"THE GIRLS OF PIAZZA DI SPAGNA" "This is Piazza Di Spagna, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome." "At the top is the church of the Trinità dei Monti." "And these 137 'Spanish Steps'  are the work of architects Specchi and De Santis." "Over here is the famous 'Red House'." "Here, in 1821, the English poet John Keats lived and died." "As you can see, the apartment in which the poet lived  now holds a library and collection of manuscripts and relics." "At the time in which the events I am about to tell you took place  I was to be found in that library every day  usually doing research work." "One morning, the porter Gaetano appeared  in the doorway of his room, with something of an ironic air  and a package in his hand." " And who is it from?" " Miss Marisa." "She came by yesterday with her fiancé, a handsome young lad." "They're getting married in San Clemente, my wife wants to go." "She wouldn't miss a wedding!" "Are you going, Professor?" ""Marisa Benvenuti and Augusto Terenzi would like..."" ""... to announce their marriage."" "Marisa is getting married." "Perhaps even Elena and Lucia  soon will, too." "No longer will they come and sit down here  on the steps during sunny days." "They were three girls that worked in dressmaker's  on the other side of the square." "Three girls like many others, but particularly dear to me." "Punctual as the clock on the Trinità dei Monti  crossing the square at 5 minutes past 1  so charming in their pretty blue aprons  then climbing the stairs to their usual place." "A place that none of the other Piazza Di Spagna regulars  would ever dream of occupying." "Whenever I heard the sound of their voices and laughing  through the open window, I knew it was time for me to go." " Good day, Professor." " Good day." "Professor, do you know what the pearl of the Indies is?" "Of the Indies?" "That all depends, there are different ones." "But here it says pearl, which means that there's just one." "It starts with a 'J'." " Java" " Ah, Java." "Thank you, Professor." "Good day." " Good day." " Good day, girls." "I'd like to have known what they thought of me." "Perhaps nothing." "Perhaps for them I was nothing but a part  of the square, like the steps or flowerbeds or the fountain." "In the evenings, just before 7, the boyfriends would arrive." "There were the old ones, who had been coming there for months  and the new ones, met just the previous Sunday." "Mr. De Blasi, an accountant employed by the Archive  was the boyfriend of Elena and one of the old ones." "Waiting for Lucia were always very tall young men  almost all of which were new." "Augusto, the boyfriend of Marisa, even if he wasn't yet 20  was on of the old ones." "The petrol station attendant remembered him  from when he used to pick up Marisa on his bicycle." "But soon enough he came to pick her up  with the van belonging to the laundry he worked for." "For our friends who lived on the outskirts  getting home was a relatively long journey  especially since not all took the quickest route." "It's a popular place, the 'Paradiso Terrestre'." "So, are we going dancing tomorrow?" " I must go, otherwise I'll miss my train." " See you tomorrow, then." "Okay." "Do you know how to get there?" "Take the tram, and get off at the station in Capannelle." "From there it's a good 2 kilometres to my house." " Then I'll see you at 4." " Okay, then." " Alright?" " Yes, goodbye." "Lucia took the 7:35 tram  at the Termini station." "Elena lived in Monteverde  in one of the big council houses on Via Donna Olimpia." "No, darling, not tonight." "I can't get home so late  every night, my mother always gives me such a look  that I don't know what to say." "Why don't you come to the house and meet her one evening?" "Of course I will, I told you that already." "One of these days I promise to come and meet her." " Tomorrow, then." " Okay, tomorrow." "That way you can even stay for lunch." "Okay, I'll stay for lunch." "Promise that we won't be late?" "I promise." "Marisa lived on Piazza Giuseppe Sapeto  in the Garbatella, block number 23." " Bye." " What are you doing after dinner?" "I don't know, are you coming to pick me up?" "Yes, but I'll whistle." "I don't want to see your mother." "Why?" "She won't bite!" "No, but every time it's the same:" ""When are you two getting married?" "Why, have you changed your mind?" "Of course not!" "We just have to find a house." "Why doesn't your mother help us, rather than screaming?" "Alright, then whistle." "I'll come down if I can." " If not, I'll see you tomorrow." " Bye." " Bye." " Hi, Augusto." " Hi!" " Are you coming dancing tonight?" " No, I can't." "Do you need to ask permission?" "From who?" "I just thought that..." "I don't have to ask permission from anyone, got it?" "Oh, really?" "Can't you take better care of the little one?" "Why, where was she?" "She was downstairs with the kid that has whooping cough." "Damn it!" "Can't you look after your little sister?" "When your father gets here, he'll show you what for!" "Leave those papers alone!" "Hey!" "I told you, I don't have anything to give you." "Well, you need to pay me." "You took the stuff, didn't you?" "Close that door, can't you see everything is blowing away?" " What are you doing, painting?" " No, I'm shaving." "Would you get out of here?" "I have to get changed." "Can't you see that we're working?" "Where can we go?" "Dad's in the other room whitening the walls." "Get changed if you want, who's going to look?" "Very funny!" "Mum, I'm going to play with Carlotta!" "I'm going, too!" "Damn, I can't even read in peace!" "Marisa, Eugenio and Emma are in there." " I saw them." "Are they afraid we'll run off?" " Well..." "I have to give Eugenio 1,500 lire  because the sooner we get rid of him, the better." "I have to pay the bakery..." "I have to give Emma 2,000 lire for those pedals she got  for your father." " Mum, do what you want." "Just leave me 500 lire to give the shoemaker." "How can I?" "I have to get those books for Cesira, too." "Your father didn't even work an hour of overtime this week." "Giulia, get me some bicarbonate, my stomach is burning." "Bicarbonate!" "You should smoke less!" "Right, I can't even afford more than a couple a day." "It's the potatoes." "Potatoes today, tomorrow..." "Your stomach rebels against it." "Dad, can I go out with Augusto after dinner?" "You're asking me?" "Am I in change around here?" "Dad, Mum said to give Rinaldo a smack  because he threw water out of the window." "Oh, really?" "That's not Rinaldo, it's Giuseppe!" "Well, it'll do for another time." "Take him away." " What does he have to do with it?" " Get out of here!" "By the way, when are you going to marry Augusto?" "When we find a house." "Yeah, and when pigs fly!" "You stupid bitch!" "Come down here if you dare!" "Instead of wasting water you should wash your face  you really need it!" "Come down here, I'll give you a bath!" "Goodbye, so I'll see you tomorrow in the same place?" "Yes, of course." "Good evening." "Hi." "Did you come to pick me up?" "No, I came to post a letter." " Sure you could reach?" " Don't try to be funny." "Will you give me a ride?" "Come on, get on." "I'll take you home." "Who was that guy?" "One of those engineering students." "With a face like that?" "Because yours is so much better!" " Stop it, don't be stupid!" " Careful or I'll crash!" "Lucia lived in Capannelle, at the stables  near the race track, close to Ciampino airport." "Take it easy with her." " Hi, Dad." " Hi." " What's wrong with Vanitone?" "During the ride he took a blow to the joint  so we're just treating it." "I bet Amleto was riding him." "No, sorry but it was your brother." "Of course, you taught him!" "Will you shut up for once?" "Let her go." "If we had legs as long  as that girl's tongue, we'd be in the cavalry!" "Dinner's ready, hurry up!" "Alright, we're coming." "Take him inside before he catches a cold." "Hi, Mum." "How come you're so late?" "Well, I stopped to talk with Alberto downstairs." "He's coming to lunch tomorrow, you know?" "Did you ask him to come?" "No, he was the one who asked." "He said: "I really want to..."" ""... meet your mother, do you think she'll like me?"" "So I asked him to lunch." "Is that okay?" "Of course." "I didn't want to say anything  but it was about time." "You shouldn't thing bad of Alberto." "Wait to meet him and you'll see." "He's so serious, so refined." "I'm sure you'll like him." "And he has a great job with the Ministry." "At the Archive." "Mum, what's this