go
on the streets and beg?
Don't be stupid.
-All they want to see is your work.
-Shit.
-What's wrong with that?
-Shut up! Just shut up.
One royal pupil and the whole
of Vienna will come flocking.
They'll come anyway.
-No, they won't.
-They love me here.
-I know how things work in this city.
-You always know everything, don't you?
-Yes?
-Excuse me, sir.
There is a lady who insists
on talking to you.
Who is she?
She didn't say,
but she says it's urgent.
Excuse me, my dear.
Your Excellency.
How can I help you?
-Frau Mozart?
-I've come on behalf of my husband.
I brought you some samples
of his work...
...so that he can be considered
for the royal appointment.
How charming,
but why did he not come himself?
Well, he's terribly busy, sir.
I understand.
I will look at them, of course,
the moment I can.
It will be an honour.
Please give him my warmest regards.
Would it be too much trouble, sir,
to ask you to look at them now?
-While I wait.
-I'm afraid I'm not at leisure...
...this precise moment.
Just leave them with me.
I assure you, they will be quite safe.
I really cannot do that, sir.
You see, he doesn't know I'm here.
Then he didn't send you?
No, sir. This was my own idea.
-I see.
-Sir, we' re desperate.
We really need this job.
My husband spends far more
than he can ever earn.
I don't mean that he's lazy, 'cause
he's not at all, he works all day long.
It's just that he's not practical.
Money simply slips through
his fingers. It's ridiculous.
Let me offer you some refreshment.
Do you know what these are?
Capezzoli di Venere!
Nipples of Venus.
They're Roman chestnuts in brandied
sugar. Try one. Go on, try one!
They're quite surprising.
They' re wonderful!
Thank you very much,
Your Excellency.
Don't keep calling me that.
Keeps me at such a distance.
I wasn't born a Court Composer,
you know.
I'm from a small town.
Just like your husband.
Are you sure you can't...
...leave this and come back again?
It's very tempting, sir.
But it's impossible,
I'm afraid.
Wolfgang would be frantic
if he found those were missing.
You see, they' re all originals.
-Originals?
-Yes, sir. He doesn't make copies.
These...
...are originals?
Astounding!
It was actually-
It was beyond belief.
These were first and only...
...drafts of music.
But they showed no corrections
of any kind. Not one.
He had simply written down music...
...already finished in his head.
Page after page of it.
As if he were just taking dictation.
And music...
...finished as no music
is ever finished.
Displace one note...
...and there would be diminishment.
Displace one phrase
and the structure would fall.
It was clear to me...
...that sound I had heard
in the archbishop's palace...
...had been no accident.
Here again was
the very voice of God.
I was staring through the cage...
...of those meticulous ink strokes...
...at an absolute beauty.
Is it not good?
It is miraculous.
Yes, he's very proud of his work.
So you will help us?
I dine with the emperor
tomorrow evening.
One word from me
and the post is his.
Thank you, Your Excellency!
Thank you!
Come back tonight.
-Tonight?
-Alone.
What for?
Some service
deserves service in return.
No?
-What do you mean?
-Isn't it obvious?
It's a post all Vienna seeks.
If you wish it for your husband,
come tonight.
I'm a married woman, sir.
Then don't.
It's up to you.
And not to be vague,
that is the price.
There is no God of mercy, Father.
Just a God of torture.
Evening came.
I sat there, not knowing
whether she would return or not.
I prayed as I had
never prayed before.
Dear God...
...enter me now.
Fill me with one piece of true music.
One piece with your breath in it,
so I know that you love me.
Show me one sign of your favour,
and I will show mine to Mozart.
I will get him the royal position.
Enter me.
Please.
Please!
Yes?
That lady is back, sir.
Show her in.
Well?
I'm here.
My husband has