"Hodgepodge No. 1 TIMES GONE BY" "..dressed as a used bookseller together with:" "presents in order the various episodes" "THE EXCELSIOR BALLET" "LESS THAN A DAY" "THE SARDINIAN DRUMMER" "A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE" "IDYLL" "THE VISE" "A SELECTION OF SONGS OF THE DAY" "THE TRIAL OF PHRYNE" "Special Edition!" "SELL AND BUY OLD BOOKS" "Soaked in blood, the military revolt in South America!" "Special Edition!" "Two thousand dead!" "Two thousand dead!" "All real stories!" "Special Edition!" "Special Edition!" "The tragic murder at Via Salaria!" "The tragic murder at Via Salaria!" "The pump?" " One moment!" "The opposition leaders shot dead on the spot!" "Wife and three kids killed in front of crippled mother-in-law!" "Damn, this one's going strong!" "Special Edition!" "Flung into flames.." "Here you go, ma'am." "A passenger plane to Tokyo!" "Flung into the flames a passenger plane to Tokyo!" "It's top notch, almost new." "But you buy used books, right?" " No, old books." "This one, I'm reading again." "Sorry." "Wait!" "Wait just a bit!" "Where did you fish this up?" "You would want that old stuff?" "I have a ton like it at home." "Ah, The Excelsior Ballet!" "The ballet in Grandpa Checco's day." "What do you want it for?" "The dust?" "Dust?" "Listen here.." " Say, are you really interested in.." "Stuff from your father's day?" " And my grandad!" "Go home, pack it nicely and bring it here." "I'll give you 3,000 lire!" " Ah, great!" "Excelsior!" "You laugh." "Those poor old men, like grandpa Checco, as you say, with the mustaches, starched underwear, do you know what they did?" "The Suez Canal, the Moncenisio tunnel, the telegraph, electric light, trains, steamships.." "The espresso machine." " That too." "All that's good." "That thing, no." "We invented that." "That and a ton of other junk.." "Brilliant results of the new atomic bomb!" "They had some good ideas in the old days." " It was an age of education." ""Excelsior." "To the top." "The sky was the limit."" ""Choreographed action, historical allegory.."" "The main characters:" "the Spirit of Light." "Ah.. nice!" "And then there's the Spirit of Civilization." "See how she suffers." "And why?" "Because the Spirit of Ignorance holds her captive at his feet in order to prevent the Triumph of Progress." "Ah, there's the third:" "Moncenisio." "While stormy clouds gather over the peaks of the Alps, sunk into the bowels of the mountain, Italian miners at civilization's service, excavate the dark tunnel that will unite Italy to France." ""Forever I shall reign, and time of your rebirth.."" ""will never ring forth.." "ever!"" "Oh!" "How nasty that one is!" "And who's coming now?" "Here comes the Light!" "Then there was the electric light!" "Oh, joy inexpressible!" "Excelsior!" "Excelsior!" "Excelsior!" "They may've invented the coffee machine during Grandpa Nonno's time but.." "but a sense of humor?" "Zip." "This means that.." " What?" " Don't you see they're ridiculous?" "Knock it off." "We see ourselves as they saw themselves." "Sit down here." " I can?" " I said so." "The only thing we've left is an education that naturally we of a certain age have." "Look, the first I'll come across." "Here, read this." "LESS THAN A DAY" "I was waiting for her at the Treviglio station." "She had spent last month with her family and was expected to return alone to Milan." "We arranged it that she'd write her husband, announcing her arrival the next day, on the first stop." "We'd be together for 15 hours." "A kind of paradise!" "Sir, here comes the train!" " Finally!" " It's only two minutes late." "It's outrageous that they don't even get rebuked!" "Get back!" "Back!" "Here comes the train!" "Here it is!" "Treviglio!" "Leave it!" "Leave it now!" "Matilde!" " Camillo!" " Dear, leave it!" "Much obliged." "Thanks for all." "It was nothing." " Have a good trip." " How kind, ma'am." "What?" "Taking away the suitcases?" "Dear.." "How happy I am!" "My beloved.." "What a hat!" "I can't tell you how many hours it was." "Excuse me." "The last train to Milan tonight is at 10?" " No, ma'am, that's merchandise." "The last passenger train leaves at 7:32." "7:32?" "Thank you." " But.." "But Matilde, you don't mean to say.." " But Tullio'll be in Milan tonight." "He telegraphed you see." "It'd be an unpardonable imprudence." "So hot!" " So, instead of our 15 hours.." "We'll be counting the minutes, precious!" "They should all be heaven!" "Eh.. but how beautiful you are!" "How good that dress looks on you!" "In the country, I never put it on without sending you a silent kiss." "And they said, "Beautiful", naturally." " I only want to hear it from you." "But be honest:" "They said that." "I don't know, maybe.." " Well, with that dress.." "What about this dress?" " Nothing." "It's so tight, you can see everything." " But it's the fashion this year." " Yes, but a person of good taste must understand fashion." "Follow it, yes, but know when you go too far!" "You should've seen how your "knight" looked at you." " Who?" "That one from the train." ""Much obliged." "Thanks for all."" "But he was so nice to me!" " Of course!" "When you see a woman dressed like that!" "Dressed like what?" " Well.." "Like a flirt, you mean?" " Oh, no!" "Thank you!" " Oh, no, Matilde!" "Sorry, Matilde." "You know, I'm like a wild animal." " Bad!" "Forgive me." " We're alone, just like we wanted." "Yes, I love you so much." " Do you?" "You love me?" "Not the mustache!" "Socrates, fly!" "We must hurry!" "Ah!" "Everything is so beautiful here!" " It is because you're here." "It makes you want to sing." " Oh, yes.." "Matilde, darling, I promise you from this moment.." "From this moment..?" "But that's not your perfume!" " No." "It's "Bois de Roses"." "My husband brought it from Paris." "Why "Ah!"?" " Oh, nothing." "And he likes this.. "Bois de Roses"?" " I suppose so, if he bought it." "And you wear it because he likes it?" " So?" " Nothing." "So you're here to drown me in his perfume!" " Really, Camillo!" "You only open your mouth to say the stupidest things to me!" "I'm done!" "I won't say a word." "Not one word." "What time is it?" "I asked you, please, what.." "Thank you!" "So, you're no longer interested in the time?" "How much time has passed, how much remains.." "Fine!" "My good man, that church up there is a shrine, isn't it?" "Yes, ma'am." "It's the shrine of Caravaggio." "They say it's interesting, don't they?" " It's famous all over the world." "Do many pilgrims visit it?" " A lot." "Thousands." "When there's a festival, they come from all over, even Milan." "You feel like going to the shrine, eh?" "One hour to, another back, then the time of the visit." "What an idea!" "Your idea." " I'm here and what do want to see?" "The shrine!" "I beg you, no.." " No, you're right!" "Great idea." "Let's go to the shrine." "But, I don't want to.." " Now I do!" "To the shrine." "Got it?" "According to tradition, on May 26,1432, the Virgin appeared to a poor peasant, who was crying for the ill-treatment her husband's jealousy subjected her to." "At the place where the Virgin had stood, sprung up this fountain.." "and later the Duke Filippo Maria built the first church, consecrated in 1451." "Archbishop Carlo Borromeo then had built in 1568 over the old church that was in ruins, the shrine." "Now, if you want to see the choir stalls carved for Cardinal.." " Thank you!" "We've seen enough." " Very nice." "Take this." "Thanks." "What time did they say?" "7:32?" " Yes." "But I'll leave with the other." "With the goods?" " Yes!" " But you can't, they won't let you on!" "Then, how much time's left?" " Eh.." "A little over 3 hours." "The hotel, 10 minutes." "You'll get a bonus." "10?" "Are we on a velocipede?" " Why not?" "It's downhill." "Exactly!" "You see how many curves there are?" " So?" "You need the shortcut to get there in 10." " Let's do that then." "The shortcut is on foot!" "My horse isn't a mountain climber!" "Fine, we'll walk a bit." " We'll walk a bit." "You, join us at the hotel." " And leave the suitcases there!" "The lady must leave on the train at 7:32!" "Let her know!" "My love!" "Will you love always me so?" " As long as I live." "Always." "You swear?" " I do." " My love!" "And you'll swear that you've never loved anyone but me?" "But I don't need to swear that!" " Please, swear it!" "You know my whole life!" "Naughty!" "Swear it.." " But I've told you all." "Come, come!" " Matilde!" "Matilde!" "Camillo!" "Matilde, I beg you!" "But I'm leaving in 3 hours and 5 minutes." "Come.." "What a race!" " My dear.." "We're just two nuts!" " Yes, two nuts." " Impatient!" "One minute!" " But every minute is precious!" "Did you ask for something cool to drink?" " Yes." "Knocking?" " It doesn't matter." "Maybe it's the waiter." " So.." "But.." "Camillo!" " Love!" "Come in!" " No, wait!" "Excuse me." "A moment!" "Come in!" "Put it ?" "there." "There!" "You may go." "I got this." " God forbid." "Would you like