ΤΗE GIRLFRIENDS
WlNNER, SlLVER LlON VENICE FILM FESΤIVAL 1955
- Excuse me, ma'am... or miss. - Whichever you prefer.
I need to get into Room 112. Τhere's no answer,
and the door is Iocked from inside.
May l? - Be my guest.
My God, she's dead!
ΗeIIo?
Have a doctor sent immediateIy to room -
What room is this?
You must know where I'm caIIing from!
Τhat's right - 112. Someone's not weII.
Tell Miss Savone that Mrs. De Stefani is here.
The young Iady Ieft the hoteI.
- When? - This morning.
Don't be ridiculous. Why don't you caII?
Room 112.
Send her up.
You said 10:30, right? - More or less.
l didn't check the time. I just know I was Iate for work.
I'm in Turin on business. - What business?
I'm managing a new branch here of the Ferreri saIon in Rome.
- May I see your ID? - It's at the front desk.
- Come in. - I was Iooking for -
Miss Rosetta Savone, probabIy. Come in.
WouId you kindIy teII me what's going on?
- Your name, pIease. - This man is with the poIice.
The poIice?
l'm Momina de Stefani. I was to meet my friend here.
Your friend's been taken to the hospitaI. She's not weII.
What do you mean? What happened to her?
I spoke with her just Iast night.
- Did she caII you? - No.
We were at a party together.
She was stiII there when I Ieft around 2:00.
I caIIed this morning, but there was no answer.
The switchboard here is a disaster.
I was in the neighborhood, so l stopped by.
WouId you mind teIIing me your phone number?
62-14-6.
How is she? What happened to her?
She took too many sIeeping piIIs.
She tried to kiII herseIf?
You have reason to think it was suicide?
Is she dead? Where did they take her?
Thank you, ma'am. You may go.
- Who's this woman? - l'm a guest here.
I'm in the next room. - Thank you.
Ma'am?
May l speak with you a moment?
We met just now. - I'm in a terribIe hurry.
I am too! I'm going to the hospitaI. Which way are you headed?
- Via Roma. - Great! We'II go together.
I wanted to taIk to you about that girI... the fooI!
Did you happen to notice anything?
Forgive me, but Rosetta is my best friend.
But you know as much as I do.
Did you happen to see a Ietter?
I hear they often Ieave a Ietter on the nightstand.
No, l didn't, but you know in the heat of the moment -
l was surprised she was dressed up, earrings and aII.
Then peopIe started arriving. - I understand.
This is aII I got from my husband.
Yes, l live alone. It's better for both of us.
- Is the architect in? - What architect?
- Who's in charge here? - You can ask us.
I asked who was in charge. Where's Mr. Pedroni?
- Which one is Pedroni? - The taII, fair-haired guy.
- He's not here this early. - When does he get here?
He's at another site this morning.
CaII his assistant.
CarIo!
- May I heIp you? - Where's the phone?
You've come to the wrong pIace. There's no phone here.
You wrote me that the phone wouId be put in Iast Monday.
- Are you the Iady from Rome? - Very good!
This is as far as you've gotten? I don't beIieve it.
Just a moment. We're right on scheduIe.
Whose scheduIe? Let's be serious.
You reaIize everything must be ready by Saturday the 25th?
- I'm just foIIowing orders. - Of course.
Where's the architect? - We'll call him.
Go caII the architect. TeII him the Iady from Rome is here.
- Where do I find him? - Perhaps you shouId go yourseIf.
I'II go... as a favor to you.
How big is your crew?
Five.
One is out sick. Actually, two.
Of course. If there's work to do, suddenIy there's an epidemic.
Is it Iike this downstairs too?
More or Iess.
He's not in.
We got his Iatest teIegram yesterday morning.
It seemed everything was going according to pIan.
Now I understand why he wanted to keep us away.
Give me his number. - I just caIIed.
- You have a token? - Another token?
Don't start.
- She's pretty. Who is she? - A Iady from Rome.
- The boss? - Just about.
- What's the number? - 36-25-2.
I'm sorry you're upset, miss...
but shouIdn't you compIain to the responsible party?
No one's there.
Who shaII I compIain to if no one's there?
Apparently architects are still asleep. What time do peopIe in Turin get up?
Depends. I get up at 6:00.
I didn't ask about you. Don't try my patience.
Here he is now.
FinaIIy! You're not easy to reach, especially in the morning.
I'm very upset.
Don't say that. I'm so happy to meet you.
l never expected you'd be so young and -
- Please. - WouId you Iike a drink?
No, I'd Iike to be on my way.
We'll have it sent up. How about a Campari?
- l don't drink. - It's the perfect time for it!
Send up one bitters, one martini, and two vermouths.
Let's get to work.
Put it aII on my tab.
Miss, wait. Don't be Iike this.
You've taken us for a ride.
- From you I'II accept such insuIts. - This is the 22nd.
Any chiId couId see the work won't be done by the 25th.
You mean you have chiIdren?
Compliments don't work with me. I don't have chiIdren, but I couId have.
I can teII you don't. - How so?
Raising chiIdren takes a sense of responsibiIity.
- How is she? - She'd Iike to see her friend.
I'm her mother!
What happened, Rosetta? How could you?
- Mama... - You've gone mad!
Look at your face! What a night you put me through!
I must Iook a fright too.
- How is she? - It's good you're here.
- Tell me what's going on. - There's nothing more to teII.
- I want to see her. - You can't.
What happened Iast night?
Last night? Wait a minute...
I don't remember.
We were aII together. Rosetta was with you when I Ieft.
You're wrong. I just saw her for a moment.
She Ieft with Franco. - Franco Bucci?
She never Ieft his side.
I'm sorry you're upset,
but you're obviously not used to these jobs.
It's aIways Iike this.
Things seem miIes from being finished, then suddenly - bam!
Have you ever seen a dress rehearsaI for a pIay?
You wonder how they'II ever manage before an audience.
But the miracIe happens. It aIways does.
At Ieast in ItaIy. We speciaIize in miracIes.
I prefer to reIy on my skiIIs. That's how I am.
l see that, and I'm trying to adapt.
In fact, I aIready have.
But do you reaIize we haven't had Iunch?
If you intend to keep up this pace,
I'II write my wiII now whiIe I have the strength.
Then start writing...
because there'II be no time for eating, or for sleeping either.
I want everything finished a week from Saturday.
- Of course. - Why not rehire those extra workers?
Sure, why not? They're such nice guys!
Why not doubIe up on pIasterers too?
l'm not responsible for any extra Iabor expense.
I'II pay as stipuIated in the budget.
I'd be offended if you thought otherwise.
ShaII we go upstairs?
- Franco, we're waiting. - l'm coming.
You know the poIice are invoIved?
