"THE POOR MAN'S TABLE" "Airy, bright rooms." "Simplicity, comfort." "On the ground floor, the kitchen with the most recent and improved facilities and large dining halls." "At the beginning and at the end of each corridor, the bathrooms with sinks, showers, toilets." "In conclusion, the committee will have to admit that in this modern institute for beggars, even the poor will feel like gentlemen." "Bravo!" "Bravo!" "I'd like to give my opinion:" "instead of building hospices, it would be better to teach the poor the benefits of work." "Please, come on!" "A hospice is created for those who have already worked enough or for those who can work no more." "I'm proud to announce that for the banquet we'll offer to 100 poor men on the occasion of the laying the first stone of the hospice, the great industrialist, Volterra, has granted us the park of his grand villa." "When you organize anything, it's always a success." "Indeed, indeed." "Tomorrow, we'll begin to collect the pledges." "I remind you that at four today, the committee shall meet at town hall for the definitive agreements." "Today at four, OK?" "Today at four!" "It was a great pleasure." "Who were you greeting?" "It was um.. what's his name.." "You think I didn't notice you were flirting with the Marchese's daughter?" "Be careful!" " I am, but what harm is in it, Mom?" "There's no harm at all: a very good girl, as noble as you could ask, but.." "You keep stopping!" " I can look, can't I?" "Enrico!" " Yes?" "Did you count them?" " Yes, there's fifty." "Deliver them." "I'll take care of it tomorrow." " Yeah, see you then." "Yesterday there were 45, right?" "Let us pass, he gets in the way!" "Dad, let's go here a second." "I like that." " Very nice." "Already sold." "It wasn't meant for you." "You'll see how much good stuff daddy'll buy you." "It won't always be like this!" "The future, young lady." "Don't you want to know if he loves you?" "Don't you want to know if he's cheating on you?" "Excellency." "Miss." "Your fortune." "Did you see your fortune coming?" "French snuff box!" "Original empire!" "It's said that it belonged to.." " Don't heed chitchat." "I'm looking for a Palizzi." " Palizzi?" "You can have it." "The Marchese Fusaro has a magnificent one." "If he still has it.." " Marchese..?" "Isidoro Fusaro." "He left me his business card." "It must be here." "From him, you can get magnificent things.." "at convenient prices." "That poor guy is selling it all." "But I.." "I'd stay even without any pay." "Just enough to eat." " And you think that's nothing?" "No, my son, it's a necessary thing." "I should've told you two months ago." "It's necessary for me and.." "for you." "I'll get it." " No, Sir." "May I help you?" " The Marchese Fusaro." "Please, come in." "Do come in." "With whom I have the honor?" " Marchese Fusaro?" " Yes." " Volterra, lawyer." "Sir, I have to thank you as a member of the Committee.." "For my villa?" " Yes, you offered it." " Don't mention it!" " Thanks." "But, maybe you were going out?" " Yes, I was going out for.." "Indeed, sorry for not letting you in." "It's a little messy right now." "If I'm disturbing you, I can.." " Not at all, have a seat." "Ah!" "Very nice!" " He's braying!" "He's a bit small." "There lies its value." "You can find big jackasses everywhere!" "And the price?" "Well, I also have that still life." "It's a Mancini." " Oh!" "It's signed." " I see." "I'm hoping to obtain, with both pictures.." "30 thousand lire." " Oh!" "Too Much?" " Two peppers, half a slice of watermelon and a bunch of grapes?" "Now we even count the fruit!" " I mean, they're few!" " Right!" "They're not even a pound." " Look, if you like to joke.." "Counselor, a greater respect for the work of the masters!" "I don't deny it, but given these days.." "How about, we do 15,000." "Dad!" "Excuse me." "Remember that at 4, you have the committee." " Yes, dear." "Forgive me, I have an appointment." " Your daughter?" "Yes." "Giorgina, come here." "The Counselor.." " Riccardo Volterra." "Pleasure." " He's the one who offered his magnificent villa to the committee." "Too good." "Thank you." "Excuse me." "Giovanni!" "My compliments, Marchese." " Thank