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“Maria” Doesn’t Exist!

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Nonnberg Abbey. A nun approaches the von Trapp children. She says, “I’m Sister Margaretta. I understand you inquired about Maria.” Friedrich replies, “We have to see her. Will you tell her we’re here, please?” Sister Margaretta smiles and says, “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Louisa, distressed, exclaims, “Oh but you’ve got to!” Sister Margaretta, still smiling, says, “No, I can’t, children, because there is no ‘Maria’ here.” She tilts her head up, suddenly lit from below she has an ominous look on her face. She continues, “‘Maria’ doesn’t exist!”
Kurt says, “What?” Marta says, “Maria is our governess!” And Gretl says, “She taught us to sing!” Sister Margaretta, smiling, replies, “No, my dears –– ‘Maria’ is merely a coping mechanism in response to the trauma of losing your mother and being neglected by your father.” The children protest: “But - but the puppet show! And the party…”
Sister Margaretta explains over an image of the children dancing in Salzburg with a teddy bear, “Yes, I’m sure you had a wonderful summer with ‘Maria,’ the doll you carried around all over Salzburg.” Sister Margaretta closes the gate on the children as they protest (“But…”) and says, “Now run along home.” She watches as they leave. Sister Margaretta says to the Mother Abbess: “That got rid of them!!”

The Sound of Music x Community (“Curriculum Unavailable” S03E19)

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