package?" "They're your bed sheets." "They were delivered today." " Nice, aren't they?" " Beautiful." "I was supposed to pay the rent, 2,000 lire..." "But I didn't have any more money..." "Don't worry, I got paid today." "Take it, if you need the rest..." "It's okay, tomorrow I collect my pension anyway." "That means I can put the rest in your bank account." ""Old Rome under the moon doesn't sing anymore..."" ""Its beautiful songs are the serenades of youth..."" ""This big old city has made such progress..."" ""But it isn't the same as it was years ago..."" ""There are no more lovers to be found at Lungotevere..."" "If you don't shut up, I'll give you a good kick!" "I'd like to see you come up here and get me!" "He's so funny..." "Hey!" "Are you staring?" "What did Irene want?" "Irene, when?" "Don't be stupid, I saw you talking to her before." "Ah, she wanted to know where we were going tomorrow." "And it took half an hour to tell her?" "Are you jealous?" "Of who, her?" "Why would I be jealous of her?" "Irene, get over here!" "Is someone going to sing?" "Wait and see." "Irene, come and sing!" "I don't know how to sing." "Sing us something romantic." "How about 'Yearning Lips'?" "I don't know it." " 'Heart and Soul'" " Don't know that, either." "Then sing us something traditional, at least you know those." "Alright." "'Green Moon', I don't know..." ""Flower of the field, flower..."" "If you don't stop looking at her, I'll scratch your eyes out!" "You're lucky I'm a gentleman and there are people here, otherwise..." "Sings well, doesn't she?" "Don't I know it!" ""You can play the part of the indifferent..."" "Fausta, go and see what they're doing." "Mummy's little baby..." " That girl will be the death of me." " Tell me about it!" "Mum, they're kissing!" "Will you take her a minute?" "Oh, this is good!" "I don't want you taking advantage of my daughter like that!" "Go on, get walking!" "And you, don't spy on people!" ""All you have to do is show some manners..."" ""Because I have about a hundred to choose from..."" "The following Sunday morning, our accountant, Mr. De Blasi  was crossing Via Donna Olimpia." "He had put on his new grey suit  and bought 250 lire worth of carnations." "Mr. Vittorio, Alberto is on his way and you're still here?" "That's it, it's done." "Everything's in a mess again." " Looks good, doesn't it?" " Yes, it's pretty." " Giving me a hand moving the table." " Here..." "Right, I'm ready." "Mum, what have you done to yourself?" "I powdered my face a little." "Why, don't I look good?" "You look wonderful, like a ghost." "Let me remove it for you, don't you see it's too much?" "But you're removing all of it." "You don't want to meet Alberto like this, do you?" "Alright, I'll be on my way." "Sorry for the inconvenience." "Heaven forbid, it was a pleasure." "Thank you for everything, Sir." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "What are you doing after lunch?" "Going to the cemetery?" "Of course, what kind of question is that?" "Then I'll wait for you as usual in front of the flower seller." "Yes, but you'll have to go now as the accountant is on his way." "Why, what's wrong with him?" "No, nothing." "Finish laying the table, I'll sort the pasta out." " Excuse me, do you know where the Gentili family lives?" " Who?" " The Gentili family." " Number 8, I think." " Thank you." "Oh, Alberto!" "Come, I'll introduce you..." "This is Mr. De Blasi." " Honoured to meet you, Ma'am." " A pleasure." "I thought I might bring some flowers for you  I hope you like them." " Thanks, but you shouldn't have..." "It was nothing." "Would you like to wash your hands?" " Please." "Excuse me, Ma'am." " This way." "The clean towel is behind the door." "Yes, after you." "Elena, where should we put the flowers?" "Let's get rid of these and put Alberto's in instead." "So, what do you think?" "Do you like him?" "Yes, he seems friendly." "You'll see, he's so intelligent." "Augusto had been allowed to borrow the company van  in order to follow Marcello, Marisa's older brother  in the Giro dei Castelli bicycle race." "Come on, get off!" "We'll be right down!" "Hurry up!" "It's Augusto." "Tell him I'll be right there, I've almost finished." "Help me put the chain on." "Augusto is here." "Don't upset your sister, or else she'll get that cough again." "Alright, alright..." "Hi Augusto, can I come?" "Sure, and instead of seeing a bicycle race  you'll see a boxing match." "Look at all these kids." "Alright, take it easy." "Take it easy!" "Are you leaving already?" "Marcello needs his massage." " Where is he?" " How should I know?" "He must be upstairs." " He's upstairs putting the chain on." " What chain?" "I put that on yesterday, is he trying to ruin everything?" "Adolfo!" "I have to give you your massage." "We'll do it before the race." "Find a nice bit of shade." "Don't I have time to eat?" "You can eat tonight, I'm sure you won't suffer." "Don't worry, you can stuff yourself later." "We'll be celebrating." "Then you had better win!" "You'll never eat if you're waiting for that guy to win!" "You'll end up as skinny as him!" " Mind your own business!" " Go take a walk!" "Don't be so childish." "One of these days I'll show you!" "Get in." "Get out of here!" "Sundays in Lucia's house were always a day of work  just like Thursdays." "The day of the races." "Make sure that's tight!" "Yeah, alright!" "Don't forget." "Will it be much longer?" "Don't worry, it'll only take a few more minutes." " Hi, Mum." "Hi, Amleto." " Hi, Lucia." " Are we eating?" " It'll soon be ready." "Take a look in  that pot and check if the beans are cooked." " Okay." "Beans with pork rind." "Tasty!" " Are you riding today?" " No, I got dressed up for a photo." "When you don't eat you get funnier!" "Are you two always fighting?" "Didn't you hear what he said?" "You asked me if I was riding today, but it's in all the newspapers." "I don't read the newspapers." "Yeah, you just read comic books." "Why, what do you care?" "Hey, what's wrong?" "Do you feel ill?" " Do you feel ill?" " It's nothing." "Sit him down." "Give him something, quick." "Not water, give him wine!" " He's going to die of hunger." " It's the smell of the beans." "I know, you haven't eaten for 3 days to get your weight down." "Come on, drink." "Here, eat." "Your father will kill me." "I'll take care of him, eat!" "Amleto!" "He'll be right down!" "What's he doing?" "Mum is fixing his cap." "Tell him to hurry up." "Alright, I'll tell him." "He said to hurry up." " Are you coming to the race?" " Maybe, I don't know." " Alright, bye." " Bye, good luck." " Thanks." " Goodbye, Ma'am." " Bye." "Won't bread and salami before riding be bad for him?" "Of course not!" "That boy could digest stones." "Yet, he is handsome on that horse." "It's a shame that when he gets off  he's so short." " Even your father was short  when we used to date." " Well, it's not like he's grown!" "So what?" "We love each other all the same, don't we?" "Hey, he forgot his cap." "Amleto, your cap!" "Catch it for me." "Here." " Thanks." " Bye, good luck!" "Don't forget, warm him up a few minutes before the race  Vanitone is nervous today." "Good luck!" "If only my poor husband were alive, I wouldn't have sent Elena  out to work, I'd have preferred her to stay home  and study." "If he was only around for you to meet him." "As good as they come." "Honest, hardworking..." "Elena was still small when he started putting money away  for her future." "Then he got sick." "Two years he was ill." "The doctors, the medicines, the funeral." "Today even dying is a luxury." "Mum, couldn't you find something different to talk about?" "If you like, I'll just be quiet." "No, I just meant that..." "He's fallen asleep." "That means he ate well." "It's the digestion." "Mr. Blasi really enjoyed his lunch, that day." "And how!" "For years he had been eating in restaurants for 270 lire." "He even liked the house." "A palace when compared to his humid, dark and small apartment  in Via Panisperna." "But Elena and her mother  couldn't even imagine these things." "The tire is flat!" "Now what will we do?" " What happened?" " Where's the jack?" "Who has the jack?" "It looks like they've had it!" "Come on!" " Here." " Go on!" " What's wrong?" " There's a flat tire, don't you see?" " Now perhaps you won't talk to Irene!" " What do you mean?" "You know what I mean!" " Did you win today?" " Don't try to be funny!" " I fell off." " Will you ever stay on that horse?" " Hi, Dad." " Hi." " Good afternoon." " Good