Licenza di Chissenefrega!: Guida pratica per onesti egoisti (Italian Edition)

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We're looking for a house.

But some Italian verbs cannot be completed by a direct object and the question che cosa? II treno per Napoli e partito alle 6. The train to Naples left at 6. Because it determines their different uses, especially in the compound tenses, knowing whether verbs are transitive or intransitive is very important.

Check by either looking in a dictionary or seeing whether you can ask and answer the question che cosa? In dictionaries all verb entries carry the following indications: Problems arise also from the fact that many English verbs used transitively and intransitively have an Italian counterpart that can only be used intransitively. Below we show some examples of English phrases that cannot be translated directly into Italian, since the verbs camminare, volare, guidare and viaggiare are not gener- ally used transitively: I'm going to walk the dog.

Can you drive me home? Travel the world with Airmiles! Verbs that can be used both transitively and intransitively Some verbs can be used both transitively with a direct object and intransitively without a direct object , for example aumentare, cambiare, cominciare, crescere, diminuire, finire and passare. In the first two examples that follow, the subjects of these actions - beginning and finishing - are people and the verbs have direct objects 'the lesson', 'the holidays'.

II professore comincia la lezione alle The teacher begins the lesson at Finiamo le vacanze in agosto. We finish our holidays in August. In the next two examples below , the same verbs this time with 'the lesson' and 'the holidays' as subject cannot have a direct object: Lucia ha scritto una lettera. Abbiamo cercato una casa. Lucia wrote a letter.

We looked for a house. Andiamo in ufficio alle 9. II treno per Napoli parte alle 6. Siamo andate in ufficio alle 9. We go to the office at 9. The train to Naples leaves at 6. We went to the office at 9. La lezione comincia alle The lesson begins at The holidays finish in August. In simple tenses, the forms of the verbs are identical, whether transitive or intran- sitive.

But the compound tenses, such as the past, vary according to whether they are used transitively or intransitively: II professore ha cominciato la lezione. The teacher began the lesson. La lezione e cominciata alle The lesson began at Abbiamo finito le vacanze in agosto. We finished the holidays in August. Le vacanze sono finite in agosto. The holidays finished in August. When used transitively, verbs such as correre 'to run', saltare 'to jump', vivere to live' take avere: Hanno corso un grosso rischio.

They ran a great risk. Oggi ho saltato il pranzo. Today I skipped lunch. Ho vissuto una vita d'inferno. I have lived a life of hell. I lived in London for 10 years. The children jumped down from the bed. Verbs like these are marked in dictionaries as v. Verbs using the auxiliary avere even when used intransitively Generally Italian transitive verbs use the auxiliary avere, while intransitive verbs use the auxiliary essere in the compound tenses. However, there are quite a few verbs that use the auxiliary avere even when used intransitively. Here are the most common: I walked for two hours.

General features of verbs Come hai dormito? How did you sleep? Avete giocato a carte? Did you play cards? The different voices or relationships are: II meccanico ripara la macchina. The mechanic repairs the car. Luisa e guardata da Gianni. Luisa is watched by Gianni. La macchina e riparata dal meccanico. The car is repaired by the mechanic. In the second example, the agent of the action is clearly the mechanic the one who repairs the car , but the grammatical subject of the passive verb is the car. Gianni si guarda alio specchio. Gianni looks at himself in the mirror.

There are other verb forms that are not strictly speaking reflexive but are similar in form. The passive form The passive of Italian verbs is formed by the use of the past participle and the auxil- iary essere, using the same tense as the corresponding active form. The passive conjugation of verbs is shown in the verb tables in 2.

The passive can also be formed using venire or andare as auxiliary instead of essere see Only transitive verbs can have a passive form see 2. Passive sentences sentences based on a passive verb are used when we want to focus on the action itself or the object of an action, rather than on the agent of an action.

For more examples on the use of the passive, see VERBS The reflexive and pronominal form Reflexive verb forms Reflexive verbs are active verb forms accompanied by a reflexive pronoun see 3. Look at these two examples: Franchi sta lavando la macchina. Mr Franchi is washing the car. Franchi si sta lavando. Mr Franchi is washing himself. In the first example above, the direct object of the action of washing is the car. It is separate from the person who is doing it the subject of the action. In the second example, the subject and the object of the action are the same person II Sig.

This is the reflexive form, in which the reflexive pronoun refers to the person carrying out the action, but at the same time is also the object of it. The position of the reflexive pronoun is the same as that of all other unstressed personal pronouns see 3. Please, have a seat make yourself comfortable. In genere i giovani italiani si vestono alia moda.

In general young people in Italy dress fashionably. Dovete prepararvi ad uscire. You must prepare yourselves to go out. Get yourself ready to go out! In the compound tenses, reflexive verbs are conjugated with the verb essere, even though the verbs are transitive cf. The past participle has to agree with the subject: Stamattina i bambini si sono alzati alle 6. This morning the children got themselves up at 6. Mi sono vestita con calma.

I got dressed slowly. Pronominal verb forms Pronominal verb forms are verb forms which use the reflexive pronoun. In Italian they are used much more frequently than in English because we can use them not only in a true reflexive pattern, but also in many other ways. In true reflexives see above , the subject and object of the verb are one and the same.

Although this is not the case with pronominal verb forms, they still embody the concept of 'reci- procal' or 'reflexive' action an action relating or reflecting back to the subject. The different uses of the pronominal verb form will become clear from the examples below.

Note the use of the auxiliary essere in the compound tenses: Giulio si lava le mani. Giulio washes his hands. Mi metto la giacca. I put on my jacket. Stamattina non mi sono fatto la barba. This morning I didn't shave myself. In the examples above, the actions are not truly reflexive, since the subjects and the objects of the actions are not exactly identical: In the last example, the participle can also agree with the object: Stamattina non mi sono fatta la barba.

The reflexive pronoun can also be omitted in which case the construction no longer takes essere in the compound tenses: Giulio lava le mani. Non ho fatto la barba. Mario e Nicoletta si sposano domani. Mario and Nicoletta are getting married tomorrow. Dove vi siete conosciuti tu e Maria? Where did you and Maria meet each other?

Ci siamo incontrati in Spagna. We met each other in Spain. Note how in the examples above the reflexive pronoun marks an event or action taking place within the subject; the two people are at the same time the subject and the object of a reciprocal action. The same actions can be expressed by the active form, in which case one person is the subject and the other is the object: Domani Mario sposa Nicoletta. Tomorrow Mario will marry Nicoletta. Dove tu hai conosciuto Maria? Where did you meet Maria?

I met Dr Rossi in Spain. Stasera cl vediamo un bel film. Tonight we'll watch a nice film. Voglio mangiarmi una pizza! I really want a pizza! Mi sono dimenticata le chiavi! I forgot the keys! In the examples above, the objects of the verbs are totally separate from, and not part of, the subjects.

