"subs by paristexas" "THE GIFT" "With" "Cytoplasmic membrane: a biological layer that surrounds the cytoplasm... which itself is formed by..." "the hyaloplasm." "Sandra, can't you lower the volume?" "Hi, dad!" "If you still want to take me to school, you'd better move it!" "I'm getting up!" "Sandra!" "Have you seen my slippers?" "Ouch!" "Antonella!" "I'm stuck again." " Hi Dad!" " Hi big guy!" "Not too nervous?" " I'm fine." " Hurry up if you want me to drop you off." "Okay." "Antonella!" "Antonella!" " Dad, your coffee's warm." " Where's your mom?" "She went out, she forgot the bread." "Again!" "My coffee will be cold." "Hi!" "You're on dog duty today?" "If I waited for Jean to take it out, the poor dog would wait all day." " By the way, you won't forget tonight?" " Is 8pm okay?" " Perfect." " I'll bring the dessert." "Hey, I don't care about your exam!" "I just want the bathroom." "What were you up to?" " And you?" " I'm stuck again." "Laurent is a pain, he locked himself in the bathroom, I can't even brush my teeth." "Watch your tongue." "And get dressed, you'll wash up tonight." "Speaking of tonight, don't forget we're dining downstairs." " What about the movie?" " What movie?" "Follow the Fleet on TV, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers." "You'll see it another time." "She'll serve veal's head in gribiche sauce again, it will take 24 hours to digest." "My coffee is cold!" "You've been forgetting the bread for 22 years." "21." "You're about to lounge around in a hotel for two days, you'll get warm coffee there." "Lounge around!" "In a suburb of Milan, with noisy plumbing and a broken bidet." " You need a bidet?" " Oh, please." "Don't complain." "For your final trip, they could have sent you to that hotel with bedbugs." "Look, Antonella, I'm eating, so please stick to appetizing topics." "You might still fail your exam..." "You won't become the family's doctor overnight." " Can't you two live without shouting?" " I can't get dressed, my clothes are in the bathroom." "Here, drink, now that it's hot." "I'm not retiring early to live in mayhem." "Otherwise I'd rather keep doing accounting until I get a heart attack." " What the heck is that?" " Who told you to drink this, it's for your brother." " What is it?" " Turnip juice, it's good for the brain." "My mom used to make it for me when I had exams." "You, you've taken exams?" "Stupid little Frenchman." "(speaking Italian)" "Can you repeat that?" "What for?" "You've never managed to learn three words of Italian, even at my parents'." "Your parents have a terrible accent." "Yes?" "No miss, I'm not sugar-pie." "Neither am I the butler by the way." "I'm his dad." " Here he is." " Is that Evangeline?" " She didn't give her name." "Hey, don't forget the maid needs the bathroom." "By the way why do we need a maid?" " I told her you're a banker." "It sounds more..." " More what?" "Ah, hi, it's you." "No, I wasn't able to." "I wasn't able to, that's all!" "Even if that was Evangeline, that's none of your business." "Yeah, right." "Is it Charlotte?" "The check-out girl?" "So who's the new one?" "Evangeline, from Madagascar." "From Madagascar?" "And I'm a "banker"." "From Madagascar!" "Hey, you know my friend's sister who is an air hostess?" "She brought this sticker for you." "Mandarin hotel, Singapore." "You'll thank her, won't you?" "Singapore!" "Here darling, drink." " What is it?" " Good for the brain." "Bottoms up!" " Be brave, big guy." "See you tonight." " Thanks, see you." " See you, ugly!" " See you, Dr Schweitzer!" "To your school now?" " Laurent!" "What are you doing here?" "You call me at home, you track me all the way here?" "We had a night class so we're starting late, and I came to support you." " That's kind, thanks." " Here." " What's that?" " Fish extract." "It tastes awful, but..." "Good for the head?" "Watch what I do with it." "No, please drink it, I want you to pass." "Then maybe your parents will let us marry." "Charlotte, we've already discussed it." "Once again: some things have happened in my love life, you understand?" "Yes, maybe, but I'm sure you won't stay with that cow." "Oh, please." "She's better than a check-out girl." "Maybe, but you'll tire of her faster." "Come on, drink it." "Fine, but one condition." " Okay." " You go back to work and wait for me to call." "Okay, "Mickey"." "Come on, drink it." "Pardon me." " How much did you collect?" " Two thousand already." "What will you buy him with that?" "He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, and... call-girls are not his style." "How would you know?" "With Gardet, we have an idea." "We'll explain." " At what time will he receive it?" " At closing time." "The boss wants to make a speech." "To the left, I file customer accounts." "To the left, company accounts." "You'll get used to it fast." "A good atmosphere and nice workmates." "Come, I'll introduce you to the cashier." " Mr. Duffer, could I ask you a question?" " Please do." "Since you enjoy it here, why leave?" "Simple." "Stress." "A few months ago I read an article about stress." "Its causes, its effects, its symptoms." "I had them all." "Excuse me." "Yes." "Hi, boss." "Yes, our new intern is here." "He looks very competent." "Yes, here he is." "Philip?" "Your dad wants you." "Dad?" "Philip, don't call me "dad" at work." "Call me sir, or Mr. President." "Bring me all short-term loan applications since January." "That's it." " So?" " Nine hundred and ninety-five dollars." " That much?" " And the boss wants to double the amount." "Your idea is quite good!" "What if he doesn't like it?" "Have you ever seen a normal guy who wouldn't like that?" "And it's a nice change from the classic color TV or super-8 camera, you see." "Yes, but if he says no." "Did you think of that, two thousand bucks for nothing." "Don't worry, these girls know how to do it, they have class and tact." "They even frequent royals, man." "And you know some?" "Yes, I do." "But hey, it's not what you think." "It's an acquaintance." " And she agrees?" " She arrives from Dubai today." " To buy?" " Dubai." "You know, in the Gulf." "...flight from Hong Kong..." "Josie!" "Look, do you like it?" " So you can't say hello anymore?" " Hi, Dede." " You forget Dadi." " Hi, Dadi." " Let's see." "Still not Old England, is it?" " I don't have your class." "By the way, how are my parents?" "They're okay." "The last two days dad has been feeling his arthritis." "He'll be pleased." "I brought him oriental slippers and a white djellaba." "Do you imagine dad in the garden, dressed like a Sheik?" " Why not?" " Yes, why not." "You know why mom and dad are still stuck..." "Why are you taking the same path?" "Dunno..." "Maybe we enjoy reading old novels." "It's because you're afraid of everything." "You don't want to make waves." "But our parents are happy..." "They believe you're a model." "And since I'm the one eating there on Sunday, I'll bring the djellaba." " Just to annoy you." " In theory that lunch was planned, but..." "Ah, I knew that if you're picking me up at the airport you must need my help." "Quick, my suitcase." " What, you can't be serious?" " Listen, Josie..." " Don't call me that anymore, you know it." " Listen, Barbara..." " You know what it costs me to ask you this?" " I know, it's hard for your ethics." "He's one of our best workmates, and we've collected a thousand bucks, for us it's a lot." "Please make an effort." "Where am I supposed to take him?" "I don't know, but tomorrow he takes the 7:40 train for Milan." "Okay." "Goodbye, then." "I'll jump in a cab, and on Sunday