"It was not the first time one of us had found himself in prison, for a brawl at pool, some police back talk or some kind of bravado." "It was not the first time Nando was waiting for a friend outside the prison to take him back across the bridge, back to our borough, a borough we loved exactly for being the way it was." "alley after alley, houses all crammed up in a tiny space, that marked the border between our condition as men, and the rest of the city." "To live in our borough meant being contented with little," "learning a craft, enlarging one's workshop, being the pool king, having a girl, and, sometimes, two." "What are you waiting for?" "Go open up." "Or with sharing a motor bike, Iike OteIIo, the barber," "Nando, who worked on photopIays in his spare time, and Franco, the beverage seller, did." " Coming from prison?" "How was it?" " Why don't you try." "I'II show you in?" "It's easier for you." "you're a regular." " My love." "let's get married right away!" " Get lost!" "Bye." "You're starting so early..." "I'm venting it out in words!" "I'd wish it!" "Cut it out. bastard!" " Let it go. you're breaking it." " Nando. we stroke gold with it." "Hear her sing?" "Hey." "NuvoIari. cut it out. or we'II get to sell it to scrap metal!" "We've all three bought it." "and you want to ride it only you two!" " Then learn how to use it!" " If I never try it. how will I learn?" "Nando." "Nando. it's for you." " The usual suItana." " Coming." " The exotic flower on the phone!" " Mari'!" "You're back again!" "You barely got pinched." "and you're out again!" "Must be that I'm odious." "they don't want me inside." "On the contrary." "I find you cute." "I'd put you in for life." "I know it." "I've told you. there's no girls in this shop." "The one answering the phone?" "She's at Ieast fifty!" " I'II throw you out!" " She's old enough to be my mother!" "I'd wish it!" "I'd slap you all day long." "What's the voice got to do with it?" "!" "Her voice isn't ruined." "D'you hear him?" "Look at him in the face." "not in the comics!" " You're nasty!" " I'II tell you afterwards." " Mari'. please tell him to cut it off!" " You do it." "I can't move." "I'm old!" "I can't tell it to you know." "I'II tell you later." "Bye." "Read." "Bye." "Nando." "hello?" "D'you hear her?" "We should split the phone expenses!" "hello?" " Hurry up. give me a granatina." " A granatina?" " Yes." " still eating that at your age?" " What'd you eat without me?" "What're you talking about...?" "!" " help me." " Why. you can't make it on your own?" " beautiful." " Yeah. but keep your distance." " Why?" "Can't I even look at it?" " You can never now!" "I'm an expert in engines." " I know you're en expert." " Have I ever stolen you anything?" "Here... we're all family." "Nice having you as a relative!" "Give me a granatina!" "I've got work to do." "I've got three Vespe to deliver for this evening!" " fly white dove, fly..." " Here. with wasps and mosquitoes!" " D'you want to be all week on the phone!" "?" " tell her she won't be alone anymore..." "AII this only to tell me we're working on the Pyramid tonight!" "?" " That I won't leave her..." " AIright. bye." " Nando. are you going out?" " I'm having a shooting at the pyramids." "What pyramids?" " At San PaoIo." "at the tram stop." "Don't you want to laugh when you see yourself in the papers with that turban?" "I don't read photo stories." "And you. with these pants?" "D'you think it's serious?" "This my work. and. then." "I've got a weakness for pants." "I know that." "Nando. will you tell me something?" "That one on the phone was the usual bugger?" "She was a bengal tiger!" "Get lost!" "She's mad, this one!" "Hey. kid. what're you doing here?" "Move!" "tell me the truth..." "Don't you Iike him?" " D'you a man'd do such cIowning?" " But he's a handsome guy!" " What've you set your mind on?" " I Iike him." "How cheeky!" "Luciano. come here." " What?" " I'II be gone today." " you go on cleaning those valves." " I already have." " shall I clean the carburator?" " No. clean the valves." "until I tell you to stop." "And then you get mad if I want to change trade!" "Nando. off making cinema?" "Lucky you." "with all those dolls around...!" "careful. 'cause the hottest always have a brother that punches. and I'm watching." " What're you talking about?" " You know!" " Is my sister in?" " She's there." "Going to play Bob taylor?" "Lucky you. being an artist!" "Adriana!" " What?" " will you spruce me up for this evening?" "hello." "Mr. Nando. when will you give up being a mechanic?" "You've got such a succes with the photopIays!" "I don't have an restaurant." "like your husband. does." "madame." "I need the money to scrape a living." "Men think only about money." "With everything else laying around for them...!" " OteIIo!" " Yes." " will you check my hair?" " Here it is." "Very good." "Adriana has the hands of an elf." "Yes. she has." "but I'd shorten it more." "It must match a dress I had made." "It makes me crazy that dress!" "Every time I wear it. my husband suIks... .. It shows everything..." "There'd be a reason..." "You're too beautifuI. you must understand him!" "Yes. but he never tries to understand me." " Bye." "Adriana." " Bye." "She complains... but if one day Cesare really understands her...!" " shall we go to the cinema this evening?" " Haven't you had enough asking me?" " I hope one day there'II play a movie you Iike." " Then. keep on hoping." "If half of 200 vehicles." "Vespe and cars. stop." " there'd be 200 drinks per hour." " Even you think about money." " Money matters a Iot." " A company could be started." "Try and speak to Cesare." "I don't like doing business with friends." "one always ends up fighting." "What if I'd take care of it?" "It's more difficult fighting with a woman." " You've said it." " But I'm smart." "I'd be embarassed with you." "Why?" "Can't you imagine me as a partner?" "The problem is that... .. yes. after all..." " I can only imagine you as Cesare's wife." " That's a pity." "What'd you want to do. mrs." "Ines?" "Try and imagine." "Ines. enough with this granatina!" "Look at you. how you're dressed!" "If you move a little more. it'II burst!" "Don't you realize they all turn their heads when you walk?" "It must be they like it!" "Do they take anything from you?" "You don't get to the third round with that one!" "You want to compromise me?" "D'you want me to be the talk of the town?" "Stay put a