afternoon." "So, are you taking me out?" "Come on!" "I've got a bone to pick with you." "If you eat before a race again, You can go ahead and race  right out the door." "Come on, you're on your own!" "Mrs. Rosa and Mr. Vittorio  had met at the cemetery because the gravestone of her   late husband and his late wife were close together." "Little by little, a friendship had been born, and without  their knowledge had almost grown into  a melancholy love." "Elena and Mr. De Blasi often visited the  zoological gardens on a Sunday afternoon." "It was an educational and affordable past time." "That's it, get it!" "Funny, isn't it?" "This is the earless seal." "Well done!" "See that, Pippo?" " Good day, Sir." " Good day." " Who are they?" " My office manager, let's go." "It's nothing, Alberto is a young man..." "Why?" "Are you ashamed that they saw you with me?" "No, of course not." "Then why?" "It can't be forbidden for employees  to come here, can it?" "It's not a night club..." " So you find it boring?" " No." "And besides, we come every Sunday." "Yes, but you would prefer to go to the cinema or out dancing." "No, what I prefer is to be with you." "Now what's wrong?" "Don't you see that the hill is finished?" " I can't do it." " Come on!" " My legs are all stiff." "Get up." "Can't you see that the uphill part is over?" "Even if it was all downhill, I still couldn't do it." "What do you mean?" "I'm worn out." "Coppi, what's wrong with you?" "What are you laughing at?" "What if it was your brother?" "If I had a brother like him, I'd sort him out." "But all I have are sisters." "Waiter?" "Good afternoon Sir, Miss..." " What will you have?" " Whatever you're having." " An espresso for me." " E la signorina?" "We have all kinds of deserts, cakes, milk-shakes, ice creams..." "Why don't you get the cherry flavour that you like so much?" "The ice cream is very good, Miss." "Then I'll have a cherry ice cream." " Cherry ice cream and an espresso." " Yes." "Very good." "It's nice here." "Fresh, and quiet." "And above all there's no chance of meeting  that manager of yours." " What does he have to do with it?" "I saw how worried you were." "Me?" "Of course not!" "I just didn't want to stop and talk to him." "I see him enough during the week." "Do you see his daughter, too?" " What does the daughter have to do with it?" " Excuse me..." "Water, Miss?" "Yes, thank you." "That'll do." "The coffee here isn't as good as your mother's." "She makes it well because she likes it so much." "It's the only vice she has." "There aren't many like her." "She never gives herself a moment of rest." "I'd like to take her to the cinema." "But she prefers to stay home and work." "All the money I make, she puts it away for me." " I have almost 90,000 lire." " Wow, you're rich!" "Well, you never know when  you're going to need money." "How much do you pay in rent?" "With these recent increases, it's about 1,200 lire." "That's not much." "They are council houses, there isn't even a bathroom." "But they don't cost much." "One, please." "A ticket, please." "One for me, too." " How many of you are there?" " Three." "Ticket, please." "Lucia is here." "I can see." "Careful of your steps!" "This is a difficult dance, you have to be careful." "It doesn't take much to get wrong." "Dances well, doesn't she?" "I'm tired, I can't dance anymore." " Hi, Lucia." " Hi." "May I have this dance?" "Don't you see that I'm with someone?" " And the ticket?" " Show him your ticket." "That's a man's ticket, not a woman's." " Didn't you get one?" " I really didn't know..." "Go on, go and get one." "I didn't think I needed one." "Then I can have this dance!" "I told you, I don't want to dance with you!" "Hey, are you crazy?" "!" "Get out!" "Are you trying to ruin my business?" "Who are you pushing?" "Let go of me!" " Here's the ticket." " Aren't you ashamed of the impression we made?" "Miss, I didn't know..." "And I didn't know I'd found  such a cheapskate!" "150 lire..." " Could I get my money back?" " I'm sorry, no refunds." " None at all?" " No, speak to the management." "Let go of me!" "I'll give you a black eye, I will!" "Get out of here!" "And don't think of coming back!" "Leave my bicycle alone." "What am I supposed to get home with?" "Take mine." "I can't ride the ones made for men." "Who told you to get involved?" "That's the thanks I get?" "Why should I thank you?" "Look what they've done to you." "You look like a losing boxer." "Come on, let's go home." "There's no rush, we could leave them there." "No, it's better if you take them down." "They might rip, get dirty..." "They're really not much." "I've had them for years." "If you take them down, I won't have to worry." "As you wish." "Well, I'll make some coffee." "You don't have to..." "It'll only take a moment." "Mrs. Rosa." "I wanted to ask you something." "Are you sure that your future son-in-law won't be living here?" "Alberto?" "Are you kidding?" "I see that you don't know what kind of man he is." "I saw him once on the stairs." "He's quite gentleman-like." "And he has a good job." "Perhaps he doesn't earn  that much right now, but he has good prospects." "So you'll end up all alone." "What can you do?" "This is life." "It's not nice to be alone." "Mr. Vittorio, what is it?" "Are you trying to get me worried before I need to be?" "Can't you stop with that machine for a moment?" "Why, is it annoying?" "No, it's that..." "Do you respect me?" "What kind of question is that?" "If I didn't respect you, I wouldn't let you in the house." "Well, thank you." "In that case, I can speak freely." "And anyway, dancing around such subjects at our age  is really quite silly." " Well, what is it?" "I'm alone, you'll be alone." "We're both alone." "Why don't we get married?" "Are you mad?" "You shouldn't joke about such things..." "You know that I'm being serious." "I never spoke of it before today because your daughter was here." "And I knew that you wouldn't want a man around the house." "But now that you're free..." "I've loved you for many years." "And you don't know what it means to be alone." "With not even a dog to talk to." "This must be Elena." "Please, don't mention any of this to her." " Hi, Mum." " Hi." " Ah, hello there!" " Good evening, Ma'am." " Good evening." "You didn't mention anything..." "I came up for a moment, just to say hello." "That's not true, he's done nothing but praise your cooking  all afternoon, so I told him to come for dinner this evening." "But I haven't prepared anything!" "Don't worry, Elena is just joking." "I'm not joking at all, come on!" "Well, if a couple of eggs and some salad would be okay..." "I'm sure it would be fine, Ma'am." "I don't want to put you out." "It's nothing, really!" "What were you doing, Mum?" "Nothing, I had asked Mr. Vittorio  to help me with the curtains, I wanted to wash them." "Ah, Mr. Vittorio is a family friend." "Alberto De Blasi, nice to meet you." "Vittorio Spada, how do you do?" "Be a good girl, alright." "I'll tell you a story, okay?" "Then we'll go home, have some dinner and go to sleep." "Be a good girl." "Did your brother win?" "Yeah, he won last place!" "What are you laughing at?" "Can't you even laugh when your brother fails so badly?" " I'll make sure you never laugh again!" " Who, you?" " Me!" "Shut up, stupid girl!" "Take it easy!" "Come back here if you think you're tough!" "Hey, take it easy!" "What are you doing?" "Get your hands off me!" " I was calming you down!" " Idiot!" ""My short stature had always rendered me sad and nervous."" ""To complete this pain, I had fallen in love with a girl..."" ""... that always resisted my requests of marriage."" ""I found out from her friends that this was down to..."" ""... our difference in height, and I was almost resigned..."" ""... to an eternity of suffering, when a friend told me about..."" ""... this wonderful piece of equipment of yours..."" ""... and convinced me to purchase it." "It was like some kind of miracle."" ""I grew 9 centimetres in a week."" ""Now it's me who has to resist the young ladies..."" ""... that want to marry me."" "Did you hear that?" ""That strange boy seems in love with you..."" ""... because you're beautiful and he adores everything about you."" ""But he only just met you." "Do you believe in love at first sight?"" "I'm happy that Alberto and Mr. Vittorio  hit it off right away." "I was so afraid." "Afraid of what?" "Well, Mr. Vittorio isn't an educated person." "What are you saying?" "As if Alberto cares about such a thing." "And then Mr. Vittorio