A Hero of Our Times Page #3

even, to refuse.

- There's a new model, if anyone...

- Me, Sir!

- Me.

- Thank you.

The others can leave.

Please, go.

Cancel the 4 coffees.

- Sir, if need be...

- It isn't, I'm here.

Right away.

- Magnificent!

- Yes, it's nice, take it.

- My pleasure.

- Wear this for a couple of months.

- At the cinema, the theater, the bar.

- Even in bed, Sir.

Watch the effect it has on people,

and write me a report every week.

- A nice report.

- Go.

- Can I leave?

- Go.

Thank you.

You deserve it,

moron!

- What do you wear on your head,

a coffee pot? - Good afternoon.

You look like a minister.

Where did you find it?

Why, don't you like it?

Lobbia style.

Take it off,

it doesn't suit you!

Me, I like it,

and even if I didn't...

He's mad...

Dottore Pedocchi?

- Hasn't the office manager arrived yet?

- He has, he's already in he rest room.

- Yes? - What're you doing,

you come here to smoke?

- Smoking... I'm studying the coupon!

- Did you talk to the manager?

Yes, but he put everything in the

hands of the widow.

- What happened?

- She got mad,

she understood you don't want to be there,

and there's some talk about termination.

- Eh.

- O my God!

- Close the door, please.

- Yes.

Yes, she got it.

Good day, dottore.

Any news about the body?

Wiping the dust.

- How's the hat?

- Here it is.

Fine, Sir.

Soft, fluffy, light, well ventilated.

People look, turn, ask me.

There was an incident this morning.

- Anyone laughing?

- Some.

- Alright, continue the experiment.

- Yes, Sir.

Soft, fluffy, light, well ventilated.

I'm a slave,

the slave of a lobbia.

May I, Madam?

The estimate for transportation your

husband from the station to the cemetery.

What're you doing,

tearing it?

I shaved really close.

It won't be necessary anymore.

- From today, you don't work here anymore.

- They've moved me in another department.

I doubt they need you in another

department.

- You're letting me go?

- They told me you chose freedom.

They told you.

If you fire me,

I'll do something rash.

Dottore,

I'll throw myself from the window.

You see, dottore,

I'm looking out of the window.

- We are at the first floor.

- So what?

- You fly low, captain Spaventa. - Even

from the first floor, I can get fractures.

- It'll be a hard fall.

- Listen, Alberto.

I imagine myself as being a sharp

psychologist.

Look into my eyes.

Such disloyalty on that babyface.

Ah, I'm not loyal?

May I smile?

Only abroad have I met really

loyal men,

real gentlemen.

- Don't talk to me about chivalry

in Italy. - Dottore!

So, we've lived together for three years

without understanding each other?

But you're latin Alberto, it's so

easy figuring out a latino, kid's stuff.

So what? I'm latin,

but I'm loyal.

Exactly because I want to be

loyal to this man,

to this poor body.

He was stuck in Brennero and we just

couldn't free it, remember?

Believe me, dottor De Ritis!

May I know why you want to leave

my office?

May I know...

Yes, because you're a woman,

dottore.

- You're a woman, and I can't resist

you. - O yes, Menichetti.

Let's be clear about it: I'd have wanted

to be only a good friend for you.

Allow me to laugh.

A friend! I can't live all day long

with a woman to whom I'm attracted,

and whom I can't love because I've

taken an oath!

Well, more or less.

Have I made myself understood?

In Bucarest,

in the diplomatic corps,

I was considered a rather

cold woman.

Cold!

What do they know in Bucarest!

You are passionate,

you're latin, as I am.

Idiocies.

Then, dottore, can it be that

you're not aware of your charm?

- There're times when I can barely

resist embracing you. - Words...

Words? Excuse me.

Words, she says.

Who is it?

Mr. Menichetti, I'll be waiting for your

resignation before the end of the month.

Sir, it was moment of disbandment for

which I'm to blame.

- Yes.

- The boy is innocent.

- I'm young. - Anyway, two lovers

are not welcome in our company.

Before the end of the month, one of you

two will present me with his resignation.

Sir,

I must wear the hat.

A head like yours

shouldn't be difficult to find.

I hope you'll be the one to resign,

madame is a widow and without any means.

Sir,

then I'll tell you everything!

In every department,

everyone's got a lover.

Balestrazzi with Fiocchetti,

Baldini with Santoni,

- in "Outward Goods" there're four with

a hag!- I'm not interested.

Balducci has two daughters,

and whom with?

Ask Biondoni,

how Dottore Maggio's doing.

My husband used to like airy,

light colored clothes.

He met me when I was a girl.

- D'you hear the swallows?

- Yes, Madam,

but I can't appreciate them because,

tomorrow, one of us will be fired.

As a matter of fact, here's your

resignation letter, will you sign it?

Here's his grave!

Beautiful, airy,

cheerful.

- Evviva, Rudi!

- Evviva, Rudi.

That's how we greeted each other.

- Will you sit down?

- Chair, please.

- Off with the hat from the grave.

- I'm sorry.

What're you doing? Do you want to

confer with the corpse before signing?

Yes, I'd like to focus,

to confer a little with Rudi,

listen to his wishes.

You know,

he has always led me by the hand.

"Rodolfo De Ritis,

diplomat. "

"Severed in his prime. "

Severed? How did he die?

While he was lighting a cigarette.

he didn't even realize it,

didn't even feel the hit.

- The hit?

- An accident, while boar hunting.

- What a pity, a great man.

- The gladioli, please.

How distinguished he was;

did you love each other?

There always was some kind of

incommunicability between us,

imagine Rodolfo spoke 7 languages,

but was still a taciturn.

We've really started talking only,

after his death.

- Incredible, isn't it?

- Why incredible?

Look,

he seems alive.

What's he doing,

looking at us?

What do you want to tell us, you know,

there's nothing to reproach us, Rodolfo.

Water!

- Water, Alberto.

- Water?

They're thirsty,

poor things.

Right away.

The pots first?

- Please. - Did you see who's here,

dottore, a senator.

Yes, I've also noticed a countess there,

chic, isn't it?

Chic, damn it.

- Alberto, give me the letter.

- Yes.

- You want to sign it.

- Yes.

- I've understood he approves.

- Without any doubt.

And I'm sure you'll be grateful.

- What will you do now, get a transfer?

- No, I'll stay.

I need so little.

I have lots of clothes

from the good times.

I don't pay any rent because

I'm the guest of a consulate.

- Then...

- Then, I'm happy not to have to eat.

- You don't eat?

- No.

and one at ten, 2 slices of toast.

- It saves money.

- I survive a lot on sheer will power,

my nerves support me.

I don't consume, Alberto.

Better like this.

- I live on 22,000 lire a month.

- Not much, these days.

Thank you, Alberto.

I was sure you wouldn't

refuse it.

Sure about what?

Who told you?

I can't,

I get a 40,000 lire a month salary.

Then no, Alberto, it's me who has to

give up something.

- Give me 18,000.

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