01x05 - The Competition

[bunniefuu]

[wistful music playing]

DON'T FORGET TO STUDY!

[agitated breathing]

[Achille] It is indeed a great honor

for me and the entire school

to host the 106th edition

of the interschool fencing competition.

Therefore, I invite you all

to welcome the champions and captains
from the fine military schools

of Milan, Venice, and Livorno.

The roots of this historic, extremely…

I can't believe
Vincenzo is all alone in Rome.

We can't be with him
because of this charade.

As if they care about Vincenzo.

Look at how hyped they are for this.

[Achille] …symbolic value of fencing.

May the best team win.

[phone chimes]

[Paola] Hey, Vince.

I just wanted to let you know
that I won't be able to come.

My dad took me to school,
and there's no way I can just leave.

[sighs] I'm really sorry.

But

I'm there in spirit, okay?

You're strong, remember that.

Bye.

MINERVA ACADEMY

We've got to go to Rome for Vincenzo.

What do you mean? We can't.

But we can't let him go through it alone.

[Max] Mm.

I think he's got a point this time.

-[screams]
-Touché.

Livorno wins. Salute and shake hands.

[announcer] Rachele Mari, take your place.

Commander, I don't see Rachele.
I'll go find her.

[indistinct chattering]

[Salvo] Look, we need to get organized.
We've gotta go now.

[Rachele] Attention!

What are you all doing?

Get to the gym now.

Mari.

-They're waiting for you. Get going.
-Commander, I take full responsibility.

-We would like to go--
-Silence!

Get to the gym!

Now!

[Salvo] May I speak with you, Commander?

[bell ringing]

["Come volevi essere" by Lamante playing]

I'm very sorry, Vincenzo.

My condolences.

I'll see you back at school.

Thanks.

[music fades]

[Vincenzo] How'd you do it?

Your friend here
started a mini revolution.

[chuckles] You're crazy.

But the competition?

Max and Rachele decided
to forfeit their match.

We all wanted to be here for you.

Mm, thanks.

[woman] My deepest condolences.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thank you. Thanks for coming.

I've gotta focus on my mom now.

I don't know if I'm coming back.

[tender music playing]

Bye, ba*ls.

Thanks for being here.

[music fades]

[Salvo] Think he'll come back?

I'm a mess. Imagine him.

-Do you have pills for the weekend?
-Would you lower your voice?

Forget I even have them.

Sorry, it's just really complicated.

[Camilla] Wanna talk about it?

No.

I just wanna get rid of them
as soon as possible.

Don't wanna think about 'em.

Okay. Don't worry.

I'm here for you.

[phone buzzing]

[intriguing music playing]

DIEGO
WE NEED TO TALK

CAMILLA
JUST TALK?

You all right?

Mm.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

You know,
it took you a while to decide to do it,

but your arrival was triumphant.

[chuckles]

[laughs] A wonderful gesture.

Do you mind if I ask you something?

[music fades]

[Canali] We being formal again?

[chuckles]

What made you select our school?

The selection process at Minerva
allowed me to return to Naples.

That was it.

So there was nothing particular
about the school you liked?

No, of course. It's beautiful.

It's just the money
the Defense Ministry gives Minerva

could fund four regular schools,
no problem.

Ah.

Do you know why defense doesn't compete
with education and healthcare

when it comes to funding?

Because defense and security
are a prerequisite

for all the rest of it.

-So money well spent for an elite few.
-[chuckles]

I think you mean disciplined, young people

who don't live on their phones
and are in perfect physical shape?

No, you know very well what I meant.

I hope this school doesn't just
churn out foot soldiers,

but free individuals
capable of thinking for themselves.

If you ask me,
that's what a school should be doing.

You see?

We get along fine
as long as we don't say anything.

[chuckles]

[Canali laughs]

Thanks for coming.

[chuckles]

No worries. This place is beautiful.

Listen, I wanna tell you.

What we did is basically
the worst thing you can do.

Oh.

That's what you wanted to talk about?

I never want to hurt Rachele.

She's also your senior.

No, you're right.