is so kind and friendly..." "Speaking of Mr. Vittorio, I wanted to tell you something." "Do you know what he asked me tonight, before you and Alberto  got here?" "What?" "He asked me to marry him." "And what did you say?" "What do you think I said?" "I asked him if he was mad." "Why?" "Wouldn't you like to marry him?" "Me?" "At my age?" "That way when Alberto and I get married you won't be alone." "Mr. Vittorio would be there to keep you company." "I did think about that." " But I thought it would bother you." " Bother me?" "I'd be very happy." "Oh, Mum!" " Why don't you talk to her?" " Me?" "As her future son-in-law you might have some authority." "Ah, because you're planning to marry Mrs. Rosa?" "Thanks." "Marry..." "You know, at my age you really need a house." "And you plan to live with her?" "Yes, but it's not like I'm marrying her for her house." "Look, at your age, and I know because I was young once  you think that love is a feeling reserved exclusively  for the young, but that's not true." " Here's the bus." " I have to take it, too." "Get off at the next stop..." "Marisa!" "Marisa!" "Marisa!" "Come on, let's go." "Marisa!" "Come on, otherwise he'll wake up the entire neighborhood." "Here I am!" "What's wrong?" "Why are you screaming?" "What do you want?" "Already eaten 100 lire of watermelon?" "What can I do with 100 lire of watermelon?" "I have less than everyone." "They gave Irene's brother  200 lire's worth." "He needs it more than you." "Come on, let's go." "If we don't get married quick  those kids will eat through everything you own!" "Monday was the day on which  the girls went to work happily." "They had so many things to tell." "If it was early, you could find them at the milk bar on Via della Croce  where I too went for breakfast." "Marisa would meet her friends at the milk bar." "The man working there had a weakness for "The 3 Seamstresses"  as he called them." "And he put the coffee machine into action just for them." "If his seamstresses weren't there, he was even more surly than usual." "You've no idea, I can't even get up in the morning  when my mother..." "Girls, it's 2 minutes to 8!" "Will you hurry up?" "It's late." "Oh, how annoying." "Always the same, that one." "She's like a stuck record!" "Give me that bag of pins." "You always steal mine!" "Would you be quite, girls?" "It's time to work." "That Monday morning, something unusual happened." "It was already a quarter past 8 when Miss Anna  the manageress, showed up at the workshop." "Do you need me for anything?" "No, thank you." "This has to be ready for tonight." "This hem goes in front." "Marisa, come here a moment." "Come over here." "Let's see." "Yes..." "Alright, turn around." "Yes." "Come with me a moment." "Where is she taking her?" "She must be taking her to the Madame." "Girls, quiet or you'll be fined." "Yes, sorry." "One of these days I'll throw this iron at her head!" " Good day, girls." " Good day, Professor." "How come your friend isn't with you?" "Is she unwell?" "No, she's fine." "This morning the manageress came into the workshop." "She called her over, and we haven't seen her since then." "Hey, girls!" " Marisa!" "Where were you?" " At the hairdressers." "Tell us everything." "Alright, take it easy, I'll tell you everything." " Good day, Professor." " Good day, Miss." "Does my hair look good like this?" "Come on, tell us." "Smell that perfume." "Nice, isn't it?" " What is it?" " Sit down, Professor." " No, thank you." " Aren't you going to eat?" " No, I don't feel like it." "Calm down, I'll tell you." "After the manageress came down to get me  she took me up to see the Madame." "The Madame owns the place, see..." "She looked at me, made me walk up and down  then she asked me what my name was, where I lived..." "Then she asked me if I'd like to be a mannequin." " Which means model." " What did you tell her?" "She didn't let me say a word." "She asked me what school I'd done." "So I told her: fifth year." "But I only did the third." "I wanted to show her I was educated, see?" "But she just said: "Shame..."" "What did she think, that you'd been to university?" "Then she told me that to have the physique wasn't enough." "You have to be cultured, educated, read more, speak eloquently..." "She said to the manageress:" ""Take her to Attilio's for a bath."" "I wanted to tell her that I was cleaner than she was!" "Does she think people don't wash in the Garbatella?" "Good on you." " You should have seen Attilio's!" " What did they do?" "They put me in a tub with all this thick liquid  steam going everywhere..." " Really?" "I felt like Cleopatra." "You remember, that film with the snakes?" "Well, I should get going." "I wish you the best of luck." "Thanks, but I don't think I'll accept." " Why?" " What about Augusto?" "What am I supposed to tell him?" "He doesn't even know what a mannequin is." "Come on, don't be silly." "If he sees me with my face made up like this, he'll slap me." "We're not in the Medieval times!" "You don't know Augusto." "But we're with you." "Oh, God, there he is!" "He hair looks good like that, doesn't it?" "Get in." "The Madame made her do it, she couldn't say no." "She asked her to be a mannequin, you know..." "I wish she'd have asked me." "I told you to get in." "I bet that Marisa turns up with a black eye tomorrow." "From a hunk like that, I'd be happy with two black eyes." "Strange, Alberto isn't here." "He must be busy at the office." "He could have called." " He'll call tomorrow." "Bye, he's waiting for me." " Bye." "And you still dare show up here  after that mess you caused yesterday?" "Well, you could always forgive me." "I don't know, we'll see." " Good evening, Miss Lucia." " Good evening." "Don't you remember me?" "Yes, I'm sure I've seen you before." "I'm the one from the train." "Ah, it's you." "How are you?" "Not too bad, thanks." "Sorry, this is Mr..." "Lucidi, nice to meet you." "Trota, likewise." "Well, I have to go otherwise I'll miss my train." "Then we'll walk you there, alright?" "Come on, let's go." "Miss, are you alone?" "Would you like a ride?" ""The Apennines are a long mountain range that forms..."" ""... the skeleton of the Italian peninsula."" "Mr. Ascenzio!" "Come here!" "... begins where the Alps finish." "It's important, I have to speak with you." "How can I?" "I can't!" "Will you be quiet, please?" "May I please speak to the boy for a moment?" "Alright, but be quick about it." " What is it?" " I have to talk to you." "Have you been fighting with Marisa?" "Did they tell you already?" "Of course not!" "They never tell me anything." "I can see it in your face." "Do you know what your career your daughter wants for herself?" "What career?" "She wants to be a model." "Do you know what that means?" "Well, you know..." "Tonight he showed up with these big red fingernails." "Hair all done up, she looked like one of those..." "Didn't you tell her anything?" "No, I told her to get in the van." "I bet you punched her, right?" "Punched her, no." "I gave her a coupe of slaps." " And what did she do?" " What did she do?" "She started screaming." "She even hit me with her handbag." "Stop making such a racket." "Go outside if you must talk." "She's just like her mother." "I'll tell you a story." "When we were younger, and we used to make love  she was so pretty, and she had a body like a statue." "A painter asked her to model for him." "When she told me, at that moment I didn't say anything to her." "There were people around, I didn't want to make a scene." "When we got home, I whacked her so hard  that she had to stay in bed for a week." "Even I had to go to the hospital." "Did she ever see the painter?" "No, she never mentioned it again." "6 months later we were married, and that was that." "Either way, here's some advice." "Tomorrow go and pick her up after work." "And don't say a word about the whole modelling thing." "On Sunday we can sit down and start sorting out wedding plans." "I wish!" "I'd marry your daughter tomorrow, if I could." "The problem is with the house." "In my place you can't swing a cat." "If that's the problem, I'm sure we can sort something out." "Get married now and come and live with us." "There are 11 of us, another won't make much difference." "Thanks, but what would your wife think?" "You're an idiot!" "You should have said anything." "Augusto has a tiny brain, just like your father." "Men!" "They talk about revolution and then never get off their asses." "Ah, here they are." " Well, what do you want?" " Bread." "I