I'll kiss our parents on your behalf." " You've never taken the train?" " Yes, but a long time ago." "Remember when we were little, with auntie, to go to the country." "You liked it." "We even had picnics in the carriage." "You would have made a great pimp." "Seventeen years of honor, loyalty, ethics." "Core qualities in our profession." "To paraphrase the poet, I dare say" "You the obscure, the unranked soldier" "You deserve a Marshall's baton." "I mean the esteem of all... kindly gathered here today..." "What are you giving him?" "It will only be ready tomorrow." "What is it?" "An encyclopedia, like for Mr. Vallon?" " Leather-bound." " With golden trims." "I told you, it's on the placenta's inner side." "Hey." "I can't believe it." "Are you in the KGB?" "No, we had a bomb scare in the condiment aisle, so I forgot my promise." " How did it go?" " Great." " A dissection of fetuses, no worries." " Good, I'm relieved." "Where are you going now?" "To apply for an internship as a stretcher bearer." "Did you think of me a little?" "Answer me." "Listen Charlotte, this morning I went easy on you, but now I'll tell you once and for all." "You and I are through." "You get out of here." "But..." "I just want to ask you one last question." "Then I swear to leave you alone." "Is it because of your family?" " Why my family?" " There must be a reason, it can't just be for "Bamboola"..." "It's our social gap that makes our love impossible, right?" "Your dad being a banker, he is opposing the blossoming of our happiness, right?" "Very good!" "For once you draw a fast conclusion, and correctly too!" "You read healthy material after all." "See ya." "You'll tell your dad he's a reactionary." "And that his wealth has made him rot." "Because in America, bankers marry their secretaries and their maids." "And it makes a beautiful race with beautiful children." "Laurent!" "Go to America, then!" "Bankers in France are a different class." "This bank has been in the family for five generations." "You and I haven't kept cows together, so... bye." "Scumbag!" "Miso-crate!" "I too can have dough if I want, you know." "I'll tell your dad what I think of your dirty upbringing." "Well, Mr. President..." "Allow me to offer you this humble toast of friendship." "To the Trans-Alpine bank." "And also... to my retirement." "Mr. Duffer, champagne?" "Come have a drink." "So, your present?" " What?" " Your present?" "I don't know, maybe they didn't have time to buy it." "So you give them a party, and they give you nothing?" "Listen..." "I saw André collect money, it will be for when I come back." "So Duffer, will you drink with your old colleagues?" "Yes?" "Yes, can I please speak with Mr. Duffer?" "Not a good time, he's buried at the moment." "But if I can help you..." "You have a beautiful voice you know?" " No, it's personal." "Ah, personal..." "If it's urgent, hurry, he leaves for Venice tomorrow." "There he is." "No, the other one, with labels on the suitcase." "Don't look." "By the way, what does he like?" "Apart from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, I'm not sure." "Duffer!" "You don't greet your old friend Gus?" " How are you, Gus?" " Fine and you?" " Milan as usual?" " Yes." "Go, Josie!" "Barbara, I mean." " Don't lose him, ey?" " Don't worry, a guy like that is hard to lose." " Bye." "Ah, that's right... non smoker!" "By the way, I'm with Benedetti." "Shall we meet in the dining car?" "Okay." " Excuse me, could you help me?" " Yes, one moment." "One sees you're a gentleman." "Unlike some who would take advantage to feel my behind." " Which compartment, miss?" " Seat 82, it's here." "Sadly, you'll be above the axles." " You're not in the same compartment?" " No, I'm further down." "Much further down." "Warning, doors will close automatically." "Is the compartment full?" "No, it's free." "Completely free." "Hold on, let me clear this up." "Pardon." "One always spreads out, and..." "Pardon." "Do you mind?" "How cute!" "What breed is it?" " A Yorkshire." " You speak to him in English, then?" "He understands me." "There." "Does smoke bother you?" "No, not at all." "But..." "May I?" "Yes, thanks." "You look like a man who travels a lot." "Do I?" "You can tell?" "Yes..." "Always between two jets." "But for short distances I prefer trains." "So do I." "You like Singapore?" " What?" " Singapore." "Ah..." "Yes, I love it." "All these Chinese people, all these..." "Malays." "Yes, all these Malays swarming about, it's magical." " Do you often go there?" " I've only been twice." "Ah..." "That's not enough!" "If business didn't keep me in Paris, I..." " Dadi, don't bother the gentleman." " That's nothing." "Let him." "So Dadi, you want to play?" " Dadi, what did you do?" " That's nothing." "It's small, but it still has a bite..." "He didn't hurt you, I hope?" " No." " Let me see." "Don't worry..." "Look!" "We're becoming friends." "I like people who are friendly with animals." "I love animals!" "Dogs, cats... lizards, flies..." "Everything!" " Are you going far?" " Milan." "And you?" "I don't know yet." "My ticket goes to Venice." "Then..." "Perhaps a cruise in the Aegean." "Or simply Istanbul." "There aren't too many tourists at this time of year." "No, that's true, these places are peaceful." "What do you do exactly?" "Industrialist?" "No, I'm in finance." "A banker?" "That's it." "I'm a banker." "In a bank that's belonged to my family for..." "Five generations!" "That must be a fascinating career." "What about you?" "I'm a model." "Ah!" "Upholding France's image." "In a way." "Do you mind taking care of Dadi for a few more moments?" "I'd like to powder my nose." "With pleasure." "Then you'll tell me about your bank." " Be good, Dadi." " Dadi and I are old friends already." "My bank..." "What am I going to tell her?" "Help me, instead of staring at me." "I'm not going to tell her about my savings account." "Where's my cologne?" "For once I'm not traveling with a nun..." "What can I tell her?" "And you, what would you say?" "You would speak to her in English." "It must make things easier." "THE KEYS OF MALE SEDUCTION according to Paul Newman" "Strive to look indifferent." "and a little rude." "Rude?" " So, are you still getting along with Dadi?" " Not bad?" " What's the matter?" " Dadi!" " Dadi what?" " He peed on the suit I just had cleaned." " I'm really sorry." " Sorry won't help!" " Wow..." "Antonella!" "..." " Who?" "My linen maid." "One of my linen maids." "She's known me since I was a boy." " I have to rinse it in tepid water." " I'll help you." "Come on!" "Hey, I've been looking for you." "Benedetti kept us seats for lunch, but hurry or they'll be gone." "You're kind, but I can't." "I'll go to the second seating." " Are you ill?" " You?" "I can't believe it." " Really." "How is she?" "A cross between Liz Taylor and Marilyn Monroe." "I'll leave you then." "You'll introduce me after you've had coffee?" "Ah, Duffer!" " The President's office, please?" " First floor." "You'll come by the office on Tuesday?" "You'll tell me about it?" "Has the President left already?" "He just arrived." "I'd like to see him at once." " Who should I announce?" " My name won't mean anything to him." "Tell him it's his former future daughter-in-law." "Fine, miss." "Please have a seat." " Who is this mad woman?" " I've never seen her." "Has Philip told you something?" "No." "I saw him downstairs this morning because he had dropped a pile of files." "He didn't seem..." "Former future daughter-in-law!" "My son having an adventure?" "!" " He inherited something from you after all." " Spare