Plot

Teo, a young theatre stand in, is offered a faustian pact by the devil: if he pushes a button a Chinese mandarin will die and leave his money to him. Teo seems to be tempted by the offer...

Teo makes an appearance and lives in the attic of Rosanella who loves him. He does his job as usual when two gentlemen ask him to press a bell knowing that in this case in China a mandarin will die of which he will become the heir. Teo hesitates and then presses the button. After twenty days a notary brings him the news that a mandarin has died and has left him a billion heir. Teo immediately gives himself to mad joy in the company of the notary until he remembers the button pressed.—Baldinotto da Pistoia