6. Gelato

Gelato is the weakest episode in Gunslinger Girl.  Rather than force analysis where none is warranted, I will be focusing on the scenes that convey the important elements of the episode.

Picture album.

[Enrico Perdini, part of the Republican Faction, has tried to bomb the Rome subway system, but failed due to the amateurish construction of his device.  Jose and Henrietta have been called in by an investigator with the police named Enzo.  The latter is convinced that the botched attempt was in part a provocation to the professional bomb makers who are responsible for the devices used in many other attacks, and whom he suspects will become involved soon.]

Eavesdropping

Having tracked Perdini to an upscale restaurant, the three sit at a table across the room.  Utilizing Henrietta's superior hearing they are able to listen in on his conversation, learning of how he is maneuvering and even changing his stripes in order to secure funding for his acts of terror.  An idealist of convenience.  However, he does not divulge his current plans, or give hints to the elusive bomb makers, leaving them none the wiser.


Hearing what Henrietta reports, Enzo delves into the intricacies of Perdini's history and the politics surrounding it.  Henrietta listens intently, not entirely following the details but happy that she has been able to deliver a useful report.  Naturally, she turns to Jose to receive praise for her good work, only to be surprised by a look of intense hatred on his face as he stares at Perdini:

"When the time comes, you shall punish them, Henrietta."

This is a new part of Jose that has not been seen before, an ugly emphasis on harming these men for what they have done.  He was not even listening to Enzo; Perdini's existence alone is enough personal justification for striking him down.  So focused is he on this vengeance that he fails to notice Henrietta's disappointment.

A Moped Built for Two

Having assigned a tail to Perdini, the aforementioned trio walk to a government compound.  Looking up, Henrietta notices a couple on a moped driving by.  At first it is with simple curiosity, but as she realizes how happy the two are riding together she becomes transfixed, her eyes glistening with desire.  Hungry for examples of romantic relationships, and finding a dearth of them at the agency, she must resort to scavenging glimpses at a distance.


Before the two men notice her absentmindedness, Henrietta meekly catches up to listen as Enzo describes the situation.  The police intend to strike when Perdini meets with the bomb makers, as it is important that they get the source of the weapons:

Enzo: "Incidentally, will one fratello really be enough?"

Hearing this, Henrietta's expression shifts from bland interest to peevish irritation.  She does not like this suggestion, and her opinion of him has fallen as a result.

Jose: "I'll call HQ and try getting a few fratellos before tonight."

Hearing this confirmation, Henrietta becomes completely downcast.  It was an affront that Enzo mentioned it, but hearing the same from Jose has an entirely different meaning.  Is she alone not good enough for him?  She is so distracted that when the two men pause she keeps walking, deep in thought, prompting Enzo to tousle her hair:

"Jose doesn't think you're unreliable.  If you and the backup from HQ take care of things smoothly, he'll give you a reward." 

As Enzo says this Jose smiles; he likes hearing her spoken to as a normal little girl, with the tacit recognition that he is treating her well, even as Henrietta evidences distress at being handled this way.  On pulling his hand back, Enzo is surprised at the smell clinging to it:

Enzo: "What's this?  Perfume?"
(Henrietta continues to rub her head where he touched her)
Jose: "I suppose I buy her too much.  But the things I get her are sort of like her salary."
Enzo: "Well, kids are most adorable at around this age... I can understand buying her stuff."

With this last statement Henrietta is seen to be unhappily blushing.  This whole conversation has made her quite displeased.  Wearing perfume, reading Vogue... Henrietta's dream isn't to be Jose's daughter or child admirer.  She wants to be his adult woman partner, and has come to view herself as such.


In this light, Enzo's treatment is both demeaning and invasive.  Another man stroking her hair is inappropriate; that is Jose's domain.  Similarly, being patted and offered rewards is for children, and she would never want it misunderstood that she serves the man she loves out of compensation.  Her face indignantly says she would most prefer it if Enzo didn't do either of these things again.


But the ultimate humiliation is Jose's response.  It is exactly what she doesn't want to hear: him concurring she is a cute little girl that he just likes to dote on.  It tramples on the fond moped fantasy she was just cherishing, leaving her particularly upset, wondering what she can possibly do to get him to treat her that way.

Proving Them Wrong

Having reached their destination the conversation concludes.  Henrietta stops for a moment to read the nameplate (La Verita - "The Truth") quizzically, causing her to separate from the two men.  As she moves to quickly catch up she is intercepted by one of the guards standing in the entryway:

Guard: "This is where they print the government newspaper.  It's no place for children."
Head of security: "It's alright, she's that girl.  I've got confirmation.  Take them in." (Despirited)

Overridden, the guard slumps his shoulders and follows orders.  How galling for all these men to know that the outside help is composed of a little girl who is apparently capable of achieving what they cannot.  Throughout the encounter, even as the sentry towered over her, Henrietta confidently retained her demure pose.


Once they are inside, Enzo apologies for the behavior of his compatriots.  Henrietta brushes it off:

"I'm used to it." (Calmly)

There is more than a little self-satisfaction in her statement.  She may appear a little girl, causing people to be confused, but she gets to go places that only adults are allowed.  And look how maturely she handled it!  A feather in her cap for being a woman for Jose.


The victory is short-lived, however, as Jose turns to a portable radio on the desk to contact headquarters:

"Jean? Pattern B."

During the exchange, Henrietta unhappily attaches a brass catcher to her weapon.  It is a galling reminder: she slipped and fell on the casings during training and now requires an aid to keep serving.  She may be a special girl, but she's not special enough to handle this alone...



[Perdini manages to lose Enzo's tails.  In the process, however, he is sighted on the subway by Jean and Rico, who are now following him.]

