NIGHT AT THE OPERA-PART 05
After breakfast Friday morning, Lee and Amanda toured the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the former
residence of the Hapsburg family.
Today the castle houses the Spanish Riding School, and conducts Strauss concerts on it's premises.
The interior is elegance beyond description. Scarecrow and escort attended a midmorning Strauss
concert. Then, it was time for lunch.
They decided that the Hundertwasser Café was ideal. Lunch consisted of sailor sandwiches and fruit.
Both knew the holiday would be coming to an end shortly, and were a little sad.
To cheer themselves up, they took a tour of the museum part of the café. Hundertwasser was an abstract
artist who developed the grammar of vision theory. He extended this theory to the architecture of the café.
The café is a popular tourist attraction. There are no straight lines in the museum and café design. Uneven floors and crooked windows are featured. It comes across like a child's rendering of a fairy tale castle.
Lee and Amanda spent the balance of the afternoon there.
Soon it was time to start back to Emily's home.
"The Merry Widow" began at 8:00 p.m. Our friends would need to eat dinner on the earlier side, so that a
leisurely pace would prevail.
Emily and Charles looked resplendent and ready for a fun evening in their formal wear.
Lee wore his tux and, as always, looked exceedingly handsome. Amanda descended the stairs in her new
gown and jewelry. Her hair was worn in a French roll, little ringlets framing her flawless complexion.
Lee had trouble finding his breath from the lump in his throat, caused by his wonder over the beauty of
his partner.
"You look fabulous Mrs. King," he remarked, mesmerized, "simply fabulous." He offered her his arm.
"Amanda, I second the opinion, you look lovely, my dear," echoed Emily.
"Ditto," chimed in Charles, always appreciative of a pretty girl.
Amanda beamed, "thanks everyone. I really think the ensemble helps."
"Yes, but, I believe the package has the greatest assistance because of the natural beauty of it's occupant,"
Charles added.
"Well, thank you again, Charles," Amanda kissed him on the cheek.
"Well, shall we commence," suggested Emily. "We have reservations at Raimundstuberl at 6:00 p.m.
sharp.
The ambiance was excellent at the restaurant. Lee and Amanda tried the wiener schnitzel, veal in a special
sauce. They both came to the conclusion that the Viennese specialty was absolutely delicious.
As they engaged in a playful banter, wanting to prolong the pleasant atmosphere, Lee became melancholy,
and lost in his thoughts.
Emily interrupted his contemplation and nonchalantly asked, "a penny for your thoughts, Scarecrow."
Lee smiled at her and sincerely stated, "I was just thinking that I'm truly sad about these last few days
coming to an end. The company and surroundings have been wonderful. I always knew you were my
good friend, but since I've here, you, and Charles, have become so much closer to me," he squeezed
Emily's hand.
He then turned to Amanda, and placed his hand over hers, "and the greatest delight in the world to me,
how charming and beautiful my partner is, and how lucky I am to have her friendship and affection.
I will never forget these last few days," Lee squeezed Amanda's hand.
Amanda looked deep into his eyes, it was all she could do to keep the tears from coming, "neither will I,"
she agreed, holding onto his hand and squeezing it tighter.
"Well, friends, interrupted Emily, "I hate to interrupt this mutual admiration society, but "The Merry
Widow" awaits us, shall we."
The Staatsopera was ornate and richly decorated in the cultural décor of the past. The Farnworth's had
already reserved a box which overlooked the regular seating. One really felt special when seated there.
The play began, retelling the story of Anna Glavari, the Merry Widow.
It is a somewhat convoluted plot involving expatriot Pontevedrians, most of whom are members of staff
of that country's embassy in Paris.
It is a story of relationships, hopes, fears, and finances. There is pressure from the Embassy on the Merry
Widow, which she is unaware of, to remarry a Pontevedrian, in order for her to keep her, not unsubstantial
fortune in "the fatherland". This would avoid national bankruptcy for her country. Naturally, there are a
number of suitors for her hand. Danilo.a former lover, is the one suitor she truly loves.
The mini plots survive throughout the production. The finale is aptly predictable, the playboy gets the widow, The economy is saved, etc.
