Romance on the Orient Express (1985)

[bunniefuu]

[triumphant music]

[sweeping romantic music]

[birds call]

[water laps]

[bird wings flap]

[speaking foreign language]

- Oh, what did the guy say?

- I don't think I wanna know.

I'm glad my French is
better than my Italian.

- What Italian?
- Oh, very funny.

- It's over there, c'mon.

[footsteps click]

- [Station Announcement] The
special train, Orient Express,

direct to Paris and London

is now boarding at Platform Two.

[man speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

- Hi.

- May I see your tickets please?

- Here we are.

- Merci, and welcome to
Orient Express.

Julian.

- Right ladies, if you
care to follow me.

Here we are, ladies, you'll
be in this car, the Julian.

Favorite carriage of Queen
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother,

and the present queen,
of course.

- [Station Announcement]
Orient Express,

[speaking foreign language].

The special train,
Orient Express,

direct to Paris and
London is now--

- Here we are, Miss Parker,

and Miss Lawson, you'll
be right next door.

Please let any of us know

if there's anything you
want, anything at all.

- I'm gonna go change.

- Okay, listen now, why
don't you get settled,

and then come and get me,
we'll go have some lunch.

- Okay.

[door closes]

- [Station Announcement]
[speaking foreign language]

Orient Express [speaking
foreign language].

Final call for boarding
of the Orient Express

[flips]

to Paris and London at
Platform Two.

[footsteps click]
[people chatter]

- Oui, Madame.

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

- Scusi.

- How may I help you?

- Well actually, I need some
help in locating someone.

I'd like to surprise
this person on the train,

but I must know for sure
that she is on the train.

- I am so sorry, Monsieur,
but it against the policy.

- Ah, but this is a
special occasion.

You see, it's my mother
I'm looking for,

it's her birthday.

I was to meet her in Paris, but,

I was able to get away sooner,

and I would so like to
surprise her.

[bill slides]

- Monsieur, voila.

- [Alex] Thank you.

- Madame, [speaking
foreign language].

Oui, monsieur.

[speaking foreign language]

[joyful music]

[whistle blows]

- [Conductor] All aboard.

[thuds]

- Porter.

Thank you.

[whistle blows]

[train wheels roll]

[knocks]

- Come in.

[door opens]

[door closes]

- Well, what do you think?

- It's fabulous.

These cars are so beautiful.

- Cabins, my dear.

Or carriages.

[clicks]

Remember the, uh, Queen
mums slept here.

- Oh yes.

- It's a little too much for me,

I've got to tell you.

I mean, what is a girl like me
doing on the Orient Express?

- I hope I haven't
made a mistake.

- What do you mean?

- Oh, it's just so extravagant.

We could have been in Paris
in two hours by plane.

- Lily, we're supposed
to be on our vacation,

and it's not every day

you're made managing
editor of a major magazine.

And if it's good enough for
the Queen mother, honey,

it's good enough for you.

[laughs]

Besides, all work and no play
makes Jill a very dull girl.

- Yes, yes, I know, but
this Jill is a lot happier

working than playing.

- Lily.

The train has hardly
left the station,

will you lighten up?

- Okay, okay, I'll try.

- Besides, I think
trains are very romantic.

- Oh you do, do you?

- If you ask me, we could
both use a little romance

in our lives.

[sweeping romantic music]

[door opens]

[clicks]

[glass settles]

[train tracks rattle]

[dreamy magical music]

[door opens]

- Ah, excuse me, we
were wondering,

are those seats taken?

- Nobody's sitting there.

- Great.

- Lily.

[snaps]

Hello.

- Oh.

[laughs]

I'm sorry, I was just
thinking about

the last time I was on a train.

- [Susan] Must have
been some trip.

Recently?

- Lifetime ago.

Oh no, no, no, don't
take my picture.

- No, come on, don't worry,
it's not for the magazine,

it's for my scrapbook.

I've never been to
Europe before, remember?

Say cheese.

- Cheese.
[camera shutter clicks]

Can we have lunch now?

- Yeah, I'm starved.

I cannot believe what I
see walking toward me.

- [Lily] What?

- Oh, that incredibly
good-looking man.

Don't look.

- You are from New York?

- Me?

New York, yes.

I'm from New York.

New York's a great place.

Have you ever been to New York?

- Ah, mi scusi, my
English is not well.

[chuckles]

My name is Flavio Cassini.

I am the, how do you say,
the captain,

or the boss, of the
porters on the train.

[chuckles]

I am so happy that
you are with us.

If I can make you happy
somehow, you tell me.

Si?

- [Susan] Si.

- I see you.

Ciao.

- Ciao.

- All right?

- Gorgeous, the man is gorgeous.

- One would think you
just met Mr. Right.

- I'm not looking for Mr. Right,

I'm looking for Mr. Right Now.

[laughs]

- Susan, you are wonderful.

- Now we just have to
convince him of that.

- This is from Captain
Cassini with his best wishes.

[liquid pours]

- You do, of course, know
what they say.

Beware of men bearing gifts.

- Are you kidding?

I can't remember the last
time a man gave me a gift,

maybe my luck is changing.

[liquid pours]

Thank you.

And would you thank
Captain Cassini for us?

- Certainly, madam.

- Here's to our new jobs,
and our old friendship.

And to Captain Cassini.

Cheers.
[glasses clink]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Are you all right?

- Mmmm, trains just make
me melancholy.

- Well, you're the one that
wanted to take a train.

Do you miss Robert?

- Hmm, now and then.

I'll be seeing him soon enough.

- [Susan] Is he meeting
you in Paris?

- No, I'm seeing him in London.

- Well, have you decided whether

you're gonna marry him or not?

- Well, he's brought it
up a couple of times,

but I haven't said yes
and I haven't said no.

