Characters: Annette Abendroth Gustav Frederic Wilhelm Abendroth Narrator Narrator:Wilhelm Abendroth and his wife Cecilia, along with their three young children, had moved to London from northern Germany after an unfortunate outbreak of influenza.Unfortunately for the Abendroth’s the Great Fire followed shortly after and left Mr. Abendroth a widower with only his youngest daughter, Annette, to look after.We begin our story at the little townhouse of Wilhelm Abendroth in the heart of London.Annette is now a lovely young girl of marrying age and must soon find a husband. (doorbell) Wilhelm: Annette! (to self) What is that girl up to? Annette! Master Frederic is at the door! Go and see him in!
Frederic:Good evening Miss Abendroth.I trust I find you well.
Annette: I am well. And you Frederic?
Frederic: Very well indeed! At the Royal Society, we've just obtained a 6-inch reflecting telescope made by Sir Isaac Newton himself. He was quite the genius and all of the men at the Royal Society are so excited to use his new creation.
Annette: Um... wow... it seems like you really enjoy the sciences... I wish the best of luck to you and the Royal Society. Shall we sit in the parlor with Father?
Frederic: Certainly! I am so excited that I can hardly bear it! The future holds so many scientific opportunites for us! And soon you will see why my mood is so bright!
Wilhelm: Good day young chap! It is a pleasure to see you, especially on the behalf of Annette. She is just as happy to see you as I and maybe more!
Annette: Father, Frederic was just telling me about a telescope that Sir Isaac Newton made that has been given to the Royal Society.
Wilhelm: Oh yes! When I was out yesterday I heard several men discussing the brillance of the creation. And you young man in the middle of the scientific world, what a wonderful position to be in! You must be one of the brightest young chaps in London with a propserous future ahead of you! Any woman should be jumping at the chance be your wife! (clears throat quite obviously)
Frederic: Well yes, marriage has actually been in the forefront of my mind for a while now. Actually Annette, I have been wanting to make an important proposition for some time now. You are a genuine and brillant woman with spectacular qualities that any many would want in a wife. You could assist me in my scientific research and we could create science history togehter! What I am trying to say is, will you marry me?
Annette: (Overwhelmed with his sudden proposition) Oh my! I was not expecting such an abrupt proposal. We barely know each other. I didn't even know you had such feelings. You've been so busy with your work that I didn't expect you to want to marry at such a time. You are so smart and wealthy that I don't know if I would fit into your life.
Frederic: Oh Annette, you would fit with me perfectly and I know that you could help me tremendously with my research! Please say you will consider my proposition, if you are not ready to give an answer now.
Annette: I will consider it and return to you with an answer soon. But right now I need to think it all over, I feel so overwhelmed.
Wilhelm: Annette? (doorbell) Who on earth?
Maid: (frantically) Annette!Come and answer the door!Annette!It is young master Gustav come to call on you!
Annette: (running) Gustav!(door opening)
Gustav:Good evening Miss Abendroth.I trust I find you well.
Annette: Yes thank you. Please come in.(shuts the door)Have a seat in the parlor.Father is in there… with Frederic I’m afraid.
Wilhelm:Evening Gustav.
Gustav:Good evening, sir. Frederic.
Frederic: hmf (mumbles)
Annette: Father, Gustav was just telling me yesterday about the new composer everyone is in such a frenzy about.They call him Ludwig van Beethoven.He is an Austrian, so I’m sure you’ll love him.
Wilhelm:(sarcastically) Is that so?
Annette:Yes, Father.
Wilhelm:So what is so special about him?
Gustav:His music is revolutionary!It redefines the laws of entertainment!Just listen to his symphonies, and the true meaning of life appears so vividly!Not like this new “Age of Reason” they’ve all been talking about!Reason never made anyone feel alive!But music, nature, and love!That is where the passion is, sir.
Wilhelm:It sounds to me like this composer’s work is rubbish.
Frederic:Well said Mr. Abendroth!Anyone who fills the people’s thoughts with these ridiculous ideas of destiny and, and… love.Well…he just needs to accept that these ideas aren’t the things that matter in real life.
Annette:Well I think he’s brilliant.
Wilhelm:Of course you would Annette.Oh to be so young and naïve.
Gustav:How does holding true to a belief make one naive?True happiness comes with freedom.
Frederic:I tire easily of this subject.Let us discuss something a little more meaningful.Politics, or science. Numbers have logic! Want to hear about some of the new mathematics theories at the society?
Gustav: I hardly think that the lady is in the mood to talk of such things at the moment. Annette?
Annette: Frederic let Gustav speak. You speak often on these subjects. I know your opinions on the "important" matters.
Frederic: See Gustav! You have corrupted a fine young lady with this nonsense!
Annette: It's not nonsense! Stop it Frederic!
