The Lightning Box Leonardo

It's fragile and worth millions.

By all means, run faster(!)

Ah! Magnifico.

Remember, Lorenzo. People judge you by the things you possess.

Fine works make a marvel of the name Medici, our name.

But we've more than priceless treasures.

Behold!

The centrepiece.

Hm. A box.

SCOFFS Attenzione.

The lightning box!

-Magic!

-You sound like a peasant. You'll believe in dragons next!

Created by an Arabian scientist

half a century ago, it still baffles the finest minds in the world.

We may yet unlock its secret.

-So?

-It's a box.

That's right. I sneaked you in past my father just to see a box(!)

Turn the handle. You'll see. Incredible.

LEONARDO LAUGHS

How did he make it? How did he create light and energy?

What law of physics has he unlocked?

-You don't know how it works?

-Fantastico!

-You must have some idea.

-May I?

-No. Maybe not.

-FOOTSTEPS

-Maybe we should...

-Is there a candle inside?

-No time to find out. Leo, come on!

The pearl.

Each one a perfect luminescent orb.

I want to see the lustrous play of light across the surface.

We call this iridescence...

Um, I think you need to take another look at our subject?

..appears to change colour as you view it...

-What is it?

-I'm trying to work out if mirrors can refract light into fragments.

-Oh, yeah. The lightning box.

-You should have been there, Tom.

-You've caught the light perfectly.

-You think so?

Although shouldn't pearls be round?

They are round...!

..For an artist each object exists in relation to light.

Your job is to find that light.

Tomaso, you will assist me.

Thank you, maestro. I'm...

I'm ready. I can do this.

You will complete the detailing on Signora Di Noto's birthday portrait.

-I want pearls worthy of gracing a wealthy neck.

-I won't let you down.

-What is all this mess?

-Cracked it?

-No.

-Is there any chance of another look?

-No. We had an intruder.

Someone trying to steal the box. Had an arrow in his leg.

Dad's upped the security.

That's the rent paid for another month, no thanks to you idle...

-I wiped the floor with the last person who broke in here.

-You never cleaned a floor in your life!

Carlo Cazali! It's been years! What are you doing here?

Same as ever. Look at you! You've got your own place!

-Hanging in there.

-Remember those nights in the gutter? I've missed you, Mach.

-He was like a wee brother to me.

-Yeah. Nearest thing I had to family.

How sad is that?

Pat, get us some fruit. Presto! Signor! Yes, sir!

GROANS

Long story.

-So, what brings you here from Pisa?

-Other than my old mate?

-Working for Pozzo.

-Pozzo?

Pisa's most wanted. He's got his eye on something.

-What Pozzo asks for...!

-He wants a wee thing called the lightning box.

-At the Palace of Piero de' Medici. Security will be tight.

-Tell me about it.

It's a tough one, Mach. I need your help. You know his son, Lorenzo?

Well, he's kind of...a friend.

A friend? You mean like a friend to your wallet?

He's a Medici, Mach.

He can buy himself 20 lightning boxes.

For people like you and me, it's a matter of life or...

CLANKING

Bene.

Molto bene.

And if I key in the wrong code?

CHUCKLES

Now, get a cloth.

BELL TOLLS

-Daddy's got a new toy?

-You heard? Of course! You're Mach!

Hope he's got good security. Everybody in Florence wants that.

-Master Lorenzo!

-Signor Verrocchio.

Don't you have anything better to do than infest my property?

Hm?

-The lightning box. He's gone a bit Leo about it!

-Right up his street.

-My dad will be so impressed.

-It can't be candles and mirrors.

It seemed to have its own energy, power.

Own energy. Power.

Let's see.

I can't work it out if I can't see inside.

-Borrow it.

-Lorenzo won't go for it.

-If it looks like a box, it's a box, even if it doesn't work.

This has got Leo going nuts. Any way we can help him?

-No. Can't risk it.

-What if no-one knew it was missing?

