Lady Hester:
The Germans and the Italians couldn't get rid of us. There is absolutely no reason why we should surrender to the Scots.
Lady Hester:
Americans just simply don't understand picnics!
[
first lines]
Title Card:
Florence 1935.
Title Card:
The love affair between the artistically-inclined English community and Florence was soon to be overshadowed by the clouds of war.
Title Card:
But at the moment the sun is still shining on the squares and statues, and the dictator Mussolini is the gentleman who makes the trains run on time.
Connie Raynor:
Excuse me, are you the Consul?
British Consul:
Yes.
Connie Raynor:
Connie Raynor of the Morning Post. I'm fascinated to know what His Majesty's Consul in Florence makes of it all?
British Consul:
I can't believe your readers would be interested in our little ceremony.
Connie Raynor:
Oh, they are. Since Mussolini, we can't get enough of Italy.
British Consul:
We live in an age of great dictators.
Lady Hester:
Arabella, you might love art, but art certainly doesn't respond to your affections.
Lady Hester:
Do look. Oh, look! Look at that ridiculous American monstrosity they've given the child. What do they call them? Knickerbocker glories. Oh! It's amazing. They can even vulgarize ice cream.
Giulia Meyer:
I'm Giulia Meyer, a friend of Mrs. Morganthall.
Lady Hester:
Oh, dear. I'm so sorry.
Georgie Rockwell:
Hester, Hester, come on, chin up.
Lady Hester:
That's typically American. Keep out of trouble and tell other people to keep their chins up.
Georgie Rockwell:
Come on, you never know. I may be joining you sooner than you think.
Lady Hester:
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
Georgie Rockwell:
Better let ME tell you about the girls!
Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan:
Why are you helping me? You always hated me.
Lady Hester:
Because we're creatures from two different worlds, you and I. Because I have despised you. And you have laughed at me and the Scorpioni. And because in spite of all that, you've been very kind to us and kept it a secret. And because we've both been very foolish women. We've both trusted men who've turned out to be bastards.
Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan:
Vittorio.
Lady Hester:
And Mussolini.
[
during Elsa's escape]
Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan:
Are you trying to get rid of me?
Lady Hester:
Absolutely.
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