I toId you I don't know a thing.
lmpossible. She Ieft with you.
Fine. You want the whole story? We took a drive and stopped to chat.
- What did she teII you? - Nothing.
I was tired. I asked if she wanted to drive some more.
She said no, to just take her to her hoteI.
- Did you go up? - No, I just dropped her off.
l even thought, "What a character!
She chases after you and then runs away."
Do as you Iike, but I don't know a thing.
And she's not even dead, so aII this seems ridicuIous.
- What's going on? - Rosetta Savone went on a bender.
Why don't we taIk to Rosetta when she's feeIing better?
You obviously don't know her very weII.
She'II never say a word. - Well, then?
- I'm going back to the hospitaI. - l'm going too.
- She doesn't want visitors. - If you can go, so can I!
Listen, Rosetta didn't take the piIIs as a personaI affront to you.
Gianni, can you give me a ride into town?
I'd take you anywhere, sweetheart.
Come in.
I've made a very important discovery.
I need to find a certain teIephone number,
and onIy you can heIp. - Me?
Let me catch my breath.
I've been running around since this morning.
Excuse me.
How's your friend? - Better.
They pumped her stomach. It was awfuI.
But before swaIIowing those damn pills,
Rosetta kept trying to caII someone.
I'm sure the poIice know the number,
and they'II teII her parents sooner or Iater,
but in the meantime -
I don't understand.
We have to find out who she was caIIing.
If I find that out,
I'II have an idea why she wanted to kiII herseIf.
You know nothing about Rosetta or me,
but I assure you her parents mean nothing to her.
But what can I do?
My dear, you're a guest here.
We just sIip 3,000 Iira
to the switchboard operator who was on duty.
We're doing nothing wrong. It's to heIp Rosetta.
I reaIIy don't know.
I couId try.
One of the chambermaids seems sharp. ShaII we try?
Yes.
You're good pubIicity for your salon.
Dressmakers usuaIIy dress Iike tramps.
You use a coId cream?
Yes. Women generaIIy prefer expensive products,
but I prefer these others.
Which ones?
Our shop in Rome suppIies a smaII beauty saIon caIIed Ginette.
Have you heard of it? - No.
You appIy this, then wipe with a very hot washcIoth,
then a very coId one. It refreshes the skin.
I need that! Some mornings my face couId scare you to death.
lf l go to bed late, my face feeIs aII puffy.
Life can be so trying.
Come in.
CouId you do me a favor?
Who was on the switchboard Iast night?
Thank you.
- It Iooks Iike you. - Stupid!
Sorry.
- Nene! - Yes, Lorenzo?
- This man wants to taIk to you. - The ceramics aren't yours?
- They're mine. They're onIy out to - - Are they for sale?
- If you had a piece in mind - - Yes, they're very nice.
- How are you, Momina? - This is CIeIia, a friend from Rome.
She's in Turin to open a saIon, not to buy paintings.
Here it is.
I can't say you made her prettier,
but for a modern painter, you did better than expected.
Recognize her? - Of course. It's Rosetta.
- What's going on? - When did you Iast see her?
A few days ago.
You know she tried to kiII herseIf and almost succeeded?
No! Why?
- You're sure you didn't know? - Me?
FortunateIy this woman is a witness.
Before Rosa did what she did,
she tried desperateIy to reach you on the phone. Right?
Reach me?
What was going on between you two?
I painted her portrait, that's aII!
And her parents haven't even paid for it yet!
Maybe Rosetta thought it was a gift.
A gift? And why shouId she think that?
I know her Iike I know Iots of other women.
Less! She's not easy to get to know.
Besides, when she came to sit, Nene was always here.
What is it, dear?
Rosetta tried to commit suicide.
ApparentIy on my account!
She's just the type to beIieve it.
Just what are you up to?
You have to admit the circumstances are very unusuaI.
If I were going to kiII myseIf, I'd want to speak to somebody,
but certainIy not you.
- That's a matter of taste. - ExactIy.
I'm not here to criticize Rosetta's taste.
l just want to know why. There has to be a reason!
It wasn't me, aII right?
So I seduced and abandoned her?
I wouIdn't be surprised.
He can't even brush his teeth unIess some woman's in Iove with him.
Don't make me Iaugh.
And who says she wanted to taIk to me?
Maybe she was caIIing for Nene. - No.
Why?
If you must know...
Rosetta was not particuIarIy fond of her.
That's what you say.
I'm onIy reIating what I know.
How about offering us a cup of tea? - Sure. Let's go in the other room.
Are you coming? - No, I'm going out.
Go on. I'm sure Nene has Iots of questions,
now that she's convinced Rosetta and I -
ShaII I just say it?
Rosetta didn't kiII herseIf. I kiIIed her.
HeIIo there.
How are you?
- We're barging in on you. - Make yourseIves at home.
Anyone out there? - Not now.
I'II go out there for a bit.
- Are you from Turin? - She arrived this morning.
l met her this morning at the hoteI where Rosetta was.
SiIIy girI.
Lorenzo was teIIing the truth. CouIdn't you see that?
How can you not understand these things?
He's changed so much recentIy that I wouIdn't be surprised
if he were in love with another woman.
He's just jeaIous of your success.
That frightens me too! He'II end up hating me.
CouId you send over three cups of tea, pIease?
I'm exhausted. Let's change the subject.
This poor woman has Iistened aII day
to stories about people she doesn't even know.
Not at all. lt feels Iike I've known you forever.
It's hard to expIain.
I Ieft Turin as a young girI. l've always worked.
I've never had time to make friends.
lt seems natural that we shouId confide in each other.
You're very nice. I hope we'II be friends.
Why don't we sit down?
Miss, they're deIivering the windows.
- TeII them to wait. - No, l'm coming.
Excuse me. - Of course.
- Are they aII there? - Yes.
I'm going to get some Iunch. - Where?
The griII around the corner.
Here's the biII, ma'am.
- You need a signature? - Yes.
Listen, go inside and find the architect.
What's wrong?
What are you serving here? I can't eat this.
- Why not? - You're saying this is edibIe?
Fine.
A half liter of wine and something to eat.
- Why did you run off? - I didn't.
I didn't think you'd come to a place like this.
They have Iots of good things here.
- They even have croquettes! - An order of croquettes, pIease.
CarIo, I wanted to thank you for aII your heIp.
We're aImost finished, and it makes me sad.
l'll be sad when it's aII done too.
That's never happened to me before.
Getting attached to a job?
- Some wine? - Yes, thanks.
Now my reaI probIems begin. - How so?
I don't know the cIienteIe in Turin. I'm not sure I'II fit in.
Why don't you hire a heIper?
A IocaI girI. There are Iots around.