you." "For the Mancini and for Palizzi?" "We said.. 12,000, right?" "No, 18,000." " Ah, no, 15." "How can one at that price.." " Marchese, let's do this." " What?" "Tomorrow, I'm gathering some friends to show my collection." " Very nice." "You come too." " Yes." " I'll be very pleased." " Very well." "And bring the young lady." " As you wish, thank you." "And about the paintings?" " We'll certainly come to an agreement." "Would you like me to send my car, Marchese?" " How very kind." "Please." " Thank you, Marchese." "Marchese..." "I have no words." "Go." "How beautiful!" "What?" " Well.. who knows?" "The rose." "May I?" "May I?" " Who is it?" "Ah, it's you!" " Miss.." " Wait a moment." "Dad!" "Dad!" "Do you think I'm a banker?" "Here you go." "No!" " What do you mean "no"?" "It's too little?" "Does the price increase indoors?" "No, it's not that." "What are you looking at?" "Are there more of you?" "No." " Then what?" "Can we close the door?" "We can." "Wait." "What is it?" "Marchese, I know that you're a great person." "So they say." "And all your life, you've helped the poor." "So, the money I gave you wasn't enough?" "Marchese, I didn't come for that." "Why then?" "I.." "in the 30 years I've been poor," "I've put aside.." "little by little.." "7,500 lire." "You?" "And me?" "How do I enter into this?" " It's like this.." "the money, I'd like to "industrialize"." "But.." "I don't know how." "You want me to become your administrator?" " Yes, sir." "Oh, Jesus!" "Why, that's crazy!" "But aren't you the father of the poor?" "Yes, that's right." "Well then?" " I've never done such things." "Marchese, do me this favor, take the money." "They might steal from me." "Everyone knows I'm poor." "I can't go to the bank." "Put them here." "Just look at that!" "They were safe there!" "One thousand, two thousand.." "three thousand.." "Your name is?" " Biagio Prospera." "Biagio Prospera, that makes sense." "Four, five, six and seven thousand." "One, two.." "three, four and five." "Seven thousand and five hundred." "Count it." "No need." "Here you go." "This is a paper that declares that I've received the money." "What a great gentleman!" "May I?" "Do me a favor, go in that room for a moment, there are people." " Yes, sir." "Are you leaving?" " No, I'm staying." "Let's do this instead: sit here." "I'll be right back." "Don't move." "Giorgina?" "Giorgina, let them in!" "Marchese, how are you?" " Fine." "Excuse me, I'm about to go out." "I can't let you go in here, because it's a little messy." " Don't worry!" "Have a seat." " Thank you." "The subscription proceeds marvelously." "Miss, read the list of the first pledges." "There's no need to." " No, listen, Marchese!" " If you insist." ""Our professor: 2,000."" ""Commander Angrisani: 3,000."" ""Donna Lina: 5,000."" " Of course." ""Duke Groviglio.."" " OK, I get it." "Yes, truly, comforting news." "It's our duty, else it'd be useless to be part of this committee." "Mom, if I'm not mistaken, the Marchese has already prepared his pledge." "Dad!" " Marchese!" "Ah, one moment." " I've been here for half an hour." "I pray you, one moment." "This business is to your benefit." "Who's that, Marchese?" " A poor man." "How long is a moment?" "One hour." " One hour?" " One year!" "Counselor, please sit." " Thank you, we'll stand." "Thank you, Giorgina." "One thousand, two thousand, three thousand.." "Miss, 7500." "Magnificent offer!" " Well, money is round because it rolls." " That's right." "Ah, excuse me." "I'll be right back." "Poor people, you know." "Excuse me." " I wasn't expecting such a pledge." "Where did he go?" "Long live our president!" " Hurrah!" "Hurrah!" "It was the least we could do after a pledge like that!" "Especially for your well known philanthropy!" " We accept!" "We accept!" "Accepted." "Going away already?" "Yes." "We'll have a great party thanks to your generosity." "Lovely party!" " Giorgina, come here." "Mom's calling you." "Dear!" "I hope that you won't deprive me the pleasure of having lunch with you?" "We'd love to, but we're already invited to Counselor Volterra's." "Not even for tea tomorrow?" " Tomorrow we'd be very happy too." "Thank