A catalyst is a rather particular chemical substance.
It takes part in a reaction but without becoming transformed by it.
In actual fact, it induces a different pathway.
It causes the reactants to come together and follow unexpected orbits
with the result that a reaction which would be impossible from a kinetic point of view on an infinite time scale
now becomes possible and actually occurs.
CHAIN REACTIONS
The catalyst
Well, see how pretty she is?
And not just pretty, she's got two master's degrees in economics
and even if she's not even 40 yet, she's already...
Are you listening to me?
Yeah, yeah, Mum. She's perfect: beautiful, intelligent, rich.
They're all like that, the girls you introduce me to.
Well, I'm sorry, I'm sure. Next time I'll try and find one who is ugly, stupid and dressed in rags.
I'd like to find her myself, actually, but you just don't get that, do you?
No, I really don't understand you and your sister at all...
Someone's at the door. I'll go.
- Vicky, your house is magnificent. - Yes, thank you...
Here you are. About time. I was just getting ready to throttle her.
I see you're all here then.
Yes, I had to bring them. They're capable of anything left on their own.
I hope they won't get up to something here as well.
Are you joking? It'll be a hoot.
and Auntie will be really pleased to see you both. Why don't you go over and say hi?
This marriage stuff is a pain in the arse.
You can count yourself lucky it's against the law for you lot.
So who's the lucky girl this time?
That one over there.
A high-flying top manager, no less.
What is it? Do you know each other?
No, No. Never seen her before.
Why?
Dunno, just seemed like it.
Can you do Balada by Gusttavo Lima?
Well, no, actually.
What about Turn Me On by David Guetta?
No.
Ok, forget it. This lot know fuck all about music.
Anyway, if you ask me, you're not being upfront.
Maybe she knows you, seeing how she keeps looking at you.
It's all in your mind. She's not looking at me at all.
She can't take her eyes off you, I'm telling you.
You're a hit, little sister.
Will you stop it? You've been drinking.
And anyway, what's someone like her got to do with me?
Don't believe me?
Ok. Game on.
- No, not Game on, no! Mum will see... - No excuses.
Ok, these are the rules:
every time Miss Career Girl looks at you, I'll scratch my arse
and you drink a shot.
Alessia, darling, are you leaving already?
Yes, I'm afraid so. It's very late and I still have some work to do.
And tomorrow my schedule is packed solid.
I do hope you're not leaving because of my children.
They don't usually behave like this.
No, not at all. It's been a lovely evening
and your children are such... such characters.
And my mother hasn't even told you about the most characteristic part of me.
I've just made myself look like a king-size arsehole.
Cheers!
Olga! Wakey wakey, Sleeping Beauty!
Skarymovie...
Yes, coffee please...
What d'you mean? I don't get you.
You're talking a lot this morning. You're making my head explode.
[speaking with thick Russian accent] Silvia, I thinking you dead.
And a good morning to you too, Olga.
Well, seeing you alive, you call Mrs Vittoria right away.
Why? Is it some sort of Soviet punishment for drinking too much?
You funny lady.
You need it because mother is really bad mood.
Is saying yesterday you very bad behaviour.
Is saying you one super-size bottom hole.
Is saying you must calling nice capitalist girl and excusing.
Here is number.
She saying right now.
Hello.
Morning. Does Skem... Skemmy Logiudice live here?
I'm the aerial fitter.
Hello. Who's calling? Hello?
All of us are waiting for something in life:
a pay rise
the bus at the bus-stop, the summer holidays
the sales to get those shoes
Saturday for the big shop at the supermarket
Sunday lunch
our turn when we're in the waiting room
we wait for our dreams to come true
and that particular song which gets us up and dancing
and perhaps, basically, that's the whole secret.
Just knowing how to wait.