THE EMPTY CANVAS aka BOREDOM
Cecilia!
Madam is in the garden.
You are Mr. Dino, yes?
- Where is my mother? - She's in the greenhouse.
- Are there guests today? - Not that I know of.
- Take some flowers to the dining room. - Yes, Ma'am.
Hi, mama.
Thousands of these days, my child...
- Thanks. - ... I now spend among the plants and flowers.
It is such a joy to look at them.
But then I grew up like this, in my father's house in the country.
There were always such wonderful flowers.
Excuse me, but why did my father always run far away from you whenever he could?
That's not true, your father never ran away because of me.
He liked to travel, continuously.
Aren't these dahlias magnificent?
Run away or "travel", as you say are almost the same thing, no?
Why was he never at home with you?
I have never really wanted to know. I know just that...
... he became sad, never talked anymore, never left the house.
And at the end, I decided to give him some money and I said to him:
"Go away for a bit, darling. You'll see, it will do you a lot of good."
You, after all, are very similar to your father, you know?
You, too, hide your feelings just as he did and have always seemed like you're missing something.
- Yes, you're very similar. - Yes, and above all because I, too...
... like him, will never run away from you.
Well, at least he was travelling the world in the meantime.
To India, to Japan, to Afghanistan...
... to God knows where, and it was also a life that he led for a long time... but you...
You, on the other hand, have always lived in the city, just a stone's throw away.
And I won't see you for months and months.
Just like today, only because it's your birthday.
I've given up painting.
Would you take me back here after so many years?
But of course! You are always welcome in this house.
When do you mean to return?
Tomorrow, maybe.
Your studio is the same as you left it, I haven't touched a thing...
- So you can paint tomorrow, too. - I don't paint anymore.
Don't you listen to me when I speak?
Of course I listen to you. What do you mean to say?
I have decided to quit. I don't want to paint anything, ever again.
But why, darling?
This morning I realised that I'm not made to paint.
I made a big mistake. I can't...
Sometimes, you see, when one...
I must show you something. It's a surprise.
For you.
With my blessing and best wishes for your birthday.
It's the most expensive model on the market.
You don't want to give it a try?
So? What do you think?
It's not bad.
If it wasn't your birthday, I would have taken it myself. I adore it.
The dashboard is what I like the most.
Look, it seems like a jeweller's window, don't you find?
Thank you. I like it a lot.
You know what I'll do one of these days?
We will throw you a big party, here on the grounds.
This way all of our friends could see that you've returned..
What is your name?
Rita.
I have never seen your here.
That's because I haven't been here long.
Did Rita bring you a clean towel?
Rita? Ah, you mean that girl...
... with the quivering lips? She's new, yes?
I find that she's very good, respectful, always clean...
And she had very good references.
Why are you laughing?
Oh, nothing, I was just thinking.
I remember reading a funny parody of the parable about the Prodigal Son.
- Do you know it? - No, I don't believe that I know it.
Good, well in the parable, as it is written in the gospel...
... the son returns home...
... and the father sacrifices for him a fat calf, okay?
In the parody, instead, the fat calf runs away scared...
... as soon as the son comes home.
Because it knows full well what its destiny is.
After that, everyone is waiting for the calf to come home...
... and then, when it finally returns, do you know what happens?
To celebrate the return of the fat calf...
... the Father kills the Prodigal Son and feeds him to the calf....
... and they all live happily ever after.
You shouldn't joke about sacred things, my child.
But I'm not joking at all!
My return would be the sacrifice of the Prodigal Son, me...
... to benefit the fat calf...
... which would be all this luxury that surrounds me.
I don't understand where this is going.
Yeah, of course.
What do you do all day, mama?
Oh, the usual life. You know it well, no?
No. No, I don't, and I wanted to know.
After all I'm coming back to stay with you, no?
Could be that everything has changed since I was here.
Oh, no, nothing. I don't enjoy change.
I like to think that I live now as I lived 10 years ago.
And in 10 years I will live in the same way.
Yeah, but if I don't know how you live... Okay, let's see...
- What time do you get up in the morning? - At 8.
- Good, and do you have breakfast at once? - Of course!
Up in the bedroom or here?
No, darling. In the bedroom, in my bed.
- And what do you have for breakfast? - Tea, orange juice and some toast.
And what do you do after that?
I take my bath.
Do you wash yourself or does the maid help you?
Dino, do you know that you're acting strange with all these questions?
It could also be that I don't want to answer such questions.
After all my life is personal and concerns only myself.
Okay, mama.
Thank you.
Do you put your jewellery on before or after you get dressed?
- At the last moment. - And after you get dressed what do you do?
Well, I give orders to the cook for the day, and discuss things with the gardener...
And then?
I close myself in my studio and occupy myself with business matters.
- Every day? - No, thank you.
Every day. Yes, my darling.
