[Soft music playing] ♪ [Boots marching] ♪ [Brass band playing] ♪ [Gasps] ♪ [Taps chest] Can you hear that?

♪ Quickly, wake up!

♪ Oh!

There are Blackshirts outside.

They're always on the streets.

Darling, it's not even 7:00 in the morning.

Tranquilla, they are not coming in here.

You don't know that.

♪ [Man shouts in Italian] ♪ [Band playing stops] Antonio!

[Band playing resumes] ♪ [Dramatic music fades in] ♪ [Whispers] Cecil.

Cecil.

[Sighs] What is it?

I need to go back to my room.

No one gets up at this godforsaken hour, Nellie.

At least no one with an ounce of self-respect.

[Sighs] Zelda does.

Ah, I rest my case.

Shh.

She's only next door.

She's a very light sleeper.

Then the damage is already done.

[Chuckles] ♪ Come back to bed.

She'll report back to Father, and he'll tell Mother that I'm a whore.

That's precisely what you are.

Cecil!

Oh.

[Chuckles] A perfect, perfect little whore.

There's nothing wrong with that.

[Nellie giggles] [Both chuckle] Bella: Get up!

What are you doing?

[Giggles] I'm getting dressed.

No, no, no.

You can't go.

[Indistinct] Ha ha ha!

Bella, wait.

Amore, I have to.

No.

Mm, mm.

No, no.

I have to go.

When will I see you again?

Well, you may never see me again if anyone finds out about us.

Ah, impossibile.

[Speaks Italian] Oh, my shoes.

My shoes, my shoes.

Yes, but... Ha ha ha!

[Chuckles] I have to go.

Mm.

♪ Mm.

[Door opens] [Blows a kiss] [Theme music playing] ♪ [Church bell tolling] [Marching, chanting] ♪ [Distant dog barking] ♪ [Crow caws] ♪ [Vehicle approaching] ♪ [Brakes squeak] You're up very early.

As are you.

Well, we have the parade later, and it needs to be perfect.

Well, I shall do my utmost to stay out of its way.

What about you, Signora Ainsworth?

Who brings you to town at this hour?

This is a day of memorial for my family, so, perhaps even you might respect that.

♪ [Car starts] [Tires crunch on gravel] ♪ [Seagulls crying] ♪ Constance.

How did you know it was Rose's birthday?

Mrs. Mays-Smith must have said something to Lottie.

She told me.

Yes.

She'd be 25 today.

Hmm.

I'm just glad there's someone else remembering her.

♪ It'll be a hard day for Lucian... wherever he is.

You haven't heard from him then, Ma'am?

Oh, not since he boarded the ship in Aden, unless you count a two-word telegram that he sent me from Bombay: "Arrived safely."

That was 4 months ago.

[Footsteps retreating] ♪ [Quiet chatter] Morning, morning.

Did we sleep well?

Hardly at all.

Oh, dear.

What with the insects and the rattling and groaning of the pipes, I must have been awake half the night.

I'm glad that's all you heard rattling and groaning.

I'm going to get my guidebook.

We should meet in reception... Nellie.

I won't be late.

[Scoffs] Grief.

Martinet she is.

I wish it was you who was coming with me, and not Cousin Zelda.

Well, I wish it was me, too.

You know I'd much rather spend the day with my Nellikins... [3 kisses] than tend to this miserable business with my wife.

Do you mean that, Cee-Cee?

'Course I do.

I just can't... put it off any longer.

[Sighs] Come here.

Zelda says the trick to an unpleasant task is to treat it like a bandage.

Pull it off in one go.

[Chair scrapes] [Sighs] Keep at it, Salvatore.

Good job.

[Carpet-beating continues] Mother?

Oh, Constance, make sure you put those on the drawing room trolley.

'Course, ma'am.

Mother?

Bella: Up here!

Ah.

And then we cover everything else with dust sheets, and we don't have to clean in here again until next spring.

Oh, are you trying to compensate for the lack of men in our lives by starting to dress like one?

You should get a pair.

Ooh, I would rather run naked down the Via Roma.

They're practical, comfy, and stylish.

Stylish?

Yes.

Bella: According to the book I'm reading, dresses are just yet another way to restrict women.

Well, I'm just glad the season's over, and there are no guests to see you make a spectacle of yourself.

There are two more guests arriving today, in case you've forgotten.

Aunt Amelia and Grandpa Livesey don't exactly count as guests.

