Episode 5: Fodor's Guide to Rome, Chapter 1

Rome, Italy's modern capital, as well as an ancient city rich in history and mythology. According to legend, Rome was founded by twin brothers, Romulus and Remus in seven point fifty three BC. They were sons of a human mother and the god of war Mars. After their birth, the king of the mythical city of Albelanga ordered them killed. Worried they would usurp his throne. They were placed in a basket and put into the Tiber River, left to

Excuse me, sir, can I get you to rifil?

Excuse me?

Would you like another drink?

Ah?

No, thank you, and you miss I'm fine, Thank you. Do you know how much longer till we land?

About an hour?

Thank you? I think I'll take the opportunity to use the restroom.

Rebecca.

Hey there, God, it really is nicer up here. I've got an Italian guy and coach proposing to me over peanuts.

Blasto will be back any moment.

Oh, I know, I saw her get up. Just wanted to hand you this.

What is it?

Another single play record for Martin with details on the mission. Give it a listen, all right, back to my honey roasted fiancee, see you when we land.

Hello, Jean, Before the start of your mission, I wanted to give you some more background and Operation Gladio after World War two, the CIA and NATO decided to create clandestine stay behind paramilitary operations with the official aim of countering a possible Soviet invasion through sabotage and guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. Arms caches were hidden, escape routes prepared,

Oh, it's nothing, just a music device Charles gave me back in London. But I think it's broken though, let me see.

I'm not sure enough to make your ears bleed.

Right, of course, it must be broken. Nothing to worry about, ladies and gentlemen.

We are beginning our descent in ta Roma International Airport. The local time is twelve oh five and the temperature is about me twenty five degrees celsius. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened for the remainder of the flight. And thank you for flying Ali Dahlia. It has been a pleasure having you on board.

Do you know where we are staying?

Martin booked us at the Hassler.

Really, I've always dreamed of staying there.

I know this corporate lifestyle does have its perks.

I'll say I can wait to walk out of the hotel and down the Spanish steps like Audrey Hepburn in Roman.

Holiday, only you're even more gorgeous.

Well, who needs Gregory Peck when I have my own Euromeo.

The legendary hotel Hassler was established in eighteen ninety three and it occupies the most sought after location in Rome, right on top of the Spanish Steps. It offers breathtaking views not only from its Michelin starred restaurant, which was the first panoramic restaurant built in Rome, but also from many of the hotel's eighty seven rooms and suites. During World War Two, Mussolini changed its name to Villa Medici until the US Air Force requisitioned it as their headquarters

Ben, Welcome to the Hastra. Here's your room gate. And here's a package that arrived for you.

Sir, Thank you.

What is it?

It's a list of sites Martin wants us to cover. And here this book sample is for you. I believe.

Oh the galleys for Monte Carlo. Oh no, they used the wrong paper stock.

I need to call the printer immediately before they start running the press.

Why don't you go upstairs and make the call. Get settled in. I told Rebecca I'd meet her in the piazza, so we can go get a start on this list.

Sounds good.

I see you later, Choo Belda.

The Villa Borghese Gardens are located on the Pinchin Hill, close to the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo. The gardens cover an area of eighty hectors and were developed in sixteen oh six by Cardinal shit Bione Borghese, who wanted to turn his former vineyard into the most extensive gardens built in Rome. In the same period, the cardinal commissioned the architect Flamigno Ponzio to build the Villa Borghese Pinciana. Today, this elegant building houses the Gallaria Borghese.

Nice day.

Huh yeah, not a bad place for an afternoon stroll. One of my favorite places in Rome.

Glad you like it, But it was actually the choice of our contact. We're meeting him here too. Martin mentioned you'll remember him from your past.

Really another blast from the past.

Yep, there he is now the.

Priest you sure, Esquezzi.

See you must be Rebecca.

Leo Choo, Eugene.

It's so good to see you again.

You too, I just didn't recognize you.

Dressed to be different than last time we met.

No, I'd say you've traded a band a leer for a callar.

It seems when I last saw Jean, I was still fighting for the Italian Resistance and i'd yet to take my vows. I know my past life'time was a bit different.

