"MID-CENTURY OVES" " Best wishes. grandma !" " The same to you." " Best wishes. commander." " Best wishes. sir." "Best wishes to you and your family." " Best wishes to your wife." " Best wishes for the new century !" "One minute to go." "Best wishes !" "HURRAH FORTHE NEW CENTURY" " Happy New Year, Mario !" " Happy New Year, darling !" "I have great news:" "our quintet will play concerts throughout Europe." "You've signed up ?" " You're leaving ?" " darling..." "The months will drag. but when I come back I'II no Ionger be an unknown." " I can ask foryour hand." " When do you leave ?" "Tomorrow ?" "No. in a few days time." "So we can still see each other, as usual..." " At the skating rink ?" " Of course." " Mario..." " would you Iike me to stay ?" "No... you're doing the right thing." "This trip is very important to us." "darling." "I brought you a music box." " When you listen to it..." " I'II think of you." "It's daunting to say:" "the 20th Century." "It's makes us feel old." "What do you mean. ma'am ?" "We're getting a new lease of Iife !" "What do you predict for the new century, colonel ?" "The return of cold steel." "my dear SaveIIi." "Doctor, do you think electricity hurts the eyes ?" "In ten years we'II all be blind." "Reverend. isn't the Church going to take a stance on this modernism ?" ""Fiat lux". and there was light." "I think electricity represents a levelling out of social classes." "Perhaps that's why I'm so fond of candles." "Massimo." "Friends..." "ladies and gentlemen." "allow me one last toast." "Besides the new century and our prosperity." "I'd Iike to drink to the happiness of my daughter, elena." "A rosy future awaits her at the side of a man who'II make her happy." "My sister, MatiIde. and I are delighted to announce" "elena's engagement to Count Edoardo SaveIIi." "congratulations." "Don't go round too many times." "you're no Ionger a child." "You're Count SaveIIi's fiancée." "Yes." "My love..." " Not anymore." " What do you mean ?" "My father promised me to Count SaveIIi." " And you break it to me like this ?" " No. what are you doing ?" "My aunt's here..." " EIena." "I..." " I feel dreadful..." "We must do something !" "Whatever you want." " Leave with me !" " PIease. don't ask me twice !" "Leave with me !" "Are you ready ?" " We'II have to forego the game." " Why ?" "Go to your daughter's room !" " Aren't you getting on ?" " Are you crazy ?" " If she doesn't come. neither do I." " How can 4 people be a quintet ?" "Listen." "I'm sure... she got cold feet at the Iast minute." "Mario. where are you going ?" "Do you recognise me ?" "I'm her aunt." "Countess. where's EIena ?" "Her father found out." "elena impIores you to go." "The train's leaving !" "You must go." "elena wants you too." "believe me." "I'm on your side." "An engagement isn't a marriage." "I'II help you achieve your desires." "Are you staying behind ?" "Ma'am..." "Come on !" "Go." "When you return you'II be a famous pianist and everything will be much easier." "Write to her." "elena will live fory our letters." "Thank you." "Isn't Count SaveIIi worthy of your love ?" "I have nothing to reproach myself for." "He's been a frequent guest here for years." "I never noticed you had a particular aversion towards him." "well ?" "Speak to me !" "I beg you. father." "Must I consider the possibility that there's another man ?" "please." "leave me alone." " I'm very worried." " It'II all be forgotten in a month." "We decided her future without considering her feelings." "Perhaps we were wrong." "MatiIde." "times change." "Yes. but Count SaveIIi's money and title don't." "Judging by her actions." "money isn't that important to her." "If your daughter were to know that we're ruined and that our name could be dragged through the mud..." "please !" "I don't want her know." "I won't increase her suffering." "Don't worry." "I always know what to do." "I saw him leaving." "I spoke with him." "How did you recognise him ?" "I have sharp eyes." "He didn't escape my attention at the skating rink." " What did you say to him ?" " That I'II help you to be happy." "You said that ?" "It's not possible." "You'II be convinced when you receive his first