PROFESSOR, MY SON
This story begins on an unknown day in the year 1919 or 1920 and ends today.
But it's a story that repeats itself in all ages.
A story that has no social pretensions or controversies of any kinds.
It's a humble story of a humble man.
A father like many who has son like very many others.
It begins in Rome, at an old school, one day at school.
It's midday.
And with this, dear boys, we've finished
the demonstration of our theorem.
One moment! Orazio has not yet given the finis.
Let us profit from these spare moments
to better clarify a concept.
Besides, not even the gym class has finished yet.
Halt!
OK. Another lap.
Students! Forward! March!
What's the matter, eh?
Professor!
Sir, it's 12:10. We've gone over.
Ah, we've gone over? Good job, Antolini! Come and scan Horace. Come!
Me? - Exactly!
Come! Come here Antolini, Lionello. Come! Come here.
Must I read? - Yes. - Scanning? - Yes.
Orazio!
Andronio! - Your orders, Headmaster?
What's Orazio waiting for to give the finis? - Dunno, Sir.
All this delay but for what? - Dunno. - It's 12:10, you do it.
Me, Sir? - Yes, of course, if Orazio isn't here, you do it.
It's a boy! Headmaster! Know that I've got a fine big boy! A beauty!
Really? Well done! Congratulations! - Yes!
I was worried 'cause he got all black, but the midwife shook him!
I'm glad. You should stay. Me or Andronio will go... - No, no, no! I will give it!
I must let all Rome know!
I'm going to give the finis. The finis! Finis! I've got a son!
No more studying!
Finis!
No more studying! No more!
No more studying! You mustn't study! No more!
Professor, I got a son! - Really?
Calm down, kids! Easy! Slow down!
Finis! My son Orazio is born!
Finis!
Congratulations! Well done, Orazio! - Thank you.
Is it really a boy? - Did you want a girl? - It's a boy. - A boy?
What will you call him? - Dunno. Maybe like me: Orazio.
And what do you want him to be? - I already see him behind a desk!
Doing what? - And who's behind a desk? A professor!
The Latin professor! - Latin?
Yes! Like him, like Professor Cardelli.
Yes, but come! Everybody come and see!
Make way! Let us pass! Come, come forward.
Come in. Come, Professor.
Professor Cardelli, come. You come too.
What's the usher doing? - Probably sleeping.
Orazio sleeps. The night school can't see us, ya know.
Who cares?
Evening, boys. - Good evening, Maestro.
Music tonight, eh? Come on, guys, let's go.
Evening, Maestro. - Why is the door still closed?
I knocked but they didn't open. - Knock again.
That did it. - Orazio, what have you been up to all this time?
Come on, boys, it's late.
Good evening, Maestra.
Evening.
Oh, how it rained! What nice music. Good evening. Am I late?
No, Miss, Orazio just opened right now. - Good evening.
Did you do the theme on the meadow? - Here's Miss.
Yes, I put in the daisies in gray. - Daisies!
What's this? - Look at the students! Instead of studying, they're playing cards!
Probably homework. - We night schoolers take studying seriously.
Good evening! - Good evening, Miss. - Evening.
Angeloni, erase the blackboard. - I can't find the eraser.
Morelli, please close the door. - Right away, Miss.
Excuse me! Miss, please! Can you come to my wife for a moment?
What is it? - She feels ill. Ever since the birth... Come!
Hear that? His wife gave birth. - You saw how agitated he was?
Want to go see what happened?
When was he born? - Today at noon. This way.
Come, come.
That's it, good job! Very good, one more time...
Eh, no, no, no... A little bit more, just a bit!
Very good! What a dear you are!
Eat the food. Go on!
Ah, no, no, no! What's that, eh?
This morning, he almost ate all of it. - He won't take it from me.
He takes a little bit, then looks at me as if to say, "I'll wait for Miss".
What is it? What is it? What the matter now? What's the matter?
Miss, you'll get tired of me always thanking you.
Stop, Orazio, it's a pleasure to me. - If it weren't for you, that kid...
I do so willingly. - Yes, willingly! Get up every morning at 7 to be here.
What are you talking about, Orazio? Instead, remember to buy talcum and soap.
Yes, yes, yes. - Orazio! - One moment.
Orazio! How come the key to the gym is not in its usual place at your station?
The key to the gym...
So sorry, Maestro, I put it yesterday together with the... the...
I'll go get it now. Don't you move. I'm going. Excuse me.
What the hell is he doing...?
May one wish good morning to our little professor?
Good morning, Miss. - Good morning.
Oh, by Jove! How big this professor is getting!
We were admiring the professor. - Yes, he's growing.
Miss is so kind. She teaches at the night school. - Oh, hoh! A colleague!
If I may, Miss: Giraldi, instructor of physical education.
Pleased to meet you. - Eh, yes...
Orazio, remember the talcum for the bath. - Yes, don't worry.
So we're making a professor out of this child?
Yes, but of Latin. - And why not gym?
A gym teacher is worth more than a Latin one. And it keeps us healthy.
Right, Miss?
Well, there's a proverb that says, "Better a living ass than a dead doctor".
I don't know if they say...
But where did I put my purse? - Over there, Miss, on the...
Where? - There.
Thanks.
Thank you! - You're welcome.
Good day, Miss. - Good day.
Going down? May I go escort you?
If you don't mind, I'll escort Miss, mister gym teacher.
Excuse me for a moment. - What are you doing, Orazio?
I'm putting chairs 'cause I don't want him waking up getting off the bed.
But how can he get down if he's in swaddling clothes?
You know how kids get down? By falling.
Good day!
Why do you whistle? - Why? It's spring and I like to whistle.
Senility is coming early to you.
Let's go, kids, come! It's almost 8:30. Let's go. Hurry!
Don't waste time. What's this chatter?
No chatter! Let's think about studying!
Copying, eh? Copying! Ah, they'll find out in July!
Hi, Lorenzo. - Dear Cardelli. - Hi. - Hi.
Goodbye.
Miss! - Dear Miss! - Good day, Miss.
Here's that jerk! I'll show you!
Antolini! Always Antolini. Very nice!
Andronio, bring me my usual coffee with a tiny drop of milk. - Milk. - Thank you.
Good day. - Orazio!
Orazio, we understand each other, eh?
At 8:30 the gate must be closed. Who's in is in, who's not is not.
I'm saying it for the last time. - Yes. Who's in is in, who's not is not.
Let's go, hurry up! Who's not in is not in!
So, let's be quick. Come on, let's go. C'mon!
We loved each other so much for a year or maybe more.
We then left each other, I don't remember how, but one night...
Good day.
Am I intruding? - No.
Now that the schools are closed, there's a vacation. - Yes.
A fine vacation! You don't know where to go.
Then stay home. What are you doing here? Look at me: I don't move.
For you it's another thing: you have the kid, visits...
I suppose you're the "visits"? - Orazio, can one know what you're waiting for?
To do what? Waiting for what? - To take the plunge.
To plunge in where? What is this idiocy?
Ding dong.
Such talk! She comes here for the child. Don't you know in every woman is a mother.
And wife. - Wife? What wife?
But... how dare you say such things?
Here. That's it.
Why are you laughing? Haven't you ever seen a man put on brilliantine?
What are you playing at? Having a mother without a wife?
Orazio!
Ex... excuse me a moment! I'll be right there!
Orazio, may I? - Yes, yes! Coming! Yes, you see...
Good day. - Good day. - You like it? - A lot. What?
What? My new dress.
