I'm glad you made it here.
Now I am.
Thanks Gabriele. I'm glad you're glad.
But try to stay calm. Don't get all worked up now.
You want to know why I'm glad? Because I have left you a treasure.
- Really? - There's a casket.
- A casket? - And inside there's a viper.
- And it's a long one. - Keep calm now.
And black.
And it has a tongue that reaches the depths of hell.
I have hidden it so that no one will find it.
It's hidden behind the books.
But be careful cause this viper is poisonous.
And it's going to kill all the other... vipers.
Gabriele!
He didn't make it.
Unfortunately.
So young and I couldn't help him in any way.
- Are you a relative? - No, just an acquaintance.
- In that case you could tell us if there's any relative that could take care of... - No, there's no one.
I'll have to take care of it myself.
He had been using drugs for a long time now, were you aware of that?
Yes, but I didn't think his situation had reached that point.
He had been using drugs since a very young age.
- Oh God! - What's wrong?
Are you alright?
Poor Gabriele.
- Come I'll give you something to reinstate your strength.
- Are you feeling better? - Yes, I apologise doctor. - No need to, I understand.
Though it's strange you weren't aware of his condition.
You see, I'm a lawyer. I've defended many addicts.
Gabriele's case had moved me. That's why I remembered him.
He was accused of participating in a robbery and condemned to house
arrest which due to his condition was to be spent here in the hospital.
- Did you also know his family? - Yes, his mother.
We were neighbours a while back, when they weren't living here.
I haven't seen her since that time.
Poor Mrs Giovanna. She ended up tragically.
Why do you say that?
- She had reached a very low point. - Then you knew her?
In towns like ours everybody knows everybody.
- Do you work in the city? - Yes, but I'm thinking of moving here.
An unusual choice for a young lawyer.
I like the tranquility.
Tranquility can be be beneficial to the spirit,
but pursuing one's career also counts a lot, especially when you're young.
If you're pursuing a career you can't expect tranquility.
You're not from here. If I could be of any help to you, don't hesitate to ask me.
- Thank you. - Do you have a place to stay? - Yes.
- Allright then, goodbye. - Goodbye.
- Come, please. - Thank you. - Give me a minute to open the window. - Ok.
It needs a lot of work, but you can have it immediately.
- The telephone is still working. - Good.
-The former proprietor must have been an eccentric person, don't you agree? - Yes.
The price is more than decent, given that there are a lot of nice
things here. And who knows, among them you could find a treasure.
Anyway, here are the keyes. And don't forget your appointment with the notary, tomorrow at 5.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
It's hidden behind the books.
Not many appreciate lyrical music.
In this town, they know at most the most famous works.
If someone listened to this recording, he'd think it's only music.
Nobody here digs under the surface of things.
Very few would continue listening to it.
Mother liked Wagner, but her favourite was Puccini.
One day a man gave her a recording of "La Boheme".
He was a nice, cordial man.
In any case it was obvious she liked him a lot.
She immediately played the record and begun listening to it like she was in a trance.
Suddenly she raised her eyes. The man had arrived.
She seemed happy. That picture filled me with joy.
After years of hardships, a sign that a period of happiness was about to commence.
He was Luca Palmisani. They started seeing each other on a regular basis. He was always bringing her discs.
- Hello? - Is this Annabella Allori? - Yes?
- Ah, it's you doctor Martore, how are you? - Fine, and since you recognised me, you can call me Carlo.
How did you know I was here?
Everybody knows. They are all talking about your arrival.
A new lawyer and more importantly one as beautiful as you, well that's quite an event for us.
I take it nothing much happens here, then.
Exactly. On the other hand, someone like you doesn't go unnoticed.
- Carlo you're making me blush. - Sorry, that wasn't my intention.
I'd like to invite you at my house tonight. There will be many friends of mine who can't wait to meet you.
No, I'm tired and I do have many things to do.
Yes, I understand. I don't want to insist, but I must tell you that this little soiree is in your honour.
- I'm certain you'll enjoy yourself. - If that's the case... - Then I'll send a car for you. Shall we say nine o'clock?
- No need to. I'll come by myself. - Ok. See you later. Bye.
See you then.
- Annabella! - Hi, I'm a little late.
- Come, I'll introduce you. - Certainly.
Vito Palmisani, our mayor. I present you miss Allori, the lawyer.
- I'm honoured. - Pleased to meet you. - And Mrs Rosa, his wife.
- I'd like to have a seat, I'm tired. - Excuse us. - Certainly.
- First I'll introduce you to the other guests. - Ok. - Gentlemen, this is miss Allori, the lawyer.
- You're very thirsty tonight. - Excuse us, she's very tired and we're going to sit for a while.
Let's sit here.
- They all seem so nice. - Yes, it's true.
I'm pleased to be here.
- Can I ask you something? - Certainly. - Why did you choose that house?
- I don't understand the question. - It's that I find it strange.
What's wrong with that house?
At the same price you could have gotten a more comfortable place.
- Don't you agree? - Perhaps, but that house fascinates me.
