"Bread and Tulips" "In the year 273 B.C. when the Romans came here and encountered the Greeks for the first time, history took a huge leap forward." "What do I mean by that?" "Greek idealism, a civilization of music and philosophy, and roman pragmatism, a civilization of law and rationality, blended perfectly to create a new culture, that forms the basis of Western civilization, of which we Italians, the greatest people on earth," "should be the proud heirs." "Our blood contains the genes of Greeks and Romans, the greatest civilizations of all time." "These genes are what urge you to leave the train of rationality in the main station of your town:" "Verona, Turin, Milan..." " Pescara." " Why not?" "Pescara too... for the ship of fantasy to sail the routes of ancient peoples and drink to their enthusiasm." "We're now in the temple of Ceres." "Although scholars claim that it is dedicated to Athena." "Athena in Greek, Minerva in Latin." "Do you know who Minerva was, apart of a brand of matches?" "Minerva, china bathroom fittings with porcellain and chrome piping." "Please shoot me!" "Come on, you know your father likes these kinds of jokes, don't you?" "That's what I meant!" " Can you put this in your bag?" " ...does anybody know, who Aphrodite was?" " The goddess of beauty" " And love too." "Because love is more important than beauty." " Hi Grandma..." " What's the matter?" "Grandma, can you lend me 10.000 lire?" " Samy, you already had your allowance." " So did her cousins." "Shut up..." " Mom..." " Salvo, film us..." "Come on, Alba." "Get us here, right here, by the column, with the temple behind us." "Closer." "Eight steel pans with a double bottom." "Take a look at the new microfiber line." "It's a perfect fit." "I'm sorry, but I've had mine for 40 years and they're fine." "This is the "young" line Anyhow I was talking to Rosa." " Samy stop it." " Go away honey..." "Ask dad if we need the pan with the drainer." "I even got slips from Positano." "It's lithium." "It lasts 96 hours." "They say you don't have to change it." "It lasts a lifetime." "I recharged it last night and it's still going." "My other phone's battery is useless." " Still got the same number?" " It's a GSM." " Dad, can I call Cinzia?" " One minute then!" "It's day rate." "Nic?" "Call your friends in Rome, those with the house in Francavilla." "Nic!" "You coud see your friends in Rome, while we're at St Peter's." " What friends?" " Those with the house in Francavilla." "Be careful!" "I hate this thing!" "Lello, where are the restrooms?" "Hello?" "A sandwich and a coffee please!" "Oh my gosh..." "How can I get it?" "My tweezers..." "Disgusting." "Taken!" "God, what an idiot!" "Maybe with that..." "There they are." "What are they doing?" "They left!" "But... 0-3-3-6-7..." "He's changed his number!" "For God's sake, what now..." "They don't even notice I'm not there!" "Attention please." "Mrs. Rosalba Barletta please come to the phone..." "That's me!" "I don't believe it!" "Always you!" "You all left without me!" "I was in the restroom, Mimmo!" " You fell asleep in the can?" " Of course not!" " Now we should go back and pick you?" " I don't know..." " We'll end being 2 hours behind!" " You should have checked before leaving." "So it's our fault?" "You're the one who's missing!" " I noticed." " Do me a favour: wait there and don't move." " Okay?" " Yes, okay." "Sorry, I'm hopeless." " Join the club." " Believe me, I'm unequalled." "Now he controls it all." "He makes 10.000 kinds of bread:" "with seaweed, truffles..." "He's raking the money in." "Before I never even realized, he had such a head for business." "He was stoned around the clock, but we screwed like crazy." "When I came back, I forgot about him." "I had problems with my bar and then, one fine day he turned up!" "Him, the asshole!" "There I was, holding Brussels sprouts and he says: "Hi, kitten." No one had called me "kitten" before." "Now, when he whistles, I come running." "I'm boring you to death with all my talk, aren't I?" "So, they forgot you and you're standing them up." "Not exactly." "I want to get back to Pescara." "I never get to spend time at home alone." "I've always got loads of things to do." "Until recently, I thought "housewife" was an insult." "Nowadays, I envy you." "Oh holy Christ, have I offended you?" " No..." "I used to work too." " What did you do?" "For a while, I worked in my uncle's hardware store, then I helped to keep my husband's accounts." "He's in bathroom fittings with his brother." " Then the boys were born." " How old are they?" "One's almost 18, the other's 16." " Wow!" "You got married young." " I was 21." "At 21, I was in Copenhagen for my second abortion." "My life could have been different." "I'd surely made a terrible mother!" "Why do you say that?" " Are you from Udine?" " No." "I thought you lived there." " Are you going there for work?" " Not exactly." "Before he moved to Germany, my brother spent 