Look, I brought you the shirts, you see how cute they are! - Thanks.
I had his initials put in. Hi! - O.B. Orazio Belli.
Careful not to confuse them with yours!
Darling! - They'd be a little tight on me.
Sweetie, do you see I have a new dress?
Wait until we try them on, eh? How cute you are, what a treasure!
How sweet he is! How beautiful you are, Professor!
How you're fattening up! My love, how beautiful you are!
Yes, yes, you're beautiful!
Will you take off my hat, Orazio? - Eh, yes.
It's good we take off Miss's hat, eh? Be good.
Why won't it come off? - There's a pin. - Sorry, did I hurt you?
No, no, thank you, Orazio.
Here he is! Cutie, cutie, cutie, up! But what's that on your hair?
Brilliantine, oil. They say it strengthens the scalp.
Who says so? - The pharmacist. - No, don't mind him, if you put it on.
Cutie, cutie! - Well, someone must like it. - And why not?
Beautiful, beautiful darling!
You really think so? Ah, excuse me.
I didn't tell you earlier 'cause I was embarrassed but that dress suits you well!
You think somebody could even like me?
You have to ask...? - And where did you put the shirt?
Ah, right. In my pocket.
Oh, look how crumpled it is! This papa is really clumsy!
Well, you know, a man alone with a baby... what do you expect?
You know what Andronio said yesterday? 'Cause sometimes he comes to visit me.
He said... he sa... - What did he say?
A stupid thing after all...
He said, "Why, Orazio, don't you take a wife?"
That's not stupid. You see how fat the professor got?
Yes, he got fat. Do you really believe it's not stupid?
Of course, you don't want to be alone all your life, no?
Well, of course, being alone is really something... after all...
You see, many times you really feel the need of a... of a...
someone who goes around the house day and night and asks, "Orazio, how are you?"
"Fine, Miss". Then one...
I don't know if I'm clear. - But of course.
It's late now. They're waiting for me. I must go.
I can't stay away from home too long. - You're leaving?
Eh, yes. There's my father who is expecting me. - A shame...
Oh, sorry! I crumpled it. - It doesn't matter.
Listen, I wanted to say... - Bye, Orazio, dear! Bye.
I wanted to... - You'll tell me tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow.
No, eh... You're coming back tomorrow? - Naturally.
Because... - Yes, tomorrow we'll talk all about it.
Right. Shall I accompany you? - No.
Pay attention to the child. - Right. - I must go.
Well, then I'll see you tomorrow. - Bye. - Excuse me, thank you.
Good day. - Goodbye until tomorrow.
Aren't you Orazio? Mr. Ora'! Don't you recognize me? - No.
I'm Angeloni who came to the night school. - Ah, well night school is over.
Well, I don't study anymore. - What are you doing? - I am a sales rep.
Selling what? - American fountain pens. Made in Milan.
Something really fantastic. Pens of the future.
The latest invention really. It's something big. Look.
Look at such a pen. It can write without dripping.
No dripping? And the ink? - The ink is in the reservoir. Here.
Yeah? I wonder how much it costs. - 20 lire. Eh, but it's worth it.
Well, one needs to write. I'll buy one. - For whom?
For him.
Want it, Professor? He needs to study and become a teacher.
Good idea! - Of course, not for now.
I'll put it aside and when he needs it, I'll take it out. Nothing cheaper?
For heaven's sake! A friend's price, cost price.
Watch out, you don't hurt your eyes. 10, 15, 20.
Here: This is the case with the pump and the instructions. Super easy.
Ah, very good. Let's put it away.
Bye, Mr. Ora'. It was very nice. Bye, Professor.
Orazio! May I?
Professor! - Be quick, Dear. - Yes, Dear. May I?
How lively he is!
Darling! Do you mind? - You have to ask?
You don't recognize me anymore. - You said you would come back the next day but...
Daddy was so poorly around that time and I couldn't come.
And even afterward, I couldn't stir from him.
I've never left him these last few months.
Today was such a beautiful day that Daddy told me to take a walk...
with my fiance.
Mr. Giraldi is quitting teaching, I don't know if you know. - Yes.
We're going... to Milan.
He's mixing into politics, in this new movement.
If you heard the arguments with Daddy...
Thank you, Orazio. - You're welcome.
Goodbye. - Bye.
Let's go!
Let's get off that chestnut tree! C'mon, move, move!
You know what the headmaster says, "Who's in is in, who's not is not". Hurry!
The chestnut tree! Andronio! - What do you want?
Call them from the tree, I'm going to the kid.
Wait! Go get fresh bread from the baker!
I trust you. I'm going to the kid. Hurry!
C'mon, let's not get into trouble at the start! Get in before it's shut! Hurry!
Let's not make noise on our first day of school!
Orazio? Orazietto? - Daddy!
What are you doing there? - I can't get my collar on.
C'mere, dad will put it on.
Dad, will you get my spelling book? - Of course I will.
Off the stairs! - And the notebook?
Of course! That'd be like going to war without a gun, no? Then say goodbye.
Morning! How's the boy? Going to school, eh?
Yes. - Well done. Go to school! Go!
Dad, did you buy me a pen? - Don't you worry. Dad has already thought about it.
I can't wait 'til you go to university so I don't have be annoyed with this!
Morning, Miss.
Excuse me, Miss, you who are a woman, can you come here a moment please?
Of course. What the heck! - I couldn't fasten the collar.
Morning, Miss. - Morning, Lombardi, did you have a nice vacation? - Yes.
There, Professor, let's go to school. Is Daddy coming? - Please, I'm working.
You get to class! Andronio will go with him.
By the way, since Andronio is going out... - He'll get you coffee.
Yes, and have him add... - A tiny drop!
Of milk. I'll give her some milk!
Where have you been up to now? - Didn't I have to get a loaf?
It took that long? - You wanted it fresh. I had to go around to the bakers.
It's fresh at least? - No. Yesterday's.
I should make you eat it! - I wish. - Go, go, go!
Go close the gates. It's 8:30.
Now then, here's the loaf, cheese, omelet, knife, fork, fruit.
Eat everything. Here's your satchel. Raise your arm. There we go.
Daddy! The pen!
Ah, that's what you needed! Come here. Look.
See how nice? - That's a pen? Where's the nib?
It's inside. Look here.
I bought it when you were 5 months and today I give it you. It's easy to use.
I'll show you. Watch.
Don't start trouble on the first day! Get in or it'll be closed! Hurry!
Were you cleaning cuttlefish?
I must read the instructions thoroughly.
Later. Tomorrow. C'mon, let's go. It's late, let's go.
Let's go! What are you staring at? Let's go!
C'mon, it's almost 8:30! Let's go, go, go! Lemme see...
If you really want to be a professor, you must study, eh, Professor?
Be honest, you happy you're going to school? - Yes, Dad.
Ugh, you're all dirty!
Andronio, this is the most delicate task in your life, eh?
All dirty! Let's go.
Tell the porter that he's the son of Orazio, the usher. He must respect rank.
At the first fountain, wash his mug. He's dirty all over.
Andronio, have him put near a window. This way he'll see better.
But closed. Or there'll be drafts and he'll get sick.
Put him in the first row. Careful who he sits next to, a girl will distract him.
Maybe a boy... but not a big one. He might be a bully.
And not one smaller, else he'll become a bully.
Actually, no... put him by himself. It'll be better.
Oh, no! Being alone will depress him!
Andronio, you take care of it, please. - I will.
Today is his first day, so please buy him a pastry.
Don't get a sour one, eh?
