Gabriel's Redemption: Part One (2023) - full transcript

Come.

My lecture isn’t finished.

You’ll have plenty

of time to finish.

Bring the blanket.

Why do you want to visit

the orchard in the dark?

I want to see your naked

skin glow in the moonlight.

I suppose Guido da

Montefeltro can wait.

Have you ever made love

in an orchard before?

Then I’m glad I’m your first.

You’re my last, Gabriel.

My only.

What if someone sees us?

These woods are private.

You’re very good at that.

There’s no one here but us.

"To the Nuptial Bowre I led

her blushing like the Morn:

all Heav’n, And happie

Constellations on that houre."

Paradise Lost.

But in this place, I can

only think of Paradise found.

This is where I

discovered true beauty.

I have something for you.

It’s beautiful.

I’d like to have

a child with you.

What?

So soon?

Dante lost Beatrice

when she was 24.

Losing you would be devastating.

No morbid talk.

Not here, after we’ve

celebrated life and love.

It’s too soon for

a baby, Gabriel.

We’ve only been

married six months

and I want to finish my PhD.

Agreed.

But when we get

back from Europe,

I would like to

speak to my doctor.

It’s been so long

since my vasectomy,

a reversal might

not be possible.

There’s more than one

way to make a family.

We could adopt.

When the time is right.

We can do all those things.

When you’re ready,

we’ll start trying.

We should probably practice

a lot in preparation.

Mmm, absolutely.

There you are.

What’s wrong?

I woke up early.

I need to make up the bedrooms

and clean the bathrooms.

Then I need to go shopping

and plan the meals, and...

I’m not even dressed.

You don’t need to do anything.

I’ll find somebody who

can clean the house

and I will go to the

grocery store after my run.

You go back to bed.

You need to work

on your lecture.

But sleep first.

A tired mind doesn’t

work very well.

Thank you.

Well, hello there.

What are you reading?

"The Way of a Pilgrim."

- Is it good?

- Very.

It’s about a Russian Orthodox

man who tries to learn

what it means to

pray without ceasing.

Are you praying for something?

For a good many things.

To become a good

man, a good husband,

and, someday, a good father.

I suppose we’re all on our

own spiritual journeys.

Some of us are further

along than others.

I don’t think of it like that.

Hmm?

I think we chase God

until He catches us.

One of the things I

admire most about you

is your compassion

for human frailty.

I have my own vices, Gabriel.

They’re just hidden.

The house looks

great. Thank you.

I was able to get a

lot of work done today.

And thanks for making dinner.

You weren’t hungry when

I brought it up to you.

I ran into a problem

with my paper.

- Can I help?

- No.

If I present a paper that

sounds like you wrote it,

people will notice.

Christa has already been

spreading rumors about us.

Christa is just jealous.

She’s going backwards

in her career.

You haven’t let me

read your paper.

Although we’ve

discussed Guido so much

I’m sure I know what you’ll say.

Has my book been helpful?

Yes.

But I’m taking a different tack.

I’ll let you read it tomorrow.

I’m worried about

what you’ll think.

I’ll be honest, but supportive.

I promise.

- Now...

- Hm?

I need you to take me

to bed and cheer me up.

Hmm... What would

cheering you up entail?

Taking my mind off my troubles

by tantalizing me

with your body.

What if I’m not ready for bed?

I guess I’ll have to

go to bed by myself.

And maybe cheer myself up.

You can’t present this!

Why not?

You’re wrong.

St. Francis comes for the

soul of Guido after he dies.

You agreed with me.

I changed my mind.

I sent you an

illustration of the scene

while we were separated.

Now you’re going to stand in

front of a room full of people

and say that it never happened?

If you read my

footnotes, you’d...

None of your sources

go as far as you.

You’re merely speculating.

Merely?

Professor Marinelli

liked my paper.

She’s too easy on you.

Too easy?

And I suppose you think

Professor Picton invited me

to the conference

merely out of charity?

Of course not.

But I don’t want you to get up

in front of senior professors

and offer a naïve

interpretation.

- If you’d read my book, you’d...

- I read your book, Professor.

You only mention the text

I’m analyzing in passing.

And you naïvely adopt the

standard interpretation.

I never naïvely adopt anything.

Don’t you want me to

have my own ideas?

Or do I have to repeat what

everyone else has already said?

I never said that.

But you could benefit

from my experience.

Oh, here we go.

What do you mean, here we go?

What do you mean, here we go?

You’re just upset that I’m going

to disagree with you in public.

- Bullshit.

- Bullshit?

Then why are you telling

me to change my paper

so I fall in line

with your book?

I’m trying to help so

you won’t make a...

What was that?

If you start now,

you should be able

to rewrite your paper in

time for the conference.

I can’t change my thesis.

They’ve already

published the abstract

on the conference website.

This isn’t the time

to be stubborn.