letter." "My love. your first letter made me so happy." "I kept it under my pillow allnight and now..." "My one and only love." "I received your letter." "Our tour is a great success." "but my only desire is to be with you." "Aunt !" "Nothing today either ?" "It's been a month." "He's an artist. my dear." "You must understand." "Trips. receptions. concerts." "new acquaintances..." " I write to him every day." " Perhaps he didn't get your letters." "I wrote to his old address in Vienna." " I'II post it today." " Thank you. aunt." "I'm not leaving forAmerica." "I'm going back to italy." "We can't back out." "it's been in all the papers !" "You announced it." "you can do as you please." "You want to ruin your career and ours..." "Over a girl who doesn't write." " girl ?" " A woman. sir !" "A woman !" "Excuse me." "Mario." "how can we tour without you ?" "With another pianist..." "You'II find one easily." "After a successful European tour, the italian quintet has been engaged for a Iong tour ofAmerica." "It's always been the way." "my dear." "Be strong." "Artists have never hesitated to choose fame over love." " Good morning." "Count." " Countess." "You may go." "Count. didn't you wish to bring the wedding forward ?" "We all shared that wish." "only EIena was against it." "talk to her, I think she may have changed her mind." "You look IoveIy. young countess." "He'II be so happy when he sees you." "What's wrong ?" "Do you feel ill ?" "No. she's overcome !" "Hurry." "Now I understand why you came to the station." "I was crazy to believe you." "Young man." "I know you're suffering at the moment." "But it's fate." "Behind every great artist." "there is always a lost love." "CALL TO ARMS FOR THOSE BORN IN 1899" " What does it say ?" " Don't know." "You don't come to evening school." "blast you !" "TaII. strapping and illiterate !" "Let me through. at Ieast !" "It says that all men born in 1899 are called to arms and must report to headquarters in AquiIa in two days." "The municipality will pay travel expenses. is that clear ?" "If any o fthose leaving want to write wills." "letters or anything." "they can come and see me." " Ignoramuses !" " Teacher ?" " There's one missing." " One of what ?" "Years." "I was born in 1900." "The war will be over before they call you up." "unless they plan to conscript babies." "But what if they do ?" "I'm not bothered about myself..." "it's CarmeIa." "Ah." "CarmeIa !" "I'II be sorry if I marry her and go to war." "But I'II be sorrier if I don't marry her and don't go to war." "You'II end up regretting it whether you marry her or not !" "Goodbye, lads !" "Come back soon !" "Wait !" "Just a minute !" "Link arms." "SmiIe. it's a celebration !" "hold it here, look at me !" "This way: one." "two. three: done." "Antonio..." "Can you hear that noise ?" "tell me what it is !" "Heavens. what is it ?" "Let's go see !" "Here. put this on." "Up there." "What is it ?" "Good Lord !" " God. is it the end of the world ?" " It's the German zeppelin." "I wonder where it's going to bomb." "Maybe Rome or naples." "Once there was just the stars." "moon and sun in the sky... and. so they say. heaven." "No there's the zeppelin too." " Antonio..." " CarmeIa !" "Teacher, you scared her !" "She may have been scared..." "But if you think you had nothing to do with it..." "congratulations." "CarmeIa !" "congratulations." "Pina." "Get the baby things out." "What are you fools doing here ?" "CarmeIa..." " A kid !" " Aren't you happy." "Antonio ?" "Mom. this is enough for two babies !" "I don't how much stuff there is." "You had it when you were born." "Now your baby will have it." "it'II always be yours." "They wet themselves often and you must change them." "Thanks. mom:" "I grew up happy and my child will too !" "What's going on ?" "It'II be RaffaeIe with the mail." "Goodbye mom. thanks !" "Bye. grandma." "Goodbye !" " RaffaeIe. what happened ?" " A disaster !" "Don't push me." "or I won't hold back." "Get it off your chest !" "The socialists wanted the defeat." "That's not true." "socialists have died in battle !" "Stop it !" "The Austrians could be in Venice by now and you're arguing." "As mayor, I order you to