Hardboiled Egg (1997) - full transcript

You've reached 687-0953

Don't bother leaving a message,

I don't listen to them anyway.

Please don't leave

any message. Bye.

Hi, Lisa

If you happen to get this message

This is Piero Mansani

A friend of your cousin Tommaso

I just want to say...

everything's fine here in Livorno

I mean, shitty as usual

How about Rome?

That is, if you're there, who knows

I'll leave you my number again

So if you by chance

- What the fuck do you want?

- I'm ready

I told you not to bug me when I'm on the

phone

Buy flowers cemetery mommy

I'm not going to the cemetery

Mara'll go with you.

Go!

From my diary of those days:

Saturday, April 21

Exhausted, I fight the idea

of dying...

...in the useless delusion of

Seeing you again, my love

You may ask yourselves:

How is it possible that a boy

not quite 20...

...with a healthy constitution and

a respectable academic record...

...can fall so low?

It's a long story.

Let's start from the beginning.

I came into this world at midnight

sharp, on March 12, 1974.

In a place on Via della Coroncina

Neighborhood of Ovosodo

The super 8 film my father shot

didn't come out very well

He and mom were very emotional

Because their other son

had turned out a bit odd

Piero? want to play?

I have to finish my homework

The doctors would shake their heads

when visiting him

They said he wouldn't live very long

But Big Ivano didn't feel like dying yet

Leave me alone! Mom help!

Piero

You still have that headache?

Come here darling

Mom was always a bit sick

But she loved us just the same

Did you and Ivano

have another fight?

He hurt me

He loves you, you know

He could have "braked" my arm

You should say "broken".

I want a kiss too.

Come on then

One day mom died

We couldn't face it

How could we live without her?

Dad loved her a lot

They met while dancing

in the summer of '65

He told her he was the son of a tycoon

from Argentina

Who left him a huge inheritance

and a candy factory

An estate in Canada with two lakes

One warm, the other cold

But it wasn't true

He had been a docker

but had been fried

For political reasons, he said

From that moment on,

no one had a clue whatsoever.

One day he came home with a big car

No one knew where it came from

He was always at the bar

bumming rum punch

But mom loved him

Together, they were like the song

"The most beautiful

couple in the world"

Or so I thought

That afternoon, Dad took us aside

To talk to us man to man

Now you're both big boys

We can talk straight, clear the air, right?

I've been told about a nice girl.

A hard worker.

You guys are grownups now.

We need someone at home

who can cook and clean.

So I thought I'd have her come

live with us.

She can also use a hand.

And we need to help each other out.

Right, boys?

Listen, mom was mom, no doubt about it.

What's her name?

Mara. She's really a good girl

A hard worker.

During the darkest moments

of mom's illness...

...she was always there for me.

She was kind and understanding.

And she's nice. She sings

Know which song?

The one you like

The one that goes like this

I can't sing, but you know the one

So. It's a deal then

I'm glad you're with me on this

Easy now

Fucking lousy place

Don't exaggerate! It's nice

What's wrong now?

They're looking at me

Mind your business. Don't worry about it

Here we are

This is Piero and this is Ivano

Say hello, guys

He said good morning

Does he always talk like that?

I'll show how we're settled

Badly. There's even a pigeon

A myna bird, I'll get rid of it.

I want to lie down,

my back killing me.

Is there anything cool to drink?

Orange soda, barley water

even a nice little beer

She's thirsty. Something cool

There's tap water

Go get us something at the bar

So where's the money?

You always ask for money

When's the last time

you changed the sheets? They stink

Easy, baby

Quiet

Wait

Come and see

I can do that too?

No, not you

You?

No, just Dad

Thank God

Damn

I can't take it anymore

Damn that fucking bastard

who ruined you

Did you get the towel?

Maybe we should take her to

the hospital. I'll call an ambulance

No hospital

She doesn't want to go

Her mother died there

Your Dad, where is that goddamned

son of a bitch?

Don't you think she's a bit ugly?

She's all right

If she turns out ugly, I'll drown her

Understand, Diana?

Don't you dare turn out ugly

Ugly women are all unhappy

You called her Diana?

Like the Greek goddess

and the wife of Prince Charles

Now she's got it good

He may be ugly

But think of the money, the castles

the jewels

I would go for that

It must be your Dad.

Mr. Nedo Mansani, please.

He's not here

We've got a search warrant

Search the bedroom

There were words on the warrant

I had only heard in the movies.

Arrest warrant

Criminal association

Default, fugitive

Understand? This is my house

Who knows what Dad had done

Where he had gone?

At the time, I didn't ask

certain questions

For some time, I was taken

with something else

Take a guess.

Girls!

The other half of paradise

I wondered: Now that I'm

the son of a fugitive

Will it be better or worse?

What would girls think?

Would they avoid me? Admire me?

I was under a spell

They were like aliens to me

I was kind of afraid.

What were they thinking about?

Did they feel what I was feeling?

I didn't know what I wanted from them

But I wanted it bad

The first symptom showed up

one summer afternoon

I wasn't quite nine years old

Striker Paolo Rossi gets ready

to take the penalty kick

German goalie Schumacher is ready

to make the save!

Whoever kicks it out, gets it

Whoever smelt it, dealt it.

Up your nose with a rubber hose

If it doesn't fit, sit on it

I'm rubber, you're glue

Whatever you say

It it exactly three in the afternoon

of July 11, 1982

A fateful day

In a few hours, Italy will win

its third World Cup.

That night, while everyone was proud

to be Italian, (and to be from Livorno)

I was feeling very, very confused.

From then on, the world seemed to me

to be a place

Where divergent creatures

were drawn together to mate

That idiot spends all day

in the bathroom.

Some day I'll leave the gas on

and blow us all up.

What have I done wrong? Tell me, Ivano

I just want to be happy

and have a lot of money

A nice guy who loves me

Who takes me out to dinner

Who gives me lots of gifts

I would love coral earrings

Shut up

It's unfair, Ivano!

Actually, the only thing I liked to do

Was to go buy milk at the corner store

I envied my friend Mirko for his moped

For the store where he loaded up

on snacks as much as he wanted

But most of all for his mother Luana

Put it on your tab?

See you, you handsome.

I envied him because of Katia

At age 13, they French kissed

I was envious of whomever

knew the secret of love

While for me, that mysterious matter

was becoming more and more

of a problem.

Poor, sweet Susy Susini

Who lived in my building

Realized that at her expense

Katia

Can we go?

One second, Susy

When I saw her, her reaction

was indecipherable to me.

Did you say something?

