European Hotel Confessions- Scene 1 -

(Sets down the glass) In this city, everyone leaves a forwarding address. You just have to know which cemetery to ask.

(Takes the letter, reads silently. Her expression doesn’t change.) This is not a confession, Mr. Julian. This is a goodbye.

(Returns the letter) The woman who slept in your bed the night before you arrived. She wrote to a man who was already dead. She didn’t know. We never told her. European Hotel Confessions- Scene 1

(Pulls the crumpled letter from his pocket) I found this. Under the mattress. Not my handwriting. Not my name. But my room.

A small, dimly lit hotel lobby in Vienna. Late autumn. Rain streaks the window. An ancient elevator with a folding metal gate stands stage left. A front desk with a brass bell and a leather guest book. (Sets down the glass) In this city, everyone

To whom?

(Softly) Welcome to the Hotel Continental. Your secrets are safe here. They simply never leave. Her expression doesn’t change

(Whispers) I never told anyone I was afraid of elevators.