It's wrong.

Yeah, very wrong.

And I'm sorry. I shouldn't…

[Diego breathes deeply]

I'm sorry too.

["Non pensarci più" by RIP playing]

[Diego breathes deeply]

[announcer] On the piste now,
Rachele Mari for Naples

and Laura Gambardella for Livorno.

["Non pensarci più" continues]

[student] Go, Rachele!

[Diego] Hey.

Stay calm, okay?

You're better than her.

[Rachele exhales]

You were destined to win this
from the minute you walked in the door.

You are so strong.

[music fades]

You're in control. Remember that.

-[student 2] You can do it, Rachele!
-Go.

[applause]

En garde, ready, fence!

[Lucio] Come on, Rachele!

Let's go, Rachè! Crush her!

-[student 3] Come on, Rachele!
-[Adele] Push her! Come on!

Touché. Point for Livorno.

Touché. Point for Livorno.

[students shouting words of encouragement]

[judge] En garde. Fence.

[Adele echoes] Breathe!

[breathing shakily]

[Adele] Rachele!

[Lucio] Come on, Rachele!

[breathing shakily]

[judge] Point for Livorno.

[tense music playing]

-Come on, Rachè.
-[judge] En garde, ready, fence.

Point for Livorno.

-Pietro, can't you see she's not well?
-[judge] En garde.

Something's wrong.
Put me in. I can do this.

[judge] Ready. Fence.

Use your legs, come on. Move, move!

[Lucio echoes] Go, Rachele!

[Pietro] Yes, that's it.

-[judge] Touché.
-Yes!

[intriguing music playing]

Touché.

Point for Naples.

Touché. Point for Naples.

Touché. Point for Naples.

Touché, point for Naples.

Naples wins. Salute and shake hands.

[cheering]

-[student 4] You'll get her next time.
-[student 5] You'll be okay.

[music fades]

I'm never going to be able
to get to that level.

No, in three years
you can reach any level you want.

-[Camilla] Right.
-Trust me.

Sweetheart.

See? I managed to make it.

What the f*ck are you doing here?

You know very well.

Hello, I'm Camilla.

Come on, Ma. I'll show you the school.

[indistinct chattering]

Ma, you can't just show up here like that!

You've got me in more trouble
than you can imagine!

I'll f*cking do what I want!

You're gonna take the pills
to this address.

And this time, you do it right.

But I can't go until I'm granted leave.

You're here. Why don't you take them now?

Don't you get it?
I'll lose everything if they find out.

You don't give a f*ck about me anymore?

Must be nice, living in your castle, huh?

I'm sorry if I'm trying
to do something good!

Don't forget where you came from,

who you are.

You don't belong around here.

You know that.

And everyone here does too.

Spoiled little girl as well.

[indistinct chattering]

See ya, Ma.

Weren't you going to show her
around the school?

We started talking, and, uh…

[tense music playing]

Hey, Salvo.

Max, start slow. See what he does first.

Stay still. Don't just go barreling in.

No, no. Everything's under control, sir.

This is your chance. Go.

Your mom is something else, huh?

Are you okay?

[music fades]

All those pills are hers.

She makes her living that way.

Before your party,
I was supposed to take them somewhere.

But I didn't make it in time,
and now she's in deep sh*t.

And I am too.

[Camilla exhales]

[suspenseful music playing]

[announcer] Next up, Max Midolo for Naples
and Alessandro Pignatelli for Livorno.

[judge] En garde.

Ready, fence!

You can do it, Max.

[judge] Touché! Point for Livorno.

[student] That's it!
Let's go! Get another one!

Go, Max! Wake up!

[judge] Touché! Point for Livorno.

[man] Keep it up!

[inhales sharply]

[grunts]

-[judge] Touché.
-Yes!

[student 2] Go, Max, go!

-Nice!
-Do it!

Oh!

[music intensifies]

[judge] Touché! Point for Livorno.

Boom!

[music fades]

[judge] Salute and shake hands.

That bad?

He's probably eliminated.

What a f*cking embarrassment.

