" "THE MAN WHO LOVES"" " SEPTEMBER" " See you tonight?" " Tonight." "Hello?" "The meeting's confirmed for 4:00." "All right, hold on." "Geez!" "Here I am." "No rush, an afternoon of adventure isn't awaiting us." "Is there ever a day when you don't hate this pharmacy?" "Not today." "Dr. Sestieri..." "Look at this, please." "Are you familiar with this drug?" "No, perhaps it's new." " Let me check the codex." " No, don't worry about it." "Let's not waste time, you don't know it, neither do I." "Perhaps the doctor made a mistake." "This drug doesn't exist." "Tell your doctor he made a mistake." "Have him write another prescription with the correct name." "Goodbye." "Good morning." "Would you like a generic anti-inflammatory?" "It costs less." "All right." " Only one pack?" " There are 12, Carlo!" "They're not free, I get a discount." "They only cost the manufacturer 10 cents apiece!" "All the rest is pure profit!" "I buy condoms from the pharmacy, not the manufacturer." "Don't you care about your brother's sexual health?" "Sure, but you fuck too much, you cost me a fortune!" "Are you nuts?" "I told you he's studying." "In 4 days he has an exam which he knows nothing about." " If the volume was low..." " Why don't we talk instead?" "Work is good, Sara is good, everything is good." "Sounds like the weather forecast." "Do you go out in groups or only alone, like "Endless Love"?" "Usually alone, she doesn't know anyone here." " Did you give her your house keys?" " No, why?" "Just asking..." "Recently, I just did last week." "We've been dating for6 months, it seemed like good timing." " Actually, I waited too long." " Right." "So it happened, you fell in love?" " Shall we call him to dinner?" " No, he knows when to come." "He has a sixth sense, like cats." "Here, crack this open." " Roberto, how are you?" " Fine, you?" " Fine." "Sorry I didn't say hello before, I was studying." "Yes, the lifelong student!" " Eat up." " Thanks." "Sure, they're left-over stock from the World Cup, colored like the Italian flag." " How patriotic!" " Bon appétit." " Wait, what are you doing?" " I can't wait." " Let me finish up." " I can't resist..." "It's so easy to be with you." "Is that an insult or compliment?" "It's a good thing." "With Pietro I felt like I was being judged, maybe it was my problem." "Plus he never talked." "Well, then I'm winning:" "I hardly ever judge you, I can string four words together..." "And furthermore, you don't have a wife and two kids." "Sorry." "I shouldn't talk about that." "I'd forgotten how it felt to be happy." "And now that I'm happy with you it still surprises me." "I was thinking about something... you could come live here." "Leave that hideous guest house." "What's wrong with it?" "Nothing, structurally." "But first off, I'm not there." "At least there I can sleep for a few hours... and brush my teeth without being sexually molested." "I'm serious." "Bring your things here." "Try it, for a few days in a row." "All of your things are here." "What's gotten into you?" "You suddenly want to jump the gun?" "So far you haven't given me any room." "I'm a simple girl." "I'd be happy with one drawer for now." "One drawer." " I DASHED OFF TO WORK " "If you think you'll be late today, tell me." "I'll ask Dr. Pastore to fill in." " No need, I'll be here at 4:00." " How about this:" "If you're running late, text me." " If that's what you prefer." "I don't, I hate cell phones." " But they're often useful." " Excuse me, I have to run." "Go ahead." " When is he up?" " Third, he should be almost done." " I think this is a crock of shit." " Don't start!" "I think it's a crock of shit too." "His only defect is believing in superstition, so let's humor him." "In fact, we're waiting like two fools until he finishes." "It's your fault for coming last time..." "No, it's your boyfriend's fault for having his own mental quirks." "He thinks every time I come here he'll get an A on his exam." " If he does poorly..." " Don't even joke about it!" "When he does poorly on exams he gets into a funk." " How about a coffee?" " We cannot move!" "We must sit here like Swiss Guards." "They don't sit, they stand." "Want to go to the lake this weekend?" "I'm going to see a game on Sunday." " You'll have to go alone." " I don't feel like it." "I suppose I could take Sara." "I tried to say that nonchalantly but I didn't pull it off!" "Taking her to meet mom and dad?" "Wow!" "If they don't like her?" "They don't want to get attached to someone..." "Well, if they don't like her, too bad for them." " Seriously?" " It's just a weekend at a lake." "Take her to Lake Como then, it's nicer and full of Americans!" "What did I tell you?" "I got an A!" " And I