stop." " What happened ?" " Our poor sons !" "Where's Caporetto ?" "In FriuIi." "between Isonzo and TagIiamento." "It's Antonio's turn now too." "They've called up those born in 1900." "Antonio !" "They've called you up !" "They've called up those born in 1900." "My God... you scared me." "Don't pay attention to what's in the papers." " I'II send you the real news." " AII right." "And don't do too much." " The kid needs an easy birth." " Don't worry." " Think about me." " You too." " Goes without saying." " For me too." "Look." "It says:" ""Remember your dearwife."" "The teacher told me what to put." "but I wrote it." "We'II keep this flag... to unfurl in the sunshine when you come back." "And you. keep the colours of this flag in your hearts." "The green stands for this fields made fruitful by your work." "The red stands for the cheeks of your loved ones." "your sisters and your mothers." "The white stands for the hope of your return on a day that will be a victorious one." "This hope sustains your arms and renders your hearts sacred." "My God bless your spring." "We're old... and we'II stay behind to wait for you: good luck !" " Goodbye !" " Teacher !" "Remember the letters !" "You don't come to night school." "but you all start giving orders when war breaks out !" "AII right." "I'II take care of it." "Goodbye." "One. two. about turn !" "Wake up !" "Stomachs in !" "Company. halt !" "About turn !" "Here's RaffaeIe with the mail !" "What manners !" "One at a time !" "If I have 4 nuts and give 2 to Pippo." "how many do I have left ?" "Excuse me. sir." "It's from Antonio." "will you read it ?" "What if it contains things unsuitable for innocent ears ?" "PIease. read it to me." ""My dear wife." "I'm in the barracks and we train all day long." "How are you ?" "Our baby..." "How's our baby doing ?" Be quiet !" ""I learnt to shoot with a 91 and I can hit the bull's eye." "I hope the war ends soon." "A corporal who's studied is writing this letter for me and says that the Germans have stopped by River Piave."" "Quiet !" ""Maybe they'II send us there when we've got our uniforms." "because they still haven't arrived yet."" ""The teacher is writing." "but my heart is in this letter." "Our baby is doing well and even moves." "If the enemy has stopped." "maybe you won't go to the front."" ""The uniforms have finally arrived." "This is me in full uniform." "We leave for the front right after Easter." "Don't run after the postman and don't work in the fields." "Our baby's more important than the harvest." "They read us a speech by a certain D'Annunzio." "He said some good stuff." "but it wasn't very clear." "A tender kiss." "your husband Antonio."" " I'm going to Antonio at Easter." " Are you mad ?" "I'm going." "You'II be at the station at 9:30." "Find a carriage with women." "Sit near to a woman." "You'II be in town by 10:00 tomorrow." "Don't listen to anyone. ask a police officer where the barracks are." "AII right." "I'd better hurry." "Goodbye mom." " Hurry. it's late." " Have a good trip." "Regards to Antonio !" "Don't you realise this isn't a boys' school ?" "You can say goodbye at the station." "Now move aIong. please !" " What's up ?" " I'm soldier Mittiga's wife." "Who ?" "The son of Gennaro Mittiga and carolina Liguori." "Born 1900. company C." " well ?" " I came a Iong way." "Go and call this Mittiga." "You come with me." "Get away from here !" "After Donasi. wait there." " I see you're well." " You too." "I brought you some stuff from the village." " Did you make it ?" " No. mom won't let me tire myself." " And the kid ?" " Fine." "There's a heartbeat." "Want to feel it ?" "Listen. it's beating." "Can you feel it ?" "When you go to the front." "watch out for the zeppelin." "Mom !" "Go to bed." "Doctor !" ""The third army has established a bridgehead over the Piave."" "They're advancing." "This could be it." "God willing." "It looked like those scoundrels would reach Rome." " Looked like it." "Listen..." " Doctor, come on !" "Bayonets !" "That's a male voice !" "Cheers !" "The war's over !" "The war with Austria-Hungary has been won !" "Laugh !" "Laugh. daddy's coming home !" "Daddy's coming home !" "Daddy's coming home !" "Don't crymom, if we march on Your son's not scared of anyone" " HeIIo. uncle." " AIberto. be careful." " What about a jacket ?" " No way !" " Poor thing. marching to Rome." " We despise the cushy life !" " Did you put on your woolly vest ?" " No." "I've got my chest protector !" "Here. it's my Iife savings." "Don't squander it !" "Poor boy !" "Hurrah for Rome !" "AIberto. you're really leaving ?" "Don't do it." "glory calls me." "I must go to Rome." "I'm a poet of the future." "it's the chance of a lifetime." " But me... have you forgotten ?" " What ?" "Your moonlight promise." "I won't forget it." "but it's time to make my escape." "Let down your hair, Mary MagdaIen." "Antiquated schmaItz." "Death to the moonlight !" "Our unit." "To Rome !" "Life starts tomorrow !" "Stop. a black cat !" "Bad luck !" "This could turn nasty !" "Give me the phone !" "HeIIo. headquarters." "An unexpected obstacle." "Awaiting orders." "AII right !" "Let's change direction !" "CouIdn't they have marched on Rome earlier ?" "Rome's so beautiful !" "Good evening. come in..." "Get up girls !" "moonlight here too !" "That's enough !" "Death to the moonlight !" "Music !" "Brave warrior, you scared me." "I don't want to scare the ladies." "I want to exhaust them with my passion." "That's why I came to Rome." "Pinch me." "Pinch me." "I'm doing it to myself too." " This is Nirvana. heaven." " Heaven is intense rapture." "well then..." "fly !" "What is it ?" " InsatiabIe !" "You're a real man !" " What is it ?" " Am I hurting you ?" " No. no." "I Iike it !" "Wear me out !" "Don't worry." "my heart is a tall ship sinking into the depths ofy our eyes." "What's your name ?" "Arise. my warrior." "Yvonne." "Yvonne !" "Your name poisons every night and enchants every dawn." "But I'm afraid... of your virginity." " How old are you. dear ?" " 22." " Everything on 22." " 34 black even. 30. 35." "Another one like that and best wishes." " Good evening. commander." " Who is it ?" "Waiter, champagne !" "How many times must I tell you ?" "The bill must be settled." "You have to bother me now ?" "Don't worry." "I'II pay." "For the sake of orderliness." "sign this bill of exchange." "I'II sign whatever you want." "Now scram. vampire !" " She's my SaIomé !" " Yes. maestro. a perfect SaIomé." "I'II render your beauty immortal:" "you'II be my SaIomé in the cinematic masterpiece I'm mounting." "If I may:" "I'm Fosco D'Agata." "Writer and metteur en scène." "Susanna ?" "What do you want ?" "I don't know you." " What do you mean." "Susanna ?" " Who's Susanna ?" " No one." " really ?" "A smaII-town girl." "A shellfish on the inert seabed of the middle class." "But you are spotted panther, a bengal tiger." "She wears woolly stockings. right ?" "She has pigtails and gIasses. right ?" " How do you know ?" " Don't they all ?" "Forget about her." "Let's leave her to darn stockings and brood like a hen." " Was she your fiancée ?" " No !" " Your lover then." " Yes. she was." " Then I Ieft and..." " And you don't want to marry her." "Never." "Marriage is the grave of love." "I'm a Ione eagle." "a condor of the cordillera." "How can a hen be an eagle's companion ?" "But a woman like you could be the object of my love." "I'II kneel in worship !" "Like Fernando. the page." "like Tristran." "like..." "Like who ?" "Like the young Werther." "Antiquated schmaItz !" "Maestro." "I'II be your SaIomé." "Susanna !" " please." "I must go in." "It's urgent." " You can't." "please let me in. go on !" " A Chinese man !" " Here I am." "I'm Chinese !" "Don't you recognise me ?" "I'm Chinese." "I always play Chinese here." "Let me in." " A dwarf !" " I'm the dwarf !" "Mind the dwarf. he's got to go in." "Let me through !" " A fat man !" " Yes." "I'm the fat man !" "What a fatso !" "I just can't slim !" "Let me in. please." " A Christian martyr !" " I'm a Christian martyr !" "That's me." "I've done it often." "Let me in. please." "A female dancer !" " I'm chaperoning my sister." " No need for chaperones." "Where's the prophet ?" "I've been waiting an hour." "FinaIIy. here's the prophet." "Susanna. it's me." "You call him a prophet ?" "You always cast the same types." "I do a good