TRUFFALDINO’S DEVIL: But if you don’t go now, you will starve and you will be no use to your master.

TRUFFALDINO: Okay, I’ll go and eat then! Oh no, I just realised I don’t have any money. Uffa. [Ugh.]

FLORINDO enters with a ZANNI. The ZANNI carries his trunk.

The ZANNI groans.

FLORINDO: Here is a sign for an inn. Can’t you walk another four paces? For goodness sake!

The ZANNI groans.

I told you you were too weak, you have no strength.

TRUFFALDINO: [watching the scene] I could earn some money … [To FLORINDO] Signor, at your service.

FLORINDO: Sì, bravo. [Yes, good man.] Carry this trunk into that inn.

TRUFFALDINO: Leave it to me. This is how it’s done. [To the ZANNI] Get out of here.

FLORINDO: Bravissimo! [Very good!]

The ZANNI holds out his hand.

What? How much do I need to give you for ten paces?

The ZANNI continues to hold out his hand.

A ducat. Here is a Venetian ducat.

The ZANNI keeps his hand extended.

One must have the patience of a saint! Here are two ducats. Now duck off.

FLORINDO kicks him.

The ZANNI exits.

What airs it gives itself. It really did want a good bollocking. Now let’s see what inn this is. What inn is this?

TRUFFALDINO: A good one, Signor.

FLORINDO: And what do you do?

TRUFFALDINO: I’m a servant.

FLORINDO: Do you have a master at the moment?

TRUFFALDINO: At this moment? Right now? I do not have a master, no.

FLORINDO: You are without a master?

TRUFFALDINO: Here I am, you see I am without a master. [Aside] My master isn’t here so I’m not telling lies.

FLORINDO: Well, would you serve me then?

TRUFFALDINO: Do you want me to serve you?

FLORINDO: At least for the time I’m in Venice. Do you come recommended?

TRUFFALDINO: Highly.

FLORINDO: Do you have references?

TRUFFALDINO: Yes, a lot …

Beat.

… but not here.

FLORINDO: Well, I don’t usually hire without—

TRUFFALDINO: You can trust me, look at this honest face.

FLORINDO: I guess I can trust you.

TRUFFALDINO: Now, how much will you pay me?

FLORINDO: How much do you want?

TRUFFALDINO: A lot.

FLORINDO: Fine, I will pay you ten ducats a month.

TRUFFALDINO: Wow! I was thinking more like two or three, but I’ll take ten.

FLORINDO: Okay, first things first. I need to urgently see if letters have arrived for me at the post. Go to the post office for Turin and ask if there are letters for Florindo Aretusi. If there are, get them and bring them here immediately.

TRUFFALDINO: Okay, in the meantime order lunch!

FLORINDO: [aside] He seems a bit of a fool, but I don’t mind him. I’ll give him a chance.

FLORINDO exits.

SCENE THREE

TRUFFALDINO: Wow, ten ducats a month—what a sucker my new master is! There are so many servants looking for a master and I have found two! Yay. What the hell do I do now? I can’t serve both, can I? Why not? Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if I could serve both masters at the same time, earn two salaries and eat twice as much? I better do some work.