"We had fun, didn't we, Socrates?" "See you later." "Watch out for your nose." "Good morning, Papa." "I'd just about given up seeing you at all." "I'm sorry --- I overslept." "Better hurry, your mother'll be here soon to pick you up." "Take your time." "She'll be late anyway." " You hear me, Marco?" " I'm almost ready." "Did you know that not being on time is bad sign?" "Hm?" "What does it mean?" "It means you don't care." "Well, maybe with some people... though not you, dear." "Yeah, let's forget about it." "But why are you wearing black in the morning?" "Because I didn't go home last night." "Why not?" "Because I was invited out... to the Gaetanis' to a party, you remember them?" "Well, it finished at five o'clock, so I stayed over there." "Why?" "Listen, Marco, one of the reasons I left home was because..." "I didn't want to hear so many "whys" and "with whoms"." "So give it a rest." "One of these days you're going to kill me the way you drive." "Are you afraid of dying?" "Not with you, Mama." "It's messy here." "You're right!" "It's a good thing your father isn't here." "We'd have a fight about it." "Damn, I promised the editor I'd deliver this draft tomorrow and I still have to correct over 50 pages." "Do it now." "I don't think so." "Hello?" "Marco, would you please go run a bath for me." "Yeah." "Hello?" "How are you?" "No, not today," "I'm with Marco." "He's my son, you idiot." "No, not tonight," "I'll be working late." "I'll call you tomorrow, OK?" "Bye-bye." "Who called?" "Someone you don't know." "Marco, would you answer the phone, please?" "What'll I say?" "Say I'm dead." "Hello, who's speaking?" "No, she's dead." "Did you really say I was dead?" "Have you gone nuts?" "Shouldn't I?" "Don't play the clown." "Who was it?" "I don't know." "I hung up." "Mmm, you're just like your father, you haven't any sense of humor." "Why don't you like Papa?" "You care?" "I love him, only, from a distance." "Shall I scrub your feet?" "Yeah." "How did I ever fit inside you?" "To judge from the kicks you gave, dear, you weren't at all comfortable." "I wanted to get out to look at you," "Did you?" "because you're pretty." "Here we are, ma'am." "Let him taste the wine." "He's the man here." "Is it all right, sir?" "Is it good?" "It's just wine." "I'd rather drink water." "Very well." "Thank you." "I'll take you to the seaside on Sunday..." "if it's nice weather." "It makes you glad?" "OK." "Now we'll talk about this summer." "I won't promise because of my work, but it's almost certain... what do you think of Sardinia, just the two of us?" "Sure!" "I'll bet when we're there, you'll say you have to write a lot." "Take it for granted." "Damn, why must you work so much?" "Listen, Marco." "Marco, I need to be free." "And it's important because it's a thing that's mine and only mine." "Do you understand that?" "And me, am I not all yours too?" "Yes." "Elizabeth!" "Well, how are you?" "I've been looking for you for ages, where have you been up to?" "Working frantically." "This is my son, Marco." "Hello." "Hi." "May I?" "Sure." "Well, you're looking great." "Congratulations." "Why did you drop out of sight?" "Listen, can we meet tonight?" "Call me." "I have!" "You're never home!" "I'm busy working, I've told you." "Marco." "Marco, what do you think of going to see a film?" "It's half past four." "Why didn't you wake me before?" "Just because." "If you wanted to be with me you'd have waked up by yourself." "Marco, you want to make me feel guilty even if I just go to sleep." "And now --- why are you crying?" "I'm not crying!" "All right, you're not crying." "Then why are you pretending to cry, Marco?" "Because you looked at your watch." "And you're crying over that?" "Yes, because you can't wait to get it over with." "Get over what?" "Getting through the day with me." "Oh, come on, stop talking nonsense." "I'm happy to be with you." "Honestly." "Come here." "Come here." "Are you unsure of my love?" "Yeah!" "Marco, you mustn't feel like that." "You're always busy, always running away from me." "But that isn't true, Marco!" "I couldn't live without you." "Neither could I." "But couldn't I come and stay here and live here with you?" "Forever?" "Marco, I don't know." "You must understand... we'd have a lot of problems to overcome." "It isn't easy." "I don't want to go back home." "Oh, Marco!" "Hey, Socrates, how are you?" "Don't get mad at me." "I was with my mother." "Try