some liquor?" " No, nothing." "If you'd like some souvenir of the shrine, directions to the hotel.." "Maybe later." "Before we leave." "Oh, how stupid of me!" "Excuse me." " No, no, no.." "No problem at all." " OK." "Go ahead." "Artistic souvenirs." "Blessed." "I said later." "What the heck!" " Ah, very well." "There's no hurry." "You like the room?" " Beautiful." " And the flowers?" " Excellent." "Thank you." "Alone at last!" "Free!" "Far from the world!" "Camillo, go away!" " My love, how beautiful you look!" "How young!" "Camillo!" " Beautiful!" "Beautiful!" "Bring me some water." "Yes." " Bring me some water." "Matilde, swear." " What?" "That you never loved anyone but me and never will." "Never." "Swear it." " Ah!" "How thirsty I was!" "Happy?" " Insanely so, but.." "Another, please." " Yes." "Oh, Camillo!" "You know what?" " Eh?" "Suddenly, I feel dead tired." "So tired." "Dear.." " Come, Camillo." "Come." "What are you doing?" "You were such a fool before." "We've lost so much time, so many kisses.." "But it was your fault." "Yours, silly." " No, honey, yours too." "I may have been foolish, naughty, selfish.." "but I love you so much." "You know how much I want you." "And you didn't even want to swear.." "You don't realize how absurd it is for you to be jealous of my husband!" "It may be absurd, grotesque, anything you want, but Matilde, you know when one is truly in love.." "When one is truly in love, one loves." "Silly, silly.." "The blinds, please, the blinds." " Right away, my soul." "It burns my eyes." "You know they're really tired?" "All this light.." " We'll close them right now." "Yes, really tired." "Aren't you, Camillo?" " Very tired." "However, Matilde, the one thing you must tell me." "You must tell me absolutely." "Listen carefully and think before you answer." "If your husband died.." " Oh!" "Why?" " It's an absurd hypothesis." "He's healthy, bless him." "But let's pretend." "If your husband died.." " Really, Camillo.." " And I died.." "Why, this is a massacre!" "All these deaths!" " Let me finish, please!" "If your husband died and I died, would you remarry?" "Really, I haven't thought about it, but.." "No." "I don't think so." " You don't think so?" "Ah!" "Thank God!" "But what do you want me to say?" "I don't think so." "Actually, no." "Not at all, I assure you." "No, no, no." " Why?" "Why?" "Why?" "You can imagine." "I would be too sad." "For my death or your husband's?" " For both." "For both!" "Listen, Camillo!" "I swore that my love for you will fill my last breath!" "Come!" "Even my memory too?" " Yes, all." "No, you'd console yourself." " No." "Never!" " Yes." "And in the end it'd be fair.." " No!" "It'd be fair that you remarry." " No!" "Don't say that." "I couldn't.." " Why not?" "You're so young, so beautiful." "You have no right to give up on life." "And then what would you do.." "so alone in the world?" "You might meet a man worthy of you." "No.." " Maybe old, but not ugly." "Refined, honest, rich." "If he loved you sincerely, you'd love him in the end." "Who knows?" "With time." "With time." "But.. you see what you've just said?" " What?" "That you'll remarry and therefore don't love me?" "I don't love you?" " No, no!" "I don't love you, yet I betray a man worthy of every esteem?" "Poor Tullio!" " Forget Tullio!" "I put my honor in danger, maybe even my life!" " Then swear!" "But why do you want..?" " Can't you see?" "Fine!" "Then, Yes!" "I swear, I swear!" " Promise me you'll never remarry!" "Never!" "Never!" " That you never loved another!" " No one!" "Upon my life!" " No, on mine." " Yes, on yours." "No, on both of ours!" " Oh, on both!" "Say it with me." "I swear on my life, on yours on both of ours!" "You've been naughty!" "Cruel." "Quiet.. quiet." "No, not the mustache." "What is it?" " It's the driver!" "If you want to catch the 7:32, we can get there just in time." "And only if we rush!" "The train!" " No!" "You can't!" "Matilde!" "The train!" " Matilde!" " Hurry!" " Yes." "My hat!" " Here." " Give it to me!" " Here." "But if you wanted.." " What?" " You said you could.." "But you told me they'd never let me on." "Not with the goods, but like we planned, with the first morning train." " Heavens!" "There'll be a tragedy." "You don't know what you're saying." "Hurry!" "Hurry!" "Come on." "My pins!" "Where are they?" " But Matilde.." "Please, help me!" "Look for the pins, go on!" "One Moment!" " "One moment"?" " Camillo!" "2 minutes is not the end of the world!" " Every minute counts!" "You're telling me!" " My hatbox!" "Here I am, my love." " Let me, ma'am." "No, no, leave it!" "Thank you." "Go on, take it." " I get 3,000." " What the hell!" "But I worked all day!" " I have to leave!" "Damn it!" "Now you tell me!" " Goodbye, love." "Another rendezvous, but soon." " As soon as possible." "Your seat, ma'am." " Some peaceful place like this." "When?" " When?" "I don't know." "The next holiday, another year.." "Another year?" " The train is leaving!" "Pardon." " Pardon." "Yeah, OK, good times." "Lucky them!" "Tranquil times." "And this?" "Ah, De Amicis. "Heart"." "Who hasn't read it?" "As kids, but it's best read when you're older." "Do you remember, for example, "The Sardinian Drummer"?" "Barricade the windows!" "Boffa!" " What is it?" "You dropped one." " Here." "Put it here." "Hurry!" "Go on!" "Holy mackerel!" " Excuse me, Captain." "Do your job!" "Let the men do theirs!" " Yes, sir." "Come on!" "Let's go!" "Get those bags here!" " Get out of the way, dummy!" "Come on!" "Courage!" "You help to load the rifles." "Can you do that?" " Yes, sir." "Bravo." "Go on then." "Below!" "Sergeant!" "You assemble the second platoon!" " Yes, sir." "Second platoon!" " Lieutenant!" "You command the ground." " Yes, sir." "Don't waste fire." " Yes, sir." " Those fools think bayonets are enough." "Fine information coming from command!" "Valengo!" "You think this window's an opera box?" "Come on, upstairs!" "Wait!" "Barricades the windows on that side!" "You're a doctor, right?" " Yes, sir." " The wounded over here." "Take care of it." "You two with me!" "Bring the table there!" "Captain, we need mattresses." " Yes." "Come on!" "You're wide open!" "Oh, Holy Mother!" "What will you do?" "Ah, there's you." "You're Italian too." "These Christians are dying for you." " You hear?" "Go!" " Come on!" "Come with me." "Captain, we're three women." "We'll take care of the wounded." " OK." "Are there no windows on that side?" " Yes, just one." "Here." "Sergeant!" " Yes, sir?" " Come here." " Yes, sir." "Damn!" "They turned around and cut us off!" "Two companies, captain." "I'm counting the hidden officers." "At least six." " They said one platoon." "We must notify the reserves." " Yes, sir." "Find someone who's fast." " The drummer." "No way." "He's no good." "We need a man!" "But, Captain, a boy is more agile and is less of a target." "The fate of this battle depends on this location." "But the boy has guts!" " But he's a boy!" "And a Sardinian!" "As for guts.." "Before we talk about guts, we need proof." "Be careful not to waste the shots!" "Water!" "Water!" "Drummer!" "Some powder!" "Hurry!" "Look!" "We're stuck over there in Villafranca!" " Can I see?" "What do you think this window is?" "A box at the opera?" "Get away before you get killed!" "Silly Sardinian!" "He hardly understands Italian!" "And they say that Italy's united!" "Boy, now we'll see what you're capable of!" "Go to the captain." " Sergeant!" " Yes, sir." "What did the captain decide?" " He's sending the drummer for reinforcements." "Go up to him!" "Where's the captain?" "Drummer, come here." "Come on, boy." "The sergeant says you have guts." "Let's see." " Yes, Captain." "Take this note." "Put it in your pocket and take off your backpack." "Now grab this rope, go out the window.." "and rush down the slope towards the bottom." "Up!" "Look over there." "Go to those trees and turn right." "Up to there, it's not about guts, but legs." "No Austrians." "Yes, captain, sir." "Captain!" "Lieutenant Landi was struck and 12 of ours are out of combat!" "Their aim is poor below." "To the first floor!" "You take command." " Yes, sir." "Got it!" "Yes, sir." " Listen to me." "Clear your ears and brain because this isn't easy!" "Where do you turn when you're there?" "After the trees to the right, then I turn on the Austrian's side." "And then even more right till they're behind me." "Ah, you understand." "Don't let them see you." " Yes, sir." "And I bring the note to those at Villafranca." "Hand it to the first officer you see." "It's up to you, fly!" " Count on me!" "Thank you." "Crouch down in the descent!" " Don't worry." "May the Lord keep thee!" "Careful!" "Don't be seen!" "Count on me, captain!" "All the men are above, captain." "Our aim is better." "The Austrians have stopped." "Imbecile!" "You see him?" "He doesn't even know how to run!" "He'll have to find a hole." "Look." "He's turning." "Let's go." "What must you tell me, Lieutenant