Mazzarella is particularly enthused about the Martian. He deduces that Martian girls are surely better than Spanish girls, and maybe even better than American ones. He hopes the Martian has brought the poetic texts of Martian literature with him.

October 13 – The Martian was received by the President of the Republic, last night. Around 2 a.m. Via Veneto was swarming with people like on a Sunday morning. Small groups were forming around the fortunate ones who saw the Martian up close. It seems that the Martian knows our economic, social and political situation well. He is a man of simple, but polite ways. He does not offer many explanations, and he requests none. When they asked him why he chose Rome in particular for his visit, he smiled subtly. It also seems that he will stay in Rome for quite some time, maybe six months. Around two-thirty I met Mario Pannunzio with the usual group from Il Mondo. They spoke of the Martian, but with a certain scepticism which surprised me. ‘There still is no official news –’ said Sandro De Feo ‘– the communiqué has been disproved.’ To which Pannunzio added: ‘I won’t believe it even if I see him.’

At three the special editions of the newspapers, forbidden by the authorities up to that point for reasons of public safety, were made available. The Martian is called Koont. He has peaceful intentions, even though, he claims, other spaceships are cruising the stratosphere. The voyage from Mars to earth lasts no longer than three days. There is no information on the exchanges taking place between the Martian and the authorities. This is all. While returning home I stopped to read a poster for a political party, full of insults for another party. Suddenly everything seemed ridiculous to me. I felt the need to scream. I believe in the Martian, and I especially believe in his good faith! I was deranged. And who do I run into? The old man who looks after the cars on Via Sicilia, the one with the hat that says Journaux Suisses. I gave him all the money I had on me, not much, I kissed his hands, begging him to forgive me, like a good Christian. The scene did not appear at all strange to two or three people who witnessed it and hurried to give the old man money. At home I collapsed on the bed and fell asleep all of a sudden, happy and weightless as a child. Great and terrible days are to come.

October 14 – The authorities had the spaceship fenced off, and from now on one will be able to see it upon payment of a fee to certain Catholic charity services. The Martian gave his approval. The fee was fixed at one hundred lire, to allow even people of modest means to see the spaceship. Nevertheless, injured veterans, officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, card-carrying members of the press can enter for free. Members of ENAL, schools and large groups can obtain a discount.