Oh, yes, it is. It’s my paper!

Julianne, listen.

Julianne, listen to me, please.

Stop. We can talk about this.

I’m not your student anymore.

- Damn it. Stop!

- Don’t yell at me!

I’m sorry.

Let’s sit down and talk.

I can’t talk to you right now

without saying something

I’m going to regret.

I’m going to avoid you

for the rest of the day.

Rachel, Aaron, and

Richard are arriving soon.

What will I tell them?

Tell them I’m an

idiot. Obviously.

Julianne, listen

to me. Please.

Fine!

Our first fight and

you lock yourself

in the God damned bathroom.

My first public lecture

and you tell me it’s shit!

- Hey, everyone.

- Hey!

- Hi.

- Hi.

Where’s Julia?

Working on her paper.

Jules! Get your ass down here!

Rachel, please.

Dad, you’re welcome to

stay in your old room.

I’ll be fine in the guest room.

You and Julia fighting?

You can say hello

when you go upstairs.

I’m barbecuing ribs for dinner.

Ribs? Fantastic.

They’re fighting.

What could they

be fighting about?

I don’t know, maybe Julia

rearranged his collection

of bow ties without asking him.

- Hey.

- Rach! Hi!

So what’s up with

you and Gabriel?

There’s like a

tension in the house.

And I don’t need to be a

psychic to pick up on it.

Do you want me to go

beat him up for you?

No.

I made the mistake

of letting him read

the lecture I’ve

been working on.

He told me it’s terrible.

What is wrong with him?

I would have thrown

something at his head.

I thought about it,

but I didn’t want to have

to clean up the blood.

He said he was trying to help.

I don’t want him too lie.

If the paper needs work,

I need to know that.

He should know how to help you

without telling you that

your paper is terrible.

Exactly.

He says he wants to

start a family with me.

Then he turns around and acts

like a condescending ass.

Wait a minute! He wants kids?

Yes.

I’m so happy for you!

When are you going

to start trying?

We agreed to wait

until I graduate.

It would be too difficult to

work on a PhD and have a baby.

We’d like to have a baby.

- What, now?

- Maybe.

If I learned anything

from losing my mother,

it’s that life is uncertain.

I don’t want to wait to start a

family and then lose my chance.

What if I get cancer?

Having kids is one

way to rid Gabriel

of his condescending attitude.

Why’s that?

Are you kidding?

He will be begging for

help when a baby empties

a dirty diaper on him!

Hmm...

He’s come a long way...

Married and talking

about starting a family?

When my parents first

brought Gabriel home,

he’d hide food in his room.

He didn’t unpack

his bags, either.

He kept expecting

them to send him away.

I didn’t know that.

It’s remarkable.

My advice is to talk to him.

But, it wouldn’t be a

bad idea to let him sweat

just a little bit.

Make him sleep on the couch.

Lord, please bless

this food to our use

and we to thy service and

let us ever be mindful

of the needs of others. Amen.

- Begin.

- Thanks, Dad.

Excuse me.

Coffee?

Yes, thanks.

Man, suck it up and

tell her you’re sorry.

Why are you assuming

I’m at fault?

Statistically speaking...

Apologize.

Et tu, Brute?

I didn’t say anything.

But, there’s a reason

that older married couples

will tell young ones

not to let the sun

go down on their anger.

I’m not the one who shut

down rational communication.

She’s not irrational.

She’s hurt.

And when someone hurts you,

it’s rational to withdraw.

Especially given her history.

I didn’t mean to hurt her.

I’m sure that’s true.

But I’m also confident that

you don’t fight fairly.

My advice is to be

gentle with your wife.

I’m sorry. Forgive me.

Please, let me in.

Hi.

I’m sorry, Julianne.

You hurt me.

I know.

I’m sorry.

I reread your paper.

You forgot something important.

Can I come in?

I said some things

yesterday I shouldn’t have.

Thank you.

I have some suggestions on

how to improve your paper.

I know it’s important that you

stand on your own two feet.

But I’m happy to

help, if you need me.

I’d welcome your advice,

as long as you don’t

tell me what to think.

Your ideas are one of the many

things that I love about you.

The story of Francis risking

Hell to save Guido’s soul

represents what I

was trying to do when

I made my confession

to the disciplinary

committee back in Toronto.

I was reacting to what I took

to be your dismissal

of the story.

Our story.

I never meant to dismiss

something so important.

If the situation

had been reversed,

I would have descended

to Hell to rescue you.

I was a bastard.

Then and now.

May I?

I didn’t mean to hurt you.

I know.

I’m sorry, too.

I don’t like fighting with you.

I don’t like it either.

I didn’t set out to disagree

with you in my paper.

It just... sort of happened.

Come here.

I promise not to be

a selfish bastard,

if you promise not to lock

yourself in the bathroom

to get away from me.

