Goodfellas Movie Script |
Goodfellas ScriptWhat the fuck is that? Jimmy? - What's up? - Did I hit something? What the fuck is that? Maybe you got a flat. What the fuck? Pull over. He's still alive. You piece of shit! Die, you motherfucker! Look at me! As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. To me... ...being a gangster was better than being president of the United States. Even before I went to the cabstand for an after-school job... ...I knew I wanted to be a part of them. It was there that I knew I belonged. To me, it meant being somebody... ...in a neighborhood full of nobodies. They weren't like anybody else. They did whatever they wanted. They parked in front of hydrants and never got a ticket. When they played cards all night... ...nobody ever called the cops. Tony Stacks. How are you? Tuddy Cicero. Could this be the Canarsie kid? Tuddy. Tuddy ran the cabstand and the Bella Vista Pizzeria... ...and other places for his brother Paul, who was the boss of the neighborhood. Paulie might have moved slow... ...but it was only because Paulie didn't have to move for anybody. It's your fault. Yeah, it's your fault. At first my parents loved that I found a job across the street from the house. My father, who was Irish, was sent to work at the age of . He liked that I got myself a job. He always used to say that American kids were spoiled lazy. Henry! Watch how you cross! Bring back milk! My mother was happy after she found out the Ciceros... ...came from the same part of Sicily as she did. To my mother... ...that was the answer to her prayers. I was the luckiest kid in the world. I could go anywhere, do anything. I knew everybody, and everybody knew me. Wiseguys would pull up and Tuddy would let me park their Cadillacs. Here I am, this little kid, I can't even see over the steering wheel... ...and I'm parking Cadillacs. But, it wasn't too long... ...before my parents changed their minds about my job at the cabstand. For them, it was supposed to be a part-time job. But for me... ...it was definitely full time. That's all I wanted to do. People like my father could never understand, but I was part of something. I belonged. I was treated like a grown-up. Tell him . Every day I was learning to score. A dollar here, a dollar there. I was living in a fantasy. Have a good day at school? My father was always pissed off. Pissed that he made such lousy money, that my brother... ...was in a wheelchair. He was pissed that seven of us lived in such a tiny house. Tell me about this. A letter from school. It says you haven't been there in months. Months! You're a bum! Want to grow up to be a bum?! After a while, he was mostly pissed because I hung around the cabstand. He knew what went on there. Every once in a while I'd have to take a beating. But by then, I didn't care. The way I saw it... ...everybody takes a beating sometime. I can't make any more deliveries. You'll fuck everything up. My dad says he'll kill me. Look. Come with me. Is that him there? How about him? - That's him. - Get him. Excuse me. - Scumbag. - Come here, you piece of shit. Know this kid? Know where he lives? You deliver mail to his house? From now on, any letter from school to his house comes directly here. Understand? Another letter from school goes to that kid's house... ...in the oven you'll go, head first. That was it. No more letters from truant officers. No letters from school. In fact, no more letters from anybody. After a few weeks, my mother went to the post office to complain. How could I go to school after that... ...and pledge allegiance and sit through good government bullshit? Paulie hated phones. He wouldn't have one in his house. Mickey called. Call him back. He got all his calls second hand. Then you'd have to call the people back. Got a nickel? Get him on the phone. There were guys, that's all they did all day, was take care of Paulie's calls. For a guy who moved all day long... ...Paulie didn't talk to people. With union problems... ...or a beef in the numbers... ...only the top guys spoke with Paulie about the problem. Everything was one-on-one. Paulie hated conferences. He didn't want anyone hearing what he said... ...or anyone listening to what he was being told. Hundreds of guys depended on him, and he got a piece of everything they made. It was a tribute, like in the old country, except they were doing it in America. All they got from Paulie was protection from the guys trying to rip them off. That's what it's all about. That's what the FBI could never understand. What Paulie and the organization does... ...is protect people who can't go to the cops. That's it. They're like the police department for wiseguys. People looked at me differently, and they knew I was with somebody. I didn't have to wait in line at the bakery on Sunday morning for fresh bread. The owner knew who I was with and no matter how many people were waiting... ...I was taken care of first. Our neighbors stopped parking in our driveway, even though we had no car. At ... ...I was making more money than most of the grown-ups in the neighborhood. I had it all. One day... One day, some neighborhood kids carried my mother's groceries all the way home. Know why? It was out of respect. What do you think? Aren't my shoes great? You look like a gangster. They shot me. Help! Henry, shut the door. That was the first time I had ever seen anyone shot. Can't have that in here. Jesus Christ! I can't have that in this joint. I remember feeling bad about the guy, but also... ...feeling maybe Tuddy was right. I knew Paulie didn't want anyone dying in the building. You're a real jerk. You wasted fucking aprons on this guy. What's wrong with you? I got to toughen this kid up. It was a glorious time. And wiseguys were all over the place. It was before Apalachin and before Crazy Joe... ...decided to take on a boss and start a war. It was when I met the world. And it was when I first met Jimmy Conway. He couldn't have been more than or at the time, but he was already a legend. He'd just walk in and everybody who worked the room went wild. He'd give a doorman $ for opening the door. He'd give hundreds to the dealers and guys who ran the games. The bartender got $ for keeping ice cubes cold. The Irishman is here to take you Guineas' money. - Want a drink? - Give me a and . Meet the kid Henry. Keep them coming. Jimmy was one of the most feared guys in the city. He was first locked up at and doing hits for mob bosses at . Hits never bothered Jimmy. It was business. But what Jimmy really loved to do, what he really loved to do was steal. He actually enjoyed it. Jimmy was the kind of guy who rooted for the bad guys in movies. Give me your wallet. You might know who we are, but we know who you are. He was one of the biggest highjackers... ...of booze, cigarettes, razor blades, shrimp and lobsters. Shrimp and lobsters were best. They went