"THE KEY" "ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF FASCIST HOTELIERS NEW YEAR'S EVE" " Comrades, friends!" "Colleagues of the IAFH!" " Fuck off!" "The year 1939, which is about to end, sees the start of a new Europe." "Long live the "Duce"!" "For 1940, XVIII year of the Fascist Era, I express best wishes for victory to the Axis comrades who are already at war, with whom we'll soon be marching side by side." "Fool..." "To us." "Daddy, I was referring to us the four of us here." " Why are you such a...?" " An Englishman?" "Oh, Lisa, you always take everything so seriously." "Drink up." "To us!" "A polka." "If the professor would permit." "Of course, my dear fellow." "I'm sure Teresa will be delighted." "No, Laszlo, dance with Lisa." "Go on, you dance, mother..." "And thank God he's not an Englishman." "May I have the pleasure of this dance?" "Granted." "It's true, life goes by in a flash and it's also a mould." "And what a mould." "Teresa is always a fine bird." "Italian blood." " But is her husband a cuckold?" " I don't think so." "He's certainly a lot older than her." "Lovely, lovely..." "You're sumptuous..." "I do love you." "Don't make me drink, you know it's bad for me." "But we are so boring when we are sober." "What do you think of Laszlo?" "What do you mean?" "For Lisa." "Oh, he's a gentleman." "At the Academy they say he's heading for a brilliant career." "Who knows?" "Marriage may be good for her." "And you?" " How was marriage for you?" " Come on, Nino, stop it." "Stop it." "Oh, a waltz!" "Nino, this is yours." " No-no, Teresa..." " Yes-yes..." "What are you trying to do to me today?" " Please, Nino, they're staring at us." " What?" "Look, look..." "Sheer lunacy!" " Stop that!" "Are you drunk?" " Just a little bit..." "Wait for me, my darling." "Well, do you want to take the photo or not?" "Then out the sign and let's make a pyramid." "Oh, there's professor Rolfe." "Hurrah for professor Rolfe, or "Klimt"!" "Go on, Let's have them in the photo as well." "Everyone keep still." "Click." "In Italy, a place of art, hurrah for cunt!" "You knew they would do something filthy." "How vulgar!" "That poor girl." "Let's go, chaps!" " Well, they're students." "Goodnight." " Good for nothings." "Goodnight." "I'd like to see the faces of those students should the war break out." "Lisa, it's New Year's Eve, relax!" " Let them go ahead." " Why?" " You want a kiss and a cuddle?" " No, it's not that." "It's all that sparkling wine." "I'm going to burst." "Don't make me laugh." "Please, Nino." "It's not a problem, not in Venice anyway." "Over there." "Look, there's a dead end." "Come on, I'll keep watch." "I'm ashamed to death..." "Even the dames at the court of Versailles used to do it this way." "There's no one around, we're quite alone." "Off you go." "Go on." "Swear you won't Look." "I swear." ""Piddle on me, oh joy." "Please, let it flow." "Let it slide between your legs Like its rose water..."" "Nino, that's enough." "But they're verses by Maffio Venier, a very famous 16th century Venetian poet." "Daddy, mother!" "Where are they?" "Haven't you finished?" "Yes, I'll be right there." " Feel better?" " Yes." "Finally!" "You're slow as snails." "You walk too fast." "I can't keep up with you." "These heels..." "CIOTTI HOUSE FAMILY RUN PENSION" "Well, thank you once again for a Lovely evening." "If you want to stay the night, number one is free." "That's very kind of you, Mrs. Teresa, but my parents are phoning me from Budapest tomorrow morning," "I think I'd better go home." "As you Like, Laszlo." "You're welcome to stay." "Mother, he said no." "Laszlo is not one to stand on ceremony." "Well, goodnight then." "Goodnight, madam, and Happy New Year." " To everyone." " Goodnight." "Bye." " See you tomorrow." " Yeah, bye." "What's the matter with her?" "Has she gone deaf?" "Nonsense." "She's probably been to a party herself." "I'm coming." "Giulietta, how many times have I got to tell you that the neon light must be turned off at midnight?" "I've only just got back, madam." "You can ask Aurelio, he accompanied me back here." "Ah, Aurelio was there..." "I bet you two went upstairs." "Me, upstairs with Aurelio?" "!" "I'm sorry that you think that." "But upstairs with me in the Ciotti House there's nothing doing." ""Nix", as the professor says." "Yes, I see, goodnight." "Ok, I don't want an argument." "Don't take offence, Giulietta." "Madam's tired." "See you tomorrow." "Sleep as late as you Like, nobody will arrive tomorrow morning." "The bathroom's free, if you want to go." "Teresa..." "Let me go to the bathroom, come on." "No, stay Like this." "and I'll undress..." "What are you doing?" "You're tearing everything." "I'll buy you ten pairs tomorrow." "Well, at least let me Look at you." "Turn it off." "You know I don't Like it." "You know it." " Yet you peed in the street." " No one saw me." "I did." "You pig." "You swore you wouldn't look." "I was forced to." "Someone walked by on the