by Enrico Maso, translated into English by Ruth Stephens
Chapter 1 – A New Opportunity
Luca is a young man of 20. He’s tall, good-looking and loves playing football.
Luca lives in Bologna, where he studies at the university. He wants to be a web designer or a TV producer. At weekends he helps at a local television studio, to get some work experience.
Luca’s friend Marco is also a university student. But Marco doesn’t really like studying. He wants to open his own restaurant.
Marco is a calm, quiet young man. He wears glasses, and is always very well-dressed. He likes traveling, and going out with his friend Luca.
Today Luca and Marco meet for lunch. Luca has no lessons and Marco is taking a break from preparing for his next university exam.
It’s a fine day, sunny and warm, so they go to a pizzeria where they can sit outside to eat.
Luca orders a pizza with vegetables. Marco chooses a margherita.
“A true chef values tradition” Marco jokes.
“Something to drink?” asks the waiter.
“Two small beers, please,” replies Luca.
Marco is enjoying the weather after days of studying in his small, dark bedroom.
He’s thinking:
“It’s such a beautiful day… But I really must study!”
Luca takes a leaflet out of his pocket and reads it to Marco:
“Rome. Cinema City. Audition for extras and supporting actors.”
“What was that? Did you say Rome?” asks Marco.
Luca shows him the leaflet.
Tomorrow in Rome they are casting for a new film at Cinema City.
Luca is thinking about going…
But he’s never been to an audition before, and doesn’t want to go on his own.
Marco knows his friend very well.
“If you’d planning to go, I’ll come with you” he offers.