Special Delivery

By

Carter Schaeffer

1812reincarnated@gmail.com
(540) 739-4171
Fade In:

EXT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, NEAR-NOON

The pizzeria has no lights, inside or out. The street is

completely devoid of life as the sun inches into the sky.
STEPHANO, covered in his coat and hat, tries to unlock the
door, has trouble. It finally opens, he walks in.

The only sign that isn't flickering on and off is the

cardboard one which reads "Stepano's Special Delivery Is
Positively Addictive!".

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, NEAR-NOON

Stephano takes off his coat and hat, revealing himself to be

in a dusty apron, puts them on a hanger by the wall. He flips
a switch on the wall, looks outside.

The lights flicker, then spark off.

Stephano flips the switch a few times, groans. He looks at

WILLY, snoring, covered in grease, soot, and soda, baseball
cap covering his face, pizza box lying on his lap. Stephano
glares. He grabs a broom and smacks Willy's head.

WILLY
Huh? Wha's uh- oh, (Yawns) Yo,
Stephano!

STEPHANO
Willy, why are you sleepin in the
restaurant? Why ain't the lights
workin?

Willy raises his finger, hoping to answer, only for Stephano

to brush him off.

STEPHANO
Don't kid yerself, that was
rhetorical! Ya got lazy, just like ya
always do! I leave ya to do the simple
thing and close the shop, and what
happens? Ya DON'T lock the doors, ya
DON'T get the place cleaned up, ya
didn't even turn out the lights! What
is this, pizza? Were you partying with
your hooligan friends again, Willy? Is
that why you never came home? On a
SCHOOL NIGHT?
 2.

WILLY
NO, no of course not Uncle Steph! I'm
sorry, I swear I was gonna turn the
lights out! I mean, after you left, my
stomach, you know, got rumbly and so I
made myself a pizza, so my plan was
that I'd do that and THEN close shop
but I musta fallen asleep-

STEPHANO
Waitwaitwait. You didn't get into my
cabinet, did you?

WILLY
I didn't get into the cabinet Uncle
Steph, I just got out the dough, put
down the sauce and cheese and meat,
put it in the oven, and-

STEPHANO
THE OVEN!

Stephano rushes past Willy in a sudden fit of energy.

Willy sleepily puts the pizza box on the table next to him,
rolls himself in his chair onto his stomach, looking into the
kitchen through the slits in the wall.

STEPHANO (O.S.)
Bada li che lavoro!

Willy gulps.

STEPHANO (O.S.)
WILLY!

Willy jumps out of his chair as Stephano runs toward him.

Willy trips on the broom, falling on the floor. Stephano
looms over him, enraged.

STEPHANO
Willy... if I didn't love you like a
son... I would KILL YOU- right now.
Isn't it the school week anyway, kid?
Don't answer, that's rhetorical, just
get outta here.

Willy looks at Stephano with a raised eyebrow. His eyes pop

open.
 3.

WILLY
WHOA! I'm gonna be late for class!

Willy jumps up and starts out the door. He stops, turns back
at Stephano.

WILLY
Uncle Stephano, I'm so sorry, I
thought-

Stephano walks up to Willy, sighs, and pats his shoulder.

STEPHANO
You're okay, kid. No hard feelings.
But ya gotta get your act together. I
know we're family, but you can't just
laze around and expect everythin to go
right just because I keep you outta
the unemployment line.

Willy nods.

WILLY
I know, sir. I'm really trying.

Stephano lets go of Willy's shoulder.

STEPHANO
Whadda ya doin? My taxes don't pay
your education for you to stand
around!

Willy scampers off, only for Stephano to grab his arm again.

STEPHANO
Wait wait, today's Friday, right? Your
history teacher, Tagliani! Lemme make
a pizza for the old man.

WILLY
But Uncle Steph, I'm already late, I
gotta go!

Stephano's already gone into the kitchen. Willy slumps into a

chair, pouting, pulls the cap over his eyes.

What seems but a moment later, Stephano plops the pizza box
on the table.

STEPHANO
Ah, Tagliani, whadda maroon. Back in
 4.

the day, we were some wild cards, the

bad guys knew to stay away, and the
girls thought we were hot stuff.

WILLY
Uncle Steph, shut up, that's weird.

STEPHANO
Alright, get outta here.

Willy grabs the pizza, turns, but stops as Stephano calls.

STEPHANO
Ah ah ah! I don't want you eatin' ANY
of that pizza, you understand? It's
the special stuff, Willy.

WILLY
Yes, Uncle Steph, I remember.

STEPHANO
I know you think I'm just a silly old
man, but trust me, huh?

WILLY
Well why not? Do you spike it, is
there alcohol, could I get salmonella-

STEPHANO
It's for your health.

WILLY
Everything in a normal pizza is bad
for your health-

STEPHANO
Your lips touch those pizzas they're
touch my fist, Willy, ya got that?

WILLY
Okay, I get the message, can I go now?

STEPHANO
Only if ya tell your uncle ya love
him.

WILLY
(Sighing)
I love you uncle Stephano.
 5.

STEPHANO
There's my boy! Now go knock 'em dead!

Willy rushes out the door. Stephano watches him run off. He
sighs as he sees Willy left the pizza box, almost in relief.

He reaches for a telephone, dials a number.

STEPHANO
It's me, Stephano. I gotta ask fo' a
fav-

Willy runs back in, removes his apron, puts it on the table,
runs back out. He waves goodbye to Stephano.

STEPHANO
I need a faveh... and fast.

FLASHBACK TO:

NT./ EXT. STEPHANO'S CAR, MORNING

YOUNG STEPHANO and YOUNG TAGLIANI ride into town in their

car.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Tag, are you sure this is the right
place? Looks like a dump from where
I'm sittin.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Stephano, I'm beyond certain this is
the right place. Corporate gave us the
address and the maps, I'm sure this is
where the place is supposed to be.

YOUNG STEPHANO
If you say so. I'm just the cook.

Stop light. Stephano spots something.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Oh, there we go, I think that's it.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I do believe so.

He starts driving.
 6.

EXT. TO-BE STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, MORNING

It's an old building, but it'll work. Stephano and Tagliani

get outside the car, walk toward it.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I'm thinking- Stephano and Tagliani's
Pizza.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Nope. If you're gonna mostly be on the
business side of things and I'm
cookin, it's Stephano's, through and
through. You said, uh, corporate
already has people here for us?

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Yeah, they set most everything up for
us already.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Ah, beautiful. Let's get cookin!

Stephano's smile gleams at the building as he walks to it.

Tagliani's smile is that of a business man, rather than that
of an artist.

END FLASHBACK:

EXT. WILLY'S CAR, NOON

Willy, blasting loud rock music, drives. The pizza box in the
passenger's seat slides according to the rhythm of the ride,
slamming the front of the vehicle with each slam of the
brake.

WILLY
C'mon c'mon, c'mooooon!

Loud horns can be heard from other vehicles. Willy looks

ahead, seeing the school.

WILLY
Ah, finally!

EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT, NOON

The car parks in front of a sign labelled "Faculty Parking".

 7.

INT. SCHOOL, DAY

Willy walks nervously into the school, eyes peeled as he

practically tiptoes through the halls. He breathes a sigh as
he nears the stairs.

A hand grabs Willy's shoulder, and he accepts defeat,

angrily, as he turns to his most hated enemy, PRINCIPAL
HARRIS, whose eyes are like daggers, piercing into Willy with
exasperation and righteousness.

HARRIS
Late again, William? What's the story
this time? Sleep in? Late night at the
restaurant? Or too much time partying?

Willy backs off from Harris, struggling to hold the box.

WILLY
None of your business... All of the
above, but it's not your concer-

HARRIS
(Interrupting)
Young man, this is the last straw.
You're the ring leader of ALL the
party-goers and punks and junkies in
town; if it weren't for you this
school would be in a much better
position.

Willy glares at Harris.

HARRIS
Spare the snide glances, Will.
Tomorrow you will return to this
building for one-on-one Saturday
School Detention. Do tell your uncle
I'm sorry in advance, but someone
needs to teach you that there are
consequences in life. Tell Tagliani to
enjoy the pizza.

Harris turns and leaves. Willy stucks his tongue out, huffs
as he runs up the stairs.

INT. TAGLIANI'S ROOM, DAY

MR TAGLIANI, calm, collected, forgiving, stands in front of a

projector, lecturing his classroom. His well-groomed suit
stands in contrast to the T-shirts and jeans that swarm the
 8.

room.

TAGLIANI
So class, to sum up our lesson, we may
never definitively know the original
Sicilian Mafia's exact origins, how
they first formed, or even who started
it, but what we do know is that it was
formed as a reaction to the growing
industrial revolution, Italian
nationalism, and the prospects of
Italy's transition from Feudalism to
Capitalism. Can anyone remind me what
exactly the Mafiosos, especially in
the early days, called themselves?

DAMIAN raises his hand.

TAGLIANI
Yes, Damian?

DAMIAN
O.G. Thugs.

Slight chuckle from the girl next to him, VERONICA.