other side of the canal." " Who?" " A man..." "Laszlo perhaps..." "It's not possible." "It's your imagination again." "Stay inside me." "He lives on the other side of the canal." "Opposite us here, on the Zattere embankment." "He has his own maritime agency." "They sold franchise." "Three schooners in Istria." "You've heard of him if I tell you his name." "He's old, a widower." "Seems he's retired now." "With all this money, though." "I doubt he'll get it up anymore but he can pay for his kicks." "He likes to look." "He pays for looking." "He shopped around until he found two housewives." "Not young but nice." "You'd know them too if I told you their names." "They Live around here, those houses by Campo Marte." "For money naturally, they did it to each other in front of him." "He'd sit there and Look in the kitchen where one of them Lives." "A hole on the groundfloor." "Their husbands?" "I would say they knew about it, sure." "Penniless, whatever they earned, the tavern gets it." "They'd never done it before, that's what makes it so nice." "Teresa, my love, let me tell you all about me." "I write this diary in the hope that you will read it and in so doing learn what I would never be able to say to you personally." "By confessing that I imagined you in the place of the blonde woman, I risk being judged vile and corrupt." "I know that." "And yet it is my love for you that urges me to face all risk." "Anything to help break down your restraint, that cursed modesty which still makes you blush after 20 years of marriage." "Being rid of it would help you too, don't you understand?" "And it would help me to satisfy you." "I know that your innate discretion might prevent you from reading my diary but should your eye fall upon it by chance..." "Good morning." "How come you're back already?" " Bad weather." " Yes, better to sleep." "Bad weather also has its advantages, because birds fly low." " Giustina..." " They can't understand anyway." "Andrea's through with my hair." "Teresa, can you go and clear up?" " Can't I send Giustina?" " No, not Giustina." "She always makes such a hell of a mess I can never find anything." "No, go on." "You go, I can stay here." "Ciotti pension." "Lisa, dear." "Where are you?" "Certainly, daddy loves to invite a guest for dinner." "And listen, thank him for sending the crabs." "Yes, that'll be fine." "7.30, don't be Late now." "Bye." "It was Lisa, she's bringing Laszlo to dinner." "If that makes you happy." "What do you mean if that makes me happy?" "It makes Lisa happy." "And it should make you happy too." "Someone is nice to you and you..." "He even sent you some crabs." "If they are tasty..." "Giustina, when you've finished the rooms," "Lay the table in the dining room for four." "On show." " Why not, aren't we beautiful?" " You certainly are." "I should think so, professor." "I'll go and clean your study." "He's always untidy." ""That damned restraint, which still makes you feel people's eyes on you even when you're in bed with me." "If I can't satisfy you as I'd like to and as I could it's your fault." "Because I know, Teresa, you Like it." "Under your false modesty you are a whore Like I never knew in my youth."" "He did it on purpose." "He knew I'd read it, he knew it." "I didn't open anything." "I didn't see, I didn't read anything." "So there, you pig." "Couldn't you have arrived a bit earlier, damned Radonicich?" "I was about to go." "I'm sorry, professor." "He only brought it to me at 7 o'clock." "Then the time it took to get here with this snow..." "This time it's dreadful, monstrous." "Should be locked up." "How can he do it I wonder?" "The person who gave it to me swears it a Ciardi." " Guglielmo or Emma?" " Bartolomeo, he said." "He's never existed." "AII the same... do what you can, professor." "Well, yes... with all the shit that's around." "Better Ciardi than never." "Quick sketch of the Rialto fish market." "Attributable... to G. Ciardi." "John Bryan Rolfe." "Go with God." "Professor, I wanted to thank you." "Don't even think of it, amongst ourselves other foreigners." "Goodnight." "A really nice picture." "At 8.35." "I wouldn't make it weigh too much..." "It's not all that Late." "As far as I'm concerned, he could have come back tomorrow morning." "I'm really sorry about this." "Please, forgive me." "I was held up by a cultural meeting." "A Longobardi, Trentini, or Radonicich cultural meeting?" "I'll save the details, my darling." "Am I mistaken or have we mixed ourselves a cocktail?" " I made a Panzer Faust." " Oh, the famous German punch, the new very terrible Wehrmacht weapon." "Oh, for heaven's sake." "No weapons tonight." "Dinner is served." "After you." "Sir." "Miss." "Splendid." "Daddy!" "Legs are the best part, I'm crazy about them." "We know that, ballerina's Legs too." "Witty, in good form." "I confess you make me wanna eat one too." "I'll open one for you." "Thank you." "Careful, Laszlo." "I wouldn't follow my husband." "You'll never know