The Beast with Five Fingers

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San Stefano, ladies and gentlemen...

The public square... there will be

a 45 minute stop.

Santa Maria Narella Church...

Refreshment... at the caf.

Postcards, curios, souvenirs...

across the street.

Please remember we have to leave

in 45 minutes.

Thank you.

Waiter...

Waiter!

Are you looking for a match?

S, signore... grazie...

thank you very much.

- You desire?...

- 2 coffees and a couple of sandwiches.

- Salami

- Not salami!

I beg your pardon?

I know this place very well.

I would not recommend the salami.

But the cheese isn't bad.

Thank you... Two cheese sandwiches

and some coffee.

And as for me... a double brandy, Horatio.

Mind if I sit down

for a moment?

It's so nice to meet people

from the 'States.

You speak English very well!

Are you a native...

I mean an Italian?

No, I'm an American...

have you been in Italy long?

No, we just arrived...

from Switzerland.

- Nice little country, Switzerland.

Yes... It would not be so little

if they could only flatten it out.

That's a good one...

I'll have to write that to the boys...!

"If they could only flatten it out!"

But how could they ever...?

La signora likes Italy?

I think it's wonderful...

It's our first trip!

There are many treasures

in these little towns,

but you have to get off

the beaten path.

- They're hard to find.

- What do you mean?

I happen to be a collector.

I find things in private homes for example

that are of great value.

One can buy them for a song.

Only this morning, as it happens,

I came across cameos...

of the finest most minute

workmanship.

And absolutely authentic.

15th century, mostly.

Could I... could we see them?

I love cameos!

They're not often as beautiful as this...

I was most fortunate.

Forgive my appearance...

But that is so they do not

take me to be wealthy.

You see, I buy for lire

and sell in London and New York

for pounds and dollars.

It is not so much the money

that interests me...

It is the pleasure and difficulty

of the search.

Do let us see them!

Oh... they're lovely!

They knew how to make these things

in the old days.

Now this one is really

a museum piece.

Feel the sharpness of the relief!

The smoothness of

the mottled surfaces.

That is a portrait of Savonarola...

You've heard of Savonarola?

Oh, yes! Yes, of course.

I'm thinking of having it mounted

into a ring...

Or perhaps as a pendant

with 2 small diamonds.

Oh yes!... As a pendant!

Oh, permit me if you will...

Put it on my bill, Horatio!

Could I ask you how much

you'd have to pay for a thing like that?

I'm almost ashamed to tell you...

About... 50 lire.

That's around 10 dollars?

But these people know nothing

of values.

Would you sell it?

Of course! I'll sell it to my brokers

in London.

Oh, no...

I mean a quick turnover.

I'll give you 50 for it,

right now.

But caro signore,

that is exactly what I paid for it.

Wait a minute...

50 dollars gives you plenty of profit.

Did you say dollars?

That's what I said.

It's not the money, I assure you...

but I find it hard to bear

a lady's disappointment.

- There you are!

- Edward... you darling!

It is sometimes more important

to bring happiness into the world

than to make money.

- Thank you!

- Arrivederci!

Au revoir!

What a charming young man!

Signor Conrad!

Ovidio!... and how is

the Commissario of Police?

Oh, I'm well, very well thank you.

But Signor Conrad,

I must remind you again

that it is unlawful to sell anything here

without a licence.

- You mean the Americans?

- Yes.

But you could not call that selling.

After all, I paid 50 for it...

and received 50 for it.

Well, that is a fair exchange.

- Very fair.

But of course you are aware

of the law

that forbids the export

of authentic antiques

without a special permit.

My dear Commissario,

I am well aware of every law.

I would not dream of dealing in

"authentic antiques. "

And now if you'll forgive me,

I'm expected at the Villa Francesca.

Oh yes... I presume it is to say

goodbye to Signorina... Julia.

Julie? Is she going away?

She asked me for her exit permit

a few hours ago.

Oh, I hope I have not

given away a secret, eh?

No, not at all...

She would have told me.

- Good day.

- Good day!

Give signorina

my fondest regards.

It's Bruce Conrad, Mr Ingram.

You asked him to come up today.

Oh, yes... I remember.

Hello, Julie.

Signor Ingram... you're looking

exceptionally well today.

No Bruce... not with me.

Save that for the tourists.

But I really mean it...

You ARE looking well.

And it's reflected in your playing.

I've been listening.

You played masterfully.

Do you think so?

Now that all my strength I have left

is concentrated in these fingers...

Exactly.

The power, the tonal quality,

the prodigious technique...

You have suffered no loss,

and the world has gained another miracle.

Yes... perhaps you're right.

Julie... since you came,

I've found new life.

A new source of energy...

a strong ambition to live.

- and enjoy... - I've only tried

to take care of you, Mr Ingram.

No... you've done much more

than that.

You've brought beauty

before my eyes.

The beauty I've always loved

and always sought.

You wanted to see me, Mr Ingram.

To see you?

Oh yes, of course...

You'll have dinner with us.

I shall be delighted.

I'm expecting Duprex

my lawyer from Rome.

You must meet him.

I want Hilary to be present, too.

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