barely knew a thing." " Genius, you'll get a Nobel prize." " We're never doing this again." " No, you have to come." "It's scientifically proven you bring me luck." " How many exams left?" " 7." "I have to go tell the others what questions they're asking..." "No, let's go eat, I'm starved." "Coming?" "Bye." "Listen, since you don't work on Sunday, we could visit my parents at the lake." " You said you'd like to see it." " Yes, I'd love to, but I can't on Sunday, I have to go back to Milan." "I have to settle that problem with my landlord and see Betta about the residents' meeting." "Didn't you want to get some rest?" "Yes, in fact..." "Instead, I was thinking... you could come up... for an hour or so." "That way I'd fall asleep right after." " After what?" " Silly!" " Thanks." " Any news about the game?" "No, sorry." "Good morning, I would like some contact lens solution." "The person you called is not available at the moment." "Do you have any cigarettes to sell?" "Not to sell, but I could give you one." "Thanks and good day!" "Why'd you say you don't smoke?" "Dunno..." "The person you called is not available at the moment." "Sara!" "Sorry!" "Is everything okay?" "Your phone was off the whole time." "The battery died and I didn't have my charger, I'm sorry." "Stores were closed on Sunday so I couldn't buy one." " I thought something happened to you." " Nothing happened." " I'm sorry you were worried." " No problem." " I have to go now." " Me too." "See you tonight?" "Yes, tonight." "I'll call you back." "Yes." "No, everything's fine." "I'll call you tomorrow, bye." "What are you doing?" "Why didn't you tell me the truth?" "I can't believe you went through my purse!" " You spied on me!" " Why didn't you tell me?" "What?" "What do you want to know?" "Did you see Pietro in Milan?" "Why did you check up on me?" "Answer me." " Yes, we met up." " Why didn't you tell me?" "Because it was better to lie to you." "What does "we met up" mean?" "Did you fuck him?" "Yes." "Why did you have to ruin everything?" "I'm back here with you, isn't that enough?" "You need to leave now." "I don't want to see you again." "Anything else?" "I asked for a balm this morning but you gave me a moisturizer." " Yes, I'll exchange it." " Thanks." "It's nothing!" "We're not home, leave a message, thanks." "Morning, this is Dr. Campo, it's 10:32." "You were supposed to work this morning." "I hope nothing serious has happened, otherwise I'd like an explanation." "I'm sorry for going through your purse." "No, you don't have to apologize." "I want to apologize." "What I did was wrong." "That's not it, it's not important." "Maybe we should talk about it." "Or not, if you prefer, but at least tell me what you plan to do." "I like being with you, I really do." "Why are you saying it with that tone?" "Because I don't love you, I'm sorry." "Not like you love me." "What do you know?" "What do you know about how I feel?" "Don't pretend it's not true, you know what I mean." "What makes you think I love you?" "What do you know?" "Who the fuck do you think you are?" " I just wanted to..." " Just be quiet." "Give me back my house keys, I'm sure you brought them along." "Give them to me, please." "I'm sorry." "About what?" "That it's ending like this, in the middle of the street." "The fact that she cheated on me isn't the problem..." "I don't know what she wants, she seems so confused." "Maybe you shouldn't rush things." "Maybe you should give it some time." " Everything will sort itself out." " I can't..." "What?" "What do you mean?" "I can't lose her." "I knew it the second I saw her in the hotel:" "Sara is my soul mate." "Roberto, listen..." "I don't want you to suffer." " I don't want to suffer either." " Then don't." "Tell me how..." " Why can't you give it to me?" " I can't." "The prescription's expired, ask your doctor for a new one." "I'm a regular customer!" "It only expired 4 days ago." "I'm sorry, I can't, not for benzodiazepine." "I can't sell it without a prescription." " Ma'am, excuse me..." " Hold on, please." "Don't waste my time, I'm talking to the warehouse." "He's right, come back with a valid prescription." "Goodbye." "Hello?" "Hi!" "Her sons are back and she's already gone crazy!" "In 4 seconds flat!" "She's out of her mind, isn't she?" " Hi dad." " How are you?" " Fine, and you?" " Fine." "Decades of feminist struggles and social revolutions, but in the end, your mom's happiest when serving food to three men." " Be quiet, idiot!" " You're the shame of your gender." "How is everything, tell me?" "I'm just a bit tired, I work too much." " Do you still do night shifts?" " Yes." " Yuri sends his love." " How is he?" "Fine, he only has 7 exams