Different, Rebecca. This man could outfight an out party anyone I've ever met. Back when I used to deliver weapons and intel for the OSS to the Italian Resistance, Leo was my contact, and every time Leo and I met we each brought a bottle of wine and guess what.

We'd always finished both.

It was a different time.

Leo was the last person I thought it would become a Catholic priest. But it's great to see you found a new cause. What prompted the career change?

Honestly, after the war I was lost. All I'd seen and done nothing made sense anymore, and I didn't know where to go. First, I searched for answers at the bottom of a bottle and in all of the wrong places. But then I found God and committed myself to the cloth.

That is quite a change.

But Leo, if you've put all that behind you, what are you doing here?

While I am committed to God, I never stopped being committed to the cause I was previously pledged to.

Father Leo has been a valued asset of the CIA for years.

Being a priest in espionage has its advantages. I know everyone, and they tell me all of their secrets.

Father Leo's also been a part of Operation Gladio, acting is the keeper of a hidden cash of weapons. In case the Soviets ever.

Attack, I'd have to take off my robes and officially rejoin the resistance. Of course, but I agreed to be part of Operation Gladio and will not go back on that promise.

Yes, I shouldn't be surprised by your loyalty, just that a priest is spying for the CIA.

You forget, Gene. The Vatican and the CIA share a common enemy, Communism in the Soviets. We are committed to defeating both.

Of course you are, and that's the reason for our meeting. There's been a series of recent bomb attacks from the Soviet sponsored Red Brigade. They're far left Marxist Leninist terrorist organization with ties to Moscow.

These bombings have been in public places, raising tensions and forcing government crackdowns. Things are getting ugly.

And what about the weapons cash from Claudia? Have they been compromised?

My secret is safe and secure. I haven't told his soul and won't even reveal it to you, Gene, as much as I trust you, But I cannot speak to the other depotshden throughout the city.

Who was that sounded like a bomb? It came from the direction of the coliseum.

Paternoster, dear God, not another one.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the Emperor of Vespasian in seventy two a d and was completed eight years later under his successor and heir Titus. It was the largest amphitheater ever built and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world. It rests in Rome's city center and could hold up to eighty thousand spectators, who flocked to it to watch gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, including animal hunts, executions, reenactments of famous battles, and dramas based

Genie, stay back. They've cordoned off the whole area. Looks like a carbomb and police officers were injured. They just put one in the ambulance and already have forensics working the scene.

How do we find out what happened?

I'll find out. See the detective by the fire truck. I baptized him twenty five years ago and I haven't seen him in church in months. He's going to squeal Akechingali on his spit.

He'll be right back.

It certainly pays to be a priest in Rome.

Amen to that.

The thing I find confusing. There's nothing subtle about this attack. The Coloseum is about as high profile as it gets, and.

An attack overtly on the police no less, it's a statement. It's going to create a firestorm. The government will respond with force.

Things will get ugly, just as I suspected.

He confirmed it was a premeditated attack on the carabinieri.

How do they know it was premeditated?

They received an anonymous phone call about a suspicious vehicle park near the Colosseum. Five officers arrived to an investigate. When one officer opened the trunk, a bomb exploding, killing three of them and wounding the two others.

Do they have any suspects No.

No one has claimed responsibility yet, but all signs point to the pcate Rose, the Red Brigade.

It does match their recent activity, but usually they're the first to say they did it.

It's probably only a matter of time. The detective did mention that forensics confirmed that the bomb material matches the dynamite signature of an attack. The Red Brigade proudly perpetrated on a tire factory a month ago.

A dynamite attack really.

Looks like one to me. You don't agree, No, I.

Know blast patterns. The CIA teaches demolitions at the farm. This looks like a directional blast to me. See how the rest of the car is still intact. That's not dynamite, you know.

I think you are right. I blew up many bridges during the war, and frankly, this looks far too stategic a dynamite donation.

It must be four C four, a new type of plastic explosive military grade and very very rare.

Then where would they get it?

We could find out each explosion has its own chemical signature, like a fingerprint, which I bet these officers don't know to look for. If I could just get some residue from the car, I could run a test LEO.

Any chance you presided over the police chief's wedding and can call in a favor.

Sadley, He is an atheist.

Okay, I have an idea. Just follow my lead.

