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Ferdinand, Manuela enter the scene
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Ferdinand
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My princess is lovely, my princess is fair, She sings like cicadas in midsummer's air—
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Manuela
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Cicadas? Those noisy little bugs that swarm about? Endlessly mingling with one another?
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Ferdinand
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Oh! Good point. I will revise...
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Ferdinand
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My princess is lovely, my princess is fair, She sings like a swallow in midsummer's air—
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Manuela
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Migrating birds... Never sticking around for long. Always off to find love somewhere else...
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Ferdinand
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No! Wh-what I meant was, ah, hm...
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Manuela
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Oh, Ferdinand. You're just not yourself today.
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Manuela
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You don't seem focused. Your poetry...lacks poetry. Perhaps a break is in order.
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Ferdinand
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I would not dream of stopping now. This is my golden opportunity!
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Manuela
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Pardon me?
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Ferdinand
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We are finally alone. Just the two of us.
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Manuela
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Why...yes. We are, aren't we?
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Ferdinand
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You see, Manuela, I have long admired you.
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Manuela
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Is that a fact?
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Ferdinand
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I saw you perform countless times while you were with the opera company.
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Manuela
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I see. So, what did you think?
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Ferdinand
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The figure you cut, that heartbreaking voice... I was mesmerized.
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Ferdinand
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That is why I am tongue-tied. I am nervous about speaking to you alone, after idolizing you for so long.
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Manuela
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There's no need to be nervous, Ferdinand. That songstress you recall...is long gone.
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Manuela
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I get nervous too, you know. But I want you to feel relaxed around me. Understood?
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Ferdinand
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Yes! Uh, ahem... Yes, I promise to try.
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Manuela
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You're really full of surprises, you know that?
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Manuela
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I assumed you'd be more interested in combat than the arts.
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Manuela
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Come and chat sometime? I'd love to hear more about how my performances mesmerized you.