YAVNEH ACADEMY

PARAMUS
6
NEW JERSEY
RACING TO SAVE I TALY'S JEWS
1925 - 1944
An Adapted Dramatic Presentation
By the Class of 2013: 5773
Base d on:
Road to Valor: A True Story o world War II Italy, the
Nazis, and the Cyclist Who Inspi red a Nation, by Aili and
Andres McConnon. Published by Random House, (2012).
The Bicycle Messenger dramatizes Gino Bartali's
rise to racing fame as Mussolini aligns Fascist
Italy with Germany, paving the way for the
deportation of Italy's Jews. A small group of
clergy, led by brave Cardinals, Priests and Nuns
devise a way to save as many Jews as possible and
Gino Bartali becomes an integral part of their
plan.
Directed by:
Dominique Cieri
Produce d by: Rabbi Shmuel Burstein
May 02, 2013
Copyr ight2013 Yavneh Academy.
RACING TO SAVE ITALY'S J E W S ~
1925 - 1944
An Adapted Dramatic Presentation
By the Class of 2013: 5773
The Playwriting Team
Rebecca Chachkes
Dina Jawetz
Emily Knopf
Alex Paley
Abigail Rochlin
Yehuda Sa:rao
Julie Sohnen
Robin Tassler
Act I, scene 1
1925
LIGHTS UP on 1925 NEWS ANNOUNCER:
1925: Benito announces that he is taking
powers over Italy.
Pope Pius XI publishes Quas Primas, stating God's Kingdom
embraces
Hitler his manifesto, Mein Kampf.
Alfredo Binda wins his first Giro
Gino! Gino! Wait up!
LIGHTS UP on GINO & GIULIO,
riding.
GIULIO
GINO
Come on Giulio' Pump those legs. Make believe that you're
Alfredo Binda!
GIULIO rides fast and GINO
slows down.
GIULIO
I've got an idea. Let's play "I spy" that way we have to
stay together so you can hear me and I can hear you!
GINO
All right, but if I win- you've got to keep up with me.
GIULIO
If I win, you've got to keep up with me.
GINO
Deal.
GIULIO
I'll go first. I spy something gray.
GINO
Are you kidding me? That could be just about anything.
1
GIULIO
Okay. I spy something gray and stone.
GINO
Most of Florence. You're trying to make me lose'
GIULIO
All right' I spy something gray and stone with things on it
that look like small castles'
GINO
The wall at Piazzale Micaelangelo'
GIULIO
Took you three tries.
GINO swats GIULIO.
GINO
Okay, my turn. I spy something very old, the oldest, white
and yellow with red on top, it glows all golden and night ...
GIULIO
Ponte Vecchio! You'll never get this one. I spy something
so big, sooo big ..
GINO
It can fit 20,000 people- Duomo!
GIULIO
Not fair!
GINO
Okay - go again.
GIULIO
I spy something round yet with points, blue-green beautiful
like the most wonderful gelato on top'
GINO thinks.
GIULIO
Got you'
GINO
Wait. I'll get it.
2
GIULIO
10 , 9 , 8 , 7 ..
GINO
Shh- I can't think.
GIULIO
6,5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - I WON!
GINO
What was it?
GIULIO
The Synagogue!
GINO
Of course! Race you to the bike shop!
GIULIO
No, you have to keep up with me.
GINO
Let's each win a little. This time you, next time me!
LIGHTS SHIFT as GINO and GIULIO
ride.
ARMANDO SIZZIS' Bike Mechanics
Shop. CUSTOMERS get their bikes
fixed.
ARMANDO
Alfieri! I see you have burst yet another tire!
ALFIERI
Boom! Right in the middle of my last race.
BARTOLO
You blow out tires like I break chains.
ARMANDO
Bartolo! No! Not again.
ALFIERI
Bartolo, my friend, maybe you should give up racing!
3
BARTOLO
Tell me, Alfieri, how are you going to ride without tires?
ARMANDO
Oh here they go!
GIACOMO enters.
ARMANDO
Giacomo!
GIACOMO
Armando, busy as usual.
ALFIERI
Bartolo keeps Armando in business with a steady supply of
chains.
GIACOMO
Are these two at it again?
ARMANDO
They're worse than two old ladies.
GINO and GIULIO enter.
ARMANDO
Ah, my little cousins! Gino and Giulio!
GINO
If you're too busy we can come back.
ARMANDO
No, no, no! I'm never too busy for you two!
ALFIERI & BARTOLO
Hi Gino and Giulio.
BARTOLO
Armando, how about that Alfredo Binda? His first Giro
d'Italia.
ARMANDO
And not his last. He's a big talent in the racing world!
4
GINO
Did you know that only 30 riders finished the Giro out of
126?,
ARMANDO
Always with the facts this kid!
GINO
I'm going to race the Giro one day.
(looking at Alfieri's wheel)
Another wheel Mr. Ciacci?
ALFIERI
I'm afraid so.
ARMANDO
Gino, Giulio. Let me introduce you to Giacomo Goldenberg.
GIACOMO
Nice to meet you both. A cousin of Armando's is certainly a
friend to me!
ARMANDO
Alfieri and Bartolo. Let's go to the back of the shop and
fix your bikes.
THEY exit.
GIULIO
Do you race?
GIACOMO
Hardly. But I do ride my trusty bike everywhere and if it
weren't for Armando keeping it in tip top shape, I'd be out
of luck.
GINO
Do you have a Lucifer, or a Raleigh, or how about a
Hirondelle?
GIACOMO
Oh, no, nothing that fancy. It's an old Sunbeam. I got it
third or fourth hand and it works just fine.
GIULIO
Gino has an old rusty.
5
GIACOMO
An old rusty. Nothing wrong wi)ch that. It gets you around.
GINO
I want a new raci ng bike . I want to be like Alfredo Binda.
But that won't happen if all I have is a rusty.
GIACOMO
You can make anything happen. This is Florence!
GIULIO
I want to race too!
GIACOMO
Then you will.
GINO
Are you from here? I haven't seen you in the shop before.
GIACOMO
I'm from Kishinev.
GIULIO
Kishinev? Where is that?
GIACOMO
Russia.
GINO
Russia! I would love to go there.
ARMANDO reenters.
ARMANDO
For you, Gino, yes, but for Giacomo, I don't think he wants
to go back.
GIULIO
Why?
GIACOMO
I came here in 1912 with my family and many other Jews
because of the pogroms.
GIULIO
Pogroms?
6
GIACOMO
Anti-Jewish riots. Many Jews were aJctacked and killed. We
tried to form a self defense league but the pogroms were
widespread and vre were far outnumbered. It was too
dangerous for us to stay so, now I am here!
ARMANDO
I have no patience for anti-Semi tisrn and neither should
you, or anybody in Italy!
GINO
I would never know you were from Russia. You speak exactly
like us!
GIACOMO
Florence has given so much to me. I carne with nothing. Not
even a rusty bike!
ARMANDO
It's true Gino. Giacomo learned our language and went to
university and then went to work in a textile shop and from
there he started his own lumber business ...
GIACOMO
And my wife! I met her in Fiurne! Florence has much to offer
if you work for it. Even a new bike, Gino. Armando, I leave
my bike with you.
ARMANDO
It will be ready tomorrow.
GIACOMO
I'm so glad I met you Gino and Giulio.
GINO
Me too!
GIACOMO
I hope to see you again. Good-bye!
GINO & GIULIO
Good bye Mr. Goldenberg!
GIACOMO exits.
ARMANDO
You'll get that bike one day Gino!
7
GIULIO
We better ge t home before supper!
Race you!
1926:
GINO
GINO and GIULIO r un out. LIGHTS
SHIFT to bikes and GINO and GIULIO
ride.
LIGHTS SHIFT. NEWSREEL MUSIC, and
then the NEWS:
After a third assassination attempt, Benito Mussolini shuts
down opposition journals, bans the Unitary Socialist Party
and overtakes several independent newspapers .
Giovanni Brunero wins his third Giro d'Italia racing a
total of 3,429 km in 12 stages.
Gertrude Ederle first woman to swim the English Channel,
honored with Ticker Tape Parade in New York City.
GINO and GIULIO "ride," GINO
training his brother. LIGHTS
remain up on NEWS and GINO/GUILIO.
GINO
Giulio, don't be passive waiting for something to happen!
Be aggressive.
GIULIO
Your legs are stronger. I can't keep up.
GINO
No, no. That's all in your head. Don't think like that.
1928:
Charles Lindbergh r eceives medal of honor for first t rans-
Atlantic flight.
A bomb attack against Fascist leader Benito Mussolini in
Milan kills 17.
GINO
You've got to for c e the other ride r s into de fensive.
8
GIULIO
Be aggressive, force defensive ...
GINO
Because ___ .
GIULIO
It's going to limit their tactics and change the mental
balance.
1930:
National Socialists win 107 seats in German Parliament
making them the second largest party.
President Herbert Hoover asks Congress for 150 million in
public works programs to help create jobs.
The British White Paper demands restrictions on Jewish
immigration into Palestine.
GINO
Even if you're tired remain vigilant! Stay alert. If
somebody goes down what are you going to do?
GIULIO
Focus ahead, don;t look back.
1932:
Nazis lead in German elections with 230 Reichstagseats.
A m e ~ i a Earhart is first woman to fly Atlantic solo.
CharLes A. Lindbergh's baby son kidnapped, killed.
Herman Goring elected Chairman of the German State.
Luigi Marchisio wins Giro d'italia, 15 stages, 3,907 km.
GINO
Not with your hands! Better. Okay, now try to knock me off
my bike, lean in, go ahead. Harder, harder. Now I'm going
to push you. Stay focused, don't look at me, look ahead,
stay with your bike. Okay, good. See, you can have lots of
contact on a bike without going down - remember that when
you get jostled and bumped and pushed.
GIULIO
Handle the bike with hips and feet, hips and feet.
9
1 934 :
Adolf Hitle r becomes Fuhrer .