you!" "Goodbye, Giorgina." " Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "You know Counselor Volterra?" " Yes, he came here today." "Nello, are we going?" " Goodbye, Marchese." "Bye." " Bye, Nello." "Dad!" "Dad!" " Let go of me, my daughter." "Let go." "And now they know!" " You'll make a great impression!" "It's true!" "Check this out: 7,500 lire!" "They even appointed him president!" "Check this out!" ""The Marchese Fusaro.."" "What happened, he killed himself?" "No, they named him president of a charity committee." "The Marchese?" " He gave them 7,500 lire!" ""Fusaro, Marchese Isidoro:"" ""Two suits, a tuxedo, a morning dress."" ""An account of 1,000 lire."" ""Owing: 3,000 lire."" "And how much did he give?" " 7,500." "The 200 lire for the shirts, did you get it from him?" "7,500 lire?" "The Marchese Fusaro?" "I wouldn't even have believed the papers, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." "How about this?" "Yes." "You have the same tastes as I do." "Counselor, please come." "I think I found a wonderful place for our Palizzi." " Ah!" "Good." "I think it'll go very well there and it'd be great for the Mancini too." "Right." "Definitely." " There's light." " Yeah." "We said.." "15,000, didn't we?" "15,000." "I'll come one of these days to your house, Marchese." "Whenever you wish." "My daughter?" " I don't know, she was here a moment ago." "Marchese, your daughter has an exquisite sensibility." "You flatter me." "So young." " Nineteen years old." "A shame." " Why?" "She's already engaged, right?" " As far as I know, no." "But dads are always the last to find out about certain things." "Giorgina?" "Dad, did you call me?" " We have to go, it's late." "You like it?" "Maybe." " Sir, this is an antique." "Not so much." " The last of the Bourbons." "Don't talk nonsense." "Do you know who this is?" " No." "The Marchese Isidoro Fusaro." "Give me 5 lire and you can have it." "No, thank you." "Here I.." "I haven't come to buy." "I have also this turtle fan." "It has a great value to me." "For me, no." "I won't deprive you of it." "Thank you." "Giorgina." "Don't hide, dear." "What's to be ashamed of?" "When did you see me?" " Since you went out with your dad." "You followed me?" "You spied on me?" " No, Giorgina, don't think.." "You wanted to see, eh?" "There!" "You see!" "What did I see?" " That I'm going shopping." "So?" " You saw what I was buying." "There was no need." "I already told you that I'm poor." "I didn't want.." " I am poor, but I'm not ashamed." "Mezzapalla, I don't have change!" "Go, go!" "I told you I don't have any change!" " No, wait." "I wanted to tell you that they arrested Biagio." " No!" " Yes." "And he let me know, that I must come to you." "What can I do?" "Biagio told me you could do something." "I can, I will.." "but not right now!" "Then when?" " When God wills." "Was there a need to climb out the window?" " There wasn't any door." "What?" "No door?" "There was but it was occupied." " By whom." "There were people talking." "Why did you go the Marchese's house?" "I had to consult with him." "I understand." "That means you don't want to tell the truth." " No, Sir." " Bring him inside!" "Damn!" "Good morning." " Good morning." "Is anyone there?" "He's gone!" "But I'll stay here and wait." "I'll stay here too." "My friends, I'm truly flattered." "7,500 lire is a nice sum." "Blessed is he who can achieve it." "Money is round because it rolls." "The Marchese has always stood out." "Charity has always been one of my obsessions." "I am.." "The committee presents to you this certificate of merit." " Thank you." "The certificate of merit.." "At least I keep this." " What?" "I said, I keep this?" " That's right." "Hey, make a line!" " Get in line!" "In line!" "A line is useless, now there's money." "Here comes the informer!" "He still owes me for the shoes!" "And the clothes." " And the laundry." " And me the hats." "But with this line, we look bad and we'll lose a customer." "Just when he's got the money!" "Of course, he's always acted like a gentleman." " That's true." "He's generous." " No doubt about it." "Therefore, he must've found a source." "Wait a sec!" "I saw him in the master's carriage