You're not the only person who's asked me that.
Do you think that the agency concealed something from me?
Maybe that it's haunted.
- Just a sip. - Why don't you have some coca cola? It's there.
No, it's just that the story of Gabriele and his mother is... chilling.
With all that's happened it's only natural.
So it's possible there are ghosts.
Excuse me, I have to speak to Carlo.
- You worry too much. - Well, you see... - There's really no problem.
So then, you plan on keeping her to yourself?
- Of course not. - You're neglecting the rest of us. - Sorry, I have to
entertain the other guests. - Ok. - Please Vito, easy with the gallantries.
It's incredible. I thought this was going to be boring.
A small community has certain advantages. You're never alone even if you want to be.
He's become an altruist, did you know that? He's interested in every woman.
- Sometimes though it suffocates you. - What is?
That you can't find a moment to reflect, for one. And there are other disadvantages.
Like?
Sometimes you get bored.
You also get bored in the city. And that boredom is much more oppressive.
But there at the appropriate moment you can go unnoticed.
- What do you mean? I don't understand. - I think you do.
It's all about formalities and a superficial morality here.
Here you must always walk the line.
In what sense?
You can't afford to sin.
Why not? As long as nobody knows...
Don't you agree?
Here is today's mail commissioner.
Lord give us today our daily anonimous letter writer.
Here's another. This guy is compulsive.
- Let's see what he writes us this time. - What do you expect to read?
It's always the same bullshit.
- What's he saying? - You can go.
- Hello? - I'm calling from the police station. Is this the mayor's house? - Yes?
Madam I'm commissioner Marsilli. Can I speak to the mayor?
Just a moment please. Vito? Vito!
- Wake up. - Who is it? - It's the commissioner.
- Who? - The commissioner.
- Yes, who is this? - I'm commissioner Marsilli.
- What is it? - I must see you urgently. I have received some information that regards you.
- That regards me? - Yes and it's important.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience but I have to see you as soon as possible.
Yes, fine.
Who could be accusing you?
The stubs of the cheques cashed by the mayor's wife are the proof.
It's outrageous! I can't understand why you have summoned me here.
We don't take into account anonimous accusations.
But we must try to find the person who wrote that letter.
Do you have any idea who could be accusing you and your wife of
having accepted a kickback for the concession of a building licence?
Who would benefit from such accusations?
Absolutely not. Besides...
... it's not true.
The writer promises to return with more proof of your corruption.
- What proof, what corruption? - The corruption according to the code.
I can't understand why you're wasting your time on the anonimous accusations of someone who's hiding
in the shadows and for who knows what reasons tries to discredit me and the party which I represent..
Rather, I do know his reasons. The elections are coming soon.
Calm down mayor. If you have nothing to fear, you don't have to worry about this.
Exactly. I have nothing to fear and I'll prove it.
- Good evening mister mayor. - Is the lawyer in?
- We're past visiting hours, she doesn't receive clients at this time. - Let him in Elena.
- Good evening. - Good evening lawyer. - You can go now Elena.
- I have to talk to you of a delicate matter. - Certainly.
- I wouldn't want to be a nuisance, it's late. - Don't worry, you're not.
In fact now we could have a more relaxed conversation.
Without being disturbed. Come in my office, I'm sure we'll be able to resolve your problem.
Thank you.
Let me have this. It seems to me that you have nothing to worry about.
- Are you certain? - An anonimous accusation can not be taken into consideration in a court.
You did the right thing coming to me.
Coming here.
Yes, I did the right thing, I know Annabella.
- Who are you? You'll make me lose my mind.
I don't want to make you lose your mind. I just want to be useful to you.
- That's why I came for legal advice. - Any lawyer could assure you that everything's fine, but that's not enough.
- What do you mean? - Don't worry. You don't have much to fear.
Not much? Before you said that I had nothing to fear.
- You said that an anonimous accusation... - You are the one who knows whether you should worry about it or not.
Anyhow, those accusations are false, right?
I don't want to put pressure on you, but I think that you'd like me to be your friend, as well as your lawyer.
- Certainly. - Then you have one more reason to tell me the truth.
Okay. It all happened approximately one and a half year ago.
Concession of those building licences was out of the question, but then someone intervened.
- Someone very important. - Who was it?
- A very... - Yes a very important one, but who?
Senator Alberti. I don't know why he was involved in this.
- Did they pay you? - A part in cash, the rest in cheques.
- Made out to you? - No, to my wife.
- Did she cash them? - Only two of them, an isignificant amount of money. - That's no extenuation.
What's important is that now you're in too deep.
I didn't really make a huge profit out of it.
- Did you insist of having the rest of the money? - Yes, till yesterday.
I see. Then it's obviously Alberti the one who's trying to frame you.
Now we must come up with an explanation for those cheques.
Yes, but what?
You said they were made out to your wife, right?
That's it! The mayor's wife and the elderly senator.
- He's old, right? - Why?
You have to pass them off as gifts, tell them that you've found letters...
... that you suspect of an affair between him and your wife. So if
a hearing should be called for, at least we can explain the cheques.
