THE RIGHT DISTANCE
My goodness, such a wreck!
Is it really a wreck?
What is this?
I want to fix it.
Does your father know?
No.
Ah!
Let me leave it here, I'll take care of it.
Feel that smell?
Can you feel it?
The car dealer says, it has to do with the power steering,
he took it apart... he tested it...
- Then it started to smoke. - And the warranty?
- Till the end of week. - Ouch!
Now let me have a look.
Feel that smell!
What I am going to do? €50,000 down the toilet!
Here is the problem!
Ah...
Wow!..
Oh my goodness, that was such a scare!
- Do I owe you something? - No, nothing.
Great. Then I buy coffee for all of you!
- Thank you, good bye! - Bye!
We could keep her for a week!
That dork could pay a lot of money!
Listen, if your father doesn't want it, I do not want it either.
Look, this is lighter than others!
They are all the same, this is just a bit fresher. That's OK.
- I have a wine bar! - They are all the same.
I don't have an Alpine hut!
- Here is a rough knot! - Hello Daddy!
- What time is it? - Yes, two a. m.
Yet another dog was killed with a rifle today.
I believe, it is a serial killer.
I believe, it is my teacher!
Who? Prosperi?
Yes, aunt! Today she went under the chair and made a wee.
Then came the nurses and took her away!
Virgin Mary!
She was so happy! When she greeted me, she laughed!
Poor creature!
I am no longer hungry.
With all the crap you eat at school!
I cooked the whole morning, but he comes and isn't hungry!
Here is another one. I bought the cheese on purpose!
Not that I'm wrong again.
I must be going... I can't waste more time with you.
Header: The new success by Annalisa Mancin. The girl finished the first in Rome.
Mancin, isn't she the girl who were at school with you?
But they placed the wrong picture again!
- Yes, I can see it. - This girl is Chinese.
Goodness gracious! Mancin is so cute.
which reveals sloppiness,
I often notice in your newspaper.
Every day you've got something wrong
which perhaps wouldn't be the case if you paid more attention.
- Doing your homework? - Yes, sure..
Crook, I'll get you! These tricks will get you to the hospital!
Get down!
My mother died last year in a car accident.
And the word "death" has become a curse in our house.
One morning, while going to work on a scooter,
I slipped over a patch of oil,
and hit a lamppost.
Now, that we are alone, aunt Giacinta
comes to help us.
Go to the sea, you idiot!
Okay, I'm taking a shower!
I enclose a photo of Mancin,
who, despite the name, has no Chinese ancestors.
"Mancin" is not "Man Cin"!
Annalisa, with her success in long jump,
has become the most famous person in the province.
No girl I ever loved so much.
But then one day Mara came.
- Thanks! - Bye. - Bye.
Hello.
The news spread in a moment.
She was a new teacher who came to take the place of Prosperi.
At last, Concadalbero has got something to talk about,
and also something to argue.
Here all the parts have been restored.
I only ask you to make an effort
and try to imagine how it looks like in a summer day.
Actually, I am here only till June, after that I leave to Brazil.
- Holidays? - No, work. A cooperative project.
Something you wonder about?
The horse, whose is it?
Not going to cause you any discomfort, it's the landlord's.
He comes once a day to feed it.
It's the fifth time I come here, and I've never heard neighing.
Surely, once it has been countryside!
Franco, it is still countryside!
- You also think so, right? - Eh
Nothing has changed.
It seems that the Milwaukee monster started like that!
- What do you mean? - He killed dogs.
- Really? - I've read in Focus.
- Excuse me, are you Maurizio Bencivegna? - Yes..
Hello, I'm Giovanni. The one who sent email about Annalisa Mancin.
Ah yes... I see...
- But how old are you? - 18. Almost 19.
- You're too young... - Why, please?
I am sorry that you did the trip for nothing, bye!
Wait, I want to say, that I am looking for correspondent job.
Yes, but you are three months early to persuade the morons on signing a contract
Money... we have nothing of it now!
Look, everything would be enough for me, I just need a little experience..
Then look for a bartender, a pharmacist, a teacher...
where people do not want to make a career. You see?
Yes, but our bartender is Chinese, we have no pharmacy...
and our teacher is in hospital... You will like how I write!
- Give me a test! - Come on!
You... You know...