No. I mean I said hello

I thought so, sorry

Are you okay?

I was convinced she couldn't stand me

But her best friend Katia

told me she liked me a lot.

In fact, one day she called me

Susy wants you to know she's into you...

...but Toto, Sergino and Juri

also like her a lot...

...they even told her that.

But if you want you two can go out

Right away. What should I tell her?

Can you repeat the question?

Sorry, but it's noisy in here

Do I have to give you an answer now?

Okay

I said yes

Thanks, don't worry about it

Tell her I said hello

What did he say?

He was happy, his voice was shaking

This way, the four of us can go out

Me and Mirkio and you and Piero

I've got a girlfriend

I read from my diary at the time

Wednesday, May 14, 1987

I can't describe how I feel

since I've found a girlfriend

Is this love?

It seems more like pride

Is love pride?

Think about it

How's it going?

Okay. You?

Not bad

Good

You going home?

Yeah, and you?

I'm going out for a little while

See you later

Bye.

Maybe I took too long to think about it

In fact, a few days later Katia called me

Susy doesn't want to go out

with you anymore

Fine, bye

I have to admit I felt a strange sadness

What did he say?

"Fine, bye"

Forget about him, Ovosodo's a nerd

Should I call Sergino?

No

Come on

I said no

My girlfriend left me

Where did I go wrong?

Why couldn't I do what others do?

I couldn't see myself

making 'cucci-cucci'

Whispering sweet nothing

without feeling like an idiot

I thought "what if I'm like Fabio?".

Or even like Danielino?

But no, that wasn't me...

Even though some displays of machismo

bemused me more.

When I have them bent over

in front of me

I don't know what gets into me

Those beautiful naked backs

I feel like punching them

I didn't dare let on that it shocked me

I lived in a world that

did not allow nuances.

One more subjunctive,

one existential doubt too many...

That's all it took to get you labeled

'queer' for life.

Dad

No, we were all sleeping

I'm okay. I'm studying

I have exams in June

Not my driver's license,

my middle school diploma.

When are you coming home?

Nedo? My love, honey..

You were a bastard leaving like that.

I miss you so much.

It's a mess here. They want to evict us

The police have come

Where have you been?

Don't worry, it's nothing

I'll talk to the judge.

He's a good man

Committed to civil rights, they say

I'll tell him what the deal is

Love, I've missed you so much

What do they want from you?

Nothing

I've been framed by some bad guys

There are plenty of witnesses

to prove I'm innocent.

People love Nedo, you know

Come on, Mansani

Just one minute

At the trial we found out

That Mercedes was stuffed with cocaine

He was sentenced 5 years

and 8 months

To this day, I don't know if Dad knew

Or if he was really just framed

I even wrote an essay in school,

about the misadventures

of an innocent man

Who got caught up in things

much bigger than him.

I also wrote that the cosmos

is not built on a human scale

And that man must adapt to it

with little gain

Except those with power and fame

Which also rhymes.

Piero

Your essay is great.

I read it to your classmates

To show them what it means

for a writer...

...to combine the creativity of a novel

with realism of description.

That is, to combine the fun

of story-telling...

...with life's dramatic reality

Just like Dickens, Mark Twain

and Salinger

You got an A but I could've

given you A+

What is it, Battoni?

Sorry ma'm but this isn't creativity.

Everyone can do that.

What do you mean?

Ovosodo really has a father in jail.

Battoni, you get out.

Why me?

You cast the stone

and hide your hand.

You don't even have the courage

to express your opinions.

No, actually, stay here.

This way you can help me analyze

the incomparable masterpiece...

...by our shameless friend there

Assignment: "Create a story that

could actually happen"

"I, one day"

"An incredible thing happened to me"

"I told everybody about it"

"But, swear to god, nobody believed me"

"that it actually really

happened for real."

"Everybody would have thought that"

"I made it up all by myself to look cool"

Now, my question is,

Did we just witness the work...

of a daring and reckless

experimenter of language...

Like that Gadda passage

we read the other day?

Or ist it just just a smiling rascal...

...who would do better to

study every now and then...

...instead of spending his afternoon

shooting lizards...

...and teasing poor Fiorella?

But ma'm

Honey, you're wasting your time

Everyone knows Florella

likes Enrico Tampucci

Okay, all together

'The Infinite' by our friend

Giacomino Leopardi

Giovanna was more than a teacher to me.

More than a mother.

She was amazing.

But some said she was crazy, because

her husband died just after marrying her,

and that her grief mader ask for

reassignment to another city.

What a surprise

I brought these back to you

You already read them? Good!

That means you liked them.

Pasolini was a little rough

but interesting.

But the other one...

Moravia? Yeah, I know

It made me depressed

but maybe it's just me.

Buricchio, move it

Are you hungry?

Should we eat something?

Have you seen the grades yet?

No, they haven't put them up yet

I went through a lot

to get you a good grade

But Mrs. Fazio says

you're a disaster with equations

You finished with honors

Honors?

Awesome

That word made me want to

dress up in jacket and tie

smoke with a cigarette holder

and go to cocktail parties

Honors, like Prince Charles

only without the big ears

The commission supports

the continuation of your studies

In particular classics

Yeah right, classics

That's what it says

Classics my ass. Listen to this guy

Classics, who do you think you are?

A writer?

What would you do for work

The classifieds are full of ads

Help wanted, graduates in Latin

and Greek studies, with license

Ms. Fornari told me

she would pay for my books

How generous

Know what you should tell her?

If she has money to burn

Why doesn't she send us

a money order?

Your damned father still has to

pay his lawyer

Instead of dreaming go see

my cousin Riccardo

Move it

Ever since Mara arrived

her cousin Riccardo

and his garage had loomed

over my future

But I had gotten too big for my britches

thank to Giovanna

and I couldn't see myself as a mechanic.

Finally, I enrolled at

Caproni High School on Via del Mare

An exotic and elegant place

for someone from my neighborhood

Like Beverly Hills

On the first day I got off

at the wrong stop

It's about time

We couldn't wait any longer

Come this way

I'm not used to the bus

I got off at the wrong stop

They sent you alone, on the bus?

Bastards

Here we are

The third one is clogged

And there's also a leaky faucet

if you can take a look at it

Have you been working with

Mr. Marmugi long?

Mr. Marmugi?

You're not the plumber?

Apparently, I didn't carry myself

like the students from this school

But so as not to be rude

I was about to roll up my sleeves

and take a look at that faucet.

Sorry

Section A was the most prestigious

I never know if I was there by mistake

or if Giovanna had been

hard at work

Unbeknownst to me

Biagini

Luca's brother?