left." " Is his thesis ready?" " Written and approved by his advisor." "Employers will be competing to hire him." " He won't end up at a call center." " Vittorio!" "Yuri is taller than me, smarter, more handsome, more everything." " No, you're more handsome." " You're biased, you're my mom." "Of course I'm your mom, but I'm being objective." " Sure..." " Yes, you're much better!" "I don't care what others say." "Others?" "Who?" "Then I was right!" "Eat, you idiot." "I'm just joking around." "When she turned 65, we all suddenly became "idiots"." "What's wrong?" "Nothing, why?" "Because work doesn't do this to you." "I'm your father..." "I can tell you're unhappy." "Tell me about when you first met mom." "I was in Turin at a party..." "she was playing records." "The music she played was unbearable." "Groups that have now been forgotten, history did justice!" "When you first saw her?" "What did you think?" "I saw her come in through the door with a girl I knew." "I immediately thought:" ""Where's this bitch from?"" "You should've seen how she dressed." "The frightening thing is when you fall in love with someone, you put your life in their hands." "It feels like everything you have depends on her." "That's scary." "And each time, you start over." "I thought it would never happen again." "Stop it." "Snap out of it, you barely said four words this weekend." "Accept it, it's over." "There's nothing left to think about." "You don't know what it's like." "I don't?" "You miss her, you even miss her smell, you wake up and she's not there." "You think of her with another man, making love to her." "It happens to us all." "But enough, I've never seen you like this." "How can she be your soul mate if she doesn't want you?" "Quit playing the wise man." "You can't teach others how to live just because you suffered." "I don't want to teach anyone, but I don't understand..." "When you were on the other side, you didn't suffer so much." "You left without worrying about the pain you caused." "Are you afraid you fucked up leaving a woman who loved you for one who..." "What are you doing?" "Okay, hold on!" " SORRY, THE KEYS ARE IN THE MAILBOX " " Good evening." " Welcome, thanks for coming by." "Don't mention it." "Today's takings and mail." " Want me to open tomorrow?" " Yes." "I won't be able to work for a few days." "Can you look after things?" "My doctor says I need to stay home for a week at least." "I think he's a moron, but I prefer not to risk it." "Come in please, come have a drink." "In the last 6 years, we haven't spoken much, but it doesn't mean that I don't know you at all." "Two pills before bedtime." "One when you feel it's necessary." "No more than 5 in a 24 hour period." "I had to take them 2 years ago, when my husband left me." "I never took off my wedding ring, I still wear it." "And if you're wondering, nobody else knows." "Also, I occasionally spoke to you about him" "as if Massimo and I were still living together." "Last month you told me you two went to France together." "Who knows, maybe he went with his new partner." "All I know is I was here the entire month of August." " I'm sorry." " Don't be sorry." "You're already suffering enough on your own." "I know what you're going through..." "I can't say it'll pass with time, because that isn't true." "It doesn't pass." "It stays there." "And you get used to coexisting with the pain, with the absence." "They say it's like death, but that's not true..." "It's worse." "If Massimo were dead, I wouldn't think it was my fault," "I wouldn't think I've gotten old or am not beautiful enough." "But he isn't dead." "He made a choice to not be with me anymore." "Like I said, it doesn't pass." "You don't forget." "But it becomes bearable." "Then one day, one morning, you wake up," "get dressed automatically, and leave home to go to work." "You feel that life goes on." "That it's stronger." "And for better or worse, you're a part of it." "So you take a breath and carry on with your wound." "That's it." "Go on, go home." "Take the pills and sleep." "Sara..." "I've thought about you in these days." "You could've called me." "I was waiting for you to do it, but you didn't." "What would've been the point?" "To say useless things like this?" "They are not useless, it's not useless to talk." "Tell me, how are you?" "Well, and you?" "Not well." "Not at all." "It kills me not to see you, not to hear you or talk to you." "It kills me not to be with you." "I beg you, stop." "I have something to tell you:" "I've decided to leave." "I'm going back to Milan." "I'm sorry." "I didn't want this to happen." "If it had to happen, one way or another, it would've." "I didn't want there to be so much pain." "You