"LIFE BEGINS ANEW" "Righe', get over here!" " What's wrong?" " Look how you've tied this!" " We'll lose everything." " Alright, alright." " Get on with it." "Excuse me, could you give me a ride?" "You won't be able to do anything unless you move these crates." "You have to untie it and start all over." "And be quick about it!" "Look, you would be doing me a huge favour..." "At least for a few miles, to Cassino." "No, don't bother with that one." "It doesn't weigh anything." "Push that in and tie it up well." "If it falls off, we're dead!" "I've walked all the way from Naples and I have to get to Rome." "I'm sorry, but I don't give rides to anyone." "Have a heart." "I don't have much money, but if you like..." "It's not about the dough." "If it was, I could find people in Naples paying 3,000 each." "Is that okay?" "Yeah, it's okay." "Go on." " Well?" " Don't insist." "It's not out of spite, you know." "Do you see this load I have?" " I really can't." " It doesn't matter, thanks all the same." " Why didn't you take the train?" " Right, the train!" "I'd have to buy a ticket a week in advance." "And I'm in a hurry, I haven't seen my family in six years." " Six years?" " Yes, six years." "We arrived in Naples yesterday." "I was a prisoner in India." "I'm sorry, I'd take you." "But you know, look at that." "It's not out of spite." "How can I?" " I could climb up there." " Yeah, and make everything fall off." "Let's see if we can fit all three of us up front." "But, it's not my responsibility if anything happens to us." "Yes, of course." "I'm truly grateful." "Righe', take care of his suitcase." "Come with me." "Do they know you're coming?" "Yes, I sent a telegram." "A telegram, eh?" "Then I bet you get there before it does." "And who knows if they're still in Rome." "I haven't heard anything in so long." "My wife had relatives in Veneto, so she might have gone up there." "God knows how she's managed to get by for all this time." " Do you have kids?" " One." "When I left he was 3 years old." "This damn war!" "You leave and he's a baby, come back to find a man." "What did you do as a civilian?" "Doctor in chemistry." "Yes, I had a small laboratory that made pharmaceuticals." "I bet there's a lot of dough in pharmaceuticals these days!" "Who knows what my partner has been up to." "I heard he was drafted, too." "Besides, I don't care about business, even if it's all gone to hell  just as long as I get home to find my wife and son." "Do you think it'll take long to get to Rome?" "No, five or six hours." "We're already in Cassino." " Cassino?" " Yes, this is the high street." "Such destruction!" "This is nothing, you'll see." "We'll stop here for a while." "Righe', go get some water." "Right away." " Frightening!" " Seen the mess this place is in?" "To see it for the first time has quite an effect." "We're used to it, we come through here often." "Is that the abbey, up there?" "Yeah." "Well, it was!" "Goodness." "Can you get me half a kilo of apricots?" "Well!" "Come on, it's getting late." " How much?" " 20 lire." "See this, Doctor?" "Seems impossible, but life here has already begun anew." "Let's go, Doctor." "I heard people talking, but I didn't imagine it would be as bad as this." "This is nothing." "You should see the Appia, Terracina..." "There's nothing left." "They don't even look like houses." "See what I mean, Doctor?" "That there was a building." "All you can see now are the cellars." " Apricot?" " Thank you." "I don't know, I feel in such a hurry to get home  but I'm also afraid." " Afraid, of what?" "Nothing has happened to Rome, it's all still standing." "The war passed by Rome but didn't touch it." "Here they are." "Righe', here we go again!" "What is it?" ""Control stop."" "It's a roadblock." " "Good morning!"" " Papers, please." "Everything is in order, we have clearance." "Go ahead and check it." "Righe', show him the beans." "We'll unload everything, if you like." "The gentleman here is a doctor, a veteran, a prisoner of war..." "We picked him up at the docks as soon as he got to Naples." " It's all beans." " Yeah, Righe', show him the beans." "Poor guy, he's in a hurry to get home, you know?" "He hasn't seen his family for eight years." "He has a wife and five kids waiting for him." "Don't worry, Colonel, it's just a formality." " Can we go?" " Go on." ""Okay!"" ""Goodbye!"" ""Goodbye!"" "Doctor, now that we're through I can tell you the truth:" "If he was really checking, we'd all be thrown in jail, even you!" " Why, aren't you in order?" " In order?" "Doctor, you're the only one in order around here - just off the boat!" "If you stop here, I'll take the tram." "Well, we've already done 30." "Where do you live?" " Quite far, in Città Giardino." " It doesn't matter." "We may as well give you a ride." "Step on it, Righe'!" "Get the suitcase." " Goodbye, and thanks a lot." " It was nothing, welcome back!" " Thanks." " Here you go." " Goodbye." " See you around, Doctor." " Thank you." "Goodbye." "It's useless to buzz, there's no electricity today." "Ah, there isn't?" "Sandro!" "I'm not Sandro, I'm Maurizio." "Maurizio!" "Maurizio, what are you..." "Father!" "Sandro!" "Sandro!" "Sandro!" "Come here, let me look at you." "How big you've grown!" "You're almost a young man." "Do you remember me?" "Did you recognise me?" "How, after all this time?" "Ah, you've seen my photos." "Is this a friend of yours?" "Yes." " You were playing." " We were making a fire." "What do you want to set fire to?" "We don't set fires, we're firemen." "Oh, firemen on roller-skates." "No, the roller-skate is our fire-engine." "He's funny, Maurizio, isn't he?" "And your mother?" "Where's your mother?" " I don't know, she's out." " And she didn't say where?" "No, she never does." "She never does." "Hold on, I've got something for you." "Here." "Of course, you must have your own bike by now." "Thank you." " Hello?" " Is this the Martini household?" "Is Patrizia there?" "Yes, Patrizia!" "Patrizia!" "You must mean Mrs. Martini." "Sorry, but who are you?" "It's Armando." "Yes, Armando!" "Not in?" "Then tell her that if she thinks she can make a fool of me, she's mistaken!" "Tell her not to bother with the usual sick child excuse." "This evening we have more table reservations than usual." "Last night the place was packed!" "If she's not here by 5, it's would be better if she doesn't come back!" "Sandrino, would you like to go and play with your friend?" "Go on." ""Call or leave before eight."" "Paolo!" "Patrizia!" "Oh, Paolo!" "When did you get back?" "We arrived in Naples yesterday." "I sent a telegram." "You look great!" "I didn't imagine Sandrino would look like that." "Poor Paolo, who knows how much you must have suffered." " Have a changed a lot?" " No, far from it." "Of course, with everything you've