The music is outstanding, and one usually stays enthralled by the whole production.
As the actors and actresses bowed to several curtain calls, Lee and Amanda smiled at only each other, and
held their gaze.
Emily's heart was overflowing with gladness at this, hopefully, forever after happiness scene before her.
Charles just took all in at his stride.
"Well, children, this most certainly has been a wonderful night, but tiredness is claiming myself and hubby," yawned Emily, as she and her husband ascended the stairs.
"Lee, do you wish the car keys again for another walk?"
Lee nodded affirmatively to Emily, who tossed the keys to him again for the Rolls.
"Now, not too late, my boy. I have an important issue to discuss with you in the morning."
"Yes, ma'am," answered Scarecrow.
The drive over to the Woosten Bridge was quiet again. Lee grabbed hold of Amanda's hand. He noticed
something was bothering her, but decided to pursue the issue while they were walking.
As they stopped at the top of the Woosten to view the city lights, Lee kissed her hand, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Amanda, what's wrong?" he asked.
She tried to avert his gaze, "Nothing, Lee, really," Amanda replied.
Scarecrow placed a thumb under her chin to force her to look at him. "Amanda, I know when you're upset,
now, give," he insisted.
Amanda's eyes started to fill with tears as she looked into Lee's.
"These few days here, are they a fairy tale, too good to be true, that's what usually happens," she blurted
out.
"Will these feelings we have for each other evaporate, too, just like in a fairy tale. Will you still feel the
same about me in the light of day?"
"Oh, Amanda, how can you say that. Of course, I'll still feel the same way, and more. Vienna may weave it's magic on would-be romantics, but the seed for us has been there all this time, it just needed watering
to bloom, that's all ."
Lee brought her lips to his in a passionate and lingering kiss, lasting several minutes, until they had to break
for air.
"The magic will still be there in D. C., Manda, because we are the magicians. Now, do you feel better,"
he kissed her forehead.
"Much better," she smiled.
They continued walking, and stopped for dessert and espresso at a nearby café.
Once back at the Farnsworth house, they kissed goodnight, looking forward to a new tomorrow.
TBC
After breakfast Friday morning, Lee and Amanda toured the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the former
residence of the Hapsburg family.
Today the castle houses the Spanish Riding School, and conducts Strauss concerts on it's premises.
The interior is elegance beyond description. Scarecrow and escort attended a midmorning Strauss
concert. Then, it was time for lunch.
They decided that the Hundertwasser Café was ideal. Lunch consisted of sailor sandwiches and fruit.
Both knew the holiday would be coming to an end shortly, and were a little sad.
To cheer themselves up, they took a tour of the museum part of the café. Hundertwasser was an abstract
artist who developed the grammar of vision theory. He extended this theory to the architecture of the café.
The café is a popular tourist attraction. There are no straight lines in the museum and café design. Uneven floors and crooked windows are featured. It comes across like a child's rendering of a fairy tale castle.
Lee and Amanda spent the balance of the afternoon there.
Soon it was time to start back to Emily's home.
"The Merry Widow" began at 8:00 p.m. Our friends would need to eat dinner on the earlier side, so that a
leisurely pace would prevail.
Emily and Charles looked resplendent and ready for a fun evening in their formal wear.
Lee wore his tux and, as always, looked exceedingly handsome. Amanda descended the stairs in her new
gown and jewelry. Her hair was worn in a French roll, little ringlets framing her flawless complexion.
Lee had trouble finding his breath from the lump in his throat, caused by his wonder over the beauty of
his partner.
"You look fabulous Mrs. King," he remarked, mesmerized, "simply fabulous." He offered her his arm.
"Amanda, I second the opinion, you look lovely, my dear," echoed Emily.
"Ditto," chimed in Charles, always appreciative of a pretty girl.
Amanda beamed, "thanks everyone. I really think the ensemble helps."
"Yes, but, I believe the package has the greatest assistance because of the natural beauty of it's occupant,"
Charles added.
"Well, thank you again, Charles," Amanda kissed him on the cheek.
"Well, shall we commence," suggested Emily. "We have reservations at Raimundstuberl at 6:00 p.m.
sharp.