- I always read your articles. - Yes, I suppose.
No, seriously!
For example, the last week interview with Renato Zero.
It was really strong!
Indeed.
- You're a sly dog, aren't you! - But why? - Ah, yes...
All right, go ahead, do a test.
I'll give you 20 euro for each piece published
but no signature and no contract!
- Ok! - Eh?
Your sandwich.
- Surely, no pepper? - Of course!
- But no one should know that! Understood? - Yes..
- An undercover work is possible only if you don't tell anybody. - Sure
They always forget it! Every time!
A fire happened last night
at Madrugada discotheque in 137.2 km from Romeo
The flames broke out long
before the fire brigade intervened...
The case is investigated but the police from Taglio di Po,
headed by Tommaso Boscolo,
the husband of Mrs Lilli Mottola,
and a cousin of Alvise Tornova,
a famous poultry dealer, who was tragically killed
in March 1987.
Watch this?
Few days later,
my first article was published anonymously
Everyone was wondering at the Roxy Bar
how the paper had been informed so well.
And I was sitting in the shadow, as the boss advised me.
Do you need a hand?
Sorry, you can place it here? Thank you!
Wasps! Oh, my god! It is full of wasps!
- Oh my dear! Oh, you bastards! . What happened?
There the wasps at the phone central! I will find alcohol, and burn them all!
Don't kill them! I'll give you something! But wait!
A little behind...
A little more over there...
Perfect!
Check if it works.
Fantastic, thanks!
Such cowards! I've been working there for ten years,
and they never bothered me!
If I were you, I would not be such an environmentalist!
I boiled some water! Would you like Bancha tea?
"Bancha"?
I have read in Focus
that if a bee finds flower ten kilometres away,
it communicates to others, and they all come for it.
- No kidding! - And how do they manage it?
They have a system.
You know that all bees in the hive gather in a pile, right?
And they start rubbing each other, aren't they?
Each one rubs in turn with eight others over the whole pile...
The others just count the number of rotations and understand where to go!
Gee, it's romantic, as a way of communication.
Touching.
Well, I've got another job to do, so I must go!
Wait, aren't you going to to connect me to the Internet?
Can you do it for me!
Me, to the Internet? Here is Giovanni! He is the computer magician, right?
I have to go though, it's late! Hello to everyone!
- Thanks! - Nothing!
I can't understand why it doesn't work!
I entered all the data correctly.
Now, let's check...
God, now where is it?
Sorry...
Excuse me...
Hello Eva. How are you?
Well, I have just got it installed.
If you have where to write I'll give you the number.
Then I'll call you later when you can.
All right. Kiss you. Bye.
- So how are you? - You are connected. - Really?
- Yes - But you're a genius!
I've got a house of my own, which is really cool.
But at the prices in the town I can't afford a garage!
Although, I miss the evenings,
drinking beer on the couch with you, and the rest of our gang.
But staying a little while in peace and tranquillity is not so bad,
also because there is Brazil after that.
Come as soon as you can. If you want to relax, this is just the right place,
because even if you wish, here is absolutely nothing to do!
You are quite lucky to have a house of your own.
Since you left, the things got worse here!
Listen, your stupid dog torn my underwear!
Another evening on the couch!
You'll see me at your place very soon!
- And your stories? - Good morning!
Why don’t you tell me anything?
- Good morning. - Hello.
There must be guys over there too, right?
Not again about the guys, I beg you.
But I would like to meet the bus driver here,
who is not so bad and always greets me with a big smile.
- Hello. - Hello.
For all others, I am always only the children
from seven to ten years old,
who are so few here, that they all learn together.
Yesterday I read them "The Cloven Viscount"
and asked to draw pictures.
Enzo, the smallest one, must have understood nothing...
- And where were the cloves? - In the country far, far away...
Oh...
I'm fine with the children, and don't worry about that...
- Bye Hassan, see you tomorrow! - Bye.
In case you want to call me, we won't be around until 9!
Okay, thanks.
I try to take care of myself and my back pain.
I live a healthy life, no sugar, no alcohol,
and I don't even dare thinking about sex...
I had never been so lonely.
But it is also beautiful...
The lady at tobacco shop asked
if I was not afraid to stay here alone.
No, I am not afraid... But... sometimes...
One other night, I thought, I heard a cough outside.
