Tobias.
Be honest with me, Tobias. Did I play that badly?
Yeah, one mistake after another! You have to follow our rhythm.
Well... Don't worry about it, Mirko. Our line-up won't be changed.
Thanks, Roberto. See you around.
You dirty son of a bitch.
Hey! Wait a minute!
What do you want? Take your hands off me.
What do I want, you ask?
What do you want?
You've been following me for a week.
I keep seeing your dumb mug behind me! What do you want?!
Are you insane? I don't know what you're talking about.
I've never even dreamed of following you.
Knock it off, you chump, and spill what you want from me!
Leave me alone, damn it! Leave me alone, I said!
I'm not fooling around. Now scram.
Beat it, before I cut you.
Hello?
To hell with it.
- Still awake? - Yeah.
Well, goodnight. Or maybe good morning.
Whatever you prefer.
- Who was it? - I don't know.
Nobody on the line.
UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND IN RIVER
THE VICTIM HAD NO ID AND WAS STABBED TO DEATH
- Bye, Roberto. - Goodbye.
Take this filth back immediately and don't make the same mistake again!
I'd like to see you in my shoes, with all the mail I have to deliver!
- Hi. - Hello, Maria Pia.
- What's the matter? - That idiot.
He always gets the addresses mixed up.
I keep getting stuff addressed to that cripple. It's embarrassing.
Rampanti, the guy who lives next door. You know who I'm talking about.
It's always porno magazines with girls doing stuff you wouldn't believe.
TO: ROBERTO TOBIAS, F. LANG STREET, 23 - CITY
ITALIAN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED TO MR. CARLO MAROSI
- Hey, what are you doing all alone? - Nothing.
Why don't you join us?
Yeah, it's true.
- Yes. - Take care of it.
- I saw it with my own eyes, I swear. - What?
Nothing important, a public execution in Saudi Arabia.
They still decapitate people who commit serious crimes.
The condemned get their hands tied behind their back.
Then they're made to kneel in a huge square filled with people.
And that's when the executioner comes into the picture.
He holds a scimitar in his right hand, and a thin stiletto in the left.
He uses the knife to stab the nape of the prisoner's neck,
who stiffens up in shock.
Then the executioner raises his scimitar and chops down on the prisoner's neck.
Stiffened by the stiletto stab, the neck doesn't bend,
which makes the head roll onto the floor after a single strike.
God, that's so disgusting! Did you hear what he said?
Who invited this guy?
So! Have you written anything interesting lately, Andrea?
A rather interesting story.
The subject matter is somewhat similar to Mirko's tale.
It's about the funeral of a famous French chef.
The service was attended by cooks from all over the world.
A very moving ceremony, indeed.
Then, an instant before the coffin is closed forever,
the mourners scatter something on the body.
Parsley and paprika.
I could kill you now, but it's not the right time.
Who are you going to ask for help? The police, perhaps?
No, you can't tell anyone. You're alone.
- What's the matter? - Nothing.
I couldn't sleep. Go back to bed.
- But I heard some noises. - I said it was nothing.
No. Something's wrong.
You think I didn't notice, Roberto?
I did.
Come on.
Why won't you talk to me?
What's wrong?
- These last few days... - I already told you, it's nothing!
I killed a man.
A few days ago, I killed a man.
- What do they want from you? - I don't know.
I don't know, and that's definitely strange, isn't it?
He never asked me for money.
Yet he threatens me.
Phone calls, letters, photographs.
Things that belonged to that dead man.
I even got attacked a few minutes ago.
I'll show you.
I've got everything in here.
It's all gone!
Of course! He took everything earlier.
That's why he was here.
- Are you telling me the truth? - Yes, I stabbed that man.
And the next day I read about his body being found.
Did the article also mention his name?
No, it said the body was still unidentified.
You don't believe me, do you?
You could have dreamed it.
Perhaps you've been working too much.
Why don't we tell Luigi? He's a good friend of yours.
Sure, and considering he's a psychiatrist...
- You think I've gone nuts, huh? - That's nonsense.
Yeah, whatever. Go back to bed and leave me alone.
I told you to leave me alone, goddamn it!
Roberto,
what's the name of the man you killed?
Carlo Marosi. Why?
Then this must be his.