He'll probably want an
answer when I get to London.

- [Susan] And?

- And, I don't know, I
haven't decided.

- You don't sound
overly excited.

- Well, it'll be nice, it's
always nice to see Robert.

- [Susan] Nice isn't sexy.

- Sometimes it is.

- [Susan] Not often.

- [Lily] How do you know?

- I used to date nice guys.

- [Lily] Ah, and now?

- Bad boys.

[laughs]

- I think that's a
slight exaggeration.

- Yeah. [laughs]

No boy is more like it.

[laughs]

Oh.

[dreamy, magical music]

[chuckles]

[muffled train tracks rattle]

- My name's Alex.

What are you reading?

- The Magic Mountain.

- Oh, a little light
reading on your vacation.

- Yeah. [chuckles]

Well, it is a little
heavy, but I'm enjoying it.

- You must be an English major.

- Why must I be an
English major?

- [Alex] Well, who else
would be reading

The Magic Mountain on a
train journey in France?

- Okay, Comparative
Literature major.

My name's Lily.

- Sandy, meet Lily, the
Comparative Literature major.

- Hello Lily.

- [Lily] Hi Sandy, this
is my friend Stacey.

- [Sandy] Hello Stacey.

- Hi.

[chuckles]

- Would you like some wine?

- I'd love some.

- All right.

- Excuse me.

[train tracks rattle]

[thumps]

- [Women] Ooh!

- They're so bumpy, aren't they?

You, you don't mind, do you?

- [Stacey] No, not at all.

- Thank you.

- Mmm.
- Thank you.

[chuckles]

- Here you go.

- Ah, well, where are you going?

[wine pours]

- Well, we haven't really
made any definite plans.

We just got on the first
train that was heading south

because we wanted to
see the south of France.

- Can I come with you?

[coughs]

[chuckles]

- Mmmhmm, sure, why not?

- I'm serious, I'd like to go

to the south of France with you.

Now, would that be all right?

- I guess that would
be all right.

- Great.

I'm jolly glad you said that

because I realize that I have
a lot to talk to you about,

and we just wouldn't
have enough time

unless we go to the
south of France together.

- Mmm.

Do you do this sort
of thing often?

- I've never done anything
like this before in my life.

Really.

I'm surprising myself.

[muffled train tracks rattle]

- Mmm, that was good, are
you gonna have coffee?

- [Susan] No thanks, I'm
gonna look around for a bit.

You wanna come with me?

- No, I don't think so,

I think I'll just stay
here for a while.

- Who knows, I might even
run into Captain Cassini.

[chuckles]

- Well, good luck.
- See you later.

- Harry, have some more coffee.

Are you feeling all right, dear?

- Oh yes, thank you, Beatrice,
I'm fine.

- I'm sorry, I just get
scared sometimes.

- Yes, I know, I know.

So do I.

But here we are, having a
wonderful time,

nothing can spoil it.

- You're absolutely right.

As usual.

- [Harry] At 68, I should
be right about these things.

- You're 69, darling.

- How do you know?

- 'Cause I'm 65.
- Oh.

You're 66, you were 16
when I asked you to dance

at that tea party your
mother gave for you.

I was 19, and you've been lying
about your age ever since.

- That's not true.

You were 20, and you were
very skinny and very fresh.

- I was 19, and the
perfect gentleman.

What do you mean, fresh?

- Fresh, you tried to kiss me

when we walked out to
see the garden.

- I fell in love with
you the moment I saw you.

- And I wanted you to kiss me.

[chuckles]

- One for lunch, sir?

- Ah no, I'm looking
for someone.

- The name of the party, sir?

- I'll find her.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

A little light reading on
your vacation?

[dreamy magical music]

- It's a little heavy,
but I'm enjoying it.

- You must be an English major.

[unsettling music]

You're more beautiful
than I remember.

- You just happened to be
on this train?

- I've been looking for you.

- Looking for me?

- Ah, do you mind if I sit down?

Well actually, I really
don't know where to begin.

I've been living in London,

I didn't know where
you were living.

There was no listing for
you in New York.

- This isn't a coincidence?

- No.

I picked up a
magazine on a plane

and your name was there.

Your office told me that
you'd be on this train.

- What do you want?

- I want to tell you
what happened.

- [Lily] You're a little late.

- I think it's important
for both of us.

It's essential for me.

- How dare you.

I won't have this
conversation with you.

- Look, I know it must
appear selfish,

but if you just give
me a chance to explain.

- A chance?

I don't want to hear your story.

- I should have given you
some notice, I'm sorry.

- I still wouldn't have
been interested.

It was a long time ago, Alex,

there's no point in
going over it now.

- It would mean an
awful lot to me

if you would just listen
to what I have to say.

- I don't care.

- Please, please.

Don't go.

- We don't know each
other anymore, Alex.

And I don't want to know
you, so leave me alone.

- Lily, if you would just
listen to what I have to say.

- Look, either you get
off this train or I will.

I won't let this continue.

[somber music]

[sweeping romantic music]

[dreamy magical music]

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

[bike settles]

[speaking foreign language]

- Just ask him how much he
wants for these boneshakers.

[speaking foreign language]

- How much, how much

do you, you want for
these four bikes?

[speaking foreign language]

- Oh Alex, that's too much,

why don't we just
meet you in Nice,

we can take the train up.

- No, no, it'll be fun to
all go on bikes really.

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

- Huh?

- [Stacey] What did
she say to him?

- Something about his
beautiful countryside.

[birds chirp]

[laughs]

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

- How much do we owe you?

[speaking foreign language]

- I'll tell you about it later,
Alex.

- I wish someone would
tell me what's going on.

- I think we've got the
bikes and Lily is engaged.

[chuckles]

[speaking foreign language]

[brakes squeak]

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

[bike bells ring]

[sweeping romantic music]

- [Alex] All right,
what did you say to him?