However the use of the reflexive pronoun shows the intensity felt by the people carrying out these actions. The same sentences can be expressed without using the reflexive pronouns, but then the statements will sound much less emotional, more objective: Stasera vediamo un bel film. Voglio mangiare una pizza. Ho dimenticato le chiavi. There are a few Italian verbs that are always or almost always used with a reflexive pronoun, because of the 'psychological' and subjective meaning they convey, for example: Non ti accorgi che e tardi?

Don't you realise that it's late? Vi siete divertiti a Roma? Did you have a good time in Rome? Giulia si e pentita di aver accettato quel lavoro. Giulia regretted having accepted that job. Non vergognarri di questo errore, non e colpa tua. Don't be ashamed of this mistake. It's not your fault. Nella mia famiglia si parlano tre lingue. In my family three languages are spoken. Dal terrazzo si vedono i tetti della citta. From the terrace the roofs of the city can be seen one can see the roofs. In the first example, the si passivante form appears identical to the si imper- sonate form 'one' speaks Italian described in 2.

However, when there is a plural subject, as in the second two examples, the verb is plural, so it becomes clear that the construction is passive 'three languages are spoken', 'the roofs can be seen'. Impersonal si The pronoun si is also used to express the impersonal form of verbs see also Si lavora meglio con il fresco. One works better in cool weather. Stasera si va a ballare. Tonight everybody is going to dance. A tavola non si invecchia. One doesn't get old at the dinner table.

Popular saying, meant to discourage people from hurrying when eating Notice that the impersonal form is always formed with si and the third person singular of the verb. Verb tables All the examples shown in the tables in 2. Certain verbs use essere instead see 2. The simpli- fied tables in 2. We call these patterns regular because the stems of these verbs remain constantly the same or invari- able throughout the whole system of moods and tenses. Understanding the way the endings the variable part of the verb change, will allow us to learn all the possible forms of most Italian verbs. Notice the two patterns of the 3rd conjugation, and remember that the pattern in -isco is the most frequent.

Notice how each passive tense is formed by the corresponding tense of the auxil- iary essere see below 2. In this table the participle is masculine singular, but in actual use it agrees with gender and number of the subject see below , as do all compound forms of verbs using essere. Italian has a large number of irregular verbs, most of them in the 2nd conjugation, including many verbs frequently used in everyday language. Sometimes the irregular changes of the stem are unique to one verb as in the case of avere and essere. Sometimes several verbs may be grouped under a common pattern of irregularity, and this can help to memorise the many but not always unpredictable deviations from the 'norm'.

The complete conjugations of five irregular verbs are shown below 2. These verbs have been chosen not only because of their frequency of use, but also because in some cases their patterns are followed by several other irregular verbs. A complete list of irregular verbs in alphabetical order is in Appendix II. They share a common feature: The verbs avere 'to have' see When used in this way, they are called verbi servili 'modal verbs'.

Ieri ho dovuto chiudere io l'ufficio. I had to lock the office, yesterday. Quando potremo incontrare il Dott. When can we meet Dr Salvi?

Licenza di Chissenefrega (Italian Edition)

Voglio tornare a casa presto stasera. I want to go home early tonight. The verb essere is highly irregular, with varied stems in almost all tenses. Avere, dovere, potere, volere also have varying stems in their present indicative tenses, but a common pattern of contraction in their future and present conditional tense with the vowel -e- dropping to give the the future forms av-ro, dov-ro, etc. In the tables below, note how the compound tenses of essere take essere as their auxiliary, and the participle has to agree in number and gender. Infinitive Infinito Present Presente av-ere ess-ere dov-ere pot-ere vol-ere Past Passato avere avuto essere stato avere dovuto avere potuto avere voluto Indicative Indicativo Present Presente ho son-o dev-o debbo poss-o vogli-o hai se-i dev-i puo-i vuo-i ha e dev-e pud vuol-e abb-iamo s-iamo dobb-iamo poss-iamo vogl-iamo av-ete si-ete dov-ete pot-ete vol-ete hanno s-ono dev-ono debbono poss-ono vogli-ono Imperfect Imperfetto av-evo ero dov-evo pot-evo vol-evo av-evi eri dov-evi pot-evi vol-evi av-eva era dov-eva pot-eva vol-eva Verb tables 2.

Infinitive mood infinito The infinitive is the basic form of verbs, and the one used as dictionary entry in other words, the name of the verb. It is the infinitive form -are, -ere, -ire or -rre that tells us which conjugation a verb belongs to. The infinitive has a present and a past tense. The past is formed by the past participle and the infinitive avere or essere. When formed with essere, the past infinitive changes form to agree with the verb subject see examples below. In their present indicative, these verbs follow the -go pattern shown below 2. Dobbiamo partire alle 7.

We must leave at 7. Sai usare il computer? Can you use the computer?

Penso di avere capito. I think I have understood. Non riesco a sentire la tua voce. I can't hear your voice. In most cases the infinitive is linked to preceding verbs by a preposition such as di or a as in the last two examples above see list of verbs and prepositions in Appendix IV. However with the verbs potere, dovere, volere, sapere, preferire, desiderare, amare, osare, no preposition is needed. For particular uses of infinitive with a prepo- sition, see 4. In Italian the subject of the infinitive must be the same as that of the verb on which it depends.

Otherwise two separate finite verbs must be used, usually linked by che. An exception to this is when the main verb of the clause is fare or lasciare see also Ho fatto entrare i signori. I allowed the gentlemen to come in. The infinitive can be used by itself, without depending on another verb, when it is used to tell somebody not to do something, i.

Be quiet, don't speak. Non sporgersi dal finestrino. Don't lean out of the window. Note how a phrase that was originally the imperative of a verb used reflexively non ti scordare 'do not forget' has now become the name of a flower: Nontiscordardime Forget-me-not Moods and tenses of verbs Infinitive as a noun: Infinitive verbs are often used instead of nouns, sometimes preceded by the definite article, in the masculine singular form: Mangiare e necessario per vivere. Eating is necessary for life.

II sapere degli antichi si trasmette di generazione in generazione. The wisdom of the ancients is handed down from generation to generation. For further uses of the infinitive and past infinitive, see also We shall look here at the eight tenses of the indicative mood, both regular and irregular forms, with a brief refer- ence to their use, covered in detail in Part B. Present indicative jndicativo presente The forms of the present indicative of the three regular conjugations are shown in the verb tables above 2.

