"THE WITNESS" "A big city, a street..." "So many people crammed together, shuffling along without pausing." "Look, they all advance at the same signal, almost as if they have a common destination." "They seem so close yet are so far away." "Look, this is the place where guilty men  are tried." "Tried by other men." "But it's so difficult to judge." "Look at this man, who with calm and sure movements  is reorganising the pages in his folder." "This is the prosecutor." "He has recited his part well." "And is very sure of his approach." "Or at least, he seems to be." "These intent faces are those of the judges  upon whose shoulders weighs the responsibility to acquit or condemn." "And look at this man, waving his gown around like  a blackbird." "It's the defence, maintaining that the accused is innocent." "And he is very sure of this innocence, or at least he seems to be." "And here is the man whose life is in the balance." "Look at him well." "Perhaps we can read something in his expression  deep in that conscience, and know." "Guilty or innocent?" "To this question  the public prosecutor has already given his response." "And he has no doubts, as you heard." "He states that the accused is guilty." "Guilty of murder  and of attempted robbery." "He calls for the accused be condemned to death." "With melodramatic gestures you have seen him waving these gloves around." "Waving these gloves towards the accused, in the hope that he will  see some horrified reaction." "Gloves that are covered in blood  and were found in the car." "Such crushing proof." "Gentlemen, the accused swears to have been at home by eleven o'clock." "The testimony of a shopkeeper neighbour confirms this." "And that he did not leave again." "The prosecution instead maintains that at 10 minutes past 11  he was shooting and killing his victim  in the apartment on Via dell'Opera." "He filled his pockets with cash and fled  in the proprietor's car." "But there are 20 minutes' worth of quick walking  between the the house of the accuse and Via dell'Opera." "And the two gun shots were heard  by three different witnesses at precisely 10 minutes past 11." "So, what is the truth?" "Gentlemen of the Court  you have heard, quite eloquently  the public prosecutor present his case in the vain effort  to prove the culpability of the accused." "In somewhat darker colours  you have heard him describe the crime in minute detail." "With his repulsed words you have even heard him call for death." "The death of this man." "I ask you just one thing." "Just one." "Where was the accused at ten minutes past eleven?" "Excuse me, Attorney, but something has come up." "A new witness  that the prosecution would like to introduce." "Show him in." "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing . but the truth?" "Say "I swear"." "I swear." " What is your name?" " Giuseppe Marchi." "Where do you live?" "159, Via del Colle." " Profession?" " Accounta..." " I mean, municipal official." " Sit down." "Why did you not come forward before now?" "See, read the newspapers very rarely." "So it was only yesterday that I saw the headline and a photo of..." "So I thought that..." "To begin with I was rather reluctant, but then I decided that  perhaps it was my duty." " Very well, tell us what you know." "On the evening of the 3rd of October, a Saturday, I had gone to the theatre  just as I do every Saturday." "And I was on my way home." "It was a quarter past eleven." "Are you sure of the time?" "Very sure, my pocket watch is a real Roskopf, Train brand." "I've had it for years and it's never failed me..." "Very well, continue." "It was a quarter past eleven, perhaps sixteen minutes past." "I was crossing the Piazza dell'Opera on my way home  when on the corner of the street I was almost knocked over  by a man who had just come out of the main entrance to that building." "I turned around to excuse myself, but as I was turning I thought  that it wasn't my fault, he was the one who bumped into me." "Though he didn't apologise." "He looked at me as though he were scared, and then he carried on." "He jumped into a parked car  and shot off in a flash." "So you saw him, then, you were able to get a good look at his face." "Yes, there was a street light nearby." "I saw everything clearly." "It was him." "Alright, let's recap." "At a quarter past eleven you saw the accused  exit the main door of the building and get in a car on Via dell'Opera." " Yes." " Thank you." "Have you ever arrived late to the office?" "I suppose not, thanks to your pocket watch." " A real Roskopf, you say." " Yes." " Yes, Train brand." " Could I see?" " Yes." " Thank you." " Have you had it for long?" " 17 years." " 17 years." "How many jewels?" " 17." " 17." "And it's never broken?" " Never." "Extraordinary." "Nevertheless, clocks are just like us." "They run fine for 5, 10, 15, 17 years and then  one fine day, you don't know how but you have a pain here, a pain there  and you're no longer fine." " Objection!" "I