Hotel Portofino

Well, if it isn't young Billy Scanlon.

Good morning, Mr Ainsworth.

I... I heard a rumour you was home.

And have you been keeping your nose clean?

Spotless, Sir.

Good man.

Though I shan't be taking your word for it.

Have you seen my wife?

Uh, most likely in the office, Sir.

Or maybe in the kitchen.

Good to have you back, Mr Ainsworth.

Dirt was bad.

But now this?

Basta! Less noise, capiche?

And this... this...

'Scuze, Signora.

What's he saying? What's he saying?

He say you strong like Italian woman.

Oh-ho, yes, yes.

I am. And don't you forget it.

Now, just go away.

Some things don't change around here.

For your information, I'm on holiday.

From your wife, I'm led to believe.

Look...

this marriage business,

I grant you it's never straightforward.

You know, it can take months, years even,

for a chap and his girl to work out.

You know, work out how best to rub along.

By living apart, you mean?

I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

I'll pretend I didn't say it.

My, my, we are sharp today.

We'll cut ourselves if we're not careful.

Have you seen your mother today?

She was on the terrace last time I looked.

Oh, um, nice to see you again.

Not you as well.

Did you sleep any better, Mr Chancellor?

Yes, very.

I'm so pleased to hear it.

- And you, Miss Chancellor? - Oh, very well thank you.

Yes. Quite well...

Will you excuse me?

- Good morning. - Morning, Bella.

Blast it to hell, woman!

Albani.

Ainsworth.

Please, won't you join me?

Oh.

Don't mind if I do.

So...

what an unexpected pleasure to see you back in Portofino.

At last.

A warm welcome

from someone who may possibly even mean it.

Oh, are these ours?

Yes. Well, they belong to the hotel.

Great. I suppose that means that I can borrow one.

Ah, well they're meant for the guests, Luce.

No one's using this one.

Alright. If you have a good use for it, I suppose you can.

Well, I thought I might take one up into the mountains.

Do some sketching for that painting.

Oh, that would be marvellous.

Hello. Buon giorno.

Grazie.

- Here you are. - Oh, there's a telegram for you.

Ooh, that'll be from Nish.

Any news?

Uh, he is not coming.

Not coming, oh, darling, I'm so sorry.

That's disappointing.

It's alright. A bit of a long shot, anyway.

Oh well, on the bright side,

that's even more time for painting.

Quite.

There you are.

You're still angry with me?

No.

What is it then?

I keep thinking about the driver,

Giaconelli's driver.

What about him?

He'll be killed, won't he?

Perhaps.

Perhaps?

Yes, of course. Most likely he will die.

Is that what you want me to say?

And you see no problem with that?

He's a fascist collaborator.

But also a son, maybe a father, a husband, a brother.

There's no other option.

But to fight violence with violence?

Hatred with hatred?

Yes!

It is fatal to hesitate!

And to think about a humanity for they see no humanity in us.

It is hard for you, I know.

You're full of tenderness, compassion.

Yes.

It is why I love you.

Perhaps you should go back to Portofino.

At least until this is over.

You could stop for lunch

and then continue on to San Giorgio.

It's definitely worth a visit.

Please, do take that with you.

Have a wonderful day.

Thank you.

Fancy.

What a strange choice for the foyer.

Indeed, I mean, even she looks embarrassed.

Hmm, you are funny, Jane.

Who is the dog?

That is Bubbles, Mrs Ainsworth.

Didn't they tell you they were bringing a dog?

They certainly did not.

Yeah, they picked him up in France.

There's another thing.

Um, they're not happy with the room, Mrs Ainsworth.

They were expecting a sea view.

Oh.

Also, Ma'am, um, apparently they're veterinarians.

What's that got to do with anything?

You know, Ma'am, they... they don't eat meat.

Vegetarians?

Good morning.

Oh, poor Betty. She swears by good steak.

Shall I go and warn her, Ma'am?

Yes, you better, Billy.

Do you think this might all be some kind of elaborate test,

Mrs Ainsworth?

Yes.

That had occurred to me.

And they might be the inspectors.

They chose the paintings.

Constance, I think you're right.

What are we going do?

Don't fret, Ma'am. We'll manage.

Are you happy here, Bubbles?

You look like you could do with some refreshment.

You are always so considerate.

Thank you.

Looks like it's coming on.

You have made a decision about the building work?

No, no, I haven't quite.

Well, I will carry on until you tell me otherwise.

I hear you have a new arrival at the hotel.

Yes. My husband.

You were expecting him?

No, not really.

He has been away for some time.

Nine months.

That is a long time to be apart.

Of course, it's none of my business.

I said that I co-owned the hotel.

Yet you have barely spoken of him.

Oh, just as you've barely spoken of your wife.

I told you, Helena has been dead 11 years.

It is all so long ago.

Nonetheless, I'm still curious to hear about her,

and why you never remarried.

I'm not that much of a prize.

I find that very hard to believe.

My family and I,

we have nailed our colours to the wrong mast.

We are of the wrong political persuasion.

Or perhaps the right one.

Mot if you want to carry on

running an architect's practice in Milan.

Or find clients in your hometown

who aren't crazy English ladies with big ideas,

but little knowledge of Italian politics.

So, you too have fallen foul of Signor Danioni?

Nothing has ever been said,

but my order books speak for itself.

Yes. I'm sorry.

Oop.

I shall let you carry on.

Thank you.

It's Mr and Mrs Briggs, if you ask me.

She's the cousin of an earl.

So, even toffs need to make a living.

Uh, what about Colonel Hammond?

Maybe he looks more the type.

I'm telling you, it's the Dodsworth sisters.

My money's on that Mr Bertram.

Oh no, no, Mrs Ainsworth said he's a poet.

And, and snooty.

You can hardly imagine him

turning his hand to travel guides.

Hmm, and what about his mother?

Oh, she does nothing but eat and sleep.

It won't be much of a review.

Ah, I hear San Giorgio was a success?

It was lovely.

I'm so pleased. Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.