Three scientists \u2014 Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli \u2014 and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, begin to take an interest in creationism. Alarmed, their superiors send them to see a psychologist: Professor Faggioli \u2014 a shady character determined to get them fired by making them seem insane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re in Professor Faggioli\u2019s office, and it\u2019s Banani\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The figure of your father seems very important in your adolescence. Did you spend a lot of time with him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father was a handyman, and he fixed things. Sometimes he had free time, and we\u2019d go fishing together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sorry, one question. Can I ask if you like fish?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, fish is tasty and good for your health. It\u2019s my favorite food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(admiringly) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Very good, Banani! Correct answer! Your attitude toward fish is the right one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But once, my father, at the river, called me over and showed me a gun he had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gun?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FLASHBACK \u2014 Exterior, late afternoon. Deserted river, cloudy sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani, twelve years old, gets out of the passenger seat. His father is already outside, opening the car\u2019s trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Come on, I have a surprise for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A surprise? What kind of surprise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something every man should know. Trust me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The father pulls a black bag from the trunk. Banani follows him along the dirt path leading to the river. The two stop on a muddy, isolated riverbank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The father kneels down, opens the bag, and pulls out a gun wrapped in a black velvet cloth. Banani\u2019s eyes widen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gun?! But\u2026 you have a gun?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. I don\u2019t carry it around to look tough. But in life, you have to be ready for anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like\u2026 being attacked by a bear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like\u2026 protecting you and your mother if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(he looks at Banani) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not telling you that you need to have a gun, too. But at least, you should know how to use one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The father stands up, grabs a handful of empty cans from a plastic bag, and arranges them on a log about ten meters away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He raises the gun, aims, and\u2026 BANG! First can hit squarely. Then another. And another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wow…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now it\u2019s your turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He carefully hands Banani the gun. Banani takes it awkwardly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feet steady. Breathe. Don\u2019t rush. Aim calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani aims. He shoots. The shot barely misses the target. Banani grimaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not bad. Try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a few tries, a can falls. Banani lights up. The father smiles with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good. See? Calm, concentration, confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence. Just the sound of the river. The father looks at the horizon, then speaks in a lower tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani\u2026 in life, you never know what\u2019s coming. But if you keep a cool head, and do a little preparation, you can usually handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will you get me my own gun?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(smiling) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No. But one day, you might want to learn for real. And if that happens\u2026 I want you to remember this afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani nods, serious. The father passes him a cookie from his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FATHER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, no more shooting. It\u2019s time for river snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two sit on the log, looking at the fallen cans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, I was surprised too. I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d have one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(terrified) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he gave you a gun? You\u2019re not armed right now, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No, sir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAGGIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(relieved) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You really admired your father, didn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, and even today I want to follow his example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IGOR <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani? With a gun in his hand? Take cover! The shot could bounce from the past and end up in his feet! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n