The Borgias, Season Two

Vertrice:
Stop!

Paolo:
(sharply) You mock me, fair lady.

Vertrice:
If I did, forgive me- kind sir.

Paolo:
My name is Paolo.

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

Paolo:
Must you so debase yourself?

Vertrice:
If I do not lift my skirts, I starve.

Paolo:
Better to starve, surely.

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

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

Vertrice:
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?

Paolo:
No, my lady.

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