33 Variations - Sketches pt. 2

Chase sequence between Schindler and Diabelli ends

Diabelli: Schindler, please. It’s been almost a year. I need to publish these variations. My firm needs to publish these variations.

Schindler: He is not happy with them

Diabelli: What do you mean he’s not happy with them?

Schindler: He won’t let you publish them yet. He’s not finished

Diabelli: But Schindler…

Beethoven enters

Diabelli: Maestro! Thank God! I must speak with you.

(Beethoven scratches his throat) What? What?

(To Schindler) What?

Schindler: Uhhhh… yes, the master has a very sore throat and can’t speak

Beethoven tries to leave

Diabelli: Maestro, wait! When will the work be ready? Just give me a date. I think 19 variations is enough. We don’t need more. I can’t publish more.

Beethoven writes

Diabelli: I can’t decipher his writing.

Schindler: He says he can’t give you a date.

Diabelli: (to Schindler) Why not?

(to Beethoven) Why not?

Schindler: When the theme is exhausted, the master will stop.

Diabelli: He wrote all that?

Schindler: He writes very fast.

Diabelli: Very

(to Beethoven) I need it for the publishing house. We have sold almost nothing all year. I don’t want to go back to teaching twelve-year-olds the guitar.

Schindler: He asks if you’ve tried selling wine. He says more people like wine.

Diabelli: You mustn’t mock me. I served you well while I was working at Steiner. I was always at your disposal. I don’t understand why he is behaving this way.

Beethoven exits

Diabelli: Maestro!