I pIan to do just that. There's a girI who needs heIp.
I was asked to take her on. - Because she's poor?
No, from a good family, but she's had a Iot of probIems.
She tried to kill herself. - Then she has too much money.
That thought's never crossed my mind. She's not the one you need.
Anyone who doesn't reaIIy need to work,
who's just doing it to pass the time,
can't do a good job, in my opinion.
I'm not expressing myseIf very weII. - I understand perfectIy.
Surprise!
This young lady wants to say heIIo.
Introduce us. You're Momina's friend, right?
She sent me to teII you -
Heavens, what was it? I don't even remember.
She's a IittIe scatterbrained, but she's a good kid.
She's helpful and has no criminaI record. I'II expIain.
Mrs. De Stefani apoIogizes for not being in touch.
She'd Iike you to stop by for tea this afternoon.
Rosetta wiII be there too.
You met her, but under unusuaI circumstances.
Today you'II see the reaI Rosetta.
What's that mean? Was she unreaI before?
I'm afraid I can't Ieave the saIon right now.
- I toId you. - Then tomorrow or the next day?
We're planning an outing the day after tomorrow, right?
Yes, staying home Sunday isn't fashionabIe these days.
Say you'II come, or Momina wiII yeII at me.
I'II do my best, but I can't promise.
I'II caII Mrs. De Stefani.
Perhaps this gentIeman wouId Iike to come too.
Let's go. See you.
I'II convince the boss Iater.
Why didn't you introduce me to him?
- He's the assistant, a simpIe guy. - Maybe, but he's a dish.
We can finaIIy eat in peace. l'm starved!
- Back it up. - Rosetta!
Lorenzo, why don't you caII her?
Don't start, okay?
l may be a coward, but we men have to stick together.
- What's he, a woman? - What does your boyfriend say?
Toni and I wiII be together forever. One day apart won't kiII him.
And l'll come back more in Iove with him than ever.
Go see a photographer.
TeII him your brain needs deveIoping!
I'II go get her myseIf.
You better get that head of yours screwed on straight!
What's gotten into Momina?
HeIIo.
- l'm not coming. - Don't be siIIy. Come on.
It'II do you good to get out.
Don't be such a bore. No one knows.
They onIy know you weren't weII.
- You swear? - I have to swear now too?
You want to take the Alfa? You'II be more comfortabIe.
Vicenzo's going along. He may come in handy.
What? No, Mama.
Why not?
Hi.
Hello, Lorenzo. Sorry I haven't been to your show.
I've hardIy stopped in myseIf.
- Nice to meet you. - I've heard so much about you.
Can we dispense with the formaIities? Let's go.
HeIIo, my IittIe modeI. You've lost weight.
If you don't gain a bit, I'II have to redo your portrait.
Rosetta, sure you don't want the AIfa?
You guys go in the other car.
- Where are you going? - Who knows?
Good-bye.
Be sure you're back before dark.
GirIs, shaII we go down to the water?
Great idea.
Lorenzo, come on. We're going down to the beach.
Look how dirty the water Iooks!
At Ieast the ocean gets oId too. lt's so ugly.
Tomorrow, with a IittIe sun, it'll be beautiful again.
But what about us?
Where are you going?
Momina, Iook.
Leave her aIone.
She's been okay so far.
No, those two over there! They think they're aIone.
Good for them.
Rosetta, Iook out! You're intruding.
You see that?
I don't get it.
If a man kisses you in pubIic, it means he feeIs nothing.
Don't you agree? - I wouIdn't know.
What? Do you kiss men in public or not?
- Not really. - Because you Iike to kiss, that's why.
Here's another one.
We better grab a man and get started too.
Nene, mind if I borrow Lorenzo?
- Not at aII. - You're scared, huh?
How can you Iive with that constant fear?
What are you saying?
Mariella, come here. You don't waste time!
Me? Don't be siIIy!
You Iet her go off aIone?
Listen, if she'd throw herseIf in that water,
she's truIy hopeIess.
I'd onIy kiII myseIf in nice weather.
l couldn't stand being buried in the coId.
Let's go down on the beach.
Let's pIay a game or something, or this is no outing at aII!
I think you've got something up your sIeeve.
I just want us to do something. No games, no fIirting -
You didn't pIan this very weII.
Why didn't you bring your assistant? He's so nice.
- Carlo? - Have you seen him?
Stop being so siIIy.
Look at Nene running after Lorenzo. What a bore!
Listen, CIeIia and your brother...
you take the bIond, Nene takes Lorenzo...
and l'll take Cesare. But what about Rosetta?
She might as weII kiII herseIf for reaI,
because there's no man left for her.
- WeII? - Nothing. We were just taIking.
MarieIIa's aIways taIking nonsense.
Stop acting so superior!
You act like you're a genius among idiots!
- Maybe I am. - You girIs can't be serious.
- No. - I am! I was just saying Rosetta -
And you say you're not an idiot?
- Lorenzo, you want to referee? - What's going on?
I said there was one woman too many, and she -
I what?
Leave her aIone.
She's a Iot Iess hypocriticaI than you.
Think I haven't been Iistening? I've feIt it the whoIe time.
This is a ridicuIous farce. Just leave me alone!
I'm not Iooking for anyone or Iistening to anyone -
Ieast of aII you!
- Who asked you to? - That's enough.
Patience has its Iimits!
We do aII we can so this idiot won't see how ridicuIous she is!
Someone who can't even kill herself is pathetic!
Come, little model. Don't cry. Don't get upset.
It's Sunday, and we're aII a bit crazy.
You seem to do aII you can to upset her.
You Iay off too!
Can't we Ieave you girIs alone for one moment?
Cesare, you got a Iight?
- Go ask Franco. - He doesn't have any matches!
Neither do I.
What kind of man doesn't carry matches?
Are you provoking me? Come on.
Where are you taking me?
- We were kidding around. - Oh, reaIIy?
She provoked me.
I had to defend my honor as a man.
Your kisses beIong to me.
I have my honor to defend too.
I don't deny it, but I can expIain. Wait!
You see? - How is it my fauIt?
Look at yourseIf. Wipe off your dress.
You know what a woman's true dress is?
Her skin!
I'm never doing this again. What a drag.
I have a suggestion.
I'II take the train back with Rosetta.
- No, l'll talk to her. - Forgive me if I'm butting in,
but sometimes a stranger can be of more help.
She's very upset and doesn't want you to see her like this,
whereas she doesn't mind if I do.
She wanted to go back aIone, but l don't think that's wise.
And I'II get back to town earlier,
so I can stop by the saIon to check on things.
I knew I'd be in the middIe somehow! Fine, Iet's go.
No, you stay. CarIo's there. You don't have to go.
This is siIIy. The trains are horrid.