I write letters, speak with my lawyer, receive visitors...
- And on Sunday what do you do? - What do you think I do on Sunday?
Go to mass, naturally.
- Which church? - St. Sebastian.
- And what do you do at church? - Listen to the mass.
What are you thinking?
Now, or in general?
In general
Recently I've been looking at a villa in the San Pietro area.
The owner is up to his neck in debts...
... and we may be able to get it very cheap.
You thought that I did no work?
Of course, painting takes lots of time and effort but so does mine, you know?
And it's quite exhausting.
I'm occupied for the entire morning and sometimes the afternoon, too.
Some days I get a terrible pain here behind the neck.
- You should pack it in. - I'm doing it only for you.
Someone needs to preserve your estate.
- Your estate, you should say. - It will become yours when I die.
Anyway, one thing is clear:
... if it wasn't for me, today we would be out in the street, I'm telling you.
Dino?
Are you not listening to me? What are you thinking?
I was looking at that tree.
That was your favourite little corner when you were young.
You would sit there for hours and hours, as if enchanted.
And what would I do? Play?
No, you would just look at it.
It almost seemed as though you were bewitched.
Anyway, thanks to your mother, today you are very rich.
Ah, and what does that mean, exactly, "very rich"?
What could it mean, other than you're simply rich.
- Though, less than "very rich". - Yes, darling, less than "very rich".
If you would like a more accurate answer, I could show you the accounts.
No, God forbid! I'll take your word for it.
Ma'am, the coffee is ready.
Come, darling. Coffee.
You need to know the estate if you are to help me with running it.
Now that you no longer paint, you will have much more time.
Careful, Rita!
I will go and get some water to get rid of the stain.
No, don't even dream of it!
You do not clean stains on the clothes one is wearing.
Master Dino will take off his trousers and you shall wash and iron them.
Should I take them off now, mama, or can I wait?
Coffee stains must be cleaned right away,
so go to your room and give the trousers to Rita.
In the wardrobe you will find a dressing gown.
Meanwhile I'll prepare some papers that you must look through.
Okay, okay!
You have earned your wages.
Now you may put your glasses back on, Rita.
- Why are you closing? - I'm going to the funeral of a customer.
- Who's that? - That painter.
That old man who was always going with young girls.
Well, it was them who looked for him, you know.
He burst like a boiler. A good way to die, though.
Stop that! I don't believe you, talking like that.
He died and that's it, you should show some respect.
Naked! There's your respect.
They found them both naked.
The doctor told the girl that it was she who killed him!
Of course, at the age he was...
Anybody there?
I live opposite. We saw each other a few times.
I came to have a look at the paintings, the door was open.
I came to get my stuff before they rent the studio to someone else.
I have the keys, you see? - I see.
You were here when he died?
Yes. Yes, he felt bad while I was posing for him
I was his model.
So it was you who posed for this painting?
Of course. Why? Don't you like it?
It doesn't look like you.
And how do you know that it doesn't?
I mean, the body doesn't seem like yours.
- Here, you see? - Do you think?
Still, I am made like this.
Maybe he exaggerated a little, I don't know...
This is me, too.
This one, too...
And also that one up there.
Hours and hours, he never tired of painting me.
Painting?
I thought he was more interested in women than in painting.
Ah, yes, this is true!
Why don't you come to my studio for a bit?
- Do you want me to pose for you? - Is this what Balestrieri asked...
...to get you here the first time?
Oh, no. I came here for lessons in design.
Back then I had half an idea to go into fashion design.
- And then? - And then he asked me to pose for him.
But not right away, that was much later.
If you like, I can pose until dinnertime.
Yes, why not.
- Where is the bathroom? - That door, there.
# What does the world matter to me #
# When you are close to me #
# I will ask nothing more of heaven #
# If you leave me... #
- How long have you known Balestrieri? - 2 years.
- And how old are you? - 17.
Where do you want me?
Oh, wherever you like.
- Did he fall in love with you straight away? - Oh no.
I had a crush on him, or at least I thought I did.
So what made you love him?
You don't need a special reason to love a person.
We fell in love and that was it.
There's always a reason, for everything.
Well, I felt an attraction to him.
An attraction?
What kind of attraction?
If you really must know, Balestrieri looked a bit like my father...
... and, since I was small, I have had a real passion for my father.
But why do you ask me so many questions?
Maybe because I want to know. But Balestrieri was also in love with you?
Yes.
He said that he couldn't live without me.
One time I tried to leave him, and he attempted suicide.
- Have you thought about Balestrieri today? - No.
- Why not? - Because today I've thought only about you.
Listen, forgive me...
I invited you here on a stupid pretext.
It's years since I've painted people or even recognisable objects.
But that's another story entirely. The fact is that I'm not a painter.
Not anymore.
So, that is my masterpiece.
- But that canvas is blank. - Exactly.