My brother remembers you fondly

What a lovely boy

Chimenti

Doctor Chimenti's daughter

Give him my best regards

Gargani

The son of the renowned Captain

I suppose

He's now an Admiral

Congratulations

I'll be sure to tell him

Mansani

Of course. Your father is that

nice gentleman

The rotary Club vice president

No

I meant not any more

No?

From then on, a shroud of mystery

descended over my father's life.

So dense it even fooled me.

Initiation

Come on. Run the gauntlet

How about you? Come on curly.

I told you to leave me alone

Nice going, asshole

Moron! Moron!

I was no expert when it came to punches

But at school, what I could do

was more than enough.

In my neighborhood, you had to

know how to fight if you wanted respect.

There were certain guys

who were absolutely nuts

Furio Brondi bit the heads off lizards.

Sniffed gasoline, then tortured us kids

What are your mothers?

Whores

What do I do to your mother?

Fuck her up the ass

And to yours?

What he said

Good. Good boys.

You have a few coins by chance?

We'll go home to get them

We'll be right back

Now he's in rehab weaving baskets.

Silvano Ciriello, we called him "Wyoming"

for his special talent

He could also say Hawaii

Iowa and Palaia

Which was his mother's hometown

At school I minded my own business

But I earned a name for writing essays

And I learned how to exploit that.

50 (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

I'm done. Can I go now?

Yes, go ahead.

Knock yourself out!

There's only a half-hour left

- Subject?

- Literature. Count Ugolino

Current events?

Drugs

Ugolino 50,000, drugs 30,000

I have one ready

on the European Union for 20,000

It's worth B, B+

Do Drugs

Send someone in 15 minutes

I can only do three paragraphs

Otherwise you won't able to

copy them all

Make it good or I'm going to fail

I was respected,

sometimes even feared.

Some people may have even liked me

But I was really lonely

And I stayed that way for four long years

In that seat, in the second-to-last row

Up until that fateful

September 4th, 1991

The first day of my last year.

Gargani, see what

that strange man wants

Finally. How do you get into this school?

Normally, through the front door.

It's closed, and it's only 8:30

What, is this the Naval Academy?

Actually, it's 8:40

Want to know what happened?

I just got here when I realized that

I had my slippers on

I had to go back home to put these on

Who are you?

Tommaso Paladini. This is 5A, right?

Can I come in?

Make yourself at home.

Where should I sit? Here?

Perfect! Comfortable seat, great view.

I'm ready, go ahead.

I don't know where you picked up

these strange manners

You're right, I come from classics.

It's become a real hole!

Clean up you act.

That's why I'm here.

I feel changed already.

Where are you going?

Home.

I take the 12 and then change to the 30.

Where the hell do you live?

After Via Garibaldi

I'll give you a ride

It's pretty far. Where do you live?

Don't worry about it.

Is it going to make it?

Push!

Aren't they waiting for you at home?

No one ever waits for me.

Sorry.

Goddamn it.

Dry as a bone.

We can't even siphon some off.

Got 2,000 lire?

No.

I'll call a friend of mine

he'll give you some gas.

It's great here.

It looks like Naples, Berlin, Bucharest.

Mirko

They're not back from the store yet.

Thanks, Renata.

C'mon Piero.

I'm coming.

Who's that?

My brother Ivano.

Delicious, really, out of the world.

Even the pasta was exquisite.

I'd like to come and live here

with Piero, Diana and Ivano.

Can I call you mom?

That's all I need!

- Big Ivano, leave him alone.

- You're hurting me

Tommaso was the key encounter

of my adolescence.

Like Brian Eno for U2 and Coach Bearzot

for the Italian Soccer Team.

Glory and disgrace

had him as driving power.

-Hi Piero.

-Good morning.

Bye Susy.

Bye mom.

With him. I set out to discover

a whole new world

Which had nothing to do

with my neighborhood

With those afternoons

studying in Mirko's store.

At the start of our friendship

I remember skipping lots of meals

Tiananmen, Commander Marcos

Malcom X, Mandela and

the Panther movement

Zhang Ymou, Peter Jackson, Tondelli

getting high, Kurt Cobain

kissing and being kissed

New posses,

smelly feet

Coming home at dawn

with my head spinning

What time is it?

It's late

You know he won't go to sleep

if you don't say good night.

But what do you care

You're on you own in the morning

Good night, Piero

Good night, go to sleep

The days passed,

the panther was caught.

The students had returned to

their places.

But that seat in the second-to-last row

was always empty.

Mansani beggar

Paladine bogus anarchist

Get out

You're the one who taught me

what's important.

That's why I could appreciate Tommaso

when I met him.

Otherwise I would have judged him

by his appearance.

Which was repulsive

Tell me about this Tommaso guy.

You could have dreamed him up

He's funny, smart, an elegant bum.

- Really?

- He's a living paradox

The kind of guy we both like.

Everyone is unique in his own way.

But certain people are made

in many different ways

On the surface, they seem simple

But inside, there's much more

He's smooth, sharp, cultured

Attractive, with a nice profile

and a nice smell too

Okay, so she's nice

she's the nicest person I know.

She should be the pride of this town

I don't like nice people.

I understand...

In the sense that being nice

is a fade Mafioso virtue.

Typically Italian

In France, England

they don't try to be good

They care for real virtues

That's it, right?

I was wrong to say Giovanna is nice

I belittled her.

She's so much more.

Only assholes are nice, right?

Good. Can you pay? I've got no money

This music will have to do.

I stopped keeping up

with the latest hits.

Tschaikovsky, the Pathetic!

The second movement, the best one

- How's the ratatouille?

- Exceptional.

A kind of semolina with peppers?

Kind of

The wine should be cool enough now.

He's not as repulsive as you said,

he even brought flowers.

I told him to buy them

and not to steal from city flowerbeds

He never has any money

I think he's poor.

What do his parents do?

He said his father's a gardener,

a thief, he's dead...

I don't think he has a mother

Where does he sleep?

All over the place

One time he even slept at

my brother's feet

to my friend Piero

And this enchanting angel

Three cheers for Livorno!

For our second course

something unusual and tres chic

Chinese Shrimp?

Roasted chicken and potatoes.

Everlasting, like The Infinite by Leopardi

And the Sanremo Music Fest

I get the thigh

No, I get it.

There should be two

What's the law of potatoes?

There are never enough

The inescapable Cartesian axiom

Descartes wrote about potatoes?

That's right!

Descartes is from the 1600s

and potatoes were brought

from America in the 1500s, right?

You know, you're pretty funny.

Another drop.