But we can't afford losing always half an hour to find it!
Go to Dessarini and buy more.
What? Two 8mm and two 13 mm?
Yes.. and two 10mm!
Off you go!
- Hello. - Hello.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Hello. I've been told that you have cars for sale...
Yes, of course...
R4. I've always liked it so much. How much is it?
A lot of money!
But it is worthwhile!
We have to fix the engine, suspension, brakes, electrical system...
Everything.
Oh, please!
This has got only 60,000 km run.
And in a good condition. Owned by the tobacconist's wife.
She wants two thousand euros.
- Two thousand? - Yes
- Well, I need to make a phone call. It won't take long. - You are welcome.
Thank you.
Hi, Mom...
Not too early?
I found a buyer for a good price, and want to show it to him.
Non-repaired?
You see, if my father finds it, he'll get angry.
Leave it here, I'll fix it...
- Hello Giovanni. - Hello.
I take it for that price, but you'll have to wait, because I am out of money.
You have insurance until May, the oil is new,
and there is also little petrol.
Thank you! Bye!
Uncle Hassan has arrived!
Hassan!
Hello. How are you? You seem a bit tired.
No, that's all right.
Look what I brought...
You lave that.
- And you remember! - Oh, the champions!
- What have you brought us, Uncle Hassan? - What do you want?
You don't you deserve anything.
Can your uncle avoid bringing gifts?
Amina, this is for you.
Have you brought only one?
- Ah, here it is! - Thanks, Uncle Hassan!
Mother wants to buy a car for Tariq.
Says you should write them how to accomplish it.
- But has he got a license? - Just got it.
Before buying a car, he needs to find a job.
Mohammed, tell him what happened to you the other night.
It isn't really important.
It is important, tell him.
So?
Thursday night the pizzeria was closed, and I cleaned the oven.
He arrived and asked me for a beer.
I told him, that we were closed.
But he told me, that I had to give him the beer,
because we are in Italy,
and this is what Italians think:
"And if you do not feel good here, go home, your, Moroccan swine!"
And then he was about to fight.
And what did you do?
Nothing, I just gave him beer, and waited for him to leave.
Mohammed, you've done well.
Hey, you! You come with me, come on!
Never! Go away!
But where are you going!
Fausto what is it? Come here!
What, Fausto?
You wanted something?
This is not the first time you come, isn't it?
No.
Mara, call the police!
You must not come any more, understand?
Now go away, please.
No, dear! No!
Any problem?
Yes!
Now to the fourth gear.
Why don't we move, we could better walk!
Just one moment!
Try it in motion now.
- I do not know how to thank you! - Nothing at all...
Take it to the mechanic immediately. The valves are almost gone!
What are you doing tonight?
- Tonight? - Yes
Tonight I go out with my bride.
Oh... I see!
- Well, you better go. Thank you. - Bye.
Bye!
- Frusta? - Yes!
Didn't I tell you to change the valves?
No...
I'm sorry, I've got to go.
When can I get her back?
- Tomorrow morning. - Okay.
- Want a lift? - No.
- Need a lift? - Well... but why not?
Are you paid well being a teacher?
No, not much.
And the children? Break the guts, right?
A little bit, but they are so cute!
- Where are you from you? - Tuscany.
As the sea, I prefer Indian Ocean.
However, in Tuscany there is also a beautiful sea, right?
The sea is beautiful everywhere, even here!
It's true, there is the sea here as well.
- Haven't you been to the sea here yet? - No.
Oh my Lord... My Goodness...
- You are among the few lucky ones whom I carry around for free! - Really?
Usually I get people to the deep fishing.
Like in the Caribbean.
Three years ago the current changed in the northern Adriatic
and now everything comes here: tuna, sword, even sharks sometimes...
- Well! - Excellent!
With salt and tobacco I could only afford a four-wheel drive!
And now I have two houses, three cars, a see journey,
a lunch at the restaurant, and a great experience...
thanks to a cute girl here with me!
I never allow touching anything to anyone, but now I make an exception.
- Want to try? - No, thanks!
Don't be scared! Come on!
But I do not have the money to repay the damage?
Don't worry, because here I am! Come on!
It is driven like a car, here.
Dear Eva
For all the unpleasant things that happened during those two days,
I finally reached the top today.