TAGLIANI
Close enough. They were called...
(Writes on White board)
"Men of Honor". Obviously, we can't
exactly condone a criminal terrorist
organization, but there is a certain
ring of truth to that coinage. The
early Mob was about more than just
leaving the gun and taking the
Cannoli, it was about the preservation
of the Italian way of life in some
form in an ever changing world. Thus,
it is no coincidence that, even though
theoretically Italian feudalism died
in the mid to late 1800's, the Dons
have a more than passing resemblance
to the Lords of yore. However, when
Benito Mussolini expelled several
Coscas during his purge for power, we
find that many Italian immigrants
brought the same mentality of
preserving traditional Italy and some
form of the, quote, "Feudal" life, to
America. Now, let's make this more
relavent for you. Graduation is coming
 9.

for the seniors in this class in a

matter of months. For you, it'll
probably come with cars and parties
and trips abroad, and a new sense of
adulthood, no, personhood. Well, if
you were a child of the Men of Honor,
your "graduation" as it were came when
you're a made man. First you need a
sponsor, a mentor of some sort outside
your blood family, and then you must
kill someone hat mentor believes to
pose a threat to the family. The Mob
may have since declined in America,
your parents may remember the Gotti
case, but rest assured- Cosa Nostra
existed in Italy well past Mussolini's
reign, so, if you ask me, the Mob in
America is still alive, just... a lot
smarter.

Willy knocks on the door, holding the pizza box and back
pack. Tagliani has Damian go to the door, opens it, giggling
at Willy.

WILLY
(To Damian)
Shut it, douchebag-

TAGLIANI
Mr. Abella, how lovely of you to join
us today! And thanks for the pizza, I
do love Stephano's.

Tagliani walks to Willy, grabs a slice, looks at it, as

though inspecting it. He nods, turns to look at the class.

TAGLIANI
You guys know the drill. Last 10
minutes is pizza time.

The class erupts in excitement and rush at Willy. He drops it

onto the floor and the class clamors to it. Tagliani resuces
Willy from the mob.

WILLY
Mr. Tagliani, aren't you scared Mr.
Harris'll see this and reprimand you
or something?

TAGLIANI
Lui e propiro un bischero. Let him
 10.

fire me, he knows who's boss.

Tagliani bites his slice, selectively biting around certain

parts.

WILLY
Oh uh, Stephano said that the two of
you were good friends?

TAGLIANI
Yes sir! Stephano and I, we go WAY
back. We grew up together, played
together, worked together. You know
they used to call us The Terrible
Desperados? He ever tell you about
that?

WILLY
No sir, Uncle Steph doesn't really
talk about when he was young. I was
surprised he said anything about you.

TAGLIANI
Hmm. Well, you're still a kid for now.
Go ahead, grab a slice while it's
still there.

WILLY
Oh I wish I could sir, but Stephano
doesn't want me to eat anything he
makes with the... sauce? Cheese? I
don't know what it is he uses in these
special ones, but he's told me never
to eat it, and when Uncle Steph
actually puts his foot down about
something, I know what's up.

Tagliani nods, deep in thought.

TAGLIANI
I see. Well, go to talk to your
friends. I'll give you cash by the end
of the day, just come back.

WILLY
Thank you sir.

Willys goes over to Damian. Tagliani watches.

DAMIAN
I swear man, old Taggy must love our
 11.

class or something, cuz he knows we

have lunch right after him, but we
STILL get pizza on Friday?? I avoid
history like scabs but you gotta love
the guy. Willy?

Willy doesn't respond. Damian snaps his fingers.

WILLY
Hmm? Sorry. I was just thinking about
this.

He reveals a wallet, opening it to show Harris' ID.

DAMIAN
WHOA! You pocketed Mr. Harris?

WILLY
He was getting in my face, I had to
teach him a lesson.

DAMIAN
Dude, that's hardcore, you're not
keeping it, are you?

WILLY
No, no, I'll drop it around where he
and I spoke. I wanna spook him, not
have him charge me.

DAMIAN
Gotcha. Soooooooo, are you coming to
the grad party tonight?

WILLY
Ah, I can't man, work. Weekend shift,
ya know, we get a lot of orders and
Uncle Steph needs all the extra hands
he can get. Plus, Harris nailed me for
tomorrow and if I skip SDS this time
I'll be expelled.

DAMIAN
Well okay, that makes sense.
Although...

WILLY
Listen, he's already freaked out at me
about the lights, if I go to a PARTY-
 12.

DAMIAN
Although, if, say, we were to place an
order from Stephano's, and a certain
delivery boy were to stay over for,
oh, maybe ten minutes, kick up a seat,
would it really be so bad?

Willy thinks.

DAMIAN
I mean, what a way to stick it to
Harris to show up the day after a wild
night, right?

WILLY
Ten minutes. And I mean it this time.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAY

Young Tagliani walks into the pizzeria, notices that it's

deserted. Stephano sits at a table, lounging, frowning.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Corporate hasn't put much investment
in marketing.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Yeah, you got that right. And I don't
think the boys who set it up for us
are comin back anytime soon.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Well, we're smart guys! What can we
do? We can design T-Shirts, we can
make posters, we can-

YOUNG STEPHANO
Yeah yeah yeah, you go ahead and do
that, but I'm gonna stick to the REAL
reason our bosses sent us here.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
You're- you're kidding, right? I mean,
we don't even have that much of a
following, Steph, this is a huge
gamble for us as is. Do we really want
to throw our biggest weapon-
 13.

YOUNG STEPHANO
I'm the cook, Tag. I need all the
ingredients I have available to me.
You do the marketing, I cook. I think
the product will speak for itself.

END FLASHBACK:

EXT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, AFTERNOON

Willy's car haphazardly pulls up, parks. Willy jumps out,

sees that the electric open sign is gone.

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, AFTERNOON

Willy walks into the busy restaurant. An anxious electrician

passes by, tears in his eyes.

WILLY
Whoa, hey, you okay man?

ELECTRICIAN
OH I'm fine, I just- I love Stephano,
great friend!

STEPHANO (O.S.)
WILLY!

The electrician jumps and rushes out the restaurant. Willy

cringes as Stephano comes out of the kitchen, pulls him in by
the ear.

INT. STEPHANO'S KITCHEN, AFTERNOON

Stephano lets go of Willy, throws an apron on him.

WILLY
Uncle Steph, I'm sorry, I had some
trouble at school-

STEPHANO
Save it, I know about tomorrow Willy,
we'll talk about this later.

Like a streak of lightning, he throws plates and drinks into

Willy's hands.

STEPHANO
Now c'mon kid, that goes to table six,
go, go! And after, I want you to put
up the electric sign again.
 14.

Willy runs out.

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, AFTERNOON

Willy wades his way through the ocean of dining customers

toward the table at the back corner of the restaurant. He
sees it's occupied by Tagliani, who smiles as Willy comes
over.

WILLY
Mr. Tagliani! I don't think I've seen
you around the place before. Aren't
you sick of cheese and grease for
today?

TAGLIANI
Well, I figured I should talk with
Stephano, catch up with him. Is it
okay if I stay here a bit late.

Willy shrugs.

WILLY
Sure, I doubt Stephano would mind. To
be honest, I think he could use a
friend.

TAGLIANI
(Laughs)
Well, here I am. And Willy, please,
call me Marcus, at least outside of
school.

WILLY
Sure thing, Marcus.

He places the food on Tagliani's plate.

Time passes, people come and go in the restaurant, except for

Tagliani, who stays, patient. It is now

EVENING

Tagliani stares blankly at the doors leading into the

kitchen. Stephano comes out, followed by Willy.

Stephano hugs Tagliani, who smiles warmly when he notices

Willy. Willy goes to the door, waiting.

STEPHANO
Haha HA, Marky my boy, how have you
 15.

been?

TAGLIANI
Oh you know, teaching and scaring the
children, it's all fun and games.

STEPHANO
Oh I'm sure, I'm sure.

Tagliani gestures to the table.

TAGLIANI
Please, sit with me, I've been trying
to keep the fries warm.

STEPHANO
Oh sure, sure. (Sits) How's the wife,
ya got kids yet?

TAGLIANI
Um, no actually, we decided that our
careers are just too demanding, we
don't even really see each other that
much anymore. What about you Gandalf,
I see you're taking care of Will-

STEPHANO
Hey, don't call me that in front of
the kid.

TAGLIANI
Chissenefrega? He doesn't know
anything.

STEPHANO
Sure, but still-

WILLY
Yo!

Stephano turns to face Willy.

WILLY
Uncle Steph, I'm super tired, I have
Saturday School, I still have this one
last delivery to make, you and
Tagliani seem to be having an
important catch-up, I should go.

STEPHANO
And you're going home right after you
 16.

deliver, right?

WILLY
(Groaning)
No, Uncle Steph, I'm gonna find a
crack den to OD in.

STEPHANO
Hey hey, that was rhetorical, and
don't give me that, I'm not the one
going out to wild parties without
telling my poor old uncle now am I?

Beat.

STEPHANO
That was rhetorical of course. Get out
of here kid, I love ya.

WILLY
Ditto.

Willy leaves.

TAGLIANI
No love lost there, huh?

STEPHANO
I try to cut the kid a break, but he's
gotta help me help him, ya know?

Tagliani leers at Stephano slightly.

TAGLIANI
Tell me about it. Let's eat!

INT. DAMIAN'S HOUSE, NIGHT

The door opens to reveal Willy standing there, holding

several boxes of pizza.

WILLY
Stephano's Special Delivery! It's
Positively- ah, you know the rest.

There is a cheer as Willy enters the house. Damian puts

several dollar bills on top of the box.

DAMIAN
C'mon, sit dooooown, let me get you
some punch or something.
 17.

He pushes Willy onto a coach next to VERONICA, who eyes him

up and down, slyly. Willy waves at her.

WILLY
Hi Veronica.

VERONICA
Hey Willy. Thanks for the pizza.

WILLY
Well, Damian paid me to deliver, so...

Veronica scoots closer to Willy, who backs up slightly, his

breath hastening. She leans forward to kiss him. He rushes to
meet her lips, only to see that he's drinking from a solo cup
when he opens his eyes.

MONTAGE

- Willy walks around the party in a haze, losing his balance

grip on reality.