was merely suggesting to the witness the idea that even a pocket watch  can be wrong, and if his watch can be wrong  then so can he." "Here." "And check it more often." "Three O'clock." "On the button." "Listen to me." "The accused states that he didn't see his boss  after he left at a quarter past 7." "He states that he spent some time at an inn." "That he got in at 11 o'clock and didn't go out again." "Do you realise that it is this man's life you're dealing with?" "Look at him in the face." "Look at him well, and answer." "Are you sure that he was the man?" "Yes, yes." "Those eyes, that face." "It was him." ""You, Pietro Scotti, in being found guilty..."" ""... of premeditated murder and attempted burglary..."" ""... are sentenced with the penalty of death, to be carried out..."" ""... in this city, by the end of the month."" ""May God have mercy..."" "No!" "This is an outrage!" "An outrage!" "I'm innocent!" "I have to go now." "I finished that book." "I'll send you another one." "Don't worry." "How are we feeling?" "Can I do anything for you?" "Do you have any letters to send?" "No letters." "You don't need anything?" "Nothing." "What's this curtain for?" "What do you mean, what's it for?" "A curtain is a curtain." " Where are you from?" " Genoa." "I've passed through there on a train, once." "I had to wait for a delay so I went outside  to take a walk around the station." "There was a narrow street, full of people." "Where they were selling fish, French fries..." " Via Prè." " Could be, I don't remember." " Where are you from?" " Asti." " I've never been there." " Not Asti, exactly, a village nearby." "I've never been there." "It's nothing special, but the country is nice  all hills and vineyards." "The wine is good, too." "The sun is on your side." "Yeah." "I get it in the morning, in the afternoon it comes to you." " What's your name?" " Andrea." "That's a husband and wife arguing." "How do you know they're husband and wife?" "I bet they are." "Hear that?" "Some kids playing." "There are always kids  playing outside this building." "What's on your side?" "I don't know, this place is too complicated." "It must be a garden." "I don't know, I've never understood where we are exactly." "There are too many corridors in here." "Let's ask the guard..." "Hey!" "Hey!" "They must have all gone." "If I only knew what time it was." "It must be around half past six." "When the sun shines in your cell in strips like that  it's half-past six." "There must be someone around." "Why do they leave us alone like this?" "Guard!" "Someone to tell us: "Go, you're free."" "Put our own clothes on, cross the courtyard." "Go out in the open air, breath." "Walk among the people on the street." "Walk along the river, across the bridge." "There's a inn just past the bridge, on the river." "With a bit of land leading down to the water." "And tables painted green." "There was a pretty girl working there around a year ago." "A pretty girl who always laughed." "Good morning, Sir." "You're late this morning." "Sorry?" "Me, late?" "Emilio, what time is it?" "20 past 9, Sir." "Why did you close the curtain?" "Andrea!" "Andrea!" "Yes..." "I'm coming." "Andrea!" "Andrea!" "Goodbye, Pietro!" "Good luck!" "Andrea!" "Andrea!" "Guard!" "Andrea." "Will he have heard that bell, too?" "What will he hear now?" "Will he have seen that star, too?" "What will he see, now?" "What will he see?" "He died peacefully." "He asked everyone to forgive him." "Why are you crying?" "Pietro." "Why are you crying?" "Pietro, these tears bring God closer, I can feel him." "It's him giving you a sign of his goodwill." "There is good news for you." "The director wants to speak to you." "Something new has come to light." "Something new?" "At the trial you looked the accused in the face  and said that it was him." "This morning, eight days later, you wake up in a bad mood  and, while brushing your teeth, realise that you may have been wrong." "If I took you to the courthouse right now you would say:" "... "it wasn't him."" "But then next week you would come back and swear the opposite again." " But I..." " Enough!" "You people make a mockery out of justice!" "Here, this is the statement that you made at the trial." ""On the evening of the 3rd of October I was walking down Via dell'Opera."" ""It was a quarter past eleven, perhaps sixteen minutes past."" "I don't know, I'm not even sure that was the time anymore." "This as well?" "You were so sure of it before." "Don't you have faith in your Roskopf?" "Yes, it's fine, but it can be wrong on occasion." "What do you mean, "can"?" "Is it wrong or not?" "Sometimes, yes, it fails." "Well?" "If his Roskopf can be mistaken, then evidently  he can be mistaken, which is what I was trying to demonstrate." "Pietro Scotti, come forward." "Giuseppe Marchi, look at this man." "You saw him at the trial, remember?" "You looked at him and said..." ""Those eyes, that face, it was him!"" "You were certain." "But you were also certain of your