Love in Another Time

                                                                Love in Another Time

By  Joseph J. Malgeri

The fictional imaginations of my grandparent’s first date.

FADE IN:

EXT. SAN GIOVANNI REGGIO CALABRIA ITALY MORNING 1898

Sun rises over the sleepy village. A few peasants pass alongthe dirt streets en route to their workplaces. A tiny shoe

repair shop (about 600 square feet) sits at the edge of the village. It is also the home of the Malgeri family.

EXT. SHOE SHOP SAME

A small door, with a sign in the shape of a shoe over it,is the only entrance. One large window adjacent to the door

lights the inside, with shutters that seal it at night.

INT. SHOE SHOP SAME

ROMANO MALGERI, 51, works at his cobbler’s bench, in bluepants, a short-sleeve blue shirt and brown leather apron,

covered with dried glues. His head turns toward VOICES of his son SALVATORE, 22, and his wife CECILIA MALGERI, 39, inthe living area. He shakes his head and smiles.

INT. LIVING ROOM SAME

                                                             SALVATORE

                                                  Mamma. Stop this. I am fine.

                                                  Everything is going to be fine.

                                                            CECILIA MALGERI

                                                 Just once more, Salvatore, please.

                                                 You got money? Your clothes all

                                                 pressed? You know…..  

                                                            SALVATORE

                                                Mamma, please! Luciano will drive

                                                me to the train. Her family will meet me. 

                                                That’s it.

                                                           CECILIA MALGERI

                                                Oh, I hope you will like her. I

                                                want the wedding to be without

                                                problems -- not like you sister’s.

Cecilia puts her right thumb between her teeth and bites down.

                                                          CECILIA MALGERI (CONT’D)

                                               Please, God, not like Anna’s.

                                                          SALVATORE

                                               Mamma, stop it. I’m going now.

                                                         CECILIA MALGERI

                                              Stop to your father. He wants you

                                              to be happy.

                                                         SALVATORE

                                              Please!

Salvatore stands before a mirror. His hair is slick with pomade. His suit, purchased for his Confirmation eight years earlier, almost still fits. The white shirt crinkles from excess starch. He looks at his shoes, satisfies himself that they are fine and walks into the shop.

                                                        SALVATORE

                                             Papá. How do I look?

Romano does not look up, continues work on shoes.

                                                       ROMANO MALGERI

                                            A lot better than I did in my time.

                                            We couldn’t afford a suit. The best

                                            part of me was my shoes.

                                                       SALVATORE

                                            I can imagine. You were an apprentice then.

                                                       ROMANO MALGERI

                                            It’s better now, to have a shop.

                                            Some day, Caro Mio, you will, too.

                                            Are you nervous?

                                                       SALVATORE

                                            Not so much. We’re you?

                                                       ROMANO MALGERI

                                           O, Dio mio! I was peeing my pants.

                                           Your grandfather was a bigga shot.

                                           I was scared.

Romano turns from his work.

                                                      ROMANO MALGERI (CONT’D)

                                            Look. You better go. You look very nice.

Romano looks directly at his son, stands tall, points a cautionary finger at him.

                                                      ROMANO MALGERI (CONT’D)

                                            Behave yourself. She’s gonna be 

                                            your wife soon.

A smile lights up Salvatore’s face. He hugs his father, then leaves the shop on his adventure. He hears his father CALL out his mother’s name (O.S.).

CUT TO:

EXT.               TRAIN STATION ROCCELLA IONIA CALABRIA                           LATER

A crowd gathers around the arrival area. LEONARDO CACCAMO, 55, the father of Isabella, stands on the platform waiting to meet his son-in-law to be. He holds a picture ofSalvatore in his hand, and a hand made sign, just in case.

The train comes to a SCREECHING halt, with steam bellowing from the undercarriage. Leonardo’s head is moving side to side as he looks anxiously for Salvatore.

INT. TRAIN           SAME

Salvatore looks to the platform, sees his new in-law instantly, puts his head out the window and waves.

                                                       SALVATORE

                                              Signore Caccamo.

                                                       LEONARDO

                                              Salvatore.

Smiling, Leonardo moves to the stairs to greet his new son.

INT. LIVING ROOM          CACCAMO HOME      ROCCELLA IONIA        LATER

Salvatore sits with his father in law. He awaits his Isabella. He holds a picture of her in his hand.

                                                        LEONARDO

                                             After you meet my daughter, we will 

                                             take a walk through the city to the

                                             sea -- with some family members, of

                                             course.

                                                        SALVATORE

                                             Of course.

                                                        LEONARDO

                                             I trust you will be on your best behavior. 

                                             The whole town will be watching.

                                                        SALVATORE

                                             Of course.

Their attention is drawn to some NOISES in an adjacent room. They look to see ISABELLA, 16, enter, accompanied by her mother, ANNA, 40. Salvatore stands, his jaw drops as heabsorbs the beauty of his wife to be, in white lace and a cameo broach.

EXT. WATERFRONT          SAME                     MID AFTERNOON

As the betrothed walk side by side, they are followed by an entourage of some twenty family members and closest cousins. They make their first attempts to talk as they stand overlooking the sea.

                                                       SALVATORE

                                            Are you nervous?

                                                       ISABELLA

                                            I can hardly move, I am so nervous.

                                                       SALVATORE

                                            Then, tell me about you. I’d like to know.

                                                       ISABELLA

                                            I am so relieved by your question.

                                            I want you to know about me.

Isabella turns her head to keep an eye on their chaperones. She turns back to Salvatore.

                                                       ISABELLA (CONT’D)

                                            I want to know about you, too,

                                            since we are going to be married. I

                                            want to love you, also, if I can --

                                            and you me.

Isabella checks the family once more, nodding to her mother with a smile. Her attention turns once more to Salvatore.

                                                      ISABELLA (CONT’D)

                                            I don’t want us to end up like your

                                            sister Anna.

FADE OUT: