Original subtitles

THE SCHOOLTEACHER FROM VIGEVANO

Adapted for the cinema by: Age - Furio Scarpelli - Elio Petri

After the novel "Il Maestro di Vigevano" by Lucio Mastronardi

Director of Photography Otello Martelli

Edited by Ruggero Mastroianni

Music by Nino Rota

Directed by Elio Petri

Close to the river Ticino's right bank,

116 meters under the sea level,

rises Vigevano,

Lombard town in the province of Pavia.

It's Lomellina's most important center.

It numbers about 50,000 inhabitants,

and its main industry is that of footwear.

In the immediate outskirts rise mills among the most important in the world.

Big and small, you can find around 1,000,

not counting the family ones.

In every one of these old abodes a little manufacture might be hiding.

While all over the world, by an ancient custom,

a man is appraised, even if roughly, with a glance from toe to head,

here, in Vigevano... the glance stops at the toes,

because everyone here, in Vigevano, wears what shoes he can,

is supposed to and deserves to.

These, for instance, are my shoes.

They are the ones I deserve.

My name is Antonio Mombelli.

I am a B group schoolteacher.

Fourth promotion. Coefficient 271.

Nineteen years on the job.

It was the 5th of October, the first day of school in my 19th year of teaching.

It was an important year for me.

In six month and one day I'd have gained the right to the minimum pension.

All in all, teachers are like children.

They don't need much to be happy.

Nanini? Hi, what're you doing?

They had told me Zarzalli had fallen ill,

but...

Their usual prank?

I'm sorry.

Don't mind! Lucky them, if they feel like laughing.

The teacher Nanini was my friend, the only one I had among my colleagues.

In all these years he hadn't made it to standing.

He had to make do with substitutions, so he had to hope for others' misfortune.

We can rid Italians of all their problems by taking out black coffee!

- Hi Mombelli. - Hi. Glad to se you. - Hi. - Dear Piscuani.

On the contrary, I was saying, chicory coffee refreshes. It's a real cure-all.

My wife,during the war used to drink a lot of coffee.

and she never had any liver problems!

- Hey, Amiconi! - The radio news! - Zarzalli, how're you?

Forse says the 10th ministerial commission has convened...

.. to rule on the raises for the A group 7th grade teachers.

My dearest colleagues...

.. does the dong work? Well, if it works...

The principal!

Zarzalli, excuse me... Nanini had come because they had told him you were sick.

To you and Nanini!

I only need fifty more days and I go home with the maximum pension!

Hello. Good morning.

Hello. That's the way!

Good morning. That's the way!

Graziani! Cipollone! - Good morning Cipparone.

- Good morning to you! - I'm here!

Filippi! Facchetti!

Amiconi!

Zarzalli! - Thank you.

Muzzi! - Thank you.

- And Mombelli! - Here! - Have you taken care of me?

Mombelli, you have an industrialist's child.

Will you change it for two workers' children?

- Are you kidding me?! - I got all the scum!

It's not fair for you to get all the children of the rich.

Why do you talk without knowing?

I got two unemployed children. One of a dustman.

I even have a moron... I don't know!

I got 19 morons. - Great! - No one has any compassion for me.

Did you know? Miss. Cuore, the principal's daughter,

has only famous professionals and rich merchants' children in her class.

And that's news?!

- Listen would you give me two artisans' children? - No!

What? You got two butchers, two delicatessen. Give me a delicatessen!

If not, everyone sticks to his stuff!

Zarzalli? Got a delicatessen?

If I've got, I keep it for myself, don't I?

That's bad! What will you do with it? Eating salami at your age?!

Give me mine back and I'll give you back your industrialist!

- Why? - Because he's broke, and you knew it!

- A deal's a deal! - You're a crook!

Quieta non movere et mota quietare!

- Good morning. - Good morning.

I'll come t greet the children in the classroom.

Cuore... You can also go!

And do a good job!

But quickly! Quickly!

Arms folded!

- Bugatti! - Present!

- Cascapera! - Present!

- Chiappella! - Present!

- Durante! - Present!

Stand up!

Sit!

Dear disciples,

our heart more powerfully beats today seeing us reunited in our beloved school.

Old, but forever new,

like the old oak on whose trunk, every year, sprout new buds.

And, indeed, it's in this climate of eternal renewal...

.. that we bring forth to your attention an idea of ours,

that, we think, we'll prove itself pleasant to all, because it blends...

.. the requests of an active school, with those of p...

- with those of p... - Play! - of play!

Very well!

Each and every class will be organized as a mini...

.. like a mini...

- Minigolf! - Ministry!

- Like a minis... - try!

Like a ministry! Very well!

Every class will elect its own ministers.

The Foreign Affairs one will take the circulars to the classrooms.

The Internal Affairs one will provide discipline and cleanliness.

And, finally, the Transportation one will collect the home works,

and distribute them to the various classes.

Don't you find this a good idea?

Yes!

Then, do a good job!

With the wish that our school...

.. will be like a big family for all of us.

Stand up!

Long live, long live the principal,

Our great teacher...

Long live, long live the principal,

Our great teacher... Silence!

Arms folded!

Yes, the principal said it well.

School is a big family.

But I, besides this one, I had my family,

my own, much smaller, but more difficult to run.

Do you like me?

If I like you?

I don't know, I'm no good at it, Ada.

Not bad?

- Yes. - It's your underwear.

I hope I'll get ill on the street,

so that, at the hospital, they'll see what is under that stuff you call dignity!

- What's that got to do? - Schoolteacher Mombelli's dignity.

Listen, if you'd have to think at another woman, how would you like her?

Dressed poorly, like me, or more elegant?

Come on, answer me!

Well, my Ada, I wouldn't want a woman more elegant, just one less vulgar!

- And who is it that turned me vulgar? - Rino?

Who is it that makes me lead such an humiliating life?

Oh! You should rather hurry, we're always late!

My son Rino.

All my hopes are with him.

Even if he doesn't like studying and at 13 is still in junior high.

Come on, Ada!

Hurry up!

We won't find any seats. They aren't waiting for us.

On holiday evenings will Rino went cinema.

Ada and I, for economic reasons,

we watched TV at the bar.

Our mattress is the best present.

Now, their dreams will soon become reality.

The wait, with its subtle anxiety,

can be killed with a lot of small, well-found, inventions,

extraordinary, fantastic insights.

Then, an unusual and dear image is felt,

and a new sentiment is born.

Look, it's like buying a cornet of dreams,

and lead a life in two, in an unreal world. "

Hey, Carlo!

Hi Ada, how's things?

- Hi Antonio, how're you? - I'm fine, why? Come, Ada.

- What's the matter with him? - Nothing! - Bye, Carlo. - Bye, Ada.

Why're you so rude with my brother?

You're ashamed he's a worker? But he makes more than you do anyway.

Like everybody else does.

You're so preoccupied with what others think, good for you!

- But look at them! - I'm looking!

Do as they do, at least, instead of all that nonsense about your dignity!

You have to have your eyes set on the dough, my dear!

Mori, for instance.

He was a worker like Carlo... and look at his wife now!

She must be wearing at least 20 kg of gold!

They were penniless, and started from scratch.

But t hey had a spine, not like you, one made of cheese!

And that one? Bugatti is of your age. Do you remember him?

Only that now his shoes travel half the world. Look at him!

You shouldn't point your finger!

Yes, I remember him, and I've always disliked him a lot!