me, Marianne." " And let her in." " Yes, sir." " She's not armed, is she?" " I don't think so." "But you never know." "With a small Beretta..." "Don't stray too far." "As you wish, Mr. President." " Sir." " Miss." " Miss..." " Charlotte LeGueden." "Please have a seat." "So you know my son." "Yes, and I know everything." " Everything what?" " Your resolution to destroy our happiness." "But I know men like you, and I can react for the two of us." "Because there was the same kind of tyrant in Murderous Jealousy." "In Murderous Jealousy?" "..." "Yes, two months ago, in A Maiden's Heart." "The old guy suffers an atrocious death, and he's earned it." "What's happening?" " Can't I smoke?" " Yes, please do." "I don't need anything, thank you Marianne." "Listen, you can understand that a father is sometimes inclined to advise his son..." "You mean to force his son." "If you like." "Especially when that son for the first time feels..." "For the first time?" "You're joking!" "What about Ann, Judith, and the fat redhead he stole from his friend?" " Maybe it wasn't as strong..." " You see, you admit it too." "He and I, that was more intense." "It was even very strong until that bitch climbed down from her coconut tree into his bed." "Her coconut tree?" "His bed?" " Listen my little Coco..." " Charlotte." "I know what you're going to say." "You don't have time to listen because you're a busy man and you're leaving for Venice." " For Venice?" " You see, I know everything." "My son told you all of this outside?" "Yes, outside the medical school." "I wasn't going to disturb him during the exam." "Please give me two seconds." "Please bring in Philip." "Don't tell him anything." "And don't let him call me "dad" again!" "Come on." "Dry your eyes." "They are so pretty." "Not just the eyes, by the way." "My son has good taste." "Isn't life strange?" " I didn't picture you like that." " Ah?" "No, I imagined an old fart who only thinks about his dough and his work." "While actually..." "Come in." "Actually, you're not a bad guy." "You have charm." "You're almost better than your son." "Mr President asked me for the Padua file?" "Yes, set that down here, young man." "Mr. President." "So..." "Not crying anymore?" "No." "Do you know Venice, my dear?" "No." " Do you have a seat?" " Two seats, please." " I'll find seats for you." " Then I'll let you invite me." " Please follow me." " No, I didn't mean that." "Sadly, I..." "You don't look like it, but you work fast." "No, there's someone with me." " What are you doing?" " Move, move." "Gregory!" " Move." " Sir, madam." "You sit here." " So Duffer, you look hungry?" " Gus, how are you?" "You don't introduce me?" " Sir" " Madam" "Miss." " A friend... a friend." " Nice to meet you." "Congratulations..." "And good luck." "Ah, Duffer..." "Goodbye." "Did you see his "Marilyn"?" " The set course?" " Yes." "I forgot to ask: how far are you going?" "Listen, you've very nice but I'm waiting for someone important." "So you can stay here, wipe your glasses and watch the landscape while you eat." " May I?" " Yes, please." "Thanks." "Something to drink?" " White wine." " Me too." "An herbal liquor." "I hadn't noticed... you are married?" "No, I'm a widower." "I'm truly sorry." "And you, do you travel alone?" "I mean, are you married?" "You see Gregory, there are strange coincidences in life." "I strongly believe in extra-sensory vibrations between people." " Not you?" " Yes..." "Me too." "I noticed that coincidences are not just the work of chance." "We unconsciously provoke them by meeting people who have the same vibrations." "Identical wave lengths, so to speak." "Don't you find?" " Yes, I do." " You are the perfect example." "Identical wave lengths?" "I noticed when I walked into the car." "Some kind of crackling." "Crackling?" "Right away, I thought there would be coincidences between you and I." "For instance, you're a widower." "I'm a widow." " No?" " Yes." "For me too it's now in the past." "A teenager's mistake." "With a very old, very wealthy man." "I've always been attracted to men who are older than me." "Have you?" "Sadly, your ticket only goes to Milan." "Why not take off your tie?" "You don't like it?" "I do." "But maybe I'd like to see your neck." "You know that's a handsome neck, Gregory Duffer?" "Your attention please." "Train 225 from Paris has arrived on platform 3." "Thank you." "Have a nice trip." "Passports please." "What are you doing?" "I'm relaxing." " Not digesting well?" " I am." "But yoga has other benefits." "For instance it lets you increase your erotic power." "Really?" "After 30 minutes in this position" "A man gains 85 percent in sexual power." "A young Thai taught me that." "Very gifted by the way." "What is your sexual potential, Gregory Duffer?" "What?" "..." "I don't know." "Not bad, probably." "How many orgasms can you have in a row?" "Maybe a modest half-dozen." "If I take the time..." " And do you know how to measure it?" " What?" "Your potential." "Not really, no." "You just divide your weight by your age." "What do you weigh?" "65 kilograms." "How old are you?" "45." "Soon 46." "Let's say 46." "So dividing 65 by 46..." "You find your daily sexual potential." "One-point-41." "Is that a lot?" "That's excellent." "And me..." "Two-point-one." "Excuse me, miss." "If I understood, you're getting off in Venice." "I happen to have a place on the big canal." "First I'm not speaking to you." "Second, don't break my balls." "Okay..." "I didn't say anything." "What did you tell him?" "To get lost." "Wow..." "For those going to Venice, there's a train change in Milan in a moment." "There." "Maybe our vibrations did not cohabit as well as I thought?" "Look, Barbara, I go home in two days." "We could meet again in Paris?" "Please Gregory." "Let me keep a beautiful image of you." "You're not made for scheming encounters between 3 and 5pm." "Me neither, by the way." "Indeed." "You see, it's funny, over these few hours with you, I had..." " No, that's stupid." " Come on, say it." "Because me too, I..." "But sadly..." "You are free, though." "That's true." "Then...?" "Well, Bartoloni is waiting for me..." "The bank..." "You..." "You understand?" "..." "Yes." "Ciao, Gregory Duffer." "But Barbara, it's a shame to say goodbye like this." "Porter!" "This time, don't tell me it's not intentional." "You, please, this is not the time." "Once and for all, we don't have the same vibrations." "Hi Duffer!" "Don't forget to invite us to your wedding." "But darling, you don't help me take our luggage down?" "Yes." "Please excuse me, I couldn't find a porter." "See you!" "Come on, hurry, help me, otherwise I'll miss it." " Yes." "Yes, but I have to..." " Quick!" " Hurry." " But I have to..." "You have my suitcase?" "And Dadi?" "Yes." "Excuse me." "But where are you going?" "It's about to leave." " I have to get off!" " Come, I found some seats." "Give me Dadi." " We have two seats next to each other." " No, that's complete madness." "Yes, it is." " What happened?" " Bartoloni is there." " Who?" " Bartoloni!" "The bank." "They're looking for me." "You can get up, Gregory Duffer." "We left the platform." "You know full-well my son is too young." "You need someone more experienced, more mature." " Why are you laughing?" " In Carnal Passion, there's a guy like you." "But bald." "And to seduce the girl, he spins the same kind of bullshit." "Experience, maturity..." "You'll see, we'll be good together." "And right when she agrees, he dies in a car crash." "Ah, thank you." "I'm exhausted." "Be a doll, take care of the room." "Thank