The Ferrari

Part 1 of 26

Three scientists — Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli — and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, start getting interested in creationism. Their superiors, worried, send them to see a psychologist, Professor Faggioli — a shady character determined to get them fired by making them look insane.

We’re in Faggioli’s office, where Papaia is undergoing a psychological evaluation.

Faggioli

Have you ever tried saying no to your mother?

Papaia

Well, yes. Once…

Flashback – Shopping mall, Christmas season.

Papaia is still a university student. He’s walking through the mall with his mom and his three siblings, Mino, Nino, and Chantilly. The mall is full of Christmas decorations, music, and bustling people.

Mom

Look at that lovely window display! Those snowmen look so real!

Chantilly

Yeah, but they also look poor. I’d totally remake them with rhinestones and sequins.

Papaia

Oh no! I left the house keys in the freezer! 🤣

…again! 🤣

Mom

And now what do we do, Papaia?

Chantilly

Five-star hotel? 🤣

Papaia trips.

Mino

Careful! Your shoes are untied!

Papaia

Oops! You’re right!

Papaia ties his shoes.

Papaia

Ah, look at this! I had them in my right sock! 🤣

Nino

That gave me a scare!

Mino

How did they end up there?

Papaia

I don’t know! I put them in my pocket…

He sticks his hand in his pocket.

Papaia

…Ah! That’s why! The pocket’s got a hole! 🤣

Mino

Wait a second… what’s that crowd over there?

Nino

Bet they’re giving something away! Or maybe it’s a panettone giveaway!

They move closer, curious. A crowd has gathered around a stage decorated with red and gold lights. In the center, on a rotating platform, there’s a shiny Ferrari.

Papaia (with his nose pressed to the glass)

It’s… beautiful.

Chantilly

It’s my color.

Igor

Papaia always left the keys in the freezer. He could’ve just put up a little key hook and made it the official key spot. 🤣


Part 2 of 26

The Form

Flashback. Interior. Shopping mall. Christmas Ferrari raffle stand.

Info Attendant (smiling from a booth with forms and pens)

Would you like to enter the Ferrari raffle?

Papaia

Does it cost anything?

Attendant

No, it’s free. You just need to fill out the form.

Mino

Free?! Hand me a pen!

Papaia

Can we each enter?

Attendant

Of course. As long as you’re over 18. The draw is on Christmas Day.

They crowd around the small table to fill out the form.

Assistant

You’ll find the pens in that container.

Mino

Which one?

Nino

That one right there!

As Nino points at the container, he knocks it over, spilling dozens of pens all over the floor. 🤣

Chantilly

Oh, Nino! Look what you’ve done!

Assistant

Don’t worry, I’ll pick them up.

Papaia

No need. Already done!

Assistant

Ah, thank you so much!

Papaia

Sorry about that!

Chantilly lets out a dramatic cough. 🤣

Igor

That poor assistant didn’t know the Papaia family had just arrived to brighten her day. Not just one Papaia, but five of them! 🤣


Part 3 of 26

The Attendant Loses Her Patience

Flashback. Interior. Shopping mall. Christmas Ferrari raffle stand.

While filling out the form, Papaia has a doubt.

Papaia

Excuse me, in the “Customer Code” field, should I write the supermarket loyalty number or the parking pass one? 🤣

Assistant

Neither. The customer code is obtained online, from the mall’s website. If you don’t have one, don’t worry… the system will assign you one automatically…

Mino

Papaia, what do I write in the “First Name” field? 😂

Papaia

Write “Mino,” obviously.

Papaia

Sorry, what were you saying? What do I put in “Customer Code”?

Assistant

Leave it blank. If you don’t have one, the system will assign it automatically…

Nino

…Papaia, what do I put here in the “Last Name” field? 🤣

Papaia

Your last name, obviously, Nino!

Nino

Oh, right! And what is it? 🤣

Papaia

You don’t know your last name? 🤣

Nino

It’s “Papaia”… right?

Papaia

What did you say I should write in the “Customer Code” field again?

Assistant (sighing)

As I said, if you don’t have a code, the system will assign one… automatically…

Chantilly

Papaia… It says “Occupation” here. Does “clothes tryer” count? 🤣

Papaia

Put “student.”

Chantilly

Oh, right… does it count even if I go to school but don’t study? 🤣

Papaia

So… as we were saying. What do I put in “Customer Code”? 🤣

Assistant

Do you have a membership card?

Papaia

I have my bus pass. 🤣

Assistant

No, that doesn’t count. You can leave the field blank.

Papaia

Which field? 🤣

Mom

Oh, Papaia? It says “Email Address” here. If I use my sister’s, does that still count?

Papaia

Mom, you have an email! Use yours.

Mom

Yes, but I don’t remember the password…

Assistant

Any personal email is fine, as long as it’s valid. You can create a new one if needed… for free… online…

Papaia (again)

Sorry… one more thing… about the “Customer Code”—

Assistant (shouting, losing her temper)

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WRITE ANYTHING! 🤣

Stunned silence. A crying child stops out of shock. A man starts clapping softly.

Nino (whispering to Papaia)

Ha ha!… you made her mad.

Chantilly (quietly)

I’d agree with her… but I don’t want to sound poor. 🤣

Papaia (embarrassed)

…Can I still take part?

The assistant pulls herself together, embarrassed.

Assistant

I apologize.

Papaia

No problem… so yes, where were we…

“Customer Code”… 🤣

They all finish filling out their forms. And head off, dreaming, toward the exit.

Igor

What do we put in the “Customer Code” field? The supermarket card number? 🤣

…or the bus pass number? 🤣

…or maybe just a random number? 🤣

…the first one that comes to mind! 🤣

…Without Papaia, his family can’t even remember their own names. 🤣

…But there’s one number they can remember — especially at the mall — the pin to his card! 🤣

…Chantilly isn’t sure what profession to list: professional clothes tryer, or student without books. 🤣

…What she does best in life is spend her parents’ money! 🤣

…in the most useless way possible! 🤣

…But if I had to name one job for her, I’d say: “gardener.”

Banani

Why?

Igor

…Because they say money is the root of all evil! 🤣


Part 4 of 26

Meeting with Alfred

Flashback. Interior. Shopping mall.

The family is heading toward the exit.

Papaia

Excuse me… I’m just going to the bathroom for a moment.

He walks away. As soon as he leaves, one of the mall managers approaches them.

It’s Alfred, Papaia’s cousin, who works at the mall.

Alfred

Hi, auntie!

Mom

Look who it is… Alfred!

