La Commare Secca (La commare secca)

STORY BY

SCREENPLAY BY

EDITED BY

DIRECTED BY

What's your name?

Maialetti, Luciano.

Father's name?

The late Maialetti, Antonio.

Mother's name?

- Di Meo, Teresa. - Three lemons, 100 lire.

Where were you born?

Rome. March 16, 1942.

- Address? - 160 Via Trionfale.

Tell me exactly what you did yesterday afternoon.

What time did you leave home?

It must have been 4:00 or 4:30.

I went to look for work.

- Where did you go? - To look for work.

I haven't worked in ages, and my family ca't make ends meet.

I had an appointment at 5:00 with two priests

who had a letter of recommendation for me.

They were waiting for me when I got there.

You bastard!

Even miracles don't take that long!

Come on, let's go.

Well, are you coming?

I feel really mean today.

I could make all of Rome's lovers cry.

You're all talk. I want to see you in action.

Come on, Chief. Get a move on! Go get that purse.

Move it!

Hurry up! - Where are they?

Over there. Go on. I'll take care of him if necessary.

I'll punch him and knock him down.

What the hell!

Two pears!

She could have brought some spaghetti, the bitch!

It's every man for himself!

Hey, Chief! You doing a rain dance?

You look like Robinson Crusoe. Get in here!

Come and join civilization.

That lying almanac could have warned us!

Go ahead and laugh, idiot.

Who's gonna come make love here now?

Nino, are you going senile?

Don't you know love knows no limits?

My little rain-soaked love

It stopped already. It was just a passing cloud.

Let's go, Canti'.

Come on, Chief, let's go. Mushrooms are popping up.

Come on.

So you wanted to swipe my radio, you dirty scumbag!

First I'll break your neck, then I'll take you to the police.

I didn't see you guys. I thought someone forgot the radio.

I didn't see you.

I thought someone had thrown it out, or maybe lost it.

How was I supposed to know? I didn't see you!

But I saw you, you little thief.

I'm taking you to the police.

Not the police. Don't do that to me, mister.

I swear I won't do it again.

I'm a starving orphan.

Miss, tell him to let me go.

Tell him to let me go. You can't do this to me.

I'm just a kid! You can't ruin me!

I'm just a kid!

Kill this thief, Giova'.

He interrupted our lovemaking.

Thief!

Just to save your mother the grief, get out of here. Beat it.

That dirty bitch!

You stink worse than a sheep!

Dirty peasant. Dirty, smelly peasant!

Hey, Canti', what's this?

Almost the year 2000 and still getting pushed around?

I thought you were gonna kick his ass!

You're a good-for-nothing.

You should be ashamed.

Laugh it up, bastards! I'll get even, you'll see!

I'll show you who Canticchia is!

Hey, you bastards!

Show yourselves! Hand over the purse!

You can't hide from me!

What do they think?

That I was born yesterday?

Nino!

Sindaco!

Show yourselves!

Those rotten -

Blugippe! Succhia!

Where'd he come from?

Those dirty bastards!

It was three against one, damn them!

The three of them were partners.

The oldest brother, the priest's friend, took to me right away.

So did the other two.

- So you found a job. - And a good one at that.

A really busy place, open even at night.

How'd you end up in the Parco Paolino coming from the Viale Marconi?

I walked all the way. I didn't have money for the bus.

I crossed a bridge and came to the park.

Tell me everything you saw there:

who was there, what they were doing, and what you did.

Me? Nothing.

I just walked through, like everyone does. I was tired.

I didn't see much. - Be more exact. Take your time.

I want every detail, no matter how insignificant.

I think I saw a woman.

But she was far away. I didn't really pay attention to her.

I saw some guys too.

Didn't you see a soldier? He had to be there.

A soldier? Why a soldier?

I didn't see him.

I've got other things on my mind. I didn't see any soldier.

Officer, I really want to work. You've got to believe me.

I swear on my mother's grave.

Well, Bustellli, long time no see.

Just as well.

One less scare for me, and one less worry for you.

Why this renewed interest in my affairs?

Don't you know I've quit stealing?

Don't worry. We know all about it.

I'm sure you don't mind seeing me after two years.

I don't have a beef with anyone.

I paid my debts, and now I don't owe anybody anything.

Especially the police.

We know you don't steal anymore.

You've come up in the world. You've got a woman now.

Sure, what's wrong with that? She's a good girl.

Good for you.

You've had a hard time of it until now.

In court 17 times, and over three years in prison.

Now at 30 you've settled down.

That's old age for you. It gets us all in the end.

This time you're in big trouble.

You're implicated in the murder of a prostitute.

Officer, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I'll be the judge of that.

What did you do yesterday afternoon? Where did you go? Who did you see?

I got together with my girlfriend.

We met at the race track.

We have to sneak around, because her parents are against it.

You must really be in love. You're always early.

There's no shame in being in love.

Give me a piece of candy and I'll give you a kiss.

- Your new car is really nice. - You like it?

Sorry I can't take you for a ride. Too much to do.

I thought we were going for a ride. What do you have to do?

See Esperia? - Yes. Don't be upset.

You know I'm breaking up with her.

I got all dressed up. I thought we'd go someplace.

Should I just go home?

Don't go home.

- What else can I do? - Wait an hour or so.

- Where? - The newsstand at San Paolo.

Here.

Buy a magazine to read while you wait for me.

Be good and I'll take you somewhere nice later.

- Don't be long. - San Paolo in an hour and a half.

Enough, you hear? I've had enough!

- I'm fed up. - Give me a break.

I'm tired, and it's all his fault, that leech!

I slaved away my whole life so I'd have a crust of bread in my old age.

You brought him here, and you can get rid of him!

You don't know Donna Anita!

You'd like to have it all,

but the money is mine too, and I'll give it to whom I please!

Is this welcome party all for me?

- So you're back. - Very kind of you.

You're finally here.

Take your stuff and get out. Haven't you done enough?

You made her sell the apartment and ate up the five million from the store,

and now you've bought a new car with the money this idiot gave you!

Enough!

Don't worry, Donna Anita. I know it's time for me to go.

- You do, do you? - I'm fed up with living here.

Fed up, eh? Why don't you get out, you bastard!

You know...

when one pope dies, another takes his place.

Where do you think you're going? Don't even think about it.

Let him go!

If you don't like it, you can clear out, you old hag!

That's a good one!

You'll die covered with lice.

They'll feast on your rotten bones!

You deserve it, after all you put my poor father through!

I swear I'll kill you!

I'm not afraid of you!

I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out of it!

I don't care if you are my mother! Come on if you dare!

You take me for that woman you blinded with the hot coals?

- They're at it again. - Always the same thing.

Is there no respect anymore even between mother and daughter?

Put that thing down!

You think because I'm old you can walk all over me!

All you think about is squeezing money out of people, sucking 'em dry!

I don't want to end up like you!

Money-grubber!

That bastard ruined you and dragged us all down in the mud!

We gave you everything. We fed you. You lived like a lord!