Newark July 27, 1973.
Front of Fats Restaurant. A thirty-year-old man meets a fat one who’s sitting on a chair outside.
Ok, where’s my money?
Hey Johnny come here!
I said, where’s my fuckin’ money fatso?!
Hey! You don’t…
I fuckin’ come here whenever I fuckin’ want to, you got that? You stupid fat fuck??
Alright…
Alright? Alright. Billie here?
No, he went for a ride.
Did he?
Yes.
So, it means that you’re all alone.
(silence)
This is a little bit early John…
Let me ask you somethin’ Fats. Whose team are you playing for this time?
What can I say? Billie is the boss now…
Yeah?
Yeah.
Well, short season! First you turn your back on me and then you play it like you know when the time is right for the money? Well I’ll tell you this. The time is always right for the money!
C’mon John gimme another week! What? Don’t I know you when you was a kid?? Hey! Who saved your ass in Philly huh? You don’t remember that don’t you? Think about it johnny! It was me all the way! You put a stunt like that with the Union you end up in the fuckin’ trunk! But guess what I did wise ass! I talked to Bobby Vegas so that now you can show up in my fuckin’ restaurant and ask me for your fuckin’ two thousands that I borrowed what? Five days ago? You’re a joke!
You bought a new car Fats? That’s a hell of a car let me tell ya!
(silence)
Oh dear! You got the money for mustangs eh? What is it? Let me see… Holy Jesus it’s brand new! Thanks Fats, you paid your debt now!
He gets in the car, but another man approaches the restaurant from the boardwalk. It’s Billie Bag the irish boss.
Say Johnny what are you doing?
I got me a new car.
This is not Fats car? Fats, this ain’t your car?
Fatso nods yes.
You gave him the keys?
Nope.
He don’t need to Billie.
Why’s that?
He owes me money.
How much?
Two grand.
This car cost more than that johnny…
I’ll cut you in for the rest when I’ll sell it then.
You’re funny.
Am I?
Yes. And I’ll tell you what, you go and drive it around the block and see how it feels. I bet you never drove a Mustang… I’m going inside for a coffee and I’ll wait here for you and you gonna tell me how does it feel alright?
Fats give him the keys.
Fatso leaves his chair and gives the keys to John.
And now listen you punk. If by the time I finish my coffee I don’t see your Italian lousy ass here with a smile in your face and a “forget the money Fats” out of your mouth, things are gonna get pretty ugly for you.
Go on now, have fun.
John stays silent and drives away with the car.
I can’t believe you didn’t stop him Fats! What’s the matter with you?
Nothing Billie, but you know… He’s related...
(silence)
No he’s not…
Yes Billie, he’s one of the Caruso brothers.
Oh Fuck! Fuck!
Why didn’t you tell me??
I thought you knew!
No I don’t! Am I supposed to know every fuckin’ guinea motherfucker who walks the neighborhood??
I know his name is Johnny, that’s it! Like Johnny Whatever if you ask me!
Well I’m afraid that’s not enough Billie.
Oh Fuck.
My car is worth thirty-thousand dollars Billie. It’s like you owe me twenty-eight thousand now that I paid my debt.
HEY!
What?
I’m the boss here!
Yeah, so they tell me…
Don’t crack wise with me Fatso, I’ll get you back your car.
The Mustang and a black Lincoln arrive from down the street. Three men get out of the car with Johnny Caruso that will light up a cigarette.
You must be Billie Bag. My little brother Johnny told me about you. This is the man right Johnny?
Johnny nods yes.
You know who I am Billie?
One of the Carusos I presume.
You presume right.
Now. You see this gun? My father gave it to me. I like it, it’s pretty handy.
Wanna see my gun?
Sure. Be smart, you don’t wanna use it bright boy.
I’m not a boy Mister… I’ve been living here before your father adopted you.
Alright.
Caruso turns his back to Billie and tells the others to kill him. Billie draws his gun and kills them all in five seconds.
Hey Fatso! Come over here!
You killed them!
What did I tell you? Now you don’t have to pay nobody and you get to keep your car.
It’s not that simple Billie.
I don’t care. I’m leaving this town. I don’t wanna know everybody because they’re someone. I’m moving to the desert and stay there till the end. Make sure you drive that car after all this mess.
So long.