- Willy plays ping pong with Damian.

- Willy grabs a slice of pizza, only to put it down. He falls

to the ground.

END MONTAGE

INT. DAMIAN'S HOUSE, NOON

Willy slowly wakes up on the floor, drooling. He is

surrounded by several exhausted partygoers, many of whom are
leaving. Damian comes up to Willy in a bathrobe.

DAMIAN
Hey man, wakey wakey. Last night was
pretty wild, huh?

Willy nods, sighing.

DAMIAN
Oh hey, aren't you supposed to go to
Saturday school.

Willy's eyes bulge open. He glares at Damian.

DAMIAN
Hey, you stayed, I didn't do anything.

Willy bolts out the door.

 18.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, NOON

Willy runs into the office. The chair behind the desk turns,
revealing Harris, smirking. Willy huffs, slouches on his
chair, avoiding Harris's eyes.

MONTAGE

-Willy sits in his chair, staring out the window.

-Willy starts falling asleep, but Harris snaps his fingers at

him.

-Willy stares at the clock.

-Willy and Harris have a final staring contest.

END MONTAGE

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, AFTERNOON

When the clock finally turns to 3:00, Willy jumps up. Harris
lifts a finger.

HARRIS
Young man, I hope you learned a
valuable lesson.

WILLY
Yeah. I learned how much of a jerk you
are.

HARRIS
Now I don't believe that's warranted-

WILLY
No, it is. You stole an entire day's
paycheck from me and now I won't hear
the end of it!

HARRIS
Mr. Abella, you did this to yourself.
Your mother would be ashamed to see
you-

Willy rushes Harris, grabbing him by the collar, barely

holding back a punch. Harris holds his breath, not blinking.
Willy lets go after a beat.

WILLY
You don't talk about my mother. You
 19.

have no idea what it's like.

HARRIS
Perhaps not. But I do live under
tremendous pressure as well.

Willy scoffs.

HARRIS
I also thought I could just skip town
like that. I wish I did. I would be in
a much better position than I am now.

Willy raises an eyebrow, dubious.

HARRIS
It doesn't matter.

The phone rings.

HARRIS
You should go now. I have business to
attend to.

Willy leaves. Harris looks at the phone, sweating.

EXT. SCHOOL, AFTERNOON

Willy walks over to the parking lot. He doesn't see the MAN
IN BLACK SUIT walk into the school.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, AFTERNOON

Harris picks up the phone, eyeing every corner of the room.

HARRIS
Listen, I already told you, I'm not
interested.

The man in the suit appears in the next room. He reaches into
his suitcase.

EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT, AFTERNOON

Willy continues to grumble as he looks for his keys. He

sighs, starts to turn back.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, AFTERNOON

The man in the suit looms behind Harris, revealing the gun,
silencer applied, in his hand.
 20.

HARRIS
No, no, I don't accept. I don't care
how much hold you have in city hall, I
will respect the law and I will do
nothing to harm the students of this
school,though the offer is generous.
Now you take your punk, Tony Soprano
attitude, and leave my school
immediately before I call the poli-

The man pulls the trigger.

EXT. SCHOOL, AFTERNOON

Willy walks through the door.

INT. SCHOOL OFFICE, AFTERNOON

Willy walks to Harris's office, the door closed. He knocks on

it. No answer.

WILLY
Mr. Harris, it's me. I don't want no
trouble, I just left my keys in there,
can you just, like, pass them over,
please?

No response. Willy knocks harder on the door.

WILLY
Mr. Harris, please! I need to drive
home, can you just-

The door opens, a hand, clearly not Harris', holding the

keys. Willy snatches them. The door slams shut. Willy stops
for a moment, looks behind, shrugs.

There is a BUZZING as Willy pulls out his phone, receiving a

call from Stephano. He accepts it.

WILLY
Hello?

STEPHANO
(Through phone)
Willy, I'm not going to yell. I'm
tryin not ta be mad right now.

WILLY
Uncle Steph-
 21.

STEPHANO
Don't Uncle Steph me. You didn't even
make it home last night, did you?
Don't answer, I already know. Just-
just leave the school- if you're even
there, I don't know, just get home,
I'll be there soon enough. Love ya.

The other line hangs up. Willy runs off. As he leaves the
office, the door's blinds shift, revealing the man's eyes,
watching.

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, AFTERNOON

Willy walks into the house, investigating. He doesn't see

Stephano anywhere. He sits on the couch, waiting.

Time pases. Willy falls asleep.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAY

Young Stephano walks in, sees less reputable customers

pointing at the sign reading "Special Delivery". Stephano
winks at them as he passes by.

INT. STEPHANO'S KITCHEN, DAY

Stephano walks into the kitchen, sees Young Tagliani staring

down at a note. Tag passes the note to Stephano, whose mouth
opens, covers it.

YOUNG STEPHANO
No, no no, this can't- this could be
dangerous! Someone's gonna-

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Listen, Steph, I know that this isn't
ideal, but I think we can work it out.

YOUNG STEPHANO
I dunno, Tag, this don't seem right. I
ain't done that before.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Well, think of it as expanding your
routine, opening your mind.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Yeah, opening my mind, like you open
 22.

yours when you smoke and listen to

your hair bands?

YOUNG TAGLIANI
That's not the point of conversation
here, Steph. Just, try to work your
magic, huh? I gotta go to school in a
minute.

Stephano sighs.

INT. STEPHANO'S KITCHEN, NIGHT

Stephano crushes a nut and puts it in a cooked pizza.

YOUNG STEPHANO
I don't like it, Tag. Nothin' natural
about ANY kind of nut in a pizza,
forget this crap.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Ah, it's for the best, Steph. Crush
some more, get 'em in a box, deliver,
and it's a household name! Hey, I have
an idea for it. When you go to the
door, say-

EXT. RICIN HOUSE, DAY

Stephano stands on the porch when the door opens.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Thanks for orderin' Stephano's Special
Delivery! It's positively addictive!

Stephano delivers the pizza, his smile tighter, forced. The

door closes.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. WILLY'S ROOM, MORNING

Willy wakes up as Stephano throws a suit onto him. He's more

startled that he's in his own room.

STEPHANO
Morning, kid. Get dressed, we're goin
to church.

WILLY
Stephano, I'm really-
 23.

STEPHANO
Save it, Willy. I'm not mad, it's
fine.

Willy sighs.

WILLY
I thought I wouldn't be there long and
one thing lead to another-

STEPHANO
Hey, save confession for when we get
there, alright?

He pats Willy's head, heads off.

INT. CHURCH, NOON

Willy and Stephano sit together in the church, witnessing a

baptism. Willy looks around, sees Tagliani.

WILLY
Uncle Steph-

STEPHANO
Willy, shush, we's in church.

WILLY
But Tagiani, Marcus-

Stephano shushes him, looks over at Tagliani.

STEPHANO
Huh.

Tagliani grins at Stephano, waves. He goes over to them.

TAGLIANI
Hey boys, nice to see you here.

STEPHANO
What's up, Tag?

TAGLIANI
Well, I wish I could say I just wanted
to say hi, but I wanted to inform you,
Willy, that you don't have school
tomorrow.

WILLY
Well I'm certainly glad to hear it,
 24.

but why?

TAGLIANI
Harris. He's completely vanished.

STEPHANO
What?

TAGLIANI
It's the most bizarre thing.
Apparently his wife hasn't heard from
him since yesterday and the custodian
found blood in his office. A lot of it
too.

Willy and Stephano are silent.

INT. TAGLIANI'S ROOM, DAY

Willy is taking a test when someone knocks on the door.

Tagliani walks to it, opens it. They talk for a moment, then
Tagliani walks to Willy.

TAGLIANI
Willy, could you go outside for a
moment, someone wants to speak to you.

WILLY
Sure, yeah.

Willy gets up, walks out the door. Damian glances at him,
goes back to the test.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY, DAY

Willy walks out the door, and meets DETECTIVE PROWSE.

PROWSE
Hello, mr. Abella.

WILLY
My name's Willy. What's up?

PROWSE
Mr. Abella, would you mind if I asked
you a few questions?

She shows her badge.

WILLY
Did I do something?
 25.

PROWSE
I hope not.

WILLY
Hey I don't need some cop getting
snarky with me, okay? And you better
have something to record me, I know
you're required to.

PROWSE
Relax, kid-

Shows the microphone in her jacket-

PROWSE
Now about you cooperate before we get
some real problems, huh?

Willy rests his back against the wall.

PROWSE
Now where you last Saturday?

WILLY
I was at a party, then I came here for
Saturday Detention, then I went home.
Listen, if you're trying to bust me
for drugs or something, I'll spare you
some time, I listen to my DARE
officer, I don't smoke or drink or
snort, I didn't do drugs on Saturday.

PROWSE
Did you kill your principal?

Willy stands up a little.

WILLY
What?

PROWSE
This past weekend Neil Harris seems to
have disappeared into a puff of air.
Never went home. Didn't call in sick
all week. You seem to have been the
last person to see him, Mr. Abella.
Any idea where Mr. Harris is?

WILLY
Well, if he's dead he had it comin'.
 26.

PROWSE
Yeah, the secretary told me you two
had bad blood. Was there anything
suspicious about Saturday? Did Harris
seem, you know, off?

WILLY
Well he seemed more confrontational
with me than usual. He and I always
hated each other but I've never had a
day-long staring contest with the man.
And there was something he said, when
his phone rang. He said he had some
business to take care of before he
left.

PROWSE
Hmm. And you left right then and
there?

WILLY
Yeah, I did. And I'm glad that was the
last time I ever saw the old bat. He
was so scared when I almost knocked
his nose off.