Tomorrow I have a trip on the yacht of the richest tycoon in the area,
known as "Concadalbero octopus".
This is the gear lever, here is the compass,
here is the RPM indicator...
and the oil pressure, the temperature of the water...
- That's enough! - Well, I drive then!
Sorry, the Russian girl at tobacco shop, who is she?
My wife. But she is Romanian.
- Oh, really? - Yes
Where did you meet?
I found her in a catalogue.
In a catalogue?
Online.
They are doing serous stuff! And confidentially.
You don't know all this because you are quite young,
but this is how the world works now!
Actually, I'm almost 30 years!
- Oh, really? - Already.
Congratulations! At 30 years of age you are still so cool!
Oh, come on! After all, you had a great sea round,
and if you weren't tough so much, you could go to a pizzeria.
Meanwhile, I've been in very cool wine bar with one of the exhibitors.
Unfortunately he had forgotten his wallet at home,
and I paid the bill. A lot of money!
Then as he blushed, driving his car,
I gave him another 10 euros for the fuel.
And finally, when we reached my place, he tried to kiss me.
I was quite drunk...
and was afraid to get sick of the smell
of his dirty Ralph Lauren shirt
and the car seats.
The rest are just wineries, companies, tasting...
You have no slightest idea of how much wine I have tasted since my return.
Fortunately, the fair finishes in May.
I hope that the Arab no longer showed up.
Wow, he frightened me so much!
When I think of you being alone in that place, I get chills.
Everything passed.
Hello!
Come on!
Hello!
Is Hassan in?
He is away to get out a car from a ditch.
Listen, I found this in my car.
Will you take it, please?
Well, Marco, save it now. You can finish tomorrow.
No, I'm finishing the episode!
- I'm sick of this! - I've got the same rights as you!
A mysterious serial dog killer
struck again.
The victim is Buck,
a German Shepherd owned by Bortolotto family of Catiepolo.
The maniac kills animals using a 22 calibre rifle.
No one can imagine his motivations...
A particular cruelty of these murders casts an alarming shadow
on the whole affair.
The Milwaukee monster began his activity as a serial killer,
with killing dogs.
And if one day I tell you, that I caught a five meter cuttlefish
I will also find it written in the paper!
But haven't you read about it in Focus before?
Don't you know that the sources of information must be checked?
And there should be no secrets among friends?
- You are the journalist! - Shush! Ok!
Okay... But be quiet...
Who is there?
It's Hassan.
Hello.
I wanted to apologize.
I understand. Okay.
A bracelet was not enough... I know, I've done worse.
It is very beautiful,
but I can't accept something that costs so much.
If you do not keep it...
it costs nothing.
I understand that you think badly of me.
Good night then.
You are Tunisian, aren't you?
I am.
Your niece is in my class.
She is very intelligent.
I know.
One day she asked me, if our shadow is our soul.
There is an Arabic poem which says:
"As our soul chased by the shadow,
trembles, awaiting the sun reappearance. "
I can offer you coffee, if you like.
THE BUTTERFLY
Delicious! Such a piadina I could eat only in Rimini.
I believe, it is Piadina Romagna.
I don't think so. It is a Moroccan food.
- My brother-in-law makes it. - Ah!
Will you compliment him on my behalf?
You can do it yourself to let him see, who has come to greet him.
Good evening and bon appetit!
- Good evening. - Hello.
Dear teacher, let me introduce my wife Galya.
- Mara, pleased to meet you. - How is my old car?
Excellent.
- I bought the "Golf". - Who bought the "Golf" here?
When she spends and spreads, her man always pays.
Ah well, well...
Well, we must be going.
- Good night! - You too!
- See you soon. - Goodbye.
- Not even the Couscous? - No.
Come on!
Well, and I don't know even
the recipe of Spaghetti Al Pomodoro!
But he just wants to be an Italian and forget everything!
That isn't true. But I don't like feeling the nostalgia of a foreigner.
If you are here, then you are here. That's it!
But who are they?
They work at a Call Centre nearby...
The give advices over the phone, regarding sex issues...
Their manager has made a lot of "fish" on that!
- Mohammed! - Leave it!
Hip, hip... Hurray!
- Hi! - Hi.
I hope you are very hungry.
I've got everything to make Couscous, even the recipe!
- May I? - Please.