you." "Sir?" "Excuse me." "Can I take a book of matches?" "Of course." " So, which floor?" " It's full." " What?" " Yes, ten gondolas full of Japanese came without notice." "So hurry, I hope to find the San Marco pension where I stayed once." "What are you doing?" "You, don't start." "You must have asked in broken Italian." "They speak perfect French." "It's all set." "We have a suite with a view on the lagoon." "You're not worried it will be too ex..." "Too noisy?" "I'll do the paperwork, I'll meet you in a second." " No rush, sir." " No, I like to do it right away." "Don't leave me alone for too long." "No." " Sir?" " I'll take one more." " Of course." " Where's the phone?" " Over there, sir." " Thank you." "I am the Emir of Qrator." "Where are the rooms?" " Yes?" " Antonella?" "Ah, it's you." "Yes, it's me." "You know what time it is?" "I know, but I wanted to reassure you I've arrived in Milan." "And also, to say..." "Don't call me at the usual hotel, they demolished it." "That's why the line was busy." "Where are you then?" "I'm at the Calissano." "It's brand new." "So new the phone is not connected." "Anyhow." " You're okay?" " Yes." " You're behaving?" " And you?" "Uh?" " Are you about to go out for dinner?" " No..." "I'm going straight to bed." "Great, sleep well." "Yes." "Sorry, sir, I gave the last suite a few minutes ago." "But I can give you a large room on the third floor." " Fine." " But with two beds." "Of course, miss." "I'll take care of it." "That's the key to the room?" "Oh, Jennifer, my dear..." "I love you." "What beautiful eyes." "I love your eyes." "800,000 liras..." "For a week, it's okay." "Gregory, is that you?" "Yes, I'm coming." "It took you a while." "It's a large place, you know." "What are you doing?" "What do you mean?" "I don't know, I..." "I saw you..." "So..." "I thought it might be the time to..." "I'm having a bath." "Would you like one next?" "No, thanks." "Baths in the evening tend to..." "Not the right time." "Can you pass me my bath salts?" "They're in my vanity case." "In what?" "In my small square suitcase on the table." "Oh, sorry!" " What's the matter?" " Nothing." "You've never seen a naked woman?" "I have." "But 1938 vintage." "What?" "With the water, I can't hear you." "Nothing!" "So..." "Are you bringing me these salts?" "Yes, I'm coming." "Instead of acting like a clown, why don't you order some daiquiris?" "To tease our appetite." "Two daiki..." "Sure, why not?" "Then we could order supper." "I hate to make love on an empty stomach." "After you." "No." "Two dayayakile!" "You don't know what it is?" "You have to learn, man, it's not for me to give you the recipe." "Some daiquiri...?" "Okay, if that's all you have." "Okay." "Ten more minutes and I'm yours, Gregory." "Okay!" "Let's see, if one improves by 85 percent in half an hour..." "In ten minutes, that would give us... 28.3 percent." "Come in!" "It's locked." "I'm coming." "What's happening?" "Nothing." "It's locked." "I'm coming." "One moment." "Moment." "You, vanish." " I don't have the key, sir." " One second, I'm coming." "Good evening, sir." "The two daiquiris you ordered." "Here you are." "Would you sign here please?" "Thank you." "Good night, sir." "Good night." " Are you ready, Gregory?" " Yes!" " So?" "..." " So what?" " Verdict?" " Probably a vertebra." "What?" "You don't like it?" "Yes, I do." "It is..." "It is..." "Well, Gregory Duffer?" "Yes?" "You don't offer me a drink?" "Yes." "Go for it." "Okay, I'm coming." " But what's up with you?" " Nothing!" "I dropped a cuff link, and I can't..." "It's silly." "But I'm attached to it." "My grandmother gave it to me." "I thought you had other interests tonight." " Gregory." " Yes?" "My internal vibrations are overwhelming me." "More crackling?" "In a way." " Already?" " Yes." "It's over." "I feel much better." "Really?" "So, Charlotte?" "Another drop of champagne?" "Thank you." "Can you hear, Charlotte?" "The night echoes with cries of love." "Have you seen the view?" "Have you seen the view..." "You know how to speak to women." "If Laurent was here he would have said..." "I don't know." "I'm always short for words." "You're not going to start again?" "Charlotte..." "I don't know how to transcribe everything I feel, but this little breeze from the sea, this song of the gondoliers faraway," " and you so close to me..." " Stop!" "I can't hear the gondoliers." "Charlotte, the gondoliers are in our minds, they're in our hearts." "Listen to mine." " Touch." " Hey, don't touch..." "You pain me, Charlotte." "I hoped for more sweetness from you understanding." "You sound like my dad." " Thank you." " What's the problem, my dad is still okay." "I even think he still screws my mother." " It's not polite to express such matters." " What, isn't that important?" "You're preaching to the choir." "Then why bother with all these manners?" "Excuse me, Charlotte, but it's you who are making manners." "I'm only hoping what any man would hope" "As the logical conclusion of our encounter of this morning that led us both to this room." "While you're making a mountain of the fact my hand brushed against you involuntarily." "Your way of "brushing" is a bit close." "Alright, come on." "We're not going to pout all night, are we?" " Since I'm..." " Don't touch my hair, I abhor that!" "Filet mignon with truffles." "With vintage champagne..." "That's not very Italian." "You would have preferred pasta?" "No." "Mind you, baked fettuccine with parmesan... not bad either." "Why are you looking at me like this?" "No reason." "I find you very friendly, Gregory Duffer." "That's all?" "One compliment at a time, no?" "Now it's ice-cream time." "What are you doing?" "Flambeed ice cream." "A more subtle taste, no?" "In my view it shrinks it a bit, but..." "Will you serve us?" "Yes." "Broadway, my sweet Broadway..." "You know this?" "That's unbelievable." "You were speaking of coincidences..." "I'm mad of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers." "I've seen all their movies." "Really?" "You just said?" "You're a good dancer, Gregory Duffer." "Call me Fred." "We shouldn't, sugar-pie." "My kitten." "Don't be afraid." "What?" "What's wrong?" "Come on, please be quiet." "Hi!" "Ouch!" "I wonder if that was bootleg champagne." "But the bubbles are for real." "Would you have some aspirin?" "In my toiletry bag." "Have you considered I might have poured an aphrodisiac in your glass?" "And maybe also something to make me sleep!" "Is that true, or is that a joke?" "Since I didn't know what you like, I ordered both tea and coffee." "Great move, I only like chocolate!" "What happened last night?" "Hello?" "A chocolate for room 316, please." "Thank you." " You don't want to reply." " Careful, it's not sweetened." " You don't remember anything?" " No!" "Come on, I'm waiting." "You took advantage of me, didn't you?" " Charlotte!" " I see it in your eyes." "I should have guessed." "You have money, so you think anything is allowed." "Come on, Charlotte!" "Money has nothing to do with it." "There at times when pleasure is mutual and intense." "Whatever the age difference." "I've had many proofs of that." "Yeah, but I'm sure this doesn't happen to you every weekend." "Come in!" "How nice." "You can be proud of yourself." "Excuse me." "You're so scared of rejection that you drug people." "Bravo!" " Charlotte, I forbid you..." " You can't forbid me anything." "You disgust me." "Hold on..." "You came here of your own will." "I'd even say this is all your fault." "What nerve!" "What are you still doing here?" "If you wouldn't mind signing." "You're