I promise not to lock

myself in the bathroom,

if you can give me space.

We can take a break

during an argument,

but if we promise

to talk later on.

Agreed.

Your paper changed my mind.

It’s good.

What?

You heard me.

Although I have some suggestions

on how you can

strengthen the last part.

You didn’t quite

convince me there.

I could use a few pointers.

I’ll give you credit

in the footnotes.

I’d be honored to appear

in one of your footnotes.

Thank you.

It’s hard for me to be a student

in the same field as you.

We aren’t in competition.

I’m proud of you for having the

courage of your convictions.

When you defend your

paper at Oxford,

I’ll be sitting in the front

row thinking, "That’s my girl."

It’s a dream come true,

to hear you say that.

Then I’ll keep saying it.

Oh!

Something’s cooking but

it ain’t the apple pie.

The coffee is ready

and the pie is cooling.

What’s the hold up?

We were just making coffee.

Oh, I bet you were.

I’ll leave you ladies to it.

So what was cooking?

And please tell me you

didn’t use the counters.

Too cold.

How’s married life, Tammy?

I never thought it would happen.

Why not?

Before Scott, I was

living with someone.

And we talked about

getting married,

then I got pregnant and he

decided he wasn’t ready.

- Asshole.

- I’m so sorry.

I’ll never forgive Eric

for signing away

his parental rights.

Because Quinn will

never know his father.

Sperm donors are not fathers.

I mean, Richard

didn’t contribute

genetic material to Gabriel,

but he’s his father.

Gabriel is so nice.

Even when Quinn ruined his suit.

You should have seen

him before he met Julia.

He would have handed Quinn

the dry cleaning bill.

I can’t imagine that.

He’s so wonderful with Quinn.

Hi.

I think it’s bedtime.

- Hey, sweetie!

- I know.

Say goodnight. Bye-bye.

Aw...

I guess I’d better take

the men their dessert.

Can we talk for a minute, honey?

Of course.

So, I’ve been spending a lot

of time with your father.

I love him and he loves me.

And we’ve been talking

about the future.

About making things permanent.

That’s great!

If you and Dad get

married, I’ll be there.

You’ll more than just be there.

You’ll be one of my bridesmaids.

What’s all this?

Diane was just telling me

how much she loves you.

Is that so?

Not that you’ve asked,

but you have my blessing.

Is that so?

Well...

My girls.

Richard...

I thought we’d agreed

that you’d call me Dad.

Of course, Dad.

Does it bother you that

we’ve changed things?

Inside the house?

Grace would like what

you’ve done in the kitchen.

You know, something when

I’m inside the house...

I swear I can hear her voice.

I don’t feel her when

I’m in Philadelphia.

Oh...

Here.

Thank you.

Do you like living

in Philadelphia?

My research position

hasn’t gone as expected.

I’m thinking about retiring.

Move back. Live here.

Oh, no. This is your home now.

We’re only here

during vacations.

We could switch

bedrooms immediately.

It’s very kind of you to offer,

but I sold the house to Gabriel.

It would be a mitzvah for us.

And we need the blessing.

What sort of

blessing do you need?

I have an unanswered prayer.

All prayers are answered.

Sometimes the answer is no.

I can’t pretend that the

thought of moving back here

doesn’t tempt me.

As long as the house

is in the family,

it doesn’t matter who owns it.

Gabriel would never

part with the orchard.

It would relieve him to

know it’s in capable hands.

You’d be helping us out.

Care to join me?

I prefer to watch.

Then I’ll be sure

to put on a show.

Oh, I left my bubble bath

in the guest bathroom.

Would you mind

getting it for me?

Not at all.

Goddess.

What’s the matter?

Is Rachel pregnant?

Not that I know of.

I found an empty box for a

pregnancy test in the bathroom.

It was probably her.

I wish it were you.

Our time will come.

You look as if you

want to lick me.

All over.

I do.

Mmm.

Confide in me.

You tend to take bubble

baths when you’re stressed.

And you’ve been

taking them daily.

I’m worried about grad

school and flunking out.

I’m worried about my lecture.

We’ve spoken about your

lecture. It’s good.

You have to take grad school

one semester at a time.

You don’t have to

entertain our relatives.

They will entertain themselves.

You work on your paper,

I’ll make dinner.

Thank you.

My dad and Diane are talking

about getting married.

How do you feel about that?

I’d like him to have

someone to grow old with.

You’ll have your birthday

when we get to Italy.

How would you like

to celebrate it?

With you. In bed.

For a couple of days.

Would you like to invite people

to the exhibition in Florence?

No. I want you all to myself.

We can invite them to

Cambridge for your birthday.

I don’t like making a big

deal about my birthday.

25 is a milestone birthday.

So is 35.

My milestones are important

only because of you.

Without you, they’d

be empty days.

Do you have to be so sweet?

Since I’ve been eaten

sour most of my life, yes.