should have known 4 kilos of bread wouldn't be enough!" "Go on, get out of here." " Did you know I'm in the museum?" " Where?" "Yes, the museum!" "When I was going out with your father  this painter asked me to model for him." "He offered me 10 lire an hour." "In those days it was a lot of money." "I told your father right away, but I really shouldn't have." "We had such a fight..." "well, you know what it's like." "After that I never mentioned it to him again." "But did you see the painter?" "Of course, I wasn't an idiot!" "With that money I bought  my sewing machine." " And what was he like?" " Who, the painter?" " Yeah." "An old guy, but a good painter." "And how did he paint you, nude?" " Well, I don't remember." " Of course you remember!" "It was in the summer." "And I knew that your father would never visit a museum!" " Hi, Mum." " Hi." " Good evening, Elena." " Good evening, Mr. Vittorio." " How come you're so early?" " Alberto didn't show up." "Why?" "I don't know, I tried to call his office but he wasn't there." "Something must have come up, and he wasn't able to call." "Such a shame!" "We were going out, and thought we might meet you  downstairs." " We wanted to ask if he wanted to come with us  on Sunday to see your Aunt in Montecompatri." " Right." "I'll ask him tomorrow." "Well, I should get going because I have to start work at eight." " Good evening, Elena." " Good evening, Mr. Vittorio." " Good evening, Mrs. Rosa." " Good evening." "You're not on first-name terms yet?" "We tried, but it didn't work out!" " Give it time..." " Of course." " Here..." " Thanks." "Bye, Elena." "See?" "We're on first-name terms." "Better watch out, Mum!" " Yes, imagine that!" "Good evening." " Good evening." "Thank goodness I met Mr. Vittorio." "He made me feel a lot better." "Hi, Lucia!" "See how that is." "Pull it!" "What are you two up to?" "We're fixing a horse's bridle." "And it's none of your business!" "Marisa had decided to follow her mother's advice." "And hoped to buy something more  than a sewing machine." "Stand in front of the mirror." "Here's the scarf." "Good." "Now take this material round a bit." "Right away, Ma'am." "That's it." "The hair up, yes?" "That looks good." "Take it around to the right." "On this piece we'll use the necklace." "And we'll try the other one on a different dress." "I'll take care of it." "That's it." "Good, and the diadem." "This looks really good." "A nice straight line, too." "Now we'll try the crinoline." "Are you still here?" "The dress!" "Right away, Ma'am." "Now we'll use the base and the crinoline." "Turn slightly, let's see." "Very good!" "Hello?" "Yes?" "De Blasi, telephone for you." "Hello?" "Yes, it's me." "I told you not to call me at the office." "Yes, I couldn't make it." "Okay, see you tonight." "Bye." " Excuse me, Sir." " No need to justify yourself!" "It's your own business, isn't it?" "Elena, what's wrong?" "Nothing." "Your eyes are red." "Have you been crying?" "No, why?" " What happened?" "Are you angry?" " No." "Then what's with that face?" "It's mine, I can't change it." "What's wrong, do you have chills?" "You're so ignorant!" "Everyone wears gloves  in summer and in winter." "They complete an outfit." "I might be ignorant, but you're the idiot." "Why won't you tell me?" "I'm sure you've been crying." " No, I assure you I haven't." " You've been arguing with Alberto." "What makes you think that?" "Then why hasn't he come to pick you up for three nights in a row?" "He had overtime, you know..." "There he is, see?" "You should stop reading  all those romance comics!" "Bye." " Bye." " Hi, Alberto." " Hi, Elena." "What happened?" "I haven't seen you for 3 days." "Why were you so impolite on the phone?" "I told you not to call me at the office." "I don't want people to hear my business." "Even the manager was there." "I know, sorry, but I was worried about you." "Worried about what?" "I haven't heard from you since Sunday." "And you wouldn't have come tonight if I hadn't called you." "That's right." "Actually, I need to talk to you." " About what?" " Let's go somewhere quiet." "You know I don't like to discuss things in the middle of the road." " Miss Lucia, what is it?" " Is something wrong?" "No, it's nothing." "Are you two always so tall?" "It's like talking to a couple of trees." "Perhaps we should walk on our knees." "You're buying books, now?" "You always call me ignorant." "Is it a crime to want to educate yourself?" "Why don't you buy one, too?" "Yeah, and throw my money away!" "How much for all three?" "'The Monster and the Maiden', 300 lire." "'The Unknowing Accomplice', 350." "And 'The Borgia Family', 250." " What, are they made of gold?" " Miss, those are the prices." " I'll take 'The Borgia Family'." " 250 lire." "Let's say 200, it's all ruined." "Are you kidding me?" "They cost me 200 lire." "Will you let me earn 50 lire?" "That's my film money." "At least with 250 lire  I can go to the cinema." " Alright, give me 250 lire." "I'll pay you back on Saturday." "Why don't you take some classes  instead of playing ping pong with your friends every night?" "Don't you realise how ignorant you are?" "And when are you going to cut your hair?" "You look like Tarzan." "And your fingernails?" "Hey, are you crazy?" "Stopping like that!" "Should I ask you next time?" "!" "Can't you see the sign?" "Drive how you like, do you?" "You're lucky nothing happened to my car." "You're the lucky one." "Otherwise you'd be in trouble." "Get out of here, go on." "Otherwise I'll show you who's in trouble!" "Did you hurt yourself?" " Yes, here." " Where?" "Does it still hurt?" "No." "I've spent a lot of time thinking about what to say to you." "But it's important that you know." "After what I found out on Sunday  our relationship has to end." "What did you find out?" "That your mother has a lover." " What are you saying?" "Are you mad?" " Of course I'm not." " He told me himself." " He, who?" "That guy, that train driver." "Mr. Vittorio?" "What did he tell you?" "That he wanted me to marry you so that he could move in." "What are you saying?" "I know what I'm saying, and you still made me come  to your house." "Please let me explain." "I only found out yesterday myself." "It was Mum who told me that Mr. Vittorio wanted to marry her." "But there's nothing wrong with it." "There's never been anything but friendship between them." "But now they're engaged." "Yes, but not like us two." "As her daughter, you have every right to defend your mother." "But on the other hand I have certain rights regarding myself  and my family." "As much as it pains me to say it  I'm afraid our relationship is over." "I can't present a woman like your mother to my mother." "How dare you talk about my mother that way?" "My mother is good, honest!" "You wish yours was like mine." "Get out of here, go on!" "You're a coward!" "Elena is acting so strange, she doesn't eat or sleep." "She has her light on for hours in the evenings." "She doesn't see Alberto anymore." "I hope they haven't argued." "What if they have?" "What boyfriends and girlfriends don't argue?" "Young people, I mean." "I just hope it's nothing serious." "Of course not." "Though, I'm still worried." "One of these days I'll find the courage to talk  with Alberto." " Hi, Mum." " Hi." "Good evening, Elena." "Good evening, Mr. Vittorio." "How come you're so late?" "I stopped to talk to Alberto downstairs." "You know, when he starts talking he never stops." "Would you like to sit down?" "Have a bite to eat with us?" "You don't have to ask me twice." "Thank you very much." "Elena, did you tell him about that trip on Sunday?" "I'll tell him, but I don't think he can." "He has overtime at work." "What, even on Sunday?" "Yes, even on Sunday." "When it rained at lunch-time, the girls would instead sit  in Mr. Cesare's milk bar." "I would, too." "A little to escape the rain, a little because I liked to see them." "That day, however, they weren't quite as happy as usual." "No, and I don't want her to know." "One day I'll make up some story." "I'll tell her that I didn't like him." "That I was tired of him." "That I ended it, anyway." "If I told her now, she would know that it's not true." "You haven't told anyone?" "No." "My God, how did you manage that?" "You kept all that inside?" "I would have exploded!" "Don't think about it." "He doesn't deserve it, he's nothing but a wretch." "No man deserves to know that we're suffering for them." "You know what we should do?" "We should stop seeing men." "What good are