Harminc novella

A lively evening in Budapest draws a young couple onto a stage of spontaneous romance. He asks her to join him, they share champagne, and their laughter fills the room with a heady mix of joy and ambition. Their conversation quickly turns to grand plans—marriage, wealth, and a future where the man imagines himself as a bank director and factory owner, promising endless riches to his companion.

The mood shifts when they discover a striking white mask, a Beethoven death mask draped in black velvet, placed on a low table. The girl playfully presses a red rose against its solemn forehead, a vivid splash of color against the austere visage. This curious gesture sparks a mix of fascination and unease in the man, hinting at deeper currents beneath their exuberant vows. The scene sets the stage for a tale where love, aspiration, and a touch of the uncanny intertwine, inviting listeners to wonder how their bright hopes will weather the shadows that begin to emerge.