Authors Introduction

This story has its roots in the script from the play and movie. Every year the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization give permission for over 600 productions of the play. They also give permission for subtle changes in the script and to blend the scripts and songs from both the play and movie.

I also garnered several ideas from the book upon which both are based, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, as well as other books written by Maria von Trapp.

Pleading

Georg stood with Max in the great hall as Maria departed to change for dinner, a request from Max which she had reluctantly accepted. Georg ignored Herr Zeller whom he saw approaching. He was looking for someone else.

"Max, where's Elsa?"

Georg followed Max's eyes which were directed towards the stairs. "Did she follow Maria?"

He didn't give Max time to answer. "Max, you're a smooth-talker. Put on your best host behavior. I need a few minutes."

Georg barely heard Max reply as he quickly walked to the stairs where his children had so wonderfully entertained his guests with their song, So, Long Farewell. He had arrived to see the back a person, wearing grey, exit as the front door shut.

He hurried there and almost caught the door before it shut completely. He saw the person in grey running around the circle to the opened gate.

He shouted. "Maria, please wait."

Maria ignored the voice and tried to speed up. Georg's longer legs allowed him to catch up to her. He gently touched her arm and she stopped.

"Captain, please let me go."

"Maria, listen to me. Please don't leave. I can't explain now. Will you please wait in the apartment above the garage? I beg you to stay."

Even in the dim light she was able to see his face, his eyes held her mesmerized, as they had when they danced the Laendler. His request was pleading. She was confused. She wanted to run on, but out of respect she answered him.

"Yes Captain, I'll go there and wait."

"Thank you, Maria, I'll come back as soon as I can."

He watched her walk around to the back of the villa. He hurried back inside. He found that Max had indeed played host. His lack of political affiliations made him able to make small talk with Herr Zeller and keep him occupied. No one seemed to notice Georg was missing.

Max continued to engage him even after Georg had taken his seat beside Elsa at the dinner table. And no one seemed to notice Maria hadn't joined them. Georg purposely kept conversation to the minimum; he wanted his guests to eat and leave. He promptly stood when most had finished their dessert. It was the universal signal that the evening was over.

Georg made small talk with Elsa before asking Max to escort her to her room. "Elsa, I need to talk to Ralph Bittinger."

Georg did speak to him but it was only an excuse to get away from Elsa. He hurried out the back door to the garage. As he knocked on the apartment's door, it opened. Maria had purposely left it unlatched.

"Thank you for waiting, Maria."

"I sat here wondering why you pleaded with me to stay. Captain, I was sent here to be with your children. Now that the Baroness is here, you don't need me anymore."

"That's not true. Maria, I know Elsa followed you to your bedroom. Please tell me what she said."

"She offered to help me find a dress to wear. When she held up my blue dress her words had the same tone as they did after the puppet show."

"You mean, her sarcastic remark she could help you become a nun."

"Yes, this time it was. This is the dress you wore when the captain couldn't keep his eyes off you."

"And I suppose she went on to say, I was in love with you."

Maria turned with a jerk to look at him. Her eyes were as big as marbles and her mouth was open but no words came out.

"Maria, I did look at you when I sang Edelweiss. You were oblivious to the expression on your face."

Maria, what really made you stop dancing the Laendler? I really don't believe you didn't remember anymore."

Maria couldn't form any words. She stood and turned her back on Georg. "Was it a new feeling you were experiencing? Did you feel your heart racing like a freight train; and maybe you felt fluttering in your stomach? And all of these together made you feel like you could hardly breathe?"

"Yes, they frightened me. How did you know?"

"Maria, you may not believe me, but men have similar feelings. I can still remember the day I first saw Agathe. She wasn't even of marrying age but she was my first love."

"Your first Captain, I thought sailors…"

"No Maria, I didn't have a girl in every port. I had no desire to be a father to a child I'd never see. And besides, I respected my mother; she taught me better."

"I'm sorry. I should have known."

"It's not a good idea for you to spend the night here. There's a way for me to get to your room so no one will see us."

"Captain, please don't expect me at breakfast. I couldn't face the Baroness. You know she saw us dancing. She reminded me I was blushing in your arms."

"I know she did. I received an icy tongue lashing. And then she had the gall to act impressed with the children's singing. Maria, I know now, she's not the woman I will marry."

"You do?

"It must be one who loves me and my children."

Their eyes caught again. Georg broke the spell. "Maria, you can leave your guitar here; I'll get in the morning. Let me carry your bag."

Georg led them to a door Maria didn't even know existed. And then to another stairwell which was equally hidden.

"Maria, in the morning keep your door closed. I'll let Max take the children into town. And I need to speak with the Baroness."