Browse Scenes

Laszlo, a Hungarian refugee and architect, finds himself unable to engage emotionally or physically with a prostitute in a brothel. The scene highlights his profound sense of displacement and his intellectualized, detached view of the world as he inadvertently insults the woman while struggling with his own self-loathing.

Harry Lee Van Buren approaches Attila and his cousin Laszlo with a request to renovate his father's study into a proper library. The scene establishes the class dynamic between the wealthy client and the immigrant craftsmen as they discuss the technical requirements of the project.

A wealthy industrialist, Van Buren, tracks down a struggling immigrant architect, Laszlo, to apologize for his previous behavior and settle a debt. Van Buren reveals he has discovered Laszlo's prestigious Bauhaus background and offers him both financial restitution and a chance to see his work properly recognized.

Laszlo Toth writes a desperate and hopeful letter to his wife, Erzsebet, detailing his efforts to secure her and their niece's passage to America. He explains his connection with an influential attorney and hints at a new architectural opportunity that could change their fortunes.

The Shelby family gathers to discuss a new threat: a ruthless Chief Inspector arriving from Belfast to clean up Birmingham. Thomas subtly usurps his brother Arthur's leadership by providing intelligence on the inspector's history, leading to a sharp confrontation with Aunt Polly over family secrets and gender dynamics.

Laszlo, a visionary architect and Holocaust survivor, reflects on the permanence of his work versus the fragility of human life and political stability. He explains to Van Buren how his buildings were designed to outlast the cycles of war and social upheaval that displaced him.