Max, it's okay. You did your best.

-Nice one, champ.
-[Max] What'd you say?

[Diego] I said

what a f*cking embarrassment.

Powerful words coming from
my supposed best friend.

It's not my fault
Pietro picked me and not you.

He only did that because he's mad at me.
You know it.

Actually,

everyone knows it.

Hmm. You're an as*h*le. An arrogant prick!

-Don't touch me!
-Calm down.

Wanna be jealous of something else?
I f*cked your sister.

Go ask her if I suck at that too.

Sir, I, uh…

Obviously, it's not true.

Go.

Go on!

[door slams]

My dad told me even he got emotional.

He was so proud of all the guys.

Yeah, it was

pretty intense.

It helped a lot.

So, Vince,

what about school?

Have you decided what you're gonna do?

For now, I'm just gonna
pick up my stuff, and, um,

then I dunno.

I don't think I can come back
right now, Paola.

[tender music playing]

I really wanna be with you though.

I don't know how, but I wanna be with you.

[music fades]

[Pietro] Diego.

Yes, sir.

At ease.

-Sir, about yesterday, Max and I just--
-No, it's not about that.

I need to ask you something.

What's up with Rachele? You know?

She's not her usual self.

All right. You don't have to tell me.

But do me a favor. Take her out somewhere.

Help her relax before the final.

You mean tonight?

Yeah, tonight.

But how can we?

Let me take care of that.
Just do it, okay?

[Rachele] I am so hungry.

Hey, we got a proposition for you.

Let's just say, there might be a way
for us to go out tonight.

And let's just say we could take you
to your favorite place.

Yeah, but not the one with
the F-35 simulator, okay? The other one.

Guys, this is nice of you. Thanks.

But the final is tomorrow. How can I go?

Why not?

Let's go out. Just unwind a bit.

It'll be good, no?

I dunno.

[heartfelt music playing]

[Salvo] Hey.

I came back to get the last few things,
then I'm going.

I'm not going to leave my mom alone.

That's good.

-Welcome back, Vince.
-[music fades]

I heard you forfeited your match
to come to my dad's funeral. Thanks a lot.

Figured I wasn't gonna win anyway.

I lost yesterday's match too,
so I'm out of it.

Sorry to hear that.

You think I really care?

What's wrong?

[melancholy music playing]

I lost my mom the year before I came here.

Mom was sick as well.

Everyone kept saying,
at least she died slowly.

It wasn't sudden.

I thought they were nuts. [chuckles]

Right now, you feel bad.

But this is nothing.

When you finally realize what's happened,
that's when you feel like sh*t.

How'd you get through it?

I stayed at school.

Here.

If I didn't have school
to keep my mind occupied…

I would've lost it.

Um, I just don't know
if I can stay here right now.

Okay. Okay.

Put yourself first.

Before the others.

Okay.

[music fades]

This Salvo friend of yours,
what's he like?

What do you mean by that?

He seems a bit weird, that's all.

No.

He's had a really tough life.
I mean, he grew up in foster care.

He's a good guy.

-Why?
-It's nothing. Forget it.

Just think about what I told you.

And don't forget,
if you decide to stay here at school,

I'll protect you.

[Salvo] He'll protect you,
meaning he'll stop trying to k*ll you?

Yeah, think so.

But also, there was something else.

He was being real and honest. He got me.

Wouldn't trust him if I were you.

You don't just become an angel overnight.

Yeah, well…

But then he started asking me
these other weird questions.

Like what?

About you, who you are, and your family.

Salvo, talk to me. What's going on?

[wistful music playing]

When I lived in the foster home,
I grew up with a guy.

His name was Francesco.
He was like a big brother to me.

He was the one
that got into this school first,

and he was the one that convinced me
that this place would change our lives.

Diego and Max were in his class.

Then, last year,

he disappeared.

What do you mean, disappeared?

He just vanished into thin air.

The police didn't really wanna investigate
because he's of legal age.

They think he ran off somewhere.

But I'm sure that Francesco
would never run away without telling me.

So I'm here trying to figure out
what happened to him.