Even though we're closed, I still want the hotel to look its very best for them.

It's not how the hotel looks you should be worried about.

Oh, Mrs. Hoffman left her hatbox.

Ah.

Um...Paola?

♪ ♪ Oh, please tell me that's the last of it, Connie, love.

Me hands are like prunes.

I have never known it to be so busy.

This last week of the season's felt like a month.

We should be asking for a pay rise.

Couldn't quite believe it when the Hoffmans left this morning.

I thought they'd be joining us for Christmas.

Germans at the Hotel Portofino.

Good job our Billy isn't here.

At least we don't have to worry about where the next lot are coming from.

Oh, good Lord, no.

George Livesey, he's as English as roast beef.

Said you used to work for him?

Yes, after his wife died.

Mrs. Ainsworth--uh, Miss Isabella, as she was called then.

You know her sister, then, Mrs. Jackson?

What's she like?

They're like chalk and cheese.

She's got a tongue like a whip, that one.

Then they aren't close.

Not so I've noticed.

Did they fall out for a reason?

Ah, you know, just family stuff, love.

Least said, soonest mended.

Ooh!

Oh!

Ha ha ha!

[Chuckles] Salvatore.

Ooh!

Ha ha ha!

Give over, give over.

Connie doesn't want to see us pecking away at each other like a couple of love birds.

Not until the wedding.

[Thwack] Oh.

Ha ha ha!

Constance: You know you don't need to mind yourself with him around me.

[Chuckles] I'm just made up to see you looking so happy.

Bit funny to think I'll be sharing me bed with a man again after so long.

Heh heh!

Paola: Ciao.

Oh, hello, you two.

You ready for school?

Constance: Come on, then.

Let's be having ya.

Come here.

Oh!

You ready?

Paola: Sì.

Bye, Betty.

Betty: Bye-bye love.

[Chuckles] [Footsteps retreat] [Overlapping chatter] Paola: They look happy together, no?

Constance: Very happy.

I don't know what I'd have done after me mum died if Mrs. Ainsworth hadn't said I could bring him here.

[Blackshirts speaking Italian] Children.

[Marching band playing, boots marching] ♪ [Woman whoops] Constance: Why don't you give me those?

You don't want those.

Those are nasty flags.

[Flags clatter on pavement] [Band music continues] ♪ [Applause and cheering] ♪ [Person whistling] ♪ Stop!

♪ Constance: Just stick by me because you don't know where you're going.

That's good.

Tommy, stay closer, all right?

[Bicycle bell rings] Paola!

[Gasps] Ha ha ha!

Constance, this is Vito, Bruno's friend.

Will you come?

Uh, no, I've-- I've already got a date with-- with these two.

Sì.

[Bicycle bell rings] Ciao.

Paola: Ciao.

♪ [Knock on door] Yes, come in.

[Door opens] Betty asked me to bring this for you, Ma'am.

Oh, l-lovely, if you just put it on the side.

Thank you.

♪ All this stuff, ma'am, that you've made yourself.

It's like Aladdin's cave in here.

Well, there's not much magic involved.

It's...more about hard work and some simple distillation.

Well, the guests certainly think they have magical properties, judging by the number of empty bottles we find.

That's very nice to hear, but if you'll, um, if you'll excuse me.

Oh, yes.

Didn't mean to interrupt.

[Car horn honks] Oh, no.

That must be Mr. Livesey and Mrs. Jackson.

They're an hour early.

Heavens.

Um... [Blows] If you wouldn't mind, just, um... Of course.

Thank you so much.

I... [Footsteps retreat] ♪ [Car departing] Cecil?

[Scoffs] Good Lord.

What are you wearing?

What on earth are you doing here?

I've come to wash the windows.

What do you think I'm doing here?

But you can't just breeze in without so much as a by your leave.

Can't I?

I'm sorry.

I don't think I was alerted to that particular by-law.

We had agreed to communicate in writing if either one of us needed to see the other.

Well, I can't be bothered with all that malarkey.

Well, I have people coming.

Christ, Bella, listen to yourself.

I shouldn't need an appointment to see my wife and daughter.

Uh, actually, you-- Daddy!

Cecil: Hello, poppet!

Ha ha ha!

You look pretty as a picture.

Aren't you going to invite him inside?

How are you doing?

Cecil: Very well.

Thank you for asking.

Betty: No good will come of him being back here.

