- Giovanni: [narrating - part of a letter he's writing back home in reply to Liliana] What beautiful letters you write, dear Liliana. You're so good at expressing yourself. I'm not as good, and I often can't say everything I feel. But I'm sure you understand me just the same, because the feelings you express are the same ones I feel. You speak for both of us.
- Old folks home official: How old is he?
- Giovanni: Seventy.
- Old folks home official: They're treated well. They can't complain. The only problem is loneliness. They feel abandoned and if they don't get used to it, after awhile, they just waste away. Is he a relative?
- Giovanni: No, he's...
- Old folks home official: Your dad?
- Giovanni: Yes.
- Old folks home official: Well, if you have no other choice, I guess you'll have to accept it.
- Giovanni: If I don't take it, there are ten others who will. They're going to promote me to specialized worker. What are you afraid of? You think I'm just going to disappear?
- Old Man: If an old man can't even have a glass of wine, what's left to live for?
- Liliana: [narrating from a letter written to Giovanni] I don't go dancing anymore. I don't want to go to the Speranza and see all our friends. I don't want them asking about you with those insinuating smiles - you know how people are. I'd be embarrassed. We have so many memories from that place. You could say that's where we met, when I used to accompany my older sister there. I was 15 or 16, remember? You were just back from the military. I've never told you this, but the first time you asked me to dance, I said no because I didn't know how. I had my girlfriends teach me at home and every night after that, I hoped you would ask me again. How many memories since then?
- Liliana: [narrating from a letter written to Giovanni] You know, Giovanni, perhaps your trip was good for us both. I think the distance helped us understand a lot of things. We've been sweethearts for so long. So many years. More than sweethearts - you know what I mean - but we've never really spoken the way two lovers should. We each kept our thoughts to ourselves and were content just being together. But perhaps our being together was becoming a mere habit. Perhaps we didn't realize we were each still alone.
- Transferred Plant Worker: It's not that they're lazy. They do their work. They're just a little crazy. The sun's real hot and they never have a chance to blow off steam. Want a cigarette?
- Giovanni: No. No, thanks
- Transferred Plant Worker: Take one.
- Giovanni: No, I just had one.
- Transferred Plant Worker: I was one of the first to come down here. You should have seen it. It was full of Algerians back then. They'd bring their lunch wrapped up in a rag. Now they all carry briefcases and look like executives. They've moved up in the world.
- Giovanni: Where are you from?
- Costumed Dancing Partner at Sicilian Festival: Catania. How about you?
- Giovanni: I'm from up north.
- Costumed Dancing Partner at Sicilian Festival: Poor thing, so far from home. I'll give you a kiss, just to console you.
- [Giovanni starts to lift her veil]
- Costumed Dancing Partner at Sicilian Festival: No, that's not allowed.
- Giovanni: It won't be any fun then.
- Costumed Dancing Partner at Sicilian Festival: You'll see. It'll be wonderful.
- Liliana: [narrating from a letter written to Giovanni] I received your postcard and your letter. I hesitated to write back. I wasn't sure you wanted me to. When I received your letter, I got scared. I wanted to open it right away, but I couldn't work up the courage. I felt excited and happy running up the stairs. But then suddenly that happiness frightened me. I was afraid. I don't know why. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, most of them disturbing. I even thought this might be your last letter. I admit I was afraid. I lost faith and hope as well.
- Giovanni: [narrating from a letter written to Liliana] Do you still go dancing at night? I've stopped going. There are no dance halls here. But that's not the only reason. I was used to dancing with you. I'm not comfortable with other girls.
- Giovanni: [narrating from a letter written to Liliana] On Sundays I don't know what to do. I just wander around aimlessly. Besides, without my motorcycle, I can't really go anywhere.
- Giovanni: [narrating from a letter written to Liliana] Write me when you get the chance, because it's nice to get home at night and have the lady at the pensione tell me I have mail.
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