watch." "And now you're not certain of anything." "Not you say that you don't know, don't remember, that you can't be sure." "But this won't do." "You have to say something more." "You must." "But I don't know, I don't know..." "It's so easy to make a mistake." "Is it pride preventing you from stating that you were wrong?" "Do you realise, once again, that the life of this man  is in your hands?" "Look at him closely." "Look at his face and tell us: "It was him."" "Answer us." "No, it wasn't him!" "It wasn't him!" "It wasn't him!" "Someone to tell us: "Go, you're free."" "Put our own clothes on, cross the courtyard." "Go out in the open air, breath." " So, you're off?" " I'm off." "Aren't you going to clean your shoes before going out?" "Why?" "You should, otherwise you'll be back in here soon enough." " Just these two?" " How much?" " I'll just weight them." " Is that okay?" " Yes." "Walk among the people on the street." "Walk along the river, across the bridge." "There's an inn just past the bridge, on the river." "With an bit of land leading down to the water." "And tables painted green." "There was a pretty girl working there around a year ago." "A pretty girl who always laughed." "Hey, get out of there!" "Why?" "Leave those flowers alone." "Picking one flower doesn't kill the plant." "No, but don't you see that you're standing on the vegetables?" "Damn!" "I didn't see them." "Do you want it?" "Come on, get out of there." "If the proprietor sees you  he'll take it out on me." "Really, how come?" " Is this the last one?" " Yes." "Do you want something?" "Yes, a quart of red wine." "You, hurry up with that coal." "You still have to drop that package off in the city." "Come on, let's go." "Give it here, I'll do it." "You want to get dirty as well?" "It's nothing." "It's good for the lungs." "Where can I wash my hands?" "Up here, if you want." "May I?" "You're so skinny." "It's not a woman's job, you know, loading and unloading coal." "You have so much hair." "I wouldn't have imagined  under that headscarf." "Why don't you get him to do some of these jobs?" " Who is he, a relative of yours?" " What?" "No, he's the owner." "Thanks." "Your face isn't bad, either." "But you never smile, how come?" "Hey, Linda!" "The package." " Do you want me to take the package?" " No, thank you." "Looks like you got your suit dirty, too." "I left half a cigarette around here somewhere." "Ah, here it is." "Are you still here?" "Move it, that guy is waiting for you outside." "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" "He could even help you carry the package." "But be careful." "First the coal, then the package." "Then there's no telling what will happen." "But it's something that I'm sure you wouldn't like." "Him neither." "Hey, is that your jacket?" "Ah, yes, thanks." "You look good dressed like that." "This is all I have for the summer." "It looks good, you seem like someone different." " Why someone different?" " A different... a different Linda." "How do you know my name?" "Your boss called you that." "And you remembered?" "I have a good memory, you see, when something interests me." "But I think your boss was giving me bad looks." "He seemed jealous." "Jealous of me." "They're all the same." "You're right." "It's always difficult to get on with your boss." "What do you do?" " I'm between jobs." " What did you do before?" "A bit of everything, transport." " Did you travel?" " Yes, here and there." "I only just got back from a trip." "But let's talk about you, instead." " Who wants to talk about me?" " Where are you from?" " What does it matter?" " It matters." "From San Martino." " Is that where your family lives?" " Yes, some of it." "My mother, my brother and a sister." "All three are married with kids." "There are 7, 9, 12... 12 people living there, in all." " I bet they have to hold their breath." " Yes." "You should see what it's like at Christmas dinner." "Why did you leave, then?" "You would have made 13, that's lucky, isn't it?" "Well, they're poor..." "No, it wasn't even that." "Didn't you get along with them?" "Not really." "What can you do?" "Sometimes you get ideas in your head." "You leave, thinking that you might make something of yourself." "Then you don't do anything." "Things go badly, something happens, then something else." "Sometimes you get that urge to go home." "You decide on the end of the month, then the next month comes along." "Then another." "And then in the end you don't have the courage to go back." "Let me take that, I'll carry it for a while." "No, it's not heavy." "All the better." "Why not?" "My skin is all chapped." "You should spend less time with them in water." "Perhaps we should get going." "The package." "Can't the package wait?" "No." "I have to deliver it and then get back to the inn." "Then we'll deliver it right away." " Which is the shortest route?" " This way." "Let's go." " That's what you think!" " I can see!" "Come on, give them here." "No, not yet." "Give them