You mark my words.

Constance: He is her husband, Betty.

Look, that's as may be, but we haven't seen hide nor hair of him for two years.

Things have never been so happy and peaceful.

No one's been happy, Betty, after what happened with Rose.

Mrs. Ainsworth's been happier, if you ask me.

Don't you agree, Paola, love?

Huh?

And if she's happy, I'm happy.

Constance: But you don't know what--what goes on in private between two people.

People can barely give each other the time of day and still be passionately in love.

Oh.

Ha ha ha!

And what would you know about being passionately in love, madam?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Bella: My guests will be arriving very shortly.

Cecil: What about my tea?

I really do need you to leave, now.

Oh, I see.

No room at the inn for poor old me?

You haven't even got any luggage.

Keep your hair on.

We're staying along the coast.

Ah, so you're not traveling alone?

Uh...no, with a friend.

A woman, you mean?

Yes, as a matter of fact.

We may as well be honest with one another, wouldn't you agree?

Then you're staying at The Geniale.

How very imaginative of you.

Our honeymoon was 30 years ago, and you're not likely to go back there with me any time soon, given the state of our marriage.

What precisely is the state of our marriage?

[Running footsteps] Alice: Mother.

They're here.

[Footsteps retreating] I need you to vanish.

Who's here?

[Footsteps retreat] Papa.

heh!

Oh, goodness, Amelia.

You're--you're early.

I wasn't expecting you until 1:00.

Urgh, I couldn't sleep in that last hotel.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Amelia.

He's been up and ready since 6:00.

Oh, really?

Porter: Sì, Signora.

I'll sort it.

Oh, thank you, darling.

Hello.

Bella: Grandpapa is in Epsom and Aunt Amelia in Aintree.

Have you been gardening, sweetheart?

Oh, gosh.

No, no, no.

Oh, Papa, these are all the rage with women nowadays.

You should know that, owning a textile factory.

Don't worry, Papa.

We'll stick to skirts and shawls for now.

Cecil: I always said Bella wears the trousers in our relationship.

Ah, my favorite son-in-law.

Cecil: Ha ha ha!

Amelia.

[Kiss] His only son-in-law, Cecil.

Heh!

You didn't mention you'd be here.

Well, I didn't know that I would.

Bella: Why didn't you say that you'd seen Papa?

I didn't get the chance, did I?

George: We bumped into each other in London.

Outside the Ritz, as luck would have it.

Yes, had a jolly nice lunch.

George: Yeah, very nice it was, too.

Cecil: Only 'cause I picked up the tab.

[George and Cecil chuckle] George: So... this is the marvelous hotel I've heard so much about.

I can't wait to show you about, Papa.

I can't believe that we've been open for 3 years and we've only just got around to getting you out here.

Especially seeing as it's Papa's money that's paid for it.

Constance: "The naughty fox steals the hen."

Hmm?

Tonight, yes?

No, Paola, I don't think I can.

Elizabetta, can you tell her?

Betty: Tell her what, me darlin'?

She must come with me and Bruno because Bruno has a friend.

Oh?

Of course she must.

No, I have to look after this one.

Nonsense.

Me and Salvatore will take care of the little treasure.

What do you think, Tommy?

Mm-mm.

Come on.

Do you want one of Aunty Betty's biscuits?

Ho ho ho ho!

If you're sure.

Betty: Sure, I'm sure.

You go out and enjoy yourself.

You're only young once.

Which one's your favorite?

You're welcome.

♪ [Sighs] [Seagulls crying] [Distant, indistinct chatter] George: And they're half-naked!

Ha ha ha ha!

[Cecil speaking indistinctly] It's--it's a little cooler down on the terrace, if you--if you like.

They're talking about the stock market.

I'd rather roast, frankly.

Ha ha!

Well, at least your room will be nice and cool.

Positively frigid, I imagine.

They always seem to be in these old piles.

You know, I was trying to remember the last time that we saw each other.

The day after Ralph's funeral, 10th of September, 1923.

Goodness, that's... How incredibly insensitive of me.

I--I'm so, so sorry, Amelia.

I-- Don't be.

Six years is a long time.

♪ But you... you--you look well.

And you look...older, even a little worn down, if I'm being honest.

We--we had a...terribly busy summer.

I was sort of run off my feet.

Running a hotel must be hell.

[Seagulls crying, waves lapping] I should have written.

I'm not much one for letters.