don't deserve it, you're a wonderful person." "You've never said such lovely things about me until now, because you're leaving me." "We're not home, leave a message, thanks." "Roberto, are you there?" "Answer." "Roberto, please..." "Please answer." "Roberto?" "Go home or I'll call the police." "Listen to me, then I'll leave." "I should've behaved differently, I rushed things too much." "If you stay, things will be different." "Don't leave." "You'll never find someone who loves you as much as I do!" "Leave me alone, stop following me!" "It's over, don't you understand?" "Sara!" "Sara!" "Wait!" "Sara..." "Do you mind if I shower with you?" "Very much." " Could you step off of my feet?" " No." " MARCH " ""Partially renovated, exclusive,"" ""four rooms, river view, and garage."" " "Exclusive" bothers me." " Even hovels are called exclusive." "I'm free on Friday, I can go." "Not after last time..." "You don't know how to look at houses." "You get thrown off by an ugly floor, you don't have perspective." "I knew I was missing something!" " It's perspective, is that bad?" " Very bad." "Very bad!" "Excuse me." "Hello?" "I had a setback, but I'm on my way." "Two days ago I developed spots on my chest." "My husband says it's allergies from mites in the mattress." " Your husband is a dermatologist?" " No, he works at a bank." "I see!" "Since I'm not a dermatologist either, perhaps you should go see an expert, instead of making hypothetical conjectures." "So you won't look at the spots?" "What'll I do in the meantime?" "Fine, let's take a look at the spots." "Good thing, perfect timing!" "I just ran out of them." " Shame on you!" " For running out of towels?" "For having mom do your laundry." "She likes it, but if you want to buy me a washing machine..." "How are you?" "Are you sleeping?" "I'm going to see a good doctor." " I'm tired of swallowing pills." " Hi, Roberto." "Sorry, I have to race home, I forgot my drawings there." " Talk to you later?" " Yes." "Bye." " Dinner one night, with Alba too!" " Sure." "How many kids live with Yuri?" "Three other students." "Coffee?" "No, gotta go." "Why not let him live here?" "Wouldn't you like living together?" "We're happy like this, plus..." "Yuri needs his space." " Yuri does?" " What's with you?" "You want me to do laundry, live with my partner, change my life!" "Bye." "Wait, I'll come down with you." "Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?" "I usually fall asleep easily." "But after an hour I wake up..." "and that's it." "I'm awake till dawn." "How many hours do you sleep a night?" "Without the pills, I sleep between 2 and 4 hours." "Two months like that is too long, you'll start suffering serious repercussions." "We'll do some routine tests to make sure it's nothing physical." "But that's usually not the cause." " Are you experiencing more stress?" " No." "Normal stuff, work, nothing new..." "Any recent problems?" "An accident, trauma, loss?" "No." "The only stress is looking for a new home with my partner, but she's doing most of it..." "Maybe you'll do better in the new house, but we can't wait." "Good morning." " You haven't slept a wink." " Is it that noticeable?" "From a mile away!" "You have frightful dark circles, you look like those junkies who show up in dead of the night." " Thanks!" " My husband suffered from insomnia." "For several months." "He didn't sleep, he tossed and turned, it was a nightmare!" "Yoga lessons took care of the problem." "Breathing exercises, I believe." "They opened his channels." "Anyway... if my husband managed, then you can too." "They were average people, not artists." "They made these paintings to tell their stories." " They were ill, in an institution." " What was their illness?" "Mainly schizophrenia." "Some works are different from what you'd expect:" "Serene, pastel colors, while others are more disturbing." "Who discovered them?" "A doctor." "They began exhibiting them around the world." "I think they're very beautiful." "Shall I make pasta?" " Did something happen?" " No." "Yuri's at his house, I didn't want to hike across the city, but I don't want to eat alone, so..." " Want a hand?" " You can't cook." "Set the table." "Are you sure things are okay?" "Yes." "Apart from the bookshop, they act like intellectuals, but they're like fast food joints." "600 euro for a part-time job and I sweat blood." "All my coworkers are frustrated failed writers." "Never mind..." "So you'll go back to school again?" "As a third year default student?" "Either you do what Yuri did:" "Nose to the grindstone, or forget about it." " You don't mind?" " What?" "Leaving your house, I know you are fond of it." "Actually I do mind, a lot." "So why not