- But that means... - It's better if they thought you're a cheated-on husband, than a corrupt politician.
You risk less, and anyway, do you really care about your wife?
Now you're going to give me every detail.
The exact sums, the serial numbers on the cheques, the dates they were cashed, etc, etc.
- I've reserved a table. - Over there sir. - Thank you.
Unfortunately there's Palmisani, his wife and the others.
- Let's pretend we didn't see them. - No, it isn't very polite.
- I wanted to be just the two of us. - Let's just go and sit in our table. They'll understand we want privacy. - Okay.
- Good evening. - Hi. - You always encounter familiar faces here.
- It's really nice here. - Not bad, right?
Let's see what's on the menu.
- What will you have? - I don't know. What do you recommend? - Let me think.
- Let's see. - I have to fix my contact lens, it's bothering me. - Okay.
Excuse me for a moment.
I couldn't resist Annabella.
- What will your wife think? - I don't care.
- But I think you care about what Carlo will think. - But no Vito, what are you saying?
- Tell me what he does to you. -Stop it. - Does he caress you like I do?
No, stop it.
- I'd like to see how you two do it. - Do what? - Have sex.
I'd like that so much Annabella.
But he wouldn't want that. I'm sure he wouldn't.
Now I want to see you masturbate.
- Do it now. - But they're waiting for us. - It doesn't matter.
Show me how you do it.
Come on.
Good.
- You like it? - Not bad. Does Carlo make you do the same things?
Do you make other women do it? Do you make your wife do it?
Yes.
Show me how you come.
You like watching me.
Again? That one is persistant.
He really has a grudge against the mayor.
Let's see what he's saying this time.
I have proof that mayor Palmisani is corrupt.
He accepted payment from senator Alberti for concession of certain building licences.
I have the stubs from the cheques made out to the mayor's wife, Rosa Ivaldi.
I'd like to speak to the judge please. Marsilli.
- Judge it's senator Alberti. - Show him in.
Good morning. I'm surprised and indignated.
- I don't want to be kept here for long. - This is not up to you to decide.
Have a seat please.
- What do you want to know? - These are the stubs from some cheques made out to Rosa Ivaldi.
Palmisani's wife. Someone maintains that this is the money with which you bribed the mayor and
other members of the town council for concession of certain building licences for a friend of yours.
But judge, that's just slander!
I'm not saying it's the truth. We're here to ascertain the facts.
I summoned you here because these cheques have your signature.
You can't deny that.
No I can't.
- You also can't deny that Armandi who's a building contractor is a friend of yours. - No, I can't deny that either.
But I never bribed anyone.
Then perhaps you could explain those cheques.
It's really a delicate matter. Believe me judge.
I hope for your sake that you're able to prove it.
- Do you think it's Palmisani's wife? - Undoubtedly, this is all that witch's fault.
- Why did she do it? - I think because she found out about her husband's affair with the lawyer.
This doesn't convince me. You really think it was her?
- Who else could it be? - I wonder.
I don't think that Palmisani, even if he's not satisfied with the money we gave him,
would do something like that, this is going to ruin him also.
So I think it was her, my alleged secret lover.
This could also be an expedient of Palmisani's.
This way he justifies the money we gave him, even if he's branded a cheated-on husband.
- Both he and his wife will be interrogated and they could... - Yes, they could spill the beans.
- Good morning doctor. - Good morning commissioner.
- What can you tell me? - Looks like it occured an hour ago.
- What else? - The shots were fired from a very close distance.
And from the position of one of the victims I'd say there are no doubts about what happened here.
We haven't touched the bodies, but I'd say that the woman was shot in the back.
May I commissioner?
Yes, she was undoubtedly shot in the back.
Homicide - suicide, then.
It seems so.
There's a rumor that the wife had an affair with a certain senator whom we all know.
- A sad situation. - Yes.
- I am finished here. You can move the corpses. - You did everything?
Whatever was necessary.
Ok doctor.
A tragic incident, caused by jealousy and madness occured this morning in the vicinity of a countryside community.
Vito Palmisani, the town's mayor, after killing his wife he took his own life with a bullet in the temple.
According to unconfirmed reports, the mayor did it because he found out about his wife's adulterous affair.
Come in.
- It's commissioner Marsilli. - Yes, let him in. - Please, come in.
Thank you. Good morning.
Good morning.
- Commissioner Marsilli. - Have a seat.
- I imagine you heard the news. - Yes, it's really a tragedy.
- Certainly. - These things happen, but you rarely expect them to happen to people you know.
I know that recently Palmisani aksed for your legal advice.
- Yes. - I'd like to ask you some questions.
Certainly, though I have to respect professional secrecy.
You see it's not exactly about your professional relationship with him.
About what then?
Everyone seems to think that Palmisani killed his wife out of jealousy.
- So? - It's strange, because Rosa, his wife, had confided to one of her friends...
... that she was suspecting that you had an affair with her husband.
And you want to know if it's true?
- Right. - No, it's not true.