second!" "Can't you move like the others do?" "They're all looking at you." "Let them drool!" " What d'you want?" " Nothing." "just looking." " Looking at what?" "!" "Bring the palm in!" "Move!" "Here." "More." "No, too much." "That's it." "Ready?" "Expression!" "Expression." "Nando!" " I'm here. don't you see me?" " Remember the character, you're a passionate man." "we must see passion in your eyes." " in how you hold her." " hold me tight." " I am." " Not like this." "like when we're alone." "I can't. with all these people!" "There even are policemen." "There's no expression." "there's nothing in your eyes." "This where readers should cry!" " You're saying good-bye for ever." " I'd wish it..." "What did you say?" "Nothing. don't mind it. nothing." "I've had it. we can't go on like this." "he does it on purpose!" "Not only is he making fun of me." "but he's cold as ice!" "How can I act?" "Try making him kiss a motorbike." "maybe he'II get turned on!" "Because." "I don't know." "but you'd say he isn't a man!" " It's you that says this to me?" " Don't be vulgar!" " You'II never be an artist." " The hell I care!" "Then why do you do this job?" "cool down. cool down." "I'm a mechanic." "I do this to scrap a living." "CouIdn't you have gone scraping it somewhere else?" "!" "Who sent you here to..." "I didn't come looking for you!" "You came and filled my head with nonsense!" "And that I was a macho." "that I had eyes... how were my eyes?" "Dark. but Iimpid." "You've said this stuff!" "We?" "It was you!" "You always discover the divi !" "At least if you'd keep them for yourself!" "Enough." "now you've really bored me!" "Now I'm nervous." "and can't work anymore." " Break." "Cestino." " Break." "We'II continue in one hour." "You bring my food here." "I won't move!" "Understood?" "And let's hurry up. 'cause tomorrow's Sunday. and I don't work." "On Sunday's I wash." "spruce up and go dancing!" "Franco." "leave me alone." " Don't listen to them." "You're my love." " Can't you stop joking?" "I swear to you. true love is when you've been knowing each other since you're kids" "Better open your kiosk." "'cause if my brother gets back." "he'II make you swallow all your granatine in one gulp." "Don't worry about him. at this hour he's on Iine with Sahara." "You're even prettier than usually today!" "How can I forget you?" " Why. you can't?" " How could I. I see you every other five minutes!" "Am I supposed to vanish away?" "No. it's not that. but we've decided to break up. and not see each other anymore." "so let's break up." "and not see each other anymore!" "Who's holding you?" "!" "Listen." "Adriana!" "What a mess!" "Wait." "Adriana!" "Damn it!" "Are you mad on me?" "What did I do to you?" "Haven't you understood that if I behave this way is because I don't want to treat like I do the other girls?" "If I'd have. by now..." " My brother'd have smashed your face." " exactly!" "And then I'd have had to marry you." "and you'd have starved." " Good excuse!" " It's not my fault if I don't have a dime" "Imagine if I couId open a kiosk on Cristoforo CoIombo st!" "You don't want it on FIaminia st. anymore?" "No way." "I've thought about it!" "On Cristoforo CoIombo st. thousand of cars and Vespe go by every hour." "and people get thirsty." "They have to get thirsty!" "A street without trees. without anything." "it's made for selling refreshments!" "Wake up!" "You're always dreaming!" "Now that you're free." "all women are yours!" "Forget it." "I always hit it well with women!" "I'm a gentIeman. or there'd be some things I couId tell you!" "Luciano. don't brag. you can't tell a woman from a tire!" "I know them. if they don't have nice tits." "I'm not interested." "Got to lean on something..." "Hi." "Adria'." "Hi." "Luciano." "have you forgotten that one?" "Me." "I have something to remember!" " I taught Adriana how to make love!" " hell of a teacher!" "Hey!" " What were you saying?" " Nothing." "I'm a gentleman." "No. you got to explain it. or I'II give you a slap you'II never forget!" "What d'you care?" "Adriana isn't your girl." " And what if she'd be?" " Yeah. sure..." "From now on you know it." "Adriana's mine." "and you leave her alone!" "If you want my advice." "you should leave her alone." "It's better!" "Mister OteIIo. do me a favour and come help me!" "Stop struggling!" "Move!" "Leave me alone!" "Damn you!" "Crop him. please!" "Madame." "I don't want to deal with this one!" "He's not mean!" "Bastard!" "Come on. move!" " Damn it!" " Adriana!" " Yes?" "Come help me. please!" "Cowards. there's two of you!" "Be a good boy. and I'II buy you candy." "You won't sweet talk me with candy anymore!" "Kid. you don't know me yet!" " I'II kill you!" " kill who?" " You!" "Don't move!" "I heard you argue with Luciano." "Yes. we were arguing about "Rome"." "OteIIo." "look into my eyes." "d'you think I dind't hear?" "Are you an indian." "you wanna scalp me?" "!" "delinquent." "I'II cut your head off!" "Answer me." "instead of picking on the kid!" "Why. what did I say?" "You said I'm your girl." "I'd also like to know about these things." "You're making out." "and hacking about my heat!" "Be a good boy." "If what I said would be true." "wouIdn't you Iike it?" "Adria'." "I couldn't say how it slipped... no. as a matter of fact." "I do." "I'd be happy... .. if you'd be my girl." "You feel like joking this morning?" "You know what I mean by "my girl"." "Getting married." "D'you think it's so easy?" "Just like that." "and it'd a done thing?" "!" "Caring a little is not enough for getting married." " there has to be real love!" " exactly!" "That's what I was saying!" "If a girl was to marry a nice man." "I'm sure you'd be the one she should choose." " You'd be..." " Then you'd consider it?" "No." "I already have." "How come you already thought about it?" "!" "I didn't tell you anything!" "You see..." "girls begin thinking about love." "way before you boys do." "Hey." "Ote'. you blew it!" "Curse you. your mother who brought you and to me who took you!" "Across the square there's a hairdresser with a little horse. go there!" " You'd Iike it better." " No." "I Iike you better!" "hello?" "What are you saying?" "Speak louder." "I can't hear you!" "Cut it out with those comics." "I can't hear anything!" "No." "I was not talking to you." "What?" "Don't make me laugh." "a pair of pants?" "!" "What for?" "They've stolen mine while I was shooting!" "Don't joke." "I can't put on the