Alfred

How are you?

Mom

All good! Just a bit of tendinitis…

Alfred

Still training for baseball?

Mom

Only when someone rings the doorbell. 🤣

Alfred

And you guys, how are you?

Mino

Good. But I’d feel better with that Ferrari. 🤣

Alfred

Ah, you saw it?

Chantilly

No, she saw me! Her future owner… 🤣

Alfred

Did you fill out the form?

Nino

Yes! I even put my last name. Hope it’s the right one. 🤣

Alfred

Yeah… I see…

Mom

And you? How’s work here at the mall? Must be stressful this time of year!

Alfred

You can say that again. I’ve been here six years. And when Christmas comes around, it’s always the same story. People seem to go completely mad!

Igor

Apparently, Mama Papaia’s “certified smackdown” policy was well-known and approved by the whole family. 🤣

…Mino thinks he’d feel better with a Ferrari — I don’t think so! Neither would the pedestrians! 🤣

…Nino, after filling out that form, was proud of himself. He’d finally learned how to write his last name! 🤣

…maybe! 🤣


Part 5 of 26

Meeting with Alfred – Part 2

Flashback. Interior. Shopping Mall.

The family is chatting with Alfred, Papaia’s cousin who works at the mall.

Meanwhile, Papaia has returned.

Alfred

Papaia! Hey little cousin! How are you?

Papaia

Uh… I’m good, thanks… cousin…

Mom

Don’t you recognize him?

Papaia

Of course I do… and you? Still flying?

Alfred

Uh… yeah… sometimes…

Papaia

Your job must be pretty adventurous!

Alfred

Uh… not really… I mean, maybe in a way…

Papaia

Ah, I get it. You must be used to it. The night calls, helicopter flights…

Alfred

Well! Actually yes, I flew recently with the boss… but how did you know?

Papaia

It’s obvious! Isn’t that what a pilot does? 🤣

Alfred

Pilot?

Mino

No way! Really? Alfred flies a helicopter? 🤣

Alfred

What are you talking about? I’ve flown a couple of times with the boss — as a passenger! Just to impress some suppliers! 🤣

Papaia

Alfred? Ah… right! Sorry! I thought you were Maurizio… the hospital helicopter pilot.

Mom

No, Papaia, that’s Robert. Maurizio runs the deli downtown. 🤣

Papaia

Oh, really? Isn’t it Jeff? 🤣

Mom

Jeff?! Where did that name come from? We don’t have any relatives named Jeff! 🤣

Mino

Jeff was the main character in the movie we just saw! 🤣

Alfred

Ah ha! Classic Papaia and his usual mix-ups! 🤣

Papaia

You guys really went big this year!

Alfred

Yeah, yeah! The boss’s idea. They even mentioned it on the news!

Mino

But that form was not easy to fill out! 🤣

Alfred

Really?

Papaia

I still haven’t figured out how the “customer code” part works… 🤣

…the girl at the booth seemed a bit stressed. But… I get it. 🤣

Mom

Yeah, and I used Uncle Luigi’s email… is that going to be a problem?

Alfred

No worries, auntie! If your form gets picked, I’ll know exactly who to give the prize to.

Mino

And I’ll be doing the first burnout! 🤣

They all laugh.

Nino

No way, I’m doing the first burnout! 🤣

Mom

Nope! Forget it! We’re selling it and paying off some bills!

Alfred

Have you prepared Christmas Eve dinner?

Mom

Of course. And you’re invited. You can’t say no. I made the timballo. The one you love.

Alfred

Oh! I’d love to come, but I’ll probably have to travel abroad for work.

Mom

That’s a shame! But if you’re still here, the door’s always open.

Alfred

Thanks, auntie! Now I have to go. Gotta get back to the office.

Everyone says goodbye.

Alfred turns to Papaia.

Alfred

And you, little cousin! Always sharp! Always the pillar of the family! Take care of them.

Papaia

You can count on me… Mauro… I mean… Gianfred… I mean Alfred!

Alfred

Bye!

Alfred shakes Papaia’s hand and walks away, as the group exits the mall.

Igor

“In Papaia’s mind, Maurizio flies helicopters, Robert slices salami, and Alfred sells vacuum-sealed landings. One day we’ll probably find a ham under a cloche!” 🤣

… The Ferrari is nice. But that entry form? Way too hard to fill out! Mino didn’t get past the ‘Name’ field! 🤣

… The Ferrari. Who’ll burn rubber first? Mino, Nino, or Jeff… the relative who doesn’t exist? 🤣

… One thing’s for sure! The giveaway desk assistant will need every single day of Christmas vacation to recover from just ten minutes with the Papaia family! 🤣


Part 6 of 26

Carbon-14 Dating Anomalies

Waiting room.

Ravioli

What else can you tell us?

Paco

We’ve got anomalies in the carbon-14 dating.

Banani

Carbon-14? I think I’ve heard of that before.

Ravioli

Yeah, it’s super famous.

Paco

Carbon-14 (or radiocarbon) is a radioactive form of carbon that scientists use to date fossils. But it decays so quickly — with a half-life of only 5,730 years — that you wouldn’t expect to find any in fossils after just a few hundred thousand years.

Banani

So in really old fossils, we shouldn’t find any at all.

Paco

Exactly. And yet, carbon-14 has been detected in “ancient” fossils — supposedly hundreds of millions of years old — ever since radiocarbon dating was first used.

Ravioli

Another mystery for secular geology.

Banani

And another piece of evidence for us!


Part 7 of 26

Unexpected Responsibility

Interior, Mom’s house. It’s Christmas Eve afternoon.

The doorbell rings.

Mino peeks out the window.

Mino

Guys… it’s Alfred! With the Ferrari!

Everyone rushes to the door. Mom opens it abruptly, still holding a ladle.

Mom

Alfred! What a surprise!

Alfred is there, wearing a long coat and holding a suitcase, the red Ferrari parked behind him.

Alfred

Hi everyone! Sorry for the unexpected visit, but… I need a favor.

Papaia

What are you doing here with the Ferrari?

Alfred

I had to take it out of the mall.

Papaia

Why?

Alfred

They called me this morning. A work trip abroad.

Papaia

And the Ferrari?

Alfred

You see, Papaia, I’m the one responsible. The boss is on vacation in the Bahamas, and my deputy — the only one I’d trust with the task — broke an arm and a leg falling off a roof.

Papaia

Really? Another rooftop decoration incident? 🤣

Alfred

You can say that! It’s been a real disaster.

Papaia

So, who’s going to keep watch over the Ferrari?