[laughs]

- [Lily] I'll never tell.

- [Alex] Where did you learn
to speak French like that?

- [Lily] My grandmother
spoke French.

She lived with us all
my life, until she died.

She was my babysitter and
my best friend.

- [Alex] You didn't have to
promise yourself to Alain

to get the bikes, did you?

- [Lily] What if I had?

- What?

[chuckles]

I would ride my bike
over the nearest clip.

[laughs]

- I apologize for my friend,

it's the first time in weeks
a woman's looked at him.

[sheep bleat]

- Come on, you showoff.

[laughs]

What is this man doing?

- [Lily] Sandy!

- [Alex] Watch out!

- Whoa!

[sheep bleat]

Ooof!
[bike tumbles]

[sheep bleat]

- Oh!
- Oh no!

[laughs]

- You idiot.

[laughs]

- [Stacey] Are you all right?

- More or less.

[laughs]

Pardon, monsieur, pardon.

[laughs]

- [Stacey] Oh, honey.

[bike tumbles]

[laughs]

[horse hooves clomp]

[birds chirp]

- Is this your first
trip to Europe?

- Mmmhmm.

- How long you've
been traveling?

- Oh, a month.

We started in London,
and then we went to Rome,

and now we're just working
our way back to London.

- How much longer do you have?

- About three weeks, or
until my money runs out,

whichever happens first.

[laughs]

- Let's spend the rest
of our vacation together.

Just us.

- What about Sandy and Stacey?

- Look, you don't have
to decide now.

I mean, think about it
while we're traveling.

We'll all go to Nice together,

then we can split up and catch
up with them back in Paris.

And you and I can
travel up to Paris

through the countryside.

I know some wonderful places.

Come on.

Say yes.

Let's just do it.

["Goodbye Yellow Brick
Road" by Elton John]

♪ When are you gonna come down

♪ When are you going to land

♪ I should have stayed
on the farm ♪

♪ I should have listened
to my old man ♪

♪ You know you can't
hold me forever ♪

♪ I didn't sign up for you

♪ I'm not a present for
your friends to open ♪

♪ This boy's too young
to be singing the blues ♪

♪ So goodbye yellow brick road

♪ Where the dogs of
society howl ♪

♪ You can't plant me in
your penthouse ♪

♪ I'm going back to my plow

♪ Back to the howling
old owl in the woods ♪

♪ Hunting the horny back toad

- [gasps] Look at that.

- [Alex] C'est magnifique.

♪ Oh, I've finally
decided my future lies ♪

♪ Beyond the yellow brick road

- [Lily] Hey!

[laughs]

♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah

♪ Back to the howling
old owl in the woods ♪

♪ Hunting the horny back toad

♪ Oh, I've finally
decided my future lies ♪

♪ Beyond the yellow brick road

[inaudible]

- Are you close to your father?

- Well, I'm an only child,
his only son.

My dad's a very powerful
man, very competitive.

He's always in control.

I've never seen him
show any weakness.

Nothing throws him.

Actually, he's rather amazing

and I have a lot of
respect for him,

but I don't really know him.

He's a hard man to get to know.

- Well, maybe you will
when you work together.

- Maybe.

Anyway, so what about you?

What do you want to be?

- A writer.

Actually, I want to be
a great writer.

[laughs]

And a great lover and a
great mother,

not necessarily in that order.

- Sounds good to me,
whatever order.

What else?

- Hmm.

I'd like to live in a
big white house,

lace curtains on the windows

with a hammock.

- Now, isn't that funny?

- What?

- I like lace curtains.

And I love hammocks.

See, we were made
for each other.

It's settled right?

We're gonna go on from
here together.

[exhales]

- This is so strange.

I feel like I've known
you for such a long time.

- I feel the same way.

We must have known each
other in another lifetime

and got separated somehow.

And now we found each
other again.

- And I lived in a
big white house.

- And we swung together

in a hammock.

[kisses]

All day long.

[romantic music]

[metal clicks]

[bus engine idles]

[chuckles]

- Are you okay?
- I'm fine.

- Just be careful.

- You stop worrying,
I know what I'm doing.

- Bye.

- [Lily] Buh-bye.

- Have fun.
- You too.

- Well, behave yourself, Alex.

- Never, I'll see you in Paris.

Meet me at Nicole's, if
I'm not around,

leave a message with
Francois behind the bar.

- All right, see you there.

[laughs]

- Bye.

- [Alex and Lily] Bye, bye.

- See you soon.

[bus horn honks]

[engine revs]

[laughs]

[birds chirp]

Look at that.

[muffled boat motor runs]

- Hello!

[speaking foreign language]

["Time in a Bottle"
by Jim Croce]

♪ If I could save time
in a bottle ♪

♪ The first thing that
I'd like to do ♪

♪ Is to save every day

♪ 'Til eternity passes away

♪ Just to spend them with you

♪ If I could make days
last forever ♪

♪ If words could make
wishes come true ♪

♪ I'd save every day like
a treasure and then ♪

♪ Again, I would spend
them with you ♪

♪ But there never seems
to be enough time ♪

♪ To do the things
you want to do ♪

♪ Once you find them

♪ I've looked around
enough to know ♪

♪ That you're the one
I want to go ♪

♪ Through time with

♪ If I had a box just
for wishes ♪

♪ And dreams that had
never come true ♪

♪ The box would be empty

♪ Except for the memory

♪ Of how they were
answered by you ♪

♪ But there never seems
to be enough time ♪

♪ To do the things
you want to do ♪

♪ Once you find them

♪ I've looked around
enough to know ♪

♪ That you're the one
I want to go ♪

♪ Through time with

[muffled train tracks rattle]

[knocks]

[knocks]

- Who is it?