Landi?" " Captain." "He has a bullet in his head." " Stupid!" "Is this a time to cry?" "Keep firing." " Yes, sir." "You!" "Custoza mustn't fall!" " You can count on us, captain!" "What a fool!" "Doesn't he know they see him?" "He must run!" " Where did he go now?" "Over there!" "See?" "See where he is now?" "There he is running behind the Austrians!" "In there!" "Hurry!" "Lieutenant!" "Come here." " Orders, sir?" "Look now." "Is that him over there?" " Where?" "Are you blind too?" "There, near that ditch." "See him?" "Yes!" "Damn, how he runs!" "He's really a great kid!" "What a great kid!" "He's running out in the open." "Does he want to get caught?" "What is he doing, the rascal?" "Did he stop?" " No, he's hiding, sir." "See how they shoot into it?" "Captain, they've suspended fire." "They're giving us the sign to surrender." "Don't answer!" " Yes, sir." "Get out of there!" "Run!" "Dammit, run!" "However, he did his duty." " They couldn't have got him." "If he was hiding!" " Shoot until the last shot." "Surrender or all will be destroyed!" " But not Italy!" "Take that!" "A nice chestnut for your soup!" "Enough!" " Captain, the beds are filled with the dead!" "The ground floor." "Let the women bring them." "Courage, Piedmontese!" " Leave it to us!" "Now, you are Italy!" " Yes, sir." "Courage, Piedmontese!" "Fight for Italy!" "Whatever it takes!" "Who goes there?" "Sergeant!" "What have you got there?" " For the command, hurry." "My captain.." "Let's go, hurry!" "There." "Courage, little one." "Hold on." "Hold on!" "Charge!" "Captain, look over there!" "A squadron is rushing over!" "They're from Villafranca!" "Look, captain!" "Cease fire!" "Everybody stay low!" "Bayonets ready!" "On the ground!" "Cease fire!" "Bayonets ready!" "The Italian cavalry is charging from behind." "We'll attack with bayonets." "Sergeant, the door." " Yes, sir." "Hey!" "Long live Italy!" " Long live Italy!" "The day had ended with our victory, but the next day, the Italians were overwhelmed by the Austrians and they had to retreat by the path to Mincio." "Halt!" "On the ground!" "The military hospital's in that church?" " Yes, sir." "Put him over there." "How's he doing?" " He took a bullet here." "Maybe he won't look so pretty anymore, but in 40 days he can be back to fight." "Tell him that his Captain came by to greet him." " Yes, sir." "Nurse!" "Nurse!" "Captain!" "Sergeant!" "Sergeant!" "The captain!" "Captain!" "Bravo." "You did your duty." "I did all I could." " Thank you, Captain." "See, drummer?" "What did I say?" "You see that the captain came by to say, "Well done"?" "No." "I didn't know.." "What could I do?" "I had an unlucky run, they saw me right away." "Were you injured?" " Wounded?" "And how!" "Look, captain!" "Here's an unfortunate case." "A leg that couldn't be saved in anyway if I didn't resort to that." "But he's a good boy, I assure you." "Never a tear or a scream." "I was proud that he was Italian while I worked on him." "He's a good breed." "Word of honor!" "What are you doing?" "Captain!" "I'm not a captain." "You're a hero." "Well?" "De Amicis." " De Amicis." "Sure, what did he know?" "Stuff for the kids of the day!" "When the teacher read it.. the tears!" "Did "EUCrime" come?" " Is there a photo of Gaspar Catozzi?" "The one who killed his grandma?" " Yes!" "With a hammer to the head!" "Here, knock yourselves out." "2 pages full." "There!" "What did I tell you?" "We went to school together!" " Really?" "Isn't that wonderful!" "And your grandma's still around?" "Why aren't you reading the Gaspar Catozzi story?" "Because I wrote it." "Congratulations!" "You..?" " Write." "Articles, current events?" " That too." "Well.. then why don't you write a piece on.." "look." "This nasty business?" "Sit down, if you like." " Ah, Fucini." "It's a short little thing." " "A Matter of Principle"." "Let's see if you dare touch it!" " Let's see if you dare." "I saw it first!" "I saw it from up there, as it fell out!" "And I saw it by the elm from the bridge!" "So you saw it before it came?" "Bingo!" "If you don't remember, I used to be in the cavalry." "If not, I'm telling you now." "When a horse slows down to catch its breath, it's about to.." "I'm wasting my time." "Enough chitchat." "Let's play "odd-even"." "Nothing doing!" "First come, first serve!" "Look, I only said it, 'cause we were schoolmates.." "I'm your daughter's godfather and.." " Say what?" "There's no playing for this." "Let's share then." " Nonsense, what would I do with half?" "I've been looking for something to fertilize my garden for a week." "But you can use cow manure for your garden!" "I see you don't understand these things!" "The cow's good for your beans!" "This would burn 'em up!" "And where am I supposed to get cow manure from?" "Does the honorable gentleman suggest I supply him with it?" "I suggest we stop arguing." " Same here." "You got nothing to carry it with!" " What about this then?" "I'm taking it!" " You do and I'll tear the hide off ya!" "Bully!" " Coward!" " Lousy!" " Wretch!" "Get that stick off me!" " You put down that shovel!" "No!" " Yes!" "Look at this!" "God have mercy!" "What a way to act!" "You nicked it, idiot!" " And you ate it!" " Liar!" "Eh!" "What's going on here?" "Damn!" "Look what a mess you are!" "Bravo!" "Didn't you see him?" "I gave him such a bite and a knee that messed him up so, his own kids won't recognize him!" " Oh, you're so bad!" "And all this ruckus because of Maria?" " Maria?" "I'm talking to you." "Calm down!" "Maria?" "We would've shared her!" "Then it's Maddalena!" " No!" "It's not about women!" "Then why did you almost kill yourselves?" "A matter of principle!" " Principle?" " Yes!" " You don't say!" "AMERICA AND RUSSIA DIVIDED OVER A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE" "Amazing results of the new atomic bomb!" "Can I help you, sir?" " Any gialli?" "What?" " Gialli: crimes, revenge, police investigations." "Here you go." "Danish prince discovers his father's killers." ""Hamlet"?" " Yes." "Have you read it?" "I've heard of him." " Well, read it. 200 lire." "But this is serious stuff." "Everyone gets killed." " Really?" "Imagine that the prince kills his stepfather, kill his stepfather's friend, has his mother poisoned, has a girl drowned." "He gets killed too." "A slaughter, only the book remains." "Ah yes, now I remember!" "Hamlet." "I've seen the film." "No, because now I know the plot." "Anything else?" "No." "Look here." "How cute you are!" "If you like, I'll make it a gift." "IDYLL" "Oh, how nice!" " That's great!" " Another one!" "What is it?" " A snake." " No, a pinwheel." "But a snake is a thing that.." " Quiet!" "Give me the matches." " Why?" "Women and children.." "it's better that they leave." "Because I won't be held responsible for anything." "Young master!" "Should you be playing with that?" "Just look at that!" "Watch your eyes, kids!" "Young master!" "Do you hear me?" "Young master!" "Come here, your mother is waiting." "But look how crumpled you are!" "Young master, I'm talking to you!" "Who do you think I am?" "I lost a twin!" "Did you lose something?" " Yes, a golden twin." "Mama, he's looking for a shirt button." "May I help him?" "Of course, my dear." "I'll come to help you too." "What's your name?" "My name is Matilde Elisabetta but since it's too long they call me Filli." "For a long time I wanted to play with you but you never wanted to." " Me?" "I do." " This is it, isn't it?" "Yes, thanks, ma'am." " You're welcome, my child." "Micio!" " Micio!" "Daddy!" " Here I am!" "Let's go, Filli." "Your teacher is waiting." "Goodbye." " What's your name?" " Guido." "Micio!" "You live there, right?" "From my window, I can see a bit of your garden." "Where do you live?" " There, next to you." "Just for a month though." "Then we're going away." "Really?" " Yes." "Goodbye, Guido." "Goodbye.." " Filli!" "Goodbye, Filli." "What a wonderful little girl!" "She's a miracle of beauty." "Who are they?" "I don't know." "But she's not that pretty!" "Dear, you'll never be an artist." "She has a classic profile." " My Micio!" "He'll learn!" "Look!" "It's a telescope that changes different colors." "Hello." " Hello." "Look!" "How nice!" "How many colors!" "Why does your mom call you "Miccio"?" "No, she didn't say, "Miccio"." "That means jackass." "She said "Micio"." "It means cat, kitten." "What country are you from?" " Greece." "My mama said.." " Your mama said..?" "That you're very beautiful." "Why?" "Don't you think so?" "I don't think you're beautiful." " No?" "You're very beautiful!" "They won't let me play because I'm too small!" " Come on." "Let him play too." "Ready.." "Go!" "Now it's Gigi's turn, my pal." "If they make him prisoner, I'll go free him." "You know.." "my mom said that you're very handsome.." "and that you look very intelligent." "Well, all men are handsome." "Or so I've always heard." "But not as handsome as you." "Ooh, Filli!" "You should see the beautiful colors!" "I wish