where you are going to end up." "If only you knew." "If only you knew the half of it." "Easy, Nino." "Aurelio says it's getting very scarce." "AII the more reason to drink it." "And to be merry." "Are you crazy?" "With your blood pressure?" "What if doctor Fano finds out?" "The professor is right though." "It's for those things we're not supposed to do, that one should have the courage." "Pour some for mother." " May I?" " That's enough, thank you." "Careful, mummy." "If you follow daddy, you'll never know where you are going to end up." "Was she getting back at me?" "A sign she had read my diary." "Or was it because of Laszlo's presence?" "I felt a sudden flash of panic." "An empty glass." "That'll never do." "Oh, sorry..." "Excuse me." "Strauss?" "No, it sounds more modern Like..." "Like Schönberg." "Good for you, he rearranged it." "Mother!" "Are you all right, madam?" " Teresa..." " No, it's nothing, forgive me." "I'll only be a minute." "Excuse me." "Jealousy was suffocating me." "Yet the thought that she had touched him there, set me on fire." "Mummy, are you all right?" "Mother, answer me." "Mummy!" "Daddy, Laszlo, hurry!" "Mother's fainted." "Help me get her on the bed." "Pulse is weak." "Cognac, I should never have insisted." "No, if anything, the fault was mine." "Do you know where mother keeps her injection?" " The Vitacamphor?" " Yes." " I think so." "Massage her feet, I'll call the doctor." "Doctor Fano, please." "Hello, Davide." "It's me Nino, Nino Rolfe." "I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night, but Teresa had a fainting spell." "Her pulse?" "It's a Little weak." "Yes, she did drink a bit." "Vitacamphor?" "Yes, I think we have it." "Thank you, Davide, goodnight." "Yes..." "Who will inject her?" "Sorry, I can't, my hand will start shaking right away." "Me too." "Perhaps we should call Giulietta." "If you think it's all right, sir," "I must have given my mother 200 hundred injections for..." "Very well, since you are so good at it." "Could you kindly turn her round?" "And... uncover her." "To see her being looked at, touched, desired by Laszlo, kindled my own desire." "You mustn't wake her." "She's relaxed now." "Well, professor, I'll be leaving." "Forgive me if I don't see you out." "Don't bother, I know the way." "Goodnight, sir." "In the past Teresa having fainted would have worried me." "Now I couldn't resist the desire to take advantage of her." "I found myself repudiating the cultural sublimations I had once loved." "Byron, Baudelaire, D'Annunzio." "Where are you, eh?" "Tiziano, Giorgione, Veronese, and you too, my dear Klimt." "When did you give me this flesh which sets my prick on fire?" "Are you sleeping or pretending to sleep?" "If she had read my diary, then hers was not a real sleep." "A play to please me." "A cover for her complicity." "If she was pretending, I wanted to embarrass her to the point of having to keep on pretending." "If you have read my diary, Teresa, I want you to know that I hope you do." "Even though the idea of you doing it tears me apart with jealousy." "Come on!" "Why don't you yell out?" "You slut!" "Why don't you shout obscene things?" "I know you're thinking them." "Why don't you move?" "Say something!" "Do something!" "Come on!" "Help me!" "Oh, Laszlo..." "Must I confess to committing adultery." "Having the desire." "Was it Nino?" "I don't know." "It was different." "The breath, the strength..." "The pleasure I felt was from another, for another." "I was holding Nino but thought of Laszlo, why?" "I wanted to please Nino or was I seeking pleasure for myself?" "Oh, my God." "A wife is not allowed to get pleasure from the thought of adultery to arouse her during intercourse with her husband!" "Amen!" "I feel no remorse for having thought of Laszlo." "From now on I'll also use a diary to confess myself." "I'm pleased that you came, professor." "Here's your Klimt." "How's your wife?" "Teresa is well, thank you." "What a pleasure, professor Rolfe, how are you?" "You even Look younger." "Dear commendatore, with my respect." "Come with me." "And thanks again for the tip off." "The Academy is indebted to you." "What a fine mark, what elegance, what decision." "Just in time." "Another few days and the British Museum... would have taken them." "Listen to me..." "I've got a project in mind, a catalogue... with as many illustrations as we want." "The Savings Bank is ready to finance me." "Of course I'd entrust the work to you." "I know your worth." "I'm thankful to you, really flattered." "But you know, I'm out of things now." " Yes, I know." " From the courses about the Viennese school, as well." "I know, that damned business about nationality which you never wanted to sort out." "But in this case it would be different." "Think about it." "Without a doubt." "I'll think about it." "I felt the desire to tell him the truth." "The curator had made a blunder." "Klimt's works were false." "The competition with the British Museum a lie to