- [Alex] It's me, Alex.

Please Lily, can I have a
word with you?

- Go away.

- [Alex] Listen, I can't get
off the train, neither can you,

it doesn't make any
stops until the morning.

Look, I'm not making this up,
Lily.

Well, I know that I've
handled this very badly

and I'm sorry, but we're
both stuck on the same train

and I've traveled a great
distance to see you.

Please, won't you at
least have dinner with me?

[door opens]

- Come in.

[door closes]

You haven't changed much.

- No, I have a few gray hairs,

I never thought that
would happen.

And I can't bicycle as
fast as I used to either.

Have you been in New York
all this time?

- No, I was in Boston for
three years after I graduated,

and then I went back
to New York.

- And you're a writer?
- Yes.

- So's Sandy.

- Is he?

- Mmmhmm, he's written a
couple of novels,

one is about to be
made into a film.

- I'll bet he likes that.

- [chuckles] Yeah.

What happened to Stacey?

- She, she married a doctor
and they have three daughters.

- Still keep in touch with her?

- Ah no, not really.

Our lives went in very
different directions.

- So many times I've
imagined how this would feel,

seeing you again.

I still feel like [mumbles].

- You don't know
anything about me.

I'm not the same person.

- Neither am I.

- Part of me hates you.

- I can understand that,

which is all the more reason

why you should listen
to what I have to say.

- No.

- All right, I won't
talk about it.

Look, have dinner
with me anyway.

I'd like to know who
you are now.

I'd like you to know who I am.

C'mon.

How can it hurt?

No. [chuckles]

Nevermind, don't answer
that, just say yes.

[scoffs]

- I'd be crazy to have
dinner with you.

- I'll come back in a couple
of hours and I'll pick you up.

- Wait, I haven't said.

[shushes]

[door opens]

- I'll see you later.

[door closes]

[knocks]

- [Susan] Lily, it's me, Susan.

- Come in.

- Boy, you work fast.

Who was that guy, he
looks like Clark Gable.

- He's just

someone I knew a long time ago.

- Yeah sure, and you
just happened to

run into each other on
the train, nice try.

- Will you get off it?

He's.

I met him when I was
traveling in Europe.

- Mmhmm, and you just ran
into each other on the train?

- Not exactly, he was
looking for me.

The magazine told him
where I was.

- Great, what does he want?

- Absolution.
- What?

- He wants to tell me
what happened to him.

- Well, I still
don't understand.

So, what are you gonna do?

- I'm gonna have dinner with
him, play his little game.

- Oh.

Could this be a revenge?

- What are you doing here?

- Huge plans, a date.

- Does this have anything
to do with Captain Cassini?

- Si, si.

But I need somethin' to wear.

[door opens]

Got anything?

- [Lily] A date,
that's very nice.

- Well, I don't know
how nice it's gonna be,

our communication is
a tad limited.

- Oh well, somehow I
think you'll manage.

Let me see, let me see.

We're gonna need something
appropriate for both of us.

- Got any nun's habits?

[chuckles]

- Afraid not.

Here, why don't you wear this?

[gasps]

- Are you, are you kidding?

Mmm-hmm, I could
never wear this.

No, you wear this, it
looks great on you.

Remember, you work to
the Book Awards,

all those men were
flocking around you.

- Really, I don't remember that.

- Mmm, yeah, I was so depressed.

[laughs]

- All right, all right.

Well, what kind of
look do you want?

- Ah, something ravishing,
something sophisticated.

Something totally unlike me.

What about this?

- Are you serious?

You wanna wear this?

- This is it, this is me.

I have the perfect accessories.

This man is gonna
roll over and die

when he sees me in this.

Thanks, see ya later.

- Bye.

[door closes]

[dreamy magical music]

[exhales]

[kisses]

[kisses]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[laughs]

Thank you.

[kisses]

Oh, they're beautiful.

- Did your mother really
named you after those?

Or is that just a family story?

- No, it's true, I told you.

My mother absolutely
loves lilies,

so she named me Lily.

- What's that?
- Open it.

- Oh, it's beautiful, I love it.

Let me put it on.

- I'll do it, I'll do it.

I'll fiddle around with it.

Okay.

[somber, emotional music]

[laughs]

Voila.

What's wrong?

- Mmm, nothing.

- Come on, tell me.

No secrets.

- I just don't ever want
to be away from you.

[muffled train tracks rattle]

[shade pulls]

[clicks]

[lights]

[people chatter]

[chuckles]

- Well, I don't know why
you're laughing,

you're in serious trouble.

- I'm in serious love,
that's what I'm in.

- You're skating on thin ice.

- It's all gonna work
out, love conquers all.

- And I can hear it cracking.

- Don't you understand,

I'm in love with her and
she's in love with me.

- How can you be so sure,

you've only known her
for a couple of weeks.

Don't you think you
should tell her

before this gets any worse?

- I love her!

When I'm with her, it feels
as if nothing can stop me.

- I've never seen you
like this Alex,

it's quite shocking.

And for god's sake,
think about your family.

Think about your father.

[sighs]

- I'm gonna talk to him, I
shall make him understand.

- He'll never understand.

[muffled train tracks rattle]

[knocks]

[cautious music]

[falls]

[door opens]

- Are you ready?

- [Lily] Yes.

[door closes]

[train horn honks]

[train tracks rattle]

[people chatter]

- To train journeys with you.

You look wonderful.

- I knew this was a bad idea.

- No, no, no, no, I'll behave.

Are you married?

- No, divorced.

And you?

- I'm divorced, too.

- [Lily] Do you have
any children?

- No.

And you?

- Yes, I have the daughter.

- [Alex] Do you have a
picture of her?

- No.

- [Alex] It's pity,
how old is she?

- Uh, she's three, she
just turned three.

- [Alex] She must be fun.

