The Sound Of Music - 10

Act 10. Scene 1. 

INTERIOR. At the concert hall where the get-away has been planned . Uncle Max has lined up the children on stage. Orders from the highest echelons notwithstanding , the program manager is not exactly happy at the prospect of having the von Trapp children sing again.

MANAGER : " Look here , can we at least have fewer of them ? It's bad enough having to listen to an adult von Trapp ..."

MAX : " It's Captain von Trapp's arrangement. And you do know that no less a person than the Furher himself wants the Captain to sing."

MANAGER : " Yes , i know. Still and all , i mean it's a nervous strain for someone such as I used as I am to agreeable chamber music . . . "

MAX : " Ah , chamber music ! I'm sure , old chap , that the Furher will be able to arrange for that - though i wouldn't bet on the 'agreeable' bit there. . ."

Act 10. Scene 2.
INTERIOR . Concert hall. The von Trapp family performs Climb Every Mountain

" Climb every mountain
But do mind that toe !
Follow every blog for
The right boots to go.

(Three of the children walk out offstage)

Climb every mountain
But mind every scream !
Follow every regimen
For calf-muscles like a dream.

A dream that will need
All the protein you can give.
And plenty of stupid exercise
For as long as you live


(The other children go offstage , leaving the Captain and Maria on it)

Climb every mountain
Ford every stream.
Make sure you can swim first
Or it'd all be a bad,bad dream.

A dream that will breed
All the hydrophobia it can give
And a marked disinclination to bathe
For as long as you live

(Maria goes offstage , leaving only the Captain on stage)

You can climb every mountain
But i must go check on the wife
You can follow me on Twitter
Every day of your silly life. "
(The Captain goes off stage)


Act 10. Scene 3.
INTERIOR . The concert hall. The Nazi generals in the audience are with Max.

GENERAL 1 : " Himmel , and to think we forced him to sing !"

G2 : " Ja ! The things we subject ourselves to . . . . "

G3 : " Where have they disappeared one by one like that...?"

G4 : " Ja , they haven't run away Detweiler , have they ?"

MAX : " Oh no , that was just part of the act. They're backstage"

G5 : " And what is zis blog ? And zis Twitter he said to follow ? Is it like some closed circuit TV ?"

MAX : " Not really. On the contrary , it's very open. You see General , it's a bit like this : with CCTV you are trying to watch somebody who is usually trying to hide. With Twitter or blogs , it's somebody trying to be watched while you're usually trying to hide."

G1 : " Zat's very clever. You are a smart man , Detweiler."

MAX : " But i still get only three scenes in this movie. And these were my last words"

G1 : " How right you are , Detweiler... ! "

---- G1 takes out a gun and shoots Max Detweiler dead ----

GENERALS 2-5 (shocked) " Vat ! Gott in Himmel ! "

G1 : " This schwein fooled us ! The von Trapps have escaped !"

G2-5 (shocked) : " Vat ! Gott in Himmel ! How do you know ? "

G1 : " Because Captain von Trapp has tweeted about it. Look !"

Waves his iPhone at them and shows them the tweet

G2-5 (shocked) " Vat ! Gott in Himmel ! "

(To be continued)

The Sound Of Music - 9

Act 9. Scene 1.
INTERIOR  The von Trapp mansion. The Nazi generals pay a visit to the Captain.

GENERAL 1 : “Captain, please reconsider your decision.”
GENERAL 2 : “ We want you singing again. Herr Furher wants it.”
CAPTAIN (pleased) : “ Ah ! A fan is he ? Good ! He can visit my website for a chance to win an autographed picture.” (then remembers himself – continues a trifle wistfully) “ No , but my decision is final. No more singing , gentlemen”
GENERAL 3 : “ In that case Captain , please visit our offices for a chance to man our check posts 24/7 and hand out cards , chocolates and roses to everyone.”
CAPTAIN (wincing) : “ Chocolates ? And roses ? Er , what colour ?”
GENERAL 3 : “Red”

Captain von Trapp throws up.

GENERAL 4 : “ And of course you will go through some rather thorny training before that”
Cracks his knuckles menacingly
CAPTAIN : “ Are you threatening me ? Remember I have served my country with distinction”
GENERAL 5 : “ Now please serve us some coffee with haste”

Act 9. Scene 2.
INTERIOR The von Trapp mansion. That same evening. The Captain and Maria confer

MARIA : “ We must get out of here. It’s too unsafe”
CAPTAIN : “Yes. Although my heart bleeds at the thought of leaving my dear homeland.”
MARIA (eyes a stain on his shirt) : “ Gosh ! is that blood ?”
CAPTAIN (sheepishly) : “ Er, no . Spot of coffee actually. They didn’t like what i had served . . .”
MARIA : “And socking it right back is obviously not your cup of tea”

CAPTAIN : " One has to swallow one's pride sometimes"

MARIA (aside) : " To think i've swallowed so much more . . . Oh , i can't wait to spit out this wimp."


Act 9. Scene 3.
INTERIOR  The von Trapp mansion.  Captain and Maria are with Max Detweiler ("Uncle Max" )

MAX: “ Finally ! How many scenes do I have ?”
CAPTAIN : “ One. Possibly two at most”
MAX : “ Can’t you make it  three ?”
CAPTAIN : “ No way”
MARIA : “ Now look guys , can we cut to the chase please !
CAPTAIN : “ Let's not even have one. Relying on you,Max ”
MAX : “ No worries , old chap. I have a concert all lined up. After you perform and allay their fears , we keep them occupied with the rest of the show . That’s when you make a quick escape”
CAPTAIN : “ Oh good , I can sing again” (adds hastily) “ Only to fool the generals of course , dear”
MAX : “ So what song do you intend to perform ? ”
MARIA : “ I thought Climb Every Mountain perhaps…? ”
MAX : “ Hmm. Yeesss…. you’ll have to climb a few. Wear sensible shoes and stock up on food"

( To be continued)