make them worth double." "Professor!" "Professor, are you feeling ill?" "Come here, help!" " He's feeling ill, hold him up!" " Help me!" "Careful of his glasses." "Take him away from the drawings!" "PIAZZESI BOOKBINDING" " How are you feeling, professor?" " Better." "You frightened the Life out of us." "It's nothing to worry about, it's just my blood pressure." "I felt a sense of irritation." "The unpleasant impression that my feeling unwell had put me in Laszlo's power." "If I were you, professor, I'd accept." "The curator told me about the proposition." "My dear Apony..." "May I call you Laszlo?" "I'd be honoured." ""A door should either be open or closed."" " I don't understand." " It's by De Musset." "And the door of the Academy is closed to me for good." " I don't believe it, professor." " And yet it's the truth." "The time for programs and ambitions are finally over for me." "I Like standing at the window out of the fray." "But you did your best in helping the Academy purchase" "Klimt's portfolio." "My Klimt isn't theirs, dear Laszlo." "Believe me, when doing business I wasn't on the Academy's side." "But good heavens, professor..." "How could I make him understand that I didn't give a damn about all the rest?" "That I was happy to dedicate myself in peace to my small, petty private project." "So happy that I almost felt grateful to the authorities for having sacked me." "I'll think about it, Laszlo." "I shall." "My word, what equipment, eh?" "Made in Germany." "There's no denying it." "These Teutonics are unbeatable when it comes to serious matters." "The way the war is going is proof of that." "The Americans perhaps have a way with toys." "Look here." "This is an American toy." "With something rare, though." "I'll show you." "One... two... three four... five." "Extraordinary." "If you Like, you can have it for a while." "It's very easy to operate." "Try it." "How did he know that I would have liked to have a gadget of that sort at my disposal?" "I was irritated." "And yet the thought of his complicity made my heart quicken." "I bought myself a diary." "Not for answering my husband, but to speak freely to myself." "What could I have answered to Nino's diary?" "That I've always fulfilled my wifely duties." "That he shouldn't let his imagination run wild." "That Laszlo is Lisa's fiancé and nothing more." "Well, if he reads, I'll find out." "Shut it!" "Oh, my head." "Oh, Laszlo... I didn't care to know whether she was awake, sleeping or drunk." "I was the one commanding the game." "What manners!" "I'm in the bathtub." " Get out!" " Sorry." "Sorry my arse." "It was like looking at someone else." "You can come in now." "I'm still wet." "What are you doing?" "Nino, Let me rinse my face." "I can't even Look with my eyes." "With eyes closed one dreams better." "Oh, you're crazy." "At this time of day, crazy." "Well, what do you think of the camera?" "There's no doubt about it, it will be successful." "Everyone will be able to take forbidden photographs." "Isn't that the whole point?" "Yes, of course." "Anyway, technically you're right." "It's still very primitive." "I think I should go back to the old Zeiss." "Well, as I said it's a toy." "Whereas a Zeiss gives you definition." "Here's a detail shot I took of Giorgione's "Tempesta"." "I used a Zeiss." "I clutched the roll of film in my pocket." "The mere thought that Laszlo might see the photographs I had taken of Teresa with my Zeiss gave me a voluptuos sensation of jealousy." "But if the photographs are forbidden, you'd have to get somebody to develop them." "You seem quite expert." "I'd trust you." "If you wish, I'd be pleased to develop and print whatever you Like." "Well, as a matter of fact... I wondered if by knowing that her photographs had been developed by Laszlo," "Teresa would have more courage with him." "I bought them in Istanbul at the beginning of February." "The Strait was full of English ships, it scared me to death." " I'll take them." " Very well." "If you go back there again, will you buy a pair for me as well?" "Lisa!" "How come in uniform?" "I'm leading the chorus at the rally." "It's Saturday." "Fascist Saturday." "I see not only Daddy forgets these things." "I have to talk to you." "Not here, in my room." "Stay here at the reception." "I'll be right back to settle the bill." "Yesterday at Laszlo's I saw your photos." "Saw, my photos?" "Yes, photos in the nude." "Posing as a bedroom harlot." "Lisa, posing as a what...?" "Mother, it's useless to pretend you don't understand." "I'm not scandalised, however things stand." "But I think I have every right to know the truth since I'm involved too." "Since you say you've seen these photos," "I'm not going to say you didn't." "But I swear I don't know anything." "If they existed, naturally someone must have taken them." "Only I wasn't aware of it." "Most likely while I was sleeping." "In that case, it was certainly your father." "Mother, your filthy photos ended up with