fast. Almost all of them were gimmies. They just gave it up, no problem. They called him Jimmy the Gent. Help the lady. Drivers loved him. They used to tip him off... ...about the really good loads, of course, everybody got a piece. Thanks, I'll be back for the rest later. Henry, come here. Meet Tommy. Youse gonna be working together, okay? Good. Jimmy, you get anything good? And when the cops assigned a whole army to stop Jimmy, what did he do? He made them partners. I'd complain, but who'd listen? - What do you need? - Two Luckys. What are you doing? - It's all right. - Who says? Your mother? How many you need? - Where'd you get the cigarettes? - Get him out of here. - It's okay. - It's not okay! - You don't understand. - You don't understand. Store's closed. - Henry got pinched. - Where? By the factory. Henry Hill. The People of the State of New York vs. Henry Hill. Docket # . Yes, sir. That's me. Just stand there. Now stay there. Proceed. Congratulations. A graduation present. - Why? I got pinched. - Everyone does. You did it right. - You told them nothing. - I thought you'd be mad. I'm not mad, I'm proud of you. You took your first pinch like a man, and learned the two greatest things in life. Look at me. Never rat on your friends... ...and always keep your mouth shut. Here he is! You broke your cherry! Congratulations! By the time I grew up, there was billion a year in cargo... ...moving through Idlewild Airport, and we tried to steal every bit of it. See, we grew up near the airport. It belonged to Paulie. We had friends and relatives who worked all over it. They would tip us off about what was coming in and moving out. If any truckers or airlines gave us trouble... ...Paulie's union people scared them with a strike. It was beautiful. It was a bigger moneymaker than numbers and Jimmy was in charge. Whenever we needed money, we'd rob the airport. To us, it was better than Citibank. You got a phone?! Come on! Two niggers just stole my truck. Can you fucking believe that shit?! There was Jimmy and Tommy... ...and me. And there was Anthony Stabile. Frankie Carbone. And then there was Mo Black's brother, Fat Andy. And his guys, Frankie the Wop... ...and Freddy No Nose. And then there was Pete the Killer, who was Sally Balls' brother. Then you had Nickey Eyes... ...and Mikey Franzese. Jimmy Two-Times, nicknamed because he said everything twice. I'll get the papers, get the papers. What is this, coats? I need suits, Henry, not coats. Thursday. This is the summer. What'll I do with fur coats? So I'll take them away. No, I want them. We'll hang them in the freezer with the meat. For us to live any other way was nuts. To us those goody-good people who worked shitty jobs for bum paychecks... ...and took the subway to work and worried about bills, were dead. They were suckers. They had no balls. If we wanted something, we just took it. If anyone complained twice, they got hit so bad they never complained again. It was all just routine. You didn't even think about it. Frankie, what the fuck does ... ...have to do with ? ain't even close to . What's that got to do with anything? Piece of cake. Don't worry about the alarms. I just got to get a key. - No problems? - I'll take care of it. - Tell him what you were telling me. - Too good to be true. Big score coming from Air France. Bags of money coming on. Americans change their money over into French money, send it back here. - Calm down. - It's beautiful. It's totally, totally untraceable. Our only problem is getting a key, but I got a plan. - Me and Frenchy and this citizen. - Yeah, he's a piece of work. If I'm right, there could be half a mil coming in, all cash. The best time is probably over a weekend. So maybe Saturday. There's a Jewish holiday Monday. They won't find out until Tuesday. Beautiful. What about the security? Security? You're looking at it. It's a joke. I'm the midnight to eight man. Just come in like you're picking up lost baggage. - It's beautiful. - There won't be a problem. - Good. - We're on. What's really funny was that fucking bank job in Secaucus. I'm in the weeds lying down. He said, "What are you doing?" I said, "Resting. Here?" "In the weeds? I'm resting!" They pull me in, start asking questions. You know, this and that. "What are you going to tell us?" I said, "My usual. Nothing." "Why tell you?" The fuck. He says, "No, you'll tell me something today." I said, "Okay, go fuck your mother." You saw the paper. My head was out like this. I'm coming around and who do I see in front of me? This prick again. He says, "What do you want to tell me now?" I said, "What are you doing here? I said to go fuck your mother." I thought he'd shit. The fuckers. I wish I was big just once. Funny. You're really funny. What do you mean? It's funny, you know. It's a good story. You're a funny guy. You mean the way I talk? What? It's just, you know. You're just funny. You know, the way you tell the story. Funny how? What's funny about it? You got it all wrong. He's a big boy. He knows what he said. Funny, how? Just, you know. You're funny. Let me understand this. Maybe I'm a little fucked up. But I'm funny how? Funny like a clown? I amuse you? I'm here to fucking amuse you? What do you mean, funny? How am I funny? You know, how you tell a story. I don't know. You said it. You said I'm funny. How am I funny? What the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me what's funny. Get the fuck out of here, Tommy. Motherfucker! I almost had him. You stuttering prick, you. Frankie, was he shaking? I wonder about you sometimes, Henry. You may fold under questioning. What's with you? I thought I was getting pinched already. He's on my neck like a vulture. What do you want? This guy didn't want to give you the check. Could you take care of this? No problem. Tell him to put it on my tab. I want to talk to you about that. It ain't just this one. It's seven big ones you owe me. That ain't peanuts. I don't mean to be out of order... It's good you don't like to be out of order, Sonny. Embarrassing me in front of my friends, like I'm a deadbeat. You're a mutt. You know the money we spend in this fucking... - Don't be like that. - Like what? Do you believe him? You think this is funny? What the fuck are you looking at? You fucking moron! You don't want to bring the check? Do you believe this prick? You're supposed to be doing this stuff, too. You're a funny guy. That's it, Henry! You want to laugh? This prick asked me to christen his kid. I charged him seven thousand. You really are a funny guy. I'm worried. I'm hearing bad things. He treats me like I'm a fucking fag. I got to go on the lam to get away from this guy. This ain't right. I can't go here or there. I talk to them a million times. They don't listen. If you tell him, he'll stop. I'll wind up being declared M.I.A. They'll find me in a car in the weeds. You know this