stay in these close quarters?" "Roberto, I made coffee!" "Roberto!" "All your tests came back normal." " Your insomnia isn't physical." " But I'm still not sleeping." " You might want to talk to someone." " Meaning an analyst?" "With a therapist you can get to the root of the problem, find out if something is causing anxiety." "The idea of seeing an analyst causes me anxiety." "I suggest you talk to someone." "If you don't sleep well, you don't live well, and vice versa." "It says "Komm"" "which means "Come back." A peasant woman made them." "Her husband disappeared and she fell into depression, she tried to kill herself by slitting her wrists." "In the asylum she began filling these sheets by writing:" ""Come back to me, I'm waiting."" "The exhibit is amazing, you did a great job." "Thanks." "The boss is waiting for me..." "Go ahead, don't worry." "I don't think this will do." "Why won't you take the test?" "So we can be sure." "I don't want to be sure yet." "Why?" "Because..." "I'm afraid." "What if it's a false alarm?" "How many days has it been?" "Almost 20... 18." "That's quite a bit, more than last time." "Maybe this is it." "I woke up and you were gone." " I couldn't sleep." " I know, but it upset me anyway." "Maybe I should go see an analyst..." "What if I sleep somewhere else for a while?" "No." " Working tomorrow?" " They took down the exhibit today." "It's going to London tomorrow." " Let's go to sleep." " What if you can't sleep?" " Let's stay here for a bit." " At least you should sleep." " There you go." " Thanks." " Hey, how are you?" " Fine." "What brings you here?" "Nothing..." "I know you're working, but can we talk for5 minutes?" "Sure." "Carlo dumped me, he left me." " When?" " Tuesday morning." "We woke up and he told me over breakfast, while we were having coffee." "He says he's with a younger guy..." "He says he doesn't love me anymore." "Actually, he never said he loved me when we were together." "But I thought..." "You know..." "He won't talk to me, he won't take my calls, he put my things in a box and left it with the doorman." "I had no idea." "Is this how things end?" "Suddenly, just like that?" "Without any warning or sign?" "We were happy, damn it!" "I'm sure of it." "Give it time." "He's giving me no hope, that's the way it is." "It's over, and I can't accept it." "Hi Carlo." " What brings you here?" " Let's get a coffee." "I'm late, the bookshop will have my head." "Why don't you answer my calls?" " Yuri came by..." " Sorry, I have to go." "If I'm late, they dock my pay which is already measly." " Two minutes." " I'll call you later, don't worry." "Okay?" "Bye." " Isn't it a nice river view?" " Yes, very." "They renovated it for themselves, but the husband got transferred." "You're right, this place outshines all the others." "They'd leave us the kitchen as is." "It's great because it doesn't need any work." " Are they willing to negotiate?" " Yes, but not as much as we'd like." "Come see the bedroom." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "The house is great, we should take it." " Sure you're okay?" " Yes." "I'm just tired because of this sleep problem..." "Not to mention Carlo, he just won't talk to me." " Should we hold off on the house?" " No, let's make an offer." "I bought dad a thermal blanket, he always says he's cold." "How are you?" " Is that all?" " That's it." "The most normal story in the world, very unoriginal." "I met a guy I like more than him, the end." " Who is he?" " A guy, what does it matter?" "I feel bad for Yuri, I care for him." "I feel bad for him too." "Hi!" "Come on up, your mom's gotten old, she's afraid of the cold." "Me?" "Was there lots of traffic?" "No." "I made lasagna for you, I've been cooking since yesterday." " He made me burn it." " Right!" " What's that?" " A surprise for your birthday." " An electric blanket." " So much for the surprise!" "Planning to electrocute me, like the electric chair?" "Keep drinking, when your ulcer acts up don't come crying to me!" "Does it work?" "It's been on for an hour but is cold as ice." "If it doesn't work, I'll return it." " Was it on sale?" " Knock it off!" "You know he's broke..." "Because everyone knows sale items are rip-offs." "You boys are lucky you don't have to deal with him every day." " How's Alba?" " Fine, she sends her love." "She wanted to come, but was busy with work..." "No problem, but I only turn 70 once." "Stop it!" " How's the new job?" " Great, if only I could eliminate all my co-workers!" " Any cute girls at the bookshop?" " Yes... normal, average girls." "One girl is so ugly they place her in the Fantasy-Horror section, like a human advertisement!" "It's freezing, is there a hidden switch somewhere?" "Did you look, dad?" "Carlo!" " What's wrong?" " My bag..." "The pills." "Read later, give me them!" "I'll be fine." "Don't worry." "I'll be fine." "The doctors discovered I have a heart valve malformation, they found it by chance." "Remember when I was having those bad headaches?" "I need an operation." "And soon." "Who'd you talk to?