msurprisedChigididn’tselltickets.

RAPHAELThemoonwasrising.Ihadjusttakenasipofbrandyfrommyflaskwhensuddenly,astrangeyoungmanarrives!Tall,muscular,aforeignerfromthelooksofhim—hebendsdown,picksupastone,andthrowsitatMichelangelo’swindow.Michelangeloleanedouttoseehim,withhishairblowingandwild.Theboylookedupandraisedhisarmingreeting.Michelangelo’seyeswerecalm.Hishandswereraised.Thiswasn’taboutsex.Hewasimaginingsomething,Icouldtell.

CARDINALAndthepointis…?

RAPHAELItremindedmewhatartcando,YourEminence.Itcanliftupoureyesandtransformthequotidianworldintosomethingentirelynew.InaflashthatfilthymanwasfloodedwiththelightofGod!

CARDINAL

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Wasitthemoon?Weneedamoon!

RAPHAEL

Itwasthelightofdivinegrace!TheimageofthatboylookingupatMichelangelowithsuchhope--itcouldbethebeginningofastunningLastJudgment.Assoonashewentupstairs,Iranhometomakethissketch.Whileitwasstillfreshinmymind.

CARDINAL

(firmly)Forgetit.Wecan’tsendNarbonneaLastJudgment.

RAPHAELWhynot?

CARDINALWe’remeanttobecelebratingtheirvictoryovertheSaracens,nottalkingabouttheendoftheworld!They’llbefurious.You’llhavetousethisboyinsomeotherway.Godknowshow.Helookslikehe’stryingtostartarevolution.

RAPHAEL

Maybeheis!

CARDINAL(gettinghysterical)Don’tsaythat.Don’tyoudare.ThePopeisinapanicaboutreformation.It’sgettingworseeveryday!MichelangeloandSebastianoinBastiano’srooms.Michelangeloisinarage.

MICHELANGELO

Hewashere!Thatsnivelingbastardwashere,Bastiano!Iknowit!

BASTIANOIt’snotpossible!Thewindowswerelocked.Thehiddenkeywasontheledge,whereIleftit.

MICHELANGELO

Youhavebetrayedme.

SEBASTIANONever!

MICHELANGELO

Thenhowdoyouexplainit?ChigidescribedRaphael’snewrenderingsforhisApostles—Peterdownleft,inblue,withhishandslikeso(heraiseshishandsinshock),Jamestwistingawayinred—we’vebeenrobbed,Bastiano!Wakeup!

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BASTIANO(soothingly)TheApostlesaretheApostles!Howdifferentcantheybe?Peterisalwaysinblue,withhishands“likeso”!(repeatingthegesture)IshowedthemtoRaphaelmyself!

MICHELANGELO(shockedatthenews)That’sit—you’reimpossible.I’mdone.(hestartstoexit)

SEBASTIANO

No!I’vebeenwaitingforyoufordays—wherehaveyoubeen?(Beatriceenters)

MICHELANGELO(stopping)Upinmyrooms.Agonizing.

BEATRICEAgonizing!WhatdidImiss?

SEBASTIANOAnewLazarus.(toMichelangelo)Calmdown.We’realleyes.Showuswhatyou’vecomeupwith.(Michelangelohesitates,thenproducesanewdrawing.ItisthetwistedLazarus,hisrightarmcrossedoverhischest,grabbinghisshroud.Thethreestareatit,insilence.CrossfadetoRaphaelandChigi)

RAPHAEL(quickly)Ididn’tmeanrevolution.Theideaisjust--ayoungmanrisingbackontohisfeetafterbeingleftfordead--

CARDINALThat’sLazarus!Sebastiano’stakingcareofthatone!

RAPHAELThenletmepaintsomethingcomplementary—tobeplacednexttoLazarusonthealtarpiece!You’rethemanofGod—theremustbeanotherstoryIcouldexplore—onethatmightfeaturethisboy…?

CARDINAL(firmly)You’redoingtheTransfiguration.Endofdiscussion.It’swhatLeoaskedforandit’syourjobtodeliverit.Ifyouwanttoweavethis...boyintothefabricofthepainting…well…you’retheartist,notme.Bytheway,Chigiiscountingonyoutoincludehisgirlfriendsomewhere—andyouknowhe’swritingthechecks…

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RAPHAEL‘Cescawillbefrontandcenter,Ipromise!Asstotheaudience!

CARDINAL

Notnude,Ihope?RAPHAEL

Inadiaphanouspinkrobe.Asortofserpentinefigure,twistingawayfromtheBoy.ThatwayIgetherleftprofile.Shehasanexquisitelittlemoleonherlefttemple.Ialsoplantoshowherperfectlefttoe…andbeneaththerobes—herabsolutelydelightfulshape--

CARDINAL(interrupting)That’senough!Chigiwillbedelighted,I’msure.(returningtothesubjectathand)Bearinmind--thestoryisthetransfigurationofJesus,notthebuttocksofFrancescaortheagonyofsomevagrantboy.WhenpeoplebuyaRaphael,theywantaRaphael.Don’tdisappointthem.

RAPHAELI’mdisappointingmyself,whichisevenworse.

CHIGI

You’dbetterhidethatcrazyboytillyou’vefiguredoutwhatstoryyou’retelling.GohomeandreadtherestofBible.Covertocover.Tillyoucomeacrossanakedboyscreamingatthesky.Andthenpaintthat.(hesighs)DearGod,whydidweeverlaunchthiscompetition?Meanwhile,backatSebastiano’sstudio,Michelangelo,BeatriceandBastianoarestaringatthenewdrawing.

MICHELANGELO

Tellmewhatyouthink.

BEATRICEDidyoufindhimonaboat?AsIsuggested?

SEBASTIANOAboat?

MICHELANGELO(evadingthequestion)Hecameuptomyrooms.Itwaslate,theskywasfullofstars.Iopenedthewindow,andtookoffhisclothes.

SEBASTIANO(demurring)Michele…

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MICHELANGELOItwasforart!Ihadapremonition.Isathiminachairbythewindow,toreupmybedsheets,andtiedhimup.

BEATRICE

Tiedhimup?Howawful.MICHELANGELO

Yes.Awful,andbeautiful.Awfulbecauseherememberedexactlywhatitfeltliketobechained…andbeautifulbecauseheknewthistimehe’dbesetfree.

SEBASTIANO

Don’tyouthinkthat’salittle…manipulative?

MICHELANGELO(obsessively)Iwantedtowatchhowhisbodybehavedwhenitwaschained.

BEATRICE(toBastiano)YouseewhatImean?Whenwillsomemusefinallysayno?

MICHELANGELOWhywouldhesayno?

BEATRICE(burstingout)Becauseit’sbadenoughhavingbeenchaineduponaboat,nooneneedstogetchainedupagainforapainting!Nomatterhowusefulyoumightfindthat!Couldn’tyoujustuseyourimaginationforachange?Isn’tthatwhatitmeanstobeanartist?(Michelangelostaresather,slightlyshocked.Bastianoisembarrassed)

SEBASTIANOIt’salwaysbettertodrawfromlife…youknowthat.

BEATRICEIsit?Betterforwhom?

MICHELANGELOForme.Ineededtoseetheeventinfrontofme…tothinkaboutitonestepatatime.Lazarushasbeensilenced,right?Buriedinthetombofdeathfordaysanddays.Suddenlyhereceivesaspark,aninvitationtolife,fromChrist’spointingfinger.Hefeelsit,buthedoesn’tmove.Notyet.Hesits,stillpartlybound.Hetwists.Hereachesforhisleftarm,wherethebindinghasbeenhurtinghisshoulder.Heopenshiseyeswide.HestaresatChristinamazement.Heasks,isittrue?Haveyougivenmeasecondchance?ShouldItakeit?Slowly,thebloodstartsmovingthroughhisbody.Canyouseetherighttoe,pushingtheclothawayfromhisleftknee?That’swhereitbegins.Thesensememory.Heflexeshismuscles.Hebeginstorememberwhatitfeltliketobealive.Tolongforlove.Towanttobeheard.Toberecognized.Becausein

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theend,that’sthequestionthepaintingmustask.Christcanopenthedoor,butLazarushastochoosetowalkthroughit.(beat)Doesitwork?(toBeatrice)OrdoyouthinkIamwithoutimagination?

BEATRICEIthinkyourmodelisanabsolutegenius.(shesmilesandexits.MichelangeloturnstoSebastiano,whoisfixatedonthedrawing)

SEBASTIANOYou’rethegenius.Thisissomethingcompletelydifferent.Imean…itlookslikearealman,notametaphor.(Michelangelonods.Sebastianoisalittlechagrinned)Goodforyouforkeepingatit.Imean,(laughingnervously)knowingme,Iwould’vejustsettledforwhatwehad.(beat)Doesthatmakemeafool?

MICHELANGELO(shrugging)You’retryingtokeeparoofoveryourhead.

SEBASTIANO(humiliated)MaybeI’mjustahack!

MICHELANGELOMaybewe’realljusthacks.(beat)Butsometimes,Bastiano—(beat)Therearetimeswhen–togetwhatyouwant--youhavetobewillingtodowhatittakes.

SEBASTIANOLiketieyourmodeltoachair?Isthatwhatittakes?(beat)SometimesIthinkI’mnotanartistafterall.