with Donna Lina." "She's rich and has the pasta factory." "Now it's clear!" "He's marrying the widow." "No!" "It's the daughter who is marrying the son!" "Come on, Giorgina, why?" "Since this morning, I love you even more." "Won't you give me a kiss?" "I was wrong to follow you, you're right." "But.." "It's Volterra's fault." "I paced back and forth all night." "While he was playing the lover with you." "I didn't sleep all night." "This morning, I saw you and followed you." "How silly!" "Love." "When will we get married?" "Shall we go tell Papa?" "Look at him." "I was only resting!" "Marchese, allow me to put my buggy at yours and Georgina's disposal." "Thank you." " Marchese, when shall we announce the engagement?" "You can imagine how happy I am, but I need to talk with your mom first." "It's absolutely right." "My dear." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "A little bit of patience, my son." "Is this a demonstration?" " When is the Marchese coming?" "Where is he?" " How should I know?" " But tell me one thing." "Is it true that his daughter is getting married to the son of Donna Lina?" "The one with the pasta factory?" " It would be a real salvation!" "That's nothing new." "You're just learning that?" " Is it true?" "Indeed, I recommend you, don't start a scandal." "Why?" " Otherwise, the marriage will be off, and you.." "My daughter, don't be frightened." "You have to make a nice ovation!" "Long live the President!" " Long live the President!" "From the poor of the district to their president." "Your presence here.." "it.. it perturbs me.." "and excites me." "Thank you for the nice and spontaneous demonstration." "Your excellency, the key." "These are for today?" " That's right." "No, for a month!" ""Free vouchers for lunch"" "Free." "Then there's a fee?" " No, it's free!" "Costs nothing!" "Shut up!" "Finally, what do you want?" "You've bored me for an eternity." "I have an idea." " Tell me." "Telephone Marchese Fusaro and ask him if he's missing anything." "Ah!" "I'd already thought of that." "No, Daddy!" "Too bad." "It doesn't matter." "The certificate of merit will remind us of the two paintings." "Hello?" "Yes." "Marchese Isidoro Fusaro." "Who?" "Go inside for a moment." "Hello?" "No, no, no." "You're not speaking with the Marchese." "You're speaking with the house of the Marchese Fusaro." "Yes." "The Marchese went out." "He's not there." "He left for the charity banquet." "They appointed him president." "The Marchese?" "Yes, he gave them 7,500 lire!" "7500.." "7,500 lire!" "7,500." "7,000.." "500 lire!" "7,500 lire!" " So?" "Why are you so surprised?" "You act like you gave it to him!" "He's a gentleman." "Commissioner Sir, do me a favor, send someone to the Marchese's house to find out information." "The more you hold me, the more I'm ruined!" "Marshal." "Fusaro?" "Urgent?" "Let him through." "Counselor, finally!" "You're sealed off from the world!" "Sealed off, indeed." "What is so urgent?" "Urgent?" "Who spoke to you of urgency?" " The porter." "Ah, the.." "No, that was just me breaking through the first seal." "I understand." "What can I.." "Well, I came by to.." "To ask you.." "to visit your workshops." "A company worth millions." "About 50, Marchese." " 50!" "Well, imagine: just the small planer with cart that we saw costs 60,000 lire!" "60,000 lire!" "4 Palizzi and 4 Mancini." " Right, 4 Palizzi and 4 Mancini." "By the way, Marchese, you don't need the money for the paintings right away?" "No!" "You were saying?" " No.." "What' that?" "A rib to the wing of an airplane." "One of those would be perfect for me!" " An airplane?" "An airplane." "To be awhile in the air, to navigate to the heavens." "There's the civil aviation." "But that brings me back to earth." "Because you would like to.." "Disappear into the clouds." "High above!" "Donna Lina." " Counselor." "How are you, Giorgina?" " Well, thank you." "Your cousin?" " No, may I?" "The fiancé." "Nello Valmadonna." " Volterra." "He's my son, you never met him before." "Congratulations." " Thank you." "And papa?" " He'll join us soon." "Please." " Thank you." "The Marchese Fusaro?" " Yes." "Sorry to trouble you, I am Marshal