seen..." "Oh Paolo, I'm so happy!" "When I heard you were coming back..." "But I'm going on and on  and haven't asked if you want anything." "Tea, coffee?" " Nothing, thank you." " Have you eaten?" " It doesn't matter." "How did you get here from Naples?" "On foot, then in a truck." " Then you must be tired, poor thing." " No, I'm fine." " Ah, someone called for you." " For me, who was it?" "Some guy called Armando." "Sorry, I almost forgot." "Just a moment, Darling." "I'll take care of this." "If you want to take a bath, the gas will be on soon." "Hello?" "I'm calling for Armando." "Mrs. Martini." "They only give us gas for a few hours, so we have to take advantage of it." "Hello, Armando." "You called for me?" "Don't be upset." "They've been ready since this morning." "Yes, you can send someone to pick them up when you like." "Very well, goodbye." "Sorry, but he was upset." "I was supposed to call him earlier." " What's this all about?" " Of course, you don't know." " It's a surprise, come and see." " What?" " Come on." "Look!" "Look what your wife is capable of." " No!" "You really made these?" " Of course." "Lampshades, decorative work..." "I've perfected it, and have quite a large clientèle." "Extraordinary." "Who taught you to make all these things?" "Nobody, I taught myself." "It's not easy, you know." "Especially the iron framework." " I bet." " But you get better with lots of practice." "I had to find some way to get by." "To begin with I made them for a shopkeeper." "He payed me very little." "Then I started to work for myself." "Found some clients..." "Of course, there were some difficult moments along the way." "You must have needed lots of money, especially at the start." "I could only leave you so much." "You know, a few loans, a few pieces of jewelry sold..." "But let's not think about these things, the sad times are over." "Now that you're back." "Life can go back to the way it was." "The way it was?" "Nothing has changed, you know." "Come and see." "Hold on, I'll open the window." "Paolo, look." "All your clothes are here." "Your jackets, raincoat, shoes..." "Here, your shirts." "All washed and ironed." "See, your things were here waiting for you  as though you might be back at any moment." "It's something I've always been certain of." "That you might be back at any moment." " Why are you looking at me like this?" " I'm just a little disorientated." "I've spent so many years thinking of you and the boy, alone without help." "Sometimes I thought terrible things." " I even thought that perhaps..." " Perhaps what?" "There are certain thoughts  that once inside your head, are difficult to forget." "And yet here I am in my house, as though nothing has changed." "My wife, my son, my things..." "It feels as though I've just got back from a walk." "A walk that lasted 6 years." " Are you happy your father is back?" " Me?" "Of course I'm happy, yeah." " You'll realise, soon enough." " What do you mean?" "Well, you won't be able to play anymore." "You don't know anything, my father isn't like yours." " My father was a prisoner." " Mine was a prisoner, too." "Yours went to prison because he was hiding oil." "Mine was in India." "What, in India?" "I thought you said he was in Africa." "He was in Africa first, then India." " Did he tell you that?" " No, but I know." "He was in India with the panthers, the tigers  on the banks of the Ganges, just like Sandokan." "Which tie do you want?" "This one, or this one?" " Sorry, what did you say?" " Which tie do you want?" "The light one, please." "Good afternoon!" " Good afternoon!" " Welcome back!" "Thank you!" "What?" " Will you be paying me the 1,000 lire?" " Me?" "Well, it's what I'm owed." "I'll come and pick it up right now." "Excuse me." " Doctor, do you like Mexicans?" " Mexicans?" "Mexicans!" "This guy doesn't understand anything." "I'll be right there, hold on." "Patrizia, some guy just called to me through the window  he asked me for 1,000 lire, and then he asked me if I like Mexicans." " That's the professor." " What professor?" "He's our neighbour." "You don't know him, he moved in not long after you left." "He's a good man, you'll see." "In one bombing in Naples he lost his wife and daughter." "Now he's alone." "He never talks about them, though." "Why does he want me to give him 1,000 lire?" "Oh yes, he bet me that you would be back by the end of the year." "And what does that have to do with Mexicans?" "I don't..." "I've no idea what that means, either." "Is anyone home?" "Friends!" "There's no one here." "An abandoned house, is it?" " Here we are." " Here they are, good evening!" " Look what I've brought you." " Ah, "Mexicans"!" "Mexicans?" "No, I made these!" "Smell that!" " Delicious!" " Cooked just right." "They're a masterpiece." "What do you have planned for dinner?" " I hadn't thought, yet..." " Ah, you hadn't thought..." "Well, there you go!" "No pasta, though." "For this you need a very light broth." "You know, people don't know how to eat." "Take it from me, people don't know how to eat." "Because people fill their stomachs with horrible pasta  then another plate of useless stuff." "... then the best part is at the end, when you're not hungry anymore." "It's wrong, I tell you." "Completely wrong." "Well, everything is wrong in life." "We should start all over, and do it the other way round." "For example, instead of starting with arms  then war and then peace  we should start with peace." "Because then there wouldn't be war  and arms would be useless." "Am I right?" " Of course, Professor." " Careful!" " Is this a new recipe of yours?" "This, a new recipe?" "This is a classic." "When it comes to "Mexicans", theres nothing more to say." "I think even the ancient Romans made them." "But they can't have called them "Mexicans" because America  hadn't been discovered yet." "Actually, not to sound political  well, we are free and everything  I guarantee that before America was discovered  people ate much better around here." "I didn't imagine you would be such an expert in cuisine, Professor." "Expert?" "Did you tell him who I am, Patrizia?" "I'm an eternal Father, a God!" "Have you not heard of Guendalina, The Countess Sara  The Fairy of the Ovens?" " No, who are they?" "Me!" "I'm Guendalina, The Countess Sara, The Fairy of the Ovens." "They're all periodicals that I write my cookery columns in." "Didn't you tell me that he was a professor of oriental languages?" "That would be my official profession, but there's also freedom..." "I'm a free teacher, the students are  free not to turn up, so I was left alone." "Long live freedom!" "I hope you'll be staying with us for dinner this evening, Professor." "Of course." "I made "Mexicans", brought them here only to go home?" "No!" "Actually, let's get things straight." " Even