Sure, sure... like him or not, he turns out 900 pairs a day,

with a profit, I think,

of 1,000 per pair.

How much is that,

mister schoolteacher?

How much is it?

9x1=9...

2,3,5 zeros... 900,000!

You think that's not much?

No. It seems a lot for an illiterate.

Illiterate!

Now, we have graduated... oh!

We want to have the good life.

It's better being a whore on a side road that having this life... I'm telling you!

Will you shut up?

Listen, I have an idea.

I'll go work in the factory.

- Where're you going? - All women do Vigevano. What's wrong?

Are you mad?

- Mrs. Mombelli doesn't go in a factory! - Uffa!

A factory is no brothel.

Once a lady... always a lady.

That's where you're wrong, Ada.

Control yourself! You're talking without thinking. If you were a real lady,

you'd be ashamed of saying what you're saying.

You bet I'm ashamed!

I've got a son who'll son be a soldier and he hasn't be confirmed yet,

because we can't buy him the clothes.

Of course I'm ashamed!

In here even workers travel to Paris.

All women go!

And I've never been to Paris.

- Good evening Mombelli. - ... an unforgettable celebration! - Come on!

Paris, Paris, Paris, Paris... that's the mentality!

For you small-town inhabitants there's only Paris.

Good evening, illustrious colleagues!

What can there be in this Paris!?

Mombelli... by the way, have you read my article in the third page,

- about the treasures hid in plain sight? - No.

Well, the gist is that we don't see the beauty that's close to us.

My dear Mrs. Mombelli...

.. tell me, what's there in Paris that we don't have it here, in Vigevano?

In Paris there's the Eiffel Tower, also known as the Silver Tower,

and we have the Bramante tower.

In Paris there's the Seine, in Vigevano the Ticino.

In Paris there's Place Pigalle,

here Place Ducale.

Right!

Will you close your legs, everyone's staring and they can see everything!

Better!

So even these four schmucks can see the panties you're sending me out with!

I'll pinch you! Behave!

- Well, we're leaving. - Good evening.

Ada!

Send me to work in the factory!

- Ada! - We really...

can't go on like this. Then, let's find Rino a job. He's grown up.

- He can start making some money. - No, Ada, Rino can't quit school.

- Rino must study. - Must he? - He's not a worker's child.

He's schoolteacher Mombelli's son. I teach others and I should send my son to work?

He isn't even made for studying.

How changed you are, Ada!

The times have changed.

When I was a girl, people used to say:

"How lucky she is. She's marrying a teacher. "

Now they're saying: "Poor devil. She married a teacher. "

Ignorant people, Ada!

We are better.

Try to forget we're poor and we'll always be happy.

Really? Good night.

You think I don't know, Ada, what's making be so sad always?

You dream about being a rich woman...

.. and you are not one.

How wonderful would be... being able to make you smile!

Giving you the best things in the world.

Elegant clothes.

Furs.

Glowing jewelry.

That's how I dream of you also, Ada!

And I want you... I want you so much!

Ada!

Why have you done this?

What do you mean why?

Because you deserve it.

But it's too much!

What're you saying?

That's nonsense!

Nothing is too much for you.

How beautiful you are!

Not here!

At home!

At home!

Antonio? Antonio?

What're you doing?! Sleeping standing up!?

Let's go home!

Come on, let's go!

I want to go to sleep.

- My Ada! - It's late.

Shut up!

39,2!

Got it! 39... Show me!

- 39,2! - With 2? Rino?

What's the matter with you, my treasure? What're you feeling?

Does it hurt you?

Tell daddy! Where does it hurt? Here?

Here? Here?

Why isn't he speaking? He looks stunned. What can be the matter with him?

- An indigestion? - Out of the question in our house.

Anyway, he isn't going to school today. That's for sure.

And I'm not going either.

We must call a doctor.

Take medicine.

Rino, my darling! I'm going to the drugstore. I'm not going to school.

Great! So, we'll lose the attendance allowance! We won't make it worse. Go!

- Will you take care of it? - I will. - Rino? - Come on, go!

- My treasure! - Hurry, you're late! - Daddy's going to work. - Come, go, go!

Why isn't he talking? Can it be that's serious?

Take care of him, Ada! Make him speak!

Rino?

Get dressed, quickly!

You've come and you should make this clear.

A child's illness is a force majeure!

- Of course! Don't worry! - Just like revolts,

floods, earthquakes, epidemics,

wars!

- Here he is! - Will you tell him? - Of course!

My son is ill and they must replace me. It's my right!

Don't worry. This is the good time!

Mister principal!

Eight and thirty-nine, teacher Mombelli!

- Eight and thirty-ni... - ne!

Why?

I'm sorry, mister principal!

Speak, teacher Mombelli!

My son is ill, mister principal!

I'm sorry!

If you'd like, sir, to excuse me for today,

teacher Nanini could replace me.

An excellent element!

He isn't an excellent element, is he, sir?

Could we tell you a story, teacher Mombelli?

Even two, sir!

Stand up!

I'm sorry.

- Well? Stand... - Teacher Mombelli! - Mister principal!

They were already standing.

They were already... Well done!

The story!

The story!

- When we were still a teacher, - Yes?

it so happened that our daughter fell ill.

Miss. Cuore?

A long illness that caused a certain glandular imbalance...

.. that had consequences upon her physical structure.

It doesn't show, mister principal!

Well, in that occasion never did we missed from school, teacher Mombelli!

- And do you know why? - Do I know why?

Because the teacher is a mis...? Because the teacher is a mis...?

- sile! - Missionary, teacher Mombelli! A missionary! - I'm confused.

Let's see, let's see!

The loops! Good, good!

The "l" must touch the upper line.

- Upper. - And the "f" the upper...

- and the lower one. - Lower.

But here we don't have a loop well looped,

teacher Mombelli!

And then, these are bookish lessons!

- Active school! Dramatize, Dramatize! - Dramatize!

Pupils! Attention!

You'll be Columbus's crew.

And you'll be Christopher Columbus.

And you, teacher Mombelli...

- Who will I be? - Roderigo De Tri...

De Triana!

- Roderigo De Triana was the sailor on the "Pinta"... - "Pinta"!

- who from the crow's nest first saw earth - The earth!

Do you have a telescope?

Do I have a telescope?

You don't have a telescope?

I don't, sir!

Here!

- Beautiful! Is it for real? - Of course it's for real!

- Go to the window and observe the sea! - Right away, sir!

Crew! Mutiny!

Mutiny!

Land! Land! Land! Land!

We're hungry!

Renegade! Cuckold!

No, no profanities!

Are they exaggerating? They're sailors, sir!

- Observe the sea! - Don't treat me like this!

Do you see the shores of America?

- I see the shores of America. - No. - No.

- You should say: "Not yet!" - "Not yet!"

- Observe! Observe the sea! Observe! - No, not in front of my pupils!

Christopher Columbus sailed for days and days...

I so much want to fool around!

.. without seeing the land. He begged the Divine Grace,

but the land was nowhere to be seen!

And those on the "Nina" went on paddling...

Rino!

What's he doing!?

How can that be? You were ill!

Paddle, paddle!

Hello, daddy!

Have you seen how much money I've made?

No, no, daddy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

- No, no! - Shame!

All Vigevano has seen my son doing the delivery boy...

Shame, shame!

Shame on you!

Betraying daddy's good faith!

- What're you doing? Not saying anything? - No!

Just looking! What are you? A sadist?

No. I just want to see how coward you can be!

