Post by J on Oct 7, 2021 14:56:04 GMT -5
//Off Camera//
Palermo,Sicily
Thursday
October 7th 201
Italy in general was experiencing “some rain” which was a joke, since it was far from the usual October weather in the capital of Sicily either, yet two men driving around in what could only be described as a “hunk of junk” by someone who gave two shits about the jalopy. A gray Skoda Octavia as gray and inconspicuous as anything. Sitting next to the driver was a man with a mess of a hairdo, tracksuit and pair of sneakers. He looked out.
NICO
Look at this shit man, when DeNiro in Taxi Driver talked about a rain that would wipe the streets clean of all the scum, think he meant this? Or is this some call Noah to build a fuckin’ arc level of shit?
The driver, a silent giant who seemed to have no emotions or thoughts on the banter kept his eyes on the road, knowing full well that Nico Pazzini was not the type who actually needed someone else to have a conversation with him. He was fully able to have one just by himself.
NICO
Vincenzo, I know this isn’t something you usually do, but this stronzo’s been owing me money for a good while and if we let people see that they can fuck wth me..erm I mean my family who knows what they’ll do next, right? So whatever happens there today..I need to get my money, so be careful, alright? Don’t go overboard with this shit.
A thump, from the boot of the car, Vincenzo Riina glanced over at Nico Pazzini. Expressionless as ever.
NICO
What do you know? The fucker’s awake..maybe I should have let you punch him instead. Would have rocked him to sleep for a bit longer. Take a left here..
Without as much as a scott Riina turned the vehicle, he knew full well where they were going, he had been the one spreading out the plastic tarp on the concrete floor of the empty warehouse they had picked for this particular afternoon meeting. He watched Nico pull on a pair of gloves, the big man kept his eyes on the road as the thumping in the boot got louder, repetitive. He heard Nico grunt with frustration.
NICO
Cazzo! Can you do something about that?! Vincenzo Por Favore goddamn it--OWH!!
Without a warning the heap of shit originally from Czech republic (now a subsidiary of Volkswagen by the way) stop in such rush that Nico actually bumps his head in the sudden stop, while he’s still holding his forehead, the driver’s side door flies open and the hulking figure of Vincenzo Riina steps out, walks to the boot of the car, yanking it open. Two rather ominous thuds and silence followed..until he slams the boot shut and gets back to the car, obviously keeping the engine running since this piece of far from the greatest examples of European automobile industries may just not start once it stopped.
Nico was about to say something about the sudden stop but for once in his life he sat in silence as Vincenzo took them to the destination.
Once there Vincenzo got out of the car, walked up to the boot, popped it open and picked up a lifeless body from the boot. He walked over to the tarped out area and the lonesome steel chair placed in the middle of it. Nico got out rubbing his forehead and went to twiddle with a old boombox placed on what looked like a delivery crate. He lit up a cigarette watching Vincenzo tape up the helpless sap to the chair.
NICO
Look at this sorry sack of shit Vinnie..the poor fucker claims not to have money, look at those shoes of his! You know what those are?
Vincenzo glared at the sneakers at the feet of their “guest” looked like regular shoes for him.
NICO
Those my friend Vincenzo are, rare collector’s edition Onizuka Tiger’s you ever watched Bruce Lee’s movie Game of Death from 1978? Of course you haven’t but Bruce Lee wore sneakers just like that with his yellow jumpsuit creating that iconic look he’s known for..now Vinnie, paisano how does a man who claims not being able to pay me a measly little loan with moderate interest can walk around with shoes like that? That’s because he’s full of shit Vincenzo, that’s why! Wake him up, let’s go to work.
Riina didn’t care for the rant, he gave even less of a shit about some stupid pair of sneakers he picked up a bucket of water and threw it on the face of their guest, smacking his face a few times. While Nico went on..
NICO
Quentin fuckin’ Tarantino tried to replicate the look in Kill Bill with Uma Thurman who may be a piece of ass and all but Uma’s or “the bride’s” shoes were the wrong colour, those were of the mexican variant of the Onizuka Tiger sneakers..but you know, leave it for an amerigano not to know how things work.
Man
Huh? Where am I?..
He gasps in horror seeing the smiling face of Nico Pazzini.
NICO
Buongiorno Fausto, Nice of you to join us..now just in case you experienced some sort of a memory loss as of late, let me introduce myself my name is Nico..
FAUSTO
Nico Pazzini!
The young man claps his gloved hands in joy.