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "They've done a battery of tests, they've discussed it." "My valves are shitty." "I'll talk to them, see your tests, and get more information." "Fine, Roberto." "You can get all the info you want, but you're not a doctor, you're a pharmacist." "They are the doctors and they said this is serious." " I'll take you to France..." " Stop it, damn it!" "I've done every test possible." "I was hanging on to anything in order to believe it wasn't true, but I am sick, the end." "The doctors say there's a 30% chance of success with the operation." "It's a one in three chance:" "Two I die, one I live." "I don't want to be pitied, or have people crying around me," "I can't take that." " Don't tell mom or dad." " Why?" "Because no." "But above all, don't tell Yuri." "I don't want him in the hospital with me." "I'd rather he hate me," "I'd rather he consider me a piece of shit." "It'll be easier for him this way." "I bet it's going to rain." "All the paperwork is in order." "The lawyer says there won't be any ugly surprises." "I have an appointment with the gynecologist." " Want me to come with you?" " No, I'll go alone." "Next time, if I have an ultrasound, but until we're certain..." "How are things there?" "How's Carlo?" " Shall I make coffee?" " Let them leave, they'll be late." " Fine, but don't speed." " Don't worry." " Bye dad." " Bye." "When will you come back?" "You always rush off..." " We never have time to talk." " We'll be back soon." "How soon?" "When will I see you both again?" "Carlo, what's wrong?" "There's something I need to tell you." "I'm gay." "I'm sorry for being so blunt, but I can't think of a better way." "Is it a problem?" "Did you know?" "Since when?" "Since when did he know or since when am I gay?" "I'll make some coffee." "Talk to your dad, I have no problem with it." "Deep down inside, I think I always knew it." "Dad..." "Are you still with us?" "In high school, you'd ask me to make sugar crème for your coffee." "We had just moved to Turin," "I worked all day and your dad was at the office." "Carlo was small and cried constantly." "I'd come home tired, and you'd ask for sugar crème for your coffee," "I'd set everything aside and make it." " I'm sorry, but I was small." " Small?" "You were as tall as now!" "The two of you were exhausting." "Nothing extreme, not more than other kids, but exhausting." "Some mornings I'd wake up feeling like I didn't want to get out of bed and go see what you two needed." "Because you always needed something, like all kids do." "I'd look at my friends and think I wasn't as good a mom, that I didn't suffice." "Maybe I wasn't meant to be a mom..." "If it weren't for your father, I wouldn't have managed." "Some of our friends stayed together for the sake of the kids when they'd fallen out of love." "It was the opposite for me." "I managed to take care of you two only because I loved your dad so much." "If it happened to me, I wouldn't have been able to push Alba away and face it on my own." "I would've leaned on her, asked her to stay near." "Out of selfishness, I think." "Love has nothing to do with it." "Well, you and I are different." "No, I don't think I love her anymore." "I'm sorry." "Why are you sorry?" "It's not your fault." "This time I was sure... that it was there, that it was happening." "I could feel it." "I could feel the baby inside." " But it was just a late period." " Stop tormenting yourself." "Try to sleep." "Everything is okay." "Everything is okay." "Roberto, do you want double-pane windows?" "Or will these do?" "Roberto..." "Have you decided yet?" "I really don't know." "Morning, I'm Carlo Sestieri." " I believe you're expecting me." " Morning." "If I were pregnant, you wouldn't have told me." "You would've pretended things were fine." "I probably would've kept pretending." "I would've done what needed to be done." ""What needed to be done."" "Like an obligation, a duty." "Is it my fault, because I couldn't get pregnant?" "It's nobody's fault." "I'm sorry." "The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you." "Then why are you doing it?" "It can't end like this." "For3 years we've lived together, slept together, made love." " How is this possible?" " I don't know." "Maybe it happened long ago, but I just realized it now." "We can keep trying." "Maybe