Come on!

Go, clobber him!

Why have you done it? Why?

You knew the pain you were giving on me! You did it on purpose!

You wanted to make me angry!

You wanted to spite me! Did you?

Of course!

But what did you want to prove?

What?

What a shame!

What a shame! What a shame! What a shame! What a shame!

We've lost all trace of dignity!

We've lost all human respect!

What? Without decency, without decency!

What a shame! What a shame! What a shame!

Are you following me, Ada?

I have the pretension that I'm able to provide for my wife and my son.

You'll say... that I'm presumptuous.

But I'm an old fashioned man.

And there always have existed old fashioned men.

Even in the Romans' time there were old fashioned men.

- Are you following me, Ada? - Get to the point!

Don't send Rino working anymore!

I shouldn't go to work, Rino neither.

What about the gas, the installments, the broken shoes... well?

I'll give private lessons. I'll do post school.

It's a substitute's job, but I'll do it.

It's humiliating for me to send Rino to work. He shouldn't go!

Never again! Do you promise?

You must promise.

Alright. I promise.

But you'll regret it.

What do you mean?

That's not true. You're good!

How beautiful you are!

- I like you, Ada! - No.

Come on, be nice, my dear, come on!

My Ada!

The promise had put me at ease, but the threat had made me anxious.

"You'll regret it!", she had said.

And, in fact, a couple of days later, the footwear industrialist Bugatti...

entered the school... I think for the first time in his life.

Right flank... right!

Chest out!

Get ready for the race! Go!

Indian file for the free jump... go!

Go, go, go! One, two... One, two... one, two.

Go, go, go! One, two... One, two... move it!

Move it, move it, move it, move it, move it!

One, two... One, two... One, two... One, two.

Move it, move it, move it, move it, move it, move it!

What's the matter?

Commendator Bugatti, my respects! Excuse my attire; it's gymnastics� class.

It doesn't matter, dear teacher!

- So... - Do say, sir.

Dear teacher, you must know that your wife...

.. come to me and asked for 50 big ones.

50,000 francs.

- No! - Yes, yes!

I gave it to her because, you know, I understand very well...

.. that even an ordinary worker makes more money than you, schoolteachers.

Please, could you lower your voice? The kids are here!

- Hi, daddy! - Go to your place. I'm talking to your teacher.

- You were saying? - No, I'm saying this because you should...

.. take, how should I put it, special care of my Menelik.

- What Menelik? - Yes, of my son!

- It'd be high time you stopped giving him 4 and the bad notations? - Yes!

Stop, sir! That's something different... I didn't know about my wife.

Believe me! I find it impossible!

On the contrary, I'm sure he's the one who sent her! Eh?

You see! He! I thought it was strange!

- Who is the one that sent her? - He you!

- You he! - I ?

Yes. What're you doing now? Playing smart so not to pay what you owe?

Alright, let's pretend we believe it!

- No, you must believe me! - Alright, matter closed!

Correctness for correctness, I give you... he gives me!

This also because I wouldn't like telling this ugly thing...

.. to your mister principal! No?

Bye, Menelik!

- All the best... - You also! - mister teacher!

Thank you very much!

Thank you.

Look! here's a5. I'll put a 10.

- Will you tell it to daddy? - Yes, mister teacher.

Here's a 4. I'll put a 10.

- Will you tell it to daddy? - Yes, mister teacher.

Here there's nothing, I'll put a 10.

- Will you tell daddy? - Yes. - Teacher Mombelli?

- Have you spoken? - No, mister teacher.

- Is the principal in here? - Yes, sir. - Stand up!

You can go now, Bugatti! Well done!

- What're you doing, teacher Mombelli? - Nothing, sir.

Well the... the exercise books! I was marking the home works, sir!

Why are you changing these grades, teacher Mombelli?

Why are you changing these grades, teacher Mombelli?

What are you saying, sir?

Well... I had a thing... I had an afterthought.

I've valued these home works differently from how I had the first time,

- looking at the compositions, mister... - Of course, of course, you're right...

.. these compositions, these problems didn't deserve a four,

but 3... 2, 1, 0!

You're too generous, teacher Mombelli!

Change these grades the way we've agreed!

It's as if it was already done, sir! Stand up!

Bugatti... come here right away!

2!

1!

I was worried. The thing couldn't end this away.

It was a question of correctness... that's to say of dignity!

But there also was the danger commendator Bugatti told the principal everything.

But, above anything else. it was a question of dignity!

Well, there were both things. That made up my mind.

On that 27th, as soon as I got my pay, and before returning home...

- May I? - Good afternoon, teacher. - Good afternoon.

Well, my dear teacher! Welcome!

Take a seat! What's bringing you?

Come, come!

Tell me! Do you need me? Please, please!

Here we are!

10... 20... 30... 40... and 50.

But... but have you gone mad?

Please!

I don't think it's honest, commendatore, giving your son grades he hasn't earned!

Frankly, I admit I have tried, but my conscience prevented me!

Pinin... Pinin... come, come here a moment, come!

Come!

D'you see who it is? It's your teacher.

Some time ago I gave his wife 50 big ones.

Now, he came here and gave me the money back. Look!

Understood? Look at him closely!

Go, go... go and eat, I'll explain everything afterward. Go!

Thank you, commendatore, for having cited me in front of Menelik as an example!

- Thank you! - Listen, you've misunderstood?

Because later I'll tell my Pinin...

.. that you are an example he mustn't follow if he wants to get ahead in life!

Not to mention, my dear teacher,

that me, those 50,000 lire, had already decided to write them off, and that's that!

What I can understand is why are you here worrying... and for what?

For a joke, for a 4 on the exercise books!

You know, that's not serious!

Go, go teacher... and learn your way around the world!

And, if you need me, you know where to find me, alright?

You'll see, Rino! Today is the 27th.

As soon as daddy comes home with the pay,

I'll make him give me the money for your confirmation costume.

I saw one in the square... You'd look great in it...

I was thinking: "You're right, Ada!"

Isn't trying so hard not to be humiliated...

.. more humiliating than any humiliation?

I had the courage to do that beautiful act with that Bugatti!

But I hadn't the courage to go back home and face Ada!

And what do I achieve by postponing?

What one obtains who must have a tooth removed and postpones going to the dentist.

The postponement!

The coward lives postponing!

I skipped lunch that day and went to see my friend Nanini.

That's what I always did when I needed a little understanding.

Nanini?

Nanini?

Who is it?

- Oh, hi! - Hi. How're you, Nanini?

Studying. I've got exams tomorrow.

- Exams? - I'm trying again. I want to become a regular teacher.

- You need something? - No, just passing by, but if you can't..

One moment. Wait!

You know, we have two rooms. My wife has rented one to an accountant,

and the other one is a passing room,

so that the only quiet place in my home...

is, with all due respect, toilet!

- I spend others in there. - Oh, me also!

- Do you read a lot? - No, I go there to meditate!

No, I read a lot. I'd like putting there a little shelf for the books!

I've read so many books in there...

As for me, I think, I reflect.

I forge opinions.

I look at the walls, the ceiling, the floor, the tiles.

Imagine! Cracks form motifs on the walls.

There's a soldier on the ceiling.

And on the ground there's a dog with a hat.

Mine is intimate, very silent.

Such moments, oh!

Until they don't knock on the door, I don't get up.

I synchronize myself with the 8:05 Express. When it whistles, I get up.

One day the railway workers went on strike.

I didn't know it. Imagine I was late for school!

I sometimes fall asleep.

Well, get up now! Come on!

Tell me, professor Nanini: "Which famous poets inspired D'Annunzio's romanticism?"

"Which famous poets inspired D'Annunzio's romanticism?"

- By... By...! - By... - By... - By...

D'Annunzio has always made me puke!

He was hollow! He was bombastic!

That's enough!

- Are you interested in him? - No, I don't care shit about D'Annunzio!

- Neither do I! - But you have the exams. What will you tell them?

They like D'Annunzio. My Nanini,

do you want to set yourself up, or wait a substitution that never comes?

Come on! Move it, wake up!

But why should a man poison his soul with all under the sun, the payroll, the money!

And the studying! And for what?

I'm a wretch. You don't have the guts to go back to your wife...

Wouldn't it be better if we lived in a more tranquil world?

More primitively? More rurally?

And the railroad?

And the train?

- Are these useless according to you? - Yes.

Well, you see, Nanini... scepticism is what's eating you!

On the contrary, I think... atomic energy...

.. I didn't invent it, but I'm proud it exists,

because a man invented it and I am a man.

Nanini...

.. life doesn't only mean pleasures of the flesh,

there also are the moral ones!

As a matter of fact, the carnal ones... I despise them deeply!

They disgust me!

Don't they... disgust you?

Look... Nanini?

Who are they?

What are they doing?

Look at him?

Free! Aggressive!

Primitive!

Look at him!

He's Adam in the Earthly Paradise!

Adam and Eve!

So beautiful!

It's beautiful, but I'm going home.

I'll stay a little more.

It always is like this. One hour of sweetness, two hours of bitterness!

I was still confronted with the harsh reality...

.. of having to tell my wife I had given back the 50,000 lire to Bugatti.

She'd have never understood me...

nor would I have had the strength to make her think!

What was there for me to do?

A mugging!

They've mugged me!

Ada! The thieves... they've robbed me!

No, no, no, no, Ada... don't worry!

Excellent!

Ada, there're two of them... with a woman's black stocking... on their head!

Gun in hand, they ordered me to stop!

They then blocked my hands... behind me, like this... tied down!

Then, they put their hands in my pocket and took 50,000 lire out of the envelope!

Fortunately, I had the rest of the money in the other pocket!

Oh, you don't believe me?

And if I may, why don't you believe me, Ada?

How come? You can read every day in the newspaper about robberies...

- and in mine, you don't believe? - No.

- Alright! Do you believe me, Rino? - If mother doesn't believe you, why should I?

D'you hear him?

That's the example you give your son!

Alright, Ada! Yes, I've lied!

Yes! But it's your fault!

Yes, it's your fault.

Because if you hadn't gone begging to that Bugatti,

a scoundrel who felt in his right to corrupt teacher Mombelli...

You know, I had no reason...

.. to play the clown in front of your son!

You see, Ada... Our sacrifices are like bricks,

and if we cement them with the lime of our mutual affection and esteem...

.. we'll pull through!

We shouldn't forget the teacher is like a missionary...

.. and the wife and children of a missionary are missionaries themselves.

You know, I love the school, Ada,

but I love you also, and I love Rino.

Think about it, Ada, when Rino will have become a group A functionary...

Ah... I fancy seeing him in his austerity!

What a beautiful satis...

I see you understand.

You always are sweet and submissive. Good night!

Ada?

- Hi, Rino. - Hi. - Where's mother?

She went to work in the factory.

What have you said?

She went to work in the factory.

Nooooo!

It's a simple thing. Just a matter of rhythm.

You only have to learn the rhythm... and that's all!

- Yes. - Look at me!

- One... two! - I got it.

- You must put the mould well so... - Yes,

- so I don't waste leather. - You got it.

Teacher Mombelli?

You not only are late, but also are without a neck...

.. without a neck...

.. tie!

You're forgetting, teacher Mombelli, that if you don't get the highest...

.. qualification you won't pass to the next salary coefficient!

- The pupils can hear you, sir... - Do nor interrupt!

You're forgetting, teacher Mombelli, that if you don't get the highest...

.. qualification you won't promote to the next salary coefficient!

Are you forgetting, teacher Mombeli,

are you forgetting the coefficient, besides the tie?

Don't raise your voice!

When you're ignorant like you are, shutting up is the only thing to do!

- What? - Shut up! Do you know the year America was discovered?

- 1492! - Bravo! And what with was Rodrigo De Triana observing the sea?

- With a telescope. - With a telescope, he says!

- What year was Galilei, inventor of the telescope, born in? - 1564! - Bravo!

And, according to you, Rodrigo De Triana...

.. observed the sea with the telescope 72 years before its inventor was born?

Ignorant!

Understood, teacher Mombelli?

We don't tolerate in our school this kind of things!

Go! Go into your classroom!

Being late will take its toll on your future!

Don't you doubt it!

Ada! Ada! Why did you do it?

I can't take it anymore!

I can't take it anymore!

Hey, Nanini? What happened to you?

They've thrown me out of the exams. Rejected... for the third time!

Oh... why take it so hard? It'll be better another time!

But I'm 47 years old!

So what? There's people who make it to 100!

- Here! - I hope not!

Frankly, dropping dead would be the only to fuck everybody!

Everyone one of them!

No, no, you shouldn't speak like this! Nanini, don't...

What're you doing!? Blowing your nose?

Here!

Come on! Chin up!

Don't take it so bad!

Rino? Go and bring daddy's trousers!

I stained them while frying with the pan!

- I'm sorry. - Eh?

I'm late.

You're coming from the factory?

Yes.

- Now you know who runs this house! - Mommy! Mommy!

- I'll kill you! - Don't you dare touch mommy! - I'll kill you! Ah!

Mommy!

The push she gave me!

Wanna be a worker?

Be a worker!

I know what I have to do!

Madam, I'd like some fruit!

That's it! A pear and an apple!

- Wait! How much are these? - 100. - And these? - 50 cents.

Two of these!

Here!

- For you! - 130. - Ah! Madam, I'll also take a turnip!

- For you! - Thank you.

Every morning I did the shopping.

I wanted to prove to Ada and to myself...

.. that the most civilized way to affirm one's superiority is leniency!

In a few days I obtained a decent practice in housework.

In this time, Ada became as expert as a skilled worked.

Ada?

Ada?

Ada?

- Antonio, come on! - I'm sorry, Ada, I'm late.

I've brought you potato stew.

You'll like it, you'll see!

I've paid the light, the gas...

Sorry, but I�ll put the handkerchief here, because if I dirty my pants...

.. I won't have the time to... take the stains of!

But I've solved with the shirt.

Thank you, it really was a nice present!

It's a wonderful shirt.

There's no need to iron it.

You wash it in the evening... I mean, I wash it in the evening...

.. and in the morning I find it already ironed.

An American invention.

Even the Americans, poor souls, don't have wives who iron their shirts!

- Here! - I've only got ten minutes.

- Nice! Who gave it to you? - I bought it.

But I said it was a gift from you, to make you look good!

That's what you say!

But people know...

.. that teacher Mombelli can't afford to give you not even a tinplated watch!

You know, I'm aware

of what people think about me!

That I'm exploiting you!

Please!

Ada?

What're you doing? Crying?

Ada? Why're you doing this?

What's this hard here? Are you wearing a bustier?

What bustier?!

I've stolen two soles so we can resole your shoes.

Ada, forgive me if I've said anything that offended you!

