Hombrearmonica’s Weblog

Paolo Ferrotti came out from the City Hall of Vigevano, took by Cesare Battisti Street and crossed St. Ambrose Square up by the former Roma Street, renamed, to throw a sop to Legna, Ponte di Legno1 Street.
“May the condoned ICI go in your ass!” – wished generically to the Bishopric, passing in front of the library of the same name.

He went along Buozzi Street, absent for almost everything surrounding him, while thinking of conversation. Turning right away Mazzini Street, he saw his watch, and decided he needed a coffee at Michael pub, even if it was an incredible luxury at 3.20 €. At half of pedestrian crossings, he saw his friend Giuseppe Salvini sat outside pub on the bench for smokers. He was smoking, in fact, a sybaritical luxury in their economic conditions.
«After pressing, I really need.» – Giuseppe justified himself when Paolo reached him.
«To whom you say! I give up coffee, to do you company.»

Even Paolo lit his cigarette, from a packet of the most poor, which was becoming by a month.
«How do you do? What they wanted from yourself?»

Ferrotti made a brief mark behind friend, where was a glass window.
«Later, Giuseppe. Prudence, more caution, if you are still convinced. We must mind everyone and everything.»
«All right.»

After ended cigarettes, they rose to go back home, along Matteotti Street. Probably, they hadn’t still changed its name for ignorance, not remembering even more who was Giacomo Matteotti. Perhaps they felt him a songwriter of the past. Walking on the side of the canal, far from shops and houses, Ferrotti told as much as possible about his interview.
«Good heavens! For what concerns me, they wanted only frighten a little, but with you they went on heavy. I thank you, Paolo, for declining to be informer against me, but didn’t you expose too much? You could accept and then say that there was absolutely nothing to report.»
«Giuseppe, reflect moves always well. The path you have chosen to travel does not permit false steps. If I had accepted, as you are suggesting, they would turn my statement recorded, clear and sharp.

The second intentions would not be found. They could run down me with all those I know. Or, worse, menace to do so. You, perhaps, would have been able to understand me, but others? For all I would have been a spy, whom to stay away, or maybe hit from behind for fear.»
«All right, I didn’t think.»

They were passing in front of the Pizzi’s shoes warehouse, surviving in the general misery of the majority practicing low prices.
«The best thing to do with that scum is a drastic and clear line: I obey your laws, but I’m giving you nothing, not even a crumb of what you don’t have the courage to write in a law. Any exemption puts you in a weak position, and in their fist. It turns you down with friends and becomes the first step on a slippery slope that will leads you to betray yourself and them.»
«I understand, Paolo, just as I understand that I need to take lessons as conspirator. But how d’you explain that I’ve been subject to threats, while with you they’ve used enticements and offers?»

They were arrived at Di Vittorio Street, another name incongruous in the regime, beyond which Matteotti Street passed through their neighborhood, the Cascame. Ferrotti turned right finding a longer walk to continue the conversation.
«I fear they scent something of my contacts, without certainties however. I’m not talking about evidence legally recognized, it’s not something keeping them. No, I think they consider more productive leave me free to follow or force to cooperate. I don’t worry, just I’ve to multiply precautions for the meetings.»
«You say we should separate?»
«After today talks, it would be more suspicious: why, they’ll demand, what they have to hide? Fortunately, our families live together to save, a solid and objective reason to continue to do so. However, we must be very cautious at home. It’s a difficult life that you forward, Giuseppe, but not without charm, if you can control anxiety. The clandestine life is filled with adrenaline, which is best of High People and VIP Class coke. Are you ready?»
«Well ready, Paolo.» – Giuseppe giggled at thought – «Free coke to all.» – then serious back – «No, not for emotions, but to see my son one day without shame: something, as much or little, I’ll have to change this shit life.»

After a moment of silence, he added:
«It think it would have been easier on April 9, 2006 to vote better!»
«Needless to cry over spilled milk. Now it’s done. We have to tighten our belts and get back on our feet.»

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1village where Umberto Bossi goes to holidays.