No one human being is ever totally happy.
In the dramatic scene from Secret Desire, Count Domani wishes for Adelaide to leave her work as a maid to pursue her dream of being an artist.
ADELAIDE: No one human being is ever totally happy.
COUNT DOMANI: And if their level of unhappiness far outweighs their level of contentment, is it not worthy of concern?
ADELAIDE: May I ask where you have come to such an examination?
COUNT DOMANI: My own two eyes, my own two ears. I walk the corridors at night. I can’t sleep. I haven’t had a good rest in months; I overhear the chatter between you and the other maids. Your needs and desires have taken hold of me, forcing me to confront the issue.
ADELAIDE: What needs? What desires?
COUNT DOMANI: You wish to be an artist.
ADELAIDE: Well, I—
COUNT DOMANI: Your sketchbook.
ADELAIDE: …that?
COUNT DOMANI: Yes.
ADELAIDE: Why did you look at my sketchbook?
COUNT DOMANI: I took great interest. (beat) It is within my right to do so. I had no idea my nose was as large as you’ve drawn it. (smiles) You’ve captured my essence well enough. (beat)
Adelaide, I have carefully mulled over your secret desires and have concluded that it is best you pursue them.
As of tomorrow morning, you will officially be released of all your duties. I will have the coachmen bring you into town, where you will be free to go as you so desire. You may carve out a life of your own, without my aid, mind you, if you’ve the courage.
Does this sound satisfactory to you?
ADELAIDE: This is most unsatisfactory.
COUNT DOMANI: And why is that, Adelaide?
ADELAIDE: I should have a say in the matter.
COUNT DOMANI: What is your say?
ADELAIDE: I say NO.
COUNT DOMANI: You do?
ADELAIDE: I say NO.
COUNT DOMANI: May I ask why?
ADELAIDE: To be tossed out, like an outcast, in such a humiliating fashion, with no support; that is nothing less than cruelty.
COUNT DOMANI: But in order to make a life for oneself, one must be bold and brave.
ADELAIDE: Bold and brave? Forgive me, you must mean ignorant and unwise.
Count Domani chuckles.
COUNT DOMANI: It will be better this way. You are young, full of vigor; surely you don’t wish to remain here.
ADELAIDE: This is my home.
COUNT DOMANI: Home. Hmm…what is a home?
ADELAIDE: This is my home, Count Domani.
COUNT DOMANI: But you have dreams, have you not?
ADELAIDE: I do, but this is no way to approach such fantasies.
COUNT DOMANI: (beat) You will never become chambermaid of this house…do you know that? Would that be your ultimate goal? To rise up in the ranks through the course of many years catering to what will become most likely an old, grumpy, bitter count? Is that your foreseeable future? All the while sneaking along, making drawings and sketches based on whatever strikes your fancy? And what will become of that? Who will ever care to notice you? You will be locked in here forever without a key to your heart. Is that the life you wish to live?
ADELAIDE: It is.
COUNT DOMANI: I have overheard your conversations. It is as if you are two very different people. The one sitting before me does not sound like the angry, confident woman possessed by ambition. How could this be?
ADELAIDE: Count Domani, this is all quite troubling for me. (beat) I can’t leave.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In the one-act eplay Secret Desire, Count Domani invites his maid Adelaide to visit him in his study with the intention of seeing her pursue her dreams of being an artist. 1 woman, 1 man. Drama. Period Drama.