Thanks, I won't eat more.
You know that since I am here, I've picked up three kilos?
You look better like this.
With extra weight, I look more like a Tunisian, right?
Perhaps!
You look like a Berber bride.
Is this a wedding dress?
Yes.
A gift for my wedding night.
Are you married?
No. I escaped before that.
Escaped?
I returned to Italy.
My mother is very angry. She had arranged everything herself.
You put... like that.
- And further down? - It must cover the forehead.
That's the way.
And that girl?
She was beautiful...
but not as you.
Your eyes are lighter when closer.
Is it good or bad?
Good...
I felt like my whole life has passed in one moment.
Dear Eva
now I have what to think about.
That was foolish of me, but maybe you are right.
Yesterday, I was making love with Hassan.
It was great.
At that moment I couldn't think about anything.
In fact, my only thought was
"I was so lucky to have my make-up yesterday!"
My beautician is the bride of Guido,
the pretty bus driver.
They are getting married in February and will start arranging their house.
While hearing her telling me that, I've got bit envy:
to find a good boy, to marry and have kids...
and on Sundays go all together to the shopping centre.
It's so bad, that I'm not like her.
My mother is right: I'm going to end up as a spinster!
Hello Giovanni.
Hello!
Hello.
- Hi, Franco. - Hi, journalist!
I intercepted an interesting call.
- Tanning company Vendramin. The police are coming there! - Go!
- Hurry up before the competitors! - Thanks a lot, I'm leaving right now!
- Frusta, I take you bike for a while. - Oh no!
- Come on, I'll return it soon! - No! No!
Go to hell!
Good day.
Is Alberto Bencivegna here?
No.
- Are you a journalist? - Yes
May I see your credentials.
So, you know Bencivegna, eh...
Beautiful!
And you were the only one there, right? This is also great.
A small amount of toxic waste would be sufficient,
but this time it was enormous.
I've seen the centre of their spreading.
An underground laboratory linked to the East has been discovered...
- I was lucky. - Do not be shy.
Luck matters, but isn't enough, you know?
You did it well.
Listen, do you really want to work for us?
I would love to.
But I was left with just few lines, not even a photo.
The success came unexpectedly thank to Amos, the tobacconist.
And I had the GPS out of order, and I was alone!
Since I had no phone, I was forced to stop the boat.
and I said to myself: "I am going to crush the engine"
I thought it was a tiger shark!
The article that I wrote about a giant yellow fin tuna
was taken up by all the newspapers.
I took and published numerous photos. It was a sensation!
So Amos organised a party.
He believed that the miraculous catch was a sign of his destiny.
After years of painful efforts, Galya was pregnant.
- I can feel an enormous energy! - Yes, I can feel it too!
It will be a good thing for the child.
. The whole credit was given to Professor Tiresias
and his famous good luck charm of fertility.
For only few years the sensitive foreteller, as we called him,
had become the most contributing person in the area.
The jars for the white wine, quick! Then bay leave, a bit rum,
and a little lemon... Enough!
Even a ball is here! Go! Don't play on the motorway!
Amos invited all residents of Concadalbero and its surroundings.
Almost everyone has come,
even those who haven't left home at night for many years.
What the hell are you doing? What crap have you brought?
Ask the priest who ordered to cut off the power.
- I told you, that he wouldn't like it! - The priest sleeps, you idiot!
You must make it by all means, with all the money I gave you!
- Was it you, who fixed it? - Yes
- Well done! This one cannot longer be used, it has a shortcut.
Bring warm beer! Quick!
Sorry! A fine toast for the one, who give us electricity!
Get close!
Here you are!
Thank you, but I do not drink!
Hassan, don't be a fundamentalist!
Enjoy you life!
It was the second time that I drank wine. It gives me a strange feeling.
Be it is fun, isn't it?
"The truth is in wine", is it right?
It is. But what is the truth?
I will tell you why I drank wine: it isn't really about wine.
Really?
Will you marry me?
Goodness gracious, Giovanni! You were there, you saw it yourself!
And you haven't got a single picture!
Do you know anything about such a crap, like a newspaper?
A poor mad creature! What news is that?
See what news that is:
"The Ship of a Fool. " "'Apocalypse Now' on Delta. "
That's the news!