- She's incredible.

I can't imagine what my life
would be like without her.

- I would imagine you're
a very good mother.

- Well, it was sort of
trial by fire.

I didn't know anything about
being a mother when I had her.

- Do you like your job?
- Yes, very much.

- You're good, that interview
I read was fascinating.

You did it very well.

- Flattery will get you nowhere.

[chuckles]

- There was a time when you
said it would get me everywhere.

- And I was very
young and silly.

- Look, I know I said that I
wouldn't talk about the past,

but I do have
something to tell you.

I owe you an explanation.

- It doesn't matter
anymore what happened.

- May I take your orders
for dinner now?

- I'll have the lobster please.

- Yes, madam.

- Would you excuse me
for a moment?

[somber music]

- And then, every
time you see her,

she's got on a new
dress or coat, or--

The last time I saw her,
she had on a gold necklace.

[door closes]

[sighs]

[clinks]

[dreamy magical music]

[taps]

[door opens]

- Oh hi, you're here.

[door closes]

Good, I have
something to show you.

What do you think?

- It's great.

- Who are you writing to?

- [Alex] I was thinking
of writing to my father.

- You gonna tell him about me?

- [Alex] Yes.

- Ta-da.

[clinks]

[train tracks rattle]

- Lily, what is it,
what happened?

- I just want to get
off this train.

- Come on, tell me what's wrong.

Aren't you having dinner
with that guy?

- Yes.

- It didn't work out the
way you planned?

[exhales]

But, what happened
between you two?

- 10 years ago we were in
Paris together.

We were very much in love.

And one night, he went
to have a drink

with a friend of his father's.

And I never saw him
again until today.

- [Susan] Oh, that's awful.

What does he want now?

- He wants to explain.

Oh god, I thought I could
handle this, but I don't know.

It really scares me.

- Lily, what's to be afraid of?

- I never felt the way I
felt about him

with anybody else in my life.

It just terrifies me to
be close to him.

It took me such a long
time to get over it.

[train tracks rattle]

[people chatter]

- Alex.
- Lily.

[sighs]

- I'm sorry, you go ahead.

- This isn't easy for me.

But I said I'd have
dinner with you, so.

Let's try it again, all right?

- Look, the last thing
that I want to do

is to make you feel
uncomfortable.

I know this is strange, and
it's awkward for both of us.

Are you sure you're all right?

- Yes.

- [Alex] Okay, so what
would you like to know

about this stranger
you're having dinner with?

- Do you still work in
your father's firm?

- No, he's dead, it was
a heart attack.

I left the firm, what,
eight years ago.

The year he died, in fact.

- [Lily] Oh, I'm sorry.

- Oh, it wasn't
totally unexpected.

I mean, he'd had a bad
heart for a number of years.

- Why did she leave
the business?

- I didn't enjoy the work.

I mean, the only
reason I was there

was because of my father,

and I suppose, in some ways,

I'm glad I gave it a
try when he was alive,

but it certainly wasn't
what I wanted to be doing.

So, when he died, it
was time to go.

It took me a long time to
find myself, as they say.

See, I was expected to go
into the family business

ever since I was old
enough to talk,

so I never really thought
about doing anything else.

- Oh, that's pretty.

- Thank you.

Do you remember that
first bike ride

we made from that little
town in France?

- Mmhm.

- I'll never forget how
impressed we all were

with the way you
bargained for those bikes.

It was a great trip.

How long were you married?

- Um, five years.

How long were you married?

- The same.

- [Lily] Happily?

- No, not really.

We should have never have
gotten married.

- [Lily] You know rom the
beginning it was wrong?

- I was in love with
someone else.

So it never really
stood a chance.

- Did she love you?

- In the beginning.

- How about you?

What happened to your marriage,
I mean.

- He thought I didn't
love him enough,

and I thought he
loved me too much.

- It's always the way, isn't it?

One person always seems to
love the other one more.

Except with us.

- Except with us.

[romantic music]

- Do you remember that
night in a cafe near Paris,

when we had that awful fight?

- I don't want to remember.

- [Alex] It's important.

- All right.

We were having dinner
with Sandy and Stacey,

and they went dancing.

- And I said

let's stay and have a drink.

- Mmmm.

- [Alex] I need to talk
to you about something.

- Uh-oh, this sounds serious.

- It is serious.

- What is it?

Alex, come on, what is it?

Can't be all that bad.

- I have to tell you
something and it's,

it's difficult.

- Just tell me.

- I think we should take
a break from each other.

Spend some time apart.

- Why?

- Because I need some
time by myself,

I have some things
to figure out.

- I don't understand.

Why didn't you tell
me this before?

- I'm telling you now.

- What do you mean, you're
telling me now.

When did you start to
feel like this?

At dinner?

After we made love, when?

- Listen, Lily, there's no point

in talking about it like this,

I just need some time alone.

- Alex, we only have
a week left,

I have to go back to the States.

[melancholy music]

What did I do?

What did I do to make you
feel like this?

- Please don't go, Lily,
let's talk some, Lily, please.

Lily, wait, please, please.

I love you, please don't go,
I love you.

[cries]

- Are you sure?

- I am very sure, I
didn't mean a word

of what I just said, I
didn't mean it.

I want to be with you
for the rest of my life.

- Oh, Alex.

[romantic music]

- I couldn't tell you the truth.

I couldn't get the words out.

- And what was the truth?

- That I was engaged
to be married.

She was the daughter of

my father's closest friend
and business associate.

And I went to him that
night to tell him

that I was in love with you,

and that the wedding to
Anne was off.

Hello dad.

- Oh there you are, Alex.

You're very late, aren't you?

- Sorry.

- Well, let's have a
look at you.

Come on, sit down, let's
have something to eat.

It is good to see you again
after all this, long time.

- It's good to see you, too.

