Original subtitles

"Thomas... ...The Bewitched"

Here I am again, like every other year.

The people are always like this. They're always so happy.

Carefree.

Everyone has their dead to celebrate today.

Me? Nothing.

The people I know are in excellent health.

But I also have the right to have my own dead every now and then.

All for myself.

It's tiring, exhausting. Trying to find a new one every year.

I can't believe there aren't any lonely deceased in the world anymore.

But I must. I know it won't be easy.

I must find you.

Perhaps I'm getting old?

Every Day of the Dead gets harder for me, having to start from the beginning again.

Finding the right face. Reinventing a story.

An image I can carry with me all year, until next year's celebration.

A foolish idea. But an idea!

What if you were a waiter this year?

That's what I was looking for!

A waiter!

Yes, this makes more sense than last year's idea.

I remember your face now, so familiar.

Especially when you smiled!

But you said so little and you never smiled.

Here I am in this sacristy, protected by this familiar shadow.

Finally! Finally! He retires to a corner of the stage.

Don't read the stage directions!

Laura, this student of yours is really good!

Here I am again twenty years later. So old, so infinitely tired!

And you're the best on your course? I'd hate to see the others.

Hold on, let's try changing the line like this...

I've returned to where it all happened a long time ago.

It may seem impossible to you, but the simpleton who wrote those lines...

intended to give them some sort of meaning.

In fact I'm trying to give some meaning to what I'm reading.

I have an opinion too, don't I?

Right now we're not interested in your opinion.

The author's, if anyone's. Or mine, at worst.

- Have you read the entire script? - Of course, I know it by heart.

I know everyone's parts, the scene changes.

She's made me read it a thousand times.

It's not true, Pintus. I'd never allow myself to interfere.

You see, Pintus, on second thoughts...

I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about this work of ours.

Try to aim for something different to what we've achieved together.

Isn't that right, Giorgia?

Wouldn't it be better to tell him more about the script?

- You did it with us. - Great! One week to the premiere.

We're still here begging an extra for his opinion!

- I'm not an extra, I'm an actor. - Congratulations.

You've already had two hundred meetings...

to discuss the meanings and contents of every word.

We're getting ahead of ourselves.

- This play is confusing. - Confusing?

Yes, because you keep talking about this boy, Thomas.

What will they do and want to do with this boy?

But you don't know if he exists. You never see him.

- You find that counter-productive? - Of course.

It would be much better to say straight away.

Let the audience know. This is a story about two lunatics...

who don't have the courage to live together.

So they invent a shared life.

And even a son.

But you won't get any of that. And if you do, you're smart.

- Real smart. - You figured it out.

- But I'm a good observer. - What do you mean by good observer?

Come on! Let's practice the applause!

Bow!

Laura, I asked your student a question, tell him to answer me.

Can't we start rehearsing again? We won't get anything done today!

Here comes my costume!

I'd like to know what he meant as well.

Get the dress for the final scene.

Careful, don't damage it.

Perhaps I can help you? That's what he meant.

There are things, ideas, situations...

that we feel inside of us, almost physically.

But if we try to make them real, we realise that a good part of what's inside us...

That we've tried to bring to the scene, is reduced to a fabulous intuition.

The performance is better for it, and that's why...

the fear of exposing themselves too much reduces and reshapes the author's violence.

If you're referring to me, it's a rather cruel discourse, don't you think?

It's a discourse.

The advantage Adam was referring to is precisely that.

To have greatly assisted with the show without even having read a line.

Just looking at them.

The advantages a married life offers in a community of this sort are numerous.

Listen, Pintus, if you don't let me try on my costume right now...

I'll go back to the hotel and see you at the station!

Will you calm down as well?

You do realise we can't mess this up? It's too important for us.

You're acting like one of those cockroaches I saw you play long ago.

As the director, if I get this wrong my career is over.

I'll go back to writing newspaper reviews nobody ever reads.

Well what about me then? You all keep complaining.

My farewell to the stage after a triumphant career.

My audience. The entire show on my shoulders.

My first role as the lead in a play that doesn't exist.