if you don't invite me, I'll be coming to dinner often." " Good." "Because I'm alone." "If you only knew how gloomy it was to eat alone!" "What did Confucius say?" "He said:" ""Better a grain of rice in company..."" ""... than thirty pigs alone." Though, that's just nonsense." "Even Confucius spoke nonsense, you know." "They've been having contests to see who speaks the most nonsense for decades!" "Yes, because how do you divide a grain of rice?" "And how can a single person eat thirty pigs?" "Water!" "More water?" " Shall we open that bottle, or not?" " Of course." " It's that champagne they gave you." " You still have it?" "Of course, it was awaiting your return." "I've been making love with that bottle for three years." "I told her to open it because it would bring good luck." "It brought be good luck all the same, didn't it?" "And if we had opened it 3 years ago the war would have finished sooner!" "There we go!" "First for Sandrino, because he's tired." "Sandrino is on his way out." "Then for Patrizia." "And for the veteran." "And if I may, for myself since I've been waiting 3 years!" "A toast, to the veteran..." "Once upon a time there were flowers parades, music for the veterans..." "Now all you can say is:" ""My dear veteran..."" ""... it wasn't your fault."" " Exactly, Professor." "Six years of life, thrown away for nothing." "Such tragedy, so many families scattered and destroyed..." "But for me..." "Thank you, Patrizia." "You don't have to thank me." "I just did what I could." "But let's forget the past." "Right!" "That's wisdom for you." "Let's forget it." "For example, how were my "Mexicans"?" "Good, good." "Tell the truth, I won't be offended." "They were horrible." "Let's forget it." "Forget about it!" " Excuse me, I'll take him to bed." " Yes, go on." " Let's go, Sandrino." " To bed." "Goodnight." " Goodnight, Father." " And the professor." " Goodnight, Professor." " Goodnight." "A brave one, isn't she?" " I know." "Please..." " No, thanks." "I don't smoke." "You've been through tough times, but it wasn't easy here, either." "Every so often a telephone call:" ""Don't go out, you're ill."" "Or "There's a wind blowing in Piazza Fiume" What a wind!" "A wind that blows everything away." "And at nights?" "Every telephone call, every ring  or a car passing in the street, my heart would be beating." "But she's always calm, collected." "Even when it seemed the boy might..." "I know, she's a strong one." "I've never seen her cry, you know." "I don't think she's ever cried in her life." "When I left, she knew that we might never see each other again." "She looked at me, but with no trace of a tear." "Her lips trembled a little." "I thought she was giving me the cold shoulder or something." " May I help you?" " I'm going to the pharmaceuticals laboratory." " Pharmaceuticals?" " Yes, down at the end of the courtyard." "Go ahead." "Excuse me, but wasn't there a chemical laboratory here?" "I don't know, these days it's the Croci distillery." " Ah, Croci!" "And where is Mr. Croci?" " In his office, in the first floor." "Thank you." "Gasperini, let's not complicate things!" "We'll end up disgusting our clients." "He wants 2,000 bottles of whisky?" "Give it to him." "How, Mr. Croci?" "You know we're low on bottles." "Shall I insist on kegs?" " Ask him, see if he accepts." " Yes, Sir." "May I?" "Paolo!" "Finally, you're here!" "Let me have a look at you!" " You look very well!" " Not bad, thank you." "Come and sit down." "I wasn't expecting this!" "I find out that you've been back for 3 days and I haven't seen you?" "I wanted to come and see you, but I had things to do." " Sit, tell me everything." " No." "I'm tired of telling  everyone my troubles." "Besides, I'm sure you can imagine." "Let's talk about our business." "What's happened here?" "Everything has changed." "Our laboratory has gone." "Instead there's a truck, liquor, this nice office..." " Yes, I can explain... please, sit down!" " No, thank you." "After you left we experienced some difficult times." " As I'm sure your wife explained." " Yes, she did mention." "By the way, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help her  but I was in quite a fix myself." "We were facing bankruptcy, but I managed to get through it." "I made an agreement with the creditors, I'll show you the accounts..." "I paid some of your taxes, a few debts..." " Just small things, you know." " How much?" "No, don't worry about it, you'll pay me back when you can." " Excuse me!" " What is it?" "They not only confirmed the order but have asked for 50 kegs of  Marsala all'Uovo." " Very good." "We'll have to give commission, but it's still great business." "I see, we'll talk about it later." "Sounds like business is booming." "Well, you know, it's a small business I started a while back  with a few friends.." "A business that you founded using our company, however." " No, this is something else." " Yes, something else  but the premises are the same, and so is the company name." " We pay rent for the premises." " How much?" "It's around 2,000 lire a month." "And I suppose the profits are kept by you and your friends." " Of course, they supplied the capital." " Right." "As I explained: you weren't here, I tried to protect your interests." "Alright, alright." " Well, goodbye." " You're going?" "Yes." "Send me a note of the expenditures, so that I can give it to my lawyer." " What do you mean, lawyer?" " I don't pretend to know about  contractual obligations, about settlements." "You've done what you had to, but I'd have done things differently." " Either way, I'll be seeing a lawyer." " Why do we need lawyers?" "You veterans are all alike:" "you all feel like victims." "You're forgetting that I'm a friend." "Do you really think that I'd  leave you out, after we created this place together?" "I wouldn't dream of it!" "No, we'll work together  earn together, you'll see." "Excuse me." "Who's this?" "Ah, it's you!" "Guess who's here with me?" "Paolo." "Yes, Paolo Martini." "I'll just put him on, yes." "My wife." "Hello?" "Hello, Ma'am." "Good, thank you." "Yes, a little." "Of course, with pleasure." "Yes, one of these days..." "No, we'll eat together tonight!" "Give that here." "Maria, pass by and pick up Mrs. Martini with the car." "We'll meet you at the usual place." "Yes, we'll use the other car." "There are so many people, it's impossible to dance." "We were lucky, since it's usually difficult to find a table here." "But they know me." " Is it like this every evening?" " People want to have fun, you see." " To forget their troubles." " If only I could forget mine." "My wife holds onto her troubles, see." "She's grown to love them." "If she had none, she would make some up." "Don't make that face, I'm joking!" "Come on, enjoy yourself." "Leave