The initials are C and M, and it's stained with blood.
- Where did you find it? - On my bedside table.
I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do.
I can't go to the police.
I can't tell anyone.
I need your help, Nina.
Let's go away, I beg you.
Let's run away for good!
I'm so scared.
Hey, where can I find God?
You surprise me, brother.
God is here.
God is there.
God is everywhere. But right now, He's down the river fishing.
Hey, brother.
Can you spare a dime?
This is all I've got.
Appreciated, even if it's not much.
God!
Aw, damn it.
My name's Godfrey, not God!
Why doesn't anyone call me by my real name?
If you people insist on a nickname, at least make it something more appropriate.
I'd rather have you call me Almighty God, instead of just God.
- Well, everyone calls you God anyway. - What do you want?
- I was just passing by. - Like hell you were.
Come on.
How many did you catch?
Four, and all of them sick. The water's too polluted.
I feel sorry for them.
I should put these fish in bed and call a doctor instead of eating them.
- Fuck you! - What have I done?
No, not you. The parrot.
That's my stuff, you stupid bird!
His name's Fuck-U.
It's not funny. That was already his name when they gave him to me.
They say you should never give these dumb pets a new name.
Sure, I know its current name ain't classy. We could never fit into high society.
Imagine how they'd react. "My dear, allow me to introduce you to ol' Fuck-U."
- So, what's bugging you? - I'm in trouble.
I kited a man and now somebody is blackmailing me.
Oh, is that all?
No, it's true. I'm being serious.
All right then, spill the beans.
- What should I do with this? - Put it in your mouth and eat it.
- But it's raw! - Yeah, that's the best way to eat it.
A hundred percent phosphorous, protein, and the whole nine yards.
Well, if you don't mind me saying, it looks disgusting.
Just as I thought, a typical city kid.
The squeaky-clean, dumb kind.
Okay, I'll tell you everything.
I killed some guy, someone I didn't even know.
It was an accident. The police don't know anything yet.
But someone saw me.
And that someone was there when it happened.
This individual took pictures of me killing the guy, and now I'm being blackmailed.
There's more, actually. My blackmailer isn't some random person.
It's somebody who knows me.
One evening, when I had some friends around,
I found one of those damned pictures stuck in between my records.
It wasn't there half an hour before, so one of the guests must have put it there.
- Are you going to pay? - I don't have a dime to my name.
Well, you could ask your wife. You told me her family is loaded.
But the blackmailer still hasn't asked for money, and that's definitely odd.
This individual just keeps threatening me, and I don't even know why.
Lousy business, I tell you.
Well, here's two tips from God himself.
First, hire a private investigator.
Someone who'll keep an eye out for everything and who can protect you.
I believe your life may be in danger at this point.
Arrosio is just the man you need.
A bit eccentric, yes, but he's smart and cheap.
Second, get the Professor to watch your house.
- The Professor? - That's right.
I guess you've met him, he lives nearby.
That guy's always lying in his hammock.
We call him Professor because he's got good manners.
He kisses the ladies' hands, doesn't fart in public.
And I know 1280 Bible verses by heart.
- What's wrong? - Well, for about 500 lire you could...
Actually, let's say 800 a day.
I want you to keep an eye on my friend's house. He's a big musician, you know.
- Hey, how come you're blushing? - Who's blushing?
- You're turning red. Right, Professor? - As red as Chairman Mao.
Listen up. If you see anything odd like blackmailers, murderers and such...
- I'll intervene with extreme prejudice. - Nope, you just tell us.
- Got a fish? - Huh?
- A fish to spare. - No.
Lousy bastard.
What do you want from me?
What do you want?!
- What do you want from me?! - Express delivery!
- I've got a letter to deliver! - What?
I c-can't breathe!
- Express delivery, just doing my job! - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
- You want to beat me up again? - You can't understand.
I can't, you say?
You beat me up with a stick and almost strangled me!
You ambushed me! You got something against postmen?
I'm no dummy.
I told you, I've got all the proof right here with me.
I can guarantee it.
Yes.
That's right.
Yeah, all the money, and I want it now.
In cash.
I'm not interested in your reasons.
I only care about the cash.
Don't get smart with me.
Any funny business and ['ll take everything to the cops.