- l can take her back. - Trust me. It's better this way.
Everything's turned out aII wrong!
Bye. I'II caII you Iater.
- Should l go with her? - No, Iet them go aIone.
- MarieIIa, where were you? - Right over there.
One, two, three, four.
My poor architect, it's your turn to take the sleeping pills.
- l've got Momina. - Don't be so sure.
WiII you mind your own business?
Sorry, but you sIap me so I get back at you,
and then I feeI bad.
So that's how it is, huh?
What's that?
Just a sketch of Rosetta.
Why don't we go to San Remo?
Are you crazy? That's too far.
- Let's vote on it. - I'm for!
I'm against. What about you, Lorenzo?
I abstain.
Let's go.
Come on, run!
Thank you for not saying anything.
I don't even know why I did it.
l'd thought about it forever. "One day I'II put an end to this."
But when everyone started with their questions...
my parents, girIfriends...
"Why? Why?"...
I didn't know the answer.
Because they're all just the way they are.
You saw them.
My friends, my Iife, my days.
My days...
Why shouId I Iive?
To decide what dress to wear?
And when I've decided,
what's waiting for me then?
You feeI sorry for me, don't you? - Yes.
I don't know what to say
when I hear Iife reduced to choosing a dress.
Life is made up of many things - some good, some bad, it's true.
But there are so many things that matter,
Iike affection and Iove.
Why don't you get married? - To whom?
Prince Charming? I don't beIieve in that.
Perhaps because you don't want to beIieve in it.
You have to want things.
I'm a bit Iike you that way.
But at Ieast I've found other interests for myseIf.
Why do you think I offered you a job?
So you can learn to look outside your own IittIe worId.
Few peopIe can reaIIy be happy on their own.
We can't Iive without other peopIe.
It's no use kidding ourseIves.
We're here. ShaII we go?
WiII Sister Antonietta be at the station?
Of course.
ShaII we?
GirIs, behave!
What's wrong?
lt's no use. Don't waste any more time on me.
You haven't toId me the truth.
l'm sure there's a man at the bottom of aII this.
Am I wrong? Is that what it is?
Yes, there's a man.
Come on, stop crying.
I've decided to heIp you.
Come on. I'II take you home.
- Good night, CarIo. - Good night, Giuseppe.
l never thought we'd do it, but it'II Iook nice once it's finished.
I shouId be used to this by now,
but every time we finish a job, I feeI Iike it's aII thanks to me.
Good night.
What are you doing here? I was just Ieaving.
The workers just Ieft. You must have run into Giuseppe.
You Iook so tired. There was no need to come by.
Yes, I needed to come home.
l had a terrible day, and without reaIizing it, I came here.
You haven't even eaten. And it's Sunday.
You said the plaster had to be done by Monday,
and the workers -
Are you that concerned about what the boss might say,
as the architect caIIs me?
It's not what the boss might say.
It's what you might say.
Lorenzo...
wiII you get that?
Sorry to bother you. I've brought the paintings back.
Thanks.
Not these two. PeopIe were coming to see them.
I just brought what they toId me, starting with the ceramics.
One moment. I'II caII Borgianni.
Borgianni, it's me.
They brought back those two pictures that -
They changed their minds. I'm sorry.
On the other hand, I have some great news.
That American, the director of the McColly Gallery -
yes, a very important man -
asked if you'd Iike to show your work in New York.
Lorenzo's not here right now,
but I'm sure he'II be deIighted.
Not Lorenzo. You!
Me?
I don't know. I'II have to taIk to Lorenzo.
He's gone out. Wasn't he going to meet you?
You must be wondering why I caIIed Iast night
and asked to taIk to you.
- Maybe I aIready know. - That's odd. I can't remember!
But here we are. Or wouId you prefer I Ieft, miss?
We weren't always so formaI with each other.
Remember?
You're right.
TeII me something, mysterious girl.
You caIIed me one night too - a much more eventfuI night.
Were you Iooking for me or Nene?
- You. - Why?
Don't dash my hopes. Confirm what I'm thinking.
I can onIy teII you the truth.
l wanted you to destroy my portrait...
just Iike I'd destroyed aII my pictures.
I wanted to wipe out all traces of myself.
ls that what you thought? - No. We men are very vain.
You didn't know that, did you?
We can convince ourseIves of anything -
even that a beautifuI girI Iike you
couId be secretIy in Iove with a guy Iike me.
You think a woman in Iove couId kiII herseIf?
When does someone kill himself anyway?
I might have aII the symptoms and not realize it.
You don't have the symptoms.
If I were Iike you, saw things the way you see them,
took an interest in things like you do,
maybe had your probIems -
You want them? You can have them.
You have the most beautifuI smiIe.
If I couId paint it, I'd feeI Iike a god.
Come on, smile. You're wonderfuI.
I feeI Iike a pIayfuI kid again.
That couId be dangerous.
Not for you. For me.
If I make you my game,
you'II become my work, my Iife...
perhaps my Iove. - WouId you mind that?
Yes, because I know what it means
to Iove a man and know he's going to marry another.
What's this man's name?
Same as yours: Lorenzo. Happy now?
So it was because of me?
So it's true? - Yes, but don't worry.
No one couId possibIy know.
Besides, I'II never try that again.
l fell in love with you whiIe you painted my portrait.
I'd never experienced anything like that.
You painted my face,
and it felt like you were caressing me.
But you never noticed.
And how couId I teII you? You were about to be married.
- These things drive me crazy! - What are you doing?
Just taIking to doorknobs, doors, walls -
anything that wiII Iisten to me! - I Iistened to you.
I toId CarIo I wanted to go see that furniture.
I can teII you without even seeing it - don't bother!
I have a nose for this stuff.
It's aIways better to be sure.
Could we dash out now? We'd be back in an hour.
MeanwhiIe, I give you free rein to decide on the sconces.
What are you saying to those curtains?
Nothing. I'II never say another word.
HeIIo? At your service.
It's Momina.
Momina, my darIing, my treasure.
No, CIeIia's not here.
Come comfort me or l'll go mad.
lt's the middle of winter, yet everyone's acting Iike it's spring.
Love ruIes in this house!
Love?
You don't say. How amusing!
CIeIia is crazy for my assistant.
I'm the one who's desperate and aIone.
Need something? Then beat it!
No, just a worker.
You poor man.
In that case you reaIIy need me. Let's meet.
You'II come comfort me?
At my place? Then your pIace.
Sir, l may not be the most reputabIe of women,
but l don't frequent bacheIors' apartments.
I have an eIegant, comfortabIe, and well-heated apartment,
and I take tea at 6:00.
My tyrant of a boss won't Iet me Ieave here today.
Let's make it tomorrow.
At 6:00? Yes, darIing.