Actually, I tried to do my best in writing this article,
but everything I wrote made me sick.
She was the teacher for me,
and for almost everyone who was standing there and watching her.
She felt good about everyone, and we were still loyal to her.
How has she managed to untie the barque?
Where did she want to go?
Listen, if you are going to take this seriously
there is one thing you should learn right now:
'The rule of right distance'
The sense of measure that should be applied by the ones who write
to the persons involved in the events.
Not too far away, otherwise you can't be pathetic enough.
But being too close is a horny beast!
Because a journalist submerged in emotion, is burnt!
Understand?
Dear Eva, I've got big news.
I received a phone call from Brazil and I have to leave early.
Victoria, the Scottish girl, who I am going to replace,
got sick of hepatitis, and
if I don't arrive there within 10 days, they will contact someone else.
- Good morning, teacher. - Hello.
I need a refiller for DA25. - Here you are. - And one of those.
Alito for the fresh breathe, right?
- A raffle ticket maybe? - No, thanks.
That's bad
- Someone won one million euro last week. - They are lucky.
- What would you with a million euro? - So many things... I don't know!
- A little trip, maybe? - Yes, a trip would be good.
- Thank you, bye! - Wait!
- Wait! Wait! - What?
- Look at this! Take it! Take it! - Oh!
This is a miracle!
Two tickets.
Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh, a five-star resort,
mega suite, films in Italian every night.
Leaving at 28th, coming back at 5th.
You have a wife, go with her!
Shut up, we had a quarrel!
This bitch went back to her mother in Scornicesti.
It will be an unforgettable experience!
- Enjoy it! - Come on, come on!
I spent all morning on the phone with the administrator.
Fortunately, there is a teacher that can end the school year for me.
I will miss the children.
I was fond of them, and they were fond of me too, I'm sure.
And I'm sorry for Hassan.
The message has NOT been sent.
- It's all right now. - Thanks! - You are welcome.
So I'm going.
Actually, it is the second time that you saved me.
What can I do for you?
Not Bancha tea, please!
No, not that, please!
We are going to the bar, Hassan. Need something?
No thanks.
Come on!
Hassan, I'm sorry! I didn't think, that would happen...
You often do not think! This is the problem!
I've come here for a farewell.
I am leaving prematurely, in three days I'm away.
Goodbye.
Don't do that.
Because you know what it means.
You left your country, you left...
You do not know you are saying!
When my father died, we were five children!
I was 11, and I was the eldest! We had to eat!
Can you understand this word? Eat!
Okay...
It's no use talking to you now. You just want to hurt me!
Hello, I am not at home, or cannot answer.
Please, leave your message and I will call you back. Thanks.
Hello.
Listen, did you have your dinner?
No.
Would you like to eat with me?
And where is your car?
I came on feet, I just wanted to walk a bit.
Why do you stare at me?
I've fixed the R4.
R4?
You said you liked it, remember?
I'm leaving, Hassan.
What shall I do with the Panda?
Maybe, my mother will take it.
Miss Teacher! Hassan!
Come and have a toast for those unhappy creatures
who are about to make the biggest mistake in their life!
So? Should we send a fax?
Maybe it's better to join them?
You go.
Go!
When you get married?
At 25th. Ah, you are also invited.
Then, take my best wishes on your wedding.
Kiss!
Kiss, kiss, kiss!
If weren't about to marry, I would be with you.
Maybe it's a bit late to discuss it now?
- Good night. - Good night.
What are you so kind to me?
On your seats! All on your seats!
What is going on here! Be quiet!
Enough! Stay calm!
I'm going to call the principal!
That morning, Mara did not come to school.
In the afternoon, the director sent someone to her place
but Mare wasn't at home.
And everyone believed that she had left prematurely.
She was tied to a rock and thrown into the river.
But the current freed the ties and the body was brought to the surface.
She had a deep wound on her neck.
Probably the mortal blow.
The autopsy report mentioned bruises all over her body
and signs of beatings.
It mentioned the presence of seminal liquid belonging to Hassan.
Initially he was incriminated a manslaughter.
The murder entered the house and, rejected by the victim,
lost control over himself.
There was a fight,
and she fell hitting her neck on the hot water radiator.
Three days later, the restraint was changed to arrest.
The criminal experts found traces of Mara's blood
in the Hassan's car.
