‘Like shit, Rodrigo, I feel like shit … Oh, sorry, I know you don’t like profanities.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Rodrigo said, understandingly.
‘In short, I feel like shit … I’m fifty-three years old, and when I come home there’s nobody there waiting for me.’
‘If you live alone, of course there’s nobody waiting for you.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘So why don’t you speak more clearly?’
‘Jesus …’
‘What is it now?’
‘Nothing, nothing … Tell me something, are you still with that woman … what was her name?’
‘What’s she got to do with anything? And I don’t like the way you phrased that.’
‘Have you ever wondered why you like so much to correct other people’s mistakes?’
‘You’re changing the subject again …’
‘I was only curious as to why you like so much to correct other people’s mistakes.’
‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘Come on, try to be nice. I’m only trying to start a discussion.’
‘What kind of discussion?’
‘Any kind, provided it lasts more than two sentences.’
‘Maybe we have nothing to say to each other.’
‘Even two people who have nothing to say to each other can still talk.’
‘That’s an absurd statement.’
‘Listen, why don’t you tell me … I don’t know, tell me what you do on Sundays, for example.’
‘I try to rest.’
‘You don’t correct any papers?’
‘And what if I do? I really don’t see what you’re getting at.’
‘Nothing, I’m not trying to get at anything. As I said, I just wanted to have a chat.’
‘Well, unfortunately, I have to work.’
‘In August?’
‘That’s right, in August. Why not?’
‘I have nothing to say.’
‘Strange …’
‘Tell me something, Rodrigo. Who do you vote for?’
‘I vote for whoever I feel like voting for.’
‘I don’t doubt that. But are you satisified with the way things are going?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean just what I said.’
Rodrigo sighed indulgently and started fiddling with his red pen.
‘Italy used to be all wheat and sheep … and now prosperity is finally on its way,’ he said.
‘For whom, exactly?’
‘For everyone. We used to be a nation of peasants, and now we all drive cars.’ As usual, after a difficult start, Rodrigo was warming up to the idea of talking.
‘The power of statistics,’ said Bordelli. ‘Do you watch a lot of television?’
‘Why? Do you want to be left behind?’
‘Left behind by what?’
‘For now, we’re still at the beginning, but before long, you’ll be amazed.’
‘I’m already amazed.’
‘If each does his part, we’ll all be fine.’
‘I don’t know why, but I don’t like that statement.’
‘Can’t you see that you don’t understand? You don’t understand that everything is governed by the laws of chemistry, even man and society-’
‘So it’s all very simple, in other words.’
‘Look, it’s easy to see what you’re thinking. You’re one of those who think chemistry is only a cold science.’