How's mum?
- Oh, she's very well.

Wildly excited, of
course, about the wedding.

She's due first thing tomorrow
morning with your aunt,

and the Trowbridge's are
arriving late tomorrow
afternoon,

I understand.

Have you spoken to Anne yet?

- No, I haven't, not for
a few weeks now.

- Well, she'll be here
tomorrow, won't she?

Then you will have the rest
of your lives together,

won't you?

Is something the matter, Alex?

You seem a bit off-color.

[somber music]

- How can I make you understand

what it was like for me then.

I was 22,

and I thought that
nothing was irrevocable.

- And what about us?

What about the way we
felt about each other?

- I didn't know then

that the love,

passion that I felt for you

was unlike anything that I
was every going to experience

again in my life.

I didn't know at 22,

that I would never
again love anybody

as much as I loved you.

I didn't know that.

I made a terrible mistake,

and I've regretted
it ever since.

I know now

that when I was with you,

that was the happiest
I've ever been.

That's why I'm here,

I wanted you to know that.

I thought that I owed
you that much.

[sighs]

Now, it's getting late.

I'll see you back to your cabin.

- Yes.

[romantic music]

[train tracks rattle]

[thuds]

- You all right?

- Yes.

[train tracks rattle]

- I never stopped
thinking about you.

Wondering where you were,
what you were doing.

Wondering if you ever
thought of me.

[romantic music]

[door opens]

[train tracks rattle]

[joyful music]

[dreamy magical music]

[water laps]

[church bells chime]

[gasps]

[laughs]

You're terrible.

- Come on.
- No.

[laughs]

- Let's meet at Nicole's at 9.

- I'll be there.

[footsteps click]

[somber music]

[speaking foreign language]

[footsteps click]

[train tracks rattle]

[door opens]

[distraught music]

[exhales]

- You all right?

- I'm fine.

- Come here.

[exhales]

What is it?

- What do you mean, what is it?

- Nothing, I just wondered
where you'd gone to, that's all.

- We shouldn't have spent the
night together last night,

it was wrong.

- What do you mean it was wrong?

How could it have been wrong?

You can't mean that.

It's wonderful.

- Wasn't all that great.

We spent the night on the
train together,

just like any two strangers.

- We are not strangers.

Now, you may wish that,
but it's not true.

- I'm not gonna go through
this with you again.

I've been there.

I know what you can do to me
and I won't let it happen.

I hate you.

What do you think I've been
doing for the last ten years?

Waiting for you to
come and find me?

- Of course I haven't.

What are you talking about?

- I think I've made
myself very clear.

- Stop this.

Now, you're not being
fair to either one of us.

Now, talk to me, tell
me what's wrong,

what is bothering you?

- I don't have to explain
anything to you,

and I don't care if you
don't understand.

- [Alex] Look, don't do this,
talk to me.

- You nearly destroyed my life

and I don't want to have
anything to do with you,

now get out.

- Lily, this is--
- Go.

[door opens]

I asked you to leave.

[unsettling music]

[door closes]

[dreamy magical music]

- Lily, you all right?

- I'm pregnant.

[melancholy music]

- [Woman] Oh come on,
how 'bout the [mumbles],

you can't eat it all.

- Mom?

It's me.

No, I'm not okay.

I need to talk to you.

No, not over the phone.

No, I'll come home.

I'll take the morning
shuttle okay,

can you pick me up?

Okay, thanks Mom.

[sniffs]

No, I'm okay, I'm okay.

I'll see you tomorrow.

[phone clicks]

[cries]

[sighs]

[baby cries]

Oh, that's my girl.

[baby coos]

Oooh.

[exhales]

[romantic music]

- [Alex] I never
stopped loving you.

Not for one single moment.

I'm not gonna let you
go this time.

[urgent music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[frantic music]

[door closes]

[window slides]
[wind blows]

[train tracks rattle]

[kisses]

- I really don't do this
sort of thing a lot.

I really don't.

- [Flavio] It's okay,
I understand.

I have to go now, to work.

- [Susan] Promise we'll
see each other in Paris?

- Si, if you like.

- [Susan] Ciao.

- Ciao.

[sweeping romantic music]

[train horn honks]

[muffled train tracks rattle]

- I'm in trouble, Lil,
big trouble.

- [Lily] What kind of trouble?

- I'm smitten, severely smitten.

I wonder how you say
that in Italian.

- Ah, you had a good time.

- I'm telling you.
- We have to talk, Lily.

- Don't go, Susan.

Susan and I are having
breakfast, Alex.

We don't have anything
else to say to each other,

so please--

- I'm not leaving till I've
said what I have to say.

- Oh, I'll just move to
another table.

I don't mind, really.

- You're making this
very unpleasant.

- I didn't want it this way.

I don't know how to reach you.

I knew what you were
feeling last night,

I could feel it, so could you,

so why are you pushing me
away like this?

What is it?

- You misread me.

I'm married.

I've been married for six years.

- I don't believe you.

- My husband and my daughter
and meeting me in Paris,

we're vacationing together.

Now, will you leave me alone.

- Why didn't you tell
me this before?

Do you think it would
have prevented us

from sleeping together?

Hmm?

Why did you make love with me?

Why!

- I didn't give it much thought.

- Don't do this.

- Stop it, I told you to
leave me alone,

now get away from me.

- Right, you look me in the eye

and you tell me that what
happened between us last night

meant nothing to you.

[dramatic music]

- It meant nothing.

[somber music]

I felt nothing.

- Don't let us lose
each other again.

Please.

- We lost each other years ago,
Alex.

Goodbye.

- Are you all right?

- I will be.

- Um, this is the place
we stop for supplies,

I'm gonna get off and
get some things.

Can I get you anything?

- No thanks.

- A magazine?