Laszlo." "In his laboratory, inside a book." "You can't be insinuating." "You mustn't think that, not even as a joke." "I think nothing, mamma." "I'd Like to know why, that's all I ask." "Well, if they ended up with Laszlo, it's because to develop them he needed someone who's close to the family." "There is no other explanation." "Please, don't ask me anything more." "He's my husband and I..." "And I what?" "What could I tell her?" "That I wasn't a submissive wife but a lustful woman?" "Mamma, I didn't know that..." "you are despicable." "I'm sure now that it wasn't an accident that Laszlo left that book around for me to see." "I've good reason to feel that he wanted me to see those photos." "Lisa, I forbid you to say that." "I can only pity you." "But don't worry." "My only interest is finding out where we stand." "Could she have seen us while we... ?" "It's better for Nino if I don't write about this." "We're going to the Malibran." "Are they showing a good film?" "Professor, we'll be in a box." "One film's the same as another." "Fashion and... thrift." "That's what the "Duce" said." "Days have begun to grow longer, eh professor?" "Madam Teresa did the right thing going out." "Everybody needs to relax." "Certainly." "I'm going out later, too." "Have fun." " Keep well, professor." " Thank you." "Let's go and have fun." "So Teresa keeps a diary." "Fantastic." "Was this her way of saying she had read mine?" "Finally things are beginning to move." "Hello..." "Hello, daddy." "It's Lisa." "Hello..." "Yes..." "You're going to be Late." "Who?" "Mother?" "Yes." "No, madam, it's not too short." "A quick iron and you can go out dressed Like this." "Fine, then we can pick up your hat at the milliners." "But won't we be Late?" "Don't worry, I called daddy and told him." "Sweet and condescending." "As if the scene over the photos never happened." "Was she aiming at something?" "My God, it's starting to rain." "But the sun was shining." "It's springtime." "It's a good thing Laszlo brought along an umbrella." " Oh, hello." " What a nice surprise." "In Budapest we say an unexpected meeting is a fortunate meeting." "She didn't tell me Laszlo would be joining us." "THE "DUCE" DICTATES THE DIRECTIVE FOR THE NEW FASHION" "Oh, my God!" "Keep walking!" "FORBIDDEN TO SPEAK FOREIGN LANGUAGES" "Are you ready to order?" "A brandy for me." "I... well, okay, me too." "An ersatz coffee for me." "I have to make a phone call." "Doesn't seem to want to stop." "Problem is we only have one umbrella." "Rain or no rain, I have to go." "At five there's another meeting at the Federation for all the school choirs." "What about the milliner?" "Well, you can go, mother." "Laszlo can always accompany you." "No-no..." "Then I prefer to go home." "Well, at least wait for it to stop raining." "Laszlo's right." "Anyhow, it's already clearing up." "You needn't worry, mother." "I can also go to the milliner's." "And if your hat is ready, then I'll bring it to the pension." "You'd better take the umbrella." "I'm not afraid of a Little rain." "Please, Lisa, take the umbrella." "You don't want to get all wet, do you?" "As you wish." "Bye." "Did she do it on purpose?" "I felt as if I were at the cinema." "Caught up in a plot." "We shouldn't, it doesn't Look right." "Why not?" "You do it spontaneously." "It' s natural." "There's nothing wrong with it." "It's not raining anymore." " Ah, that's true." " We could leave now." "If you Like." "Better go before the storm returns." "Why should it?" "Well, the season is uncertain." "Variable." "It's often said of a woman." "Waiter." " Haven't you got small change?" " No." "Lisa told me about the photographs." "Those photographs with me in them." "So she found them." "I'd imagined as much." "They're photographs that I developed and printed at your husband's request." "You saw me in that way." "I desired you." "My head was swirling." "I had to get some air so as not to faint." " Egon Schiele..." " False." "I know who did it." "Professor, with you I can play above board." "Well!" "A good painting, a happy hand." "It's congenial with those of Schiele." "They pay 200 lire for the expertise." "Very well, homage to Schiele." "But I don't think there's a market for him in Italy." "Officially, no." "Degenerate art." "But under the counter the "blackshirts" buy them and put them away." "They're not fools." "Sit here, professor." "And to think that the other professors only sign if you swear that the picture is authentic." "It's ridiculous, it's the false ones that need to be authenticated." "Well said, professor." "Like me, a good and authentic Christian." "One has to Live." "They threw poor Dr. Fano out of the hospital." "He's lost everything." "Just a few secret calls." "And only to those he trusts." "I know, it's almost a year now." "But you are trustworthy, aren't you, professor?" "Dr. Fano examines you sometimes, doesn't he?" "I suddenly felt the 200 lire was not just a fee for authenticating a false