you could see them too!" "Hold it steady and pass it to me very carefully." "Here, look!" "Guido, hurry up!" " No." "It's better like this." "You leave and the work begins when you're gone." "I don't trust Brioschi." "With anything." "Get another engineer, dear." "Italy is full of engineers." "Brioschi is fine." "I just don't trust him." "Besides, we've been waiting long enough already." "We'll start work when you leave." "Why?" "When are we going to the country?" " Soon." "Happy?" "Eat up, hurry!" "Nando, but it wouldn't it be well to have the work already done?" "You go to the country to rest and the workers are there." "A house already full as an egg." "This year we'll have 4 more people!" "How 4?" "Where do you get 4?" "Why is your niece always there?" "You can't move without tripping over husband!" "There's the little one." " Doesn't count." "I should say so." "A month old baby makes more noise than 5 grownups." "And the nurse?" "Then we'll have the honor of a visit from the nurse's husband." "The nurse has no husband." " Is she a widow?" "No." "Your sister Maddalena has shown some sense in this." "She took a girl who was left in the lurch by a scoundrel, who, when he heard about the brat, he beat it." "But, Grandpa, how can the nurse have a baby.." "without being married?" "Guido!" "Laura.., since when in this house do children intrude on the conversations of grownups?" "Eat, Guido, instead of talking nonsense." "But I said.." " Are you eating or not?" "I'm not hungry." "You're not hungry?" "What does this "I'm not hungry" mean?" "It's the heat this time of year." "He ?" "tired himself out in the gardens." "Come here." "Let me see your tongue!" "He ?" "came back walking like a drunk." "He ran too much." "What were you doing?" " Open!" "But when one has eaten, the tongue won't give any sign of indigestion." "Fine." "Without further investigation, he should be given castor oil tomorrow." "But I'm fine!" "I didn't eat because I wasn't hungry." "But I'm fine!" " Laura.., are the children allowed to question their parents' orders?" "Good night." "Good night, little one." " Good night, grandpa." "Night, dear." "I'll come say goodnight in your room." "Mrs. Maddalena." " Dear!" " Hello, ma'am." "How are you?" " Won't you greet her?" "Hello, Aunt Maddalena." " Hello!" "Tired, eh?" "You must bring him to the country!" "Good evening to all!" " Good evening." " How are you?" "Really, what's with you tonight?" "I don't get it." "Come on!" "Let's go!" "Young master, what's got in your head tonight?" "Filli!" "Filli!" "Micio!" " Mom!" "What are you doing?" "Don't stand there in bare feet!" "Mom, I feel great!" " So much the better, my dear." "I'll tell Teresa to give you just a little, OK?" "Now go to bed." " Yes." "Wait." "Your feet." "I'm not afraid of the oil." "It's just that I have to stay home and I feel fine!" "And just because dad got mad when I asked about the nurse's baby!" "Oh, no!" "It's not that.." "You look pale.." "and papa thought that.." "Excuse me, mama, I thought since you had children it must be something good people do." "These things you'll understand when you're older." "No rush, OK?" "Since I was there, I would've liked to found out where babies come from." "Where they come from is easy to tell." "When a man and a woman are in love, they love each other and.." "they kiss, sometimes, but not always, a child is born." "Good night, dear." "Then why do you want me to kiss my little cousins ?" "when they visit us?" "Because neither you nor they are in love!" "Sleep, Guido." "That's enough chatter for tonight." "Mom.." "What is it?" "Nothing." "Laura!" " Here I am!" "Good night, Miscio." " Good night, Mom." "And don't worry." "Tomorrow you can go out." "We're going to buy a new suit." "Please, young master." "Now that everything is clean, don't mess it up." "Don't ruin it." " Don't worry, Teresa." "Guido!" " Filli!" "Finally!" "Were you sick?" " No.. yes, but I'm fine now." "I've been waiting these 3 days." "Last night I dreamed that you threw me many flowers." "So, all this time, you never went down to the garden?" " No." "You look good dressed like that." "You look like Lord Byron." "Who's Lord Byron?" " A beautiful man." "An English poet who has done much for my homeland." "At home we have his portrait." "I'll show you how you look like him." "Did you know today is my birthday?" "I turn 10 at six o'clock." "I didn't know, otherwise I would've really got you flowers." "I'll go get some." " Where are you going?" "My mom wants to talk to you right away." "Mama!" "Come on." "Here he is." " Good morning, ma'am." "Good morning, little one." "Listen, tonight.." "Today is Filli's birthday." "Her birthday." "And at 6:00, we'll drink a glass of champagne to her health and there'll be a beautiful cake." "You're coming, aren't you?" "Thank you so much, but I must ask parents' permission." "But certainly." "Go, run!" "Go ask them." "Filli, go with him!" "No way!" "Ma'am said don't even think about it!" "Eating outside!" "Who said dinner?" "I said a birthday.." "for one of my friends, next door!" " Dinner or no dinner, ma'am said without your dad's consent, you can't be sent to unknown people's houses!" "But I told you, they're the Greek people who rented the Villa dei Bonsanti!" "But ma'am said no." "Your father'll be back late tonight and you can't ask him." "Please don't insist and watch out for your new clothes!" "Filli!" "Don't cry!" "I was so glad you were coming!" " Me, too.." "because I'm in love with you." "It makes me angry to think that grownups have so many hopes.." "and at our age, we don't have any." "Filli, don't cry!" "Because if you cry, I'll start crying too." "And I don't know how to cry as prettily as you do." "When I cry, I bray like a donkey." "I'm going." "Tell your mother." "I'll come before six." " You promise?" "I promise!" " Before six, I'll come." "And promise me that you won't cry anymore." "Young master!" "Are you taking off those clothes or not?" " Teresa, sorry, give me a break." "Quick, let's go!" "I'm not moving from here." "Got it?" "Young master!" "Geremia, did you see where the young master went?" "Young master!" "Young master!" "A handsome man, Byron!" " Yes, ma'am." "Half full for you." " Thank you, ma'am." "At this time in my house, they've already dined." "You said that they'll scold you?" " Worse!" " Worse?" "But no matter." "You haven't even told me if you like my dress." "My grandmother sent it to me for my birthday." "That's nice!" "But I must go now." "I'll go through the garden." "But first I must tell you something." " Oh!" "Look how many fireflies!" "Are there many in your garden too?" "Say "Bye", to your mom for me." " No, wait." "Mama!" "Guido's going home." "You're going, little one?" "It's late." "I'll have you escorted." " No, thanks, ma'am." "I always go alone." "Really?" " Au revoir." " Goodbye." "Until tomorrow." " What time in the garden?" "At 9." " I'll come at 9 too. - 9 then." "Don't be late!" " I was just about to say that!" "He's a child!" " Let's not start that again, eh?" "This time the young master will deal with me." " Calm down." "Ah, rascal!" "Professor!" "Ma'am!" "The young master is back!" " Where?" "Where is that scoundrel?" "He'll have to deal with me!" "Nando!" "Calm, be calm, please?" " Nando!" "Geremia!" "You saw him, do something!" "I swore I saw him!" "I'm not seeing things!" "To think that a child of ours should start misbehaving so young!" "Micio!" "Come out, Piccinino!" " We have some tripe for you!" "He's not here!" " He passed by me, running like a hare!" "A lot of noise tonight!" " Did you see Guido?" "No." "What happened?" " We can't find him!" "He's disappeared!" "He ran away from home like a lovesick cat." "He went to see that girl." " She's very beautiful." "Yes, ma'am." " Did the young master go down?" "He's already starting with the ladies!" "If I catch him, I'll treat him like a cat!" "Come on, Ferdinando!" "What do the kittens learn to do?" "Catch the mice!" "Like you, eh?" "Me?" "At that age, never!" " Eh!" "Calm down, dear." "Don't scare him." " No, papa, it's more of a joke than anything." "I want to know if he's eaten." "Teresa, anything?" "Geremia went to check the shed." "He went out again!" "Look for him in the garden and in the square!" " Quiet." "Did I hurt you?" "Come on out." "How did you get under there?" "Guido's in here!" "What did you do?" " You did it, you hit me with a stick." "Oh, poor child!" " Yes, he's here." " Poor Romeo!" "What a state he's in!" " Professor!" "Ma'am!" "He's here." "Come here, young master." " One moment!" "I'm glad to see how you clean under the furniture in this house." "Look at this filth!" " So, now it's our fault!" "Yes, it's obvious people must run away from home now in order for the floors to be swept." " Micio!" " No, let me, Laura!" "I'll talk to the young master!" " But he needs a tourniquet!" "Look at the state he's in!" "He was already ill.." "From love!" "Love!" " Teresa!" "He