Da... da, da, dad will buy you a pastry.
Get a cannoli. - Let's go. - Go on!
Hey! Leaving without a kiss? - Right away! - Not you! - You wanted it.
Orazio! Daddy's joy! Going away without a little kiss?
Hurry up, be quick, it's late!
Watch out for bikes and the tram, please!
Go on, let's go!
Bye! Bye, eh? First in his class! Tell them you're Orazio Belli's son!
Bye, Professor! Professor...
No, too far away. Closer, so you're more comfortable.
Are you good like this? Wait. Tonight, we'll do our first homework.
Now then. Write. Wait...
Wait!
Too much. The finger just so. Go on. Write, make haste.
A sure hand. Go on.
No, this here is not a little stick, but a big one.
Watch what daddy does, eh?
You made my hand shake.
Did you drink all of your coffee? - Yes, Dad.
What did have this morning? - First Latin, then history and math.
Not bad.
Drink this before it gets cold.
Thank you. - You're welcome.
Let's see now.
Now then... first declension. Let's hear you say it.
Eh, that's not it. Here it's written, "Ros-a, Ros-ae"...
No, Dad! You see it's written "ros-ae" but you say "ros-e".
I don't get certain things. If you say "rose", then you write "rose", no?
"Logical Analysis, an Anthology"?
If you read one that's impractical, it's a mistake. Not even honest.
No, Dad, no! Put away that antediluvian pen!
Now this is a pen. Look.
It's the latest model.
Who gave it to you? - I bought it.
And the money. - I sold some old books.
How different you are from your father. You take nothing into account.
A souvenir so nice, your first schoolbooks, you go and sell them. Let's go.
Bye, Dad. - Bye.
"Rosae". Well...
Exactly you, Professor!
Hurry and finish grammar school, so when I get you, I can straighten you out.
Cardelli, Cardelli, what are you doing?
Come...
Come... come... come...
Come... come...
Come...
Come...!
Orazio Belli!
Thank goodness!
Come, Professor. Come, come here.
You don't get offended when I call you "Professor", eh?
Silence!
Come here.
You know it.
After all, we are almost colleagues. You're a professor, I'm a professor.
The difference is this: I'm behind this desk and you're there.
What's so funny?
Dear colleague, I need a favor from you.
It's strange, but I forgot the meter of the alcaic stanza.
Have the goodness to write it for me on the blackboard. Come, come, come here.
The alcaic stanza consists of 4 lines.
The 1st verse is an alcaic hendecasyllable which is divided into 2 parts.
The 1st part where the caesura falls
is composed of an anacrusis and a trochaic catalectic dipody.
Stand!
Be seated. - Headmaster...
Ah, the alcaic stanza. Very well done.
May I, Cardelli? - OK.
Listen, Cardelli, I've received a call from the Director of Studies.
That donkey? - Don't say that. He's my dear friend and also yours.
My friend? - There's in progress for you a very grave order.
Which would be? - Sending you to Campobasso.
A man of your value transferred to Campobasso.
It means that in Campobasso, they need valuable men, like me.
Don't joke! Always witty! Your politics are under surveillance.
It took me 50 years to get the reputation of a stubborn man and now they want to...
I have here a very respectable petition. Sign it and all will be fixed.
I can't do anything else. - Thank you, Headmaster.
It means I'll think about it, eh? - Think about it, eh? Think well.
Be seated.
What would that stuff be there? - The meter of the alcaic stanza.
Well done, that's enough. I know very well you're prepared.
With you there's no fun in questioning. Not even for the last time.
Yes. Because I didn't tell you...
that this will be the last time I question you.
I'm leaving, going away. Happy, right?
After 17 years of teaching in this school, I say goodbye, kids. I'm gone.
Are you really leaving, Sir? - Yes. I've been promoted due to special merits.
They're transferring me to Campobasso...
for family reasons.
I have no family. I... only have an old cat.
So let's say for feline reasons.
Good day, Mr. Panzini. - Good day. You want your book? - Yes.
Thanks.
Orazio? - Hi.
Hi.
Have you been here long? - No.
You came first, today. - Yes.
You know, I felt very sorry this morning for Cardelli.
Yes, it was a real injustice to have sent him away.
Yeah. Then I started crying like a fool. - Anna?
Anna, go home immediately.
Why, Dad? - Home, I said. - I'm studying.
Your name is Belli, isn't it?
Yes, Sir. - Orazio Belli? - Yes.
You're the son of the usher? - Yes.
I believe that after this we've nothing more to say.
You're a good boy from what I hear,
but my daughter must be left alone. Understand?
But we... - You are intelligent.
Don't force me to do things... yes, unpleasant actions.
Good day.
Damn, it's cold this morning. Is that why you don't want to get up, eh?
Get up, it's 7:30! C'mon! Professor, hurry! Let's go!
Up! C'mon, get up!
Breakfast is ready, little master!
What's with you today? You know it's almost 8:00? - Listen, Dad.
Do you really think I should keep studying?
Wha...? What? What do you mean? - Nothing. I was just thinking...
Thinking what? Go on. - That I won't go to school anymore.
Not go to school? But... but c'mon, cut the jokes. Up!
It's no use now that I decided.
Decided what?
Tell me, are you being serious? But...
You are being serious. Listen...
To make such a decision, you need a good reason.
No reason whatsoever. - How no reason?
You always liked to study, and now, out of the blue...
C'mon, out with it, speak! You need me to do something for you?
Forget it, Dad, you wouldn't understand. - I couldn't? Why? Am I retard?
I'm talking to you. C'mon, get up! - I beg you, leave me alone!
Is that so? Get up! - No!
Orazio! - Who's there? - It's me, Orazio. I'm going.
Who? - I came to say goodbye.
Already leaving, Professor? - Yes, tonight. And by the way, here's...
Here's the key. - What key? - The key to the closet, right?
Ah, excuse me. I'm a little out of it this morning.
Why? - It's my son. - What? Is he sick?
No, he's fine but would you imagine it? He doesn't want to study. - Not study! Why?
I dunno know. He woke up this morning and out came the news.
"I don't wanna study anymore". I thought he was kidding but he wasn't.
Look at him! He doesn't even want to get up. Talk to him, Sir.
Well, what is this nonsense? What are we doing? Going on strike?
Don't you know I'm banned? You want to get transferred too?
I would like to know what happened. Unless you got in a fight.
Did you get into a fight? - No, nothing happened. I'm not going anymore.
But my boy, in this life you need to do something. Either study or work.
I will work. - Yeah and end up starving. "I will work"!
Well, even this is an idea. And what would you like to do?
Well, I'll... I'll do what my father does.
But... but listen to such reasoning! I...
I need to leave or else he'll get it!
Let's go, Professor. Tell me. Out with it. What is it? Go on, speak.
Orazio, come here a moment. - Right away.
Well, what did he say? - Well, Orazio, you know what I think? - No.
I've a good mind to bring him to Campobasso with me. - What?
Yes, with all those asses I'd meet there, I wouldn't mind having somebody I know.
Professor, you're pulling my leg? - No, I'm serious.
Gimme a break! What is this talk? - Ya know they're boys with romantic complications.
What?
But in Campobasso, there would be no distractions.
Oh, this great! You leave! He leaves! Campobasso! Distractions!
Bu... bu... but let's not joke! I don't even want to talk about it!
Damn Campobasso!
All aboard!
Professor! - Dad... - Good luck, eh?
Bye, Orazio! Bye, Andronio! - Bye, Dad.