What am I supposed to say?

Have you ever heard me whinge? Never!

I think I've got the most to lose.

It's the first thing I've written for the stage but at least I'm quiet.

I don't get hysterical like the rest of you.

And I don't want to share my fears with anyone else, is that understood?

With no one.

Costume!

Costume!

If anything like this happens during my scene...

I'll make sure you're barred from every theatre in the world!

Come on, start from the beginning!

And poor Giorgia will wander around this place looking for her imaginary son!

A waiter.

Some days I'd tell you about my life, and you'd listen.

I got the impression you actually liked me a little bit.

There!

The beauty of your face was perhaps just in my imagination.

Our son came smiling through a large bright corridor.

Thomas grew day after day.

Becoming real, by virtue of our love

Your boy doesn't exist, my dear.

What kind of play is this?

I agree with you, Laura

The truth is, actors should never write plays.

Especially when they're like him.

I'll have to give up the stage after this, I could almost cry.

At least my career will end in a triumph.

But instead, I'll lock myself away with a failure behind me.

I am pure. No man has ever laid a hand on me.

That's a good one.

In the end, only one or two spectators will remember the leper.

It's not fair. With my talent!

What talent? I've got it.

- You? - Yes, you're an imbecile.

- Just you wait and see! - Silence!

It's a gentleman who's returning a costume.

From the beginning again. Come on, Giorgia, the final scene.

Remember, inspired!

He looked like you, Thomas. He had the same eyes.

He looked like you, Thomas. He had the same eyes.

And your smile. Your sweet smile.

What was our son, if not the shadow of our dreams? Very intense!

What was our son, if not the shadow of our dreams?

An extraordinary play.

- Do you really think so? - Of course.

I like it a lot. Who's the author?

I'm responsible for everything.

- Are you surprised? - You?

- Even if it is low budget. - No, quite the opposite.

- What's the underlying theme? - The story?

The story is simple enough. A woman thinks she has a son.

In reality, he only exists in her imagination.

But the imagination is a dangerous thing.

There are still things we haven't properly identified.

Of course, but we mustn't give up.

It's possible to find the reason behind things.

The reason behind things?

The reason behind this all possibly ending in disaster?

We don't know that.

I was referring to the fact that the future can redeployed...

questioning those who live outside of time.

You mean the deceased? You're talking about a s�ance.

You're saying we could find out if the premiere will be a success?

Who knows?

- Then let's have a s�ance. - No, please!

A s�ance!

- Come on, let's clear the table. - Paola, calm down, you'll hurt yourself.

Do you still want to take a peek into the past?

Yes.

The spirit world is nothing more than a hollow mirror...

which reflects fragments of illusory lives.

Our dreams.

The dead also live on, in a confused aquarium-like existence.

Just waiting for us to call them back.

Synchronising them with their first life.

I sense a malicious presence. That woman must leave!

You have to go, Lola.

What's he talking about? He's crazy!

- You have to go. - I don't take orders from you!

- Lola, stay there and be quiet. - Giorgia, your hand.

Yes.

Bob, tell them to stop before it's too late.

Mind my jacket.

- Is he okay? - He's in a trance.

- Is he pretending? - Will you please stop that, Lola?

Could we do this another time? I have to rehearse my part.

- Idiot! - Will you be quiet?

Marcus.

I'm scared.

Me too.

I picked daisies along the track.

Then I found myself in a place where there were no more daisies.

Such a cold place!

Who are you?

There are deep holes.

Children play here with earthworms!

They play Ring a Ring-o'Roses with nice spiders with very long legs!

What a lovely colourful spider! Another one!

Their cobwebs look like rainbows!

Marcus.

Where are you?

Are you dead?

There are...

lots of children like me.

I don't understand. Why don't you ever come down?

You picked flowers along the railway track.

I don't want to remember.

It's too horrible!

- How old are you? - I don't know.

- Your hair, is it blonde? - I haven't got any hair.

Could I see you?

You already see me.

I can't see you.

Well I see him. He's like I've always imagined.

I knew everything about him. He's got a lovely face.

Thank you.

Damn you!