This, in addition to the testimonies of the witnesses
finally nailed him.
My dog felt agitated and barked.
which usually happens, when he smells something.
And indeed, we went to look, and we found...
Mr...
Mr Ben Chaib.
He had come to spy on Miss Mara De Rosa?
She thought so.
And according to your friend, he came before to do this?
Yes, she said so.
And you remember the exact words he used that night?
'Will you marry me?', I think.
And the young lady, how did she react?
She even didn't reply.
So, will you tell us again how you parted that night.
You accompanied her home, right?
And then?
Mara,
I am more comfortable, I feel better.
She told me:
I wish to have thirteen lives!
And then?
And then I spent time sitting in the car.
To do what?
Think.
Ah, think!
And what did you think about, Mr. Ben Chaib?
Of nothing.
Mr Ben Chaib, is there anything else, you wish to add?
No.
The thought, which tormented me all those days,
was that I also used to spy at Mara's house.
I will never forgive myself for not doing anything
and not telling anyone about that.
After his arrest, killing of dogs
stopped mysteriously.
I did not follow the trial,
not even read the articles in our newspaper.
Hassan was erased from my life,
since he erased the life of Mara.
The scandal in Pettenello, 40 lines no more!
Have you finished writing about the brawl in Merendero?
It will be ready in five minutes.
Do you know who is behind it?
The one who was arrested with a guy
who was leaning against his car.
Yes, but you know who it is?
No, but who is it?
The lover of honourable Lilly Mottola.
Frizziero of 'La Gazetta' told me, I thought you knew!
Incredible!
Giovanni! A journalist never says 'Incredible!'. These are the readers, who should say that!
- You are right! - Of course, I am right!
After you finish, give it to Luke.
I am leaving for my daughter's graduation
Here, it's from her. There are some messages...
Look at that: 'Do not be late, and make yourself presentable'.
The mother always puts in her had, that I am a fraud.
I do not know how you can keep good relations with someone over 15!
Two of us, for example, we always understand each other, don't we?
And you are only two years younger than Valentina.
This is because I am not your son.
So long...
Hello? In a bus.
Yes, of course I remember.
OK, the photo has been taken.
Bye.
Why did he die?
He was charged with 15 years after the appeal.
- Suicide? - Yes
- What was his name? - Hassan Ben Chaid, Tunisian.
Hassan left this:
"Dear sister, excuse for the bad things done to you,
but I am innocent"
You knew Hassan.
He wrote, that he was innocent.
Where is your brother?
Upstairs, in his room.
Then this fragrance has inside the fragrance of a flower...
Flowers... See if you guess which ones
Tulips?
Tulips? Dutch tulips...
It's the violets! It's fantastic. It's good for you!
You want something?
I take this.
- Hassan Ben Chiaib, right? - Chaib. - Chaib...
20 years ago Negroponte said
that with the computers all card files would be gone.
Here I found it.
Here you are!
So now will you repeat please,
with all the details maybe
how Miss Mara De Rosa was injured in the car?
- I have told it many times. - All right,
and now, please, repeat it here, in the court room. Thanks.
Mara wanted to write the address of that school in Brazil.
So you knew that she planned to leave for Brazil?
Yes, she told me.
She wanted to write the address, didn't she?
She did, but she had no pen.
I said: "There is one in the glove box in the car"
She opened the glove box and somehow
made a small cut.
I saw a little blood on her finger.
"Did you hurt yourself?"
"No. "
"Nothing", she said.
Yes, I see.
But the address, that the lady has written...
Do you still have it?
No, because the pen did not write.
She told me: "I will bring it to the workshop tomorrow. "
And you, Mr. Ben Chaib, what did you answer to the young lady?
That it was useless,
because I would not write to her.
Well. Questions of the defence?
None, your honour.
An experienced judge understands when one is lying.
And the story about the pen only annoyed him.
So the judge did not believe him?
I would certainly behave the same way, being him.
And you?
- Me what? - Did you believe him?
I sorry about the way it ended up with.
But he has always wanted to do this with has own head.
Was there a forensic test
if the girl cut her finger?
But the girl was full of cuts, on her fingers, arms, legs...
She have been dragged through the field, what are you talking about?
Sorry, but there is something more.
In Mara's house the tablecloth had a stain of red wine.