MICHELANGELOI’mjustsaying…peoplewhofollowothersneverpassthemby.

SEBASTIANO(stung)Isthatthegoal?Topasspeopleby?

MICHELANGELOThegoalistopaintthetruth.

SEBASTIANOWhichtruth?

MICHELANGELO(beat.Hehasnoideahowtorespond)Let’sjustseeifthefigurefits.(theyplacethedrawingonalarger“cartoon”ofthewholepainting)

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Inanotherpartofthestage,inRaphael’sstudio,BEATRICEisswathedinsheets.Herwildredcurlsblowinabreezefromthewindow.Raphaelisdrawingher,experimentingwithvariousposes.

RAPHAEL

Howbeautifulyouare!Raiseyourarms!

BEATRICEWhoamIsupposedtobe?

RAPHAELIhavenoidea!Justrelaxandlet’splayalittle…

BEATRICEAreyougoingtopaintmyface?Orjustmybody?

RAPHAELIhaven’tdecided.Truthbetold,I’mstillexploringthestoryofthispainting.

BEATRICEIt’stheTransfiguration!

RAPHAELIknow.Butthere’salwaysroomforinvention…(hegrins)Bastianosaysyouinspireallhisbestwork.So,talktome.IfyoucouldbeanyoneinamassivenewRaphaelpainting…whowouldyouliketobe?

BEATRICEWhat’smychoice?

RAPHAEL(sketching)Areyouagorgeouscourtierinafabulousgown,standingnexttoJesus?

BEATRICENo.Definitelynot.

RAPHAELHowaboutMaryMagdalene’ssister?

BEATRICE

Hersister?Idon’tthinkso.(onanimpulse)HowaboutmakingmeJesus?

RAPHAELWhat?

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BEATRICEIt’stheTransfiguration!Iknowwhatitistohaveavisionnoonebelievesin—

RAPHAELJesusdoesn’thaveavisionnoonebelievesin!

BEATRICE

Ofcoursehedoes.AndIwritepoemsnoonereads.WhichiswhyI’dmakeaheartbreakingJesus.

RAPHAEL

You’dhavetodemonstratehowyouexercisedivinepatiencewhileyoufloataround!

BEATRICEDivinepatienceismyspecialty.Watch.(sheposeswithherarmsraised,lookinguppatientlyatthesky.SomethingcapturesRaphael’simagination)

RAPHAELHoldthatpose.(hestartstodraw)Canyoubendalittleatthehips,sowegetanicetwist?Permitme…thefabricmustfalllikeso…(Here-shapesthefoldsofclothacrossherbody,untilhishandsreachherbelly.Shepullsaway)What?!(amazed,hetouchesherbellyagain.Shelooksaway)Mygoodness!Yousecretiveminx.Areyou…?

BEATRICE

Whynot?

RAPHAELCongratulations.Ithink.(beat)IsitBastiano’s?

BEATRICE

Ofcourse!

RAPHAELHedoesn’tdeserveyou.

BEATRICEBiteyourtongue.

RAPHAELImagine!NotonlyafemaleJesus,butapregnantJesus!

BEATRICEI’msorry.Ididn’tthinkitwouldshow.

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RAPHAELIt’sbrilliant!Hasapaintereverconceivedofsuchathing?

BEATRICENooneneedstoknow.Coveritupandkeepdrawing.

RAPHAELOnthecontrary!It’sincrediblyoriginal!

BEATRICE(surprised)Youthinkso?

RAPHAEL

(suddenlyfullofenergy)Don’tyousee?Thestoryseemedsodull!EveryJesusIdrewwaspseudo-Michelangelo,fullofmusclesandtestosterone.NeverinamillionyearsdidIthinkofusingafemalemodeforJesus!Letaloneapregnantone.

BEATRICEApregnantfemalepoet.Itcouldgiveawholenewmeaningtotheword“transfiguration”!

RAPHAELIwillrevealyourbelly,subtlybulgingunderthecloth—yourbeautifulsofthipssupportingit…

BEATRICE

Andmybeautifulmind?

RAPHAEL(distracted,drawing)Youaresofullofgrace.

BEATRICEMostofthetime,I’mfullofrage.

RAPHAELThengivemerage!Whateveryoulike!(drawingfrenetically)Jesus’bodywillbepregnantwiththefuture…abouttogivebirthtotheHolyCatholicChurch.That’sit!Whyhasnoonedonethisbefore?

BEATRICEBecausetheyneverhadtherightmuse.(excited)IfI’mgoingtobeJesus,letmebeJesus.Let’strytoimaginewhathe’sfeeling.

RAPHAEL

Bemyguest…

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BEATRICE

Herewego.(shestartstoimagine,hekeepsdrawing)He’sabouttoleavehiswholepastbehind,right?(shethinking)AyoungJewishman,uponamountaintopwithhisdisciples,abouttobecome--what?What’sinhismind?Doesheknowhe’sleavinghisfamilybehindforever?Hisentireheritage?Isheterrified?Exhilarated?Fullofself-doubt?Doeshehaveanyideaofthescaleofwhat’shappening?(shefillstheposewithherthoughts.Raphaelwatches,fascinated.CrossfadebacktoSebastianoandMichelangelo)

SEBASTIANOBytheway,I’malittleworriedaboutthescale.ShouldLazarusbesomuchbiggerthanChrist?ThePopemaynotlikethat.

MICHELANGELOWhatChristlacksinstature,youwillmakeupforinlight.(softening)Relax,Bastiano.You’rethebestcoloristIknow.

SEBASTIANO

Thankyou,Michele.

MICHELANGELOWe’llberevealingthescaleofthemiracle—aprisonerbeingmagicallysetfree.

BEATRICEDoeshefeelfree,theSonofGod?

RAPHAEL(gettingintothegame)Orishetrappedbyhisnewresponsibilities?

BEATRICEMaybehefeelsabsolutelycalm.Asif--suddenlyandunexpectedly—herealizeswhatHe’sgoodat!

RAPHAELHowluckyforhim!

BEATRICEIt’snotluck.Thinkaboutit!Jesushasbeenworkingeighteen-hourdays,travellingthroughthehotdesert,performingmiracles,curingthesick,makingloavesandfishesappearoutofnowhere—he’sexhausted!Andindespair.Hewonders,whenarethosepeopledownthereevergoingtobelieveI’mtheSonofGod?

RAPHAELExactly!

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BEATRICEAndjustwhenhethinkshecan’ttakeanymore,GodtheFathermakeshimslogupamountainwithallhisdisciplesfollowingbehindhim,likesomekindofcrazyparade…andthensuddenly—(sheraisesherarms)—I’mthere.Atthetop.Lookingoutatthevastuniverse—

RAPHAELAnightskyfullofstars—

BEATRICE--andIhearavoicerumblingintheair.ThevoiceofGod.Tellingtheworld:“Thisismyson!Beholdhiminallhisglory!Withhim,Iamwellpleased!”Andaflashofgloriouslightilluminatesmyflowinghair(sheshakesouthermane)andallthedisciplescollapseinamazement!

RAPHAELYes!BecausetheJesusthey’restaringatissuddenlylikenoonethey’veeverencountered!

BEATRICE(raisingherarmsgracefullytotheheavens)He’sagoddessofthefuture!Theeternalfemale,pregnantwithpossibilities--

RAPHAELFloatingonacloud!Yes!Icanseeitnow!Thewholepaintinginonefellswoop!!

BEATRICEIt’snotthewholepainting,it’sonlyhalf,youfool!

RAPHAEL(drawing)Whateveryousay!Holdthatpose!

BEATRICE(posingbeautifully)Jesusisupabove,gorgeousandpatient.Nowyouhavetofigureoutwhat’shappeningdownbelow.

RAPHAELDownbelow?Acrowdofbrilliantlypaintedfigures,staringupatyouinamazement!

BEATRICETheycan’tbestaringatme—

RAPHAELWhynot?

BEATRICE

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NooneactuallyseesJesustransfigure,that’sthepointofthestory.Theycanonlyfeelthepowerofmydivinepresence!

RAPHAELHowdoIpaintpeoplefeelingthepowerofyourdivinepresence?

BEATRICE(makingitup)MaybeI’vejustdoneamiracle!

RAPHAEL(anidea)Coulditinvolveabeautifulyoungboy,reachinguptothesky?

BEATRICEWhichboy?

RAPHAELIdon’tknowwhoheis,butIknowexactlywhathelookslike!Don’tmove--(herushesofftofindthedrawinghemadeofMichelangelo’smodel)

SEBASTIANOCanyoupaintitquickly?Ineedmoneyforthebaby,Michele!IfwefinishthisbeforeRaphaelfinisheshis,maybethePopewillgiveusabonusandanewcommission!

MICHELANGELOGetmetwenty-fiveducatsforthepaint.Quickly.

SEBASTIANO

What?

MICHELANGELOIt’salargefigure.Andmymodelneedstoeat.

RAPHAEL(returningwiththedrawing)Look!Yousee?

BEATRICEHelookslikehe’sstartingarevolution!

RAPHAELHeis!He’llbestandingbeneathyou,withthosefabulousarmssplayed…sendingthepresenceofJesus,locusofimaginationandjoy!

BEATRICE

Imaginationandjoy!(feelingherbelly)Thenyou’llhavetoraisemyfee.