Leacro Guerra 1vins Giro d'italia in 17 s tag-es, 3, 706 km.
Hitler and Mussolini meet in Vienna.
First Jewish Immigrants Ship breaks blockade in Palestine .
GIULIO "speeds" past GINO.
GIULIO
See you Gino!
GIULIO speeds ahead.
GINO
Ha-ha! See what years of practice does for you? Go Giulio!
1936:
Germans occupy Rhineland.
Italy annexes Ethiopia. Rome-Berlin Axis proclaimed.
Japan and Germany sign anti-Comintern pact.
Gino Bartali, 21 years old, wins Giro d'italia, 19 stages,
3,745 km.
1938:
LIGHTS to GINO/GIULIO. GIULIO is
off his bike and GINO throws his
hands in the air.
BLACK OUT. LIGHTS UP on NEWS
Adolf Hitler abolishes the War Ministry and seizes control
of the German Military.
Hitler vows to destroy Czechoslovakia, mobilizing 96
Wehrmacht Divisions.
Italy beats Hungary in 4-2 win in the 1938 World Cup!
THEN LIGHTS UP on
1 0
GINO, 21, and GIULIO, 19, on their
bikes, get ready for separate
races.
11
THE SOUND of RAIN.
GINO
Remember v-Then I would tell you, "let's each win a little-
this time me, next time you?" well I won the Giro d'italia,
so now it's your turn' Win the Turin'
GIULIO
I'm ready Gino, because of you. We've dreamed of being the
best since the days of you win a little, I win a little.
GINO
Remember, conserve, look, listen.
GIULIO
I'll save my energy and I won't breakaway early. I'll
listen for gear shifting, be on the defensive ...
GINO
Defensive is a must but ...
GIULIO
Take risks; all or nothing'
GINO
All or nothing.
GINO & GIULIO
Don't be the first rider taking the wind'
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK to the SOUND
of HEAVY RAIN.
Act I, 2
June 1938
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. The sounds
of a hospital.
GIULIA sits, crying, TORELLO
stands with his back to GUILIA
looking quite broken. GINO stands
apart; unable to move.
12
After a few moments TORELLO breaks
his silence.
TORELLO
(turning to Gino)
You see now that my fears were justified? I never wanted
you to race.
GIULIA
Please, Torello, this is no time for blame or anger.
GINO
It's destiny, Babbo.
GIULIA
Gino, if that's true, then you must reconsider your career.
GINO
I taught Giulio everything he knows.
GUILIA
I cannot lose another son.
GINO
He was the best amateur in Tuscany.
TORELLO
It was the rain.
GIULIA
I won't lose you to racing.
GINO
He knew how to handle his bike in the rain. We've ridden
together in the rain. I should have been with him.
GIULIA
But you weren't . You were 300 miles away. And if you had
been wi th h im, what woul d you have done?
GI NO
I don't know. Something, anything .
TORELLO
It's a s you say, Gino, destiny. It's God' s will.
GIULIA
It was the rain. They should have held off. They should
have waited until it was safe to race. They cancelled your
race.
GINO
I should have been with him.
TORELLO
There's nothing safe about these races: the people who
crowd to see and walk into the paths of cyclers without
thinking, and the cars . Didn't they have signs posted all
along the route?
GIULIA
Please. I don't want to think about it, see it in my head.
Giulio is gone . My son, so young, is gone. I want no more
talk of racing .
GIULIA gets up and moves away
TORELLO
God's will: The rain, the car, where Giulio was, so close
to the other two cyclists, a car comes from nowhere behind
them, the other riders swerve, Giulio- gets hit.
GINO
I should never have let him race.
13
Act I, Scene 3
July, 1938
A CEMETARY. GINO visits Giulio' s
grave .
GINO
14
Guilio, my brother and best friend, my riding buddy, I need
you. We all do. Babbo is sad all the time and Mama won't
talk about you, racing, bikes, any of it. I can't s a y that
I blame her. I can't remember the last time I got on a bike
and yet, it's all I know. What will I do with myself,
Guilio? I barely made it out of 6th grade. There's no work
for a man like me. Maybe a day laborer, or work at
Armando's shop, but at 21? I won't be able to live on my
own, or support a wife and family one day. The only thing I
know is racing. But look what it's done. If it weren't for
me pulling you into racing, you'd still be here and the
world would be right again. The only comfort I find is in
my faith, and coming here to talk to you. Without the
church and the Catholic Action group, I'd be lost. That's
where I belong . I miss you, Giulio.
LIGHTS SHIFT to the CHURCH. GINO
enters and lights a candle, DELLA
COSTA welcomes him.
DELLA COSTA
Gino, I want to thank you for all the wonderful work you've
been doing with our youth. They listen to you. So, how are
you doing?
GINO
Some days good, other days not so good. I don't know what
to do with myself. I want to understand why Giulio died.
DELLA COSTA
Sometimes there is no understanding. It's good that you've
taken time away from cycling. It's too much a painful
reminder.
GINO
Maybe .. .
DELLA COSTA
Have you been back to Mass since the funeral?
GINO
Please don't be offended Cardinal, but everyone's eyes are
on me because they recognize me and the last thing I want
to do is distract from your Mass, so I've made a small
chapel at home.
DELLA COSTA
If you need anything, Gino, please ask.
GINO
15
I come here when no one else is here and light a candle for
Giulio. God and the Church and my work here have given me
great comfort.
DELLA COSTA
You're a good man, Gino. A very good man.
GINO
I want to be a better man and I'm not sure how to do that
because I hardly know who I am anymore.
DELLA COSTA
You are Gino Bartali and you are grieving for your brother.
For now, that is where you are, but not wholly who you are.
GINO
I want to move on with my life, but how?
Live it, Gino.
I will. Thank you.
DELLA COSTA
GINO
GINO exits as DELLA COSTA watches
h i m.
LIGHTS SHIFT. DOWNTOWN FLORENCE.
A FABRIC SHOP.
NICALETTA buys fabric from
ADRIANA.
NICALETTA
Adriana, dear girl, how are you?
ADRIANA
Oh , very happy these days, thank you for asking.
NICALETTA
You look happy, quite rosy-cheeked!
ADRIANA
How can I help you Nicaletta?
NICALETTA
I'm looking for some lovely fabric to make a party dress.
It's for my daughter's 30th birthday! Can you believe it?
ADRIANA
Why, you don't look a day older than 30 yourself!
NICALETTA
Oh! Really?
ADRIANA
Yes, and I think you would look beautiful in a royal blue.
NICALETTA
Royal blue? Ooooh. It's going to be a small get-together
with friends and family. I'm watching the pennies.
ADRIANA
Aren't we all! I can give you a discount.
ADRIANA shows NICALETTA a blue
bolt of material.
ADRIANA
This is a good satin, smooth, tightly woven-
NICALETTA
I love it.
ADRIANA
(calling to the back of the shop)
Isabella!
Hello Adriana!
ISABELLA enters and ROSALINA
enters.
ROASALINA
16
ADRIANA
Be right with you Rosalina.
ISABELLA
How might I help, Adriana?
ADRIANA
17
If you could take this to the back and cut 5 yards of 55-60
inch wide for Nicaletta.
ISABELLA
You're going to look quite something in this color. Is it a
special occasion?
NICALETTA
A party!
ISABELLA
What fun. Come with me.
THEY exit.
ADRIANA
Rosalina! How good to see you. How's your new baby?
ROSALINA
Natalie is beautiful and loud, very loud. I'm praying she
behaves for her christening. That's why I'm here. I need
some material to make a gown for her.
ADRIANA
Well, let's see. How about a nice quality batiste or lawn?
And some lace, of course.
ROSALINA
I'll have a look at the batiste.
ADRIANA places a bolt of batiste
out for ROSALINA. GINO enters as
ROSALINA and ADRIANA discuss the
fabric. ADRIANA does not see GINO.
ADRIANA
Here's some beautiful bobbin lace, and here's a sample of
crocheted.
ROS.A.LINA
So difficult to choose. They're both beautiful.
GINO
Adriana.
ADRIANA
One minute. I'll be with you in one minute-
ADRIANA turns around.
ADRIANA
Oh! Hello!
ROSALINA
I think I want the crocheted.
ADRIANA
Oh, all right. Of course. Isabella!
(to Gino}
Don't go.
ROSALINA
I definitely want to buy the batiste and- oh, I think the
bobbin lace.
Yes of course-
(to Gino)
I'll be right with you.
ADRIANA
ROSALINA turns around.
ROSALINA
Oh, oh! You're Gino, Gino Bartali! Imagine you being here
to buy some fabric. Are you making racing shorts?
ADRIANA bursts out laughing.
ISABELLA enters.
ADRIANA
18
Isabella, just the person I need. Take Rosalina to the back
and take this batiste and lace.
ISABELLA
A christening gown. How wonderful. For your new girl? And
how is your son?
19
ROSALI NA
Claudio is such a good boy. A b l essing. I hope he ' s as good
a man as he is a boy.
ISABELLA
Come with me Rosalina.
ROSALINA
You know wh at ; I 'm going to go with the c rocheted lace. Mr .
Bartali - I hope you f i nd what you wa nt'
THEY exit.
ADRIANA
Gino, I'm s o sorry. Lots of business today. I'm so glad
you've stopped by. I haven't seen you in a while and I-
GINO
I'm sorry. I've been- I've had a lot on my mind since-
ADRIANA
Of course . I can't imagine losing a brother. You need time,
but I'm glad you've come by today. Do you want to talk? I
c a n take a break.
GINO
I don't want you to get into trouble.
ADRIANA
No trouble at all. Let me just tell Isabella.
ADRIANA exits.
GINO
What am I doing? I'm so bad at this. Is riding a bike the
only thing I know how to d o ?
ADRIANA renters.
ADRIANA
Let' s go outside.
LIGHTS SHIFT to a bench.
GINO
I ' ve be e n t h i nking quite a bit lately. I've made a decision
t o q uit r a cing .