In addition to avere, essere, dovere, potere, volere shown in the verb tables above, some common verbs with irregular present indicative are illustrated below. These are the regular verbs ending in -care, -gare, such as cercare, pagare: In those forms that include i cerchi, cerchiamo , the h indicates the pronuncia- tion with hard g: There is no doubling of the i in the second person singular and first person plural forms: Although some verbs appear irregular, their forms are in fact regular but are based on an older form of the infini- tive see 2.

The verb sapere is irregular both in the ending and in its stem changes: The following verbs have in common a pattern in which some persons are formed with g and some without see Appendix II for a complete list. Verbs following the pattern of porre are: Other verbs following its pattern are: VERBS Uses of the present indicative Verbs in the present indicative express actions, facts and situations that happen or are going on at the moment when we speak or write. Mara, il telefono suona. Mara, the phone is ringing. Nel mio ufficio il telefono suona continuamente di mattina. In my office the phone rings continuously in the mornings.

La domenica le campane della chiesa suonano alle 8 meno On Sundays the church bells ring at 10 to 8. Gli Italiani fumano piu degli inglesi. Italians smoke more than English people. Le balene sono mammiferi. There are two situations in which the present indicative is used to refer to facts that are not in the present time: Domani arrivano gli ospiti spagnoli. Tomorrow the Spanish guests are coming. L'anno prossimo compriamo una macchina nuova. Next year we'll buy a new car. This is done when the events are described in a narrative way and is very common in history books and news reports: Nel Roma diventa capitale dTtalia.

Rome became the capital of Italy in Al quinto rigore Baggio sbaglia e l'ltalia perde il Campionato del Mondo. At the fifth penalty Baggio missed the penalty kick and Italy lost the World Cup. Several verbs have an irregular future indicative. A similar contracted pattern can be seen in the present tense of the conditional of the same verbs andare andrei , bere berrei , potere potrei. The future of essere is very irregular: Uses of the future The future indicative tense is naturally mainly used to refer to facts that will happen in a time subsequent to the time when we speak.

However Italians use this tense sparingly, often preferring to use the present tense instead see The future tense is also used in Italian to express probability, as in English 'it will be. Saranno le tre meno dieci. What time is it? It must be about ten to three. Chi saral Sara Davide. The phone is ringing. Who could it possibly be? It will be Davide. Future perfect futuro anteriore Forms The future perfect is a compound tense formed of the future tense of the auxiliary avere or essere together with the past participle of the verb.

The forms of the future perfect are shown in the verb tables 2. Uses of the future perfect The future perfect is used to indicate facts or actions that will take place in the future in relation to the moment when we are speaking or writing , but before facts or actions that will happen even later; it is a sort of 'past in the future': Non so se avro finito il lavoro quando arrivera il cliente. I don't know whether I will have finished the job by the time the customer comes. Stiamo aspettando la fattura. Quando avremo ricevuto la fattura, Le invieremo i soldi.

We are waiting for the invoice. When we've received the invoice, we'll send you the money. Each of the three verbs in these two sentences could be illustrated by a time sequence: More examples of the use of the future perfect can be found in Imperfect indicative indicativo imperfetto The forms of the imperfect of the three regular conjugations are shown in the verb tables.

The imperfect indicative is formed by adding the endings -avo, -evo, -ivo for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd conjugations respectively to the stem of the verb. It is the most regular of all the tenses of Italian verbs. The imperfect of the 2nd conjugation verbs with contracted infinitive in -urre is regular, but follows the pattern of the stem in due-, giving produrre: Similarly, the verbs with contracted infinitive in -orre have a regular imperfect based on the stem in pon-: The contracted infinitive bere has a regular imperfect bev-evo.

The only true irregular imperfect is that of essere: Uses of the imperfect The imperfect indicative is mainly used to refer to the past see In using past tenses, one should always consider the context or aspect. The question of aspect and the choice of imperfect or perfect is very important when referring to the past in Italian, particularly in situations where the two past forms are used in the same sentence see Here is a summary of the most common cases when the imperfect indicative is used: Prendevamo sempre il caffe alle We used to have a coffee at Forms Guardavo la televisione quando e'e stato il terremoto.

I was watching television when the earthquake struck. Era mezzanotte, pioveva e la macchina correva silenziosa. It was midnight, it was raining and the car ran silently. Non ho mangiato perche non avevo fame. I didn't eat because I wasn't hungry 46 Moods and tenses of verbs Erano gia le 5. La settimana scorsa mi hanno detto che tu venivi saresti venuto ieri. Last week I was told that you'd come yesterday. In a few cases the imperfect indicative is not used to refer to past time, but as a substitute for a different verb mood such as conditional or subjunctive: Volevo vorrei delle rose.

I'd like some roses. Buongiorno, cercavo un libro di Umberto Eco. Good morning, I'm looking for a book by Umberto Eco. Mi scusi, non volevo disturbare. Excuse me, I don't want to disturb you. This is more common in spoken than in written Italian. Se andavi piu piano non facevi l'incidente. If you had gone more slowly, you wouldn't have had the accident. For the use of the imperfect of modal verbs dovere, potere, volere, see Of the two forms of the perfect compound and simple the compound is by far the more frequently used, especially in spoken language.

The uses of the compound perfect and other past tenses are illustrated in Part B. Uses of the compound perfect The compound perfect refers to facts that are seen as completed, but have some relation to the present, generally in one of the following two contexts: Ho appena preso un caffe. I've just had a coffee. Avete capito quello che ho detto? Did you understand what I said? Siamo venuti in Inghilterra vent'anni fa.

We came to England 20 years ago and we are still here. La Basilica di S. Pietro e stata costruita nel Cinquecento. Peter's Basilica was built in the 16th century and you can still see it now Because of these characteristics the compound perfect is very frequently used in conversational Italian, allowing the speaker to relate the facts of the past to the present. Simple perfect passato remoto Forms The forms of the simple perfect passato remoto of the three regular conjugations are shown in the verb tables 2.

Note in particular that the simple perfect of certain 2nd conjugation verbs has alter- native forms for the first person singular and third person singular and plural: The most common irregularity is the short -si ending alternating with the longer form based on the stem of the infinitive, e. Vissi male a Milano. Percid sono tomato a Napoli. I had a bad time living in Milan. That's why I came back to Naples and I am still here. I dinosauri scomparvero 65 milioni d'anni fa.

Dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago. In spoken Italian, the simple perfect tends to be used very seldom in the north of Italy, but quite often in Tuscany, and in central and southern Italy, in the contexts mentioned above. In written language, the simple perfect is very common, espe- cially in narrative and historical language, because of the precise way in which it defines the past Typically it is the tense of fairy tales, when events are placed in a far and abstract past, in a different dimension separate from the reality of the present: Come andb che maestro Ciliegia, falegname, trovb un pezzo di legna che piangeva e rideva come un bambino.

