"Come!" "The Temple offer us the joyness of a chaste love!" "Come!" "The Temple offer us the joyness of a chaste love!" "Ah!" "Chaste love" "Ah!" "The Joyness of a chaste love" "Chaste love" "Chaste love" "Chaste love" " Manrico!" " What?" "A Gipsy woman!" "Come!" " Look!" "In the pyre!" " Oh, God!" "The pyre is on flame by the hands of those barbarians" "Oh, God!" "My legs are trembling" "A clowd darkness my sight." " Are you trembling?" " How am I not?" "You should know that I am..." " Who?" " Her son." "VENICE" " SPRING 1866" "LAST DAYS OF AUSTRIAN OCCUPATION." "THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT SIGNS AN ALLIANCE PACT" "WITH PRUSIA." "THE LIBERATION WAR IS IMMINENT" "The flames of that terrible pyre inflamed and consumed all my being!" "Pitiless men, put it out, or I will shortly do it with your own blood..." "I was your son before I began to love you," "Your torments won't stop me" "Unhappy mother, I run to rescue you or I shall die with you!" "or I shall die with you!" "or I shall die with you!" "I shall die with you!" "To arms!" "To arms!" "Here we are." "To arms!" "To arms!" "Here we are to defend you." "Or we shall die with you" "To arms!" "To arms!" "Here we are" "To arms!" "To arms!" "Here we are... to defend you or we shall die with you." "To arms!" "To arms!" "To arms!" "Foreigners, get out of Venice!" "Gentlemen!" "It's the time of liberation!" "¡Viva La Marmora!" "¡Viva Italia!" "Viva Italia!" "It's so amusing!" "This is the war Italians enjoy the most." "Confetti rain, accompanied with a mandolin" "Coward!" "You are a coward!" "And I am willing to show you that Italians want to fight" "If you were a gentleman..." "Let me go!" "You have no right to touch me!" "Long live to Italy!" "Long live to the Italian nation!" "Long live to the Italian army!" " Where are you going?" " I am going outside for a while." "It's so hot in here." "I don't believe this is the right time." "Leave me alone!" "You already know that I do what I want!" "However, I won't let you walk around." "Everything started last night." "It was May 27th." "My cousin, Roberto Ussoni... was one of the organizers of the demonstration and one of the main members of the clandestine movement in Venice" "I was really worried because he had shown himself unnecessarily by challenging that officer" "I was thinking how I would help him" "Roberto!" "Livia!" "That was insane!" "You shouldn't had exposed yourself in that way." "It was wrong." "You shouldn't had done that!" "I don't know whether it was good or bad, I just lost my head when that scoundrel said those words, I..." " And now, what are you going to do?" " He has accepted the challenge." "At least, it seems like he has..." "We are going to fight in a duel." "No." "That's impossible!" "An officer and you..." "In your situation" "There will be consequences.." "We have to do anything" "Come on..." "You have to leave the theatre right now." "Go to my house." "Go there or go to Marsenza's." "Anywhere you want." "Don't rush." "I have something to tell you" "I beg you, Roberto!" "Be wise!" "For everyone's sake." "I know." "Don't worry." "But, have you realized something tonight?" "There's so much to do, but they are awakening." "Let's go Roberto." "Let's walk by the docks." "Goodbye, Roberto" " Let's go!" " Goodbye, Livia!" " Goodbye!" " See you soon!" "We are sorry to give up music, dear Count but we can not allow, in any way, that "LA FENICE"... becomes a place for revolutionary manifestations" "Gentlemen, I am the first to regret it" "But your Excellence has to believe me that this was made by a provoker." "There's no doubt about it!" "Ah, Countess Serpieri!" "There's going to be a duel!" "I mean it!" "Someone has challenged Franz Mahler." "We are going to see a war between Horaci and Curiaci." "You know pretty well the man who made the challenge, Countess" "I beg you, Excellence..." "Let's speak no more of this unpleasant incident." "This young men is a relative, but we seldom see him" "Besides, the most unfamiliar people" " are relatives" " I know him perfectly well" "There won't be a war between Horaci and Curiaci." "My cousin doesn't care about politics." "He is the most indifferent and apathetic person.." "when it comes to these issues, I mean" "He must have other reasons" "That lieutenant Mahler..." "I heard a lot about him" "I don't doubt it." "All women in Venice talk about him a lot" "Oh, sure!" "Women talk a lot and invent lots of stories" "Am I right?" "Is he an officer under your command, Excellence?" "That's right." "He is." "You know, I really would like to meet him" "Since all women in Venice talk about him," "I also would like to speak with him" "Countess, that's a favour you shouldn't be asking to an admirer" "Lieutenant Mahler is a very dangerous rival" "Please, would you like to sit here?" "No, thank you, Excellence" ""Il Trovatore" is no novelty to me" "And you Austrians love music" "On the other hand, we Italians, come to the theatre for very different reasons." "We finally get here" "This is the tower where prisoners cry." "Oh!" "I'm so unhappy!" "Go away!" "Leave me." "And don't be afraid for me." "Maybe I can save him." "I am scared." "My defence is secure and ready." "In this dark night" " Countess, Lieutenant Mahler" "Countess Serpieri." "I am next to you, and you don't know it." " Would you like to take a sit?" " Thank you" "Breeze that mouns and surround us" " Can you watch it?" " Very well, thank you." "Dou you enjoy opera, Lieutenant