EXTERIOR SCENE - PIETRELCINA SQUARE, JULY 1895 - DAYTIME

Two boys, GENNARINO and TONINO are taking turns calling out names for their sides. The last boy standing is 8 year-old Francesco.

GENNARINO

(to Tonino)

You have to pick Franci', you're one man short.

TONINO

I'd rather be one man short than pick that useless wimp.

GENNARINO

You have to pick him!

TONINO

I'm not picking him!

GENNARINO

You're stuck with him. Come on, let's play!

TONINO

I'm not picking him, Mannaggia a Madonna!

8 year-old Francesco immediately bursts into tears and runs away as fast as he can.

TONINO

Told you he was a wimp!

One of Maurizio's teammates, 8 year-old Francesco's friend MERCURIO steps out of the team and towards Tonino.

MERCURIO

He doesn't care about playing soccer. He ran away because you damned Mother Mary!

EXTERIOR SCENE - PIETRELCINA ALLEY, JULY 1895 - DAYTIME

With tears still streaming down his face, 8 year-old Francesco kneels by a streetside niche with a statue of the Madonna della Libera. He is crossing himself repeatedly and fervently praying. The boys are seen playing soccer in the square behind him. A WOMAN WITH A VEIL places her hand on his shoulder. 8 year-old Francesco turns to look at her.

WOMAN WITH A VEIL

Don't listen to them, Francesco. You did well.

8 year-old Francesco is obviously well-acquainted with her.

8 YEAR-OLD FRANCESCO

Grazie, Signora. He sinned by taking your name in vain.

EXTERIOR SCENE - PIETRELCINA SQUARE, JULY 1895 - DAYTIME

A couple of the soccer-playing boys look over towards the alley. ANGLE shows 8 year-old Francesco looking up and animatedly talking to no one. One of the boys makes the rotating finger to the temple “cuckoo” sign and they continue playing.

EXTERIOR SCENE - PIANA ROMANA FARM, AUGUST 1895 - DAYTIME

8 year-old Francesco is sitting on the ground with his father ZI 'RAZIO, who is covered in dirt and sweat from digging a well. He is exhausted and angered as he has gone down 40 feet and it's still bone-dry.

8 YEAR-OLD FRANCESCO

Tata, please don't be angry. You won't find any water down there.

ZI 'RAZIO

And how would you know?

8 YEAR-OLD FRANCESCO

Jesus told me.

ZI 'RAZIO

So now Jesus is even giving you tips on where to dig wells?

8 YEAR-OLD FRANCESCO

Yes, Jesus told me that water is over there by the ragged rock.

ZI 'RAZIO

There? There can't be any water there!

8 YEAR-OLD FRANCESCO

There is.

ZI 'RAZIO

Alright. I'll dig by the rock.

(playfully)

But if it's dry, I'm going to throw you down the hole!

EXTERIOR SCENE - FORGIONE PIANA ROMANA FARM, AUGUST 1895 - DAYTIME

Zi 'Razio is in the new hole, chest-high, digging away but glaring at his son for making him waste his time in the hot sun. He takes another shovelful and suddenly loudly exclaims.

ZI 'RAZIO

Blessed Mother!!!

ANGLE on the four-foot hole quickly filling up with water. Zi 'Razio is barely able to jump out of the hole before the water breaches the surface and cascades down the hill.

Continued In Part 3

Back To Start