sultana's pants!" "Come here. quickly!" "In front of the entrance to the circus." "Take a taxi." "I'm paying!" ""What a night!" "only the white knight was galloping... "" "Wrap up a pair of pants." "Which one?" "Any pair." " Pharaoh!" " You took your time!" " I came by camel." " Wait here." "Need anything else?" " It's you that sewed the pants?" " Yes." "Mari', d'you want to know something?" "I wouldn't buy not even a night cap from you and that tailor of yours!" "You'd need a huge one with the head you've got!" "Mine's big, but yours is empty." "So it's empty!" "?" "D'you to start again?" " Where's the bike?" " There. hope they didn't steal that one." "Let's go." "You always turn to me when you're in trouble." "True. but what can I do." "I always stumble upon you!" "That's how you thank me..." "Cut it out." "want me to drop on my knees?" "You drop on your kness in the comics." "in front of that one that calls you twenty times a day!" "Mari'. if you didn't have that temper of yours." "if you wouldn't be so fierce that everytime one wants to caress or talk to you." "you try to bite..." "You would be nice." "Who says you must find me nice?" " Up you go. and hold this." " What else!" "?" " Come on!" " When will you buy a car?" "You're an actor." "you make a Iot of dough." "but you bought this bike in three!" "I should have left you naked!" "You're crazy!" " Go slowly!" " Can't go sIowIier than this!" "Mari'... .. don't you think you are holding me too tight?" "You're conceited!" "Evenings in our borough were always the same." "We were meeting in the bars, the pooIrooms, or in the middle of the square" "But our pathes didn't always cross." "Sometimes, someone didn't take the the straight one, due to a misunderstood lust for life." " Here" " Thanks." "Adriana. the cheese!" "As soon as that crazy Franco goes by." "there you are. watching!" " I'd Iike to know what you find at him!" " Nothing." "I Iook at whom I wish. without having to ask permision from no one!" "No!" "You don't look at that one." "and you don't think about him!" "I don't think about him!" "Adria'..." ".. you don't fool me." "I ain't no kid!" " And neither am I!" "I don't like being controlled!" "In any case. he's not a guy for a serious girl!" "His mother's iII. and he's off to Ostia." "picking up girls!" "It's his business if he wants to sell drinks. or to pick up girls." "Here." "I'm going out." "Where to?" " To Marisa's." "I must do her hair." " Yes..." "Do her hair..." "A new head." "that's what she'd need!" "I've got it. mister AnnibaIe." " So. the grey pants. without a crease." " alright." "The other pairs. regular." " Can I help?" " No!" "Why are you telling it to me so many times?" "I'm no beginner!" "Have you thought about what I've told you?" "Forget. mister AnnibaIe." "it's not the time for it." " would you Iike a drink?" " Thanks." "Can I still hope?" " Hope on." " I don't need no hasty answer..." "I..." "Marisa." "I..." "If you were anyone else." "you'd have got your answer long ago!" " Marisa. if..." " You mustn't press on!" "I've told you so many times!" "You might think my sentiments aren't sincere. but it isn't so!" "Marisa." "I'm no boy no more. but a man." "a serious man..." "That's exactly the problem." "that you aren't a boy anymore!" "I Iike boys of my own age!" "Cheers. mister AnnibaIe." "Marisa." "I don't like joking..." "I really love you and I'm convinced..." "I'm sure that..." "You won't lead a lady's life..." "but you won't want anything!" "I won't want anything?" "I'd want love!" "It ain't a small thing. is it?" "!" "Come on. don't make a tragedy out of it..." "That's how things stand today." "but tomorrow... maybe, tomorrow..." "I don't know..." " Then there still is hope?" " 'evening." " Hi." " Good evening." "Some Iong-faces you've got!" "What happened to you?" "Nothing. nothing..." "It's our problem." "Adriana." "I've got it..." "Marisa." "Don't be sad. mister AnnibaIe." "Marisa doesn't do it because she's nasty." "It's because..." "Come." "Now you'II understand." "You see. mister AnnibaIe?" "Look at them." "Our boys are all here." "We've known each other since we were born." "We've always been together." "If a girl would imagine a girl." "it's at one of those she'd think about." "Marisa... me also." "Even if we still don't know who we're thinking at." "He could be OteIIo. or Franco." "But it'd be one of them." "Good evening. mrs." "Ines." "Good evening. mister Franco." "Come in. or are you busy?" "No. no..." "Cesare went shooting pool?" "Yes." "I'II be going also." "I really can't understand men's pleasures!" "What else is there to do?" "For now I've got no girlfriend..." "You must be the retiring kind." "Better help me fold the tablecloth." " They must be waiting for me..." " Let them wait." "They must have started the game without you by now." "Some people spend all their days in the poolroom." "I really can't understand what fun they find in it!" "There are so many more interesting things!" "On Sundays. we go dancing nearby." "Lucky you." "you at Ieast get to move!" "Who knows." "maybe one day I'II also come." "would you Iike dancing with me?" "Have you gone mad?" "I wasn't born yesterday." "sister Ines..." "It looks like you were..." " What d'you want from me?" " Are we playing hide and seek?" " Come." "let me through." " Give me a kiss." "only one." "Try doing better!" "I'II only need one bowl." " Coffee for all?" " Done." "Bartender. get ready!" "I won't even look!" "When "ta-ta" is the sound." "the player hits the ground!" "What did I tell you!" "?" "Four coffees!" " I'II try." " It's useless." "There's no way you can do it..." "Is it clear?" "!" "I'm the only one who can do better!" " Move it." " Where to?" " I must shoot. don't you see the bowls?" "!" "Happy?" "I don't understand you." "You've been saying the same thing for half an hour." "ExactIy. don't be so pushy." " I'm the pushy one now!" "?" " Be a good girI. and give me a kiss." "Listen... if I kiss you." " will you then cut it out?" " Of course!" "Mister Cesare!" "There's someone!" "Wait." " Mrs. Ines, can I have a flask of wine?" " Sure." " A little more and I'd have left." " I was bottling the new wine." "I've seen mister Cesare in the street." "Was he coming here?" "I thought he had already arrived." "I was unlucky, and, then, there were too many people around!" "What's that go to do?" "!" "Come on..." "You'd have done better with a cue..." "With all your bets, I didn't