꩜ The play opens in a police station office in Italy
꩜ The Maniac, a man who impersonates various professionals, is brought in for questioning
꩜ Inspector Bertozzo interrogates the Maniac, who has been caught impersonating a psychiatrist
꩜ The Maniac is clever, using wordplay and manipulation to confuse Bertozzo, and manages to evade direct answers
꩜ While Bertozzo steps out, the Maniac learns about a case involving an anarchist who supposedly "fell" from a window at the police station
Act 1 Scene 2
꩜ The Maniac decides to impersonate a judge to investigate the suspicious death of the anarchist
꩜ The Maniac, as "Judge," questions the officers about the anarchist’s death, making them uncomfortable and revealing inconsistencies in their story
꩜ Through satire, he exposes the officers' absurd and contradictory explanations for the anarchist’s fall, hinting at police misconduct
꩜ The scene ends with the officers nervously trying to explain away their actions, unaware the Maniac is mocking them
Act 2 Scene 1
꩜ The Maniac, still pretending to be a judge, continues to press the Superintendent and Inspector Pissani, deepening the parody of their questionable investigation
꩜ He reenacts the interrogation of the anarchist with the officers, using role-playing to highlight flaws in their handling of the case
꩜ A journalist, Maria Feletti, enters the scene, looking for answers on the anarchist's death
꩜ The Maniac manipulates the conversation to expose more police corruption, much to the dismay of the officers
Act 2 Scene 2
꩜ The Maniac's satire peaks as he escalates his questions, putting the officers in increasingly absurd and uncomfortable positions
꩜ He forces them to admit to absurd procedures, hinting at how they may have intimidated the anarchist or tampered with evidence
꩜ In a twist, the Maniac reveals his true identity and intentions, leaving everyone in the room shocked
꩜ The play ends with an ambiguous climax, challenging the audience to question who holds the truth and the consequences of unchecked authority