Yes.
Yes, all right. Understood.
I'll be there.
If they hit you once, you hit them back twice!
And stop acting like a sissy, understood?!
Don't cry!
You imbecile!
No one should ever cry!
Amelia.
Help!
- What's going on? - Help me!
- Who are you? - I got lost in the park!
There's someone chasing me! Help!
- Please, hurry! - Don't worry, I'll climb the wall!
Hurry!
- Just do something! - I can't, it's too high!
I'll go find a ladder. I'll be right back!
No, don't leave! Somebody's trying to kill me!
They're trying to kill me!
- What are you talking about? - They're here! Help me!
- Hey, Roberto. - Hi, Dalia.
- What brings you here? - My little cousin is on holiday.
She'll be our guest for a few days.
If that's a problem, I can leave.
Perish the thought, quite the opposite.
I'd like your opinion on this story of mine.
It's called "The Rape of Frankenstein."
I wrote it during one of my poetic spurts.
Couldn't you have picked a better time? Did you invite her?
She just turned up all of a sudden.
You know how she is.
- You want me to tell her to leave? - Yes.
No. I'm sorry.
I'm more upset about the others. They always show up without notice.
And the maid has vanished. She's been missing since this morning!
This Austrian psychiatrist explains to Baron Frankenstein that
his creature was bloodthirsty because it couldn't make love.
It turned to murder out of sexual frustration.
The baron is astonished by the logic of that rationale.
So he returns to his lab, and this time, he creates a monster with a hint of libido.
Once again, the baron exceeds with both doses and measurements,
and the monster is so sexually charged that it tries to violate him.
The baron narrowly escapes such outrage but is tormented by doubts.
He wonders if the monster may be a fairy.
Fat chance, for dreadful news soon spreads around the village.
The abominable creature violates everyone it meets.
The men arm themselves to punish the rapist.
Meanwhile, a maid who has just turned 75,
takes off her knickers and bra hoping she'll meet the creature.
Just to sacrifice herself in the name of science, you see.
What's wrong with you lately?
- Nothing, why? - Come on, Roberto.
I know something's wrong. You didn't even show up for rehearsals today.
I had stuff to do.
Yes?
Yes, that's correct.
No.
I understand.
Yes, of course.
All right.
It was the police.
They found the maid with her throat cut.
They said it's the work of a maniac.
They'll come to talk to us tomorrow.
I'm scared.
This person means business.
It's not simply blackmail anymore.
They want to kill you.
How can you stay here?
There's someone getting in and out of this place whenever they want.
Someone spying on you. Following you.
- And who's looking to kill you. - What should I do?
You've got to make a decision.
We either go away, or you tell the police everything.
There's something you've forgotten.
I killed a man.
It's frightening to think about it, but don't forget what could happen.
I'd get fifteen years in the can, you realize that?
His name was Carlo Marosi, and I killed him.
Hey!
Hello? It's me.
Shall we meet up at my place?
Yes? Really? Well, I think you'll come.
Things have changed, huh? I read the papers, you know.
This time someone was killed for real, am I right?
I wanted a real son, not a weakling like you!
What have you done?
You'll end up in a mental asylum! Asylum! Asylum!
- Someone stole your cat, you said? - Yes.
Then I was right! Last night I saw someone coming out of your house
carrying something wrapped in a cloth.
Somebody shrouded in black who gave me this nasty bruise when I tried to intervene.
I woke up fifteen minutes later, but the assailant had already escaped.
- You! You better watch yourself, bud! - What?
This time I'm armed! Understand?
Follow me.
You know, I don't think the money we agreed upon will suffice anymore.
Here, you can take your toy back now.
I've had enough, you know.
First, I had to pretend to be dead. I was fine with that part.
Then all those night visits where I risked getting caught.
Not to mention that nasty business you made me do to the cat.
But now you added a murder into the picture.
That maid. Yes, I know she figured everything out.
But you didn't have to kill her. We never discussed murder.
I would have never accepted. Now leave and...
No! No!
POLICE HQ
- Can I help you? - No. I must've made a mistake.
I was looking for Arrosio, the investigator.
- Sorry for the bother. - No, wait! I'm the private investigator!
- Yes, I am. - You are?
That's right.
I...
