The Shoes of the Fisherman Page #3

Twenty years, and God has

given him back to us.

- Sit down, sit down.

- Thank you, Holiness.

- You are well, strong?

- I am very well, Holiness.

- You had a good journey?

- Very good.

You were properly received here?

Your rooms are comfortable?

Oh, I'm treated like a prince.

As, indeed, you are.

Now we announce it.

Our brother Kiril is

created cardinal priest...

in the title of St. Athanasius.

Your Holiness...

...I beg you to dispense

me from this honor.

You do not know me.

You cannot know what the

years have done to me.

But why? It is the highest

honor we can bestow.

You have served the faith. Defended it.

I do not wish to dispute authority.

But I can be of no use to you here.

That is for us to decide.

In any future dealings with the

Kremlin, you may be invaluable.

We have arranged for you to work

here in our Secretariat of State.

Excellency, you must take

your place with us now.

I beg, Your Holiness...

...to give me a simple mission

where I can be with simple men.

I think we need to be private

a while with Brother Kiril.

There is a legend about you that once

you were asked to deny the faith.

And they tied up seven

priests and shot them.

Shot them before your eyes.

And still you would not deny the faith.

Is that story true?

I try not to look back on

that or other days, Holiness.

God is with you, my brother.

I believe that God has sent you.

Trust us to make the best use of you.

But first, you must still be honored.

Kneel.

You are created cardinal priest

in the title of St. Athanasius.

- Lydia. Lydia.

- Excuse me, madame.

Oh, there you are.

- Marchesa.

- Hello, Mr. Faber.

Do you have a cigarette?

I was telling this young woman she

should settle down and get married.

Don't you agree, Mr. Faber?

I don't presume to give

advice to young women.

They very seldom take it, anyway.

You are very discreet.

A necessary virtue.

Rome's a very small town.

And it's full of gossip.

Lydia worries about me, George.

You're very lucky to have

such a solicitous friend.

I am an old-fashioned woman, Mr. Faber.

I believe in life, love and

the pursuit of happiness.

But you have to know the rules of the game.

You mustn't underrate my husband, Marchesa.

He knows all the rules.

Dr. Faber.

Mario, get some drinks or something.

I'm sorry to be late, but half

Rome seems to have scarlet fever.

Oh, don't worry. I'm

well-washed and disinfected.

How are you?

Oh, I'm fine.

- I came with Mario.

- Yes, I saw.

He's very handsome. Don't

you think so, George?

Yes, he's very handsome.

How old is he?

Well, I think you ought to

ask him yourself, Ruth.

I'm sure that Marchesa would be

glad to give you an introduction.

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