2 years in Udine." "He kept inviting me to go to Venice." "I've never been there." " You've never seen Venice?" " No." "I can take you, have to go there." "Do you drive?" ""New parents wanted"" "Thank you and good night." "Pension Mirandolina" "Watch your head." "Here, please." "It's clean, you know." "We've let it go a bit, because we're closing down." "You may well be our last guest." " It's perfect, thank you." " The bathroom is down the hall." "Where can I get something to eat?" "There's a Chinese around the corner or... the "Marco Polo", to the left outside, second on the right." "Left and second on the right..." "I'll leave you now." "The Key!" "Excuse me." "Motel Elma." "Hello." "Can I speak to Mr. Barletta?" " Barletta?" " Si." " Hold the line." " Thanks." "Hello?" "Mimmo, it's me." "Alba, where are you?" "What happened?" "I'm fine, don't worry." ""Don't worry"?" "Where the fuck are you?" " Calm down." "I'll see you at home tomorrow." " What d'you mean?" "Are you nuts?" "Cut that out!" "I waited 2 hours in that service area!" "I even called the cops!" "And you tell me to calm down?" "What the..." "Hello?" "Good evening." "I must advise you, the cook has come down with the appendicitis." " Poor thing!" " Therefore, I regret to inform you, that we can only serve cold dishes." "That's fine." "Something cold would although do it." " Please be seated." " Thank you." "I hope it is to your liking." "It's better than to go to Chinese." "Forgive me, but the Chinese are the best restauranteurs in the world." "I can mend it." "How does this thing work?" "Nancy, what's up?" "My balcony's packed with these." "I don't know where to put them." "Try one, they taste good!" "Here, they cook in no time." "Nancy, tell Nic not to dye his hair." "He wants to go blond." "He said red to me." " To be honest, I agree with him." " What?" "This wallpaper's so depressing!" "Why don't you change it?" " I'm just passing through." " Who isn't?" "Guess where" "I am." "Oh my gosh!" "Hi, it's me." "I'm calling to say, that I missed the train." "And..." "I'm in Venice." "There is some lasagna in the oven... in the refrigerator:" "10 minutes in the microwave and it's done." "I'm really sorry." "I'll be back tomorrow at 3:30." "No, wait." "The train arrives... at 3:28 p.m. to be precise." "Lots of love." "May I ask you something?" "I missed my train and need to spend another night here, but the pension where I slept last night has closed" "and I don't have much left." "I don't wish to pry but how much is at your disposal?" "About 38.700 lire." "I'm afraid it's an inadequate sum for any kind of befitting accomodation." "This is it." "I've slept here a couple of times and its appearance does rather go against it." "I'll retrieve you a pillow and some sheets." "I'll do it." "I don't know how to thank you." "The bathroom is located a few steps from the entrance." "You're not Italian." "No." "I come from Iceland." "Reykjavik!" "Nearby." "As a girl, I'd recite all European capitals" " and my grandad'd give me 100 lire." " I'm delighted." "Feel free to lock the door, if that can make your night more serene." ""I hope you spent a happy night." "I'd ask you to lock the door before you leave and deposit the keys in the letterbox." "I wish you all the best." "Fernando Girasole."" "He writes his "T"s like Napoleon." ""I won't forget your kindness... and the wonderful breakfast."" "TO THE STATION" ""Help needed"" " Good morning." " Come back later for the wreath," " I had an accident." " What happened?" " I fell." "Come back later!" " Actually, I'm here because of the sign." " What sign?" " The one in the window." "You?" "You won't do." "I need a strong young man!" "I think you're wrong." "What you need is a woman." "Anybody ever told you, that you look like Vera Zasulic?" " No, who's she?" " A libertarian." "She pulled out a gun one day and shot Trepov," "Governor of St Petersburg!" " When was that?" " January 24th, 1878." "Why should I hire you?" "I have a green thumb." "My father was a gardner." " A gardner..." " Yes, at the Palace in Caserta." "They're still here." "May I?" "Who's that?" " Fernando's not here?" " No.." " Where is he?" " I don't know." "Help me, my bathroom is flooded!" "Please, quickly!" "This way!" "Oh my gosh!" "Turn off the main faucet!" " Where is it?" " You don't know?" "What a nightmare!" "I didn't even introduce myself." "Grazia Reginella, beautician" " and holistic masseuse." " Rosalba Maresanto, housewife." "I don't know what I'd do without you." "Thanks a million!" "No problem." " Are you a friend of Fernando's?" " No, I'm his guest." " Are you here on vacation?" " On vacation?" "Yes..." "My god, you're all wet." "I'm so sorry." "What can I do?" "Want a vodka?" "Ohh, you got me frightened!" "I went to the restaurant, but it was closed." "I wanted to ask, if I could stay another night?" "Tomorrow I'll find a room to rent." " What led you to change your plans?" " I found a job." "But