Hotel Desire

It's the hottest day in seven years. A cloudless sky, and yet it will rain.

- Mom, we have to go. - What time is it?

- Take your toothbrush out first. - What time is it?

- Nine-thirty, Mom. - What time does the bus leave?

Ten to ten. In twenty minutes.

Red.

- I'm sorry. - It's okay.

You promised me, Mom. I don't want you to get cancer.

- How do you know what cancer is? - Internet.

Oh, Luca.

Green.

- Where did I leave the key? - In the car, Mom.

- Shit. - Mom.

- What is it? -Don't use bad words.

I'm sorry.

Wait.

Luca, what am I going to do without you?

You'll be fine, Mom. It's only for two weeks.

- Promise? - Of course.

- Here you go, young man. A cap. - Thank you.

You're welcome...Luca.

- Where are you going, Luca? - To my Dad.

He'll pick me up in Paris and take me to the Coated Sewer.

- You're going to the Cote d'Azur. - To the Cote d'Azur.

- Right. Know what that means? - No.

- The azure-blue coast. - Wow.

- That's right. Let's go. - Azure blue is a very deep blue.

- Isn't that right, Mom? - Absolutely.

Luca, don't forget to catch that butterfly for me.

- I promise. - I love you.

I love you too.

- Say hello to Dad. - I will.

- Don't smoke or it will start raining. - I promise.

So Julius Pass paints portraits of people without seeing them?

Correct. He uses his sense of touch, exploring their features with his hands.

- Amazing. - And today his exhibition opens...

Cappuccino for the gentleman, fresh orange juice for the lady.

Very well. Have a good day.

- Toni, are you crazy? - I'm sorry, Felix, but I'm late.

- Can you park it for me? - Having your period?

- Please, the key's inside. - It's the last time. They'll...

Please.

Hotel Mira Mare Berlin, Ostrowski. How can I help you?

Of course, Mr Rubinstein.

- Wild boar, service please. - Caramelized mango for table 26.

- Has anyone seen Antonia yet? - No

In-Room Dining, Zylinski. How can I help you?

English breakfast for 406.

- Suse, have you seen Antonia yet? - No.

35 minutes late. Where is she?

Have you seen Antonia today?

Must be Groundhog Day.

That's why a well-managed hotel should only hire homosexuals.

Because I can't get children and use them as an excuse to mess things up.

- Marcel, I... - No, Antonia, it's enough.

After hearing me rave about my unfulfillable wish for a child...

you ought to know I can't accept this drivel. I just can't.

Okay, you're a single mother and you work at this hotel. So?

Does that keep you from getting up, bringing your son to the bus...

and showing up for work on time?

No.

Heavens, Toni.

If I had what you had, I'd work even longer and get up earlier.

I know, Marcel. That's why it makes me...

Yes, I know. That's why it makes you feel even worse. I know, I know.

Now for the last time I'll do my duty as caring gay maitre d'hotel and say:

Let's forget it.

- You're the best. - You'll be fired if it happens again.

- This is the very last time. - Thank you.

And yet you still look like seven days of rain.

I wouldn't mind a downpour to wash the dust off the streets.

Of course. Now slip out of your pitifully drab everyday clothes...

and slip on your fairy tale costume, Cinderella.

- Thank you. - Go on.

Hey, Antonia.

- My feet really hurt. - Hello, Julia.

- What's the matter with you? - Nothing, I'm fine.

- I'm just sweating, that's all. - You're sweating?

What are you talking about? What's the matter? What is it?

Antonia, come here.

What's wrong?

What happened?

I sweat, and I don't think that's sweat coming out of your eyes.

As surely as you menstruate every month, that's not sweat.

- You're crazy. - And you're smiling.

- Sweetheart, what happened? - I hate myself for it.

- It's so ridiculous. It... - I knew it was about a man.

- The moment I came in... - No.

It's not about a man. The only man...

He's not a man, he's my son.

- Luca? - Yes, Luca.

He's in France with his Dad.

- I can't believe you gave in to her. - I'm sorry.

Hello, Director. Ostrowski, from the reception.

- Really? - Yes.

I'd have been worried to death. I mean, he's only seven.

- An independent young man. - He really is very independent.

You know, for the first time in ages I can just feel that I...

I have...

What?

Since Luca's father...

Since Luca's father?

- Don't laugh at me. - I'm not laughing at you. Go on.

It's been seven years since I...