The night took on a French flavor

We talked about Mallarme

Truffaut, Henry Levy

About a special wine called Sauterne

I felt as happy as a character

out of Flaubert

I didn't know what was about to happen

But let's not get ahead of ourselves

Tommaso and Giovanna went to

get some dessert

Where's the nutcracker?

It always gets lost.

And the scissors?

Who knows where they end up.

There's a parallel universe

a virtual world.

Inhabited by nutcrackers and scissors.

I hate the word "virtual".

And also "no problem".

I hate when they say "I'm at the office"-

I hate "it intrigues me".

"This book intrigues me".

It's almost worse than

"engaging" and "transgressive".

What are you doing?

We spent the rest of dinner practically

in complete silence.

Something inside me did not want to

think of something.

I felt like I was floating.

My ears were ringing.

It was my mind racing

To avoid thinking about

what it was thinking about.

Thanks for dinner, see you soon.

Don't ever bring him here again.

In the next days

Giovanna called me a lot.

But I didn't feel like talking.

Tommaso just disappeared.

They say Paladini won't be

coming to school anymore.

You're not friends anymore?

Mind your fucking business.

How nice

I'm just telling you

because I found this under the desk.

If you can give it to him, fine.

Otherwise, I don't give a shit.

Actually, it's a bit gross. Here.

He didn't come today either?

- Tommaso?

- Do you know where I can find him?

How are you doing?

Okay.

His mother always hangs up on me.

His mother? He has a mother?

You know nothing about him, do you?

Neither do I.

I've gotta go.

What should I know?

What happened?

Nothing.

I mean...

I'll call you.

No, you call me

Again form my diary of those days

Friday, December 18

I feel angry, shocked

and shamed of myself.

Who's Tommaso?

And who's Giovanna?

What happened between them?

Who am I?

Why do I want to strangle Tommaso?

Think about it.

I think I've got the wrong house.

I'm new around here.

I'm on my way. Good boy.

Excuse me, I was looking for...

your son, I think.

My son?

Where can I find him?

He died six years ago.

Who are you?

Dead for six years?

You're not Tommaso's father.

Would I be here shoveling?

Dolores.

This young man is looking for

Signorino Tommaso.

He's not here, he's in Rome.

He's in Rome at his uncle's place.

You want the address and number?

Sure, thanks.

If only I had understood

our teacher's little game

about famous relations

I would have figured out

who Tommaso was

The son of Mr. Paladini, Knight of Rodi

Commendatore, owner of a pier

in the industrial port

And head of Palchimica Industries

which for twenty years

has been polluting my neighborhood

with its toxic exhaustions.

Sorry, I know it's a bad time

But something incredible has happened.

Did I wake you?

I know you and I have lost touch recently

But we're good friends, right?

So I said "I'll go talk to my good

friend Piero", is that okay?

Talk about what?

Brace yourself.

I broke up with Katia.

After six years. Can you believe it?

I'm a wreck!

C'mon...

I told her...

I took you to the movies to see

Cristopher Lambert

To see the Vallesi concert in Ponsacco

I took you to the Pitignano market

for that big sale

And just once, I wanted to

see the Stunt Car

I even had free tickets

You want to deny me this satisfaction?

You're being unfair. Am I right?

Yeah, but don't speak so loud

I'm glad you agree with me

What, are you going somewhere?

-I'm going to Rome.

-To do what?

To look for my friend.

You know what, Piero ol' buddy?

I've got a nice surprise for you

Another one?

I'm coming with you!

Just like old times, remember?

No.

We never took a trip together?

I don't think so.

You see? I'm all messed up.

I may be out of mind

but I know what I want.

To live my life

Enough with these chains, Katia

Mom, the store, all that!

Right, Piero? I'm coming with you.

Plus I've never been to Rome.

Are we taking the train?

They say there's a bunch of stations

in Rome

You have to be careful not to

make a mistake

Rome Olympic Stadium

Rome Vatican, Rome Termini

Rome Terminillo

Where are we getting off?

Take it easy, I don't have any money

I have to hitch-hike

I don't even know where

I'm going to sleep.

I don't think it's a good idea

for you, Mirko. Think about it.

Piero, my friend, I have

thought about it.

I'm coming.

Rome! Rome-ward bound!

Taste, you want?

My mom made it.

No eat? I have potato chips

Snack for baby

Pecorino cheese. They make it here

Capalbio 7 km.! Can you believe it?

There's Occhetto's oak!

The symbol of new communist party

Piero too, right?

Would you pipe down

They're nice

The Swedes have always been

very cool.

Take Stenmark and Bjorn Borg

That reminds me, is he still dating

Loredana Berte?

"I'm not a lady"

"But a woman with just stars in her life"

If only Katia was here to see

all this beauty...

Meanwhile I was thinking

"When I get there, I'll be cool."

"I'll ask for an explanation

with no anger"

"I'll try to be aloof, like the English do"

No way! My best buddy.

Give me a hug.

He's awake

What happened?

Your buddy slugged you.

You Livorno guys are expressive.

- Did he take off?

- He's in the john with nosebleed.

The Count socked him

Something just came over him.

Sorry, I don't know what got into me.

He hit you, I hit him

The kid who's with him is over there

Did you hit him too?

He took a few drags and passed out

He's gone.

Livorno! Wake up!

You're crazy.

What about you?

Did you come here to knock me out?

Don't tempt me, I'll do it again.

Why did you do it?

Will you tell me or

do I have to guess?

I get it.

You saw my house

and you were shocked.

Horrors! My father's rich

Is it my fault?

Maybe it is, since even

I'm ashamed to admit it

I promise I'll waste it all

as soon as I can.

Then will you forgive me?

It's not that.

I ran into Giovanna

How's she doing?

Badly, it seems.

That night I tried to kiss her.

I realized I had gone too far

So the next night I called her.

You called her?

To apologize.

We talked all night

And then I went to her place.

And slept together.

In her bed?

Where else? On the floor?

She was acting strange

the next morning.

Maybe she felt guilty.

Go figure.

She said get out of here

Then she ran after me

grabbed me by the hair

Then she said sorry

gave me a kiss and burst out laughing.

She sat down and said I don't feel good.

And then she started crying.

I told her I'd see her again that evening.

But you never went.

I was on my way but I ran out of gas.

I started hitch-hiking.

And this really nice chick on her way

to Rome picked me up.

So you came to Rome with her

I'm sorry, man, really,

but what can I do?

Where're you going?

Home. What's there to do here?

Wait, let me see my cousin Lisa tonight.

Then we'll take off.