the one who stormed into my bank, into my office" " In my private life." " Because of your son." "That's another matter." "Why did you bring me here?" "Because I liked you, Charlotte." "Because you wanted to screw me." "And you?" "Hasn't the idea crossed your mind?" "Yes, of course, but I thought it would be like in the book." " With the old fart who gets run over by a car." " No, not that one." "I thought that at the last moment you would have scruples, as in Typhoon in Vanarasi." "And in what honor?" "I was born between the two wars, but I'm too young to be burned at the stake." "And if you want to believe it, believe that we spent the night in utter debauchery." "And that I awoke in you erogenous zones you didn't know about." "On that account, I have the honor to be the first." "You can't seem to get enough." "Are you like this with all your lovers?" "I have a complex love life." "But even so..." "How about when you were married?" "I was a good boy." "A very good boy." "You know, I feel good." "I hope so." "At the moment many things are..." "If I told you, I don't think you would..." "But don't worry." "You won't escape it." "You'll have to hear it some day." "When we know each other better." " Why are you laughing?" " It's nothing." "Rather..." "I was just thinking that" "I don't even know where you live in Paris." "Go have a bath." "I'll order breakfast." "So are you opening that window?" "Yes, yes." "Hello?" "I would like a phone number in Paris, please." "Leave it, mom, it's Evangeline, ringing to telling me at what time she'll pick me up." "Yes?" "Laurent?" "Listen, sugar-pie." "I know what I'm about to say will hurt you, but" "I'm expecting a phone call, so hurry." "Well here it is." "Sugar-pie, I cheated on you." "So what?" "I gave you your freedom back, didn't I?" "Yes, but I did it in an awful way." "Spare me the details, will you?" "That's why you're ringing me?" "No." "I'm in Venice." "With a banker, you see what I mean?" "Great, good for you!" "That's how you react?" "I slept with your dad, who made me discover all the new hydrogenous zones, and you..." "Tell me, did you take more Cognac than usual this morning?" "You don't believe me?" "Ring Hotel Doge, you'll see." "You know sugar-pie, I didn't mean to..." "Here you go." "That wasn't Evangeline?" "Drink or it will be cold and you'll grumble like your dad." "By the way, where's dad today?" "In Italy, where do you think?" "Yes, of course." "It's a shame my old pals can't see me right now." "You can leave a message..." "Come in." "It's your turn to speak." "Speak." "Hi, it's Barbara." "I'm at Hotel Doge in Venice." "I'd like to know my schedule for the coming days." "Kindly ring me back." "Thanks." "Barbara!" "Oh!" "You remember me!" "Of course, How could I ever forget you," " Last time, in..." " In London." "Two years ago." "Of course." "In London, Hotel Ritz." "What a fabulous night." " Barbara who?" " Jennifer!" " Hi!" " Darling!" "Ha, you're there!" "So?" "Not too upset?" "A bit jealous, ey?" "That's women for you." "One moment it's all about the little dog." "The next..." "The Man enters the scene." "She's a widow, but not me." "A Frenchman?" "I didn't know some Frenchmen were left with enough money to pay." "Actually, he's a special case." "You're working for yourself now?" "Be careful." "No." "Ah you meant special in the sense that..." "No, not in that sense either." "It's very normal." " Not bad, by the way." " That's my dream." "I have such a thirst for normal men." "Some tea?" "Yuk." "You wouldn't have something more sparkling, by chance?" "You can probably find that in the next room." "And Faisal?" "Still the same tantrums?" "No change!" "Even after five years on the job, there are things I'll never get used to." "That being said he's not as difficult as the little Prince from Abu Dhabi." "The one who rubs himself with camel oil." "And who wants you to sing." "I can't wait for the European economy to pick up." "My little sweetie pie, how are you?" "You want some bubbles?" "I'll take it." "It must be Faisal getting impatient." "Hello?" "Yes, darling, I'm coming." "What?" "No, it's just a dog." "Oh darling, please." "Don't play Othello." " Hello." " Miss." "I love you, you know that." "I'm sorry, what did you say?" "Who is that?" "Your sister?" "No, that's a friend." "In the next room." "Yes, okay, I'll tell them." "Faisal invites you for a drink later on." "Hi there!" "Miss..." "Jennifer..." "An old friend from England." " Gregory." " Nice to meet you." "Very pleased to meet you." "Would you like a drop?" " Excuse me?" " You don't speak English?" "Ah..." "I don't really speak it, but..." "I understand." "Oh, I see." "Are you a model, like Barbara?" "Yes!" "I met Jennifer in London a few years ago." "During a ready-to-wear exhibition." "That's right." "So you're here with your husband?" "Is he making fun of me?" "Not at all, I'll explain later." "No." "Jennifer is with her boyfriend." "To tell you everything, Faisal is the Emir of Qrator." "You mean, the real one?" "The one from OPEC?" "Do I look like someone who drinks cheap sparkling wine?" "Faisal is married, of course." "Ooh." "Sorry." "I didn't know." "Don't worry." "It will get better." "I like it when love stories have a happy ending." "You are kind." "But I leave for Caracas tomorrow and I'll be torn." "Come on, no need to get into such a state." "He says I'm his lucky charm." "By the way, that scumbag, you know what he heard on the phone yesterday?" "While looking for water in his rocky desert they found more oil." "At least two hundred million barrels." "Two hundred million barrels!" "His stock will skyrocket." "Yes, but shush..." "That's top-secret." "He'll announce it in two days at the OPEC conference." "That must be for me." "Two hundred million barrels!" "And you, what do you do?" "Me?" "Oh..." "High-finance, banking..." "And small deals on the side." "Gregory, it's for you." " For me?" " Yes, for you." "Mr. Duffer, that's not you?" " Yes?" " Please hold on." "Yes?" "Hey..." "You were saying he's not special..." "Yes?" "Again!" "You'll spend your day on the phone?" "Please answer!" "Yes?" "He's starting to make me mad." " I'm sure you'll find something you like." " Sure." "Hey..." "When you ring Barbara some day get her name wrong and ask for Jennifer, okay?" "You can take them, I won't wear them tonight." "Thanks, dear." "Okay, see you later." "See you!" "Do you live together?" "No, why?" "No reason." "What do they all want with me?" "Still upset!" "I'm a real bitch, I make myself sick." "No, Charlotte." "We spent a beautiful night, but have no worries, it all stayed within the boundaries of decency." "Perhaps, but I wasted everything." "I had saved myself for him." "I'm nineteen." "In this day and age, isn't that the best proof of love?" "Sorry Charlotte, I'm not sure I understand." " You don't mean that..." " You know it as well as I do." "The worst is that I just called your son." "I told him everything." "You told Philip?" "Laurent has a brother?" "No." "I mean yes, but very young." "Sometimes he's the one who answers the phone." "No, that was Laurent." "Charlotte, let's reason calmly." "Does this Laurent..." "I mean, my son..." "Did he know you were so fiercely guarding your..." "Did he know no one had screwed me?" " Yes, that's what I mean." " No." "I wanted to surprise him." "Bartoloni?" "It's Duffer." "What?" "No, I'm not at the station." "You were there?" "Yes, I know." "I mean..." "I imagine." "No, everything's okay." "I just wanted you to refresh my memory." "On the Milan stock market, you have Qrator