NICO
Bravo! I’m so happy you remember who I am, this upstanding citizen next to you is my friend Vincenzo, now he’s more of the Gary Cooper style of a person..you know, the strong, silent type. However he has a bit of a temper on him. You see Vinnie here, has a profound sense of honour and tradition. Now Fausto my friend, we had an agreement. You came to me for money, I agreed to loan you some for the very modest and nominal interest..
FAUSTO
At 25% per week! Nico that’s highway robbery!
Palermo panther chuckles.
NICO
Difference is considered profit my friend, you came to me because you couldn’t go to the bank, because you a degenerate gambling fuckhead who would bet on your kids number of sneezes if you could and you had to get some money before your wife or business partners realize you stole from them..and from your children’s accounts..Fausto, for a man like you to call ME a thief..that insults me, really. I should get up walk over there and smack you in the mouth for that!
*SMACK*
Vincenzo Riina socks a good right to the mouth of Fausto who spits out blood.
NICO
But considering Vincenzo is already there..well now you know what happens. So let’s get down to business Fausto, you know why we are here. I want what’s coming to me, my money and I want it.
He checks his watch.
NICO
Now.
FAUSTO
You know I don’t have that kind of money, I can’t pay, I swear Nico please..
Bolognese bull shakes his head.
NICO
Tsk tsk. See, somehow I knew you would go ahead and say something stupid like that. Well if you don’t have the money, we’ll have to put you down for a payment plan, you okay with installments, right? Vincenzo if you would…
Couple of good fists from exchanging hands, Fausto yelping, while Nico twiddles at the boombox.
NICO
Look, I’ve tried to be reasonable, I’ve been patient but if you insist on treating me a like idiot, I have to find a whole different way of asking and the great thing is that Vincenzo here is not much for words but he has his way around action and boy is he efficient.
*click and a rather cheerful tune starts to play out* If it sounds like something you have heard before, well it’s simply because you have, yeah Leslie Gore is someone everyone knows. Nico watches Vincenzo fetch a rather hefty pair of cutters, snapping them up a bit before he walks on over to Vincenzo’s side grabbing his taped up wrist with one hand and placing the cutters on his pinky. First joint.
NICO
Now this may not seem like common standard of practices but maybe it would motivate you to pay a bit faster..but no need to make this a bore, right? Feel free to sing along if you want, I bet you know the words everyone does!
~It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want, Cry if I want to, you would cry too if it happened to you~
Fausto hollers out in pain as Nico Disco dances along Leslie’s sweet voice and Vincenzo cracks the first joint dropping the tip of the pinky to the floor sending out a gush of blood on the tarp.
Vincenzo seems unfazed by Fausto’s screams and pleads he keeps up the cutting and Nico sits on the crate smoking and snapping the fingers of his free hand for rhythm until he pauses Leslie watching the bloodshot eyes, the cut up hand and the face soaked with tears.
NICO
Well Fausto: What do you do, What do you say?
FAUSTO
STOP! STOP PLEASE! I’M BEGGING YOU! FOR HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD I SWEAR ON MY MOTHER’S EYES..STOP!
Nico holds up a hand and Vincenzo stops.
NICO
Are you going to pay me my money now?
Fausto sniffles and sobs.
FAUSTO
I can’t…
Pazzini throws his hands up.
NICO
Dis fakin’ guy! Vincenzo por favore..
FAUSTO
Wait! PLEASE WAIT!
Nico raises his hand again and tilts his head.
FAUSTO
I got you something else, as a sign of good faith, I got you information..
Nico hops off from the crate walking over to the other side of Fausto.
NICO
Well? I’m here..
FAUSTO
The Terranovas...in Napoli, they haven’t forgotten.
That perked up the young Pazzini, his eyes flared up.
NICO
Those fucks..what about them?
There was clearly something to this far beyond the old sicilian saying of “nevermind Rome, the serpent lies in Naples” Nico grabs Fausto by the throat, choking him.
NICO
SPEAK! OR DIE RIGHT HERE AND NOW!
Fausto gargles and coughs his voice a hoarse whisper.
FAUSTO
They..they haven’t forgotten what your family did, they are plotting to get back at you. All of you..They have been looking for people to come over from the mainland, sending out feelers for support. Pazzini’s arent liked..they are gonna..
Nico clenches his hold on the throat.
NICO
Gonna what? Speak to me, I swear on my dead father’s eyes I will choke the life out of you if you don’t tell me more!
Fausto coughs and gargles more, his eyes starts rolling back and Vincenzo pushes Nico back with ease letting the poor man breathe.
FAUSTO
I swear that’s all I know! They haven’t forgotten, they are planning. This has to be worth something, right Nico?