painting." "But a subtle sign of solidarity." "A lady's looking for you, professor." "Good day, Mr. Longobardi." "Lisa, what are you doing here?" "Nothing's wrong, don't worry." "It's only that I don't know what's happened to mother." "Why, didn't she go out with you?" "Yes, but then I had to go to the Federation for a while and I left her at the café Florian." "We had agreed that I could pick up her hat at the milliner's." "But she still hasn't returned to the pension." "She's probably stopped off to look at the window displays." "Dear Memo, my regards." "Goodbye." "Thank you." " Good afternoon." " With my respects." "Good afternoon, Anania, keep well, eh?" "Forget, Anania, forget the lunatic asylum." "I've become a Christian on purpose so as not to have you taken away." " There she is." " Ah, she's alone." "Well, Laszlo's still in the centre." "Say hello to her from me and tell her that I gave her hat to Giulietta." "Was Laszlo there too?" "Yes, he came to pick us up at the dressmaker's." "Well, with Laszlo she was in good hands." "Why were you so worried?" "Is that what you teach them at school?" "Daddy, you never take anything seriously." "You could tell at a glance." "Something was happening to her." "Nearly half past six." "The thought that she had been alone with Laszlo made me wildly jealous." "And jealously wild with desire." "War games." "Hurry!" "We'll be soaking wet." "Let's shelter at the Academy." "We can wait it out here." "I earned 200 lire today." "I can show you where I work." "I'll buy you some earrings, a bracelet." " Wouldn't you like to?" " A necklace." "Anything you want." "Although the real reward between husband and wife who'd been sharing their lives for 20 years should be unrestrained intimacy." "Shameless love." "Did he touch you?" "Did he kiss you?" "Here?" "Or here." "Or did he touch you here?" "Did he try over here?" "Tell me, tell me." "Did he call you "love"?" "Did he say "my love"?" "Tell me." "Did he say "my love... "?" "Did he whisper "my heart... "?" "Nino and Laszlo became one within me." "Tell me, tell me." "Did he?" "Do you Like my work?" "Teresa." "Not here." "You're wet." "I can't Live without you." "If Nino reads, he'll know I resisted." "Do you Like it?" "Tell me the truth." "You Like it, don't you?" "Are you sure you want to know?" "No, don't tell me!" "I felt the blood pressing in my ears." "My brain swirled with visions." "When I opened the album, the marker was gone." "A sign that Nino had found and read my diary?" "Over there, by the Zattere, the sun is shining, it's Like summer." "Here at the Giudecca, the winter never ends and for me that just means pain." "If I were to list all my pains." "Meanwhile, I'm going to warm my bones on the other side." "I'll be back in a couple of hours." "Well then, have a nice walk." "I'll be going out too Later on." "See you at supper time." "Yes..." "He looked at me as if to say:" ""Take advantage of my absence and read my diary. "" "He'd do better to read mine." "That's why I said I was going out too." "Let's hope he understood." "I'm dead serious, Nino." "You absolutely must stop drinking, smoking..." "Oh no, that's a vice I don't have." "The only one." "You have to eat Little." "Don't forget that coitus, as any medical book will tell you, in your condition is risky." "The risk of leaving while coming, eh?" "But at my age and in my condition there's no choice." "The more you risk, the more you Live." "Well, after all, considering what's awaiting us." "I'm gonna take a Look and see what they are doing." "Like at the Café Florian, she left me alone with Laszlo." "Teresa." "We'll be safe behind those bushes." "Come!" "Come with me." "Each time that nonchalant way of his made my heart quiver." "I couldn't help thinking Lisa had set a trap for me." "Anything could have happened." "I deliberately made no mention to Teresa of what doctor Fano had told me." "If she eases up because of risky coitus," "I'll have proof that she's read my diary." "If you behave, I'll show you something." "I bought them today." "They say if the war comes, we won't be able to get them anymore." "Without shame." "Almost brazenly." "Well, what do you have to say?" "Pig!" "Purposely to provoke me." "The change in her was only too evident." "Something must have happened for sure." "Oh, Nino, further down..." ""GRANCEOLA" INN" "Finally, I would see Laszlo naked." "My Love, my only treasure." "First I want to touch you." "Do you want one too?" "I've never tried before." "There is always a first time." "Yes, there always is." "I Like it." "Pleasure was liberating me." "Pay Mr. Aurelio and then madam will reimburse you." "Has she come back?" "No, she said she wouldn't be back for dinner." "Ah, professor, I almost forgot." "Miss Lisa is waiting for you in your study." "Hello, daddy." "Your study's such a mess." "Leave it, Lisa." "It's fine the way it is." "It doesn't matter." "I Like it this way." "I know where everything is." "What about mother?" "Do