06 Chapter 5 (the end)

(Anne comes back to do embassy.)

General: Your Royal Highness. Twenty-four hours. They can't all be blank.

Anne: They are not.

General: But what explanation am I to offer their Majesties?

A: I was in disposed. I am better.

G: Ma.am. You must apprepreciate that I have my duty to perform, just as Your Royal Highness has her duty...

A: Your excellency, I trust you with not find it necessary to use that word again. Were I not completely aware of my duty to my family and my country, I would not have come back tonight. Or indeed ever again.

(After Anne left, Joe stays in his room, alone, lost in thought. There's knock at  the door, and Mr. Hennesy comes in.)

H: Is it true? Did you really get it?

J: Did I get what?

H: The princess story. The exclusive. Did you get it?

J: No, I didn't get it.

H: What? But that's impossible.

J: Do you want a cup of coffee or something.

H: Joe, you can't hold out on me.

J: Who's holding out on you?

H: You are!

J: What are you talking about?

H: I know too much! First you come into my office and ask about an exclusive on the Princess. Next you disappear. They I get the rumor from my contact at the embassy that the princess isn't sick at all, that she's out on the town.

J: What kind of a newspaper man are you? You believe every to bit rumor that comes your way?

H: Yeah... and a lot of other rumors. About a shiny gone barge down by the river. And the arrest of eight secret service men from a country which shall be nameless. And then comes the news of the Lady's miraculous covering. It all adds up. And you't think by playing hard to get you'll raise the price of that story. A deal's a deal! Now come on, come on, come on. Where is that story?

J: I have no story.

(Irving comes with Anne's photos.)

(Next day, the press conference.)

Minister: Your Royal Highness, the ladies and gentlemen of the press.

Minister: Ladies and gentlemen, Her Royal Highness will now answer your questions.

Journalist: I believe  at the honor, Her Highness, that I should express the pleasure of all of us, at your recovery from the recent illness.

A: Thank you.

J: Does Your Highness believe that the federation would be a possible solution to Europe's economic problems?

A: I am in favor of any measure which would lead to closer cooperation in Europe.

J: And what, in the opinion of your Highnesss, is the outlook for the friendship among nations?

A: I have every faith in it, as I have faith in relations between people.

Joe: May I say, speaking for my own press service, we believe that Your Highness's faith will not be unjustified.

A: I am so glad to hear you say it.

J: Which of the cities visited di Your Highness enjoy the most ?

A: Each in it's own way was unforgettable. It would be difficult to ...Rome. By all means Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.

Minister: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.

A: I would now like to meet some of the ladies and gentlemen of the press.

J: Hitchcock, Chicago Daily news.

A: I'm so happy to see you here.

Irving: Irving Retivich, CR Photo Service.

A: How do you do.

Irving: May I present your Highness with some commemorative photo's of your visiit to Rome?

A: Thank you so much.

Joe: Joe Bradley, American News Services.

A: So happy, Mr. Bradley.

(The press conference is over. Joe is left alone in the empty hall, with a beautiful and unforgettable memory in the innermost of his heart)