Three Coins in the Fountain Page #5

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from the moment we're born.

Personally, I think heritage

can sometimes shackle art.

Not to forget plumbing.

- Good day, Miss Williams.

- Good day.

I shall leave heretics

to their heritage.

Well, it's very nice to see you again.

Oh, I wonder... do you know

if the museum has any modern art?

Modern? In what sense?

Now you really will think

I'm a heretic, but...

I'm passionately interested

in the, uh, neo-impressionists.

- You are?

- Oh, I thought you'd be outraged.

But, yes, I'm mad about them.

As a matter of fact,

I'm a neo-impressionist myself.

There's a fine collection here.

May I show you the room?

- Well...

- This way.

Unless I miss my guess...

sending that girl in to get me

was a feminine intrigue of yours.

- Am I right?

- Whatever makes you think that?

Don't be evasive.

Dino told me

of your interference in Venice.

What are you trying to be,

Mother Goose?

- Maria is a friend of mine.

- And Dino is a friend of mine.

Let people lead their own lives.

They have absolutely nothing

in common.

You'd be surprised. Dino's fond of art,

and Maria was born in a museum.

- She was born where?

- Ask her yourself.

Her father is curator

of a museum out west.

You're right. I am surprised.

- Do you like it?

- How can you ask?

- Does it speak to you?

- Oh, yes, definitely.

Well, then, what does it tell you?

What does it say?

Well, different pictures say

different things to different people.

Yes, but the right paintings say

the right things to the right people.

Yes, and you're so right.

Well, this...

Now, this seems to have a...

a feeling of space.

Those lines that carry you off

into the distance.

Oh, infinity is... is so lonely.

Yes, it makes me want to cry.

You surprise me.

I could not have

put it better myself.

Oh, well,

you mustn't let me keep you.

I'm just going to sit here a while

and absorb it.

If I may,

I'll sit here and absorb also.

- It was such an enjoyable afternoon.

- What are you going to do now?

Now?

Well, I'm going to go inside

and sit down and just think quietly...

about all those lovely paintings.

You must think me silly

to feel so deeply about art.

Oh, not at all. One seldom meets

an American girl...

with your sensitivity,

your sense of appreciation.

It's wonderful.

Well, if that is so it's probably

because I'm half Italian.

- You are half Italian?

- Well, actually, three-quarters.

But I resemble

my Irish grandmother.

[Laughing]

Now, imagine! Three-quarters.

Mmm, well,

that's why I took this job in Rome.

I wanted to be near my own kind.

Well, thank you again

for dropping me here. I must hurry in.

Now, I shall see you again?

I don't know.

You see, I'm rather afraid of you.

- Afraid? Of me?

- Oh, not because of your reputation.

But, you see, I've discovered

you have an exciting mind.

Something that handsome men

rarely have.

The combination might be too much

for someone as responsive as I am.

Well, good-bye,

and thank you again.

[Car Door Closes]

[Engine Starts, Car Pulls Away]

You sent for me, signorina?

Yes. I'm told that the Prince Dino Dessi

often dines here.

- He is a friend of the signorina's?

- Oh, yes.

I'm giving a small dinner party for him,

and I thought you might be able to tell me...

what his favorite dish is.

Of course. He is particularly fond

of saltimbocca alla Romana.

Oh. Just a moment.

- Saltimbocca...

- Alla Romana.

Alla Romana.

And his favorite wine?

Oh... Oh, yes. Lacrima Christi.

Lacrima Christi.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Would the signorina

like to order now?

Yes. I'll have a cup of coffee,

please.

A cup of coffee.

It is his favorite opera, signorina.

This I know.

Oh, no. No, I know

that he likes, uh, Wagner.

Wagner? That is impossible!

He likes Italian opera.

I heard, myself,

him say many times...

that German music

assails the ear with its fists.

Italian caresses with its fingertips.

Well, thank you.

% % [Orchestra:
Classical]

% % [Continues]

% % [Man Singing In Italian]

% % [Continues]

Will you excuse me?

I'll join you presently.

- Yes, of course.

- Buona sera, Dino. Come stai?

- Ah, my friend. You must sit with us.

- I can only stay a moment.

I'm with the Burgoynes, and I wouldn't

want to inflict them on you.

- How do you do, Miss Williams?

- How do you do?

- I saw you at the opera. Did you enjoy it?

- Rossini is one of her favorites.

Indeed. I do wish Alvarez

were less limited in his tessitura.

- Don't you?

- Do you?

- No. No, not at all.

- I don't either.

But surely you disagree about

the various tempi of the conductor?

Why?

Now, my friend, we found no fault

with this performance.

- You cannot spoil it for us.

- Oh, I'm sure Mr. Shadwell wouldn't do that.

- L-It's just that he's a perfectionist.

- Thank you.

I know that from your books.

- Which one?

- All of them.

Well, you've certainly covered

a lot of territory.

Dino, you're in the hands

of an expert.

Good evening, Miss Williams.

Arrivederci, caro.

Ciao.

He likes you.

And I'm glad,

because he's my friend.

Now, what shall we have?

Well, I know this is mad...

but I would just love

some saltimbocca alla Romana.

Excellent! Saltimbocca alla Romana

is a favorite of mine.

Now, what would you like

to drink with it?

Do you suppose they'd have

some Lacrima Christi?

But of course!

Maria, it is astounding

how much we have in common.

[Chuckles]

Well, you're very kind.

Italians certainly have mastered

the art of gallantry.

But it's true.

It's sweet of you to say so, but you needn't

pretend that you like everything I like.

It's too tiresome for you.

But I swear it's true. I can think of nothing

on which we disagree. It's amazing.

You really are a nice person.

You try so hard to make a girl feel

that she's chosen the right thing.

Whether it's true or not

isn't important.

It's the motive that counts.

Don't you think so?

Of course. Which proves

that we agree on everything.

[Speaking Italian]

- [Responds In Italian]

- Grazie.

What's the matter?

Maria...

there is something I want.

- Well, what?

- I should like to have you meet my mother.

Well, if you like.

- Sunday.

- So soon?

I shall call for you.

% % [Classical:
Piccolo]

% % [Continues]

[Doorbell Buzzes]

[Speaks Italian]

% % [Continues]

Oh, you're early.

You play the piccolo too?

No, but I've always

wanted to learn.

If you're going to study music,

Rome is the place to do it.

- [Record Player Clicks Off]

- But I also play the piccolo!

Now, Dino, you must stop saying

that you like everything I like.

You're going to make me think

you're insincere.

But I do play the piccolo.

- You see?

- But you play like an angel.

Perhaps someday we can play duets.

I should like that.

Well, I think that we should not

keep my mother waiting.

[Speaking Italian]

[Responds In Italian]

Maria?

- Maria, this is my mother.

- How do you do?

It was good of you

to come to see me.

Thank you.

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