Tommy all your life. This cocksucker's an arch criminal. When I leave my house in the morning I look over both shoulders. This is no way to live. I'm no fence jumper. - Tell me what to do, I'll do it. - What could I do? If there was something I could do, I would. I'd like to help you out. Tell him what we talked about. Maybe you could come in with me, take a piece of this joint. It'd be good. What do you mean? The restaurant? It's a classy place. You've been in here a million times. Tommy taking over this joint is like putting a silk hat on a pig. I don't mean disrespect, but that's the way it is. I'm begging you. What can I say? What am I going to do? What does he want from me? I don't know anything about the restaurant business. All I know is how to sit down and order a meal. Not for you. Just a place to hang. The chef is great. The shows are good. There's a lot of whores coming in. What do you want from me? Tommy's a bad seed. What am I supposed to do? Shoot him? That wouldn't' be a bad idea. Sorry I said that. I didn't mean it. It's just that he's scaring me. I just need help. Help me, please. Know anything about the restaurant business? He knows everything. He's there day and night. Another fucking few minutes, he could be a stool. You want me to be your partner? Is that what you're telling me? What do you think I'm telling you? Paulie, please. It's not even fair. You don't understand. You run the joint. Maybe I'll try to help you. God bless you, Paulie. You've always been fair with me. Now he's got Paulie as a partner. Any problems, he goes to Paulie. Trouble with a bill, to Paulie. Trouble with cops, deliveries, Tommy... ...he calls Paulie. But now he has to pay Paulie... ...every week no matter what. "Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Had a fire? Fuck you, pay me." "The place got hit by lightning? Fuck you, pay me." Also, Paulie could do anything. Like run up bills on the joint's credit. And why not? Nobody will pay for it anyway. Take deliveries at the front door and sell it out the back at a discount. Take a $ case of booze and sell it for $ . It doesn't matter. It's all profit. Then finally, when there's nothing left... ...when you can't borrow another buck from the bank... ...you bust the joint out. You light a match. Do you need help reaching anything? You look like you're decorating a Christmas tree. She's from the Five Towns. Who? The Jew broad. Diane. I been trying to bang her for a month. She won't go out with me alone. - No. - No what? No what? Who asked you anything? Wait to hear what I'm going to say. Okay, what? She won't go out with Italians alone. She's prejudiced against Italians. You fucking believe that? In this day and age? What is this world coming to? I can't believe this. A Jew broad, prejudiced against Italians. She won't go out without her girlfriend. So you come along for her friend. See? I knew it. I knew it. What the fuck is wrong with that? - When is this? - Tomorrow night. I'm meeting Tuddy. You could meet Tuddy. Come early and then go. - Why do you always do this? - Don't give me that shit. What did I ask you for? A favor. I do a lot of fucking favors for you. I'm trying to bang this broad. Help me out. I don't understand you. She's beautiful! Her family lives in the Five Towns. These Jews got money. Maybe the family owns the whole block. You may wind up with a big score. You with your fucking mouth! I had a meeting with Tuddy at and here I am a backup guy for Tommy. You have enough to eat? It was delicious. I'm just watching my diet. Let me watch your figure. I couldn't wait to get away. I was ordering dessert when they ate dinner. When they had coffee, I was asking for a check. Some coffee will wake you up. Joe, can we have the check? What are you doing? - I got to go. - We just got here. I got that thing. We'll leave together. This way we don't go out like a bunch of hobos, one at a time. I couldn't stand him. I thought he was really obnoxious. He kept fidgeting around. You don't mind, do you? That's very annoying. Good? You might prefer Manischewitz, but it'd look funny on my table. - Ready? - Lighten up. We just got here. What are you doing? Before it was time to go, he was pushing me into the car... ...then pulling me out. It was ridiculous. Diane and Tommy made us promise to meet them again Friday. We agreed. But when Friday came around, Henry stood me up. I feel terrible. I don't know where he is. All he did was talk about her. He liked you. We were a trio instead of a double date. He should have called. I hope it's nothing serious. But I made Tommy take me looking for him. Tommy, what the fuck? You got some nerve standing me up. Nobody does that to me. Who do you think you are, Frankie Valli or some big shot?! I forgot. I thought it was next week. It was this Friday and you agreed, so you're a liar! We can talk about this. Talk to you after what you just did to me? Forget it. I thought you would stand me up. You looked bored. You said nothing. Let me make it up to you. I'll think about it. I remember, she's screaming on the street and I mean loud. - But she looked good. - I'll think about it. But it'll cost you, Hill. A lot. She had these great eyes, like Liz Taylor's. Ready? Come on. Wait a minute. You have to cover that cross. My mother sees that... Mom. Meet my friend, Henry Hill. My daughter says you're half Jewish. It's just the good half. See you later. You're leaving your car? He watches the car for me. It's easier than leaving it at a garage. It's a lot quicker this way. This way. It's better than waiting in line. Every time I come here. Every time, you two. Don't you work? Henry, nice to see you. Hi, how are you? Anthony, right in the front. Anything you need, let me know. Tony, thanks a lot. I appreciate it. You gave them $ each. Henry, this is with Mr. Tony, over there. What do you do? - What do you do? - I'm in construction. They don't feel like you're in construction. I'm a union delegate. Ladies and gentlemen... ...the Copacabana is proud to present the king of one-liners... ...Henry Youngman. How are you all? I'm glad to be here. Take my wife, please. I take my wife everywhere but she finds her way home. I said, "Where do you wanna go for our anniversary?" She said, "Let's go somewhere I've never been." I said, "Try the kitchen." Dr. Wellsler is here. Gave a guy months to live. Couldn't pay his bill. Gave him more months. I love this crowd. Air France made me. We walked out with $ without using a gun. And we did the right thing. We gave Paulie his tribute. . It'll be a good summer. I'm proud of you. This is a lot of money for a kid like you. Anybody asks you where you got it, you got it in Vegas playing craps. Check, sir. You have to sign for it here. Should I tip him? - How are you? - Okay. And you? Henry, this is Bruce. I'll see you around later. Do you know him? He lives across the