Well, I should have visited, then, when I came to England after the ghastly... business with Rose.

I-- No need to make a thing of it.

This place takes priority over everything else.

That's abundantly clear.

♪ Anyway, I suspect Papa will be keen to see rather a lot more of you now you're a viscount's wife.

Bella, chuckling: Oh, gosh, not that, please.

It's all he can drone on about.

Really?

♪ How is everything at home?

Well... Halifax is the deepest pit in the underworld.

And what about the business?

I'm not allowed to talk to you about that.

Why ever not?

Alice: Aunt Amelia.

♪ He says he's going to speak to you himself.

[Footsteps retreating] ♪ Alice: Oh, this is such a treat.

Amelia: Good grief, darling.

A treat?

To have you here, to talk to you.

A treat is a glass of champagne, not a gossip with an elderly widowed aunt.

You are hardly elderly.

In that outfit, you look younger than I do.

Frankly, that's not saying much.

What happened to that feisty, devil-may-care young woman who spent that glorious summer with me in Paris?

She got dowdy and...drab.

And provincial.

You're losing your best years in this fusty backwater.

Alice, chuckling: Don't let Mother hear you call it that.

Seriously, darling, aren't there any dishy men around here who might be worth making an effort for?

There was one.

Name and vital statistics, please.

Carlo.

So, where's Carlo?

Well, it took me a while to work out that I liked him.

But when you did?

Oh, I let him know, of course.

And he didn't reciprocate?

Quite the opposite.

Then what happened?

Poor Rose happened.

Oh.

We got caught up in the aftermath of that to-ing and fro-ing from London.

He said he would come visit the summer before last, but then there was a death in his family.

A brother-in-law, I think.

How tiresome.

Then he wrote to say he would come at the end of the season, but by that time, I'd committed to taking Lottie back to see Alfred's parents, so... And since then?

[Glass shatters] Cecil: Oh, oh, oh, oh... George: Oh, no.

Cecil: Oh, George, George... George: Oh, dear.

It just slipped through my fingers.

No, no.

Amelia: Are you all right?

Cecil: No, no need to apologize.

[Chuckling] Little bit of broken glass.

Amelia: How about a lie down, Papa?

Bella: That's a good idea.

Perhaps some water.

Darling, please mind your fingers.

Don't pick that-- Thank you, poppet.

[Laughs] Come on, Papa.

I'm tickled pink to be thanking Viscount and Viscountess Heddon for their hospitality.

Hmm.

I only hope that I haven't disgraced myself, eh?

Cecil: Oh, no, no, no.

George: And that I might get an invitation to Knaresbrook, when Isabella finally comes home to take her place.

You'll be first on our list, George.

George: Thank you, Cecil.

♪ Take care, old boy.

George: Don't fuss.

I'm perfectly fine.

Ha ha!

Ah... What?

♪ [Sighs] [Footsteps ascend] What now?

What on earth are you playing at?

What do you mean?

I have no intention of coming back to England and even less of styling myself as Viscountess Heddon.

I know that.

That's why I've come to ask you for a divorce.

[Breathing shakily] ♪ [Sighs] ♪ It's over.

You said it yourself.

And I meant it.

Then what's your objection?

I didn't say I object.

The idea of no longer being married to you, of--of not having to put up with your nonsense is, quite frankly, appealing.

But?

But it's not as simple as, "So long, it's been fun, good-bye."

There are things to think about.

Money, you mean?

Well, my father, the children.

Your father's a man of the world.

And there's the hotel.

It's all just detail, Bella.

Well, that's easy for you to say when you've never paid the slightest bit of attention to it.

[Sighs] If you're worried what people will think, you shouldn't be.

A woman always has to worry about what people think.

But divorce is commonplace these days.

Well, it might be amongst your aristocratic chums, but not anyone else.

Look, they passed an act of parliament.

Not in Italy, they didn't.

Ugh.

Can you imagine the mischief Danioni would make?

He's looking for any pretext in which to shut down the hotel.

I thought you had Albani take care of all that for you.

Yeah, well, he's been gone the last two summers.

Now, look, look, look, look, look, look.

I'm going to Florence for a week, which means you've time to have a mull.

My lawyer's drawn up an agreement.

I'll have it sent over.

See what you think once you've given it a read.

You're not going anywhere.

What?

My father's delighted to have you here.

How would I explain your absence?