please, don't bother with my room." "I've already done it." "Drat, I've put my foot on it." ""I wish to apologize for last night's unreasonable behaviour." "Unless it appears unsuitable to you, given the... difficulty..." What a way to write!" ""of finding vacancies here, please take the room at the end of the corridor in your possession."" "Maybe it needs dusting..." " Why is this bathrobe here?" " Hi dad." " What's this letter?" " It's from mom." " When would you tell me?" " I'was about to." " What does she write?" " She says she's fine." "She hasn't called to avoid a fight." "She is still in Venice." ""... so I thought I'd take a short vacation." "After all everyone gets some time off." "I've found a job."" "But is she on vacation or working?" "I mean, we go away every year." "P. S.:" "Please can you care for the plants on the kitchen's balcony every 2 days?" "Especially the mint, which dries up quickly."" "Which one is the mint?" "Salvo!" " Is this mint?" " Yes." "Hold it." " Papa, what are you doing..." " It sure won't dry up now!" "Cut it out." "Hey honey, just a second." " Where are you going?" " To Cinzia's." " Having dinner there?" " Yes." "Ciao." " When will you be back?" " I don't know." "Later." " You're not eating?" " I'm not hungry." " Did you read your mom's letter?" " Yes." " Do you think it's normal?" " How should I know?" "Hi Mama!" "I was on my way over." "Alba wrote a letter." " What mouthwash do you use?" " I don't." " What does she say?" " She's on vacation." "Then she'll be back soon." "She said she'd lend me her travel drier." " It's in the bathroom I guess?" " Where are you going?" "You don't remember?" "I won a cruise to the Fjords." "Here it is." "Cute!" " When are you leaving?" " In 2 days." "Honey, try to drop by, if you can." "The washing machine door is stuck." " Have you eaten?" " No, I'm dieting." "Nothing fits." "Bye Nic." "Mimmo..." "Can we meet a bit later on Thursday?" " I have to take Samy to the dentist." " Ketty, I'm desperate." "The coffeemachine blew up yesterday." " And what should I tell the neighbors?" " Say she's on vacation." "Could you iron a few shirts for me?" "Mimmo, are you crazy?" "I'm your lover, not your wife!" " Okay, but after 5 years..." " I hope Rosy's back soon." "Come on, move it!" "You think it's normal, somebody just goes like that?" "Can't we do anything from the legal point of view?" "The last thing I need is for a private eye to suck on my blood!" "Good idea, great!" "We need more counselors like you." "Thanks a lot." "Ciao." "Ciao!" "Mimmo?" "I'm going to that kindergarten in Civitella." "The plumber sent to us by Di Matteo is here." "Can you deal with him?" "Ah, any news?" "When I get any news, you'll be the first who knows, all right?" "All right." ""Costantino Caponangeli..." Nice name." ""Plumber and shutter fitter." "Intern with the MGCF..." What's that?" "The Municipal Gas Company of Foggia." "A sportsman, I see..." ""Third place in the regional darts tournament." You've put your hobbies too." ""Reading detective stories."" "How come?" " I..." "I love them." " How many have you read?" " I'd have to check..." " Off the top of your head." "285... and a half." "Holy shit!" " Are you married?" " No." " Engaged?" " No." " Willing to relocate?" " Yes, where?" "Venice." "Ever been there?" "My wife." "I'm out of saran wrap, but look what I did:" "O for omelet, C for cheese, M for mortadella." "If you want one with" " Milan Salami I'll put an MS.." " Mama, I'm going to Venice," " not for camping in Alps." " How long will this last?" "10 days or so, I already told you." "Anyways, I've got the mobile." "I can only call Mr. Barletta, but you can call me anytime." "This is a steady job!" "1.700.000 lire plus benefits." "But why Venice?" "It's a city with enormous problems." "They even called a Dutch engineer." " I'll miss my train..." " Have you got your asthma spray?" " Yes." " Is your money in your socks?" "You want me to miss the train?" "At least say good bye to Silvia." " We're not engaged..." " Come on Tino!" " Ciao, Mama." " Have a good trip, son." "Take care!" "Hello?" "Good evening, Mr. Barletta." "No, I don't have a room yet." "I just got here." "Yes!" "On the train, I drew up an action plan." "It won't take me long." "Yes." "Good bye." "Good-bye Mr. Barletta." "Excuse me, I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you." " What did you say?" " First time in Venice?" " Yes, why?" " Nothing to get until September." " How do you know?" " I'm in that business." "For years." "Have a look." " So?" " So?" "What do you think these people are lined up for?" "They want a room too." " They're hard to find?" " You don't believe me?" "Here, make a call!" "How much can you pay?" "50.000 a day." " 50.000 lire a day?" "In Venice?" " That's all I can pay, 50.000." "Maybe I have what you need." "Welcome, Sir!" "I let you not take your suitcase." "You find easy the way?" "Boss explained it good?" "Map