I know, I shouldn't give you any worries. You're working late...

Ada! What're you doing? You're leaving?

I'm fed up, Antonio, fed up!

I've had it with being a worker!

I know what it means working for an owner.

Get a seam wrong and they humiliate you.

Late a minute... and they bad-mouth you!

This why, Ada, I didn't want you to go to work!

I know what it means. Leave the factory and we'll be happy together...

To be penniless like before?

No! No!

You do as you wish!

You've got corns?

Bye.

Have a good day, Ada!

Me and my brother Carlo...

.. we've been meddling into your affairs!

Come again, Ada?

Carlo is also stuffed with being a worker. He's toiled for 20 years, poor guy!

So, we've said to ourselves:

"If Antonio resigns his job as a teacher...

.. he'll get a handsome settlement...

.. and with the money we can start a little factory right here. What d'you say?

What do you mean a little factory?

We'll make shoes.

On our own!

Do you understand?

Well?

Have you gone mad? If I resign, I'll lose my pension.

- Take your chance! - Yes, sure!

This way I'd lose my independence and play the consort husband worse than now!

Say you fear losing that shitty pay they give you at school!

Isn't it true?

Ada! Since you've started working in the factory, one'd say you're a real worker!

You've become a man!

And you... you're worse than a woman!

- Ada, can I have a kiss? - Stop fucking with me!

I'm up at six. I work the whole day.

Damn shit!

If you don't know how to retain your wife's respect,

it's difficult to obtain from here whatever else.

I didn't want Ada to be a worker. I was talking about dignity,

but my humiliating salary, that wasn't offending me!

I was ashamed of myself!

And I decided to react, to fight, to rebel,

to take myself control of the situation!

So, here has come the moment to raise our voice to be heard by those...

.. that a misunderstanding without dignity prevented us from making it known to!

Illustrious colleagues, we must insist with the competent ministry in Rome,

that the decorum of those entrusted with turning today's boy into tomorrow's citizen

is not tragically compromised by inadequate salaries!

- Bravo! Bravo! - Colleagues! Colleagues!

I propose sending to Rome on our behalf colleague Mombelli Antonio!

Very good! Very good!

My sincere thanks to all of you, illustrious colleagues,

and I take the liberty of submitting to you the list of demands I intend to formulate.

A) Entrance on the payroll with a 229 instead of 202 coefficient! - Great!

- B)... - Motion!

I believe the one speaking for us should be the most representative in all ways.

- To the point! - Sure, to the point...

It's been said that the wife of the who is to represent us...

.. works in a shoe factory! I've got nothing else to say!

- Damn it! - No, it's not true! I reject the accusation!

Come on, Mombelli, at the Bugatti factory, finishing section!

Well, and so what?

So what? Is it a shame?

Of course, the initiative died there... and nobody went to Rome!

The conditions in our salary group didn't better.

Nor did my relationship with Ada!

As a matter of fact, they both got worse!

And I, to make a little more money, and feel being less of a burden,

I accepted doing post school shifts with Nanini.

Doing post school it's not hard work.

In fact, it even is relaxing.

It's about watching the children doing the homeworks given the morning.

It's enough knowing how to impose a little authority...

.. and having a pair of sun glasses.

- Teacher Mombelli? - Sshhh... be good kids!

Stand up!

These, we're confiscating them!

It's a trick to catch the most undisciplined.

I was faking it! What do you think?

- We'll see at personal remarks, Mombelli! - We'll have to, mister principal!

Stand up!

- Did you see? He caught him! - Sshhh

It was he!

This will teach you to be a spy!

Silence!

Well?

Well done!

Great! Well done! Wonderful!

Shut up!

Hands on the desks!

What happened?

That bastard, Amiconi!

In order to cause me problems he gives his pupils really absurd home works,

and so turns me into the kids' laughing stock and discipline goes to the dogs!

Take a look the kind of problems he gives them!

You are behaving in an unspeakable manner!

Your teacher isn't feeling well...

and can't follow your home works with his usual competence and calm!

Shame on you!

We'll do it together your exercise. You, teacher Nanini and I!

Open your exercise books!

Pick up your pens!

Come on! Together, children!

So! A housewife walks three streets to get to the market.

One of 52 meters.

One of 1,425mm,

and another one of 10,450cm.

She buys... pay attention children...

15dl of milk and 820g of apples.

How many km does the housewife walk if she forgets the apples at the milkman?

She leaves the apples at the milkman and goes back. Why does she leave them there?

This thing... and I get 15,000km!

She walks for ten years. Enough! Let's go to Amiconi, Nanini!

I'll talk to Amiconi. Enough! Let's throw everything! I can't take it anymore!

- I don't want his pity! - My head's bursting!

Nanini, we've been working for six hours! Enough! I'll talk to Amiconi.

Amiconi's a friend. The word says it. "Amiconi!"

Shut up!

He killed himself!

It was an accident!

- Good day professor Pereghi! - Teacher Nanini was a highly moral man!

Write that in your newspaper!

Careful not to throw disrepute upon the meritorious... teachers' profession!

It was an accident!

An incident!

A regrettable incident! That's all!

We lose a friend in Nanini... a brother...

.. an intelligent collaborator!

You can't imagine the pain his demise leaves behind in the town's teaching body!

Write that!

Mention we're saying that... professor Pereghi!

"An incident has cut off teacher Nanini's life. "

"Bidello, when classes begin, leave the front door of the school open! "

"Teacher Nanini must be coming. "

- Teacher Nanini. - Teacher Mombelli? - Here he is!

Mister Principal!

- A few words, teacher Mombelli! - Yes, mister Principal!

Teacher Mombelli, you knew the late teacher Nanini better than all of us!

You thus seem to be the most suitable to represent us at his funeral!

Represent you, mister Principal?

Us and the entire teaching body that won't be able to attend the funeral tomorrow,

because unfortunately, or, rather, fortunately, the school goes on!

- So, imagine we're the widow Nanini! - Yes.

Say what you will say!

I am the representati...

- I am the representati... - I am the representati...

ve... of principal Pereghi!

No. - No, mister Principal? - No, my dear... - No, eh?

I'm the representative of mister Principal Doctor Inspector Professor Pereghi!

Say after me!

- I'm the representati... - ve...

of Principal Doctor Inspector Professor Pereghi!

- Bravo! - Thank you, mister Principal! - Go!

Goodbye, Miss. Cuore!

Antonio? Know what?

They don't deserve you.

If you'd only do what Ada says!

What says Ada?

Wouldn't you like driving by the school in a beautiful car?

And thumb your nose at the principal?

I'd like that! Of course I'd like it!

Hey!

My brother Carlo... you know, he's a very skilled worker...

Your settlement would be enough, in the beginning.

A little factory!

And then we'll expand!

And, in an year or two...

"I'm commendator Mombelli!"

"Announce me, please!"

Oh! How I'd like to see you envied and respected by all!

And then...

.. in the evening...

.. you'd take me to the nightclub!

On Sundays... off we go driving to the lakes!

And in August... holidays in Riccione!

You still love me, Antonio, don't you?

We've been so aloof, I sometimes feel like crying!

- I love you! I love me, believe me, Ada! - Will you resign?

Say you love me!

- Say: "I promise I resign!" - Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!

Hope, promise, swear... mandatory future infinitive!

Do you know how you should say, correctly?

How, Antonio?

"I promise I'll resign!"

- What is it? - How beautiful! Thank you!

Thank you!