Even if there was a certain fondness between us.
Why is it so important to know if we had something?
It's not consistent for a man who cheats on his wife to kill her because she cheated on him.
There's no consistency in love.
Anyway, I knew Palmisani a bit and he didn't seem the type who kills his wife out of jealousy.
I'm sorry for being a nuisance.
I'm glad to have met you, though.
- Goodbye. - I'll come by sometime. It was a pleasure. - For me too, believe me.
- Goodbye. - Commissioner?
Yes?
- He didn't seem the type to me either. - I didn't have any doubts about it.
Vito Palmisani didn't only bring discs to mother.
He also brought her bottles of wine, cognac, whiskey.
At that time she already had problems with alcohol.
They were drinking together, but she was getting drunk right away.
He liked her that way.
Because she abandoned every inhibition, and they were doing what they were doing.
Passionately, continuously, wherever they were, at any time.
Mother grew very attached to him.
She was indifferent to everything else.
She was living for the moment he would visit her again.
And they would make love.
They didn't care that I was deeply affected of what I watched them do.
I was developing self-destructive impulses.
Mother didn't care whether Vito came alone or not...
... as long as he came.
It all begun that time with count Alvise Leonardi.
She didn't want to do it, but Palmisani knew how to push the right buttons.
He didn't have any scruples.
He liked to watch.
She became his toy.
At first I didn't understand what was going on. When I finally did, it was too late.
Every new visitor brought home his own vice.
The count became the most regular visitor.
- You were saying? - I'd like to enrol.
- For what activity? - Gymnastics, dance aerobic, I don't know, I just want to stay in shape.
Here we have everything, gymnastics, jazz dance, body building, whatever you like.
I'd like to ask you something. A while back I met a girl who frequents this club.
I'd like to find her, but I have forgotten her name. Lenardi, Loendri, I don't remember.
Perhaps you could help me, you have a list.
We can look it up in the index.
Right, thanks.
Let's see. Lancetti, Leati, take a look, is this she?
Yes, I think so.
But this is miss Leonardi.
No, no, unfortunately it's not her. Only a lookalike.
Maybe I got the name of the club wrong. Anyway, I've decided. It's gonna be aerobics.
Fine. You must get sports shoes. Everyone in the club must wear them.
- Ok, thank you. You've been very kind. - Goodbye.
Lifting continuously those weights must be tiresome.
I don't think I could do it.
Yes.
Perhaps you could teach me how you do it.
It's not easy, but judging by your physical aspect...
... I don't think you need to subject yourself to this torture.
But if you like, I could show you some exercises.
You'd be waisting your time. I'm not good in these things.
Don't become disheartened so easily. You just need to find the most suitable method.
Just between you and me, I use a particular respiration technique.
- The instructor disapproves of it, but I find it helpful. - I'd like you to teach me this technique.
Really? Then let's meet the day after tomorrow, early in the morning. There are fewer people here.
- It's better. - Ok then. Let me introduce myself; Annabella Allori.
I'm Ariella Leonardi.
Do show up. You'll see that you'll learn in no time at all.
- Now we hit the showers? - After the exercise it's always relaxing.
- Finally, I'm devastated. - This is common for the first time.
- What, aren't you getting undressed? - I don't usually in the presence of someone else.
- Don't tell me you are ashamed. - It's ridiculous, I know.
But I have to confess that I am a little ashamed.
You must have your reasons, but a smart and cute girl like you, to be ashamed...
Maybe it's because I was raised in a strict environment. Especially my father.
But your father isn't here.
And liberating yourself should be exciting for you, don't you think so?
It's a real shame if you don't show your body. You're fabulous.
Even with men you refuse to get undressed?
- You see... - You do, eh? Especially with men. - I don't know what to say.
- Of course among women there's less embarassment. Want some? - What is it?
Tea. It's usually for drinking, but I have other uses for it.
See, I, too, can teach you something Ariella.
Did you like it?
Yes.
As you know, the legal costs are at the expense of the losing party. Anyway, I'm sure we'll reach an agreement for my fee. Ok?
Excuse me for a moment.
- Hello? - Hi Annabella.
- Yes? - It's Ariella. - Ah, it's you. Hi Ariella.
- How are you? - Fine. - Listen, would you like to come to my house on Saturday?
You could stay till Monday.
- I'd like that. - Sounds good.
- So you accept? - Yes.
I'm happy. We could even sleep together.
- As we're both women, that wouldn't be a problem. -But why wait till Saturday?
If you like I could come to your place right now.
Ariella invited me to her place on Saturrday.
Then you'll get to meet her father, count Alvise.
He's really original.
In what sense?
A real champion of public morality.
How is he in his private life?
Inconsistent. Be careful.
That means...
It means that he likes beautiful women.
Rather, he used to like them, before the cardiac arrest.
Ariella asked me to stay till Monday.
- I hope you said no. - Why?
I can't stand the thought of not being with you for two days.
Yeah, you'd die without me.
I've never seen you laugh before.
It's not true. I laugh all the time.
But it doesn't come from the heart.
