M. was busy filling the application form for obtaining the necessary things for personal hygiene and dress, distributed weekly to the prisoners by a Voluntary Association of Prison ministry where I too render my service.
Looking with the clinical eye of a retired teacher it came spontaneously to me to watch him writing and I observed:
Looking with the clinical eye of a retired teacher it came spontaneously to me to watch him writing and I observed:
«What a beautiful writing! Off this present world of yours, what is your profession?».
«Robber… I have always been a robber».
«Robber… I have always been a robber».
Thinking of one of Toto's films, I commented with a smile:
«What a lovely profession!... Compliments!»
A certain empathy was created among us. He said: «Look at my hands… these cannot be but hands of a robber!». And then snapped: «Well, Madam, I need to work... I have three children already and the fourth one is expected».
Yes… the apparent shell of the role (of a detained robber) is ruptured and there came forth the man, my brother.
And I asked him: «Well, you will not teach your children to rob, right?».
Yes… the apparent shell of the role (of a detained robber) is ruptured and there came forth the man, my brother.
And I asked him: «Well, you will not teach your children to rob, right?».
Roused by the question he retorted: «Never! children should never be used! It’s my duty to work… You know, when it comes to an older person, I go back… the elderly ones are not to be touched!»
Then I said jokingly: «That means I don’t have to worry, right?»
«Why would you? I should just raise a monument to you, for all the good that you do for us! May the Lord reward you!»
Via Appia Antica 226
+39 06 78 44 11 217