Sir, is it true that Mombelli quits teaching for being a shoemaker?

It is!

Very true! It's a shame!

Very well!

Is it ready for the border?

I'll take care of it. Ada?

- I'll make the border? Yes! - Go on!

- Now this? - Let him!

Twofold movement.

One! Two!

- Idiot! - Antonio? - You're wrecking the installation! - You're really no good!

You wreak havoc!

I know have to call the electrician, fuckin' shit!

It doesn't even hurt!

May I?

- Come in, come in! - May I? - Yes, yes, come in!

- Glad to see you! - Hello! - Glad to see you, Adami!

Take a seat!

- Well? - 50 rolls. Coming with the animal wagon.

There's been a little delay, but now everything's fine.

- It'll be precision work. - Ada? - Yes?

Who are these two brutes?

Carlo's friends who are giving us hand!

If everything's fine, in one week we'll be doubling the pairs we do a day!

Eh! Those two know how to go around the customs!

They can make those with small factories earn up to 80% net!

Now we're in too!

- Really? - Of course!

- That's settled! - Alright!

- My respects, madam! - Goodbye! - Goodbye!

Goodbye, madam!

- Okay! - Okay!

The skins come on Friday with the load of Dutch chicken.

No tax and no customs!

What are you two brewing?

- You know, it's a felony? - What do you care?

What do I care? I've provided the capital!

I'm a partner! We're equals and I want to have a say, I want it!

- You've busted my spindle... - Sir!

You�ve burnt 20 kg of paint.

You're ruined seven pairs of shoes and you want us to be equals?

Take your share and run away, come on!

Did you hear?

Shut up! Moron!

That's teacher Mombelli. How elegant!

- Can I go now? - Yes. Be careful, Rino, eh? - Yes.

Stretch your arm! Let them see the golden cufflinks! What? It embarrasses you?

If it embarrasses me? Of course, I feel awkward! I'd say that's obvious!

- You're very elegant! - Hi Mombelli!

You see?

- Cheer up! - Hey, there's Amiconi!

We're making a spectacle of ourselves. Everybody's looking.

- That's what's great! - Sure! - Come on!

I want them to look, to die of envy!

- Shall we have an ice-cream? - Yes, Ada, yes!

Have you seen how the Mombellis have polished up?

He's left teaching.

Do you, Ada, what the people will think of me? That I've hung up my hat!

No, nobody thinks and nobody says that. Don't worry!

You're so morbid!

Yes, yes!

Look at that!

Do you see them?

My dear teacher!

- Mrs. Mombelli! - Look who's here!

- Look who's here! How're you? - How're you, sir?

My dear and beautiful lady! See what you get when you smarten up?

What a woman! She does everything, huh?

You, teacher, as they put it, you've hung your hat!

- Have you heard? - Allow me to offer you a drink!

My dear madam, you're trying to squeeze me with Gagnotta the wholesaler...

Doesn't matter! Business is business!

Shall we have a liqueur?

Come, come teacher! Give credit where is due!

Please! Take a seat!

Here we are! Here!

Listen, madam, I'm making you a nice offer.

Why don't you take some of my orders? I've got too much!

- Look, I'll provide the material! Well? - Will it be a piecework?

What a slick woman! She's a fox, your wife is!

Allow me to take your pen, so we add some numbers!

So, I'll also pay for transportation and you'll deliver the products!

Of course, according to the orders I'll put to you.

They'll have to correspond to the type of footwear I brought to the market.

We can agree on 50%. What do you mean no?

Excuse me, Ada, do you mind me going to my friends? - Go! Go ahead!

I don't know anything about business anyway!

- I know that, I know that! - Ah, the pen! I'll take it back.

What do you expect? The percentage?

- Most esteemed colleagues! - Our industrialist!

Garcon! Can I buy something to drink to my dear colleagues?

No, thanks, we're fine.

And don't call us colleagues... we are no shoemakers!

- Yes, sir. - Garcon, I'll have a whisky. - Very well, sir.

A foreign one, please!

And the factory? How's the factory doing?

Eh, eh, the factory! What a question? Very well, my dear colleagues!

I think you aren't even making what a 202 coefficient makes!

You think so?

Well, if a 202 coefficient would like to come and work for me,

you know ho much I'd give him? Three a day!

- Hey, three! - The principal!

Mister Principal!

- Good morning! - Miss Cuore!

Good morning, Principal!

All standing up in front of the principal!

Stupid scla... stupid scla...

- ves! - Well done!

Hey... He and his daughter have to work 3 months to make what I make in one week!

Easy! Easy!

After all, how much can you make on a pair of shoes?

Well, I'll tell you now.

So, 1,200 lire per pair. And do you know how many we make a day?

40 dozens. And we buy the skin and leather on the sly.

Yesterday we took 10 rolls of 50... cheating the customs and without any IGE!

- Is that true? - True and signed.

Antonio Mombelli.

- Well, I have to run. Bye! - Where're you going?

Baraldi, where're you off to?

He was disappointed?

If I were you, I wouldn't laugh!

Didn't you notice Baraldi fumbling into that bag?

- I did. So what? - You're laughing? Don't you know who's Baraldi working for?

- For who? - For the IRS! He's a spy!

They've asked me also, but I refused.

- I too! - It seems Baraldi accepted.

The IRS gave all of them battery recorders.

- Yes, yes, recorders! - Yes, yes.

- That's why he shoved the bag under my nose! - Sure!

- He's recorded everything I've said? - Everything!

Waiter! A Stock 84!

I tried to sleep but I couldn't.

What had happened in the piazza was making my head ache.

I felt the omen of an irreversible mess.

How could that be? Right now, when business was picking up,

and Ada gave herself to me, one in two nights,

I go around bragging about what I do,

when I even don't do anything!

- Listen, sergeant! We've paid everything! - Here they are!

The IGE, the excise duty, the customs!

Don't listen to what the people say! It's the envy speaking, the malice!

What happened?

We're honest people, sergeant! We're workers!

The IRS! We're ruined!

- They knew everything! - Can't be!

If they don't jail us they'll fine us to bankruptcy!

But... listen... how come they found out?

Someone must have talked. One of us.

Only we knew about our business.

Well, sometimes, Ada... I don't know, you went out, let's say, with a friend...

so many times, you know... at the market, women talk...

Shut up, or you'll get this on your face! Is that clear... or not?

I had almost convinced them it was nobody's fault,

except of a cynical and cheating destiny that had fallen upon us,

so we had to resign ourselves!

But Ada and Carlo wanted to talk with Racalmuto, the lawyer,

a tax expert, considered in Vigevano the smartest in Europe.

45-19-63 I said! Excuse me for having made you wait for me. Sit down!

It's one of my creations.

Humanity needs... an universal language.

It's not enough pulling down the customs barriers,

join non aggression pacts..

The peoples must communicate in one and only language.

Numbers will replace words.

Sit down!

If we call this pen with number 13,

everyone will know 13 means a pen.

- Correct? - Correct.

- And 26? - Two pens? - No! Inkpot.

Spaghetti, 53. Risotto, 52. It's one of my great ideas!

Bravo, but we came here for that IRS attack!

Yes, yes, yes! I snooped around!

As you know, I'm a personal friend of the IRS assessor.

And... did you put in a good word for us? I mean, a good number?

Rien a faire! One of you spilled the beans in the piazza!

How can you contest a 1-7-23? Sorry! They've got evidence!

Well, I'll tell you now!

So, 1,200 lire per pair. And do you know how many we make a day?