Hey, listen, secure the luggage well or they might fall on you it there's a jolt.
Please, write me, eh? Tell me everything.
Please forgive me if my nerves were shot this morning. You'll forgive me, right?
Professor, please watch over the professor! - Yeah, bye.
Send me a telegram as soon as you arrive. Telegraph me right away.
Telegram! Bye, daddy's darling!
My cat! My cat! My cat, Andronio! My cat! My cat!
Stop! Stop! Conductor! The professor's cat! The cat!
One moment. I'm serving now.
You want another half liter? I'll get it. - Are you getting me my bread?
Be patient, Mr. Augu'. I'll serve you right after them.
Mr. Pe'! - They're really hungry. It's crazy.
To the health of Umpa and its new corporal! - To the health of Andronio!
Corporal of the Umpa!
The day I was initiated with these stripes, I said, "If they got B-17s, let 'em come."
"We'll show them the strength of our organization."
They shouldn't come to Rome though. - They don't come 'cause they're afraid.
What do you think, Mr. Orazio? What do you think?
Well, in Rome, there's the Pope. - That's right!
They're afraid of the Pope. - Long live the Pope! - To his health!
And ours.
You're the one who has a professor son? - Yes.
He's a real professor that teaches?
Yes, at the high school in Settembrini Di Foggia.
You must be proud. - Who has a professor son?
Mr. Orazio. - Really? - Corporal always talking about it.
Eh, with this professor son, I always get an earful.
When I come here, I must vent. Ah, but he's so good, eh? He writes...
Writes? Writes what?
Everything: articles, magazines... everything.
Lately, for example, he wrote a beautiful article
on the nuances of the ethnological and linguistic affinity of that thing...
of the central roots of the vocals in the Mediterranean group. - What?
A...
He did a thing... all of it a nuance, very long...
of the... of the... Mediterranean. But when all is said and done...
Ah, a beautiful article. We don't understand a word.
Not a word. Nothing.
Is he young? - I'll show you.
He's cute... a kid. He even has a mustache.
Good looking boy.
Isn't he a soldier? - No.
Why? Isn't he fit? - Because of his studies.
Let's hope this war ends soon. - Does he write? - Well...
C'mon, it's been a long time since he's written. - How would you know?
He writes... sometimes between one article or another...
Pericle, another half liter. - Me too.
Andronio, you understand me. Why doesn't he write?
A postcard every now and then. "Dear, Dad. I love you. Bye."
Orazio, he's too busy to write that stuff.
Would you prefer he write to you or write articles?
You're right, I'm selfish.
Andro', I love you. And you must use tu (familiar pronoun).
I can't. Rank. - What rank? You're even a corporal now!
Is this half liter coming or not?
How smashed they are! Yes, half a liter. Beppe!
Mr. Orazio, with the restrictions and the blackout, I don't want any trouble.
Let's go, if you please. - But I... how dare you?
Mr. Ora', they're kicking us out! - Who is? I'm the professor!
We know that you're the professor. - Orazio Belli, the professor's father!
But I told you the police are coming. - Why, you're drunk!
Fine, I'm the drunk one. - Nobody has ever kicked me out!
Be quiet, here are the police. - Who cares? - The police!
The police! The police!
This is a squadron. - Good...
POLICE STATION
Easy, easy! Don't push. - Can we know what's your problem?
I have a gnawing here in the back...
Damn you, Umpa and that wine! - Me? it could've happened to anyone!
What do I tell the headmaster? The gate is closed and we've no key!
Mr. Orazio! Mr. Orazio! - What is it?
If you only knew! Good thing, I opened. The headmaster wants you.
You know who's here? - Who? - A big fish! That's his car!
But where have you been? - In jail. - What jail? We were meeting a friend!
Come quickly, the headmaster's looking for you! - Madonna, you've ruined me!
I told you last night:, "Don't take me to the tavern, I don't want to drink"!
Attention!
Very good, sit down.
Is the headmaster in? - No, he's not.
This way, Excellency.
Here, we've modernized our old classrooms. - Good, very good. - Over here... Orazio!
Orazio! - Excuse me, Headmaster, but I was told to come to your office.
Orazio! Why this is our old Orazio!
How are we doing, Orazio? How are we? - Fine.
I bet you don't recognize me?
Yes.
Who am I? Go on! - I don't know.
How's this Orazio? You're the oldest one here and don't remember?
His Excellency was a teacher here!
Ah, the gym teacher. - That's right, the gym teacher.
Yeah, the professor, the teacher.
What time do we have? - Close to 9:30. - Thank you.
9:32. - Thank you. We're late, eh?
Dad! - Dad! - Dad, how long will you be?
We're leaving immediately after saying goodbye to our old friend Orazio.
Look, girls, this man has been at his job for 20 years... 25 years!
And these are my daughters.
I wanted them to attend the same institution where I taught when young
so that a spiritual bond would be created between the past...
Between the past and the present.
By the way, Orazio, you had a girl too if I'm not mistaken?
A boy. - Ah. And what does he do? Work with you?
No, teaches in Foggia at the Settembrini high school.
How time passes, eh?
Unfortunately my girls are not models of scholariness.
You know, Excellency, they're so young! - Eh, very young, but not that much.
Lisetta always passes. But Diana, for example, is repeating for the second time.
Ugh, Dad, these speeches are so boring!
And Pinuccia... and Pinuccia, if she had the will to study, eh!
How she resembles her mother! - Eh? Ah, yes. Her mother.
Eh, my wife...! My wife, poor thing...
It's been so many years now... So many years that I've missed her.
Eh, destiny, my dear Orazio.
My dear old, Orazio! Destiny!
Destiny!
So, Headmaster, I entrust my girls to you.
Do me a favor, eh? No partiality in the least.
Especially now that our country is enduring hard and heroic times.
Orazio! - Orazietto! - Orazio, won't you open up? - Be nice!
We'll be late! - Come on, the teacher will scold us!
We'll miss the lesson. - Orazio, be nice! - Please, c'mon!
Don't act like that. - Orazio is sleeping!
If the headmaster comes, I'll get an earful!
Don't touch my hat! - Open up! - I can't. You know what the headmaster says!
"Who's in, is in. Who's not, ain't". - C'mon with no joking around!
I've never seen people not bring their books to school! I must get them!
Go on, hurry! Go on, don't yell!
Diana! What are you doing? You'll get soaked! - I don't care!
My God, I don't even know the lesson. And Pippo, Pippo doesn't know...
Hey, don't yell! We're not in a theater here!
the whole city smiles! he thinks he's handsome as Apollo...
C'mon, Mme Lucrezia, it's been 3 months since you've laid an egg.
What were you doing all morning? - Hello? Here I am.
What are you doing here? - Telephoning Dad.
There's no phone here. - But I don't need a phone, Orazio.
C'mon, Miss, let's go...
What are you doing, Orazio? - Eh, the turnips.
And you cook them alone? - I don't have a cook. Come, go away, let's go!
Cute! What are they? Soccer players?
Soccer players? Don't you see the glasses? They're students. My son's classmates.
Which one is your boy? - Whaddya think? The best one. Here.
Oh, what a stern look! Just like a professor.
But he is a professor. He's supposed to look stern, eh!
This one was when he was younger.
Still stern, because even then he was a professor. - Really?
Ah... if... if you'd like...
I could show some other photos.
Eh? You'd like? Yes...
But... oh, God... uhh...
Let's be clear: if you don't want to, I won't show them to you.
This way, please. Come.
This is your room? Cute!
It's raining again.
There.