of city town, room-key, bar please, and TV!" "If you any getting problems..." "This is my number of phone!" "Bring with you who you like, all inclusive." "One week advance," " 350.000 cash in hand." " But this isn't a hotel." "You change mind?" "No problemo." "You look for other hotel!" "Wait!" "Is breakfast included?" " I got everything, even ginger." " Ginger?" " Don't you use it?" " No." " Got a client?" " A tax accountant." "He had a special one and is sleeping like a baby." " What's that in there?" " I got an advance." " Knock when you're done." " Okay, ciao." "Hello?" "Pension Canaletto?" "I'd like to speak to Mrs. Rosalba Barletta." "She is not staying with you?" "Strange, she left me this number." "Maybe she checked in as Maresanto?" "Okay, thank you..." "Wait!" "Do you have any rooms?" "Nothing before September..." "Thank you." "Good bye." "Yes?" "Hi, mom." "Yes." "I've just got back to the hotel." " Good night." " Good night to you." " Rosalba, you must help me." " Me?" "I want to adopt a child." "Give me some quick mothership lessons." "Mothership lessons?" "I've never understood a thing about motherhood." "Help me, please.." " How old is the child?" " Want to see him?" "Come on." "Nic!" "Hi, mom." "Have you seen my camera?" " I put it in the drawer." " Do you like it?" "She's on a 3 day trial." "I hope it works out this time." "Have you tried others?" "Loads." "Even one called Vera Zasulic, but she was useless." "Vera..." "Vera!" "The water's boiling." "I don't have time now, have to finish by 6 o'clock." " They can come back later." " No, I promised it would be ready." "Beautiful things take time.." "Come and have your tea." "Fermo, I'm sorry, but I hate to make people wait.." "You're wrong." "People have to learn to wait." "What were you saying about the tulips before?" "Concerning tulips, despite what people think, they don't come from Holland, but from Persia." "In fact "Arabian Nights" is full of tulips." "Even the "Trio Lescano" knew that." "What did they sing again..." ""Tuli-Tuli-Tulipan..."" "See, you know it too." "No!" "I'll go." "You pour the tea." "Sit down." "Good morning." " Have you made your choice?" " Yes, I'd like some Irises." "Are you a monarchist by any chance?" "They were Louis VII's emblem." " Are they a gift?" " Yes, for a wedding anniversary." "Take some narcissuses or lilies then." "Yes, but you've got irises over there." "You take me for a mere merchant?" "Are flowers here are just to suit us?" "What have irises got to do with anniversaries?" ""Iridacea", to call them by their true name." " Can you explain?" " Okay, I was wrong!" "Everyone's is going crazy." "Ah, my dear, there is no more humility in the world." "My grandpa ate garlic too." " Was he an anarchist too?" " I don't think so." "In my family are all anarchists and everyone has heart problems." " Shall we drink our tea?" " All right." "I found him once doubled up on the doormat." " What had happened to him?" " Nothing, a sciatic attack." "I fixed him up." "Any idea, where he goes every morning at 7.30?" "I don't know." "Fernando is a mystery to me." "When he writes all his "P"s and "T"s are really long." "He must be a very passionate man." "The woman who cleans the stairs says he has a son." " A son?" " I don't know." "She talks rubbish." "Relax now..." "I forgot my doubts and scruples." "Only her counted for me." "I remembered you were taller and gentler." " You missed me?" " Like a blind misses his eyes..." "Oh gosh..." "Do you think" " they really used to talk like that?" " I don't know." "Now they can only say they want to do it under the table or chained to some pipes." " Sit down." " No, Roger..." " Careful, my earrings..." " Want to be dried, yes or no?" "Good evening." "Good evening." "Even though "Good night" is more appropriate." "I was at Grazia's." "We fell asleep on the couch." "I'd be lying, if I said I didn't notice your absence." "You're not feeling well?" "Without her appendix, I fear that our cook isn't the same woman." "Luckily, I've never had stomach problems." "I'm delighted." "Are you a musician?" "No." "I saw the accordion in your closet." "I was looking for a mirror, I'm sorry." "It was a payment for a gambling debt, I just never sold it." "Should I infer that you're capable of playing it?" "When I was 12 my granddad taught me a little." "Then he fell off an unfinished bridge." "Your grandfather devoted himself to building bridges?" "No, one night he was cycling home and thought the bridge was finished." "Sometimes, distraction can be fatal." "You're telling me..." ""In amongst all of my bits and pieces I found these old records." "I think, they might help you, to reacquire the familiarity with the instrument."" "I'm sorry." "I don't know her." "Yes?" "Good evening, Mr. Barletta." "No." "No great news today either." "7 hardwarestores, 3 hairdressers, 8 supermarkets..." "I've had enough of your lists, Caponangeli!" "I wanted hard facts from