me alone." "I can't think with all this noise and fuss." "But it's so much fun." "There's a party atmosphere." "I didn't think it would be like this." "That's the spirit, Patrizia!" "You're the one I should have married." " Well, do you like it?" " Very nice." " We have been waiting for our coffees for an hours." " True..." " Marco, those coffees?" " On their way, Sir!" "On their way to us, I hope!" "Eh, Maria?" "That's what I'm saying." "Why go out for dinner  when eating in is so nice?" " Nonsense!" "After a hard day's work it's nice to relax a little." "And you know, beautiful people..." "The most beautiful people in all of Rome come here to eat." "See?" "All the tables are taken." "If they try to fob us off I'll tear this place down." "Gentlemen, please be patient." " As soon as a table becomes available..." " We booked a table, under Sconcelletti!" "Mr. Sconcelletti, right this way." "All it takes is your name." ""Reserved, Scontelletti"!" "I'll go for spaghetti with bacon  and stewed beef tail." " Righe', pipe down!" "This here is a classy place." "Let's see..." "What's this here..." "It's like the fillet that you liked so much last time." "So it's meat..." " Why don't they just call it that?" " Pipe down, I told you!" "I'll go for that one, then." "Then we'll have the lobster, and I'd like some of that..." "Look who it is!" "Order yours, I'll be right back." "Doctor, how are you?" " It's great to see you again." " Good evening, how are you?" " You've come down here to make a racket too, have you?" " Right." " Your lady?" " No, this here is my wife." "Ah, she's better." "Sorry, I didn't mean anything." "You know, I like the larger ones." "Patrizia, this is the gentleman who gave me a ride in his truck." "Yes, my husband was telling me how kind your were to him." " I'd like to thank you, too." " Did you get much out of that journey?" "I can't complain." " 35,000?" " 35,000?" "What do you take me for?" "350,000." "Goodness me!" "The transport business is booming." "Yes, but I can't make more than a couple of trips a week." "Nando, how many lobsters?" "What?" "All of them!" "All of them?" "Please excuse me." "I'm sorry about that." "Congratulations, Miss." "And now, everyone must sing!" " Now we'll all have a sing." " No, let me sing, I'm better than you." "Waiter?" ""The piano was playing, playing..."" ""While night was falling, falling..."" "Cut it out!" ""When your mother made you..."" ""When your mother made you..."" ""Do you know what she did?"" ""Do you know what she did?"" ""To make this beautiful mouth..."" ""To make this beautiful mouth..."" ""All the ingredients she used?"" ""All the ingredients she used?"" ""A basket full to the brim, With strawberries from the garden..."" ""Apples, sugar and cinnamon, To make this beautiful mouth..."" "Will you sing, Miss?" " No." " Go on, Miss Patrizia." " Yes, please!" " Go on." "Go ahead." ""I met you in Naples..."" ""I'll never forget you again."" ""And I promised you in Naples..."" ""... that I'll be down there again."" ""I told you I leave tomorrow..."" ""But I'll be back, because..."" ""Even if my heart is far away..."" ""It will always be tied to you."" ""In Naples..."" ""City of singing and flowers..."" ""Dear lady of mine..."" ""I will bring you my heart."" ""We'll get married in Naples..."" ""When there is peace in the world."" ""Because, my happiness..."" ""I met her in Naples."" " What's wrong?" " Nothing, I'm just tired." "I'd like to go home." "You should have said so." "Marco, the bill!" "I'm sorry you have to drive so far out of your way." " Oh, nonsense!" " It must be nice to have a car like this." "Oh, you've no idea!" "After you I have to drop my wife off at home  then take the car to a garage in San Giovanni  then walk all the way home." " That's what I'm saying." "If we had stayed at home, we wouldn't have had to bother with all of this." " Don't you think?" " Yes, of course." "Don't you worry, Maria." "Soon the divorce will go through." "That way you can be in bed by 8 and I can be out with a beautiful  young woman, enjoying myself." " Thinks he's funny, doesn't he?" "Usually he's so tired that he can barely stand up." "Of course I am." "But with a beautiful evening like this, it's a shame to go home." "If the lady wasn't so tired, I'd take you to a little place I know..." " Yes, let's go!" " Very well!" "Didn't you say you were tired?" "I was for a moment." "But now I'm curious to see." " Do you mind?" " No, of course not!" " Where are you taking us?" " Leave it to me." " Do you have a bit of money?" " Why, might we get robbed?" "What are you saying?" "Tonight you'll go home a millionaire." "Did you hear that, Miss?" " Miss?" " Sorry?" " Tonight, Paolo will go home a millionaire." " Oh, I wish!" "After you." "Good evening." "Go ahead, I'll be right there." "Evening." "Good evening, are you members?" " No." "Why, can't we go in?" " It's a private game." " Croci?" " What's going on?" " It's reserved for members only." " Then get us 4 membership cards." " They give membership cards without knowing names?" " It's just a formality." "Besides, if the police show up they'll put everyone inside." " We might go to jail?" " Sure!" "But it would be fun, wouldn't it?" "All of use together like this?" " Very funny!" " Excuse me, Ma'am." " Hey there, Giovacchini!" " Good evening, Croci." "Gentlemen, let's begin." "How much?" "5,000 in the bank." "The bank to the gentleman." " Well, how's it going?" " Don't ask." "Actually, I should leave now while I still have the shirt on my back." " Do you want my spot?" " Sure." " It might be cursed." "It doesn't matter." "Now he's playing, we'll never get out of here." "Shall we strike a few blows on society?" " Actually, I've never played." " Well, we're members now!" "Leave it to me." "Thanks." "5,000!" "Bank." "I think we can hold this bank up for at least 20 blows." " Card?" " Nine." "Excuse me, are you Mrs. Martini?" " Yes, why?" " There's a call for you." " Me?" " What is it?" "There's a telephone call for the lady." " Who could possibly call you here?" " I don't know." " It must be a mistake." " Who is calling?" "They didn't say." "They asked for the lady that came in not long ago." " Well, it's absurd!" " I'll go." " It doesn't matter." " At least we'll know who it is." "I'm sure it's a mistake." "Excuse me, the telephone?" " It's by the entrance, next to the wardrobe." " Thank you." "Hello?" "Hello?" " But, there's no one on the line." " I wouldn't know, Sir." "Hello?" " Eight?" " Just a moment." "There's also the nine." "The nine?" "Bank." "20,000 in the bank." "Miss, hold your breath." "Bank again." "If this blow lands, we're home and dry." "There was no one." "Card?" "No." "Patrizia, have you been here before?" "No, never." "Why do you ask?" "Nothing, never mind." "40,000 