Appena maestro Ciliegia ebbe visto quel pezzo di legno, si rallegrb tutto e, dandosi una fregatina di mani per la contentezza, borbottb a mezza voce: Detto fatto, prese subito l'ascia arrotata per cominciare a levargli la scorza e a digrossarlo; ma quando fu li per lasciare andare la prima asciata, rimase col braccio sospeso in aria, perche senti una vocina sottile che disse raccomandandosi: It is formed by the past participle and the imperfect of avere or essere.

The forms of the pluperfect of the three regular conjugations are shown in the verb tables. Uses of the pluperfect It is used to refer to an event previous to an event placed in the past. Ricordo che tu eri arrivato da poco quando Maria ha telefonato. I remember that you had just arrived when Maria called. Penso che alle 7. I think Franco had already closed the shop at 7. If we place the two examples on a 'time line' it is easier to see where the pluper- fect stands in the sequence of events: Pluperfect Past Present eri arrivato aveva chiuso quando Maria ha telefonato ricordo alle 7 penso Past anterior trapassato remoto Forms The trapassato remoto is formed by the simple perfect of the auxiliary avere or essere and the past participle.

The forms of the trapassato remoto of the three regular conjugations are shown in the verb tables. Uses of the past anterior The trapassato remoto is the form of pluperfect used when the main event or action is expressed by a verb in the simple perfect. Its use is rare and generally limited to the literary and more formal registers of the written language, and it is always intro- duced by a conjunction such as dopo, appena see also Dopo che ebbe salutato, usci in fretta. After he had said goodbye, he went out in a hurry.

Appena fu uscita, tutti si misero a ridere. As soon as she had gone out, everybody started laughing. The forms of the conditional for the three regular conditions are shown in the verb tables above. There are two tenses of the conditional mood: The verbs with an irregular present conditional show the same pattern already seen for the future indicative see 2. Uses of the present conditional a The condition may be explicitly mentioned, usually by using a clause begin- ning with se 'if. In Italian this is called periodo ipotetico see This type of sentence is made up of two parts: The condition is introduced by se 'if such and such were to happen' and expressed by a verb in the indicative or, more often, the subjunctive mood.

The consequence, if the condition were to be met, is expressed by a verb in the indica- tive or, more often, conditional mood 'this would be the result'. Se fossi ricco, non lavorerei. If I were rich, I wouldn't work. Se Lei mi stimasse davvero, mi darebbe piu responsabilita. If you really valued me, you would give me more responsibility. The politeness of these requests lies in their being subject to some implicit condi- tion: For further examples, see I would like a coffee. Potrebbe aprire la finestra?

Could you open the window? Secondo me dovresti riposarti. I think you should rest. Io sarei per la soluzione piu facile. I would be for the easier option. La ragazza sarebbe la figlia di Beckham. Apparently, the girl is the daughter of Beckham. The past conditional of the three regular conjugations is: Ieri non sarei arrivato in ritardo se avessi preso il treno.

I wouldn't have been late yesterday if I had taken the train. Avrei preferito un caffe. I would have preferred a coffee. Penso che la Sig. I think Mrs Prati should have paid in cash. Secondo La Repubblica, sarebbero arrivati duecento clandestini sull'isola. According to La Repubblica, two hundred illegal immigrants arrived on the island. La mia segretaria mi ha detto che avrebbe prenotato l'albergo subito. My secretary told me that she would reserve the hotel immediately. Dieci anni fa non immaginavo che tu avresti fatto una camera cosi brillante. Ten years ago I didn't imagine that you would have such a brilliant career.

Its most common use is in expressions of doubt, hope or supposition see 2. Non sono certo che mi abbiano capito. I'm not certain they understood me. Let's hope he'll arrive in time. Penso che siano le tre e venti. I think it must be twenty past three. Verbs in the subjunctive mood always depend directly or indirectly on another verb, linked by che as in the examples above or by another conjunction, to form a complex sentence. Only in a few cases is the subjunctive used by itself, without depending on another verb, for example in the imperative forms see The 'uncertain' or 'subjective' nature of the verb phrase lies: Ti scrivo affinche tu sappia la verita.

I write to let you know the truth. Nonostante le abbia scritto un mese fa, Paola non mi ha ancora risposto. Although I wrote to her a month ago Paola hasn't yet replied to me. Qualsiasi canzone lei canti e sempre un piacere ascoltarla. Whatever song she sings, it is always a pleasure to listen to her. But often it is the subjunctive itself that provides a 'subjective' emphasis to what we say. The choice of indicative or subjunctive to convey the same facts, can shift the meaning of a sentence from the objective to the subjective, from the reality to the idea.

Let's see two examples: I need the assistant who speaks Italian, just that particular one who is known to speak Italian. Ho bisogno di un assistente che parli italiano. In the second, the person I need may or may not be available, and therefore my need is presented as a 'subjec- tive' desire, an ideal, that cannot necessarily be met see also 9. It seems that Olivetti is about to launch a new computer.

Sembra che l'Olivetti stia per lanciare un nuovo computer. In the first of the two sentences above, the news is presented as almost certain, while the second sentence, by using the subjunctive, implies a higher degree of doubt or uncertainty about the reliability of the news. These and other uses of the subjunctive in different contexts are illustrated fully in Chapters 30 to 39 see also It is often said that the subjunctive mood is used ever less frequently in modern Italian. However using the indicative instead of the subjunc- tive not only conveys a more informal style, but also a different meaning, and may well change substantially the message that we want to convey.

Uses of the subjunctive In some cases, it is almost compulsory to use the subjunctive, even in the most familiar context of communication. This is particularly true when there is an explicit reference to the subjective value of a statement: I hope you understood. Temo che sia troppo tardi. I'm afraid it is too late. Non illuderti che il Napoli possa vincere il campionato.

Don't delude yourself that 'Napoli' can win the championship. Non avrei mai sospettato che tu fossi capace di mentire. I would never have suspected you of being able to lie. We must pay the phone bill, before it is too late.

Parlava come se avesse il raffreddore. He was speaking as if he had a cold. Dovete sbrigarvi, a meno che non vogliate fare tardi. You must hurry up, unless you want to be late. Malgrado fossero in tre non sono riusciti a sollevare l'armadio. Although there were three of them, they couldn't lift the cupboard. Sebbene siano stanchi, i ragazzi vogliono uscire stasera. The kids want to go out tonight, although they're tired. Se fossi in te non le parlerei. If I were you I wouldn't speak to her. See also uses of subjunctive in purpose clauses Whether to use the subjunctive after se, however, is a matter of choice see also Chiunque bussi alia porta, non aprire.

