April 2000, Florence, local Vox International seat. I'm meeting Oscar Plazzi in one of his division's empty offices. He's friendly and relaxed, even if it looks like all of his interviews have been condensed today. I'm waiting for my turn reordering my question's little sheets.
OSCAR PLAZZI: I didn't know people knew about me. The reporter here before you, you seen him?
RICCARDO RACCIS: Guy with the tape recorder? With the photographer?
OP: Yes. How does the press know who I am? Someone knew something from the police, I guess, it's always like that, but you know what I mean.
RR: Oh, I'm no reporter.
OP: But you know what I mean.
RR: Sure. Going with the questions?
OP: Ready.
RR: How was it that you entered the Vox?
OP: Standard hiring. The standard package, so to speak. Well, yeah, I was young, but that is all. One of the youngest in the whole Vox, I think. We were to make a statistics some time ago but I have no idea what turned out of that. Anyway… Standard package. Cubicle.
RR: Is that because of your I.Q. that you went in so young? I read it's very high.
OP: 188. Above average.
RR: How do you feel now that the Palmieri case is officially closed?
OP: It's very nice, of course. Very relieving.
RR: Is it true that you were on the murder scene?
OP: Yes, but I didn't know it was the murder scene. Ha ha. I'd have known that very soon, of course. That was a good shot, yes. Adrenaline rush. A big adrenaline rush.
RR: Have you ever seriously thought about the eventuality of getting arrested?
OP: I tried not to think about it. I'm innocent.
RR: Is it different when you're innocent?
OP: Yes, sure, I think. If you're innocent you can always think "okay, it's happening this or it's happening that, but I'm innocent". Can't you? Do you know the police interrogated me here? Right in this room? Incredible, isn't it? This is an interrogation room. I don't know why I remember it to be narrower.
RR: How did you life changed after these events?
OP: It didn't change. I've never been anything more that a witness, really. I still wonder why everyone wanna know about me. That's not happening to my coworkers. Don't get me wrong here, that's not bad. But I wonder why.
RR: Cause they said so.
(laughs)
RR: What do your coworkers say about these events?
OP: Nothing. It's not as we try not to talk about that, it's that we've already been talking a lot about that while it was going on. Right now we all feel like we need a holiday, if you follow me. Once you're into it you realize that to be involved in a murder enquiry is very wearing.
(laughs)
RR: What do you think of the investigations' end?
OP: You mean the result?
RR: Yes.
OP: I don't know enough about it, so I don't feel like pronouncing, given also that I've been part of the enquiry and everything. I stand as a viewer, like everyone else.
RR: Do you still trust the institutions?
OP: Sure.
RR: One last question. Do you and your coworkers ever talk about Leonardo Palmieri?
OP: No.
Oscar smiles. I suddenly wish I hadn't said that was my last question. Oscar clasps his hands. He's still smiling.
Well, next time.
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