What, you want to leave me here

feeling guilty?

Too good.

Plate, please!

This sauce is out of this world

With the bacon my mom sells

at the shop.

Check it out

They eat pasta that's half-cooked.

They say it's easier to digest.

They're kinda weird here in Rome.

They smoke that wacky weed.

I took a puff 'cause I'm open-minded

but I didn't feel anything.

Rome didn't change me a bit.

Wanna eat something?

Finally, you made it

Are you Swedish?

You look like a couple of friends I met

Hi Lisa. The owner of the house

Hi, you must be Lisa,

Tommaso's cousin.

I think I've seen you somewhere

before, just for a second.

I don't think so

I'm Piero Mansani. And this is my friend

Nice to meet you, Mainardi.

You want something to eat?

Thanks.

Sit down, make yourself comfortable.

Now I remember where I saw you.

In a picture in Tommaso's diary.

You were wearing a dark green jacket.

Doc Martens boots and a striped scarf.

But you had shorter hair, I think.

A bus was passing behind you.

The number 94 bus.

I mean I think so,

I just glanced at it.

Tommy, any calls?

This Fabio guy, and Giancarlo.

And someone with a funny name.

Alex, Max.

Alex? Wasn't he in jail?

Your friend in jail? What'd he do?

Resisting arrest.

He kicked out the window of a cruiser.

And put a cop in the hospital.

-Why?

-Why? Are you joking?

Cops are helpful.

Without them, the criminals would do

whatever they wanted.

Think about your uncle, they would steal

everything he's got.

If he didn't let them, they'd kick his ass.

Did you hear that?

I can't believe this friend of yours.

- What did I say?

- Let's see if you can follow this.

Cops don't serve us.

They only defend the interests of

the powers that be.

- What powers?

- What, are you stupid? The State.

So what? We're the State.

Yeah, right.

Let me ask you something, buddy.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

What's Santa Claus got to do with it?

Italian cops. I've always liked them.

Even the Carabinieri.

Cops have a cooler

more modern look though.

Piero where are you going?

I'm just going in there.

My little buddy from Livorno

you're one of a kind.

I was looking for the bathroom.

Then I thought the stereo

was bothering you.

Do me a favor,

hand me a cigarette.

Come here. Sit down.

What's going on in there?

Nothing. Just talking.

Talk with me.

About what?

Who are you?

Piero Mansani.

We talked earlier, remember?

I'm your cousin's classmate.

The guy with a cool family.

Tommaso told you that?

I bet you're a Libra.

- Pisces.

- No way!

You should get a tattoo of two little fish.

I never thought about it.

Wouldn't it hurt?

Tell me, why do you live here all alone?

Are your folks on vacation?

Mom is traveling with Greenpeace.

And Dad's in San Francisco

with his new girlfriend, Claire.

She was his patient, anorexic.

Manic-depressive, a real pain in the ass

Your dad's a doctor?

Psychiatrist.

Really?

And you? Do you study?

Last year, I was in art school.

Then after attempting suicide

My folks sent me to Chateaubriand.

Which is an awful place full of

spoiled brats

Suicide attempt?

I tried twice.

How many times have you tried?

Just about every day.

It's basically a mental exercise.

It's a normal juvenile compulsion.

Or so it seems, who knows.

One time I swallowed

two bottles of pills that I found in

my dad's office.

They pumped my stomach

Then another time I injected a syringe

full of air into my vein

Obviously you're unhappy.

Happiness is the disease of imbeciles.

Who said that?

Rimbaud, Celine.

I made it up.

You're just a small town kid

who believes everything he's told

Right?

Say yes.

- That's right.

- You're adorable.

Now I'm going to sleep

but don't go away.

If I wake up, we'll keep talking...

...And you keep telling me I'm right.

I'm leaving.

To where?

Home. You staying?

Are you kidding? Wait.

Wait up, you taking off

without telling me?

During the trip home

Tommaso warned me about his cousin.

He said she was a lunatic

who just wanted to make guys drool.

And didn't give a damn about anyone

I reassured him

Me? In love? Are you kidding?

Three months later

Don't bother leaving a message

I don't listen to them anyway

Hope you don't mind me

leaving another message.

Another two lines I wrote down.

I don't know how you, so exhausted

can resist in this lake of apathy

that is your heart.

May be an amulet saves you

That you keep close to your lip liner

Are you out of your mind?

Please, I'm on the phone.

That's the hundredth call today,

All long-distance!

You sleep all day, don't go to school

Get out of here

Not a chance, you get out of here!

I can't stand it here anymore!

You made your brother cry

He may be dumb, but you know

he only goes out...

...to see his mother

at the cemetery

You hurt his feelings.

Now he's afraid to talk to you!

Months passed, I didn't get

one phone call, one message.

People had started to go on vacation

while us seniors worried about our diploma.

I said no, do it yourself.

You haven't written anything, obviously.

I'm done, may be I'll hand it in

maybe I won't.

Maybe I'll have it published.

Will I see you later?

No, I'll see you tomorrow.

I don't think I'm coming tomorrow

Then the day after tomorrow.

My cousin's coming tomorrow

I'm going to pick her up.

Lisa?

She's on the way to Corsica.

Listen, tell her I said hello

Maybe it's better if you get her.

I've been absent too many times

you can borrow my moped.

Mansani, Paladini!

Sorry.

Fill up the tank.

Paolo, how are you?

Tommaso couldn't make it

so I came to get you.

I'm not too bad. How are you?

Have you eaten?

Isn't Livorno on the sea?

I want to go swimming.

We've got nothing but the sea.

On the way to the coast, I thought

"Call me Paolo, Giovanni,

whatever you want...

As long as you keep holding me

like this!"

Check out this dive, it's called

'the cannonball'!

Did I splash you?

Tomorrow I'll take you

to the white beach.

The sand there, it's like being

in the Caribbean.

Thanks to the run-off

from the bicarbonate factory.

Don't you have to study?

Everything's under control.

Paolino, you're a madman.

Paolino?

What's wrong?

What do you think of someone who

when he sees someone he loves

realizes she feels bad

but pretends he didn't see anything?

He doesn't even have the guts

to say hello.

Someone who loves, who?

Don't worry about it. I know the answer.

You're a sensitive little guy.

A coward, I never have the guts.

Even now with you.

For example, I would die

before asking you to kiss me

Then you're proud. It's a virtue.

Come here.

Hey, thanks.

You're welcome.

I make you laugh, don't I?

So then maybe I'm in love.

Because someone in love

acts like this ridiculous

You don't seem ridiculous to me

So I guess you're not in love

It's understandable

Someone like you in love with

someone like me?