Gustav: No, Annette it's alright. He is entitled to his opinion. But I have not come to see you today to argue with this closed minded book worm. I have come to tell you how you make me feel so alive! Every moment I am with you insights more passion in me than all the romantic composers and artists of the day! Annette, will you be my wife?
Annette: Oh Gustav! Yes! I will!
Wilhelm: Annette!! What on earth are you doing?!
Frederic: This is absolute bollocks! (whiny) I asked her first!
Gustav: What do you mean you asked her first! Just who do you think you are proposing to my lady!?
Frederic: Well it's not like her father likes you anyway.
Wilhelm: Annette, think about this! Think about what you're throwing away!
Gustav: And I suppose he likes you? With your science and ridiculus cynical attitude! You don't even believe in love!
Frederic: Of course not! It's rubbish! No logic at all!
Gustav: And now we see who the naive one is.
Wilhelm: Annette, please tell me this silly romantic isn't what you really want! Frederic is perfect! What's wrong with Frederic?
Frederic: You've corrupted my lady with... with... stupid books. Look at this one! Pride and Prejudice! Ha! (throws the book, loud noise)
Annette: Gustav are you alright! Frederic, stop it! You're being so childish!
Gustav: Throwing things isn' really helping now is it?
Frederic: Oh don't be so obtuse! (another loud noise)
Wilhelm: This is my cue to leave. You can sort this all out yourself Annette! Frederic, I'll be cheering for you from the safety of the study! (loud crash) And try not to break too many of my lamps my boy!
Frederic: You've stolen what is not yours to take!
Gustav: Now you go too far! A lady is nothing one can steal! Can't you see? What you're saying is so irrational!
Frederic: On the contrary, you're irrational! I dare to know!
Gustav: Aha, but my dear Frederic, I dare to be! And that is why you lose! (falling noise)
Annette: Gustav! You knocked him flat off his feet!
Gustav: Good grief. My right hook is a little more effective than I expected. Poor chap... (suddenly) Annette, let's get married!
Annette: Oh Gustav! I'm so glad you finally asked!
Narrator: And so Annette and Gustav eloped to Spain to be married, leaving Frederic knocked out on the parlor floor. Unfortunately for Gustav, on the morning of the wedding Annette met a stunningly handsome Spaniard whose sense of adventure, dark eyes, and freely flowing hair were slightly more appealing than the sophisticated look of the British Romantic.
Annette Abendroth
Gustav
Frederic
Wilhelm Abendroth
Narrator
Narrator: Wilhelm Abendroth and his wife Cecilia, along with their three young children, had moved to London from northern Germany after an unfortunate outbreak of influenza. Unfortunately for the Abendroth’s the Great Fire followed shortly after and left Mr. Abendroth a widower with only his youngest daughter, Annette, to look after. We begin our story at the little townhouse of Wilhelm Abendroth in the heart of London. Annette is now a lovely young girl of marrying age and must soon find a husband.
(doorbell)
Wilhelm: Annette! (to self) What is that girl up to? Annette! Master Frederic is at the door! Go and see him in!
Annette: Coming Father. (door opening) Hello Frederic.
Frederic: Good evening Miss Abendroth. I trust I find you well.
Annette: I am well. And you Frederic?
Frederic: Very well indeed! At the Royal Society, we've just obtained a 6-inch reflecting telescope made by Sir Isaac Newton himself. He was quite the genius and all of the men at the Royal Society are so excited to use his new creation.
Annette: Um... wow... it seems like you really enjoy the sciences... I wish the best of luck to you and the Royal Society. Shall we sit in the parlor with Father?
Frederic: Certainly! I am so excited that I can hardly bear it! The future holds so many scientific opportunites for us! And soon you will see why my mood is so bright!
Wilhelm: Good day young chap! It is a pleasure to see you, especially on the behalf of Annette. She is just as happy to see you as I and maybe more!
Annette: Father, Frederic was just telling me about a telescope that Sir Isaac Newton made that has been given to the Royal Society.
Wilhelm: Oh yes! When I was out yesterday I heard several men discussing the brillance of the creation. And you young man in the middle of the scientific world, what a wonderful position to be in! You must be one of the brightest young chaps in London with a propserous future ahead of you! Any woman should be jumping at the chance be your wife! (clears throat quite obviously)
Frederic: Well yes, marriage has actually been in the forefront of my mind for a while now. Actually Annette, I have been wanting to make an important proposition for some time now. You are a genuine and brillant woman with spectacular qualities that any many would want in a wife. You could assist me in my scientific research and we could create science history togehter! What I am trying to say is, will you marry me?
Annette: (Overwhelmed with his sudden proposition) Oh my! I was not expecting such an abrupt proposal. We barely know each other. I didn't even know you had such feelings. You've been so busy with your work that I didn't expect you to want to marry at such a time. You are so smart and wealthy that I don't know if I would fit into your life.