[Sighs] Right, so, you should go and get your bags and tell your lady friend the bad news.

♪ [Seagulls crying] ♪ [Paola speaking Italian] [Paola and Bruno continue conversing in Italian] ♪ Ahem.

[Paola and Bruno continue conversing in Italian] ♪ [Paola giggling] ♪ Ah.

♪ In Italy, we say, um, "reggere il moccolo."

Oh, um, we say "playing the gooseberry."

♪ Constance: You didn't say you spoke English so well.

Vito: You didn't ask.

Go on, then.

Where did you learn it?

In school.

I didn't realize they taught it here.

Well, they teach chemistry, and the best textbooks are in English, so... but Paola says you speak Italian.

[Laughs] Like a 3-year-old, maybe.

No.

She says you are clever.

I like that.

♪ Hmm.

[Seagulls crying] ♪ Bella: I was sorry to hear about Edmund.

I was genuinely fond of your brother.

Well...he was genuinely fond of you.

too.

Said I was a damned fool for ever spending so much as a night apart from you.

[Bella sighs] So... this woman you're traveling with, are you going to marry her?

[Chuckles] That's part of the plan, yes.

She's called Nellie, if you must know.

Eleanor Gibson-White.

She's the daughter of my stockbroker.

Ah...so she's rich.

I wouldn't marry her if she wasn't.

♪ [Car door opens and closes] ♪ [Both chuckle awkwardly] I don't get to practice my English very often.

Oh, well, I'm glad you you got something out of this evening, then.

Perhaps we can do it again, if I promise to let you speak Italian like a 3-year-old?

[Laughs] On...Saturday, perhaps, after lunch?

I'm sorry.

I don't think I can ask Mrs. Ainsworth for any more time off.

All right.

I'm--I'm sorry to hear that.

Bye, ciao.

Bye.

Paolo: Ciao.

♪ What did you say that for?

Because...

I'm your friend and Vito is clever and handsome, and one day, he'll be rich, too.

Women here, they would die for him to look at them, but he looks at you.

[Squeals] ♪ [Paola shouts happily] ♪ Cecil, sighing: Nellikins, don't be like that.

Don't you Nellikins me, you weasel.

I told you this wouldn't be straightforward.

And I told you that Nellie must always come first.

[Scoffs] It's a week, and you have your cousin.

You promised to take me to Florence, Cecil.

You absolutely promised.

I promised...that my little Venus would get to see the birth of her namesake at the Uffizi, and you will.

With Zelda.

[Sighs] Look... what say I come with you to Florence tomorrow, help you get settled in at the pensione, then scoot back up here and take care of business, hmm?

What I know about art could be written on the back of a cigarette packet.

[Chuckles] Look, Zelda will be in her element, bossing you about, quoting from the guidebook without me huffing and tutting, asking when lunch is every 5 minutes.

[Chuckles] I'll rejoin you in Rome, I promise, by which time, everything will be sorted.

[Whispers] I think you should do penance.

I'm sorry?

Get down on your knees and beg my forgiveness.

[Sighs] And call me Lady Heddon while you're down there.

Oh, ho ho.

I don't kneel to anyone.

Hmm.

And I certainly don't do penance... [Chuckles] but I will make it up to you.

[Squeals, laughs] [Both chuckling] ♪ [Church bell tolling] [Seagulls crying] [Distant horse whinnies] [Car approaching] ♪ Buongiorno.

♪ Antonio.

[Indistinct chatter] ♪ ♪ [Distant shouting and chatter] [Distant dog barking] ♪ [Doorbell rings] [Knocks on door] What are you doing here?

I have something to tell you.

Yesterday morning, you said you couldn't risk being seen here.

I know.

No one followed me.

I checked.

This is important.

Tell me.

Cecil's come back.

At the hotel?

Yes.

He just turned up out of the blue.

But you'd agreed he'd write first.

I know, but he's a law unto himself.

And... what does he want?

He's asking for a divorce.

That's... wonderful news-- But is it?

Marco: You--you don't think so?

Bella: I think it could just be a host of problems for me and for the hotel.

[Gasps] Bella: Oh!

[Indistinct] Hey!

♪ ♪ Hey!

[Shouts in Italian] [Distant church bell tolling] ♪ [Inaudible chatter] ♪ ♪ [Laughs] ♪ [Crickets chirping] ♪ [Footsteps approach, knock on door] Yes?

Oh, good.

You're still up.