even get to play one single game tonight!" "You got beaten like a pilgrim in the 1 950 Christian jubilee!" "Are you kiddin'?" "They call me the "little pool Pope"!" "Yeah. sure. the little Pope..." "I didn't know fairies went through this aIIey. at this hour!" "She must have needed some repairing!" "Oh. my. what legs!" " Good evening. dottore." " Good evening." "Nando. have you put it in third gear?" "They're making fun of you." "What d'you care. they're jerks!" "We've been broadcasting from the Stadio OIimpico in Rome the match counting for the serie A championship between "Lazio"and "SpaI", that has concluded with the following score: "Lazio" 0, "SpaI"5." "Some other final results:" "In milan, "MiIan"defeats "Rome" with 5 to 1..." "Are you going out?" "Yes. why. is it forbidden?" " Where're you going?" " Dancing." "Dancing?" "Have you gone mad?" "It's Sunday today!" "That's exactly why." "When'd you want me to go dancing." "on the Day Of The Dead?" "The restaurant will soon be full with people." "On holidays, some go to the restaurant, and others go dancing." "What's with this novelty?" "What's got into your head out of a sudden?" "It got that once in a while I need to take a break." "And that's the only way you can take a break. dancing?" "One takes a break how he can." "Don't you go shooting pool every night?" "well." "I go dancing!" "What's that got to do. billiard's a serious thing. a sport." " Where you spend a sack of money!" " No." "I'm good." "I win!" "And I'm good at dancing!" "Who are you going dancing with?" "And where?" "Where'd you want me to go?" "At the embassy?" "At the borough ballroom!" "And for going at that dump you had to put on so much perfume?" "would you want me to stink?" "It doesn't suit you mingling with that rabble!" "You must understand..." "you're a lady!" "It's ladies that have fun... .. and that go out on Sundays." "I meant you're married woman." "Don't remind it to me." "Ce'!" "Don't remind it to me!" "What's all this about?" "Nothing." "It slipped out." "Even married women have fun." "sometimes." "With their husbands." "of course." "Even old ones do;" "more so the young ones." "But you lend it a deaf ear." "There's the restaurant." "the poolroom..." "But I'm young!" "Can't you understand that?" "!" "And so I go dancing!" "CouIdn't you wear something else?" "What's wrong with this one?" "!" "Why all these questions?" "Why don't you come with me?" "Going with you... to dance!" "Bye, Ce'!" "Look. here's Latini!" "Who's this Latini?" " Hi." " Can I have an autograph. please?" " D'you want mine also?" " Yes." "Thank you." "I signed it "MarIon Brando"." "Mister Latini. it's a pleasure having you here." "please." "Your brother's really a poser." "He believes it!" "You're jealous?" "hello, GiuIiana." "hello, my little one." "D'you see that one?" "It's Latini!" " Give me the paper." " What are you up to?" " Excuse me. can I have an autograph?" " With pleasure." "Can you sign." "or you'II put a cross?" " What's your name?" " CaIdaron UItimina." " You're writing a dedication?" " To UItimina. with sympathy." "With a Iot of sympathy." "Dance with me." "I'm bored." "Don't you dance?" " I don't feel like it." " Not even with me?" "It's exactly with you that I don't feel like dancing!" "I'd Iike to know what I did to you!" "Come here!" "D'you dance?" " I'm busy." " Come!" "Even Dina's busy." " Ote'!" " Eh?" " You've stopped on my foot." " Sorry." "Are you comfortable?" "Who's moving?" "!" "May I?" "Don't worry." "I'II tell your mother." "Sister Ines." "is Cesare coming?" "Yeah. sure..." " Introduce me!" " Get lost!" "Good evening. madame." "Adriana. do me a favour." "dance with me." "So you can make that one jealous?" "You're a jerk!" "You'II never understand me!" "AII alone?" "I wanted to have a little fun." "Are you alone?" "Doesn't look like it..." " As a matter of fact I'm with the others." " I've noticed." " It's so hot!" "shall we drink something?" " With pleasure." "Two Cokes!" "well... .. isn't there anything you want to tell me?" "No... .. I really wouldn't know..." "Not even "good evening"?" "Good evening?" "Why?" "Because you didn't say it yesterday." "Yesterday?" " Ah.... yesterday!" " You don't remember yesterday!" "?" "Why did you run away?" "I had told you to wait for me." " shall we dance?" " Yes." "OteIIo!" "Come." "let's dance!" "Of course." "that's why I came!" "What is it." "Adriana?" "Nothing." "Are you tired?" "No. on the contrary." "I don't come often to dance." "and I'm not used to it." "If you want." "we can go back to the table." "No. no..." "I enjoy dancing." "Even with me?" "Yes." "OteIIo. d'you like Ines?" "She sure isn't ugly." "I know." "you men like this type." "I have someone else on my mind." "and you know it." "Do you realize you're always repeating the same thing?" "The thing is I'II repeat it until you get it." "I got it..." "No." "You haven't got it." "It's not that I only like you Iike this." "like you say." "I want to marry you!" "That's some piece of news!" "Going dancing with you it's a hell of a fun!" "What can I do." "I'm a poor dancer." "and I don't even like it" "And when shooting for comics." "how d'you manage?" "You don't have to dance there." "you just pose." "Now I get it why you've been laying motionless like a statue for half an hour!" "CouIdn't you at Ieast put a caption over your head?" "I'd have done better staying at home." "sewing a pair of pants!" "Why don't you go home." "if you don't have fun?" "Of course I'II go!" "Mari'. can't you take a joke anymore?" "Very funny!" "You ask me to go dancing." "and then you can't dance!" "You pull up that "To Be Continued" face "!" " Mari'!" " What?" "You've talked so much. you've made me thirsty." "Let's go to the bar." "We better should." "Tomorrow's the hairdressers' contest." "I'd Iike you to model for me." "I've got a great hairdressing ready." "I can't lose with a model like you." "You wanna exploit me." "If you help me." "and we win this contest." "we'II start making a name for ourselves." "we'II have more customers." "and we'II aford a beautiful pulsating neon sign saying:" ""OteIIo and Adriana"..." ""Wife and Husband"." "You surely do go fast!" "Life's great. no?" " Let's sit down." " No. wait a second." "If it's true what you've told me." "that you Iike me a little." "let's get engaged." "For now." "without telling anyone." "Being together we might uderstand if we're made one for each other." "But we are