Nothing deserves to be painted in this world.
An empty canvas says everything there is to say.
And that's all I can honestly believe in.
It doesn't matter that you misled me.
I know.
It's been 3 or 4 months that you smiled at me when I've seen you...
... to tell me that you're ready to do with me what you did with Balestrieri.
And that I could count on it. Am I wrong?
If I'm wrong, get up, get dressed and we'll forget about everything.
Good.
Let's continue.
See, I stopped painting...
... because I have nothing to paint.
Or at least, I have no contact with anything real.
Not even with this cup.
This is the same way I feel about women: closed off.
So if there is to be something between us...
... there can't be more than there has been up until now.
Which is, nothing. Absolutely nothing.
No, I'm not impotent if that's what you're thinking.
But with regard to what you want from me, it can't happen.
Listen...
I don't even know if I want to live...
... or if I want to end it all.
So how am I supposed to know if I want to make love?
You leave me indifferent.
We could carry out this mechanical act, but it would be useless and boring.
I had better go.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
- You're not scared that someone will see us? - Yes, and that makes it more fun.
You know something?
Now that I know you a bit better...
... I really can't begin to understand old Balestrieri's behaviour.
Yes, because you're not the kind of terrible woman...
... who destroys men's souls.
I think so. That's what I've been saying.
For years I've seen Balestrieri change women continuously.
But then you arrived and the others went away.
How do you explain that?
You keep asking me what people are thinking or not thinking...
... and I don't know what to say.
Maybe, for him, you were the only one that counted
Yes, maybe.
But I see things the other way.
For him you were everything, and for me...
I know you don't understand me, but it's very difficult to even try to explain.
Okay, right now, for example, everything is clear and unmistakable.
You, the things... Everything that surrounds you, no?
And a moment later, there is only darkness and emptiness, nothing more.
This is life as I know it.
Have you never felt this way?
- What have you done? - Damn!
There was a nail in my shoe, I cut myself.
Dino!
Where are you going?
Hi.
How are you always so punctual?
It's simple, I leave early.
Be right back.
Please, go and close the curtains properly.
Forgive me, Cecilia, do me a favour.
Go and unplug the telephone. That stupid thing... yesterday...
... started ringing at the worst possible moment, as you recall.
Forgive me again, go into the kitchen...
... I have this feeling that I left the gas on.
Tell me if there's anything else you need, while I'm on my feet.
Lock the door.
- Anything else? - The doorbell.
Unplug that, too.
Why not be kind and go and do what I've asked you to do?
- After that is there anything else? - I don't know.
It's too much fun.
Come here.
Come on, get over here.
- Is my mother home? - Yes, the countess is in her studio.
- Hi, mama. - Oh, Dino!
So what about this title of countess that you make the driver use?
Oh, I didn't tell you. I met, by chance, a specialist in heraldry.
Yeah, you met him by chance, such wonderful luck.
And he explained to me that our family had stopped using the title...
... a century ago, and he didn't know why.
And you, who doesn't like to waste anything, have decided to exploit it.
A good title is always useful.
Ah, I see you're in a really bad mood.
You're pale, you haven't slowed down after all.
You're right.
You're right, I need a break.
A few days in Switzerland would do you a lot of good.
Would you mind giving me this bag?
I've only just bought it. What do you want it for?
I want to give it to a girl that I'm planning to leave.
The trouble is that for a trip to Switzerland I would need money, and I...
I'm broke, I've already spent the money you gave me.
You're broke because you want to be broke.
You're rich, Dino, very rich. I've told you so many times.
If you want me to stay here you must stop reminding me continuously that I'm rich.
Oh, okay Dino. Do whatever you like.
Play at being poor, if you enjoy it so much.
We'll pretend you're a poor man with a rich mother who lends you money.
- How much money do you need this time? - I don't know.
Whatever you need for a journey in luxury.
- 500,000. Maybe more. - What?!
I am very rich, have you forgotten?
- I sent Rita away. - Really? Why?
Men, inside and outside. She was a hussy.
Now I can only give you 100,000 lire. I'll give you the rest tomorrow.
I just remembered that I have to make a payment.
You don't need to make excuses to get me to come back here again.
And why don't you want to come and live with your mother?
Here you would have all the money you ever needed.
And what does that have to do with it?
I only see you when you need money.
Yes, I'm not a very good son.
Why did you run away last time?
Do you really need to ask?
Am I right that you tried to have some kind of relationship with Rita?
No, I didn't run away because of Rita.
I ran away because of you.
Because of me? Come on, my darling...
Don't think I didn't notice you putting your hands all over her.
Of course, it was entirely your fault that I...
... at breakfast, "put my hands all over her", if that's how you want to put it.
And what does all this have to do with me?
Why is it my fault that you feel the need to be a nuisance with the maid?
Don't pretend, please!
But you prepared everything!
Even the willing young girl just to trap me in this cage.
