Big Brother School - 6

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

SIXTH SCENE

(The foresaid and prof Aldo Scalia)

 

De Lussu (addressing with a smile to her  colleague Scalia who is entering the classroom)

         - Lupus in fabula! We were just talking about COBAS Syndicate!!!!

Scalia (in a very professional way he  will greet the colleagues)

         -Hello, everybody! (then addressed to De Lussu) What’s the matter?

De Lussu

         - Don’t you know anything about the news?

Scalia (like before)

         - What news are you talking about?

Nugnes (handing him the Circular)

         - I’m Speaking of Prime Time TV's Reality...

Scalia (c.s. without even taking the Circular)

         - Ah, yes! We've already appealed to a Judicial Court for stopping the operation!!!!

De Lussu

         - Ah, good! Finally we're talking in the right way! I'm ready to sign!!!!

Scalia

         - There's someone in the teachers' lounge collecting signatures and money!

Nugnes

         - But then it's not so regular? How did they come to this?

Scalia

         - They're always trying; then if no one pursues them...

 

De Lussu

         - Sure, they're sons of bitches!!!!! I'm going to sign... (She's going to get out)

Scalia

         - And they've got a big wad of cash to hand out in the affair! The TV’s boss has  even offered to pay the teachers involved to stay at home and handle the whole thing themselves...

De Lussu (coming back)

         - What, what? Did I hear you right? They give you a paycheck and you stay at home?!?!?

Scalia (c.s.)

         - It seems so! And they put one of them on the desk!

De Lussu.

         - But then things are quiet different! A lot different I would say!

Nugnes

         - What do you mean by that?

De Lussu

         - That I mean I'm sick of suffering! And if they give me the money to stay at home, they can make a circus out of this fucking school for me!!!! (goes out)

Prof Loi (in sarcastic tone)

         - She shows so much an affection to her job…

Scalia (c.s.)

         - Oh, yeah!Surely she does

Nugnes (rushing out of the classroom)

         - Bruna, wait for me! Don't run away!!!

 

(the bell rings and the students, little by little, begin to return to class)

Scalia

         - Are you staying here?

Prof Loi

         - Yes, I have another hour...

Scalia

         - Well, bye, then!

Prof Loi

         - Bye Aldo, see you later.

 

 

 

 

 

Big Brother School - 5

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

FIFTH SCENE

(The foresaid and prof. Nugnes)

 

 Nugnes (entering the classroom)

         - Privacy, Bruna! In British it's pronounced pree-va-cy! Is that clear?

De Lussu

         - Hi Mariano! Did you hear the last news?

Nugnes (taking the Circular that hands him De Lussu)

         - The boys were mentioning it, down in the yard! How does exactly work  the all story?

De Lussu

         - It sucks indeed! I'll go straight away to syndicates for protesting!

 

Prof Loi

         - Of course, if the Unions decide to interfere  they could even  stop  such an initiative...

Nugnes

         - Oh,do you think so?

Prof Loi

         - Well, the Workers' Statute explicitly prohibits the use of audio-visual equipment for the purposes of remote control of workers...

Nugnes (pointing  the Circular on the desk)

         - But I understand here that there's no purpose of control over us...

De Lussu

         - What the fuck are you saying, oh Mariano? Get a grip on yourself, will you? Five hours under the watchful eye of the cameras... Isn't that right, Loi?

Professor Loi.

         - I don't know... As the school is  going on in this time...

Nugnes

         - Suppose the school had to close without that funding... I'm just saying...

De Lussu

         - Never the less... (noticing a colleague at the door calling him out loud) Aldo! Come here for a minute Aldo...

...to be continued...

Big Brother School - 4

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

FOURTH SCENE

(Prof Loi and his colleague De Lussu);

(while the teacher is immersed in the compilation of the justification enters the colleague De Lussu)

 De Lussu (in a concise tone)

         - Look, Loi, what's this matter about cameras in class? This is a student prank, isn’t?

Prof Loi (hand over the Circular)

         - Read it by yourself.

 

De Lussu (after reading , quickly, the Circular)

         - But this is bullshit-! We must rebel! What do you say?

Prof Loi (in hesitant tone)

         - I haven't been able to make a precise idea yet... the Circular says that they will come to explain the rules and procedures today!

De Lussu   

         - If they come during  my teaching  time I won't even let them in!

Prof Loi (indicating the Circular)

         - It seems there is  a lot of money at stake...

De Lussu (throwing the circular on the desk)

         - And thanks the hell! What a pity  the money goes to the school and not to us, while we get the cameras instead. So much for the privacy policy!

Big Brother School - 3

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

THIRD SCENE

Prof. Loi (getting angry with the class where the buzz continues and many boys are surrounding the teacher desk)

         - Put your booklets on the desk and go to your places! And be quiet!

