What Happens in Italy - Essay Example

Letter Dear Rayana, I hope my letter reaches you in good health. I am doing quite well myself. The weather here is really pleasant, despite it being really cold in the rest of the country. I am really enjoying the weather. Also, the fact that I can speak Italian passably also helps a lot whenever I go out for an errand. I am really looking forward to Christmas as I have heard a lot about the Presepi here. They are nativity scenes that are designed and created by the local artisans. Normally, people come and buy them to create their own nativity scenes, but I have heard so much about them that I want to just go to via San Gregorio Armeno to just look at them. An Italian couple who live next door told me that last year they bought a persepi for 2,000 Euros – can you believe THAT? That is when I decided that I just HAD to go see for myself. I have not been up to much except for settling into my new surroundings. So far I like it here; I just wish I had come here in pleasanter circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, I still insist that I did the right thing by testifying against McDermott and his gang of thugs. I mean someone has to stand up for what is right and to help society uphold the law. We could not have murderers and thugs roaming around freely. However, I do wish that I did not have to “pay a price,” so to speak for doing the right thing. Lots of love and warm wishes, Dennis. Letter 2 Dear Rayana, Something really alarming happened to me today. Remember how I told you I was going to Real Teatro di San Carlo over the weekend? Well, as luck would have it, I heard that Nicola Luisotti would be conducting the opera that night and I was really excited altogether. I left home early so that I could get in easily, without going through the hassle of waiting in line. Once inside, I just hung around and just observed everyone who had come to see the opera. It always delights me, as you know, to look at how people dress up when they go to a certain place. Anyway, imagine my surprise, nay horror, when I thought I caught a glimpse of Alex Profokiev, McDermott’s second in command of sorts, all dressed up in a bow tie and suit and hanging around the opera seers. I immediately hung back behind a few people. However, I kept my eyes at him, just to make sure that it was him. At that moment, everyone started to go towards the entrance to the hall as the opera was about to start. I followed them inside, but I could not enjoy myself at all, as I kept trying to look for Profokiev. I could not find him, but even then I left during the intermission as I could not risk sitting there till the end as that could have given him the chance to follow me home and know where I live. I am almost certain that he did not spot me, but you never know. Anyway, I hope everything is okay at your end of the world. Yours, Dennis. Letter 3 Dear Rayana, I had a very scary day today. After the scare at the opera about a month ago, I alerted the local authorities, but they said that they could not help me as they did not have any record of Profokiev in their files and I did not know what name he goes by in Naples. I was on my guard for a few weeks and was reasonably relaxed after nothing happened and nobody showed up at my doorstep. I decided to continue with my every day chores and not be too paranoid. I mean, if Profokiev had seen me, surely I would not be left alone. That is why this evening I went to the neighborhood gelato shop, which I normally frequent. I have made a few friends there – I have told you about them – and I wanted to reconnect with them and see what has been going on. I was sitting there with my gelato, talking to a group of men when Profokiev entered the gelato place. He made sure that I saw him and gave me such a smile that it sent shivers down my spine. I just knew I was not safe there, but I also knew that if I walked out alone, I would not see the morning. Luckily, a large group of tourists at the gelato shop decided that they would walk down the piazza towards the general direction of the police station; I just made myself a part of their group and went inside the police station when they passed it and reported the situation to them. I saw no sign of Profokiev, but I have a very bad feeling about this. Anyway, I should pen off now. Love, Dennis. Letter 4 Dear Rayana, I am living in constant fear now. The phone keeps ringing, but when I pick up there is nobody there. I have not received any death threats or any other signs that point towards McDermott’s gang, but I am certain that they are the ones doing it not only to scare me but to keep an eye out for my comings and goings. I have decided not to answer the phone at all, so if you have been calling me for the last few days, please don’t worry if nobody picks up, I am okay. I have gone out a few of times from my apartment ever since that incident with Profokiev. I am constantly looking over my shoulder whenever I am out, because my experience with the local authorities has led me to believe that I am pretty much on my own as there is nothing they can do for me in this situation. Each time I go out I have a feeling that I am being followed. I know it sounds like I am being paranoid, but I can almost swear that there are at least two people shadowing me around. Maybe the only reason I was not harmed was because of the Settimana Santa that is being celebrated throughout the city. This is to celebrate the Easter week and a lot of processions are passing through the streets. Also a lot of plays regarding the passion of Christ are going on throughout various piazzas. With so many people around, there is no chance for them to get to me, but I feel trapped and vulnerable, as if the axe will drop any minute. I hope I am wrong in this, but the suspense is too much for me. All my love, Dennis. Letter 5 Dear Rayana, Have I got good news for you! Last time I wrote to you, I was scared for my life and told you that the local authorities could not do much. How wrong I was! Profokiev, despite all the people in the piazza, approached me last night and I could tell that he had murder on his mind. But, as soon as he came near me, the two people who I had sensed following me around wherever I went ran forward and wrestled him to the ground. Turns out, they were from International Police (Interpol) and they were there at the request of the local authorities. The local police inspector had a bit of knowledge about the McDermott’s gang, and decided he should contact Interpol about it as he had heard about this gang operating from the UK as well as France. As it happens, Profokiev was wanted in the UK for money laundering and racketeering charges and in France for both money laundering and a series of murders. Interpol, in turn, sent a few of its operatives not only to look out for Profokiev, but to protect me. They were told not to contact me because the authorities could not alert the McDermott gang about their presence. Finally, last night, as I told you before, they arrested Profokiev and moved him to Rome. Soon, he shall be extradited where he will face all the charges against him and, so the Interpol inspector told me, will be incarcerated for the rest of his life. I am glad that this is over. I shall be returning home soon. Yours always, Dennis. Read More