to understand." "Want a stick of gum?" "This one is mine." "Now I'll curry you." "OK?" "Let me in." "Well." "What did you do today?" "Not much." "You enjoy yourself?" "Some." "What did you two talk about?" "Nothing." "What do you mean, "nothing"?" "You two spent the day together without speaking at all?" "Well, no." "And she..." "she didn't say anything about me?" "She said...you're nice." "That she loves you." "Please don't lie to me, Marco." "I'm not lying." "That's just what she said, Papa." "Pretty strange way of showing her love." "Why's that?" "She's left us." "And do you think that when one really loves a person,... they run off?" "Can I be excused, Papa?" "Of course, Marco." "Good night." "Sleep well." "Fourteen, Fifteen..." "Hey, what's up with you?" "They told me to count to fifty." "Who did?" "The kidnappers." "Sorry, but I got to go." "You know how it is when you're scared." "Watching you, I've got to pee, too." "They treat you badly?" "Not bad." "They gave me magazines,... books, besides all the popcorn and coke I wanted." "Well, then your family paid the ransom." "Sure." "Now I've got to call them." "You can call from my house." "Hey, someone just drove in." "It must be his parents, come on!" "All right, get back." "Make way, gentlemen." "Please, gentlemen." "Try to be a bit understanding, please, gentlemen." "Mind the situation, gentlemen, make way." "Please, gentlemen." "Gilberto!" "Let's go home." "No, Elizabeth, I can't this weekend." "I've got an engagement, too." "Listen..." "Listen..." "I'm sorry, but I can't cancel everything just because you've got something else to do." "I'm not quarreling, why should I..." "How can I explain this?" "It can't be postponed." "Why?" "You're saying a meeting can't be postponed?" "You promised him to take him to the sea." "Now he's ready and waiting for you." "You can't just put everything to hell." "Yeah, just run away from him as you did from me." "It's not my fault that you got friends." "No." "I'll tell him you're not coming just because you have something else to do." "Besides, it's true." "Socrates!" "Socrates!" "Giacomo, have you seen Socrates?" "They're taking him away now." "Taking him away?" "There he is, in the truck." "Socrates!" "Socrates!" "Socrates, stop!" "Where are you going?" "Socrates, come back!" "Stop!" "Come back!" "Socrates!" "Where are you going?" "Socrates, come back!" "Stop!" "Socrates, stop!" "Stop, Socrates!" "Socrates!" "Where are you going?" "Come back, Socrates!" "Socrates!" "..." "But, why?" "What happened to you?" "You fall down?" "Why?" "What do you mean, "why"?" "You sent away Socrates and you didn't even tell me." "I thought I talked to you about it." "Yes, I did." "I remember, it was some time ago now." "You loved Socrates, really?" "Indeed I did." "And you know it very well." "I'm sorry, Marco, but you must realize than when your mother..." "What has Socrates got to do with Mama?" "There's a connection, Marco, really." "Ever since she left here, living here has become more and more complicated." "The only solution is for us to return to live in town." "So I've decided to sell the farm." "But I sent your horse to live with your grandfather, I didn't sell him." "Besides, imagine having a horse in an apartment house." "It's not very easy, hmm?" "You see, son, up to now I'd hoped your mother..." "Yeah, you're right, Papa, you're right." "Why would he come to me?" "He has school today." "What's all that story about?" "He usually comes home for dinner." "but he didn't show up." "I waited for him for a while, then I phoned his school, and the headmaster told me nobody's seen him here." "He just didn't arrive." "My God!" "Yesterday we had a few words..." "I didn't want to upset you, but" "How can you say you didn't want to upset me?" "I'll be right here." "Don't move." "Right, I'll wait for you." "Hello?" "I've got your boy." "We'll call you later." "Get the money ready." "We'll call you." "How long you slept!" "No use your hiding, I know who you are." "I saw you on TV last night." "Then it's not true you were kidnapped." "Kidnapped?" "No, I've just run away from home." "What for?" "Did you get bad marks at school?" "No!" "Because I'm tired of others always making decisions for me." "Oh." "I know what you mean, all right." "My, you're thin." "Gosh, I envy you." "I've always got to stay on a strict diet." "Are you afraid?" "Where are you going to go now?" "I