had a stomach ache." "He's not well." "Put him in a tub, scrub him well and then put him to bed." "Since he's so ill, tomorrow he'll go to the country to recover." " Dad!" "Dad, please.." " Laura.., since when do the children in this house speak without being spoken to?" "Not in the shed." " Who?" "The young master." " Get out!" "Go!" "Oh!" "Look, Laura.." " Yes." "Tell me, how old were you when you wrote me asking me to run away?" "But this is different!" "When I proposed to you, I was at the age of reason." "No, Giuseppe." "That can't be there." "Tie up the box." "In short, tie it where you want, but it can't be there." "First of all, good morning." " Good morning." " Good morning." "This morning you both seem.." "a bit distracted." "Look at that!" " Oh, Nando!" "Your mustache press!" "And little Guido?" "The young master left a half hour ago." "I told Geremia to look after him." "I've been watching him and he's always been right here." "Or there." "Where?" " In front, over there!" "Where is that boy?" " He's probably in the house." "Look for him!" "There you are, Guido, are you ready?" " Mom, I can't leave." "Somedays, I need the patience of a saint to put up with you!" "Move it!" " When do we return?" "What a question!" "In October, after the harvest." "I'm not leaving, Mom." " Huh?" "She leaves within a month." " So?" "And I kissed her." "And if a child is born, I won't leave her like that scoundrel did the nurse!" "Micio!" "Dear!" "Let's go!" "Come on!" " Mama!" " Get on." "Filli!" "Shove off!" " You shove off!" "What did you say?" "Me?" "Ah, ugly monkey!" "Ugly asshole!" "You see you get out!" " Children!" "What is this?" "Is this the way you treat a girl?" "Shame on you!" " Hey!" "Is he your son to give him a slap?" "Exactly." "Because if he were my son, I'd give him two!" "Hark at that!" "You old fool!" " Ah, young lady.." "Go, there's a car coming." " Come on." "I'm sorry, Enrichetta Maria." "I'll try to be quick, but it'll take ten minutes." "You want a magazine?" " No, thanks." "Gerardo, what about you?" "Aren't you coming?" "No, there's no time." "And leave your wife alone?" "Now that I think about it.." "If you can, why don't you come with us to Fregene?" "Fregene today?" " Perfect!" "Try to persuade him, Enrichetta Maria." "What did I tell you?" "Better this way?" "We'll be staying overnight." "Shall we go for a walk?" "In this heat?" "We could get some magazines." " Forget it!" "You touch it, you pay!" "It's the same old junk anyway." "Excuse me, but this here's not the same old junk." "A short little thing: interesting.., fitting." "THE VISE" "Here already?" "And Andrea?" " I got here first." "It's bad." "Why?" "I'm afraid he knows." "Andrea?" " Yes." "How?" "Did you..?" " No, it must've been both of us." " Here?" "Yes, the other night, while leaving." "He came down first with the bags." "Remember?" "You were holding a candelabra, and as I went by.." "God, we are so stupid sometimes!" " He saw us!" "I think he looked back." "Was I still coming down when he called to you?" " Yes, he greeted me." "Then it was when he went towards the door." "No, before that!" "If we were seen!" " Glimpsed, if anything." "And would he have let you leave first?" "Is it possible?" "Are you sure he hasn't left?" " Very." "There's no other trains in the city before 3." "He'll be here in two hours." " Carluccio!" "Carluccio, come here." "Mr. Serra said that the master might return on the 3:00 train." "Bring the children to their grandmother, then come back here." "Mama, is dad really coming home today?" " I'm not sure, dear." "As soon as he arrives, I'll call grandma." " Carluccio, say goodbye to Mr. Serra." "Goodbye, Mr. Serra." " Bye." "Make yourself at home." "Hurry up, go." "Bye, mommy!" " Bye, honey." "He'll be here soon." "He'll be here soon and we don't know, like standing over an abyss." "Please, calm down." "I want to know everything." "Tell me everything calmly." " Yes, calmly, if I can." "Here, remember?" "Before leaving we were discussing at the last moment that damn business in the city." "He got excited." " Yes, so?" "Then on the street, he was silent." "He walked on, head bowed." "I looked at him, he was troubled, his eyes were twitching." "He knew for sure." "Then.." "suddenly in a calm and natural voice he said," ""It's sad, isn't it, to travel at night?" "To leave the house at night?"" "He said that?" " Yes. "I feel bad for those at home."" "Then came one sentence!" "I was sweating bullets." ""Leaving by candlelight on a staircase."" "He said that?" "How did he say it?" " In the same voice, calmly." "He also spoke of the children, left in bed asleep and you." "But he was looking at me." "What did he say?" "How much you love your children." "Here." "You were here." "And I was here, like before.." "and he.." "..here." "I can see him as he was exactly." "Anything else?" "Yes." "The first night in the hotel, we took a single room with two beds." "We were lying down for a while, he realized I wasn't sleeping." "Realized.. no." "We were in the dark." "He knew it, I'm sure." "I never moved." "At night, alone with him, wondering if he knew." "Just imagine it!" "I kept my eyes wide open in the dark, waiting, perhaps, to defend myself." "Suddenly, in the silence, I heard these words," ""You're not asleep."" " What did you do?" "Nothing." "I didn't answer." "I pretended to be asleep." "A little while after, he repeated, "You're not sleeping."" "Then, I exclaimed," ""Did you say something"?" "And he said, " Yes"." ""I wanted to know if you were asleep."" "But he wasn't simply asking me if I were sleeping." "You see he said it like he knew that I wasn't or couldn't sleep!" "At least, it seemed that way." " Anything else?" "Nothing else." "I didn't sleep for two nights." "All this playacting, him!" "If he saw us!" " Yet he was not yet down!" "Is it possible he could've seen?" " Maybe, it's just a fear." "But even in fear.." "You don't know him." "To be so in control himself!" "He's so violent." "To never show anything!" "You don't know him." "If he had the least suspicion.." "that you had kissed me, he would've came back immediately." "No, no." "It's not possible." "You're just scared." "That's it." "Scared?" "You really believe you're not?" "Scared?" "We were too careless." "And now all of our indiscretions, foolhardiness, dances before my eyes." "I'm surprised he never noticed anything before!" "How nice it'd be to let ourselves be discovered so stupidly for nothing!" "For a slight indiscretion, like three nights ago.." "It was your fault, remember?" "Now you're blaming me too, eh?" " No.." "It's only natural." "You tortured me for months." "Threatened to kill yourself!" "You made me betray a man who trusted me more than himself." "Ah, yes." "The fault is mine, all mine." "No, I didn't mean it that way.." " Yes, it's exactly what you meant." "And now you can also say that I ran away from home to be with him." "And that I practically insisted that he marry me." "Me." "Because I loved him." "And then I betrayed him with you." "It's just that you condemn me." "Quite right!" "Now that danger's near, you're afraid." "You think I don't know?" "You're scared!" " If I am, it's for you and your kids!" "Come, don't get upset." "If you believe Andrea knows nothing.." "maybe you're right." "Even now it seems difficult to believe he could control himself so much." "Come, maybe he didn't notice anything." "You'll see." "Maybe.." " Go!" "You have no more part to play here." " You're unjust!" " No more!" "Think as you like." "Such is your love!" " Do you want to drive me crazy?" "No, it's better we finish this now, whatever may happen next." "I think it'd be better if he found out everything." "Are you mad?" " Better that way!" "Yes!" "If I have the courage, I'll tell him." "If I have the courage.." "Go now." "I have little time left." "I came to take you to the station." "Isn't it better we go together?" " No, it's no longer your concern." "I want to be alone with him." "Him.." "and me." "Thank you." "Can you help me?" "So, you were expecting me." "Serra must have told you." "Yes, he was just at the house." "He'll come by later to see you." "Oh, he will?" "Good." "And my feather pincushion?" "Look at that.. it's not here." "I left it in the train." "Too bad!" "Have you've been well?" "And the kids?" "You left it on the train?" " In the train or in a hotel.." "But what can you do?" "And the children?" "The kids are fine." "They're at grandmother's." " Good." "You did well to send them there." "She cares so much." "Poor mother!" " And business?" "What?" "Didn't Serra tell you?" " No." "No, he only stayed for a bit." "The deal can be said to be well underway!" "A done deal!" "Oh, yes!" "Serra is very clever." "No doubt about it!" "Nobody could've done things better." "And if everything succeeds like I think it will, guess what'll I do?" "Liquidate everything without a second thought." "Pack up and go to the city." "Eh?" "We're