they to us?" "And, the way they behave..." "Though..." "Come on, don't cry." " Good day, Mr. De Blasi." " Good day, Ma'am." "I'm sorry to have to disturb you like this." " But I need to talk to you." " To me?" "Yes, I need to ask you something." "Okay, but not here." "Let's at least cross the road." "What did you want to ask me?" "I'm sure you know what this is about." "We haven't seen you at the house." "I thought perhaps you had argued." "Didn't you ask your daughter?" "Yes, she said that nothing happened." "But I don't believe her." "I'm very sorry that your daughter didn't tell you the truth." "It would have spared you this regrettable conversation." "Then I'll tell you the truth." "And I'll be frank, as is my way." "The reasons for my break-up with your daughter lie  in your own moral character." "Me?" "What about me?" "Sorry, but I don't understand." "And that is the real problem." "Evidently, our own concepts of morality are  profoundly different." "Listen, I really don't understand what you're getting at." "But as far as morality goes, I have nothing to learn  from anyone." " From your point of view, yes." "Then I should tell you, it's much worse to be a man that takes  advantage of such a kind and honest young girl." "What do you mean?" "Elena told me everything, she came home crying." "She asked forgiveness for what she had done." "But I thought perhaps you were an honest man." "I thought: "If they really love each other, they will marry."" "This is nothing to do with myself or your daughter." "Let's not change the subject." "It's you this is all about." "I broke off my relationship with your daughter  the day I found out about your relationship with that man." "I hope now that you understand." "Or do you think I'd enjoy living in a house with  my mother-in-law and her lover?" "You think that me and Mr. Vittorio..." "Did you tell this to my daughter?" "And what did she say?" "It's useless to continue." "It's not useless." "I want to know what she said to you." "What do you think a daughter said?" "Elena told you that it isn't true, and you know that it isn't." "How could you think such a thing?" "Just look at me, please." "Ma'am, please." "Let's not make a scene." "People are watching, it makes a bad impression." "You're worried about strangers but not about my daughter." "Or about offending me." "What kind of man are you?" "I'd prefer not to answer that." "Listen, Sir..." "Sir!" "Sir, for the love of God, please don't go." "Listen to me." "Forgive me if I said something that might offend you." "But you must understand me, I'm a desperate mother." "But whatever you thought, it's simply not true." "Mr. Vittorio is nothing but a friend." "Yes, we are enjoy each other's company." "But there's never been anything between us." "Not even the thought of it." "I'll tell you the truth." "The other day he asked me if I wanted to marry him." "But I paid it no mind." "Yes, yes." "I didn't think you would want to come and live with us." "And so..." "But this way it's better." "You'll have everything you need." "You won't have to pay for a maid." "But if you would prefer, I can move out and leave you the house." "I have a sister in the country." "I have to go." "Please, Sir, go and talk to Elena." "Take her out, make her happy." "You can't imagine how much she's suffering." " Very well, I'll go." " Please..." "And don't tell her that I came to see you." "That we spoke about this." "Please, go and see her!" "Come and look if you don't believe me." "Yes, he's downstairs waiting for you." "See?" "Now, we'll sort you out." "Because if he sees you with that face, he'll get scared." "We'll let your hair down and you can have my brooch, okay?" " Okay." " Come on, quick." "And put some powder and lipstick on, alright?" " Brush it well." " And remember, don't be silly." "Don't start crying, okay?" " Here's the brooch." " Try not to think about it." "Look who's talking!" "If Augusto is even 5 minutes  you start trembling." "Ah, yes, tell Augusto not to wait." "Tell him that I have overtime." "And that I'll see him in the usual place." "Remember: don't be an idiot." "Hi, what's wrong?" "Why the long face?" "You know, I never like  to see you with a sad face." "Don't you have anything to say?" "Aren't you happy I came?" " Good evening, Augusto." " Good evening." "Marisa said to tell you that she can't come down right away  she has an urgent job to finish." "Alright, I'll wait for her here." "No, she'll be really late." "Actually, she said that she would see you after dinner  in the usual place." " Alright." " Bye." " See you." " Good evening." " Good evening." "Good evening, how's it going?" " Good evening." " Good evening." " How are you?" " Good, thank you." "I was free this evening so thought I would meet you." "What a lovely idea." "May I introduce you to my friends?" " Lucidi, nice to meet you." " Trota, nice to meet you." "Well, I have to go, otherwise I'll be late." "Then we'll walk you there." "Well, what do you think?" "You must use this model for your new collection." "Take note, ladies." "She's a natural." "With your line..." "Will you pull the scarf up, please?" "Yes, that's it." "Let them have a look." "Turn around for them." "That's fine." "With your line you have a great future, my girl." "Now let's see Giovanna." "Are you coming to the house, tonight?" "No, I can't, I have an appointment in the city centre." "With who, a pretty girl?" "Don't be so silly." " Elena..." " No, not tonight, you have an appointment, remember." "See you tomorrow, bye." "Come here, listen." "I want to tell you something." "You can tell me tomorrow!" " Good evening, Mr. Vittorio." " Good evening." "What happened to you?" "Nothing." "You've a face like someone's died." " No, we're all alive." "Good evening." " Good evening." " Hi, Mum." " Hi." " What's for dinner tonight?" "I'm making some soup, but it won't be ready for a while." "Are we going to see Auntie on Sunday?" "If you like." "Will Alberto come, too?" "Of course he'll come." "That way there are four of us, with you and Mr. Vittorio." "No, Mr. Vittorio won't be coming." "Why not?" "Because I sent him away, told him not to come around anymore." "What happened?" "Nothing." "I was tired of him coming here and making jokes." "I'm fine by myself." "That's not true, something serious must have happened." "Like what?" "Don't be so silly." "Anyway, you're too young to understand." "For you, life hasn't started yet." "What do I need a husband at my age?" "Actually, you know what I was thinking?" "On Sunday I'll have a chat with Auntie." "If she'll have me, after you get married I'll go and stay with her." "In Montecompatri?" "Yes, what's wrong with that?" "But you always said that you never wanted to go back there  even in death." "Nonsense!" "I'm tired." "Have you ever thought that I've been toiling away for 30 years?" "Of course, you children..." "Perhaps you would prefer that I stay here and be servant  to you and your husband?" "Mum, what are you saying?" "I know what I'm saying." "But Alberto and I won't be coming to live here." "Why not?" "Why wouldn't you?" "It's a nice, clean house, doesn't cost much..." "You could save, put some money away  for when you have children." "For now you could settle down here." "I've never really thought of it." "But I don't know if Alberto would want to." "Ask him, I'm sure he'd like to." "Now, we will track a circle or circumference around this point..." "What happened?" "Nothing." "Did you argue with Marisa again?" "No, we didn't argue." "Well, then?" "I've realised that Marisa isn't the right girl for me." "She needs a rich gentleman." "Are you mad?" "Will you be quiet on the front row?" "Perhaps you wish to remain airheads?" "Do you forget that you're here to learn?" "You're such a stupid kid!" "Do you really need to come to me to learn this kind of thing?" "You're so lucky to be going to Salsomaggiore." "They have water over there that really helps the skin." "It would even help mine!" "But what shall I tell Augusto?" "Don't worry about it, there's always an excuse." "How many days are you away for?" "I don't know, at least 3 or 4." "You know what we'll tell him?" "That you went to Carsoli to see Aunt Carla who is really ill." "Yeah, like he'll believe that." "Why, can't someone have a sick aunt?" "I've never mentioned her, have I?" "Well, young lovers never talk about such things." " Excuse me?" " What do you want?" " I have a message for Marisa." " That's me." "Augusto says that he can't come to the usual