But I'll never come back here. Get that into your head!
I spent all of my teenage years dreaming of becoming a thief...
...a murderer, a criminal, just not to become what you wanted me to be.
It's all because I lived with you in this house.
What is it about this house that you hate so much?
Is it not a house like all the others?
And my father? He didn't want to stay with you in this house, why?!
I've told you, Dino.
Your father loved to travel.
Who are you trying to fool, mama?
My father loved to travel simply because he couldn't stand to be here with you.
- At least stay for breakfast. - I can't.
Two Members of Parliament are coming.
Mama...
Thank you.
Listen, at 5 o'clock that girl is coming, my model.
You're to give her this, from me.
Tell her that I had to leave and that I don't know when I'll be back.
Okay.
Pull over.
Pull over here.
Wait there.
Take me back, please.
Is it true that Balestrieri...
... that he died in your arms while you were making love?
- Why do you want to know? - Tell me it's true!
Well, yes and no. In some ways it's true, in some ways it's untrue.
He starting feeling unwell while we were making love...
... but he died afterwards, much later, when everything was finished.
- You're not telling the truth! - Sorry, why not?
He felt unwell at the start, but only at the start.
Then, luckily enough he felt a bit better and we ended up in bed.
Ah, so you hadn't been in bed?
- No. - And where were you?
- On the stairs. - On the stairs?
Yes, he always wanted to make love at any moment.
We stayed in his bedroom for hours, and then he said:
"Let's go and paint."
I went ahead of him, and then he suddenly grabbed me and said that he still felt unwell.
I had to help him back to bed again.
He was having difficulty breathing, but then he recovered a little...
He lay there for a while with his eyes closed, still.
Do you want to know what happened after?
He asked me if we could go at it all over again.
But I didn't want to.
So he started to insult me, he even scared me a little.
Once or twice I thought that he would die because he was so angry.
How come you're so late?
I've had lots of things to do.
I'm sorry, but from now on we won't be able to see each other every day...
... but just once or twice a week.
- Why? - My parents are starting to complain.
They know that I only have design lessons once a week.
So I have to invent excuses, they know something is up.
And what about Balestrieri? You didn't see him every day?
Balestrieri! Balestrieri was an old man, they didn't suspect anything of him.
And they knew him, too.
- Okay, introduce me to your parents. - Sure, I will introduce you.
But for the moment we'll see each other just two times a week, at least for a while.
- Did you know that I saw you today? - Where?
On the Spanish Steps.
Ah yes, I was with a friend. He's an actor.
He's called Luciani.
- Do you see him often? - Once in a while.
He wants me to work in cinema.
- Where did you go? - To get coffee in a bar near his house.
- And afterwards? - Nowhere. I went home.
- You seemed quite intimate. - Intimate?
- What are you talking about? - The way he was holding your waist.
He's always like that with everyone.
You know what, Dino?
Today it was very good.
- It's not always? - It's always different, every time.
Some days it's not as good, but today it was amazing.
And why was it amazing today?
I can't explain that kind of thing...
but a woman always knows when it's good and when it isn't.
Did you ever cheat on Balestrieri?
Don't ask me more questions, please. Please...
Yes, I cheated on Balestrieri.
Sometimes.
He was so boring...
- And what does that mean, "boring"? - Boring means boring.
Which is?
Boring.
- Now I really need to go, bye. - Wait.
One more thing. Did he know that you cheated on him?
He suspected it.
But he loved me all the same. Maybe even more.
Yes, he has always loved me.
He said that for him I was a kind of...
How do you say...
- A kind of drug. - Yes! Something like that.
I've told them that today you have to give me a lesson, so don't forget.
This way we can leave right after we've eaten.
Dad.
Meet my design professor.
Hello.
I must go and help in the kitchen.
Sorry?
It's warm, eh?
No.
Thank you.
- Your father is sick? - Yes.
- What's he sick with? - Cancer.
And what do the doctors say?
- They say he won't get better. - So he will die soon?
Yes, they say he will die soon.
Does that upset you?
What's that?
That your father will die.
Yes.
Well, if you say so...
What are you trying to say?
Do you love your father?
Yes.
Will you excuse me?
I'd like to wash my hands.
Ah, you're here.
Come on, move over a second, I need to comb my hair a bit.
Listen, did you and Balestrieri ever make love here in the house?
Yes, I think so, yes.
- Where? - I don't remember exactly.
- Of course you know! - Oh, alright.
Once, in my bedroom.
Mama, meet Dino.
- Good day, madam. - Oh, what a lovely surprise!
Please excuse me, it's very nice to meet you.
I'm sorry that I'm a bit... I had no idea.
Why didn't you tell me?
Cecilia, take the professor to the living room.
Lunch will be ready soon. I'll be back in a minute!
You're introducing me as Dino? You don't remember my surname?