It's as if there's something that burdens you.
Excuse me, it's late.
Will you accompany me? I have an appointment at the office.
Yes.
- Madam the count's daughter asks you to wait. - Yes, thank you.
- Lawyer! What a pleasure, good morning. - Good morning.
I was looking forward to meeting you. Please, have a seat.
- My daughter always talks about you. - And to me about you.
I imagine she's telling you that I'm a boring old man.
Not at all. She tells me you have very strict ideas. I admire a man who stands for morality.
You do? You see, the things I detest most in a person are lack of character, hypocrisy and falsness.
That which in private could be pleasurable, in public often is vulgar.
You're right, that's how it is.
The fact that someone as young and beautiful as you agrees with me, flatters me.
You're embarassing me. Anyway, I know you're a respectable citizen.
And you seem the right person to talk to for an initiative I have in mind.
What's it about?
I'd rather we discussed this in private.
But here we are in private. Don't you think so?
- Annabella! - Not exactly. Hi Ariella.
I see you two already got acquainted.
- And the fact that Annabella hasn't ran off yet, means that the hardest part is out of the way. - Ariella, surely you're joking!
- What are you saying? - I'm hungry like a wolf. Why don't we have lunch?
And then a siesta in the garden.
- Sure. - Sounds great. - I agree. Lead the way Ariella. - Thanks.
You know Ariella, I'm very happy to be here.
Thanks.
- I never tire of our conversations. - Excuse me Annabella. We left a certain discussion unfinished.
Right. I'd like to continue it.
You'll have as much time as you like. I have to visit the stables.
- It's getting late. - But the stables are far. You wouldn't want to leave us...
I'd like Annabella to come with me, but it doesn't seem right.
I invited here for a calm weekend of idleness.
Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll do what we couldn't do today.
- Ok. - Bye. - Bye. - Bye. - Bye dad.
My daughter isn't the most stable person, but your friendship has benefited her very much.
Now let's return to our discussion.
Certainly. It's not that I didn't want to discuss it in the presence of
Ariella, but I think you wouldn't like to involve her in certain subjects.
I'm very curious. What is this about?
In the city I used to live, I fought against permissivness and vulgarity.
Passed off as open-mindedness.
- That's commendable. - I was seriously dedicated to my fight.
Even if I was risking emargination.
It's not easy, I know about it myself. But here you don't have to worry about it.
- You now have a friend who's with you all the way. - I'm glad to hear that.
I've chosen to live in a small town because the moral climate here is healthier.
- As opposed to that in a big city? - Yes, I thought that here certain values would still be alive.
Say no more. I'm glad the modern manias and materialistic way of life haven't corrupted you.
- That means a lot. - Can I count on your help?
You must not have any doubts. I assure you.
You are an exceptional woman. I'd do anything for you. I mean it.
Have you seen the newsstand in the central square? It's filled with pornographic material.
But with your help and your moral prestige, we're going to fight this corruption.
We'll eliminate it. I have sampled some material. It's in my room. Come, I'll show you.
You'll understand with what vulgarity we have to deal with.
- Certainly. - Let's go. - I want you to be assured that I'm with you on this.
- Come in count. - What are you going to show me? - Patience.
- You'll see what filth is sold there. - If you say it is so I'm convinced it is. - Magazines I found there today.
- Look. - What is it? - Look.
These magazines are in plain sight.
- In our newsstand? - Yes. - But it's obscene!
- You bought them there? - Yes. - How can they be selling those?
- It's scandalous, unheard of! - Wait till you see this one.
- Let me see. - I find it even worse than the others.
But that woman is you!
- Me ?!? - Yes Annabella, that woman is you. - What are you saying?
- Me? - She's identical to you. - Have you lost your mind?
- How dare you? - She has the same body. - Let me look.
- But it's you. - You could say she resembles me a little in the face, but not in the body, I'll show you.
- But what are you doing? - Look. - You're joking.
- I didn't mean to... - I won't tolerate you suspecting that it's me. - But what are you doing now?
- Have a look. - But I, I...
So? You still think it's me?
No, I can't, I can't do those things.
- Yes, let me touch you. - I want you to feel my body. Touch me.
Yes, I want to touch you.
I can't, can't!
- Help me! - What's wrong now?
Are you tired, what happened to you?
Not feeling well? There was a time you enjoyed those things.
- Please? - They lifted your spirits, you also loved watching.
Apropos, I have a little thing that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Here it is. Do you recognise her?
- Ariella! - I find your reaction strange. And yet I know that there was a time you loved watching.
Ariella, daughter of mine!
- Enjoy these nice photos. - But why? - Die.
- It's the punishment for your rotten deeds. - What deeds?
What did I do?
You had what you deserved.
And now the count too.
We were expecting it, but not so soon.
I'm sorry you had to be there.
- Poor Ariella, she's devastated. - Where is she?
She wasn't feeling up for the funeral. I advised her to leave for a while.
- She might sell the villa. - We should leave too. Many unpleasant
things have happened. And you were looking for some tranquility.
And I was convinced I had found it.