don't know." "What do you mean, you don't know?" "You can't just run away, you've got to have a plan." "I might go to Sicily." "Isn't there someplace closer you could find?" "I've got a grandfather living there, not to mention my horse." "I must get him back." "Come with me." "I'll see what I can do." "By the way, what's your name?" "Marco." "And yours?" "Emanuela." "You're so kind I thought you were an Englishman." "Why, do you know any?" "I don't, but my mother does." "Sooner or later it's bound to happen, you know?" "Fate makes you meet one." "Who?" "A lover, that's who." "Let's race!" "Then I can tell my mother and she'll let me eat pasta." "OK." "But if your mother has a lover, why don't they go live together?" "Gee, no, it would be too complicated." "That way, her lover would become her husband, and she'd have to start all over again." "I guess." "And your father?" "Oh, Mama says he's the man, so he's the one who works and is always tired." "I don't understand that fully." "I must look into it." "Boy, how nice a room you've got." "And your bed, colorful, too." "Why?" "You don't got one of yours?" "Sure, but yours is nicer." "This should fit you well." "It's my favorite sweater, that's why I can't give it to you." "I can only lend it." "You can have my sweater, I'll swap with you." "But you'll need something else to wear." "Otherwise the police will recognize you." " Emanuela?" " Yes, what is it?" "Open the door for me, dear." "No, I can't now, Mama." "I'm very busy." "Oh, excuse me." "Later, Mama." "Try this on." "I can't see anything." "Because you've got them on upside down." "Here." "But, no, let it go." "But I'm not giving it to you." "It's just a loan." "All right." "Let's see..." "You know, you look pretty good." "And this side?" "You're vain." "Now we'll go to talk to a friend about you." "His name's Rocco." "He works down at the port as a watchman." "But to tell the truth, he's not really a watchman... he does a bit of everything." "He smuggles with his brothers." "Of course, his main interest is making money." "What else could he do?" "You can't trust grown-ups." "He makes a good smuggler." "But at heart he's a good kid." "He'll help you out if he can." "Yeah, I understand." "But without money, it's impossible." "He says that with no money, he..." "Hey, is he deaf, this friend of yours?" "No, my hearing's OK." "We can pay you 10,000 lire." "10,000 lire?" "And you want me to take you to Sicily for 10,000 lire?" "But, if you take him, his grandfather will give you 100,000 lire." "Right?" "Oh, yes." "Oh, yes, yeah." "100,000 lire?" "100,000 lire..." "OK." "I'll see what I can fix up." "Wait here for me." "Bye." "So, even you go away?" "Bye." "Would you phone me, sometime?" "I'll call you, just as soon as I can." "You better take this, you might happen to be hungry during the travel." "Chocolate!" "Anyway, I can't eat it, it makes me fat." "Thank you." "Bye." "You got my phone number?" "Yes." "Bye." "Bye." "I realize it's not the most auspicious time to speak about it, but on the other hand..." "No, no, go ahead." "Let's talk about it, Inspector." "Sometimes talking it out is a relief." "Not as much as drinking." "You go ahead, though." "It's the one thing you're best at in a crisis." "I guess you're right." "Maybe I should behave more like you just walk out and not think about anything." "I envy those like you, you know?" "But I could never behave like that." "Then you've succeeded, you would not talk to anyone, not even to yourself." "Excuse me." "I don't like to pry, but... when you decided to separate two years ago, was it for any particular reason?" "You see, Inspector, it was because... when you're afraid to face things together, getting separated becomes the easiest solution." "At least for some people, anyway." "The kid, how did he take it?" "Badly." "Marco." "Marco." "Are you having fun?" "No!" "Come on, now!" "I can't take much more of this." "Let's go somewhere else." "What do you say?" "Hey, I'm talking to you." "Well, out you go." "Hey, will you tell me why you have such a long face today?" "Because you told Papa you wanted to go away." "That wasn't what I meant." "I heard you, you know?" "You said you were sick and tired of us." "Marco, I never said such a thing." "Why do you want to go away, then?" "What did we ever do to you?" "Marco!" "Hey, hurry it up, will you?" "How many more to go?" "Four cases." "Well, easy, come