The Gladiator

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In a world where the Soviet Union triumphed in the Cold War, the global landscape has shifted to a Communist regime, rendering capitalism a taboo. Teenagers Gianfranco and Annarita navigate life in a strict, surveillance-heavy command economy in Milan, where their future seems bleak. Annarita, a diligent student and member of the Young Socialists' League, contrasts sharply with Gianfranco, whose apathy is softened by his father's position as a Party official. Their only escape from the dreariness of daily life is The Gladiator, a wargame shop that hosts tournaments and offers unique games. However, their refuge is abruptly shut down when authorities discover that the games promote counterrevolutionary capitalist ideas. The shop's owners vanish, leaving behind mysterious fingerprints that baffle the Security Police. The only remaining staff member, Eduardo, a friend of Gianfranco and Annarita, reveals he is a time trader from an alternate timeline, accidentally stranded during the shop's evacuation. To return home, he needs their help to reach a time trader site, all while evading relentless pursuit from the Security Police.