I could build a replica. No-one would know.

I could solve the mystery.

-Succeed where generations have failed.

-You'd look good in front of Papa. It's a win-win situation.

All right. The exhibition doesn't open for a few days. Promise to put it back.

Lorenzo, I give you my most solemn promise that I will get it back to you safe and sound.

-Mach's witness to that, aren't you?

-Huh?

Yeah. Sure.

SPEAK IN ITALIAN

What IS that?

-You didn't say anything about a security code!

-I didn't know!

-That's that, then. Come on.

-No, wait. We can work it out.

-Let me think.

-There's no time.

-A date?

-Date of birth. People are incredibly predictable.

-Papa's not predictable.

-Trust me. They almost always go for that one.

-So I'm told.

-Lorenzo.

-What's your dad's birthday?

-9th June. Same as mine. Different year. Mine's '53, his is 1425.

-Nine six 1425. What do you think?

-Worth a shot.

-No!

It's definitely not worth a shot. If we get it wrong a hideous alarm...

Lorenzo, relax. There's nothing to worry about, OK?

Nine.

Six.

One.

Four.

Two.

Five.

See? What did I tell you?

Hurry up!

Come on! They're coming!

CLATTERING

-Maybe no-one heard it.

-What was that? >

Come on! Quick!

There's been a breach.

Come on!

Master Lorenzo. There's been a break-in.

N-no? Really?

You must have heard that sound.

Oh, yes. From the kitchens?

-From the exhibition room.

-You know how sound travels in big old palaces!

Ha. So you haven't seen anything?

Well?

Not easy. He's set up a security code.

There's some sort of contraption with a lethal-looking blade.

-But you did get it?

-What do you think?

-Don't be coy, man. Hand it over.

-My mate Leo's got it.

-What?

-Relax. He's a genius. He'll build one for Lorenzo. You keep the original. Everyone's a winner.

-I've got Pozzo breathing down my neck.

-Don't worry.

Remember how I showed you the ropes when you landed on the street?

Big brother Carlo. You'd not put new friends before that, would you?

Father!

Father! Er...

Um... Oh!

Oh, yes. How are you?

-We had another breach in security last night.

-Anything stolen?

No. And I'll make sure it stays that way. The Duke is coming tomorrow.

-Tomorrow?

-He insists on a private view.

Stay out of that room, Lorenzo.

It's dangerous. We wouldn't want any nasty accidents.

Would we?

Leo, we have to put it back now.

-So where is it?

-It's right here.

-That's a broken mess.

-I had to take it apart to see how it works.

-What if you can't put it back together?

-You can, can't you, Leo?

I drew and numbered every piece. I can rebuild it exactly as it was.

-Do it now. It has to be back tonight.

-What?

-The Duke's coming.

-The replica won't work. My dad will go mental...

-Lorenzo, why...?

..shamed in front of the Duke. I'll be branded a thief. He'll never forgive me I'll be grounded forever!

-What's the problem?

-Can't do it. The box is going back to the palace.

I told you, Lorenzo's a friend.

And I'm not?

If I don't get that box to Pozzo, he'll kill me.

You know he will. He'll slit my throat.

So what's it going to be, Mach?

-Have you finished?

-Not quite.

-Have you finished now?

-No.

-How about now?

-It fits!

No, Lorenzo. I haven't finished yet.

-Not quite sure what I did. I just need to...

-No way!

I'm not taking any more chances.

I have to get back.

Ah! Think I'm gonna be sick!

Are you OK? I can make another one.

I've studied every piece. I can do it. I know I can.

-LAUGHTER

-Result! The old team!

Why did you do that?

-Just a wee push. Toughen him up a bit.

-It wasn't necessary.

This calls for a feast!

-Here. On me.

-Yes! Yes! Come on!

-Don't you have to get that back to Pozzo?

-I'm not working for Pozzo.

This little baby's all mine.

-But...

-I knew if I told you I was in danger you'd help me.