ADRIANA
Gino, why? Racing is your passion, it's who you are.
GINO
Racing has brought nothing but heartache.
ADRIANA
Yes, but it has also brought you joy, and success, don't
forge'c that.
GINO
I've made up my mind and I wanted to tell you.
ADRIANA
Do you want to know what I think?
GINO nods.
ADRIANA
20
Since you were a child your passion has been bicycling. You
worked and worked at Armando's to be able to scrape
together money to buy a bike and you gave that same need
and joy of racing to Giulio. He loved racing. He died doing
what he loved. You have won so many races. You're the best
there is Gino and if you stop racing you'll hate yourself,
and maybe one day, hate me. It's time for you to move on.
You were meant to race and if you won't do it for yourself
then do it for me.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.
Act I, Scene 4
July, 1938
THE CEME TARY .
GINO visits Giulio's grave.
GINO
Giulio- I miss you. Too much is happening and I wish that
you were here to confide in. You're my best friend and so,
here I am, talking to you. I swore I'd never race again. It
made Mama and Babbo happy, and for a time, me too. I've
been content to devote my time to the church, and believe
me, Giulio, my faith has eased the pain of losing you. But
I feel that maybe I've been, I don't know how to say it,
hiding from myself, and I want to race again. I've been
training, Giulio, training hard. I've always dreamed of the
Tour de France. It's unlike anything I've ever done before,
the terrain is almost impossible. I miss you and I wish you
were riding at my side. I miss the way we'd talk and push
each other to ride harder, better. I wasn't going to do the
Tour, but then- Giulio, I've been wanting to tell you, I've
met someone. She's special , not just because she's
beautiful, but she's smart and independent. She wants me to
race! Can you believe that? Everyone thinks I am racing
again because Mussolini wants me to race and win for the
p r e s t ~ g e of Italy, and of course, for my country, but not
the Fascists, Giulio.
LIGHTS SHIFT to POPE PIUS XI
CHAMBERS. HE places a
newspaper in front of PACELLI
POPE PIUS XI
Did you read this morning's newspapers, Eminence?
PACELLI
Most disappointing.
POPE PIUS XI
Disappointing?! Hateful outrage! Calling Italians Aryans!
This Manifesto of Racist Scientists repeats German racial
theories. Can you imagine? These imbeciles have constructed
a theory of Italian Aryans- the term itself is an oxymoron!
If there is such a thing as an "Aryan race," most Italians
are the farthest thing from the blue-eyed, blond Nordic
model. Worse, these fools talk about the Jews not belonging
to the Italian race and need to preserve the purity of the
POPE PIUS XI (can't)
Italians. What, I ask you, is the biological difference
between a Jewish Italian and a Christian one? What
ridiculous and hateful garbage! Mussolini has adopted a
disgraceful imitation of Hitler's Nordic mythology that
runs councer to the great traditions of the Roman Empire
that the Duce purportedly seeks to emulate. He's applying
it to everything. The soccer team wins the World Cup and
how is it hailed? A triumph of Fascist policy.
PACELLI
Yes, well, I agree, Holiness, it is disingenuous and very
disappointing.
POPE PIUS XI
It is more than disingenuous; it is sinful and we must not
countenance the Manifesto by silence. I shall speak out in
no uncertain terms, against this abomination.
PACELLI
22
Holiness, I recommend restraint in the language we use;
keep it general. We have a favorable treaty with Mussolini
that has effectively protected the church for the last nine
years. We don't want to burn our bridges ....
POPE PIUS XI
With all due respect, Cardinal Pacelli, we do not need
cliches.
PACELLI
Of course, Your Holiness. You are correct and I apologize.
POPE PIUS XI
(waving it off)
No need to apologize. Let us concentrate our efforts on
sending Italy and the world a strong message of
condemnation- and make sure our words are published in both
The Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano and the Jesuit's, La
C i v i ~ t a Cattolica. I am sure coverage will be sparse in the
Mussolini controlled newspapers.
PACELLI
Yes, Your Holiness.
POPE PIUS XI
You may go, Cardinal Pacelli.
23
PACELLI Ex its.
POPE leans back in his chair .
POPE PIUS XI
I must speed up the process and urge Father LaFarge to
complete our encyclical condemning the mor al evils of these
times.
POPE writes a letter as the LIGHTS
FADE.
LIGHTS UP on GINO racing.
TOUR ANNOUNCER
Today Gino Bartali in a spectacular final climb wins the
crown' He is the king' He wins the yellow jersey' Think of
it, only a year ago, in the 1937 Tour, Bartali crashed into
the Colau River in Brian9on and today he is the 1938 Tour
de France Champion' Italy wins' Italy wins. Another triumph
for Fascist policy'
GINO throws his hands in the air,
Victorious. LIGHTS SHIFT. GINO
crosses downstage, ITALIAN PRESS
converge on him, crowding below
him, calling his name, "Gino,
Gino, Gino," and begging for
interviews.
PRESS 1
Bartali' Mussolini's sports ambassador'
PRESS 2
You obeyed Mussolini's command to win'
PRESS 3
You are living proof of the Scientist's Racial Manifesto'
ALL PRESS
Il Duce, Il Duce, Il Duce' Gino, speech' Speech'
As the CROWD cheers, GINO'S
words are drowned out.
GINO
I thank my fans in France and Italy ....
The CROWD chants, "Gino , Gino,
Gino," as the lights shift.
As GINO leaves, ALL PRESS
follow him, trying to get quotes
and autographs.
LIGHT SHIFT to the CHURCH as
GINO enters, lights a candle
24
and prays. CARDINAL DELLA COSTA
stands, unseen, watching GINO.
After a few moments, as GINO is
about to leave, the CARDINAL stops
him.
DELLA COSTA
Gino Bartali, congratulations on your heroic victory.
You've made all of Florence so proud.
GINO
Thank you Cardinal Della Costa, but the rest of Italy,
maybe not so much. I've wanted to tell you how brave you
were to close the church doors to Hitler when he was here.
DELLA COSTA
I did what was right Gino.
GINO
But the Fascists wanted to set your offices on fire. You
put yourself in harms way.
DELLA COSTA
And here I stand, unscathed.
GINO
Yes, a lesson for all of us.
DELLA COSTA
If you aren't at mass, I understand that you want no
attention drawn to yourself, especially now, but I hope to
see you here with the Catholic Action group and your
continued work with our youth and whatever else we may need
you to do.
GINO
You can count on me Cardinal.
25
DELLA COSTA
God bless.
DELLA COSTA exits.
GINO
Thank you Giulio. I know you were with me from beginning to
end of the Tour.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.
Act I, Scene 5
August , 1938
BARTALI HOUSEHOLD. TORELLO and
GINO play bocce ball.
TORELLO
Gi no, my boy, I want you to know that I am very p r oud of
you.
GINO
Thank you Babbo, i t means so much to me. So, now are you
going to let me win bocce?
TORELLO
Oh, no. Coin toss. Heads or tales?
GINO
Tales.
TORELLO tosses.
TORELLO
Heads!
TORELLO throws his ball.
TORELLO
You know that I have always been proud of you?
GINO
No. Remember way back when, you said you'd turn my bike
into scrap metal?
TORELLO
(laughing)
26
You'll never let me forget that. I was concerned for you. I
didn't think cycling would amount to anything. I thought,
this is a little hobby, not a job, not a career.
GINO
Babbo, you stepped over the line.
TORELLO
Eh, my eyes aren't so good.
27
GINO
Go again. Well, Babbo, I have money now and a career. You
told me time and again that money was necessary for food
and certainly not for buying school books with which to hit
other boys over the head!
TORELLO
You remember everything I say.
GINO
Yes, Babb o . Everythi ng. My b occe touched t he pallino!
Ah - 2 points for you .
ToREiLo
TORELLO is about to throw and
s tops.
TORELLO
Gino, is everything all right? You've been quiet of late .
Your victory shoul d make you happy, but you aren't.
GI NO
I don't k now, Babb o, he r e in Italy my victory isn't
celebrated. Not like in France. The French newspaper got it
r i g ht when they sai d that my compatriots didn't react much
a t a ll . No reception . Nothing.
TORELLO
Gino, by saying nothing you say everything . Should you have
thanked Il Duce? Eh- you didn't . Then the next day you go
to Church. What does that say? It says that you side with
the Vatican, not the regime . Do you remember what else I
told you, long ago, when you were 11 year s old?
GINO
So many things. At least give me a hint.
TORELLO
I asked you to hide s omething in the atti c.
GINO
Ah , al l the Soci alist paper s and b ooks.
TORELLO
And what did I say?
GINO
You said, "Politics i s a trap. Remember that. Keep your
distance."
TORELLO
28
I was fighting against Fascism then . They were busting all
of the un1ons and I was a laborer. We were Italia Libera
and v.re wanted no part of Fascism - well they wanted no part
of us. Do you remember Pilati?
GINO
He worked for you?
TORELLO
And he was shot in his house, in his own bedroom, murdered.
I wanted a more just world for myself and my family and for
Italy and instead, was forced to hide my books and
opinions. Keep your distance Gino.
THEY continue to play as LIGHTS
FADE to BLACK.
Act I, Scene 6
September, 1938
SCHOOLYARD. GIORGIO, ABELE,
DANIELE, ABRAMO and DANTE play
soccer.
ABRAMO
We've only got about five minutes before class starts.
GIORGIO
That's okay, Abramo, we can play two on two.
ABELE
Abramo's on my team!
DANTE
We get kick off.
ABELE
Who says, you Dante?
GIORGIO
Come on Abele. Give the kick to Dante.
DANIELE
Let them have first kick.
ABELE
Daniele, why do you always have to side with Giorgio?
GIORGIO
Abramo, isn't that a policeman with Mr. Giovanni?
ABRAMO
Where?
DATE
Yeah, at the school entrance.
ABRAMO
Probably I'm in trouble again.
THEY laugh.