together all day long!" "Yes. but at work." "You on one side of the curtain and I on the other side." "And with some annoying client!" "My love..." "You're good at it. aren't you?" "Come." "Adriana. make me happy." "After aII. you may be right... .. let's try." "really?" "really." "Let's go." "Come!" "Ines..." "I must talk to you." "That's why I took you out." "talk." "Don't come any closer..." "What did you want to say to me?" "I must be honest." "I Iike teasing girIs. that's all I know." " Then tease me!" " Not you. you're not a girl." " Then why did you start?" " What do I know..." "We kissed." "I Iike you. all do." "but you're not a girl." "you're Cesare's wife!" "You wouldn't be moraIizing me." "would you?" "No..." "I'm pleased I've kissed you." " WouIdn't you be afraid" " Afraid of whom?" "There's always Cesare." "He's not really a friend." "but we shoot pool together." "and sometimes he even pays me a drink." "I'm really laughable!" "I'm sorry." "Ines..." "I've always thought I'II change." "I can't go on selling granatinas for the rest of my Iife!" " I'd Iike to open a bar." " What's that got to do?" "!" "It does!" "Because if I screw up big time." "I'm sure I'II never change!" "I talk a Iot." "and play the local Casanova... then I realize I've fallen for a girl." "I tell her and she... .. paff. gets married!" "You must think I'm stupid." "don't you?" "Not quite stupid." "Then. you aren't mad. are you?" "No... it's even better like this." "I'd have gone aIong. if you'd have wanted." "but I'm sure I'd have died of shame afterwards." "Maybe it's better." "My love." "would you really like this dance?" "I'd say so." "that's why we came here." "Let's try it." "But. remember." "I don't know how to dance." "Don't cry if I walk on your feet." "AIright. alright." "I'II keep them away." "They know you around here." " They don't want to make you look bad..." " You'II see the next one..." "I did what Mahommed did." "The mountain wasn't coming to me." "so it's me who came to the mountain." "Hi." "Excuse me..." "Let me introduce Miss Marisa to you." " Miss." "alba del Bosco. a colleague." " Who'd she be. the BenagaI tigress?" "I'm supposed to be his mother." "the one answering the phone. and having an well preserved voice." "Anyway. as one has to leave youngsters among themseIves. have a good time!" "So this are the Vespe and the fifty-year-oIds?" "!" " Why did you come here for?" " Because I wanted to see you." "Because I couldn't bear being without you. while you..." "I've been looking everywhere for you." "at home. at the shop." "but you were nowhere to be found." "Then they told me you were here." "I didn't know you were leading a double life." "And what's this double life?" "Yes... while I think you're working and thinking about me. you go dancing!" " Don't shout!" "What's with these scenes?" " I'm not moving from here!" "Hi." "Luciano." "Hi." "MarceIIa." "Are you also going dancing?" "I'd Iike to. but..." "could you lend me the money for the admission?" "I'm broke." "Don't they ever pay you?" "No. they don't pay me." "Why don't you come take a walk with me?" " But you've got no money!" " You don't need money to take a walk." "Cut it out." "I know." "I should have been Nando." "Can I go in for a sec?" "I must say something to my sister." " AIright. but hurry up." " Thank you." "shall we dance?" "No. afterwards." "What are you doing here?" "should I always stay at home?" "Am I to become a nun?" "This ain't the place for a kid to be in." "There's some people...!" "Let's go!" "Are you nervous?" "You shouldn't have come here!" "You're not mad on me." "but on Nando." "The bengal tigress is stealing him away from both of us." "I can't ever do anything." "I must always stay at home!" "Attenion!" "Attention!" "Ladies and gentIemen. we have the pleasure to announce you that here with us are the queen of photopIays." "alba del Bosco." "together with her partner, Nando Latini." "And now. in their honour." "the band will play a boogie-woogie." " See you on Sunday" " Yes. on Sunday!" "Hi." "Luciano." "What're you doing here." "prompting the wall?" "Forget it." " Since when are you here?" " Since it started." "What're you doing. spying?" "I ain't got no girl." "and I can't dance." "A hell of a fun dancing is!" "Have you seen Marisa go out?" " Yes. she was angry." " She's making us all angry!" "If you wanna get in." "I can pay your ticket." "You could have thought about it from the beginning!" "Taking care of a friend." "That's what one neglects doing." "Luciano wasn't sociable enough, and we often left him alone." "And maybe that's why he had pondered something that might have ruined him." "How many things had happened that Sunday!" "How many little dramas, how many stories, stopped as soon as they had begun." "Adriana had got engaged with OteIIo," "Marisa, Iike always, had quarrelled with Nando." "Franco had given up his affair." "As for Ines, it hadn't been easy for her to go back home." "She had drifted for hours with an empty heart, and, in the end, she had decided to go away for good." "Because you can't go on living defeated where you were born and raised." "and where happines, if you thought about it, was in your grasp." "There's nothing to be said." "There's no need for words." "it's so obvious." "What is?" "That you're going away." "Yes." "And where're you going?" "Away." "I'm not coming back." "This was also obvious." "At least you're taking it calmly." "old men are either caIm. or mad." " I'm calm." " No. you only try being smart." "I know you!" "You play the superior man!" "But inside..." "Don't you bother with what's inside me." " Then why don't you shout?" " Because there's no reason." "But there is." "It almost happened!" "For a little something!" "So?" "Hit me!" "Shout!" "I would if you'd stay." "but since you're going." "it'd be an useless effort." "What a man!" " You tell him that only for a little something..." " Don't tell me anything more" "For a man my age." "husband of a woman your age." "that "little" is enough." "Happy you..." "Happy us all..." "Better like this." " Better like this." " Don't repeat it!" "Don't be angry on yourself." "Ines." "Today. a thing that I don't know. and don't want to know. happened..." "But it gave you the Iast push." "It happened I realized I am young." "And if today I came back home... almost clean..." "I don't know what'II happen tomorrow!" "I don't want to have you on my conscience." "I don't