Petroleum?" "Yes, Qrator Petroleum." "At the opening of the market, buy a billion lira's worth." "No!" "A billion liras." "Right away." "Who?" "Our President?" "But Loriol is with me." "He's in the middle of a deal, that's why he can't speak." "Not the Bridge of Sighs..." "I might jump." "There are other sights to see." "Gregory Duffer, the Emir of Qrator." "Very nice to meet you." "We're going shopping." "Yes, see you later." " Can I take one I want?" "With lace?" " Yes, it's a present." "What?" "Nothing." "You may be overworked." "Watch out for heart attacks." "Are you sure about beige?" "Navy blue would have been more..." "Not at all." "And it must feel good." "Yes, I'll admit that it's light." "It will get dirty easily, but it's light." "Except for the price tag." " You saw it?" " No, that's something I never look at." "Anyhow." "As long as you like me." " I want you." " Yes, but not here." "We now reach the upper terrace which supports the bell and the famous bronze statues." "They owe their dark color to the passage of time." "They each ring every hour at a two-minute interval." "You can admire Piazza San Marco, the library." "The two doves..." " What if you got me pregnant?" " No!" "Listen to the guide." " Were you careful at least?" " Yes!" "To the right then to the left, Piazza San Marco." " Thank you, thank you." " You're welcome." " You understood what she said?" " Not a word." "Gregory!" "Gregory!" "How are you, Gregory?" "What a surprise." "We were talking about you and Antonella eight days ago." "Isn't that right, Piro?" "Yes." "How are the kids?" "(Speaking German) Excuse me, I don't know what..." "A... a..." "I'm German." "Germany." "(Speaks gibberish German)" "A small street." "Yes, yes, no!" "Ah, my wife." "Good morning." "(In German)" "Madam." " Excuse us." " Not a problem." "Yes, excuse us, it's so..." "Not a problem!" "Good bye!" "You can be quite an actor, Gregory Duffer!" "Bravo!" "They left, you can cross the street now." " (mumbles in German)" " You're incorrigible." "Let's go home" "Dadi is exhausted." "Come, Dadi." "Hotel Doge, please." "Careful." "Did you hurt yourself?" "Do you need help?" " Did you hurt yourself?" " No." "No, on the opposite, I feel better." "What's the matter this time?" "Nothing." "This time, I really believe..." "Again!" "Can you take me back to the hotel, I don't want you to die on me." "Yes, you're right." "Come on, let's go." "A billion liras on Qrator Petroleum?" "At the very time when oil is weakening?" "Do you know what this kind of whim will cost you, Bartoloni?" "Without warning me." "Oh, don't worry, it will cost him too." "And he has the gull of taunting me under my nose vacationing at my expense." "In the meantime, first thing tomorrow, get rid of all these shares." "But not in one block, that would attract attention." "What?" "One moment, Bartoloni." "An idea is coming to me." "We'll wait a few days to sell these shares." "Just to see." "Very good." "Thank you." "If I understand, you've left your career for charity work." "Actually, he's really nice." "My dad must have looked like him twenty years ago." " You're from Paris?" " Yes." "Beautiful women." "Yes." "Especially for a rich man like you." "Yes." "Jennifer told me your bank is one of the most important." " Isn't it?" " Yes, yes." "Dayayarikiri, please." "Excuse me, sir?" "A whiskey." " One for you?" " No, one orange juice." "I imagine you also have other holdings?" "Computers, steel, ship-building..." "Nuclear power plants too..." "Nuclear?" "He's asking if you also make nuclear power plants." "Yes, at times." "As it happens, I just completed two." "Mind you, when I say "I"..." "I mean my consortium." " Naturally." " His consortium, of course." " Aren't you hungry?" " No, not yet." "I like to hear you speak business." "And you deliver with the key on the door?" "He's asking if you deliver your plants ready to go." "Thanks, I had understood." "Yes, yes." "Mr. Duffer..." " Ready to go." " How much?" "Well..." "Just like that, it's hard to..." "He says it's hard to tell." "Gregory, you're wanted on the phone." "Really?" "It must be New York." " Excuse me." " Yes." "Tell him I pay cash." "Hello?" "Duffer, it's Loriol." " How are you doing, Mr. President?" " Extremely well." "And for you, Duffer, everything okay?" "No problems in Milan?" "No, everything's great." "As it happens, I was just going over the balance sheet with Bartolino." "Bartoloni." "Everything seems..." "Tell me, Duffer, do you think I'm an idiot?" "No, Mr. President." "Pay attention, Duffer..." "I have rung you at Hotel Doge in Venice." "And the smartest thing you come up with is that you're with Bartoloni in Milan?" "Maybe you'll tell me it's a faulty connection?" "I don't know, Your Honor..." "Mr. President." "Indeed, it seems..." "Then why are you shaking?" "But I'm not..." "Yes, you are positively shaking." "Observe yourself in the large mirror to the left." "To your left, I said." "But..." "Where are you, Mr. President?" "Come on, Duffer." "No comedy with me." "What are you hiding from me?" "Me?" "Nothing." "Are you working for a competitor?" "But I..." "Arabian National Bank?" "Saudi Bank?" "Medina Bank?" "Yes." "Secret..." "You're an ace." "Yes, you are." "I could have suspected many of my employees but not you." "Now I understand this early retirement business." "Tell me Duffer, might there be a way to work something out?" "Well..." "It depends." "Ah!" "How are you, dear?" "Come." " Is that your wife?" " Yes." "Funny, I imagined her more..." "Yes, but recently, she..." "Please allow me to introduce one of my associates, Mr. Loriol." "I didn't even know he was here." "The Emor of Qratir" "The Emir of Qrator, Jennifer..." "And my wife." "We meet so rarely, madam, you are more lovely each time." " Thank you." " You really are." "Telephone, miss." "Excuse me." "Please." "What's the bank's name?" " To what name?" " What is it?" "A check to deposit funds in your bank." "Is a million dollars okay?" "Well..." "For a nuclear plant." " No, two!" " Two plants." "There's no rush, you know." "No, he insists." "So, what name?" "Just make it to the Trans-Alpine Bank." "Trans-Alpine Bank." "Who?" "Yes, I know him." "Kennedy airport." "Hold on, I'll write it down." "At what time?" "I'd have to leave here at..." "Okay, I'll be there." "So, to celebrate the Trans-Alpine Bank invites you for lunch." "Thank you very much." "Ladies, gentlemen..." "Let me introduce Charlotte LeGueden, a friend." " The Emir of Qrator" " Your highness" "Miss Jennifer... and Gregory Duffer." "Is that your brother?" "No, why?" "Gregory Duffer, that's you?" "Yes." "The owner of the Trans-Alpine Bank for five generations?" "Yes, that's right." "My dear!" " She might be pregnant?" " You, not now!" "What's happening?" "She's shivering." "No..." "She's vibrating." "She too?" "Yes." " What are you doing?" " Tidying up." "When we came upstairs, I thought other things might interest you..." "Why don't you go for a walk?" " To help you digest?" " No." "A little nap then?" "No." "Barbara..." " What?" " My vibrations are taking over again." "Gregory..." "I can't do without your body anymore." "I feel it, it's..." "You'll have to, though." "What do you mean, I'll have to?" "That's how it is." "We can't spend our lives in a royal suite facing the lagoon." "We'd get bored." "Are you bored when we make love?" "No." "Because we've only known each other since yesterday morning." "Not for long, then." "I promised Jennifer to go shopping with her." "No." "My son's name is not Laurent." "His name is Philip." "And he hasn't