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SEBASTIANOThey’vealreadytoldusthefee—therewon’tbemore—

MICHELANGELOThisisLazarus…

BEATRICEI’mJesus!

MICHELANGELOTearingoffthebondsofdeathandbeingreborn!

BEATRICETransformingtheideaofthefutureofmankind!

MICHELANGELO

Thisisthevictoryoverthetyrannyofdeath.It’samiracle!

BEATRICEI’mamiracle.

SEBASTIANO

Iknow,but…twenty-fiveducats?

MICHELANGELOThisishowwe’llberemembered!

RAPHAELThisishowyourbabywillberemembered!

BEATRICEShe’llberememberedformuchmorethanthat!

SEBASTIANONooneknowswhowillberemembered!

RAPHAELMypaintingswillgiveusalleternallife!

MICHELANGELO(outraged)Whatistwenty-fiveducatsinexchangeforeternallife?!Getmethemoney,Bastiano!Now!OrLazaruswillneverriseagain!

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BLACKOUT.ENDOFACTONE.

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ACT2Fivemonthslater.Beatriceathomeinaloose-fittingnightgown,writing/recitingapoem.Likeapieceofperformanceart.

BEATRICE“Look!Lookup,youblindpeople!Dance,angels!Singout,VoiceoftheFather!Falltotheground,apostles,andcoveryoureyes!Doyouknowme?IamGod!IamfinallyGod!Ithashappened!Me!Forthissinglemoment,Iameverywhere!Transitory!Transcendent!Transmuted!Transplanted!Whydoyoupointbutrefusetolook?”(Thesoundofababyhowlingshattersherconcentration.Shelooksup,frazzled)Bastiano!Gether!She’sscreaming!(readingthepoem)“Whydoyoupointbutrefusetolook?Don’tyoubelieve?I’meverythingyou’veneverseen!Idefylogic!Iamthemysterythattransfigures!Iamenergythatpowerstheuniverse!Andyou,whobelieveyouseeitall,YouwhodrapefabricOvermynakedbreasts”—(shestops,crossesoutaword,triesagain)“Overmynakedsoul,Bewarned!YoucannottakemybellyButavoidmymind!”(callingout)Bastiano!!(thebabycries)“Iwillblindtheworldwithmylight”--(Wehearascreamingnewbornbaby.Sebastianoenters,carryingLuciana)Hellosweetheart.

SEBASTIANOIthinkshe’shungry!

BEATRICE(distracted)Shejustate!Howaboutawalk?

SEBASTIANOIt’sraining!She’llcatchcold.(herocksthebaby.Thebabyscreams)Whatisit,carina?YousoundasiftheDevilweretrappedinsideyou!(HehandsthebabytoBeatrice)Dotheyalwayssmelllikethis?

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BEATRICE

(rockingher)Ssshhh,angel.Yourmammaisworking!

SEBASTIANOIfmybreastshadmilk,Iwouldfeedhermyself!Beatricesticksthebabyonherbreastandresumesherattentiononherpoem.ThereisamomentofsilencewhilethebabyfeedsandBeatricewrites.Sebastianograbshissketchpadandbeginstodrawher.

SEBASTIANOOnesec--couldyouturnalittletotheleft?Andholdherlikethis…(heturnsherandmakesadjustmentssohecandrawthem)Perfect!VirginandChildwithBreastandPoem!I’llsellthistoChigiforamonth’sworthofsalami!

BEATRICE(readingloudlywhileshenursesandperformsforBastiano)“IwillblindtheworldwithmylightUntilevenyoubelieveinme!Doyouseethatboy,downbelow?Hesalutesme!(Bastianogetsinvolved,raisedhisfist)HepumpshisfistintheairLikeabullfighterinSpain”…(heshakeshishead,sherevisesit)“LikeadancerinaPapalpageant.ButIlookaway,gazingintothedistantfutureIgnoringallofyouwithmydivinepatience…”

SEBASTIANO(laughing)Patience?You?!

BEATRICEAbsolutely!“Withmydivinepatience,AsIcontemplatemyfuture.(shelooksdownatthebaby)Wedefyyourchaos!(sheliftsLucianaup)Wejumpup!Wefly!WefloatlikeaVenetiancloud!Hairlitupinablazeoffire!”(lookingatLuciana)(Well,notyou,mybaldsweetheart)“AndathousandeyesstareupatusWonderingwhoonearthwearesupposedtobe!”

SEBASTIANO

Brava!(amomentofsilencewhilethebabynurses)It’samiracle.

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BEATRICEWhat,thepoemorthemomentofsilence?

SEBASTIANOThewholething!

BEATRICE

Youlikeit?

SEBASTIANOIloveit.Youcannurseababy,poseforadrawingandwriteapoem,allatthesametime.

BEATRICE

It’scalledmulti-tasking,sweetheart.Womenhavebeendoingitsincetimeimmemorial.CrossfadetoChigi’srooms.Evening.Chigiisdrinkingwine.Raphaelhasjustentered.

CHIGI

Ihopeyou’reheretotellmethepaintingisdone,andnottodrinkmysuperbMontepulciano.

RAPHAELI’vefinishedtheJesus.

CHIGIAnd?

RAPHAELIthinkit’s…(hepauses,thinking)It’sthemostbeautifulChristyou’veeverseen.

CHIGIThankGod.You’dbetterhurryup.SebastianoandMichelangeloareroundingthefinishline.

RAPHAEL

(nervously)IstheLazaruscompleted,then?

CHIGIIt’sclose!TheyplantounveilthepaintingbyChristmas.(holdingoutsomechocolates)Chocolate?

RAPHAEL(shocked)Christmas?Butit’salreadyOctober!

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CHIGISebastiano’shadhisbaby.HewantstheLazarusdone!Whilehe’sgothiswifeathomewithherbreastsfullofmilk,he’sdesperatetopaintsomeMadonnaandChilds–(pause.Thinks.Corrects)MadonnasandChildren.Anyway,he’llmakeafortune.Youshouldseehertits!Iboughtthreedrawingsofherformyprivatecollection…(hepopsachocolateintohismouth)Mmmmmm…..

RAPHAEL

Hiswifeisanaccomplishedpoet,Agostino.

CHIGISheshouldshutupandkeepnursing.Thesechocolates!SmuggledinfromSpain.Youhavetotaste!(Raphaeltakesachocolate)

RAPHAELThanks. (beat)Their painting’s not framed yet, is it? Perhaps you could insist theframebemadeinFrance.Thatwouldbuymesometime!

CHIGI

Michelangelosayshe’sdesigningtheframehimself.Andbuildingithere.InRome.

RAPHAEL(inhorror)No!(heeatsthechocolate)

CHIGIYes.Hewantsitmadetohisownexactspecifications.Stopdilly-dallyingorwe’llawardthecompetitiontotheLazarus.Aren’ttheysinful?(meaningthechocolate)

RAPHAEL

Outrageous.(quickly,flatteringhim)Cometodinner!Atmyhouse!YouandtheCardinal.Youcantakealookatmyprogressandseeforyourselves.Andthenmycookwillmakeyouadeliciouscaponstuffedwithchestnuts…

CHIGI

(rising)You’rerunningoutoftime,Rafaello.

RAPHAELI’mdoingthebestIcan.

CHIGIJustremember…today’sinnovationistomorrow’soldnews.Ifyoulose,noonewilleverlookatyourpaintingagain.Crossfade.Soundsofababycrying.Inhisrooms,Bastianoisrockingacradle.

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SEBASTIANOCloseyoureyes,myangel!Justforamoment.Please.(thebabycries.Michelangeloenters,stopsshortwhenheseesBastianowiththebaby.Watches)Sssshhh!Doesyourtummyhurt?Areyoubored?You’realmostasloudasyourmamawhenshe’swritingapoem!(thebabybeginstogetquiet.HelooksupandseesMichelangelo.Smiles)You’regoingtobeaferociousmuse.Andsomedayyourfamousgodfatherwillputyouatthecenterofafresco,andallofRomewilllineuptoadmireyou!(heliftsthebabyfromthecradleandholdsherup)Goodmorning,Michele.

MICHELANGELO

Morning.Youwantedtospeaktome?

SEBASTIANOIdid.(hehesitates)Forgiveme,shedidn’tsleepallnight.Shelivesinfearofmissingout…(hegoesbacktotendingthebaby.Michelangelogetsouthissketchbook)

MICHELANGELO

MayI?(Michelangelostartstodrawthetwooftheminredchalk,quietly.Forquiteafewmoments,hedrawsandBastianoentertainsthebaby.ThenBastianolooksup)Isitthepainting?

SEBASTIANOTheactualdesignisbeautiful,Michele.Theshapeofthetorso…theexpressioninhiseyes,allperfect.But—

MICHELANGELOButyoustillfindthefiguretoobig.

SEBASTIANOToobig?No.Icanlivewiththesize.(beat)It’stoodark.

MICHELANGELO

Whatdoyoumean?

SEBASTIANOItwasn’tclearinthedrawings…Imean,inredchalk,helooked…normal…

MICHELANGELONormal?

SEBASTIANOButnowthat’she’spainted--(burstingout)itwon’tfly,Michele!NarbonneCathedralwillneveracceptit.Never.

MICHELANGELOWhynot?

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SEBASTIANO

(puttingthebabybackinthecradle)Don’tyouunderstand?Weacceptedthiscommission!Weknewwhattheruleswere!We’vealreadyspentthemoney!Weneversaid—

MICHELANGELOWhat?Weneversaidwhat?

