Venice

At the end of XVIIe century. Venice, heady and mysterious. Indolent and capricious. So beautiful. Venice, a glorious past but an incertain futur. Turks and Austrians harass the Empire Marches, fight for possessions and commercial roads. Russia is a future power and Tsar has appointed Prince Sergueï Morozov to conclude a political and commercial alliance. The treaty is slowly built from official interviews to unofficial discussions. Prince is always seen like a curious stranger, a boorish barbarian, but little by little, Venice opens her doors to him. He is now received in that palaces they mirror in Gran Canale, those palazzi where the great venetian familys like to display themselves. Characters : Dona Eleonora Ziani A rich and beautiful patrician, a widow. Her free life, her austrian origin (her mother), her immense fortune are the seeds of a germinating plot. Prince Sergueï Morozov He has the complete Tsar trust to carry the treaty to a successful conclusion. Like many russian nobles, he is looking at Occident. He is an enlightened  man. But in St-Petersburg, a town with many canals too, womens know the secret pleasure of being freely enslaved by his Master desires. Signor Fradentelli. He is the Doge secretary and condidant. He is a powerfull and influential man in Venice. His cupidity is equalled only by his political distance. Venice is his  single Mistress. If a thing is good for me, he says, the thing is good for the Republic. Maestro Giaccomo aka "la pancia" (the belly). Doges prison Master Executionner. Where he lives permanently. People say that this obese person, sweating cruelty, is a master in the art of pain and that he can drag a confession out of any innocent. And Paolo, his assistant, a red hair dwarf. Agnès

Act 2, scene 1. Dona Ziani's palace. It's the night. Dona Eleonora is sleeping when Doge's henchmen burst in her bedroom. THE FIRST GUARD:  Woman Ziani, we are here to arrest you, by order of Doge. You're accused of betrayal. Your possessions are seized and will be managed by Republic of Venice. Until you'll appear before the Great Tribunal, you are going to be taken to the Republic Prison and put to the Question. We are put in charge leading you there. THE SECOND GUARD:  Stand up, you traitor, with your hands back, so you can be tied. ELEONORA (she doesn't understand and scream): No ! It's untrue. It's a calumny. THE FIRST GUARD:  That gown is too nice for a  wench, who might wear rags.
THE SECOND GUARD: Open your mouth, harlot. Your screams are deafening us. That anguish pear is for you.
THE SECOND GUARD: And that iron mask too.  Gagged, muzzled and with a rope around the neck. In Venice we treat the traitors like that.
THE FIRST GUARD:  (laughing): Ah ah... Does the rope make you uneasy ?  Soon you will have many things more, they will make you uneasy.
THE FIRST GUARD: : Oh Pietro ! What about that figurehead we put on the gondola prow ?

Act 2, scene 2. The great torture room in Doges palace.       MAESTRO GIACCOMO (very obsequious): I thank you Dona Ziani, doing me the honour of coming and visiting my humble prison.  Your apartments are ready. I'll take you to your romm later. But for now you've to be dressed like the TRAITOR you are. (he yells ). On your knees puta. Sergeant, hang this wench by her neck, so she can give you away what it belongs to you.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO (il rit): My friends, admire my lacemaker art.;
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: Girls are like mares. More they are stubborn, more the shoeing must be meticulous... Done. It's done. You're deuced shoed. You just need the collar and the belt.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: But first, we have to visit. That girl is a witch and a hussy. She didn't confess yet but she will during her trial. As you will. In that place, I don't care about the truth. I give the suffering. An idea of suffering.  It's a purgatory. But if you don't confess your crime in front of your judges, you'll know the hell.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: The old water reservoir. It's under all the prison. We put in the recalcitrant persons. You'll test its charming pleasures. Ah... I have omitted a little detail. The tide comes twice during the day. And when there is the acqua alta...
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: The dungeons. We've reserved you the number 3. Pretty boy ? Isn't he ? A poet. He gibed at the Great Council in a miserable book. His tongue will be cut and he will be castrated. I think I would  make you covered by him. So he could use a rump for the last time.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: It's an interesting machine. Isn't it ? It displays all the criminal's body. And he can't slip out of. So you are going to realize that. ELEONORA: I beseech you my Lords, let me go.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO:  To go ? What a funny idea ! We haven't finished your wash ? That hairs are just used to hide your crimes. Today, Paolo is just going to cut your mane a bit. I don't want you catch cold in your room (He laughs)
ELEONORA: Have pity... Please no (she chokes when Paolo's sex forces her lips) MAESTRO GIACCOMO: Go on, don't give yourself airs. Play with your tongue and swallow what Paolo give to you. That will be your meal. And I don't want to hear you. (he lashes Eleonora's breast with a robust crop) Then, I'm going to fill your womb. You have an aristocratic pussy. Warm and silky.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: Quale che bella puta ! Iwill not whip you tonight. As a payment of your service. Times to have a little rest.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: There it is. Turn back so I can attach the hook to your belt. It's used to go down. To go up again, it's more delicat but you'll have the surprise when I would like to torture you. ELEONORA (with a sob) : I beseech you. MAESTRO GIACCOMO: Do you want to be whipped, you harlot ? ELEONORA : No, my Lord. I don't MAESTRO GIACCOMO: So stay silent. (Speaking to Paolo) Throw that in the hole.
MAESTRO GIACCOMO: Have a good night you trollop. And take care about the rats. (He laughs out of loud before he closes and locks the heavy oak door)