Frankie



Frankie is a Pianta and Don Pianta's most trusted henchman in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. However, Frankie had the misfortune of falling in love with Francesca, Don Piantas 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 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 the A button 100 times to scroll through the text). Even though Frankie is now officially the boss of the Pianta Syndicate, his dominating wife Francesca is actually the de facto leader.