Giorgia, you go.

The hands, Adam.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

- Well? Who was it? - No one.

(song)

His eyes. What colour are they, Giorgia?

They're light blue.

Do you want to play with one of my spiders?

Giorgia, you go.

That damned telephone again!

Hello?

Hello?

Well? Who was it?

No one.

Make him stop.

Make him stop.

Enough!

It's horrible!

Did you see that?

- What is it? A ghost? - No, he looks real.

- He's alive, he's breathing. - Who brought him here?

- Must be the director's son. - An orphan.

- What does this boy represent? - I don't know.

But I did say the spirit world is mysterious.

- I think he's the one from before. - Yes, it's him.

Is your name Thomas?

Will you come with me?

So? Is your name Thomas?

It seems like they know each other.

- Don't talk nonsense, Laura. - I think Laura's right.

- You think Giorgia wants to keep him? - Yes, she'll want him all to herself.

No, Giorgia, that's not fair, I saw him first.

But it's the boy who should choose who to be with.

- With the lead actor. - He's already chosen, Giorgia.

Is your name Thomas?

Great, some customers at last!

But there's no one on this train?

Do you like it?

Stop!

Stop!

- Who's he? - Him? A lunatic.

I'm sorry I'm late. Good morning, everyone.

May I sit down?

Is there a station here? I don't see anything.

There are no signs.

A train can't just stop like that.

- Isn't there a station? - A station? No.

Some trains stop every now and then, but there's no fixed timetable.

One today, one tomorrow. Either way, I'm not complaining.

What a handsome little boy!

Is he yours?

No!

- Well he certainly looks like you. - No, I don't think so at all.

We've decided it's the boy who must choose who he wants to be with.

It's only fair, after everything that's happened, but you wouldn't understand.

A wise decision, children have an uncanny instinct for finding real friends.

I also got to know my mother in my thirties.

But at my age, I still haven't accepted my father.

But that doesn't matter.

It's taking forever.

We've decided that Thomas will spend a day with each one of us.

I said one day.

Then he'll decide who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

- Hasn't he already chosen? - No.

He's definitely chosen me.

He still has to get to know us.

Some guys think actors have a thousand lives.

But instead, all these characters have sucked us dry, like vampires.

And in the end we find out that there's nothing left of our lives.

So you start drinking.

They're actors?

Of course.

All of them?

Except for me, of course.

That's all I need. I'm the director.

They wouldn't happen to be going to...

Yes, of course. For the premiere.

Why? Tell me?

You seem worried.

I too was an actor. It's a long, sad, story.

Perhaps they only gave you small parts?

It's the destiny of great actors.

It's not about that. On the contrary.

It's the audience in that city.

You haven't met them yet.

- What's wrong with this audience? - Come on, out with it.

It was a terrible premiere.

When we arrived at the station it was all deserted, silent.

The few people who were around walked tight against the walls.

Or they stood around chatting in small groups.

Their icy stares were like daggers.

- In the hotel... - What hotel?

In the hotel...

Almost the entire company came down with a violent form of dysentery.

Strange roots started growing out of the director's nose.

- Roots? - Yes, they were like geranium roots.

In the washbasin there was a small octopus wrapped around the hot water tap.

When I complained to room service, they said to me, resigned...

That there was nothing they could do.

Forget about the details.

What are the critics like?

Tell us about the premiere.

The audience was incredibly quiet. It was frightening.

At the end of the first act we noticed the police handing out blunt instruments.

When the curtain raised, the irredeemable happened.

On a guard's signal...

The audience invaded the stage.

They were furious!

They clearly didn't like the play.

And? Continue.

Later, the lead actress was taken, stripped, and savagely beaten...

By a crowd of men of all ages.

The director was tied up and forced to eat a newspaper.

Then he was strung up by his thumbs over a tub...

of Martini, brought to the perfect boiling temperature.

When he died from the fumes from the alcohol...

he was taken away by a gang of brutes.

Unbelievable! What about the others?

The others?

The others were treated in more or less the same way.

Submerged in the toilets.

- Which toilets? - I put it down to urban cruelty.

