Mamma Roma Page #3

They're not crickets.

They're cicadas.

You're right.

What's that?

A finch.

What's the one that goes

cheep-cheep-chew?

A lark.

How do you know them all?

I know them pretty well.

I used to steal their nests.

It was full of them where I used to live.

I killed plenty with my sling.

Yeah, you lived with the hicks.

Did your mother visit you?

Who cares about my mother?

She's still so beautiful,

her hair still so black.

How old is she?

- Who knows? Maybe 43.

Have you ever been with a woman?

Then you don't even know

how women are made.

How are you made?

If you only knew.

Where are we going, to America?

Can't wait, can you?

Your heart's pounding, right?

I bet your heart's beating hard.

- Stop it.

Let's go down there, behind that door.

That's where I always go.

It's a nice place.

Can you hear that?

Even I know what that one is.

It's a cuckoo.

Look at these fava beans here!

Buy my fava beans! They're fresh!

Look at these artichokes!

Stop and buy!

Signora Roma, what a voice you have.

You could sing mass.

Hey, potato vendor,

let me shout. I'm happy.

Of course you are,

with a handsome man next to you.

Look at these figs.

I've got the best ones.

Signora Roma.

Do you know that girl?

- Who is she?

- Do you like her?

Looks like a monkey.

Listen. Let me tell you the score.

That's why I had a boy.

Who's she cheating on?

All of Rome.

When will you give her

your blessing as your daughter-in-law?

You take my son for a fool?

No, he's no fool.

He's buying her a gold chain.

Look at these figs.

Come and buy, ladies.

Hurry up and buy

so we can go home early.

Don't make me yell anymore.

I've had enough.

What's wrong?

What are you doing here?

He's not here for you.

He's drawn like a magnet.

- What do you want?

- Nothing.

What are you doing here then?

I need 1,000 lire.

You think money grows on trees?

How about a good slap instead?

What do you need it for?

- I don't need it anymore.

- I know why you wanted it.

Fool. At your age, the only woman

you need is your mother.

Forget about women.

You don't have the brains

to understand them.

They're all tramps!

Each worse than the one before.

Is that clear?

If not, I'll make it real clear for you.

Come and buy, ladies.

- Damn, what a voice you have.

Got something to sell?

Come here.

I've got some records.

Wanna buy them?

I buy everything.

Show me what you've got.

What are they?

They're no good to me.

I don't have a record player.

O gypsy with your look

so sad and soulful

You make your violin weep

in your hands

Play once more a sweet serenade

Where did you swipe this from?

I haven't heard it in 20 years.

I didn't swipe it.

Our place is full of them.

We don't have any use for them.

I'll buy anything, even rocks.

Even stolen goods.

I don't care. I buy them anyway.

You can find me here anytime.

Here.

I pay top price, so remember,

Gennarino, the second-hand dealer,

will make you rich.

You in a bad mood?

Remember the kid I had with me?

He's sick, poor thing.

The doctor says he might die.

I can't live without him, poor little angel.

Even if he dies, he's too small

to understand. How old is he?

- Two years and four months.

- He's still a baby.

And how old are you?

- Twenty-four.

Six and a half years older than me.

You're not very well developed.

Neither are you.

You look like a kid.

Of course. When I was small,

I was always in the hospital.

Now I go to the gym.

What are you looking at?

This is for you, like I promised.

- Is that the madonna on it?

- The madonna and child.

I'm not worried that my son

is running after that crazy girl.

I can always get rid of her

if I put my mind to it.

Even if he steals my records

and things from the house.

I'll beat that habit out of him.

Don't you think he deserves it?

- Why not?

Father, I came here because

you're the only one that can help me.

They say only priests

can find jobs for people.

That's what they say,

but us poor priests don't count at all.

You do count, Father.

Don't be modest.

If you say so, modesty aside.

My son needs a job.

I can't have him grow up

on the street like this.

He can't become a delinquent.

He's my only child, my only hope.

What does he know how to do?

Has he studied and learned a trade?

He grew up by himself.

His father wasn't around.

I've had to work to support him.

It'll be hard, then.

I might find him a job as a laborer

on some construction site,

but that's all I can do.

You must be joking.

I didn't bring him into this world

to be a laborer.

I want a decent job for him,

one with a future.

You can't make something

out of nothing.

You want to build his future

out of nothing?

I know, Father.

But don't you know that man

who comes to mass here, Pellissier?

He has a wife and daughter.

Don't you know him?

Of course. He's a regular.

He has one of the best restaurants

in Trastevere,

where classy people go to eat,

like actresses and lawyers.

Couldn't you ask him

to give my son a job?

Don't you understand?

You have a serious responsibility

toward your son.

What are you doing

about this responsibility?

What should I do?

It's quite simple.

Start again humbly from zero.

Send him to school. Teach him a trade.

That's what's important.

A trade?

Will you promise?

I'll do everything I can.

I promise.

Good-bye, Father.

Good-bye.

Watch out. He's got an ace.

It's my turn.

Play a card. Wake up.

I'm already losing 500 lire.

Which one? They're all lousy.

Here comes Bruna.

Hi, Bruna. Don't even say hello?

She's acting stuck up.

You looking for daisies?

No, I'm looking for lizards.

I'm not playing anymore.

Quitting while you're ahead?

Take my place.

Look who's here.

Aren't you going to school anymore?

I'm already sick of it.

What's the use?

Don't you like it?

I don't understand a thing.

It's boring

and it gives me a headache.

You don't want to study.

You don't want to learn a trade.

I know what your mother says.

She's always crying.

Don't worry.

I didn't ask her to cry.

You're right. School's a pain.

But you love your mother, don't you?

What do I care about her?

Shame on you.

I love her a little, though.

- How do you know?

- Because I'd cry if she died.

- I didn't expect you'd be laughing.

- Shall we go?

Keep walking. Ignore them.

Where are you going?

Why?

We'll tag along.

- We have to talk in private.

- We do, too. Right, Bruna?

What do you have to tell me?

The story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Let's go, Bruna.

Are you leaving us high and dry?

Just like the Germans,

you come and take over.

Why don't you get lost?

Oh, yeah?

Then we'll take Bruna with us.

I don't feel like doing anything.

But we do.

Leave me alone!

I'll tell your parents

if you don't leave me alone!

Leave her alone, you bastards!

Can't you see she doesn't want

to go with you?

What's the matter with you?

You'd never act like this

if you were alone, damn you!

Who are you talking to?

Stop it now,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes