I Vitelloni Page #5

No one's noticed.

And you said I should've gotten notice.

So we'll take this instead.

But it's wrong.

Listen, Moraldo,

I have a family now. I need this.

I've got a lot of things

to take care of.

If you're scared, I'll go it alone.

At least give me some light here.

Look how beautiful.

Beautiful.

- Tell him to be quiet.

- Giudizio, cut it out!

Good morning, Sister.

Is Mother Superior in?

Why?

I'd like to discuss some business

I think she'd find in her interest.

What is it?

Mother Superior's in chapel now.

Let's go.

No, Moraldo, wait.

Let's show her.

Show her.

An angel, solid wood. It's been

in our house, but we're forced to sell.

The Ursuline Convent

could have it for a reasonable price.

Just look at that expression.

Beautiful angel, beautiful angel!

Don't be afraid.

He's harmless.

We already have

enough angels. Sorry.

Sister, listen.

A brother, way up!

What do you want?

How are you today?

Would you like a cigarette?

Wait a moment. Here, catch.

Terrific.

It's lovely here. This is the life.

What's your name?

- Father Felice.

- Is the Father Superior in?

No.

- So who's in charge in his absence?

- I am.

Wonderful. We have

a real bargain for you.

A magnificent statue.

Colorful, perfect for the altar.

- Is that it?

- Yes.

Show it to him.

Beautiful angel, beautiful angel!

Isn't it beautiful?

Look how expressive.

Where did you get it?

It's from our house,

but we've got no place for it.

We thought it would look

better in your church.

We have no need for it here.

They were unable to sell

the statue that day.

So that evening, Fausto and

Moraldo entrusted it to Giudizio

with a thousand instructions.

Here's Papa.

Good evening, Papa.

Moraldo, come here.

Don't make me come after you!

- Papa, what did I do?

- You really have to ask?

Hoodlum! Cheat!

Wait till I get hold of you!

I haven't done anything.

What's the matter?

What's the poor boy done?

Poor boy! He's a monster!

We're all disgraced! Thieves!

Get out! Both of you!

What did they do?

They stole a statue!

- No, Papa.

- Liars!

These two... I had to beg the police

not to arrest you in my home.

Yes, the police, in my own home!

And this pig tried to force himself

on the wife of my dearest friend.

A pack of lies! I'm shocked

you believed them! Very shocked!

And you dare raise your voice?

Yes, I will! You treat me like

a five-year old! I'm 30!

Keep your crummy food!

You'll never see me again! Never!

It wasn't his fault.

Giulia came on to him,

then lied to her husband.

Sandra, are you listening to me?

Really?

Yeah. Fausto never encouraged her.

Wouldn't give her a second glance.

And then they wouldn't pay him.

So we took the statue.

He really didn't make a pass at her?

I swear.

Now stop crying.

Where is he now?

Out in the garden.

I'm waiting for Moraldo.

Tell Papa I'm leaving.

I don't want to be a burden.

What are you saying?

Moraldo told me everything.

- What do you mean?

- Don't worry, I'll tell Papa

that that woman flirted with you.

- Let's forget about it.

- No, they have to know the truth.

Here, your cutlet.

You haven't eaten a thing.

Damn it!

Why did you take the statue?

Did you need money?

You should have told me, Fausto.

Why didn't you? There should be

no secrets between us.

We have to cling to each other.

All we have is each other.

Mama is very kind,

but she treats me like a baby.

And Papa is always so busy.

He doesn't even know me.

You're all I have, Fausto.

If you leave too...

Sandra, don't.

- Do you still love me, Fausto?

- Yes.

- Do you love our baby?

- Sandra, my Sandrina, our baby.

So will you stay with me?

Yes.

Then come on home.

Let's go talk to Papa.

So Fausto was forgiven and started

leisurely looking for another job.

They didn't pay him much attention

at home once the baby was born.

A veritable Adonis,

he looked just like Mama, Papa,

Uncle, Grandfather, Grandmother

and even Moraldo.

He looks like my math teacher.

He's so ugly!

Sandra was happy, and one day

she quietly took the baby

to meet her father-in-law.

- The coffee is almost ready.

- Good girl.

Moraldino, why are you so fat?

Yesterday he said "blue."

I wonder what he meant.

Has Fausto found a job?

I guess so.

He should start in a matter of days.

Excuse me, Papa.

I'll see about the coffee.

- No, I'll go.

- Please, let me go.

- Sandra, can I hold him?

- Be careful with him, Mirella.

Come on, Moraldino,

give your auntie a kiss.

No, Papa, you don't know

how to hold him.

That's no way to hold a baby.

I don't know that one.

- Is that the farthest?

- Yes, it's called Sirius.

- Are there people living there?

- I don't think so.

- Would you live there?

- Yes.

- I don't believe you.

- Sure I would.

- Will you walk me home?

- Sure.

The evenings were getting warmer.

Spring was in the air.

And now, a man whose heart

is as great as his name.

That's him. He's brilliant.

Listen.

Mr. Sergio Natali.

I shall recite Reminiscence of Youth.

- Is that Natali?

- Yes.

He's uglier than sin.

Grandpa, when is Papa coming home?

Little one,

your papa has already returned.

He's here, lost in the crowd.

He's watching you, smiling at you.

He just brushed by you.

And you, little one,

didn't feel a thing.

Why not, Grandpa?

Because you're innocent.

Your papa left in the spring,

just like your grandpa.

As a lieutenant, amid flowers,

songs and a flag.

Leopoldo has long awaited

this evening.

The great actor has read his play

and will see him in his dressing room

after the performance.

His big moment has come.

Even we grasped

the importance of this meeting,

and we were as excited

as Leopoldo.

Ah, I see you've brought company.

Please, come in.

Please, come in.

Bring some chairs.

- That's all right, sir. We'll stand.

Forgive the candle.

In these second-rate theaters,

they always steal the light bulbs.

- Of course, sir. It's nothing.

- May I offer you a cigarette?

They're domestic, you know.

American cigarettes

are very bad for you.

- Sir, I'm a great admirer.

- I saw you in I due Foscari.

Yes, well, the best parts

were left on the cutting room floor.

Please, have a seat

while I finish removing my makeup.

Sir, I've admired you for years.

I saw you for the first time

in Bologna, in 1943.

It was an unforgettable evening.

You revealed lbsen to me.

- Ibsen. Those were the days.

Feels like yesterday.

Being principal actor

is hard work, my friend.

And you're seeing me during a break,

a vacation, I'd like to call it.

It's temporary, of course.

Fausto, look who's here.

Let me tell you,

I have great ideas for next season.

I want to put together

an amazing cast.

A cast that will make history.

I might be able to get Ferrati,

and perhaps even Gassman.

Did you hear that?

He's gonna get Ferrati and Gassman.

I want young playwrights, both

for the grants and for the challenge.

By the way,

I read your piece.

Skimmed it, really.

You understand, I'm always so busy.

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