How She Is Rewarded

The duo remain in their room as Jose confers with other members of Section Two over the phone.  Henrietta sits downcast on the bed, her unhappiness continually reinforced by Jose's coordination with the reinforcements.  This is more than petulance at not being trusted.  What if... what if the reason she isn't his innamorata is because she can't handle everything Jose requires?


So troubled, she does not notice when Enzo enters the room to deliver the bad news about Perdini shaking his shadows.  Jose promptly informs him back that Section Two is already on it.  Hearing what station Perdini got off at, Enzo is alarmed that it is near the national museum, a target he had earlier written off as a ruse:

Enzo: "I wonder what his real target is."
Jose: "Who knows.  At any rate, it won't matter after tonight." (Confident)

A disconcertingly calm response, one that is worrisome in its general disinterest.  The harm that Perdini may wreak is completely overshadowed by the prospect of vengeful "punishment."  Thinking of how it is to be accomplished he spares a glance for Henrietta, who is still pensive.  Enzo is less confident and quickly leaves the room to notify his men of the possibility.  Silence prevails after he leaves until Henrietta speaks up uncertainly:

Henrietta: "The backup... The backup is already here, isn't it?" (Desultory)
Jose: "Yes.  I called for Rico and Triela.  We've planned for multiple contingencies." (Smiling)

With this explanation, Jose stares for a moment in pleasant imagination of what is to come.  His mood is high knowing that Perdini will pay soon, emboldened that the full force will be there to ensure success.  Unwilling to dampen his own spirit, he blithely tries to press past Henrietta's disquiet.  He's happy so why isn't she?


Having finished speaking, Jose turns back to his work.  Henrietta stares for a moment longer, waiting for more.  Realizing that no words of support are forthcoming her head unhappily falls with a barely audible exhalation.  Jose continues:

"It'll be a while until we find where they're hiding.  Take a nap while you decide what you want for your reward."

Jose isn't taking her disquietude seriously.  This pattern has been seen before, but now worryingly it is consciously employed; he doesn't want to deal with her emotional upset directly and so simply ignores it.  Pretend she's just tired.  Using the excuse that she is thinking of how she is to be rewarded for her hard work, he is sparing himself the continued reminder by prompting her into being quiescent.


Henrietta obediently gets under the sheets.  Checking to see that she had done as he "asked," Jose smiles in satisfaction.  But he is not given peace for long:

"Actually, I already know what I want."

Henrietta is blushing deeply, her eyes glistening once again.  Relishing the thought, and mischievously keeping it from Jose, she pulls the covers up over her mouth and closes her eyes, as if to hide it from even herself.

The Conscientious Terrorists

Perdini has contracted the professional bomb makers, Franco and Franca, to purchase his next device.  His homebrewed attempt was a complete failure, forcing this line of action as Enzo anticipated.

However, from Franca's tone it is clear she has no patience in dealing with this man.  She attempts to warn Perdini that Rome is a dangerous place, being in the lap of "that agency," but he dismisses her, confident that he shook them and that his diversion is keeping them busy.


Unable to convince him otherwise, and having agreed on a delivery time, Franca hangs up:

Franco: "He's a lost cause."
Franca: "There's no cure for a fool.  It's an order from above, so we'll help him.  I'd prefer to have people like him gone, though."
Franco: "Where are they planting it?"
Franca: "That question gives me second thoughts about this."
Franco: "Should we hand it over?"
Franca: "Good question.  If they really are serious... then maybe we should give them a fake."

This is a curious duo.  They are engaged in terrorist activities, and have specialized in the production of the most indiscriminate type of weapon.  In compensation they, or at least Franca, have a strong personal code about when and where they will use their skills.  Rationalizing courses of action is not limited to only one side of this conflict.


[Section Two proficiently raids Perdini's hideout and captures him while preventing the bombing of the Spanish Steps.  Their haste to act, however, caused them to sacrifice apprehending Franco and Franca, who had not yet appeared for the hand-off.  Lethally rational methods applied to achieve irrational ends.]

Unwitting Boyfriend

Henrietta and Jose enjoy the Piazza di Spagna beneath the rescued Spanish Steps, she with gelato in hand:

Jose: "Are you sure a simple gelato is all you want?  Especially during the middle of winter?" (Grinning at her childishness)
Henrietta: "I'm sure.  There's a meaning behind gelato on the Spanish Steps."

Another source of romantic knowledge: Henrietta is referencing the movie Roman Holiday in which a sheltered princess falls in love with an American newsman, having met him on the Spanish Steps while eating gelato.  Her fantasy is all too obvious.  It wasn't the food she wanted, and she has now tricked Jose into giving her a piece of what she truly desired.


Before they walk much farther, the two unwittingly encounter Frano and Franca, with Henrietta nearly spilling her treat running into the older woman.

Franca: "Oh, my.  Are you okay?" (Friendly)
Henrietta: "Um... I'm sorry."
Franca: "I'm glad that your gelato is fine.  You came to the Spanish Steps after all."

Henrietta smiles at Franca's knowledge of the meaning.  It is good that another woman recognizes how important her victory here is.  As she continues to walk away with Jose, Franca stares after them:

"Pupa perfume and an Amati violin... She must be from a good high-class family.  I'm glad that fool Enrico was arrested.  It's girls like her that we Republicans are out to protect."

This is the curious blend that is Henrietta.  A normal girl to all appearances, placated by her nice possessions and the simplest of rewards, even in such unnatural circumstances.  It is sweet that she can be humored by the true adults.  But lying underneath is a sincere dream; Henrietta was not made happy by mere gelato.  A child yet, but one who will not be satisfied so easily.

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