Of course, sir. My regards to your wife.
HeIIo. CIeIia asked me to wait for her here.
Did you know we may be working together?
I work here now.
Why don't you show me around?
Good heavens!
Who hired you, and to do what?
I don't know.
Maybe to be a saIesgirI, or even a modeI.
What do you think?
Do I have the figure for it?
- Where is it? - This way.
lt's a small shop, but they have great stuff,
and a lot cheaper than anywhere eIse.
So much the better.
CarIo...
I wanted to taIk to you... about us.
You see, I'm a woman aII on her own.
Sometimes...
especiaIIy in moments when I'm feeIing down...
a person needs some affection, someone to lean on.
It's not easy, I know...
but I'd Iike to expIain.
About you and me? No need to troubIe yourseIf.
I didn't mean to offend you.
l know you just wanted to cIear things up, but don't worry.
It happened once. It won't happen again. I get it.
You Iike it?
HonestIy, no. Not at aII.
lt's a dining room set anyway. Not what you need. Let's go inside.
CarIo, it's awfuI.
l disagree, but it doesn't matter.
We're not setting up house together. - That would be a disaster.
We'd fight about the furniture. - Come on.
There's no point going up.
The styIe is obvious.
l wanted antiques, preferabIy 1 8th century.
This isn't office furniture.
What you need is probabIy upstairs.
I know, but our shop isn't really an office.
It has to have character.
Fine. Let your architect handIe everything.
He has the nose for it!
I don't see why you have to get so upset.
It's normaI for peopIe to have different tastes.
I vaIue you just the same,
even if we don't Iike the same furniture.
Thanks.
I came this way so often as a IittIe girI.
Look over there.
This is where I used to Iive.
I didn't think it was great then - chiIdren don't think that way -
but I recaII everything seeming much bigger.
Come Iook.
This courtyard, for exampIe.
Just Iook at it.
And yet when I used to pIay here in the evenings -
I'm not positive,
but I think that woman was here back then.
She'd just gotten married.
She was beautifuI.
Whereas you're still beautifuI and eIegant,
and you don't Iive in pIaces Iike this anymore.
Where to now? ShaII we go this way?
If you hadn't Ieft,
if you'd stayed in this neighborhood,
we might have met.
I might have faIIen in love with you.
We might have gotten married
and Iived on one of these streets.
Because that's aII l could offer you.
But of course you're right.
Mind if I don't go back to the shop with you?
I'II eat at home and see you there Iater.
There are cabs over there.
Good evening, ma'am.
- Where's Rosetta? - I waited but she never came.
Who's here? - She won't come.
Do I have to crawI on my knees and ask her forgiveness?
Rosetta has no sense of humor. That's her probIem.
Now we have to choose between you two every time we go out.
How IoveIy! - She's put me in a bind too.
I need her, but she never comes. - I understand.
Why shouId she work? She doesn't need to.
- To fill her days. - It's just make-work.
Momina, sometimes you make me angry.
You won't take certain things seriousIy.
You'd see if you had to earn your daiIy bread.
But I have my daiIy bread.
What can l say? I aIready have it.
I'm so tired!
May I?
If Rosetta's not here by now, she's not coming.
Why don't we caII her house?
You don't call someone's house. You never know what's been said.
It's your fauIt. Why do you treat her that way?
- I'm such an idiot! - ShaII I heIp?
I was afraid you'd say yes.
I'II heIp her.
Nene, l had no idea you had homemaking skiIIs.
And what skiIIs do you have?
Ask the guys.
Men don't understand women one bit.
Maybe I shouId caII the saIon. I wouIdn't want her waiting there.
I'm so exhausted. - Don't get up. I'II caII.
I shouId caII home anyway and see if Lorenzo's back.
I don't even know where he is.
No, don't caII.
My husband had the same bad habit.
He'd say, "I'II caII to Iet you know where I am."
- He wanted to know where you were. - That's the problem.
Know what he did today?
He sent me keys to a new apartment in Turin.
He knows he has to Iive in the city to get me back.
I hate the countryside. - So you're getting back together?
I don't know. We'II see.
But it's so nice here.
When a woman Iives aIone, the pIace aIways feeIs
like you're doing something you shouIdn't be.
l love it! - What ideas!
Look, he put the keys in a box of chocoIates.
The sweet... with the bitter.
- What a IoveIy thought. - You think so?
He couId have sent fIowers.
ChocoIate's bad for me. - There's Rosetta now.
- Thank goodness. - Let's hope she doesn't make a scene.
Sorry I'm Iate.
Clelia, forgive me. I'm a terribIe empIoyee.
I'II get myseIf fired. - You should be.
Don't be mad. I'II be on time tomorrow.
At least you're in good spirits.
TeII us where you've been and we'll forgive you.
How come your bIouse is unbuttoned?
Look how I've been walking around!
You going to teII us where you've been?
I'II teII you where I'm going: to brush my hair.
GirIs, I'm bored.
You're your oId seIf today.
Are you doing a beauty cure or have you faIIen in Iove?
- Neither. - Then what is it?
No need to teII me. Think I don't know?
- Really? What is it? - I've known for a whiIe.
Known what?
Are you two keeping secrets from us?
She heIped me find out the number from the hoteI switchboard -
Lorenzo's number.
You're wrong. There was nothing going on then.
- And now? - What are you saying?
Are you crazy? What about Nene?
You wouIdn't understand. You're not married.
It's a very different situation.
When I'm up to something,
l almost want to teII my husband
preciseIy because I Iove him.
But there's a friendship invoIved. Rosetta is Nene's friend.
- Nice bIouse. Where did you get it? - Downtown.
Don't worry about Nene. I doubt she's deIuding herseIf.
And if she is, she's stupid as weII as pitifuI.
Because a woman with more taIent than her man is truly pitiful.
- That's not true. - You know it is.
Anyway, what matters now is the fact you Iike Lorenzo.
If you Iike him, be with him.
I reaIIy don't understand you.
Having never been married, you shouId know
how hard it is for a woman to find the right man.
What are you waiting for?
Prince Charmings today snort cocaine and do the mambo.
Have fun now whiIe you're young,
or you'll have nothing but regrets when you're oId.
And beIieve me, there's nothing worse.
You Iike it? Let's go find the others.
If they haven't caIIed us, we're not wanted.
lf we waited all day for peopIe to caII us...!
- You're wrong. - What did she say?
Nothing. You know how Momina's aIways saying things.
- Anyone got a match? - Here.
Let's go in the other room.
- That must be Cesare. - What a bore!
We can't taIk with men around. Let's go.
He thinks I'm aIone This will be funny.
We can come back Iater.
Momina, how do you Iike Cesare so far?
WeII, in these hard times...
Good evening.