I believe this is a room

we haven’t christened yet.

I’ve missed this.

Holding you in the dark.

Hearing your voice.

I’ve been healed.

And it was more wonderful

than you can imagine.

I’m sorry I didn’t

realize you were sick.

I should have noticed.

It was my time.

Oh... there’s so much

I want to show you.

But not yet.

Rest, my love.

I am moving back here.

I’ll arrange the movers.

We’ll make sure to

get our furniture

out of the master bedroom.

No. The guest

room is mine now.

Grace will be with

me wherever I sleep.

Lovely.

What the hell are those?

I think they are beds.

We’re checking into a hotel.

You promised.

Nigel promised me a room with

a double bed and an en-suite.

Where’s the double bed?

Where’s the en-suite?

We’ll have to share

the bathroom...

We’ll be at the conference

most of the time.

C.S. Lewis was inspired by

those statues when he wrote

"The Lion, the Witch

and the Wardrobe."

That’s what they say.

Do you think his ghost

ever wanders around here?

I doubt he’d haunt

a place like this.

He’s probably at the pub.

Sex is almost impossible.

There isn’t enough space.

That isn’t how I remember it.

Is that a challenge,

Mrs. Emerson?

Are you worried

about your paper?

Do you think if I

asked C.S. Lewis

to intercede on my

behalf, he’d pray for me?

Lewis was a Protestant.

He didn’t believe in

petitioning the saints.

What if people ask

why you left Toronto?

We’ll say I wanted

to be in Boston

because you were

going to Harvard

and we were getting married.

Christa Peterson’s been

telling a different story.

Forget about her.

We don’t have to worry about

her at this conference.

But academics get

bored and like to talk.

Nothing is more exciting

than a sex scandal.

I beg to differ, Mrs. Emerson.

Sex with you is more

exciting than a scandal.

I wondered where you went.

I read the Narnia books.

They were special to me.

I read them, too.

There was a closet in

my mother’s apartment

that I was convinced would open

Narnia if I was a good boy.

Clearly, I wasn’t.

I know what it’s

like to be willing

to do anything to

make the stories real.

I said to you once that you were

not my equal, but my better.

I’m afraid you

didn’t believe me.

It’s difficult to believe

you think that, sometimes.

I need to do a better

job showing you.

But I’m not sure how.

There is The Eagle

and Child pub.

This is a dream come true.

You’ve worked very hard.

This is your reward.

I wonder what kind of trouble

we can get into in that museum.

Fuck.

I’m settling this

once and for all.

You can’t. Not here.

Trouble in Paradise?

I guess the honeymoon

didn’t last very long.

Not that I’m surprised.

I’d like a word, Miss Peterson.

Not after what

happened in Toronto.

If you want to say something,

you’ll have to say it

in front of witnesses.

I learned a few things

after you resigned.

BDSM. I didn’t know Professor

Singer was your Domme.

Let’s go. Please.

I’m looking forward to

your paper, Julianne.

It’s unusual for a first-year

student to be included.

However did you manage it?

Professor Picton invited me.

Wouldn’t it be better to

invite Gabriel to speak?

Or maybe he simply wrote

your paper for you.

I do my own research.

Your "research" won’t

help you write a lecture.

Not unless you

plan on telling us

about all the Harvard

professors you slept with.

That’s enough.

You don’t speak to my

wife. Do you understand?

Temper, temper, Gabriel.

It’s Professor Emerson.

Let’s go.

For me.

What is the meaning of this?

Who are you?

I’m Christa Peterson,

from Columbia.

I’m familiar with the

faculty from Columbia.

You’re not one of them.

I’m a graduate student.

Ah. Then you’re

not from Columbia.

You attend Columbia.

Why are you here?

Professor Picton, excuse me.

The young lady is a friend.

You need to teach

her some manners.

I’m aware of the havoc

you wreaked in Toronto.

You’ll follow the

rules of decorum here,

or I’ll have you thrown out.

Do you understand?

If your guest is

unpleasant in any way,

I will hold you

personally responsible.

I have an unforgiving memory.

Capisce?

Certo, Professor.

I’m the injured party here.

When I was in

Toronto, Gabriel...

Codswallop!

I’m old, not senile.

I recognize a woman

scorned when I see one.

Everyone else here should, too.

This is not a fraternity party.

Dear friends, it

is good to see you.

I shall buy you a

drink this evening.

You and I shall

have a little chat.

Why don’t you join

us for dinner?

Thank you, but I’ll speak

with Julianne first.

We should have walked away.

You stood up for yourself.

I’m not going to stand there

and let her call you a whore.

I asked you to stop.

Let’s not fight

because of that bitch.

That’s what she wants.

She was spoiling for a fight,

and you gave it to her.

If I’d done nothing,

then it would look

like I agreed with her.

I asked you to stop,

and you brushed me off.