(with a punch on the desk the teacher finally gets the silence to start reading the Circular)

         - It's enough now! Listen to this circular: it comes from the Presidency!

First student

         - What's this about, teach?

Prof Loi

         - The object is "Reality Show at The Mattei Institut".

Second student (with surprise)

         - Eeh!!! Are you serious?

Third Student

         - A reality show here? Right in our school?

Fourth student (addressed to the teacher)

         - What do you mean, prof?

Prof Loi

         - If you please allow  me to read it... I don't know anything about it either... It is addressed to the students and teachers of your class : "We hereby inform the students of the third cycle and  the teachers of the  Course that the class has been chosen for the realization of a project that the Ministry of Education has developed in collaboration with the television network "Video Time Plus" of the Media Plus  International Group. Therefore, a TV crew will set up special cameras that will broadcast, without interruption, what is happening in the classroom, from the sound of the first bell at 8:30 a.m. to the final bell at 1:30 p.m.; mobile cameras will also follow the classroom or part of the students in their movements during the yard’s breaktime. “

 

Fifth student

         - Wow!!!

First student

         - Cool guys!!!

Second Student

         - Finally we are going to  live! Let’s Go!!!

Eighth student

         - We're in the magic box!!!

Ninth student

         - And when does this thing start?

Tenth student

         - We'll be all stars!!!!

Sixth student

         - But do we get paid?

Seventh student

         - Prof, I didn't understand...

Eleventh student

         - Neither do I! When do we start?

Prof Loi (beating his fist on the desk)

         - If you  let me finish reading, may you’ll understand better!!! (the professor resumes reading once silence is obtained)

“ Today, the official of the television network Dr. Mario Giannetti and the director of the program Maria Compagnangelo will come to the classroom to explain the rules of the Reality Show and how it is carried out. Please cooperate as much as possible, because the success of this important initiative is linked to significant funding for our school. “

Signed authentically by our School Manager Professor Franco Olianesu

 

First student (exchanging a five with numerous companions)

         - Let’s Go!!!! We're on the ether!!

Second Student

         - An Hurray for master Olianesu!!!

Third student

         - And for our classroom: hip, hip HURRAY!!!

HURRAY!!!!!!!

Fourth student.

         - But couldn't they give us the money??? Why do they give it to the school?

Fifth student

         - Paolo's right!

Sixth student

         - We're the actors, not the headmaster!!

Tenth student

         - But who cares about the money!!! As long as we are going to appear on television!!!!

Eleventh student

         - Of course!!!! We'll all be stars!!!

Eighth Student

         - Oh, but how is going to manage  Professor De Lussu when she has got to answer to  her cell phone with the cameras pointed at her??

(general laughter)

Ninth student

         - And Professor Nugnes is going to keep his computer on all the time?

 

Prof Loi (pandering to the students' game)

         - How are you guys going to  copy from those cell phones during classwork?

Sixth student

         - No way, teacher! We never copy!

Prof Loi

         - Oh, yeah!  When I go around the desks like a  watchdog! Let's say it suits you better when a teacher indulges your desire of doing  nothing!

Seventh student

         - What's that got to do with it? We don't get paid like you surely do to come to school!!!!

Prof Loi

         - Whatever! Any excuse to get out of the studio!!

(Rings the recreation bell. The students rush noisily out of the classroom).

Prof Loi

         - Go, go and recreate yourselves! That's the thing you do better!

...to be continued...

Big Brother at School - 2

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

SCENA SECONDA

(Detti e il bidello Francesco; si ode bussare)

 

Prof. Loi

                - Avanti!!!

 

Bidello(consegnando dei fogli al docente)

                - C’è una Circolare professore! È fresca, fresca! Me l’ha consegnata il Preside: dice che è urgente!

 

Prof

                - Grazie Checco! Vai pure che poi te la rimando indietro con uno dei ragazzi!!!

 

Bidello

                - D’accordo professore! Ma faccia con comodo perché non la devo passare nelle altre classi: è solo per la                 3 D! (ESCE)

 

 

 ...to be continued...

 

 

Big Brother at School - 1

 

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BVW8HFNB

BIG BROTHER SCHOOL

Drama in a single Act and ten Scenes

by Ignazio Salvatore Basile

Characters and Interpreters

Giorgio Loi               teacher in a High School

Bruna DeLussu        her colleague

Mariano Nugnes       another teacher

Aldo Scalìa      teacher and trade unionist

Mario Giannetti                 TV official

Renzo Compagnangelo      television director

Francesco                 a zealous school janitor

Two Carabinieri

One High School’s Class

First Scene

(A normal sixteen’s students  classroom of a High Technical School. When the curtain opens Prof. Loi is already in class and checks the register. In the background a closet and a blackboard. On the wall an inscription in block letters " I.T.S. "E. Mattei- Decimomannu" )

Prof. Loi (asking for attention)

    - But the appeal hasn't been made?