Whoever knocks at the door, don't open it. Sono pronta a fare qualsiasi cosa tu mi chieda. I'm ready to do whatever you ask me to do. Even in the examples shown in this paragraph, many Italians might use the indicative instead of the subjunctive. However it is useful to get into the habit of using the subjunctive in the 'essential' cases and is especially important for those who need to communicate formally in Italian. Tenses of the subjunctive Except in a few cases, verbs in the subjunctive mood depend on another verb i.

This means that we also need to look at how each tense of the subjunctive expresses a different time relationship with the main verb. There are four tenses of the subjunctive: The regular conjugations of these tenses are shown in the verb tables above 2. Present subjunctive congiuntivo presente Forms The regular conjugation of the present subjunctive has the same ending in the three singular persons: It is almost always linked to a main verb in the present tense: Spero che tu capisca.

I hope you understand. I think the telephone must be out of order. Credo che l'agenzia di viaggio ci prenoti l'aereo oggi stesso. I think the travel agency is booking our flight today. A more detailed study of the time relationship of the subjunctive and the verb it depends on is found in Chapter Perfect subjunctive congiuntivo passato Forms The perfect subjunctive is formed by the present subjunctive of the auxiliary avere or essere and the past participle.

The forms of perfect subjunctive for the three regular conjugations are found in the verb tables above 2. Uses of the perfect subjunctive The perfect subjunctive is used to refer to a past fact linked to a main verb, usually in the present tense: Mi sembra che ieri il telefono non abbia funzionato.

I think the phone must have been out of order yesterday. Credo che l'agenzia di viaggio ci abbia prenotato l'aereo ieri. I think the travel agency reserved our flight yesterday. Marco pensera che tu sia uscito. Marco will think you have gone out. The forms of the imperfect subjunctive for the three regular conjugations are found in the verb tables above. Irregular forms to be noted are: Uses of the imperfect subjunctive The imperfect subjunctive is used for events or actions taking place at the same time as the action of the main verb in the past: Speravo che tu capissi.

I hoped you understood. Ieri mi sembrava che il telefono non funzionasse. Yesterday I thought the phone was out of order. Moods and tenses of verbs The imperfect subjunctive is also used for a present or future action, which depends on a main verb in the present conditional: Vorrei che voi parlaste con il capo.

I'd like you to speak to the boss. Sarebbe bene che domani arrivasse in orario. It would be better if he arrived on time tomorrow. It is also used to express a condition unlikely to be met see Compreresti una Rolls Royce, se avessi i soldi? Would you buy a Rolls Royce, if you had the money? Pluperfect subjunctive congiuntivo trapassato Forms The pluperfect subjunctive is formed by the imperfect subjunctive of avere or essere and the past participle.

The forms of the pluperfect subjunctive for the regular conju- gations are shown in the verb tables above 2. Uses of the pluperfect subjunctive The pluperfect subjunctive is used to refer to a past event referred to by a main verb in the past tense: Speravo che avessi capito. I hoped you had understood.

It is also used to express a condition that can no longer be met see Se l'agenzia ci avesse prenotato l'aereo un mese fa, avremmo pagato di meno. If the travel agency had already reserved our flight a month earlier, we would have paid less. Other uses of the subjunctive In a few cases the subjunctive is used by itself without depending on another verb. In this function the present subjunctive serves as the third person form of the imperative, both singular and plural see Please, have a seat.

Prego signori, vengano di qua. Please come over this way, gentlemen. Dio salvi la Regina. God save the Queen. Alla fine lo notai, su una scansia, tutto solo. Lo presi, lo rigirai, ci guardai dentro. Costava caro ma la lavorazione artigiana era perfetta. Nello stesso negozio comprai anche del veleno per le formiche. Avevano fatto un nido presso il portone di casa mia. Mostrai i miei acquisti alla commessa, una giovane ragazza. Indicando il feretro, le chiesi: Lo sa cosa gli faccio?

Sono diventati una razza superiore. Pagai, e me n'andai Adesso, alle nozze, nessuno aveva riso. Mi ricordai qualcosa che avevo letto in un libro, un antico libro cinese: Un bel momento, tutto era finito: Hollis era al volante, di nuovo. Di nuovo la barbaccia di Roy mi svolazzava sul muso. Vi voglio bene, io. L'unico che avete ricevuto. Io abitavo ne paraggi di Hollywood per forza. Il parcheggio era un problema. Trovarono un posto a un par di cento metri da casa mia. Mi consegnarono le chiavi. Poi si diressero verso la loro automobile. Li guardai allontanarsi, poi mi volsi e, con la bottiglia in mano, mi diressi verso casa.

A un certo puntai scivolai e persi l'equilibrio. La bottiglia la salvai, ma picchiai la testa sul marciapiede, crac! Roy e Hollis mi videro cadere. Mi sono fatto male! Poi salirono sulla loro auto, misero in moto, e via, tranquillamente. Volevano farmela pagare per qualcosa.

Fatica sprecata, da parte mia. La razza umana mi ha sempre, disgustato. Datti tempo cinque minuti, pensai. Mi riposo per cinque minuti, poi riesco a alzarmi e arrivare a casa. Ero l'ultimo dei fuorilegge. Billy the Kid non aveva nulla da invidiarmi. Fa' solo che arrivi alla mia tana.

La prossima volta che m'invitano a una delle loro funzioni, li mando a fare in culo. Si voltarono a guardarmi. Guarda come si stringe al cuore quella bottiglia. S'infilarono dentro il portone di casa loro. Una porta di cristallo. E io non riuscivo a alzarmi in piedi. Io, il compare d'anello. Ero a soli trenta metri da casa mia: A trenta passi dal portone di casa tua.

Fra due minuti, ce la faccio a alzarmi. Sentivo che le forze mi stavano tornando a poco a poco. Ce l'avrei potuta fare. Due tutori della pazzesca struttura familiare del mondo. Avevano lasciato le luci rosse della macchina accese. Uno aveva una torcia elettrica.

Ho battuto la testa. Fate una cosa, aiutatemi a arrivare alla porta di casa mia. Abito a 30 metri da qui. Per un momento me n'ero scordato. Ero molto, molto stanco La stessa vecchia triste storia. Se un uomo sbarcava sulla luna, era come ci sbarcassero loro. Ma aspetta che un morto di fame gli chieda un quarto di dollaro Vale a dire, quando sono in borghese.

Poi tutta la trafila, un'altra volta. E pensare che ero a 30 passi dal portone di casa mia! Reduce da una festa in cui ero l'unico essere umano su 59 invitati. Eccomi di nuovo nella legione straniera dei cosiddetti colpevoli. I giovani non capiscono niente. Han da farti vedere chi sono. Poi presero un bianco, che gridava qualcosa a proposito di Diritti Costituzionali. In quattro o cinque lo presero. Mi fecero la fotografia, mi presero le impronte digitali, insomma tutta quanta la trafila.