on." "Come on." "Come on." "Here, you stay under there, don't make a sound." "Or else we'll get in trouble." "Now I'll make some room for you down here." "Get in here." "Maybe you'll miss out on some fresh air, but I can't do anything about that." " You have to endure it, understand?" " Yes." "And don't come up for any reason." "OK." "Hey, you don't get seasick, do you?" "I don't know." "What's in there, huh?" "Why do you care?" "Things, smuggling." "Want some chocolate?" "No." "Besides, Emanuela gave it to you." "We can share it." "Got no time now." "If my brother comes back and don't see me..." "Thanks anyway." "You want another whiskey?" "Why not, it's almost morning." "Hey, I know, it's an unpleasant guess, but there's too many coincidences." "I'm almost sure that Marco hasn't been kidnapped." "But that's of small comfort." "I'd always thought that my son enjoyed being with me." "If he didn't, I want to know why." "Papa, Papa!" "Are you hurt?" "Papa!" "Hey, Papa!" "Answer me." "You scared me." "Fooled you!" "Scared you, huh?" "You do love me, right?" "No, I don't love anybody." "Seriously --- why don't you ever say it?" "It's always me who has to say it." "Mama says it shames you to say it, because you're old, fat and stupid." "She says I'm stupid?" "Yeah, true." "Then, take this!" "It was Mama who said it." "Me, the greatest skier in the world?" "You said "stupid"?" "I'll make you eat snow for that." "You'll have to eat a whole mountain full." "I think it's the Coast Guard." "We're doomed!" "Full speed ahead." "Now they're gaining on us." "There's no way out." "They're about to catch up." "Mama!" "Hey, who's he?" "How should I know?" "Hey kid, who are you?" "Where'd you come from?" "He's a pal of mine." "A friend of yours?" "He's the one the cops are looking for." "What's going on here?" "Nothing, nothing!" "He's the one who was kidnapped!" "What ,"kidnapped"?" "It's him." "It's in all the papers." "Shit!" "That's all we need --- is it you or not?" "No." "If they catch us, cigarettes won't matter." "Twenty years in the pen, that's all." "A friend of yours, huh?" "And you dare to say you're my brother?" "Get rid of the kid." "The fry, too." "You got it?" "Later I'll reckon what you owe me for this stunt." "See what a mess you got us into, dummy?" "Can't you use your brain for once?" "And this goes for you, too." "As soon as we get closer to that cape, you two jump overboard and swim ashore." "You got that?" "Now sit down there, so the police won't see you." "And you, what are you doing there?" "You too." "You'll swim for it, you're on your own." "You see what a mess you got us into?" "Hurry, dive." "No, let me alone!" " Come here!" " No, I'm afraid!" "Dive!" " I'm scared!" " Go on, jump!" "When you reach the shore, keep out of sight." "Got it?" "Be careful!" "Let's get out of here." "Help!" "Rocco!" "I can't!" "Close your mouth and maybe you will." "Nice friends you've got, they didn't even ask me if I could swim." "I could have drowned." "Quit bellyaching --- you're OK." "What acquaintances you've got!" "Come on, hurry up!" "If the Coast Guard saw us, they'll have radioed the cops." "OK, OK!" "Rocco, wait!" "I can't run anymore." "Don't you understand we can't stop?" "Come on!" "Enough!" "You know you're a right nuisance?" "I just can't run anymore." "What a sissy you are!" "My brother's right." "You should die." "Everyone must die." "Yeah, sure, but first, the rich, then the other ones." "I don't care what your brother says." "You made my feet hurt." "Better move or I'll punch you." "Get up, move." "If the cops come, they'll bust me for snatching you." "I'm tired." "I want to rest a while." "You can rest later." "Now come on, let's go." "Don't kick me!" "What's up with you?" "You disgust me, you know?" "Now are you going to walk or not?" "I'll never be a friend of yours!" "You think I care?" "If not for your 100,000 lire, I'd leave you here." "Make out on your own, if you want." "Salami, you!" "Shit!" "You really wanted to suicide?" "What a jerk you are." "I can't leave you alone for a minute!" "Come on, we have a long way to travel yet." "Beautiful!" "Is it safe to drink?" "What do you care?" "Drink." "Come on and have a shower." "Look, how many fish." "Grab some so we can eat them." "Dive!" "Hey, now, Marco, don't feel bad!" "Let's go eat something, and you'll feel better." "OK?" "May I have some telephone tokens, please?" "1,000 worth?" "Here's 