prophet." "Shut up !" "The head talks when the miracle occurs." "You have to grab it by the hair." "Dance with it." "torment it like I explained." "AII right ?" "You'II see." "it'II be a perfect scene." "really heartfelt." "Perfect. say what you want but be merciless and lascivious." "Go on." "Get down on your knees." "ReIax. you're a severed head." "Your body will be hidden by an optical effect." "Cue the violin !" "Action !" "So I'm a shellfish ?" "A brooding hen." "Let me explain." "Marriage is the grave of love." "right ?" "The hat pin. pierce his tongue." "You. poke out your tongue !" "I was even your lover !" "alberto !" "Susanna. here I am !" "Don't worry." "they've got to come to the shelter." "See ?" "They're coming." " Good morning." "Can I help you ?" " You again ?" "Beat it !" "We were lucky." "If they hadn't come." "I'd have had to sling the octopus." " Why ?" " Look at it !" " Why are they so late ?" " Must have had stuff to do." "Yes. they had to buy cigarettes." "Octopus. octopus portions !" "Come here." "They're bringing the covers." "Go and call FiIomena." "we'II handle the rest !" "Any aIcohoI. ma'am ?" "Leave this to us." "Any tincture of iodine ?" " mineral water ?" " Who'II pay for it ?" " PIease. ma'am." " Vinegar ?" " For salad ?" " You even crack jokes." " What do you have ?" " A handkerchief." "please give to us." "A drop of coIogne. please." "I'II take care of it. give it to me." "Is the emergency room up and running ?" "Let's go." "Let us through !" "alcohol please." " What's that ?" " alcohol." " It stings. right ?" " No." "It stings but it'II soon wear off." "you'II see." " Does it sting ?" " No." " How come it doesn't sting ?" " It must sting a bit." " WeII. does it sting ?" " No. it tingles." " How do you feeI. miss ?" " Fine. thanks." " Want some dry bagels ?" " I'II make some mussel chowder." "Here's the coffee pot." "I just made a fresh brew." " There's even coffee !" " We've got milk too !" "Nothing's missing." "Want some ?" "Pour the ladies some coffee." "We left our purses behind." "we don't have any money." " I'II take care of it." " Have what you Iike." " Coffee." " Mocha." "It's our speciality." "it's really good." "Have some crispbreads and dry bagels." "Gennaro. keep everything." " What's the total amount ?" " 5 crispbreads cost 10 Iiras." "10 for the dry bagels makes it 20." " And 10 for the coffee: 30." " 30 Iiras in all." "A special price for pals." " Got a sore throat ?" " No. thanks." " May I ?" " Why so many ?" "You never know..." "Just look out yourself." " Anyway. 30 Iiras." " I've got 10 Iiras." " That's for the crispbreads." " That's for the coffee !" "That's for the dry bagels." " Who'II pay me ?" " He's right." " Who'II pay him ?" " What's to be done ?" "I can give you a small medal my mother gave me." " A small medal ?" " It's silver." " I'II come back for it tomorrow." " AII right." "Forget it." "what if we're not here tomorrow ?" "Keep it and pay us during the next raid." "Or after the war." " Look after yourself." " Thanks." " What about my money ?" " You're so mean." "I'II pay you." "I'II pay you !" "RaffaeIe. give him 10 Iiras." " What ?" " I said give him 10 Iiras." " Here." " I paid you." " With my money ?" " Want 5 Iiras from my share ?" " I'II give you discount octopus." " I got a good deal !" "Octopus !" "Our "operatic customer" is here !" "You have a nice costume today." "but you'd have scared all the kiddies yesterday !" " I was Amonasro. from Aida." " You looked weird !" " Too right !" " How long will this go on ?" "There'II be more bombings." "This damp shelter will make me lose my voice." "My wife forgot my Iozenges." " I forgot them in the rush." " What I wouldn't pay for a lozenge." " 10 Iiras." " For a lozenge ?" " It's too much !" " It's the going rate !" "And what's 10 Iiras compared to a voice like his ?" "We can even..." "PasquaIe." "let's reckon up." "This is my money." " You owe me 5 Iiras." " I'II give you discount dry bagels." " Who eats them ?" " Dry bagels !" "CarIa. come here." " Why don't you stay with me ?" " He was so kind to us." " We mustn't talk to anyone." " He's a kid." "Do what you want !" " Scared ?" " No. just worried." "I've