The Salt of Life

The Salt of Life

Listen to Alfonso, he's a lawyer.

The notary, Madam Valeria,

is going to read us a legal document.

Don't be concerned.

It'll be over in five minutes,

then we'll take you home.

Don't worry, Mum.

- May we start?

- Yes.

- We are here to...

- My mother knows all about it.

Really I...

The undersigned Valeria de Franciscis

born in Rome on 12/14/1915

and residing in Rome

on Quinto Orazio Flacco Street,

a retired widow,

social security number 1554...

hereby grants,

special power of attorney

to her son Giovanni Brandani,

born in Rome on 2/19/1949,

residing in Rome on Glorioso Avenue,

social security number 4919...

that he may,

on behalf of the undersigned,

undertake all necessary actions

to arrange and complete the sale

of her co-ownership rights...

Gianni, he said 'sale',

what's that got to do with it?

Excuse me, Mr. Notary,

maybe I didn't understand correctly,

but what's selling got to do

with my allowance?

Nothing, Ma'am.

Let's accompany Madam Valeria.

Madam Valeria, welcome back.

Is everything alright?

Goodbye.

- Outstanding!

- Oh, please.

You made me look like sh*t

in front of the notary!

My mother forgets everything, I...

She's sharp as a tack, sharper

than the two of us put together!

She'll put me in the poorhouse:

Don't you see? She...

What if we went to a judge

for guardianship?

Guardianship for whom, Gianni?

You need guardianship yourself!

You said it first.

You've got a bombshell in there

and you don't say a word!

The girl?

She's a girl, I can't just go around

being an idiot!

She's a goddess, didn't you see her?

She's got a face like porcelain,

she's wonderful.

- I've seen her.

- Don't you like women anymore?

Read this.

"I'm thinking about you. "

Who's thinking about you?

She's totally crazy.

The other evening in Villa Borghese,

she suddenly started laughing

and running around.

I didn't understand why,

so I just stood there.

She ran faster, laughing...

I realized she wanted to be caught

so I started running,

my feet were flying

then I finally grabbed her.

We kissed like crazy

and then we fell to the ground,

laughing on the grass.

We became one body... wonderful!

You never in your whole life

forget things like that, Gianni.

It's pure poetry, beautiful.

Sure.

Why are you looking at me

like that?

You could do it too if you wanted.

You have to make the first move,

get on with it.

These things can happen.

Sure they can!

See Maurizio?

He's been with that clerk

at the corner store for two years.

Maurizio? Are you nuts?

I saw him with my own eyes.

Two years!

Understand?

Get on with it!

Pallina!

It's 7:
30.

- Here's your coffee.

- Thank you.

Thank you.

- Hi, Daddy!

- Teresina!

- How are you?

- Fine.

- Sit down.

- No, I'm in a rush.

It's... I don't even have a watch!

This?

- Can I?

- Sure.

Any sugar?

In there...

- Michelangelo's here.

- Again?

He stayed the night...

- I thought you two had broken up.

- Yeah, we did.

But we got back together again.

Some decisions are painful,

but they have to be made.

I'll leave him after my exams.

I'll get them out of the way,

then I'll have a freer mind,

a lighter heart.

What do you think?

That's a good idea.

I just can't do it all:

school, exams, his calls...

- I have to run.

- Alright dear, take care!

Bye, Daddy.

- Hi, Mum.

- Bye, love.

Can you pay the rent

at the post office?

Here's the money.

It's 200 Euros short.

I'll take it from my pension,

although...

Alright.

I wrote it all here:

can you go to the cleaner's,

pick up the toaster...

I did that, you didn't even notice.

Good boy.

So,

you could go to Ikea

and buy some curtains.

Isn't there a shop nearby?

- What else do you have to do?

- Nothing, but...

- Okay, do what you want.

- Don't get mad!

As if I would! I'm in such a rush...

I'm going out. Give me Riccardo,

I'll walk him for you.

Riccardo!

- Are you going to the market?

- Yes.

- Can you get me some fruit?

- Alright.

Well?

Cherries and a pineapple.

- Anything else?

- No, thanks.

Here you are.

Hello.

- Still sleeping?

- I have a headache!

I brought your fruit.

If you have a headache, you should

eat and drink lots of water.

- It'll go away?

- Sure.

Thank you, Gianni.

I'll pay you later.

- Yo, Gia'!

- Michelangelo, hi.

Your phone rang twenty times.

- Who was it?

- I didn't answer.

I've got a headache!

If no one answers, why keep calling?

You could have answered

at least once.

You all have headaches.

We went to a party last night

and got smashed.

Your daughter was wasted,

I can't stand her like that.

- She went ballistic.

- You argued?

Again.

Perfect.

Listen,

did she say...

that she wanted to break up with me?

No, I don't know anything about that.

Have some jam

and don't think about it.

Here's the paper.

Michi, tell me, your folks,

don't they say anything?

What about?

About the fact you're gone all night,

or about work...

There's no work for anyone.

Even if you have a degree in Law

or Economics there's no work,

so imagine what it's like for me!

Isn't there something you like

doing? Do you have a passion?

Music.

We're organizing a couple of parties,

we might make some cash.

Sure...

Do you know Maurizio?

He's always at the cafe down here,

wears a track suit.

Maurizio, yeah.

- He has a lover.

- The corner clerk?

What about her?

Nothing.

- But, well..

- What?

I don't know.

Hello? Mum!

I'm glad you called,

I wanted to call you too,

I wanted...

Sure.

Sick, in what way?

I'll be right there.

- Ten thousand for you.

- You can't be serious!

Hello, ladies.

Look who's here!

How are you?

Fine.

- Hi, Giovanna.

- How are you doing?

- You all look wonderful.

- You're not bad yourself.

- Iole!

- Hi, Gianni dear.

Mother dearest.

It's nothing,

just a drop in blood pressure.

Forgive me.

Listen, Gianni,

my friends and I are concentrating

on our game,

you're so kind,

would you do me a favour?

Cristina's not here.

Of course.

- Would you help us?

- Okay.

I prepared a simple lunch.

- It's all in the refrigerator.

- Alright.

- The drinks are in there too.

- Don't forget the drinks!

Alright.

Please, leave now,

we're in the middle of our game.

We have our highs and lows too...

Wait, you're getting confused.

You didn't shuffle!

She's got four of a kind at least.

You think so!

We can't keep playing!

The one time I had a full hand...

- Let's start over.

- I'm not playing anymore.

Deal again.

It went against you, dear.

You had a flush,

but she got confused!

Look, you're wrong!

Gianni!

Look, the screen...

Thank you, Gianni dear.

- What are you doing?

- Nothing.

Don't you dare!

The signature's authentic.

And there's

a personal dedication on it.

I know, but if we sold it we could

stretch things a little further.

I'm worried,

you're happy-go-lucky with money!

I have no more resources.

When did you ever have resources?

Sorry for saying this,

but do people retire at 50?

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