DANTE
Ready- here goes.
29
DANTE kicks off. ABRAMO
intercep'cs.
ABELE
You pushed me to get the ball.
ABRAMO
The whole point is to block you so I can take the ball and
score.
ABELE pushes ABRAMO
DANIELE
30
Okay, enough. I don't know why we can't just play without a
fight.
DANTE
Time's up!
ADONE and NATALINA KLEIN enter.
AD ONE
Giorgio!
DANTE
It's your cousins Giorgio. Adone, you're late for soccer.
NATAL INA
It's my fault. We can still play.
No time left.
Hi, Adone, Natalina.
DANTE
GIORGIO
OTHER BOYS and GIRLS enter the
school. GIORGIO, ABELE, ABRAMO,
and DANTE are stopped.
'MR. GIOVANNI
Giorgio Goldenberg, Abele Anania, Abramo Garo, and
Dante Vitebo, Natalina Klein, and Adone Klein, step out of
the line.
GIORGIO
Why us?
ABRAMO
We didn' t do anything.
:MR. GIOVANNI
Everyone else stop standing around and staring. Get into
the classroom'
OFFICER BENTINI
A new law has been passed and all Jewish students are
permanently expelled. You are not allowed to ever enter
this building again. You need to go home now.
OFFICER BENTINI exits.
:MR. GIOVANNI
I'm sorry- but you have to go. Please, I don't want
anything to happen to you.
How can this be?
New laws.
LIGHTS SHIFT. ALL OTHER STUDENTS
exit as GIORGIO and friends leave
to go home.
GIORGIO
DANTE
ABRAMO
What will they do if we go in anyway?
DANIELE
They'll throw us out, or worse, shoot us.
AD ONE
They can't just shoo t us.
NATAL INA
We better go home like the officer said.
THEY say good-bye and go their
separate ways.
LIGHTS SHIFT to GOLDENBERG HOUSE.
GIACOMO
31
Adone, Natalina- Giorgio- what are you doing out of school?
AD ONE
We were told to leave and never come back.
ELVIRA enters.
ELVIRA
What's going on?
NATAL INA
They told us we had to leave school Aunt Elvira, and never
come back.
GIORGIO
We were told that we could never go back, again.
ELVIRA
It's because of the Racial Manifesto.
GIACOMO
What 1s happening to our Florence?
ELVIRA
32
Fascism. We are foreigners in our own land. The Manifest is
no longer just a piece of paper.
GIACOMO
Giorgio, take your cousins and go inside.
NATAL INA
Is the policeman going to come here?
ELVIRA
No, Natalina, don't you worry. Now go inside.
CHILDREN exit.
ELVIRA
What next, Giacomo? Jews cannot work, no banking, no
government jobs, no teaching, no practicing law, now the
children can't go to school. Will they take your business
away? Will they take our home?
GIACOMO
I cannot believe that our fellow Italians would let any
harm come to us. iillti-fascists will find a way to get rid
of Mussolini and return Italy to sanity.
ELVIRA
I pray that you' re r i gh'c.
LIGHTS t o NEWS .
NEWS: 1939-1943
1939:
Adolf Hitler orders Plan Z, a five-year nav al expansion
program.
Germany invades Poland
Pope Pius XII, Cardinal Pacelli, succeeds Pope Pius XI as
260th Pope .
1941 :
All Jews in German-occupied areas must wear Star of David
with the word Jew inscribed.
Siege of Leningrad begins
33,771 Jews massacred in at Babi Yar by German troops and
Ukrainian police.
Pearl Harbor Attacked by Japanese
1943 :
General Dwight D Eisenhower selected to command the allied
armies in Europe
33
July, 1943: Anti-Fascist movements join with allied forces
to overthrow Mussolini.
THE SOUND of CHEERING and
CELEBRATION.
LIGHTS UP on CROWD in STREETS
of FLORENCE waving small
Italian flags and cheering wildly.
GINO I ADRIANA, ARMANDO I ALFIERI I
BARTOLO wave flags and cele brate.
ALFIERI
Bravo t o the anti -Fascists.
A..R..MANDO
We are free of Mussolini . It' s a beautiful day in a l l of
I'cal y!
ALFIERI
The ni ghtmare lS over.
BARTOLO
Didn't I tell you Italy would return to her senses?
ALFIERI
I was the one who said that.
BARTOLO
No, I predicted Mussolini would be overthrown.
ALFIERI
You would think you were the one who ran him out of town.
ADRIANA
34
What does it matter who said what, we're free of Mussolini!
GINO
Yes, but we're still at war.
ALFIERI
The allies have taken Sicily and they'll work their way to
Florence before you know it.
BARTOLO
Exactly what I predicted.
ARMANDO
Gino, let's ride up to Fiesole, get a good training session
in, racing will be back soon and you've got to be ready.
When we're in Fiesole, we can visit the Goldenberg's.
ADRIANA
Babbo is watching Andrea. I better get back so Babbo and
Mama can celebrate.
GINO
I'll be home in time for dinner.
ADRIANA
You better be. Armando, you come too!
LIGHTS SHIFT to GOLDENBERGS' .
GIORGIO and TEA run out to
greet ARMANDO and GINO.
ARMANDO
Giorgio, Tea, how are you? Have you been celebrating?
TEA
A little.
ARMANDO
What do you mean, a little? Mussolini is gone.
GIORGIO
Papa isn't home yet.
GINO
Where is he?
GIORGIO
He hasn't come back from the internment camp.
ARMANDO
35
Don't you worry. All the Jews will be released. You'll see.
GIORGIO
(staring at Gino)
Are you ... are you?
ARMANDO
Where are my manners? This is Gino ...
GIORGIO
Bartali. Tea- get Marna. Tell her to come quickly with paper
and a pen!
TEA runs off.
GIORGIO
I can't believe it. My friends will be so jealous. Could I
please, please have your autograph?
GINO
Sure. You know that I met your Papa?
GIORGIO
He said so, but I couldn't believe it.
36
GINO
Your papa is quite something, Giorgio. I admire him for all
of his hard work. You're lucky to have Giacomo for your
Papa.
GIORGIO
And I'm so lucky he knows you! Are you going to race again?
Will you do the Giro and the Tour, do you think you could
win both?
GINO
Oh, I don't know. I'd like to give it a try.
TEA and ELVIRA run out.
ELVIRA
Armando! How nice to see you. And- oh my goodness, Gino
Bartali. Oh, how I wish Giacomo were here. He told me all
about meeting you when you were only 11 years old.
GINO
Giacomo said the most important words to me back then.
TEA
You ride a bike for a job?
EVERYONE laughs.
GINO
I guess you could say that. It's my career.
Giacomo!
Papa's home! Papa's home.
GIACOMO enters. ELVIRA turns to
see him.
ELVIRA
GIROGIO and TEA run to him.
TEA
GIORGIO
Papa! You're horne. Armando was right.
ELVIRA
thing is good again. Please, come in and have some
with us to celebrate.
THEY exit as LIGHTS FADE and COME
UP on NEWS.
37
1943, the German army seizes power of Northern
September 12, in a spectacular gamble, German
raid Campo Imperatore and free Mussolini.
made leader of the Italian Social
October, 1943
LIGHTS UP on the Vatican. Study of
POPE PIUS XII. MAGLIONE meets with
the POPE.
MAGLIONE
Mussolini reinstated, the Germans are stepping up
deportations. That is clear, but what the German
sador's position is, remains confusing at best. On the
hand Ambassador Weizsacker's left a clear impression of
will happen to Jews being deported in Rome, but on the
hand, he warned of reprisals if we intervene in any
. I told him, that if we remain silent it is not out of
but out of fear of making matters worse.
POPE PIUS XII
dissatisfied with your response?
MAGLIONE
Your Holiness. That is what is so confusing. He urged
to protest as the only way to stop the roundup, or at
t delay it, although he himself did not take that
on. Your Holiness, the SS is in position to move and
need to take action now.
POPE PJ;US XII
a formal protest would make the deportations
ELVIRA
Everything is good again. Please, come in and 1
food wi th us to celebrate.
NEWS:
THEY exit as LIGHTS F
UP on NEWS.
---
September 1943, the German army seizes power of Northern
Italy and on September 12, in a spectacular gamble, German
paratroopers raid Campo Imperatore and free Mussolini.
Benito Mussolini made leader of the Italian Social
Republic.
October , 1943
LIGHTS UP on the Vatican. Study of
POPE PIUS XII. MAGLIONE meets with
the POPE.
MAGLIONE
With Mussolini reinstated, the Germans are stepping up
their deportations. That is clear, but what the German
Ambassador's position is, remains confusing at best. On the
one hand Ambassador Weizsacker's left a clear impression of
what will happen to Jews being deported in Rome, but on the
other hand, he warned of reprisals if we intervene in any
way. I told him, that if we remain silent it is not out of
approval but out of fear of making matters worse.
POPE PIUS XII
And was Herr Weizsacker dissatisfied with your response?
MAGLIONE
No, Your Holiness. That is what is so confusing. He urged
you to protest as the only way to stop the roundup, or at
least delay it, although he himself did not take that
position. Your Holiness, the SS is in position to move and
we need to take action now.
POPE PIUS XII
It seems that a formal protest would make the deportations
more severe.
MAGLIONE
, J.. th all due respect, Holy Father, I think unless you
protest, Jews in Rome will be deported and- liquidated. I
suggest that we protest to forestall German action.
POPE PIUS XII
38
And you would be wrong. I know Hitler and his colleagues. I
lived in Germany during their rise to power. Any protest by
me would instigate greater atrocities here.
MAGLIONE
I don't know, Your Holiness.
POPE PIUS XII
After Mussolini was deposed, Hitler was so enraged he
planned to send SS troops to occupy the Vatican. His
generals, last minute, dissuaded him. It wouldn't take much
for Hitler to change his mind again- reprisals would make
it worse for the Jews and, I am sure, against German
Catholics.