Mi sgnaccarono in guardina. La grande cella comune era gremita d'ubriachi, ce ne saranno stati Piscio e vomito dappertutto. Mi feci largo fra i miei compagni di sventura, cercando un posticino. C'era chi mi reputava un genio. M'allungai su un tavolaccio. Dopo un poco, sentii una voce. La voce d'un ragazzo.

Che tu perdevi o vendevi o ti veniva rubata. Compare d'anello a uno sposalizio Zen. Magari gli sposi manco avranno scopato, quella notte. Ma qualcuno era stato fottuto regolarmente. I got off the bus at Rampart, then walked one block back to Coronado, went up the little hill, went up the steps to the walk, walked along the walk to the doorway of my upper court.

I stood in front of that door quite a while, feeling the sun on my arms. I walked slowly up. I was very white and somewhat weak. She was sitting on the couch in an old green silk dress. She seemed glad, kissing me. Anybody in the bedroom? Have to eat boiled chicken, soft boiled eggs. They gave me a list. You want a bath? I loaned it to somebody. They crashed in the front.

I was hoping to get it fixed for you before you got back. I was just trying to do the right thing! Then I walked back up. I got out of the sack every morning while you were gone. I wanta celebrate your being back. I grabbed the purse and turned it upside-down on the couch. All her shit came out. Plus change, a small bottle of port, a dollar bill and a five dollar bill. She reached for the five but I got there first, straightened up and slapped her across the face. The garage was around the corner. As I walked onto the lot this Japanese guy was putting silver paint on a newly installed grille.

What do I owe you? A lady brought it in here. You bought that grille for five bucks at the junkyard. I just got out of the hospital. If I get a job I can pay you. You know where I live. After I get a job I can pay you off. Either that, or you keep the car. Give me the five. The tank was even half-full. I drove it around the block a couple of times just to see how it felt to drive a car again. Then I drove it up outside the liquor store. Working on a land deal.

He looks like brains. You want me to take it somewhere else? You want me to leave the tab? And a pack of Pall Malls and two Dutch Masters. I reached the top. But the medics never know shit. Now open me a beer. She still had it. As far as body went. He been up here? Her belly was still flat.

Her haunches, hips, ass, just right. I drained a half a bottle of beer, walked up to her. She gave me a little smile. I tossed my beer bottle off, then took the wine glass out of her hand and drained it. I was feeling like a decent human being for the first time in weeks. We got real close. She pursed those red wild lips. Then I pushed against her, hard, with both hands.

She fell back on the couch. You know I love you, Harry! Then I walked up and picked her up and carried her into the bedroom and dumped her on the bed. I worked her dress up, kissing and fondling her. She was a lot of meat-woman. I got the pants down. Then, like old times, I was in. I sliced it eight or ten good slow ones, easy. I was just kidding. I love you, baby! It had been a long time. I owed the liquor store thirteen-seventy-five plus two six-packs plus cigars and cigarettes and I owed the L. Scesi dall'autobus a Rampart Street, tornai indietro d'un cento passi fino a Coronado Street, arrancai su per la breve salita, salii i gradini fino al vialetto d'accesso; lo percorsi, arrivai al mio cortile.

Davanti al portone di casa mi soffermai un pezzo, col tepore del sole sulle spalle. Poi, trovata la chiave, aprii la porta e salii su per le scale. Ero pallido e piuttosto stanco. Lei sedeva sul divano con indosso un vecchio abito di seta verde. Aveva un bicchiere di vino in mano — vino di porto con cubetti di ghiaccio — come piaceva a lei. M'hanno detto di mangiare pollo lesso, uova sode.

M'hanno dato la lista. Vuoi fare un bagno? Vuoi qualcosa da mangiare? Non sono riuscita a trovare un posto. Non l'ho vista qui fuori. L'ho prestata a certa gente. Ci sono andati a sbattere. Speravo di farla riparare prima che tu tornavi. Basta che il radiatore sia in ordine e i fari funzionino. Non mi piacciono le cose in sospeso. Ogni giorno a cercare lavoro, mentre eri via. Non ho trovato niente. Le strappai la borsetta di mano e ne rovesciai il contenuto sull'ottomana.

Tutta la sua paccottiglia. Poi le diedi uno schiaffo. Sei sempre il solito figlio di mignotta, non cambi mai! Il garage era in fondo alla strada. Quando entrai il garagista giapponese stava dando una vernice d'argento alla calandra del radiatore, appena messa su. Stetti un pezzo a guardarlo.. Una signora l'ha portata qui. Stia a sentire, quella macchina neanche li valeva, tutta intera, settantacinque dollari.

Sono appena uscito dall'ospedale. Ne ho bisogno subito. Vado a prenderlo, se vuole. O si fida, o si tiene l'automobile. Il serbatoio era mezzo pieno, pure. Dell'acqua e dell'olio non mi preoccupai. Feci un paio di volte il giro dell'isolato, per provare che effetto faceva guidare di nuovo. Poi mi fermai davanti al negozio di vini e liquori. Ha sale in zucca, ha. Non ho sempre pagato tutti i buffi?

Ci ha una pendenza di Sono arrivato anche a ventotto doli lari. Volete che vada da un'altra parte? Volete che vi lasci il buffo aperto? Non vi fidate per un po' di birra, dopo tutti 'sti anni? E anche venti Pall Mall e due sigari Dutch Master. Mi fermai in cima alle scale. Non la bere, non voglio vederti morire, sai, baby? S'era messa le scarpe coi tacchi alti. Era sempre un bel tocco. Quanto al corpo, niente da dire.

Non ha riparato la macchina? Non scoperei mai un giapponese, io. Aveva il panino bello piatto. Cosce, fianchi, culo, a posto. Trincai mezza bottiglia di birra. Gettai via la bottiglia di birra, le tolsi di mano il bicchiere di vino, me lo bevvi d'un sorso. Cominciava a sentirmi decentemente per la prima volta in non, so quanto tempo. Le diedi una spinta, con tutt'e due j le mani, forte. Hai fatto un buffo da Goldbarth per tredici e settantacinque, ver'o no? Tu lo sai che ti amo, Harry. Cominciai a spogliarla, carezzando e baciando. Era un gran tocco di carne femminile.

Le sfilai le mutandine. E, come ai vecchi tempi, glielo ficcai dentro. Diedi otto o dieci belle stantuffate, lentamente, con grazia. Poi essa mi fa: Mi fai male, quando parli a quel modo. Ti amo, cocca, ti amo, ti amo. L'ospedale conteale di Los Angeles avanzava da me dollari. Allo sporco giapponese dovevo 70 dollari. E poi c'erano altre piccole fatture da pagare. L'abbracciai stretta stretta, e lei a me, le pareti ci si strinsero addosso.