going to settle in the city." "Aren't you happy?" "Wherever's fine with me." "That stupid mule ride from the station is the only thing I'll miss from here." "Go get the children." " But the master said.." "Leave them be." "I want to unpack my bags first," "I have some presents for them." " As you wish." "What is it, Andrea?" "Nothing." "Why?" "Do I look tired?" "I can imagine." "Don't worry, it's all over now." "No more troubles." "Pack up and go to the city." "Yes, I want to live like a lord too." "Enjoy myself." "By the way," "I need to close accounts with Serra." "Eh.. pay him back." "I've done him several favors, but that doesn't matter." "Maybe for him.." " No, business is business." "Favors don't enter into it." "He ?" "deserves it, anyway." "If you knew what reasons he found to support my rights." "Very effective." "They denied me any credit for doing the country good!" " They don't understand." "Ah, yes." "When it comes to being grateful to someone, they don't know how." "I could see it while I was on train." "They were admiring it all now that it was done." "They thought I was a madman." "A swamp!" "Yes, to you people, but to me, it was California!" "It's been my passion since childhood." "How many times have we talked about it!" "You remember?" "Only you believed in it." "You and me." "The two of us alone." " And I didn't know how to help you." "What?" "How else could I've got started?" "Wasn't it your money?" "How could you think that?" "It's true, if I didn't have you.." "you and the children.." "Of course, Andrea." "Not for me, I didn't do anything.., but for the children." "How can you give up everything?" "The weariness, the hassles.., the ingratitude of these people, all of them." "You know what my money's been worth?" "Nothing." "Only what you've done matters." "And what you've accomplished is yours and the children's." "You said you've won your battle, right?" "And just now, after so many years of hard work.." "Ah, yes.." "Excuse me, Giulia." "For a moment, I thought I had forgotten.." "I'm sorry." "Maybe you're right." "Better think it over before deciding." "We'll talk later." "Now we'll have dinner." "Anna!" "I'll send her to get the children." " No, wait!" "But they were so impatient." "You promised them gifts." "And I brought them." "But they're fine at grandma's and I have to work to do." "We'll get them after we eat." "Alright?" "In town, I met your brothers twice and both times.." "What did they do?" " Nothing." "What did you think they would do?" "Like usual, they pretended not to know me." "They can't stand it that I'm no longer a pauper." "Don't mind them." "Why should you care about them?" "I've long since forgotten them." "So narrow-minded!" "Ever since I met you, they no longer existed for me." "And then I.." "Isn't it good?" " Very good, but I'm not hungry." "You've always liked it." "I'd think you would understand the mood I'm in." "Just ask Serra!" "Three days of hell!" "The things they pulled!" "But why?" "I risk all my money, I mean yours.., to reclaim the land, to drain and improve it, then the contracts expire!" "Not only do they try to deny me any profit, but any credit in having helped the town!" "You know what they had the nerve to tell me? "You've made money"!" "Thank you so much!" "And who did the work?" "In addition, they expect me to impoverish myself for them!" "Now calm down, Andrea." "You're tired, you're agitated." "Get some rest." "Just think they were dying like flies due to malaria before." "Where are you going?" "Your bed." "Don't you want to rest?" "Wait a sec." "I met Old Mantegna on the train." "Both his daughters were dead!" "And his wife died from malaria too." "He cried as he told us about it." "And we well know what kind of a "saint" that woman was." "Funny, eh?" "He's almost senile, poor guy." "You know he was beaten up?" "Well, he was." "By his wife's lover." "He told us about it himself on the train, nonchalantly, as if it didn't concern him." "You can imagine our laughter." "Luckily, we had one of those fast, worldly young men with us.." "May I go then?" " Where?" "On an errand for me." "Go to my mother and wait for us." "Go on!" "What about us?" " We're leaving now." "Then let's go." " Yes, of course." "Dressing?" "It's not worth it." "We won't stay long." "Now, listen." ""Caught them in the act?", the young man said." ""That's medieval, quite out of date." "The gentleman was beaten up besides.."" ""The classic fake departure, the unexpected return.."" ""The stuff of old husbands who make you want to think.."" ""they lost their trains, when they lost their heads."" "Have you seen my keys?" "I always leave them here." ""You suspect your wife and want proof?" "What's the use of coming to blows?"" ""What's more it's silly to disturb two people who are having such fun together!"" "It's hilarious, don't you think?" ""If I had a wife," he said, "and I suspected her,"" ""I'd make sure not to notice anything."" ""I wouldn't worry her, I wouldn't look for proof."" ""I'd behave in such a manner, and this requires skill, that she.."" ""and she alone, would become the living proof,"" ""the most incontrovertible, when the time is ripe."" "May I get my shawl?" "I'm cold." " Let me do it." "But let me finish this." "" When the right moment came,"" ""I'd turn to my wife and as if nothing had happened,"" ""tell her a little story.."" ""one of those vulgar love affairs in which the wife is guilty,"" ""entangling her.." "in a subtle net..," ""even tighter."" ""Until, suddenly.."" ""you hold a mirror up and say in a kindly voice,"" "" 'Why dear, are you so pale?" "' "" "Amusing, isn't it?" "Light me the way." "Let's look for the keys." "I must've dropped them at the entrance." "I've been boring you, haven't I?" "You're not interested." "Why should it interest me?" "Mantegna's wife?" " How about.." "Serra?" "Come." "I'll say to him, "Listen, my good man."" "Give me more light." "I'll say, "My good man, this is rather embarrassing for me."" ""We're friends."" ""Say it." "Say what you want and I'll give it to you."" "What do you think?" "Do as you think best." "I'm only afraid that saying it like that.." " He'll refuse?" "Eh, conscience, my dear, can make a man particular." "Having stolen my honor, he'll refuse my money." "What did you say?" "It's true, isn't it?" "Andrea!" "I saw you myself!" "With my own eyes!" "The two of you there and I here!" "Do you have the gall to deny it?" "Shameless!" "How you trembled at my words!" "Just like him!" "Like him there!" "Three days I tortured him!" "He finally escaped!" "He couldn't take it anymore!" "And he came to tell you, didn't he?" "He ?" "came to tell you!" "I let him come here first on purpose!" "Why didn't you go off with him?" "Why?" "No!" " Why?" "No, no, Andrea, do with me as you wish, but don't insult me like that!" "I ran away with you, with you I was ready for anything because I loved you!" "To betray me!" " No!" "I was the first that came along!" "Anyone would've done!" " It's not true!" "It was a horrible madness." "I had no right.., but you can't say that!" "I fled with you because I loved you, not to find luxury in a new home." "I already had that so that's not why I came with you." "But you had to make up for it!" "Had to pay it all back!" "The only way you could think of was to work like a dog!" "And me?" "What about me?" "All you ever asked of me was my admiration for your courage.." "and my gratitude." "And for me.." "to wait for you night after night impatiently, happy when you returned." "But you only returned with your work, always more work!" "Satisfied with your day and only thinking about the next day." "At times, all the esteem and confiding, the friendship of a husband, seem like an insult to a woman in love!" "I was tired of it." "Yes, I was tired of it." "And he took advantage of it!" "You think this justifies you?" " No, Andrea, I only told you because.." "Then leave!" "Go with your lover." "You can have it all." "All!" "Take your money with you!" "I'll start over again with my children!" "Don't say that." "I ask your forgiveness," "I promise never to look you in the face again, but let me stay with them!" "No!" "I beg you!" " No!" "I'll ask you one last time." " I said no." "I don't wan to see you, hear you!" "The children are mine!" "Mine!" "And they'll stay with me!" "You know me, don't you?" "I beg you, look.." "like this!" " You'll never see them again!" "Not even for the last time?" " No." "One last time!" "Time to give them a kiss and hold them in my arms.." "and then go away." " No." "Oh, God!" "God!" "How cruel you are!" "Then kill me!" "Why don't you kill me?" "Kill me!" "Kill me!" "Me?" "Look!" "Look down there!" "Is it them?" "I told him to come here." "That's why I sent Anna." " Oh, Andrea!" "Go, go meet your lover!" "Go with him!" "What do you fear?" "Are you afraid for him?" "Goodbye, Andrea." "Goodbye.." "Aren't you coming with us to Fregene?" " No." "I gotta go." "But you