[Italy] An Interview With The Devil
Jaired Birks
Characters:
Claudia Moretti, Prime Minister
Giuseppe Leone, News Anchor
Anna Greco, Chief of Communications
Max Lombardi, Head of Security
On:
Wednesday 3 June 2020
Italy
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[Prime Minister's Office, Palazzo Chigi, Rome - 7:30PM CEST]
Prime Minister Moretti sat in a white chair in her office, her eyes trained on the quite official-looking papers in front of her. They were notes which she had jotted down and had passed around hero senior staff before having the results typed up by her secretary. They were full of things she must remember to say and some indications of what she should absolutely avoid saying. She wore a black dress which stopped just above her knees, which she’d cross over one another. Her legs were one of the most beautiful things about her body which was fantastical, most especially for a world leader. The dress suited her figure and was topped by a plunging neck-line. These were things she knew would endear her to the Italian people; the fashion, the look, the personality. Her red lips formed the words on the page.
Typically, she would address the nation from this room behind her glass desk, behind her seal, in front of a beautiful backdrop of Roman soldiers standing strong and sure. Instead, she was taking this interview in the well-decorated reception room, a compromise location with her Chief of Communications.
“How did I get you to talk me into this, Anna?” she asked, looking over at the younger, though equally beautiful woman on one of the couches in her office.
Anna Greco ran a hand through her shoulder-length blonde hair and raised her eyebrows at her boss. Being promoted to Chief of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office had been a huge boon to her career, putting her miles further along than where she expected to be. She had a keen natural talent which was still being honed by experience; it seemed Claudia thought she was ready for the big leagues, however.
“Because the people need to get to know you as their Head of Government and not just the pretty face on television.” she said with interest. “And a former colleague will be doing the interview, so that should help settle you into a...personable frame of thought. You used to work at Rai News 24, after all. We expect friendly faces we may need in the press, yeah?”
Claudia rolled her eyes, her hands moving gently over the black surface of the folder on her lap. “You underestimate how much these people like me, I think. I was a pain in the ass when I worked for them, to put it lightly; the back to back maternity leaves alone were enough to put me on their hit list. They were all very happy to see me go when I ran for Mayor of Florence.”
"Well, I'm hoping that time has healed those wounds." Anna said with a confident tone. "And that your power helps them forget the bad times. People tend to do that with important people."
"I still don't understand why Emilio can't do the interview with me." Claudia said, casting her dark eyes toward the table. "It is normal for politicians to do interviews with their spouses."
"Maybe, ma'am, when they're running for a small time position or trying to hold their seat in Parliament," Anna started, measuring her tone. "But not when they are both a woman and the head of government; not when their husband is a famous billionaire cultural icon. To be honest, his presence still overshadows yours."
"We want to show the Italian people who I am. Emilio and the children are a part of me." The Prime Minister retorted.
Anna pressed her lips together. "With all due respect, Madam Prime Minister, most people in the country still see you as Emilio Moretti's hot wife. That will not change sitting next to him. There will be plenty of opportunities to be seen together once the people know you."
Claudia scoffed, rolling her head of long dark hair around in frustration.
"Honestly, Anna, I've been in government for 11 years. I was Mayor of a major city; I was the Minister of Interior for three years. How could people still see me as my husband's wife?"
Just as Anna was about to respond, her phone started to ring. Giving her boss a respectful smile, she lifted the phone to her ear.
“This is Anna.’ she said evenly, and then she fell silent in order to listen. After a few seconds passed, she responded again, irritation in her voice. “No, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Claudia looked at her with interest while she concluded her call. Once it was done, she parted her lips to ask a simple question.
“Problem?”
“Probably not, ma’am. The network just had to change interviewers. The host they had slated for this evening fell in the lobby and twisted her ankle. They say her replacement is on his way; he's a professional with many years of experience and it shouldn't be an issue.” Anna responded.
“Who’s the new guy?”
“It’s Giuseppe Leone from the 9 o’clock slot.”
When Claudia heard the name, her red lips tightened and she exhaled sharply. Despite her obvious displeasure, she didn’t speak for a few seconds. When it became clear that Anna was staring and waiting for an answer to an unasked question, she turned to explain.