in the bank." " Bank." " Almost there." "Hold your breath." "If we hold our breath much longer, you'll make us suffocate." "That's why I didn't want to come." "All evening he makes me hold my breath." " Seven" " That's it, you can breath now." "We lost." "Here, see?" "That's me, the one with the beard." "Why did you shave it off, Father?" " Because it annoyed me." " Then why did you let it grow?" " Because everyone has beards in India." " That's not true!" " What do you mean, it's not true?" " I saw this picture of a fakir  sitting on some nails and he didn't have a beard." "Well, he was sitting on nails..." "Paolo, the car is here." "Yes, I'm coming." " Do you have the envelope with the papers?" " Here it is." "Did you sort things out with Croci?" "Yes, for the most part." "Today we'll settle." "Very kind, that Croci." "Sending a car for you." "Yes, very kind." "He keeps trying to impress me with friendly gestures." "He'd like to have me as a partner." "In his line of work, a veteran would be useful." " If I was you, I wouldn't trust him too much." " Why not?" "Too generous now and not generous enough when you weren't here." "Poor Patrizia, it must have been terrible for you." "Forget it, it was so long ago." " Will you be back for lunch?" " No, we have to go and see  an establishment that is to be restored, then we have some meetings." "Either way, I'll give you a call." "Bye, Darling." "See you, Sandrino!" "Bye, Father." " Doctor." " Good morning, Professor!" " Could you give me a lift?" " Of course!" " It's just a few hundred metres, if you don't mind..." " As far as you want to go!" "Please." " Thank you." " Excuse me, who are you looking for?" " Mrs. Martini, does she live here?" " Yes, she lives here." " Thank you." " Not at all." "Patrizia!" "Patrizia!" "Someone here is looking for you." "So what are your first impressions on being back?" "Are you happy?" "Oh, very happy." "It seems that lady luck has  taken me under her wing." "It bet that if I played the lottery  today, I'd win the jackpot." " Then let's play!" " It's an idea!" " Where are you off to, Professor?" " I'm off to do "Grandma Adelaide"." " "Grandma Adelaide"?" " On the radio." "I'm going to rehearse, because  this evening I have to sing for the kids." " You're quite the busy  man, Professor." " Oh, it's nothing." "Doing this is a pleasure for me." "If I don't sing them their lullabies, these children won't fall asleep." "And I do it well." "I do the voice of a woman, you see." "An old woman." "A grandma." "Because it's exactly this tone, this rhythm that puts them to sleep." "Right." "Then they get bored and fall asleep." "Unless they're asleep already, that is." "Oh, I have to get out here." "Professor, you'll be dropping by for a coffee this evening, yes?" " No, I'm coming to dinner." " I didn't dare ask." " Dare, dare!" "At what time?" " At 8 o'clock on the dot." " Then I'll see you at eight." " Very good." " Pull over!" "It's 8 o'clock." "What did your mother say when she went out?" "That she would be right back." "Here I am!" "Well, am I late?" "You haven't even laid the table?" "No, my wife still isn't back and I'm a little worried." " It's now well past 8 o'clock." " Well, in these cases it's  useless to stop and look at the clock." "All it takes is something small  a truck, blocking the traffic..." "When did she go out?" " I don't really know, but it must have been a while ago." "Right, Sandrino." " Yes, Father." "That sounds like a car." "No, it drove past." "But don't worry, she'll be here in a moment." "Now go to sleep." "Put you arms under the cover." " Goodnight." " Goodnight." " Nothing." " It's gone half-nine, we have to go and look for her." " Something must have happened." " Yes, at this hour..." "You have no idea where she might have gone?" "No." "She told me that she wouldn't be going out." "And we've called everyone." "I don't know who to turn to." "Hold on, we could try..." ""Barelli, Number 23, Via Candia." "Wednesday at 17:30."" " Professor, today is Wednesday." " Yes, it's Wednesday." "Let's see if they're in the phone book." "Barelli..." "Barelli..." "No, there's no Barelli." "Can I help you?" " Excuse me, does a Mr. Barelli live here?" " Yes, that's me." "I'm Dr. Martini." "I found this note  written by my wife, with this address." " Your wife?" "Yes, she had to come here at 5." "I don't know anything." "Adele, listen to this." " Good evening." " Good evening." " Has my wife been here  a Mrs. Martini?" " No, she told me that she would  drop by at 17:30, but I waited all afternoon." " And she didn't show up?" " No, and tell her that if she  doesn't send me the child's trousers then I can't work on them." " Thank you, I'll tell her." " Good evening." " Good evening." "Hello?" "Hello?" " Professor?" " No answer, Doctor." " She's obviously still not home." " Then what shall we do now?" "I think it's time to inform the police." " The police?" " Well, what else can we do?" "If something has happened, they'll be able to tell us." "I can't stand much more of this." "We've been here for over an hour." "They must be calling hospitals, or asking other departments." "God, it's frightening!" "What if she's home by now?" " Excuse me, can I use the phone?" " This is an internal line." "You'll have to ask the Commissioner." "Martini?" "Is there a Martini here?" " That's me." " Were you asking for news about your wife?" " Yes." " Go to the Flaminio police station." " Flaminio?" "Why, what's happened?" "We don't know." "They told me to send you there." "Okay." "They sent me here to find out if anything has happened.... ... to my wife, Mrs. Martini." " Martini?" "Yes, just a moment." "Please, go on in." " Are you the husband?" " Yes." "Your wife is here." "She killed a man." " Patrizia!" " Paolo!" " Tell me, what happened?" " Something terrible." " Please, tell me." "You killed a man?" "But how, why?" "Yes, I have to tell you, I must explain everything." "You will despise me for it, hate me because of it..." "But it doesn't matter, you have to know." "It happened three years ago." "We hadn't heard anything since you left." "Sandrino was sick." "A strange, incomprehensible illness  that was making him weaker and weaker by the day." "I had him examined by every doctor I could find." "Even the most renowned." "They tormented him in every way." "They tried every different kind of treatment  but nothing could stop that terrible illness  that made him ever weaker." "I thought I would lose him at any moment." "I was desperate, crazy..." "I didn't know what to do next." " Try to relax, Miss." " How can I?" "They want to treat him by the coast, in the mountains..." "And it costs more and more." "If you only knew how much I've  spent in the last few months." "I've sold everything I owned." "There's nothing