MISTER MYSTERY RESPONDS

Sunset, the expected time for the duel, is approaching. Tieck is alone in the snowy meadow where the duel must take place. But he doesn’t stop for an instant: he is practicing the hot-water bottle fighting. Then he sees Wieland climbing the meadow. -Hey, I thought you would not come. The sun is about to set! You do not want to fight a duel in the dark, I imagine. So hurry up and take out your hot-water bottle before the water cools. -There is no hot-water bottle. -What? -My wife caught me taking it surreptitiously and kicked up a stink in the street. She wanted to know what I was going to do with the hot-water bottle.  And since I could not tell her, she imagined who knows what. He accused me of pervert and threatened to ask for a divorce. -The divorce? For a simple hot-water bottle? I hope you never dare to be unfaithful to her! -I tried to borrow one, but everyone seems to have affection for their hot-water bottle. In addition, in this cold, people need them to heat their b...

Wieland and Tieck stroll in the morning sun on a snowy meadow outside Weimar chatting amiably. -It's been published in Italy the last Shelley book. A masterpiece. -Yes, I've already ordered it from my bookseller. -I can lend it to you. He is a sublime poet. He has nothing to envy to Byron. -That’s true. By the way, I have not heard from Byron in a while. Is he still in Weimar or has he returned to England? -It's funny, everyone asks about him. But he wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye… -Why not? We Romantics detest formalities. -I don’t. On the contrary: I think that Romanticism is not at odds with good education. - Are you calling me rude? -My gosh, Wieland, don’t be so sensitive! - Are you calling me fussy? Suddenly, Tieck gets irritated: -I'm calling you asshole! What’s the matter? -What’s the matter?! You’ll see what the matter is… Wieland tries to take off a glove but does not succeed. -These damn gloves! Why are they all so tig...