SEBASTIANOThatthemodelforLazaruswouldbeablackman!

MICHELANGELOAh.(beat)He’smorisco.

SEBASTIANO

Whatdoesthatmean?

MICHELANGELOHe’sfromMorocco.

SEBASTIANOIdon’tcarewherehe’sfrom.That’snotthepointofthepainting.

MICHELANGELO

Youdon’tthinkitworks?It’stheonlysolutionthathadanypowerforme.

SEBASTIANOAllweneedtodoisaddsomeglaze.Tolightentheskinalittle.It’sasimplefix.

MICHELANGELO

Whatdoyouthinkthisis,wallpaper?

SEBASTIANOIdon’tunderstand.Whatdifferencedoesitmaketoyouifhe’salittlelighter?

MICHELANGELOWhatdifferencedoesitmaketoyouifhe’salittledarker?

SEBASTIANOYoualwaysdothis!It’sbadenoughthatyouhadtotieupthatpoormanforhourstogetthedrawingright.Youalwayshavetopushthelimits,justtomakeapoint.

MICHELANGELO

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It’snottomakeapoint!It’stomakeapainting!Aworkofart!SomethingtoexpresswhatIfeelaboutthestory.We’llnevertriumphoverRaphaelifwedon’ttrysomethingradical,somethingimportant!

SEBASTIANO

Weliveindifficulttimes…

MICHELANGELOThenweshouldportraytheworldaswefindit!(hestaresatBastiano)Doesn’tthesightofthatmanmoveyourheart?

SEBASTIANOOfcourseitdoes.Butthisisn’taboutme.

MICHELANGELO

Iwastryingtovisualizetheterrorofbeinganoutsider,wrenchedbackfromthedead.SoIpaintedAhmed,amanexpelledfromSpainfornootherreasonthanhisfaith—

SEBASTIANOHisfaith?

MICHELANGELOWhatdoyouthinkmoriscosare?

SEBASTIANO

Ihavenoidea.

MICHELANGELOThey’reSpanishMuslimswho’vebeenforcedtoconverttoCatholicism--

SEBASTIANO

(verycarefully)OhmyGod,Michele.Pleasedon’ttellmeourLazarusisaMuslim.

MICHELANGELO(passionately)AMuslimwhowasforcedfromhiscountry…escapedtoMorocco…andwasfinallytakentoGenoainthebottomofaboat!IfoundhimonthedocksoftheTiber.

SEBASTIANO

Listen,it’sincrediblysad…hiswholesituation--Iagree--

MICHELANGELOIknewyouwould—you’resoempathetic…

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SEBASTIANO

Butit’simpossible.Don’tyousee?(beat)It’sdifferentforyou.Yougettothrowasmanygrenadesasyoulikebecauseeveryoneknowsyou’reagenius.Idon’thavethatluxury…

MICHELANGELOOfcourseyoudo!Youmust!We’renotslavestotheChurch!

SEBASTIANOActually…weare.

MICHELANGELOIsitourdevoutChristiansponsorsyou’resoworriedabout?

SEBASTIANOYoushouldbeworriedtoo!TheywereangryenoughabouttheSistine—thiswillpushthemrightovertheedge.

MICHELANGELOThenIwillfallintotheabysswithmyheadheldhigh.

SEBASTIANOThat’sridiculous!Thispaintingisbothofours.We’veworkedsohard.Whydestroyitnow?

MICHELANGELOIhavetogowherethepaintingtakesme.

SEBASTIANO

(angrily)Noyoudon’t!Gosomewhereelse!Therearesomanyoptions!Somanymodels!Whydidyouhavetochoosethatone?They’llexcoriateus.

MICHELANGELODon’tyouwanttobepartofhistory?

SEBASTIANOIampartofhistory!Ihaveababy,Michele.Asboringasthatmayseemtoyou.Luciana’sbaptismalrobesalonecostafortune—Ineverrealizedhowexpensiveitwastoprocreate.

MICHELANGELOYoushouldbeproudofwhatwe’vedone.

SEBASTIANO

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WhocareshowproudIamiftheChurchturnsagainstusandfreezesusout?(Michelangeloturnsaway)IknowyouthinkI’macoward—andmaybeIam!Butyou’renobetter!

MICHELANGELOMe?

SEBASTIANOYou’vebeenmybestfriendfortwentyyears.Butyou’rehappytoseemedestroyedforthesakeofapainting.

MICHELANGELOCalmdown.Noone’sgettingdestroyed.

SEBASTIANO

Hypocrite.Whereisthemanyoulove,whereisyourTomasso?Disguisedinendlessstanzasofversebecauseyoudon’thavethecouragetolovehiminperson!

MICHELANGELO

(stung)Ilovehiminmyownway—

SEBASTIANOWhatwayisthat?Byhidinghiminsidesculpturesoftorturedyoungmen?Bywritingpoemstoanunnamedperson?Youthinkyoucanmuscleyourwayintocontrolnomatterwhat!Butyoucan’t.Yourlovemaymakeyouthebetterartist,butwhatkindofmandoesitmakeyou?

MICHELANGELOWhocareswhatkindofmanIam?

SEBASTIANOYoushouldcare!Iknowit’sdifficultforyou,actinglikeahumanbeing--butyoudon’teventry!Youwearyourselfishnesslikeabadge.Bea’sright,yourmusesshouldrevolt,thewayyoutreatthem!

MICHELANGELONothingsurvivesbuttheworkitself.

SEBASTIANOCoward.What’stheworstthatcanhappen?Havingarelationshipislikemakingapaintingwithnosketchtoguideyou—youhavetofollowyournoseandtrustthatyou’llfindit.

MICHELANGELO

Ihavefoundit.ThepaintingiswhatIwanttosayaboutLazarus.

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SEBASTIANOThathe’saMuslimslave?He’snot!ReadtheBiblestory!He’sjustanordinaryguywhodied.AgratefulmanchosenbyChristforoneofthegreatestmiraclesthateverhappened.Thepaintingshouldgiveviewershope.Itshouldmakethembelieve!That’swhattheChurchispayingusfor.Notforyourself-indulgentexhibitionism!(Thebabystartstocry.Beatriceenters.Shesensesthetensionintheroom).

BEATRICEIseverythingokay?(shetakesthebabyoutofthecradle.Rocksher.PicksupMichelangelo’ssketchandstaresatit)Whatawonderfullikeness.Fatherandchild.

MICHELANGELO

(toSebastiano)MyLazarusworks.Itfitsthepainting.Ibegyoutoreconsider.

SEBASTIANOIbegyoutorepaintit.

MICHELANGEOIcan’t.(beat)Iwouldn’tknowhowelsetodoit.

BEATRICEWhat’shappened?Tellme.

SEBASTIANO(toBeatrice)We’regoingtobeeatingpotatoesthiswinter.

MICHELANGELOThat’snottrue!

BEATRICEPotatoes?Why?

SEBASTIANO(toMichelangelo)Arewedonehere?I’llseeyouout.(Michelangelohesitates,thenturnstogo.Sebastianofollowshim.Beatrice,stillholdingthedrawing,crossesLucianaandshowsherthedrawing)

BEATRICELook,sweetheart!LookwhatMichelangelodrewofyouandPapa.Soonyou’llbemodellingasthebabyJesus…(shekissesthebaby.Staresather.Picksupapenandstartstowritesomethingonthebackofthedrawing.Aknockonthedoor.Shekeepswriting.Anotherknock.Shelooksup)Whoisit?(Raphaelenters.He’sdisheveled,nothimself)

RAPHAEL

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It’sme.

BEATRICEYou!(shestaresathim,putsdownthedrawing)Youlookterrible.

RAPHAELLatenight.Ibroughtyouagift.(heholdsoutacapon,alreadycooked,wrappedinadishcloth)Acapon.Stuffedwithchestnuts.(beat.Shestaresathim)

BEATRICE

Why?

RAPHAELIdon’tknow.Fordinner.

BEATRICEWell,atleastit’snotpotatoes.What’sthematter?

RAPHAEL

Ineedhelp.

BEATRICEWithwhat?

RAPHAELItriedtomakeitfit.Mydrawingoftheboy.Ican’tdoit.

BEATRICE(laughing)Eternallifeiseludingyou?

RAPHAELIcan’tmakeitcoherewithwhat’sontop!

BEATRICE

I’mjustthepregnantmuse,remember?

RAPHAELDon’tsaythat.Couldyoucometomystudioforalittlewhile?

BEATRICENo.I’mbusy.(sheliftsLucianaoutofherbasket)Lookwhowasbornlastmonth!Jesus’baby!

RAPHAEL

Congratulations!She’s…tiny.(beat)Forgiveme.Ihaven’tsleptindays.

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BEATRICE

(smiling)Welcometomyworld.Nowtrymakingartwithababyatyourbreast…

RAPHAELHere’swhatI’vegot.There’samuscularyoungmanwithnoshirton.Thereisagroupofconfused,indecisivedisciples,noneofwhomknowwhattodo.Andthere’sJesus,floatingabove.Howdoesitallmakeonepainting?

BEATRICEDidyougobackandreadtheBiblestory?

RAPHAELTheTransfiguration?Iknowthestory!

BEATRICEHowaboutthepartrightaftertheTransfiguration?