Mahler?" "Yes, I like it very much Countess Serpieri... as long as the opera is good." "And you, madam?" "Yes, I like it very much." "But I dislike it when it's performed out of the stage" "I dislike people that act like heroes.." "from a melodrama... that don't think about the consequences of an impulsive act or that are dictated by an unforgiveable lightness." "May I talk to you with absolute sincerity?" "I beg you." "It's the only way I appreciate." "If I am well informed, there's going to be a duel tomorrow." "Isn't that so?" "And it depends on you to accept or not that challenge." "I am curious." "You are more curious than I am." "Don't accept the challenge." "It's not fair to risk your own life just for a..." "Why are you worried so much about my life?" "It's a matter of principles." "Don't worry" "Nor my life ...nor your principles are in danger" "That stupid incident will finish quickly with an arrest" "What do you mean?" "Bring back the memories." "Wonderful music." "Promise me you'll come tomorrow night." "Would you allow me to see you again?" "I'm not well..." "I have to leave right now" "Please, don't move." "Good night, Excellence." "Countess, are you going to leave us?" "I'm not well." "I am so sorry." "Good night." "Let's go!" "If you don't feel well, maybe we should wait some time." " Let's go." "I beg you" " As you wish." "Roberto has been arrested, when he was leaving "LA FENICE"." "That's impossible!" "He was with Donai and Meneghini." "Unfortunately, they have been arrested." "We have to do something, right away" "Why don't you tell it to your husband?" " If he wants to, he can.." " Leave that to me!" "You must go." "Go to Marsenza's house." "I'll let you know" "Go right away!" "Be wise!" "." " Good night." " Good night." "Have you heard?" "Roberto has been arrested" "Listen..." "I have never asked you for anything but this time, you have to do something to free Roberto." "If you want to you have influences, friends." "He was denounced by that lieutenant." "I am sure!" " He didn't want to fight the duel" " It's obvious" "Can you imagine an Austrian officer... accepting a duel with an Italian civilian?" "It is absurd." "If your cousin had more common sense." "Don't you understand what this means?" "Yes, I understand, I understand it perfectly and I don't want anything to do with it" "They've done very well arresting him and you want me to mix myself with all that nonsense that I don't even care about?" "I am sick of this!" "I don't want to talk about it anymore." "Do you understand?" "Foolish things!" "Do you even know what you want to do?" "Roberto was condemned to a year in exile just as many others." "I have this dark feeling about what his absence could mean." "to me." " Roberto Ussoni" " Goodbye..." "We will meet soon, guardian angel." "Try to go to the train as soon as possible." "Tell it to Cavalletto, please." "We need a safe contact with the two sides." "I expect to come back soon." "Garibaldi is at Desenzano." "Livia!" "Salvation is coming" "See you Italians!" "Roberto!" "Take care of yourself" "But when I met that officer..." "I realized he was the reasons of my worries and that, for days, I had been afraid of that encounter." "Countess Serpieri." "What do you want?" "May I escort you in these streets?" "No, thank you, Lieutenant Mahler." "But Venice is in curfew." "It's late already." "Are you going to make me arrest for being in the streets?" "I have never made an arrestment for such a little infraction to the rules." "What do you think of Roberto Ussoni's arrest?" "Ah!" "Has he been arrested?" "A change of air would have done him good." "He has been sent to exile." "You know it well." "You think it is my fault." "But you are wrong." "I hope you believe me." "Besides, it seems that Ussoni will be satisfied." "It seems like the man was born to make sacrifices for any noble cause." "And what you were born for?" "To be what I am." "To be what you are!" "Good night." "Don't you think it would be better that." "the other night at the opera, you had told me that Ussoni was your lover, and that you were willing to do anything to keep him in Venice?" "A men with a minimum education wouldn't take advantage of the fact that" "I am alone to insult me." " I told you not to follow me" " I am not following you." " Ah, you don't!" " Think of me as your shadow." "Thanks, I can manage with my own." "But mine will protect you better" "Please, stop following me." " Is he dead?" " Yes." "What do we do now?" "Come on!" "Come on, quick!" "Thank you" "You know one thing... it's not nice to be part of... an occupation army." "We are forced to live with men that hate us." "And we, young men, alone, away from home, start to court their wives and girlfriends." "Yes, I understand." "Good night, Lieutenant." "I am not afraid anymore." "Please, don't bother." "Good night." "I'd like you to know something, before I leave:" "Roberto Ussoni is not my lover." "He is my cousin." "He is the person I admire the most in the world." "More than your husband?" "See, my husband and I have very different opinions about Austrians" "He is willing to accept them." "He even ask for favours." "I am like my cousin:" "a real Italian." "Good night." "Countess Serpieri!" "I am very grateful..." "We walked a lot... together... by the empty streets." "My fear to him had disappeared." "Time didn't seem to exist" "The only thing that existed... was the unconfessed pleasure..." "I felt when he spoke... when he laughed... and