you!" "You know what that means?" " So what's the delay?" " I went to the VGS..." " Venice Graphology Society." " What for?" "You told me she did a graphology course." "And a clerk at the haberdasher's says that his mother saw your wife yesterday in a hairdresser's in Chioggia." "This leads me to conclude, that your wife is no longer in Venice." "This would explain why I haven't found her." "This explains that you're a total idiot!" "I got a postcard from her sent 3 days ago from Venice!" "Yes!" "Despite the Italian Post!" "Not of your business what it says!" "The postmark?" "It says..." " "Venice 5, Campo San Teodoro."" " It's the same one!" "It's the same one!" "Then if you approve I'll launch plan B!" "There are 13 Boxes." "We'd need to watch them all." "For a week at least." "I could cover one but for the others I'd need help." "A small investment." "50.000 lire 12 times for a week makes..." " 4.200.000." " 4.200.000." "I've got just one thing to say:" "If nothing comes up in 3 days, you are finished with Barletta Saniplus and every other bathroom suppliers on the Adriatic coast!" "You jerk!" "For 30.000 you found too." "That makes... 2.520.000." "And, how it goes?" "Hotel good?" "Week is finished." "350.000 cash in hand, please." ""MISSING DOG"" "Fantastic." " Play something else." " I only know a short piece." "A short piece is fine." " And I pay." " That's Mr. Fernando's glass." "Who is Mr. Fernando?" "What's with your beard?" "I gave your coral necklace to Cinzia." "That's okay." "I win!" "Three people can't play this game!" "That's what I said, but they made me play it." "But where is he going?" "To have a Thai massage, he does that every night." "Keep the deck, if you want to play a solitaire." "The flowers go here?" "Yesterday I had noodles, rice..." " He has a son!" " Who?" " Fernando." " Who told you?" "I followed him." "He takes him to school and he has a boat!" " His son?" " Not his son, Mr. Fernando." "Look, I've got a client." " I'll come by once I'm done." " Hurry." "She's done already." "Is Fernando in?" "No, he's at work." " He's free today." " What?" "Today's his day off." "Who are you?" "I'm his guest, Rosalba Maresanto." "I've lost the house keys." "You know where the spares are?" "No." " We can look." " Okay, let's look." "We'll wait for him." " What's your name?" " Eliseo Sonblom." " What?" " Eliseo Sonblom." "It means "sunflower"." "He looks just like you." "Fortunately, he didn't take after his father, the bastard." "That's the door." "Come here." "Shh, they're here!" "The mother with the son!" "They've lost the keys and wait for Mr. Fernando." "She's a friend of grandpa's." "When is he coming back?" "I'm a neighbour..." "Grazia Reginella, beautician and holistic masseuse." "Adele, skilled worker." " He's Eliseo." " Hey!" "Mama, I'm hungry." "Then my father died too." "He worked in a refinery." " Then he got cancer." " How old were you?" " Fifteen." " How did you managed it alone?" "They put me to an aunt in Pordenone." "It was the shittiest time of my life." "Her breath reeked of carbolic acid." "I ran away six times!" "When I met him, I thought, the bad times were over." "He used to say he loved me To me..." "I was crazy about him." "Then I got pregnant." "What did he do?" "Listen, before I gave birth, he was screwing another woman." " I don't believe it!" " Nothing shocks me anymore." "After you gave birth he surely has changed?" "Like hell!" "He even gambled away the money for the stroller!" "That's terrible!" "Fernando?" " Mrs. Rosalba, can you explain?" " What could I do, throw them out?" "They've lost their keys, the boy was tired and I let them sleep in your bed." "I don't comprehend your resentment, nor the reason why you followed me." "One thing above all has surprised and upset me..." "This unpleasant discovery." "They forgot me at a diner!" "I'd be obliged, if you could provide a more concrete explanation." "I'm married, with two sons." "We were on a trip to Paestum." "When they saw I wasn't on the bus, they called and told me to wait." "But I didn't." "I wanted to go home, so I hitchhiked and the last car was going to Venice." "I'd never been here." "Why not return to your family nucleus now?" "My family nucleus?" "You're a fine one to talk like that." "Did you ever examine your own family situation?" "Don't think I do not feel the weight of my misdeeds." "Especially regarding my son." "Unfortunately Alan is making the same mistakes with Eliseo" " as I did with him." " Alan?" "Yes." "In those days my wife was a big admirer of Alan Sorrenti." "Now you'll excuse me..." "Oh my gosh, I've put my foot in it again." "Fernando, please forgive me." "Sometimes I speak without thinking." "I must admit, my trust in you did waver." "There again, I kept silent about the blamish in my past." "Which one?" "I appreciate your tact, but years in jail leave a mark." "Jail?" "I infer that Adele omitted that detail." "Yes, she omitted it." "What