I know why Ernie went to the bull-fights — it was simple: Ernie was a mechanic: Hannibal slapping elephant ass over mountain or some wino slugging his woman in a cheap hotel room. ALL of them lose. I can see myself teaching Creative Writing now. One-Eyed Jack showed the highest speed-rating, another crowd draw, but the speed rating was for 6 furlongs and 6 furlong speed ratings are always higher, on a comparative basis, than speed ratings for route races.

One-Eyed Jack has now shown a race around in 2 curves in 2 years. I can still see him reaching up for that cord and pulling the mike down slowly, and most of us were drunk before the first fight, but we were easy drunk, smoking cigars, feeling the light of life, waiting for them to put 2 boys in there, cruel but that was the way it worked, that is what they did to us and we were still alive, and, yes, most of with a dyed redhead or blonde. Any of the Sitwells? I had me a good colored boy.

Watson had good class and the flair — swift, quick quick quick, and the PUNCH, and he enjoyed his work. I remember a light rain came through the window. Ernie era un meccanico: Annibale che passa le Alpi con i suoi elefanti o un avvinazzato che picchia la sua donna in una stamberga. Hem batteva a macchina stando in piedi. Inoltre, quel cavallo aveva risalito sei posizioni, quindi, ragionava la folla, avrebbe ben figurato sul miglio-e-un-sedicesimo. La platea s'inferociva e i pugili combattevano con tutti i sentimenti e il locale era azzurra di fumo, e come urlavamo, baby baby, e facevamo scommesse e bevevamo whiskey a garganella, e dopo la riunione, la serata finiva a far l'amore, con le nostre donne ossigenate e perverse.

Watson aveva classe, aveva intuito: Balanos aveva grinta, ci sapeva fare, quel maledetto: I am a poet who has made it known that I do not give readings.

I am also a person who becomes quite a jackass when drunk. I usually heaved right into the top of the can after dumping my bottles around 11 a. I drank around 4 or 5 six-packs a day and night. Pound, Olson, Creeley, Shapiro. I was out there to cut a record but when the Ariz. I got into an argument with the great editor and went to the back bedroom and sat there with Pops and watched some kind of T. I sat there with a big hard-on. Archer, or Archnip, or something, he was called.

I had even set the husband up by taking him to a bar and having 3 quick scotch and waters after and on top of the other. I told her to go take a piss and forget it. I should have stayed in the bar. I paint, he said. I told him my secret formula on how to tell whether a new painting was any good or not. I also told him the difference between painting and writing, and what painting could do for you that writing could not.

I stated the name. August, I told them. I went to the refrigerator. I began walking east, fast. I switched hands on the suitcase. I just got to the place and broke out a beer when here came the prof out of the hospital, driving up in his car, making sure, I guess, that I left town. I was just over at the cottage, he said. I got revenge on the great editor. I knew, at last, that the editor was suffering. I applauded and egged her on into another one.

I tried to send her into another one but since I was the only one who insisted, she, like a lady, desisted. I checked my suitcase in and let them all stand there bunched waiting for the train. I walked down to the end of the baggage platform and sat on a truck in the rain and began working on the peach brandy. I sat and waited for my train to Los Angeles, the only city in the world. I almost loved it. I finished the peach brandy and walked on in toward it, looking for the coach number, number I got on with the Indians, Mexicans, madmen and hustlers.

I stared at the moonlit legs and listened to her talk to her doll. I turned on my other side and faced the purple mountains. Los Angeles mi veniva incontro. Dan Skorski helped lift in the last mass of rubber. Dan turned to go to the timecard rack when a thin thin man built like a cigar walked in. Skorski stopped at the liquor store, got a pint of Grandad and drove on in.

We have long been an admirer of your short stories and poems, and also appreciated your recent exhibit of paintings at the University of N. We have an opening in the editorial department here at WorldWay Books, Inc. Our publications are distributed in Europe, Africa, Australia, and yes, even the Orient. We have been watching your work for some years and noted that you were once editor of the little magazine LAME-BIRD, years and very much liked your choice of poetry and prose. We believe that you are the man for us, here, in our editorial department. I feel we could work something out.

Should you feel so inclined, please phone us collect at — — — — —, and we will telegraph you plane fare and, we feel, a generous sum for incidental expenses. Signo, editor-in-chief WorldWay Books, Inc. Signo sounded as if he were talking through a piece of rolled-up steel.

Signo did, that is. Dan turned off the eggs. Dan vomited just a bit, went over and sat down. I hear you been raising a ruckus. Strange, one of our senior editors. Dan finished his cocktail and waited on them. Dan walked to his desk, hit the button and locked himself in. Signo looked over his head.

Skorski, instead of planing for L. Dan found a bar and had a tequila. Mexican music was on the juke. Aleseo had to wait for the American crowds to suck over the border for their two days of madness after 5 days of hell. Tijuana took care of them. Tijuana took care of their money for them. Dan ordered another tequila. I am more interested in humanity in general than I am in pussy in the exact. Dan found a cafe the next morning where he could get ham and eggs, refried beans. Mexican cigarettes burned differently — they burned hot as if they were alive.

Skorski walked back to the same bar. Dan remembered sitting around the black bars on Central Ave. Skorski got up and placed some more coins within the juke. Dan kept loading the juke and dancing. Dan Skorski awakened in the public park, the plaza, sitting on a bench. Dan took the remainder of the glasses off, put them in his front shirt pocket. Dan felt the sadness for him. Durbin lo trasferirono all'ufficio cassa. Ora avremmo un porto vacante nella redazione della nostra Casa editrice, la World-Way Books.

Riteniamo che lei sia l'uomo per noi, qui in redazione. Forse la cosa, come spero, l'interessa. Lo stipendio partirebbe da dollari la settimana. Saremmo onorati di averla con noi. Signo redattore capo Worldway Books, Inc. Signo non ti guardava in faccia: Aleseo doveva attendere che la folla americana varcasse la frontiera per due giorni di pazzie dopo cinque d'inferno. Dan si tolse quel che restava degli occhiali, li mise nella tasca della camicia. I just managed to get my wrist to the window and stick out one little finger. I made it on in. I was too tired to eat and I filled the tub only half full so I would not drown.

I washed out a glass and drank some water. I heard her pages turning, and wanting to make some human contact, I essayed forth a question: I spoke to him outside the church before the reading began. I knew that it would be at least 3 hours before I could go to sleep. I heard her turn some pages of the New Yorker. I felt badly but decided that there WERE other ways of thinking. I waited for my body to untie. I heard another page turn, a chocolate being taken from its wrapper.