PROWSE
So you assaulted him? There was quite
a lot of blood at the scene.

WILLY
What? No! He- he made a comment about
my ma, and I- I got a little angry so
I grabbed his collar.

PROWSE
Interesting. Thank you for your time,
Mr. Abella.

WILLY
Later.

Prowse leaves. Willy walks back into the classroom.

INT. TAGLIANI'S ROOM, DAY

Willy sits back next to Damian.

DAMIAN
(Whispers)
What was that about?
 27.

WILLY
This cop thinks I killed Harris.

DAMIAN
Wait, what? Harris is dead?!

WILLY
That's what they're thinking.

DAMIAN
God. Did you kill him?

WILLY
Almost.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S KITCHEN, AFTERNOON

Willy walks into the kitchen, sees Stephano cooking.

WILLY
Hey Uncle Steph.

STEPHANO
Yo!

WILLY
We got any orders yet?

STEPHANO
Mm, we got a few, but I wanted to talk
with you about somethin first.

WILLY
(Groans)
Uncle Steph, we already had that
conversation, but Stacy and I weren't
even-

STEPHANO
Whoa, whoa, hold your horses, that
ain't what I'm talkin' about! Sit
down, I'm makin' us some cheese
sticks.

WILLY
Bit early, don't you think?

STEPHANO
Does my gut look like there's ever
 28.

"too early" for some garlic?

WILLY
Ah Steph-

STEPHANO
Ahh, sit down!

Willy sits on the chair beside the table. He watches Stephano

put the cheesesticks into the oven, which is still covered in
marks from a fire extinguisher.

Stephano walks into the freezer. Willy sees Stephano

carefully unlock a drawer, look within, takes something out
of it, closes and locks it. Stephano comes back out.

Willy and Stephano are now eating the cheesesticks.

STEPHANO
So. I heard that you met a fuzzy wuzzy
today.

Willy chews, raises an eyebrow.

WILLY
Had no hair?

STEPHANO
No, Willy, you met the fuzz!

WILLY
Oh! That's the dumbest name I've ever
heard for-

STEPHANO
Eh, whatever, that's not- hey, what's
so dumb about that name?

WILLY
I dunno, it's just childish, it makes
no sense.

STEPHANO
Okay so you start off sayin you don't
know but then you say exactly what ya
know?

WILLY
Oh good god-
 29.

STEPHANO
I'm teasin, I'm teasin ya, Willy meh
boy! But I think Fuzzy Wuzzies makes
just as much sense as callin' them
Dicks.

Willy chokes on his cheesestick for a moment, covers his

mouth, laughing.

STEPHANO
Get yer mind outta the gutter. Hey,
you been gettin' me off topic!

Willy sighs.

WILLY
It's not exactly an experience I want
to relive. How did you know about it?

STEPHANO
I'm still your guardian, they kinda
have to tell me this stuff. A Ms.
Prowse came ova and told me all about
it and how rude you were to her.

WILLY
Stephano she has hounding me!

STEPHANO
Well I can't say I blame her! She's
investigatin a disappearance, maybe a
murder. And ya can't blame a lady for
bein a bit hostile with the prime
suspect.

Willy looks at Stephano.

WILLY
You don't mean-

STEPHANO
I do mean, Willy! This lady wouldn't
let up with me either, she was
insistent about gettin more info on
you. But I told her that I had called
you as soon as your little detention
ended and you came home promptly, so
there was no way it was you. Didn't
seem to make her happy but she left
after a minute.
 30.

WILLY
Thanks, Stephano.

Stephano takes Willy's hand.

STEPHANO
I know you didn't kill him, Willy. I
ain't askin you that.

WILLY
Then what's this about?

STEPHANO
Well, a little to let you know that
I'm on the same page as you, but
mostly to remind you I got your back,
kid. I do love you, ya know.

WILLY
I know, Uncle Steph, I love you too.

They hug.

STEPHANO
Do you have any feelings about Harris,
now that you know he's just vanished?

WILLY
I'm happy. I'll be happier when they
say he's dead.

STEPHANO
No you're not.

WILLY
Yes I am-

STEPHANO
NO. You don't smile at a man's funeral
because he's left. You smile because
you remember he was good.

WILLY
No, it's just- I hate not knowing for
certain. Either way, Harris wasn't
exactly great, Uncle Steph.

STEPHANO
I know you and Harris butt heads here
and there, but that's not fair, Willy.
He cared about you kids.
 31.

WILLY
How would you know?

Stephano sighs.

STEPHANO
Lemme show ya somethin.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S BEDROOM, AFTERNOON

Stephano pulls out a safe from underneath his bed. The

heavily decorated bedroom is almost cramped. Stephano takes
great pride in his Italian heritage.

STEPHANO
Shoo, I don't want ya to see what's in
here.

Willy turns his back as Stephano unlocks the safe. Willy

sneaks quick glances. Stephano reaches in. He locks it again.

STEPHANO
You can look now.

Willy turns, and sees buttons in Stephano's palm.

WILLY
Seriously? Harris ran for mayor?

STEPHANO
He almost won too. His whole platform
was about cracking down on crime,
especially on smack.

WILLY
Heroin? Here?

STEPHANO
Willy, ya need to understand that
heroin and drugs and crime are
EVERYwhere. Harris knew that. Was
gonna clean up the town.

WILLY
So how'd he end up being a miserable,
stuck-up high school principal?

STEPHANO
His degree was in education anyway, so
 32.

when he lost the election he just

applied to be a 12th grade history
teacher. He didn't get the position
because it was taken, so he got 11th,
and some years later he became the
principal.

WILLY
Who got the 12th grade position?

STEPHANO
Ol' Taggy.

INT. TAGLIANI'S ROOM, DAY

Thw students are gathered in the classroom, talking amongst

themselves. Tagliani appears along with MRS. GORDON.

TAGLIANI
Good afternoon everyone. I'm sorry to
be so last minute about this, but my
schedule has been rather hectic of
late. In light of the recent tragedy
of Mr. Harris' death, I have been
chosen to take his place as principal.
Please, please, save the tears for my
funeral. In my place, Mrs. Gordon here
will be teaching you all History for
the remainder of the year, as a sort
of test run for future students. I'm
sorry I didn't inform you sooner, and
I pray for all of your fortunes in
life. I'll see you at graduation. Take
it away, Sheryl.

Tagliani walks out of the room as Mrs. Gordon takes over. The
class's mood has turned gloomy.

MRS. GORDON
Now, if you would turn to page 31 with
me-

A paper airplane lands on her hair. Willy snorts.

INT. SCHOOL, DAY

Willy and Damian begin to walk out of the school, the crowd's
mood like that of a liturgy. Willy looks behind, sees
Tagliani talking with an officer, shaking his hand. Willy
turns away.
 33.

Willy bumps into the officer as they walk past each other.

TAGLIANI
Willy! I wanted to speak to you in my
office.

WILLY
Um, sure Marcus, whatever you want.

Tagliani walks a little past Willy, puts his arm around his
shoulders, leads him.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, DAY

Tagliani and Willy step into the office, and Willy sits down.
Tagliani sits on the desk.

TAGLIANI
Uh, Willy, I don't know quite how to
start this conversation, so here goes-
I wanna give you a sort of internship.

WILLY
Really?

TAGLIANI
Yeah. See Willy, there's lots of
hungry, poorer students in the
community, right? Ones that go to this
school.

WILLY
Sure.

TAGLIANI
And well, I'm not sure if the school's
summer food drive can really, ya know,
afford to pay all the deliveries we
have to do, and I think it's important
for this school to work with the
community in economical, productive,
mutually beneficial ways.

WILLY
What does that have to do with my
internship?

TAGLIANI
What if I had a partnership with
Stephano's Special Delivery, paid you
and Steph, and you guys delivered to
 34.

the addresses of said families.

WILLY
Well I mean, I'm just the delivery boy
sir, I can't speak for uncle Steph-

TAGLIANI
Mm, don't call me sir, makes me feel
old.

WILLY
Yes si- sorry, Marcus. I can't speak
for Steph, he handles the business
side of things, but I'm wondering what
your offer for my work would be.

TAGLIANI
Starting off? Around $500 a week.

Willy blinks.

WILLY
What?!

TAGLIANI
If you want more, we can haggle, but I
must remind you this is for a good
cause-

WILLY
No no, that's fine, it's just like you
said, I thought your budget was
limited or something.

TAGLIANI
Willy Willy Willy, I uh, I have a side
business, ya know? I have alternate
venues of making money.

WILLY
Like what?

Tagliani puts his index and middle fingers together, puts

them against his lips, as though he were smoking.

WILLY
Mr. Tag- Marcus, there're cops here,
you don't mean that!

TAGLIANI
Hey, you think being a teacher pays
 35.

off everything for me? I gotta expand

my repertoire, dude.

WILLY
Marcus, I mean this with all the
respect I can, but please never say
the word dude again.

Tagliani laughs.

TAGLIANI
Ah, Willy, you're a funny guy. What do
you say?

Willy stands up.

WILLY
I'd love to! I'll be helping people
and making extra money, so.

Tagliani takes his hand.

TAGLIANI
Excellent, I'll call Stephano right
away. OH, uh, Willy? I wanted to tell
you something.

Willy waits as he stands by the door.

TAGLIANI
Um, if by chance you should encounter
customers who are, shall we say,
difficult, nonsensical, I think you
should give them an... attitude
adjustment.

WILLY
Wait, what? You're telling me to beat
up poor kids?

TAGLIANI
No, not at all, I'm just saying, if
people should act strange, or they
say, "oh I'll get you money when you
deliver next time", just, get some
sense into them, you know?

WILLY
*Chuckles* You're joking, right?
 36.

