SMERALDINA: That’s sweet, but I can take care of myself.

BEATRICE enters.

BEATRICE: [shouting] Truffaldino!

SMERALDINA: Ahh! He’s scary!

SMERALDINA exits.

The ZANNI groans, still holding the trunk or luggage.

BEATRICE: Is that my trunk?

TRUFFALDINO: Oh yeah, that is your trunk.

BEATRICE: Take it to my room.

TRUFFALDINO: Hurry up, take it to his room …

TRUFFALDINO berates and bosses the other ZANNI.

BEATRICE: Truffaldino.

TRUFFALDINO: Sì.

BEATRICE: Have you been to the post office?

TRUFFALDINO: Sì Signor. [Yes sir.]

BEATRICE: And were there letters for me?

TRUFFALDINO: There was one for your sister.

BEATRICE: Good, where is it?

TRUFFALDINO: Here it is.

BEATRICE: This letter has been opened.

TRUFFALDINO: Opened?

BEATRICE: Opened and re-sealed with …

TRUFFALDINO: Oh no, really?

BEATRICE: Che schifo. [How disgusting.] How did this happen?

TRUFFALDINO: I have no idea how that happened. Who would do such a thing?

BEATRICE: You have no idea, huh? You little shyster! Who opened this letter?

TRUFFALDINO: I will tell you, Signor, I will confess the truth, it’s all very innocent. Actually, you’re going to laugh. It’s hilarious. At the post office there was a letter for me, and seeing as I can’t really read, instead of opening mine, I opened yours.

BEATRICE: If this were the truth, it wouldn’t be so bad.

TRUFFALDINO: The truth it is, Signor. It’s not so bad.

BEATRICE: Do you know the content of this letter?

TRUFFALDINO: No at all. The handwriting is terrible and there are no pictures.

BEATRICE: Did anyone see it?

TRUFFALDINO: [offended] Oh!

BEATRICE: Are you sure?

TRUFFALDINO: [deeply offended] Well I never!

BEATRICE: [aside] He better not be lying.

She reads.

TRUFFALDINO: [aside] Phew. The deception’s been sealed!

BEATRICE: [aside] Fat Tony is a faithful servant. I owe him my life. [To TRUFFALDINO] Okay, now I need to take care of some business. Here are the keys. Go in the inn, open my trunk and air out my clothes. [Aside] Where is Pantalona? I need my money.

BEATRICE exits.

TRUFFALDINO: That went well. I’m pretty crafty. I am worth one hundred ducats more than I was before! In fact my star sign says I’m going to come into money today. But first … vado a mangiare [I’m going to eat].

PANTALONA enters.

PANTALONA: You, Zanni. Is your master home?

TRUFFALDINO: Signora, no, he isn’t.

PANTALONA: Do you know where he is?

TRUFFALDINO: No.

PANTALONA: Is he coming home to eat?

TRUFFALDINO: I hope so!

PANTALONA: Look, I don’t have time to wait. I’ve got things to do. Here, give this to your master. It’s one hundred ducats.

TRUFFALDINO: [aside] See I told you.

PANTALONA exits.

[Calling after PANTALONA] Wait! Which master am I supposed to give it to?! Oh well, it can wait. First … vado a mangiare. [I’m going to eat.]

FLORINDO enters.

FLORINDO: Truffaldino, have you found Pasquale?

TRUFFALDINO: Uffa! [Ugh!] No, Signor, I haven’t found him. But I found someone who gave me a bag of one hundred ducats.

FLORINDO: One hundred ducats? What for?