Okay, so you think that Max had something
to do with his disappearance?

I found Francesco's bag full of money

at the spot where Paola told you
she and Max used to meet.

And I don't know why,
but Max knows my mother.

So why don't we just talk to Max, huh?

We'll go see him together.

-This thing is too big, Salvo.
-No, no, no. We can't go now.

If I go without something solid,
he'll rip me apart and get me kicked out.

I'll lose it all. Even you.

And Camilla.

What about you and Camilla?

[sighs] What? It's nothing. No. No, no.
I don't think… I mean, it's not really…

I care about you both.

With Max, though,
I've gotta be real careful.

So do you.

Believe me.

Put on the first thing you find.

I'll see you in the bathroom in ten.

We're going somewhere fun. Don't worry.

[indistinct chattering]

Rachele.

I need a favor.

-What exactly is this fun place?
-How should I know?

I just said I wouldn't go without you.

Now you can go out
and deliver that package.

Yeah, I know. I'm a genius.

But you can't tell anyone, okay?

You leaving tomorrow?

Yeah.

What are you two plotting?

-Actually, I don't wanna know.
-Okay.

You, hurry up and get changed.

[tense music playing]

[music intensifies]

[music fades]

Tell me where we're going.

Hey, man.

How many are there, Pietro?

I have no idea.
It was supposed to be Diego and Rachele.

It was just supposed to be you and me.

-Why'd you tell the recruits?
-What's the big deal?

Really? That's the first thing you found?

What's with all these students?
No uniforms?

It's for Rachele.
You did say we need to unwind, no?

Don't go too crazy, guys.

You're responsible, okay?

Sir, yes, sir.

Thanks.

Have fun.

[Monica] Where's Rachele?

[Diego] She's coming.

["Pupille" by Centomilacarie playing]

-[Rachele] Nice outfit.
-I try.

We're bowling.

It's comfortable.

It seems like…

They think they can go out
for a drink without us?

If you're doing this for me,
it's okay, really.

Anyways, I told my mom
I'd do a video chat with her later.

So we don't have to.

I told you,
you've gotta keep your mind occupied.

They're gonna go bowling.
Rachele is obsessed with it.

You too?

[Max] I can't promise anything,

but I think I might even be able
to get you to lose your virginity tonight.

["Pupille" continues]

[indistinct chattering]

Thanks.

[pop music playing]

So, this is your idea of a fun place?

-So? A size five for the little girl?
-Oh, come on.

[girl] Go f*ck yourself.

What are you doing? You crazy?

Hey, calm down. She asked me to come here.

It's not my thing.

This is for Rachele,
so let's not screw it up.

[Max] No!

You guys are here too?

What? Is something wrong?

You're sick, you know that?

Why can't I be here too?

Gonna call Dad?

-I don't think you should be here either.
-Where's Salvo?

He was outside.

He's coming.

-Okay, that's good.
-[phone ringing]

Paola. You don't get it.

Max kidnapped me
and brought me to this bowling place.

I can't talk now. I'll explain later.

["Ragazzi della pioggia" by Alek playing]

Follow me.
I'll teach you how to get a strike.

[Diego] Nice one!

That's yours.

[Monica] Fly, fly, fly! Oh!

Watch this, guys!

Hey, I hit four! That's not bad!

Whoo!

Ow!

[Diego] No, no, no, no.

[Max] No, no. Come back.

-You stay here.
-[Diego] Come on!

Go!

Go, go, go, go!

[Rachele] Oh my God!

["Ragazzi della pioggia" continues]

[music fades]

[Salvo] Enzo?

Finally.

See ya.

["Dance" by The EverLove playing]

Yay! That was great! Drink!

[boy] Rematch! Come on!

♪ We used to groove till the sun came up ♪

♪ But now you don't move
And I've had enough… ♪

PAOLA


Max, I'm gonna grab
some fresh air with her.

-[Max] No.
-Okay?

See the MILFs on lane eight?
We've got a shot there.

I just think that, um…

Well, my c*ck doesn't wanna think, buddy.