was your crime?" "I plunged a blade into a man's belly." "He was a good friend, but I caught him in bed with my wife." "I understand your unease, but back then" "I was young and uncapable to control my emotions." "Yes." "If you find it opportune to seek other lodgings," "I wouldn't blame you." " I have to confess that..." " Where the hell are the keys?" " In the meter box." " Give them to me so we can go." "That's not a suitable idea." "So?" "Let's hear yours then." "Go back to bed." "I'll wake you up in time tomorrow morning." "Her appearance goes against her, but she's quite a sensitive girl." " Where is Alan now?" " In Oslo." "Yes, please?" "Who is this?" "Mrs. Barletta!" "Yes." "Good evening... morning!" "Why are you looking for me?" "Is there a problem at home?" " Yes and no." " What do you mean?" " Should I be worried?" " The time's come for us to meet." " Tell me when and where." " Why do we have to meet?" "I have information that concerns you." "Okay, meet me tomorrow morning at 8 on Campo da Pozzi." "Campo da Pozzi, I'll be there at 8." "Perfect." "Good n... morning." "Good evening..." "I found her!" " Is it you?" " How do you do?" "Angelo Costantin of the TTD, private detective." " What happened?" " I should be asking you the same." " What do you mean?" " You vanished without a word." " Your husband is in the bad way." " Did he send you?" " Of course!" " Then nothing is wrong." "No?" "Mrs. you don't realize:" "Your husband can't sleep or eat." " Aren't you bothered?" " What do you care?" "I care, believe me, I care!" "You've no idea." "Come back with me or your husband could do something drastic." " Yes?" "Excuse me. please." " Tino, guess what Sylvia is doing?" " for Santina's wedding shower:" " Mama, this is no time for riddles." " ..." "Little angels out of bread dough!" " Mama, can we talk later?" "Mama, please, I can't talk now!" "If you want to give me a heart attack, carry on like that." "Can you see, if there's a man outside in a trench coat and a hat?" "Vera, remember:" "Freedom is an inviolable right." "No one can force you to go against your will." "I have to do Mr. Battistin's wreath now." "Wait, there's something I have to say." "I've been thinking about it all night." "How does that waltz go?" "Or was it a russian melody?" "Shall I play it again?" "Mr. Barletta." "I found her!" "She plays accordion at a florist's on the Campiello dei Miracoli." "Of course I'm sure." "Listen!" "Yes, and I have one of her shoes Size 8 1/2?" "See you tomorrow!" " Can I help you?" " Yes... no!" "They told me..." "Oh, right..." "You're Diego's friend." "Then you're looking for me." "Glad to meet you!" "Grazia Reginella." "And you are..." "Vittorio, am I right?" "Mmmh..." "Vittorio." "Yes, Vittorio Alfieri." "Very glad." "Don't be surprised." "I've got good memory for names." "Get undressed." "I'll be right with you." " My pants too?" " Of course." "Glasses and watch as well." "Diego said, you have problems in your lumbar region, right?" "Ahh...yes." "That's the place." "Lie down." " How long have you lived here?" " Two years." "Why?" "So to speak..." "How many people live here?" "I've no idea." "You're very tense." " What job do you do?" " I'm a plumber." "Oh!" "Fantastic!" "Do you know many people in the building?" "What is this, a market research?" "Relax." "Tell me..." "Tell me, do you know if anyone has rented an apartment recently?" " What's that?" " My mobile phone." "Yes?" "Ah, Mr. Barletta." "I'll call you back." "Things are a little... delicate right now." "Good Bye." "Delicate?" "Why?" "It's not his son, it's his grandson!" "His son is in Oslo." "And there is a detective, sent to me..." "What's wrong?" "Nothing... a new client." "Sorry." "I'll be around once I'm done." "Oh my gosh!" "Fernando!" "Mrs. Rosalba, recent events seem to have been tumultuous." "My face is looking from all walls." "There is a detective from the DDT." "My husband sent him." "I shook him off, but I'm afraid that people will recognize me." "It would seem your husband is not a deep connoisseur of your soul." "Here you have nothing to fear." "I suggest you try the work of our new cook." "The venetian-style liver is a genuine delight." "You could wash it down with a vintage red." "I don't want to go home tonight." "I know a nearby dance hall." "If I interpreted your desires right?" "Interpretation correct." "Please, this way." ""About the forest roved the count, and as the break of day was brought." "By unhappy fortune to the fount, where his enscription young Medoro wrote." "To see his wrongs inscribed upon that mount, inflamed his fury so, in him was naught." "But turned to hatred, frenzy, rage and spite." "He cleft through the writing and the solid block, into the sky in tiny fragmens sped." "Woe to each sappling and carvened rock where Medor and Angelica were read." "So scathed, that they..."" "I'm afraid, my memory is starting to falter." " Do you know it all by heart?" " Up