MAGLIONE
I understand, Holy Father. May I suggest that it is
incumbent upon us to lend some helping hand to the Jews.
POPE PIUS XII
I'll leave that up to you. Help the Jews, but be discreet
about it.
MAGLIONE
We'll have to issue some sort of statement, even if it's
not a protest.
POPE PIUS XI I
I suppose you're right- but do it after the deportations
are carried out. We cannot condemn Germans directly. As
much as it pains me to say this, we need the Germans in
Rome. Without them the Bolsheviks would overrun the city.
That is a far greater danger to our civilization than the
Nazis. You may go now.
MAGLIONE
Yes, Holy Father.
MAGLIONE exits. LIGHT UP on
MAGLIONE, downstage as POPE PIUS
XII turns his back .
MAGLIONE
God give me t he s trength. He lp us to hide a s many Jews as
possible be fore t he Germans strike . Every c hur c h and
convent i n Rome must be a l ert e d.
LIGHTS SHI FT to
ROME, October 16 , 1943.
DANNECKER, standing on a platfor m
above German Troops.
DANNECKER
39
This is an auspicious day in Third Reich history. This is
y our opportunity to rid the Fatherland of one of the last
pockets in Europe of our most dangerous and implacable
enemies, the Jews. We must act resolutely and without
mercy. The young Jew of today, if permitted, will grow into
the fanatic fighter against the Fatherland. In one half
hour you will head to the ghetto and to Trastevere and pull
in every last Jew there. Take them out of their homes and
stores, off the streets and wherever you find them. They
will be shipped immediately to the camps in the East and we
will be rid of them. However, to make your task easier and
avoid any resistance, the Jews must be told they are going
to serve in labor camps and liquidation centers. That is
not, however, to say that you should not act sternly and,
if necessary, brutally. Any Jew who resists or attempts to
hide you will shoot on the spot- it will serve as a good
example to the rest. No exceptions can be made for age,
gender or health. Half-Jews, baptized Jews and those
married to Christians are not exempt, nor are those Jews
formerly influential in the Fascist government. In other
words, your selection will be easy- ALL JEWS! The Italian
Fascist Police are supposed to help you, but I would not
count on it. They are very unreliable and highly
unsympathetic to our program. By the end of the razzia I
intend to report to the fuhrer of our suc cess here in Rome
and then on to Florence . Heil Hitler!
BLACK OUT.
Act I, Scene 7
November, 1943
GOLDENBERG'S. GIACOMO and ELVIRA,
late night, debate their fate.
ELVIRA sorts through the mail.
ELVIRA
There's nothing here from your cousins.
GIACOMO
Do you think they've been arrested?
ELVIRA
I can't help but think the worst. Jews are being murdered
in camps. Rounded up, deported and murdered. I'm sorry,
Giacomo, but I am so afraid for us and our children.
GIACOMO
It's still safer here than the rest of Nazi-held Europe.
ELVIRA
But for how much longer? The police know where we live.
They have our address. We must be on a list somewhere.
GIACOMO
We've got to leave Fiesole.
ELVIRA
But with the children?
GIACOMO
I hate to say this, but we need to split up our family.
ELVIRA
Tea needs to stay with us.
GIACOMO
The Arnato's sent their boy to Santa Marta, in Setti $ 'ano.
It's a boardinghouse and they've agreed to take Jewish
boys.
ELVIRA
We should both talk to Giorgio. But, where will we hide?
GIACOMO
I'll have to ask Armando. He'll know where we can go.
40
Act I, Scene 8
November, 1943
DELLA COSTA'S OFFICE.
GINO enters DELLA COSTA's office.
DELLA COSTA
41
Ah, Gino, so good to see you. I'm so relieved I was able to
contact you.
GINO
It's good to see you too, Cardinal.
DELLA COSTA
Fortune's wheel has turned once again. The Fascists are
back in power and no one is safe, especially the Jews.
GINO
I'm very worried about my friends, the Goldenberg's'.
DELLA COSTA
Exactly why I've called you here. Jewish refugees are
flooding into Florence. Naturally they want to get closer
to the front and the allied forces, some want to get to
Switzerland or Genoa- and others are hoping to hide in the
outskirts of Florence, living under non-Jewish identities.
GINO
I'm not sure that I understand.
DELLA COSTA
You've been working as a military bicycle messenger.
GINO
Yes.
DELLA COSTA
Jews in hiding need false identity documents. You know the
roads, can ride long distances, quite quickly. I want you
to be a messenger for our network. You would pick up and
deliver false documents. I want you to think this over and
I also want to be very clear. This is very dangerous work.
If you're caught by the Germans they'll imprison you, or
send you to a concentration camp, or simply execute you.
The Fascists are even worse. They've formed gangs, like
DELLA COSTA (con' t)
Cari ta ' s , and t hey are desperate , a ngry and r u thl ess.
Secrecy i s of t he utmos t i mpor t a nce . You cannot tell
a nyone, no t even y our wife , if you choose t o become a
messenger . Wi l l you joi n our r escue e ffort? Would you be
willing to risk your life to save the live s of s trangers?
Think about it and l e t me know as s oon as you decide.
LIGHTS SHI FT to CEMETARY. GINO
visits GIULIO.
GINO
42
What would you do Giulio, if you had a wife and child, but
you also had good friends, Jews, like the Goldenberg's' who
would die if you didn't help them? If you didn't use your
God give talent to save others? Cardinal Della Costa is my
friend and mentor . He's given me my life back in so many
ways. He married Adriana and I, he baptized my son. Babbo
said to distance myself from politics, but this is about
saving lives. Wouldn't Babbo have done something if he had
known his friend Pilati was going to be killed? Babbo hid
his books and papers and became silent. He gave up his
Socialist beliefs and his anti-Fascist work. If I get
caught Giulio, they'll kill me and Adriana will be left
alone with a son to care for during a terrible war. Either
I turn my back on the Goldenberg's' and other Jews and let
the Fascists kill them, or I turn my back on Fascism once
and for all .
LIGHTS to BLACK
Act I, Scene 9
November 1943. FLORENCE.
DANNECKER' S SCREAMING in the
DARK.
DANNECKER
Auchtung! Attenzione! All inhabitants outside. No packing,
take nothing with you. You have three minutes!
JEWS pour into the streets.
SOLDIERS push and shove them.
DANNECKER
Separate women and children.
Take the children!
SHOOT!
LOUD CRIES of PROTEST.
DANNECKER
SOLDIERS rip children away
from MOTHERS.
A FAMILY runs.
DANNECKER
THE FAMILY stops a moment, then
Runs.
DANNECKER
SOLDIERS mow them down.
DANNECKER
43
Achtung! Achtung! Anyone resisting will be killed! Round up
the Jews! Where are all the Jews! COME OUT NOW!
BLACK OUT. LIGHTS UP on DANNECKER
standing before SS BOSSHAMMER.
BOSS HAMMER
Colonel Eichmann is furious with you. You did not get the
cooperation of the Italian Polices in rounding up Jews. Not
B O S S B ~ R (con't)
in Rome- out of 8,000 you round up only 1,239!? And now
Florence, a miserable failure.
DANNECKER
The Italian Police sympathize with the Jews, if you don't
believe me ask Col. Kappler.
BOSS HAMMER
Forget Kappler. He'd put them back in the ghetto and feed
them! You must pressure Italian police to arrest Jews. If
they don't they will be arrested. Raid the convents,
churches, priories, rectories, whatever it takes! Now get
out of here!
DANNECKER leaves. BLACK OUT.
44
Act II, Scene 1
Early December, 1943
LIGHTS UP on SANTA MARTA.
MARIO, CARLO, DANTE, FILIPPO,
GIORGIO and BRIZIO play tag
outside of SANTA MARTA.
MARIO
Dante, you're it. The last one found gets extra bread.
FILIPPO
Oh, yeah? And how are you going to do that, Mario?
MARIO
Take yours, Filippo.
DANTE
Mamma Cornelia is going to come out here and nobody will
have bread.
GIORGIO
She'd never take our food away.
DANTE
Giorgio's right. But, she just might send you, Mario, to
bed before dinner.
CARLO
come on, are we going to play tag or not?
GIORGIO
All this talk about bread. I'm hungry. I could eat a whole
loaf.
Look what I have.
Potato skins.
FILIPPO
FILIPPO pulls potato skins out of
his pocket.
FILIPPO
MARIO
What are you going to do with those?
45
FILIPPO
Salt them up and roast 'em over a fire. Delicious.
CARLO
You can get bread from the pantry you know. Just go in
there at night and take it.
GIORGIO
As tempting as that is, it's not right.
CARLO
I'm no thief.
GIORGIO
Didn't say you were.
DANTE
46
Carlo, you better give me what you took, or I'll tell Mamma
Cornelia.
CARLO
Oh yeah.
BRIZIO
Oh boy, here we go. Carlo's winding up for a fight.
CARLO
Keep it to yourself Brizio, or I just might sock you in the
nose.
Try'
Yeah big mouth.
Now you've done it Dante!
BRIZIO
DANTE
CARLO
CARLO charges at DANTE and
they wrestle. The others
yell and laugh.
MAMMA CORNELIA runs out and
pulls the boys apart.
MAMMA CORNELIA
Enough. That's enough. Corne on, all of you. Inside. It's
time for lunch and I'll have no bad behavior. We all need
to get along here.
MAMMA exits. LIGHTS SHIFT to
DINING HALL.
The BOYS sit on benches. OTHER
BOYS, ABELE, ABRAMO, and DANIELE
enter, joining GIORGIO and sit.
ABELE
Giorgio, we were looking for you. Where were you?
GIORGIO
Outside. I was hoping you'd come out Abele .
ABRAMO
Did you see any truckloads of Germans, any bombers
overhead?
GIORGIO
No. Where were you Abramo?
ABRAMO
Hoping to hear something of my parents.
DANIELE
I'm sure now that mine have been taken. Deported.
ABRAMO
Don't be so sure, right Giorgio!