First Student (without almost stopping to chat with his classmate)

    - In fact, no one's missing today...

Prof. Loi (indicating a free school desk)

    - What about those  empty chairs?

Second Student

    - It's the usual bench of the two comrades who retired...

Prof. Loi (in annoyed tone)

    - Ah! Haven't they  picked it up yet?

Third Student (sarcastically)

    - Hey, teacher! Are you kidding? They have surely been very busy!

Prof. Loi (in a resigned tone)

    - Oh, yeah! Too much an effort to move it up... Whatever! Who has to justify the absences and delays?

Fourth Student

    - I've forgotten my booklet...

Fifth Student

    - I lost it instead…

Sixth student

    - I haven't been given the booklet  yet...

Seventh student

    - Wait, teacher! I'm filling it out!

Eighth student (approaching professor Loi)

    - Can I see the register, Professor? I don't remember my absences anymore!

Prof.  Loi (between annoyed and resigned, handing over the class register)

    - Every day I have to waste a quarter of an hour with this bureaucracy! But why don't you make these blessed justifications at home?

...to be continued...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London for ever - 35

Chapter IX

A very nice snack bar

In my work place, on Monday, after the Sunday rest, there was always a big mess. Even that Monday, I had a great deal on putting  everything back in order, as it liked me and  was my duty to be done. When I finished it was   almost midday. 

I had  usually lunch  with a  sandwich and a cappuccino. 

In London to find a snack bar where you can have a quick meal at noon is almost easier than  find a pub where to drink  a pint of beer. Provided that one does not want to join meal and beer in a Public House. 

My digestive system, to be honest, has  always recommend me to  frequent pubs only in the evenings, avoiding strictly to have there any kind of meal, especially if in the form of hot dish. 

Certain  Anglo-Saxon names, albeit seemingly to have an edible, bombastic euphony,  may conceal seriously unpleasant  surprises, such as some kind of animal innards, which in normal pastafoglia casings are located vaguely with  colorful vegetables,  cooked and mixed with approximately and squishy sauces, and have a really  indefinable taste and almost  unsustainable smell. 

These snacks, I say, are typically owned by Italian immigrants, not necessarily  men from the south of Italy.
Many of them  left the Italy at the time of the Great War,to escape conscription first and then misery; others in the following  two decades, because of fascism and clumsy arrogance of the royal Italian bureaucracy, which had ended up succumbing to the reasons of the Fascist State. As a matter of fact these nationalist reasons had no connection to men and transcended their  individual needs and rights,  ending for  sacrificeing, paradoxically, even that of the free private initiative, the true soul of the entrepreneurs who had savagely opposed the occupation of factories and the unrest in the streets, which was indeed the   prelude to the takeover of power by the fascist ideology. 

And the more that stood out in comparison with the efficient, impartial and careful administration of British society, always willingly glad  to welcome into it smanufacturing background  those managerial  Italians traders, so keenly skillful  in the restaurant business in a particular way. 

And of  Italy they kept that idea a bit unreal and mythical in their remembrances ,  more due  to  their distant and nostalgic fantasy than the  now unknown reality. And if now, the financial viability of their assets in pounds sterling, suddenly get the memory of past miseries,the veil of nostalgic left however only filter those idealistic visions that the passage of time makes the most idyllic and remote. 

Such memories of first generation immigrants sometimes pull them  to attempt a risky and most frequently, traumatic return, while their children and grandchildren, British born or raised there, misguided by the stereotypes of British press about the mafia, on corruption and the disasters of Italian Finance (all partial true rather than absolute of a reality far more complex and multifaceted), preferred to think of Italy as a place of special holidays, to be  decanted with exotic tones coming back to their new Country, together and apart from the inevitable comments on dysfunction of public and private services, small and large cheating of a people still convinced to be  still under the yoke of Spanish Bourbon Royals or even Austro-Hungarian, culinary delights, the artistic and natural beauties (perhaps abandoned to themselves), led by the iconoclastic Napolitanean  of sun, pizza and sea. 

I mean in this snack-bar down the road I could grab a quickbite and a tea in a short time, in order to be quickly back at work, with roads that soon  would be filled with people around the lunch-time and multiple other purposes. 

In my way to the snack I met Mickle, a funny man already in his seventies, a native of Kent who, pulling  his umbrellas ‘ cart, had started  his  slow praising chant,  among the general indifference of passers-bies. 

I don't know how or why, but whenever I met him in the street with his cart, it always happened that the sky was obscured following a  copious rain, within an hour or  maybe two. So much so,  that someone, perhaps a colleague in the Company, whose interests and profits were evident in inverse proportion to rain and bad weather,  had once  suggested that I would dash through touching  wood . His fame as a jinx, real or alleged it might be, was increased by the fact that he used to  wore black suits; furthermore  he was  always dark on his face, black were his eyes and, despite his age, even his  hair were black. 

35. to be continued...