You're easy to read, Mach, even if you think you're not.

You're easy to manipulate. Soft.

Don't worry.

I won't tell anyone.

-Is Lorenzo OK?

-Why do you ask?

-I heard the box got stolen.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

-Any word on who stole it?

-Er... Carelli.

Antonio Carelli, notorious thief?

-Is that the best you can do?

-Er...

You're making another box. It will be all right for Lorenzo?

No harm done?

-Try again!

-I must have missed something.

-It won't work.

-How long do you need?

-A day? A month? Who knows?

So...this Carelli. Where does he live?

-I don't know. Why?

-I'm going to have to get the real box back from the thief, which is Carelli?

-Yeah.

-So shall we go and find him?

-Don't! It could be dangerous.

-Anyway, what about the curfew?

-I made a promise to a friend.

All right. I know where Carelli lives.

Leave it to me. I'll see what I can do.

-You missed all the fun.

-You're not going?

-I got the feeling I'd outstayed my welcome.

I'm sorry. You were right. I was wrong.

Aye. If you want to succeed in life, listen to your big brother Carlo.

There's no-one I respect more. You taught me everything.

What do I owe Lorenzo? He doesn't have one tenth of your talent.

-Your brains.

-Just another over-privileged brat.

Stay. Have a drink with me.

Sure.

Sure. Why not?

Got to be quicker than that, wee man.

To you, the smartest guy I know.

And to you, the second smartest. And to friendship.

To friendship.

It doesn't work.

-Couldn't do it.

-You should get some sleep.

-I'm waiting.

-What for?

KNOCK ON DOOR

A friend.

-So, you found this Carelli.

-Mm.

Is that who stole it? Yeah.

He didn't cause you any...trouble?

No.

Look, I've got to get going. I'll see you around?

He got the lightning box back?

-Yeah.

-That was brave of him.

Not really.

Be careful!

Valerian, a sleeping potion.

Knocked you clean out.

-My box?

-My mate Leo's putting it back on display right now.

CARLO CHUCKLES

Well played!

You always did know how to play on a person's weakness.

-And you always did respond to flattery.

-Undone by vanity!

Oh, well. Easy come, easy go.

Mind you...

I will be surprised if your mate can get that box back in one piece.

That blade, I've seen that before. Get the code wrong...

-Whoosh!

-We cracked the code.

They won't change that after the break-in?

Let's hope they haven't.

Otherwise your mate will be sliced down the middle like a fine salami.

Here we go. What's your dad's birthday? 9th June um...1425.

Nine, six, one, four...

Stop!

Look up.

Some kind of guillotine?

-What's the problem? We know the code.

-They changed it.

Yeah, that's not good.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

No. Lorenzo, did your dad tell you anything?

No, but, um...

I watched him. I watched him key in the code.

-And?

-And...

-I don't know. I can't remember.

-Try.

I'm trying!

Take a deep breath.

-Calm down. Think!

-OK, so...

The Duke is coming tomorrow.

-Tomorrow?

-He insists on a private view.

Focus!

-The first four are the same. 9614.

-What were the last two?

They were the same.

I'm not sure. I'm not sure.

-What's your dad's birthday?

-9th June. Same as mine. Different year. Mine's '53. His is 1425.

Was it 53, Lorenzo?

Yes.

-Yes, it was 53.

-He changed it to YOUR birthday?

-Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

If I key in the wrong code...

One last look?

-It's magic.

-There's no such thing, Lorenzo.

It is best some things remain a mystery, even to you.

Maybe.

-Grazie.

-What for?

-Not telling Lorenzo.

-Not telling Lorenzo what?

-You know what.

-No. What?

-Have your fun. I suppose you want me to say it.

-Say what?

It was me. I took it.

-But it wasn't me that pushed Lorenzo.

-I know.

So who was it?

Nobody. Nobody important.

-Same old Mach, cards close to your chest.

-Maybe I'll tell you.

One day.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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