1960

D'Artagnan readdresses the question of his true family. At this point he has gathered a considerable amount of documentation. He files a lawsuit against his uncle, Carl Lombardi, asking for 50 million lireóan outrageous sum for that time. The announcement of the suit appears in the Messaggero of Rome on August 13, 1960: "Abandoned as a child, now he sues his Uncle." Only a few days earlier, D'Artagnan had filed a lawsuit against a director for denying him access to a photo shoot! This is only the beginning of a series of hundreds of lawsuits that D'Artagnan will file against anyone who had ever wronged him throughout the 60s and up to the mid 70s. This does not help him find works, the studios are annoyed. He does get some work doing short publicity spots for TV. In one of these, ironically, he plays Vincent van Gogh. He moves to a new place on Via S. Veniero, near the Vatican Museums. Draws squash forms and masks on discarded paper.

1961

His lawsuit against his uncle is going nowhere. On April 5, 1961, the Gazzettina di Venezia publishes D'Artagnan s entire story, including documents pertaining to the lawsiut aginst his uncle. Still no answer from the Lombardis. He finds work as master of ceremonies in restaurants, hotels, and vacation resorts along the coast south of Rome. On June 8, D'Artagnan diagnoses peritonitis in Pietro Gallina and rushes him to the hospital, saving the 13-year-old's life. D'Artagnan loses his latest love, Costanza, who marries another man.

1962

D'Artagnan is indicted for slander and libel by his (blood) sister Anna Maria, who is married to a minister in the Christian Democrat Party. An article which appears in the Messaggero on May 15, 1962, points out some contradictions: If it was a proven fact that Elena Lombardi, noted harpist, who dies in misery in Milan, was D'Artagnanís mother, then why were the authorities so insistent that he never be granted the right to his true name?

1963

On March 3, D'Artagnan is arrested for slander and libel. He is put in the Regina Coeli prison in Rome, where he will spend a total of 43 days. He is subsequently deported to Milan, his legal residence, where he is forced to remain until 1964. His arrest and imprisonment leave him psychologically frail.

1964

In Milan employment possibilities seem completely blocked and D'Artagnan writes that he can't wait to get back to Rome. Once he is back in Rome, however, his persecution complex deepens. The episodes are more frequent and stronger than previously, but they pass. This is a dark year for D'Artagnan, one in which his "Dolce Vita" turns sour. Suspicious even of his closest and most trusted friends, he lives on the streets and has no work. The Gallina clan in the meantime has grown up, and although they offer help in any way they can, they cannot provide a bed.

1965

D'Artagnan's friends take turns hosting him for short periods. He's invited to Venice, where he hosts an evening of entertainment on the Lido. Back in Rome, he is soon out of money. His last resort is the public dormitory on Monte della Pietà. Many friends lend a hand with food, spare change, and clothing, but no one has room at home for him, nor will he stay in places where he feels he is "exposed": D'Artagnan insists that all doors have strong locks or padlocks or chains. He snatches up parts in two films: Marco Ferreri's L'Uomo dei 5 Palloni and Signori & Signore, by Pietro Germi.

1966

D'Artagnan refuses to renounce his dream of the cinema even in his desperate state. He repairs a broken-down shack in a shantytown in Trastevere, which he will call home until 1968, and then again in '71. He begins to recover his strength, and seeks any type of employment. He occasionally sells a drawingósmall, of Felliniesque masks

1967

Once again, D'Artagnan turns to Fellini for help. He gets a part in "Toby Dammit" in the film Tre Passi nel Delirio. D'Artagnan's paychecks (conserved) show him earning 70,000 lire, enough to live for two to three months at the time. This is a brief period of serenity for him: he spends his time writing declarations, letters, and proclamations aimed at newspapers, politicians, actors, etc., and he draws and paints squash forms, heads, flowers, houses, penises, and genitalia. Unfortunately all of his work from this period is lostórotted away in one of five suitcases left in a cave.

1968

Without money or work, D'Artagnan immerses himself in his painting, which now becomes his major emotional outlet and source of comfort. This is a prolific period, but, incredibly, he refuses to sell his works. For D'Artagnan his works are living creatures in his life, visions of his dreams. To sell them would be to betray and disown them. D'Artagnan falls in love with a German girl named Rosy Marg. who follows him around and admires him as an artist and genius, although her intentions are unclear. On the reverse of many of D'Artagnan's works of this time are written brief amorous thoughts of her, and these will continue to appear in his work during the following year, up until her departure. D'Artagnan hopes to marry her, win his lawsuit against his family, own his own home and have children. No work this year in TV or cinema.

1969

D'Artagnan is invited to live in the home of Adalbert Utsch, near the Piazza di Spagna. Utsch is an antiques dealer, and, in exchange for housing, D'Artagnan is charged with selling antique coins and odd objects around Rome for him. D'Artagnan continues to produce paintings and drawings, mostly images of faces and hairdos. Still no film or TV work. On Sept 9, D'Artagnan is expelled from Utsch's home after a violent argument during which he accuses Utsch of collusion with the Lombardi family against him. D'Artagnan is back on the streets. Pietro takes care of his suitcase.

Translation from Italian by Kate Dejardins, Mary Norris and Pietro Gallina