Etina." "Brigadier Capezzuto." "Very honored." "But sorry, I'm in a hurry." "We'll walk with you." "We phoned a little while ago, but you weren't there." " Yeah." "We have in custody an individual who climbed out of your window." "A Biagio Prospera." " Yes, I know him." "Then you know him?" " Yes, he was at my house for some information." "So it was true." "Since, I had been detained by some visitors.." "I don't understand, don't know how.." "he decided to leave in that bizarre way." "He didn't take anything?" " No, what could he take?" "He's a good man." "Then we can release him!" " Release him?" "In my opinion, certainly." "Then, please excuse us." " Please, please." "Marshal!" " Marchese." "Will you be letting this poor devil out right away?" "In 30 minutes at most." "It's noon, he'll be out by half past." " Goodbye." "Always working, Professor!" " You have to set a good example." "You wouldn't think so, but it's a lot of work to place dishes." "Why?" " Judging by the time it's taking you!" "Easy, guys!" "Is there enough food for everybody?" " What are you worried about?" "That they'll reduce the portions." " No, we eat well here!" "My stomach had to hurt today!" "The cushion cover." " There it is." "The children can't pass." "Can't pass?" "They're legitimate children." "But what do you get to eat?" "Vegetable soup, fried fish, steak with tomato sauce, salad, all the bread you can eat, all the wine you can drink, fruit, dessert and coffee." "How do you know?" " I know!" "He knows." "Hey, I'm the father of the cook!" "Then I'll stand next to you." "Isidoro!" "Isidoro!" "What Isidoro!" "Marchese." "Marchese, there are no more tickets." " What do you want?" "Come, follow me." "But.." "maintain a certain distance." "Do you know them too?" " No." " Then why greet them?" "You cannot enter." "Can I help you?" " No." "But, if you please, I'm the president of the committee." "My apologies." " Please." "Isidoro!" "Isidoro!" "Isidoro!" "Isidoro!" "The policeman won't let me pass." "Let him pass, do me the courtesy." "Where are you going?" " Committee!" "Marchese!" "Marchese!" "Ah, yes." "Come on, Ma'am." "Let her pass." "That's it, OK?" "Pasta!" "Pasta!" "Hey, what are you doing?" "These things don't concern you!" "Mind your own business!" "But look at that!" "Calm down." " Poor children!" " There's enough for everyone." "It's no use that you enlarge it." "It's soup!" "I can use it later." "Donna Lina." " Marchese." "Even the bugle salutes!" "What good people!" "They saw the arrival of their President and all is in order, all quiet." "Donna Lina, they saw the arrival of the soup!" "You say the president!" "Marchese?" "Donna Lina, for the love of God" "It's the tradition, Marchese." "Before the poor can begin to eat, the president must taste the soup." "It's true, it's tradition." "If you insist." "May I?" " Please." "Is it good?" "Yes, passable." "Maybe.." "it's not seasoned enough." "What?" "It's not seasoned enough?" "No, it's seasoned, but.." "it needs a little salt." "It won't hurt to put a little more." "No, it's fine as it is." "It can be sent out." "No, I didn't ask." "You may serve." " Good." "A few words to understand the benefit they've received." "By eating, they feel the benefit." "Physically, but morally.." "You'll highlight the charitable purpose." "You speak so well!" " Besides, you are the president." "Courage, Marchese." "OK, here I go." "One moment!" "Silence!" "Stop, everybody!" "Dear friends.." "there's something for you.." "more important than the feast itself." "A speech." "I will be brief." "Unnecessary words aren't needed.." "in a party where we all feel united in brotherhood." "How nice!" "Giorgina, did your dad tell you when he'll speak to my mom?" "I already know what they'll say." "We too need to talk about it, don't we?" "We have something to do with it!" "I must tell you, in the colony there's good money for those who want to work." "A friend of mine has been there a year and already has money in the bank." "You need to tell me if you feel like making some sacrifices." "We would have to leave Naples.." "Your papa." "He'll be here alone." "Poor papa." "Where are you going?" " I have to