when I heard the sound of our steps, in that silence city." "Where are we going?" "Anywhere you want." "The truth is I don't even know where we are." "We are in a god place." "That is my house." "I live there." "Alone?" "No." "Not alone, with other officers." "We usually dressed informally, drink beer and talk about women." " But, now everything will change." " Why?" "Because I have met you." " What is that?" " A piece of mirror." "Why do you look at yourself in that way?" " Do you enjoy watching yourself that much?" " Yes, I do." "I never walk in front of a mirror without looking at myself." "Why do you like it that much?" "To be sure that It's me." "It's the only time you are sure to be yourself?" "No." "Also, when I see a woman... looking at me the way you are doing right now." ""It's the End of the Days and dead men come to life... to face eternal glory... or eternal pain." "We keep hugging each other and don't care about nothing else nor paradise, nor hell."" "Do you like those verses by Haine?" "No." "Why not?" "I don't like what it means." "It's a shame!" "The imminence of a war..." "Do you think there will be a war?" "Oh, yes." "Even though is inconceivable... that people can kill themselves for things they don't even care about." "Do you believe in wars?" "I do believe that the freedom of a nation... must be defended... even by sacrificing freedom itself or life." "Then, we are enemies, isn't that so?" "I don't think so" "I... suppose it's a big mistake... not to be interested... in war... in politics... in territorial exchanges and occupations." "in all that serious things.." "that men are willing to die for." "You see, I think that... the fact that some men were born... on the side of that river and other men in the side of that mountain... doesn't mean that God had made rivers and mountains" "to separate people." "You speak like a child." "I don't understand how that way of thinking makes you a military" "It's ridiculous you are an officer" "I agree with you." "It's ridiculous" "Everything is very ridiculous" "I have to leave now." "There's almost daylight." "Livia..." "That is your name, right?" "Yes" "When can I see you again?" " Tomorrow?" " That's impossible!" "I will wait." "It was almost morning." "The city was coming back to life... and then I felt ashamed." "How could I had spent the entire night... with an stranger!" "An Austrian officer!" "Me, an Italian married woman." "A woman that never care for frivolities." "However, after four days, four days waiting to see him," "it was me who was running to see him." "I convinced myself... that he was the only one who can save Roberto." "And it was my duty to ask him for help." "Hey!" "Do you want to play?" "I've waited for you days and days... and you finally came." "We don't care for anything, nor paradise, nor hell!" "Since that day, we see each other frequently." "We met in a room that Franz rented at la Fondamenta Nuove." "You must realize that in rooms like these there are always little noises:" "the movement of a courtain the buzz of a fly hitting the window." "Have you notice it?" "No, Franz." "You'll notice it later, in the memories." "Just then, you'll realize what you heard.." "all the time we have been together." "Is that so, Franz?" "By remembering, all we heard continuously will be discovered" "It's afterwards... that those little details become important." "A detail... is so important" "The sensation of adventure is as important as..." "As what?" "As the colour." "the perfume of her sweet hair, over the pillow." "Have you ever realized that my love?" "No, Franz." "Not until now." "Oh!" "I always forget..." "What?" "I always forget... that for Countess Serpieri, there's no past." "It's just the present or the future." "Just the present, Franz." "Just the present?" "Not tomorrow?" "Can you give me that comb?" "Yes." "Franz, if someone told me that there's only present, that there won't be a tomorrow... that it will never be a tomorrow after this moment" "I would feel... as if a Doctor had told me..." ""You are about to die... you only have a few minutes of life left"." "And I know it is true" "There's only the present." "The present, Franz." "Without a future" "Every time you left, you said:" ""Goodbye, Franz." "We won't see each other again"." "But I keep on waiting for you faithfully." "You might think you won't see me, but I will be always here waiting for you." "Maybe you will." "But you had lived so many adventures in those rooms, where you had heard the buzz of a fly hitting the window, the sound of a courtain." "Those sounds that you remember afterwards" "Then you had waken up and liberated that trapped insect, with the same elegance you liberate yourself from the heart of a woman." "But don't worry." "in this adventure... you don't have to bother at all." "I will do it for you, Franz." "I will wake up from the bed, open the window," "and liberate your heart as a butterfly" "Would you please pass me those hairpins?" "I'm sorry, Madam." "But you mustn't forget that I am not at your service." "You'll have to pick up the hairpins yourself." "Franz, take this as a present to remember me by." "What a beautiful medallion!" "Here, on your heart." "Now, I'm leaving" "I'm leaving" "Goodbye" "Goodbye" "Franz..." " Franz, are you letting me leave this way?" " No, my love,.." "I knew you wouldn't leave like that" "one afternoon" "I spent waiting for him, in that room," "I realized, frightened, for the first time, that I didn't