RAPHAELNo.WhywouldIreadthat?

BEATRICEYou’reanidiot.Itsolvesallyourproblems.

RAPHAELTheBible?

BEATRICEThestoryoftheepilepticboy.IlookeditupassoonasIfinishedposingforyou…

RAPHAELAndwhatdidyoufind?(thesoundofthedoor.Sebastianowalksin)Bastiano!(SebastianoisstillagitatedfromhisfightwithMichelangelo.HeisstartledtoseeRaphaelinconversationwithhiswife)

SEBSTIANOWhatareyoudoinghere?

RAPHAELIbroughtyouacapon!

SEBASTIANONo,Rafaello.Thisisnotthetime.

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RAPHAELIsaluteyou!IhearyoufinishedtheLazarus!

SEBASTIANO

Ihearhalfyourcanvasisn’tevenbegun.

RAPHAELIt’scominganydaynow!

SEBASTIANO

Thenwhatdoyouwant?We’vegotnothingelseforyoutosteal.

RAPHAEL(heholdsoutacapon)Eatthecapon,myfriends!It’sbetterthanpotatoes!

SEBASTIANO(stung)Haveyounograce?Areyouanartistatall?

RAPHAELIamfullofgrace.Thatisthemeaningofmyname.

SEBASTIANO

(Takingthecapon)Thankyouforthebird.Thatwaskind.

RAPHAEL(clearlyinafrenzyaboutthepainting)I’minpurgatory,can’tyousee?

BEATRICEGood!Purgatoryiswheretheactionis!Michelangelopeersinthroughthedoor,lookingforSebastiano.

MICHELANGELOBastiano!

SEBASTIANOMichele!

RAPHAELBuonarotti!

MICHELANGELO(startledtoseehim)Raphael?

BEATRICE(aboutRaphael)Hewasjustleaving.

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MICHELANGELO

Whatareyoudoinghere?

BEATRICEBegging.

RAPHAELBrainstorming!

SEBASTIANO

Bullshitting.

MICHELANGELOAboutwhat?

SEBASTIANOCapons.

BEATRICEGod.

RAPHAEL

Art.

BEATRICETheusual.

MICHELANGELO(toRaphael)Goaway.Please.Ineedtospeaktomyfriend.

SEBASTIANOMe?(beat)There’snothinglefttosay.

MICHELANGELOYoumisinterpretedmywords--

SEBASTIANONo,Michele.Iheardyouloudandclear.

MICHELANGELOIt’sapainting!It’snotpersonal.

SEBASTIANOItisforme.

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MICHELANGELOItoldyou,IwouldstartoveragainifIcould.Idon’tknowhow!

SEBASTIANOIt’snotthathard.You’rejusttooegotisticaltofigureitout!

BEATRICE

Stopit.Bothofyou.You’llscarethebaby.(beat.Quietly,toBastiano)Forgivehim,mylove.Iknowhe’simpossible--buthe’sthegodfatherofourchild.

SEBASTIANOPlease.He’sneverevenlookedatLuciana.

MICHELANGELOThat’snottrue!Imadeadrawing—(lookingaroundforhisdrawing.Spotsitonthetableandpicksitup.BeatriceistoopreoccupiedwithLucianatonotice)

SEBASTIANOArt!Youalwayshavetoturneverythingintoart!

MICHELANGELOWhatelseisthere?

RAPHAEL(fascinated)WhathaveImissed?

MICHELANGELOI’msorryIoffendedyou—

SEBASTIANOIt’snotmewho’sgoingtobeoffended!WaittillthePope--

RAPHAEL(nowhe’sreallyhooked!)Hassomethinghappened?WiththeLazarus?

SEBASTIANONoneofyourbusiness.Ithinkyoushouldleavenow.Bothofyou.(HecrossestoBeatriceandreachesforLuciana)I’llholdher.(hetakesthebaby,crossesawayandcuddlesher)

MICHELANGELO(urgently,toBeatrice)Talktohim.Tellhimhemisunderstood.

BEATRICEYoutellhim.(Michelangelodoesn’tknowwhattosay)

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RAPHAEL(toBeatrice)FinishthestoryandthenI’llgetout,Ipromise!Whywereyoutellingmeabouttheepilepticboy?

BEATRICEWeren’tyoutryingtopaintthepowerofmydivinepresence?(Raphaelnods)TheepilepticboywasoneofJesus’greatestfeats.

RAPHAELMeaning…?

BEATRICEThepoorchildhasbeensickallhislife.Constantseizures.Jesusarrivesandthefatherbegshimtohelp--he’saskedallthedisciplesinvain.Jesustellshisfatherthathecanpullthedeviloutoftheboy’sbody,butonlyifthefatherbelievesinhim.(beat)Payattentiontothefather.Thestoryisabouthim.

RAPHAELThefather?(bewildered,turningtoMichelangelo)DoyourememberthatBiblestory?Aboutanepilepticboy…

MICHELANGELO

Matthew17?

RAPHAELIsitMatthew17?

MICHELANGELO

(nodding)It’samiracle.Theboyhasbeenrollingontheground,foamingatthemouth…

RAPHAELWell,Icertainlydon’twanttopaintthat…

MICHELANGELOJesusarrivesandblowstheevilspiritoutoftheboy’smouth.Thefatherrealizestohisamazementthathissonhasbeensaved.

RAPHAELOkay…

SEBASTIANO(fromthecorner)Buthedoesn’tunderstandhow.TheResurrectionhasn’thappenedyet.Thedadrepresentseveryonewhostruggleswithfaith.Youhonestlydon’tknowthestory?

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RAPHAEL

No.Whathappens?

MICHELANGELOThefatheruttersthemostheartbreakinglineinthewholeBible.HesaystoJesus,“Helpmetoovercomemyunbelief”.

RAPHAEL(staringatMichelangelo)“Helpmetoovercomemyunbelief.”(beat.Thinking)Howdoesapersonovercomehisunbelief?

SEBASTIANOHehastochooseto.Ofhisownfreewill.(theyturnandlookathim.Hestaysinthecorner)Theboy’sfatherisatotallyordinaryguy.Nothingspecial—apersonnoonewouldlookattwice.Hislifehashitrockbottom.Andthen,miraculously,hischildiscured.Whichfillshimwithjoy,butalsowithconfusion.Whowasthismanwhohaddriventhedevilout?Wheredidhecomefrom?Wherehashedisappearedto?

RAPHAELSodownbelow,thefatheriswrestlingwithwhoJesusis,andupabove,JesusisTransfiguringandshowingusthathe’stheSonofGod!Butnooneseesthat…

SEBASTIANO(nodding)Becauseit’stoosoon.Ittakestimetobelieveinsomething.It’slikefallinginlove.Youhavetomakealeap,evenifyoucan’texplainwhy…(Beatricesmiles)

RAPHAEL“Helpmetoovercomemyunbelief!”(nodding,lookingatBastiano)Itneedstobearealface,thefather.Andthereitis.(hetakesouthissketchpad)

MICHELANGELOWatchout,Bastiano.Raphaelwillstealeverythingyou’vegot.

RAPHAEL(sketchingfeverishly)Theanswerhasbeenhereallalong!Rightinfrontofme!Lookatthoseeyebrows!Don’tmove.

BEATRICELeavehimalone,Rafaello.

RAPHAELI’mgoingtomakehimimmortal!

MICHELANGELO

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84

(toRaphael)AreyouhonestlygoingtomakeanepilepticfitthecenterofyourTransfiguration?

RAPHAEL(lookingup)Themomentafteranepilepticfit.Beawasright.That’swhatholdsthepaintingtogether.

BEATRICEPutthatconfusedfatherbeneaththerealJesus.Thatwouldbeapaintingtoremember!

MICHELANGELOWho’stherealJesus?

BEATRICEAflashofhopelightingupthechaosofhumanlife.Shefloatsabovechildrenandloveandsicknessandbetrayalandanxietyanddeath.Sheseesitall!

SEBASTIANOWhatareyoutalkingabout?

BEATRICE(smiling)Waittillyousee,Bastiano!(tothegroup)TheTransfigurationhasaninterestingending,incaseyou’veforgotten…Thediscipleswouldhavestayedonthemountainforever—theyevenoffertobuildsheltersupthereforJesusandMosesandElijah.ButJesussaysno.Heleadsthemallbackdownintotheworld.Becauseunfortunately,lifeisn’taboutbeingonthemountaintop.It’saboutwhathappenstousdownbelow.(thebabystartstosquall.Beasmiles)Sorry,sweetheart,butthat’showitgoes.(Raphaelapproachesthebaby)

RAPHAELListentothoselungs!

SEBASTIANO(tothebaby)Ssshhhh,angel.Don’tbefrightened.It’sonlyRaphael.(Hebeginstoblowbubblesinherdirection.Graduallythebabybecomesquiet.Sebastianolaughs.Raphaelstaresatthebaby.Hebecomesfixatedonhermouth)

RAPHAELWhat’sshedoing?Lookatthatmouth!(hegrabshistabletagainandstartstosketch)

SEBASTIANO

She’sblowingbubbles.It’sherfavoriteactivity.

BEATRICE(curious)WhyareyouinterestedinLuciana’smouth?

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RAPHAEL

(drawing)It’sanincredibleshape…

MICHELANGELOIhavetogo.(crossingtoBastiano)I’msorryyouthinkIhavefailedourpainting.

