The Giuseppe Verdi let out a mournful hoot as it moved towards the quay. An officer, standing on the deck only a couple of metres away from Pioppi, threw the rope to the Capitano, who caught it and looped it round a bollard. Both men spoke in dialect and Trotti saw the Capitano laugh.
The Giuseppe Verdi bumped against the old tyres and than a gangway was heaved into place.
Trotti got to his feet and he was helping his daughter towards the gangplank. The Capitano caught sight of Trotti.
Trotti shouted, 'Ciao, il marinaio.'
The Capitano replied, 'Ciao il Questurino,' and flashed his false teeth