I’m your wife.

Not a speed bump.

In this paper, I shall catalogue

Dante’s use of the number three

throughout the Divine Comedy.

I shall argue that Il

Poeta is identifying

the number of

completion in nature,

animality and humanity,

as well as in the

structure and organization

of the afterlife.

This repetition should be

seen as Dante’s assertion

that completion and

perfection underlie

all of God’s creation, including

that of the underworld.

The first most significant

use of the number three

occurs in Dante’s division of

the Comedy into three books:

Inferno, Purgatorio,

and Paradiso.

I don’t want

to fight. I’m sorry.

Thank you for defending me.

I’m sorry she mentioned

Professor Payne.

only to be replaced

by the third...

Emerson was an ass.

But he hopes you forgive him.

Indeed, just as three beasts

threaten Dante’s progress,

so the three Guides

ensure and defend it.

The three Theological virtues

of Faith, Hope, and Charity

appear in Dante’s Paradiso.

The poet himself must pass

three examinations

on the virtues,

administered by

the three apostles

St. Peter, St.

James, and St. John.

I’m sorry

I embarrassed you.

I promise I’ll do better.

You’re not a speed bump.

You’re my Beatrice.

Two Caledonian ales, please.

Enjoy.

Did Gabriel ever explain to you

how I came to be in his debt?

He mentioned something

about doing you a favor,

but he wasn’t specific.

Six years ago, I

received an e-mail

from an old friend at Oxford.

He told me our former

professor, John Hutton,

was in hospice, dying.

He was one of the

sources for my paper.

Well, when I received the news,

I approached Jeremy Martin

and asked to take a week off.

Jeremy Martin was an

ally to both of you.

He tried very hard to help.

I wondered why he helped Christa

transfer to his alma mater.

There were rumors

they were involved.

I expect better from you

than to listen to gossip.

I’m so sorry. You’re right.

Christa Peterson couldn’t

attract Jeremy’s eye

if she were standing naked,

holding an original manuscript

of The Decameron

and a case of beer.

Well, when I explained

my situation to Gabriel,

he volunteered to take over

for me while I was away.

It turned out, I was

away for four months.

I didn’t know that.

I never explained to Gabriel

why it was so important

for me to see John

before he died.

I don’t see a reason to

keep this a secret anymore.

I don’t expect you to hide

things from your husband,

but I would ask that

you be discreet.

Of course, Professor.

Old Hut, who was married, and I

were involved while

I was his student.

No one found out about us,

but there were rumors and they

followed me for ten years.

Someone wrote to the

University of Cambridge,

claiming that the

only reason Old Hut

wrote me a letter of

recommendation for me

was simply because I

was sleeping with him.

I’m so sorry.

That isn’t funny.

Of course it’s funny.

You should have seen the letter

of recommendation he wrote.

"Miss Picton is competent

in the study of Dante."

I was his lover, for God’s sake.

You think he could

trouble himself

to write more than one sentence?

When you have your

faculty position,

all these rumors

will be forgotten.

That’s six years

away, Professor.

Considering all that

I’ve shared with you,

I think you could

call me Katherine.

Thank you, Katherine.

You need to be more

assertive, academically.

Don’t let yourself be ravaged by

wolves like some diseased moose.

You mustn’t let your

husband defend you.

It makes you look helpless.

Chivalry in academia is dead.

Dessert?

Excuse me.

Ladies’ Room.

She needs rest.

The poor girl is worn out.

Yes.

You cannot be

Julianne’s champion

at academic conferences.

Let her brightness shine.

That’s all I want.

Good.

Now, I hope when I give my

lecture in January at Harvard

I’ll be invited to

your home for dinner.

Greg Matthews always

takes me to these

appalling molecular

gastronomy restaurants

that serve deconstructed entrées

cooked in liquid nitrogen.

I never know whether

I’m having dinner

or sitting for an exam

in organic chemistry.

I need the room tomorrow night.

I’ll be entertaining.

You’d take someone

to your bed so soon?

The sheets will still be warm.

Don’t judge me.

You’re married.

Who I fuck is none

of your business.

Such a dirty mouth, Cristina.

I wondered why you

insisted I bring you.

You’re here for revenge.

We’re both getting

what we wanted.

Be careful, Cristina.

You don’t want Professor

Picton as an enemy.

I don’t care.

Fuck!

Don’t you understand

the patronage system?

Departments around the world

are filled with her admirers.

Your chair at Columbia

was her student.

Too late. I’ve already

pissed her off.

I’m responsible for

you, so you will stop.

I’m trying to get a

position in America.

I don’t need Professor

Picton making trouble.

Fine, but I need

the room tomorrow.

So, who is the man

you fuck tomorrow?

A priest? A professor?

Who said it was a man?

Then I expect you to share.

Wake up, darling.

You need to get ready.

You kept me up late.