want it!" "Fair." "So your going away." "I did well for the mistakes I made." "I made the mistake." "No. reassure yourself." "I made the mistake." "A young girl like you was bound to make a mistake." "Young girls like men with grey hair." "but woe to who marries them!" "The day after they realize the husband is a wreck." "What has that got to do?" "It has. it has..." "He wears long." "wooIen underwear." "he doesn't like balls." "nor having fun." "It's not that he doesn't want. he does." "it's the strength that's lacking." "What must that poor young woman feel?" "Anger!" "So it's me that made the mistake!" "I... it was my duty not to lose my head." "and to realize my age." "I married you right away. so not to give you time to change your mind." "I hoped you'II remain asleep..." "who knows till when." "But you woke up." "And here I am. oId. tired." "and here you are." "young. beautiful." "full of Iongings." "I made the mistake." "Ines." "And now." "why're you crying?" "I'm not crying." "It's better like this." "It's better like this." "Now don't you repeat it." "PIease. do me a favour and go away." "You do me a favour... .. and leave me this dress." "But you don't like it." "exactly." "I want to burn it!" "How difficult going away is, surrendering." "Abandoning feelings, the memories of certain years, the streets, the squares, where our childhood went by." "Here it is." "Ce'. are you drunk?" "You've given me 500 lire more than you had to." " Better more than less." " It's obvious you're drunk." "I didn't deny it." "Good evening. mister AIberto." "Good evening." "Let me do it." "I always stumble upon you!" "Mister Cesare, another half liter." "You've put me again to sleep with your chit-chat." "But you weak up." "he has asked for a half liter." "Are you coming, mister Ce'?" "Kid with witchy eyes, now you're all mine." "Damn." "I really am tuneIess!" " Hi, Nando." " Good evening, mister AnnibaIe." "I have to speak to you!" "Speak." "In the middle of the street?" "Come inside the shop." " I'm busy. someother time." " I don't know if you'd Iike some other time." "Then you'd better never tell me about it." "You need money?" "No. it's about Adriana." "Nando. when are you opening?" "I need the bike." "Don't you see we're talking?" "You have a great quality." "you always are very kind." "Then." "I'II smash everything." "Are you opening?" "I'm talking to you!" "careful." "I'm smashing everything!" "Give this madman the bike." "Hurry up. open." "You were saying?" "Adriana and I got engaged." "Ah!" "And that's how you're telling it to me?" "And how should I say it?" "It's not at all easy." "I've thought about it." "it's a serious thing." "Before making any plans." "I wanted to know how you felt about it." "I'm happy for Adriana." "What?" "The bike's not here anymore!" "What are you saying?" "It really isn't!" "Then where it is?" " Ote'. they've stolen it!" " Are you sure you put it here last night?" "Of course." "I've put it!" " When you opened. was the lock intact?" " Yes." " Then they got in with false keys!" " Who could have taken it?" "During nightime." "fairies pass by here." "D'you want me to slap you?" " They've stolen it and you just stand?" " What am I to do?" "Make another one?" " We must do something!" " Let's go ask Magpie." "He's right. he should know." " Aren't you coming?" " No..." "I have an idea." "With your ideas..." "we'II never find it!" " Hi." "Adria'." " Hi." "Have you heard?" "They've stolen our bike." "And you're just saying it like this?" "And all the money it cost you?" "Don't worry about it." "Your fiancee went looking for it." "By the way." "I wanted to congratulate." "I heard you're to be married soon." "Thank you." "I'm happy for OteIIo. he's a nice guy." "you'II be fine." "well..." "Why are you laughing?" "Because you're funny with that serious face you took." "And then. how d'you know I'II be fine?" "It's simpIe. he'II be happy with you." "I know it." "one feels fine with you." "But... .. why didn't you also go looking for the bike?" "They'II never find it!" "And then. when a thing's lost... .. is lost." " We'II find it. we will." " No." "that one has already phoned half of Rome!" "We'II phone the other half!" "I tell you we'II find it!" "I got no more coins!" "Nando. give him the money." "Take it." "Try at first at PietraIata." "and then at San Lorenzo." " D'you know who's at PietraIata?" " Yes." " Who?" " The Fox." "tell him it's for Magpie!" "Who's this Fox?" "Can he be trusted?" " Nando. what's your trade?" " Mechanic." " Then mind your business." " Is he one who talks?" " What's it to you?" " It's one who knows how to live!" " And if we went to the police Station?" "If you want to catch the thief..." "maybe." "But if you want to find the bike..." "What am I to do with the thief." "we can't ride him!" "And we must hurry up. otherwise one wheel at Porta Portese... another one at Campo dei Fiori..." "and how d'you find it?" "Fox?" "I need a 250 today!" "It's for Magpie." "I need the one with this plate:" "1 54-28." "Yes. black." "It went out of the workshop yesterday." "What was the matter?" "Something with the brakes." "It went out on her own!" "alright." " Fox says it's not at PietraIata." " AIright. charge again." " Says he has 4 cheap new tires." " tell him I'II come later." "Magpie says he'II come." "You're doing business?" "It's our network." "let me do my job!" "Even if they find it." "I don't care." "I never had a passion for that bike." "Why did you buy it. then?" "I liked showing of." "I had understood that." "But now..." "I've got over it." "Adriana. will you comb me?" "Haven't you got hands?" "D'you also want a ripple?" "On this side." "Have you found it?" "Yes... .. we've found it." "Lucia'... it's at no. 3 on Moro aIIey. go bring it back." "Ask for one curly." "Have you got it?" "tell him the Magpie sent you." "Be here in half an hour." "And don't stray you're way home!" "Run!" "You've found it and you're pulling these faces?" "I bet it was him!" "You have a beef with me!" "It was one of our friends." "Come here." "Luciano." " Go see what he wants." " Come here!" "It didn't work. did it?" "Move it!" " What're you doing?" " What nerve!" "You'd sell your own mother!" "You've already been in prison once." "you've already been once!" "Wasn't that enough?" "Who steals should have the guts to defend himself!" "Swine!" "Defend yourself!" "Defend yourseIf. coward." "I won't send you in prison." "I'd rather