Frankie

"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I..."

- Frankie

Frankie is a Pianta and Don Pianta's most trusted henchman in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. According to Vinny, Frankie once easily fought off a mob of 100, earning the nickname Furious Frankie. However, Frankie had the misfortune of falling in love with Francesca, Don Pianta's daughter, making him an enemy to the Don and the Pianta Syndicate. The two lovebirds decide to elope, and Mario is asked to find them on the Dons behalf. Mario finds them at the harbor in Rogueport, but is conflicted, unsure if he should reveal their location to Don Pianta. However, Francesca and Frankie return to the Don, and through Mario's intervention, the boss gives the couple his approval.

Frankie and Francesca then travel to Keelhaul Key where, unfortunately, they become shipwrecked in the Pirate's Grotto, along with a multitude of Toads. Mario rescues the shipwrecked survivors, and Frankie and Francesca decide to stay on the island.

However, Don Pianta soon becomes seriously ill. The Don misses his daughter so much, he has become sick with grief. Mario travels to Keelhaul Key, and discovers Frankie and Francesca. However, Frankie is busy searching for Francesca's wedding ring, which she lost on the island. Of course, Mario finds the ring and returns it to the couple, and the three of them return to Rogueport. Don Pianta, upon seeing his daughter, is instantly recovered. However, he realizes his position as boss is too stressful, and passes the leadership of the syndicate to Frankie.

Frankie and Francesca have a very turbulent relationship. Although Frankie was second-in-command of the Pianta Syndicate, he obediently obeys any command his wife gives him, including saying "I love you." 100 times (as a result, the player has to press or  100 times to scroll through the text). Humorously, the game starts to list how many times he said "I love you." after a while. Even though Frankie is now officially the boss of the Pianta Syndicate, his dominating wife Francesca is actually the de facto leader.

Frankie, however, loses his own wedding ring, resorting to leaving a bulletin at the Trouble Center. Mario once again helps the Pianta by locating his ring, which is found in front of Garf's house.

Tattle information

 * That's Francesca's boyfriend, Frankie. He's the future of the Pianta syndicate. Hard to believe, isn't it? Still, he's the number-two guy after Don Pianta. You'd think he'd be this tough guy, but Francesca has him eating out of her hand.
 * That's Frankie, a member of the Pianta syndicate. He's a MONSTER when he's angry. Everybody in Rogueport talks about his and Francesca's public displays of affection.
 * (Pirate's Grotto) That's Frankie, Francesca's boyfriend. He shipwrecked here even before we did. Looks like Francesca's got him totally wrapped around her little finger, as always.
 * (Keelhaul Key) That's Francesca's guy, Frankie. He's decided to stay here and live with Francesca. But I know he's really worried about Don Pianta...

Trivia

 * The name Frankie can be considered the male counterpart of Francesca, underlining their link.
 * The Italian Frankie's name, Giuliano, paired with Francesca's one, Romoletta, makes a reference to Romeo and Juliet, which love is impossible due to their families.

Romanzo Giuliano