- Ah, commissioner Marsilli, you know our lawyer? - Good morning.
Yes, we know each other, not very well unfortunately.
I understand your regret, but from now on, I'd like you to participate in our
little gatherings at my place, and I hope that Annabella will always be there too.
I hope so too. Work permitting, I'm happy to accept your invitation.
- I hope that things will be calm from now on. - Me too.
- We all do. - And now if you'll excuse me. - Goodbye. - Goodbye.
In order to put an end to that foul situation,
I managed to convince mother that it was necessary to move to another town.
Unfortunately by the time we decided it, it was too late.
We were about to reach a new low.
Someday Palmisani brought a friend with him.
He was Altieri, the pharmacist.
Palmisani approached mother
and said "this is a new friend, do you like him?"
She didn't respond. Palmisani, furious, lifted her up,
and threw her in the arms of the newcomer.
At first she seemed to go along, but suddenly she threw her drink on his face.
He started to slap her brutally.
She started to scream. And Palmisani, having thrown her on the armchair,
continued to hit her while calling her the most offensive names.
Altieri was watching amused.
I couldn't take any more so I hurled myself against Palmisani.
I wanted to push him away from mother, but I was weak.
Mother tried to help me, but Palmisani once more threw her on the armchair.
Screaming, I tried to get up but Altieri didn't let me.
Palmisani induced him to treat me more violently.
He said that he had to give me something to calm me down.
He was right. I needed to calm down.
You need something that's gonna help you forget everything.
As they were draging me away I fainted. Everything became dark.
I woke up in my room. Palmisani was with Altieri who was giving me an intravenous injection.
I could hear a racket outside, mother was screaming and knocking on the door.
She was angry and desperate, but I couldn't understand why.
Why she was so upset. I had lost contact with reality.
I was feeling better. My life till that moment seemed like a bad dream to me.
As Altieri said, he and the others were our friends.
They didn't want to harm us, I was just imagining things.
That's what I was thinking.
Good evening.
Good evening. What do you need?
I don't know if you can help me.
I can try.
Ok, you see, I have trouble sleeping.
- I've tried everything, but I'm nervous, stressed. - Could it be because you had a rough day?
I saw you this morning at the funeral of the count. Were you close?
No, I'm just a friend of the daughter.
I was there when he died. This has upset me a lot.
- It's possible. - Good evening. - Good evening.
- Are you suffering from insomnia too? - Yes, in a sense. And it's costing me a fortune keeping calm. - I know what you mean.
- Here you are. - Thanks. Good night. - Good night.
- Nowadays the night shift is dangerous. With all the addicts that come for methadone.
As a matter of fact, look.
I had to get a gun.
Anyway, I can give you sleeping pills.
But you must promise to use them only if you really need them.
- Certainly. - Besides you don't have a prescription for them and we should be careful with these things. You understand?
Yes, but you know what? Just by talking with you I already feel calmer.
- See? You can stay for as long as you like. -I'd like that if I'm not a nuisance. - Not at all.
- You're really kind. - Good evening.
Please.
- Excuse me for a moment. - Of course.
Thank you.
- Here I am. - I see you have a rather homogeneous clientele.
Yes, unfortunately. Thankfully now and then there's a pleasant variation, as yourself.
My condition is not enviable. You see,
I either don't sleep, or I have terrible dreams.
Is this something that goes on for a long time, or not?
For a long time.
- And it happens every single night? - Lately yes.
Unless I sleep in the company of someone.
But don't you have a fiance, or a husband?
No, I live alone.
Have you ever thought that all this may be due to some childhood disorder?
Yes, I think so. Childhood disorders.
And so?
All things considered, there's nothing wrong with it.
- With what? - With needing a man.
- No? - Eh, no. As a matter of fact... Come, after all it's a natural remedy.
Commissioner there's a gentleman who wants to speak with you. He has a strange story to tell.
- Ok, let him in. - Ok.
You can go in.
- Good morning. - Good morning. Please have a seat. - Thanks.
I'm here to report someone.
- Someone? - A drug dealer. The man who's killing my son.
- Calm down. Can I get you something? - No, it's not necessary.
- I'll be fine. -Corporal! - Yes sir?
- On record. - Yes commissioner.
So, what's this all about?
The pharmacist. Altieri.
Do you have any proof?
My son goes to the pharmacy without a prescription. And he's buying methadone and morphine from him.
- You must arrest him commissioner. - How can I without proof?
Simply with a perquisition warrant.
In order to get the warrant we must have more concrete proof.
And what do you think this is? No doctor prescribed them to my son, and there aren't other pharmacies in the area.
Send them to the lab, you'll see I'm right.
Are you convinced now commissioner?
Grillo, Mancuso!
Good evening. Can I have this?
Just a minute.
- Here you are. - Thanks.
Hands up! Where's the stuff?
Be careful!
- How did it happen? - He shot at us first.
- Go. - Come commissioner.
- Do you like lyrical music? - Yes, very much.
Unfortunately there are not many of us.
You know commissioner, it's really nice to see you.
