by Enrico Maso, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 5 – Cinema City
Luca and Marco are in front of the entrance to Cinema City. It’s a very large, light brown building built in a very ordinary style, square and regular.
People are coming and going through the gate. There is a lot of traffic and everyone seems to be talking at the top of their voice.
Luca asks a guide for help. “Can you tell me where theatre 11 is please?”
“Go straight on to theatre 5, then turn right. Walk between theatre 6 and theatre 10 and then turn left. Theatre 11 is near the set of Ancient Rome.”
“Ah, the historical film set?” exclaims Luca.
“Right, that’s theatre 11.”
Luca is excited. All the most famous directors have worked here.
There is a magical air, an incredible atmosphere. It’s the realm of fantasy.
Marco is affected by it, too; westerns, science fiction, history…. What a lot of things to see!
At 2 o’clock the two friends arrive at the theatre. The door is closed. Luca looks to the right and to the left but there is no one about.
“How strange!” says Luca.
“Look over there, there’s a notice,” says Marco pointing to a sheet of paper on the wall.
The two go towards it and Marco reads aloud “Auditions start at 13.00.”
Luca is in despair “Oh no! We’re too late! What do we do now?”
Neither of them has any idea what to do. Marco knocks at the door but there’s no reply.