street. Roses are red, my love Violets are blue Sugar is sweet, my love But not as sweet as you One night, Bobby Vinton sent us champagne. There was nothing like it. I didn't think there was anything strange in any of this. A -year-old kid with such connections. He was an exciting guy. He was really nice. He introduced me to everybody. Everybody wanted to be nice to him. He knew how to handle it. Don't buy wigs that come off at the wrong time. Morrie's wigs don't come off! Even underwater. And remember, Morrie's wigs are tested against hurricane winds. Forget about money. You can afford a Morrie wig. Call me now! Come in for a personalized fitting. Morrie, Jimmy's waiting. You're past due. I've been good to you. But there's something unreasonable going on here. Jimmy's being a ball-breaker. Give to on Cleveland. I never had to pay the vigorish he demands. What am I, a schmuck? You borrowed his money. Pay him. I didn't agree to points above the vig. What are you going to do? Are you going to fight with Jimmy Conway? Give him his money and we'll go. Fuck him! Fuck him in the ear! Fuck him in the other ear! Did I ever bust his balls? I could've dropped a dime a million times. Don't call the cops. You're talking crazy. You got money for that commercial! You don't got my fucking money? Jimmy, he's gonna pay you. I'll fucking kill you! Give me the money, cocksucker. Pay me! He'll pay, he'll pay. Morrie's. Who's this? He's here. Jimmy, I'm sorry. You should be sorry. Don't do it again. Give me my fucking money! You hear me?! Give me the fucking money! I'll give you. You've got it, kid. You've got it, believe me. Karen, slow down. Where? Stay there. Don't move. It's Karen. What happened? What happened? Are you all right? Who did it? This guy who lives across the street from me that I've known all my life. He started to touch me. He grabbed me. I told him to stop. He didn't stop. I hit him back. And then he got really angry. He pushed me out of the car. You sure you're all right? Why don't you go inside and get yourself together. Clean up. What do you want, fucko? I swear on my mother, if you touch her again, you're dead. Don't shoot. Hide this. Are you all right? Are you all right? I know there are women... ...who would have gotten out the minute their boyfriend... ...gave them a gun to hide. But I didn't. I got to admit the truth. It turned me on. Why don't you be like Henry? He's got a nice girl. He's settling down. He's married. Soon he'll have a nice family. And you're still bouncing around from girl to girl. It was like he had two families. The first time I was introduced to all of them at once, it was crazy. Paulie and his brothers had lots of sons and nephews. Almost all of them were named Peter or Paul. It was unbelievable. Meet Paulie Jr., my nephew. And this is Petey. There must have been dozen Peters and Pauls there... This is Marie. ...all married to girls named Marie. She looks Italian. And they named their daughters Marie. And this is Pete. No, I mean Paulie. I get confused myself. By the time I met everybody, I thought I was drunk. Paulie, you shouldn't have. Welcome to the family. Sunday dinner? So beautiful. I want to cry. Something to help you get started. The bag. The bag. The bag with the envelopes in it, the money. Don't worry. Nobody's going to steal that here. He didn't call? - He's with his friends. - What kind of person doesn't call? He's a grown-up. He doesn't have to call every minutes. A grown-up would get you an apartment. Don't start. Mom, you're the one who wanted us here. You're here a month. Sometimes I know he doesn't come home at all. What kind of people are these? - What do you want me to do? - What can you do? He's not Jewish. Did you know what these people were like? Your father never stayed out all night. Daddy never went out at all, Ma! Keep out of it! You don't know how I feel! How do you feel now? You don't know where he is or who he's with! He's with his friends! Dad! Leave him alone. He's suffered enough. He hasn't digested a decent meal in weeks. Where were you?! Why didn't you call?! We were worried! A married man does not stay out like this! Normal people don't act like this! What's wrong with you? You're not normal. She's right! What's wrong with you?! What kind of person are you?! What is the matter with you?! What kind of people are they? We weren't married to - guys. But the first time I realized how different... ...was when Mickey had a hostess party. - Karen, where you from? - Lawrence. On the Island. Nice. I'm from Miami. Ever been there? It's okay, but it's like you died and woke up in Jew heaven. Stop picking at that. I'd like to smack his face. The red-haired guy? The guy's hands are all over me. So I say, "Keep your fucking hands off me or I'll cut them off." She means it. He's lucky. I just mention this to Vinnie... How can you mention it? Vinnie'd kill him. Vinnie'll kill the miserable bastard, then he'll be there for life. Talk about problems. What about Jeannie's kid? He was in an argument. A $ card game. He pulls out a gun. The gun goes off. Some kid gets killed. When the grandmother hears... ...she has a heart attack and drops dead. Now Jeannie has a husband and son in jail and a mother in the funeral parlor. - Jeannie drinks. - Maybe she's depressed. Give me a break. She's drunk. As soon as something happens, you make them out to be saints. They had bad skin and wore too much makeup. They didn't look very good. They looked beat-up. And the stuff they wore... ...was thrown together and cheap. A lot of pantsuits and double-knits. She spends her life in a nightgown. The woman is no angel, believe me. They talked about their rotten kids... ...and about beating them with broom handles and belts. And the kids still didn't listen. When Henry picked me up, I was dizzy. I don't know if I could live like that! God forbid, what would happen if you had to go to prison? Mickey said that Jeannie's husband... Do you know why Jeannie's husband went to the can? Because he wanted to get away from her. Let me tell you something. Nobody goes to jail unless they want to. Unless they make themselves get caught. They don't have things organized. I know what I'm doing. You know who goes to jail? Nigger stickup men. Know why they get caught? Because they fall asleep in the getaway car. Come on, don't worry so much, sweetie. Come here. After a while, it got to be all normal. None of it seemed like crimes. Henry was just enterprising. He and the guys make bucks hustling while other guys... ...sat on their asses waiting for handouts. Our husbands weren't brain surgeons, just blue-collar guys... The only way they could make real money was to go out and cut corners. Where's the strong box, you varmint?! Don't fucking move! Don't move! - See you at the diner. - I'm riding shotgun. Did you see him give it right over? Back to the hideout to split