But something tells me it's not a social visit.
Correct, though I'm here unofficially.
Now you've aroused my curiosity.
Then it's mutual.
Let's just say that I'm here out of curiosity.
Curiosity, eh? Claudia!
Let's see if I can satisfy it. Something to drink?
- What will you have? - Whiskey, thanks.
- And you madam? - The same, thanks.
So?
The addict's father, the one who reported Altieri,
maintains that it was you who told him that the pharmacist pushed drugs.
No, I didn't tell him anything. I just thought of it.
Unfortunately, I've seen many young people die from drugs. I have a sixth sense about these things.
Why didn't you inform us of your suspicions?
As you said, I only suspected it.
So I turned to the kid's father, because he could make accusations that would stick.
When you know of illegal activities, and don't report them to the police...
- ..it's a crime, don't you know that? - Are you forgetting I'm a lawyer?
- Of course not. - And I reaffirm that I didn't know anything.
- Are you certain? - This begins to resemble an interrogation.
Without any respect to the formalities.
If you want to interrogate me, you'll have to do it by the book.
Agreed.
Now I have things to do. I'll accompany you to the door.
Don't bother. I can find it by myself.
From that time, each day I was anxiously awaiting Altieri who brought me the vials.
Soon I learned how to inject myself.
I couldn't live without it.
Then he begun skimping on the stuff.
Leaving me without.
It was terrible. The suffering was unbearable. Shivers, insomnia, hallucinations.
One night Altieri told me: "If you want it you must work for it".
Nothing comes for free in this world.
I hadn't had any stuff for three days. I was prepared to do anything.
I asked him what I would have to do and he said: "There's a friend of ours who finds you very attractive".
"He likes you. He really does".
So one night they brought Don Ruggero home.
He wasn't the town's priest then. He was still in seminary.
He wasn't a priest yet, but he was about to become one.
They approached me and Altieri started talking to me.
He was singing the newcomer's praises.
Trying to ingratiate him with me.
There really was no need for all this.
I had gotten the picture. And since I needed the stuff,
I didn't need coaxing.
So I went with him to my room.
Altieri and Palmisani stayed in the living room.
Probably savouring what was about to come.
My every move was mechanical.
I abandoned myself to the priest's hands without even realizing what I was doing.
I wasn't ashamed and I didn't care for what was going on.
I was only thinking of the stuff. I had become a slave to it.
Even though I knew it would sooner or later destroy me.
I only worried about mother, I didn't want her to find out.
They assured me they had given her a powerful sedative.
From that first encounter I mainly remember that I was in a hurry to get it over with.
So that Altieri would give me the stuff.
Don Ruggero seemed to realise that and that excited him immensly.
There were moments when I felt deeply ashamed.
But the need for that deadly substance was so strong.
Around here, entering a church arm in arm with a man, means that you undertake the obligation to marry him.
But we're not even engaged.
I think we could skip the stage of engagement.
Then you're really proposing to me.
- Certainly. - In an old-fashioned way.
I don't know if it's old-fashioned, but it is a proper proposal.
You make me happy, but I need some time to think it over.
- Think it over? - Yes.
- For how long? - Give me a couple of days.
Annabella, I don't understand you, but I love you.
You'll soon understand me. Now I have to go inside.
I want to confess.
- I'll wait for you at the bar. - Ok. - Bye. - Bye.
Forgive me father for I have sinned.
- In what way my child? - I had sinful thoughts.
- I did sinful things. And I was sinful in my negligence. - Raise your spirit, confess your sins and repent.
I have sinned in thought because I have wished the deaths of certain people in this town,
who caused a poor woman's death.
A very fragile woman.
I have hated them because they abused her.
They exploited her weakness and led her and her son to the abyss of desperation.
I have sinned with my actions because I arranged for the first to get killed
together with his wife by an accomplice of his who thought he had betrayed him.
And I have sinned again provoking the second one's death with my sensuality.
And I arranged the elimination of the third one. He too was killed.
Finally I have sinned by negligence. Because I didn't tell anyone about their crimes and I dispensed justice on my own.
How come you're silent father? Why aren't you telling me to repent?
Of course it would be useless, for I have no intention of repenting.
Rather, I aim to continue and eliminate the fourth one.
He was a holy man. Yes father, a holy man.
- A man of the church. - No! No! No! No!
Done.
I encountered Don Ruggero again.
But he wasn't there when that terrible thing happened.
Palmisani, Altieri, count Leonardi were present and also the doctor.
and also the doctor.
I was asleep. I awoke from the laughter and the sneers, they were louder than usual.
And there were cries, mother's desperate cries.
When I got there I saw her on the floor and eneryone else on top of her.
She was screaming and I was drugged, I felt like I was floating above everyhting and I didn't
have the courage to help her. The doctor was banging repeatedly her head against the floor.
Leonardi was sneering and the doctor continued to bang her head.
Among the howls and the laughter of the others.
Then he grabbed her by the neck and started squeezing it.
He squeezed until she stopped moving.
He seemed worried. He was looking at the others who were also worried.
