Scene 2
Artemisia pokes her head out,
looking for signs of her father. Tuzia
enters from behind her and boldly scans the stage.
TUZIA: Artemisia, come out now. The coast is all clear.
Artemisia
enters and prepares to work.
ARTEMISIA: Now
I’ll get some work done before my father gets here.
TUZIA: You’ve
been painting all day.
ARTEMISIA: That’s
all work done for him.
There are projects
of mine that I need to begin.
If
he sees us he’ll stop me, and lecture, I’m sure,
About
how I’m a flirt, and must be more demure.
TUZIA: He
cares for you; that’s what a father is for.
You’ll
see when you’re a wife that no man will adore
You
quite like your father does.
ARTEMISIA: He
thinks I’m a hussy!
TUZIA: You
overreact, child; he’s just being fussy.
He
wants to protect you, to help find a good man.
ARTEMISIA: I
see Papa hasn’t confided his plan
to
you yet.
TUZIA: No,
but it’s plain as can be that he wants a good match.
Any
parent would hope you could find a fine catch.
ARTEMISIA: My
father doesn’t.
TUZIA: Artemisia…
ARTEMISIA: It’s
true!
He
says that to marry’s the worst thing to do.
TUZIA: He
doesn’t want you to marry?
ARTEMISIA: No.
TUZIA: How
like him!
ARTEMISIA: You
see?
TUZIA: Obsessed
with your work though the old man may be,
Does
he not think at all of your personal life?
Of the pleasures and joys of becoming a wife?
Of companionship,
children…
ARTEMISIA: It
seems he’s decided
He
wants me unhappy.
TUZIA: You’re
too harsh; he’s misguided.
Out
of love he keeps your career foremost in mind.
ARTEMISIA: If
only my father were ever so kind.
I’ll
grant his devotion to me is substantial,
But
the truth is his interest is purely financial.
I’m
his lifelong apprentice if I can’t find a man.
With
no one else laying claim to my earnings, he can.
TUZIA: So
what does he expect? That I’ll play
chaperone
‘Til
the end of my days and watch you live alone?
ARTEMISIA: It’s
unfair.
TUZIA: And
unlikely.
ARTEMISIA: Help
me; it’s hopeless.
TUZIA: It
wouldn’t be so if you’d do more and mope less.
ARTEMISIA: But
what can I do?
TUZIA: Come
close and I’ll explain.
If
your father finds out, I’ll take all of the blame.
What
he doesn’t know is unlikely to hurt him.
So
find you own husband, if he fears you’ll desert him.
ARTEMISIA: Where
would I find a man?
Orazio enters
with Tassi.
ORAZIO Artemisia,
my child…
There’s a man here to
meet you.
TUZIA: [To Artemisia] There. Act timid and mild.
ARTEMISIA: Why?
TUZIA: It’s
part of the game. Make a good first
impression.
Tuzia
prods Artemisia to step forward.
Artemisia smiles at Tassi.
TASSI: [To
Orazio] Mm. I see what you
mean. She seems full of aggression
I
don’t doubt she defies you without hesitation.
ARTEMISIA: [To
Tuzia] You think I should try him?
TUZIA: This
man could be salvation.
He’s
a painter, successful, respected, to start.
He’s handsome, and
dashing; he would value your art…
And
he’s here.
ARTEMISIA: Wish
me luck…
Artemisia
smiles demurely and approaches her father and Tassi.
TASSI: [To
Orazio] It looks worse than I thought.
I can see,
Gentileschi, she needs to be taught
A great deal
indeed. We may need a long time…
ORAZIO Oh,
I hope you’re still willing!
TASSI: The
honor is mine.
ORAZIO: You’re
too good.
TASSI: Yes,
I know.