- It's nothing. Forget about it. - Oh, no. Sit down, please.
Well, I actually...
Voila! Tell me everything.
- It's a dangerous case, and I think... - Yes, yes.
I know what you're thinking, someone as cute as myself
would jump on a chair and scream if he saw a mouse.
- Isn't that right? - Yes.
That's exactly what I'm thinking.
Oh, you heterosexuals.
You never had any homosexual experiences, I presume?
- Sorry, that isn't my cup of tea. - No? Well, we're men just like you.
Only difference is our species is a tad different.
Is that so?
So, who's footing the bill? You?
What did he order?
A steak, three sandwiches, two eggs, and a bottle of beer.
Here's the bill.
Thank God he wasn't hungry, I guess.
Thank you.
I must tell you I'm very unsure about my next move. Your story is quite uncanny.
Well, too bad about that.
That's quite a pickle, indeed.
It's a good thing the statistics are in our favor.
- The statistics? - Of course.
You must understand, my dear, that I'm an investigator
who completed all of his training with the highest marks,
while showing an enormous familiarity and versatility
with the most innovative investigation techniques.
Yet, despite all that,
during the three years I've been in this honorable profession,
I still haven't solved a case.
- Not even one? - Not even one, indeed!
Interesting, don't you think?
- Yes, I guess so, but doesn't it mean... - I'll tell you what it means.
Statistically speaking, I'm about to put an end to an impressive losing streak.
Eighty-four failures.
A terrific, utterly splendid record!
A bad run like that can't possibly remain unchanged.
I could stay in my office and the culprit would come knocking.
- You wouldn't seriously do that? - Oh, no.
I guarantee you that this case fascinates me in a rather peculiar fashion.
What is it?
Tell the postman to stop making mistakes. I'm sick of receiving this filth.
Do you ever argue with your wife?
- Extramarital affairs, I mean. - No.
Are you very wealthy?
No! Well, I'm not, anyway.
But your wife is?
Well...
She recently received a large inheritance.
- What is that supposed to mean? - Oh, nothing in particular.
You don't think that...
What did you write down?
Nothing special, just a few notes and such.
All done.
Okay, you can leave me here.
You won't notice me at all, my dear.
I'll stick to phone calls. Ta-ta.
Trouble brewing. They've been inside for half an hour. You better skedaddle.
"Run far away from your home." Genesis, 12:1.
I'll be right back, Inspector.
I have to go with them.
It's about Amelia.
I've seen the pictures of her body.
- It's horrible. - Mrs. Tobias.
Yes, I'm coming.
Listen, you're free to do what you want, but I can't take it anymore.
I'm not going back inside. I'll go somewhere else.
I've also made my choice.
I'll wait for this damn business to be finally over.
So I'll stay here.
But I agree with your decision about leaving.
You can stay with your relatives for a while.
Give me a call from time to time.
Oh, boy! Have you still got it in for me?
I'm leaving tonight.
- Why didn't you leave with Nina? - That's none of your business.
Don't be upset.
Everything will be fine, you'll see.
What do you mean?
Nina told me about the blackmail and everything else.
- Don't worry, I won't betray your secret. - Yeah, yeah.
Besides, Nina was so upset. She needed someone to talk to.
Got any good advice for me, considering that you know everything now?
Yes. First off, have a nice bath to relax your nerves.
- Then we'll do a little brainstorming. - Don't miss your train, Dalia.
- Come on, I've got some great bath salts. - I don't feel like taking a bath!
My God! Roberto!
Roberto! No!
You stupid idiot!
You scared me for real.
Look, you got me wet all over.
Come on, sit up straight so I can massage your back.
My back, sure.
Feeling better?
Hey! Knock it off, understood?
Stop it, you perv.
Come on, cut it out.
You know, Roberto, besides being cousins,
Nina and I are really good friends.
Yet I don't feel any remorse about making love to you.
What's on your mind? Do you think I'm a little perverted?
I need more information.
Letters and whatnot, anything related to the blackmail.
Pictures of you, your family, and your friends.
Addresses, basically anything you can find.
It's all in here.
- Hundreds of pictures. Take everything. - Thanks.
- Your wife, I suppose? - No, she's a friend.
A relative.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
There's some more in this cabinet.