You won't believe me, but I don't know.
What's your name?
It doesn't matter. I'll tell you another time.
Balestrieri was such a nice person...
... full of kindness, friendly... A true artist.
You've no idea... Thank you.
... what an impression his death had on us.
And he was so affectionate with my little girl.
- Some fruit, professor? - No, thank you.
It has to be said that he loved Cecilia very much.
- Did you see him often? - Of course!
We saw him almost every day.
For him this was a second home.
He always used to say: "This is now my family."
"All of you should consider me..."
"... a kind old uncle."
Why don't you write it, darling?
The professor can't possibly understand you.
We understand him, but of course strangers cannot.
And he always refuses to write it.
Doesn't want to be thought of as a mute.
He says that Balestrieri wasn't nice.
And that whenever he came here he acted like he owned the place!
How absurd, what he's saying...
He says that Balestrieri had eyes for me.
He's so lovely and clever, you know. But these days all he does is day-dream.
He doesn't even go to the shops anymore, he has nothing to do,
so he works things over in his head.
Did you see what his eyes are like? The eyes of a thinker.
He always mixes things up... in his mind.
- Excuse me. - Then he settles on something absurd.
Now he wants to go for a walk, and wants me to go with him.
Right, we'll have a nice walk...
... then I'll take him to the cinema and leave him there.
- So, shall we go to the studio? - I'm waiting for a phone call.
From who?
From a film producer about an appointment.
If he wants to see me right away then I'm afraid I won't be able to come with you.
Oh, really? Why don't you tell the truth?
You're waiting for that actor friend of yours to call you.
- What actor? - The one with the bleached hair.
Luciani.
No, no. You're wrong.
Anyway, I saw him last night. It's not like I see him every day, you know?
Listen, I don't demand that you love me...
But I demand to know the truth.
I would prefer you to tell me that you're going to see Luciani today...
... instead of lying to me all the time. At least do me that favour!
I'm not seeing Luciani today, that's the truth.
But if you want me to satisfy you...
... then I should tell you that I'm going to see him.
Listen, Cecilia...
Hello?
Yes, it's me.
Of course...
Sorry? I don't understand.
I banged my head.
Yes.
Okay.
See you soon.
Don't hate me, Dino. I can't come to your studio today.
That producer wants to see me in half an hour, understand?
Yes, yes. I'm going now.
No, wait.
Come here.
Come on.
We can make love here, we have a little time.
No, no. I'm not like Balestrieri.
To make love in your house doesn't excite me at all, I assure you.
Suit yourself.
- Did he ever spy on you? - And how!
Sometimes he would wait for hours down in the courtyard until I came out.
- You can see the place from here. - And what did he do in the courtyard?
Nothing, he was always hiding under that archway.
- Did he follow you? - Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't.
And when you noticed him, didn't you feel uncomfortable?
Uncomfortable... sure.
One time I noticed him...
... so I turned around to confront him...
... and then we sat down together at a table at that cafe. That one, there.
- And he didn't say anything to you? - No, he didn't say anything.
He started crying. And then he had me followed.
By who?
By one of those agencies, you know, the ones who investigate.
By an agent, anyway.
- And what happened? - I told him not to worry...
... and that I wasn't seeing other men. See you soon, bye.
Could I have that green box in the window?
- That box there? - Yes.
No. I want that one above it.
- But they're the same. - Then I'll take both.
- How much is that? - 3,000.
Thanks.
Can I give you a lift?
What are you doing in these parts?
I went to that producer's house.
What a coincidence then, that your bleached blond friend
and this producer live in the same house.
Yes.
Luciani lives on the ground floor, and the producer lives on the third.
- Did he go to see the producer, too? - Who?
What do you mean, who? Luciani.
- Yes, we went together. - To do what?
- He had to speak to us about work. - What work?
- A film, of course. - And what's the title?
- He didn't say. - Where did you talk?
- In the studio. - Okay.
I want you to describe this studio to me, right now.
Starting with the furniture and its positioning.
There's a desk in the corner, a bookshelf,
a three-piece suite with a table in the middle, and an antique lamp.
- What colour? - Green.
- Are you sure that it's green? - Very sure.
Tell me again, what's in the studio?
- Why? - Tell me.
- Okay, it's true. - What is?
It's true that Luciani and I are seeing each other.
But only to look in each others' eyes, right?
No, to make love.
You're disgusting!
Disgusting!
- Where do you think you're going? - I'm leaving!
- It's better if we don't see each other anymore. - Wait!
Anyway, we don't go well together. Our personalities are too different.
Wait.
- I must speak with you. - We don't have anything to say!
- Come here! Come here! - Leave me alone!
What do you want from me? What do you want from me?
I want to make love...
Love...
... for the last time.
Whore! Whore.
- Do you still want us to break up? - Do what you want.
If you want us to stay together, we'll stay together. If you want us to break up, we'll break up.