What are you talking about?

It wasn't the first time

I had touched a woman's body.

But there was no comparison.

That time with my second cousin

Patrizia doesn't count

One time, she smothered me

with kisses and her big tits

Now she's a kindergarten teacher.

I hope those poor kids are okay.

Paolo...

Then there was Marina

We called her 'Vespucci'

like the Navy training ship

This floozy weaned most of

the adolescents in the neighborhood.

I want to tell you a lot of things.

Go ahead.

First of all, my name isn't Paolo.

What is it?

It's Piero, but it doesn't matter.

Then I have a proposal.

Let's stay right here, today, tomorrow

the day after tomorrow.

But I'm leaving soon.

To be frank, if I were you

I wouldn't go to Corsica.

The ferries are uncomfortable

and they're always late.

Sometimes they even sink.

It's too hot in the summer.

the vegetation is really dry.

Perfect conditions for deadly fires

And then there are attacks

by independence fighters

Dying on vacation must really suck.

Do you like the idea of dying?

Then let's die together, right here.

We'll hold hands and jump into the canal.

But I told you, Ernesto's waiting for me

with the ticket.

I wouldn't even take a bus with

someone named Ernesto.

Why?

Just kidding.

I joke too much, don't I?

Then here's something serious.

Go ahead.

I love you.

Yet, Lisa went to meet Ernesto.

The ferry left right on time

And despite my prayers, it didn't sink

Now, about D'Annunzio's work

Debenedetti talked about

a sort of deductive mechanism

Discuss the concept in light of

the analysis made during the year

On decadentism

and the doctrine of the superman.

In light of the analysis we did in class

On decadentism

and the doctrine of superman

We can say that when Debenedetti

talked about those things you said...

...I pretty much agree with him.

So you don't like D'Annunzio either?

With all due respect, he's the worst

Let's review. Carducci was a windbag

Pascoli was smarmy and

Manzoni was paternalistic.

Tell us which author you like

This year I read some great stuff

Ian McEwan, Benni, Pennac

Andrea Pazienza's comics

They have a literary dignity

A fantastic book by Chatwin, 'Songlines'

Nelson Mandela's biography

That man has had an incredible life.

You know this, right?

You know this?

You don't?

Even in your written exam

you showed a commendable 'verve'

But you completely missed the subject.

You began with Leopardian pessimism

And you got lost

in an incomprehensible tirade

against tourism, ferries

And you seem to have something

against those who go to Corsica

Quite frankly, I don't know what to say.

You're right, neither do I.

Who cares about church reform...

...by Vittorio Amedeo II of Aosta

and his son Carlo Emanuele III

Watch out

My dad let me drive here

when I was a kid.

Take it easy!

I told them, let's talk about

Saddam Hussein,

US oil policy, German reunification,

and what the fuck we're going to do

in the European Union!

You'd have done that

without banging your shoe on the table!

Krushchev did it at the UN too!

Yeah, but his feet didn't stink.

Who gives a shit, they'll fail us both.

We're rejects, human garbage!

Speak for yourself.

That night, I realized

that destiny would separate us

I failed because of that exam

and that I had too many absences

He passed, but just barely

They said his father had intervened

to protect his heir...

...but I think the school just wanted

to get rid of that ball-breaker

Who left for Greece

before going off to university.

I decided not to go back to school

Maybe I would look for work,

but taking my time.

Let's go.

I don't feel like it

He's not coming

C'mon? Diving

I don't want to. Go play with Diana.

Let's see how far you get

by not doing shit all day

There's nothing to eat, deal with it.

They say melancholy is just

the presence of a neurotransmitter

called serotonin in your brain

It makes you dangle like dead leaves.

You get used to the agony

and you never want to get better.

I was all alone.

I didn't even have Mirko around.

He joined the police force

and was part of the security team

for an important anti-Mafia judge.

Good morning.

I'm looking for Ms. Giovanna Fornari.

Visiting hours are at five.

- Are you a relative?

- A friend

Come with me

It's nothing but tears here

And I love crying.

Doesn't this lady have any relatives?

Not in Livorno. Why?

Someone should talk to her.

She doesn't eat, doesn't sleep.

Refuses to take her medicine

The other day she slapped the doctor.

What's wrong with her?

They used to call it a breakdown

now who knows what it's called.

Here she is. Please talk to her.

Thank you.

Sweetie, I'm so happy to see you!

What a nice surprise!

How are you?

Great.

I had a little breakdown,

nothing serious.

I would've already gone home,

but the doctor here is so arrogant.

He said I had to take all the tests

and he's holding me hostage.

How are you?

Not bad.

You owe me an explanation.

How could you fail?

I was an idiot, they were right to fail me.

It happens. You'll do great this year

I want to see a perfect score, OK?

Let me see you.

You've gotten taller!

You've put on weight, you look good.

You look thinner.

See? I'm trying to keep up

with fashion.

An anorexic top model

As soon as I get home

we'll have a big dinner.

We'll have chickpea pie.

My mouth is already watering!

How nice.

My sweetie.

What a surprise

That September, Dad got out of jail.

He took that job

at cousin Riccardo's garage.

But he always got up late

and never went to work.

See you, Dad.

Where are you going?

To the employment office

maybe they have some new jobs.

Sit down, you're always in a rush.

I'm late.

You've changed.

Of course I have.

Too much, I mean.

I'll see you at lunch.

Before Christmas

the cops came to take him away again.

He'd stolen a car

with two gypsies as accomplices.

But he had enough time to

get Mara pregnant again.

Nice one.

Awesome.

9,200 - 250...

He broke the piggy bank.

That's all I have.

You're in bad shape.

Take this, smoke to Sergino's health.

Thanks!

Hey!

What an honor for our bowling alley:

the great Piero Mansani.

How are you?

Not bad. You look good.

Are you running out to

one of your million commitments?

No.

We're going to have a pizza later.

If you don't have anything better to do

and if we don't seem

too boring to you...

This is my first love

I had a crush on him

and he didn't even look at me

What a fool.

Thanks, but I left my wallet at home

It's my treat!

After graduation, I applied for a job

at the hospital

And lucky, they hired me right away.

The salary isn't bad, I'm saving up

to rent an apartment.

That's great, and you probably

have a boyfriend too.

Tell me about it.

I broke up with Alessandro in July.

A total idiot. His life was the gym

soccer and the stadium.

I saw all the Livorno games

Home and away!

- Fascinating

- Isn't it?

And let's not even talk about sex!

One time after we had done it

I saw he was down, so I asked him:

Anything wrong?