Frederic: Oh Annette, you would fit with me perfectly and I know that you could help me tremendously with my research! Please say you will consider my proposition, if you are not ready to give an answer now.
Annette: I will consider it and return to you with an answer soon. But right now I need to think it all over, I feel so overwhelmed.
Wilhelm: Annette? (doorbell) Who on earth?
Maid: (frantically) Annette! Come and answer the door! Annette! It is young master Gustav come to call on you!
Annette: (running) Gustav! (door opening)
Gustav: Good evening Miss Abendroth. I trust I find you well.
Annette: Yes thank you. Please come in. (shuts the door) Have a seat in the parlor. Father is in there… with Frederic I’m afraid.
Wilhelm: Evening Gustav.
Gustav: Good evening, sir. Frederic.
Frederic: hmf (mumbles)
Annette: Father, Gustav was just telling me yesterday about the new composer everyone is in such a frenzy about. They call him Ludwig van Beethoven. He is an Austrian, so I’m sure you’ll love him.
Wilhelm: (sarcastically) Is that so?
Annette: Yes, Father.
Wilhelm: So what is so special about him?
Gustav: His music is revolutionary! It redefines the laws of entertainment! Just listen to his symphonies, and the true meaning of life appears so vividly! Not like this new “Age of Reason” they’ve all been talking about! Reason never made anyone feel alive! But music, nature, and love! That is where the passion is, sir.
Wilhelm: It sounds to me like this composer’s work is rubbish.
Frederic: Well said Mr. Abendroth! Anyone who fills the people’s thoughts with these ridiculous ideas of destiny and, and… love. Well…he just needs to accept that these ideas aren’t the things that matter in real life.
Annette: Well I think he’s brilliant.
Wilhelm: Of course you would Annette. Oh to be so young and naïve.
Gustav: How does holding true to a belief make one naive? True happiness comes with freedom.
Frederic: I tire easily of this subject. Let us discuss something a little more meaningful. Politics, or science. Numbers have logic! Want to hear about some of the new mathematics theories at the society?
Gustav: I hardly think that the lady is in the mood to talk of such things at the moment. Annette?
Annette: Frederic let Gustav speak. You speak often on these subjects. I know your opinions on the "important" matters.
Frederic: See Gustav! You have corrupted a fine young lady with this nonsense!
Annette: It's not nonsense! Stop it Frederic!
Gustav: No, Annette it's alright. He is entitled to his opinion. But I have not come to see you today to argue with this closed minded book worm. I have come to tell you how you make me feel so alive! Every moment I am with you insights more passion in me than all the romantic composers and artists of the day! Annette, will you be my wife?
Annette: Oh Gustav! Yes! I will!
Wilhelm: Annette!! What on earth are you doing?!
Frederic: This is absolute bollocks! (whiny) I asked her first!
Gustav: What do you mean you asked her first! Just who do you think you are proposing to my lady!?
Frederic: Well it's not like her father likes you anyway.
Wilhelm: Annette, think about this! Think about what you're throwing away!
Gustav: And I suppose he likes you? With your science and ridiculus cynical attitude! You don't even believe in love!
Frederic: Of course not! It's rubbish! No logic at all!
Gustav: And now we see who the naive one is.
Wilhelm: Annette, please tell me this silly romantic isn't what you really want! Frederic is perfect! What's wrong with Frederic?
Frederic: You've corrupted my lady with... with... stupid books. Look at this one! Pride and Prejudice! Ha! (throws the book, loud noise)
Annette: Gustav are you alright! Frederic, stop it! You're being so childish!
Gustav: Throwing things isn' really helping now is it?
Frederic: Oh don't be so obtuse! (another loud noise)
Wilhelm: This is my cue to leave. You can sort this all out yourself Annette! Frederic, I'll be cheering for you from the safety of the study! (loud crash) And try not to break too many of my lamps my boy!
Frederic: You've stolen what is not yours to take!
Gustav: Now you go too far! A lady is nothing one can steal! Can't you see? What you're saying is so irrational!
Frederic: On the contrary, you're irrational! I dare to know!
Gustav: Aha, but my dear Frederic, I dare to be! And that is why you lose! (falling noise)
Annette: Gustav! You knocked him flat off his feet!
Gustav: Good grief. My right hook is a little more effective than I expected. Poor chap... (suddenly) Annette, let's get married!
Annette: Oh Gustav! I'm so glad you finally asked!
Narrator: And so Annette and Gustav eloped to Spain to be married, leaving Frederic knocked out on the parlor floor. Unfortunately for Gustav, on the morning of the wedding Annette met a stunningly handsome Spaniard whose sense of adventure, dark eyes, and freely flowing hair were slightly more appealing than the sophisticated look of the British Romantic.