TAGLIANI
I'll see you tomorrow, Willy. I think
we're gonna have a great working
relationship.

Willy nods as he walks out the door.

INT. SCHOOL OFFICE, AFTERNOON

Willy pulls out several dollar bills from his pocket.

MONTAGE

-Willy runs into Stephano's kitchen, grabs boxes of pizza.

-Willy drives.

-Willy delivers pizza at lower-income home. "Stephano's

Special Delivery-"

-Tagliani and Willy eat and laugh together.

-Stephano cooks pizza, adds black tar-like substance into it

when Willy isn't watching.

-Rinse and repeat.

END MONTAGE

EXT. PIZZA HOUSE, NIGHT

The door opens to show Willy, just like the montages.

WILLY
Stephano's Special Delivery Is
Positively Addictive!

The SON, who looks rough, soiled, clothes ripped, takes the
box. He stares at Willy.

WILLY
Okay then.

Willy turns to leave.

FATHER
Jason?

Jason runs within the house. The Father comes out the door,
holding the pizza, closes the door.
 37.

FATHER
Listen, I know I owe your boss but
you've got some gall threatening my
son.

WILLY
Threatening? Listen man, I don't care
about whatever you owe Stephano, I
just wanna make a delivery. It's my
job.

FATHER
Please, please, just leave us be. Take
the pizza back.

WILLY
What? No way, I'm not taking it back,
I did NOT drive all the way out here
to deliver so you can hand the pizza
back to me, that's not how this works
my friend.

FATHER
Please, I just need more time!

Willy grits his teeth.

WILLY
Whatever you owe or need time for, it
ain't my business. Just leave me
alone.

Willy turns to leave.

FATHER
Wait! Please, no!

Willy goes to the car, goes inside.

INT./ EXT. WILLY'S CAR, NIGHT

Willy puts the keys in the ignition. The Father bangs on the
window.

FATHER
Please, tell him I need time!

WILLY
I don't care, man!

The Father keeps knocking, violently, impassioned. Willy

 38.

rolls the window down. After a beat, he punches the father.

WILLY
I need to clean that window later now!
I got a delivery to make, I expect a
damn tip when I come back here.

Willy drives away. In his rear view mirror, he sees the

father chase him in the middle of the street, gives up after
some time.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, DAY

VIOLET, Stephano, and BABY WILLY are sitting on the couch

together. The room is cluttered with bags and luggage. Violet
is holding Willy in her arms, Stephano playing peek-a-boo
with him.

STEPHANO
Peek-a-boo!

BABY WILLY
(Giggles)

STEPHANO
Ay, you got a sharp kid there Violet,
I'm not sure where he got that from.

VIOLET
Shut up, you imbecile!

STEPHANO
(Laughs)
Ahh, let me hold my nephew, c'mere!

She passes Willy to Stephano. He rises, lifting Willy to the

air.

STEPHANO
Up ya goes! Aw, you're a cute lil guy.
You gonna work for Uncle Steph one
day, huh?

Violet's smile turns sour.

VIOLET
We'll see when we get there.

STEPHANO
Oh, why not? Way I see, kid could have
 39.

college covered, he would be in a safe

environment where the employer cares
for him like a poyson-

VIOLET
I appreciate the gesture Steph, but he
won't even be living here, he'll
probably be going to school back home
in New York.

STEPHANO
Well that depends on how vengeful my
brother is. And if all is well, I was
just talkin' in jest, right lil' guy?

BABY WILLY
(More giggles)

STEPHANO
That's right! Stephano's a funny,
funny guy!

A knock on the door, it opens. Tagliani enters. Violet

stands.

TAGLIANI
Hey Stephano, I just wanted to drop in
and- who's this?

STEPHANO
AH, Taggy, this is my sisteh-in-law,
from back in the Bronx, Violet,
Violet, my, erm, business partner,
Marcus Tagliani.

TAGLIANI
Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Tagliani goes to shake her hand.

VIOLET
Pleasure's mine.

She takes Willy from Stephano, turns around. Tagliani looks

at Willy.

TAGLIANI
Who's this lil guy?

STEPHANO
Marcus Tagliani, meet William Abella,
my nephew and future king of the
 40.

Abella clan.

TAGLIANI
Oh I can see it. This kid has the eyes
of a businessman.

VIOLET
Oh, I don't know, we'll see. He has
quite a lot of growing to do before we
make those decisions, don't cha?

BABY WILLY
(Burps)

STEPHANO
Big man!

TAGLIANI
Well, right now he has his uncle's
manners.

Stephano smacks his back.

TAGLIANI
Ms. Abella, may I hold him?

Violet turns her head slightly.

VIOLET
Oh, I don't know...

Stephano nods his head to her. Tagliani's eyes, like a

curious schoolboy's, beckon for Willy. She achingly passes
Willy to him.

TAGLIANI
Hey little guy.

Stiff silence for a beat.

STEPHANO
Violet, Taggy is a history teacher.

VIOLET
Are you now, Mr. Tagliani?

TAGLIANI
Call me Marcus, please, I wish
Stephano would.

STEPHANO
Nahhhh, if I called you Marky all I
 41.

could think of would be the Funky

Bunch.

Violet and Tagliani both summon fake chortles.

TAGLIANI
Mrs. Abella, I'm sorry to be so frank
about this, but Stephano never told me
he had a brother.

VIOLET
Oh, well it's a sore subject for
everyone. My husband was not a kind
man.

STEPHANO
That's the best thing you could say
about Arnold.

VIOLET
Stephano actually helped me move out
of New York and down here.

TAGLIANI
I see. It's awful that he won't have
his father around. Well, I hope I get
to teach you one day, Mr. Abella.

Violet exchanges a snide glance at Stephano, who's almost

sweating. Tagliani continues to hold Willy, looks at Violet.
The two stare at each other for a moment as Willy giggles.

TAGLIANI
Welp, I'm sorry to impose, I just
wanted to tell you about a new *ahem*
opportunity that just opened with the
restaurant you should know about, but
you can call me when you're ready.
Family comes first.

STEPHANO
Oh, don't feel bad, Tag, you're always
welcome.

Tagliani gives Willy back to Stephano and leaves. When the

door shuts, Violet takes Willy back into her arms.

END FLASHBACK:
 42.

EXT. PROWSE HOUSE, NIGHT

The door opens to reveal Willy.

WILLY
Stephano's Special Delivery, you know
the... rest...

Prowse is the one who answers the door.

PROWSE
Well, if it isn't Mr. Abella.

WILLY
I don't have to tell you anything.
Just give me the money, and take this
pizza.

He thrusts the box toward her. She takes it, gives him money.

WILLY
Are you purposely stalking me or is
this just plain luck?

PROWSE
You wanna talk about stalking, you're
the one who came here, kid.

WILLY
Yeah, yeah.

PROWSE
I don't know what your boss is trying
to pull, but I'm still looking into
the case even if my whole department
isn't.

Willy turns to go back to his car.

PROWSE
Hey kid! The bullets that shot through
Harris? They were fired from a Glock
17.

WILLY
I didn't kill my principal, alright?
I've never even held a gun before, you
think I could've done it?

PROWSE
I don't want to, Mr. Abella, I really
 43.

don't. But I can't afford the risk.

Too many young people have been killed
because someone payed enough
attention. That someone won't be me.
Thanks for the pizza.

Willy turns to leave. Prowse watches him drive away.

EXT. PIZZA HOUSE, NIGHT

Willy walks up to the door step, knocks.

WILLY
Listen, I wanted to come and say I'm
sorry, I- I have anger issues, and my
other employer, I guess, told me-

He looks down, sees a $20 bill. He picks it up, looks at the

door.

INT. WILLY'S BEDROOM, DAY

Willy wakes up, super groggy. He picks up his cellphone,

several impatient texts from Stephano.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, DAY

Willy, now fully dressed for the day, sees Stephano's bedroom
door.

INT. STEPHANO'S BEDROOM, DAY

Willy sneaks into the bedroom. He sees the safe under

Stephano's bed. He slowly walks toward it, unlocks it.

Willy takes the gun out.

He puts it on the safe, as though he could catch something

from it.

Willy pulls out his cellphone.

ON PHONE SCREEN

Willy Googles "Glock 17". He finds pictures of a gun almost

identical to the one on the safe.
 44.

INT. STEPHANO'S BEDROOM, DAY

Willy stares at the gun, breathing heavily.

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, AFTERNOON

Stephano stands in the center of the restaurant, tapping his

foot. Willy walks in, fuming.

STEPHANO
There you are! You know, I'd think
you'd at least try to be on time for
the weekend, but NO, you gotta-

Willy tosses the gun onto the table. Stephano freezes.

WILLY
This is the gun that killed Mr.
Harris.

STEPHANO
Willy, why is this weapon in my
restaurant?

WILLY
I know because it uses the same kind
of bullets that the cops found in
Harris' skull. Prowse told me.

STEPHANO
Don't dance around the question, why
is this in my restaurant?

WILLY
Why is it in our HOUSE, Stephano?

STEPHANO
Hey, hey, you gettin' hostile with me
kid?

WILLY
Yes I am!

STEPHANO
Sit down!

Willy moves to sit, but stands back up.

WILLY
No.
 45.

STEPHANO
Excuse you? Did you just say no?

WILLY
Yes sir. You are going to tell me why
you have this gun and what's going on
here.

STEPHANO
I don't have to tell you anything! A
man is allowed to have a weapon to
defend his home and family! This
country has a whole thing about it.

WILLY
What, so I can find it and shoot my
mouth off? Whatever- did you kill
Harris, Stephano?

Stephano grabs for the gun, but Willy grabs his hand.