Alfred pulls the Ferrari keys from his pocket. He walks up to Papaia, seriously.

Alfred

You’re the only one I trust! 🤣

Papaia

Me? Okay… I’ll keep it safe.

Alfred

Here.

Papaia

But these are the gym locker keys. 🤣

Alfred

Oh sorry! They’re here somewhere…

Alfred digs through his pockets, pulling out a sandwich, used tissues, a wallet…

Alfred

Just a sec… I had them right here.

Oh no! I left them at home! 🤣

Papaia

You have to go get them!

Alfred

Yeah, I’ll be right back.

He gets in the Ferrari. Starts it. Drives away. 🤣

…Then, after a few moments, comes back.

Alfred

How did I start the Ferrari if I didn’t have the keys? 🤣

Papaia

You just did!

Alfred

Oh! Right! They were in the dashboard… sorry… work’s been stressful!

He finally hands the keys to Papaia.

Alfred

Here you go!

Papaia

I’ll guard them with my life.

Alfred

I know.

One more favor, cousin… the prize drawing… I need someone trustworthy!

Papaia

Can’t one of the employees do it?

Alfred

No, Papaia. See, there’s a lot of money involved, and that can go to people’s heads. It has to be someone reliable.

Papaia

Okay. You can count on me. What do I have to do?

Alfred

Super simple. The drawing is done automatically by the system. Just press a button… and that’s it.

Papaia

But I don’t work there… what if someone says something?

Alfred

Don’t worry. The mall’s closed tomorrow. No one will be there. Just you and the computer.

I already talked to the guard… Freddy… a good friend. 🤣

Papaia

Ah, Freddy! He’s friends with my dad.

Alfred

Go there tomorrow morning. He’ll help you with the details.

Papaia

Okay. I go, press the button, and it’s done!

Alfred

Exactly. Press the button, the system picks the winner. You don’t have to do anything else. No way to mess it up.

He turns to Mom.

Alfred

Merry Christmas, Auntie!

Mom

At least have an appetizer…

Alfred

I wish I could. But I’ve got a plane to catch in two hours.

Mom

Alright, I’ll save you some timballo for when you come back.

Alfred

Thanks. Merry Christmas.

The relatives kiss and hug him goodbye. Then Alfred gets into a taxi waiting outside the house.

In the driveway, the red Ferrari shines like a magnet for trouble. 🤣

Igor

A high-altitude accident? A disaster? Are you telling me people falling off roofs while putting up Christmas lights is a common thing around here? 🤣

…Yeah, decorations are nice. But based on the stats, I’d settle for a couple of blinking lights on the front door! 🤣

…Actually, better just some colorful baubles. You know… less risk of electrocution! 🤣

…Alfred should consider expanding his “inner circle,” seeing as the only person he could rely on is a cousin who can’t even remember his name! 🤣

…But apparently, that’s just a minor detail for the Papaia family. Just like losing the keys… in the Ferrari’s dashboard! 🤣

…Freddy the guard? The same guy who’d sell Banani to Faggioli to save his job? 🤣

…Like I said, Alfred really needs to rethink his trusted people list. 🤣

…No, Papaia. If you ask me, this Freddy isn’t friends with anyone — except himself! 🤣


Part 8 of 26

Papaia and the Keys

Exterior. Papaia’s house.

Alfred has left, entrusting the Ferrari and the prize draw to Papaia.

The car is parked in front of the house.

Papaia

We can’t just leave it out here.

Mino (excitedly)

Oh-oh-oh! So, who’s putting it in the garage? I volunteer! I’ve got a light touch.

He approaches Papaia with an open palm, ready to receive the keys.

Papaia

No, thanks. I’ve already seen where your “light touch” gets us.

Mino pretends to be offended but walks away mumbling something about “no trust in this family.”

Papaia

Sit down, watch a movie, relax. I’ll take care of it.

Mino, Nino, and Chantilly shuffle off to the living room, visibly disappointed.

Papaia slowly walks down the driveway steps, carefully opens the door, sits behind the wheel, and starts the Ferrari. The engine purrs — quiet, but powerful. With surgical precision, he parks it in the garage. He gets out, closes the hood, then slowly lowers the garage door.

He pauses.

In the silence of the garage, he looks at the Ferrari.

Papaia (to himself)

You’ve got eyes that shine like the Christmas tree… But I know you.

These keys aren’t leaving my side. Not even a millimeter.

He slips the keys into his pocket and heads back into the house, determined to let no one get to them.

As he walks up the short staircase, he realizes he’s entered the neighbors’ house. 🤣

So, he turns back and finally parks the car in the right place.

Igor

Papaia should have left the Ferrari in the neighbors’ garage. It was a great idea. At least his brothers would never have found it there… maybe! 🤣


Part 9 of 26

Carbon-14 Paradox

Waiting room.

Paco

Let’s consider a paradox. Even if every atom on Earth were carbon-14, it would decay so quickly that not a single trace would remain after just 1 million years.

Ravioli

And yet that’s not what we see…

Paco

Contrary to expectations, between 1984 and 1998 alone, the scientific literature reported the presence of carbon-14 in 70 samples taken from fossils, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and marble — all from the fossil-bearing portion of the geologic record, which is thought to span over 500 million years.

Banani

All of them contained radiocarbon!

Paco

Moreover, analyses of fossilized wood and coal samples — supposedly between 32 and 350 million years old — gave carbon-14 ages between 20,000 and 50,000 years.

Ravioli

That doesn’t make sense.

Paco

Even diamonds, believed to be 1 to 3 billion years old, have yielded carbon-14 ages of just 55,000 years.

Banani

But nobody talks about this stuff!


Part 10 of 26

Mino Takes the Keys

Interior, house entrance – shortly after dinner.

Mino, Nino, and Chantilly are dressed up and ready to go out.

Nino is calling a taxi.

Nino (on the phone)

Yes, yes… three people. Via dei Cedri, 14.

…pause…

What do you mean “all booked until midnight”?!

Mino (worried)

Now what? We’ll never get there on foot in time.

Chantilly

Guys… we don’t need a taxi!

Nino

Oh, really?

Chantilly

No! We have a Ferrari in the garage!

A moment of silence.

Mino

Sis… you’re a genius!

Chantilly

Just a little spin. No one will know. And we’ll be back before midnight, like Cinderella. Come on!

Nino

It’s Christmas. And I want to impress.

Mino

And I want to burn some rubber! Ha, ha ha!🤣

Meanwhile, Papaia is snoring in his room.