“Mr. Leone and I don’t have the best history.” she said, her warm brown eyes moving toward her Chief of Communications. “To put it simply, he’s a pervert. He’s very close friends with Berlusconi and I’m fairly certain he’s attended a party or two, if you catch my drift.”
Anna frowned. She clearly understood the message.
“He also had some trouble keeping his hands to himself when I worked with him.” she continued, then eying her Chief of Security who stood by in Carabinieri uniform. “Max, if that man puts his hands on me in any way, I want you to plant one right between his eyes..”
"A bullet or my fist, ma'am?" He asked.
She looked at the large, bearded man and failed to restrain a smile, but said nothing.
“Yes, Prime Minister.” Max Lambardi said with a smile of his own, his voice low.
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The Prime Minister walked into the reception area where she had walked so many times before. Normally it was part of the grand entrance to Palazzo Chigi, but now it was a sound stage. This would be her first interview as Prime Minister, though she had done many in her line of work and had even spent a considerable amount of time on the other side. She knew what interviewers wanted beyond the truth: attention from the viewers. She would give Giuseppe Leone that.
Giuseppe's eyes darted from the crew who had been talking logics, his lips curling into a smile as he scanned her. He wasn't hesitant in his gaze as most people tended to be now that she was the de facto ruler of the country, but instead he looked just as intently as before.
"Worry not, gentlemen, I know what I'm doing." He said, lifting himself up out of his chair, his eyes still zeroed in on her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got an old friend to greet before we go on. Claudia, my darling. You are like a beautiful flower."
Claudia, for her part, stepped into the space, but kept clear of him, even as he opened his arms for an embrace. He, nevertheless, drew closer. Just before he got within range, Max stepped forward and placed his huge hand squarely on the man's chest, causing him to shake with the surprise of an impact strong enough to stop his approach.
"Social distancing mandates are still in effect concerning the Prime Minister." He said, stern and unbending.
Giuseppe ran a frustrated hand across his salt and pepper beard. His face moved from confusion to subtle annoyance.
"I was only going for a quick hug from an old friend. You people are really going crazy over this virus." He said, his face turning to one of annoyance.
"If you take another step toward the Prime Minister, I will pin you to the ground, cuff you, and take you straight to jail." Max retorted, unresponsive to the man's complaint.
Giuseppe was very clearly a hot head, but seemed to know what was good for him as far as the protection detail was concerned. "I'm going to be phoning your superior officer if you put your damn hands on me again."
"This is Max Lombardi, my Chief of Security." Claudia said, unable to stop the smile from pressing against the corners of her full red lips. "If you have any complaints, you can forward them to my office. I'm sure they will be taken very seriously."
A moment passed between them where nothing was said, but tense silence filled the space.
Shifting her gaze, Claudia lowered herself into the large red chair which had been placed in the center of the room for her, drawing his eyes downward.
"Shall we sit, Giuseppe. You can try your luck with Max after our broadcast, yes?"
Giuseppe seemed to reconsider his course in that moment. He lowered himself into the smaller seat set for him then, but not before a lengthy bit of eye contact with Max. Once the Chief of Security had receded out of the shot, he looked at Claudia. Powerful lights were directed on both of them.
"Excuse me for that. Some people are so rude. As I was saying, you look very well, my dear. You have really kept up with yourself." He said, shamelessly looking her over.
Claudia felt a wave of annoyance which she covered by steepling the fingers of her right hand over her lips for a moment. She looked at him deeply, her brown eyes probing.
"You are sitting with the Prime Minister of Italy and all you can talk about is the way she looks?" She asked, calmly, being careful not to cause a scene. One never knew when the cameras were live.
"Don't get me wrong, I think the power looks good on you too." He said, laughing to a joke only he thought was funny.
"It does, yes. Very good indeed." She said, studying him with cold eyes. "Almost as good as cuffs would look on you...I seem to remember there were whispers last year of your friendship with the late Mr. Jeffrey Epstein...it would be a shame for you if that investigation were to start back up-"
"Woah woah, just having fun here." He said, cutting her off and physically angling his body away from her. He seemed to try and reset the conversation. "No need to, uh…"
"Ten seconds!" Came a call from behind the camera. Giuseppe moved to prepare himself for the broadcast, a look of discomfort Claudia had never before seen plastered on his face. As the countdown approached zero, he clearly tried to push his anxiety to the side.
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Actions:
PM has gives an interview where she allows the public to get to know her personally.