up the loot. We were all very close. There were never any outsiders around. Absolutely never. Being together all the time made everything seem all the more normal. Police. I'm Detective Deacy. This is Detective Silvestri. We have a search warrant. Would you read and sign it? Anywhere? We have to go through everything. You want some coffee? No coffee now, thanks. - Be careful. - We'll just go about our business. There was always some harassment. They wanted to talk to Henry about this or that. They'd make me sign their subpoenas or warrants. But mostly they just wanted a handout. A few bucks to keep things quiet no matter what they found. I always asked if they wanted coffee. Some wives, like Mickey Conway... ...used to curse at them and spit on the floor. On her own floor! That never made any sense to me. It was better to be polite and call the lawyer. Happy birthday to you. We always did everything together and were always in the same crowd. Anniversaries, christenings. We only went to each other's houses. The women played cards. When kids were born, Mickey and Jimmy were the first at the hospital. When we went to the Islands or Vegas for vacation... ...we went together. No outsiders ever. It got to be normal. I began to be proud that my husband was willing to risk his neck... ...to get us the little extras. But I got Mom to watch the babies tomorrow night. - Can't do it. - Why not? I just can't. I got something lined up. But tomorrow's the only night she can do it. - Pretty please? - I can't. What do you want me to do? - I got to go. - Wait a minute. I need money to go shopping. How much? That much. This much. Give me a kiss. See you later. All right. I always dreamed the boy I love would come along And he'd be tall and handsome, rich and strong Welcome home, Batts. Sit down. Have a drink. Give them all a drink. And give those Irish hoodlums a drink. There's only one Irishman here. It's a celebration. - Top of the morning. - It's good to be home. This is my friend Jimmy. Henry. It's his joint. This is Lisa. Tommy. All dressed up. All grown up and doing the town. Forgot you were having a party for him. Come here. I'll say hello. How are you Billy? I haven't seen you in years. Jesus Christ Almighty. You look terrific. Watch the suit. You little prick. I know you all my life. - Don't get too big on me. - Just don't bust my balls. If I was gonna bust your balls, I'd say, "Go get your shine box." This kid was great. "Spitshine Tommy." He'd make your shoes look like fucking mirrors. Excuse my language. He was the best. Made a lot of money. No more shines. No more shines. You been away a long time. They didn't tell you. I don't shine shoes anymore. What's got into you? I'm breaking your balls a little, that's all. I'm only kidding with you. You don't sound like it. There's people around. I'm kidding. We're having a party. I haven't seen you in a long time and you get fresh. I don't mean to offend you. I'm sorry, too. Now go home and get your shine box. Motherfucking mutt! You fucking piece of shit! Come on, come on! He bought his fucking button! That fake old tough guy. You bought your fucking button! Don't get nervous. Keep that motherfucker here! Keep him here! You fucking feel strong? Sorry. Tommy's loaded. He doesn't mean any disrespect. No disrespect? Are you nuts? Teach this kid some manners. What's right is right. - You understand? - It's okay. We're hugging and kissing over here and then he acts like a jerk. You insulted him a little bit. - I didn't. - You insulted him a little. I didn't. Give us a drink. Drinks on the house. No, have the drink with me. The drinks are on the house. I fucked kids like that in the can. In the ass. Fucking break up my party. You been away for years. It's different now. I did my fucking time, Jimmy. I came home and I want what I got to get. I got mouths to feed. - You're gonna get it. - You understand? Get the door! Let me shoot him in his fucking mouth! Let's shoot him. Fucking mutt dented my shoes. His crew'll be looking for him. This is bad. What do we do with him? We can't just dump him on the street. I know a place upstate they'll never find him. More tablecloths. I didn't want to get blood on your floor. Go open your trunk. We'll get a shovel at my mother's house. She has a shovel here somewhere. Quiet, I don't want to wake her. Look who's here. What happened? I hit something on the road. Jimmy'll tell you. What happened to him? I haven't seen you in so long. What happened to him? You, too. How are you? Why are you up so late? He came in. Youse came in. I'm so happy to see him. Go inside. Make yourselves comfortable. I'll make you something to eat. - Go to sleep. We're leaving. - I can't. Not while he's home. I haven't seen him in so long. I want to see him. Youse go inside. This stuff is like lead. Tell me, where you been? I haven't seen you. You haven't called. Where have you been? I been working nights. And tonight we were out late. We took a ride out to the country and hit a deer. That's where all the blood is from. Jimmy told you. It reminds me, I need this knife. I'm taking this, okay? Just for a while. The poor thing. We hit the deer and his paw... What do you call it? The paw. - The hoof. - Got caught in the grill. I got to hack it off. Ma, it's a sin to leave it there. I'll bring the knife back. Delicious. Why not get yourself a nice girl. I do, almost every night. But a girl you could settle down with. I do, every night. Then I'm free. I love you! I want to be with you. Settle down. How's your friend Henry? What's the matter? What's wrong? You don't talk much. Talk. What are you quiet for? You don't eat much, you don't talk much. - I'm just listening. - Something wrong? When we were kids, the "compares" used to visit one another. There was this man. He would never talk. He'd just sit there all night. They say to him, "What's the matter? Don't you say anything?" He says, "What am I going to say, that my wife two-times me?" So she says, "Shut up! You're always talking!" But in Italian, it sounds much nicer. - Cornuto content. - That's it. It means he's content to be a jerk. He doesn't care who knows it. Did Tommy tell you about my painting? Look at this. It's beautiful. One dog goes one way and the other goes the other. One's facing east, the other west. He's saying, "Whaddya want from me?" The guy's got a nice head of white hair. Beautiful. The dog looks the same. Looks like someone we know. Without the beard. It's him. It's him. What is that? For most of the guys, killings were accepted. Murder was the only way everybody stayed in line. You got out of line, you got whacked. Everybody knew the rules. Sometimes, even if people didn't get out of line, they got whacked. Hits became a habit. Guys would argue over nothing. Before you knew it, one was dead. They were shooting each other all the time. Shooting people was a normal