The Bride Wore Red Page #5

Her first letter in ten days.

I'd give my one good eye

to know from whom.

Your first letter, signorina.

I wondered why there were none.

Surely a man like you

must have more important things

to wonder about.

Well, are we ready

for breakfast? I'm starved.

But aren't you

going to read your letter?

Oh, never on an empty stomach.

- It might be important.

- From Armalia?

Oh, it's probably

full of gossip.

Please, do read it, Anne.

What does he have to say?

- Oh, get it over with.

- 'Yes, please do.'

'Anything interesting?'

'Oh, just the usual

Armalia gossip.'

As much of it as he thinks

I ought to know.

He hopes I'm enjoying Turin

and, uh..

Oh, and he wishes to be

remembered to all of you.

And here's a special regards

to you, Rudi

and to the contessa.

How nice, particularly as I've

met Count Armalia exactly twice

and we detest each other

with a glowing hatred.

He couldn't possibly.

Not after

all the wonderful things

I've written to him about you.

Thank you, my dear.

I, uh, think it's my turn

to ask.

- What about breakfast?

- Breakfast.

That's the only intelligent

remark I've heard today.

Come on.

- Coming, Anne?

- In a minute.

Is anything the matter?

Can I help?

No, please go along.

I'll..

I'll be there in a little while.

Come on, Rudi.

'Signorina.'

I couldn't knock, you see.

What do you want?

- Can I help you?

- Help me?

What makes you think

I need help?

Your letter made you

very unhappy.

You didn't wish to discuss it

with your friends

and I thought,

perhaps with someone like me..

You see, very often,

it helps to talk.

Is it part of your duty

to discuss

every letter you deliver?

This has nothing whatever to do

with my duty, signorina.

I have no right even to be here.

'Exactly.'

It was a letter from my very

good friend, Count Armalia.

It was a very amusing letter.

I've read it over and over.

Ten days ago, when you rode from

the station in my donkey cart

you were pleasant and kind.

I thought you were the most

gracious lady I'd ever met.

That night,

as you sat on the terrace..

...I thought I'd never again

see anything so beautiful.

- You're being impertinent.

- Please.

I've talked with you since

every day

and never once

have you been even as pleasant

as the first time.

I seem to...disturb you.

Servants never disturb me.

I'm not a servant,

and you don't treat me

as you would a servant.

Your attitude is--

I'm not aware of any attitude

toward you.

- But I am, signorina--

- Then keep it to yourself.

Take it along to your picnics

under the stars. I've got to go.

I don't go

to the picnics anymore.

Get out of my way.

Ever since that first night..

...I'm not hungry anymore.

My cousins worry about me.

At night,

I stay alone in my house.

My house is small,

but it sits high on the hill.

I have everything there

I'll ever need.

A cow, a garden,

and some chickens.

Even my telegraph station's

there.

It's my private world

on top of this one we all share.

Can you see the lake

in the early morning?

Like a shiny green dress

with little sparkles on it.

- And the valley too?

- And beyond.

The hills behind it.

You'd like my house, signorina.

No. No, postman,

I would not like it.

I'm used to so much more.

'Anni? Anni?'

Where are you?

Oh, forgive me, signorina.

I, I thought I..

I thought I.. I was looking

for Anni, the chambermaid.

- Is she crazy?

- She must be.

There's no chambermaid

named Anni.

I see.

Thank you for all

your information, postman.

Oh, not at all, signorina.

If you'd wanted to,

you could have left at any time.

The arbor's open at both ends.

You idiot!

They're waiting breakfast

for you.

How did I know I'd find you

messing around with the postman?

Oh, you've got

such a beautiful, clean mind.

My dearie, I know

you must have been

discussing

your stamp collection.

After all

that wonderful work on Rudi Pal

she takes up with a dolt

that rides in a donkey cart.

I haven't taken up with him.

He doesn't mean that to me.

Maybe he's teaching you

the telegraph code.

And don't you worry

about Rudi Pal.

- That's gonna be alright.

- It better be soon.

You've got less than a week.

I may need more time.

I may stay on a little longer.

'How? You've got no money.'

If I've got to stay,

I'll stay somehow.

He's got a beautiful yacht

anchored at Trieste, Maria.

You know, I wouldn't mind

sailing past the waterfront

on my yacht...

on my honeymoon.

- Good morning, Alberto.

- Good morning, signorina.

- Feeling better?

- Much better, thank you.

- Nothing serious, I hope.

- Unfortunately not.

The usual, signorina?

Yes, Alberto.

The usual, please.

We were just talking

about the festa, Anne.

Maddelena's in an uproar

about her costume.

It's a wonderful affair,

all the peasants from miles

around will be there,

and we dress just like them.

Even father wears

his Tyrolean outfit.

I-it's great for my gout.

And everyone drinks

too much new wine

and makes too much love

to the wrong people.

It's the most romantic night

of the year.

What a pity

you're leaving just before it.

Anne, darling,

you can't miss the festa.

Oh, it does sound like fun

and I've an important engagement

in Trieste

but if you'd all like me

to stay..

...I think it can be arranged.

Well, it's certainly

simple and modest enough.

Maybe a little bit too much so.

That ought to make it more

attractive, don't you think?

Oh, no, signorina.

That would spoil the dress.

I suppose

none of your peasant girls

ever wear

their dresses like this.

Oh, some of them do.

Oh!

Well, I want mine that way too.

As you wish, signorina.

The dress will be ready

in two days.

'Oh, that's fine.'

Uh, will the signorina

let me have

the usual 100liras

in advance now?

'Just put the whole bill

on my account.'

But I'm not from the hotel.

My work

has always been separate.

There's always a first time

for everything.

- Isn't there, huh?

- Well, uh--

Yes, you will have the dress

on time now, won't you?

- Yes.

- That's very nice.

Thank you so much.

- Phew.

- Anni.

- What's up?

- Plenty. Everything.

You better get out of here

quick, that's all.

What are you talking about?

You know that maid

of the contessa's?

The one that's always

pumping me about you

wants to know why all your

clothes are new and all that?

Yeah, well, what about her?

Well, I was talking

to her a little while ago

and she let drop that yesterday

the contessa sent a telegram

to Count..

What's his name?

- Armalia?

- That's right.

Saying how much she liked you

but what a mystery you are

and would he please tell her

who you are

and where you come from?

Oh, dear.

Now what, Signorina Viv--

Oh, shut up

and let me think for a minute.

Thinking got you into this.

Get out some other way.

And how are you going to think

your hotel bill into being paid?

Your two weeks are more than up,

you know.

And the dressmaker?

Think about her bill.

'Will you stop screaming

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