left I can sell." "As I say, if I can help at all..." "Thank you, but you've already done too much." "But it's not about a mere few thousand lire anymore." "It's a black hole without a bottom." "I'd need a huge amount of money." " And the house?" " The lawyer called me about it this morning." "He told me it was difficult to take out a mortgage  because not all the installments had been paid." "He'll look for a possible buyer, but it's difficult." "Fingers crossed." "Then I'll be without a house." "It will be terrible." "Please, answer that for me." "Whoever it is, I'm not here." "I don't want to talk to anyone." "Hello?" "Yes?" "Hold on." "A certain Baroness Huberth." "Who's that?" "I don't know, she wants to talk to you personally." "Hello?" "Yes, that's me." "Go ahead, Ma'am." "Sorry?" "That's very kind of you." "But who told you about me?" "Today?" "Very good, at around four." "Good day." "I don't understand." "She knows about me and my situation." "I don't know what she wants for me." "Perhaps it's about buying the house." "Please, make yourself comfortable." "The Baroness will be with you shortly." "Goodbye, Darling." "Don't forget." "I won't, Ma'am." "Thank you again." "Forgive me for making you wait." "Not at all, Ma'am." "Please, sit down." "I'm pleased that you decided to come." "Of course, Ma'am." "But I don't understand." "You said that  someone told you about me." " It doesn't matter." "All that matters is that we were able to meet each other." "I hope that we will become good friends." " I hope so too, but..." " A cup of tea?" "Leonardo, the tea!" "Right away, Ma'am." "The General has sent this letter." "Very good." "They tell me that you're an excellent pianist." "An excellent pianist?" "No, I only know a few notes." "Then perhaps I'm confusing you with another." "I'm so distracted." "But that's not important." "I hear that your husband is away at war." "Yes, for almost 3 years now." "I can imagine your anguish, how worried you must be." "Such a young, inexperienced woman  left to face life alone." "Please don't speak of it." "There are moments in which..." "There's no need to be dismayed." "When one is lucky enough to  have a mouth, eyes, and legs like yours..." "Sorry?" "I don't understand." "Here's the tea." " Do you take sugar?" " Just one, please." "That's enough, thank you." "Let's talk about something that might interest you." "I am perfectly informed on your current situation." "And there's a person... or, to be more exact a personality  that is just as informed." "It would be useless for me to  give you his name, but I can assure you that he would be ready  to help you in every possible way." "A substantial sum of money, for example." "Sorry, I don't understand." "What right does this person  have to just give me money?" " You know, an act of courtesy  of generosity." "I imagine, my dear, that you would be very kind  to him, as well." "Of course, all will be carried out  with the maximum discretion and secrecy." "What's wrong?" "There must be a mistake, Ma'am." "Evidently, it is someone else you wished to speak with." "Could be, but there's no need to take things the wrong way." "All I did was propose to you an opportunity." "Life can throw up such things." "This person has a very healthy interest in you." " It wouldn't be right to discourage him." " Please, that's enough." "As you wish." "You have my telephone number, my address..." "At any moment, if you wish..." " Miss, we had to... nothing serious!" " Sandrino!" "We had to call the doctor, but it seems to have passed." "Let me see." " Doctor!" " Miss, don't disturb him now, the boy is resting." " It would be best to leave him in peace." " But I have the right to know." "Miss, it would be useless to withhold the gravity of the situation." " Unfortunately, it's as I feared." " Well?" "The only option left for us is surgical intervention." " But it will be extremely difficult." " Anything, anything to save him." "There is only one specialist in Italy that could attempt such  an operation with hope of success." "Professor Bravi of Bologna." "Okay, let's call him immediately." "I can call him this very evening." "But you must remember  that the trains are not working so we will have to pay for a car." "Of course, he is not a venal man, but for him to be away from his  clinic and patients for two days, it will cost a lot of money." "It doesn't matter, whatever the cost." "I'll take care of it." " But Doctor, call him right away." " Very well." "I had just a few hours to find such a huge sum of money." "I knocked on every door." "I begged for help in every way." "I pleaded, asked for help from every friends, acquaintance  but with no luck." "Nothing, nothing..." "I resorted to even the most absurd ways of getting money." "But no one could help me, and the hours passed." "I thought I might go crazy out of worry, out of distress..." "But I would not give up." "I begged in the most humiliating way." "Nothing, nothing..." "I was bewildered, lost." "Nothing mattered anymore." "I would have given my life, if necessary  anything to save my dying child." "What is it, Miss?" "I need money, a large sum of money and right away." "Very well, it is possible." "A car will be there to pick you up at 5 o'clock this evening." " No, not at my house." " As you wish." "That was the price I had to pay  to save my child." "It's frightening, I know." "But there was no other way." "I felt degraded, humiliated." "But I was not ashamed." "I felt no remorse." "Then, almost as though fate had been testing me  everything suddenly became miraculously easy." "A miracle that arrived late." "The operation went well, the child got better." "I found work, earned some money." "That horrible memory became... .. nothing but a bad dream." "A terrible nightmare." "It was almost like it never happened." "And then you returned." "I was happy." "So happy that I was almost afraid of my happiness." "And then?" "Then one evening, two days after your arrival..." "Remember?" "That evening we were with Croci." "I saw that man again." "I hoped he wouldn't recognise me." "So much time had passed." "But his eyes were all over me." "An insulting gaze that all but undressed me where I stood." "I told you that I was tired, remember?" "That I wanted to go home." "But then I realised that he was following us and so  I asked if we could go somewhere else." "I didn't want him to know where I lived." "Then there was that phone call." "I knew straight away that it was him." "Then, then..." " Go on, continue." " That woman came to see me in the morning." "He sent her, and she wanted to blackmail me." "If I refused, I would have to tell you everything." "I went there hoping to convince him with my pleas." "I took your pistol in my handbag." "I had already decided