Mmm.

You smell of sex...

And me.

You can’t deliver a lecture

at Oxford smelling of sex.

Watch me.

You look lovely.

And you’re going to be fine.

I’m going to get a coffee.

What would you like?

Water.

See you in there.

Hello, Professor.

What do you want?

You wanted to talk.

So... Talk.

I want the slander to

stop or I’ll sue you.

For what? Telling the truth?

There’s no truth to your

character assassinations.

You’re forgetting the part where

you fucked one of your students

and were placed on

administrative leave.

Not to mention Professor Singer

had quite a bit

to say about you.

You’re playing with fire.

Oh, I hope so, Professor.

You keep your mouth shut.

Or I’ll make your

life a living hell.

The power to end this

is in your hands.

Actually, it’s a bit lower.

For fuck’s sake.

Come to my hotel and tomorrow,

you won’t have to worry about

my talented mouth anymore.

I know you.

I know what you like and

I know what you want.

No.

Then what happens next

is on your conscience.

You stay away from my

wife, do you hear me?

I’m at the Malmaison.

I brought handcuffs...

Come before midnight.

Give my best to your wife.

It’s so good to see you.

Angelfucker.

Professor Emerson.

Paul.

Shake hands, gentlemen.

I didn’t know you were coming.

I wasn’t.

One of the presenters

backed down,

so Professor Picton invited me.

I’m giving the paper

just before Julia’s.

That’s great. Congratulations.

Can I take you to lunch?

I’m afraid she

already has plans.

I’d love to go to lunch

with you. Thank you.

Hello, Mr. Norris.

Mr. Norris and I are

having dinner this evening.

I’d like for you and

Julianne to join us.

We’d be delighted.

Since we’ll be dining

with you this evening,

I’ll claim my wife for lunch.

Very well.

I want to go to lunch with him.

Over my dead body.

He wants you.

Paul is not someone who would

make a pass at a married woman.

This conference is like a tour

through the various

levels of Hell.

It’s just lunch.

Good afternoon.

Why Ugolino’s feast

will never end.

The bestial nature of Ugolino

is dramatically depicted

in Auguste Rodin’s sculpture,

"Ugolino and His Children."

This piece forms piece

of Rodin’s larger work,

The Gates of Hell and

has a prominent position

in that commission.

Rodin sculpts

Ugolino as he crawls

over the figures of

his dying children.

His form both animalistic

and grotesque.

But Rodin has captured

Ugolino just before...

How’s your dad?

He’s better.

Thanks for the flowers.

I heard about Julia’s wedding.

Your mom told my mom.

She’s clearly a fool.

Uh... She isn’t, but thanks.

Do you want to go to a movie?

I mean, sometime.

Not right now.

It’s too early to go

to a movie right now.

I don’t know.

I don’t want things to

be weird between us.

We always promised each

other we’d be friends.

Things are just...

difficult right now.

Look, I’m not trying to

rope you into something.

I really want to be friends.

Hey.

Relax.

We have a history, Allison.

And it’s a good one.

But I don’t want

to jump back into

something with you right now.

You deserve to be with someone

who’s serious and

not half in it.

So, are we on for

that movie sometime?

I might even take you to dinner,

now that I’m pulling in

the big bucks as a teacher.

Only if I can take you

to breakfast right now.

Should we wait here?

Excuse me, I have

to use the bathroom.

I can’t wait to hear your paper.

I’m sure I’ll have

a few questions.

Your vendetta is ridiculous.

I never did anything to you.

You have something I want

and I always get what I want.

I don’t understand

what he sees in you.

Gabriel is beautiful.

He’s a legend.

All the women at Lobby knew

him and wanted to fuck him.

He needs to be with a

woman whose appetite

is as voracious as his.

He is.

Hardly.

I’m sure he enjoyed

the conquest,

but now his eyes will wander.

He’s probably cheated already.

Love.

What?

What Gabriel sees in me.

The answer is love.

I know about the other women.

They aren’t a threat.

You’re delusional.

Why would he want a

vanilla little mouse

when he could have

a tiger in his bed?

Better a loving mouse

than an indifferent tiger.

Those women didn’t

see who he truly is.

They didn’t care that

he was miserable.

They would have used him

until there was nothing left

and then thrown him away.

I have loved him

since I was seventeen.

I love all of him, the

light and the dark.

That is why he’s with me.

So do your worst, Christa.

But if you’re planning to seduce

my husband, you will fail.

You’re right about

one thing, though.

My husband is an

exceptional lover.

Absolutely mind-blowing.

And tonight and every night,

the woman enjoying his

adventurous nature will be me.

Not bad for a mouse.

You look good.

Much better than the

last time I saw you.

Married life agrees with me.

You all right?

I’ve just noticed

the Rabbit’s gone.

About time, don’t you think?

I’ll miss her.

I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.