you're just tired, but if we keep trying..." "I don't love you anymore." "It's not true." "I know it's not true." "Don't make this harder than it is!" "Please leave." "That's all I ask of you, leave right now." "Pull up the shade, you can see the bell tower." " Yes, I noticed before." " It's nice, isn't it?" "I bet one day they'll demolish this all and build a hotel." "They'll move the hospital outside of the city, hidden, so nobody will see the sick." "Are you afraid?" "Of course I am." "It'll be fine." "I was fine this morning, well... more or less." "Then at the café, I leafed through a newspaper, it was full of stuff." "Newspapers are full of stuff." "The entertainment section with movies I still want to see." "There was a beautiful article about Lisbon, but I've never been to Lisbon." "Everyone says it's lovely." "I even looked at the sports section, you know I've never cared about soccer." "I started feeling nostalgic." "I thought... if I could go back, if I had more time," "I'd start to like soccer too." "I don't want to die." "You won't die." "This is for me." "When I come out of there alive, give it back to me." "Hold on to it." "If you come near, I'll cry." "Stay there." "This letter is for myself, if everything goes smoothly, I'll be reading it in a few days." "To remind myself I promised to do everything written here, all the things I realized I want, and never want to forget." "First, if I get out of here, I will run to see Yuri, and tell him the whole truth." "Tell him I love him and want him to live with me," "I haven't asked him yet because I'm afraid." "I want to live with him and sleep on the same side of the bed." "I want to live without whining about boredom, without thinking each day is the same." "I want to quit my shitty job and travel as much as I can." "I want to tell mom and dad all the things they passed on to me, the great things they taught me." "I want to tell my brother to not be afraid." "You can stop loving and then start over again." "I want to remember for the rest of my life how I feel now." "Good luck to me, hope everything goes well." "See you later, maybe." "Are you still closed?" "I'd say yes, what do you think?" "We're not home, leave a message, thanks." "Dr. Campo here, good morning." "I was expecting you at the pharmacy, but I've opened it myself." "Perhaps you've had a run-in." "But if you're late because you've overslept," "I'm happy, I know you could use it." "The scar is long." "But the doctor said it won't be noticeable." "Sorry, does it bother you?" "No." "I don't care how noticeable it is!" "Of course..." "I've got the scar, not you." "You're a dickhead." "No, you are." "You didn't even bring me flowers." "You've never liked flowers." "So what?" "I've never been in the hospital." "Now that I'm here I like them, they make me feel loved." "Hello?" "Morning." "Good morning." " How are you feeling?" " Wonderful, like a lion." "More like a lion cub." "You're saying that to reassure your mom." "You're so anxious, you force him to lie." " What did I say?" " Knock it off." "I'm fine, I'm sure of it." "Anyway, this is Yuri." "My pleasure, Vittorio Sestieri." "This unbearable lady is my wife Giulia." "Yuri Marrese." "So formal!" "Are you at a Red Cross ball?" "I'm sure you feel great, but you're supposed to be on bed rest!" "It's been 8 days since the operation and the nurse says you won't stay put, you need to rest!" "You can do it in a few days." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Excuse me, where's the blue room?" "Good morning." "For a pharmaceutical company meeting." "I believe it's on the 6th floor, let me check." " Sorry for the trouble." " No, not at all..." "I'm sorry." "I've only been here for2 days." "Blue room..." "Yes, on the 6th floor." "The elevator is there." "Thanks." "You're welcome." "I traveled quite a bit then settled in Milan." "But I was tired of living there so I asked to be transferred..." "I worked at a hotel that was part of the same chain." "And I was in a bad relationship and needed to leave." "Nothing tragic... but it was time for a change." "Married?" "Engaged?" "Widowed?" " All of the above?" " None of the above." "I've just come out of a long relationship of 3 years." "What?" "Men who've just ended long relationships are dangerous." "It's something you learn early on." "They've realized things can end but you still survive." "We learned it in school, along with home economics." "I'm not like that." "Who knows..." "You always wear it like that?" " What?" " The beard, do you ever shave it?" "No, I like it." "But if it's necessary, I might consider it." "Necessary for what?" "To appeal to you more." "Dunno." "I'll think about it."