Ah me, ah, got it, get it up.

My apologies, officer. My sister's boyfriend was one of the officers. She's just a stare.

He's a crimacy and she is a nothing evidence.

I understand this is her priest. We will make sure she gets the proper counsel.

Remove her immediately.

Of course, of course, officeer me squoozy for the getagans, my dear, please quote me.

Ah, what the hell was that?

Italians are passionate people. I thought they might understand.

Did you get what you need?

Yes?

My nail file scraped off a good sample of the bomb residue. I have a test cape back at the hotel. I'll go and run a sample.

Now, Bennie, Bennie. It's a bad time for evening prayers. I must return to the church, but please let me know what you find.

I'll go back to our hotel while we wait for the results. Lello, it's great to see you again after all this time. Sorry, we're back in the thick of it.

We are strong.

As long as we are all together.

I'll call as soon as I have something.

Erb deerci.

Gelato may bee the Italian word for ice cream, but really it is so much more. Every piazza in Italy's main cities, every small town square, many a street corner is home to a local gelateria, where a colorful variety

Jean Darling.

Your cone is dripping. Oh oh, I could eat gelato every day. I love Rome, the fashion, the food, history, the romance. Of course, my dear, While I'm looking forward to our new offices, I sure will miss this.

We'll still travel plenty. We'll just get to be more selective about where and when.

As long as we're staying at the Hustler, I'll come to Rome any time.

I'll be sure to let Martin know.

Speaking of I should probably get back to our room.

I need to finish proofing the galley.

Let's say back then. The travel guid business never sleeps. By the way, are you happy with Rebecca's photos so far?

I almost hate to admit it, but she does this great work. I'm just still getting used to not pressing the button.

But at least you get final decision, just like with me.

Hmm.

My ownership has its benefits.

Welcome back to the house or missus voldor.

Thank you Geen?

Are you going to come up?

I'll meet you later. I need to check my messages and catch.

Up with Rebecca, all right, see you for dinner.

Somewhere with candlelight and pasta.

You know where to find me, my.

Love, excusie.

Maybe you have service, mister fold?

Yes? Do I have any messages?

One from a miss Rebecca Ralstan. She asked you to give her a call at her hotel.

Of course.

Where are the phone booths down that haul on the left, Cratsia.

Bronto fifty one please.

Un momento.

Hello, it's Jeane. I got your message. What did you find?

It turns out I was right. The resident was from a plastic explosive, not dynamite.

What does this mean for the mission?

Well, it limits where they could get it. But if this was US military grade from an Operation Gladio weapons cache, we need to know.

Sounds like Father Leon needs to do some confessing of his own and fast.

If we can find out the location of his weapons cache, I can verify if it's been compromised or.

If he has been Not Leo, he's as loyal as they come. I'll talk to him.

He'll still be at his church. Santa Maria Maggiore.

I'm on my way. I'll call you after. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned it.

Jane, is that you I never pictured you as a religious type.

I'm not, but I've had a lot on my mind lately.

Well, unburden yourself to me.

I guess I feel my lies are racking up. In particular, I feel awful betraying Vlosta's trust. Our relationship has always been built on honesty and keeping secrets from her ways on me?

Then why do it?

Because I feel it's the only way to keep her safe. I agree to work on these missions, to work with the CIA, but she didn't. I would hate to force her into something she didn't want to be a part of, something that could be dangerous. I'm scared telling her the truth could risk our marriage, even Vlosta's life. Am I being smart or selfish?

I don't know.

It's twisting me in knots.

Lying is a sin, Gene, But protecting the ones we love well, there is nothing more sacred. So you must think long and hard about what is at stake on each side, and ultimately listen to your heart. So do not operate from fear, but from love.

I suppose you're right. We all do this out of love of something greater, don't we? If not, why take such risks? I suppose? And sometimes the rules are not so black and white.

They rarely are.

Gene, Father, I need you to tell me the location of your weapons.

Cash No, no, no, no, this is impossible.

I understand you took an oath to keep it secret, but your goal is to keep the citizens of this city safe first and foremost. It's as you said, we must think about what is at stake on each side. Rebecca just called and said the explosion was caused by military c four. Now we must see if it was stolen from your depot. If we don't, more lives will be lost. Search your heart, Leo, you know what must be done.