SEBASTIANOWe’vefailedeachother,Michele.(Michelangeloturnstogo.Seeshisdrawingonthetable,pocketsit,andexits.ThereisamomentofsilencewhileRaphaeldrawsandBeatricewatcheshim.ThenSebastianocrossestoBeatrice)

SEBASTIANOI’mtired.Willyoutakeher?(hehandsthebabytoBeatrice,andexitswithoutsayinggoodbyetoRaphael.Theroomisquietforamoment.RaphaellooksatBeatricewithgratitude)

RAPHAELIshould’vebroughtyouacaseofwine.

BEATRICEButyoudidn’t.(beat)Stopstaringatme.

RAPHAELIt’sstrange.Icanmakeyourhusband’sfacematchthefather’sperfectly—theraisedbrows—theworriedeyes—butyours…itdoesn’tfit…

BEATRICEWhynot?

RAPHAEL

You’vegottoomuchfire.

BEATRICEForwhat?

RAPHAELForJesus.

BEATRICEWhosaysJesusdoesn’thavefire?

RAPHAELAccordingtotheBible,whatJesusfeltduringtheTransfigurationwassimply…peace.

BEATRICE

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Thenpaintthat.“Thepeacethatpassethallunderstanding”.(smiling)Itcertainlypassethmyunderstanding…

RAPHAELWillyoucomeseethepainting?Whenit’sfinished?

BEATRICE

ShouldI?

RAPHAEL(insistently)Please.

BEATRICE

(smiling)Becarefulwhatyouwishfor.Wemusesareincrediblyopinionated.(sheputsoutherhandandhekissesit.Raphaelturnsandexits.Beatricestartstogatherupsomethings.Looksforapapershecan’tfind.)Mypoem!WheredidIputthatpoem?(sheexitswiththebabytofindit.CrossfadetoaspotlightonMichelangelo.Hestaresathisdrawing.FlipsitoverandfindsBeatrice’spoemontheback.Hereadsit)

MICHELANGELOFatherandChild.“InsideyourtinyfaceIseemyownreflectedLikeinaconvexmirrorYoustarebackatmeFullofsurprisesEyeswidewithamazementAsIblowbubblesatyournose.AndfromdeepinsideofyouWhereithadneverbeenbeforeComeslaughter…AmagicalgurglingsoundLikewatereruptingfromastone.IstopstillandimagineHowIhadfilledthesilenceBeforethismoment…”LightsshifttorevealmorninginSebastiano’sstudio.It’sthedaywhentheLazaruspaintingistobeshowntotheCardinalandChigi.Bastianoenters,dressedfortheoccasion.Hestartscleaningtheplaceup,anxiously.Aknockatthedoor.Sebastianoexits.Voicesoffstage.Afterabeat,enterChigiandtheCardinal,followedbyaverynervousSebastiano)

SEBASTIANO

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87

Please,myfriends.Entrate!Benvenuti!(“Comein!Welcome!”)It’sanhonortohaveyoubothinmystudio.(hequicklypicksupthecaponandchucksitunderthecupboard.TheCardinalwatcheswithamusement)

CARDINAL

Apleasure,Sebastiano.Don’tcleanuponourbehalf.

CHIGIGoodmorning!Suchalovelydayoutside—whyareyourshuttersclosed?

SEBASTIANO

SothatImayopenthem,mylord,whenIshowyouourpainting.

CHIGIPleasedo.Thisroomsmellslikedeadbirdsandovercookedchestnuts.(lookingaround)Where’sMichelangelo?

SEBASTIANO(awkwardly)He’s…hecouldn’tmakeitthismorning.Familymatters.Hesendshisregrets.

CARDINAL(annoyed)Showusthepainting.

SEBASTIANOWithoutdelay!Bastianopushesopentheshuttersandunveilsthepainting.Themenfacedownstage.Staringatthepainting.TheCardinallooksup,atthewhole—thenleft,attheApostles,andfinallyright,atLazarus.Hestares.Hecomesclosertoinspectthefigure.

CARDINAL(referringtoLazarus)Isee!Christhasjustawakenedhim!

SEBASTIANOYes,YourEminence.

CARDINAL(fascinated,inspiteofhimself)LookhowLazarusislooseninghisbonds,gently,forcefully,ashecomesbacktolife.Evenhisfeetaremoving.Whatarighttoe,Agostino!

CHIGI

(withdistaste)Verynice.

CARDINALIt’slikearebirth!AprefigurationoftheResurrection!

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88

SEBASTIANO

(gratified)Indeed.

CARDINALIsMichelangelo’sfigureperhapstoobig?Incomparison,letussay,toJesusChrist?

SEBASTIANOHissizereflectsthescaleofthemiracle,YourEminence.

CHIGI(sharply,contemplatingthefigure)Moretothepoint,ishenottoodark?

SEBASTIANO(quickly)He’sdirty!He’sbeeninatombforthreedays…

CHIGI

Thatdoesn’tlooklikedirttome.

SEBASTIANOAndhe’sinshadow.Doyousee?Christisilluminatedinthecenter,whiletheoutercontoursofthepictureareshadedfromthelight…

CARDINAL

Tomyeye,helooksfullylit.Anddeliberatelydark.(beat)TheChristfigureischarming.Luminous.It’syours,Ipresume?

SEBASTIANOYes,Cardinale.TheChristismine.Robedinpink,asyousee.PinkforthePope.

CARDINALHowkind.Ihalfexpectedhimtobenude…

SEBASTIANOAtthecenterofthepaintingisLazarus’sister,Mary.(pointingtotheyellowfigurekneelingbeforeChrist)Herfaceisbasedonmywife’s.Andthehandstoo.

CARDINALSuchfingers…

CHIGI

We’veheardagreatdealaboutyourwife’sexceptional…assets,havewenot,YourEminence?

CARDINAL

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89

Indeedwehave.ButletusreturntoLazarus.Hisfaceismysterious.Hidden.Howcanwetellwhathe’sthinking?

SEBASTIANO

Wecan’t.

CARDINALSonotonlyisLazarusdark,heisveiled.

SEBASTIANO(carefully)Thechoicetocomebacktolife—it’samystery,YourEminence.Howcanweevenimagineit?

CARDINAL

Ithoughtthat’swhatartistsdid.Imaginetheunimaginable.

CHIGITheassignmentwasnottorevealdoubt.ItwastoglorifyGod.

SEBASTIANO

OurLazarusisaboutbelief.Andhope.Andfear.

CARDINALFear?Whatistheretofear?Jesushasgivenhimasecondlife.

SEBASTIANO

ButperhapsLazarusdidn’taskforasecondlife.

CARDINAL(sharply)AreyoudoubtingthemiracleoftheResurrection?

SEBASTIANO

No!(beat)We’remerelycelebratingtheunfathomablemysteryoflife.(Silence.TheCardinalisunexpectedlymoved.Chigistaresathim,thenbackatSebastiano)Anddoyouseealltheotherstoriesitcontains?Thethreewomenupabove,coveringtheirnosesbecauseofthesmellofthecorpse?Aren’ttheylifelike?Andontheleft--doyourecognizewhatI’veincludedinthedistance?ARomanbridge,symbolofthePontificate,YourEminence!

CARDINALMuchappreciated.

SEBASTIANOI’veneverpaintedsomanyfiguresinasinglepainting!Forty,infact!Doyousee?Fortyfigures,foronlyfivehundredducats!

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CHIGI

Remarkable.

SEBASTIANOPerhapsyourExcellencywouldconsider--

CHIGI(interruptingquickly,beforethetalkdevolvestomoney)Excellentwork,Bastiano.Bravo.

CARDINAL

Iagree.Frameit.SoonitwillsitbesidetheTransfiguration.ThenwewillseewhichofthetwopaintingsbestglorifiestheHolyCatholicChurch.(hesmiles)Gogetmeadrink,wouldyou?Permitmetoconferwithmybankerforamoment.(Sebastianounderstandsthatheistoleavetheroom.Hedoes.TheCardinaldropsthemask)“Theunfathomablemysteryoflife…”(stillfixatedonLazarus)Whatdoyousay,Chigi?ThatLazarusisanincrediblefigure,youmustadmit.Riveting.

CHIGIHemayberivetingbuthe’snotametaphor,he’saslave.Lookathisskintone!Andhe’stwicethesizeofChrist.Whowantsthatintheirchurch?(theybothstareattheLazarus)Ofcourse,thenaveofNarbonneCathedralisveryshadowy...perhapsnoonewillnotice…andifyouhungLazarusrightoverthealtar,smokefromthecandleswouldeventuallydarkenthewholepainting,andthen--

CARDINAL(interrupting)Andthenwhat?Thefigurewouldfadefromview?Isthatwhatyou’rehopingfor?

CHIGIThepainting’sanoutrage.AsidefromthatbeautifulChrist.Michelangelo’segoisoutofcontrol.

CARDINALButhisLazarus--haveyoueverseenafigureevokesuchwonderatbeingalive?

CHIGIHe’sevokingdisdainforeverythingwestandfor!Bastianowasduped.

CARDINAL(annoyed)WouldyoupreferitiftheLazarusweremediocre?Thesepaintingsarehowwe’llberemembered,youfool!

CHIGIRaphael’swillbemagnificent,Ipromiseyou.