20." "When you're done phoning if you don't use them all, bring them back, and I'll give you your money back." "Thanks." "Give me this one, the biggest one." "Anyway it's him who pays." "Hey, and some pastries..." "Hello?" "Hello!" "Hello!" "Hello, who is it?" "Who's at the phone?" "Hello!" "Marco." "Is it you, Marco?" "Say something, I beg you." "I know it's you." "Please answer me." "I'm very worried." "Marco, I feel really bad." "Tell me where you are." "I'll come get you myself!" "You won't talk?" "If you won't talk to me, I will with you." "Listen, Marco," "Are you listening to me?" "Do you remember when you used to ask me" ""Mama, what would you be without me?"?" "You were right, Marco." "I'm nothing without you." "I beg you." "Come back home, Marco." "I beg you!" "It's horrible to live afraid of never seeing you again." "Tell me where you are." "Why don't you answer?" "You aren't ill, Marco?" "Only that, can you tell me that?" "You're still mad at me, right?" "I feel really bad, Marco, so bad!" "Tell me at least that you'll come back, tell me you're not ill." "Marco!" "Tell me you forgive me." "Will you forgive me?" "Marco, answer me!" "Only one word." "Marco!" "Massimo, here!" "Marco, wait." " It's him." " Marco!" "Marco." "Wake up." "Marco!" "What do you want?" "Get up, hurry, I got an idea." "Come on." "Move on." "Where are we going?" "Come here." "Shut up and keep down!" "Push now." "Hurry!" "Hurry, come on!" "We're screwed, there's no wind!" "How'd your old lady come to think you was kidnapped?" "I phoned and said:" ""Your son is in our hands."" ""We'll stay in touch." "Get the money ready, or else..."" "I think they got it." "You wanted to scare them?" "You see, I was right, you rich people are crazy!" "But you were ready to take the 100,000 lire." "Right?" "Am I rich?" "How many brothers have you?" "Me?" "I've got five." "One's cop in Milano." "Aren't you afraid the one with the police in Milano will arrest the ones who are smugglers?" "Are you nuts?" "In our family, everybody minds his own business." "And what does your father say?" "What could he say?" "He's always drunk." "Mama wants me to be a cop when I grow up." "She says at least I'll get paid every month." "Here." "Don't you want it?" "Come on." "Come on, grab him!" "Hurry, grab that one!" "Rocco, come on, grab him!" "Watch how he jumps." "And runs." "Cool!" "Are you hungry?" "Me?" "Sure." "What can we eat?" "I don't know." "Go walk a while." "I can't, my feet hurt me." "OK." "Eat." "Pretty good stuff!" "I don't understand you." "You're famished." "Why are you so upset?" "Even animals kill if they're hungry." "If you insist," "I'll take just a piece." "Well?" "Ain't it good?" "Pretty strong flavor." "Now you're eager, huh?" "Very well." "What a feed." "I think I busted my gut!" "It needed some orange." "Orange, you say?" "Salt is what it was missing!" "Yeah, salt." "I didn't even notice." "You liked it?" "Then finish the bones!" "Eat them yourself!" "Stop it, you big dunce!" "I'll tear you apart." "What manners: "tear you away"!" "You're afraid of me. huh?" "Let's go, I'm full!" "Yeah, let's go before they grab us." "Hey, let's go!" "Jump on!" "We got as far as Reggio Calabria..." "How are we going to cross the sea?" "I'm thinking about it." "My tickets!" "Come on!" "No, no, I'm the one to throw." " Thanks." " Where did you learn to play?" "It's a long story." "Come on, once more." " What's your name?" " Rocco, why?" "Just because." "Who's this one?" "I don't know." "I won." "Boys, you'll win another time." "Thanks and goodbye." "Look how much we got." "Let's go." "I'm fine, Mama." "Don't worry." "And don't be angry." "Sooner or later, a boy has to leave home." "Rocco told me." "He's really smart." "He knows a lot about life." "I've never understood anything about it." "I told you to ignore those brats." "Raguzza." "Time to get out." "Rocco, we're here." "What did you say the name of the town was where your grandpa lives?" "Camarina." "It's nearby, about 10 km from here." "You know, Rocco, that I think I feel pretty good?" "Because we're almost there." "Yes, but also because we can see each other even after this trip's over." "And also because now when I run, my feet don't hurt any longer." "Why, sure, because you're not scared anymore." "Is that why?" "Because people only run when they're on the run." "And when you run away, you're scared, and you don't feel good." "What