kill you!" "I liked you." "you take punches very well." "Lucia'. don't think about it anymore." "Fetch some water." "he needs a little refreshing." "Now we'II all be more calm" "Let's hope you'II get over this stealing habit." "They had to let you have it." "Want an advice?" "Forget about stealing." "You don't know the basics." "Look at Magpie: he steals every day. he's respected. and never went in prison." "He'II go, he'II go!" "You'II see that. sooner or later." "he'II go!" "He's just waiting for the right time!" "And he'II accompany him." "It's you that I'd send in prison!" "D'you know what he wants to do?" "Imagine he wants to take Adriana tomorrow at the hairdressers's contest!" "He's gonna cut all her hair." "wants to do a "chinese mushroom"." "Poor Adriana!" "Who knows what hairdressing will this assassin make her end up with!" "Adriana..." "How is he going to do your hair?" "Very funny!" "Can you call Giovanna. please?" "Right now." "Do we see each other tonight?" "What?" "tell Nando I'II be coming home later tonight!" "D'you let me know when you come back?" "Of course I will." "You already have a Iow forehead." "you'II really look intelligent with your hair hanging over!" "You're the only one lucky enough to be handsome!" "And then." "I'm not interested in you liking me. with the tastes you have..." "Are you angry?" "Adriana." "I was saying it for you!" "I couId shoot her!" " Gnappetta. come here." " Yes." "Stay at the kiosk. you know the prices:" "60 the big one and 40 the small one." "Don't make no credit." "I'II be right back." "Bye." "Can I have a granatina?" " Have you got money?" " No. dad'II come later and pay." "I don't trust you." "I told you dad's goin' to pay!" "I don't trust you!" "Go away!" "What d'you want?" "Are you really going to ruin your hair?" "What d'you care?" "Leave me alone!" "I only wanted to warn you." "He's gonna ruin you!" "Look what he did shaving me!" "What d'you care?" "You'II make me lose my bus!" "Wait for me!" "You can't behave like this!" "You're exagerating!" "The "chinese mushroom" is not for you!" "OteIIo is a slave driver!" "It's the Iast time I'II say it!" "Stop!" " Are you hurt?" " I'm done for!" " I'm not hurt." " Let me see." " I'm not hurt!" " alright!" "My arm." "Adriana!" "Are you hurt?" "No." "I'm aIright. but I'd have jumped under the bus to make you get down." "You did it on purpose!" "Adriana. don't treat me like this!" " Cut it out!" " Move!" " How long have we known each other?" " 21 and a half." "It's a lifetime." "Adriana." "Forget that contest." "don't go." "I Iove you." "And so do you." "I can't understand why we've broken up." "and you want to marry someone else." "You've always taken these things lightly." "what was a girl supposed to do?" "You're right." "I couId slap myself for it!" "What would that solve?" "Nothing." "Now I can tell you that I've thought about you." " But you hooked up with that Ines..." " No. not with that one." "I can swear I didn't." "I'm glad... .. but now it's too late." "For how many years have we seen each other every day?" "I've told you. 21 and a half." "For me it's like seeing you for the first time." "Shut up." "Have you told me these things two days ago..." "Too bad. we'II still be friends." "Sure. friends..." "You're going away and you talk about being friendship." "True." "farewell." "Franco." "farewell." "Adriana." "I don't want to go!" "Now you're making sense." "Come." "I'II take you to the contest." "Ready?" "This hair!" "How stupid." "he'd have ruined it!" "At least if he'd cut it like this." "No. he didn't want to cut it." "That's how he wanted to make it." "How ugly you are!" "Who'd have recognized you?" "Then... you wouldn't have loved me anymore?" "There'II come a day when I won't love you." "What are you saying, Franco?" "I Ioved you so much. you know?" "So much. you know..." "And you didn't even realize it." "Did you realize you loved me?" "Listen." "Now." "I'II explain it to you." "You had braids like this. and I already loved you." "How old were you?" "1 3 years." "You can't kiss a 1 3 year old girl." "Instead." "I'm kissing her now." "It's an excuse." "D'you remember when you did your hair like this?" " I Ioved you even then; how old were you?" " 1 6 years." "You can at 1 6 years." " RomoIetto. have you seen Adriana?" " No." "If you need a model." "I'm available." "With the hair you've got." "I can only do your sideburns!" "Funny guy!" "Attention!" "The sixth edition of "golden Scissors"..." "Hey!" "Wait a sec!" " The contestants approach their models." " One moment!" " could you postpone it for a little while?" " No." " My model has suffered a disastrous misappening." " Like?" " Her alarm didn't ring." " Buy her a rooster!" " gentlemen..." " PIease. don't joke about it." " For me it's important." "I'm to get married..." " And why tell it to me?" "True. it's not your concern." "but if I don't win. how can I get married?" " Don't get married!" "I'II rescue you." " Thank you." " Ladies and gentlemen." "let's go." " What?" " Ready..." " You're laying your hands on me?" " 4. 3. 2. 1 . go!" "It's interesting seeing the beginning of this formidable contest..." " He does me alla LoIIo. and you?" " Cutting it it's enough." " Happy?" " And you. are you really happy?" " Yes. it feels like being someone else." " You'd better be. otherwise..." "Did you see how quickly I couId find myself another husband?" " What am I going to tell him now?" " To whom?" "To OteIIo. you must tell him!" "alright" "But it ain't nice saying such things to a friend." "It'd be better if you'd tell him." "Didn't you just say you wanted to change?" "alright." "I'II tell OteIIo." "And Nando?" " You'II tell Nando. you're the sister!" " No." "Why?" "It's like this. or we'II go back to being friends like before!" " A man should have the guts to admit to what he does." " alright!" "I'm like a new NuvoIari. ain't I?" "Look how it's running!" " OteIIo and Nando say I don't have it!" " careful!" " talk less!" " calm down!" "I know how to ride a bike!" "I can do it with my eyes closed!" " I'II show you now!" " I'm afraid!" "Look." "I'II bear the marks for the rest of my Iife!" "I'm afraid for my knee!" "You deserve even worse!" "Is it my fault?" "You kept talking about Nando and OteIIo. and made me nervous." "Let's hope it can speed up!" "What am I going to tell Nando?" "How am I going to show them the bike!" " You only think about yourself!" " If you'd know how