to Orlando's recovery." "Once I was freed from jail, I planned to finish, but fate decided otherwise.." "I'am a waiter now." " But I used to be a singer before." " A singer?" "On cruise ships." "And that man was my rolemodel." " Why did you stop?" " That's the way it went." " "They toil on..." - "They toiled on."" ""They toliled on and torrents ran." And?" ""And, what may some diversion interpose," "Sweet subjects of discourse scan in conference which might have appear." "The rugged road less dismal and severe."" "It's for you." ""Where have you been?" "I have to talk to you." "Come anytime." I'll go and see what's happened." "At last." "Where were you?" "I'm dying to tell you." "Tell me what?" "Look, he even mended my pipe!" "Do you believe in coincidence?" "He's a plumber!" "That's fantastic..." " Do you know his name?" " Vittorio!" "Isn't that fantastic?" "He has magic hands." "When he touches me, I catch fire!" "Where have you put him?" "In my bed." "Look, he's so cute." "He's sleeping like a baby." " That face seems familiar." " I know what you mean." "I thought the same thing." "What an angel..." " Holy mother of god!" "It's him!" " Shhh, you'll wake him up." " It's him." " Not so loud." "Who?" "The detective my husband sent!" "Are you crazy?" "He's a friend of Diego." "Vittorio the plumber." "I met him today." "He's following me." "Constantin!" "That's his name." " Where are his clothes?" " What are you doing?" "Look, he had them on this morning." " What now?" " I'm looking for his papers." " No, what if he wakes up?" " He won't, he's sleeping." " Caponangeli, Costantino Maria." " He told me it was Costantin." "Via Vittorio Alfieri Nr. 7." "Pescara." " Do you believe me now?" " Profession: plumber" "Oh, no, I ditched the other one." "Mrs. Rosalba." "With you on accordion, I could perform once more." " He's an impostor." " Who?" "In Grazia's bed there's the detective my husband hired." " But he's really a plumber." " Oh my gosh..." "It belonged to my wife's grandfather." "It was last fired at Caporetto, but it has been perfectly preserved from the perils of rust and the wear of time." "If I were you, I'd avoid doing anything to impel me to demonstrate the efficiency of its working." " What did you say?" " I've always had lousy luck." "From the start." "My first kiss was in a cemetery!" "I was fifteen." "We used to go there to smoke joints." "His name was even Primo, "The first"!" "This must be a coincidence!" "The first one always leaves the mark." "He dumped me overnight for a girl," " who did the weather report on TV!" " He wasn't right for you." "And Ettore?" "He seemed so much in love!" "We went to Greece." "First evening I found him on the ferry kissing a sailor from Saloniki." "I wanted no more serious relationships." "But then I met Corrado!" "Light it up for me, please." "Love at first sight." "I'd have followed him to Alaska, but he was from Chioggia, so I went to Chioggia instead." "After a year I found out he had 2 women - four kids with one and three with the other..." " He wasn't even a Muslim!" " You were better off without him." "Grazia, I lied to you." "I'm Costantino Caponangeli, plumber from Pescara." "Mrs. Barletta's husband hired me as detective." "He has a bathroom company and I needed work!" "It was my big chance." "Grazia, look at me." "I spent the best moments of my life with you." "I knew you had to be somewhere, and now that I've found you I know what happiness is." "Believe me, I'm begging you." "How can I, after what has happened?" "Please, hand me over my mobile phone." "It's just there." "Thank you." "Hello, Mr.Barletta?" "No, I don't know the time." "I was wrong, she wasn't your wife." "She doesn't work for a florist or play accordion for him." "Yes, I'm crazy." "Hire someone else to do it." "Throw it away." "One has to admit, that the last few hours were full of emotions." " May I offer you a nightcap?" " No, everything's spinning." "Fernando." "The last time I danced was nine years ago." " On my brother's wedding." " I'm most honored then." "I felt like flying." "Me too, I felt like a phoenix rising from its ashes." "Good night." "Mrs. Rosalba?" "Sunday is Eliseo's birthday." "I'd be glad, if you joined us." "I'd love to..." "Bravo!" " Vera, have you seen my boots?" " I put them by the stove." "They're not there." " Want me to come and look?" " No, I've just found them." "Rosi, what are you doing?" "Have you lost your mind?" "Why?" " What are you doing here?" " Moving the camelias." "You're wrecking your family." " Stop it..." " You're real?" " Whaddaya think?" "I'm plastic?" " The lady can't decide?" "A special occasion or an act of politeness?" "An act of madness, more like that." "What would you call a woman, who leaves her family without a reason?" " That's not true!" " To appeal to atternal love geraniums are ideal." "They're over there." "If they're not enough I have more out in the back." "Your son Nic takes drugs." "Shit!" ""I'm