Poor Cesare, I make you spend all your money.
I'm very happy to be here.
Darling, l couldn't help it. They dropped in unexpectedIy.
Sometimes I wonder if women understand what a man is.
- Cesare, I - - You what?
You're a frivoIous woman, and that's the truth.
Just remember one thing - - Don't be a fool.
Why not try a IittIe patience?
You've onIy been courting me since Iast Sunday.
Don't you want to kiss me?
Are you Ieaving?
- No reading aIIowed. - Sorry.
What's wrong?
You still angry? It's not very nice.
l'm not angry. Maybe you didn't want to see me.
DarIing, Iet's speak cIearIy.
I Iike you.
You have a good personaIity, you're a nice dresser,
you know how to Iive.
You have a Iot going for you.
You see the Iife I Iead.
If you start suIking and scoIding,
we'II never get anywhere.
Sorry, I didn't mean it. l'm just very tired.
We're all tired, but that's no reason to show it.
You must aIways pretend.
Look.
That's us.
We make a nice coupIe.
Come on, smiIe for Momina.
Happy now?
You just don't understand.
Even situations like this caII for a IittIe seriousness.
Then... kiss me.
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO
Antonietta has gotten so thin.
The other day she onIy modeIed overcoats.
Hurry now.
Ladies, come here.
Is it true modeIs are coming from Rome?
Yes, for the evening gowns.
Can't we modeI them?
I don't make the decisions. The owner just waIked in.
- How's it going? - All right.
I think two of them could work out.
But we need three. I Iike that one over there.
She has a nice figure and a mischievous air.
- You think? - See how popuIar she is?
I'd choose these two.
AII right?
Ladies, be here the day after tomorrow at 1 0:00 a.m.
Thank you and good-bye.
- May we go? - Yes.
Nothing for me, then?
- No. - Thanks anyway.
Listen, come back the day after tomorrow at 1 0:00 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Forgive me.
For what?
I acted Iike a fooI.
I was jeaIous.
Are you going to the griII for Iunch?
No, I have an appointment.
What's wrong, darIing?
Nothing.
But you seem uneasy. - Me?
l was thinking it's late and we'II be saying good-bye.
Yes, we shouId go if you have to be at Clelia's at 6:30.
It's horribIe aIways having to say good-bye.
We meet, and if we talk, we don't even have time to kiss.
lf we kiss, it's soon time to go,
and l'm left alone with all the things I wanted to teII you.
Try and think about something eIse.
It's no use torturing yourseIf with these thoughts.
You really should find a proper job that keeps you busy.
I'd Iike to be your wife.
That's all you women think about.
Get married! Then what?
You reaIIy think you'd be happy? - I Iove you!
I know, darIing, but that's not enough.
Nene Ioves me too... and here l am!
Because you don't love her anymore.
I don't Iove her anymore...
You oversimpIify everything.
Let's change the subject.
Lorenzo, do you Iove me?
- Don't. I Iook awfuI Iike that. - That's not true.
Do you Iove me?
The questions you ask!
I wish I were so gorgeous
you wouIdn't even Iook at another woman.
I'm jeaIous.
The first few times we said good-bye,
I just imagined you in your studio.
Now I think about how Nene's there too.
I try to imagine your evenings together,
what you say to each other.
Let's go.
I'm tired of sneaking around.
I want to go out in pubIic with you.
We never go walking by the river anymore.
I don't want to be Iike those two. I want to teII everyone.
Meaning Nene.
Yes. I don't know how you can go back to her
and Iive a Iie.
It's aImost Iike you're afraid.
I'II teII her, I promise.
Listen, maybe I'm not the great man you've always thought.
I'm just a weak man. A liar.
I Iove you even more for protecting Nene's feeIings.
It makes me think you'd never hurt me either.
But we have to find a way to be together more.
If Nene goes to America -
America? Why wouId she go there?
For her ceramics exhibition. She hasn't decided yet.
Who invited her?
I don't know.
Someone important, apparentIy. Aren't you happy?
Let's get out of here. You were right about this pIace.
- Tomorrow we can go to Momina's. - Momina's?
She's gone back to her husband.
It'd be Iike our own pIace.
Wouldn't you like that? - No. I don't Iike Momina.
She's smug and conniving. I prefer the hussies around here.
l was talking about moving in there together.
I can't bear my parents anymore...
the third degree every time I go out.
If Nene goes to America -
Don't make me Iaugh. Come on.
- Mabi, you're Iate. - Sorry.
You too. Hurry up.
Who brought this? - It was deIivered a whiIe ago.
Clelia, come on. Guests are arriving.
Where's your friend Rosetta?
She's supposed to be a saIesgirI.
l don't understand. She shouId be here by now.
I understand perfectIy.
There's a certain cIass to the pIace, huh?
We'II discuss that Iater.
Make yourseIves comfortabIe.
What are you doing? Go on!
- Let's get something to eat. - l don't like sweets.
ReaIIy?
I know so IittIe about you -
your likes and dislikes, whether you wake up smiIing or -
I wake up in a fouI mood.
Fine. No sweets.
Let's go. lt's late. - It's aIready 7:00.
CIeIia wiII be furious. They must be showing afternoon wear by now.
But honestIy, I'm no heIp there at aII.
CIeIia's trying to heIp me out, but there's no need now.
I'II teII her to give my saIary to someone who needs it
and knows what they're doing.
Besides...
when two peopIe are in Iove...
there's no time for anything eIse, is there?
- You think? - What? Don't you know?
- Maybe I've never been in Iove. - Liar.
Sweetheart, I'm not coming to CIeIia's.
I can't stand aII that nonsense.
Will you come to dinner? It's a ceIebration for CIeIia.
Yes, Nene toId me.
ShaII we waIk or get a cab?
Hi there.
Have you seen Lorenzo?
- Everything aII right, CIeIia? - l'm so nervous.
It'II be a success.
- Is this okay? - Fine.
Your timing's great. My husband's feeIing generous.
- ls he here? - I'II bring him when it's Iess crowded.
He shouId be good for two or three dresses.
- Are you happy? - That he's come back to me?
Oh, once a husband, aIways a husband.
Where's Rosetta? - She hasn't shown up.
She couId have Iet me know.
Hi, Rosetta.
Is Lorenzo not coming? - Lorenzo? l, uh -
No, he's not coming.
Since you're not working, why don't we get out of here?
I'd Iike to stay.
Then Iet's go in the other room. I have something... to teII you.
I know it's not the most suitabIe time or pIace,
but maybe it's best this way. WiII you come?
- Where are you going? - In the other room for a minute.
Quick, Maria!
Once around the room, and then the wedding dress.
Sorry to bother you, but we need a moment aIone.
Of course. Rosetta, your mother was Iooking for you.
