ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE

January 13th - Murder on Television

Friday, January 13th. I'm not superstitious, but they say it's a lucky day. Who knows what kind of luck might bless me today. After just twelve days into this new year, I'm becoming more convinced it's going to be my breakthrough year. Love? Work? Luck? I only need to ask Joel to read my cards and predict my future. But I already know his answer: "Giorgio, we can't intervene in the future if we don't improve the past, and consequently, the present." All the adventures I've had so far this year have surely changed the current present, if not for me, certainly for the people involved. But maybe my present has also changed. If I hadn't thought of writing a diary, I would never have discovered such a fascinating world as that of investigation. Maybe I wouldn't even have met Lucrezia. I still think about the dream I had yesterday, and in my heart, I really hope it can come true. Reality. There it is again: reality. Joel says he's real. I think the diary is all fantasy. Yet, on the wedding day, the one who poured my champagne was him, I'm sure of it. But if Joel is real, why then do we have to live in the virtual world within the diary? Maybe because the diary is a time machine for the past, and without it, we couldn't intervene? Who solves the cases that happen every day? Maybe a future Detective De Giorgi? It's so nice to fantasize and forget that at forty, to live, you also have to earn your daily bread. With this final thought, while I'm combing my hair, I get ready to live a fantastic, hopefully, Friday the 13th.

8:00 AM – I go down to the street to get the car and head to work. I quickly discover this isn't a lucky day for me. Someone had the brilliant idea to puncture all the tires of the parked cars. "Just great." I call the restaurant and let them know I'll be late since I need to get to the station or hope for someone—maybe Lucrezia—to coincidentally give me a ride to Turin.

8:30 AM – I arrive at the train station. As usual, the train from Milan is running about fifteen minutes late. I move closer to the platform, hoping to get on the carriage and find a seat.

8:50 AM – The train is cancelled due to technical problems with the electrical line. "And now what do I do? Should I try calling Lucrezia?" I take my phone and realize it's off. The battery didn't charge overnight. "Well, isn't that perfect?" I say aloud. Everyone looks at me strangely. Maybe Friday the 13th isn't so lucky after all. I go back home. I call the restaurant again, this time on my landline, to explain my absence. Meanwhile, it's started raining outside. "It hasn't rained in months, and it just had to start today? I'm scared to see what the diary has in store for me now." Meanwhile, I walk to Lucrezia's place because I haven't written her number anywhere and don't remember it.

9:20 AM – I ring Lucrezia's doorbell. No answer. Drenched, I head back home and jump in the shower to warm my freezing body.

10:00 AM – I try calling my sister. No answer. THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT DAY. – I call the restaurant again. "Hello, 'The Round Table' restaurant." "Hi, Anna. It's Giorgio again. Look, I've had all sorts of things happen to me today. I really can't make it to Turin." "What?! It's only 10:00. Giorgio, get your butt in gear and stop making excuses," says Anna, the owner, angrily. "They're not excuses; someone slashed all four of my tires. I went to the station, and the train was cancelled due to a technical issue, and they don't know when it will be fixed." "Giorgio. Lately, you've been very distracted and always late. Either you're here at the restaurant by 12:30, or look for another job," she hangs up. I'm left speechless.

11:00 AM – The house phone rings. It's my sister. "Hi, Giorgio. What happened? I was worried, seeing all those missed calls from you. I also texted you on WhatsApp to let you know I was getting some tests done." "Sorry, Laura, my cell phone is dead," I say, annoyed. "Well... but if you're home, couldn't you put it on charge?" "Yes, you're right." Mentally, I call myself an idiot because, with everything that's happened, I hadn't thought to do the most obvious thing in the world. "Hey, do you think you could give me a ride to Turin?" "No, sorry, I'm already at Molinette Hospital. If you'd told me earlier, we could have gone together." "No problem. Thanks anyway." I hang up the receiver, "If you'd told me earlier. Of course, because I'm a psychic who foresees that someone will slash my tires and trains won't run. I can only manage the past, not the future," I shout into the phone to vent my frustration. I plug in my cell phone. It turns on. I open WhatsApp and see a message from Lucrezia. "Hi, Giorgio. I need to go to Turin today. Would you like a ride?" The message was sent at 7:30. "This can't be happening!" I yell in frustration. I reply to Lucrezia's message.