Many of them were killed by the smell of rotten fruit.

- Did no one make it out? - No one survived?

As they can see, just me.

They hunted me all night.

I'd already figured out that they intended to use me as a sacrifice to that thing...

I could already feel its tentacles!

Help! Stop the train!

I want to get off!

Bon voyage!

You'll see what I'll do to them!

Hi.

Welcome. I've been waiting you.

I've been waiting years for you in this damned city.

- Don't be afraid. - I don't understand.

- Is it true that here... - Yes, but you mustn't be afraid.

I've already taken care of everything.

Life really is impossible.

But there's a wonderful place where you and I could...

You've got to trust me.

I'll come and get you at the theatre.

Tomorrow evening.

Bye.

Backwards.

Don't leave me all alone.

Welcome.

Everyone!

Maestro.

Please.

- I hope you like what we've done? - Okay, I'll see what I can do.

What do you say we start rehearsing?

So we're agreed, starting today Thomas will spend one day with each of us.

The delivery happens here. We'll start in order...

- We'll start with you, Laura. - Yes.

I thought I'd take him to see my new house.

Then it's Bob's turn next, then mine, then Marcus, Giorgia, Lola and Adam.

Okay, enough of all that! Where's my changing room?

Near the toilet, as usual.

Feet are beautiful when they haven't got sores!

She's arrived!

She's arrived!

I knew you'd arrive today.

The girls are waiting. They're going to be so happy!

They're all upstairs, sleeping.

Girls? What girls?

Let's go and wake them up together.

She's arrived!

Give me the wig.

This is the right one.

You're so handsome!

I don't want to play Moli�re today. I can't breathe in this.

There are some disgusting men in here.

Why are they still in bed at this hour?

Wake up!

The one's in the cupboards 7 as well!

Do you like it?

In this place we're full of some of the greatest actresses.

Even international ones.

Dead.

Alive.

Alive.

Dead.

Dead.

Alive.

Alive.

Dead.

Alive.

- Dead. - Alive!

Alive!

Died yesterday.

This one today.

- Free. - For me? Thank you.

Thomas, do you like it here?

You'll see, once I'm all dressed up.

I dance and jump and sing.

And all the other little girls who are there, asleep.

They'll all wake up and we'll play lots of games.

And we'll have so much fun, you'll see. You too!

Here, look at these lovely toys.

Look at these lovely toys I got for you.

Isn't she pretty?

What do you mean, no?

(song)

Thomas.

Don't you like being with me?

He hasn't said a word all day. Not one!

And I did everything I could to please him.

I don't know if looking after him for a day is such a good idea.

Excuse me, Pintus, how do you think the rehearsals went today?

You know I'm not very happy, Marcus is completely out of his mind.

- Are you still hungry? - No, I'm tired.

It's like he doesn't care about what he's written anymore.

Where is Marcus? I haven't seen him all day.

- He's probably in his room, as usual. - Don't worry about Thomas.

Come on, Laura, try to be stronger.

That's easy for you to say, but I'm a woman.

And to think that I'll have to put up with him all day tomorrow.

- He might even like me more. - But also in good taste.

You're always so sure of yourself.

You have a reputation at this congress that you, as an actor, don't deserve.

A congress? You? Alone?

Congress? What's going on here?

- I don't know anything. - Don't ask me.

If you want to find out, there's a highly amusing poster over there.

He looks so cute when he's sleeping.

- A poster? - It's a pity Thomas can't see it.

A black kitten! Poor thing!

Rounding off this year's events, we are proud to announce on Thursday April 6...

The fourth congress of applied sexology.

The committee thanks the Council of Europe, its civic patrons...

and the National Academy for the organisation of the congress.

Chaired by Professor De Collis, director of the institute of parasexual research.

And the appearance of the actor, Bob Tonelli, has been confirmed.

Who will be assisting in some practical demonstrations.

Black clothing is advised.

I'm surrounded by idiots!

- Sorry I'm late. - I never forgive, remember that.

First of all, I thank the foundation for their kind invitation which I accepted...

Despite all my worldly artistic commitments which are so vast...