He's nice. Looks like you. Why is he wearing glasses? Couldn't he see?
Not see! He's wearing glasses because... because he's a professor.
What's that, Orazio? - Nothing. - C'mon, lemme see! - No, no, no!
Off, off, off! - Got it!
So cute! Whose are they?
His. My son. His first shoes. - How soft they are!
Yes. - The bottle? - Yes, yes.
No, Orazio, lemme look! So much stuff! What's this? A pen!
The very first one.
And whose confetti are these? - No more.
You want to know whose they are? - Oh, yes.
Read it.
"Ettore Giraldi and Luisa Maggi, newlyweds".
Dad and mom? - Yes.
Your mother sent them to me when she got married.
You knew my mom?
She used to teach the night classes. - Really? - Yes.
Umm... when my wife died...
she always came in the morning, in the evening, to feed the baby.
See that armchair over there? She used to sit there with the baby. - Really?
You could say she was a mother to him.
And just think she met your father right here. - Really?
Does he ever talk about her? - No, he almost never talks about mom.
I barely remember her.
You want to see what she was like? - Oh, yes. - Oh, no.
Come here.
She was identical to you, except she was blonde and her eyes less mischievous.
And she never came to phone during class hours.
There. Look at yourself.
Orazio! - Orazietto, where did you come from? - Where have you been?
What have you been doing? - Where have you been?
C'mon, tell us where you've been. - And tell us some news.
How nice! All newly dressed up!
Has your son arrived? - Shouldn't your son have arrived, Orazio?
Well? Didn't the professor come?
Hey! What's this commotion? Move it!
Listen, Orazio... - Spartaco? - I'm here. Whaddya want?
Why are the kids making all this commotion? - It's recess time, ain't it?
Enough! Nobody have anymore fun! - We still have 3 minutes left!
I said, "Enough"! - Fine. Kids, recess is over!
Don't get on my nerves! Let's go! - That's going too far, no? - Go!
What do I know? He's cranky. Whaddya want?
Orders are orders, got it? Go away!
Recess is over! Enough of playing!
I told you to give the finis! - Sorry, I made a mistake!
Orazio, I heard your son is coming. I'm so glad. Is he here?
What? It was just a joke. - A shame, I'd willingly have seen him.
Orazio was watching all night. He made dinner...
And now we'll have to eat it.
WELCOME PROFESSOR
If he doesn't come today, he'll come tomorrow. Probably missed his train.
What train? Don't you see it's April Fools? - April Fools?
A joke?
And you went to the station? Right up to the train?
How did you find out it was a joke?
I went around all the trains. I asked here and there.
They all laughed in my face.
Then one of them showed me a telegram that came from Rome.
And now all this stuff? Pizza, wine, streamers...
Dear Mr. Orazio, they played a terrible joke on you, but you too...
"My professor son here, my professor son there..."
You asked for it.
But how would he know we did it? - Oh, I'm going to class.
Then I'll tell him and ask his pardon, eh? - Oh, how annoying!
May we come in? - It's the Giraldi girls.
I bet it was them who made the joke.
Do you need anything? Come in, don't be shy, please.
Make yourselves at home, please.
Well, I'd gladly have a piece of cake! - Diana!
Listen, Orazio. It was a bad joke but... - We didn't think you'd take it like that.
But you had to know it was the first of April.
Right. Lucky you who can make jokes during these times.
Forgive us, eh? I promise you we won't joke like this anymore.
Mr. Ora'! - What is it?
Mr. Orazio! You've been called. - What?
They've called you to be a soldier. - A soldier?
Here's the draft card.
A soldier? - Eh! - Me? - Well...
Enough with these jokes! Got it?
Eat! You eat! And you...!
Take that and eat it too! Let's celebrate April Fools!
But it's not a joke. It says, "Orazio Belli". Read it.
"Orazio Belli, son of Orazio. Class of 1919."
It's not for you but your son. - My son?
It's not a joke then? - Why there's the district stamp.
After so many years nothing... drafted.
You know what I'll do?
I'll put it in my pocket and say,
"I forgot it in my pocket". - They'll only send another one.
I'll forget that one too. - Then the police will come.
Go. Go to work. C'mon!
Go on. Go away.
Go away!
But no, no, it's not possible! It's not possible!
Impossible? Send a telegram. - What? - No, a phone call.
No, but that's... - Ah, here's the phone. - But of course.
Don't even dream it! - Dad, you just need to call to fix it all.
Gimme a chance to think at least. - Send a telegram to the Minister of War.
Ministry of War! Min... what's that? - Your medicine. - Later! Later!
Dad, look, an appeal is already made. - Oh, yeah? - He's myopic!
Ah, he's myopic. - He's half blind!
Then he can appear and let them take care of it.
But, Dad, you know those people don't do anything. You know how they are.
You know they take everybody nowadays. - Yes, nowadays.
Hey, why don't you take him into your office? - That won't do.
Too many people already: all recommended asses!
Amongst all those asses, at least he'll write your letters correctly, no?
Listen to me, Dad, listen. - What? - Speaking of asses...
Diana hasn't passed this year. - Yes.
Me and Lisetta with some pushing will manage, but she has a 4 in Latin.
That's fine. - A 4 in Latin is fine? - No! Who has a 4 in Latin? - Diana.
The professor couldn't see me. - Ah, really? - All because of you!
If we stopped them from taking Orazio's son, all would be saved.
And so, Diana for once would pass. - Ah, really, eh?
Orazio's son! - Yes. - Orazio's son! Would he be good for anything?
I'd surely feel more at ease with another professor.
It's not that I'm not prepared, but that I'm just so shy.
Hey! Hey, I say, young man! Where are you going?
You can't go in there! Where are you going? You can't go in there!
You... you... you... the professor! - Andronio!
Holy cow! Mr. Orazio! Mr. Orazio! Guess who's here!
Come down! Get down! The professor's come! The professor!
Who? - Your son? - No! - Yes!
I swear! He's here! He's come himself!
Orazio! Orazio!
Orazio has come! - Dad! - Orazio! - Dad!
Why I should... What a man you've become!
Eh, come, come! You know... it doesn't seem real?
Yes, yes, it really seems like a dream. But why didn't you let me know?
Why didn't you let me know? - I wanted to telegraph, but what is it?
No, is Foggia nice? Want something? Yes. Get something from the bar.
What should I get? - What? A cognac! Isn't the professor here... - OK!
Damn this war, I can't even offer you a coffee. But a cognac, yes.
No matter, Dad. Don't you know I've been transferred here? - Why wouldn't I?
Excuse me, the door is open. Ah, what a pain!
As soon as I saw you I thought, "He was transferred". You're pleased, eh?
Yes, Dad. - The same old house. How tall you are. Come, sit down.
Oh, God! How well you look!
But you've had a long trip. Come. Get yourself situated.
Now put all your stuff in place. By the way, your luggage?
I left it at the hotel. - Hotel?
Yes, I already took a room. More convenient for both of us.
But... aren't you staying here with me?
No, Dad, it would be too inconvenient. We'll see each other a lot every day, no?
Just think I prepared your room with furniture from the 1900s. See?
Then you expected me? - Of course. You could arrive anyday, right?
Here... this your little desk. 1900s. There's your little bed...
photos and all that...
But Dad, this looks like a museum. - You think that's nothing?
Of course, you would've been here... been more quiet. Better than a hotel, no?
Here's your desk, so nice. But I don't get it though.
The bed is better than a hotel's. A silent room... the hen!