about you?" "You're always running." "It's different for me." "I use my legs for work." "And I'm not running away." "My old man once explained it to me when he wasn't soused." "He told me:" ""Rocco, keep running," ""you'll always catch something."" ""Warm food"." "Go on, it's your turn today." "My turn?" "All by myself?" "Yeah, by yourself." "Would you finally do something?" "Well, if it's my turn." "I can't." "I don't know how." "True, but that's an excuse." "The rich want everything served to them on a platter." "Here, eat." "Can I have one of mortadella?" "You liked the cheesy one?" "Boy, come here a minute." "What are you doing, jerk?" "Hey, what are you doing with my stuff?" "You wretch, stop!" "Give me my stuff back!" "Rocco!" "It's no use running away, I'll catch you!" "Geez, how I got to run for a couple lousy cans!" "Rocco!" "Rocco!" "Damn, he's still on my tail!" "Look what happened!" "Santa Rosalía, what happened?" "My leg, my leg!" "Yeah, your leg, easy." "Easy now." "I'll take you to the hospital." "What happened?" "He ran right out in front of me." "Hurts, hurts!" "Easy, easy, kiddo." "Easy, easy." "Help me." "I'll hold him." "Hurts." "Easy, easy." "This way." "I'm looking for a friend of mine." "They brought him here." "Can I go in?" "No, it's past visiting hours." "Sorry, it's late." "Who are you looking for?" "A friend of mine, he was run down by a car." "Oh, that poor fellow?" "Yes, let me in." "No, I can't." "Come back tomorrow morning." "PUBLIC HOSPITAL" "Who's there?" "Me, Mariana, Marco!" "Marco!" "Would you let me in?" "Holy Virgin!" "It's Marco!" " Marco!" " Blessed be God!" "It's you!" "Son of mine, I can't believe it!" "It's Marco!" "Marco!" "He's fine!" "Hello, Grandpa." "My Marco!" "I knew you'd come to me." "They're looking for you everywhere, son!" "You feel bad?" "Give him a bath and put him into bed." "He'll be fine right away." "Coming." "If you were my boy," "I wouldn't let you wander off." "Please, will you bring me a bath towel." "Catarina, turn the light off." "Good morning, Grandpa." "Marco, up already?" "How are you?" "You haven't slept enough." "Your mom and dad are coming at noon." "OK, OK, Grandpa, but listen:" "I got here with a friend of mine." "His name's Rocco." "He's been run over." "I must go see him." "They wouldn't let me in to see how he was." "I've got to see him." "I should go right away." "Please, Grandpa." "There he is." "Hello." "Hello." "My grandfather." "Hello, Rocco." "How are you feeling today?" "Well." "They've had to cut it off." "I'm very sorry, Rocco." "Did you tell him about the 100,000 lire?" "Sure." "Easy." "Now, we're going to take care of you." "How would you like to have a room all for yourself?" "No, thanks, I'd be too lonesome like that." "Besides, I'll be leaving here tomorrow." "Leaving?" "Yeah, my brother's coming for me." "He'll put me in a hospital near our house." "So..." "I'll leave you two together." "I'll come back later." "Why don't you take a seat?" "What a friend I am." "It's my fault that you're screwed." "What do you say?" "Why?" "Because it was my turn." "It wouldn't have happened to you: you're rich." "But I.." "Don't be sorry." "Now it's too late, I'm screwed." "But you and I we're still friends, right?" "Don't do that." "You'll make me feel bad." "Your mother and father should be home shortly." "Aren't you glad?" "I'm tired, grandpa." "Right." "We'll soon be back home, then you can sleep all you want." "Mrs. Elizabeth, Mr. Massimo, finally you arrived!" "Marco is upstairs." "He's sleeping." "He'll be so glad you're here!" "Poor little tyke!" "Look how deeply he sleeps." "Marco." "Hello, Mama." "Hello." " Are you tired?" " Very tired." "Then keep on sleeping, darling." "I'll stay by your side." "You don't have to." "I'll call you when I wake up." "He's right, he won't sleep if we stay here." "Let's go." "Now we've lost him." "And forever!" "Won't you eat?" "Have you seen him?" "Here's Socrates." "Are you glad to see him?" "Hello, Socrates." "Marco." "What?" "How do you feel?" "I brought your breakfast." "I don't want it." "How can it be that you don't want it?" "Aren't you hungry?" "No." "Don't you feel well?" "Here." "And three times a day, this restorative." "OK, Doctor." "Bye." "Easy, madam." "Don't you worry." "So?" "I don't know what to say, Major." "I think he's healthy." "How can you say he's healthy if he's ill?" "If it's a matter of money, I have