Rod Steiger: Leo

Time of Indifference

Leo

Mariagrazia: Carla has to find a husband. You know what people are like. If they find out there's an auction, it's goodbye marriage.
Leo: If I give an extension, things won't change. It's not easy to get a bank loan. We're in a crisis all over Europe! Everyone is careful with money now. But I wouldn't worry about your daughter Carla. She's young, beautiful.
Lisa: Do you really believe that, Leo? People here are very concerned about money, social standing, appearances. You know, no money, no friends.

Leo: When you can't go on, there's one thing to do, change.
Carla: Change? How?
Leo: Change your life. Get away, start again. A girl like you can have everything. As long as you want it.
Carla: What's with you today?
Leo: [pulls Carla down on the sofa] Why don't you come and stay with me?
Carla: Stop it!
Leo: I'm serious. You'll have everything. Clothes, cars, trips. Think about it, Carla.

Leo: Brava, Carla, brava! That's the spirit! Let's go! Mariagrazia, be happy! Champagne will make us happy! Let's make a toast! To the future husband of my almost-daughter.

Leo: I'm not one for complaining, but I'll admit that the world is, at times, terribly boring. One must find the courage to capsize the boat, change things. What do you say, Carla?

Carla: Why did you call me that?
Leo: What?
Carla: Almost-daughter.
Leo: It was just a joke, a game. Adults play games, too. Just like you played games ,here in this garden. You were a beautiful little girl. I imagined I was your father.
Carla: You don't feel shame, Leo?
[Leo kisses Carla on the lips]

Leo: Have you forgotten about today? I haven't. I still see you on that bed. When will we be together again?
Carla: No, Leo. It's useless.
Leo: Not true. It will happen. And you know it. You must tell me. When, Carla?
Carla: No, Leo.

Carla: What do you want?
Leo: It's you I want. I want you now. Tonight, at my house. I'll wait in the car. Come down as soon as your mother's in bed.

Mariagrazia: Today, we have the day to ourselves.
Leo: Today?
Mariagrazia: You'll be innocent, won't you? We'll be innocent, like two children. Like it was in the beginning.

Carla: What's happening to us, Michele?
Michele: Nothing, Carla. That's the point. Nothing is happening to us. Or too much is happening and we've learned to ignore it. It's the same thing, the same way.
Leo: A round of applause for the poet! Every one of us has very concrete motives and reasons for everything we do!
Michele: Even to steal. Even to sleep with your "almost-daughter"?

Leo: I don't love you, so there'll be no jealousy, drama, complications. It's better for you and better for me.