Thus making my time very precious.

I'll be glad to answer questions and to satisfy any applied sexology needs...

which afflict the women present here today, thank you.

If you ladies have any questions?

Listen! According to you, is a kiss a sadistic act?

For a real man, yes.

You're saying there's a link between sexual intercourse and pure aggression?

Please, calm down. I think we're straying from the topic.

It's okay, I can answer this question very easily.

Violence is the real way to make love for a real man.

Listen, in that case you think a kiss and a bite create different moods?

A kiss and a bite are the same thing on different emotional levels.

Children kiss, men bite!

A man isn't a man if he isn't a bit like a werewolf.

They have to attack, they have to bite, they have to rape!

What do you think of the writings of the Marquis de Sade?

He was a highly primitive sadist.

I can prove to you that, unlike me, he lacked refinement.

Don't you think you're crossing a line?

The function of love is made up of a thousand shades.

Which unfortunately my illustrious predecessor wasn't able to appreciate.

But fortunately I'm here.

After me, my dear young lady, they won't call it sadism anymore.

They'll call it bobism.

Let's see if we can find a suitable subject.

Pretty.

Yes, tear me to pieces! Hurt me!

Bite me all over! Make me yours!

I'm glad you chose me! Hit me!

And now, an example of a kiss.

Yes!

Yes!

She's fainted.

Thank you.

Come in.

Now you'll wait here for me and behave.

And after I'll come straight back to get you.

That's not how you play a leper! Learn to act!

Go away!

The seated organist plays that beautiful music written for some village party!

Don't read the stage directions! Leper!

- Why have you started without me? - You've finally arrived!

Couldn't you come earlier? No, you couldn't.

- And now you've arrived. - Thomas has decided to live with me.

It's what he wants most of all.

I don't know if I can adopt him with all my commitments!

Shame on you, Bob, you left him in the bathroom all night.

Me? I let him out at five in the morning.

He's so cold.

It's not my fault if the bathroom windows were broken.

I did close the door, so there was no draught.

So it isn't true you want to stay with him?

Of course. He still hasn't chosen.

Liar. I could kill you!

Then what?

Pintus, I'm not working today. I'll leave you in your squalor.

Enough of this nonsense! The boy must be left alone!

So Thomas comes with me!

Hi.

I told you I'd come.

The past, Zoe, that's where we really belong.

It's true, but there are some things I still don't understand.

Don't you also want a simpler life?

I like Thomas because maybe he comes from the past.

- I knew it the moment I saw him. - Sure.

He might be able to teach us something.

You know, when I was a kid, all I liked to do was dig!

I knew that one day I'd find the past.

The voices. Everything I looked for as a child.

And that I'd know how to recognise the person who'd give me the courage to do it.

- Thomas will give it to me. - I don't want to be afraid anymore.

Me neither.

Have you ever heard of buried civilisations?

Do you know what they are?

We've arrived.

No one knows about this place. I often come here alone in the afternoon.

You know, tonight I think I can hear strange voices.

- There! - Finally!

Thomas hears them as well. He must hear them!

All our fears will end here.

Yes, wait.

You know, the first time was here.

A perfumed man.

Ancient.

Jupiter, here among the bottles.

He had me!

Jupiter!

Find him.

Find him.

Find him.

Find him! Yes!

Here he is!

Pig!

Pig!

I'll find him!

I'll find him!

I'll find him!

Here he is!

Juno!

I've silenced them forever. Zoe!

Zoe! Look at them!

Clay sculptures.

Is this what we were afraid of?

Everything I've been looking for.

Silent puppets.

Not even the smell remains. Your silent lover.

Silenced forever!

I finally found them. Now they're nothing!

Nothing!

Did you see that, Thomas?

Silence at last. I won.

I won, I won!

I won, Thomas! I won!

No.

I've walked up the hill so many times to come here.

I want this place to be like it was! To hear his voice again!

All the fish came afloat to see that ball.

Made by Apollo's handsome son with chicken skin.

Asclepius, son of Apollo, made a ball of chicken skin.

All the fish came afloat...

The fears, Zoe! The fears!