here!" "Your arms will ache tomorrow." "My heart is racing." "You're very good at it, anyway." "I wouldn't have believed it." "Linda, what are you thinking?" "I was just thinking." "Today I went out just like all the other days to deliver a package." "And yet the package is still here." "What about me, then?" "If I had carried on instead of crossing the bridge  I would never have met you." "It's too beautiful here." "Why "too beautiful"?" "It's beautiful." " And yet..." " And yet what?" "And yet, every time something nice happens to me  I feel like..." "I feel regret." "I feel like I don't deserve it." "Linda, has something nice really happened to you?" "You were born to do what you want, but that's not how I see it." "I like to make deals." "You just like to break them." "We'll never understand each other." "You went out at 2 o'clock and it's a quarter past 9." "Where have you been?" "Where are you going now?" "To get changed." "There's no need." "Are you worried about getting your nice clothes dirty?" "Here!" "And hurry up, I want to close up." "There's a lot to be done." "The plates have to be washed and the floor swept." "Come on, quickly!" "Well, what are you waiting for?" "Don't you see that we're closed?" "In the time it takes to wash those plates and sweep  the floor, you can also bring me a quart of wine." "Yes, bring me a quart." "These too." "I've had just about enough of you." "Who do you think you are?" "You know, there are enough people waiting in line for your job." "After all you're not even my type." "You've lost your head over that little bit of liberty I've given you." "But it won't take long to fix." "Wash this, too." "You locked me in the workshop all Sunday, didn't you?" "Then I'm due half a day this week." "You're due it?" "You're due a slap, that's what you're due!" "One that will knock some sense into you." "You know what?" "Do your eight days, then pack up your stuff and get out of here." "Got that?" "Eight days and you're out." "I'm sick of you, if you must know." "Sick!" "Understand?" "Now move it." "Yes, that's quite a pile of plates." "Why do you want to wait 8 days?" "Since you're leaving anyway, working another 8 days is useless." "Do you have many belongings?" "I bet you can pack it up in 8 minutes." "He can wash  the plates for once." "Take your stuff and get out of here, that's what he said." "If you're heading into town, perhaps we can walk there together." "You've got nothing to do with this." "But I do." "Since I'm here, it means that I do." "Besides, in a little while I'm leaving." "She's leaving, too." "No?" "Come on, what are you still doing there?" "Go and pack your bags." "Are you afraid?" "Come on, what are you waiting for?" "Go!" "Go!" "Linda!" "Am I going to get that quart or not?" "A glass." "The key still works." "What about the lights?" "They work, too." "Come in." "The keys." "So many!" "Yeah." "And I use so few." "But it's difficult to throw keys away." "You always think that you might need them again." "Anyway, I should get rid of this one." "It's too big, ruining my pocket." "Come on." "Be careful not to lean on anything, you'll only get dirty." "I apologise for the mess." "No one has been in here for 6 months." "I had to leave so suddenly." "It's a house, so to speak." "But if I knew that you would be here one day  I'd have got a nicer one." "This used to do 90 km/h back in the day." "Now it's missing a carburettor." "Come, come." " Are you tired?" " No." "This is working too." "Through there is a kind of kitchen." "And here..." "Here there's..." "Ah, here the light isn't working." "Wait, there should be some candles." "Hold this." "There's a lot of stuff lying about." "All over the place, I'm afraid." "I can't see anything, come forward a bit." "Ah, here we go." "Regret?" "No." "Fear?" "Why fear?" "You're here, alone with me." "And I don't have any more matches to light the candle." "You know, I'm sure everything looks worse to you right now." "But don't be afraid because of the lights." "Now you're living here, everything will look different." "We'll buy some nice curtains for the window." "Whatever you think is best." "Tomorrow morning in the sunshine everything will look better, you'll see." "And anyway, you still haven't seen the best part." "Come on." "Let's go." "I've tried to count the stars so many times." "I always get to around 600." "Then I lose count." "How many could there be?" "Who knows?" "Thousands." "It makes me dizzy looking up at the sky on a night like this." "Don't you feel that?" "Then don't look." "Just think." "At this moment someone might be looking at the same stars as us  thinking the same thing that we're thinking." "Linda, let's get out of here." "Let's leave, get away from here." "The world is a big one, and no one would miss us." "Come with me, Linda, forever." "What do we have to do to get married?" "Fill in these two forms." " Window number 20, third floor." " Thanks." "23.50." "How long will it take?" "For this it'll take at