said you were free." " But I forgot.." " Yes." "he forgot something." " You understand?" " No." "Maybe another time." "Goodbye!" " Bye." "Look at these kids!" "Where did that ball go?" "Hey, kids!" " Are you hurt?" " Well.." "Now I'll take that ball.." " Give me the ball!" " Get out!" "I want the ball!" " Go away!" "No!" "Gimme!" " First you must pick up that stuff!" " No!" " Yes!" "If not, no ball!" "Lady, tell him to pick up the stuff!" "It's not my stuff, why should I?" " And is it mine?" "Fine, everybody picks up their own stuff." "There!" "Damn it!" "Would you look at that!" "I'm sorry, but.." " Well, what can you do?" "Ooh!" "Look!" "I didn't notice it." "You know who that is?" "That's grandpa and grandma when they got married in Venice." "Ah, how nice! # We leave by gondola!" "We leave by gondola!" "# We leave by gondola, to start our work." "# Under the bridge, under the bridge of Rialto.." "# has passed by, has passed by a boat.." "# O Trieste, O Trieste, bless you," "# We will see you, we will see you free again!" "# Every night below my balcony," "# I hear sung a song of love." "# Several times, repeats it a handsome youth.." "# and I feel it beat so, so strong my heart." "# and I feel it beat so, so strong my heart." "# Oh, how sweet is the melody!" "# Oh, how beautiful, how pleasing to me!" "# Oh, let me sing it, but my mother won't let me." "# I wish I could because she forbade it." "# She's not here and I want to sing.." "# the words that made me tremble." "# I'd like to kiss your black hair, # your lips and your unmerciful eyes." "# Hold me still, hold me to your heart." "# Let me experience.." "the intoxication of love." "# I have joy in my heart." "# I feel inside a great desire come over me." "# It's love's thorn, which I feel in my heart, # that I dream of and desire for myself." "# In my dreams it seems like I'm holding him close to me." "# I hug my beloved so, # drunk in the sensuality." "# My sweet love, please me so, let me experience a great joy." "# Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me well." "# Kiss me and let me swoon with you." "# I dream of the color of your dark hair." "# Of your mustache burning up with love." "# I feel my heart tremble." "# Your voice sounds so fine, # so delicious, sweet, harmonious." "# Your gaze pierces and wounds every heart," "# I'm crazy for your love!" "# Ah!" "My sweet love, # please me so, let me experience a great joy." "# Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me well." "# Kiss me and let me swoon with you." "# My sweet love, # please me so, let me experience a great joy." "# Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me well." "# I want to swoon with you." "# On the sea glitters.." "# a silver star," "# Gentle the waves, # favorable the wind." "# Come into my agile little boat," "# Santa Lucia." "# Saint Lucia." "# Come into my agile little boat," "# Santa Lucia." "# Santa.." "# Tripoli, beautiful land of love," "# I send to you sweetly this my song!" "# Wave the tricolor flag, on your ships from the cannon's roar." "# Sail away, oh, battleship!" "Happily, we await you!" "# Tripoli, enchanted land, will be Italian the cannon's roar." "Well, times gone by." "This is for you." "Keep it as a souvenir." "Thanks." "Goodbye." " Don't mention it." "Please sit down." " Thanks a lot." "Now it's time for me to close." " But I can't allow it." "Do you remember this?" "It's "The Trial of Phryne"." " Here." "If you get a few laughs in before closing, the day will've ended well." "Hey, where are you going?" " In the courtroom." "It's all full!" " What are you talking about?" "I'm the lawyer." "So you say?" "A lawyer!" " Yes, a lawyer for the defense." "Excuse me, excuse me." " Get it over with, counselor!" "Counselor, don't push!" "You can't pass, it's all full." "Yes, but I'm the.." "Ah!" "Finally the defense!" "Good, counselor." "Pass." "Defend, defend!" "I beg this most excellent court's pardon." " Pardon?" "I meant to say, I just received this.. this.." "Yes, tomorrow" " Sit down, counselor." "I would've never dared arrive so late." "Counselor, you were asked to sit." "May at least look at the file?" "My most humble apologies!" " You have been forgiven." "But in my defense, if I was called to defend someone.." " Appointed." "Court appointed." "You know what that means?" "Pro forma." "Fine, but I was still called at the last moment." "Because we hoped not to bother anybody until we needed him." "Besides, the others refused." " And then, finally.." "You called me." "Thank you, your honor." "Anyway.. how did the ancient Greeks put it?" ""The future is in the lap of Zeus."" "Counselor, let's not start with those Greeks." "Keep that for when I ask you." "And let's hope that's not too soon." "Pasquale Procida." " Sir, I'm a pharmacist and.." ""coscientiam ante lucrum"." "What conscience?" "You distribute poison as if it were baking soda!" "For the mice, your honor!" "I put it myself in the cheese." " Grated!" "You sprinkled with arsenic a bowl of grated cheese!" "And why?" "We all know mice like their pasta highly seasoned!" "I never imagined, sir.." " Because you were bewitched!" "When you committed the deed!" "And the proof?" "Why, you put enough arsenic to knock down a herd of elephants!" "What was the price.." "for this act of criminal complicity?" "Price, sir?" "I didn't even get a penny!" "Not even a penny?" "But what did you ask for?" "Yes, when you shut the pharmacy door?" "To keep out the sun." "I left it a little ajar.." "Ajar?" "It was locked and bolted!" "You already admitted it in the inquest!" "Your honor, unfortunately, I can't find my glasses." "I sent for them an hour ago." "But I remember reading in the indictment a statement that the witness was pestering the defendant for some time." "Wouldn't it be the right moment, to question her about the witness's behavior when he closed the door, and sprinkled with arsenic the bowl of grated cheese?" "Maria Antonia Desideri (You like), have you heard the question?" " Yes, sir." "Which one?" " The one asked by the prosecutor." "I'm sorry, what did you say?" " No!" "That's the defense attorney!" "The prosecutor is that gentleman there.." "who asked you what was the pharmacist's mood.." "when you asked him for the poison." "You can just imagine!" "That one's been chasing me for a while." "And did you succumb to his advances?" " I couldn't." "Why?" " How could I do it?" "He looks too much like my husband!" "Sir, me?" "Honestly!" "Bring in the defendant's husband." "You are Getteo Desideri?" " Ciattei." "Ciattei." "Do you know this woman?" " Yes." "That's my wife!" "Yes, your wife." "And.." "your wife was lacking in her duties?" "Huh?" "In her conjugal duties." "She had lovers?" ""Lovers"?" "She gave you the horns?" "Yes, sir!" "That's what my mother always told me!" "Ah!" "And you never realized it?" "It was my mother who.. who told me." "She'd say, "You know she's with Ciccanoglia?"" "Then my mother.." ""She's with with Pasquale Scoteca."" "My mother, "You know she's with Donato Ceci?"" "Every night my mother would tell me that she was.. was with somebody." "You admit what your husband says?" " Of course, sir!" "Every night, as I returned, he'd complain til my head burst." "You can imagine how I lived!" " Immoral!" "And is that why you gave her the poison?" " I object, sir." "The question is.." "Eh.." " Biased." " Biased." "Counselor, grant me this favor." "But how dare you?" "Answer." "Is this why you gave the poison to your mother-in-law?" "Me?" "I didn't give her anything." "I put the cheese with the mice poison in the macaroni with oil." "With the peperoncini, I didn't put them." "I said," ""If this woman, who drives me crazy, wants peperoncinis,"" "" it's a sign I must put up with her."" ""If she wants the one with oil, it means I won't and she'll be punished."" "Punished?" "Why punished?" "Your honor, she tormented me every day, for no reason!" "Without reason?" "But if you've said here that.." "The next witnesses!" "Bring in the first one!" "The first one." "Hey!" "The first one!" " Yes!" "Well, who knows who was first?" "The first in line:" "Pasquale Spatò." "Let's go!" " That's me." "Do you swear to tell the whole truth?" " Yes, I do." "Your honor, how do I do this?" "There are ladies present." "You can't begin to imagine.." " I forbid you!" " What are you doing?" "Limit yourself to answering questions!" "Your honor, if you want, we can meet at a cafe." "I'll tell you all." "Are you insane?" " We're in court!" "Exactly so, that's why I invited you to coffee." "See, your honor?" "That way we'll be free to talk." " Silence!" "Enough!" "Mr. Prosecutor." "Your honor." "I was ringing the bells." "I saw her at the door of the churchyard, with all that sun shining on her face!" "She was looking and smiling at me and that day.." "Go on." " And then?" "And that day, I rung my bells like they were never rung before!" "No, Maria Antonia didn't say a word." " And you?" "I