Italian science

"One step closer and I'll touch off these sticks of dynamite. Blow us all to Kingdom-come!"

"Vincent this is an important experiment. Why can't you be serious?", asked Nunzio.

"I dunno. I thought it would be funny I guess."

"Well it's not."

Nunzio had been doing all the work and to hear Vincent cracking those jokes was becoming unbearable.

"Vincent why don't you grab the rest of the gear? I'll be done here soon enough."

"Okay Nunzio."

Vincent was not the brightest light of the Industrial Revolution, but he was family and Nunzio figured that counted for something... barely. Vincent went into the adjoining room to sift through the piles of equipment for the necessary items.

"Nunzio", he yelled, "Did you want the double-breasted leather jackets or the regular ones?"

"Vincent we've been through all this. You know the double-breasted jackets are not in style, so why do you ask?"

"Cause I like them", Vincent yelled back.

"I'll tell you what", said Nunzio. "If you grab the button-down jackets I'll let you pick out the headgear."

"Deal!"

A few minutes later the wire stripping was complete. Nunzio could hear Vincent opening, closing, and rummaging through boxes. By the time he began attaching wires to the battery posts the noises had ceased. He looked up as Vincent came back in the room carrying several jackets over one arm and two hat boxes in the other.

"What headgear did you choose Vincent?"

"I found these at the very bottom of the pile", he said.

He opened the box and in triumph held aloft an exceedingly ugly, metal helmet.

"Oh Christ! Not those Vincent. They were at the bottom of the pile because I hate them! It's French crap that even they didn't want."

"You said I could pick the headgear."

"NO!"

Vincent said nothing, but had a sullen look on his face. Nunzio had seen that look before and knew that he had to give in. After all he did say Vincent could pick the headgear.

"Oh all right. We'll wear the helmets."

Immediately Vincent brightened and began fastening the chin strap on his helmet. His helmet also had a black leather faceguard with smoked goggles.

There was a knock on the door as Nunzio put on the jacket and helmet. It was Moretti, the photographer from the newspaper.

"Hello gentlemen. Are you ready for your portrait?"

Knowing how silly he looked, Nunzio sighed in resignation.

"Yes Moretti I suppose we are."

Nunzio looked at Vincent and was slightly envious that his face was completely obscured.

"Nice helmets", snickered Moretti.

"One step closer and I'll touch off these sticks of dynamite. Blow us all to Kingdom-come!", Vincent replied.

"If only", thought the embarrassed Nunzio.