Mino tiptoes in. He approaches the bed. He sees the keys sticking out from under the pillow, clutched in his brother’s hand.

Mino (whispering)

Sorry, little bro…

With very careful movements, he tries to slip the keys from the closed hand. Papaia mumbles in his sleep:

Papaia

Zzz… no mom… I haven’t finished my homework… zzz…🤣

Mino freezes, holding his breath. Then, slowly, he manages to free the keys. From his pocket, he pulls out a small TV remote and places it in Papaia’s hand, closing it over.

He turns and sneaks out of the room.

Mino (whispering, keys in hand)

Done.

Chantilly (excited)

Perfect. Let’s make our grand entrance.

Igor

Nino wanted to impress, Mino wanted to burn rubber, and Chantilly wanted a grand entrance. Then they took the Ferrari secretly. Mino burned rubber, Nino made an impression on a streetlamp, and Chantilly made her grand entrance in an ambulance!🤣


Part 11 of 26

Carbon-14 and the Earth’s Magnetic Field

Ravioli

So it’s a totally unreliable method.

Paco

I’d say yes. And those values are also too high, considering that these ages are based on the assumption that the Earth’s magnetic field has always been constant.

Banani

But in the past it was stronger, better protecting the atmosphere from solar radiation and reducing the production of radiocarbon.

Paco

As a result, creatures in the past had much less radiocarbon in their bodies, and their deaths happened much more recently than reported!

Ravioli

So, the radiocarbon ages of all fossils and coal should be reduced to less than 5,000 years, consistent with their burial during the Flood.

Paco

And the age of diamonds should instead be reduced to the approximate time of biblical creation — about 6,000 years ago.


Part 12 of 26

The Accident

Exterior – starry night. The red Ferrari speeds through the half-empty streets on Christmas Eve, headlights on, engine roaring like a wild cat freed from its cage.

Interior – Papaia’s room. He sleeps peacefully, the remote tightly clenched in his hand, dreaming of piloting a rocket that smells like lasagna.

Cut to exterior – in front of an elegant villa, full of lights and loud music. A crowd of teenagers chats by the entrance. The Ferrari screeches to a stop in front of the gate with a dramatic roar.

Girl in the crowd

Is that… a Ferrari?!

Boy with a glass

Who…? It’s the Papaia brothers!

The doors open. Mino steps out with a movie-star expression. Nino stumbles on the sidewalk, already half drunk. 🤣

Chantilly exits gracefully, wearing a white coat.

Chantilly (whispering to her brothers)

I told you we’d make a scene.

Cut to later. Party’s over. The parking lot is half empty. Mino and Nino, staggering, lean on each other.

Mino

I can’t… I can’t even see the keyhole.

Nino

Everything’s spinning.

Chantilly (annoyed)

Okay, that’s enough. I’ll drive.

She gets behind the wheel. Buckles her seatbelt. Then, as she presses the accelerator to start…

Chantilly

What—?!

Zoom on her foot: her 20-centimeter heel is stuck between the floor mat and the pedal.

The Ferrari shoots forward like a missile. The headlights cut through the darkness.

Mino

Slow down, Chantilly!

Chantilly

I’m trying. The heel… it’s stuck!

Nino

Do something, hit the brake!

Chantilly

I’m trying!

They all scream. Chantilly tries to brake, but the car won’t respond.

Chantilly

I don’t know what else to do!

Mino

JUMP!

Nino

JUMP!!!

With desperate effort, they open the doors and throw themselves out, rolling on the asphalt.

Wide shot, the Ferrari keeps racing uncontrolled. It approaches an overpass.

Silence. Then:

CRASH.

The Ferrari flies over the guardrail like in a slow-motion dream. The nose points toward the void. A second later, it disappears beyond the horizon of the bridge.

Splash. Water everywhere.

Dead silence. The three, sitting on the roadside, watch the rippling river water.

Chantilly

Maybe… we won’t get back before midnight. 🤣

Mino

The handbrake… we could have pulled it! 🤣

Nino

Oops! We lost the Ferrari in the river! 🤣

Igor

Exactly! The handbrake… that lever they invented just for these cases! 🤣

… The Ferrari is now at the bottom of the river. No worries, Chantilly… just wait until midnight and it’ll turn back into a pumpkin! 🤣


Part 13 of 26

Return Home

Exterior – in front of the house. Late at night. A taxi slows to a stop and the three get out.

Mino (staggering)

Never again… never again heels, sports cars, and Gigi’s party all in the same night.

Nino (looking around paranoid)

Shhh! If mom wakes up, we’re dead!

Interior – entrance. The three quietly open the front door like professional thieves. Everything is dark. From the living room comes the sound of the TV left on and the deep breathing of mom asleep in the armchair.

From the hallway, Papaia is heard snoring.

Nino (whispering, distressed)

Now what? We lost the keys! Papaia will find out! He’ll kill us! Or worse… he’ll give us a loooong lecture! 🤣

Chantilly

What keys? These?

Chantilly pulls the keys from her pocket and shows them to her brothers.

Mino and Nino look at her as if she performed a miracle.

Mino

You took them?! When?

Chantilly (smiling, proud)

Just before opening the door. My brain works even under stress. Unlike yours.

Interior – Papaia’s room. Dim light. He sleeps on his side, still holding the remote in his hand.

Mino tiptoes closer. Gently opens his hand, removes the remote, and slips the keys inside.

Papaia mumbles in his sleep.

Papaia (murmuring half-asleep)

…how was I supposed to know… they set it on fire…🤣

Mino holds his breath. Then turns to the others and gestures: “Done.”

The three vanish into the darkness. Absolute silence. The house sleeps. As if nothing had happened.

Igor

Nino’s right! Please, do whatever you want to me! I’d even rather be sentenced to the electric chair… than listen to one of Papaia’s never-ending speeches! 🤣

… with all those boring moral rules weighing on your conscience, and blah, blah, blah! 🤣

… okay, Papaia! Don’t bother us, we stole the Ferrari and drove it straight into a river! So what! 🤣

… these things happen! 🤣

… we just wanted to burn rubber and impress! 🤣

… and make a grand entrance… but not into the river… obviously! 🤣

… While dreaming, Papaia talks in his sleep and says the phrase “…how was I supposed to know… they set it on fire…”. Is this a dream or a memory of Papaia’s? 🤣

… considering his stories, the latter is more likely! 🤣

… who set fire to what? And, most importantly, the fundamental question… why was Papaia supposed to know? 🤣


Part 14 of 26

What geologists say about carbon-14

Banani

And what about secular geology? How do they explain all this?