everything." "It was such a terrible scene." "The more I pleaded, the more violent he became." "At one point he took me in his arms, I was struggling desperately." "We were tearing at each other." "I took out the pistol..." "I don't know how it happened." "I heard the shot, his scream..." "I saw him fall in front of me." "Then, then it's all a blur..." "Paolo!" "Please, say something!" "I have nothing to say." "No!" "I've confessed everything." "You can scorn me, hate me, but you don't have the right to judge me." "What else could I have done?" "Just let the child die?" "Give up my duty as a wife?" "An honest and faithful wife?" "What about my duty has a mother?" "Anyway, what have you ever done for us?" "You go off fighting and don't care about those you leave behind." "You return full of rights, ready to judge everyone." "All heroes, you men are!" "Then you should know that I'm  proud of what I've done." "I could have done like so many others  and found a friend to help me." "If you only knew how many  people offered their help." "But I preferred to sell myself  like the last of the prostitutes!" "And I'm not ashamed!" "Paolo!" "Out of the way." "Here I am." "Finally." "Did you get everything?" "Everything!" "Records, photographs..." "There's even the autopsy report." "No, I don't need that." " Did you get it from the chancellor?" " No, of course not!" "We have Ciccillo Gambardella to thank, he's a friend of mine." "The President of the Tribunal, next to him  you're nothing but a doorman." "I told him: you need to perform miracles for me and get hold of  all these documents." "5 minutes later, all ready." "If you had to give him a tip, just tell me and I'll pay it." "He wouldn't dream of it!" ", Ciccillo is a good friend of mine." " We really needed a photograph of the crime scene." " It's here." "Here it is." "You can see everything." "The cross signals the place where they found the body." "No, it's not clear enough." "Doctor!" "Would you mind telling me what it is you plan to do?" "Never mind, leave it to me." "Professor, remember that the other night we didn't see each other before 9." "How do you mean?" "Yes." "When you came here there was no one home  remember that." "We met by complete accident  before going to the police station." " We met by complete accident." " Yes." "It's not that I'm afraid." "I mean, I'm ready to say anything  anything you want." "I'll even swear it in front  of a judge, if necessary." "But let's be careful here." "Remember that justice system can be dangerous, it's inner workings..." "You put one hand in and then..." "We're going to screw them over?" "Okay." "You can pay me back with a dinner." "But let's be careful that we don't get screwed over ourselves." "Don't worry, Professor." "I know what I'm doing." "That armchair had been knocked over." "The body was found  close to the desk." "Obviously there was a violent struggle." "You see, Sir, one bullet was found embedded over there." "How many shots were fired in total?" "Four shots." "From the post-mortem we can see that just one  bullet made contact with the body of the deceased." "Well, I think that's everything." "Shall we write the report?" "Go ahead: "Today, the 27th of May, at 11:00 AM..."" "Excuse me?" " What is it?" " There's a gentleman here that wishes to talk with you." " With me?" "And who is it?" " I don't know." "He says it's urgent." " I won't be long." "Where is he?" " In the sitting room." "Good afternoon, Sir." "I was looking for you this morning  at the courthouse." "They told me you were here, and..." " Who are you?" " I'm Dr. Martini.." "... the husband of, yes..." " I see." "How can I help you?" "See, Sir, it's very important." "If it's regarding the investigation, I'd prefer to talk in my office." "No, please." "It's really very simple." "It wasn't my wife that killed him." "It was me." " You?" " Yes, me." "I had suspicions, not  not founded on facts, but on appearances." "That day, I followed my wife when she left the house." "Well, it's useless to go into detail." "I saw her enter the residence." "I managed to get into the garden without being seen." "From the window I saw what was going on in here." "I heard everything." "That man was blackmailing my wife  in the most terrible way, so I didn't hesitate." "The window was half-open." "I aimed and I fired." "And then?" "Then you ran away..." "Yes, I was also lucky in that I left the residence  without being seen by anyone." "And you left your wife like that  knowing that she would be blamed?" "That's true, but I didn't think." "I lost my head  and I ran away." "How many shots did you fire?" "I don't remember, one or two." "Perhaps more." "Listen, I appreciate the nobility of your sentiments and understand  your wish to clear your wife's name, but this version  of the facts doesn't seem plausible." " I assure you it's what happened." "If you like, I'll show you how I got in." "Here, look." "I came through the service door  found my way into the garden and hid behind the trees." "Then..." " I promise, it's the truth." " The truth?" "As Examining Magistrate, I will have to make a note of your  declarations, but as a man I must tell you that  it's puerile, unsustainable." "And above all will not in any way benefit your wife." "Then I ask you as a man:" "Help me, I beg you." "Help me." "Help you how?" "Help me to find a way to make my story more credible." " Sorry, you're asking me..." " Yes, I know." "I'm asking you to do something illegal, that goes against your duties  but it would be an act of humanity." "Perhaps you could find  in your investigation, some clue that would prove  the account that I just told you." "You would like me to help you pervert the course of justice?" "What does justice matter if it was me or my wife that killed him?" "As long as someone is found guilty." " I'll pay, it's the same thing." " No." "The court must punish only he or she who committed the crime." " And how can it know who the real guilty party is?" " What?" "Yes, perhaps we've all been guilty in recent times." "It's not atonement that I'm seeking, believe me." "Perhaps, the least guilty person in  this whole tragedy is actually my wife." "It could be that you're right." "I agree that in these cases one needs a higher, more comprehensive  form of justice, something that is beyond... .. mere human judgement and knows exactly how to carry out our  most wretched of laws." "But we are mere men." "They have given us these laws like a weapon to strike crime." " And it is our duty to do so." " Even if the justice  is unjust?" " It's not unjust." "It's tough, merciless, but not unjust." "Sir, I beg you, I must do something for my wife." "No." "You must not and cannot do anything." "Have faith." "Justice isn't an enemy looking for revenge." "Justice