It's so crowded out there you can hardly move.
Tell Jeanine to put on number eight.
Go on, quick!
ShaII we sit down?
Ah, some water - great. My mouth's so dry.
WouId you Iike some? - No, thanks.
Don't Iook at me Iike that. Try and heIp me.
It's not easy to taIk about these things.
And I know it's even harder for Lorenzo.
He said earlier that he means to taIk to you.
Maybe this evening.
No, he'II keep putting it off,
and we'II never taIk about it.
Besides, he and I don't need words anymore
to understand each other.
It's you and I who need to taIk about this affair.
Sorry. Maybe "affair" was a poor choice of words.
Nice dress, huh?
If Lorenzo wanted to talk to me,
it means it must not be a simpIe matter.
I'II teII you the truth.
l was sure all this meant much more to you than to him.
Lorenzo Ioves his work very much...
but it's an unhappy sort of Iove.
He's been going through a reaI crisis recentIy.
The fact his showing wasn't a success is just a coincidence.
That's not why he's so down.
If he were more confident, he'd have laughed it off.
But the show's failure just confirmed his doubts.
It's been a reaI drama.
It's torn him up inside.
He's even started feeIing jeaIous of me and my work.
Anyway, I came here aII prepared to teII you
not to kid yourseIf, to be careful,
to be ready to suffer,
to not think you're the onIy thing in his Iife.
But maybe I was wrong.
Maybe you've succeeded in getting from him
what I never did.
It's true. We're very much in Iove.
I'm sorry you have to suffer...
but I can't Iie to you.
I don't know how I couId ever give him up.
Then you mustn't.
I'II heIp you by Ieaving. I'II be strong.
Besides, I may be Iosing Lorenzo, but who knows?
Maybe I'II be a big success in America.
TeII Lorenzo he needn't speak with me.
I'II act as if I pIan on coming back.
If we had chiIdren, I wouIdn't have given in.
But when it's just two peopIe, married or not,
only love can keep them together.
And it's out of Iove...
that I'm Ieaving.
Where have you two been hiding? Come on.
Isn't it beautifuI? It's decided, then, Toni?
It's gorgeous. I'II take it.
If you have to get married to wear it, l'll get married.
Let's come back tomorrow so I can try it on.
What if it doesn't fit? You think it wiII?
Is white too oId-fashioned now? - Dye it pink.
Rosetta, when I saw that dress, l thought of you.
Where are we eating? Let's get out of here.
- What are we doing now? - Let's go wait in the car.
- ls everyone here? - Yes, even Lorenzo.
- Where? - Waiting outside.
Let's go get CIeIia.
- Has anyone seen my sIip? - I'm exhausted!
They work us a Iot harder in Rome.
It's true. Anyway, it's over now.
GirIs, you were wonderfuI. My compliments.
The wedding gown was a big hit.
Where's the boss?
Never seen a man with his cIothes on?
CIeIia, some peopIe are waiting to congratuIate you.
- Aren't you coming with us? - Well -
I hoped CIeIia wouId stay with me, but if it can't be -
- You come too! - No, thank you.
- Pity. We'II wait in the car. - Give me time to change.
But hurry. It's risky to keep men waiting.
Too Iong and they Ieave, and we have to chase after them!
"Wishing you aII the success you desire - yours, Carlo"
My love, bring me lots of roses
Why are we stopping here?
We could have gone to the Bronze Horse.
Let CIeIia decide. She's the guest of honor.
- I reaIIy wouIdn't know. You decide. - This place is cute.
Sure, there's even one of those houses... never mind.
I hate going out to eat in a group like this.
lt takes hours to decide. Let's just pick the first pIace.
This pIace is fine. l'm going in here.
- I had a taIk with Nene. - You did what?
She brought it up, not me.
She says she knows everything, that you needn't say a word.
She's going to America!
Aren't you happy? - When was this?
Rosetta, hurry. Cesare, park the car for me.
- Cute pIace. - You think so?
- You'II see a miracIe tonight. - What sort of miracIe?
We're going to have fun.
- Where shaII we sit? - Over there.
I Iove that hurdy-gurdy music!
Nene...
How many of us are there? One, two, three...
You even know how to count!
- You foIks want to eat? - Of course. And drink.
Bring some NebbioIo - no, Barbera. - What can l fix you?
- Don't you have a menu? - At this hour?
My joint's not that fancy.
You can say that again.
Here we are.
Antonio, how are you? You aII know Antonio?
The worId's greatest vagabond.
He's been to France, America, EngIand, Russia -
No, not Russia. Say heIIo.
I'II introduce everyone. This is Nene.
America's Iooking to steaI her away.
Clelia will be dressing aII of Turin now - maybe even me.
How about something in chiffon for the gentIeman?
Poor fellow. Let's offer him a meaI instead.
Sit down and order anything you Iike.
CIeIia, come here. I want to sit between the two ceIebrities.
I'm not marrying you anymore.
Are you sending Nene away because she's too talented?
- Cut it out, Cesare. - What did I say?
You know who this McCoIIy is?
He caIIs the shots on the art scene there.
We aII know that aIready.
I'm just saying if he invites you, it means success and money.
Remember I'm your friend, eh?
Guys Iike McCoIIy have made some reaI bIunders in Europe.
Don't Iisten to him. When do you go?
I don't know yet.
Nene, why didn't you teII me?
TeII me, are there girIs in the other room
more beautifuI than me?
- Listen to her. - Are you crazy?
And you want to get married in white?
Pink!
Pink, bIue - same difference.
- What's that? - To your heaIth, everyone!
Who is that?
It's Lorenzo's version of you in a wedding dress.
- Think you're funny, huh? - Yeah, I do. Oh, I forgot.
Very nice. I'II hire you as a designer.
Perfect, huh? Lorenzo can sign it.
- You think you're funny? - Do you?
- Can't he make a IittIe joke? - No, he's got no right!
I don't feeI Iike joking around with IowIifes!
You're aII faiIures!
You should talk! You're the faiIure!
- Lorenzo, pIease! - Butt out, you!
I don't need your pity or your understanding!
Go off to America and Ieave me aIone!
What are you Iooking at? - He's gone mad!
If you're crazy, go to an asyIum. Don't take it out on us!
I toId you we'd have some fun.
Let me go!
You're wrong, Lorenzo!
Of course I'm wrong.
I'm aIways wrong, aren't I?
We shouIdn't give a damn about anything, right? Fine!
You aII make me sick!
Leave me aIone.
But why?
Let him go.
The artist!
DarIing, stop. Look at me.
- Go back. - No, I'm not going back.
- Then go home. - I'm coming with you!
- Where? - CaIm down.
I'm never going home again.
We'II aIways be together.
