The Fools Act 2 scene 1

Listen! I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa.

Good morning, schoolmaster.

Sophia... Last night I decided that the task before us is one step beyond impossible. I knew I would fail and that I had to leave Kulyenchikov, like all those who have failed before me...but today, looking into your eyes, I know there is no life for me without you. Therefore, we must not think of failure, we cannot afford to despair.

Only a miracle can save us, Sophia, but with a majestic supreme effort, we must try to make that miracle happen.

What is a miracle?

In one of his most sublime moments... We must

hurry, Sophia.

This is a primary book of mathematics. It's used to teach very small children very simple problems in arithmetic.

Do you think it's too advanced for me?

I don't think so, Sophia. We can't go back any further

than this book. Now, let us begin...

One is the figure, the word, the symbol for a single item. One finger, one Sophia, one Leon, one book...

Now then, I am holding up one finger, Sophia. Now I am holding up a second finger. One plus one is two.

Would you repeat that for me, Sophia.

Which part?

One -

One.

Plus one -

Plus one.

Is two!

Is two!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Wonderful. We're making headway.

Slow, invisible headway... I'm very, very proud of you, Sophia. Are we ready to go on?

Yes. History, please. I hope I can master it as well

as I have mathematics.

Well, I honestly don't think we've conquered mathematics yet. There are problems that could come up. Let's continue. One plus two is three.

Am I finished with one plus one?

You are if you remember the answer.

I remembered it before. Is it necessary to remember it again?

Of course it's necessary to remember it again. It's

necessary to remember if for always.

You mean you will always be asking me what one

plus one is?

No! Once you tell me, we can move on to other things. Like one plus two and one plus three, and so on. But if you can't remember what one plus one is, then the answer to one plus two is meaningless.

Do you know how much one plus one is?

Certainly.

Then why is it necessary for me to know? Certainly, if you have such esteem and affection for me, you will tell me the answer whenever I ask you.

But I won't always be around to tell you. You have to know for yourself. In case other people ask you.

No one here ever asks questions like that. Even if I told them, they wouldn't know if it was the right answer.

Because they are cursed with ignorance. And we are trying to lift that debilitating affliction.

You're getting angry with me. What's the point of being educated if you get angry? When you didn't ask me such questions, you always said the loveliest things to me. Is this what it's like toi be intelligent?

No, Sophia. It is I who am not being intelligent. It's frustration and impatience that drives me to such crude behavior. Forgive me. We'll start from the beginning again. One plus one is two. Repeat.

One plus one is two. Repeat.

No!! Don't repeat the word "repeat." Just repeat the part before I say "repeat"... Now watch me carefully:One plus one is two. Repeat!!

What were you like as a little boy?

What was I like as a little boy?

You're shouting again.

I was inquisitive. Probing. Wondering why we were put on this earth and what the purpose of man's existence was.

The purpose of man's existence...!

I've had enough of that. Sophia, you must stop asking me questions. Our time is nearly gone.

Then how am I to learn?

Sophia, you must answer what I ask, not what you want me to answer.

Then I will learn only what you want me to know.

Why can't I learn what I want to know?

Because what you want to know is of no practical value. What I want to teach is acceptable knowledge.

Is knowing what you were like as a little boy not acceptable knowledge?

Of course not. It's of no significance at all.

But it's much more interesting than that which is

significant.

But I'm not trying to interest you. I'm trying to

educate you.

I know. But while you fail to educate me, you never fail to interest me. I find that very significant.

I don't know. It's a decision, and I can't make decisions. Let's leave it to God. Let God make the decision.

What are you doing, Leon?

Having my last thoughts. One final pleasurable moment of reason.

Then I was right. A wish is something you hope

for that doesn't come true.

I'm sorry. I cannot help you soar over mountains and lakes, Sophia. But I will not leave you. I will remain here for the rest of my days, not basking in the light of your beauty but cowering in the darkness of my own ignorance..for that is the measure of my esteem and affection for you.

I would do anything to save you from this calamity…anything!

(Prelude chimes.)

Oh, run, Leon. Run for your life. There are ignorant girls in other villages you could learn to love.

Wonderful news, Master Tolchinsky!

Mama! Papa! Everyone! The schoolmaster ha something to say. Let us all listen... Leon, didn't you want to say something?

It's the same one you've got on your face.

No, I meant that we will all listen while you tell us what you have to say.

I'm sorry, Sophia. Weren't we in the middle of a lesson when the clock began to chime? What were we saying?

You said that you loved me and that I should savor it and keep it as a memory because soon you would not love me ever again. Do you not love me now, Leon?

Love you? I'm not quite sure I know what the word means. Perhaps if you kissed me. Would you like to?

With all my heart.

No, meant -

I know what you meant.

(They kiss, warmly.)

Oh, Leon! The less you know, the better you kiss!

And the better I kiss, the more brilliant I become!

Oh, my dear sweet Sophia, look at me! Look at me and tell me what you see!

I see a very good kisser dirtying my father's sofa.

No, Sophia. You see a man of intellect inspired by love. I am not cursed, Sophia. I still have my intelligence. I only pretended to be stupid.

You pretended to be stupid?

Yes.

That doesn't sound very intelligent to me.

It will soon, I promise.

But the curse...

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Everything but the explanation.

If a parent tells you you are a naughty child from the day you were born, you will grow up believing you are a worthless human being. And from the day you were born, you were told you were all stupid. Now do you understand?

Not as well as before.

I know that telling it doesn't change it. You must be I shown. When I was standing there, I suddenly became inspired. I hit upon a plan that will break this curse and save you from Yousekevitch.

What is it?

You must marry Yousekevitch.

Are you still pretending to be stupid?

No, Sophia. I don't mean Count Gregor.

Oh, thank goodness. You had me frightened half

to death.

You will marry me, Sophia. I will be Yousekevitch.

Do you understand?

Don't ask me that question anymore.

Trust me, Sophia. The wedding will take place tomorrow. Tomorrow the curse will be over. Tomorrow you will be intelligent. Tomorrow you will love me, Sophia.

Could I have a kiss just to tide me over?

Of course, my sweet. I must go set my plan in action.

I'm so excited, Leon. Tonight I will clear all the nonsense out of my head to prepare for all the knowledge!! that will be coming in. I love rearranging things.