Sorry.

Table for two by the window?

Maybe we could trade tables

with the little girl?

She might like to

look out the window.

Thank you.

Maia, we can sit by the

window. Isn’t that nice?

We can look at the pumps.

Come on.

Thank you.

Are you planning on having a

Maia of your own anytime soon?

No.

Um, not yet, I mean...

Do you want to share?

Sure, the lunch special and

appetizer platter look good.

Tired?

A little.

My eyes bother me sometimes.

You should get

your eyes checked.

Lots of grad students

end up with eyestrain.

Do you wear glasses?

No, I drank a lot

of milk growing up.

It helps vision.

I thought carrots did that.

Milk helps everything.

Are you seeing anyone?

Ali and I go out

occasionally, but it’s casual.

She’s nice.

She cares about you.

I want you to be happy.

How are things going

in your program?

The professors are tough.

I’m working all the

time, but I love it.

Do you go out at all?

Rarely.

It’s awkward because the other

students invite their partners

and Gabriel doesn’t think

it’s a good idea for him

to socialize with grad students.

He wants to have a baby.

And you don’t?

I want to finish my program.

I’m worried if we have a

baby, I’ll never graduate.

Have you told him?

Yes.

He said he understood.

But once you express

that kind of desire,

it can’t be taken back.

Jules, if you aren’t ready

for a family, say so.

Otherwise, you’re

gonna end up miserable.

I don’t think having

a baby with my husband

would make me miserable.

Dropping out of Harvard would.

If your husband loves you, then

he needs to wake the fuck up

and drop the whole

barefoot-and-pregnant bullshit.

He doesn’t want that.

I’m not the only person

whose dreams count.

It’s hard for me to

see you with him.

When is he going to realize

he married an incredible woman

and that he needs

to care for her?

He does care for me.

He’d give me the world if he

could fit it in his pocket.

I’m the one who’s struggling.

It’s hard to withhold something

from someone you love,

knowing it would make him happy.

And I’m happy, Paul.

Truly.

Bon apetit.

She is a rising star at Harvard.

Please welcome Julianne Emerson.

Thank you, Professor Patel.

The title of my presentation is

"The Silence of St. Francis:

A Witness to Fraud."

In canto 27 of Dante’s Inferno,

Guido da Montefeltro

tells the story

of what happened after he died.

"Francis came afterward,

when I was dead, for me;

"but one of the black

Cherubim said to him:

"’Take him not; do me no wrong;

"he must come down

among my servitors,

Because he gave the

fraudulent advice."

Guido sought absolution for

the sin of fraudulent counsel

before he committed the sin.

He believed absolution

would free him

from the consequences

of his sin.

Francis could have

called him a liar

for presenting a false

account of his appearance.

Instead of fighting to

preserve his good name,

Francis is quiet so

the evil can be heard

for exactly what it is.

Guido would have us believe

that Francis confronted

a demon but lost,

because he wasn’t smart

enough to best the demon

in a match of logic.

In my view, he comes to the

grave of Guido da Montefeltro

to mourn him and his life

of fraud, not to rescue him.

In conclusion, Francis

appeared at the death of Guido,

but not to steal his soul.

If anything, Dante

uses Guido as a foil

to praise the piety

of St. Francis

by providing a stark

contrast between the two men.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there any questions?

I have a question.

There are so many

holes in your paper,

I don’t even know

where to begin.

But let’s start

with your research.

The majority of papers accept

that Francis came for Guido.

A few deny that

Francis appeared.

But no one, no one,

believes that Francis appeared

but not for Guido’s soul.

Either Guido’s

lying or he isn’t.

It can’t be half and

half, like cream.

You didn’t even

mention Canto 27,

where Guido explains to Dante

that he’s telling the truth.

If you had bothered to

read Professor Hutton’s

seminal work on the

organization of the Inferno,

you’d know he thought the

demon’s speech was reliable

because his words were

historically accurate.

So Hutton thought that Francis

appeared for Guido’s soul, too.

Guido says he’s willing

to tell the truth

because he believes Dante

is one of the damned

and thus won’t be able

to repeat the story.

But Guido’s tale

is self-serving.

He simply doesn’t want to

tip his hand by saying so,

which is why he

gives the speech.

You’re forgetting this

line: "Ora chi se,

"ti priego che ne conte;

"non esser duro più

ch’altri sia stato,

se ’l nome tuo nel

mondo tegna fronte."

Dante tells Guido he intends to

repeat his tale in the world.

It’s only after Dante says this

that Guido recounts

his life story.

Also, we know that

Dante doesn’t resemble

the other shades physically.

So it is likely that

Guido recognized

that Dante wasn’t dead.

I think...

As for your point about

Professor Hutton’s work,

your characterization of

his position is incorrect.

In a footnote he states that

he believed Francis appeared

because he thinks the

words of the demon

were directed at someone

other than Guido himself.