But Hassan never drank alcohol. Everybody knows that.
Everyone also knows that a teetotaller needs just half a glass
to lose his head!
Here I am!
I forgot my Caprice des Dieux!
On returning home, I found an email from Mara.
She wrote that she would come to see me before leaving.
But I had to go to Verona for the Vinitaly Fair.
So, I immediately phoned to let her know.
What time was the?
Ten o'clock
Ten-thirty.
Her mobile phone was disconnected, and the home phone had an answering machine.
So I left a message telling her to call me back.
Besides the mentioned cases,
confirmed by other witnesses
did you ever try to get the confidence of the victim?
Confidence? Never!
She bought my wife's car.
We spoke a little... as usual in our place.
We met in the city sometimes...
And you never had a chance to meet her face to face?
- She and I alone? - Yes
Never.
We all meet in a small place,
but I never talked to her alone
I did not know anything about her private life...
The first inspection did not find anything unusual,
no fingerprints of strangers.
Absolutely nothing?
The only abnormality, as mentioned in the report,
were a open oven
and the absence of the tape in the answering machine.
the home phone had an answering machine.
So I left a message
telling her to call me back.
See you tomorrow.
It's you again?
I found and important contradiction between two witnesses.
Police said there was no tape in the answering machine,
but the girl left a message the same evening.
Therefore the tape was there. Someone could take it.
You could go back and trace the calls.
Why didn't you ask for the records? Too much effort?
Boy, are you going to do my job?
But you have lost a minor detail: he killed her!
He might not have done it on purpose, but it was him!
The records! If he did as I said, he would be free by now!
In brief, I suggested him to admit that he did it accidentally.
Maximum of six years, and you are out! But he wanted to go his own way!
As all Arabs do!
The Albanians are smarter at least.
One of them used to be my client.
You have no idea what affairs he committed, and he is already out!
So you judge people by their ethnicity?
Blessed you are, for not being involved in this crap!
But do you know the truth?
So what is the truth?
The truth is, that everyone already decided that Hassan was guilty.
Even you, who was his lawyer.
Such a...!
- Hello journalist! How are you? - Look, I need your favour.
- Do you remember Hassan? - Yes, I do.
He committed suicide in prison I am not sure, if you know.
Poor fellow!
Maybe, you can get the phone numbers who called Mara during her last night.
That stuff is controlled by the magistrate, Giovanni! It isn't so easy
Franco, Hassan is innocent!
- Are you crazy? - I sure, otherwise I wouldn't ask you.
Make a try, please.
Ok, I will. Bye.
- Hello, hello! - Have you got it?
- Yes? - I sweated a bit, but I've made it.
Two phone calls, At 22:28 to...
- 3336960630. - And the second?
At midnight and ten.
To 3487978093.
Listen, don't mention my name to anybody, I beg you!
Hello.
Hello? Who speaks?
- Are you Eva? - Yes, who are you?
Hello? Hello?
You are a whore, a slut, a thief, and so ungrateful!
I am filling you up with all sort of gifts, and you leave me?
- What did you say? - You are annoying!
Come here! Come here!
Hello? Hello?
Hello?
I can't hear anything! Hello?
Who are you?
And these? Isn't it a gift?
Hello, I am not at home, or cannot answer.
Please, leave your message and I will call you back. Thanks.
This is Guido, Hello! Tonight at piadineria you were beautiful.
I know you are leaving, right?
And we haven't even got a chance to say goodbye...
Wait me, Mara... I'm coming right now.
When the police arrived at Guido's home,
he confessed immediately.
He seemed to be waiting that chance for years.
He told everything without mussing any detail,
as a one who had a desperate need to take that load out of his conscience.
That evening he went to Mara and she kindly farewelled him.
He also uncorked a bottle.
And then she asked him to leave...
All the rest took place exactly like the prosecution concluded.
It all was correct, except the name of the murderer.
I published four articles on the issue in a nation-wide journal.
I received compliments from everyone except my countrymen,
who believed that I did it for the career.
But if I had kept the right distance
without getting involved in this business,
Hassan would still be the murder for all of us,
and I would not move to Milan to work for an influential newspaper.
I've signed a contract,
and I rent a room in the most ugly part of Italy.
But this is my new life and it starts here.
Translated from Italian by acidophilus
October, 2009