Paco

Supporters of an old Earth always repeat the same two worn-out arguments, even though they were thoroughly disproven years ago. The first objection is: “It’s all contamination.” Yet, for thirty years AMS radiocarbon labs have subjected all samples, before carbon-14 dating, to repeated and severe treatments with strong acids and bleaches to eliminate every trace of contamination.

Ravioli

What if it’s the instruments?

Paco

When instruments are tested with “blank” samples, they return zero radiocarbon, so there can be neither contamination nor instrumental problems.

Banani

That excuse doesn’t hold up at all!

Paco

The second objection is: “New radiocarbon formed directly in fossils when decaying uranium nearby struck traces of nitrogen in the buried fossils.” It’s true that carbon-14 can form from this nitrogen transformation, but actual calculations conclusively show this process does not produce the levels of radiocarbon that world-renowned labs have detected in fossils, coal, and diamonds.

Ravioli

Sorry, I didn’t understand a thing!

Paco

Fossils contained some nitrogen. And near the fossils there was radioactive uranium emitting particles during decay.

Banani

The emitted particles would hit the nitrogen present in the fossils, transforming it into carbon-14.

Paco

Yes, the physical process exists. But calculations show the amount of carbon-14 produced this way is too low.

Ravioli

So this can’t explain the relatively high amounts of carbon-14 actually found in the samples.


Part 15 of 26

Papaia wakes up.

Interior – Papaia’s bedroom. Dawn. A ray of sunlight filters through the curtains. Papaia slowly wakes up, stretching.

He looks around, then feels something in his hand. He opens his fingers: the keys. Intact.

Papaia (whispering, relieved)

Still here… incredible.

As he walks while staring at the keys, he walks straight into the closed door. 🤣

Interior – kitchen. Christmas silence. The scent of pandoro and coffee fills the air. Papaia pours himself some milk, then takes a bite of one of Mom’s cakes.

Exterior – bus stop in front of the house. Papaia is neatly dressed, with his crooked scarf and his usual oversized coat. He’s waiting for the bus, clutching the keys in his pocket.

He turns toward the house. Glances at the garage. The shutter is shut tight, perfectly in place, as if no one had ever touched it.

Papaia (to himself, surprised)

Christmas miracles, huh?

The bus arrives. Papaia gets on, still wearing that naïve smile, unaware of the disaster that has already taken place.

Time passes, but the mall stop doesn’t come.

Papaia

Excuse me, driver, how long until the shopping mall?

Driver

This is the 21, goes to the industrial area. For the shopping mall, you need the 36. Totally different route.

Papaia

Oops! I got on the wrong bus. 🤣

Igor

When Papaia says “still here, incredible” right before slamming into the door—was he talking about the door? 🤣

…maybe he rammed into it on purpose. To prove to himself the door was still there? 🤣

…though the impact seemed to last right up until he realized he was on the wrong bus! 🤣


Part 16 of 26

Papaia runs the drawing

Interior – Alfred’s office, decorated with a few red ribbons and a crooked wreath on the door. Muffled silence. It’s Christmas Day.

Papaia has finally arrived at the office.

He’s alone, sitting at a desk with a computer on. On the screen in front of him, the Christmas lottery system is ready. A large button flashes: “DRAW WINNER”.

The phone rings. It’s Alfred.

Alfred (on the phone, cheerful but rushed)

Hi Papaia, all set? Look, it’s super easy: just press the button, the system picks a random entry and automatically sends a confirmation email. That’s it.

Papaia (sweating a little)

Super easy… yeah, sure. Ok. Here I go.

He hangs up. Looks at the button. Takes a breath. Then presses it.

The system quickly processes the request, then a message appears on screen:

Message:

Top Seller of the Month Selected.

Panfilio Arzilli.

Double year-end bonus credited. 🤣

Papaia

…wait, something’s off here!

He closes the dialog window.

Papaia

Oh right, I misread. I was in the “Seller of the Month” section 🤣

…now what? 🤣

…well, at least someone scored a double bonus! 🤣

…hope they earned it! 🤣

Papaia opens the correct window.

Papaia

Here we go. This is the right one now… “Christmas Lottery Draw” section… “draw winner” button.

Now we can’t mess it up!

He presses the button.

A process starts, marking all warehouse stock as “depleted” and notifying suppliers to place an automatic reorder. 🤣

Papaia

Oops… Wrong one again! 🤣

He reads more carefully: “warehouse lots section,” button “extract inventory”.

Papaia

How did I mess that up so bad? 🤣

… oh well, sooner or later we’ll hit the right button.

At last, Papaia finds the correct one: “Ferrari Drawing” section, button “draw winner”.

He clicks it, but just as he does, the lights flicker and turn off briefly due to a blackout.

Papaia

What’s going on?

Screen: “CONNECTION ERROR – EMAIL NOT SENT”

Papaia

The connection’s down! Must be the blackout.

Igor

After Papaia failed to press the right button not once, but twice, the mall officially had a new Santa Claus, one lucky employee, and twelve thousand panettones on their way for a flash sale! 🤣

… Merry Christmas to you too, Alfred! 🤣

… and thanks for the trust! 🤣

… maybe next year we’ll press the button for a surprise coupon – a hundred bucks for all registered customers. 🤣


Part 17 of 26

Connection Error

Flashback. Interior. Shopping mall. Administrative area. Alfred’s office.

Papaia has completed the Ferrari drawing, but due to a brief blackout, something has gone wrong.

The winner’s name still appears on the screen.

Papaia

Look at this. We have a winner. But the email wasn’t sent. I need to call Alfred.

He starts rummaging through his pockets.

He gave me the number… where did I put it?

He finds a crumpled piece of paper.

Papaia

Here it is… Alfred… emergency number… 717273… what’s this? A 3 or an 8? 🤣

Papaia dials the number with a 3.

Voice

Hello?

Papaia

Alfred?

Voice

No, this is the Sports Bar. No Alfred here. But we do have a drunk guy who says his name is Jeff! 🤣

He hangs up.

Papaia

Okay, then it must be 8.

He dials the number.

Voice

Cheesy Crust Pizzeria. Want to place an order?

Papaia

No, no! Wrong number.

He tries other combinations, but all wrong.

A few minutes go by. Papaia is still in front of the screen. The message keeps flashing in red:

“Connection error. Email not sent.”

Papaia

Maybe if I follow the cables…

Following the modem cables, he ends up at a control box in a small room.

