Gretl is alone, at a small writing desk, reading a note which she has just opened. She still has her outdoor coat on. Hilde lets in Hanna, dressed for the street, unhappy.
Gretl I’ve only just come in and found your note. I’m so sorry you had to –
Hanna (overlapping) I’m sorry I –
Gretl No, no, you were quite right to come, I’m all yours. Sit down, Hanna. Would you like tea?
Hanna Nothing.
Gretl So, tell me. What is it?
Hanna remains standing, fidgety.
Hanna I thought everything was going to go on just the way things do –
Gretl Fritz?
Hanna (impatiently) Yes – yes, of course, Fritz! Gretl, he was so – He was in such good spirits at the tea party, so nice about my dress, my hat – he couldn’t have been more – you know what I mean, don’t you?
Gretl He was charming.
Hanna Yes, he was. And sincere. You thought so too. We had a jolly time, didn’t we? I was sure there would be a letter next day. Flowers, even.
Gretl And …?
Hanna Nothing! I haven’t heard from him at all! What should I do?
Gretl Oh, Hanna, I’m sorry.
Hanna (tearfully) I wrote my thank you, and now it’s been more than a week, and I’m going home on Sunday.
Gretl Men.
Hanna What I think is he didn’t understand my true feelings – his manners are so beautiful and he was being so amusing – reading those scenes with us – he was so funny – it’s his way, you see, with anybody at all. He didn’t realise I love him. I might as well have turned up in a glass case. I’ve decided to write to him. I’m sure it’s best to tell him everything, and I’ve brought it to show you.
Gretl Ah.
Hanna (anxiously) Do you think it’s too long?
Gretl He doesn’t deserve you.
Hanna Yes, it’s too long.
She snatches the pages back.
I knew it was. Will you write it for me? Perhaps he’s ill. He might have been in bed the whole time with a fever. If only I could find Theodore.
Gretl Who?
Hanna (snaps) Theodore! His friend Theodore! I’ve gone to the Imperial every day for coffee and sat there hoping Fritz or Theodore would come in …
Gretl Sit.
She vacates her place at the writing desk. She places a card, pen and ink. Hanna sits at the desk.
(Dictates.) ‘Dear Fritz. I’m going home on Sunday, so I’ve been thinking about my nice times in Vienna, and none was more fun than tea with you, so this is just to say thanks again, and if the army ever sends you to Czernowicz I hope you’ll look me up. Your friend, Hanna.’
Put your address on the back. Envelope. Just his name on it, and ‘By hand’. I’ll have it delivered.
Hanna Oh, Gretl. I wish I’d just turned up on my own and let him take off my hat, my coat, and anything else he wanted. Everything would have gone differently.