Who put this chicken in here? Shoo! Shoo! That's the professor's room!
Orazio! Orazio! It's done! It's done!
Dad says he has confirmed...! - My son has just arrived.
I didn't tell him. - About what? - That we had him come here.
Better he doesn't know. - Hey, Dad!
Please, here he comes.
Eh... my son. He came this morning to the school where he was born.
You know, the young lady...
If she knew how many times her mother held you on her knees on that chair.
Ah, because she is the daughter of... - Exactly.
A pleasure. - Pleased to meet you. - The pleasure is ours. You see...
she came this morning to get this book. She's a student.
University? - No, high school. But I've been doing it for 2 years.
It's obvious you need to go deeper with the material. - I would like that.
Especially, Latin and Greek. And... what do you teach?
Latin and Greek.
Ah, yes? - Excuse me. Go on! Go on!
You know I imagined you'd be different. - In what way? - Oh, I don't know...
Sterner, no? But instead... - She imagined you a bit differently.
Excuse me, Dad, I must go to the Ministry a sec. I mentioned it before.
Is the bus stop below? - No, they moved it but I'll show you.
Thank you. - Hey, Orazio, you'll be back soon for lunch?
Yes, naturally, as soon as it's over. Shall we go? Bye, Dad.
Good day, Orazio. - Bye. Good day.
Andro'! Whaddya doing? - Setting the table.
How is that setting the table? C'mon, hurry! Go buy some meat.
Meat? Who'll give you meat? Don't you know we're at war?
If you want, I got a pal who could scare up some tripe. - Tripe!
My son comes and we give him tripe! He didn't become a cat!
We need to scare up something else.
Well? Whaddya think?
You'd have the courage to kill a creature who grew up with us?
But it's been awhile since she laid an egg. - So what? Nice reason!
If I had somebody who came a ways, after a tiring journey,
I'd like to say to him, "Here, my son, drink this refreshing broth."
Tell me what you say, Lucrezia, eh? Gimme a little kiss.
Mme Lucre', out of love to father, you must sacrifice yourself.
It would hafta to be a death without any pain, right?
We'll wring her neck. - Are you crazy?
Then we'll make a small cut here. She'll feel a little hot...
That's how Nero died. - No blood.
Then the only thing left is a thwap. - Which is?
A quick blow to the head and it'll never realize it. - No, no!
She won't have time to say, "Ah". She won't feel a thing.
You think so? - Holy crap!
C'mere.
C'mere. Come forward.
That's it. Pay attention, don't move. - Wait.
Wait a minute, OK? - Why? - Damn it, put her head this way!
Are you afraid of hurting her? - She might see it, no?
Pay attention. 1, 2... - Wait! - Madonna Mia!
Wait 'til I close my eyes. - Good. - Go ahead. - 1...
2... - Wait! Upon 3, I'll say "boom". This way I won't hear it.
Gimme a kiss. - 1, 2, 3 and even 4.
1, 2... - Wait! - Let's go! - She's afraid. She peed.
What afraid? We'll do one thing, let me finish it. Go away! - No!
Go over there! You don't have the courage for it! I'll take care of it!
Now you'll see how I do it. - Poor Lucrezia!
Oh, mamma mia!
And the chicken?
We're in agreement about the exams? You spoke to him? - Yes, of course.
He'll promote Diana? - Yes! - Maybe it would be better if we spoke to him.
Leave it to me. I'll tell him all without saying a word.
Eh, take care. Quiet!
Ah, come in.
The Misses Giraldi. Sisters of the young lady you met this morning.
Ah, his Excellency's other daughters. A pleasure. - Likewise. - Good day.
Well, goodbye!
Hi.
Dad, how many daughters does Giraldi have? - Why?
I met one this morning, now two more. How many are yet to come?
Eh, none. They're are 3 in all. - Thank goodness.
Yes, because they're 3 only daughters. If there were 4, I'd tell you.
Dad, who had me transferred to Rome?
Who had me transferred to Rome? - Yeah, who? I was wondering too.
Was it Giraldi? - Eh, maybe!
You know since he knows me, he might have done it to please me.
You went and asked him? - Not me. It wasn't me.
If it wasn't you, then it was somebody else. - Well, yeah...
I did ask him, but not because of the transfer but for the draft.
What draft?
Since a card came to me. I thought it was for me but it was yours.
What card? - Nothing. Those cards that come to call you into the army.
You asked so that I would be exempted from military service?
Me? You see, it was the girls.
You see, it was them this morning who...
So they transferred you here. I'm glad.
Cardelli was right: something fishy. And I, stupid...
presumptuous and stupid believed that I deserved it!
I should've known that you only advance by being kicked in the can!
Kicked in the can! Kicked in the can?
Oh, the truth is you're not going to war! There!
Are we stupid now?
I struggled 20 years to bring you up! I know the sacrifices I've made!
You wanted to study out-of-town, you did!
You think that didn't hurt me? "As long as he studies and be somebody"!
And you're sorry, they didn't take you as a soldier, half-blind as you are!
But I would've gone to all the ministers so you wouldn't go! Got it?
It was me! You might say, "Dad, you did wrong! Ignorant wretch!"
If it happened again, I'd go to the Pope!
You're not going to be a soldier! Got it? - Fine, Dad. Let's not mention it again.
But... I... I ask you if you're really sorry you came back?
Of course not, never mind and... pardon me.
Well, pardon me too. There.
The exams, mamma mia! What do you think they're asking?
On the Lomabards, no? Makes me shiver. - The Lombards!
You can't stand in front of the doors! You'll get me chewed out!
You too, when they're exams you can't be in front of the doors! Go on, get!
Not even her?
The exams are nothing to me.
But Miss... - Orazio, see how good I look!
But this isn't about... What are you looking at? - Nothing.
C'mon, move it! Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! March!
And you? Out! Let's go!
We're going, Mr. Orazio. - Even you're putting your oar in? Whaddya looking at?
Bye, Diana. - Check out this snotnose! Move it!
Here we study, learn things. - But your son's there, isn't he?
My so... - Hey, Diana, if you like I'll give you my Latin homework.
Now you too? - Keep your hands down! - I'll keep my foot up then!
There won't be any danger he'll confuse me with another? - Maybe!
I mean... - What? - My son can't perform miracles.
You must study everything, must review...
Memorize it. Go on. Go and come back later.
I tell you soon.
I've heard enough, thank you. - Miss, do you have any questions?
Not me. And you, Sir? - No.
What shall we do? It's late. - We'll call one more. - One more?
One more! - Miss Giraldi. This one will be short and sweet.
Surely. Spartaco! - Miss Giraldi.
Call Miss Giraldi. - Immediately. Giraldi!
You know her, Belli? She's the daughter of his Excellency. - Yes, his Excellency.
Excuse me. I call you Belli since to call you professor is to picture you as a tyke.
Remember, the "professor"?
By dint of calling him professor, he became a professor, Professor.
Excuse me, how old are you? - 27.
A nice career.
Do you know that at your age I was a gym assistant in Nuoro? Nuoro, Sardinia?
Miss Giraldi.
Good morning. - Morning.
Morning, Professor. - Morning. - Morning.
Morning, Professor Belli. - Good morning. Giraldi? - Diana.
Now then Miss Giraldi... Would you like to question her, Miss?
But... truly... Maybe you, Professor Frassi.
You, Professor Belli? - No, no, please.
Then let's start with a little... - Yes, let's start with a little bit of history.
Mm, as you wish. - Yes, um, you know the history of...
of the Romans?