STEPHANO
Willy, let go.

WILLY
Not until I get answers.

STEPHANO
Willy if you don't let go right now I
WILL call the police.

WILLY
And what are you gonna tell them? That
your kid found the gun that killed the
principal and it may be yours but
what's important is whether or not I
touch it?

STEPHANO
You are not licensed to wield or carry
that firearm, I will not allow you to
touch it.

WILLY
Well excuse me for not really caring
about what you do or don't allow!

STEPHANO
I am your fath- your uncle and you
will listen to me!
 46.

WILLY
ANSWER ME, did you kill Harris?!

STEPHANO
LET GO WILLY, or I WILL smack you!

Willy punches Stephano. They start wrestling on the ground.

STEPHANO
Willy, get off!

Willy keeps beating on him.

STEPHANO
Willy!

Stephano's face goes pale as he sees the gun past Willy's

shoulder, pointed at them.

STEPHANO
WILLY NO!

He pushes Willy off of him, takes the bullet. Willy goes over
to Stephano, holds him.

STEPHANO
Willy, Willy, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry-

WILLY
Stephano just shut up, I'm gonna, I'm
gonna need to call someone, put
pressure on the wound. It's gonna be
okay, just, just breathe.

Willy gets up, looks around. He grabs several napkins and

puts them on Stephano's wound.

WILLY
It's gonna be okay Uncle Steph.

The camera pans to show that the gun is missing.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM, AFTERNOON

Willy sits next to the hospital bed, looking over Stephano. A

nurse comes in.

NURSE
Young man? Someone wants to see you
outside.
 47.

Prowse is seen through the glass. Willy nods.

WILLY
Can you, uh, keep an eye on him, make
sure he's, you know, okay?

NURSE
Of course.

Willy walks out.

INT. HOSPITAL, AFTERNOON

Willy walks out, sees Prowse. He stands against the wall.

WILLY
Detective.

PROWSE
We just keep bumping into each other,
don't we kid?

WILLY
I guess we do.

PROWSE
Interesting. Same thing with your
uncle when I was just a beat cop
actually. Fascinating.

WILLY
Look, I already know you're gonna ask,
no, I didn't shoot Uncle Steph. I
don't know about the gun, I don't know
who shot him, I was just... there.

PROWSE
Don't know about the gun, huh?

Willy shakes his head.

PROWSE
If I'm not mistaken, he was shot by a
Glock 17. Sound familiar?

WILLY
You think there's a connection?

PROWSE
So far, the only connection I see
between Harris and your uncle is you,
 48.

Mr. Abella.

WILLY
You do think I did this.

PROWSE
I'm not so sure now, actually. I think
that if you did shoot Stephano, you'd
be smart enough to try and use a
different gun. I'll give you some time
with your uncle. I'm not entirely
heartless. I'll see you around kid.

She turns to leave. Willy watches, looks back at Stephano,

still unconscious.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAWN

YOUNG STEPHANO walks in, sees YOUNG TAGLIANI, waiting on him.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Yo! Mornin, Tag.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Sup, Stephano?

YOUNG STEPHANO
God, please don't tell me that there's
already another delivery, I just got
here.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Corporate has it's demands, you know
this.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Yeah, yeah, just give me the address.

Tagliani passes him a note. Stephano reads it, signs, gives

it to Tagliani. He heads toward the kitchen.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I know you like this guy, Stephano.

YOUNG STEPHANO
(From the kitchen)
He was a buddy of mine, sure.
 49.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I just hope that you look at this one
as just another delivery.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Well, it's the only way I can really
sleep at night.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Yeah, just don't think about how
you're clogging up their arteries,
right?

YOUNG STEPHANO
(From kitchen)
Ya think you're funny.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I'm thinking about trying stand-up.

Stephano comes out of the kitchen with several pizza boxes.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Hey, remember the line when you
deliver!

Stephano stops, turns.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Are you seriously lecturing me about
proper delivery ettiquette when I'm
about to go on a job? ME? You ain't
even been around much anymore.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Well I don't know, I figured you could
use the reminder.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Taggy, I've been doin this thing for a
while, I think I'd remember it.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
You're gettin old Gandalf, run it by
me before you go.

YOUNG STEPHANO
I'M gettin old? You're the one who's
gettin the hot shot teachin job, ya
know Willy and his pals call you
grandpa Tag?
 50.

Tagliani laughs.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
I'm gonna mess those kids up.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Hmph, you probably already have. Both
of us.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
You're stalling old timer. Give me the
line.

Stephano leaves. Tagliani shrugs.

YOUNG TAGLIANI
Your funeral.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, NIGHT

Willy walks into the house, exhausted. He's shaken when he

sees Tagliani sitting at the table, eating cannoli.

TAGLIANI
Sit down, if you would.

Willy stares at the gun at the table.

TAGLIANI
C'mon, don't be shy!

WILLY
I'd rather stay here, thanks.

TAGLIANI
Suit yourself. I suppose, Stephano
gave you a little, uh, insight into
what he and I discuss so much, huh?

WILLY
Told me nothing. Far as I'm concerned,
you shot him and Harris, you scum.

TAGLIANI
Tsk tsk. Willy, you really should
learn to stop looking at things so
black and white! Your world view is so
narrow, a lot of it I blame on the
crap they teach you in schools, some
 51.

of it is media, people like your uncle

and I just don't get the fair
treatment we deserve.

WILLY
Don't you dare bring my uncle into it,
he's nothing like you. He's not a
murderer.

Tagliani stops eating for moment upon hearing this, laughs,

bites.

TAGLIANI
Is that what you think. You think I
killed Harris. Let me tell you about
your uncle and I, Will. We were kids,
one an education grad from Chicago and
the other a drifter from New York,
looking to settle down in a peaceful
part of the country, away from the
traffic lights and noise.

FLASHBACK TO:

EXT. TO-BE STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, MORNING

YOUNG STEPHANO
Ah beautiful, let's get cookin'!

Stephano and Tagliani both walk toward the building, talking

indistinctly.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
We just happened to also be the heirs
of the Five Families. We were told to
do what the Dons said, and to blend in
with the locale. If we did the job
right and for long enough, they'd let
us retire in peace. They'd had their
eyes set on the market in Appalachia
for some time. So we started
Stephano's Pizza and was really
hopping back in those days. We loved
it. We loved the people here. But we
still had our duty to the Family. So
we got the hicks hooked.

FLASHBACK TO:
 52.

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAY

YOUNG STEPHANO
I need all the ingredients I have
available to me. You do the marketing,
I cook. I think the product will speak
for itself.

INT. STEPHANO'S KITCHEN, NIGHT

Young Stephano is cooking up a tarlike substance under

Tagliani's supervision, puts it in a pizza.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
There was a Black Sabbath song I loved
back then, "The Wizard", and it's both
about Gandalf The Grey and a drug
dealer. I thought that matched
Stephano's skills as a chef perfectly,
so he was always Gandalf from that day
on. And like his namesake, Steph knew
how to hook in the smokers.

MONTAGE

-Stephano delivering several pizzas to eager customers, each

time saying "Stephano's Special Delivery Is Positively
Addictive!"

-The same customers meet with a disguised Tagliani in a shady

place, where he gives them large blocks.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
We got them into the stuff without
them or the cops ever realizing.

-Young Tagliani is in the alley, holding a brown bag. A

person comes, gives money for the bag. A police officer comes
down the opposite way. Tagliani gives him some of the money.
He walks away.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
I was always the persuasive one. But
sometimes, even my silver tongue
wouldn't work. And when we had to deal
with someone who didn't order our
Special Delivery, we'd get creative.

END MONTAGE
 53.

EXT. HARRY'S HOUSE, EVENING

HARRY opens the door to reveal Stephano holding several pizza

boxes.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Watch out for Stephano! He's
Positively Addictive!

HARRY
Ey, Stephano, come on in!

Stephano steps inside. Harry walks deeper into the house.

Stephano puts the boxes down, pulls out one.

HARRY (O.S.)
Hey, thanks for bringing the pizzas, I
can't really pay you right now, but
it's always great seeing you.

YOUNG STEPHANO
Harry, I'm sorry, but it's BECAUSE you
can't pay I brought 'em.

Stephano pulls a garrote wire out of the box. He walks out of

frame. Shadow of Stephano stangling Harry with the wire.

Stephano grabs the pile of boxes, sighs at his victim, and

leaves, closing the door with his foot.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
I don't know what got into your uncle
after a while, might be age, the
pressures of the business, shrinking
drug market, RICO and Gotti... you.

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, DAY

VIOLET passes BABY WILLY to Stephano, who chuckles as he

holds him.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
Either way, Stephano's head wasn't
quite in the game anymore. So, I
started making moves.

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAY

MODERN TAGLIANI is on the phone.

 54.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
Hello. You know why I'm calling.

INT. HARRIS'S OFFICE, AFTERNOON

HARRIS
Listen, I already told you, I'm not
interested.

The man in the suit appears in the next room. He reaches into
his suitcase. As Harris keeps talking, the man walks in,
kills him. The man is STEPHANO. He grabs the phone.

TAGLIANI
(Over phone)
Good man. Now make sure the kid won't
know.

STEPHANO
Of course.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. STEPHANO'S HOUSE, NIGHT

Tagliani licks his fingers as Willy stares in disbelief.

TAGLIANI
Harris knew I was gonna try to peddle
smack to the kids in his school. What
he didn't know was that I already had.
YOU already have.

Willy steps away from the table.

TAGLIANI
Son, please, sit down, let's be civil
about this.

Willy grabs the gun from the table, aims at Tagliani.

TAGLIANI
And just what do you think you're
doing young man.

