The Borgias, Season Two

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(finds Vittoria back in her disguise, restoring the ancient Roman art works) Do you never rest? (Vittoria smiles) Where do you sleep?

Vittoria:
(grins) Under silk covers, last night.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(chuckles, shakes his head) On a normal night.

Vittoria:
On a straw bed, on a studio floor.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(crouches next to her) So, you know the streets of Rome- the slums, the tennants- you live among the common people.

Vittoria:
I am one of them, Your Holiness.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(strokes her ear) Hmm- not for long, I would hazard, knowing your talents.

Vittoria:
... Does the Pope of Rome not know his flock?

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(sighs and looks around)... You see the gilded cage we live in. We meet with princes and pergunters and prelates, and... very few of the common people. (pause, kisses her head) We might... need your assistance. (Cardinal Sforza appears behind them and clears his throat, the Pope stands up) Ah, Cardinal Sforza! Come to view our... Roman treasures? (gestures around them)

Ascanio Sforza:
Etruscan, I would wager.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(surprised) Ah- the Cardinal is an expert in such matters?

Ascanio Sforza:
The Cardinal has seen Donatello's David, and marveled at the source of its' eros. Now, he knows.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
And, the Cardinal thinks there may be scandal, perhaps?...

Ascanio Sforza:
(stiffly) The Cardinal does not care. What the Cardinal does care about are the Vatican finances.

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
Ah- yes. (to Vittoria) You will excuse us, young maestro.