Yes, the history that talks about Rome, right? - Well done!
Very nice. Let's focus on Roman history then.
Which period... did you find the most interesting?
Ah, I don't know... Romulus, the seven kings...
The geese with Capitoline hill, Fabiola..., the she wolf too.
Attilius Regulus, Titus Livius, Lucullus, Vespasian and Augustus.
Well, this a view a bit... - Yes, a bit panoramic.
Shall we focus on a few details? - Yes.
Could you tell us something about... Nero? - Nero.
Oh, yes. - You know who Nero was?
Of course. - Ah, thank goodness.
Tell us something about this emperor that, as you very well know,
marks the end of a period of Roman history.
Exactly.
It is the period of the legitimate descendants of Augustus, right?
Exactly.
And in the early years of the empire, well led by a famous philosopher...
Seneca! - To be sure.
Later he gave vent to his impetuous and authoritarian character.
Correct.
Very good. - Very good.
What else can you tell us about him? - Me? About Nero?
Eh, yeah... about Nero.
Well then?
He was Poppea's husband!
Was I wrong? - No, no. - Oh, no.
It is indisputable that Nero was Poppea's husband.
Yes, it's indisputable. - I wasn't wrong? No?
I consider this question answered. What do you think, Professor Frassi?
Answered! She answered. If the committee president believes...
I believe... I believe! - Well then, Miss...
We are pleased to tell you... - You may go! - Thank you.
One moment, Miss. I'd like to ask you some questions.
Oh, you? Not at all, Professor!
Let us see.
Here. The little bird of Lesbia. - Huh?
Translate this little song here. - Please...
Translate.
Translate? - Yes, translate.
What's Diana doing? - Dunno. Everybody's been tested. The exams are over but Diana...
There she is! There's Diana. Come.
How did it go, Diana?
What happened? - What is it?
The little bird! - What? - The little bird of Lesbia!
Whose bird? - Lesbia's bird!
I thought it was going so well! I answered about Nero, Roman history...!
Then that meanie wanted to ask me the history of Lesbia!
Lesbia's little bird. What do I know?
And so? - He wanted me to translate, understand? Me, translate!
Which meanie? - Orazio's son, the one over there. Just look at him!
And so? - And so I flunked, understand? Failed!
Flunked? Flunked? - Yes, flunked.
Lisetta! - Well? But, Miss...
I've presented a complete detailed plan to the ministry...
Is it true you flunked my sister? - But... - Lisetta! - Lemme alone!
Who are you? - Was it really you who flunked my sister?
What does she mean? - Nothing. I was constrained by my subject.
A fine bargain we made having you come to Rome! - Miss, don't talk nonsense.
Let's go! Let's go, Lisetta. - Fine.
Miss. What did you say?
Don't act so naive, you know very well it was my father who brought you here!
And not for your beautiful face but to pass Diana! - Lisetta!
Miss, your sister is perfectly right. And you know it well.
It's true, recommendations were made on my behalf, but I didn't ask for them.
In any case, I've written a letter to your father,
asking him to send me back to my old provincial seat.
I was hoping the transfer might happen before the exams. But it didn't.
Anyway, I think now it won't be delayed.
Hello?
Oh, finally!
The girls? The girls will be ready right away.
No, no, no luggage! A few things in the bag and we're out.
Excuse me, Sir, this too? - Yes, take away all those papers. No!
They won't act stupid, for heaven's sake!
Have the car ready in 15 minutes to get them. Make sure they're ready. Ready, eh?
Am I taking these, Exce...? - No. Hurry! Hurry!
If anybody comes looking, you never seen me.
You don't know where... where I am. You never seen me, got it? There!
Here, take this. Let's go.
We haven't forgotten anything? - No, I don't think so!
"To his Excellency, Ettore Giraldi, Minister of Education..."
And what is this letter?
Excuse me, Doctor, a moment.
There's a... there's a mark on the wall where that picture was. You see it?
What is it? - There's...
Look, Excellency, there's a mark on the wall where the first picture was.
Oh, by Jove, that's really bad. We need to see to that.
We could put the portrait of... - Forget portraits. Let's not insist.
Let's put something less controversial.
Ah, there's in storage, a picture by Palizzi showing a cow. - Yes, a cow!
Go get the cow. A cow isn't compromising. At least, for now. Bring the cow!
The Cow by Palizzio, 4th section of the archive. - Right away.
Listen here. This letter written to my predecessor is quite interesting.
"Excellency, I understand that my transfer to Rome..."
"has been procured according to the usual methods of influence..."
"which I have never asked for."
"Since I wish to have the acknowledgments due to my modest merits,"
"I ask your Excellency to cancel the order of transfer"
"and to be reinstated in my provincial seat."
By Jove, a fine proof of dignity. Who is it? - I don't know. It's signed Prof Belli.
Find out, please. I'd like to speak to this professor. - Right away.
Good day. Excuse me.
Why didn't your son come here? - He's in Foggia, Excellency.
I found a letter from him. A very fine letter.
My heartiest congratulations upon having raised so much nobility of character
and so disdainful of influence.
It's what I've always said, "No influence". - Well done!
Now write to your son that I confirm him in Rome,
not because of the usual politics, but in recognition of his true merits,
happy to reward him. Today it is we who decide.
Good day. - Be seated. - Thank you.
Why didn't your son come? - Eh, I don't... know...
I have here a letter from him. Very troubling.
Where is your son? - Eh... who knows?
You don't know. - No. May I be struck blind!
If I knew, I would say so, Excellency. - All right, Orazio Belli. You may go.
Remember to walk a straight line. As straight as possible!
Now then, Belli, there's a communication regarding your son.
He's been promoted and transferred to here, right in his school.
Here?
You finally did it, eh? - Yes. - Happy now?
It's been the dream of my life... - Oh, please! - ...to have him at my school.
Your school! What do you care about the school? When are you going to retire?
Very soon... - Me? - he'll make sure to retire you.
When he'll have reached the age limit.
Well, that means when the day comes, I'll...
You know what I'll do, Excellency?
Excuse me, eh? Look, I'll sit in the seat in the courtyard and say,
"From this high school, where I was born and where my father was for 30 years,"
"I would like to see if anybody has the heart to send me away."
America! America! Loose or in packages!
Gimme a Lucky, kid. - Take your Looky! A kid...!
Gimme some American gum. Here. How much? 15?
C'mon, scram! Whaddya doing here? Is this the Via Del Gambero?
C'mon, beat it! Let's go! Let's go, kids! "Who's in, is in. Who's not, isn't"!
Remember what our dear headmaster said? Let's go!
What are you doing there, talking on the sidewalk?
Good day. - Good day, Orazio. How are you?
Good day, Headmaster. - Good day.
Good day. - Good day.
Emm... Professor... - Oh, hi, Dad!
Orazio! Please, here's my card. Get me some cigarettes?
Here's the money. Keep the change.
Eh... you see...
I send Spartaco. This way he gets a tip. - Yes, I see.
Bye.
Professor! Professor!
Miss, how are you? We meet here once again. On the first day of school.
We've come to collect Lisetta's papers. - Lisetta? Ah, yes. Your sister.
Good day. But, excuse me, did your sister already take the exam?
No, she didn't take the exam. We came to collect her papers.
Collect her papers? How come?
We thought to enroll her in another school.
Everyone here knows us. - After what happened...
One needs to have courage to confront certain situations. - You think so?
Of course. - And tell him... tell him...
I'm going to tell the secretary that I'll stay here, eh? - Yes.
Thank you.