least 7 days." "7 days?" "We can wait." "7 days to prepare it, and then..." "Where are you from?" "For the permit you'll have to wait  for consent from Genoa." "Altogether?" "20 days, if all goes well." "Usually it's a month." "What, one month for a permit?" "Can't we get it sooner, perhaps by paying for it?" "You'll have to send your money to the people in Genoa." " Who deals with the permit?" " This gentleman here  window number 20." " But anyway, it's useless..." " Give it here." "Hey, your money!" "Listen, I have to get married and then leave." "I come here to sort out the papers and they're telling me  that I'll have to wait 7 days." "Then there's a permit, and for the permit it's another 20 days." " Can't you do it sooner?" " Let's see..." "It's very urgent." "Please, I'm asking you a favour." "You need... you'll need to take this to window number 20." "Hey!" "Hey!" "Your money!" "So we really have to wait 20 days?" "Why not?" "Everyone has to wait." "What do you mean, everyone?" "Everyone in your shoes who wants to get married." "Why, are you a special case?" "When should I come back?" "In a month." "Pietro, why are you so upset?" "These places annoy me." "You come and ask them the most innocent thing in the world, and nothing." "As if getting married was a crime." "But we can wait, a month will be over in no time." "Yes, but that's not the point." "It's like they do it on purpose." "Almost as if there was something..." "Mr. Scotti, your papers..." "If you would like to make your way to window number 20." "The gentleman is waiting for you." "Here are your papers, Mr. Scotti." "And this is for the permit." "We're making quite an exception here." "So please, use maximum discretion." "May I offer you my congratulations?" "Thank you." "What a nice man, do you two know each other?" "It's a long story." "I did him a favour once and now I almost regret it." "But why?" "He seemed so nice." "It's better to avoid old fools like him." "Mr. Scotti!" "I forgot to mention that for the other papers  if you'll allow me, I'll take care of them myself." "That way you can have them as soon as possible." "You're very kind, but we wouldn't want to cause you any trouble." "Trouble?" "It's the least I can do." "I should do a lot more to repay you for what happened..." "What happened has happened." "Let's not talk about it again." "You're a good man." "And your fiancé is very nice." "May I?" "Giuseppe Marchi." "Please, go right ahead." "I'm heading downstairs, too." "If you need any help or further information, this is my address." "From 8 until 2 I'm in the office, then from 3 you can find me at home." " Thank you." " We'll be fine." " Oh, you never know." "Everyone needs to go to the registry office at some point." "And for people who are in such a hurry..." "By the way, why are you in such a hurry?" "He's the one who's in a hurry." "He wants to leave." "We have to leave." "Excuse me, Sir, what time does your Roskopf have?" "Think you're being funny, do you?" "Idiot!" "Goodbye, then." "We have to be going." "Goodbye." "So it's not this way?" "They told me that  it was this way." " Are you coming to see us?" " Yes." "I wanted to..." "Where do I go from here?" "There's a door just below." "That one?" "Yes, then there's a corridor." " I'll come and meet you." " Thank you!" " Good afternoon, Miss." "I hope I'm not disturbing." " Of course not." "Sorry I'm not dressed." "I told you to keep you voice down because Pietro is asleep on the terrace." "In the sun?" "He should be careful." "He woke up so tired this morning." "He says he didn't sleep a wink all night." " Do you want me to wake him?" " No, no, let him rest." "I just came to..." "Ah, here they are." "I thought I'd do you a favour." "Here are your papers." " All of them?" " Yes, yes, all of them." "If you want, they can even marry you tomorrow." "Actually, tomorrow is a bit soon." "Perhaps the day after tomorrow." "Thank you, you're too kind." "We're both very grateful." "But, how did you find us here?" "We at the registry office know everything." " Also, didn't you write your address on the forms?" " Ah, that's right." " Excuse me, I'll be right back." " Go ahead." "Can I get you anything at all?" "A glass of wine?" "Oh, no wine, the doctor has forbidden me from drinking it." " My liver, you see... it could kill me." " Ah, I'm sorry to hear that." "Ah, you look very graceful." "That blouse really suits you." "He bought it for me this morning." "It's the first time I'm wearing it." "Oh, really?" "I've brought you a present, too." "They're nothing special because it's out of season." "One for you, and one for him." " I washed them, too." " Thank you." "It's very beautiful up here." "Lovely and warm." "Where are these children?" "There's a courtyard just below where they go to play." "It's a shame we can't see them." "Think yourself lucky that you can chew whatever you like." "Ah, yes." "You don't want..." "Apples are too tough for me." "I have to cut it up into little pieces