The voices! The voices!

Silence! Silence!

They're back! They're back!

It was all for nothing!

For nothing!

I came here every afternoon.

There was a perfumed man waiting for me.

You've ruined everything.

Everything.

For nothing.

Now you've given us the chance to ask questions...

I have the good taste not to question your opinion.

Given that you fail to understand my intentions.

Perhaps the director can answer your questions.

But he was spotted smashing himself in the face with his notepad.

So maybe it's a good thing he's not here tonight.

It's a leatherbound notepad.

Here he is.

I'm very tired today.

The conference is moved to tomorrow evening.

Poor thing.

- Do you want some milk? - Yes.

Everyone in this shack thinks I'm stupid.

Don't be so down. It's not such a bad part.

Do you want to sleep?

Look at what Marcus, with his intelligence, has been reduced to.

I won't keep him with me like the others do.

I'm giving up for you.

- Even if I think he likes me. - But why?

Giorgia, my part is so small.

Come on, the evening before a premiere is always the best time for a confession.

I wanted to tell you...

I wanted to tell you...

No, it's probably not worth it.

You wouldn't undertand anyway.

I wouldn't be so sure if I were you.

Do you remember the dressmaker? On the day we left.

Just before the s�ance and all that business with the boy.

You questioned me.

You made fun of me over a line I missed.

Which hurt everyone a bit.

I said I was a good observer. Do you remember?

- How could I forget that day? - I said I was advantaged...

Because, by advantaged, I meant I knew Marcus' script.

The play.

Because, as a spectator, I'd watched it every day.

Seeing it, I knew exactly what Marcus was trying to say.

The story of your life together.

Of your love. Of a son.

He's never told me.

And I don't even have the courage to think it.

It would be impossible. For Lola, for a thousand other reasons.

But something's changed now.

A part of what you invented has become real.

Thanks to I don't know what mix-up.

Now you can touch your dream, you can make it real.

- Yes. - Now you have to know what to do.

Know what to do?

Only you. So it all becomes real.

Bravo, Adam! Bravo!

If you performed on stage as you do in real life...

You'd almost be passable.

He's so funny!

First I'm going to smoke, then, if I remember, I'll answer you.

Enough! I can't take it anymore!

Thomas.

Have you come to take him?

And that's why I decided to be an actor.

Getting older, I'm like one of those old wooden beams softened by water.

Perhaps it might be better to say softened by alcohol.

Why do you put that cream on your face?

To make me look more handsome and also much younger.

More suited to my part.

Look at all these wrinkles.

But I can't complain about this either.

The truth is...

I'd like to be much, much, older and far away from here.

I'd like it to be tomorrow already.

To have overcome this obstacle of the audience.

The obstacle of the critics.

To have overcome life itself.

I've always wanted to be ahead of the curve.

Do you understand?

I was always terrified of the premiere, of all the risks.

That's why I've never really managed to write what I've dreamt of.

You see, in reality, I don't know what you are or what you represent?

Or who sent you?

Or the reason for your presence among us.

But I'm certain it's not a coincidence.

And I'm certain there's something that connects me to you.

How can you be so damned forgetful?

In these places, like before.

In these places.

And poor Giorgia, she wanders around these places...

And Giorgia, poor Giorgia...

That's no good.

Good evening.

Good evening, my boy.

Are you ready downstairs?

The man on the train!

You'll see.

Soon you'll see what will happen to you.

I'm really going to enjoy myself.

I don't know and I don't want to know.

But I felt it right from the start, at the dressmaker's.

That I was facing something familiar.

Something mine.

I haven't told anyone, I waited for my moment to talk to you.

To tell you that I knew...

That I thought I knew something about you.

And something about her too.

Because Giorgia is also a part of this.

And you know that.

I can see it. I can see it in the way you look at her.

The way you hide, the way you listen.

You run away from her.

But there is a key to get through to you.

And really get close to you.

None of them have managed to find it.

And this key is mine now.

Marcus is wanted on the phone.

Perhaps it's just my imagination as an author.

And you're doing nothing to help.

They've been looking everywhere for you! The telephone!