control my feelings, as I have always believed." "I have to leave from a moment, and there's no one home." "What shall I do?" "Shall I leave the door open or you'd open?" "Are you sure that that the Lieutenant didn't let me a message?" " A letter?" " I'm sure, Madam" "Perhaps you went out and there's no one at home." "What do you want me to tell you?" "He must have left." "A Captain that came often was suddenly transferred to some other place." "By the way, Madam" "Do you know someone who can help me?" "Do you know what they want to do?" "They want to confiscate my house, because I lodge officers." "Can you believe it?" "As if this were a headquarter!" "Madam, I hope you can help me." "I also mean this for you, you know?" "I know you can do it all, Countess." "I know you pretty well." "I have a sister that have worked for years..." "What?" "Are you leaving?" "What if the sir returns?" "Listen, Countess..." "What if the Lieutenant had really left?" "Who is going to pay me?" "I've never said anything, because I know you well, but... you must understand all the hard work, my lady." "Thank you very much, madam." "That's much better." "Excuse me..." "Is Lieutenant Mahler at home?" "Is he in Venice?" "Yes, he is in Venice." "Do you know if he's going to come back?" "I don't know that, madam." " I'll wait." " Please." "Sit down, miss." "Do you like our place?" "She doesn't say she likes it..." "but she comes anyway." "The trousers... the shirts... two shirts... and two bed sheets." "Here it is!" "My Lord will go tomorrow to pay the bills." "Listen Lieutenant," " Didn't he tell you where he was going?" " How could I possibly know, ...since he hasn't came last night?" "Has he been out." " All night?" " Not all night" "But, didn't he return in the morning?" "Didn't you see him?" "I didn't." "Maybe he went to Katia's... or Nena's." "Why are you laughing?" "Well, if you want to wait, stay." "But, are you sure he's not near?" " Perhaps in the headquarters" " I'm sure he's not anywhere near." "I guarantee it." "And that's the only thing I can guarantee." "But, if you are patient... and since you are a friend of Franz, I'm sure you are." "Ludwig says he left Franz an hour ago." "They were playing billiards." "But we don't know where he might have gone." "Why don't you just shut your mouth?" "Don't listen to him." "He doesn't know what he is saying." "Why don't you just sit down?" "Franz will be back soon." "Though we don't know what he does or where he goes." "He's always around... without a direction." "What can we do?" "That's the way he is!" "We used to live together... for three months, in the same apartment." "In Innsbruck." "I spent the days, attending girls that visited him." "And, even when he was home he didn't want to see him." " Countess!" " What do you want?" " We are leaving!" " Who has ordered that?" "The Count has ordered to prepare the luggage." "You must have misunderstood him" "What is going on?" "You could have told me!" "Or I'm not important here?" "Prussians have occupied the Austrian Holstein." "That means that the war has begun." "I think we better leave" "That's impossible!" "In that way, so soon?" " What do you want?" " Receive orders from the Countess." "There's time, Laura." "There's time." "My husband's decision scared me... but I convinced him... to delay our trip, at least for 24 hours." "Lieutenant Mahler, please, Eighth Battalion." "They are not here anymore, madam." "They are at the Misericordia headquarters." "Oh, Countess!" "I was going to bring you the umbrella." "The Count sent me." "But I didn't know where to go." "My lady didn't tell me where she was going." "I'll be at the house of Countess Marcello, or at the Marquese..." "You are so wet!" "What a weather!" "It doesn't look like Summer Even the wind is insane." "It's because of the war" "I remember vividly that in 59..." "The Count was worried" "He must have been busy, you know, with the travel." "A men came to see you." "Someone I never met before." "No, I didn't tell anything to the Count." "He told me is urgent, He said you have to see him right away." "You must go to 349 Plaza San Jeremías and call at the door three times..." " When did he come?" "Who was him?" " I don't know him." "The Countess had just left, as I said before." "He wanted to look for you." "I'll be right back." "Give me the umbrella." "What should I tell the Count?" "Whatever you want!" "I don't care!" "I don't care at all, you know." "Tell him everything." "Tell him!" "It's not necessary to follow me and to spy me." "I would tell you myself." "I don't want to keep on lying." "It's true." "I have a lover." "And I love him, and I want to live with him." "Do you understand?" "Livia!" "Finally!" "We were waiting for you." "Come in!" "Livia!" "Livia!" "I'm so glad!" "Finally!" "Ah, it's you!" "I didn't know you came back." "You could have told us." "Livia, we crossed the borders this night." "I need to contact my friends in Venice." "There's no time to loose." "Besides, considering how things are..." "Why haven't you trust me?" "You wanted to make me believe..." "You can't understand..." "You can't understand." "I talked with Livia clearly." "I guess I must tell you what I already told her." "I have no intention to accept the position... that recently and insistencely.." "the Austrian government has offered me." "I was born in Venice, I grew up here." "And you know perfectly that all my assets and affections are in this city." "And it's clear that whatever the