seen plenty of air raids." "I'm on convalescent leave ." "I was a driver at a sicilian airport for four months." " Raids every day." " Were you injured ?" "No." " But you're on convalescent leave." " Right." " well ?" " I was ill: two months in hospital." "I was in bad shape." " How long are you on leave for ?" " 15 days." "What's your name ?" "carla." "carla." "Miss carla." "I Iove you." " And what's your name ?" " Renato." "carla..." "darling." "So you'd save me too..." " When will I see you again ?" " Let's go !" "Go ahead." "I'II catch you up !" " AII right." " I'II escort you. miss." "Leave me in peace !" "When ?" " The next air raid." " I want a real appointment." "I got here an hour late and was scared I wouldn't see you." "I need to see you again." "I have so much to tell you." "When ?" "Tomorrow morning." "I go out shopping at 10:00." "Where ?" "The corner of Vico Mezzo Cannone." " At 10:00 ?" " Yes." " At 10:00." " Don't let me down." "What a night..." "The moon. the sea..." "Tonight I feel..." "like I'm living for you." "Excuse me." "carla." "Again." "Come on." "See. it's your destiny to always be with me." "AIways. understand ?" " always ?" " Yes. don't you want to ?" "tell me." " Yes." " always ?" " always." " darling !" "What a nuisance !" "God..." "My God..." "What have we done ?" " Wake up Cocò !" " Cocò ?" "Yes." "Cocò !" " Who's Cocò ?" " You are !" " I'm Cocò !" " Yes. wait I'II get you the salts." " I'm Cocò." " well done." "Ninì... you're an angel." "This has never happened before." "maybe I ate too much." "The champagne !" "With the electoral campaign." "I didn't take the spa waters." " Drink. don't worry." " Thank you." "If I were you." "I'd get a check up." "Weak puIse. glazed expression." "pale face and general atony." "Dear sir, you're exhausted." "Can't anything be done ?" "That new cure... with the electric belt." "it's getting good press." "The stuff of charlatans." "it's ineffectual." "Ten drops of tonic." "three times a day." "But the real cure would be total rest. is that clear ?" "Yes. but at my age opportunity seldom knocks twice. is that clear ?" "Yes. but at our age we can't stop at every station." "We're like express trains:" "we just stop at the main ones." "Understand ?" "But I've got to speed up." "Do you catch my drift ?" "A stop with my wife and several with Ninì." " WeII. if that's what you want." " It was. until the other day..." "The coal's run out." "you have to forego a station." "Not Ninì. she made life worth living again." "Your wife then ?" "We're men of the worId. after 15 years your wife's like bread... necessary. indispensable." "but always the same flavour !" "I know. man shall not live by bread alone." "My wife's still young. so if I..." "do you catch my drift ?" "We're faced with the classic cheater's dilemma." " Sorry." " You rubbed salt in the wound." "I don't know how I can..." "The yearly honours are about to be announced." "So what ?" "The Home Secretary and I are..." "like that." " Ify ou talk to my wife..." " What could I tell her ?" "I've got an idea... ifyou help me." "in a few days... a small cross..." "slow puIse. pale face and glazed expression." "But I feel fine !" "I know. but the sick don't always notice the symptoms... but the eye of a doctor sees the fire under the ashes." "Doctor, is it serious ?" "Sorry. sir, but since it's a delicate matter," "I'd Iike to talk to your wife alone." "Of course." "I know it's for our own good." "Listen to the doctor's advice. dear, and you'II see that..." "See you later." "You can't say it doesn't suit me can you. dear ?" "No darIing. they should have ranked you higher already." "They will." "shall we go out to celebrate ?" "MicheIangeIo." "you should have said earlier." "I have a meeting for the charity concert." "Another time darIing. sorry." " I was counting on it." " Doctor, a lady just arrived." "will you see her ?" "Yes. show her in." "Oh weII. another time." "hello." "It's a delicate matter, doctor." "You prescribed complete rest." "But you don't know GabrieIe..." " No. who is he ?" " He's..." " Ifyou catch my drift." " Something to go with your bread." "Yes. so to speak." "He means everything to