GIORGIO
My Babbo was in an internment camp but then he came back.
Maybe your parents are in hiding, like mine.
DANIELE
Maybe.
CARLO
What are you talking about over there? Food?
GIORGIO
Food, Carlo - describing roast chicken.
47
Ohhhhhh.
ALL BOYS
MAMMA enters with bowls and
spoons and gives them to D f o ~ T E .
DANTE distributes them.
FILIPPO
48
Mamma Cornelia, I'm always hungry, especially after we eat.
MAMMA CORNELIA
I know. And I'm sorry if you're hungry. But we must be
thankful for any food we have.
MAMMA CORNELIA exits.
DANTE
What's for lunch?
BRIZIO
What do you think Dante? It's the same every day.
CARLO
Watered down soup and peas. Soup and peas, soup and peas,
soup and peas.
Okay, enough Carlo!
BOYS
MAMMA reenters with Soup tureen.
BOYS line up.
FILIPPO
Why do we have such little food?
MAMMA CORNELIA
We've fallen on very hard times and we should be thankful
for what we have.
CARLO
How much you want to bet we're having barley coffee and a
slice of stale bread for dinner?
MAMMA CORNELIA
Carlo, I heard that. You'll have what you have.
--
DANTE
Maybe it' s more than most other people eat.
MAMMA CORNELIA
Dante has a good point. Some pe ople have nothing. All
righ t. Lets say gra ce t o our selves.
CHRISTIAN BOYS b l ess t hemsel ves.
JEWISH BOYS b ow thei r heads .
CARLO
You have to bless yourselves'
MAMMA CORNELIA
Mind your own business Carlo.
CARLO
Why don't they ever go to communion?
MAMMA CORNELIA
49
Carlo, I wish you were as inquisitive in class. Some boys
are here because their parents are in the military and when
they return they will decide the timing of their children's
participation in the sacrament.
THE BOYS eat, and talk.
MAMMA CORNELIA speaks quietly to
GIORGIO, DANIELE, ABRAMO, ABELE .
MAMMA CORNELIA
I want you to say the prayers of your faith quietly to
yourselves and that is what you must always do .
LIGHTS FADE as BOYS quietly say
a prayer.
Ac'c II, Scene 2
December, 1943
GINO BARTALI'S. GINO, in cycling
gear puts on a sweater and is
about to leave when ADRIANA
enters.
ADRIANA
Where are you going? It's so dangerous.
GINO
Adriana, I'm going to be gone for a few days. Training. If
anyone comes here and wants to know where I am, especially
at night, tell them I had to deal with an emergency.
ADRIANA
Who would come looking for you, in the night?
GINO
No one. But, just in case, tell them I went for medicine,
for Andrea.
ADRIANA
I understand you're training. I'm used to it. But if there
are no races, what are you training for?
GINO
50
I'm just training. That's all. Staying in shape. I don't
want you to worry, everything is fine. If you need anything
let Babbo know. I'll be back before you know it.
ADRIANA
I hope so. You have a wife and son waiting for you.
He's awake.
Give him a kiss for me.
ANDREA cries.
ADRIANA
GINO
LIGHTS UP on GINO as he gets
on his bike.
51
GINO
Forgive me Adriana.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK .
. -----....
Act II, Scene 3
December, 1943 .
SAN DAMIANO MONASTERY
GINO knocks on the door
to the monastery, waits and
waits. Knocks again.
GINO
Father Nicacci, are you here? Father Nicacci?
NICACCI enters.
NICACCI
Bartali, come in, come in.
GINO enters with his bike.
NICACCI
52
You'll catch cold. You're wearing shorts and shirt only.
It's so cold outside! How long did it take you to get here?
GINO
Thirteen kilometers from Perugia in a quarter of an hour,
not bad, eh?
NICACCI
Not bad at all! I have some coffee for you. Such as it is.
We are alone.
GINO looks around.
NICACCI
GINO takes his bike apart and
pulls out rolled documents.
NICACCI
Remarkable. I trust you had no trouble on the way. No one
stopped you?
GINO
No. Hopefully no one ever will.
NICACCI
Has Cardinal Della Costa given you any new instructions?
53
GINO
Yes, he told me to go down South and speak with a priest
who knows smugglers who ' d be wil l i ng to r u n Jewi sh refugees
i n to Allied c ontrol led ter r i t or y, if we pay t hem.
NICACCI
If i t's money t hey want, they'll have it. So, you will r i de
down So u th. Drink your coffee. Get war med up.
GINO begins putting hi s bike back
together.
GINO
Believe me, once I am on the road and making time, I'm
plenty warm.
NICACCI
Have you raced at all?
GINO
Six months ago. A small race. I love being back on the
road. I can feel Tuscany and the foothills of the
Apennine's under my wheels and then the climb.
NICACCI
These documents will save hundreds of lives- if only I can
find a printer! What you are doing, Gino, we thank you. God
thanks you.
GINO
God has given me a talent. I'm using it.
Thank you.
Will you race again?
GINO finishes his coffee.
GINO
GINO gets his bike and turns to
leave.
NICACCI
GINO
I'll be c hampion again one day. I 'll show them who Il
Vecchio is!
Godspeed.
(to God)
Now, find me a printer.
You're late Father.
GINO exits.
NICACCI
LIGHTS SHIFT to LUIGI BRIZI who
sits with a checker board.
LUIGI
NICACCI
Yes, Luigi, my apologies. Important business.
LUIGI
With God, no doubt.
NICACCI
You could say that.
NICACCI sits down.
LUIGI
You're move first.
NICACCI moves a checker.
NICACCI
Tell me Luigi, your roots go far back into Assisi's
history, no?
LUIGI moves a checker.
LUIGI
Yes! Eugenio Brizi was the mayor of Assisi in 1812 and he
was a friend and ally to Giuseppe Mazzini, a hero in
Italy's battle for independence, but you know all this.
NICACCI
I wanted to hear you say it once again. For you to think
about your roots in the Italian liberation, your deep
connection to Italian nationalism.
NICACCI moves a checker, hops,
takes a checker.
54
55
NICACCI
We are very cl o se to losing our bel oved Italy and its
people , i ncludi ng t he Jews , who are I t alians and whose
a nces tors f ought f o r liberation. So my q uestion to you , are
you goi ng to help our J e ~ , r s ?
LUIGI
How c a n I he lp? I don't understa nd .
NICACCI
By printing false identity cards in your printing shop. By
contributing to the cause you preach yourself- freedom and
democracy. By repaying the debts Mazzini, Garibaldi,
Cavour, and Eugenio Brizi owed the Jews. By saving their
lives.
It is quiet for a few moments.
LUIGI, stunned, gets up and
thinks.
LUIGI
I will do it- on one condition. I don't want my son,
Trento, to know, be involved at all. If something should
happen to me I don't want him to be incriminated. He's only
just returned from the Yugoslavian front fighting for
Italy. I will not risk my son's life again.
NICACCI
God Bless you, Luigi!
NICACCI and LUIGI shake hands.
Act II , Scene 4
January, 1944
CHECKPOINT outs ide o f Fl orence .
1943. GI NO i s stoppe d by an
ITALIAN SOLDI ER.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
What I wouldn't do for some olive oil on a nice f at p iece
of bread, some vinegar too.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 2
We haven't had a bottle of oil in our cabinet for a couple
of years. - Did you hear something?
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
No. But we better stay alert. You never know .
ITALIAN SOLDIER 2
I'd rather be in the thick of battle than sitting here
trying to be alert .
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
You want to face Patton down? Be my guest.
GINO arrives on his bike.
SOLDIER 1
Documents please.
SOLDIER 2
Off your bike and step away from it! Documents!
You go, I'll s tay here.
Is the re a problem?
GINO takes out his documents.
SOLDIER 1 looks at them, then
steps aside and shows SOLDIER 2.
They move away and whisper.
SOLDIER 2
SOLDI ER 1 runs off.
GI NO
56
SOLDIER 2
You're to wait here with me.
It is'
GINO, nervous, looks around to
see if he is in danger.
SOLDIER 1 and a GROUP of SOLDIERS
enter running with paper and a
pen.
SOLDIER 3
SOLDIER 4
I thought you two must be drunk, but you're right!
SOLDIER 5
I can't believe our luck. No one will believe us.
SOLDIER 3
Anyone have a camera?
GINO
Please explain to me what's going on?
SOLDIERS
Bartali, right? Yes? Gino Bartali!
SOLDIER 4
57
Gino Bartali, the Tour de France hero, 1938, Giro D'italia,
1936!
SOLDIERS
Autograph - me first, over here. Shake my hand.
A hubbub ensues. Then-
SOLDIER 1
You're not hiding anything, are you?
A moment of quiet, then ALL
SOLDIERS laugh.
SOLDIER 2
Gino Bartali, the famous racer. What an honor! What are you
doing here?
SOLDIER 5
Preparing for a race I bet!
GINO
Exactly. This ~ s the perfect terrain!
SOLDIER 4
My son wants to race and when he sees this autograph he'll
love me forever.
GINO
I'm happy to 1 n s p ~ r e a younger generation.
SOLDIER 3
But, I thought when the war started all races ended.
GINO
True, but I have to stay in shape. I have to be ready.
SOLDIER 4
This war won't last forever! I'd like it to end right now
and see you win another Tour for Italy!
That's why I'm training.
Good luck!
SOLDIER 1 gives GINO his
documents.
GINO
SOLDIERS
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.
58
Act II, Scene 5
January, 1944
LUIGI'S PRINTING SHOP.
LUIGI is printing false
documents when TRENTO enters.
TRENTO
59
Babbo, hello! I was hoping that you'd be here. What are you
working on? I'll help you .
LUIGI
Oh, just some pamphlets.
TRENTO
Pamphlets? What are they for?
LUIGI
The church.
TRENTO
For Mass? Let me see.
LUIGI
I don't need your help today Trento and I'm so busy.
TRENTO
If you're busy you must need my help. What's wrong?