results of this war were," "Venice will certainly go to the Italian government." "The Emperor of France has guaranteed it himself." "Considering this," "I want to help you." "You can trust me." "As you see, my proposition is very practical and is not dictated by ideals and enthusiasm.." "which I don't believe in." "I understand" "And what do you want in exchange?" "I already told you: something very simple" "I want to stay, no matter what, in my country" " I can't promise you anything." " OK." "But, in time you can testify in my favour." "(...a ring with a jewel)" "A golden chain with a clock..." "Livia," "Are you willing to leave tomorrow early to Aldano?" "It couldn't be better for me." "I've been telling this to Livia for days..." "It's been my fault." "I wanted to wait for you" "I was sure... you came back." "It's OK, Livia... but we can't loose more time" "I'm also leaving Venice tomorrow." "I will try to reach the Italian headquarters." "They will instruct me with the recruiting of volunteers." "The contacts, as I'll explain to you later, are well organized" "Luca is already in Aldano." "In four or five days, I'll be there, if everything goes fine." "You have to take the money, if there are no inconvenients for you." "Give me that Andrea!" "They need it" "Our volunteers live from charity, like hermits." "It's a big amount." "Certainly, you might had help with the contribution." "No!" ".." "We've been waiting so long for this moment to come." "And it seems as if... it surprises you, doesn't it?" "What a thing!" "Each one of us must act... as if the lives of all the combatants depend on us." "We don't have rights anymore Livia, just duties." "We must forget about ourselves." "I'm not afraid to sound rhetoric." "Italia is at war." "Our war!" "Our revolution!" "Roberto's words... and his confidence... help me walk away." "The first days..." "I spent in our quiet villa in Aldano... made me remember... the recovery... after a child illness." " Laura!" "Laura!" " Yes, I'll open." "A minute." "Somebody is there!" "Dogs have started to bark." "I saw someone walking around there." "Is the window open?" " I haven't heard anything." " I'm sure that.." "Stop the noise!" "The Countess is sleeping." "Who's that?" "It's me Laura." "What's wrong?" "I'm sorry, Countess." "The guard says..." "Yes?" "He saw somebody in the balcony." "Countess!" "He says there's someone in the balcony." "Yes, it was me." " But, are you insane?" " Yes, I went insane in Venice, when you left." "Is the door closed?" "Oh!" "The door..." " Laura?" " Yes, Countess." "It was me." "Go to your room." "That stupid!" "How can he bother people like that?" " Have they seen me?" " How could you do that?" "How could you?" "Why are there so many dogs?" "To defend yourself from the enemies... or from lovers?" "Why are you here, Franz?" "I just wanted to come." "Suddenly I felt the need to see you." "That's why I am here." "Livia!" "Livia!" "Do you prefer that your dogs eat me?" "No!" "No!" "No!" "In the back!" "Hide there!" "Quickly!" "I don't believe... you risk your life just to see me." "I would've believe you before." "Not now." "Before... those dates you never arrived." "Before those awful days..." "I couldn't reach you." "I am younger than you Countess Serpieri... and I'm not that wise as I seem." "When I realized that I felt in love with... a woman that will never able to love me..." "I thought I must disappear." "That's why... you didn't see me again." "But it was useless." "when I realized... that it was you was running away... that you left Venice..." "There's only one thing in my mind:" "To see you again." "There must be another reason I don't understand." "Is there any other reason a man risk his life to come here?" "Don't you realize?" "We are at war!" "At war!" "I'm so tired..." "I just want to look at you, be with you " "I just came for that, I don't want to think of anything else." "I could have believe you before!" "If you don't believe me, I'd better go." "No, wait!" "Wait!" "Franz?" "Don't laugh, Franz!" "Franz?" " I stay here!" " Here?" " Fine." " Please" "Don't make noises." "I beg you." "Wait!" " Countess!" " Countess, what's going on?" "Shut up, stupid!" "Ah!" "Countess." "It's so scary!" "I couldn't sleep all night because of the fear." " It was you in the balcony?" " Simone!" "Search everywhere!" "Try to find some trace!" "Be careful!" "Maybe he is in the garden." "Great Simone!" "Keep on searching." "Do you need me, Countess?" "No!" "No, I don't need you" " Go!" "Go to bed." " Keep looking." "He must run away, when he heard the dogs." " I am going to bed." " Good night, Count." "I am sorry." "You must forgive me." "We are not in Venice anymore." "I have changed." "I have no option but think things over." "I recover my lucidity." " Livia, listen, my love." " No!" "We are not in Venice anymore." "You made me... lost modesty and dignity." " But, why..." " Yes." "That's true." "Dignity lost by a sad and guilty love full of shame." "Livia, my love..." "We are not in Venice anymore." "It's fine." "We are not in Venice." "We agree on that." "May I sit down?" "Yes." "You cant' leave... before the dogs are chained." "Thank you." "I'm so sleepy..." "I haven't slept in three nights." "I like the smell of the summer." "I like the smell of the piled up wheat." "Here the smell is intense." "I am so tired." "There's a sweet perfume in the air." "What did you say?" "The dogs had been chained." "Your voice is so delicate." "I can't understand