The ambiance was excellent at the restaurant. Lee and Amanda tried the wiener schnitzel, veal in a special
sauce. They both came to the conclusion that the Viennese specialty was absolutely delicious.
As they engaged in a playful banter, wanting to prolong the pleasant atmosphere, Lee became melancholy,
and lost in his thoughts.
Emily interrupted his contemplation and nonchalantly asked, "a penny for your thoughts, Scarecrow."
Lee smiled at her and sincerely stated, "I was just thinking that I'm truly sad about these last few days
coming to an end. The company and surroundings have been wonderful. I always knew you were my
good friend, but since I've here, you, and Charles, have become so much closer to me," he squeezed
Emily's hand.
He then turned to Amanda, and placed his hand over hers, "and the greatest delight in the world to me,
how charming and beautiful my partner is, and how lucky I am to have her friendship and affection.
I will never forget these last few days," Lee squeezed Amanda's hand.
Amanda looked deep into his eyes, it was all she could do to keep the tears from coming, "neither will I,"
she agreed, holding onto his hand and squeezing it tighter.
"Well, friends, interrupted Emily, "I hate to interrupt this mutual admiration society, but "The Merry
Widow" awaits us, shall we."
The Staatsopera was ornate and richly decorated in the cultural décor of the past. The Farnworth's had
already reserved a box which overlooked the regular seating. One really felt special when seated there.
The play began, retelling the story of Anna Glavari, the Merry Widow.
It is a somewhat convoluted plot involving expatriot Pontevedrians, most of whom are members of staff
of that country's embassy in Paris.
It is a story of relationships, hopes, fears, and finances. There is pressure from the Embassy on the Merry
Widow, which she is unaware of, to remarry a Pontevedrian, in order for her to keep her, not unsubstantial
fortune in "the fatherland". This would avoid national bankruptcy for her country. Naturally, there are a
number of suitors for her hand. Danilo.a former lover, is the one suitor she truly loves.
The mini plots survive throughout the production. The finale is aptly predictable, the playboy gets the widow, The economy is saved, etc.
The music is outstanding, and one usually stays enthralled by the whole production.
As the actors and actresses bowed to several curtain calls, Lee and Amanda smiled at only each other, and
held their gaze.
Emily's heart was overflowing with gladness at this, hopefully, forever after happiness scene before her.
Charles just took all in at his stride.
"Well, children, this most certainly has been a wonderful night, but tiredness is claiming myself and hubby," yawned Emily, as she and her husband ascended the stairs.
"Lee, do you wish the car keys again for another walk?"
Lee nodded affirmatively to Emily, who tossed the keys to him again for the Rolls.
"Now, not too late, my boy. I have an important issue to discuss with you in the morning."
"Yes, ma'am," answered Scarecrow.
The drive over to the Woosten Bridge was quiet again. Lee grabbed hold of Amanda's hand. He noticed
something was bothering her, but decided to pursue the issue while they were walking.
As they stopped at the top of the Woosten to view the city lights, Lee kissed her hand, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Amanda, what's wrong?" he asked.
She tried to avert his gaze, "Nothing, Lee, really," Amanda replied.
Scarecrow placed a thumb under her chin to force her to look at him. "Amanda, I know when you're upset,
now, give," he insisted.
Amanda's eyes started to fill with tears as she looked into Lee's.
"These few days here, are they a fairy tale, too good to be true, that's what usually happens," she blurted
out.
"Will these feelings we have for each other evaporate, too, just like in a fairy tale. Will you still feel the
same about me in the light of day?"
"Oh, Amanda, how can you say that. Of course, I'll still feel the same way, and more. Vienna may weave it's magic on would-be romantics, but the seed for us has been there all this time, it just needed watering
to bloom, that's all ."
Lee brought her lips to his in a passionate and lingering kiss, lasting several minutes, until they had to break
for air.
"The magic will still be there in D. C., Manda, because we are the magicians. Now, do you feel better,"
he kissed her forehead.
"Much better," she smiled.
They continued walking, and stopped for dessert and espresso at a nearby café.
Once back at the Farnsworth house, they kissed goodnight, looking forward to a new tomorrow.
TBC