thing. It was no big deal. We had a serious problem with Billy Batts. This was really a touchy thing. Tommy killed a made guy. Batts was part of the Gambino crew and considered untouchable. Before you touched a made guy, you needed a good reason. You had to get an okay... ...or you'd get whacked. Saturday night was for wives, but... ...Friday at the Copa was for the girlfriends. We saw Sammy Davis, Jr. You got to see this show. What a performer! He does impersonations. It was like the real people! Unbelievable. You could see how a white girl could fall for him. Not me. But you could see how some girls could. Like that Swedish girl. So you condone that stuff. Take it easy. I don't want to be kissing Nat King Cole over here. I don't mean me. But, you know, he's got personality. "Personality"? He's talented. I understand what you're saying. But watch what you say. People get the wrong impression. I just said he was talented. Just leave it alone now. He's talented. Leave it at that. Pretend you don't see her, my heart Although she is coming... Our way Pretend you don't need her My heart But smile and pretend To be gay It's too late for running... My heart Chin up if the tears... Start to fall Look somewhere above her Pretend you don't love her Pretend you don't see her At all. No? Not even Uncle Paulie? What do you hear about that thing? The Brooklyn thing? The guy from downtown. The guy from where Christie lived? The guy who disappeared, the one they made the beef on. Know the guy I mean? His name was Batts. His people are driving everyone crazy looking for him. Nobody knows what happened. He came into the joint that night and then just disappeared. Keep your eyes open. They're busting my balls over it. Okay, everybody, let's eat. I want my money. I want my money. He owes it. You know that thing we took care of upstate? - Paulie was talking about that. - We must move it. They just sold the property to make condominiums. - It's been months. - We got to move it right away. Henry, hurry up. My mother's making fried peppers and sausage for us. - Here's an arm. - Very funny. Here's a leg. Here's a wing. What do you like, the leg or the wing? Or you still prefer the hearts and lungs? Oh, that's so bad. What happened to the car? I hit a skunk, all right? Go with your mother. It's disgusting, Henry. I set up Janice in an apartment near The Suite. That way I was able to stay over a few nights a week. My new antique lamp. Karen was home with the kids. She never asked questions. The furniture's all Maurice Valencia. Looks like Roma. This is all silk. This is from Siam. Come see my bedroom. - Tommy, will you take him? - I'll eat this fucking dog tonight. Love that crystal ball or what? This is where we spend most of our time. I love the floral arrangements. French. Janice and I had so much fun, she screwed up at work. I had to straighten out her boss. Janice can do what she wants to do! Got it?! Just try and run. Hang up once more and you'll deal with me! Get off of her. You're an animal. Spider, on your way here, bring me a Cutty and water. - I'll play these. - You'll play those? Do I stutter? I play those. What am I, a mirage? Where's my fucking drink? - You wanted a drink? - I asked you for one. You said, "I'm all right, Spider." Am I on a pay-no-mind list? No, I heard someone say "Spider, Spider." - I thought it was Henry. - You're a stuttering fuck. You said, "I'm all right, Spider." You ain't all right. No, you said you were all right. I am all right! You ain't, you prick. You been doing this all night to me, motherfucker! You want a drink? I'll bring it. Get me a fucking drink! Move it, you prick! You walk like Stepin Fetchit. Everybody else you run. Run for me! Dance the fucking drink back here! What's that Bogart movie? - Where he played a cowboy. - "The Oklahoma Kid." "Oklahoma Kid." "Shane?" Oklahoma Kid, that's me. You fucking varmint. Dance! Yahoo, motherfucker! Round up those fucking wagons. Now he's moving. He got him in the foot. He's fine. So he got shot in the foot. Big fucking deal. Get a towel. Nice fucking game. Take him to Ben Casey. Let him crawl like he crawls for the drinks. Take him to the doctor down the street. Bones are all shattered. Don't get me upset. Don't make a big fucking thing out of it, Spider! You trying to make me think what I did here. It was an accident. Little fucking actor. - You in? - I'm in. - . - ?! You haven't been home in weeks! You're not going out tonight! Will you grow up?! I'm still going to go out! Not without your car keys. Are you nuts? Is that your problem? Yes! Something's going on! Stop with that. Enough! Stop with that! I look in your face and I know you're lying! - Get out! Get out! - Shut up! Out of my life! You're fucked in the head. It's in your mind. - You're a lousy bastard! - You got a problem. Go to your ready-made whores. That's all you're good for! Get out of my life! I can't stand you! Spider, what's your rush? Thank you. Spider, that bandage on your foot is bigger than your fucking head. Next thing you know he'll have one of these fucking walkers. But you can still dance. Give us a couple of fucking steps, Spider. You fucking bullshitter. Tell the truth. You want sympathy. Got fuck yourself, Tommy. I didn't hear right. I can't believe what I heard. This is for you. I got respect for this kid. He's got a lot of balls. Good. Don't take shit from nobody. He tells him to go fuck himself. Tommy, you going to let this fucking punk get away with that? What's this world coming to? That's what the fucking world's coming to. - How's that? - What is wrong with you?! What is the fucking matter with you?! Are you stupid or what? I was kidding with you. Are you a sick maniac? How do I know you're kidding? I'm kidding with you, you fucking shoot the guy?! He's dead. Good shot. I'm a good shot. - Hard to miss at this distance. - You got a problem with what I did? His family's all rats. He would've grown up to be a rat. Stupid bastard! I can't believe you. Now you're going to dig the hole. I got no fucking lime. I'll dig the hole. I don't give a fuck. Is it the first hole I dug? Not the first hole I dug. Where are the shovels? It's Karen Hill. I want to talk to you. Hello? Don't hang up on me! I want to talk to you! You keep away from my husband, you hear me? Open the door! Answer me! I'll tell everyone who walks in here... ...that in R, Rossi, you are nothing but a whore! Superintendent? I want you to know you have a whore... ...in R! Rossi, Janice Rossi. Do you hear me? He's my husband! Get your own goddamn man! Wake up. What are you doing? Are you crazy? I am crazy. And I'm crazy enough to kill both of you. Karen, take it easy. Do you love her? Do you?! Do you? I love you. You know I love you. You don't. No, you don't. Be careful, baby. Don't. But still I couldn't hurt him. How could I hurt him? I couldn't even leave him. The