- But if we stay together, why would you want to? - Because I love you.
And if I asked you to leave Luciani, would you?
Ah, no. This, no.
- You could at least respond with a little less enthusiasm. - I'm sorry.
So from now on you can have fun with Luciani.
Why does he bother you so much?
I will come and see you as always, and everything will be exactly the same as before.
So, then, you want both of us.
After all, why is it my fault if I like being with both of you.
Each of you gives me something different.
I gave you a good sum of money just the other day.
Why do you need all this money?
I need to sort out my studio.
- And what's your studio missing? - Everything.
I must paint it again, and I need to reorganise the bathroom,
redo the floor...
This time I'm not going to give you money. I'm sorry, Dino.
I find it stupid that you're paying rent
when you could live with every commodity in your own house.
It's nothing to do with the studio.
What, then?
It's something else.
That's enough for now, Gabriella. Thank you.
Something else?
- What is it, Dino? - A woman.
- A bad woman, without doubt. - No, she needs money.
A good woman should never ask for money.
It's the others that always invent stories
just to get at your money.
It's nothing to do with stories. She really needs it.
In other words, you want to support her.
Not really. I just want to help her.
She's a tramp, Dino. Listen to your mother.
And make sure you're careful of all these horrible diseases that are flying around.
If you were to have a relationship with a woman from your world, on the other hand...
... I wouldn't need to ask you a thing.
So, are you going to give me this money or not?
- Who is this woman? - This woman is a woman.
See, you ask me for money and then you don't trust me.
It's not that I don't trust you.
But, sorry, what does it matter if she's called Maria, Cecilia, or Paola?
I didn't ask you what her name was. I just want to know something about her.
Is she married or not? Does she work or do nothing?
How old is she? What does she look like?
So much for just a bit of money.
I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood for confessions.
If you want to give me that money, fine.
If not, it doesn't matter, I won't insist.
Dino, you know where the combination for the safe is.
Take what you want.
Money isn't as useless as you made it out to be, then?
Does Luciani know I came to wait for you?
It would make me very happy if you and Luciani met each other and became friends.
Look at me, I'm all yours!
I'm all dressed in clothes that I bought with your money, on top and underneath.
- Why are you telling me that? - I thought you would like it.
I would like it more if I knew you were mine.
Not just on top and underneath, but also inside.
What do you mean?
Inside, inside.
Inside, you should know that I don't belong to anybody.
And anyway, inside there are just lungs, a heart and some intestines...
And what do you want to do with those?
- Why the sudden happiness? - Because I'm with you.
Thank you, you're very kind.
- What's that mark on your neck? - It was Luciani.
I want to make you a proposal.
What's that?
Let's get married.
Are you serious?
Yes.
See...
It's something I've been thinking of for a long time.
- But why? - Why...
It would make me happy. But not you?
I don't know.
I can't answer that, like this, straight away.
- Why not? - I need to think about it.
I'm sure that we would be...
And we will also have children, because I want many children.
- So, what do you say? - I don't know.
I'll tell you...
... tomorrow, maybe.
I'm afraid that my mother is having cocktails. Let's go in.
I'll introduce you to my mother, we'll have a drink...
... you can see the house and then we'll leave. Okay?
What a lovely car.
It's mine. If you like, later we'll take it out.
After we get married, we'll live here. Do you like it?
Yes, it's very beautiful.
Wait here, I'll go and see if my mother is home.
She must be upstairs, let's go.
When I interrogate you and you don't answer me, what are you thinking?
I'm thinking that I don't want to answer you.
Like when I was with the nuns and we had to confess.
Just not to talk about myself,
I would invent sins I hadn't committed.
This way the priest would be happy.
He would tell me that I needed to repent, you know?
And that I needed to recite God know how many prayers for repentance...
... and I would just say "yes".
I always say "yes".
What a lovely surprise. This thing is impossible.
With all these people, and I have to do everything myself.
The waiters are behind and they seem like apprentices.
- Mama, this is Cecilia, my fiance. - Good evening, darling.
Oh, Dino, I have to run. I'm sure you understand.
Good evening.
- All these people are so rich. - I can see.
Would you like to be like them?
To know if I'd like it I'd have to become one.
Only after I've tried it would I be able to say if I like it or not.
Let's go somewhere a little quieter.
- Come with me to see upstairs. - Okay.
This was my room.
There are a lot of empty rooms. We would have this entire wing.
A wing of the castle.
You would have your own walk-in wardrobe, a personal bathroom...
... your own maid.
What do you say?
- Cecilia. - What's in the other rooms?
Come on.
- What's over there? - My mother's room.
Is it nice?
Now, if you want to make love, we can.
- Here? - Why not? It's so comfortable here.
I was born in this room.
Listen, Dino, I have to tell you that I can't marry you.
I know, I would have told you straight away, but I didn't have the courage.