He said: I'm not satisfied with

my pecs and lower abs.

When you and I were going out.

so to speak...

I used to play a silly game

When I heard you coming down

I would run to the peephole and

tried to gess what you were wearing.

If I guessed right, it meant

you were in love with me

It couldn't have been hard.

I always wore the same stuff.

That's how I fooled myself!

Thank for the pizza, goodnight.

No problem.

Wait!

Sorry, but I thought

"who knows when I'll get another chance"!

I thought, check out Susy!

And also maybe I could give it a try

Maybe I'll look for her tomorrow

Instead, they came

looking for me.

Guys from the military.

Three months of training in Barletta.

Then to Rome's grenadiers.

Where, during leave, I reminisced

about that brief trip

to the capital years ago.

The TV presenter Frizzi

lives here with his wife Rita

The TV host Maria Giovanna Elmi

lives over there

With her husband Gianfranco

and their daughter Marianna

Next door to the anchor-man Funari

who moved to Milan

His first wife lives here

with their daughter

You Romans just can't understand.

You're used to living with celebrities.

But it's different for us hicks.

Mansani, tell them.

I was saying, whoever was born

in Rome doesn't understand

Where's he going?

Bastard! Get your hands off her!

Running away, huh?

- You okay?

- What are you doing here?

I've been transferred.

But I'll be sent near home soon.

I had my big shot uncle recommend me

for the post.

It's great to see you!

Me too.

Where'd you go? I missed you.

Mansani, what the hell!

I'm right here! Duty calls.

You look cute in uniform.

You too, even without a uniform.

Call me.

Despite my big shot uncle,

I was sent to the extreme north.

to guard the inviolable border.

I called Lisa, but I always got

the usual machine.

I thought it was over between us,

but then...

I found a train that was coming up here

So I thought I'd surprise you.

Do you mind?

-Wine?

-Thanks.

Want something else?

I don't know what we can do now

This place only has an arcade

and a bar with a juke box.

The closest cinema is in Udine.

I could borrow a car but

I don't have a license. Do you?

Let's go upstairs.

Sure. Let's go.

What's wrong?

I feel a bit...

I have to be back in barracks

in twenty minutes

Or I'll be in trouble.

Sorry

Tomorrow I'll get a pass

and I'll come get you.

We can go for a ride.

- Gorizia is pretty interesting.

- You're going?

There's this sergeant

who's been picking on me.

- You make me sick.

- What?

You were right, you're a coward.

Even worse, a liar!

You said you love me. It's not true,

you don't love me.

It's been a long time.

No one likes me.

That's not true.

I never want to see you again!

Maybe it's better if we talk tomorrow.

I never saw her again.

I heard she joined a Buddhist ashram.

She's doing okay

and she has a boyfriend, a holy man.

I'd like to take the opportunity

to thank this Buddha.

Because Lisa could have met a bad end.

Like poor Giovanna,

a few months later.

She swallowed all the medicine

she has refused to take.

She took them all in one gulp.

So you're looking for work?

I've applied everywhere. Even at your

father's factory. Are they hiring?

I hope they bomb the place.

It's polluting half the city.

Well, you live in the other half!

- Now I live in Pisa

- You must have taken a lot of exams.

Not even one.

The school is a dumping ground

for small time losers.

But some folks are really interesting.

Like the ones who do theater with me.

What are you doing?

We're working on Dostoevsky.

Our first play debuts on Sunday.

What's it about?

Come, so you can see for yourself.

Welcome to St. Petersburg

Piotr Nedovic Mansanski.

Seems like you've decided

to be happy at any cost.

What are you doing? You crazy?

Welcome to St. Petersburg!

Come sleep with us Pavel Pavlovic.

Miss Claudia Petrovna

and I await you for tea.

Hey there, handsome stranger.

Do you know how to dance?

I'm a friend of Tommaso's.

Come with me.

Velcaninov is very angry with you.

Who?

You're a handsome scoundrel!

Take advantage of this poor body

it'll cost you just a few kopecs.

Really, I don't have a lira.

This won't cost you anything, stranger.

Wretched bourgeois.

You think men are dogs.

You judge everyone

in your small-minded way.

You're all vermin, you disgust me!

Disgusting!

Shut up, you fool!

I liked it. I've never been to the theater.

I thought I'd be bored.

But instead it was like

being St. Petersburg, not Pisa.

-Are you messing with me?

-No!

But I didn't understand

the plot very well.

Go to hell, you and the plot.

Here you go, handsome stranger.

Tommaso didn't even introduce us.

Piero, Cristina, my...what are you?

My concubine, lover, geisha...

Whatever you want, I love him.

Pleased to hear it.

She's cute. Congratulations.

I didn't know you had a girlfriend.

If you want to take advantage,

go ahead.

I saw how you two were kissing.

- Actually...

- I know, I know, she kissed you.

She also stuck her tongue

in the light technician's mouth.

Maybe she just wanted to

draw my attention.

Too bad, she's really cute.

This fucking love that you all talk about

depresses me.

I just want to live

alone like a dog

And rummage through

the garbage of life.

Like that Hungarian poet used to say

What's his name?

Give it a rest, like my uncle from Lucca

used to say.

That night, I got over any regrets I had

about not studying.

I was lucky

because at the time, April 1994.

I was unexpectedly blessed by

the new Italian miracle.

I got one of those million jobs

that the new government promised.

At Tommaso's father's factory

without even a recommendation.

The job waiting list is a kind of

hit parade of the unlucky ones.

With a dead mother, a dad in prison

and a handicapped brother...

...I entered the top ten triumphantly.

Keep in mind that Genercomit Europa

is rallying big time.

But the Fideuram index is low.

You won't do shit

with the Fideuram index.

Actually, it's important.

You have to go with

secure Italian funds.

Capital Credit, for example

has been performing well.

There's no question if you ask me:

Either Marks or Treasury bonds.

How much have you invested?

Nothing, but if I had money...

My co-workers, most of them older

and married,

were much different than

what I'd imagined...

...during my revolutionary

high school days.

They used to pick on me

but they like me.

Because I tried to lighten up

the endless work day.

So does Pip get together with Estrella?

Piero, does he?

Hold on.

First , there's the inheritance he got

from the convict.

The guy Pip helped out?

Yeah, and after finding him

with his friend Herbert.

He tries to help him escape to Australia,

But he fails!

After the daring escape by boat

on the Thames

He is arrested

They arrested Pip?

You idiot. The other one

Does he get together with Estrella?

Wait! After the fire

which kills Mrs. Avisham,

Estrella frees herself from the old woman

and goes with Pip.