I do wish you could read his anti-Catholic stories. Charles Bukowski, 27 giugno , alla 19a birra. Charles Bukowski, 27 giugno , alla 20a birra. The doctor was giving me some kind of test. It consisted of a triple blood withdrawal — the 2nd ten minutes after the first, the 3rd 15 minutes later. The doctor had made the first two withdrawals and I was out walking around the street waiting for the 15 minutes to go back. As I stood on the street, I noticed a woman sitting on the bus stop across the street.

Out of all the millions of women, now and then you see one that brings it all out of you. There is something about the shape of them, the way they are hung together, a special dress that they are wearing, something about them that you cannot overcome. She had her legs crossed high and was wearing a bright yellow dress.

See a Problem?

The legs tapered into thin delicate ankles, but she had plenty of good calf and fine upper haunches and thighs. Her face had this playful look about it, as if she were laughing at me but trying to conceal it.

I went down to the signal, then crossed the street. I walked toward her on that bus-stop bench. I was in a trance. I had no control. As I got near she stood up and walked down the street. Those buttocks charmed me out of my senses.

Licenza di Chissenefrega by Elena Orlandi

I walked along behind her listening to her heels click, my eyes eating her body. She came to a postoffice and walked in. I walked in behind her. The line was 4 or 5 deep. It was a warm and pleasant afternoon. Everybody seemed to be in a dream-state. I could touch her with my hand.

I listened to her voice. Even her voice was like something from a special sex machine. Then I hurried out. She was waiting on the bus and the bus was drawing up. I just made it to the door behind her. Then I found a seat behind her. We rode along a great distance. Her hair was red-yellow. Everything about her was fire. We must have ridden along for 3 or 4 miles.

Suddenly she leaped up and pulled the cord. She got off the front door and I got off the back. She turned right at the corner and I followed. She never looked back. It was an apartment house district. She looked better than ever. A woman like that should never walk the streets. I saw her get in, the door closed and then I went in and stood at the bottom of the elevator.

I heard it going up, the doors open, and she got out. As I pressed the button to get it down, I heard it move on down and I took a count in estimated seconds: I got in and hit the top button, 4th floor. When I got to the 4th floor I had 24 seconds. That meant she was on the 3rd floor.

I pushed the 3. Then I got out. There were quite a number of apartments up there. A bald man in undershirt and suspenders opened the door. Do you have adequate coverage? I tried the next door. A woman of about 48, quite wrinkled and fat, opened the door. Do you have adequate coverage, mam? My husband dropped dead in the streets two years ago.

Dead in the streets he dropped. My boy is hungry. Do you have some money so I can buy my boy an egg? The boy was standing in the center of the room, grinning. A very large lad, about 12 years old and somewhat subnormal. I gave the woman a dollar. Her whole mouth was wet, watery, soft. Then she punched her tongue into my mouth. It was a fat tongue full of saliva. Her breasts were large, very soft, pancake style. I got out of there. I tried 3 more doors. Then at the 4th door, it was her. It was open about 3 inches. I leaned forward and pushed in, closed the door behind me.

It was a nice apartment. She stood looking at me. When is she going to scream? I had this large thing in front of me. She pushed against me, fighting me. She still had on that tight yellow dress. I pulled back and slapped her hard, 4 times. When I grabbed again there was less resistance.

We staggered across the floor. I ripped her dress at the throat, ripped it down the front, tore off her brassiere. I kissed her breasts then got her mouth. I had her dress up, working at the panties. Then they were down. And I had it in. I took her standing up. After I made it, I threw her back against the couch. Her pussy looked at me. It still looked good. There was a bottle of good wine. I found two glasses.

I like being raped. I knew you were following me. When I got on the elevator without you, I thought you had lost your nerve. You realize that you are torturing men on the streets? I want you to use your belt next time. Hurt me, then put it in. Tell me that you are going to rape me! All purple and bent! She was very good at it. She nipped her teeth just below the head and sucked the marrow out of me. What say I take a bath and you fix me something to eat?

I hung my clothes on the door hook. I had a good hot bath, then came out with a towel on. Just as I did, two cops walked in the door. And then you forced me to have oral intercourse! When I came out they handcuffed me. Vera said it again: As we walked through the lobby several people looked at me. Vera had stayed in her apartment. The cops threw me roughly into the rear seat. Then they put me in a cell. In the morning there was grapefruit, mush, coffee and bread. A real class place. I was in my cell about 15 minutes when they opened the door.

I must have stood there 25 minutes. She was probably in. I walked to the elevator, got in and pushed the button for the 3rd. I knocked on the door. It was like a wet rubber vacuum. Out came the fat tongue. I sucked on it. Then I lifted her dress. She had a nice big ass. Blue wide panties with a little hole on the left side. We were in front of a full length mirror. I grabbed that big ass and then I stuck my tongue into that vacuum mouth. Our tongues circled like crazy snakes. I had something big in front of me.

The idiot son stood in the center of the room and grinned at us. Ero dal dottore per non so quale analisi. Consisteva in tre prelievi di sangue: Scorsi, sull'altro lato della strada, una donna seduta alla fermata dell'autobus. Questa che dico sedeva sulla panca con le gambe accavallate, era vestita di giallo. Aveva le caviglie sottili e delicate, i polpacci ben torniti, le cosce grosse, un culo da non dire.

Il viso aveva un'aria sminchionata, come se ridesse di me ma cercasse di non farsi accorgere. Arrivai fino al semaforo, attraversai. Mi diressi verso la fermata, dove lei sedeva ancora sulla panca. Quelle chiappe mi ammaliavano, mi toglievano il senno. La seguii da vicino. Ascoltavo il suo tacchettio. La divorava con gli occhi. Ho perso il controllo. Chi se ne frega, mi rispose una voce. Allo sportello c'era una fila di cinque-sei persone. Era un pomeriggio tiepido, piacevole. Tutti avevano un'aria sognante.

Mi trovo a meno di un palmo da lei, pensai. Potrei toccarla con la mano. Fece un vaglia da 7 dollari e Udii la sua voce. Io comprai alcuni francobolli che non mi servivano. Essa stava per salire sull'autobus. Spiccai una corsa, riuscii a prenderlo per un pelo. Trovai un posto dietro di lei. Percorremmo un lungo tragitto. Aveva i capelli biondo-rossicci. Tutto in lei era di fuoco. Dovevamo aver fatto ormai cinque-sei chilometri.

Quel gesto fece salire un po' su il suo vestito attillato. Cristo, pensai, non lo sopporto. Essa scese dalla porta davanti, io da quella di dietro. Non si volse mai indietro. Era una zona d'alti caseggiati. Sopra il portone stava scritto "Hudson Arms. La vidi entrare e, quando la porta si chiuse, entrai nell'atrio. Ascoltai l'ascensore salire, fermarsi, le porte che si aprivano, lei che usciva. Pigiai il pulsante di chiamata, contai lentamente fra me:

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