what you're saying." "Have I heard the wrong thing?" "I thought you said said" "Franz... my dear Franz..." "I'm so lonely please" "stay with me" "You heard the wrong thing." "I'm sorry." "I misunderstood you." "I said you must leave." "Must leave, must leave." "What are you saying mow?" "I said there's no danger at all." "You can leave now." "How long ...how long haven't we seen each other, my love?" "I've dreamed of you telling me that..." "I told you to leave leave, leave, leave." "Are you really saying that?" "Is that what you want?" "I thought you were going to ask me to stay." "Franz..." "Franz..." "Yes, Franz... please, stay." "Franz..." "Franz... my love." "It's already sunrise and you told me you have to be in Verona before sunset." "Who are you?" "It's me, Livia." "Franz!" "Wake up!" "It's already the morning." "What do you say?" "You must leave soon." "The sun is coming up... and if they see you..." "Close your eyes." " I haven't closed them all night." " Why?" "I've been watching you while you were sleeping." "That's why I had slept so well." "I dreamt I was at home." "I was a child and play a soldier with a wood sword." " I have to go." " I wish you could stay." "I wish." " I could..." " Could?" "I wish I could stay... embraced to you, as tonight,.." "for all my life." "Good bye, my love." " I must leave." " No!" "The sun is coming up." "It's already too late." "You don't want them to see me descending by your balcony, do you?" "No, no!" "Not yet." "I'll hide you." "I'll have you one more day." "Another day with me." "Wait!" "Wait!" "Let's go fast." "Come, fast." "Livia!" "Stay with me for a little while." "No, the maid must find me in my bedroom." "It's too early." "There's time." "Don't speak so loud." "I'll say no more." "You know, this is not that bad." "I'll stay here forever." "Then, why don't you stay?" "Have you forgotten I must go to war..." " In order to be a hero?" " No!" "No!" "Try to forget." "I wish I could." "Really." "A friend of mine did something unbelievable." "Who?" "A friend." "An officer." "What did he do?" "He bribed a doctor." "and he was discharged from the Army for medical reasons." "He made a medical exam, and, following my friend's orders, he found a heart failure that a calm life and rest." "And so, he was sent home, with a license." "How is that possible?" "I told you." "He paid a lot of money to a doctor." "I didn't know those things were possible at all." "But, after all the men from our generation, are like spoiled children." "We love elegant uniforms because we look well wearing them." "Golden galloons, shinny medals, the sound of the band... that escorts our walk." "And, there's the other side of the coin:" "being away from our women, hunger, coldness, fatigue." "Yes, when it comes to toasting for our future victories... everybody would be willing." "But we don't want to pay the cost... of this victory." "Losing an arm," " a leg..." " Stop it!" "A horribly disfigured face" " Or something worst..." " No, Franz, no!" "Why not?" "That's war!" "Thousands and thousands of men... ready to kill themselves, just for the sake of it - no final purpose, no reason." "Reason has nothing to do with wars." "That's war:" "a comfortable method... to force men to act and think... in the most convenient way for the rulers." "Why don't you speak, dear?" "What are you thinking?" "It's awful!" "War is awful." "I'll come back, as soon as I can." "Last night, a lot of troops had passed around here." "Even heavy artillery." "All the house was trembling!" "They are coming from Innsbruck in their way to Verona." " Ah!" "They are going to Verona..." " Count!" "Sir..." "Should I denounce the episode of last night?" "We'd better not." "I bet someone is spying on us because of the wheat... and want to cause troubles." "None of the men have spoken." "They'd better not." " Everyone is compromised." " Anyway, someone... must guard this at night." "Look!" "Isn't that Le Ronghe?" "Yes, it's Le Ronghe." "What a fire!" "It's Le Ronghe!" "A fire!" "It's so big!" "Let's see!" "Look, Count... a dense cloud of smoke over there." "It looks like the barn is burning." "We must send someone!" "Immediately!" "It's in Le Ronghe!" "Le Ronghe!" "Look how that is burning!" "It looks like the house in Mancini." "No!" "It's the house after the hill!" "It's so far away!" "I guess it's the estables in Piovenne." "Come on!" "Let's see from the barn." "Maybe someone is burning underbrush." "Can't you see, Countess, that big cloud of smoke?" "That's precisely Mancini's house!" "Yes, I can see clearly from here." "Maybe it's a military camp." "We'd better watch." "You two, come with me!" "This shouldn't have happened!" "Let's go to the window." "How did you come here?" "How?" "Laura." "Isn't that the name of the maid?" "I thought you sent her." "Extraordinary!" "She looked for me... brought me here and gave me something to eat." "How does Laura know you're here?" "What's wrong with that?" "Maids are for those sort of things, aren't they?" "Countess, the Count is looking for you!" "We are leaving!" "Don't expect me for dinner." "That's fine!" "What?" "I said that's fine!" "Excuse me, Lady Countess." "Good bye!" "What's on your mind?" "I was thinking about something." "Tell me what it is." "This morning in the barn... you told me about this friend of yours... that was sent home... because the doctors found a heart failure." "Yes, and?" "Couldn't you do the same?" "Me?" "Yes, Franz, you." "Do you want me to start