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CARDINAL

Whenwillitbeready?

CHIGIBeforeEaster.

CARDINAL

Easter?!WecouldallbedeadbyEaster.

CHIGIIt’sanenormouscanvas.He’sworkingasfastashecan.

CARDINALNohe’snot.He’swaitingtolookatLazarusbeforehedecideswhatmovetomake.

CHIGI

Thattoo.

CARDINALWhenRaphaelseeswhatMichelangelohasdone,he’llwanttooutdohim!Whatwillwegetnext—afemaleJesus?

CHIGI

(reassuring)Ofcoursenot.Raphaelhatessensationalism.HisTransfigurationwillbecharmingandunthreatening.

CARDINAL

Yousaiditfeaturedapossessedboy.

CHIGIFromwhatIgather,thepossessedboyhasbeencured.

CARDINALTellme,Chigi,whichwouldyousayhasmorevalue—pietyorimagination?

CHIGI

Intheshorttermorthelongterm?

CARDINAL(scornfully)Youbanker!Youcareaboutnothingbutyourbalancesheet.Ihavemyeyeoneternity.

CHIGIPiety,then?

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CARDINAL

Imagination,idiot!

CHIGIWhataChristiansentiment,YourEminence.

CARDINALSendthispaintingtotheVatican.LetthePopeexaminewhatMichelangelohaswrought.IleavethiscompetitioninthehandsofGod!(TheCardinalexits.AshutterisopenedandwearebackinSebastiano’sstudio,somemonthsaftertheunveilingoftheLazarus.Michelangeloispackingsomebrushesandtoolsintoabag,preparingtoleave.Beatriceisstandingwatchinghim)

BEATRICEYou’rehonestlyleavingbeforeyou’veseenRaphael’s?(Michelangelonods)Why?Doyouthinkyou’regoingtolose?

MICHELANGELOIthinkthelongerIstayinRomethemoremylifeisatrisk.Besides,IpromisedIwouldbeinFlorencebyEaster.FortheSanLorenzotomb.Theyexpectfifteensculpturesandanentirefrieze.I’llneverfinishit.

BEATRICE

Itwillmakeyouhappy,no?Tobesculptingagain.

MICHELANGELOIwantedtoseeourpaintingnexttotheTransfiguration.Iwantedtoseeifitwouldholditsown.Thatwould’vemademehappy.

BEATRICE

Ofcourseit’llholditsown.Raphael’salltalk—hewon’tfollowthrough…

MICHELANGELOYoudon’tthinkso?(beat)Itlithimup,yourstory.Iknowthatfeeling,whenanimagetakesfireandallyoucandoisfollowitwhereveritleads…

BEATRICETakeuswithyou.

MICHELANGELOI’msorry?

BEATRICE

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93

Please,Michele.Youarethegodfatherofourdaughter.YoumusthavesomefeelingleftforBastiano.Getusoutofhere.

MICHELANGELO

Why?

BEATRICEIhavedreams.Thereareenemieseverywhere.ThePopeisnotourfriend.

MICHELANGELO

Hassomethinghappened?

BEATRICENotyet.Butitwill.Ifeelitwill.Iwanttoraisemydaughterwherewecanbreathe!(helooksupatherexpectantly)IposedforRaphael.Didhetellyou--?

MICHELANGELOIgathered.That’snocrime.(beat)Yougavehimthebestideaofhiscareer.

BEATRICEWe’llsee.(Withfeeling)Michele—tellme--whyhaveyouandBastianostoppedspeaking?

MICHELANGELO(awkwardly,hecan’texplain)MyLazarus…displeasedhim.

BEATRICE

Surelynot!Hedefendeditsopassionatelytoyourpatrons.

MICHELANGELOIappreciatethat.

BEATRICE

What’shappened?Heusedtopaintwithsuchjoy.Butlately,everything’schanged.Heseemssounhappy.(carefully)Can’tyoutrytoseethingsfromhispointofview?

MICHELANGELOIdon’tknowhow.Justletmegetoutofhereandhe’llbefine.

BEATRICEHewon’t.Hecountsonyou!

MICHELANGELO(burstingout)Heshouldn’t!Ihavenounderstandingforhumanbeings—Ineverhave.I’mmissingthatinstinctcompletely.Otherpeoplemaybeabletoescapefrom

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94

theirownminds,theirownhearts,butIfinditimpossible.Don’tyousee?Ichipawayatblocksofstoneandhopesomethingemerges…butImyselfamtrapped,forever,likeamothinamber—nomatterhowhardmysoultriestofly,itisalwaysboundbymyappallingbody—bythelimitationsofmyownimagination.WhatcanIdo?Everyone’ssearchingforloveandhopeandtranscendence,butme?Ihavenograce,Iwillhavenosalvation,itismycursetoseetheworldasIseeit,toalwaystransformthebeautyinfrontofmeintoyetanotherpieceoflifelessarttheworlddoesn’tneed.LiketheLazarusIpouredmywholespiritinto,thatiscausingyourhusbandsomuchpain.(hestopsabruptly)

BEATRICEMayIaskyousomething?WhatifthatmodelofyourshadwantedtoposeforJesusinstead?

MICHELANGELOJesuswasn’tminetopaint.

BEATRICEDoyoueverask?

MICHELANGELOAskwhat?

BEATRICEWhattheywanttobe,yourmuses?(beat)Jesusalwaysasks.That’swhat’samazingwhenyoureadtheBible.Beforeeverymiracle,Jesusapproachestheafflictedpersonandsays:“Doyouwanttobehealed?”“Doyouwanttosee?”Andhewaitsforananswerbeforehemakeshismove.(MichelangelotakesthedrawingwithBea’spoemonitoutofhispocket)

MICHELANGELOItookthisbyaccident.Forgiveme.

BEATRICEKeepit.Ihavetherealthing.Thereisaknockonthedoor.TheCardinalenterswithChigi.Helooksashen.

CARDINALForgivethisearlyintrusion.

MICHELANGELO

YourEminence!Agostino!(toBea)Whydoyoupeopleneverlatchthedoor?

BEATRICE

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95

(terrified)Cardinale!SignoreChigi!Forgiveme.I’mnotdressed.(Chigistaresatherinsilence.Callingout)Bastiano!Comequickly!(Sebastianoenters.StopsinshockwhenheseemsChigiandtheCardinal)

SEBASTIANO

Haveyoucometoawardtheprize?(beat.Silence)What’shappened?

MICHELANGELOYoulooklikeyou’veseenaghost.Givethemaseat,Bastiano.(Sebastianobringschairs)

BEATRICE

(pouringwater)Please…havesomewater.(sheputshandsthembothwater)

MICHELANGELOIsitRaphael?(theCardinalnods.Michelangelosteelshimself.Beatricewatchesintently)Ah.Hehasfinishedthepainting.Itisamasterpiece.Aworkfortheages.Isthatit?(beat.Noonemoves)Youcantellus.We’regrownmen.ThemomentyoulethimseeourLazarus,weknewexactlywhatwouldtranspire.(MichelangelostaresatChigi)Havewelostthefight?HasRaphaeltriumphed?

CARDINAL

Heisdead.

MICHELANGELOWhat?

SEBASTIANOWho?

CARDINAL

Raphael.

BEATRICENo!

SEBASTIANORaphael?(Thereissilenceforamoment)That’simpossible.Wesawhimjusttheotherday.Hebroughtusacapon!

BEATRICE

Isn’ttodayhisbirthday?

CHIGI

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96

(nodding)His37thbirthday.

MICHELANGELO(crossinghimself)Godforgivehim.(theyallcrossthemselves)Howdidithappen?

CARDINALAfever.Sotheysay.

MICHELANGELO(mystified)Afever?

CHIGIHewasfoundthismorning.Inhisbed.That’sallweknow.Therumorisgoingaroundthathe’dspentanightofexcesspassion…

SEBASTIANOAndthatkilledhim?

CHIGIWhoknows?It’stheRenaissance.Anythingispossible.

CARDINAL

ThePopeisbesidehimself.Heliesstrickeninhisrooms.

BEATRICEAndthepainting?

CARDINALTheTransfigurationishangingoverRaphael’sbed.AthishouseontheBorgo.Foralltosee.

SEBASTIANOIsitfinished?

CARDINAL

Therehasneverbeenanythingquitelikeit.(beat)Therearealreadycrowdsofpeoplelinedupinthestreets,fightingtheirwaytothefrontforachancetopaytheirrespectsandtoseehisfinalmasterpiece.

MICHELANGELO

It’sterrible.Ican’timaginetheworldwithouthim.

SEBASTIANONorme.

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CHIGI

MyVillaisfullofhim.HowwillIevereatbreakfastagain?

MICHELANGELOAndthePope?

CARDINAL

Hedoesn’twanttopartwithRaphael’spainting.He’llsendacopytoNarbonne,andkeeptheoriginalforhimself.

SEBASTIANO

(crestfallen)Alas.

MICHELANGELOWhatkindofworkisit,YourEminence?

BEATRICE

Isthere,byanychance,aboyinthecenterofit?Anepilepticboy?Withbigbiceps?

CARDINALYoucouldsaythat.Blowingsomethingoutofhismouth.

SEBASTIANOBubbles!

MICHELANGELOTheDevil!

CHIGIWhatdidyousay?