- Something's wrong? - Nothing, I just had a nightmare.
You missed your train.
Yeah, and I feel like I'm going to miss a few more.
No, no, that's impossible.
PERSONALITY OF THE PERPETRATOR
PSYCHOPATH WITH PROBABLE SPLIT PERSONALITY
BEHAVES IN A PERFECTLY NORMAL WAY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
SUSPECTS: MIRKO (ORGAN PLAYER), PROFESSIONAL ENVY; ANDREA (WRITER);
ROBERTO: INHERITANCE OR...?
No, no.
But...?
- Hello? - Arrosio speaking.
I don't have any real news, but I noticed a strange similarity studying your pictures.
What similarity?
Oh, it's probably just a stupid hunch, but I'll tell you later.
I also called to tell you that you won't hear from me for a couple of days.
- Bye. - All right, see you around.
Wait a second, one last thing!
Does the name Villa Rapidi mean anything to you?
- Nope, never heard of it. Why? - Oh, nothing important. See you.
Why? Damn it.
Yes, the patient suffered from a form of paranoia.
It's characterized by violent outbursts, especially in the early stages.
Homicidal mania would be a more fitting description, actually.
The hospitalization lasted three years.
Following the death of the patient's father,
all the crises and symptoms seemed to disappear.
Therefore, we deemed that individual completely cured.
However, I feel the need to point out one detail concerning the father.
He may not have been the patient's real father.
Roberto, phone call for you.
It's Nina.
Hi, dear. I'm fine.
Nope, no news at all.
I have no desire to leave.
No, no.
No, I told you already.
Hello.
Looking for someone?
Hello, you're just the one I was looking for.
- Me? - Of course.
So I thought that person was renting the place out for some sordid business.
- But I've never seen any visitors. Never. - Really?
- Would I lie to you? - I believe you, of course.
Look, that person's leaving.
- Thank you, my friend. Bye. - My pleasure.
- Call me sometime. - Count on it, bye.
Excuse me.
Excuse me, I said.
Excuse me, make way please.
Excuse me. Thanks.
EXIT
Congratulations. Your guess was right.
I had made it this time.
I had really made it big.
I established that, in 4000 years of human history,
we've only had 230 years of peace. Crazy, don't you think?
Sorry, Andrea, but I'm not in the mood.
What did you want to tell me?
Nina called me. She begged me to convince you to join her.
I see. Thanks.
Wait, listen up for a second.
She sounded very worried about you, though I don't know why.
I think you should listen to her, you know?
- You seeing another woman? - No, not exactly.
You want to destroy your marriage?
- You want Nina to end up like Maria Pia? - What's Maria Pia got to do with it?
A lot. Don't you know she's in love with you?
- Give me a break. - She's been in love with you for years.
She never got married and she's never been with other men.
She's just there, all alone, adoring you in silence.
THE VICTIM'S NAME WAS GIANNI ARROSIO,
POLICE ARE PROBING INTO THE MAN'S "PARTICULAR FRIENDSHIPS."
Ladies and gentlemen, please note this extraordinarily refined interior.
It's not the usual, bland satin.
We've made it better, ladies and gentlemen: pure natural silk.
And I'm also happy to announce that,
if one of you happens to have an accident during this exhibition,
you will be granted a 25% discount on the purchase of this coffin.
Knock on wood.
Huh, nice place for an appointment.
I chose it on purpose.
Seeing how many people speculate on corpses
might take away your fear of death.
After all, death is an inescapable fact that falls under precise economic rules.
Excuse me? Could I have a light, please?
Thank you.
Then, as if that wasn't enough,
there's that ghastly dream about my decapitation.
The strange part is that I'm not afraid in the dream.
I feel like the main actor in that scene.
Thanks.
It's like a premonition, you see, or an omen.
Do these things happen or am I going crazy?
"Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision." Daniel, 2:19.
That's right.
Listen up, things are more serious than you imagined.
You must go to the police at once.
Yeah, sure, that would be my ticket to jail.
Please, make yourself comfortable.
There.
What do you say? Do you like it?
It's quite cramped and rather uncomfortable.
I can assure you none of our clients who purchased this coffin
has ever complained about its comfort ability.
I just can't decide.