place tonight." "Why?" "He has to go to the hospital to see his sick aunt." "Goodbye." "Bye." "What a mess!" "Who knows where he's going?" "What does "usual place" mean?" "Down on the corner, where we meet up every so often..." "On the corner?" "You're hanging around on street corners now?" "!" "You can come up with some excuse." "Tell him that you have to go and get water from Maria." "Yeah, you make it sound easy." "We kept horses once, too." "Before the war, you know." "My uncle even bred them." " How much?" " 100." "There you go." " Marisa, don't worry about Augusto." " Thanks." "When I see him, I'll talk to him." "I'll convince him that you really are in Arsoli." "Alright, but it's Carsoli!" "Remember!" "To see Aunt Carla." "Okay, Carsoli to see Aunt Carla." "Bye." "Bye!" "Have fun!" "Bye!" "Bye!" "Bye!" " Bye, Carmela." " Bye." "Alberto, I'll write to you as soon as I get there, okay?" "Okay, see you soon." "Bye!" " What happened?" " Elena fainted." "Will you go with her to the hospital?" "That's where they're taking her." " Where's Marisa?" " She's gone away." " What?" "What do you mean?" "She went to tell Elena's mother." " Let's go to the hospital." " Come on, let's go." " No, Lucia!" " I want to see her!" "Elena must be kept calm." "Don't fret, please." "I want to see her!" "Augusto!" "Elena, poor Elena!" "But, what happened?" "We were getting dressed." "Since the shop was closed we had to go and get Angelo." "He kicked the door down, and we found Elena on the floor." "I thought she was dead!" "No, that's not true." "She was sitting down, I saw her." "She had her eyes open." "Like she was staring  but not seeing anything." " What was wrong with her?" "Perhaps she took something." "Yeah, she had some Veronal in her bag." "Elena!" "Elena!" "Where is she?" "Where have they taken her?" "Elena!" "Marisa told me to be careful." "That one of these days she would do something stupid." "When she gets back, she'll blame me." "I know that she'll blame me." "Then it's true." "What?" "That Marisa has gone away." "Yes, she's gone away." "Help!" "Alright, I'll tell you!" "She's gone to Salsomaggiore!" "Salsomaggiore?" "What's wrong with that?" "I'll tell you what's wrong!" "Why?" "Do you want her to end up as a servant like me  or a wretch like you?" "No way, that girl will become a great lady, you got that?" "She'll become a blockhead!" "No, no, my dear!" "I'll tell you right now!" "She'll do what I want her to do!" "Got that?" "What are they screaming about?" "You can hear it from miles away." "Didn't you hear?" "Marisa ran away from home." " No way!" " Really, where did she go?" "She ran way with her friend's man." "And she even fainted when she heard." "Who fainted?" "I heard that Marisa fainted." "Because the boy got her pregnant." "That's why Mr. Ascenzio is beating his wife." "What's going on?" "Mr. Ascenzio is killing his wife  because their daughter Marisa ran away from home." "And Augusto?" "He's gone after the two lovers!" "That's not true!" "Rolfo told me that Augusto was so upset about it that  he left to enroll in the Foreign Legion." " Marisa!" " Hi!" "I'm so happy to see you." "How are you?" "You look so pretty!" "You, too." "I came to find you right way, are you happy?" " Mum, can you put these in water?" " Yes." " Oh, Ma'am, hello." " Hello." "Come on, tell me what happened." "You can go first." "Were you waiting for me to leave to do something stupid?" "I don't want to talk about it." "Tell me about you." "Did you have fun at Salsomaggiore?" "Yeah, so much fun!" "I did nothing but  get dressed and undressed for the whole time I was there." "I couldn't wait to get to bed in the evenings." "And Augusto?" "Who cares about him?" "He hasn't shown up at my place since." "He hasn't even been to see my father." "With all these stories people have been telling about me..." " How are we, today?" " Good day, Doctor." " Not bad, thank you." " Better, yes?" "I think we'll be able to send you home in a few days." "Thank you." " Are you happy, yes?" " Yes." "Well, I'm glad that someone  is happy around here." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Congratulations." "Thank you, goodbye." " Hi, Elena." " Hi." "I brought you some oranges." "Thanks." " When are you going home?" " In a few days." " So you're all better?" " Nearly." "Well, I should go." "Can't you sit down a moment?" "No, I have stuff to do." "Stay, then you can leave with Marisa." "No, no, I have to go." "Bye." "Bye." "See?" "He didn't even say hello." "It's better this way, at least I know it's over." "Why are you saying that?" "He'll be back, you'll see." "He won't come back to me." "When you've lived, read things, been around the world  you realise that love is nothing but foolishness." "And that life is an illusion." "Marisa!" "This dress is great on you." "I saw it, you know?" "Everyone was looking at you." "They only had eyes for you." "You were the prettiest one there." "Think if Augusto saw you." "Marisa, why don't you come dancing with us this evening?" "Are you mad?" "No, why don't you come?" "Yes, why not?" "You have really nice friends." "Go on!" "How can I?" "Are you worried about the dress?" "Don't worry  we'll just tell Miss Anna." "Miss Anna!" " Yes?" " Go on!" " Can Marisa borrow the dress?" " Of course." "We have to go dancing." " As long as you get it back by tomorrow." " Of course." " You're always so lucky." " Come on." "I wish I could come to!" "Don't be silly, go on!" "Shall we go?" "Careful not to crease it, okay?" " Well done." " Shall I come, too?" "Fold it again, alright?" "Where are you from, Miss?" "I'm from Rome." "I've never seen you here before." "I live just outside Rome." "Do you have a place on the Appia?" "Yes, around that area." "Did you she how elegant she was?" "I bet the guy dancing with her was from some rich family." "How can you tell?" "You can tell, he had blonde hair." "Careful not to crease the clothes." " Hurry, I'm waiting for you." " You can put the trunk here." "Hurry up with those boxes." "Is that okay?" "Yes, that's okay..." "Lucia, where are you going?" " Follow that car, quick!" " What car?" " That one!" "Don't let it out of your sight!" " What shall we do now?" " Don't worry about it." "They're not going to eat her." "I wouldn't be so sure these days..." " Don't you read the newspapers?" " Yes, yes..." "Every day there are kidnappings, murders, killings..." "Haven't you heard of white slavery?" "What does that have to do with it?" "What world do you live in?" "Haven't you seen that film by Comencini?" " No." " That's bad!" "It's really helpful." "It's about an honest girl  going out with a good man, and she has sister  at least, she used to." "Her father said: "Your sister is dead."" " But she wasn't really dead." " No?" " She as kidnapped." "And do you know where they took her?" "How should I know?" "To one of those houses." "Isn't that your friend?" "Yes, that's her!" "My God, he's kidnapping her!" "Follow them, quickly!" "It won't be easy, that's a Studebaker!" "Quick, let's go!" "Come on!" "Otherwise we'll lose them." "Hey, I think I've seen your friend somewhere before." "What do you mean?" "My friend is a serious girl." "She never goes out..." "What?" "I just meant that I'd seen her around, she doesn't live  in a glass house, does she?" " More or less." "She's always at home or at work." "She hardly ever goes out." "Where does she work?" "At the dressmakers in Piazza Di Spagna." "That's where I've seen her." "She always goes with a friend  to sit on the steps at lunch." " That's me!" "No, it was another girl, she had brown hair." "Ah, that's Elena." "But I'm always with them." "Maybe, but I've never seen you." "I'm the one who always argues with the petrol station attendant." "I guess because I'm always looking at that other girl." "What did you say her name was?" "Elena?" "Yes." "What happened to her?" "I haven't seen her for days." " She committed suicide." " What?" "!" "She committed suicide?" "She's dead?" "!" "No, she's not dead." "She's all better now." "But hurry up, otherwise we'll lose Marisa forever!" "Yeah, yeah..." "So, what happened to her?" "Did Alberto every show up again?" "No!" "He's such a bastard." "She tried to commit suicide because she loved him..." "Not because she loved him!" "For what, then?" "Out of pride, stubbornness." "I bet that Alberto doesn't even care about her." "That's what you say!" "But hurry up instead of talking about Elena." "Or we'll never find them." "Don't worry, this old thing still has some life in