And on that note, I'm outta here.

[indistinct chattering]

Hey.

Listen, I'm sorry about before.

I know you feel as awkward as I do.

But this whole situation is just t*rture.

Rachele is still my girlfriend.

And she needs my support.

But you're so, well…

you.

It's really hard.

[motorcycle approaching]

[engine stops]

So, listen to me.

Isn't that heavy?

What next? Okay, you bring it back slowly
and then release?

Wow! Look at you go! Okay, go, go, go!

Hey, you see? It was a great shot.

[electronic music playing]

[music fades]

[Vincenzo] Sorry, Max wouldn't let me go.

Hi.

[Paola sighs]

So sorry I couldn't be there.

How are you?

I dunno.

One minute, I'm at my father's funeral,

and then today, I almost died on a scooter
with Max, who was yelling

that he was gonna help me
lose my virginity.

Everything's happening all at once.

I've missed you so much.

[heartfelt music playing]

Missed you too.

But

how long are you planning to stay?

I'm gonna stay for a while.

-I'm not going.
-Yes!

[laughs]

I'm staying.

[music fades]

-[pins clattering]
-[pop music playing]

[chuckles]

Thank God. I was going crazy here.

How did it go?

Come on. Did you drop it off?

What about ours?

-Have you had a lot?
-Come on.

Look, I wanna have fun.
Tell me you saved some.

I know you have some.
Give me it. Where is it?

No, no. No, no, no, no. Not here.

-There's two.
-Who cares?

-We'll each have one, but not in here.
-Yeah. We'll do them right now. Yeah.

-Stay still, Salvo. Don't move.
-Not here.

No, you took two.
That's too much. It's bad.

-Don't take them both. No…
-Yeah.

Sh.

Spit it out. Sp--

♪ When you dance with me ♪

♪ You show me how easy it can be ♪

♪ When you dance with me ♪

♪ When you dance with me ♪

♪ When you dance with me ♪

Wait.

-[phone ringing]
-♪ You show me how easy it can be ♪

♪ When you dance with me ♪

♪ When you dance with me ♪

[phone ringing]

Ma?

Where are you?

It's done. I saw you with Max yesterday.

How do you know him?

Why don't you ask him?

No, Ma. I'm asking you.

I've been in there for months,

trying to find out
what the f*ck happened to Francesco.

If you know something, tell me.

Hello? Ma, you there?

I promised Francesco I wouldn't tell you.

Tell me what?

[tense music playing]

They came to see me a couple of times.

Talk to Max.

[Camilla laughs]

[Camilla] Salvo!

♪ Dance with me… ♪

Come here!

Come here, Salvo!

[door opens]

[keys jingle]

-Holy sh*t, Dad!
-Where were you?

I went for a walk.

No, no. I'm not falling for
the "I went for a walk." Got it?

You're 17 years old.
You can't come waltzing in this late.

You have to ask for permission
when you go out!

And don't you ever disrespect me!

Oh my God.

I'm being serious.

Yeah, because everything's
usually a laugh riot, right?

Where were you? Were you with Max?

-Were you with Max?
-No, what are you talking about?

-Who's that? Huh? Who?
-It's no one.

-Let me see. Let me read it!
-What are you doing? What do you want?

-Give it back!
-You don't need this.

You have to go to sleep now.
And Minerva's off limits from now on. Go.

Don't you see how you are?

This is all you can do, isn't it?

Take things away,
punish people, and embarrass them.

[scoffs]

No wonder Mom couldn't stand it anymore.

Stop it, Paola.

Man, she's lucky.

-Wherever she is. Lucky her.
-Stop it.

What's wrong?

You think I haven't figured out
why you keep me locked up in here?

-You're petrified I'll become her.
-I told you to stop it!

If Diego can do what he wants,
why can't I?

Don't you worry.
I'll punish him if he deserves it.

Oh yeah? Sure.

You've got no idea
what your little soldier boy is up to.

[melancholy music playing]

You used to wake up
at the crack of dawn, remember?

You trained hard.

Now you look like a cadaver.