I saw that it meant so much to you...
But why don't you want to?
I don't want to because I don't want to.
- But... but why? - For Luciani, you know.
- Luciani? - I can't leave him.
- You want to marry him? - No, I wouldn't even think of it.
- What's more, Luciani already has a wife. - Oh, really?
- Yes, and he also has to look after her. - And what does Luciani matter to me?!
I'll allow you to see him whenever you like.
I said no, and that means no.
- But why? - Let's stay as we are.
It's nice as it is.
Listen, I won't stop you from seeing Luciani or anybody else.
All I want is that you...
... that you live with me.
But why do you refuse? There must be a reason.
It's just that I don't want to get married, that's it.
Why do you want to make love now?
What's going through your head?
If we don't do it today...
... then we won't be able to do it for a while.
Why?
Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Capri with Luciani,
and we'll be away for two weeks.
Don't go.
Don't always think about tomorrow. Come on, we're fine, come here now.
I don't want you to go.
I'm sorry, but we've already booked the rooms and everything.
Tell Luciani that you don't feel well, and stay here.
No, really...
But why?
Because I really like the idea of going to Capri
and I don't see why I shouldn't.
If you don't go, I'll buy you a present.
- What present? - Everything you want.
Yes, but for example?
For example, a sum of money.
And how much could you give me?
Enough money to cover you, from your head to your feet.
- And what's that supposed to mean? - I'll show you.
You stay there, and I'll cover you with 10,000-lire notes
from head to toe.
And where do you have all this money?
Wait there!
Come on, lie down.
Here.
Some more there.
On my hair, too.
Hey! No, look! There's a gap.
Put one there.
I'm so lucky to have long legs.
With all this money, there is... something like 300,000 lire, no?
If you don't leave I'll give it all to you.
- I thought it would be more than that. - Listen, I'll give you double that.
Enough to cover you on top and underneath.
I'm sorry, Dino, but it's really not possible.
When I come back from Capri, though, I promise that we'll see each other more often.
Did old Balestrieri know that a relationship with you would be so bad for his health?
Of course he knew, but it didn't matter to him.
Then do you think he loved you because he knew it would kill him?
Because you were all he needed
to kill himself.
How do I know? I've never thought about it.
Come here.
But I'm not Balestrieri. I'll never forget you.
Dino.
Please, all the money that...
All the money that you don't need, put back in the safe.
If nothing else,
for the maid's sake.
I don't want her to find bank notes, even in my bed.
You know, your mother is really nice.
Are you mad?
How is she nice?
I don't know, but she's friendly.
Dino.
You'll need to do me a favour.
What?
You were about to give me half a million for me not to leave.
Instead you can give me a small part of that: 40,000 lire.
At least this way you'll save money!
- What do you need it for? - You know...
Luciani has been unemployed for a while and we have so little money...
We would need it for this trip to Capri.
So you're giving him money, too?
- Yes, sometimes. - My money?!
Yes, the money you give me.
What are you doing?
I'm sorry.
I lost my head for a moment.
You hurt me.
Why?
Sorry.
It doesn't matter.
Where are we going now?
I'll take you home.
As you wish.
As I wish?
No, darling, as you wish.
- What time are you leaving tomorrow? - Early.
Early? Can you come and sleep at my place?
They're waiting for me at home.
And it's not like I can stay out all night.
- You could tell them you're leaving tonight. - We'll see.
Anyway, I'll call you.
- Promise that you'll come! - I'll try, I promise.
I am Signora Balestrieri.
Please excuse me, but...
I saw the light on and so...
Don't worry about it.
You're welcome whenever you wish, professor, think nothing of it.
Do you know that all of these paintings are of the same model?
Yes.
She's quite a pretty girl, don't you think?
Such a shame, so beautiful outside and yet so horrible inside.
Do you know her?
You could say so, yes. I wish I didn't. Did you know
that my husband died because of her?
- That's what they say. - I know what they say.
The usual rubbish.
And maybe that's what happened.
But he could have had any other woman.
No, I didn't mean it like that.
I mean to say that my husband is dead
because of the broken heart that she caused.
He spoke to me of that girl.
He always said: "She will be the death of me".
He felt it in his bones.
But... is she really that terrible?
With my husband she was.
Maybe with you she will be an angel.
And what does this have to do with me?
Dear professor...
What do you think of this painting?
Look at it well.
Do you know who that man is, on all fours?
My own husband!
They really did that, you know? Like kids
in the park.
It's just that those two weren't kids.
If you like this painting,
I'll sell it to you, professor.
Why the hell would I want to buy that?
A little memento to remind you of that girl.
Why would I want a memento?
Why... you know better than me. Is that not the case?
She means nothing to me, that girl.
That's very easy to say, professor.
I need to see Cecilia.
Cecilia?
She's not here, professor. She left two minutes ago.