He presses a random button. Suddenly, a loud “Jingle Bells” starts playing, performed entirely using car horns, echoing through the empty hallways. 🤣

Papaia quickly presses the button again and the music stops instantly.

Papaia

(sighing in relief)

Better not touch anything else!

Igor

In any situation, you can always count on Papaia to have the wrong number with him! 🤣

…in every possible combination! 🤣

… and apparently even the impossible ones, since among them he also managed to reach Jeff—his imaginary drunk relative—at the Sports Bar! 🤣

…when the connection drops, Papaia uses the same strategy Banani uses during a flood… he follows the electric cables! 🤣

…but in the end, he got lucky! If Papaia had pressed one more random button, he probably would’ve triggered the fire alarm and the automatic sprinklers! 🤣


Part 18 of 26

The Winner

Flashback. Interior. Shopping mall. Alfred’s office.

After a failed attempt to restore the connection, Papaia sits back down in front of the computer.

The winner’s name, along with their email address, is displayed in large letters on the screen.

Papaia

I wonder who they are?

Driven by curiosity, Papaia opens a new browser tab.

Papaia

It shows their email here. Let’s try searching it in a search engine.

Papaia pastes the winner’s email into the search bar and hits enter.

One of the first results is a fundraising page. He clicks it.

A photo appears: a man, a woman, and a pale-faced child in a wool cap, sitting in a wheelchair. The title of the campaign reads:

“Let’s Help Luca – A Hope for Our Little Hero”

Papaia scrolls through the page. He reads phrases like “extremely rare genetic disease,” “experimental treatment abroad,” “no healthcare coverage.”

He clicks on a video. The child’s mother sits in a modest living room, with dark circles under her eyes and a trembling voice.

Mother (on video)

Good morning everyone… my name is Martina. This is my son Luca. He’s eight years old and has had an extremely rare genetic disease since birth.

There is a medicine—experimental—that can slow the progression of the illness. But it costs more than any normal family could afford.

The government doesn’t cover the expenses. My husband lost his job to take care of Luca, and I do what I can…

We’re not asking for miracles, just for help. Every euro can make a difference.

Thank you to anyone willing to support us.

Papaia sits still in front of the video. Then he removes his glasses.

A single tear slides slowly down his cheek. He looks again at the winner’s name on the lottery screen. He whispers to himself, with a small smile:

Papaia

They deserved it. All of it.

Igor

Did that family deserve the prize? Absolutely.

Did Panfilio Arzilli deserve that double holiday bonus? Who knows? 🤣

…Did Alfred deserve the tidal wave of chaos caused by Papaia? 🤣

…Of course! That’s what happens when you trust Papaia with something important! 🤣


Part 19 of 26

Conclusions on Carbon-14

Waiting room.

Ravioli

So, we’ve seen that there are inexplicable anomalies in Carbon-14 dating.

Paco

Exactly. The numbers don’t add up. We find too much Carbon-14 in ancient fossils.

Banani

And none of the explanations given by mainstream geology hold up.

Paco

If radiocarbon only lasts a few hundred thousand years, why is it found in all the Earth’s diamonds, which are supposedly billions of years old?

Ravioli

And this shows us that the Earth isn’t as old as they claim.

Paco

Exactly. If the Earth were billions of years old, we shouldn’t be finding the amounts of Carbon-14 that we do.

Banani

On the contrary. We should be finding fossils with no trace of Carbon-14 at all.


Part 20 of 26

The “Indecent” Proposal

Scene: Alfred’s office – a few minutes later

Papaia’s phone rings. He quickly wipes away his tears and picks up. It’s his mom.

Mom (furious, on the phone)

PA-PA-IA! Get home right now! We need to talk!

Cut. Papaia rushes home. The door is wide open. His mom is waiting with her arms crossed. His siblings sit silently, avoiding eye contact. The garage is open. Empty.

Papaia (confused)

Where… where’s the Ferrari?!

Mom

Your brothers sank the Ferrari in the river… and it’s all your fault! 🤣

Papaia (shocked)

But… I… the keys… how’s that even possible…?

The mom briefly recounts the story of the incident.

Papaia

Mino! Nino! Chantilly! How could you?!

Nino

Here we go again! 🤣

Mino

Get ready for a super long speech! 🤣

Chantilly

Oh no! Not that “blah blah blah” again! I can’t take it! 🤣

Mom

No long speeches, Papaia! It’s your fault you let yourself get fooled! 🤣

Papaia

But…

Mom (firmly)

No “but”s…

Now fix it!

Papaia

How? I don’t have money to buy another Ferrari!

Mom

Not buy… but win…

Papaia

Are you asking me to… rig the mall’s Christmas lottery?

Mom

There’s no other way!

Papaia

But Alfred? He trusted me!

Mom

Then do it right… so he never finds out!

Papaia

But how? The system is fully automated!

Mom

My sweet little Papaiuccio… I know you can do it! You’ve got the brains! 🤣

Papaia

Uhm… maybe there’s a way!

Papaia tells his mom about the technical glitch during the draw.

Mom

Listen carefully: go back there.

Disconnect the system and hit that button until our name pops up!

If we win, no one will ask us to pay for the car. Got it?

Silence. Papaia doesn’t respond. Then, slowly, he nods.

Igor

The Ferrari’s in the river… at least now it’s parked in the safest spot in town! 😂

… and mom’s right. After everything those poor brothers went through—stealing a Ferrari and launching it off a bridge—they still have to listen to Papaia reminding them about this annoying thing called… morals! 🤣

… get ready, Nino… another one of Papaia’s “super long speeches”… what’s it about? No one ever knows. The good news is—I brought a tent and a sleeping bag! 🤣

… maybe let’s do it outside, so we can light a campfire too! 🤣

… it is Papaia’s fault. He should’ve given the ethical lecture before it all happened. That way, his brothers would’ve fallen asleep first! 🤣

… it’s Papaia’s fault for letting the keys slip from his hands while he was sleeping… It’s not theft… his brothers couldn’t not take it. When a Ferrari calls, you answer. They just listened to their hearts. And the engine. 🤣

… “My sweet Papaiuccio, you’ve got the brains,” says mom. Not for long, ma’am… at least not after Alfred gets back from his trip! 🤣


Part 21 of 26

Papaia’s Dilemma

Scene: Alfred’s Office – a few minutes later

Papaia returns. He sits at the desk. Looks at the monitor.

One window shows the winner’s info. Another shows the video of the woman asking for help for her sick son.

A beep sounds.

The system app now displays the message: “Connection Restored”, with one button saying: “Confirm Winner”, and another: “Run New Draw.”