LUIGI
Nothing. Good to see you Trento, but why don't you come
back later, or maybe tomorrow?
TRENTO
What's going on?
TRENTO looks at the documents.
TRENTO
These aren't pamphlets for the Church- their documents-
tell me what you're doing. Now, Babbo.
LUIGI
Shh- okay- okay. I'll tell you but you must promise to
tell no one, not even Mama.
60
TRENTO
All right- I promise.
LUIGI
I'm making false documents. To help save the Jews. Father
Nicacci asked me to help and - I can't let our Jewish
brethren be rounded up and taken to their deaths. Do you
understand, Trento? I can't have you involved. I don't want
anything to happen to you.
TRENTO
Babbo, I fought for three years on the front. I heard the
bullets whizzing over my head, and at this point I am no
longer afraid of anything. I want to help you.
LUIGI
No, I can't let you.
TRENTO
I am going to help you. Let's get to work. Where's the card
stock?
LUIGI
What am I getting you into? All right. Card stock is in the
back. After you get that I think you should start crafting
false rubber seals. They should be from Leece and Caserta.
But first give me the last name on the list.
TRENTO
Why, specifically Leece and Caserta?
LUIGI
They are below the Allied front and unverifiable by the
Fascist authorities. Here's a list from Father Nicacci.
Read the last name on the list, all the others have been
done and let's make small changes.
TRENTO
(reading)
Here we have Enrico Maionica- came to Assisi from Trieste.
Change Maionica to Martorana, and make him a bachelor from
Caserta.
LUIGI looks up. S.S. OFFICER
stands outside the shop, smoking.
LUIGI
Take the list, go to the back. Be quiet. There's and S.S.
Officer outside.
TRENTO
Babbo, don't let him come in. Put the closed sign on the
door.
Go to the back .
Trento, he's gone.
LUIGI
TRENTO goes to the back. After a
moment the S.S. OFFICER strolls
off.
LUIGI
TRENTO comes out.
TRENTO
My head is spinning a little.
LUIGI
Are you sure you want to do this?
TRENTO
Yes, yes. I want to help you.
LUIGI
61
I need to go to Niccaci and deliver the documents I've made
thus far, just in case. Can you stay here, and work on the
seals?
Of course.
TRENTO
LUIGI takes the documents,
placing them inside his shirt.
LUIGI
Be careful while I'm gone.
TRENTO
I survived the front, Babbo.
LUIGI exits. TRENTO gets to work
on a seal.
SS OFFICER and a GERMAN SOLDIER
approach the shop.
TRENTO
Not again. I don't want them coming in here. Please, God,
make them go away. Are they coming in here? I've looked a'c
them. Oh, no, they're going to come in.
SS OFFICER
Sorry to disturb your work, but I as hoping to bring home
an image of Saint Clare for my wife. Would you happen to
have one?
TRENTO
Saint Clare, Saint Clare, uh, yes, I believe so, I think,
yes, of course I do. Let me look.
TRENTO shuffles through cards and
drops some, picks them up.
TRENTO
Just one moment. Must be here someHhere. AH - here. I have
one!
SS OFFICER
Thank you! What luck. My wife will be so happy. What's the
cost?
TRENTO
Nothing. Nothing at all, a gift for you from Assisi to our
German friends.
GERMAN SOLDIER 1
You have a good day Sir. I'll be sure to let other Germans
know of your kindness.
SOLDIERS leave. TRENTO collapses.
He is breathing heavily, and
shaking.
TRENTO
What's wrong with me? My heart won't stop. Get a hold of
yourself. Breathe. Nothing happened. They won't come back.
TRENTO holds his hands out. They
are shaking.
62
TRENTO
I must calm do"m, calm down . My heart i s raci ng.
I can't do t h is .
TRENTO stands up.
TRENTO
TRENTO runs out . LIGHTS SHI FT
to NICACCI'S.
NICACCI
Trento - what's wrong? Your face has gone white.
TRENTO
I can't do this. I can't. My first day helping and Germans
come into the shop .
NICACCI
They were in your father's shop?
TRENTO
Yes .
NICACCI
Did they see anything, find anything?
TRENTO
63
One wanted a picture of Saint Clare. But maybe that was a
lie to see what I was doing. He could have easily seen what
I was doing. One day and this work is too much a risk. I
can't be involved.
NICACCI
Look, Trento, you're okay. It was nothing. Please
reconsider. Think of all the Jews you've saved in one day -
if you stop now other, many others will die. Your father
needs you.
TRENTO
No, I'm sorry, I can't do it. You'll have to find someone
else for the job .
GINO enters , (l e aving the
monaste ry) . Pu ts on h is sweater
and walks o ff. TRENTO stares after
him.
TRENTO
Was that ... ?
NICACCI
Yes.
TRENTO
It was Gino Bartali?
NICACCI
Yes. He's helping our efforts.
TRENTO sits a moment.
TRENTO
The great Bartali, with so much to lose, ~ s helping you
with false documents?
(thinking for a few moments, stunned)
If he can do it, then so can I.
64
Act II, Scene 6
March 1944
A BASEMENT ROOM.
GINO situates GIACOMO, ELVIRA
and TEA.
GIACOMO
Gino, We can' t thank you enough for letting us hide here.
GINO
Giacomo, there is no need for you to thank me. My old
apartment was no longer safe for you. I know this basement
is small and cramped and dark but I promise you, you'll be
safe here, but you'll have to be very, very quiet.
ELVIRA
Tea, you understand, yes? No noise. We don't want to
attract any attention.
TEA
I'll be very quiet, Mama.
ELVIRA
Good girl.
GINO
I've got to go. I'll try to check on you in a few days and
I'll bring more food.
GIACOMO
You are a true friend.
GINO leaves.
TEA
What about Giorgio?
GIACOMO
Why don't you unpack our things Tea.
TEA moves to the back of the
"room" and takes clothes from
a suitcase.
ELVIRA
I very concerned for Giorgio.
65
66
ELVIRA (con' t)
The Germans have been on a rampage for months. They rounded
up and deported Jews from Rome, and Florence. We escaped
that but what next? They'll go into the churches and
convents. What if they find Giorgio?
GIACOMO
You must get him from Santa Marta. That's all there is to
it. It's safer for you to go.
ELVIRA puts on a coat and leaves
as:
LIGHTS SHIFT to GINO's. He returns
home, ADRIANA waiting for him.
ADRIANA
I dread the nights without you and now the days. Where have
you been?
GINO
Please, Adriana, you know where I've been. Let's not go
over this again.
ADRIANA
What's wrong?
GINO
Adriana, nothing ~ s wrong. I've been training hard, that's
all.
ADRIANA
If it makes you nervous and angry and unable to sleep, then
don't do it. How you feel effects me, our son and our
unborn child. You are in a continual state of anxiety.
GINO
Adriana! Stop! Please.
ADRIANA
Don't raise your voice like that.
GINO
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
ADRIA.NA
PeopJ-e ask.
GINO
Wha t do you mean?
ADRIANA
They see that you are gone. People see you on your bike.
They know there are no races, may never be another race
again.
GINO
Who asks?
ADRIANA
67
Every time we move to another place to be safer, people see
you on your bike, coming home at dawn, leaving in he dark
of night.
GINO
Riding is the only thing that keeps me sane through all of
this. Let's leave it at that, and if anyone asks, that's
what you tell them!
GINO leaves.
ADRIANA
Please God, watch over him. He's all I have.
Act II, Scene 7
April , 1944
68
SANTA MARTA'S . ELVIRA e nters MAMMA
CORNELIA'S office.
MAMMA CORNELIA
Mr s . Goldenberg, is everything all right?
ELVIRA
I am concerned for Giorgio and want to take him. The
Germans are desperate and raiding convents, churches,
hospitals, looking for Jews. What if they come here, Mamma
Cornelia, and take Giorgio? I would never be able to
forgive myself. Please, please, let me take him.
MAMMA CORNELIA
The Germans have not been here and I don't think that they
will.
ELVIRA
You don't know that. My husband's cousins, the Klein's,
were taken and deported. We have heard, from allied radio,
that there are camps where thousands of Jews have been
murdered. The Germans, if they find Giorgio, will deport
him to one of those camps.
MAMMA CORNELIA
I can't stop you from taking your son and I will respect
your wishes, Mrs. Goldenberg. He saw you arrive and is
waiting outside.
MAMMA CORNELIA brings GIORGIO
to ELVIRA.
GIORGIO
Mama! I've missed you so much.
ELVIRA
Oh, Giorgio! I'm so happy to see you! Thank you Mamma
Cornelia.
GIORGIO
Thank you Mamma Cornelia, for taking care of me. For
everything you've done to keep me safe. I'll miss you and
my friends. Please keep them safe.
I will . God Bless you.
Giorgio
Welcome home son.
MAMMA CORNELIA
THEY exit as LIGHTS SHIFT to
BASEMENT ROOM.
GIACOMO & TEA
GIACOMO
GIORGIO
Papa' Tea' I'm so happy to see you.
ELVIRA
Are you hungry?
GIORGIO
Always'
ELVIRA
69
Here's some bread. Share it with Tea. You've got to be
very, very quiet. No one can suspect that we are down here.
GIORGIO
I'll be quiet.
TEA
We have to whisper.
ELVIRA
You don't have to whisper. You just can't argue or talk
loud or make loud noises.
GIORGIO
I'm just so happy to be home.
GIORGIO and TEA sit together.
GIORGIO
What have you been doing without me?
TEA
We've moved, a lot, from one place to the next and this is
the darkest and hardest place to be. I couldn't take our
books, or any games so I sit here.
A SIREN goes off.
GIACOMO
Get on the floor. Cover your heads.
THEY get on the floor and cover
their heads.
BOMBS and ARTILLERY can be
heard in the distance.
TEA
When will it stop - please stop!
ELVIRA
Shh - be calm. It will stop soon.
Okay, you can get up.
BOMBS, ARTILLERY. THEN QUIET.