Sorry, but this time I had to call you.

It's the fourth time your wife's come here to beg me for an abortion.

Yes, but what can I do? I feel very sorry for my wife.

But you know very well your wife can't have children.

- She can't! - No!

My wife knows that as well but she refuses to accept it.

Please, send her back. And I'm sorry, she's suffered a lot.

- It's not true. - Well you try to convince her.

The next time she comes I'll refuse to see her.

- I don't have time to waste! - It's not true!

I heard you.

You heard me.

This is a hard life for a boy.

Tell me, you love Giorgia, right?

- Yes. - Wait.

It's our first show. Do you recognise Giorgia?

Every night, on the stage, I kept repeating to Giorgia that I loved her.

Then, when it was just the two of us... You know how it goes?

Yes, I know.

No, you can't know.

You know, Giorgia was very good.

Giorgia's very beautiful, why don't you take me to her?

No, you're staying here for now.

You have to listen to everything I say, is that understood?

I'm sorry if I was so abrupt, but try to understand me.

You know, I've never been able to tell Giorgia anything.

And one fine day I found myself in bed with Lola.

Giorgia's very beautiful, take me to her.

It's terrible.

You know what I'll end up doing? I'll end up hating her.

Yes, she's stolen all my dreams and I gave her my youth.

Now she so distant that I only see her reflected in your eyes.

I'm scared!

You too?

Look, if you're scared, have a drop.

Maybe you'll manage to forget her. I've been trying for a while.

A drop! Drink!

You're here at last.

Marcus, are you ready?

You still haven't done your make-up!

What's wrong?

A baby, it's only natural to have a baby.

Help!

Let's surround them.

Dear god! What will they do to us?

Lower the cage!

Prompter, in the hole!

Turn them on! 39, 40, 1, 18, 57...

- Curtain! - First!

Second!

Good luck.

Play the birds!

Here I am in this imaginative sacristy, protected by this familiar shadow.

I've returned to where it happened. Everything remains as it was.

The seated organist plays that beautiful music written for some village party.

The crazy dreams of a child. Of an unattainable love.

It has remained the same, forever!

And Giorgia.

Poor Giorgia.

It's your turn. Wake up!

She wanders around this place talking to her imaginary son.

Isn't it lovely here?

You know, you were very beautiful the moment you were born.

You had a little face like a mouse.

- He called you Thomas. - Yes, but he's bad.

It's not true, he's been so unhappy that you have to forgive him.

You forgive him, right? You must, you know.

Come.

You should remember the first toy he gave you.

He gave it to you on your birthday. It was a rabbit with white ears.

You must remember.

It was a rabbit with white ears.

Yes!

And it had red and yellow paws.

- And you kept it in your bed. - It was always with me.

And what would happen if you squeezed it in your hands?

You must remember. It had a fringe on one side.

Yes, but it broke so I threw it away.

We went to a forest and we dug a big hole.

And we buried it. Do you remember that we buried it?

- Marcus wasn't there. - No.

And you never took me back there. I couldn't find it again.

- Would you like to go back now? - There? With you?

Are you sure you want to go back there with me? You're not scared?

- Let's try now, if you want? - Yes.

Take my hand.

Come.

I'm certain, Thomas. I'm certain of this memory, I have to be.

Unlike the others, I've always known that you were a part of me.

And that it's only in this setting, in this place Marcus has invented...

That I could reach you.

Adam's right, we've got to fight for you to become real.

You were three the first time I brought you here.

Do you remember?

We picked lots of blackberries and we played hide and seek.

Behind the trees.

- And I ran. - And I ran after you.

Why couldn't you catch me?

Look, it's the forest.

I remember this forest.

Marcus had built a straw hut for you.

I'd like to build a hut too.

I want an ice-cream!

- What would you like? - An ice-cream, please.

Here's your ice-cream.

Excuse me, you're wanted on the phone.

Wait here for me.

Yes.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Who was it, Giorgia?

No one.

(song)

Subtitled by Crazy Coconut and Silly Sausage - Dec 2021

Huge thanks to the mighty Argoman