Papaia stares at them.

His hand finds the network cable.

Papaia

If I unplug the connection… maybe I can keep drawing until one of our entries wins.

He unplugs the cable.

The screen changes to: “Connection Error.” The “Confirm Winner” button disappears.

Papaia

Good! Now I just have to redraw… until we win.

He hesitates.

Papaia

No! I can’t! It’s not right!

He plugs the network cable back in.

Another beep.

The message changes again to: “Connection Restored.”

The “Confirm Winner” button reappears.

Papaia looks at the button. Then closes his eyes. He breathes. And speaks softly, only to himself:

Papaia (monologue)

“It’s so easy.

One click, and no one would ever know.

Mom would be proud. Mino and Nino would leave me alone.

Maybe… maybe this time I could be the one who fixes things.

But… what kind of person takes away a gift like that?

A hope.

A miracle, for someone who truly needs it.

Alfred trusted me.

He said, ‘I only trust you.’

And me?

I’m here… wondering whether to betray him.

It’s always the same.

Always cleaning up someone else’s mess.

Always saying yes.

Yes to Mom.

Yes to Mino.

Yes to Nino.

Yes to Chantilly.

But what if this time… I said no?

No to this lie.

No to this scam.

No to them.

It’s Christmas.

And maybe, just this once… the greatest gift

is doing the right thing.”

Papaia opens his eyes. Stares at the button:

“Confirm winner?”

His hand trembles. Moves toward the mouse… then stops halfway. He doesn’t have the courage.

The room stays still.

The button keeps blinking.

But Papaia doesn’t click it.

Igor

Apparently Papaia forgot the Ferrari already had a winner… the city river! 🤣


Part 22 of 26

The Nightmare

Scene: Alfred’s Office – late afternoon

Papaia, exhausted, steps away from the desk and drops onto the couch in the corner. He runs a hand across his face. Closes his eyes just for a moment… and falls asleep.

Dream sequence – dream/nightmare

A dark hallway. Voices echo from all sides.

Alfred’s voice (stern):

“I only trust you.”

Mother’s voice (irritated):

“Keep pressing that button until our ticket comes up!”

Voice on the phone:

“Formaggiosa Pizzeria. Would you like to place an order? 🤣”

Mino’s voice (sly):

“Come on, you’re always the one who fixes everything, right?”

Nino’s voice (laughing):

“Someone like you never says no!”

Chantilly’s voice (annoyed):

“If you mess this up, I’m not talking to you again.”

Woman from the video (desperate):

“We need that help… we can’t do this alone.”

Voice on the phone:

“Would you like to place an order? Would you like to place an order? 🤣”

Mother:

“My little Papaiuccio!”

Voice on the phone:

“…no, but we’ve got a drunk guy here saying his name’s Jeff… 🤣”

The voices overlap, getting louder and louder, until they’re deafening.

Papaia grabs his head with both hands.

Suddenly, silence.

In front of him stands a man in an old Christmas sweater.

Same nose, same eyes.

It’s his father.

He smiles—kindly, but firmly.

Father (serious):

“Papaia… you can’t please everyone. You have to choose.”

A flash. Everything disappears.

End of dream – back to reality

Papaia wakes up with a start.

His phone vibrates and rings. On the screen: “Alfred.”

Papaia (tired):

“Hello…”

Alfred (concerned):

“Papaia? Why haven’t you run the draw yet? I didn’t get the email.”

Papaia looks around, still groggy. Then answers:

Papaia:

“Connection issues… But I’m fixing it.”

Alfred sighs.

Alfred:

“Let me know as soon as it’s done.”

He hangs up.

Papaia:

“…Wait… the number!”

Dial tone from the speaker.

Papaia stays frozen a moment. Then gets up. Looks at the still-lit monitor. The button keeps blinking.

Papaia:

“I need to talk to Mom!”

He throws on his coat. Takes a deep breath. His expression shifts: he’s determined.

He walks out confidently.

Slams into a glass door. 🤣

Opens it and leaves.

Igor

If I were Papaia, I’d have just ordered that pizza! 🤣

…Formaggiosa Pizzeria? If Ravioli had been there, he would’ve totally approved! 🤣

…maybe the nightmare was just guilt for not ordering the pizza! 🤣

…now that number? Gone up in smoke… in the wood-fired oven! 🤣

…Formaggiosa Pizzeria? The name says it all—it was the perfect escape plan!

Banani

And why?

Igor

Follow me, Banani…

Papaia already had half a stomachache from Christmas dinner, and the nightmares prove it.

If he’d ordered that cheese-loaded pizza, he would’ve gotten sick, ended up in the hospital… and wouldn’t have had to do the draw.

He’d be off the hook.

Genius plan.

Too bad Papaia didn’t think of it! 🤣

Banani

And what about Jeff?

Igor

Here’s my theory. It’s possible Papaia never really called the sports bar by mistake.

Banani

Oh yeah? Then what?

Igor

He was hallucinating… from the Christmas timballo! 🤣

…And Alfred wasn’t really traveling.

Banani

No? Why would he lie?

Igor

To avoid… eating his aunt’s Christmas timballo! 🤣

…famous in the whole family for its hallucinogenic effects! 🤣

…that timballo was so heavy, Alfred used its sauce to lubricate the Ferrari! 🤣


Part 23 of 26

The Fake Illness

Flashback: Mom’s House – Evening

The door bursts open. Papaia walks in with determination. In the living room, the whole family is gathered: Mom on the couch, Mino leaning against a cabinet, Nino pacing nervously, Chantilly filing her nails.

Mino (immediately):

“Did you do it?”

Nino (anxious):

“Tell me you did it!”

Papaia (cold):

“No.”

A sudden silence falls over the room.

Mom (rising, shocked):

“No? What do you mean, no?”

Papaia:

“I saw the winner’s name. He’s a father. His son is seriously ill. That Ferrari could change their lives. And we… destroyed it.”

Chantilly (under her breath):

“Technically, it ended up in a river.” 🤣

Papaia (serious):

“I can’t rig the draw. I can’t steal that car from them. Not this time.”

Mom (voice trembling):

“Oh, so now you’re abandoning us? Leaving us to drown? After everything I’ve done for you?”

Papaia (firm):

“Mom…”

Mom (dramatic):

“I raised four children all by myself! And now, for some college-level moral nonsense, you want to throw us under the bus?” 🤣

Papaia:

“It’s not nonsense. It’s the right thing to do.”

Mom (exploding):

“Ah! My heart! My heart!”

