Splendor Page #4

from the authors' association.

Meanwhile I have to think about

at least showing Italian films.

So I'd need at least

a three-month extension.

If I remember right,

regional financing...

Yes, also credits for

small enterprises...

- Telephone, sir.

- Coming.

Play this hand for me, please.

I've had no luck today.

Couldn't be worse.

My opening... 5,000.

I'm in.

Remember, Mr. Jordan, that my

offer is always on the table.

And remember that my

answer is always the same.

- Cards?

- Three.

Three.

One.

Five.

100,000.

Pass.

It's just that I thought I heard when

you were talking to the accountant...

that you had some difficulty.

The normal ones in

the movie business.

How much did you say? 100,000?

Let's say 150,000.

Pass.

300,000.

350,000.

And another 200.

Let's say 700,000.

750,000.

1, 2, 3 and 4.

1,500,000.

You've come this far...

You've come this far...

- Go on?

- Play your game.

I'll see.

1, 2, 3...

4... 5, 6, 7 and fifty.

- Flush.

- Not quite.

Two pairs, one of jacks.

My God! Thanks!

Call me tomorrow and we'll see.

- We had a double pair.

- Thank you, thank you.

- The money is yours.

- Thank you, thank you.

- Good day.

- Good day.

Oh boy! That was something really...

Are you all right?

You were really good.

I liked it. They'll give us at

least another four months.

I was nervous. You made him

win three million liras.

Here... let me, let me.

- 3.2 million all at once.

- One and a half.

No, I saw 20, 20, and 20 the

first time, then 100 and 100...

and 100. What is it?

You're sweating.

What's wrong? Let's go.

You're standing here... put the

raincoat on, you're sweating.

- Good day, Mr. Paolo.

- Good day, Miss Chantal.

- I'm sorry if I've damaged it.

- Not at all.

- Did you like it?

- A bit heavy.

Proust heavy? Yes, perhaps.

Today, I suggest this book

about great passions.

- I'm sure you'll like Tolstoy.

- Thank you.

Will you allow me to walk you?

- How about the store?

- Who would steal a book here?

Miss Chantal, you may have noticed

me at the Splendor often...

but perhaps you don't know that

films don't interest me that much.

I guessed it because you fall asleep

as soon as the movie starts.

So you have noticed.

Miss... I'm 60 today and have

decided to confess...

that, excuse me for saying this, but

my thoughts for the last 20 years...

have all been dedicated to you.

I dare put forward

the following proposal...

if you should choose to reward

my proposal with a "oui"...

my house and my book store

would be at your disposal.

There's no need for a quick answer,

you'll have plenty of time...

there's no rush... in a year or two.

My proposal will remain firm.

Please accept, Miss Chantal,

this lighter for your birthday.

- But how...

- It's not a lighter.

it's a perfume spray.

I filled it with perfume.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Mr. Paolo.

- Mr. Jordan!

What interesting movie

are you showing today?

- "The Hunter", must be good.

- Yes.

I'll see you later, then.

- I won't miss it!

- See you.

Mr. Paolo is a really

good person.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

Hold on a moment.

Jordan, will you close up?

- I'm with someone...

- What?

- I have a date with someone.

Don't turn just now. Look,

she's at the entrance, on the left.

- Don't look!

- Should I look or not?

When I say so, but be discreet.

- Look now, quickly.

- The one with the infant.

She's a widow,

works as a teacher.

I met her at the school.

I gave her some tickets,

as she's got the kid.

She's pretty, pretty.

Pretty, pretty...

Please, not a word about us.

- About what?

- About me and her, I don't want it.

Has this thing been

on for a while?

- What thing?

- Your relationship.

It's not a relationship, this is the...

first time we have a date.

I wouldn't want to...

OK?

- Will you close up, then?

- Yes, I will.

- She gave me a kiss on the moustache.

- Let it grow, good, good.

"Let it grow" means that

I can't even clip it.

Why do you say something

just for the hell of it?

Say what I might,

there's nothing doing.

There's nothing doing...

it's a moustache, I can clip it.

- Will you close up?

- Yes, I'll close. Go.

- Good bye.

- Good bye.

Did you like the movie, Lorenzino?

No.

Soon, we'll be showing

"101 Dalmatians".

- Will you come with mama?

- No.

I get along with kids,

I like them.

Yes, I've noticed.

In fact, he likes you.

I like him too.

Shall we go have a good

pizza, Lorenzino?

Answer Mr. Luigi. Come on.

No.

- He fell asleep at the cinema.

- Poor fellow.

This year cinema turns 90 years old.

I've suggested an article on...

the ten most important

movies of all times.

- Maybe we could do it at the Splendor.

- I hope so.

I have my ten:
"Love Story",

"Gone with the Wind",

- "Love is a Many Splendored Thing".

- Where are you going?

I see, it was just an idea.

Just an idea.

When my father died, it was

not only me and my sister...

the Splendor also

became an orphan.

- Then came Miss Chantal.

- July 1960.

Yes, and the Splendor

reached its youth.

By the way. Do you have these ups

and downs in your line of business?

A book store has a more

constant business flow...

always low.

Lorenzino fell asleep. Then I walked

her home with Lorenzino fast asleep.

- We made...

- Love.

- Did you make love?

- What love?

We stayed quiet so as not

to wake Lorenzino up.

We kept it hushed...

And we stayed that way,

chatting away.

When I was leaving, she walked me

outside and when we reached the door...

- I kissed her.

- Oh!

A 21-minute kiss.

21 minutes kissing her, we almost

suffocated. I looked at the watch.

Remember the kiss between

Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman?

"Notorious".

Right, the kiss in

"Notorious", well...

delete it and substitute it with the

legendary one between Eugenia and Luigi.

- It was something...

- All right, all right.

Go to the booth,

the first half is over.

Jordan...

Jordan doesn't talk. He

never tells me anything.

I've seen a big pile of

fines in his bedroom.

From the City, the health and

fire departments...

What is it? A persecution?

Mr. Lo Fazio plays cards every

night with the Mayor...

the health inspector, the chief

of the fire department.

Fine.

But he should sell it once and for all,

at least he'll regain his health.

What kind of satisfaction do you get

nowadays from owning a movie theatre?

In the old days, yes,

my poor father was treated

like a dignitary,

he held everyone in

the palm of his hand.

To get an invitation to

the movies from him...

was a great honor,

a sign of distinction.

And at Christmas, everyone would

give and get so many presents.

I was so, so proud.

I must recognize your achievement,

masters of the cinema...

called to keep a constant watch

on the river of your inspiration...

that flows like the sources where

the Fascist spirit essence lies.

Comrade Master Gallone, I thank

you and your movie...

that celebrates a har... a her...

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