but even then  it would be too tough." "It's not very nice when you can't chew things  as you want to." "You could say that I'm at the sunset of my life." "And yet, there's still so much beauty to see." "This sun, the children, you." "At a time like this everything seems natural and soft, almost." "Every day has its good moments, if you only look out for them." "A fire!" "Where are they?" "They're crossing the bridge." "What a piercing noise." "Linda." "Pietro, look at this." "The documents." " Thank you." " Did you have a nice sleep, yes?" "Ah, of course, last night you didn't sleep." "Insomnia is a terrible thing." "I know enough about that." "I don't suffer from insomnia." "I sleep very well." "Tonight was just a one-off." "So it's occasional insomnia." "It happens when you're really trying to fall asleep  ultimately, that just makes it more difficult to sleep." "But I know something that might help, it's a syrup." "I'm sure I still have a bottle of it at home." "I'll drop it by tomorrow because you can't find it in the shops anymore." "No, I don't want to be any trouble." "It's no trouble, for me it would be a pleasure." " I'll drop it by tomorrow." " I told you no." "But why not?" "It would be a pleasure." "I'll drop it by tomorrow." "Tomorrow I won't be here." " Then I'll give it to the young lady." " That's enough!" "You'll do just about anything to get me to swallow that syrup  of yours, won't you?" "I told you no, that I don't need it." "Perhaps it's best if I just go." "I have a long way to go and it's already almost 4 o'clock." "See?" "This is why I couldn't sleep." "It seems strange that the quiet tick-tock of a clock  can trouble the sleep of a man." "And yet it happens.." "See, Miss, it was like an obsession for me." "A fixation, worrying that this pocket watch would fail again." "And all I had to do was take it to the clockmaker." "And is it okay now?" "Yes, it wasn't broken." "It's just that one of the balance wheels had been moved." "They call it a balance wheel, regulate the advance or delay." "If you go forwards or backwards." "Watches look so strange from the inside." "The strange thing is that I've never touched it." "Couldn't it have moved by itself?" "I hadn't even opened it for 2 years." "And I never gave it to anyone." "Actually, I did once." "Just once." "Four o'clock." "On the button." "Don't you get that I want you out of here?" "Go on, get out of here!" "You and your damn pocket watch." "Why?" "What did he do to you?" "What did he do to me?" "Well, nothing!" "He just gets on my nerves, him and his watch." "And anyway..." "I'm sorry, you know, it's just stress." "I get this way when I don't sleep." "What do you want me to do?" "You're right." "Hold on, I'll call him back." "I'll call him right back." "Marchi!" "Marchi!" "Hello?" "Yes?" "Who's speaking?" "Yes, hello." "Yes, that's true, I have it." "Of course, I'll bring it to you." "Hello?" "Why do you want to speak to me alone?" "What thing?" ""You are invited to present yourself at our offices at 11 A.M on the 23rd of May."" "Who was at the door?" "There was no one." "Who was on the telephone?" "I don't know, it must have been a wrong number." "They wanted..." "I didn't really understand, but it wasn't for you." "What time is it?" "Almost 10 o'clock." "I should get going, I have to meet someone." "You don't know anything." "You have no proof against me." "They sent me this, where do I have to go?" "Show it to him." " Department 3." " And where's that?" " Third floor." "I received this." "No, it's nothing to do with me." "Go to that table." ""You failed to present yourself at department no. 3..."" ""... room no. 73, at 11 o'clock..."" "You sent me this!" ""... on the 26th of July."" " Why have you brought me here?" " Over there." ""In cases where it was impossible for you to present yourself..."" "How can I help you?" "They told me to come here." "Did you receive confirmation?" "If I had to wait for confirmation, why did nobody tell me?" "I advise you to calm down." "And take your hat off, you're not on the street." "Alright!" "But please hurry up  I don't have time to waste." " Me neither!" "Well, what do you want from me?" "You kept me in jail for 6 months  you condemned me to death, tried me again  acquitted me, what more do you want?" "!" " Sorry, but have you never been a soldier?" " Why?" "When they send you home as a soldier, first  they give you a provisional paper, and after 3 or 4 months...v ... they invite you to drop by and pick up your discharge." "We're much quicker than that." "Here's your discharge." "Pietro Scotti, found innocent of all charges." "Valid for all purposes." "For you." "It could be useful." "So, I can go?" "Of course." "And congratulations." "Here I am." "Sit down." "And don't look at me like that, I'm not a ghost." "So you go out for coffee without waiting for me?" "Good for you." "I bet you have a date." "Tell the truth, you're not happy to see me here, are you?" "Well, let's hear what he looks