Maybe they have the
New York Times,

I'll get that for you, okay?

- Sure.

- See you in a minute.

[brakes squeal]

[sighs]

[people chatter]

Yeah?

[footsteps crunch]

Hi.

- I'd like to apologize
for this morning.

- Oh, forget it.

Are you getting off
the train here?

- I'm afraid so.

- How are you gonna
get to Paris?

- Um, I'll rent a car.

Is that new shirt?

- [Conductor] All aboard,
all aboard.

- I better go.

I just don't know, you think
this is the right size?

Would this fit a nine year-old?

[whistle blows]

It'll have to do.

Anyway, nice meeting you,
so long.

- Oh wait, please, what
nine year-old?

- Come along please, miss,
the train is about to leave.

- What, I can't hear you.

- What, what, what nine
year-old you're talking about?

- Alexandra, Lily's daughter,
it's a gift for her.

[train horn honks]

[door closes]

[train engine revs]

[train tracks rattle]

[door opens]

[footsteps clomp]

[suitcases thud]

[speaking foreign language]

[speaking foreign language]

- English?

[speaking foreign language]

One little bit.

- Could I have a ticket for
the next train to Paris?

- Of course.

Voila, one ticket for the
train to Paris,

on Friday.
- Friday?

But I want to go today.

[speaking foreign language]

- This is not possible,
I am so sorry.

- I cannot believe this.

Is there anywhere around
here that I can rent a car?

[speaking foreign language]

What?

- But, perhaps if you
go to do Dijon.

- Dijon, but that's absurd.

- Ah, Monsieur, I am sorry,
I am sorry.

- Yes, well, it's
not your fault.

Ah, thank you.

[birds chirp]

[train horn honks]

[traffic hums]

[truck slows]

[door closes]

[engine revs]

[train tracks rattle]

[piano plays]

[engine sputters]

[engine revs]

[train tracks rattle]

[train horn honks]

[engine revs]

[speaking foreign language]

I would like to buy that car.

[speaking foreign language]

[car drives]

[train tracks rattle]

[cries]

[door opens]

- Lily, what's wrong?

[cries]

You look awful.

Okay, let's have it,
what's goin' on?

- I'm never gonna have a
relationship that works.

[cries]

- What are you talking about?

That's the bleakest thing
I've ever heard, it'--

- I can't love anybody, I
don't know how.

- Lily, that's not true.

You'll love somebody.

- Alex was the first
man I ever loved.

I never thought about it ending.

When he left,

I lost myself.

- Lily, you're not lost.

You're one of the
strongest women I know.

- I know I'm strong,

that isn't what I'm
talking about.

Since Alex, I've
involved with men

that couldn't hurt me.

If I didn't love them,
how could they?

- Lily, you have looks I
would die for.

[sighs]

You have a great job, you
have a fabulous daughter.

You're so lucky.
- I didn't tell him.

- Tell him what?

- That he has a daughter.

[cries]

Lexa's his daughter.
- She's what?

And he, and he doesn't know?

- I told him that I was
gonna meet my,

[sniffs]

my husband and my
daughter in Paris and,

and that I didn't want to
see him again.

And then he didn't mean
anything to me.

- Did you mean that?

- Yes.

Yes.
[sniffs]

[sweeping romantic music]

I'm gonna meet Robert in London

and I'm gonna marry him.

[cries]

[determined orchestral music]

[car drives]

[muffled train tracks rattle]

- I won't hear of it.

[door closes]

I can't believe it.

- I've fallen in love
with someone else,

and I can't marry Anne.

- I won't hear of this,

it's not possible, it's
absolute nonsense.

- I'm not in love with Anne.

I'm in love with someone else.

I love her very much,

probably more than I've
loved anyone,

and I can't marry Anne.

- I suppose this other person is

someone you met while you
were traveling.

- Her name is Lily,
she's an American,

and yes, I met her on a train.

- [chuckles] Oh, how
very lucky for you, Alex,

to meet a pretty
girl on a train.

But there's no earthly need
to get worked up about it,

is there?

- It's not the way I feel.

- You surprise me, Alex,

I thought you were a
grown man by now.

- I do wish you'd try
and understand.

- There's something I don't
think you understand, Alex.

Sit down, will you,
something I have to tell you.

I suppose you were too
much preoccupied

with your own silly little
affairs to give a thought

to what was happening
in the business here.

- Of course I haven't forgotten.

I don't see what that's
got to do with anything.

- You know I started to
work with Anne's father

on this active industries
merger before you went away.

Well, because he was the
principal shareholder,

I naturally negotiated with
him on behalf of our company.

But we haven't been able to
reach a final agreement yet,

and now something has
gone seriously wrong.

Our company,

your company, Alex, is
in desperate trouble.

This merger can save our bacon.

It can stop the firm
from closing down.

Do you understand?

Alex, look at me.

Don't you see how vitally
important it is now

that you should marry Anne?

You have an obligation
to your family.

If you don't fulfill
the obligation,

you'll be jeopardizing
the whole future

for a great many
people who love you

and whom you love.

I don't see that you
have any choice.

- I don't love Anne,
I love Lily.

- You'll get over this, Alex.

Such things are bound to
happen sometimes,

but they don't last, you know.

[clock ticks]

Look, I hate to admit this,
Alex, but,

I must make this demand of you.

I need you so badly, Alex,
to do this for my sake.

Please say you will.

[somber music]

[car drives]

[train tracks rattle]

[urgent music]

[train tracks rattle]

[train tracks rattle]

- [Conductor] Ladies
and gentlemen,

in a few moments, we will
be arriving in Paris.

- [Lily] We better get going.

- Wait a minute.

[brakes squeal]

[chimes]

- [Station Announcement]
[speaking foreign language]

- Take one of us.
- All right.

[chuckles]

Say cheese.