knows how to assess, how to understand." "It's a tough, painful truth that we have to put up with  and stay strong for." "I repeat, have faith." "Did you see this?" "The ruling is tomorrow." " Do you think they'll convict her?" " Of course, it's almost a certainty." " She killed a man." " Yes, but in self defence." "I hope so, for her sake." "I can't wait until it's over." "Wait here, I'll be right back." "Good evening, Mr. Croci." "Good evening, Ma'am." "Is there any news?" "The testimonies have all been favourable." "The victim  seems such a suspicious figure." "Of course!" "He was the worst you'll find in all of Rome." "You should hear some of the things I know about him..." "Then why didn't you testify?" "Well, in certain places, when you're in the dock... .. and the carabinieri... and I'd have to tell everyone about the  deals we worked on together." "But tomorrow, at the risk of  ending up inside, I'll come along." " There you go." "Sir, off you go, please." "There's nothing doing with her, that one's dancing with me." " If you'd like to invite her over..." " No, thank you, that's okay." "She's just a friend of mine." "A wife is all well and good  but it's always the same old soup." "Apart from you, that is." "I mean, if you were my wife..." "A real piece of woman like you..." "I'm just saying, you know..." "Your wife isn't even made up." "That is, what I mean to say..." "I should go." "Good evening, see you later." " Here, it's free." " Hello?" "The public prosecutor has just finished." "Yes, the lawyers  have already spoken." "He asked for the word of the defence." "Yes, a magnificent speech." "Instead of accusing her  it sounded like he was defending her." " Thank goodness." "What?" "How much did he ask for?" "And you call that a defence?" "That's an offence!" "Alright." "We're here waiting." "What did he say?" "The public prosecutor gave a magnificent speech  and asked for 7 years." " What do you mean, 7 years?" "Don't worry." "That's the public prosecutor  not the defence attorney." " What now?" "Now the jury has retired to deliberate." " Will it be long?" " Well, it might be a while." "You know, they retire and each one of them says his or her piece  time passes while we wait..." "Professor, I can't go on like this." "All this waiting will kill me." "Calm down." "If all goes well, it'll only take a few hours." "Hello?" "Yes, I'm calling to say  that the jury is coming back in." "They're calling the people back." "I don't know." "Everyone is amazed because  they were so quick about it." " Professor, you talk to him." "I can't take it." " Hello?" "Hello?" "Go ahead, go ahead." "The ruling!" " Not guilty!" " Hello?" "Not guilty!" " Doctor, she's been acquitted!" " Yes!" "Doctor, can I say something?" "I was so afraid." "I figured that no one would be able to overturn 7 years." "Thank goodness." "Have they changed their mind?" "Is that you, Professor?" "Yes, my wife is with Patrizia." "Poor thing, she's very emotional." "It would be better if we  took her back to our house, just to avoid any further stress." "Right." "Croci says they're taking her to their house, okay?" " Yes." " Alright, we'll see you there." "We should hurry." "Professor, I have no desire to see my wife again." " What?" " Yes, that's right." "And I hope that you, who has  become our best friend, will help me take care of things." "I've already hired an attorney." "I have to inform the bank..." "All I wanted is one thing:" "that my son stays with me." "I don't think Patrizia will have anything against it." "And the rest, time will take care of." "Well, I don't think there's anything else to say." " So, you're leaving her?" " Yes." "Well, if you've already decided, there's nothing I can do." "Actually, no." "There is one thing I want to say." "I remember, you told me once, that when you got back  to Italy they told you that the war passed by Rome  without touching it." "That's not true, Doctor." "This is a war that didn't spare anything, or respect anything." "In some places the bombs fell and the houses were smashed to pieces." "Here, the houses are still standing  but the ruin is just the same." "Everything has been ruined." " Everything has to be rebuilt." " I'm sorry, I don't understand." "Let me speak." "If someone's house is ruined, what does he do?" "I don't think he just leaves." "He takes a piece of wood, begins to prop it up  gathers some bricks, some rocks, clears away the rubble." "Little by little he puts it back up." "This has happened to you." "Your house has crumbled  but you won't get anything back by simply leaving." " This is the moment to rebuild it." " You think I should stay." "Yes, I've thought about it." "I feel so tired and cowardly that..." "But now that this tragedy is over, I don't see anything but  the truth, grotesque and ridiculous." "There's something, Professor, that I won't ever be able to forget." "That my wife betrayed me." "No, I couldn't live with her anymore." "These are the usual, cliché things that people say." "Listen to me  leave these things to the romance writers  that are probably all bitter, anyway." "Doctor, in this case it takes  more courage to forgive than to run." "I lost my wife and daughter in Naples  half a metre away from me." "It's a miracle I wasn't touched." "And if it was a miracle, it means that the small amount I  contribute to life, is needed." "So, I didn't run away." "I never spoke to anyone about that." "But with you two, yes." "Even if my wife had betrayed me, just to see her again  to get closer to her  I would have forgiven her not once, but a thousand times." "Here, there has been  a Flood, a Deluge." "Imagine if Noah, after the Flood  had a disagreement with his wife and left on his own  went off to inform his bank." "How would the world begin anew?" "My God, perhaps it would have been better." "But, since it began anew, why don't we begin anew, too  heaven knows we need it." " Then what should I do?" "Nothing." "Life will go on." "Nothing happened." "Remember that evening you  invited me to dinner?" "Well, there was  a little delay." "She comes home, we lay the table  as it was before, no scenes, no arguments  no forgiveness." "Like nothing happened." "Well, shall we sit at the table?" "Sandrino, let's go." "Sandrino has an appetite." "Sandrino sits there." "The lady, over here." "Let me take your bag and hat." "Sit down." "Doctor, come on." "Sit yourself down." "That there is my place, and you had better not forget it!" "Now I'll go and get the soup." "Doctor, another recipe of mine, another masterpiece!" "It'll knock you out!" "Wait there..." "Here it is." "Smell that?" "What did Confucius say?" ""The pleasures of the table..."" ""... destroy the pleasures of life." But this is nothing but nonsense." "Because the true pleasures..."