The Walls of Malapaga Page #3

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Everybody have problems.

Remember when you saw me at the police

station? I was thinking about killing myself.

Why?

- Don't even ask.

- I don't want to know.

I assure you I don't

look beyond my nose.

- And what do you see?

- Time for eating, time for bed...

...The days go by, one after

another. My daughter is growing up.

And you wonder if you're gonna

find a good man. And you will.

There's one for each woman.

- Is your place far away?

- No, it's near by.

Did you leave a girl in France?

My daughter is not sleeping yet.

- Is that your place?

- Yes.

- Don't call her attention.

- No, not this night.

- Why, Cecchina?

- Do you know what time is it?

- Were have you been?

- I went for a walk.

- Alone?

- With some friends.

- Why did you leave the lights on?

- I was afraid.

- It's not the first time you're alone.

- It's late...

If it's late, go to bed...

What have you done

with the French man?

What?

Hmm... Everything is

alright. Now go to sleep.

He didn't even scream when

his tooth was extracted.

Hey, what are you doing there?

Get down or you'll be arrested.

C'mon! Go away.

Tell me girl, do you

know where Marta lives?

What are you doing?

Are you afraid of me?

I just want to eat.

I asked if you know

where Marta lives.

Don't you know?

And Cecchina, a girl your

size, do you know her?

Why don't you answer me?

Mother!

- What is it?

- Pardon, Madam.

Do you know where Marta lives?

And Cecchina?

- Yes, Marta, the second door to your left.

- Thanks.

- What were you doing there? Close the door.

You! You came back!

- I couldn't get to the ship.

- Why?

Well... Because I'm not

a man like the others.

They're looking for me.

- And maybe they are right.

- Tell me what you've done.

Do you really wanna know?

- I killed a woman in France.

- No...

- Yes, I killed my lover.

- Quiet.

- What is this?

- My daughter is raising a chicken.

Aren't you afraid of me?

No.

I'm not.

It's pity, them.

Poor Pierre.

Why "poor"? I killed her.

She was 22 years old. I

was really old for her.

She wanted to chance to a

younger boy and I killed her.

You're tired, You need to rest.

This night, You can sleep here.

No, I've got to go.

I'll need your help.

Yes, tomorrow.

- Don't you want to help me?

- I don't want you to go without a rest.

They would arrest you easily.

You need to sleep first.

- There must be a way to enter the Harbor.

- Yes, I'll find out, I promise.

C'mon, lay down.

This way.

You're not old Pierre...

I'm not 20 anymore.

- What is it?

- It's nothing, It's the chicken.

Go away.

It's Cecchina's chicken.

Cecchina!

Cecchina!

Excuse me.

Here... Get you chicken.

Look after her, If you don't

want her in somebody's pan.

Poor chicken. But how did

she manage to get down?

Let her stay. You're late, come.

But it's better to

go upstairs and look.

Yesterday, I locked the access to

the tower. Maybe someone invaded it.

And what are you going to do

if someone is there? Sit down.

Maybe, they've opened

the Kitchen's door.

I always said you're a great chicken.

- What are you staring at?

- Nothing.

Go, dear. Be nice and be aware.

I got to go shopping.

Run, it's late. Run.

Cecchina, how are you? Come

with me, I've got to talk to you.

Leave me alone!

- Let go me!

- Just a moment!

- What do you want with this girl?

- She is my daughter.

It's a lie!

Somebody call the police!

I don't have to give

explanations. She is my daughter.

Let go me! Let go me!

- Call an officer, please!

- Yes, call an officer...

There's nothing to hide. She's

my daughter. I have the right.

Open up! Open up!

- She is my daughter!

- It's a lie. He wants to kidnap me.

Well, come with me, both of you.

No! This way.

I thank you. I needed a shave.

Now, I can go.

What a hurry!

- If that ship goes without me...

- You'll be there in time.

And after?

I'll be relaxed.

And you can't be relaxed here?

If you want, you can stay here.

You could work, you could live.

But you're not alone.

If you want to change your life,

you've got to start from the beginning.

It would be the same here. It

is useless to have hopes, Marta.

You would be hidden in Genoa.

- Who is there?

- Police.

- Mrs. Marta Manfredini?

- Yes.

- They're waiting for you at the station.

- Me? Why?

Your husband tried to kidnap your

child. The commissioner will talk to you.

- What did he want?

- It's about Cecchina.

- What?

- Her father tried to kidnap her.

I'll go along, I may

teach him a lesson.

Wait for me here.

Sit down.

Are you Mrs. Marta Manfredini, from

Genoa, Who lives in the Convent?

- Are you?

- Yes.

- Is this man your husband?

- Yes.

- Is this your daughter?

- Yes.

Your husband alleges that you

abandoned him, taking the girl.

- Is it true?

- It's true.

- Why?

- Because we had a wonderful bar.

- She was a lady.

- The girl was growing up...

...I could not permit her

to live in that environment.

One day he was arrested and I came

back to Italy, with my daughter.

And now I want her to go back to Nice

with me. I want to get back my job.

Mr. Commissioner, I'm making the

arrangements so I can get the divorce.

The girl was put under my care.

It's me who must look

out for her future.

I demand the girl get back

to me. It's within my right.

Why? Do you have any proof of

immoral behavior by this woman?

Ask her, Mr. Commissioner, what she

was doing last night with a tramp.

While the girl was all

alone. Nobody knows where.

Old rag! You almost

killed me tonight!

- My wife has a lover.

- It's not true!

I don't want my daughter living

with her. I don't want that!

Don't get excited.

Let's hear from the girl.

Bring the girl.

Come here, close to me.

- What's your name?

- Cecchina.

Cecchina, what time did your

mother return last night?

After work. At midnight, as always.

Child, tell me the truth.

Does your mother live alone?

- With me.

- Yes, we know that.

But are there any friends?

Someone that comes to meet her?

No. My mother didn't make

friendship with anyone.

But I did. I know everybody.

Is that what you call interrogation?

Is this the "New Italian Justice"?

- You liked the old one better, don't you?

- No.

No. I must say I even got the

passport for me and my daughter.

To go back to Nice?

And you're not happy, hmm? Give

it to her, before it's too late.

You have the right to remain with your

daughter until the judge says otherwise.

Let the Lady and the girl go. You're

staying here. Will be leaving in 15 minutes.

Thank you Commissioner.

Come here, Cecchina.

- I'll be going away.

- Good, It will be better for you.

When you leave school, look all

around you. He might try again.

- Did you understand?

- Yes, mother.

- Will you eat at home, with Pierre?

- Pierre, who is Pierre?

- I know who is there at home.

- And how do you know?

- I heard him talking last night.

- But you were sleeping.

So, you faked it.

- If she listened, it's awful.

- I know her, she won't say a word.

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