She slowly collapses to the ground, pretending to faint.

Mom (screaming):

“I’m dying! At Christmas! On this very day! It’s my last wish: rig the draw!” 🤣

Papaia bends down to her, confused. Mino moves in close, whispering.

Mino (serious):

“Just promise her you will. That’s the only way to calm her down.”

Papaia (hesitant):

“Mom… I promise.”

Mom (smiling faintly):

“Good boy… my little angel…” 🤣

Cut to – Hospital, shortly after

Papaia and his siblings wait in the hallway. The doctor comes out of the room, calm.

Doctor (reassuring):

“Just a slight drop in blood pressure. Nothing serious. She’ll be able to go home soon.”

The siblings breathe a sigh of relief. Mino glances at Papaia with a smirk.

Mino (barely holding back laughter):

“Now you’ve promised. And promises must be kept… genius.”

Papaia looks down. Silence.

Igor

Technically, Chantilly, you’re the one who put the Ferrari in the river! 🤣

…technically, Alfred doesn’t think it’s funny! 🤣

…Mom’s final wish? Rig that draw! 🤣

…or come up with another nice little fraud! 🤣

…Papaia was such a good boy—at four years old, he already knew how to cheat at bingo so Mino and Nino could win! 🤣

…those are the milestones in a child’s growth! 🤣

…learning to talk, to walk… and to rig a charity raffle! 🤣


Part 24 of 26

The Right Thing!

Scene – Backyard – Late Afternoon

Outside, the sky is already dark. Christmas lights twinkle here and there along the street. Papaia paces back and forth in silence. His phone rings. It’s Alfred.

Alfred (on the phone, worried):

“Papaia! We need to move immediately. If we don’t confirm today, we risk getting sued by the consumer association. It’s already late!”

Papaia:

“Yes, yes… I’m done here! The connection just came back. I’ll do it right away.”

Shortly after, Papaia rushes into the office.

Papaia:

What a run! Even with this cold, I’m sweating! But hey, no time for the bus! 🤣

The monitor is on, the winner’s profile still open. The big button flashes:

“CONFIRM WINNER”

Papaia steps closer. He hesitates. He looks at the video still open on the second screen: the sick boy’s mother, the smiling child. He closes his eyes. Takes a deep breath.

Then, in a low, steady, almost solemn voice:

Papaia:

“What kind of Christmas would it be… if we didn’t do at least one right thing?”

He presses the button.

CLICK.

A cheerful jingle plays from the computer. On the second monitor, a message appears:

“Winner confirmed. Email successfully sent.”

Papaia stands still for a moment. Then his eyes widen—he’s just had a sudden realization.

Papaia (under his breath):

“Oops…”

He looks around. Growing panic.

Papaia:

“And now… where do I find a Ferrari to give that family?” 🤣

Zoom on his worried face. Christmas lights blinking behind him. End scene.

Igor

Of course there was no time for the bus. If he took the wrong one like he always does, it would’ve taken longer than walking! 🤣

… and Papaia knew that! 🤣

… Papaia basically spent all of Christmas Day trying to decide who to give a Ferrari to—one he didn’t even have anymore! 🤣

… where do you find a Ferrari to give to the winner? Maybe he could rig another lottery! 🤣

… or try to sell Alfred’s boss’s helicopter! 🤣

… Where do you find a Ferrari, Papaia? In the river! That’s where! 🤣

… right next to a knockoff 20-inch heel! 🤣


Part 25 of 26

Papaia Solves the Situation

Scene – Outside, Evening – In Front of Mom’s House

Papaia returns home. The atmosphere is tense. Everyone stares at him in silence as he walks in.

Mino (anxiously):

“So? Did you do it?”

Papaia (lying):

“Yes. I… I made our ticket win.”

An explosion of cheers from the siblings. Mom pretends to hold back tears.

Mom:

“Well done, my son. You saved the family.”

Papaia:

“Yeah. Now just one thing I’m curious about… where exactly did the accident happen?”

Flashback – Outside, Night – A Bridge Over the River

Papaia arrives alone by taxi. The area is deserted, only the sound of water beneath the bridge. He leans over, scanning the riverbed. The streetlights dimly illuminate the scene.

He notices a bent section of the guardrail. He leans over as far as he can. And he sees it.

The red silhouette of the Ferrari is there, on the bottom. Barely visible. Half-buried in silt, but intact. The logo still visible. The windshield unbroken.

Papaia (under his breath):

“It’s still there… it’s a miracle!”

He lets out a sigh of relief.

Papaia:

“Alright! Now… we just have to pull it out.”

Too late—Papaia has fallen into the river.

Igor

Before we pull out the Ferrari, let’s pull out Papaia! 🤣

… no, Papaia! The saying goes “we’re all in the same boat,” not… “in the same river”! 🤣


Part 26 of 26

Everyone Happy… Almost

Scene – Indoors, Day – Downtown Café

Papaia is sitting at the counter with a coffee. On the stool next to him is the village mechanic. On the TV above the counter, a news report is playing.

Journalist (on TV):

“And here they are—the winners of the mall’s Christmas lottery! A brand-new Ferrari, delivered just this morning!”

The footage shows the family from the video: the father, the mother, and the child. The car sparkles in the parking lot, surrounded by red balloons.

Journalist (voice-over):

“What will you do with this beauty?”

Father (smiling at the camera):

“We’re going to sell it. With the money, we can finally buy the medicine our son needs.”

Journalist:

“Did you know your video went viral?”

Father:

“Yes… and thanks to that, a non-profit already helped us. But this prize… really sets us up for a while.”

The bartender turns up the volume. The mechanic whistles quietly, impressed.

Mechanic:

“A real miracle, you know? The water barely did any damage. Just had to replace the electronics and fix some bodywork.”

He sips his coffee, then looks at Papaia with respect.

Mechanic:

“Getting it out of that river though… what a job. But now it looks brand new.”

Papaia (with a tired half-smile):

“And all thanks to the mall’s insurance. Damages fully covered.”

A moment of silence. Then, from a table nearby, a dry, sarcastic voice is heard.

Igor (without looking):

“Everyone’s happy. But technically… it’s insurance fraud.”

Papaia sighs. He stares out the window. But says nothing.

End of the flashback

Faggioli’s Office

Faggioli:

“And what have you learned from all this?”

Papaia:

“Never say no to Mom again! 🤣”

Igor:

“Perfect! Ferrari repaired. Needy family rewarded. … now all that’s left is fixing Papaia’s head! 🤣”