Fine, say seven, heil Mary's tonight, Jean as an act of contrition, and I'll meet you and Rebecca on Appian Way in an hour.

Thank you, father. Amen. Appian Way or Via Appia is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the Ancient Republic. It was the first long road, built in three twelve BC in order to transport troops and military supplies for Rome's conquest of southern Italy. By the late Republic, the Romans had expanded over most of

It's so majestic out here. But where do you hide a weapons depot in all this land?

No clue? Maybe a barn or a farmhouse. Nice day for a school. No, we were just saying how beautiful it is, But where do you hide a weapons cash out here? One of these barns or sheds.

You are looking in the wrong place, you see, it is not hidden above ground but below where just ahead? And we're going to need these flashlights.

Ah, of course, the catacomb of Callixtus. You actually hid the weapons in there.

Very good Gene. I shouldn't be surprised. You would be the one to figured it out. After the war. I decided it would be the best place to keep the weapons secret and safe. And of course, no nosy neighbors would say a word catacombs.

Do you mean like an underground graveyard? No, you would not catch me dead in there.

Well, actually, if you were in there, dead is exactly what you would be.

They estimate over half a million are buried inside the catacombs.

Good, then they don't need to add.

Another you'll be fine, I promise, it's actually quite fascinating.

Fascinating, right, Martin is gonna owe me for this one.

All right, stay close and follow me. It's a long walk.

The Catacomb of Saint Calixtus is the largest of Rome, covering over twelve miles, and is believed to have been created by future Pope Callixtus, the First, then a deacon of Rome, though Callixtus himself was later entombed in the Catacomb of Calipodius on the Aurelian Way. The Catacomb of Callixtus is most notable for containing the Crypt of the Popes, which once contained the tombs of several popes from the

Right, we have arrived.

This is the Crypt of Saint Cecilia. You hid the weapons in there.

Don't worry.

Pope Pascalda first removed these relics in eight twenty one. Now it only holds relics of the modern age.

Oh my goodness, what the luck has been opened?

Someone must have broken in since I checked on it last.

Whoa, it still looks pretty full.

Jesus, Sorry, father, but this is a freaking arsenal. Guns, bombs, ammo, communication equipment, everything you'd need to arm and run a gorilla army.

The explosives are stored over here.

Were these boxes always open?

No?

No, in this empty space here used to be filled with weapons. I need to take a new inventory. I can compare it with me manifest and tell you exactly what has been stolen.

If these weapons got into the wrong hands, a lot of damage could be done.

Father. Can I take a sample of the sea four to compare to the sample from the car bomb?

Of course, but be careful with it.

Well, actually, plastic explosives are safe without a detonator. But I need to hurry back to run the test.

Which is the fastest way out, Leah, Why don't you show Rebecca the way and I'll get ahead. Start with the manifest. Remember when I used to catalog the inventory during our weapons exchanges back in the old days.

Oh, I remember you headed down to the bullet always pissed me off. The manifest is hid me in the drawer. Here, you get started and I'll return shortly.

Thank you, le all. We appreciate your help.

The load works in mysterious way.

Gene. I'll call you at the hotel as soon as I have a match.

Be safe. Okay, let's see what we got. Twelve crates of M fourteen's check. Wow, eight crates of grenades, ten thousand and thirty calendar rounds. Good lord, Leo, is that you all right? It looks like everything is accounted for except four crates of machine guns, some ammunition and the C four. Unfortunately quite a bit of C four Leo Gondolaikas. Who's there?

Shit?

Oh hey, I guess I took a wrong turn somewhere. I was just looking for the exit to the catacombs. Who are you names, Gene? Just an American two taking in the sites. Sorry to interrupt, I'll just be leaving Freeze Americana stament. This is all just a mistake. I'm just a stupid tourist that got lost where you shouldn't let me If you just let me get back to my vacation. I promised to never say a word.

Sorry, Americano, No more Roman Holiday for you.

Phodor's Guide to Espionage is created by Lars Jacobson, written by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jagulain, and directed by Sabrina Jagulin, Produced by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jaguline, and executive produced