Vertrice and Paolo in “Unfinished Business”

Stop!

(sharply) You mock me, fair lady.

If I did, forgive me- kind sir.

My name is Paolo.

Vertrice. (smiles and takes his arm as they walk through Rome) I mistook you for a client! A girl has to work.

Must you so debase yourself?

If I do not lift my skirts, I starve.

Better to starve, surely.

What, like the rest of Rome? (gestures at some of the commoners) They were fed yesterday, but today they starve.

But, there is such wealth and evidence here, my lady- how could anybody starve?

There is wealth, of course- but, we starve. Whilst Lucrezia Borgia dines on a silver plate. With a fork. You have heard of a fork, Paolo?

No, my lady.

Well, it's all the rage, now- and I'll bet Lucrezia Borgia dines with a fork of solid gold.