like." "Is he more handsome than me?" "Waiter, two cognacs." "No, no orange juice." "Today, you have to drink as well." "Two cognacs!" "You're beautiful, Linda." "I really like you." "I've always liked you, but today I like you even more." "Anyway, what are you doing here?" "But careful, don't tell me any lies." "Ah, good man." "Cheers, Linda." "Hold on, close your eyes." "Do you like it?" "Take it, it's for you." "You shouldn't have spent the money." "Why not?" "We have so little." "Today I sorted out some business." "From today everything will be fine, you'll see." "Look." "Are you sure this isn't too big for your handbag?" " Let's see." " No, it's fine." " Let me see." "It's Mr. Marchi's pocket watch." "I can see that." "But why is it in your bag?" "He forgot it, yesterday on the terrace." "Forgot it?" "You spoke to him in that manner and so he just forgot it." "He was very offended when he left." "Well, I guess that's true." "Yes, that's true." "The funny thing is that he really didn't do anything to me." "He's just annoying." "What can I say?" "It's stress, and a lack of sleep." "Like I said yesterday." "But last night I slept well and today everything's different." "There's really nothing going on between us two." "If you really want me to, I could even shake his hand." "Next time I see him." "You know what we should do?" "Didn't he give you his address before?" "Ah, here it is." "159, Via del Colle." "At this time he won't be at work." "Let's drop by and see him." "We'll take him a present, too." "Waiter!" " Pietro." " What's wrong with that?" " There's no need to go and see him." " How come?" " He's coming here." " He is?" " Can I get you anything?" " No." "Why is he coming here?" "To pick up his watch." " So you've spoken to him?" " Yes." "He called." "Ah, the wrong number." "Why didn't you tell me right away?" "It was him." "He said that..." "I understand, he didn't want to see me." "So he's only coming for the watch?" "Of course, what else?" "Yeah, of course, why else would he have to come." "At what time." "At 5 o'clock." "Our friend is late." "Two cognacs!" "Why two?" "I haven't drunk this one yet." "One for me, one for him." "Since he's on his way." "Drink up." "Why aren't you drinking?" "What if he doesn't come?" "You're drinking too much." "It gets on my nerves to have to wait like this." "There's nothing that irritates me more." "We can always just go." "What about the watch?" "We'll give it to him another time." "Tell me, what did you two talk about yesterday on the terrace while I was asleep?" " Nothing." " Nothing?" " Nothing in particular." " Come on, now." "That's it." "It was just an odd conversation." "Why "odd"?" " No reason." " Are you sure?" "That's all." "Don't you believe me?" "I believed you yesterday when you told me  it was a wrong number on the telephone." "I already explained why I didn't tell you." "And how do I know that's the truth?" "Stay where you are." "Stay there." "A quarter to six." "Why are you looking at me like that?" "Do I have something on my face?" "Then why are you looking at me like that?" "Come on, talk." "It's like I frighten you." "If that's the case then tell me, tell me I frighten you." "I'm not frightened." "I'm not frightened for me." "For who, for me?" "You're frightened for me?" "Why are you frightened for me?" "Go on, tell me if you can." "Pietro, I don't know anything." "Anything about what?" "What is there to know?" "I don't know." "Then I'll tell you something that you should have worked out already." "That man, the old man from window number 20, he's crazy." "He seemed odd to you, but it's much more simple: he's crazy." "That's why he repulses me." "I don't like crazy people." "Just look at his watch." "To you and I it's a watch just like any other." "But for him it's infallible." "He's carried it around with him for 17 years." "A real Roskopf, with 17 jewels." "It's never failed in 17 years." "Then one day he realizes that it's wrong." "But he doesn't take it to get fixed, it doesn't need to be fixed!" "Instead he continues to carry it around as if everything is fine." "Then they fix it and he  acts like he was right all along." "He's crazy!" "A quarter past six." "Why isn't he coming?" "Go on, go on." "Over here." "Is there nothing but alcohol in this house?" "We're hungry." "Alright, later, later." "Later, when?" "Here." "Where shall I put it?" "Put it over here." "Where are the glasses?" "Good evening." "Be happy, Linda." "Come on down." "No more unhappiness." "Come on." "Still angry?" "You're not over it yet?" "Come on, Linda, be happy." "Come on." "Stop right there!" "Get that thing away from me, where did you get it?" "You don't know about the tools of the trade?" "Give that here." "No, it's better if I put it in my pocket." "Come on, Linda." "Are we going to get those glasses or not?" "Hold on." "There should be some in the cupboard." "There's only one in here." "Linda, go upstairs and bring us some more." "Linda!" "To our happiness!" "Linda!" "It's