mistaken you are!" "What will happen at home?" "Hi." "Luciano." "Hi" " Hi." "Nando." " What did you do?" " Nothing." "You played dumb and fell down!" "I had to brake on gravel and I fell down!" "Another two falls and it's good for the junkyard!" "I've got something to say to you." "Nando." "What else besides this disaster?" " You can set everything right with a hammer!" " A hammer on your head!" "Are you nuts?" "I'm not talking to you anymore!" "Your loss!" "Is it ready." "Adria'?" "almost." "Have you won the contest?" "We don't know yet." " Haven't you seen OteIIo?" " No." "I thought he'd pass by the shop and tell me how it went." " And you haven't seen anyone else?" " Who should I have seen?" " No one. just asking." " D'you hope to win?" "I got it. ziIch." "But don't worry." "You'II make it all the same." "These contests are all scam." "What matters is that OteIIo wants to work." "True." "What happened. you're limping?" "I fell down." "Where?" "At the contest?" "Things were a little hectic." "What happened to your arm?" "I've just told you." "What was this." "a bike race?" "You think you can only hurt yourself when on a bike?" "Show me your arm." "I told you to show me your arm!" "Where have you been today?" "You know it!" "At the contest." "With OteIIo?" "Of course... with OteIIo." "OteIIo was the one with the bike. and you fell on the gravel?" "Was there any gravel?" "If you know it." "why ask all these questions?" "You were with Franco on the bike." "and not with OteIIo!" "I'II take care of that jerk!" " That jerk wants to destroy my sister?" " Wait!" "Nando. wait!" "I said wait!" " One can't make a fool out of me!" " Come back home." "I'II explain everything!" "I didn't do anything wrong!" "Wait." "Nando!" "You're a flirter." "that's what you are!" "I'II show him to pick up girls." "that jerk!" " Nando!" " I'II skin him!" " D'you want to make a scene?" " Yes. that's what I want!" "Then shout. kill everyone!" " Me I've got nothing to be ashamed of!" " tell everyone!" " Franco!" " Come down!" " tell him I'm not here." "Come down so I can break your bones!" "Franco says he's not here!" "Moron!" "How can you say:" ""Franco says he's not here"!" "Franco. d'you want an advice?" "Don't go down!" "Nando." "I'm sorry." "I can't come down." "let's talk like this." "Don't look for excuses!" "You either come down. or I'II go up" "Come on." "Nando. please." "let's end this shame!" "It's your shame!" "I want everyone to know who's that jerk!" "Come down. if you've got guts!" "Nan'...no way!" "I got a knee like this." "I can't move!" "A kick in the ass should teach you hitting on girls!" "Madame." "I surely didn't hit on you!" "Why don't you mind your own business?" "Madame..." "Come down." "and I'II take care of you!" " You won't take care of anyone!" " Why?" " Shut up!" " You've provoked this mess!" " Of course!" "I've got nothing to hide!" "Nothing?" "What's that to do with you?" "What d'you want?" "shall we talk about the starlets?" " Are they hot." "Nando?" " Cut it out!" " Here we talk when we want!" " I'm doing the talking here!" "Who does he think he is?" "That kid's got a nice voice!" " What's happening?" " Franco punched Adriana" " and he hits on old women." " True." "allow me." "Let me through." "May I!" "Adria'. did he hit you?" " No. but he made me the talk of the borough." " Can someone explain?" "I will when that swine comes down!" "Get down!" "D'you think I'm stupid?" "Now there's two of you!" "Bye!" "Bye." "Nando!" "Then. you're afraid?" "Of course I'm afraid!" "Did you hear that?" "For me. that's enough." "Everyone must know what a coward you are!" "Let's go home!" " Buffoon!" " Enough!" "It's not true!" "He's not afraid!" "Come down." "Franco." "Adriana. have you gone crazy?" "They'd beat the crap out of me!" "Can I know what happened?" "Nothing." "Nothing happened." "Everything's like before." "even if I didn't make it to the contest." "Come." "let's go to the shop and make me that chinese mushroom!" "Nando. she's gone crazy!" "I've always told you my sister's nuts!" "How should I explain to you?" "She's crazy!" "Don't torture her anymore!" "She's the one torturing us!" "Stop mistreating my sister!" " You wanna get slapped?" " Why don't you try?" "!" "Let's go." "MarceIIa. he really punches." "That's all you know!" "slap me if you're that brave!" "I had to slap someone." "didn't I?" "!" "He slapped a girl!" "What a slap." "Nando!" "Nando. help me. your sister's really got crazy!" "Forgive me." "D'you hear?" "You answer it. do me this favour." "And tell her I've had enough." "shall I go?" "Yes." "Look!" "I've cut them all!" "D'you like me like this?" "I want to shave my head!" "Adriana. what have you done?" "Stop it!" "Don't do anything stupid. wait!" "I want to cut off all the stupidities I've got in my head!" "Wait!" "Enough is enough." "the first that moves.." "Courage." "Franco!" "Who does this Nando think he is?" "Primo Carnera?" " Down at last!" " Nando. you're a nobody!" "talk to me!" "Leave me alone." "I don't want to fight!" "Jerks!" "Look what you made her do!" " will you marry her like this?" " Yes." " I'm not through with you!" "Let go of me!" " Can't you argue with your mouth?" " Let go of me!" " Come on." "let him go!" "Enough!" "will you stop?" "Don't I count for anything?" "Yes." "I've been at the seaside with Franco!" "It's true I've been engaged to Luciano!" "And also with OteIIo!" "I've made love like all the other girls in this borough!" "But I'm the only one who knows who I'II be loving for ever." "It's him." "Franco. that I'II always love." "What else d'you want?" "What do we want with her?" "I've grown her up." "She grew up for you." "Get lost." "She loves Franco." "What does she see in him..." "You took your time." "you'd have looked like a coward." "One must get hit so he doesn't look like a coward?" " You have to be a man." " And men get hit?" " Then why did you come down?" " For the hair." "Ah!" "Not for me." "What a head!" "Is the hair mine?" "Nando says you got to come back early tonight!" "He says that it had to happen to him to have a brother-in-Iaw who's a son of a..." "A brother-in-Iaw, a brother, a husband, a fiancee." "That's what our borough was about." "A network of sympathy, emotions, of habits." "And whatever happened:" "rancours, quarrels, rivalry, we'd always end up friends again." "Everyone of us was in love with the others" "The story of Franco and Adriana wss, in a way, our story."