Mannerisms

Later, in a bar, my reverie recreates the scene when the result of the competition was conveyed to the Venetians.

It is 1588. Venetians are summoned to St Mark's Square. The Clerk of the Works mounts a platform and announces he will read out the result in reverse order.

"In third place, the entrant from Padua, Andrea Palladio", intones the Clerk of the Works.

Jeers, catcalls, cries of 'get back to Padua' etc, from the assembled Venetians.

"In second place", continues the Clerk of the Works, "the contestant from Florence -  Michelangelo."

Jeers, catcalls, cries of 'get lost you Florentine git' etc.

"And in first place, and winner of the commission to build the Rialto Bridge", continues the Clerk to a hushed crowd, "is our very own, your favourite and my favourite, the local contender - from Venice, Tony the Bridge."

Cheers, cries of 'Good old Tone', brown paper envelopes furtively change hands, and the Venetians disperse to the bars to celebrate a momentous Italian occasion implemented in the traditional Italian manner.