BEATRICEIt’stheboywhowashealedaftertheTransfiguration!Jesusdemandedthattheevilspiritcomeout,andthentheboyopenedhislittleroundmouthandblewtheDevilaway!

CARDINAL(nodding)Demonology.Yes.That’swhatIsuspected!

CHIGIWhothehellisgoingtofigurethatout?

CARDINALThetopofthepaintingdepictstranscendenceofthedivine.Thebottom,theterrifyingchaosofhumanity--

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CHIGI

Itoldhimtoleavethatcrazyboyoutofit.

MICHELANGELOWhy?Artcanteachpeopleaboutsuffering.

CHIGIWeknowaboutsuffering!We’retiredofit.Whatweneedisbeauty!

CARDINALThestrangethingis--thefatherwhoholdsuphischildinRaphael’spainting…helooksverymuchlikeyou,Bastiano.(Bastianosmiles,turnsaway)

BEATRICEAndJesus?WhatdoestheJesuslooklike?

CARDINALHesortof…floats.It’sanarrestingimage.Very…curvaceous.Slightly…female.AlmostasifGodtheFatherandtheMotherofGodwerecombinedintoone.

BEATRICEHowinventive.(shesmiles)MygrandmotherwasaSpanishdancer.Didyouknowthat,YourHoliness?

CHIGIAsamatteroffact,weknowmoreaboutyourfamilythanyouthink.

SEBASTIANODoyoureally?(SebastianocastsanalarmedglanceatBeatrice)

BEATRICE(Thebabycriesinthenextroom)Excusemeamoment.(Beatricerushesofftofetchher).

MICHELANGELO(impressed)Howremarkable.Raphaelactuallymadethepaintinghewantedtomake.WhatwillNarbonnehavetosay?

CHIGI(antagonistically)AboutanepilepticTransfigurationandablackLazarus?Whatdoyouthink?Peoplearegoingtostareatthosebizarrealtarpiecesforhundredsofyears,wonderingwhatonearththeyaresupposedtomean.

CARDINALOrmaybethey’llconsiderusabsolutegeniusesforhavingcommissionedthem.(Beatricere-enterswithLuciana.Shestopsatthedoorandlistens,quietly)

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SEBASTIANO

(SebastianotakesadeepbreathandmovestowardstheCardinalandChigi)AndRaphael’scommissions?ForthePalace?TheStanzePontificale?Whowillcompletethemnow?

CHIGIGodknows.Wewerebehindalready,andnowwe’rescrewed!(beat)Areyouinterested?

SEBASTIANOOfcourse!IfIcouldbeofhelp,Iwouldbemorethanhonored.Iknowsowellhowhepainted,Raphael,wewerefriendsforyears,sincewewereboys,almost.Icouldcontinuehisprojects.Don’tgiveittoGiulioRomano,evenifhewasthemaestro’sstudent—hehasnotalent,nocharm!(Chiginodsencouragingly.SebastianoturnstotheCardinal)Don’tyouagree,YourEminence?IcouldpickuprightwhereRaphaelleftoff!(quickly)Withouttheepilepticboys,ofcourse.IcouldpaintthePalacejustliketheoldRaphael,theoneyoutrusted.Noonewouldevennoticethedifference.

CHIGIExcellent.

CARDINAL

(distracted)Wewillconsiderit…whenthetimecomes.Assumingyourworkisappropriatetotheoccasion…andthatyourwife—

SEBASTIANOWhataboutmywife?

CHIGIDon’tletherderailyou,Bastiano.Withherpoemsandher…problems…

BEATRICE(startlingthem)Whatproblems?(toBastiano)AmImakingproblems,Bastiano?

SEBASTIANOBea!

MICHELANGELO(quietly,toBastiano)Don’tletthemtalktoyouthatway.

SEBASTIANO(toMichelangelo)Itoldyouthiswouldhappen!

MICHELANGELO

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Onlyifyoupermititto!

SEBASTIANOIhavenochoice!Amanhastolive!

MICHELLANGELOAtwhatprice?(angry,turningtotheCardinal)Didyouhear,mymostreverendpatron?MyfriendBastianohopestheVaticanwillhirehimtopaintmodifiedversionsofRaphael,whilehistalentedwifeshutsupandnursesherbaby!He’ssureyouwillbepleasedwiththeresults.Likeachef,whogetstiredofcaponanddecidesmaybeitistimetoeatonionsforawhile.

BEATRICEStopit!

SEBASTIANOThat’snotwhatIsaid.

CHIGIWhat’swrongwiththeoccasionalonion,whenyou’veeatentoomuchmeat?

MICHELANGELO

(toBastiano,urgently)Don’tdothis!Standupforyourwife—andforyourartisticsoul!

CARDINAL(angry)Whatdoyouknowabouthisartisticsoul?YouthinkyourLazarusgivesyoutherighttodictateeverythingelse?

MICHELANGELOIthink—(hestops)Nevermind.I’mgoingtotheBorgo.TolookatwhatRaphaelhasmade.Youthinkwecanequalhim?Anyofus?Youthinkwehaveaniotaofhiscourage?PeoplewillbelookingatthatTransfigurationwhennooneevenremembersournames!

SEBASTIANOMusteverypicturechangethehistoryofart?Mightsomenotbevaluablejustbyofferingalittlepleasure?Alittlebeauty?We’repainters,notgods!Wedecorateafewfeetofwall.Angelsbytheyard,Madonnasbythecorridor.Whateverittakes.

MICHELANGELOYoudon’tbelievethat,Iknowyoudon’t.

SEBASTIANO

(heartbroken)Raphaelwasonlythirty-seven!Don’tyousee?Andnowhe’sgone.Whoknowswhatartwillsurviveinahundredyears,whatpaintingswillbe

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consideredmasterpieces,whichnameswillberemembered?Thatcan’tbethemeasureofagoodlife,itcan’t!

MICHELANGELOWhatelseisthere?

SEBASTIANOLove!Children!

CHIGIWomen!Money!

SEBASTIANOFriends!Marriage!Whyareyousodeterminedtobealone?

MICHELANGELO

Artistsarealwaysalone.

SEBASTIANOStoptellingyourselfthatlie.It’saself-fulfillingprophecy.

BEATRICE(interveningquickly,toBastianoandMichelangelo)Forgiveme,gentlemen.Attheriskofcausingmore“problems”…IthinkweshouldallgototheBorgo.Rightnow.IpromisedRaphaelIwould.

CARDINAL

ThecrowdscangawkatRaphael’spainting.Wemustprayforhiseternalsoul.

MICHELANGELOThepaintingishiseternalsoul!

SEBASTIANO(eyeingtheCardinal)Thenletusstayhereandcelebrateit

BEATRICEIneedtoseeit,Bastiano.Please.TheTransfigurationofRaphael.Afterall,Luciana’stheonewhoinspireditscreation!

CHIGI

Howcanthatbe?There’snobabyinthepainting.

BEATRICE(smiling)That’swhatyouthink.(crossingtoBastiano)Comewithme.

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SEBASTIANO

Why?ToseeifLucianarecognizesherPapa?

BEATRICEShewill!Ofcourseshewill.She’llrecognizeusboth.(takinghishands)Andthenoneday,she’llmakesomethingequallygrand.

SEBASTIANO

(gently)Noteveryonehastobeanartist,Beatrice.

BEATRICEButLuciana’snotjustanyone.She’sours.

SEBASTIANO(smiling)Thenyougo.I’llwaithere.(shehesitates.Carefully)TheChurchisoursupportandoursalvation,mylove.YouunderstandwhatImean?(Beat.Shenods.ShecrossestotheCardinal)

BEATRICE(crossingtoCardinal)Thenprayforus,Cardinale.(Beatriceturnsandexitswiththebaby)

MICHELANGELO

Andforourimmortalsouls.(Michelangeloturnsforamoment,looksatBastiano)

SEBASTIANOAmen.(Michelangeloexits)

CARDINALLetuspray.(TheCardinalraiseshishands,SebastianoandChigikneel.Asthishappens,projectionsof“TheRaisingofLazarus”and“TheTransfiguration”appearinthespace,floatingabovethecrowd.Inanotherspace,BeatriceandMichelangelolookupatthepaintings)

CARDINAL

Ourfather,whoartinheaven,forgiveThyson,RafaellodiSanto,takenfromusthisday,April6,1517.Yourpowerbringsustobirth,Yourprovidenceguidesourlives,Andbyyourcommand,wereturntodust.Thosewhodiestillliveinyourpresence,Theirliveschangebutdonotend.Iprayinhopeformyfamily,relativesandfriends,Andforallthedead,knowntoyoualone.

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MichelangelonowstandsinfrontoftheTransfiguration.Beatricestandsinapooloflight,holdingLuciana.

BEATRICEInthenameofAdonaitheGodofIsraelMaytheangelMichaelbeatmyright,AndtheangelGabrielbeatmyleft,AndinfrontofmetheangelUriel,AndbehindmetheangelRaphael,Andabovemyhead,theDivinePresenceofGod.

CARDINAL,CHIGI,SEBASTIANOIncompanywithChrist,Whodiedandnowlives,Maytheyrejoiceinyourkingdom,Wherealltearsarewipedaway.Uniteustogetheragaininonefamily…Tosingyourpraisesforeverandever.Amen.BLACKOUT.ENDOFPLAY.

Documents

BASTIANO, or THE ART OF RIVALRY