GIACOMO
THEY sit up and are quiet
for a few moments.
GIORGIO
You sit like this all day?
TEA
Pretty much.
GIORGIO
At Santa Marta's at least I could play outside and there
were other boys there.
TEA
I don't know if we'll ever be able to go outside again.
TEA swats a fly.
TEA
Fifth fly today.
GIORGIO
We could count flies. Whoever counts the most ...
TEA
Gets what? All the dead flies?
70
GIORGIO
Ha-ha.
GIACOMO
Giorgio - no laughing.
TEA
(whispering)
Do you think the war will end?
I don't know.
GIORGIO
THE SOUND of JACKBOOTS, first
in the distance, then LOUDER and
LOUDER.
GIACOMO raises his finger to his
lips and signals to be quiet and
very still.
JACKBOOTS are PASSING right by
the basement. TEA cries. GIORGIO
signals to put her hand over her
mouth.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK with the
Sound of JACKBOOTS, MARCHING.
71
Act II, Scene 8
June , 1944
FRANCISCAN SISTERS CONVENT.
LOUD BANGING on a DOOR. SISTER
FRANCIS tries to usher a GROUP
of JEWISH WOMEN into a back room
SISTER FRANCIS
Quickly! Quickly! Before Carita and his men barge in here.
To the back - quickly!
ESTHER
(helping)
Don't panic. Do as Sister says -quickly, to the back.
CARITA and THREE GANG MEN barge
in. One woman, ESTHER, is still
in the room.
CARITA
Outside - you! Everyone in the back out, now!
MOVE - OUT! NOW!
THE WOMEN come out.
CARITA
CARITA herds the WOMEN to the
street.
SISTER
72
Please. These are Italian citizens. They have no place else
to go. You can't take them!
CARITA
We'll take what we want. I'll take that one.
Pointing to ESTHER.
ESTHER
Please, please, I've done nothing. Don't take me! Don't
hurt me.
CARITA
Shut up! Hurry up, move! Move!
Oh, God, please, no!
ESTHER
ITALIAN SOLDIERS burst onto
the scene.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
Halt, Carita and Carita's men. Stop. We are taking these
women. They are under arrest and our orders are to take
them.
CARITA
These are our prisoners to do with what we want.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
We'll take possession. You are relieved of your
responsibilities.
CARITA
What orders do you have? Back off. Move away.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
If it's a blood bath you want, well .... I think Signore, that
most of you will be dead before you can get any shots off,
but of course, that is your decision.
CARITA and his MEN look at each
other.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
You are really full of yourselves. Now get out of here
before we shoot your brains out.
Come with us.
CARITA and his MEN back away and
leave.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
ESTHER
What are you going to do with us?
SISTER
73
Please, let them come back to the convent. I will take care
of them.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
We are not going to turn you over to the Germans. I didn't
want Carita to take you. So, please, come with me.
SISTER
These are Italian women.
ITALIAN SOLDIER 1
You are hiding Italian women? I don't think so. They will
not be safe any more with you. Carita will come back.
Come Hith us, you'll go to one of the Italian camps where
there is food and shelter and you are guarded. I don't
enjoy having to take you but it' s for your own good.
LIGHTS FADE as ALL exit.
74
Gino , what is it?
Si t down Ad r i a na.
Tell me, now.
I've been summoned.
Summoned?
Act Ii, Scene 9
July, 1944
GI NO' S . HE stares at a summons .
ADRIANA
GINO
ADRIANA
GINO
ADRIANA
GINO
I have to appear before Major Mario Carita's .
ADRIANA
Villa Trieste?
GINO
It's p robably r outine- don't- don't be ups et.
ADRIANA
Gino. No! Don't go.
GINO
I have to. I'll be back.
ADRIANA
Tell him you're a husband and a father and we're expecting
a child soon. Tell him who you are and that you are in
training . Gino '
GINO
I've go to go.
75
Act II, Scene 10
HOUSE OF SORROWS.
GINO is questioned. A BRIGHT
LIGHT BLINDS him. OLESINDO stands
with CARITA.
CARITA
Wake up, Bartali - wake up -open your eyes. You sent arms
to the Vatican! Confess.
GINO
I've told you, over and over again.
CARITA
Well, tell me again!
GINO
76
I didn't send arms to the Vatican or anyplace else! I don't
even know how to shoot a gun. I was a messenger, not a
soldier out in the field.
CARITA
You lie!
GINO
I am not lying.
OLESINDO
Carita, he would have confessed by now. He's not lying.
Whose side are you on?
CARITA
CARITA exits, CELL DOOR SLAMS.
OLESINDO exits. BRIGHT LIGHT
EXTINGHISHED. In semi darkness.
GINO
God, give me strength. I don't have much more. Please help
me to endure Carita. I am so afraid of what is going to
happen to me.
SOUND of SCREAMING. SOMEONE
being tortured.
GINO
No, no, help his poor soul. Help his poor soul. Stop. God,
make i t stop.
QUIET again.
GINO
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Blood, pieces of flesh on the floor. God rest their souls.
I can't break down. Don't let me break down. I cannot
reveal any names, say anything no matter what. Help me God.
Help me say no names.
GINO hangs his head, falls asleep.
CELL DOOR SLAMS- BRIGHT LIGHT
BLINDS GINO. CARITA and OLESIND
return.
CARITA
Wake up! Wake up! You sent arms to the Vatican.
GINO
What time, what day? Where am I?
OLESINDO
Villa Trieste.
CARITA
You sent arms to the Vatican. Say it!
GINO
I got sugar, and coffee, flour, food supplies from farmers
and those supplies went t o the Vatican to distribute to
those in need.
CARITA
Liar!
GINO
If you want to help your fellow Italians with supplies, I
will show you how. Give me sugar, flour, I'll make a
package and Ill send it in your name to the Vatican, The
Holy Father will thank you, you'll see.
CARITA lunges at GINO, about to
choke him.
OLESINDO
If Bartali says he sent coffee, flour, and sugar to the
Vatican, then that is wha'c he did. Bartali doesn't lie.
Enough. Three days and the same story. He's not lying.
CA.'RITA
Go - but we' 11 meet again.
OLESINDO
Go, and don't look back.
GINO walks out into daylight.
GINO
(to himself)
Carita, I hope I never see you again.
LIGHTS to BLACK
78
Act II, Scene 11
August, 1944
GINO'S. GINO paces. He is nervous
and tired. After a moment a
DOCTOR AMATO enters.
GINO
Is Adriana all right? The baby- are they both all right?
DOCTOR AMATO
Mr. Bartali. Why don't you sit? Please sit down.
GINO
Just please tell rne if my wife and child are alive.
DOCTOR AMATO
Please, Mr. Bartali- sit down.
GINO sits.
DOCTOR AMATO
You must understand that your wife was under so much
stress, that, and malnutrition the effects of the war, it
is a miracle her pregnancy lasted as long as it did.
GINO
Are they all right?
DOCTOR AMATO
79
Your wife has turned a corner and she will be fine, but I'm
afraid your son was stillborn.
GINO bows his head and cries.
DOCTOR A.MATO
I'm sorry -
GINO
My son. I had a son?
DOCTOR A.MATO
I am so sorry.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.
LIGHTS UP on CEMETARY. GINO
places a very mall coffin-like
box in the ground.
GINO
Giulio- I bring rny son, Giorgio, to bury. He'll rest in
peace with you. He was my beautiful boy.
LIGHTS FADE to BLACK
80
Act II, Scene 12
August, 1944
BASEMENT where GOLDENBERG'S
are hiding.
GIACOMO
It's been very quiet for hours. It must be over.
ELVIRA
How will we know?
GIACOMO
We'll wait. Someone will tell us.
GIORGIO
I want to go out to see.
ELVIRA
No. You can't. We don't know what's out there.
GIORGIO
I've had enough of this basement. The war is over and I've
got to go outside and see for myself.
GIACOMO
Enough Giorgio.
TEA
We don't have to stay in hiding. We can go home.
ELVIRA
Not yet, Tea.
TEA
I'm hungry.
GIACOMO
I'll get you some bread. Be patient .
BOYS VOICES OUTSIDE
Gli inglesi son arrivati' The English have arrived
GIORGIO sneaks out when GIACOMO
turns his back.
LIGHTS SHIFT to STREET. A BRITISH
81
SOLDIER with the Star of David on
his arm stands there.
GIORGIO goes to him, staring and
the BRITISH SOLDIER picks him up.
82
GIORGIO sings Hatikva, the BRITISH
SOLDIER recognizes the song and
sings in English.
GIORGIO gets down and runs to get
GIACOMO.
GIORGIO
Papa! Papa! The war is over, come out. There's a British
Soldier here. He's Jewish! Quickly come out!
GIACOMO, ELVIRA and TEA run out.
GIACOMO
A Jewish soldier, really? A Jewish soldier wearing the
Shield of Magen David!
BRITISH SOLDIER
Another J"ewish family! Thank God you survived!
GIACOMO
Are there other Jews?
BRITISH SOLDIER
Yes, many have survived, here. Hidden by priests and nuns.
GIACOMO
(to Elvira)
And our dear friend, Gino.
To Gino!
ELVIRA
MANY PEOPLE pour into the STREETS.
THE BELLS atop BARGELLO RING.
ELVIRA
The Bargello Bells are ringing!!!
LIGHTS UP on ANTOHER PART of
FLORENCE A WOMAN COURIER runs
through the STREET.
WOMAN COURIER
Do you hear it? The bells of Bargello, silent for four
years! They're ringing. It's magic. Do you hear the magic
of the bells? Look, look, the Italian flag! It's being
raised. The Italian flag is flying.
Have they gone?
We're free, free!
SHE falls to her knees, crying.
A WOMAN calls out.
ITALIAN WOMAN
WOMAN COURIER
The sound OF THE BELLS as the
Streets of FLORENCE fill with
PEOPLE. LIGHTS FADE.
THE END.
83