Pazzini stood there in thought.
NICO
You know if you REALLY wanted to help me, you would have picked up the phone, gotten in touch with me before, as soon as you heard this shit. Now look what I had to do just to get you to talk..this offends me Fausto, I thought we were friends and this is how you disrespect me.
FAUSTO
Nico, We ARE friends! I swear, I wouldn’t have told you if we weren’t come on! You gotta let me go. I swear, I’ll get you your money. I’ll tell no one of today. Please Nico…
Pazzini looks at Riina
NICO
You know Vinnie, he DID tell us of this plot, that much is true.
Fausto nods along hopeful glee in his eyes.
NICO
..of course if he ratted out the Terranovas, what’s to stop him from going right to them once he gets to leave and ratting us out too I mean a informant is an informant..
FAUSTO
No, Nico Please!
The young Pazzini looks down at his “friend”
NICO
Don’t worry Fausto, I won’t kill you..
FAUSTO
THANK YOU! THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU MARY JESUS AND JOSEPH ALL THE SAINTS AND--
He didn’t get any further before Vincenzo Riina slit his throat open. The two men stood there watching Fausto die and bleed out.
Nico throws his cigarette into the blood.
NICO
Looks like that was a bad investment..well we gotta tell the family about this.
He turns his back to the dead man heading for the car.
NICO
Leave the body, take the sneakers.
***
Later that same evening the Pazzinis had all gathered around the dinner table at the Pazzini compound for dinner. They were all there Bonanno the patriarch at the head of the table flanked by his daughters Camilla on one side and Isabella on the other. Ricky Rhodes sat next to Camilla, Nico sat next to his aunt Isabella. The children Lucetta “Luci” Pazzini sat next to Goliath her surrogate father and Antonio Pazzini next to his uncle Nico. Vincenzo Riina was somewhere in the shadows along with some other trusted associates of the family. They seemed to be enjoying themselves when Nico looked up to his grandfather.
NICO
Ey’ Grandpa B, I got something to tell you, this stronzo told me the other day that the Terranova’s are planning on coming from us, so what I was thinking if you let me handle this I could get some sicilianos and go over and deal with them once and for all..
The old man glared at his grandchild, he may looked rather frail and a shell of his former self but the mere mention of that name brought fire to his words.
BONANO
Nico..we are having dinner here. As a family, this is not the time--
NICO
Look all I’m saying is, we gotta act first, they won’t see it coming and I’ll level that whole shithole of a town while am it
BONANO
I SAID NO!
He slammed his fist on the table, shaking with rage, his voice booming and bouncing off the walls.
His nephew however seemed to be on a roll..
NICO
You won’t have to do a goddamn thing, I’ll do it. I’ll make it all happen it would be my pleasure and my honour to..
BONANO
NICOLA, ENOUGH! SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
Nico slams his cutlery down on the plate looking at his grandfather defiantly. Bonano looks at his daughters. Camilla gets up, without a word grabbing Ricky and Luci
CAMILLA
Luci, Rick, time to go.
RICKY
I haven’t finished my plate..
CAMILLA
Now. Luci, get your plate.
Grumbling, her daughter picks up her plate, Goliath getting up and following at her heels as Camilla walks Ricky to the dining room door.
CAMILLA
Luci, go to your room, Goliath..make sure these two stay there.
LUCI
Gah, HIM too?
She glares at Ricky who looks at Camilla sheepishly.
CAMILLA
Lucetta, be nice. Ricky is our friend.
LUCI
YOUR friend maybe…
CAMILLA
LUCI!
She rolls eyes at her mother.
LUCI
Fine, come along Rattigan..
The trio leave and Camilla closes the door when she returned to the table Isabella had already sent Antonio way now it was just Bonano, his two daughters and the young master Pazzini Nico. The four of them sat in silence before Bonano spoke up.
BONANO
What kind of animal starts a discussion like that, during dinner? With the children present?! What the hell’s the matter with you?!
The old man had trotted over to Nico’s chair when the young man spoke up.
NICO
We are all family it’s family busine--
*SLAP*
A vicious right hand across the face from Bonano who roars out.
BONANO
In front of the amerigano and --
He struggles a bit to find the right word for Goliath
BONANO
..that guardian of my granddaughter.. Even if this family was going to war we would not discuss such matters AT THE DINNER TABLE in front of outsiders and children..EVER!
The only thing heard in the air was the clunk of Bonano’s cane as he made it back to his place at the head of the table.
NICO
Look, you are the OG Grandpa B but I’m tellin’ ya. We got to take care of them, ALL OF THEM. If they are coming for us after all these years, they won’t forget, they won’t forgive and we aren’t going to spend our lives hiding it out like some cowards! They will not get another Pazzini EVER again, I’m handling this, you won’t have to even look at the papers, and--
BONANO
We are NOT going to WAR over this matter NICOLA! I am not going to the mattresses at my age, I’m not risking losing another member of my family the Terranovas already cost me a son and--
The Palermo Panther stood up
NICO
And me a FATHER, you can’t deny my vendetta on those Napoletanas! That’s my birthright, that’s in my DNA, Don Bonano I am not begging you or asking you..I am telling you that this gets done, with or without…
A shriek cuts the air
Camilla glares at Nico, Bonano grabs hold of the table, leaning on the top of it with both hands.
BONANO
I AM THE HEAD OF THIS FAMILY AND WHAT I SAY, GOES. YOU BETTER GET THAT TO THE THICK SKULL OF YOURS! DYING YOUR HAIR, ACTING LIKE A CLOWN OUT THERE, IF YOU WEREN’T MY OWN GRANDSON I WOULD HAVE ALREADY--
A coughing fit sends the man tumbling down back to his chair, Nico glares at the old man with anger. Finally Bonano manages to utter out a whisper.
BONANO
Camilla..please..
He holds up a hand and helps her father up as she supports him heading to the door Bonano speaks up a bit.
BONANO
End of discussion. This isn’t happening.
Nico sits there watching the old man, being helped to his quarters by his aunt. When Nico turns his head his other aunt Isabella stands there next to him and--
*SLAP*
A wicked slap to the other cheek Bonano had not hit yet.
ISABELLA
You stupid, stupid boy! NEVER do that shit again!
There was a glimmer in her eye as she looked at Nico who was furious already.
NICO
THOSE DEVILS KILLED MY DAD, MY FATHER DIED FROM A BULLET MEANT FOR HIM AND THAT OLD GARGOYLE WANTS TO HIDE OUT THE REMAINDER OF HIS DAYS IN THIS CASTLE OF HIS!
He jumped up but Isabella shoves him back down, by force.
ISABELLA
Do not talk about your grandfather like that! That’s my father! The head of THIS family!
NICO
I lost my father..
ISABELLA
..and I lost my brother, Camilla lost a brother..our father lost his only son. We all miss your father, every day. But if you go against the old man again, it won’t be Vincenzo beating you up, or anyone of the boys. I will beat you within an inch of your life myself! I love you like you were my own son my dear nephew but if you cross the boss of this family, if you go against him of all people. You will regret it. This is not some old “moustache pete” you have to get rid of to usher in whatever Godfather fantasy you are living in! He is an old man and he wants his peace..your heart is at the right place, but that temper of yours will get you killed..I already had to bury my brother, for him I’ve looked after you, raised you like my own..don’t make me bury you too. Nicky, be smart, for once.
Palermo Panther groans.
NICO
This shit ain’t right.
ISABELLA
No, life hardly ever is. Now be a dear and go check on Antonio for me?
NICO
I’m no babysit--
ISABELLA
He barely sees his favourite Uncle anymore! Go play catch with him or something!
Grumbling Nico leaves the room leaving Isabella to stand at the table by herself when she speaks up to nobody in particular.
ISABELLA
How the hell am I supposed to clean this mess up? Why is it always my job to keep everything in check?
Without looking she spoke up with a softer tone.
ISABELLA
Vincent..?
Out of the shadows the Corleone native stepped up.
VINCENZO
Yes?
ISABELLA
Promise me something?
VINCENZO
Anything, you know that.
ISABELLA
At Apotheosis..I need to get all this shit out of me, to perform a catharsis of violence.
She didn’t see it but he nodded.
ISABELLA
..and I don’t want you to hold back, not one bit. Do you understand that? We get in that ring, we give those people in Reno a championship match they will never forget, show them that Supreme Machine was just the beginning of all this and we go from bell to bell, whoever wins. Wins..got that?
VINCENZO
..Bella I can’t, not you..
ISABELLA
Vincent, do you understand?
After a silence he swallows and speaks up.
VINCENZO
..I understand.
ISABELLA
Ah my loving Vincent, the one man I can at least rely on..now clear the table. I gotta go check on pop and my son..we got a lot to do over the weekend, so I need to spend time with them.
He nods and starts clearing the table, Isabella turns at the door.
ISABELLA
Vincent?
Riina looks up to her.
ISABELLA
Thank you.
As she closes the door Riina is left alone in the room, he sighs.
VINCENZO
No, thank you.