WILLY
I'm- I'm going to report you! That's
what any good, law abiding citizen
would do!
 55.

TAGLIANI
Yeah, and what happens when it goes to
court? Do you think any judge is going
to take the word of a freeloading,
drug peddling punk with anger problems
because mommy never came back, over a
well-respected teacher and upstanding
citizen? With access to the best
lawyers in the country? They'll hold
you in contempt before the jury even
votes. And when they find out YOU gave
those kids heroin? And that YOUR
fingerprints are on the gun that shot
Stephano, I mean they still think you
bumped Harris, Willy. They'll put you
away the second they think they have
an excuse to.

Willy starts holding back tears.

TAGLIANI
Oh what, now you're going to cry?

Tagliani gets off the chair, walks to Willy, grabs his cheek
with one hand, the gun with the other.

TAGLIANI
Gonna cry now little boy, huh?

He smacks Willy.

TAGLIANI
You're not half the man your uncle is!
He'd be ashamed of you right now, you
little-

WILLY
Who cares, he's a murderer!

TAGLIANI
(Beat)
That's right. Your loving, caring
uncle, is a remorseless murderer who
gives drugs to children like it's
Halloween.

WILLY
Whatever, they knew what they were
getting eventually, they BEGGED for
it!
 56.

TAGLIANI
Did your mother, Willy?

Willy stops, looks up at Tagliani.

TAGLIANI
She never was a friend of the Family.

WILLY
You don't talk about my MOTHER!

He tackles Tagliani, punches at him. Tagliani just takes the

punches, reaches into his pockets, pulls out a paper. Willy
snatches it, gets off him. Tagliani rises.

TAGLIANI
There you go. You recognize your
uncle's handwriting. Written proof he
received an order to murder her.

Willy stares at the note, dumbfounded. He stops crying.

TAGLIANI
You can't turn him in, that would
implicate you. Sure you could take a
plea deal but, this early in your life
with a record of any kind, you won't
have a future. Besides, this is a
more... personal matter. So, what are
you going to do to your mom killing
uncle?

WILLY
(In disbelief)
I'm- I'm gonna kill him.

TAGLIANI
Good boy, becoming a man. Family comes
first.

He gives Willy the gun back.

TAGLIANI
Now, this is me doing you a favor. I
don't tell anyone about you getting
those kids drugs, and no one finds out
about what we just discussed. You
wanna return it? You know my number.
Set an appointment with my office.

He cleans his face with a napkin, leaves. Willy stays there,

 57.

carefully aims the gun.

FLASHBACK:

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, NIGHT

Stephano and Tagliani sit in the booth.

STEPHANO
Tag, look, I know I been poisonin
people, I've shot people but this is
goin too far. I can't kill him.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. HOSPITAL, NIGHT

The door to Stephano's bed opens. It's Willy, aiming the gun.

FLASHBACK:

INT. STEPHANO'S PIZZERIA, DAY

TAGLIANI
Gandalf, I know this is going to be
hard, but corporate says-

STEPHANO
And stop callin them corporate! We
don't work for McDonalds!

TAGLIANI
Well, I just think we need to clean up
our image to attract new blood-
anyway, Steph, this guy is a problem.
He won't make our delivery deal, so we
need a new guy in- me- who will.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. HOSPITAL, NIGHT

Willy is dead still, pointing the gun at Stephano, who's

sleeping.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
We still got the cops in our pocket.

FLASHBACK:
 58.

INT./ EXT. STEPHANO'S CAR, AFTERNOON

Stephano drives cooly, no betrayal of emotion.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
We got every potential witnesses'
address and number and their families.
It's completely safe to go ahead.

STEPHANO (V.O.)
Safe?? You think we're safe now, but
wait till we're at the pearly gates my
friend, wait'll then.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. HOSPITAL, NIGHT

Willy still holds the gun next to Stephano's head. Stephano

wakes up.

STEPHANO
Willy...

WILLY
Not another word. I know everything. I
know you killed mom and Harris. I know
you got me to sell drugs. Everything.

STEPHANO
Willy, I didn't kill Violet.

WILLY
But, but Tagliani showed me the
letter, you killed her!

STEPHANO
(Beat)
Willy, Tagliani must've forged
whatever it was he showed you.

Willy clenches the gun harder.

STEPHANO
Listen, she may have been an in-law
but there ain't no way I'm killin'
family, kid! And I guarantee you no
one in The Family or "Corporate" would
order someone to kill their own SISTER-
IN-LAW.
 59.

WILLY
But- but if you didn't kill her, who
did??

Willy puts the gun down, breaks down on the chair. After a
series of deep breaths, he looks at Stephano.

WILLY
I keep getting turned around and about
and told I'm a murderer and then
you're a murderer and now Tagliani
is?? I can't take this! This is too
much!
(Beat)
I gotta turn you in, Uncle Steph. And
you can't contest it.

STEPHANO
(Nods)
I know, Willy.

WILLY
And I'm gonna kill Tagliani. I don't
know what I can use, but it can't be
the gun.

STEPHANO
Whoa, Willy calm down-

WILLY
No, Uncle Steph. I gotta escape this
thing you two created and the only way
to do that is to get the whole
operation shut down, whether that be
prison or total demolition. Tagliani
can get the best lawyers in the
country and he will, he'll never
crack. You gotta go alone, Stephano,
and Tagliani has to die before that
happens.

Stephano pauses, nods.

WILLY
(Beat)
Stephano, I can't see you again after
this.

STEPHANO
Willy...
 60.

WILLY
There's no discussion. If I want a
future, I can't keep murderers around
me.

STEPHANO
Willy, you gotta believe me,
everything I did I did for you.

WILLY
Yeah. Family first, right?

Stephano nods.

WILLY
Maybe you should have decided which
family before you killed Harris.

STEPHANO
I killed Harris BECAUSE I chose my
family, Willy. He would've ruined
whatever chance you had. Everything I
ever did, I did for you.

WILLY
Did you really though? Were you
thinking about me when you were
selling heroin to my friends? Were you
thinking about me when your sponsor
said you were made after killing your
first man? Before I was born, even,
did you do it for mom? What about my
dad, huh? Did he do it too?

STEPHANO
Arnold was my big brother. I looked up
to him for so long, Willy. And I don't
know if the Mob changed him or if he
always was that way, but your mom
couldn't live with him anymore. So, I
got her out of there, got you here. I
betrayed my brother and the five
families for you, Willy. And as far as
Tagliani's been concerned since, I've
owed him for convincing them to let me
live. God's honest truth? Did I really
kill my first man for my flesh and
blood family? Tell the truth, I don't
know how to answer that, Willy. I just
don't know.
 61.

WILLY
Of course you didn't. It was
rhetorical.

STEPHANO
(Grim chuckle)
You make me proud, Willy. Through it
all, I'm only proud of you.

WILLY
I wish I could say the same thing, Mr.
Abella.

STEPHANO
Please, call me Stephano.

WILLY
Goodbye, Stephano. I wish you luck.

Willy leaves. Stephano turns his side to the table beside

him, grabs his cellphone, opens his photos app.

ON PHONE SCREEN

A picture of young Stephano holding Willy, Violet sitting

next to Stephano.

INT. HOSPITAL, NIGHT

Stephano looks at the phone, cries, smiling through.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
God is on our side. We're fighting
this war to honor our family.

FLASHBACK:

EXT. STEPHANO'S CAR, AFTERNOON

Stephano drives until he parks in front of the school.

STEPHANO (V.O.)
Don't kid yourself. There's no honor
in what we're doing. Family's got
nothin to do with it. Tell you the
truth, I don't even know why I let
Arnold get me into this whole mess.

TAGLIANI (V.O.)
Watch it. I'm not the one giving kids
heroin.
 62.

INT. SCHOOL OFFICE, AFTERNOON

Stephano walks into the office, places the suitcase on the

front desk. Stephano pulls the gun out, walks toward the
principal's office.

Gunshot.

END FLASHBACK:

INT. HOSPITAL, NIGHT

Stephano lies in the hospital bed. Prowse walks in.

STEPHANO (O.S.)
Of course. And Taggy-

FLASHBACK:

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE, AFTERNOON

Stephano talks into the phone.

STEPHANO
-this is the last time.

TAGLIANI
(Through phone)
Fine. Then I'll just get the kid.

STEPHANO
You go anywhere near Willy about
killin' and I'll knock your-

Knocking on the door. Stephano puts the phone down, grabs his
cell. He sees Willy's keys on the floor.

END FLASHBACK:

INT./ EXT. WILLY'S CAR, NIGHT

Willy cries as he drives into the night.

EXT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT, DAY

Tagliani exits his car, takes note of the empty outlet he's
in. He walks to the restaurant.

INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT, DAY

Tagliani walks into the restaurant, sits down at a table.

 63.

He can't help but notice he's the only customer.

He eats the bread that comes to the table, tapping his finger
against his fist. He looks around, huffs lightly.

After some time the waitress walks up to him.

WAITRESS
Is there anything I can get you, sir?

TAGLIANI
I'm still waiting for the other person
but can I have the chicken parm?

WAITRESS
Right away sir.

TAGLIANI
Thank you.

The waitress leaves. Tagliani drops the fake smile.

After some time Willy walks into the restaurant, goes to

Tagliani.

TAGLIANI
Pleasure to meet with you, no matter
how late.

WILLY
Sorry, got caught up with some
business and traffic, you know how
these things go.

TAGLIANI
But of course. Now, I see you wanted
to return the favor.

WILLY
Yes.

Tagliani pulls out a pen, writes on his napkin. He passes the

address to Willy.

TAGLIANI
The resident here has been trouble for
business. They're disloyal and needs
to just be taught a lesson. Nothing
too extreme, just an attitude
adjustment.
 64.

