The sound of water flowing from the taps mixed with the metallic clinks of cutlery and plates, creating a chaotic symphony that filled the back of the kitchen at Vicenzaoro. Giulia, with her blue-dyed hair and numerous tattoos telling stories of rebellion and passion, was immersed in her work as a dishwasher, surrounded by a cloud of steam and soap. Her hands, accustomed to scraping off the traces of a day of events, moved nimbly among the plates, while in her mind she ruminated on Nietzsche's theories and the existential questions that tormented her.
A particularly caked plate caught her attention. As she scrubbed it energetically, a glimmer caught her eye. She stopped, discovering a flat band in 18-karat gold, shiny and perfect, with a blue diamond set in the center. The kitchen light reflected off the jewel, creating a play of colors that fascinated her. Giulia felt almost in a trance, her heart racing as she lifted it between her fingers. A thought crossed her mind: who could have lost it? It must be expensive, a luxury item in that context of refined elegance.
“Hey, Giulia! What do you have there?” Marco interrupted her, a colleague who never missed an opportunity to create tension. His voice was laden with suspicion as he approached, his eyes fixed on the ring.
Giulia tried to explain, but her voice got lost in the kitchen’s din. “I found it among the plates; I want to return it...”
But Marco, with a swift gesture, snatched the jewel from her hands. “Don’t try to make me believe it’s yours. You’ve always been a good-for-nothing. This is valuable stuff, and you...”
The restaurant security was already on the move. Giulia felt her heart break. Not just for the ring, but for the conviction that Marco was trying to impose on her. She was tired of being labeled, tired of having to defend her dignity in a world that seemed to ignore her existence.
As the security agents approached, Giulia lifted her head, trying to remain calm. “I haven’t stolen anything! I found it!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling but firm. At that moment, however, it wasn't just the ring that worried her. It was the weight of expectations, of injustices, of a life that seemed always at odds with her dreams.
Yet, amid the noise and fear, a thought flashed through her mind: what would happen if she could claim not just the jewel, but also the right to be who she was?