Then he got up and moved away from her as if he was frightened.
The others seemed frightened also. I saw her with her eyes wide open in a blank, lifeless stare.
I screamed and only then, overcoming the shock I started to approach.
I was in tears. Altieri told me that mother had fallen from the stairs and died.
But it wasn't true and they knew that I had seen them kill her.
They tried to shut my mouth.
Leave me alone! Mama!
The doctor signed a medical report of accidental death. And since we didn't have
a parish priest, Don Ruggero had to give her last blessings. Now she's burried.
And soon they'll come to get me and put me in the clinic.
And I know I won't get out of there alive.
- Annabella! - Carlo help me! - You are upset.
I can't make it anymore. You don't know what I've done.
- What have you done? - You know nothing about me, about who I am. - You are the woman I love.
That's all I need to know. Calm down, tell me everything.
- Darling... - Calm down. - Tonight I want to stay here with you.
So tell me, what happened to you?
I must reveal to you something terrible.
What could be so terrible?
I know that it seems incredible.
But unfortunately, it's true.
I've killed four men.
Really? And who were they?
Vito Palmisani, Leonardi,
- Altieri and Don Ruggero Ruspa. - And how did you do it?
It's simple.
I went to bed with them, I discovered their weaknesses and used them to destroy them.
Just like they destroyed my brother.
And my mother.
I'm now even more confused. You must have had a reason.
You see, I'm Giovanna's daughter.
That poor woman who gave herself to everyone for a little wine.
She had me when she was very young.
My father acknowledged me, that's why I don't have her last name.
He abandoned her because he felt she didn't have any dignity.
She used to visit me frequently with Gabriele, then suddenly she stopped.
I searched for her, but I couldn't find her.
And I hated her for that. I couldn't see my brother anymore.
One day I was told that a young drug addict had requested to see me. It was Gabriele.
- And he told you everything? - Everything he could tell me.
Poor Gabriele. But it was enough to make me understand.
Gabriele left me some audio tapes where he reveals everything.
Carlo I told you that you didn't know who I was.
I knew that if you ever found out you wouldn't like the truth about me.
I'm the daughter of Giovanna, the one everyone was screwing.
The one you killed.
What are you talking about?
You banged her head continuously against the floor until she died.
And then you drew up a medical report where you stated that her death was accidental.
After that you looked after Gabriele.
You took him to your clinic to cure him. But not really. You only wanted to lead him to his death faster.
You were keeping him under control, making sure that he would continue to take drugs.
It took me a while to get the whole picture.
In the tape he only referred to "the doctor". I didn't think it could be you.
Who knows, perhaps because I was falling for you.
"The doctor" could have been anyone. With the others I concluded my vengeance.
Without getting my hands dirty.
You are the last one.
- Then why don't you report me to the police? - No Carlo.
Rest easy, there will be no report.
After all there's no proof against you.
Gabriele only referred to "the doctor".
He didn't specify which one.
Don't worry, there's still time.
Thanks.
Don't you regret leaving such a beautiful house?
I do, but for now I'd rather not think about it.
Shall we go?
- Thank you mister Marsilli. - For what?
- For accompanying me. - It's nothing really.
Perhaps you'd like to ask me some questions?
Me? What questions?
Why I came here.
- Not only that. - Why I'm leaving?
And then...
You're laughing?
- There's another question. - And I bet it's the really important one.
- I'm sure you've already guessed. - I'd rather you told me.
I wouldn't want you to think that I'm interrogating you.
- One time you told me that. - Me?
Yes, you told me exactly that.
- When? - A couple of days ago, don't you remember? - Ah yes, but I didn't really mean it.
Anyway, I suppose that you want to know how come so many of the people I frequented here ended up dead.
You must have red my mind.
You could answer that with a metaphor, if you prefer.
You and I have two things in common.
Now I'm curious.
First is our love for lyrical music.
I can't wait to hear the second.
The second is our interest for what lies beneath the surface of things.
Thanks. Anyway what you have told me is a confirmation.
We already knew enough.
I suppose it was easy to find out. It's what you do after all.
All we had to do was put the pieces of the puzzle together.
- You make it sound easy. - And follow the train of events.
Sticking to the law, and using common sense.
Hoping that there won't be any after effects.
- It's late. How much longer? - We're almost there.
Just a few more minutes.
Don't worry, we'll be on time.
Fine.
- Here we are, everything's set. - I have a gift for you, a music tape.
You will like it.
- Here it is commissioner. -What kind of music is it?
Lyrical. I'm sure you'll find it interesting.
- Thank you. - If you have something to tell me, you have my number.
- I'd rather do it now. - Ok.
From the moment I first saw you I wanted to hold you in my arms.
Bye.
Not many appreciate lyrical music.
In this town, they know at most the most famous works.
If someone listened to this recording, he'd think it's only music.
Nobody here digs under the surface of things. Very few would continue listening to it.
Mother liked Wagner, but her favourite was Puccini.
One day a man gave her a recording of "La Boheme".
He was a nice, cordial man.