been sleeping with Bamboola from the coconut tree" "Which I regret." "A porter for room 316, please." " Where are you going?" " To drown myself." " With your suitcase?" " I'll need weight." " Why be so extreme?" "Not only did I sleep with an old guy It wasn't the right one." "I swear the owner of the bank is me." " Who's Duffer then?" " Too long to explain." " Of course, I'm too dumb." " Let's make peace." "Let's end this trip on a good note." "Come in." " Do you know..." " Don't touch, underling!" "Are you the lady who asked for a porter?" " Get out!" " Stay!" "Move over." "If I told you that nothing happened between us last night..." "You realize how low you've come?" "Denying what made you so proud this morning." "And the child I may carry, will you reject him too?" " Exactly, you can't kill yourself in that state." " You really thought I'd kill myself?" "I won't give you that joy." "Take the suitcase." "Return to your supermarket, then." "I'll even help you." "Here's what I do with your suitcase." "Stop, you're mad!" " Good work." " Bastard!" "Don't push me further, Charlotte!" "Rapist!" "Give me this at once!" "Stop!" "It's mine!" "Go get it, it will calm you down." "Customers are no longer what they used to be." "Excuse me sir, you wouldn't have a kind of... hat?" "Is that him?" "No, indeed, it went in a different direction." "I don't think that..." "Sorry again." "Yes?" "Who's there?" "Excuse me, madam..." "Look, girls, look!" "Excuse me ladies, I was wondering if you might have noticed a..." "Is this what you're looking for?" "Yes!" "This is it!" "I really don't want to bother you." "Please have a mint tea." "Oriental hospitality is amazing." "Is this for the railway station?" "Not yes, miss." "It won't be long." " Is this for the airport?" " Yes, miss." "Go get the luggage." "Yes!" "Barbara?" "Is that you?" "Yes, yes." "You don't have the key?" "What's the matter with you?" "It's a bit hard to explain." "May I come in?" "Not for long." "When I saw you earlier, you can't imagine what effect it had on me." "I know, at the moment it's non-stop." "So I thought, "the best is to tell him the truth."" "It's kind of you, but with these vibrations happening to me all at once" "I'm a bit overwhelmed." "At some point I may be able to help you but today, I'm fully..." "If Barbara saw you here, she might not react well." " But since she went to the airport?" "..." " Yes, but shopping can't take forever..." "To the airport?" "With Jennifer?" "No, alone." "Where are you going, Mr. Duffer?" "Let me explain!" "My story is simple." "It's just like in Weekend in Kensington." "Have you read it?" " What's the matter?" " Barbara is not with you?" "No..." "For once, she doesn't need any help." " Why?" " She saw her leave for the airport." "It had to happen at some point..." "She didn't leave you a little note?" "Maybe." " You see, you can believe me." " Yes darling, I'm coming." "Hey!" "What?" "I'm leaving for New York." "My mother is ill." "I won't forget our encounter." "Few men can give me what you gave me." "Tender kisses," "Barbara." "It's beautiful, isn't it?" "Hello?" "Can you tell me at what time the next flight for New York leaves?" "Yes, please call me back." "Fast!" "Even more reason." "If you're leaving for New York... let me explain everything." "My situation is the exact same as Lisbeth Simpson's." "She loves a young guy called Andro, who loves her." "Even though they're from different backgrounds." "Then another girl appears." "A kind of horrible leech, a bit like "Bamboola", do you follow?" "Yes, I follow." "But you don't have to follow me!" "You want to make yourself helpful?" "Pack my suitcase." "My little doves..." "You are spoiling me." "This trip hadn't started well." "Yes." "When?" "Forty minutes?" "Can I make it?" "Prepare my bill, I'm coming down." " Did you forget anything?" " I don't think so." "Thank you, then..." "And give my best to your Andro, your English guy..." "But Mr. Duffer, what do I do?" "Go, we have to hide!" "Did I do something you didn't like?" "Is someone her?" "We can talk between gentlemen." "Yes, okay." "What's the matter down there?" "What is he doing?" "I'm going to miss it." "Don't get upset sir, it's coming." "It's coming, you say..." "But you don't care." "Excuse me sir, your bill." "My employee, Mr. Loriol, hasn't told you?" "Nothing, sir." "He's the one who pays all my bills." "If you like." "In that case, please sign your bill at the desk." "Sir, the shuttle is about to leave." " So I give it to Mr. Loriol?" " Yes, that's it." "Who is it?" "Okay, I'm coming." "If you're here to make the bed, it's already made." "I'm coming!" " Sugar-pie, I can't believe it!" " As you see." "Where is he?" "You came all the way here to find me?" "Where is he?" "Who?" "My father." "It wasn't your dad, I swear." "I just said that to make you jealous." "I'm so happy, sugar-pie." "Kiss me!" "I have to talk to him first." "But I'm telling you nobody's here!" "Keep looking if you don't believe me." "They even have balconies." "Look!" "Look!" "You never trust me." "Look!" " Sir." " Who is this?" " That's him!" " Him who?" "My rapist." "What are you doing?" "Hurry!" "They have suicides every day here." "He's there." "Hurry!" "He's going to get away." "Duffer!" "It's me..." "Loriol!" "Fast!" "Turn around!" "Fast!" "Come quick!" "Come on, come!" "You look different!" "Not bad." "No, it's okay, leave that one." "He's okay, he knows how to swim." "Come on, hurry." "Airport, ten minutes!" "Where are we going?" "To New York!" "I don't understand anything anymore." "The guy I threw out..." "You hadn't..." "No." "You also said that to make me jealous." "Yes." "Why do you laugh?" "Because indeed, I can't imagine my father in this place." "The next New York flight is tomorrow morning." "I don't even know where she lives over there." "That wasn't your wife?" "Last night, I believed it." "Then what do we do?" "Maybe we should go home." "Tomorrow is Thursday, you have a board meeting." "By the way..." "I still have your check." "Thank you." "Venice?" "Why not?" "It's not original, I'll grant you." "But you've always wanted to go." "And that idea just came over you?" "Yes." "I mean..." "No." "It's Bartoloni..." "He was born there." "Over meals he always told me about the Doge's Palace, the Piazza San Marco." "So in the end I thought since I'm retired maybe I could take my wife there." "No?" " What about Sandra?" " She can spend a few days at your mom's." "Go get the ice-cream instead of sitting there." "Ice-cream?" "I'll take care of it." "Don't soil your nice little suit." "It's also Bartoloni who advised you to buy it?" "Exactly." "You know your countrymen." "With my old suit I looked a little..." "He has good taste, you know." "He was pushing for a more waisted suit, but..." "I worried it might look too..." "Too dandy-like?" "What?" "Nothing." "Tell me, is Bartoloni a little..." "What?" "Not at all." "And here's the ice-cream." " Are you mad?" " Isn't it nice?" " You'll see the difference." " The difference is that you'll set the house on fire!" "The taste is far more subtle!" "Okay." "Gregory, now tell me what is really happening to you." "Nothing!" "Actually, yes." "Many things." "Antonella, I'm a new man." "I'd like for you to become a new woman as well." "A new woman?" "Yes." "You see, Antonella..." "Before jumping into retirement, I had to take a step back." "Over these two days, I took stock." "A kind of balance sheet... of our joint life, with its assets, its liabilities..." "You found a large shortfall." "Well..." "I'll tell you." "You