act38side

The old man writes down his own name, and gives it to Luchino.

Y-you're... But why did you say you were a guest...?

Hush, Luchino. Just do as I say without a word from you, and do what we have to do.

Signor Fabrizio is but a client to us right now.

Would you allow this boy to serve you as my assistant, signore? He's been wanting to work on a major client.

Luchino was never allowed to assist his grandfather with important customers in any step of the process before.

But now, Umberto guides him every step of the way, and even encourages the boy to do it himself.

'You must show your clients respect and gratitude', he is told...

Everything goes smoothly and naturally, as if the kidnapping never happened and his nonno hadn't come here to rescue him.

Just working a regular job.

His hands are as stable as yours. Will he become a 'tagliatore' like you?

A 'tagliatore'?

I see you've never told this child about your past, Umberto.

Ingrid, aren't you going in to see Papa?

So long as the Don is with them, Umberto and Lucchino won't be in any danger.

I just have to make sure they walk out of here safe and sound.

You know that's not what I meant.

You're the one who he needs to see.

Involve an innocent child in famiglia affairs? I don't remember the old man ever doing something like this.

He wasn't brought back here on my orders. But I won't deny it—I would have done this anyway if his presence truly poses a threat to the famiglia's interests.

The famiglia's interests? Or yours?

Is there a difference between the two?

You've changed quite a lot, Antonio.

No, you've been away from home for too long, Ingrid.

This is Siracusa's twenty-third nomadic city. A piece of uncultivated fertile land.

I've sown seeds here, so I'm obliged to ensure they mature for a ripe harvest. No matter the methods used.

It's also why I've been urging you to come back to us. I know what you're capable of, and we need you here.

Anton, the Don won't like this.

He'll be mad, of course.

He just summoned me inside, and I can guess he has a lecture in store.

But do you think he's angry because I got an innocent boy involved? No, he doesn't care at all.

He's just angry I wasn't stealthy enough, wasn't proper and 'decent' enough.

I will prove to him with actual results that the Venezias <i>can</i> establish two sets of order at the same time—one on the table and the other underneath.

But what we should prioritize is definitely not this so-called 'decency'.

Even if it hurts him, and those who trust you?

I love him, I do. He gave me everything I have. I think this is the way I can repay him for that, no matter what it takes.

And you got one thing wrong, Ingrid. I've never changed.

...Never changed—

Is that so...?

A 'tagliatore'...

De Montano Tailor Shop no longer offers that service today. This child doesn't need to know about it.

Pity. I still remember how elegantly you would solve my many problems.

Montelupe's famiglie were all terrified of the elusive 'tagliatore'. One only had to write the target's name down on the order sheet, and he would be reported dead in the newspapers the next day.

...It was all to repay your kindness.

You saved me when I was a young tailor about Luchino's age, and gave me a chance to live in Montelupe.

You deserve a decent finale, no matter what.

You've always been so good to me.

Luchino is having a severe headache.

They are indeed, talking about his very own grandfather, but it doesn't seem to match up with the old man right before him.

Right, what happened to his parents? Your son—Luca, right?

Yes. Luca de Montano.

Parents? Luchino seems to have asked Umberto about them before, but the old man always dodged the question.

He had tried to read his grandfather's eyes, but the old man only focused on his work.

Luca was a good boy. A wonderful, sensible child with a talent for tailoring and willingness to bear any hardship.

He was already a pro in his twenties, and the regulars were all fond of him. I had planned to hand over the shop to him.

Until one day, his body was discovered in a vehicle leaving the city early in the morning.

Next to him was a musical actress, with a little bit of fame in Montelupe, highly coveted by many mafiosi—

Luchino, your hands are shaking.

...Perhaps we should slow down?

Go fetch our fabric samples. I'll handle it from here.

...A-Alright.

...*sigh*

You were a little bit cruel to the boy.

My days are numbered, signore. I can't protect him forever.

Luca's death made me realize something.

Hm?

The blood on my hands can never be wiped clean no matter how many times or ways I try. The stench of it will only bring misfortune to me and my family.

But that boy still fantasized about serving the so-called 'somebodys'. It's my fault.

Be it Signor Antonio, you, or even other famiglie wise guys, Luchino will eventually run into mafiosi.

He has to know about it.

You see Luca's death as punishment for your crimes?

As a price I paid...

Raise your head, signore. To measure your neck circumference.

Nonno would sometimes stay at the workbench longer than usual, and his hands would tremble nonstop.

He teased Luchino on multiple occasions the shop would have to close down if Luchino couldn't learn the trade in time.

But now, his grandfather's hands are steadier than he has ever seen.

Luchino watches him pull out the measuring tape. He starts from Venezia Sr.'s shoulders, and then his arms, chest, waist, and legs.

But Luchino knows his nonno's attention has been on him the whole time.

Unfortunately, he is not yet ready to accept the truth.

After losing Luca, I learned about Luchino's existence—Luca had him fostered at a farm out in the countryside.

And then I found out how Luca had met the actress through a costume order from the theater...

...How he hid a forbidden way of life he gradually built for themselves away from everyone, just to save me from worrying and avoid inciting more trouble…

...How he managed to leave a little speck of hope for themselves, and for me...

Luchino is all I have left from Luca, and my final wish is for him to live.

No matter what Signor Antonio or you have planned, I beg you—please don't involve him ever again.

(Nonno...)

Luchino does not know how to react.

The truth of his parents' demise, his nonno's past, his own future... he drowns within his web of emotions.

Please raise your arm.

Sure.

Signore, I do not ask anything of you.

I only have a selfish wish to give this child some time, to let him carefully observe how a tailor works.

How to measure, how to cut cloth, how to respectfully receive clients...

And how to stay away from a life he doesn't belong in.

*sigh* Very well. I see you're set on parting from all your history.

No need to deliver the suit yourself once you're done. I'll get someone to take it from your sartoria.

Umberto, if you ever feel nostalgic and want to return to Montelupe, make sure to remember il vecchio here too.

Of course.

Grazie mille, Signore.

So, you have no intentions of letting that ragazzino go...