- [Both] Cheese.

[snaps]

- There you go.

- Thanks, Lily, let's
have one of you.

- Oh no, no, I'd rather not,

I want to get right
to the hotel.

I want to call New York,

make sure Lexa got on the
plane all right.

- Okay, okay.

I'll see you later, right?

- Yes, yes, I see you.

- [Susan] Do you have
the address?

- Yes, I have it.

I see you soon, mmmhmm?

Ciao.

- [Susan] Okay, just checking.

Ciao.

- Ciao.

- Ciao.
- Ciao.

[footsteps click]

- Bye Flavio, thank you.

Here you are.

[car drives]

[door closes]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[engine revs]

- Do you believe we're in Paris?

I bet that's something famous.

Isn't that fabulous,
whatever it is?

[traffic hums]
[car horns honk]

Lily, don't do something
you'll regret.

Find him.

[sighs]

- I'm going to marry Robert.

[traffic hums]
[car horns honk]

[dials]

Hello, Robert?

Hi.

No, we just got in this evening.

Yes, we had a wonderful time.

The train's beautiful.

Oh, I'll be picking up
Alexa in the morning,

and what I thought we'd do is,

I thought we'd do a
little sightseeing,

and then take a night
flight to London.

Yes, it's all arranged.

[somber music]

I miss you too, sweetheart.

And I have something
to tell you.

No, no, it's good news.

Yes.

Okay, well, I'll see you
tomorrow night then, all right?

Right, buh-bye.

[phone settles]

[romantic music]

[drawer closes]

[footsteps click]

[traffic hums]

[raindrops fall]

[footsteps click]

[footsteps click]

- [Airport Announcement] TWA
Flight 800 from New York,

now arriving--

[plane engine roars]

[door opens]

- [Airport Announcement]
[speaking foreign language]

[traffic hums]

[people chatter]

- Hi Mom!

Hi.

[laughs]

- Oooh, hello my darling,
I'm so glad you're here.

Let me look at you.

Oh, you look so beautiful.

Are you tired, honey?

- No, not really.

- Would you like to do
some sightseeing?

- Yeah.
- Come on.

[traffic hums]

[brake clicks]

[door closes]

[footsteps clomp]

- [Flavio] Okay?

- All right.

- Flavio.

Flavio, do you remember me?

- Why yes, of course.

- I'm looking for Miss
Parker and her friend,

do you know where they are?

- They are at the hotel,
the address is

25 Rue St. John.

- Thank you, thank you.
- You're welcome.

[car horns honk]

[car horns honk]

[car horns honk]

[engine revs]

[bells ring]

[speaking foreign language]

- Oui, Monsieur, how
may I help you?

- I'd like to see Miss
Parker, please, Lily Parker.

She's traveling with
another woman,

Susan, I don't know
her last name.

- Oh yes, the photographer.

They checked out
about an hour ago.

- Checked out?

Well, where did they go,
to another hotel?

- I don't know where they went,
Monsieur.

- They must have left a
forwarding address or something.

- They were only here
for a night,

why should they leave
a forwarding address?

- Yes, I suppose you're right.

Thank you.

- Monsieur.

There was some talk about
sightseeing, they took a map.

- Where?

- Monsieur.

[dreamy romantic music]

[footsteps click]
[birds chirp]

- [Lexa] Were you ever
in Paris before, Mom?

- Yes, but it was a
long time ago.

- Was that before I was born,
Mom?

- Mmmhmm.

I wonder where Susan is,

I'm sure she said she'd
meet us at one.

- [Lexa] There she is!

[footsteps clomp]

- Hi.

- Come on, Mom, we
can go in now.

- Okay, sweetie, we'll
be right there.

Hi, what happened?

- I said goodbye to Flavio.

- Oh, you'll see him again.

- No.

I told him I thought
it was better

to just leave it as
nice brief affair.

- Why?

- Because there's no
future in it.

He's Italian and lives in Rome,

I'm American, I live
in New York.

I finally meet somebody
and geography kills it.

Come on.

- Ah, you come on.

Do you love him?

- Maybe.

Probably.

Yes.

[laughs]

Well, you'll work it out.

[traffic hums]

[metal rumbles]

[traffic hums]

[brake clicks]

- What you think, Lexa?

- I want to live here.

- Oh, you do?

- If, if I move to Rome,

would you two come and visit me?

- Yes, and I'd learn how
to speak Italian.

- What's wrong with
him moving to New York?

You just got a promotion.

- Who are you talking about?

- Oh, a friend of Susan's
that she met on the train.

- Did you meet anyone on
the train, Mom?

- Yes.

Yes, I met a very nice man.

[somber romantic music]

- You should take a
little of your own advice

and go find him.

- I'm gonna marry Robert,
I made up my mind.

Now, can we please stop
talking this?

- Okay.

[sweeping romantic music]

[footsteps clomp]

- I'm terribly sorry, I
thought you were someone else.

[footsteps click]

[birds chirp]

[footsteps click]

- My feet are k*lling me.

- You should wear sneakers.

- You're right.

Don't ever stop wearing sneakers

even when you start thinking

men'll like better in heels,
okay?

- No way.

- Do you think men like us
better in heels

or do you think we like
us better in heels?

- I'm too tired to answer
such a complex question.

- Let's go get some ice cream.

- Great idea, ice cream always
makes my feet feel better.

- There's a place!

Come on!

[footsteps click]

[traffic hums]

- What kind of ice cream
you having, Lexa?

- Chocolate, chocolate,
chocolate.

- Oh god.

[traffic hums]

[melancholy music]

- Mmm.

- [Lily] What is it, Lexa?

- There's this man
across the street.

He's just standing there,
staring at me.

- [Lily] Well, don't
look at him.

[sweeping romantic music]

- Lily.

[romantic music]

[swooshes]