WILLY
Mr. Tagliani, why is it that you and
your associates seem to need me? You
and Uncle Steph had a good thing going
on.

TAGLIANI
Well Willy we did, but like I said as
time went on, we both just got old,
but he especially lost his enthusiasm
for being a Family Man. So, I decided
my little, whatcha call it, my little
club needed some new blood.

The Waitress comes back with the chicken parm. He starts

digging in.

TAGLIANI
Willy, now that you've finished your
initiation, I think the time has come
for you to join and officially become
one of my scouts.

WILLY
I would be honored, mio Capo.

TAGLIANI
Hey hey, you don't have to call me
that, I'm your friend, not your boss.
I'm surprised you know the word.

WILLY
I've seen Goodfellas.

TAGLIANI
Fair enough. But anyways, some of our
other associates are going to meet
with us tomorrow, and I'm going to
tell them that you're a made man. I
will be your sponsor, you do a couple
of odd jobs, small errands here and
there for us, and you otherwise live a
normal, teenage life. You'll make a
steady salary, we'll make sure you go
to whatever school you want, we know
people.

Willy nods.

WILLY
Sounds great, Marcus. I need to go to
 65.

the bathroom real quick.

TAGLIANI
Go ahead, sure.

Willy rises goes to the back of the restaurant. Tagliani

catches Willy's hand going for the gun.

TAGLIANI
William, I understand that my more
recent actions have been rash, but I
hope you can come to appreciate your
promotion. Besides, did you really
think the school didn't know you were
a pick pocket?

WILLY
Promotion, is that what it is?

TAGLIANI
Yes, exactly. And whenever you rise in
an organization such as ours, one must
make sacrifices, but I hope there is
no bad blood between us.

WILLY
We're all friends here, right
Veronica?

Veronica, the waitress, returns, fills Willy's glass.

Tagliani chuckles.

TAGLIANI
I see you've gotten friendly with
potential clientele. Good job,
networking, valuable life skill right
there. Mm, (clears throat), I need
some, ma'am, Veronica, can I have some
water, thank you.

Tagliani slowly drinks the water.

WILLY
So, when's this meeting happening?
Where should I be?

TAGLIANI
Eight O'Clock sharp tomorrow night. Go
to Stephano's.
 66.

WILLY
Okay. I'm assuming you mean the
restaurant and not, you know, my
house, right?

TAGLIANI
Oh of course, of course.

WILLY
Let me know the next job.

Willy rises and goes to the door. He hears Tagliani's

revolver click.

TAGLIANI
I don't know what game you're playing
at, but it won't work-

He starts coughing uncontrollably, stops to cover his mouth.

TWO HENCHMEN appear behind Willy.

TAGLIANI
Kid, I know a trap when I see one. I
maybe old but I still recognize my
students. Stephano's alive, isn't he?

WILLY
Family comes first, right? Just not
yours.

He ducks beneath the henchmen, tries to trip one, only to

find it's like pushing a mountain. He grabs Willy, slams him
down. Tagliani stands over Willy.

TAGLIANI
You know kid, this reminds me of
somethin'. Makes me think a lot of the
night your mother died.

Willy's eyes shoot open.

TAGLIANI
Another Abella down, another pleasure.
You, Violet, even Ol' Stephano, you're
ALL just my pawns. I love watching
families tear themselves apart, all I
gotta do is offer an internship, and
they're MINE. I'm the king of this
town Willy *cough* and the rule is
quite, quite simple. You do as the
king asks, and no one, NO ONE, gets
 67.

hurt.

Willy tackles Tagliani as he coughs, beats at his face. The

two henchmen move in but Willy grabs the gun.

WILLY
Don't move! I WILL kill him!

The henchmen move back. Willy looks at Tagliani again.

WILLY
You're a sick man, you know that?

The henchman furthest from Willy tries to pull out a gun, but
Willy shoots him.

TAGLIANI
Ha! You're a natural, just like your
old man.

WILLY
I'm nothing like that scumbag fry
cook.

Tagliani keeps laughing, coughing up, trying to cover his

bleeding lip.

TAGLIANI
God, went down the wrong tube or
something.

WILLY
No, I think it went right as planned.

Tagliani winces, sees the other henchman kneel. He is lifted

by a POLICE OFFICER. Tagliani is approached by Prowse.

TAGLIANI
Officer, thank god you're here, this
maniac attacked my friends and I here,
and he's still armed, be (cough)
careful!

PROWSE
Marcus Tagliani, you're under arrest
for distribution of illegal narcotics,
first degree murder, and conspiracy to
murder. You have the right to remain
silent. You have the right to an
attorney-
 68.

TAGLIANI
Yeah yeah, I know, don't waste your
breath. (To Willy) You're a real
delivery boy, you know that? You
brought me right to 'em.

WILLY
I'm just an upstanding citizen,
Marcus.

The cop takes Tagliani away. Damian comes out of hiding.

DAMIAN
Good to see him get put behind bars.
Why did you have me put those beans in
the parm? Are they tracker beams or
something?

WILLY
No, don't be an idiot. I wanted him to
taste his own medicine.

DAMIAN
I don't like you talking like that
man, it's creepy. Do you think they'll
actually keep him in jail?

WILLY
No. He'd come up with some way to get
a minimum sentence, get out with
parole, come after me. Come after you.
I gotta protect my flock.

DAMIAN
Alright mother bear, calm down.

WILLY
Alright, I should go. Damian, I don't
think we'll see each other again.

DAMIAN
(Beat)
I understand. You're, you're in danger
and you gotta start new, right?

WILLY
Prowse says once they call in the Feds
I'll be covered.

Damian nods. Willy moves in to hug him.

 69.

DAMIAN
I love you Willy.

WILLY
You're the best friend I ever had
Damian.

DAMIAN
I know.

Willy pats his back. After a beat, he lets go.

WILLY
Hey, you ever think about running one
of these places?

INT. PRISON CELL, DAY

Stephano sits in his cell, doing essentially nothing. A guard

comes over, tosses him an envelope.

STEPHANO
What's this? (Reads envelope) I don't
know nobody in Colorado.

PROWSE
Consider this networking then.

Prowse appears, winks at Stephano, leaves with the guard.

Stephano opens the letter, is ecstatic.

WILLY (V.O.)
Dear Stephano, by the time you get
this, I will be on the road with my
new business partner, going by the
name Chris Gonzalez.

INT./ EXT. WILLY'S CAR, NOON

Willy and Damian sit in the car, Willy driving. They pull
over.

WILLY (V.O.)
It's funny, I'm actually getting used
to people calling me that now. The
Family'll notice that their boys were
arrested, I have no doubt they'll be
interested in figuring out who
organized that sting.
 70.

EXT. PIZZA HOUSE, NIGHT

Willy walks up to the door, knocks. The Father answers it,

cowers when he sees Willy. Willy holds out a $50 bill, grins.

WILLY (V.O.)
The Witness Protection people gave me
a job for meat packaging, and it pays
well and all-

INT. PRISON CELL, DAY

Stephano continues reading the letter.

WILLY (V.O.)
-But I'm more of a restaurant
entrepreneur, I find. Stephano, I
don't wanna completely cut you out of
my life.I'm not sure if you quite feel
the same, or if you would in my
circumstances, but you're your own
man, as I am mine. I wish you could
have seen that.

Stephano chuckles.

STEPHANO
William Abella, you are an evil
genius! I didn't think you'd have it
in ya.

WILLY (V.O.)
I've been surprising myself a lot
lately. I killed Tag. I crushed castor
beans for the ricin, just like how you
did with the pizzas.

Stephano opens his mouth, pauses.

INT. JAIL CELL, NIGHT

Tagliani sits alone, coughing violently. He rises to reach

across the cell bars.

TAGLIANI
Officer, officer please, help me!

He continues coughing, collapses. The cop unlocks the cell,

checks his pulse.
 71.

INT. PRISON CELL, DAY

WILLY (V.O.)
Stephano, the reason I wanted to come
is to tell you something. I want to
stay in touch because in spite of all
this, you're still my family, the only
REAL family I got. Forget Cosa Nostra.

Stephano snorts.

WILLY (V.O.)
And realistically, I don't think you
and I can really interact in person
when I'm going to Iowa or wherever.
But, I'm thinking, if you gave one
John Doe a few pointers, it could be
home to a half way decent pizza place,
and you could be pen pals with him
until this dies down, and maybe you
could meet him.

Stephano nods.

WILLY (V.O.)
But Steph, enough with the answerless
questions. You know what you're asking
every single time.

Stephano laughs.

STEPHANO
Hey Joe, can I have a pen?

INT./ EXT. WILLY'S CAR, NOON

DAMIAN
Hey Willy, what's this place like?

WILLY
Well, I already have the oven and
dining areas set up, we just have to
worry about hiring a delivery service.

DAMIAN
Isn't that what you're here for?

WILLY
Ha, ha. I can't do everything in the
place. I came up the name!
 72.

DAMIAN
Remind me what it is?

WILLY
Look at the flyer.

Damian looks at the flyer, which reads "John Dough's

Italian."

DAMIAN
And you don't think the Mob's gonna
turn heads when they learn about this?

WILLY
They don't know anything. What can
they do about some guy opening a
restaurant out here? Who cares?

DAMIAN
I suppose. I just think someone's
gonna think W.P. when they see John
Dough.

WILLY
That's the charm, the humor!

DAMIAN
The humor, sure.

WILLY
Oo, we're here.

The car stops, parks.

WILLY
Well partner, welcome to the rest of
your life.

They exit the vehicle.

FADE TO:

ROLL CREDITS