truth was... ...no matter how bad I felt... ...I was still very attracted to him. Why give him to someone else? Why should she win? Just put it down. You know I love you, don't you? You're all I want, Karen. Please put the gun down. Baby, come on. What are you, fucking crazy?! I got enough to worry about getting whacked on the street! I got to fucking come home for this?! I should fucking kill you! How does it feel? How does it feel, Karen? I'm sorry! Hi, Jimmy! How are you? - Looking good. - Thank you. Good to see you. Go get some cigarettes, okay? - Anybody else? - I'm all right. You want anything to drink? Chinese food? Karen came by. She's very upset. You got to straighten this out. We got to have calm. We don't know what she'll do. She's hysterical. Very excited. She's wild. And you got to take it easy. You got children. I'm not saying go back to her right now, but you got to go back. You got to keep up appearances. The two of them come to my house every day. I just can't have it. I can't do it, Henry. I can't do it. Nobody says you can't do what you want. We all know that. This is what it is. We know what it is. You have to do what's right. You have to go home to the family. You got to go home, okay? Look at me. You got to go home. Smarten up. I'll talk to Karen. I'll straighten this out. I know just what to say to her. I'll say you'll go back to her and it'll be like when you first got married. I'll romance her. It'll be beautiful. I know how to talk to her. In the meantime, Jimmy and Tommy were going to Tampa this weekend. Instead you go with Jimmy. You come with me. Have a good time. Sit in the sun. Take a few days off. We'll have a good time. After that, you'll go back to Karen. There's no other way. No divorce. We're not animali. No divorce. She'll never divorce him. She'll kill him, but not divorce him. You going to pay it? Give us the money! I can't. We'll throw the bastard to the lions. Lions? I ain't going near any lions! Throw him over the moat. I'll get the money! They must really feed each other to the lions, 'cause he gave the money right up. I'll get the money. We spent the rest of the weekend at the track. They mean business. Then, I couldn't believe what happened. When we got home, we were all over the newspaper. At first I didn't even know why we got picked up. Then I found out the guy we roughed up... ...had a sister working as a typist for the FBI. I couldn't believe it. Of all people. She gave up everybody. Jimmy, me. Even her brother. It took the jury hours to bring us in guilty. The judge gave us years like he was giving away candy. years in a federal penitentiary. You will now be turned over... ...to the Attorney General. Toast, guys. Good trip, good life. Get out soon. Good trip, sweetheart. We'll watch the home front. Say hello to those blow-job hacks. Motherfuck them every chance you get. I'll call you when I get a chance. Take me to jail. In prison, dinner was always a big thing. We had a pasta course, then we had a meat or a fish. Paulie was doing a year for contempt... ...and had a wonderful system for garlic. He used a razor and sliced it so thin... ...it would liquefy in the pan with a little oil. It's a very good system. Vinnie was in charge of the tomato sauce. Get that smell? Three kinds of meat in the meatballs. Veal, beef, and pork. You got to have pork. That's the flavor. I felt he used too many onions, but it was still a good sauce. Don't put in too many onions. I didn't put too much onions in, Paul. - There are only small onions. - Three onions? How many tomatoes? - Two big cans. - You don't need onions. Johnny Dio did the meat. We had no broiler, so he did everything in pans. It smelled up the joint and the hacks used to die... ...but he cooked a great steak. - How do you like yours? - Medium rare. Medium rare. An aristocrat. When you think of prison you get pictures in your mind... ...of all those old movies with rows and rows of guys behind bars. It wasn't like that for wiseguys. It wasn't bad, but I missed Jimmy, who was doing his time in Atlanta. Give me two steaks. Everyone else in the joint was doing real time, all together, living like pigs. But we lived alone. We owned the joint. We batted them sons-of-bitches. You couldn't recognize them. They deserved it. Even the hacks we couldn't bribe wouldn't rat on the guys we did. People used to be able to leave their door open. Sorry it took so long. That skinny guard's a pain in the ass. - We have to take care of that bastard. - I took care of him. What'd you bring? Some bread. I got peppers and onions. Salami, prosciutto, a lot of cheese. What else? Scotch. Red wine. - Now we can eat. - Some white, too. Beautiful. Okay, boys, let's eat. Come on, Johnny, Vinnie. Tomorrow sandwiches. You got to go on a diet, Vinnie. Read'em and weep. What are you doing? I'll catch you guys later. Going to the park? I'll catch you next week. - Any more? - No, that's it. Have a good weekend. You girls stay right here. - Hold hands. - Go right up front. What? I saw her name on the register. Want her to visit? Let her stay up all night writing to the parole board. What am I doing here? Where am I?! I'm in jail. I can't stop people from visiting me. Let her sneak this stuff in for you every week. Let her fight these bastards every week! Look what you're doing! Stop it! I'm sorry. Let her sneak this shit in for you. Will you stop it? - Let her do it! - Stop it! Nobody's helping me. I am all alone. Belle and Morrie are broke. I asked your friend Remo for the money he owes you. He told me to take the kids down to the police station and get on welfare. It's going to be okay. I never even see Paulie since he got out. I never see anyone. That's what happens when you go away. We're on our own. Forget everybody else. Forget Paulie. As long as he's on parole he doesn't want anybody doing anything. - I can't do it. - You can. All I need is you to bring me this stuff. A guy from Pittsburgh will help me move it. In a month we'll be fine. We won't need anybody. I'm afraid. I'm afraid if Paulie finds out... He is not helping us. Is he putting any food on the table? We've got to help each other. We got to be really, really careful while we do it. I don't want to hear about her anymore. Never. - We missed you. - Are you here to stay? Did you see our pictures? I did the one with the house and rainbow. I did the sun. My chorus concert is in weeks. Are you coming? Do you like the house? - Get packed. We're moving out. - With what? Don't worry. Just start looking for a new house. I got to go to Pittsburgh. Those guys owe me $ . We'll be okay. I got things lined up. Pittsburgh? You have to see your parole officer. Don't worry about it. Everything will be fine. Who wants to go to Uncle Paulie's? What do you want? Sweetheart, let Mommy eat. You look good. Did we eat this good in the joint? I don't want any more