40 dozens. And we buy the skin and leather on the sly.

Yesterday we took 10 rolls of 50... cheating the customs and without any IGE!

- Is that true? - True and signed. Antonio Mombelli.

Ada, I know... These are unpleasant things, sure!

But... we worried so much!

You know what I say? We were better when we were worse!

In the end, who am I? I'm only a teacher!

- No, you're scum, I tell you! - Let him go! Carlo, stop! What're you doing?

- Leave him alone! Carlo! - Worm!

Oh, mamma mia!

The little factory went up in smoke.

Part of the machinery and materials was confiscated by the IRS.

and the other part was taken by my wife and her brother.

I only managed to take one pair of shoes.

Then I realized they were both for the left foot.

Ada and her brother, with the help of industrialist Bugatti,

opened up another factory on their own.

And they did well... Even better than the first time!

Ada was coming home only to sleep.

I prepared my own food.

I got used to loneliness, but not to my way of cooking!

And one day I had a colic!

Very high fever! Delirium!

I'm ill! I'm very ill!

I'm ill! No, no! Not I !

No, no, no!

No, no! Not the shoemaker! Not the shoes!

I'm a teacher! I'm teacher Mombelli!

Attention! Bugatti Pino! Cascapera Mario!

Chiappella Gaetano! Durante Alberto!

Fusari Egidio! Who are you?

- I'm Bugatti, sir! - Approach, Bugatti!

My child, I can't give you good grades.

I gave back your father the 50,000 lire.

My conscience prevents me. And the others?

- The others are no more. - Why? - The school is gone.

- Is gone? - The school is gone.

- The school is gone. - The school is gone.

- Is gone. - Mister Mombelli? - The principal!

The principal? The principal? The principal?

- The principal? - Forgive me, mister principal...

Doctor Professor Inspector Pereghi!

I'm on your stomach! Say yes, please!

Yes, Mister Principal Professor Doctor... you're hurting me!

- What is hurting you? - You're hurting me!

- Where does it hurt? - You're hurting me!

The pain is from the sto... The pain is from the sto...

- The pain is from the sto... - ne! - mach! - mach!

Mister Mombelli...

.. you were a teacher and you shouldn't say sto... - mach!

Forgive me, I won't do it again! Am I still a teacher?

You're nothing anymore!

- You're nothing anymore! - Nothing anymore!

You're nothing anymore!

Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!

Who is it?

Who's calling me?

- Rino? - Daddy?

- Come, Rino! - Daddy?

Daddy? Daddy?

- Daddy? - Rino!

- You're dressed like an orphan? - Yes, daddy!

- Why's that? - Daddy died! Daddy died!

Daddy died? I know! And mommy?

She isn't there, she isn't anymore! Mommy isn't anymore!

Mommy isn't anymore! She isn't anymore!

She isn't anymore! Mommy isn't anymore!

- Mombelli? - Mommy isn't anymore... - Mombelli?

Who is it?

Mombelli!

- Who is it? - Nanini! - Nanini?

Nanini, there's the post school!

I'm also coming! I have to make some extra money! Ada mustn't work anymore!

Nanini? Post school is so nice!

What is it?

So beautiful!

So beautiful living rurally, primitively...

It's nice beautiful living rurally, primitively!

It's nice beautiful living rurally, primitively!

- Come! - Yes, here I am, Nanini! It's Paradise! Beautiful!

- What're you doing? Undressing? - Yes. - Naked?

- Throw everything, take a leaf! - A leaf?

- Here! The leaf! - Throw this! Put a crown!

- Yes! The laurel! What're you doing, oh! - Let's go.

- Where? - To take a walk. - So beautiful! How do you feel?

It's Paradise. There's only thing I miss! The toilet!

- And how do you meditate? - Don't you see? Look!

- Who is it? - It's Eve. - Eve!

It's Ada! Ada?

Adam? Adam?

- Ada! - Adam? - It's me, Ada!

Ada? - Adam?

- Here I am, Ada, here I am! - Adam?

Ada? Take...

Ada?

- Adam? - Ada?

- Adam? - Ada?

- Adam? - Ada?

Ada? Ada?

I am teacher Mombelli. Who are you?

Ada? Ada? I'm here. Here I am! Here I am!

Ada?

- Here I am! - Antonio, what're you doing here? - Ada! What're you doing?

I do whatever I please. I'm free, free, free!

- Won't you come back home? - Why? What for?

What do you mean what for? What about me? Ada, I need you! - Not here. - Ada?

- Mombelli? Mombelli? - I want you. I need you... Who is it?

Mombelli? Mombelli?

- Mombelli? Mombelli? - Nanini?

Nanini? - Mombelli? - Nanini?

Mombelli?

Oh my God...

- What has happened? - Where does Antonio Mombelli's family live?

They're calling for me. It's for real!

- Mombelli? - Who is it? - I'm the doctor.

From the health insurance!

What are you feeling?

- I'm ill! I've got a fever! - How much?

- More than 39. What can it be? - It's nothing!

- Breath! - Eh?

- Breath! - What do you mean! Aren't you coming up?

I'm not coming up. Why should I?

What do you mean why? Won't you examine me?

- Shall I come down? No, no, no, there's no need to!

- Bend! - What? - Bend!

I'm bending.

Mombelli? What're you doing?

- Have you bent? - I fell! I'm sick!

Well, don't you stand at the window, you'll catch cold!

Who has sent this one?

- Yes. - Dress warmly! - Yes, yes. - Take an aspirin!

- So, you aren't coming? - I'll be back! - Yes, goodbye!

Don't bother! What can you do?

Understood? That's the doctor!

You spend so much money on your health insurance!

Fortunately, I'm strong!

- It's nice living rurally, primitively! - Daddy!

- Daddy! - Rino? My treasure! My darling!

- I've brought you aspirin! - Bravo! I'm feeling better, you know!

- Daddy's not dead! Don't be afraid! - What're you saying, daddy?

What I'm saying... Do you know the dreams I had, Rino?

Don't dream, daddy! Life's made from other things!

Yes? What're you doing? Rubbing salt?

Stay covered! I'll make you a nice broth, yes?

- I broth? With a bone? - No. With a nice piece of beef!

Bravo! Make daddy a broth!

And the beef!

I'm already better!

In the meantime summer had come,

and days were even longer.

One day, I happened to pass in front of the closed school.

And I fancied they had closed it because I wasn't going there anymore,

and that it'd stay close forever if I didn't go back.

"For goodness' sake!", said I.

"I must do something. Duty is calling me. "

I started studying for taking the exams...

.. and going back to being a teacher.

- Good night, daddy! - Good night, Rino!

Why do you want to go back to school?

Why? So I can recover my inner balance.

So I can feel more independent,

and, even, less lonely.

For me, the school was everything.

You see Rino... and because... because I'm a teacher!

- Don't you know that? - Yes, I do.

Why is mommy always coming home so late at night?

And why don't you go to bed? Please, Rino, go!

- Ada? - Eh?

What is it?

Can you come here for a moment?

- What're you doing? - Studying!

I'm taking the exams. I want to go back to being a teacher.

- Sure! That's good! - Ada?

Why're always coming home so late?

No, it's not because of me. You know, Rino's always asking me:

"Why is mommy coming home so late? "

- And? - Nothing, Ada!

I know! You're impulsive...

No, no, no, no Ada!

Ada! I know you couldn't do anything bad!

Is that true?

You know, all that happened,

I admit it, it's all my fault!

