Stephen Sondheim
Hesitation

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
Well, mimis amichichis, it has been a lovely day—
And evening—
But now I must wish you all a fond goodnight
Windsor, the door please
And for now—adidio!

[PAUL, spoken]
It was lovely, Raffi

[CLAUDIA, spoken]
Perfect! And who cares about the meal, anyway?

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
'Til Tuesday at two!
Your Holiness?

[BISHOP, spoken]
A truly joyful evening
God bless you, sir

[MARIANNE, spoken]
Time, Leo

[LEO, spoken]
Yeah, yeah
Back to square one
[MARIANNE, spoken]
Oh, must he say that all the time?

[COLONEL MARTIN, spoken]
Back to barracks, Lieutenant

[SOLDIER, spoken]
Fritz? One final look at the stars?

[FRITZ, spoken]
If they're still there

[The guests all stop short at the room's portal and turn back.]

[MARIANNE]
Such a gorgeous room...

[CLAUDIA]
Maybe just one more drink...

[LEO]
It's not really that late...

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
No, no, no, no, no, really!
I, I must insist
Into the night with you, per favavere!
And for now, adidio!
[Again the guests stop short of the threshold and turn back.]

[MARIANNE]
Will you look at these books?...

[PAUL]
It's the shank of the evening...

[CLAUDIA & LEO]
I've got nothing to do in the morning... One more burp...

[FRITZ]
What's the rush, Raffi?

[COLONEL MARTIN]
Maybe just one more brandy...

[PAUL, spoken]
Hey! Why don't we just spend the night?

[LEO, spoken]
That's a fantastic idea!

[CLAUDIA, spoken]
Absolutely
[RAFFAEL, spoken]
You're joking

[CLAUDIA]
We can stay right in here!

[MARIANNE]
It will be an adventure!

[LEO, spoken]
We can stay right in here!

[MARIANNE, spoken]
And I'm already in my nightie!

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
Really, no! Amichichis! You cannot be serious!

[LEO]
Dibs on the couch!
C'mon, babe, you and me on the couch...

[CLAUDIA, spoken]
I'll take the armchair

[PAUL, spoken]
I'm fine on the floor

[FRITZ]
I'm fine in your arms...

[RAFFAEL]
But Claudia, what about your children?

[CLAUDIA]
What about them?
We'll call
They'll be fine
Shiva's watching them

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
Shiva?

[CLAUDIA, spoken]
The nanny, not the god

[MARIANNE, spoken]
Raffi, you stay too

[RAFFAEL, spoken]
Absurdo. No!—
Why not?
To sleep in a room full of beautiful women?
This is Utopia!

[WINDSOR, spoken]
Good night, Your Excellency

[LEO]
Ladies and gents
Before "Lights out"
Goodnight
Sleep tight

[MARIANNE, spoken]
Nightie-night, all