didn't need two days in Milan to figure that out." "Can you let me finish?" "Go on, I'm listening!" "But I'm going to bed." "It's true, the shortfall is large." "But not beyond hope." "And I have a solution." "Whence the trip to Venice." "Yes and no." "Because eight days of dream-life is like a 90-day loan, it postpones the payment" "But when you go home, nothing's changed." "No, what we need is to start over, a clean slate." "What's wrong with me?" "Nothing." "Why do you always wear bras?" "Why?" "Bartoloni doesn't wear any?" "Come on..." "Can't I say anything?" "Antonella..." "Tomorrow morning, I'm leaving for Venice." "Ha!" "There we are." "And you'll meet me there." "And how?" "Same train, same carriage..." "Same compartment, but we don't know each other." "We'll meet for the first time." "Your game is idiotic." "Can you see me being formal to you?" "It's indispensable." "Perhaps after a few hours... under the influence of our mutual charm... we won't be so formal." "Stop, Gregory, what's wrong with you?" "You're not wearing pajamas?" "Pajamas were before retirement." "There you go, 30,000." " So where are you off to?" " Venice." "No!" "I'm bringing Antonella." "I'll have to tell you." " You can't imagine what happened to me." " Ah?" "Hey, old bastard, you don't say hello?" "I'm already late." "Jack!" "Ah!" "Gregory, I was about to ring you." "Did you see Qrator Petroleum this morning?" "It went up two more points!" "By the way, what should I do about Creusot stock?" "If the three nuclear plants take shape, maybe we should buy, no?" "My thoughts exactly." "Let's get together soon." "Bye." " See you soon, André!" " When are you back?" "Ah, yes!" "By the way..." "I wanted to tell you..." "For my little gift..." "Yes!" "So?" "..." "You'll give it to me when I'm back, there's no rush." "Ah?" "Ah, at last!" "So?" "..." "You don't speak to me?" "What did we say?" "We don't know each other." "But..." "If you'd like an advance on your compliments..." "I'd say "not bad."" "Not bad?" "At that price?" "Carriage number 7, seats 55 and 56, see you there." "Hey!" "The suitcase!" "What about it?" "We don't know each other." "I lugged it up to here, your turn to lift it up there." "Listen, Antonella, we said we're starting over." "So if you can't play along from the start" "I'd rather get off right now." "No!" "Tell me what to do." "First, you start over." "I have to get out, only to come sit here again?" "Yes!" "The stage entrance is crucial." "You have to appear sensual... disturbing." "Okay, very well." "But this time, without the suitcase." "Oh, sorry." "Here, Francois." "Seat number 56..." "Is that here?" "Er..." "Yes, it is." "Sorry, young man." "Do you smoke?" "Yes, thank you." "You're welcome." "May one ask how far you are going?" "I don't know." "Los Angeles, Acapulco..." "If I understand, you're taking the long way round." "Unless your job is forcing that on you." "A model, perhaps?" "No, just a housewife." "How fascinating that must be." "Not fascinating at all." "And you, may I ask what you do?" "I'm a banker." " How funny." " Ah?" " Yes, my husband is in banking too." " No?" "But not at the same level, sadly." "Maybe he had no luck." "He did, but not everyone is enterprising." "I'm sure you grossly underestimate your husband." "A lovely woman like you can only have married a top man." "And you?" "Me?" "Ah, it's different." "I'm a widower." "I'm sorry." "It's been a few years." "But..." "Even before she died, it..." "It wasn't great." "What do you mean by "it wasn't great"?" "You see it's sad to say, but..." "It was the wrong number." "No?" "No, I mean..." "Sweet, brave, hard-working..." " Without..." " Without what?" "You know what I mean, without.." "No, not at all." "Without oomph, if you will." "Ha, without oomph?" "Anyway..." "Rest her soul." "She's probably happier where she is." "In your misfortune, you are lucky." "This wouldn't happen to me." "Not that I'd really like that to happen," "But it's true that sometimes I can't help thinking..." "Thinking what?" "On one of his trips, a poorly shut door on a train, a fire in a hotel..." "But that's monstrous!" "Don't worry, I don't think that on each trip." "Only when I'm low." "Luckily, I have good times too." "Ah... kids." "Yes, that too." "Do you have a cigarette?" "Excuse me, but what do you mean by "that too"?" "I thought bankers had more tact." "Ah, you mean..." "You mean you have a..." "No!" "A lover is more jealous and controlling than a husband." "On the other hand, several... but not together!" "What excites me is to be a thousand women in a single day." "You understand?" "To leave a lover's burning lips at lunchtime to meet another in bed in the afternoon, I'll admit that I..." "I hope I don't shock you." "No, not at all." "And in life, what do they do, your... to have so many free afternoons?" "You're indiscreet for a banker." "The one at 4 o'clock, to take one at random..." "That one is already an old story." "John." "Excuse me?" "That's it, it's John." "Bastard!" "Which John?" "Don't play dumb, you, that's enough!" "No, tell me!" "And he had the gull to have me over." "And Juliet..." "Poor Juliet, does she know anything?" "Ah, John!" "John Delfos!" "While like an idiot I was summing numbers" "Your bodies were contorting with pleasure in a seedy room!" "How funny!" "You can't imagine." "Tell me who!" "Not John, anyhow." "Come darling, quick!" "You thought I'd have orgies with a stammerer?" "Elocution has nothing to do with sexuality!" "Yes, but John is not my type!" " You're the Jaguar type, I suppose!" " Exactly!" "You know what's holding me back?" "Hit me, what are you waiting for?" " Brown-nose!" " Bitch!" "What did you do to me?" "Let me go!" "You'd prefer a nice pimp!" "He would be more my type!" "You'll pay for that." "Tickets, please." "Hey, what's wrong with you?" "Oh, I'm sorry." "You're not too hurt?" " No, I'm okay." " You can tell me, I'm a doctor." "No, I'm okay, it's just here..." "Oh, I see." " Does that hurt?" " Just what I need." "You'll have a bruise." "That's sad, such a lovely leg." "That's okay." "I'll show you this one." " Feeling better, right?" " Yes." " Are you alone?" " I like adventure." " No luggage?" " No, just a few jewels." "Hey!" "That's my suitcase!" "Sorry." "What's the matter?" "Hurry, we'll miss it." "What's wrong, are you ill?" " No, it's a kind of..." " Not you too!" "It's silly, I thought I saw my dad." " And?" " Forget it." " Where are you staying in Venice?" " Hotel Doge." " And you?" " Me too, that's funny." " What's your name?" " Antonella." " That's Italian." " Yes, I'm Italian, like you." "Let's go." "Hello, Mr. Duffer." " Since when?" " What?" "Have you been married a long time?" "More than twenty years." " No!" " Yes." " Still together?" " No." "We separated quite recently." "Look, that's the Palace di Piazze." "It belongs to a friend." "We could go there tonight?" "Did you often cheat on him, the poor man?" "No." "Not yet." "Don't make me cry." " You find that funny?" " Not at all." "On the contrary, that's interesting." "For twenty years, I was so silly I turned down all advances." "God knows why." "You've never taken advantage?" "No." "Yes, once I almost did." "With an army buddy of his." "And?" "At the last moment, I didn't do it." "You can't imagine how many phone numbers are offered to a lady when her husband works." "So you see, today, I have to make up for twenty years." "Stop!" "What's happening?" "Please." "Antonella!" "Watch out!" "Madam!" "Thank you." "Thank you." "Antonella!" "Excuse me." "Max!" "Max!" "Max!" "Max!" "With..."