get inside." "Do you have a ticket?" " Yes!" "I have a special ticket with the signature of the president." "What president!" " What?" "Let me in, I must speak with the president." "Without the ticket, you can't enter." " Please, call the president!" "I'm a close friend of the President!" "Come on, let me in!" "I want to speak with the president!" "Miss!" "It's his daughter!" "Ask his daughter." "Now you'll see." " Miss, please, come here." "What's going on?" " They won't let me pass." "Yes, let him in." " Fine." "Unfortunately, there has entered,.." "in the minds of several,.." "a wrong notion." "There are two categories of the poor." "The poor in spirit and the poor of means." "You belong to the second category." "A privileged category because it has institutions and providers in all corners of the globe." "There are those who do charity to get credit before God, and those who do it to get credit before men." "Others.." "have a passion for charity." "A craze for charity." "There are those who gave all they had and all they had not." "Later one realizes he made a mess, but in the meantime, the generous impulse had the upper hand over his reason." "Anyway, a gentleman is always a gentleman." "And if he didn't give today, he'll give tomorrow." "Don't worry about your unique situation." "Your case is sad, but only up to a certain point." "Everyone knows that you're poor and human solidarity must provide." "But just think, how many others are poor like you, more than you.." "and they can't even say so!" "How many.." "would be happy now to sit at your table, and eat with you this warm, fragrant soup." "This white bread, just out of the oven." "But they have a dignity to protect." "And while you eat, must watch and be silent." "Be grateful, therefore, to the Committee and let us all hope that Divine Providence will come to our aid." "But warn me!" "Warn me!" "I thought it was a gunshot." "You're perspiring." "Yes.." "I have a cold sweat." "Here, 2,000 lire changed into silver." " What's that?" "What remains of the feast's pledges." "I'd say to give 20 lire to each of the poor." " Why not?" "What do you think, Marchese?" " Sounds good to me." "Where are you going?" "Why don't you go eat?" "I'm guarding the Marchese." "Go and sit down." "Then you'll get the money too." "Marchese, would you announce the distribution of the money?" "No, not that." "But you made the biggest pledge." "Precisely for that reason." "Excuse me." "Are you leaving?" " I want to get some fresh air." " Please do." "Say, young lady." "Silence!" "The large pledge of our President Marchese Fusaro who donated 7,500 lire.." " Mine!" "permits us to distribute to each of the guests a small reward of 20 lire." "My money!" "Wait your turn, one at a time!" "What turn!" "Where is the Marchese?" "Where is he?" "Miss!" "Your father disappeared." "What do you want?" " The money I gave him." " Speak lower." "What money?" "What I gave him the other day." "Which he gave to the committee." "Read." "One moment, one moment." "Ah, you are Biagio Prospera." " At your service." "I've been looking for you for an hour in all this confusion." "It's my fault, the Marchese put me in charge of giving you back the money." "The Marchese gives you 500 lire more." "Count it." "Thank you." "Miss, so sorry." "Thanks so much, Counselor." "Before tonight I'll refund the money." "To me?" " Of course." "It was the Marchese's money." " Why?" "For the paintings he sold me." "I wanted to thank the president." "What an idea!" "Not all of you can thank him!" "I must.." " I'll tell him." "Marchese!" " Your money.." "I had it." "I looked for you to thank you." "You had it?" "By whom?" "By Mr. Volterra, on your behalf." "He also gave me 500 lire for my trouble." "Marchese, administrate for me again." " No, that's it." "Did you see that if you put it into circulation, it's always earning?" "Dad!" "Your daughter." "I heard she's getting married." "Congratulations!" "I have a married daughter too, but.." "she's so far away." "Dad!" "Such is life!" "Sacrifices to raise them, then get they get married.." "they leave.." "and we remain here, with our cross." "Sir!" "You dropped two lire." "Please."