La messa di nozze; Un sogno; La bella morte

A crisp, sun‑lit Milanese school becomes the backdrop for an unexpected reunion when an old friend arrives from Florence, unannounced and oddly gaunt. Professor Domenico Perez, still dripping with the authority of a Shakespeare lecture, is pulled from his classroom into a private, almost theatrical encounter that mixes scholarly rigor with a lingering sense of nostalgia. Their banter quickly shifts from formal courtesy to a playful, intimate chase through the corridors, hinting at a bond that has survived years of distance and silent longing.

The narrative unfolds with a light‑hearted yet subtly tense rhythm, balancing witty dialogue and vivid description of the school’s bustling atmosphere. As the two men plot a spontaneous outing—carriage rides, seaside breezes, and a promised lunch—they reveal personal histories and unspoken doubts without ever losing the story’s breezy momentum. This opening promises a charming exploration of friendship, yearning, and the delicate dance between duty and desire.