you know where she is?" "I thought she was with you." " She's at the Lido." " At the Lido?" "Yes, with Laszlo." "I found a suitable place, a small pension in San Nicoletto." "Between the firing range and the airport." "On the one side they fire..." "and on the other they fly." "In Venice it would have been too compromising even for you, daddy." "What the devil are you saying, Lisa?" "Was she looking for revenge or someone to lean on?" "Anyway, mother said she's remained faithful to you." "Just stop it, Lisa." "Leave me alone." "As you wish." "They grow so quickly, don't they, daddy?" "You should cut them off." "Cut them off, what?" "Your curls, daddy." "They almost reach your neck." "Don't worry about my curls." "I might even grow my hair down to my shoulders, eh?" "Have it bleached!" "I couldn't find the courage to accept that challenge." "We could have compared our respective jealousies." "I found a suitable place, a small pension in San Nicoletto." "Between the firing range and the airport." "On the one side they fire..." "and on the other..." " Lisa's impudence..." " ...they fly." "...it almost fascinated me." "Anyway, mother said she remained faithful to you." "Anyway, mother said she remained faithful to you." "Madam Teresa, I know it's against the rules of the house." "But for once could you turn a blind eye?" "For the lady." "Very well, but please use your discretion." "Of course." "Let's go." "I only want you for an hour to tell you what you don't know" "And in this hour I'd give my life for you" "My heart was thumping in my chest." "I couldn't help smiling remembering Dr. Fano's advice." "Full of life." "Bold." "Even brazen." "I felt at ease without the old shame, the old fears." "You did well to eat and not wait for me." "I'm not hungry." "No, don't take them off." "Don't take them off." "Suddenly I felt a rush of gratitude for Nino." "I desired to repay him, serve him out of gratefulness." "Like when you were a baby." "Nino, the wall it's ruined." "Teresa, kiss me." "Kiss me..." "Where the fuck are they running to?" "Fascist Saturday." "For a few hundred broken statues and for some thousands of tattered books, I have been trading you, Teresa, much too long." "I didn't give a fuck about anything anymore." "Now my whole existence was that little piece of meat hanging between my legs." "If it stood up enough, I was expressing myself to the fullest." "Look." "We Look Like Jupiter and Juno... in Giulio Romano's "The Loves of the Gods"." "I always imagined Jupiter with a beard and Juno much fatter." "You're depressed." "What's the matter?" "Are you thinking about Nino?" "Well, he was strange today." "He didn't wake up until noon." "He seemed exhausted." "And yet he was aroused." "It can happen sometimes." "Exhaustion doesn't kill desire." "Anyway, I think your husband is sick." "He's not normal." "Go ahead and say it." "He's abnormal." "I realized that a long time ago." "What is he trying to do?" "Provoke us?" "Put us to the test?" "No, you don't understand." "I didn't either at first." "He uses you, jealousy excites him." "Have him take a Look at this then." "Are you crazy?" "Yes, about you." "Actually, it was I who was using Laszlo." "In his arms I was truly liberating myself." "Whore, she's not content with those pimps who've even broken the holes in her ears." "She also steals other women's husbands." "Listen to this whore." "Her husband is a cuckold and she even does it with the friars!" "Whore!" "Not even the friars want you!" "She gives it away for money." "She doesn't work much but earns a Lot." "And all the money she gets, she gets with the women." "And why not?" "It isn't wine, is it?" "Yes, it is." "I want to die." "I want to die!" "Go outside and die." "I'll offer you a glass as well." "I'd really Like to die here inside." "Madam Zaira, how much do I owe you?" "A litre of Clinto... six lire." "Do you remember Radonicich, professor?" " Stanko from Lussinpiccolo?" " Yes, him." " He's gone." " How do you mean?" "I mean that he's dead." "Heart failure." "Here, in front of the bar." "Ten days ago." "While he was drinking, his heart gave out." "It's so true:" "you can't control your heart." "No, you can't control it." "He only takes orders from Love." "Or from death." "Goodnight, professor." "I could have caught up with her but decided not to." "I wanted to give her time to get ready for bed." "I want to die!" "I want to die!" "Teresa, I beg you, lie to me if you must." "But tell me you only use him to provoke my lust." "I want to die." "Oh, Teresa." "Take off your underpants." "AII right." "Put mine on." "Yours?" "Now put on the garters, stockings and my bra too." "No, Teresa." "Stop discussing." "I Like you that way." "AII right." "If that pleases you, why not?" "Complicated, isn't it?" "There..." "Didn't you always talk about being rid of limitations and restraint?" "Like this..." "Perfect." "I'm cold." "No, keep it on." "You excite me dressed Like that." "For having