No.

No.

I should have understood you.

I should have known to adapt.

To help you.

It's my fault.

But now...

Now what?

What do you mean?

I'm sorry, Antonio!

I went to the exams in the summer session.

In order to take them I had prepared an ace in my sleeve,

that is an accurate reminder and I was at ease.

Little did I suspect that destiny had another ambush in store for me.

Gabriele D'Annunzio, first rate personality of our literature,

is an essential moment, with his intention of forging his own life...

- as an work of art. - A few citations! - Yes.

"Turn yourself into an island!" "Blind prophet",

"I have what I have given",

"Italian biscuits are better than the best of the English"

- Enough! - "The Resurgent" Enough? I know more.

I know, you know more than we do! Apt for me!

- Apt! - Apt?

Thank you, professors!

- Another candidate! - Mister Principal!

- Another candidate! - Right away!

Another candidate!

Thank you! D'Annunzio, thank you!

"Turn yourself into an island!"

"MOMBELLI IS CUCKOLDED"

I took some precautions and I started spying on Ada's movements.

- Don't worry! I'll take care of it! - Goodbye! - Goodbye, and thanks.

- Bye. - See, you can buy the whole courtyard,

- we make a plan and cover everything up to the first floor. - Great!

I don't know how to thank you for everything you're doing for us.

It's my pleasure! Let's not talk about it!

You're exaggerating!

Especially with all those rings and bracelets you have given me!

I don't deserve them!

Was it true?

Wasn't it true?

I didn't want to believe it.

I wandered around without a purpose every day.

In the evenings I got tired. My feet were swollen.

I was dropping on a chair at the bar and was playing cards with my colleagues.

Mombelli, is the dong still working?

Meanwhile I was looking at them,

and thinking that people,

even if they look indifferent,

can very well see the horns on the head of whose having them.

Or maybe they looked indifferent because... it wasn't true I was cuckolded!

Ehy, aren't you discarding?

Come on! Discard!

Stupid!

You gave a ten!

Imbecile!

I was saying to myself: "Am I sure Ada's cheating on me?"

I was very sure... but I was forcing myself to seem unsure,

but without really making it.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our show.

I'm starting our show "The Buried Alive",

played by Enrico Corradi.

As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, here we have a hole,

around 1.20m deep and 1.80m long.

Mister Enrico Corradi will have to lay in this hole

entering in catalepsy, blocking the flow of his blood,

and stay there for three hours.

As you can see, our Mr. Enrico Corradi has been hermetically bandaged

for possible underground poisonous gas emanations.

Ada?

Ada?

- Eva? - My name's not Eva, nor it's Ada!

My name's Giuseppina. What's your name?

What's my name?

I've already seen you.

- On the bank, at the river. You had long hair. - Cut that!

I went with Eva, or, should I say, Giuseppina,

whose real profession I found out in the end.

I admit it, it was immoral for a teacher,

but it helped me take my mind of Ada.

"What have you to say on D'Annunzio?" - I? I know everything. I'm ready.

You want quotations? "Turn yourself into an island!", "I give what I have given",

"The Blind Prophet", "The Resurgent"... "The... "

Oh, look at that hotel! They come here from everywhere!

From Milan, Turin, Novara, Vercelli...

Hear this: "Italian biscuits are better than the best English".

You're ignorant, but you listen to me.

She's ignorant, but she criticizes me because she's presumptuous and proud,

and only thinks about money.

Speaking of dough... how much are you giving me?

I don't know! I'm no good at such things!

I've never cheated on my wife! I swear!

We've been married for 15 years.

I came here, in Vigevano, during service and...

got acquainted to Ada.

We got married right away.

- And then? - What?

No!

Well?

Look at them! Go!

That's enough now!

Shall we conclude?

Go away!

Stupid madman! Go to hell!

Impotent!

This one!

45!

- The caliber? - The price! Caliber 28.

Excuse me, do you have a permit?

And neither have I the 45,000!

A little while ago, two lovers went in...

- I'm the lady's husband! - But, really...

Don't worry! I only want a room... eventually adjoining!

- This is a serious hotel. - Don't worry. I just want to check...

- Promise you won't make trouble. - No. no.

Here! Take it!

Luigi?

- Listen! Warn the commendatore! - Alright.

Come on, quickly!

Come on, come on!

Teacher Mombelli?

- What is it? - I'm sergeant Pagano.

- Glad to meet you! - A serious accident happened.

Your wife.

Teacher? Teacher?

Is she dead?

Decimo?

Please!

There're some small formalities.

Can you tell us why your wife was in the car of mister... Bugatti?

Where were they coming from? Where were they going?

Did you know Mr. Bugatti?

Yes. Of course.

I knew him... very well.

As for my wife... much less.

- As commendator Bugatti was an industrialist... - Write! - and...

Yes. Of course. Write!

As commendator Bugatti was an industrialist...

comma,

and my wife, Badalassi Ada, born Mombelli

comma,

was a businesswoman,

they had met in order to come to an appointment

with the undersigned teacher Mombelli

to discuss matters referring to the evaluation of the company,

the well-known company Badalassi-Mombelli...

for a business venture... my wife...

Signor Mombelli... your son is here.

Rino?

He's here?

I must tell him everything.

He already knows.

Come, sir!

Go!

- Daddy? - Rino?

Come on, come on, daddy!

We've been left alone.

- Me and you, alone. - I know, daddy!

Imagine this!

- Goodbye! - Goodbye, mister teacher!

Autumn came back. A mild and limpid autumn.

School reopened.

It was my twentieth year on the job,

but for me it was like if it was the first.

The faces were the same as usual,

and the same were the problems, the phrases, the thoughts.

The Italian people should drink less coffee.

- Here's Mombelli! - While chicory coffee refreshes and...

- Hi Mombelli. - Hi Mombelli. - Good morning.

During the war everyone was orderly because they drank moderately...

Ministerial commission convened to rule on raises for the A group 7th grade teachers.

- Ah, good! - hasn't decided anything.

Mombelli? Mombelli?

Is the dong working? Well then...

- Welcome back, teacher Mombelli! Have a good day! - Thank you.

I'll have to argue even this year with my husband. I don't have one merchant.

I have three. I can give you one. And you'll give me the doctor's son.

- I'll give you three delis. - I'll give you two delis and one drugstore

And you're complaining?

And I, I always have the same southerners' class!

- Oh, this time I'll protest! - Quieta non movere et mota quietare!

- Teacher Mombelli! - Glad to see you, mister Principal!

Wait! We have to talk! It's 08:25, gentlemen!

Ladies! To your classrooms, quickly!

- Mister Principal! - Quickly, gentlemen, hurry up!

- Good morning, mister Principal! - Good morning.

Mombelli? Have you come back to school wanting to rehabilitate yourself?

What's that supposed to mean, sir?

Teacher Mombelli,

it was brought to our attention that, one afternoon in the last August,

you're seen relaxing on the river bank with well-known har...

a well-known har...

- Hare! - lot, teacher Mombelli!

- I admit it, Mr Principal! - There're two options. Either you submit

to an act of redeeming humility,

by going to buy us a 30 stamp,

or we'll be forced to mention the disgrace on your personal file.

Make your choice!

A 30 stamp!

Mister Principal!

- And the stamp? - A 30 one.

- Go, go! - Mister Principal!

Sit down!

Arms folded!

Bugatti! - Present!

- Campana! - Present!

- Cascapera! - Present!

- THE END -