me." "he's young and passionate." "He's made life worth living again." "I can't give him up." "I'm appealing to the doctor, not my husband's friend." "I understood." "You'd Iike me to convince GabrieIe that he should raise the white flag..." " Isn't that so ?" " You're wonderful !" "And not as appreciated as you should be." " You flatter me." " I'II speak to my father about you." "You know he's Minister for Education." "don't you ?" "How could I not ?" "He assigns the professorships... at universities..." " isabella." " GabrieIe." "GabrieIe. are you ill ?" "Yes. dear, you're ill !" "You look dreadfully pale !" " Your eyes are yellow." " yellow ?" "Yes. dear." "I'II find you a doctor." " But no. dear." "please." "isabella." " Lie down." "You need a doctor !" "My hat !" "Doctor !" "A doctor !" "Quick !" "A doctor !" " I need a doctor." " Where will we find one ?" " That gentleman must be one." " I certainly am." "How may I help ?" "Come with me." "a gentleman feels ill." " yellow ?" " GabrieIe. here's the doctor !" " Your head aches ?" " Yes. you made me knock it !" " Don't move. relax." " I'm fine." " That's for the doctor to say." " Anyway." "let's see." "Weak pulse." "glazed expression and general atony." " Hear that ?" " No. dear." "Is it serious ?" "If the lady would be so kind." "I'II talk more freely." " Of course." " Where are you going ?" "I'm fine !" "Thank you. ma'am !" "You appear to be exhausted." " I'm fit as a fiddle !" " The worst cases won't admit it." "It's not critical." "but it's serious enough." "Yours is an advanced form of exhaustion." " See ?" " Do something." "Cure me !" " I've heard talk of phosphates !" " The stuff of charlatans !" "Rather... more effective would be total abstinence." "Understand ?" " But I don't drink !" " No. you must have complete rest." "Rest !" "Do you understand ?" " Doctor !" " The doctor knows me. good morning." " You must help me." " You are..." "I'm the gentleman... remember ?" "I'm much better." "But..." "The other night I was in civilian dress to avoid a scandal." "Do you catch my drift ?" " I'm in a terrible mess !" " Let's not exaggerate !" "Rest from the battles of love could help your military battles." "I have a brilliant career, you can't curtail it !" "well." "I'm not the Chief of Staff !" " No. but adelaide is !" " adelaide is the Chief..." " WeII. her husband is." " Wasn't the lady called IsabeIIa ?" "No. she's the MP's wife." "Do you catch my drift ?" " I'm afraid I do..." " You're very clever, doctor." "Science needs men like you." "the army needs men like me." "We must collaborate." "You help me." "I'II help you." "adelaide can do a Iot." "if you catch my drift..." "What luck." "I found a doctor !" "Come in !" "Look. her eyes are yellow !" "Yes. it's true." " pulse..." " Weak !" " Yes. weak and the expression..." " glazed !" " Yes. it's glazed." " Maybe a bit of rest is called for." "A bit of rest." "You see doctor, I have a friend." "if you catch my drift." "Of course. ma'am." "I catch it perfectly !" "Now." "I'II leave you alone." "ExceIIency. you're exhausted." "A rest is called for." "Do you understand ?" "Doctor, I don't know if you catch my drift..." "Do you understand ?" "Do you understand ?" "Do you understand ?" "well." "ExceIIency." "do you understand me ?" "Yes." "I understand..." "But. you see doctor, I have other commitments." "Ifyou catch my drift..." "I need your help tonight." "at Café Ricardotti." "if you catch my drift." "Where are you going ?" " Upstairs." "I'm expected." " By whom ?" "I don't have to tell you." "I'm Prof. Corari. a doctor." "We don't need a doctor here." "Did they call you ?" "No. but they could need me." "actually." "look..." "What's wrong. dear ?" "Your trembling all over !" "You're breathless !" " If you kiss me like that !" " DarIing. but you..." "Listen to your heart." "Heavens. how it's beating !" "This is a heart murmur." "You need a doctor !" "I'II go and find one." "A doctor, quickly !" " I'II be needed. you'II see." " well." "let me tell you..." "A doctor, quickly !" "Professor, we need you !" "See." "I was right." "I told you." "What a jinx !" "Come in. doctor." "Ma'am." "You ?" "You ?" "Her ?" "Him ?"