faking a limp?" "to bribe a scoundrel... or to pass a sick person?" "Yes." "Do you think..." "I am able... to do such despicable acts?" "Besides, it's not just that..." "A lot of money is needed." "How much?" "2.000 florins." "2.000 florins?" "That's impossinñe!" " Is it more than I worth?" " Only if I could... if there were a way." "You could stay here, near me..." " Maybe in Trento, no?" " No, no!" "The regulations clearly say that the disabled officer... must stay near his own regiment." "Franz, Franz!" " Franz, if I could..." " I must leave." "If I'm not back in Venecia by tomorrow..." " I will be declared a deserter." " No!" "They might even execute me!" "That way, all of our troubles will be resolved." " I can't stay any longer!" " Wait!" "Wait, Franz!" "Wait." "Close the door!" "Come here, quickly!" " My dear, is this yours?" " No, no." " Your husband's?" " No, no." "Who's this, then?" "I can't tell you!" "You'd think I'm crazy!" "And I am!" "I am crazy!" "Oh, my dear!" "My dear love!" "My poor and desperate love!" "My treasure... my treasure... my poor and desperate love." "Who is it?" "It's me, Countess." "May I?" "Don't come in!" "Don't!" "But Countess, I just..." "I said no!" "Did you count it?" "Do you think it's enough?" "Livia, I know you gave me your heart... and not only yours." "By accepting this, I won't feel guilty." "I'd feel guilty, if I wouldn't accept it." "Do you believe me?" "Countess!" "Countess!" "Countess..." " The Count is about to return." " Yes." "That's fine." "Tonio just saw him in the town.." " and I told him..." " Yes, yes..." "I told Tonio to wait in the kitchen." "I called the gardiner too, with a pretext." "The terrace must be avoid because Ada is doing the laundry." "I tried to call her, but" "Luca came." "He is in the living room." " He is waiting." " Yes!" "That's fine!" "Write me as soon as you can, please." "I wrote some signs in this paper." "You gave the letter to any civilian." "It must be sent to Luca." "They will deliver it right away." " I must hear from you!" " Yes, I'll write." "Do it, as soon as you can." "Go, now." "Tell me when everything is settled." "Call me, so I can meet you." "I can't live like that." "You shouldn't love me!" "No one should!" "I depended on him." "For him, I forgot... and betrayed all the people that were fighting.." "trying to achieve... what they've been dreaming for so long." "Marquis de Ussoni!" "I recommend you to meet our troops." "When you leave the quarters... you will find a lot of trouble." "It won't be easy." "Thank you." "Good luck, Marquis..." "Stop!" "What is the best way to Orione?" "All the ways are blocked..." "There's fighting everywhere." "Try to go by the mountain." "Turn left." "you will find a farm." "It's called "Ca' Pasquale"." " It's there." " True... then, go to the left..." "Yes, it's a shortcut we always use." "By avoiding Orione, we'll get to Santo Ambrogio." "Thanks, lieutenant." " Are you from the South?" " I'm from Naples." "Good luck, lieutenant!" "Give me the reins!" "I'll take the horse now." "Yes, sir." "I've got to get to the other side of the mountain." "I need to pass!" "I have a permission." "Here it is!" "Alarm!" "I received a letter from Franz." "He was discharged and now he is in Verona." "But he asked me to stay home." "He was afraid..." "I could get hurt in the trip." "The battle has begun in every front... and the news that arrived... confirmed that the Italians were winning." "Shut up." "Here comes Luca!" "Let's see what's new!" "They are running away!" " Viva Italia!" " Viva Italia!" "Good morning, Countess." "Is it true that Austrians are leaving Verona?" "Yes, Countess." "it seems that our soldiers are winning every front... and that Austrians are going to Trento." "That's why they are leaving Verona." "And it's also true... that Austrians are leaving forever." "Viva Italia!" "Aren't we going to fight?" "It's the time to act in our own interest." "And the Marquis de Ussoni?" "Nobody knows about him." "There are no news." "No, we can't act." "We must wait the orders." "But, Countess... we can't wait any longer... even though we don't know a thing... our troops must act and occupy the zones." "There's no time to waste!" "We won't be a part of this." "Garibaldi will come here!" "Countess, Garibaldi!" "Can you imagine?" "What's the matter?" "What are you doing here?" "What's the matter?" "Where are you going?" "We have orders to retreat." "Sergeant!" "Do we still have ammunitions?" " Who are you?" "Are you hurt?" " It doesn't matter." "Everybody is leaving, Lieutenant!" "And we?" " It's true." " It's a retreat." "Lieutenant!" "There's an order to retreat!" " Let's go!" "All of us!" " It's OK, Lieutenant!" "I decided to go... before sunrise." "Before Aldano... was occupied by the patriots." "And before the Italian troops get to Verona." "I knew I was leaving my house forever... my country..." "However I didn't feel nostalgia or remorsements." "The walls of the carriage were burning... and I felt suffocated... with that heavy atmosphere." "I have the letter that Franz sent me..." "I read it over and over, even though I already memorized it." ""Beloved Livia... you saved my life." "So far, the money has been usefuls, at least... to satisfy the greed of doctors." "I am stuck in Verona." "I have a beautiful room in front of the Adige river... 