What's that?

Heh heh!

It's just a photograph.

It's Amelia and I when we were young.

Is this your mother?

Yes.

It's your grandmother.

Why'd you try to hide it?

Did you want something, darling?

Yes, well... [Sighs] I was wondering if Daddy had said anything about what he's doing back.

Ah, well, that--that's a little bit complicated.

I--I don't like the sound of that.

Mother?

Your father... h-has come to a-- well--well, no, no.

Y-your father has suggested that it might be a good idea if--if we were to get a divorce.

♪ A divorce?

Yes, a divorce, but, Alice, darling... Oh.

this can hardly come as a surprise; I mean, we're virtually separated as it is.

Yes, but I thought that you were going to try.

P-people do get divorced now.

Nobody I know gets divorces.

I haven't said yes.

And if you do?

Well, that's a long way off.

We don't need to worry about that.

Oh.

[Sighs] There is going to be a terrible scandal.

Darling, the hotel can't afford a scandal.

Mother, I can't afford a scandal!

Of--of course.

Uh-- [Sighs] of course you can't.

[Footsteps retreating] ♪ [Sighs] [Birds singing] Bella: What about that... funny little trattoria, the one behind the beach at the Paraggi, for lunch?

Alice: Uh, the one that served us those spidery squid things.

Bella: Mm, calamari.

I think your grandfather might like it.

Well, I hate to break up your little party, but I have to go into Genoa, I'm afraid.

That's a shame.

Well, I'd invite you to come with me, George, but it'll be a dreary business.

I'm, um, I'm speaking with my stockbroker.

George: Oh, I don't mind.

Oh, sorry, old chap.

It's a private matter.

Bella: Well, you could always use the hotel phone.

Cecil: To New York?

It'll take half a day to make the connection.

You have investments over there?

Have some business in Detroit, yes.

It makes sense to put my money to work on that side of the pond.

Isn't it a bit high-risk?

Cecil: High-risk?

[Scoffs] Please.

The New York Stock Market Index has risen fivefold in the last decade.

We're laughing all the way to the bank.

Have you invested, too, Papa?

I'm having a little dabble, yes.

[Chuckles] Alice: Daddy, could I come with you to Genoa?

Fine by me, poppet.

Perhaps Aunt Amelia would care to join me?

I would love to take shameless advantage of your fashion sense whilst you're here, buy some new clothes.

Be as shameless as you like.

I'd better bring my checkbook.

We might even buy some trousers.

[Alice and Cecil chuckling] [Fabrizio Cesare's "Bel Gaston" playing] [Le Cocche Trio singing in Italian] ♪ Hideous.

[Singing continues] No.

♪ Ah!

Now we're getting somewhere.

You don't think it makes me look...too available?

Frankly, darling, the more available the better.

[Song ends] [Woman giggling and chatting] [Man speaks indistinctly] [Woman chuckling] Carlo.

♪ Alice.

♪ Uh--heh!--what are you doing here?

The same as you, it would appear.

♪ Uh, you look so... And you look just the same as always.

It's been so long.

Yes, I know.

I... should have written.

♪ Oh, may I introduce you?

The Contessa di Mazzi, Mrs. Mays-Smith and...?

Amelia Jackson.

Pleasure.

Uh, yes, um, Amelia, this is Count Carlo Albani, uh, Mother's business partner and-- and a favorite guest of the hotel... or at least he used to be.

♪ Oh, s-sì.

Uh, we are late for a lunch party.

I'm sorry.

My mother will be most sad to have not seen you.

And I... not to have seen her.

♪ You're right.

Carlo is dishy.

A-and...seems I'm not the only one that thinks so.

Ah, Geoffrey, old boy.

Hello, Cecil.

Can't stop.

Important phone call.

Good morning.

Morning.

Morning, morning.

[Telephone rings] Hello?

Randall, is that you?

Last time I checked.

How's Italy?

Oh, you know-- sunny, full of Italians.

New York?

Not so sunny, full of Italians.

[Chuckles] Nellie with you?

Uh, no.

No, I've sent her on ahead to Florence.

Zelda's riding shotgun.

Ha!

Heaven help the locals.

Uh, look, I, um...

I may as well get straight to the point.

I need you to sell off a hundred thousand pounds worth of stock for me.

Is that a problem?

No problem.

I'd just advise against it is all, for the time being.

Oh, yes?

And why is that?