Professor Hutton

says he has doubts

as to whether Francis

appeared for Guido’s soul

or for some other reason.

- But...

- Can we move on?

You’ve asked your question

and the speaker answered it.

Adequately, I might add.

I tend to agree with

much of what you’ve said,

and although I

can’t speak for him,

I surmise Old Hut would

too, if he were here.

Thank you, Professor Wodehouse.

However, you rather

glossed over the agreement

that existed between

Boniface and Guido.

My thesis was on

the interpretation

of Francis’s appearance,

not Guido’s sin.

Nevertheless, I’m

happy to expand

on that part of the paper.

When Guido encountered

Pope Boniface VIII...

Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Emerson.

We’ll pause now

for tea and coffee.

That’s my smart girl.

Please join us.

- Thank you.

- Excuse me.

Is there a problem?

Fuck it.

Professor Picton

would like you to be

an external reader

on my dissertation.

Is that something

you’d consider?

I’ll consider it.

I was at UCLA and people

were talking about

how Julia boinked you

in order to graduate

and get into Harvard.

Those rumors are the fruits of

Miss Peterson’s poisonous tree.

She will be dealt

with, I assure you.

You don’t deserve her.

You think I don’t know that?!

Every night when I fall

asleep with her in my arms,

I thank God she’s mine.

And every morning

when I wake up,

my first thought is that

I’m grateful she married me.

I will never be worthy of her.

But I will spend every

day trying my damnedest.

I know you want her.

But I’m telling you,

you can’t have her.

I don’t just want

her. I love her.

She’s the one.

She can’t be the

one. She’s my wife!

I know.

I met a pretty,

sweet, Catholic girl.

The kind of girl I’ve been

looking for my whole life.

When I finally asked

her to choose me,

she couldn’t because she

was in love with the asshole

that broke her heart

and will probably break

it again and again.

I’ll admit I was an asshole.

I’m not that man anymore

and I’m sure as hell not going

to break her heart again.

Then let her finish her program.

Let her?

Julia feels guilty about

making her grad program

such a high priority.

She told you this?

She also said she

doesn’t have any friends.

How convenient.

Are you interested in

continuing to be her friend?

My friendship with

her has to end.

She’ll be hurt.

Perhaps I should persuade

you to change your mind.

You can’t.

I’ve misjudged you, Paul.

And for that, I’m... I’m sorry.

It’s time to move on.

When I get back to

Vermont I’ll write to her.

And I’ll tell Katherine I

spoke to you and you declined.

Mr. Norris!

I always intended to

be an external reader.

Your research stands

on its own merits.

If I learn that you’ve

broken her heart again,

we’re going to have a problem.

If I break Julianne’s

heart, I’ll deserve it.

Can we stop touching

each other now?

Do you feel differently

about grad school now?

Or are you still enthusiastic

about your program?

It was an intimidating

experience.

But I’m glad I did it.

I’d like to do it again.

Good.

You’re gifted, Julianne

and I want to do everything in

my power to help you succeed.

Thank you. That means a lot.

In recognition of

a job well done.

To my beloved with

admiration and pride.

Gabriel.

I’ll be back soon.

You were wonderful.

Darling? Why are you shy?

Sometimes I worry that I’m not

adventurous enough for you.

That’s a remarkable worry

after the past few hours.

Christa cornered me

just before lunch

and said you deserved

someone adventurous.

Don’t listen to her

poisonous bullshit.

I told her you deserved love

and that’s what I gave you.

And that’s certainly true.

So why worry?

Because I want to keep you.

We’re in a competition,

then, darling,

because I want to do my

damnedest to keep you.

Good.

Our bed is for pleasure.

My utmost concern

is to please you...

and to find my

pleasure with you.

There are some adventures

I’d be willing to explore,

if you felt the same way.

But you don’t have to worry that

I’ll abandon you if you say no.

You can always say no.

Understand?

Yes.

Good.

Do you still feel shy?

No.

But I’m wondering...

what kind of sexual adventures

do you have in mind?

I’ll show you.

Ah!

No, no!

- Stop!

- Come here.

Stop!

I’ll teach you something.

Come here!

Your sister sent me an e-mail.

Shh. Quiet, I’m

trying to kiss you.

This is important.

Rachel and Aaron want us to

light a candle in Assisi.

They want us to pray

that they’ll have a baby.

I can’t bear to be

the one standing

between you and your dreams.

Darling, nothing could

be further from my mind.

We can talk about the

future and make plans

without changing our time line.

Ahem.

I’ve asked John

Green to send Christa

a cease and desist letter.

The conference went

better than expected.

Perhaps the slander isn’t

as worrisome as we thought.

Slander is always worrisome.

Oh, damn it.

Miss Peterson.

I hate to trouble

you, Professor Barini,

but I need to speak to you

about Professor Pacciani.