You needn't suffer like this anymore.
I understand now. You need me.
Rosetta, I have to teII you the truth.
What is it?
I don't need anyone.
- Is this ChantiIIy Iace? - Yes.
l'd like to see the bIue print with the scarf.
- Which dress is that, Mabi? - Number 48.
- What a memory! - CIeIia's extraordinary.
She remembers every dress.
l don't know how. I never remember a thing.
- What's your waist size? - Twenty-four.
TeII the truth, Jeanine. You wear a 25.
- I thought so. - We can take it out a bit in no time.
- l assure you - - Fine, you're a 24.
- Now go put on something simpIe. - Go get changed.
Shouldn't we continue with the cocktaiI dresses?
No. ln Rome women want to spend IittIe but Iook rich.
Here they spend a lot but want a modest Iook.
- Why? - SociaI dipIomacy.
Mrs. Janni called to confirm she wants the "Spring" modeI,
but she's on a diet.
She'II try it on in two weeks.
We shouIdn't have Ieft her aIone.
Who couId have known?
You shouId have known.
You shouId have heIped her, not driven her to her death!
You reaIize what you've done? I heard you teII her to be with him!
So now it's my fauIt?
If you're so smart, why didn't you -
Yes, it's my fauIt too!
What's going on?
Rosetta Savone committed suicide.
Such a pretty girI!
- It's Iike from another worId. - No, it's this worId!
This worId that - - CIeIia!
Get a hoId of yourseIf!
What do you care anyway?
Rosetta was just some girI to you, whereas for me -
Just what was she to you?
You never understood her.
You even gave her the keys to your apartment.
You pIay with everyone's feeIings as if they were all like you.
You don't even know what feelings are.
If a Iover Ieaves you,
you just run out and find another!
You're a murderer. You understand?
You kiIIed her! You and your cynicism!
- CIeIia, stop it. - No!
I have to say this!
I don't care what happens.
I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.
Mabi, carry on, pIease.
What about something in an evening gown?
Who is it?
Yes, put him on.
HeIIo?
It's me... CarIo.
I just wanted -
I spoke with the architect. He toId me everything.
I wanted to teII you -
I just wanted to hear your voice.
I was going to caII you.
I needed to see you.
ReaIIy.
You'II come right away?
Thank you.
I'II come down and meet you.
Is that you, Nene?
Why won't you taIk to me?
Nene, Iisten.
Come here.
I don't even know how it started.
l felt so down. I stopped beIieving in everything.
When she said she Ioved me, l thought l loved her too.
I toId her I Ioved her and that I'd Ieave you.
But the more I was with her, the more I knew I Ioved you.
I tried to find a way to teII her, but it was so hard,
and when I finaIIy toId her, l went about it all wrong.
You won't go, wiII you? You won't leave me?
You know I won't.
I'd onIy have gone if you'd left me.
I Iove you, Nene.
But why do you stiII Iove me?
Perhaps because you come at such a high price.
Clelia.
l was looking for you. I'd Iike a word with you.
l can imagine what you're going to say.
I'd prefer to spare you an unpIeasant discussion.
Do whatever you wish. You have every right.
- What are you going to do? - I don't know.
I'II probabIy stay here in Turin.
Don't worry. l know l can't go on managing the saIon.
I know I've upset you.
We've known each other such a long time.
Yes, it's been a Iong time.
We've spent most of every day together for years,
yet we know nothing about each other
except how competent we are at our jobs.
They say I've been Iucky in Iife, and maybe it's true.
But I've gone through hard times too, and I've had to make choices.
Now I Iike what I do. I need nothing eIse.
Best of aII, I have no time to wonder, "Am l happy or not?"
And that's the greatest advantage of aII.
Whether I was right to choose this path...
I don't know, but I'm sure of one thing:
l was right to see my choice through
with aII my might.
Do as you Iike,
but after everything that's happened,
you wouIdn't feeI right here in Turin.
Ours is an unforgiving business. But in Rome -
What wouId I have in Rome?
- Why, your job. - My job?
Of course. Come back to work for us.
Think about it and decide.
In any case, come by the saIon Iater.
If you've decided on Rome, you shouId Ieave at once.
There's a train at 1 0:00. - You mean tonight?
It'II keep you from getting into more trouble!
I don't know how to thank you. You're very kind.
Kind?
I actuaIIy envy you.
You needed to Iet off some steam, and you did.
l've always had to keep things in.
Maybe that's why my stomach is always so upset!
Then I'II see you Iater. I'II pack right away.
I'II see you Iater.
Just a minute.
I'd Iike a one-way ticket to Rome on the 1 0:00 train tonight.
And pIease prepare my biII.
So you're Ieaving?
I'd Iike a tea.
WouId you Iike something?
Thank you for coming. - It's nothing.
I didn't know this wouId be good-bye. - Neither did I.
When we spoke on the phone, I thought I'd be staying here forever...
with you.
Let's sit down.
I was sure I'd Iost my job...
yet I somehow feIt reIieved,
spared the curse of spending my whoIe Iife
among peopIe who never forgive you
for stepping out of Iine or making a mistake.
PeopIe who speak but never understand.
Instead of mourning my Ioss, I thought of you.
Me?
Yes.
When faced with a death of some kind,
we can't heIp but take stock
of what's true and what's faIse around us.
I reaIized how much I cared for you,
and I took pity on myseIf.
I thought I'd Iike to spend my whole life with you.
Really? Then why are you Ieaving?
Because we shouId have gotten married younger.
- And now? - Now I'm not sure anymore.
It's too Iate for me, CarIo.
I beIong to such a different worId.
I'm sure I'd regret it.
I'm too used to my independence
to be a quiet IittIe wife in a modest IittIe house.
Working is my way of being a woman,
of Ioving, of being part of Iife.
You understand?
Maybe one day I'II be Iucky enough
to find a man I couId Iive with
without either one of us having to give up our own seIf.
But if you and I were together,
I'm sure one of us wouId be unhappy.
Maybe. l can't imagine being unhappy with you,
but I can't ask you to take that chance.
You think it's easy to give you up?
SuddenIy my resoIve feeIs in danger.
My God, it's 5:00!
The danger has passed. Go now.
I'm sure you have a Iot to do. - lt's true.
CouId we see each other Iater?
I'II be at the station earIy and wait in the bar.
We'II get a bite together, just Iike at the griII.
Then you can waIk me to the train.
AII right? Now I better run.
PIease add that to my biII. - l'll get it.
- The train Ieaves in a few minutes. - Please get my bags.
- Track nine. - I'm coming.
Is CarIo there, pIease?
No, it's not important. Thanks.
Miss, may I have a word?
Now departing on track nine...
the express train for Genoa, Pisa, Livorno, and Rome.