Era notte a Roma (Blackout in Rome) Page #3

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a girl has to become a whore.

Come on, what's that got to do with it?

A girl should have a wider view.

You can't see anything from here.

Off you go, it's late and I'm tired.

- Go on.

- You're happy to kick me out now?

You don't care if they see me?

If the patrol...

What patrol?

Where are you going?

Wait.

You said I had to go.

Off you go now.

No one knows what's going on any more.

No one even knows who's in charge.

The Fascists say one thing,

the Germans something else,

the police yet another

and we're always stuck in the middle.

We've had enough.

The party secretary says

suppress the black market.

The Germans, who are more cunning,

say to leave it.

We're between the devil

and the deep blue sea.

In the meantime children are going hungry.

And my wife, as you know,

gave birth two weeks ago.

I know, you said last time too.

That's why I kept

that powdered milk to one side.

The turkey's escaped!

Oh God!

Oh God, I don't feel well.

Espe', the milk!

It's OK.

What have you been up to?

I can't take any more of this.

I don't know what to do.

- It's all your fault.

- My fault?

Yes, it was you that tricked me into it.

Sit.

Comrade, where are you going?

He was off, did you see?

Where are you going?

What's happened has happened,

we just have to hope for the best.

I...

I didn't want to send you away, you know.

Come on, put this stuff down.

Poor thing, I feel sorry for him.

- It's you I don't feel sorry for.

- There you go again.

Oh, really?

You were the first one to trick me!

Oh, Espe'! You know what?...

"You have to go!

You have to go!"

And then when it comes to it,

they don't have to go

and she blames me!

These Russians!

- Who is it?

- It's me, Alfredo.

Just give me a minute to put something on.

Be careful, the porter's here.

Don't move.

Have you taken up mountaineering?

It's months since I've been up here.

You've got a fine view up here, you know.

Well, yes, no complaints about that.

Do you want a drop of wine?

Then you can tell me if you like it.

It's nice.

It's Cannellino di Grottaferrata.

If you want a few bottles...

Wine's bad for you on an empty stomach.

With the rations we get

we can't even feed the children.

I see. Tell your wife that if

she needs something I'm here.

"Needs"! We could do with a lot of things.

But we haven't got the money.

Take this chocolate for the children.

You're too kind.

I don't know how to thank you.

Don't be silly.

If we don't share what we've got...

But that lot have to leave immediately.

Until now I've turned a blind eye,

both in fact.

But if they don't go,

I'm obliged to do something about it.

I know, of course.

The others in the building

have kept quiet as well.

But after what happened this morning...

Do you understand?

- Of course I understand.

- Well, then.

Don't worry, they'll go.

Listen, you haven't got a bit of Parmesan,

have you?

I'm sorry, Signor Alfredo,

I haven't got any at all.

Listen...

I...

I'll send them away after Christmas.

No! They have to go today

or tomorrow at the latest.

Espe', it's not out of spite,

but I've got responsibilities.

All right.

In a couple of days it's Christmas.

How can we?

Signor Alfredo, I know somewhere

I can get hold of Parmesan.

I'll get you some in time for Christmas. OK?

We can do as you say,

see what happens.

Thank you.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Is everything ready?

- Shall I go and call Esperia?

- Yes.

- Come on.

- Wait...

It's lovely.

- It looks like a ballroom!

- There's even an orchestra.

Thank you.

It's all lovely.

These are for you.

Thank you.

No, nothing for you.

Don't mess about.

You...

It's silly, but with love.

Thank you.

I mended this for you.

Thank you, Peter.

We need a toast!

There.

To Russia... Here.

America...

and England.

And to Rome, eh?

Take...

Who's going to sing?

You are.

I have to sing because I'm ltalian?

Let's hear it, come on.

All right, I'm tone deaf.

Let's sit down while the pasta cooks.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

- Cheers, everyone.

- Cheers.

Never able...

express...

feelings to you.

I know much little of you...

and you to know me little.

My country...

far...

You not know my country.

I suffer.

I'm far from my country,

from my family.

Dear, good...

and beautiful, Esperia.

And you, my dear ltalian friend,

"tovarich" Renato.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

To our good health.

The pasta's still on the stove, it'll overcook!

It's time to go. Get your stuff.

Quick.

Hurry.

Hurry.

We'll wait for you downstairs.

Watch out!

Hurry!

On you go.

Dante and Remo.

When?

This morning at dawn, we were told.

- Rena', what's happened?

- Nothing.

Of course.

You'll see, they'll go.

What can we do?

One day either way isn't the point.

Let's hope God helps us.

He always has until now.

We'll find a way of getting you back up.

Let's hope no one notices.

You can stay.

So, what is it you and Giacinto

have been up to?

It's just Giacinto

and his obsession with inventing...

You think I haven't seen that they're bombs?

Are you mad? What are you on about?

Don't you trust me?

What's that got to do with it?

Of course I do, but...

Look, I'm not trying to tell you off,

even if what you're doing is dangerous.

Even if I'm frightened for you.

Now that I know

what you're doing, I'm happy.

Not happy, exactly,

try to understand.

I said to myself,

"Renato is better than I thought.

"At least he's got an idea, a goal."

I don't know if what you're doing

is right or wrong.

Who knows

what's right or wrong these days?

But I have faith in you.

If you do something,

it's because it's right.

And l...

I care about you.

Damn it, I can't even explain what I mean!

You've explained perfectly.

I care about you too.

Renato...

Come on, let's go.

Let's go.

Renato, can I stay here?

Work.

- Espe'...

- What is it?

He wants to stay here and work.

Giaci'...

Are you sure you want to stay here?

Well...goodbye.

Bye.

How can we?

We can't hide more than one.

Do you know these?

Come on.

Quietly.

Be careful, darling,

go straight home.

Can't I come up?

No, behave yourself.

Why not? Now that those wretches have

gone and you're alone... Let me come up.

Thank goodness they have.

Signor Alfredo was right,

it was a burden for everyone.

So, let's go up then.

No, darling,

I'm really tired this evening.

Why not? Come on, Esperia.

I can't. Maybe tomorrow, eh?

Well, OK then, tomorrow.

- Good night.

- 'Night.

I'm just going to the workshop,

I'll find something for him to sleep on.

Yes.

- We're sorry.

- Come on, what do you mean?

What for?

But thank you.

- Happy Christmas.

- Happy Christmas.

Happy Christmas.

Thank you.

I'm going.

Why don't you stay for a bit?

Stay here.

OK.

- What time is it?

- Nearly 7, hurry.

I'm ready, I expected you earlier.

I've been listening to the radio.

They said they've killed Ciano

and the others.

Justice has been done, they said.

Hitler wants them all dead.

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