Miss, I'm enrolling here. - Good day, Miss. - Good day.
Have you enrolled here? - Oh no. I work as a typist.
You know times have changed. - And your sister... Diana?
Diana is in the country with Daddy.
I imagine you'll be sorry to leave school. - Eh, yes.
A little nostalgia. But... I'll come back every now and then to see Lisetta.
Are you happy to be in Rome? - Yes, certainly.
I'm sure your father is happy too. He seems young again. - Yeah.
They registered me in Section B. I'm with you, Professor. - Good.
See you in class then. Goodbye, Miss. Come by sometimes to hear the news.
Good day. - Thank you. Good day.
What news are you coming to ask about? - Oh, nothing. Come, let's go.
Finis. - OK.
One moment.
See, Orazio, stopped at the door.
OK, that's enough for today.
Hi, Orazio!
Professor, lunch is ready.
One moment.
Be quick, eh?
Are you going to ask? - Go on! - Good day, Professor. - Good day.
Bye, Orazio. - Goodbye. - Good day. - Bye. - Bye.
The ravioli are being attacked. - Then you must go and save them!
Goodbye, Professor. - Good day. - Bye, Orazio.
How weird that girl was. And the others with their giggling...
You're too good with them, ya know? They're kids but giggling like that...
Oh, hey, they're ravioli with ricotta. Andronio made them when you were a kid.
Hurry! Or Andronio will read us the riot act.
Speaking about Andronio, Dad... couldn't he treat me differently?
Differently?
Differently!
How differently? - With less familiarity.
Every time he sees me he calls me, "Prof".
But he's called you that since you were this high.
Still have much to do?
Also this confidence before the students...
Wait a sec, wasn't he respectful? - No, no. - Ah, good.
But it's just that behavior constantly embarrasses me.
Well, I understand, but you know, you must pity him. He's ignorant.
He's a janitor. What the...?
THE TWO ORAZIOS
Some joke. I don't get it.
But it does look like me.
What naughty kids.
Are you tired? - Eh, tired? Ah, yes.
Eh, you know, it's age. In June, I'll be almost 68.
Cardelli used to tell me a while back, "Orazio, you're a young man."
I'm old.
Oh, I'm old, but we both know, always on my toes, eh?
You know, today I don't feel so well because at my age...
Understand? - Dad?
What?
Oh, look... look, for what you said about Andronio, I'll talk to him...
And you'll see you won't have anymore trouble, I assure you.
Forget it, Dad. It's better that you say nothing. He does it without thinking.
He does it out of affection. - Right, affection. Yes, just out of affection.
Yes.
What can you do, Dad? The world is made like this.
The world hurts.
Finally! When I don't need you, you're in my way. When I do, you can't be found.
The bus leaves at noon. - Who leaves at noon? - The bus.
Didn't I tell you last night I'm going to Monterotondo to see my sister? - No.
You're more drunk now than last night! I didn't tell you? - I don't remember.
Well I remember.
How many days will you be gone? 2 or 3? - 4, 5, I don't know.
Why are you going to your sister? - Mamma mia! I'm going to visit her!
If you had a sister, wouldn't you visit her? - I don't have any.
Lucky you! This way you save a trip. - What trip?
The more you live, the dumber you become!
Here. Have them resoled.
And why do I leave the school in your hands, even for a little while?
Where's my wife? Uh, excuse me. - What? - Lemme pass! Move it!
You're also taking your wife's portrait? - No, I'm taking yours!
Will you get out of the way? Always under my feet!
And look you're sleeping here tonight. - Why here?
Ah, you'd like to abandon the school? - You're not coming back?
Who taught you any manners? Always asking questions.
Come back! Don't come back!
Remember to clean the stairs well tonight. Sweep the hallways.
Do inspections, close the door and don't lose the keys.
Just like I did! - Mr. Ora', I've been here for 30 years. - I know.
Here, have these resoled too.
Will you work well? For you, to stay here or at the bottom of a well is the same.
Listen. Where are you going? - Getting outta the way. - Only when I tell you to.
Sit down, c'mon. Listen to me well. - I'm listening.
You saw my son born. You've raised him together with me.
You loved him, you love him now.
But you must get into your head that in this world things change.
And you mustn't act too familiarly with him, but show him respect.
Haven't I've been respectful?
Do you think it's respectful to be familiar, call him, "Oh, Prof"?
If you want, I won't greet him anymore. - What? You must greet him.
But as if he were another professor. Indeed as if he were the headmaster.
And when you give the finis, don't do it leaning like this, "Finis".
You hafta give it like you were just anybody and then scram.
Even if for a moment, you feel like hugging him, going to him, kissing him.
Me? - Why? Don't you feel that? - No.
Even if he came to you, you must be content with imagining certain things.
You must go away. You can't...
Are you afraid they'll steal the shoes? - No.
Then do you listen to talks like this with shoes in your hands, eh?
Of course a poor man, after many years of sacrifice, of being far away...,
would have the right to be near him.
No, Sir. You mustn't forget that you're an usher...
and he's a professor.
You wanted him to become a professor. And he became a professor.
But you've stayed an usher.
Eh, what can you do? That's how the world is.
It hurts, I know, but unfortunately, that's the way it is.
The professors are high up and the ushers are way down.
Like you. - And like you. - Yeah, like me.
Eh, you wanna delude yourself you can change the world. You can't, Andronio.
Who's deluding themselves?
Yeah.
So if you want to give him the greatest gift, the ultimate sacrifice...
is not to see him anymore. To disappear.
So he can continue his career without anymore annoyances... or humiliations.
After all... what is happiness?
To know that he is beautiful..., talented..., respected by all.
Well then, we understand each other.
Respect, order, take care, eh, Andronio?
Up then and get the shoes. They're not slippers.
Mme Lucrezia, I say goodbye to you too.
Be good. Be good. Be good, I won't hurt you.
And another thing, take care of this creature of God. - I will.
Don't think about eating her, OK? She'll keep you company.
Go call Spartaco to come and get my luggage!
Orazio! - Morning, Miss. - Morning. Is it true you're leaving?
Yes, who told you? - Andronio, I met him on the stairs.
Ah, yes, I'm going away for a few days.
For a few days? - Yeah, I'm going to see my sister in Monterotondo.
Why, is your sister sick? - No, no, she's fine.
You see since she's old... I'm old too. Both of us are old...
And that's how I had the wish to see her. Besides, she's nearby.
Strange you're son never told me.
Ah, did you see my son? - Yes, we meet every now and then.
I'm pleased.
Well, he didn't tell you because he doesn't know yet.
Actually, do me a favor: you tell him. - Yes. - I don't have time.
I'm going to miss the bus!
Andronio sent me for the luggage. - Yes, here they are. These two.
Then there's that bundle... - This one? - No! I'll take that one myself.
Mr. Orazio? - What is it?
I sent Spartaco to get the luggage. Is he here? - Yes, he is.
Excuse me. You hurry up. C'mon.
Get the door keys and then come to take the other bundles. Be quick.
What do you want? - Do I give the finis today or you?
Me? Why should I give it? I'm leaving. I'm not.
OK. - Wait.
Go on! Be snappy! Go!
Andro'! Excuse me.
Look, you know what you gotta do? Go give the finis to the classes below.
Excuse me, do you mind a moment? - Where are you going, Orazio?
I want to give the finis for the last time.
The last time? - Last time for this week.
Orazio?
Finis.
What?
Finis. - Ah, thank you.
Finis.
Orazio!
English subtitles by sineintegral@KG