engraved in copper a pose Like yours 400 years ago, an artist ended up in prison." "Giulio Romano." "How did you know about Giulio Romano?" "I know." "Giulio Romano did the drawings." "But the man who went to prison was the engraver, Marco Antonio Raimondi." "He didn't have the political protection the other man had." " Who put him in prison?" " The Pope." " And the engravings?" " Destroyed." "Those were other times." "No, it was always the same." "You are like a timeless man." "That's a nice compliment, Teresa." "Where are you going?" "No, Leave them." "You can pick them up tomorrow." "Nino!" "Hello, Dr. Fano." "Teresa Rolfe." "Sorry I had to disturb at this hour." "Can you come at once?" "Yes, it's for Nino." "I don't know, he's shaking all over." "You must come right away, it's urgent." "Oh, Christ!" "Am I wrong or it happened during intercourse?" "No, not during, after a moment." "A circulatory collapse and catharsis, that's typical." " Is there danger?" " Not for the moment." "It's a thrombosis, not a heart attack." "But he needs assistance, you need to get a nurse." "If you could help me find someone." "You know very well I can't." "At least not openly." "Perhaps there's some friend, I'll see." "How can I ever thank you?" "A donation, madam, to the Jewish rest home." "I wanted to bring the diary up to date." "Take advantage of his illness to sum up the situation." "The signal." "Poor Nino..." ""...if knowing her photos developed by Laszlo, would Teresa be more attracted to him." "Teresa, I beg you, lie to me if you must." "But tell me you only use him to provoke my lust."" "Mother..." "The nurse has arrived." "I'll join you in a minute." "A minute." "There you go, professor, as good as new." "Better than ever." "Miss Italia, will you accompany Andrea?" "It's not necessary, madam." "Just a few days, professor." "And you'll be yourself again." "I'll go prepare his porridge." "Diary..." "You want to write in your diary?" "Your... diary." " You know I don't keep a diary." " Hello, daddy." "You Look so much better today." "Much better than yesterday." "What about you, mamma?" "It's days you've been shut up here in the house." "What'll we do if you get sick too?" "I'm free all day today." "Sweet and kind again." "Well, maybe after lunch I'll go out." "Nino had always read my diary though he pretended to ignore it." "Why did he mention it then?" "Or he was saying there was no longer any reason for pretending?" "This is St. George's." "Over there is St. Mark's square." "Where we're going now, crossing the Grand Canal, by gondola." "Carefully, miss." "Carefully, one at a time." "We'll get on the next one." "Come on, move along, two by two." "Are they enough?" "I wanted to substitute with blank pages what I wrote after that day at the beach." ""Go on, read" I'll tell him, my diary ends here." "Something told me I should hurry back." "It wasn't the thought of Nino." "I had the feeling Lisa wanted me out of the way." "Why did you go out?" "Your daughter gave me 2 hours off." "She's staying with the professor." "Your daughter's just gone out." "Giulietta's with the professor." "You go ahead, I'll only be a minute." "DADDY SAID HE DOESN'T WANT PRIESTS AT THE FUNERAL." "Lisa!" "She read in my diary." "Without your glasses you seem naked." " You're here as well." " Too late though, unfortunately." "You know what his thoughts were." "I came to see him off." "Not for any other reason." "We were good friends." "And then, if anything..." "he was atheist." "Not protestant." "Bear up." "With his authentication he had a lot of pots on the boil." "And he managed to enjoy Life." "Sure." "Mussolini will be speaking soon." "In alto i cuori." "Tears won't come and not even suffering." "At least pretend, act like a widow." "An oceanic crowd is converging on Piazza Venezia." "Thousands of Italians are waiting for the "Duce" to appear at any moment, and give his speech." "We're in the presence of a historic assembly." "The expectation is spasmodic." "Careful, mother." "You're not getting wet, are you?" "Jealous of me for the complicity which had tied me to Nino." "Poor Lisa, all her traps only served to strengthen our bond." "Quick, hurry up!" "It's about to begin!" "I knew about the risky coitus, Nino." "I feel no guilt for that." "I carried out your project." "The loyal accomplice." "Faithfully unfaithful." "Greetings to the "Duce"!" "Fighting men..." "Here's Mussolini!" "...on land, on sea and in the air." ""Blackshirts" of the revolution and of the legions!" "Men and women of Italy, the empire and the kingdom of Albania!" "Listen!" "The hour marked out by destiny is sounding in the sky of our country..." "The hour of irrevocable decisions..." "The declaration of war has already been delivered to the ambassadors." "He's declared war." "I knew it." "What an orator." " We'll win!" " And loose the oar!" "Go on, row!" "Inside the coffin, I put the diaries and the photographs." "It's your, it's our secret, Nino." "Vtg"