Where did she go?
She took a suitcase, said that she was going to Capri with a friend.
For two weeks... but her father...
- Could you give me a hand, please? - Is your husband sick?
Cecilia has never loved anyone.
You will realise, too.
Hey! What are you doing? Get out of here!
- Keep walking! - Come here, come here!
Well?
Is that your car, there?
Hey, it's five thousand.
I know your type.
I'll scream for help, you know.
- Don't touch my bag. - No...
What's wrong with you?
Please...
Please, don't leave.
Come on, let's go!
- Bye, Blondie. - Goodbye.
Here you are. Now you must drink this nice orange juice.
You never call for me, never ask for anything.
It's no bother, you know. We're here to help you.
- Leave it open, please. - It's a bit windy.
It doesn't matter. I want to look at that tree.
But how can you see? It's dark.
I like to hear the wind through the leaves.
You do nothing but look at that tree, why?
Because it does me good.
I'm very embarrassed, everyone wants to know what happened to you.
- And I don't know. - What do you say?
- Nothing. What can I say? - Tell them the truth.
And what would the truth be?
That I attempted to kill myself over love.
Dino, I don't think you ever loved that girl.
A man can kill himself if he loves a woman, or even if he doesn't love her.
But the reason is always love, no?
I don't think I'll ever really understand you.
So, tell your curious friends that I tried to kill myself
because I had a broken heart
just like waitresses and students
and all those who are convinced that love is something important.
Tell them whatever comes into your head.
That I burst a tyre. They won't believe it, you'll see.
So can I also say that you're going to come back home and live with me now?
I'm sorry, mama,
but I really must learn to live without your money.
So this will be the last time that we'll see each other.
No, don't say that.
The money is the only reason I see you.
You came to see me only when you needed it.
I used to see you once a month.
Then, when you met her, you started to come more often.
You wouldn't have endured my presence even for a moment
if you didn't really need it.
And it's this that needs to be changed.
From now on when I come to see you,
it won't be because I want to exploit you and ask for money.
Money, money, money, money.
Is it possible that we'll ever be able to talk about something other than money?
Dino... This is the first time you've touched me...
Yes.
It's been such a long time, no?
10 years.
Do you understand, mama? I don't need your money, but I do need you.
Dino, when you see her again...
what will you do?
I need to see her to know.
For my entire life, I've done nothing but wait for my men.
It's my destiny.
I don't see why things should change now.
Now I must go, darling.
Cecilia.
I just got back, came straight from the station.
Are you happy to see me?
- Did you have fun? - Yes, it was great.
After a week we were already out of money.
So guess what we did.
You ran away without paying the hotel bill.
Yes! In the middle of the night, by climbing out of the hotel window.
I couldn't wait to get to Rome so I could tell you everything.
Then, Luciani started crying over me straight away.
You know, when he found out I had another man, he lost his head, poor thing.
Did you tell him that you had been making love with me?
- No, not with you, with someone else. - Ah, someone else.
Yes, with a scuba diver, you know.
He taught me to go underwater with a mask,
2 metres, 5 metres, you know. It was amazing.
Then, one beautiful day,
Luciani had to go up to the village to telephone Rome.
A call about work, something like that.
And so he and I went for a swim in this lovely little creek.
And when Luciani came back,
he knew straight away that something had happened.
He went out of his mind and hit me and then left.
So I stayed in Capri. - With the scuba diver.
Do you know, my mother wrote me a letter
telling me that she knew someone
who told her that you had tried to commit suicide over me.
Really? And you believed her?
Not even for a moment. Why would you ever do that?
After all, I've always been there for you.
I don't see a reason for it.
In fact, there wasn't.
Though maybe you thought that I didn't love you anymore
because it took me so long to come back from Capri.
So I'm here to tell you that I love you, too.
My Cecilia.
- Do you love me? - But of course.
I love you just as you are.
I thought about you a lot, you know? During the time I was in Capri.
I really care about you, I swear.
- Why? - Because you're unique.
You're different from everyone I've ever met.
When we've finished, will you take me to the cinema?
It seems ages since I've seen a film.
What's wrong?
You don't want to?
Why?
I don't understand you anymore. It's been so long since we've been together.
Maybe there's another woman. Am I right?
No, there's nobody else.
If you feel like that, then maybe it would be better if I see Luciani.
Besides, I've still got his stuff in my suitcase.
Look! Look, what a disaster.
No, I haven't come for money, I've come just to see you.
If we're not going to make love, why do you need to give me it?
So you can buy yourself a new pair of shoes.
And try not to talk so much, okay?
- Will you call me at home tomorrow? - Don't worry.
You won't believe me, but I already know everything that's going through your head.
I know you. You always have to make things difficult, you know?
Now you will let me take a few steps out in the rain,
and then you'll call me back, want to bet?
I bet you anything that you'll do exactly that.