best if I go." "Hurry up, we're thirsty." "Linda." "Linda!" "What?" "Why do you still have that face?" "Why?" "You were planning to leave." "Have a nice trip." "If I'd come back half an hour later  I'd have found the room empty, the corridor empty." "Everything empty." "And all of this, why?" "Why?" "What's happened between us?" "What's happened?" "No, you're right." "I should have never treated you like that." "And yet I'd have done anything for you." "Want me to throw these guys out?" "Want me to throw them out?" "I'd have done anything." "If you'd told me to burn the world down, I'd have burned it." "If you'd told me..." "I'd have done it." "What do you want from me?" "Nothing." "You're leaving, and I'm alone." "You don't know what it means to be alone." "Just what it means to have the world at your feet." "Because you were everything to me." "Everyone: father, mother, brothers, sisters, friends, everyone." "Whenever I felt like I was drowning  all I'd have to do was look in your eyes to bring me back to the surface." "Now I look at you and no, I still feel like I'm drowning." "What the hell are those guys up to?" "There are no glasses, there are no women, there's nothing in this place," "We're leaving, goodnight!" "Goodnight." "They're leaving." "You're leaving too." "Leave." "Go on, leave." "Why are you still here?" "What are you waiting for?" "Why aren't you talking?" "Either talk or leave." "And don't look at me like that." "Forgive me, Pietro, forgive me." "I love you, I've never loved anyone like this." "I'll never leave you." "Hit me if you like, but don't tell me to leave." "Don't tell me to leave." "Don't tell me..." "No, don't cry." "You should forgive me." "Forgive me." "I'm crazy, making you suffer like this." "Don't cry, don't tremble." "Relax, darling, don't cry." "That's it." "That's it." "Here, come, lie down." "No, don't cry anymore." "Lie down." "That's it." "That's it." "It's all over." "You'll see, You'll see, tomorrow, everything will be fine." "Just think, tomorrow at this time we'll be married." "8, 9 hours from now." "And we'll never be apart again." "We'll be happy, you'll see." "Rest, darling." "You don't know how much you mean to me." "It's so difficult to explain." "It's like being outside on a rainy day  without an overcoat and without an umbrella.  and your clothes and shoes are soaked through  and yet you're still happy, because you have a house  where you can change your clothes, warm yourself up and rest." "That's what you are to me, you know?" "That's what you mean to me." "Rest, now." "You must be cold." "Hold on." "I'll close the window." "It's windy tonight." "Sleep." "I'll close it for you." "I have to see him." "I have to see him." "I have to free myself of him." "Bring his face close to mine, under the light  and tell him:" ""Here I am." "It was me, it was me."" ""But leave me in peace."" ""See how beautiful life is?" "Then leave me in peace."" ""It was me, but leave me in peace."" "If he looks at me with those eyes and says... 159, Via del Colle." "What if he's not home?" "He'll be there, he'll be there." "He can't have gone out at this hour." "159, here it is." "There's no doorman, all the better." "All the better." "No one has seen me." "No one has seen me." "The girl has seen me." "But who cares?" "Who cares?" "How can I help you?" "The poor gentleman?" "Was he a friend of yours?" "Yes." "Then you're too late, unfortunately." "They took him away an hour ago." "No need to stay on your feet." "If you'd like to sit down..." "No, thank you." "Can I offer you something?" "No." "Please excuse me." "You were good friends with him, then?" "He was almost like a brother to me." "He didn't suffer, almost as if he were asleep." "It still hasn't sunk in, he's been living here  for twenty years, and he was such a kind man." "He didn't talk all that much, but everyone loved him." "Look, that's his hat, how he hung it up for the very last time." "All of his things, just how he left them." "I haven't had the heart to touch anything." "Here's the book he was reading on his bedside table." "There's even his bookmark at the page where he stopped reading." "His slippers." "Look, he had a passion for memoirs and photographs." "There are photographs of him from every age." "Look, here when he was six months old." "When he went to his first communion." "Here, at 15-years-old." "Here, receiving his diploma." "It's all like that, for years and years." "Look, that's the last one." "It was taken two months ago." "He has a sad expression." "Almost as if he knew." "Don't you think?" "Linda." "I'm a murderer." "I'm a murderer, Linda." "I have to go." "I have to go and pay." "Don't look at me like that." "I have to go." "Go home to your mother, Linda." "Perhaps one day we'll see each other again." "Until then..." "But not now." "Not now." "There will always be a shadow that divides us." "Always." "Forgive me." "Forgive me." "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!" "Pietro!"