plenty." "But you must cure him." "Is that clear?" "Look, Major, in this case I would suggest a consultation." "It's you who must tell me what's wrong with this kid." "Look, Major, the only theory I can risk..." "Why doesn't he eat?" "Why doesn't he sleep, why doesn't he want to go back home?" "These are facts, Doctor." "They're not theories." "Healthy!" "Mariana!" "Mariana!" "Mariana!" "Here I am, Major." "Call them all." "Who?" "The doctors, stupid!" "That gang of goofy shammers that meet here every time I sneeze." "Summon them all, move!" "Poor Marco, if he knew how much I've prayed for him!" "Right, right." "You've spent your life praying." "And the results?" "Here you have them." "I would give the world to make him as happy and carefree as when he was little." "Do you remember how glad he used to be when he was little?" "At times, I thought he'd never grow up." "I used to say that to him, as a joke, and he used to found it very funny." "And he'd say: "It's better this way"" ""so you'll never leave me."" "You mustn't blame yourself, Elizabeth." "You always gave him love." "Dad, you know," "I think each one of us has his own way for asking for love." "And one wants to be loved only that way." "The problem is to find what way this is in each case." "Why you don't talk?" "I don't have anything to say." "Do you think Marco..." "No, no." "Elizabeth, I don't think at all." "I've stopped thinking." "I've stopped doing things." "The one thing I haven't stopped doing is suffering." "What can I do?" "Maybe it's a vocation." "On second thought..." "I think I brought a love full of sadness to you." "And to Marco, too." "But I swear that for both of you," "I'll do whatever it takes." "But, right, I know, first thing, I should quit drinking." "Elizabeth," "I beg you, return to me." "Rocco!" "Rocco!" "Rocco." "Rocco." "Rocco!" "Where are you?" "Rocco." "Rocco!" "Where are you?" "Rocco." "Rocco." "Ignorant doctors!" "They scampered off, huh?" "What did they say?" "That Marco is very ill." "We already know that." "What did they say?" "That he no longer has the will to live." "No, I don't believe them!" "What could they know?" "And you, you too think Marco's willing to die?" "You don't believe what doctors say, right, Mariana?" "Poor kid." "I don't understand a thing." "Look at me, I'm almost 80, and all my life I've fought to get what I wanted." "Is it possible that I can't do anything for this poor kid?" "I understand you." "No, you don't understand a thing!" "I'll stay the night, by Marco." "You go to bed to pray to your saints." "Though you'd be better off asleep, it's useless." "Marco." "There's a stone-cracking sun there outside." "I thought it was night." "Right, while you're here in the dark, you can believe whatever you want." "But if you step outside, to the light, you can't believe in anything but Life." "Look, Marco," "I'm old, and sometimes I feel tired," "But I never stopped loving life." "And each day that I struggle to go on, is important to me, and is worthwhile." "For kids, maybe it's different." "Maybe." "Look, I think, that sometimes some kids are deathly sad, and they cry." "Because when they look around they only see the sad things." "For instance, the face of the moon, that big pale face, so round, but so melancholic." "The clouds, that meet during a storm, when the sky is all black." "When they meet, they begin crying." "In despair." "And so do friends, that say goodbye and tell each other:" ""Why must we say goodbye?"" "I know it's sad." "But then, but then, you know what kids do?" "Yes, I know." "Tell it to me." "They want to go where nobody cries." "Right, maybe, maybe, maybe at first, but later, they go looking for the smiling things." "There are many, many things that smile in the world, Marco." "There's the birds, that make their way through the mountains in summer because they too want to go to the sea." "And you know that the day and the night always come back around?" "And there's the sun, that shines and makes the flowers smile." "And this is Life." "And the others, because there's the others, too, that smile when they see you, because you:" "You're The Life." "And then the kid says:" ""How stupid I am!"" ""I'll go watch every thing that happens on the Earth."" ""Yes, Sir, each and every thing!"" ""To the end."" "Yes." "Hello, Socrates." "Socrates, would you like a ride?" "It'll be a short one, because I'm weak." "Let's go!"