Scholastically, your grades have dropped.

[intriguing music playing]

And you got cut
from the fencing competition.

You get into fights.

Is there something you want to tell me
to justify this sudden… implosion

of yours, hmm?

You know you can tell me anything. Right?

If you have faith in me, then…

I'll have faith in you.

[music fades]

I had a

thing for a girl, Dad.

A moment of weakness.

It won't happen again.

Who is she?

-Hey.
-Hi there.

Totally dead this morning.

You look fine though.

-More or less.
-[chuckles]

Monica.

What did you guys do last night?

Is Rachele okay? She ready?

Yeah, she's fine. She's on her way.

-[dramatic music playing]
-[coughing]

-How many shots did you do?
-I lost count.

You okay?

-What's going on?
-I can't go out like this.

Are you serious?

-No, I can't do it.
-What?

-I can't. I'm sorry.
-Oh!

I could've been doing it instead of you.
Now go out there and win.

Okay?

Go out there and win.

What can we do for her?

Black coffee and ibuprofen. Go, fast.
We've got twenty minutes! Twenty minutes!

[coughing]

[Monica] Splash your face.

[muffled applause]

[music intensifies]

[announcer] Next up,
Rachele Mari for Naples

and Martina Rinaldi for Venice.

[Monica] Come on, Rachè!

Ready. Fence.

[swords clattering]

-[judge] Touché. Point for Venice.
-[student] Go, Mari!

-[judge] Touché. Point for Naples.
-Yeah! Let's go!

[swords clattering]

-[judge] Halt!
-Yes!

[judge] Point for Venice.
Point for Venice.

Halt. Point for Venice.

[students shouting words of encouragement]

-[judge] Halt. Point for Venice.
-Let's go, Rachè.

Wake up, come on. Push her.

-Pick up the pace! Push her!
-[judge] En garde, ready, fence.

[Rachele breathing heavily]

[breathes deeply]

[dramatic music playing]

[Rachele grunts]

[judge] Point for Venice.

[Rachele breathing shakily]

What's going on?

Halt. Time-out for Naples.

Hey.

-[students murmuring]
-[tense music playing]

-Rachele, just breathe.
-[sobs]

Slow.

That's it, good.

What do you wanna do here?
Call for medical assistance?

Give her a minute.

-Slow down.
-[panicked breathing]

[Camilla] Breathe in, breathe out.

Just breathe like you taught me.
Remember that?

Are you okay?

[breathes deeply]

[Camilla] Good.

-Okay.
-[breathing heavily]

You got this.

Okay.

[heavy breathing slows]

Come on. Let's get up now.

Slowly.

-[judge] Okay.
-[student] You can do it!

[students shouting words of encouragement]

[judge] En garde.

Ready?

Fence.

-Halt.
-Hey!

-Yes!
-[judge] Ready.

Position, position!

[tense music playing]

-[judge] Halt.
-[crowd cheering]

[judge] Point for Venice.

-Halt! Point for Naples.
-Yeah!

[judge] Halt!

Point for Naples.

En garde, ready, fence.

Go, Rachè! You've got this!
Just one more point!

En garde, ready, fence.

Get it.

[music intensifies]

Halt!

Yeah!

Yeah!

[cheering]

-Yeah!
-[judge] Salute and shake hands.

Way to go!

Yeah, Rachè! Yeah!

You did it! All right!

[heartfelt music playing]

[cheering becomes muffled]

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

I would like to congratulate Rachele Mari.

Rachele's hard work,
diligence, and, of course, her talent

have brought such a great honor
to our proud school.

Today, more than ever,

I am pleased to publicly congratulate
this fine student.

Since there are rumors circulating
that, for some students here,

discipline and honor

have no value whatsoever.

Diego Giordano.

You will immediately remove
your head cadet star

and give it to Midolo.

Romantic relationships

between seniors and recruits

are strictly forbidden in this school.

So you…

and Camilla Savino

will both receive a disciplinary sanction

that will directly affect
your conduct grade.

I'm confident

that both of you will learn
from this mistake you've made.

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