an unworthy mother." "I'm going back to my family and my obligations." "My warmest thanks for everything you've done for me." "Good bye." "Rosalba."" "Hello?" "Mom!" "Nic!" "Hello!" "Why is everything so neat?" " It was dad." " On his own?" "No, he called "Splendor"." "It took them two days." "Your vacation is over?" "Yes, it is." "Is it true, that you take drugs?" " Who told you?" " Aunt Ketty." "Mom, joints aren't drugs." " So what are they?" " Joints." "I need to drink." "Now all the people who own Freon ones have to ditch them." "The same goes for fluorocarbon." "They have to buy conditioners, with that other new Gas..." " With HRC." " Right!" "The standartized ecological conditioner." " Fortunately heat doesn't bother me." " You're kidding!" "Last year on the beach you had the fan on all the time!" "Very funny..." "Did you show mom, what your Italian teacher wrote?" " Go ahead." " What happened?" "I'm not going to pay for private lessons this year." "Dad, do you need your car tonight?" " Where are you going?" " There's a new club opening." "Cinzia's cousin runs the bar." "We can drink for free." "Any cousin who works in a gas station?" "You always leave the tank empty!" "They siphon it out with a tube." "Your friends do those things!" "What's this about the tube?" "Nothing, Papa." "Forget it." " Mimmo, I wanted to tell you..." " Alba, listen." "As far as I'm concerned, nothing happened." "Grazia asks, if you'd like to eat with us." "We've ordered from Chinese." "Fernando, pull yourself together." "You can't spend the whole day moping." "It happens to be my day off." "Yes, but not a day of fasting." "Sorry, I'm not hungry at all." "How about a quick game of darts then, Fernando?" " Grandpa, what's bothering you?" " Nothing, Eliseo." ""Your words sound obscure, but one day I'll understand."" " You always say that." " I'm bothered by my own folly." "Once again happiness knocked on my door in vain." "Didn't you open the door?" "I was deaf and now I languish." "It's a mistake!" "Andrea, please, give me permission to see him!" " Try to forget him." " I can't and I won't." " Juan's my husband." " What if he weren't?" "What do you mean?" "He is my husband!" " Andrea please..." " Don't ask me to help him!" "I wanted to kill him but if it's God's or Fate's will then..." "Hello?" "Rosalba!" "Have you forgotten us?" " No." " When will you be back?" "My life is here." "Fernando, Rosalba is waiting for you." "What engenders such certainty?" "My female intuition." "Are you Fermo?" "And you're Narcissus." "Fernando Girasole, "sunflower"." "I'm the owner of the accordion Mrs. Rosalba played." "I realized that." "Have you brought me news?" "I've brought the instrument as a pledge." "In return" "I'd like to ask you for your van." "I know you possess an exemplar for deliveries to a company on the mainland." "Get to the point." "I intend to descend to the Abruzzi and bring Mrs. Rosalba back here." "Two companions are joining me on this quest." "It hasn't seen a freeway in 20 years." "Change the oil, pump up the tires... and respect its age." " But... why are you here?" " I want to quit school." "What is this idea?" "It's not an idea." "Everything sucks." " So, everything sucks?" " Come on..." "You know I stopped studying and went to work for your uncle?" " And?" " I regret it now." "You all say that." "Come to the supermarket with me." " No!" " Yes!" "You know "Orlando Furioso"?" "The guy who goes nuts and his brain blasts over the moon?" "It's not quite like that." " What would you like to do now?" " I don't know." "What?" "There must be something you like." " How many people do what they like?" " Your father does." "Can you see me selling toilets and windows for the next 40 years?" "Mrs. Rosalba." "Since you went life is a pain." "My nights are awful, my days are harsh." "If I've made this journey then for one reason 'tis owed." "That you'll return to light up my abode." "Fernando." "What a surprise." "You take me unaware." "You're busy with your shopping and caught up in your cares." " What did she say?" " I can't hear them sorry." "This is my son Nicola." "And... this is Mr. Fernando." "I realize, that the situation may seem bizarre for you." "Nevertheless I've come to lay claim to your mother." "And why?" "Because..." "I love her." "# Soul of my sorrowful life # beneath this colorless sky." "# Let me live in peace # without bitterness or pain." "# Far from my emotions" "# I wish only to sleep." "# A nest of peaceful silence, # is my natural refuge." "# The look in your eyes makes me tremble, # the lost voice of your heart, # is a defeat of all my illusions." "# The fresh dew on jasmine." "# Your lips as sweet as honey." "# Pink like roses, carminred like carnation." "# For you I return to my dreams," "# I won't hide anymore. #" "May I have this dance, Mrs.?" "I don't wish to hasten things, but..." "I think you can stop calling me "Mrs"." "## Fixed by:" "lyliakar ##"