And then they fuck

It doesn't say in the story.

This Dickens guy really made us suffer

though a bunch of shit.

I really identified with Uncle Joe.

He was kind and patient with

Miss Gargery.

It was like seeing myself with my wife.

Bube has to hide out

because they're after him.

And Mara decides to stay with him

at the hunters' shed

And they fuck.

Right.

And then the party car comes to

take them away to Russia.

Does she go with him?

She stays and waits for him.

She finds a job and she goes out

with a really nice guy...

...who takes her out on Sundays.

And she fuck him too.

God, you are disgusting

No, they don't fuck.

Everyone knows she's Bube's girl,

and she wants to remain faithful to him.

In fact, when Bube comes back

for the trial...

They convict him?

He killed a cop and his son!

They won't give him a medal.

right, Piero?

Are you Mansani?

You're expected in the manager's office.

Order in the court:

We can only take three opinions.

- I think they're going to fire him.

- I think they're promoting him.

I think they're going to fuck.

This way.

Who wants to see me?

Mr.Paladini, in the conference room.

Mr. Mansani, sir.

Dear Piero, finally!

I trouble you because we wanted to

surprise Tommaso.

Today is his birthday.

Do you know my wife?

Diletta, this is Piero.

Chiara, her sister. Head of HR,

Lucarelli, my son-in-law.

The commercial director, Mr. Bruni

All set? We have the candles.

Turn off the lights!

You're all crazy, I'm out of here.

Blow the candles out!

Speech!

His dad spoke, announcing that

Tommaso was going to the States.

Since he hadn't done anything in Pisa,

They sent him to Harvard.

He said he couldn't wait for Tommaso

to take his place.

So he could enjoy his retirement

in Cuba with commies and palm trees.

But maybe he was joking, who knows.

Tommaso has told me

so much about you and you family

- Your father, the poor dear.

- I know

I made you a little package

from what was left over,

so you can bring it to your brother

and the woman who lives with you.

And give them my best regards.

I mean it, I care.

Thank you, you shouldn't have

Let's go.

Are you really going to America?

They think I'm going to

study business administration.

I already know the low-down

on Boston's jazz clubs.

There's a cool artists' community.

It's only two hours by train to New York!

Why don't you come too?

Me? To do what?

Just come, you'll see when you get there.

Maybe one of these days.

Check it out. Dad's present.

Useless, I can't even take it to Boston.

Want to go for a ride?

No, I have to go back in.

Otherwise your father'll fire me.

My friend.

Good luck.

I got you all dirty.

When I get there I'll call you

and give you my address.

I got home depressed that day

As if all I had ahead of me

was my pension.

Luckily, I was wrong.

- On the luggage rack?

- Yeah, thanks.

- Moving?

- Yep.

I'll put this over there.

I found a lovely apartment.

Top floor, with a view of the Fortress.

You have to come see me.

I can come now, if you want.

so I can help.

Great

I don't pay much either.

120,000 with rent control.

Believe that?

A teacher used to live here

but they said she was transferred.

I think this is the key,

I have to change the lock.

Great.

What do you think?

Small, but it's got a certain charm.

Now it's empty,

but check out the terrace.

Buricchio!

Who's this?

Never met him before.

Think he's hungry?

C'mon. I'll give you some milk.

See how things turn out?

One person's misfortunes leave room

for another's happiness.

Where solitude and desperation

used to live

You can bring back a little I don't know

how to call it...

Hope? Joy? Love?

They're all big words

but you got the picture.

Were you careful?

Not me. Were you?

You didn't take, you didn't have...

Nothing.

Great.

Honey...

What's wrong? Are you crying?

From that day on, we saw each other

every day.

In exchange for some odd jobs

I found dinner on the table.

Not like that, you have to brush

That's why it didn't work

She convinced me to get that damned

diploma by self study.

Now some dates.

-Unification of Italy?

-61

-Porta Pia?

-70

- Crispi government?

- 1885, 1886

Colonial policy.

-That's enough.

-What?

You want your son to have

an ignorant father?

What do I care, I don't have kids

and I don't want any.

You're not pregnant, are you?

Six weeks.

What do we do now?

I didn't tell you so you could decide

what to do.

I've already decided.

You want to keep it.

Of course.

What if they don't renew my contract,

what if I'm unemployed?

Who asked you for anything?

I have a job.

I get a year's maternity leave,

my mom will help me out.

Are you hungry?

So what, I don't count?

Do what you want.

I can tell people that he's the son

of a hospital patient.

A fallen aristocrat

whom I made happy on his death bed.

You're joking. You're crazy.

A kid is a huge responsibility.

I feel sick.

Poor baby, he's sick.

That's right.

If it's a girl, you've got to call her

Giovanna.

Like Joan of Arc? I was thinking

Valentina, Martina...

No, Giovanna sounds better.

Giovanna Mansani.

Can I have some water?

I've got something stuck right here.

Like I ate a hard-boiled egg

with the shell and all.

It doesn't go up or down.

In July, I got my diploma.

In September we took the leap.

The ceremony was nice,

even though a bit tiring.

There was Mirko, who

had married Katia, of course.

They're expecting a second kid.

He risked his life protecting that judge

in Sicily.

Then lost his hand in a stupid accident

But not his sense of humor.

With the compensation

he opened a sandwich bar.

He told me, "I need a hand".

And burst into laughter.

Every now and then I work for him to

make a little extra.

Dad is almost done going time.

If all goes well, he'll be out before

Christmas.

Big Ivano is doing really well.

The doctors finally faced the facts.

A Swiss psychiatrist from Lucca

is writing an article on his case.

He goes out alone now

and spends time with his African buddies.

I'd pay to know what they talk about

And in what language?

I figured, maybe he's not retarded.

Maybe he's just a foreigner.

Giovanna was born in October.

Everyone says she looks

exactly like me when I was a baby.

Thanks to my diploma I'm working with

computers in Sales.

I use the Internet

from time to time.

One day I happened to find

The website of one Tommy Paladini

from Boston.

He offers catalogs of on-line exhibits,

bootleg tapes,

Maps of alternative Boston,

all at give-away prices.

One of these days

I'm going to send him an e-mail.

Every morning, before bringing

Giovanna to daycare

and going to work

in the hospital,

Susy drives me to work.

And rain or shine

she always says the same thing...

You get more handsome everyday.

And I go to work nice and happy!

Maybe I've become a complete idiot

Or maybe just I'm happy

Except for that sort of

hard- boiled egg inside

which doesn't go up or down,

But which keeps me company now

like an old friend.