Because the market is...up and down, like a two-dollar whore.

[Sighs] Look, I don't have much choice, Randall.

I need that money for my divorce.

Your wife said yes?

[Door opens] She's--she's moving that way, yes.

Do you have what I asked for?

[Sighs] I'm working on it.

♪ [Distant seagulls crying] ♪ [Distant bird caws] Oh, ah.

Oh, I must have dropped off.

Papa, why don't you lie down properly in your bed if you're tired?

Oh, don't make a fuss, sweetheart.

I'm quite happy.

I'll shout if anything changes.

All right.

Papa?

I do hope you know what you're doing, investing with Cecil.

♪ And what business is that of yours?

None.

It's just... well, he doesn't have the best track record with money.

Do I look like I need advice?

Well, perhaps you do if you're relying on him to look after your mon-- Don't you go sticking your nose in!

♪ Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, sweetheart.

Forgive me.

But, look, I've done all right for myself up to now.

Of course you have, yes.

And you, who's never had to worry your pretty little head about these things, and a titled lady now, to boot.

I'll let you be, Father.

♪ Isabella.

[Door closes] [Crickets chirping] ♪ [Door opens] ♪ Knock, knock.

Oh, oh, Cecil, I'm--I'm working.

Well, I...I brought you a present.

It's, um... it's from the Geniale.

Go on, open it.

[Chuckles] They still sell it.

Oh.

After all these years.

[Sighs] What do you want?

Um... w-well, I was wondering if you'd given any thought to this, um... signed affidavit I'll need from you, uh, the one we talked about.

Not really.

I--I-- I don't even know what it should contain.

Well, an admission of adultery, by you, with a named party on a given date.

Jenkins was very specific about that.

You've discussed this with your lawyer?

Of course, I have.

Without telling me first?

Oh, good God, Bella, grow up.

Are you telling me you haven't?

Haven't what?

[Scoffs] Good grief.

Committed adultery.

Are you telling me you haven't?

[Sighs] Look, I'm sorry, all right?

But apparently, the court won't accept anything less.

Cecil, why on earth should it be me?

Because Nellie's father won't allow her to marry a named adulterer, and without his consent, there's no payola for either of us!

But if I am publicly shamed, that will ruin my reputation, and then no one will come and stay in the hotel.

Don't be ridiculous.

You'll be well-insulated from any scandal over here in Italy.

Not from Danioni, I won't be.

God's sake, Bella, I am offering you a hundred thousand pounds.

You can buy a new reputation and a new hotel for that!

Cecil, after everything you have done to me...

Me?!

Yes.

You think I should take the blame?

Uh, frankly, yes, I do!

[Glass shatters] [Breathing heavily] ♪ Get out.

♪ [Sniffles, sighs] ♪ Come with me, please.

I'm sorry.

Come with you where?

♪ Heh heh!

I don't think so.

♪ [Sighs] [Car engine starts] ♪ Signor Ainsworth.

What an unexpected pleasure.

It's neither a pleasure nor unexpected, and you will address me as Lord Heddon.

Would His Lordship like a cigar?

It's Cuban.

It's a good one.

[Scoffs] I don't care if it's rolled on the thighs of the Virgin Mary.

I won't take anything from you.

What happened to Farrino?

Let's say...his time here came to an end.

Ah.

[Scoffs] Leaving you as the, uh... capo dei capi, eh?

The West Side Gang's plenipotentiary in Italy and the Papal states?

Their humble representative, yes.

Right.

And, uh, the old duce?

He's happy with that, is he?

Well, I remain the localist party secretary.

Ah.

So...why did you send your gorillas to drag me here, Danioni?

What choice did I have?

You don't answer the telephone.

This is not the way friends should behave.

We're business associates, not friends, remember?

If you have anything to say to me, it should be communicated through my solicitor.

Wait a moment.

I don't think you'll want your solicitor to see this.

♪ Where did you get these?

[Chuckles] I wish to propose a different split of the profits from our whiskey business.

[Scoffs, chuckles] In favor of your employers in Detroit?

No.

In favor of myself.

[Cecil scoffs] You're getting very full of yourself.

No fuller than you.

♪ How much?

♪ Andrea.

You'll invite me to the English hotel so we can finalize the details, huh?

[Sets down photo] No, no, no.

You can keep it.

I got more.

Heh heh!

Keep it.

♪ [Chuckles] ♪ ♪ [Zoom lens buzzing]