it." "Where is that guy taking her, to the country?" "Poor Marisa, I hope she's still alive!" " Are you armed?" " No, of course not!" "What will we do, then?" "He'll take us out to some deserted place  and shoot us!" " Don't exaggerate!" "We're not in the Far West, are we?" "Know what you are?" "Irresponsible!" "Oh, God, they disappeared!" "Stop!" "There's no one here!" "Where did they go?" "There, that's his car!" "Let's get out." "What shall we do?" "You don't even have a revolver..." " Well, I guess..." " Get a pipe or something!" "There's no one here." "They must be around here somewhere if the radio is on." " He took her out to the field." " The field?" "Yes, to strangle her!" "Of course not!" "Let's go and see." "You go first, you're taller." "What is this thing?" "Who put it here?" "Give that back, it's not mine!" " Come on, Miss." " Damn, look at that drunk!" "What are they laughing at?" "If they don't shut up  I'll throw this shoe at them!" "Are you drunk?" "You can't even stand up!" "Because I do love Augusto!" "Come on, you're home now." "I really love Augusto!" "Do you know what I'm saying?" "Yes, I know." "Do you want me to walk you up?" "I know the way home, let me go." "I wish Irene was here, I'd scratch her eyes out!" ""Continuing our transmission..."" ""... rhythms and songs from 'The Taverno dell'Orso' in Rome."" "Stop!" "Where did you put her?" " What did you do to her?" " Who?" "We've been following you all night." "What have you done to Marisa?" "Marisa?" "Ah, the girl I took home?" "Home?" "Poor thing, she wasn't feeling well." "You could see she wasn't used to drinking alcohol." "And you must be Augusto, the boyfriend?" "Me?" "Don't worry about her." "She did nothing but cry  and talk about you." "She must really love you." "And if I were you, Miss, I'd go into hiding for a while." "Marisa said that she wanted to scratch your eyes out." " Me?" " You." "And young man, with such a pretty girlfriend  you would do better not to go around at night  following people." "A great impression, we made!" "Perhaps he was a count." "What do I have to do with it?" "It looked like you wanted to kill him with that thing." "You can thank God that she's not my sister." "Why?" "A few slaps never hurt anyone." "Hey!" "I hope you're not leaving me here!" "You deserve it." "But, because I'm a public service, get in the car." "Where to?" "Via Luca Catalano." "Where's that?" "In the Capannelle." " In the..." " Yes." "I should have known you lived in the centre." "How different Sundays were for our young friends, these days." "After wandering around aimlessly  they found themselves tired out, sitting on a bench in Villa Borghese." "They no longer spoke about Augusto, Alberto, Amleto." "But they were in agreement about the ugly, unfriendly  and boring young men that would follow them around  or loiter near them." " Are you ladies alone?" " Come on, let's go." "How annoying!" "Would you like us to walk you?" "Would you like to go for a spin?" "I bet you don't even have a car." "Don't even acknowledge them." "Miss Lucia!" "Oh God, the driver!" "What shall I tell him?" "Who's that?" "The driver from the other night, I have to give him 2,000 lire." "Well, you can't avoid him forever." "Come on, let's go." " Good afternoon." " Good afternoon." "I'm sorry about that 2,000 lire, I looked all over  Piazza Di Spagna, but I couldn't find it." "Don't worry about the 2,000 lire, don't even think about it." " My friend Marisa." " Marcello Santoni." " And this is Elena." " A pleasure." "I heard about your adventures with Lucia." "Taxi!" "It's occupied." "But it says you're free." "Then I'll fix that." "And you said it was easy to find a taxi..." "There, done." "If you'd like to get in..." "Come on." "Get in!" "Where to?" "Where you like." "Alright, leave it to me." "He doesn't waste any time!" "What's wrong?" "Thinking about Augusto?" "Haven't you seen him?" "I saw him as I was leaving the house." "He was outside the café." "He acted like he didn't see me." "But I saw that he turned pale." "All dressed in blue, he was going dancing with Irene." "I'm not very good at this kind of dance." " Why?" "You dance well." " Yeah, yeah..." " What about your beanpoles?" " I got rid of them." "You've no idea how stupid tall men are." "What about Amleto?" "He's going out with a girl twice his size." "A blonde..." "Good for him." "Soon he'll realise that all tall women are stupid." "Men don't care if a woman is stupid or intelligent." "You know what I think?" "All men are just dirty materialists." "This trip seems to have cheered Elena up, anyway." "See how much fun she's having?" "The driver seems to be helping, he's put it into fourth gear!" "If he carries on at this rate  he'll marry her in a month." "In a month?" "I bet he asks her before the week is out." "You must be crazy." "Why?" "What would be so strange about us getting married?" " Good evening, Miss Marisa." " Good evening." "Let's go." ""Little weed, it's useless to think you're a flower..."" " Hold this." " Why?" "Go on." ""He'll never marry you..."" "Will you cut that out?" "Can't a person sing around here?" "If you don't cut it out, you'll get this in your face!" "What?" "!" " That's right, idiot!" " Bitch!" "That's right, keep walking!" "The taxi is mine." "It's an old wreck but I plan to buy a new one soon." "It's just that I need money." "They cost more than a million." "At this rate it'll take me more than 3 years." "I know I can't offer you much of a future." "But I'm a kind and hard-working guy." "At least, that's what they tell me!" "And you wouldn't have to put up with my family." "I have 7 brothers and 5 of them are already married." "My mother already has enough daughter-in-laws to bother." "Oh, this is my house." "When will I see you again?" " Elena." " Yes?" "I meant to say, my mother would love you as a daughter-in-law." " Bye." " Bye." " Good evening." " How come we haven't seen you around anymore?" "I got transferred to the train crew." "Reasons of service." "Tonight I came to see a friend who lives around here  and he invited me out for a little drink..." "Why don't you come up and say hello to my mum?" "No, I can't." "And she might be out at this hour." "Who, my mum?" "Did you forget that my mum never goes out?" "No, I really can't." "And tonight I have to leave for Calabria." "Listen, if you don't come willingly, I'll have to drag you  up there myself, come on!" " Drag me..." "She'll be happy, you'll see." "I hope so." "Mum, there's a visitor for you." "I didn't want to disturb, but Elena insisted..." "Such a fuss..." " Good evening Mrs. Rosa." " Good evening Mr. Vittorio." "What are you doing here?" "I'm going." "What?" "Leaving, I got fired." "Why?" "Because I've grown, I'll never make the weight." "Of course, you just have to stop eating for a few days  and you'll be as thin as before in no time!" "Yeah, but I'm tired of it." "What kind of jockey are you?" "Come on, let's go." "We'll go and talk to my dad." "But I don't want to be a jockey anymore." " I'd prefer to grow." " How come?" "Because I want to marry you." "So that's why you've been eating so much spaghetti?" "You know, I've realised that tall men are really stupid." "I prefer short guys like you." "At least no one will take them away from me." "By the way, who was that blonde girl you were going out with  the other night?" " She's Polish." " Polish?" "Yes, she works at Cinecittà, I gave her 100 lire  to come out with me, just to make you jealous." "Polish..." "So you're telling me that short guys are stupid, too?" "Mother of God." "First you want to get married  then you act like a child." "Here!" " Hello?" " Hi, Augusto." " Where's Marisa?" " They had a fight again." " Who?" " Here and Irene." " Where is she?" " She's here, on the bed." "Did you come to defend your girl?" "Don't come any closer!" "If you bother my daughter again, you'll have me to deal with!" "I'll speak with you later." "What do you want?" "Tomorrow we'll write up the papers, then we can get married." "Augusto!" "Have you thought about the house?" "Until we find a house, we'll stay here, then..." "In my house?" "Giulia, did you see who I found?" "Don't give me that face." "Soon we'll be grandparents!" "Ouch!" "Did I hurt you?" "No." "Farewell Marisa, farewell Elena and Lucia." "You no longer come and sit on the steps during sunny days." "Your joyous voices no longer  brighten up my day." "This is why I wanted to tell your story..." "The story of your youth." "Farewell, girls of Piazza Di Spagna."