This definitely paranoid someone is playing a strange game with you.
This person wants to scare you to death before killing you for real.
A glowing outlook, but what about all the other victims?
A twin-sized coffin for a double death.
Well, things got hairy for the culprit.
Someone discovered the charade and realized who's persecuting you.
And that's when murder ensued.
The maniac must've developed a taste for killing.
A killer excited by seeing people suffering and dying.
We're dealing with a bona fide homicidal maniac.
People like that are capable of massacres for the most mundane reasons.
Listen, why don't you take your wife's advice and leave town for a while?
And go where?
Do you think the maniac would stop?
I don't know, but it's always worth a try.
Asylum. Asylum.
I noticed a strange similarity...
Strange similarity...
Who could hate me so much?
Hello?
He can't right now, sorry.
No, he's recording.
Is it important?
I see. Yes, I'll tell him to call home.
Hello?
Okay, let's have a good listen.
Someone named Dalia called a few minutes ago.
- She said to call home. It's important. - Yes, thank you.
Come on, dear.
Mrs. Tobias?
We want to carry out an experimental test on that poor girl's body.
The presence of one of her relatives is absolutely necessary.
- Her parents seem too distraught for it. - So am I.
You can ask my husband.
- Is everything ready in the lab? - Yes, sure.
- I need to talk to you for a moment. - What is it about?
We want to carry out a test on the girl's eyes.
As you probably know, the last image seen by a murder victim
is burned into the retina for a few hours after death.
Now, thanks to a difficult yet not impossible procedure,
it's possible to photograph this image.
Experiments carried out in Germany, the US, and even recently in Italy,
have led to surprisingly good results.
In some cases, it's even been possible to recognize the murderer's face
at the very moment the crime was committed.
What is that?
They look like flies. Four flies.
Yes, it's true.
They really look like four flies.
What the hell does it mean?
Yeah, that's a solution, but you shouldn't leave this place.
You choose the playing field, not the maniac.
You just have to sit here and wait.
They'll show up, sooner or later.
And you'll be ready for them.
But you're going to need guts, kid.
Do you realize that?
I know, but I want to finish this once and for all.
- I'm tired. - All right.
I'll give you a call every now and then.
- Hello? - Hey, it's me.
How are things over there?
So far, so good. Nothing's happened.
Do you want me to join you? Two people are always better than...
God?
Hello?
Nina!
Roberto.
What's going on?
What are you doing with that gun?
What are you doing here in the dark?
Lord, for a moment, I thought that...
Did you really have to come back now?
- What's wrong with you? - You have to leave immediately!
I shouldn't have left in the first place! I want to be close to you, Roberto!
Now is not the right time! I'll explain later, but now you have to leave!
You hear me, Nina? We'll talk about it tomorrow! Come back tomorrow!
- What the hell is going on!? - Nina! I'm waiting for someone.
I want you to walk out of this door and run to my car out front.
Here's the keys.
- Drive around the city, anywhere. - No, no.
- Just go as far away from here as possible! Got it? - No...
Now go! Go!
They really look like four flies.
No.
No!
I'm really an idiot.
I've been an idiot all this time.
It was always right under my nose.
What are you talking about!? Have you gone mad?
It's you I was waiting for, Nina.
You killed Dalia as well.
The last thing she saw was your necklace swinging.
It was you.
You did it! It was you!
Take your hands off me!
Now step back.
You worked it out too soon.
I wasn't expecting it.
Step back.
Back against the wall.
I wanted to see you die slowly.
And suffer!
Stay back! Back!
Why?
Because you look just like him.
Like who?
I shot you in the arm, huh?
Does it hurt?
I know what it's like.
I also suffered a lot.
My bastard of a father!
He made me suffer!
Because...
He wanted a son at any cost.
He felt cheated because I was a girl!
He made me dress like a boy.
And he beat me. He beat me!
He had me locked up as well.
Three long years.
He died before I could get out!
Before I could kill him myself!
I found him when I met you.
I couldn't believe it. It felt just like a miracle!
You looked identical, like two drops of water.
Stop!
I came as quickly as I could.
She's insane. She's completely insane.
Now I also understand the meaning of my dream.
I'm not the one sentenced to death!
Nina!
Subtitled by Francesco Massaccesi