didn't say anything either." " Didn't you two speak at all?" "Why should we talk, sir?" "There was no need to talk, if you know what I mean." "A good woman!" "So good!" "So very good!" "She always asked about my mother, my wife, my children!" "A woman, who in this life, is only interested in feelings, affection, ardor." "Deep down." " I'm observing her closely." "I believe she's really good." "Such is life." "And then with that husband!" "If she were my daughter.." "You are the mayor from the defendant's town?" " Yes, sir." "I'd like to see your deposition restore to this courtroom a sense of decorum and dignity." "As soon as I heard of.." "you know.." "let's just say.." "activity of the defendant.." "I saw fit to summon her to the town hall to get a sense up to what point were true the.. the rumors about her conduct." "Well, your honor, I soon found out that the rumors were true." "Sir, I'd like to ask the witness, why he summoned again, as he says, the.." "the.." "Yes, I understand, counselor." "Did you understand?" "Because I had further doubts, that's why." "Very grave doubts." "I said, "Let's see if this time she'll.."" "I recalled Maria Antonia once again, but unfortunately all it did was confirm it." "You may go, mayor, go." "Maria Antonia, do you admit to what the witnesses said?" "Of course, your honor." "How many are left?" "Oh, God!" "Let's get this over with!" "How many of them do you recognize.." "well.." "you understand.." "Take your pick, your honor." "I know all of them." "Quiet!" "Excuse me." "You, my child, said all?" "Well, your honor, if one's a Christian.." "How can one refuse?" "Don Pasquale, this is too much!" " Why is it too much?" " She's honest." "Silence!" "These outbreaks disturb the court!" "It snaps the psychological thread of judicial investigation!" "My girl," "I hope I can't believe my ears." "Excuse me, if I entertain a horrible hypothesis:" "Me, a man of law, and unfortunately aged, me, with these wrinkles, these grey hairs, if I came to you.." "and I asked you to do.." "the unmentionable.." "Well, your honor, aren't you a Christian too?" "The prosecutor has the floor." "Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the court, I'm sorry and I apologize." "I'm sorry that a lapse of memory prevents me from reading here all the arguments listed fully here against the heinous crime of the accused." "However, all doubt is dispelled.." " Sir, the prosecutor's glasses." "..of the guilt, then the punishment." "Life imprisonment!" "Forever removed from our eyes, the sight of this monstrous creature!" "Your honor, a moment!" "Never mind." "Then the only thing that remains is to give the floor.." "One moment, counselor." "I feel bad for that poor woman." "Entrusting her to Don Pietro!" " What can we do?" "He must speak." "It's the law." "I know, but that's like sending her to chopping block!" "Unfortunately, but the offense is serious!" "And now the defense has the floor." "Counselor, don't." "That poor girl is already in trouble." "Counselor, do you have to?" " The counselor must speak!" "He'll ruin her!" " Yes, sir!" "He must plead!" "Thank you." " You're welcome." "Mr. Prosecutor, gentlemen of the court, gentlemen.." "A fine start!" "Umm.." " Jurors." " Thank you." "Jurors." "My colleague is right." "He's perfectly right." "The crime was committed, the accused confessed." "I'm not even going to try to say a single word in her defense." "Counselor, you look a little pale." "Are you sick?" "Be honest." "You want to be replaced?" " No, no, no, no, no!" "I won't defend the accused, but I must defend you, gentlemen, from the danger of issuing a too lenient sentence according to our laws, eh.. eh.. according to..!" "according to our morality, because.." "because according to our law this woman must be condemned.." "to life imprisonment, forever." "But.. gentlemen of the court, gentlemen of the court.." "those who are listening to me, there was and always will be, in spite of us, another morality, another law, that of.." "of beauty!" "Beauty that was incarnate in all things that were created." "Beauty is.." "woman!" "How to approach a woman." "To understand a woman." "To admire a woman." "This is what our morals, our law, no longer teach us." "But ask your splendid wives, all of these.." "beautiful ladies who are listening to me, if the beauty of woman can ever hide an evil nature." "They would all answer.." " No." "Charming." " Indeed." "And while I talk to you regarding.." "regarding.." " Maria Antonia." " Maria Antonia." "Thank you." "Trying to understand her, interpret her, one must be dedicated to the comprehension and interpretation of all women, and above all, your own.." "here present." "But let's consider the guilt of Maria Antonia." "Her guilt should be considered a negligible thing compared to the allegorical and mystical influence that she is as a woman." "exercises on her town!" " Bravo!" " Oh, thank you." "But you must exercise the law!" "You must condemn her to life imprisonment!" "Gentlemen, reflect:" "Life imprisonment forever." "By law, you should give a judgment, after which in some dismal building.." "will be shut out forever.." "exiled from the gaze of all, from yours, from that of thousands of others, a woman.." "who seems to be the incarnation of the beauty itself of our Naples, of our springtime, of our Vesuvio." "Yes, Maria Antonia." "Eh!" "Sir, Maria Antonia.." "Counselor, we're here ready to assist you!" "Thank you." "I was saying, Maria Antonia is a part of our landscape, like the rivers, lakes, the mountains!" "Condemn her and you put behind bars an essential part.." "of our wonderful country." "What would foreigners say.." "if we put in prison Vesuvius?" "Ah, who would've thought?" " Jesus, he's right!" "Blessed be the mother that bore you!" "Yet you want to do this!" "You must put in jail Vesuvius!" "This is what justice demands!" "What difference there is.." "between our kind of justice.." "and Greek justice!" "Sir, will it annoy you if I speak about the ancient Greeks?" " No, please, go on!" "The ancient Greeks are mankind's teachers." "Be, therefore, our teacher." " Thank you, sir." "The Areopagus was open on the most beautiful hill of Athens, while we're stuck here in this miserable courtroom: dusty, dark.." "and stinky!" "But the Eliasti!" "The great judges!" "Men, open minded to every greatness, who sat in judgment on marble slabs and not on these rickety, disgusting, undignified chairs which you occupy!" "And if it so happened, that when beauty was called upon to appear in the prisoner's dock, how far superior was their forensic skill and judgment!" "Phryne!" "Phryne!" "Who of you has never heard that name?" "Phryne was a Greek woman." "Phryne was Maria Antonia!" "Because Phryne was beauty itself!" "Come out, Maria Antonia!" "Come out!" "Excuse me." "Hyperides, one of my illustrious predecessors, led her to the middle of the Aeropagus like so, where she was being judged for a crime which compared to those of Maria Antonia was childsplay!" "Come up here, Maria Antonia." "Look at her!" "Look at her!" "And do you know how the great Hyperides defended her in front of the judges?" "With a single robe." "A single robe!" "It hid the form of that wonderful creature.." "from the view of the judges." "Just one!" "Are you following me, gentlemen?" " Yes, certainly!" " Indeed!" "And with one gesture, he ripped it off!" "Voilà!" "Oh, counselor.." "How beautiful!" " Then the ancient judges, who had already their thumbs pointing down, a sign of condemnation, they found themselves with the thumbs pointing up.." "in the gesture of absolution.." "and Maria Antonia.. uh.." "Phryne was acquitted." "Acquitted!" "If today in this small, miserable, judicial shack" "I cannot repeat the gesture of Hyperides.." "the fault is not Maria Antonia's," "Nor is the fault mine!" "The fault is yours!" "The fault of arid laws!" "Arid law!" "Or maybe we're the arid ones, who don't know how to interpret it?" "Eh?" "Because the law imposes on the one hand to.. to.." "to.." " Understand?" " Justify?" " No!" "Spare?" " Impart justice?" " Absolve?" " That's it!" "To condemn this woman to imprisonment forever!" "But on the other hand, doesn't this same law prescribe the acquittal.." "of the mentally undeveloped?" "Well then, why can't it prescribe the acquittal.." "OF THE PHYSICALLY OVERDEVELOPED" "AS SHOWN IN THIS MAGNIFICENT CREATURE!" "Given the circumstances referred to in paragraphs A and B of Article 21.." "The court sentences and condemns the defendant Maria Antonia Desideri.." "to 24.." "to 24 months of detention, of which.." "22 are amnestied by a recent decree.." "and the remaining 2 months have already been fully served, for which it is ordered her immediate release." "Counselor!" "Magnificent!" " Don Pietro, you put me to shame!" "Your honor!" "Don Pietro!" "Don Pietro!" "The world belongs to lawyers!" "No, sir." "The world belongs to.." "English subtitles by sineintegral@KG."