149, Santo Stefano street." "I wish you were here with me... day and night." "But, don't come now." "Don't move." "The trip is too dangerous." "Love me forever... as I love you"." "Do you have a permission... to enter Verona at these hours?" "No, but..." "I am Countess Serpieri." "My husband is an Austrian officer." "I came to see some relatives." "That's fine!" "You may pass, Countess." "But I must warn you, tonight the streets of Verona... are not that safe for a Lady." "Thank you." "Hurry!" "149, Santo Stefano St." " Go!" " Good night, Countess." "Go!" "Franz!" "Franz!" "What a lovely surprise!" " Oh, Franz!" " What?" "I am here." " Something has happened?" " I am here, Franz." "I sent a letter asking you not to come." " Haven't you received?" " Yes, but I have to come." "I couldn't keep on living with this anguish" "Anguish?" "Why?" "For all the things that could happen to you." "You knew I was on a safe place." "And you knew how:" "with your money." "You knew I bought my impunity... my tranquillity... and welfare... peace, pleasures..." "Franz, I wanted to be sure..." "See it with my own eyes." "Well, you've seen it!" "You shouldn't have came here." "It was a mistake, Livia, you will regret it." "Look!" "I am not an officer..." "Not even an officer." "I am a drunk deserter... disgusting and stinking... a coward and full of vices." "But now I am here, Franz." "I'll stay with you forever." "I left everything for you!" "Hold me, Franz!" "I haven't washed or shaved myself in days." "I don't want you near me, not even a graze." "You'd get dirty!" "Franz!" "Franz!" "Oh!" "Franz!" " You are not alone?" " It's not important." "She comes every night, a couple of hours... to accompany me." "Do you want to meet her?" "Come on, no compliments!" "After all... she belongs to you..." "I pay her with your money." "Clara!" "Clara, come!" "I want to introduce you to a great lady." "Countess Livia Serpieri." "She made a long trip" "As you see, she is tired" "She saw soldiers coming from battle..." "Men who didn't have the fortune..." "I had:" "a rich protector" "Clara... give her something to drink." "But wash it before... stupid!" "It's for a lady!" "A lady doesn't drink in a dirty goblet." "Don't you know that?" "We must treat our guests kindly." "Don't you want it?" "Are you sick?" "What are you waiting?" "Help her, you idiot!" "Take her veil!" "The hat, the gloves." "Countess Serpieri is a lady... a lady with class, an important lady." "Can't you see it?" " I already told you about her." " No!" "You don't remember." "You never wanted to listen to me because you thought I was lying." "Oh, sure!" "You thought I was lying... when I told you a real lady... such as Countess Serpieri... is in love with me" "It's true" "She told me... that if it weren't for me, she wouldn't know love..." "For me" "Why are you saying all this?" "To hurt me.." "or to punish yourself?" "Pardon, I can't hear you... you speak so soft." "Did you hear, Clara?" "No, I didn't hear anything." "And I don't want to hear." " I'm leaving." " You are crazy!" "Livia... you can't allow her to leave at these hours." "Ask her to sit with us in the table." "Tell her!" "Please, stay." "Don't listen to him." "He's drunk." "Can you tell me who do you think you are?" "Are you that good... that can't sit on a table with a whore?" "What's the difference between you?" "I'll tell you:" "She is young and beautiful." "And men pay to be with her." "On the other hand, you..." "Why do you look at me like that?" "I don't like that look!" "Are you listening?" "Do you think I'm crazy?" "No, I'm not crazy!" "I've never been this wise!" "Listen and try to understand." "Try to see me as I am in reality.." "not in the way you imagined." "This idea you made of me is pure fantasy" "You created it..." "It has nothing to do with how I really am." "Who am I?" "How do I live?" "By which means?" "With the money I get in two ways:" "the money women give me and the money I get playing and cheating." "I am a professional in both fields!" "These are my skills." "And there's one more:" "I am a deserter because I am a coward... and I don't care anymore." "I don't care if my countrymen won a battle today in a place named Custoza?" "I know they are going to loose the war." "And not only that" "Austria, in a few years will be finished." "A whole world will disappear" "The world we both belong to..." "The new world, the one your cousin talks about." "It's not interesting to me." "It's better not to meddle in to it and search pleasure whenever is possible." "Besides, you think the same way" "If not, Countess, you wouldn't give me money to pay an hour of love." " No!" "No!" " Stop it!" "It's too late!" "It's over!" "I am not your romantic hero." "I don't love you anymore, Livia." "I needed money and you gave it to me." "Ah, I forgot I am also an informer." "It was me who denounced your cousin." "Of course, you knew it, but prefer to ignore it... to save our love story" "No!" "No!" "Go!" "Go away, Lady!" "Go!" "Go, whore!" "Go!" "Fast!" "Don't stop!" "I come to fulfil my duty... as a loyal subject." "Is the Countess an Austrian?" "Venetian." "Here it is." "I don't understand." "Isn't this a letter addressed to you?" "Let's see." "Explain yourself." "It's a letter from" "Franz Mahler, Third Artillery Regiment." "And?" "The letter is very clear." "He passed as a sick person bribing, some doctors." "He is a deserter." "Ah!" "I understand The Lieutenant was your lover... and you want a revenge by getting him executed." "Think it over, Countess accusing somebody is an infamy.." "and what you're doing is murder." "General..." "Fulfil your duty!"