of that shit. - What are you talking about? - Just stay away from the garbage. Inside, you did what you had to do. I'm talking about now. About here and now. - Why would I get into that? - Don't make a jerk of me. Just don't do it. Don't. I want to talk about Jimmy. Watch out for him. He's a good earner, but takes too many chances. I wouldn't take chances like Jimmy. Tommy's a good kid, but he's crazy. He's got too much to prove. - You got to watch out for them. - I only use them for certain things. I ain't going to get fucked like Gribbs. Gribbs is years old and he'll die in prison. I don't need that. So I'm warning everybody. Could be my son, could be anybody. Gribbs got years just for saying hello to some fuck who was selling junk. That won't happen to me, understand? You're out early because I got you a job. I don't need this heat. You see anybody with shit you tell me. Anybody. Of course. It took me a week of sneaking around to unload the Pittsburgh stuff. But when I did, it was a real score. I used Sandy's place to mix the stuff. Even with Sandy snorting more than she mixed, I saw this was a good business. I made $ in my second week. I had a down payment on my house and things were rolling. All I had to do was once in a while tell Sandy I loved her. It was perfect. Since I got the stuff from Pittsburgh, Paulie would never find out. Within a couple of weeks it got so big I needed some help. I got Jimmy and Tommy to come in with me. It's fucking great. You bring your pay slips? Four and a half months of dirt. - It's so good. - I did it. - Do you love it? - It's wonderful. This we had to have made special. Go ahead, sit in it. The others you couldn't even sit in. Okay, ready? Watch the wall with the rock. The electricians did it special. Come on. This was imported. It came in pieces. Do you believe what they can do? - Nice, huh? - Come here. Did you and Jimmy talk? He's looking into everything. It'll make Air France look like peanuts. Come on. - He'll do it, right? - I told you. He's looking into it. We'll see what happens. No promises. Do you understand? There's millions in there. I've been cultivating this son-of-a-bitch for years. He owes me grand. Once in a lifetime. I could retire. No more nut every week. No more bullshit. My dream comes true. Let's get a drink. These are the guys Jimmy put together for what turned out to be... ...the biggest heist in American history. The Lufthansa heist. Tommy and Carbone would grab the guard and make him get us in the front door. Frenchy and Joe Buddha had to round up the workers. Johnny Roastbeef had to keep them tied up and away from the alarms. Even Stacks Edwards got in on it. He used to play guitar at the lounge. Everybody loved Stacks. He was supposed to steal the truck... ...and afterwards compact it by a friend of ours in Jersey. Only Morrie was driving us nuts. Have a drink and shut up. Just because he set this up... ...he bugged Jimmy for an advance on the money we could steal. He didn't mean anything by it. That's just the way he was. I had everyone working for me. Even our old baby-sitter, Lois Byrd. Have a good flight? I hate Pittsburgh. They're such creeps. They're not that bad. And it's worth it. Is this the same baby you used last week? No, that was my sister's. This is Deirdra's. Big yawn. She looks like you. That's what the stewardess said. Take it easy. Give me a break. You got plenty. You got all day. Let's make it last, all right? Take it easy. - I got to go. - Where are you going? Don't start. You know I got to go do this thing. Where are my keys? Over there. It's a mess. It's like a pig pen. I got you a dishwasher. Fucks up my nails. You got to be smart. There's enough powder here to put us away forever. Loosen up. What are you doing? You don't have to go anywhere. Make them wait. Nobody knows for sure how much was taken in the pre-dawn raid... ...at the Lufthansa cargo terminal. The FBI says $ Port Authority says $ . Those sons-of-bitches! ...the scene of the heist at JFK. It looks like a big one. Maybe the biggest this town has ever seen. Come here, you! Come here! Look at this genius. This genius! Merry Christmas, Jimmy! - Who's this? - This is my wife. Come here. I want to show you something, Jimmy. Isn't she gorgeous? I bought it for my wife. It's a coupe. I love that car. What did I tell you? I talked to you, didn't I? Didn't I say not to go buy anything for a while? The fucking car. It's a wedding gift from my mother. It's under her name. I just got married. - I love that car. - Excuse me for a second. - I just got married. - Are you nuts? - Why are you getting excited? - Are you stupid? We got a million bulls out there. Everyone's watching us. It's under my mother's name. It's a wedding gift. I don't give a fuck. Didn't you hear what I said? Don't buy anything. Don't get anything. What's the matter with you? What are you getting excited for? Because you're going to get us all pinched. - What's the matter with you? - I apologize. - I'm sorry. - What's the matter with you?! I'm sorry. It's under my mother's name. What'd you say? You being a wiseguy?! - I'm sorry. I apologize. - What did I tell you? What did I tell you?! You don't buy anything. You don't buy anything. I'm sorry, Jimmy. The fat fuck ought to wear a sign. I can't believe this. Are you stupid? Excuse me. Take it off. Take it off. Didn't I tell you not to get anything big or attract attention? One guy gets a Caddy and one gets a $ mink. I'll return it. Bring it where you got it. Get it out of here. Understand? Get it out of here! This drink here is better that sex, babe. I'm going to see Stacks. Don't you look at anybody or I'll kill you. He's so jealous. If I even look at anyone else, he'll kill me. That's great. I tell them all not to attract attention. What do they do? I've been looking all over for you. Listen, I need the money. - Morrie, relax, okay? It's Christmas. - I need the money. I'm relaxing. I need the money. - I did what I had to do. - Not tonight, Morrie. I did my caper. He owes me. Everyone's flashing stuff. They got money. I'm wearing the same shit. They're wearing it. I got to talk to him. I got grand coming to me. The biggest bundle he made in his life. I'll go talk to him. Go have a drink. - I'll talk to him. - It's poison to my eyes. - Morris, are you all right? - No. Christmas. Your share. Just a little taste. We did it. - Who is it? - It's me. Pete? One second. Don't do what Frankie and Johnny did. Don't be a moron. Karen, Judy, Ruth, come here! I got the most expensive tree they had. - What do you think, Mommy? - I love them all. I love the gold outfit. Merry Christmas. And? And? Happy Hanukkah. - Very funny. - Go get yourself something nice. Lufthansa should have been our ultimate score. The heist of a lifetime. Six million in cash. More than enough to go around. Yo, Stacks! Open up! What's with you? He ain't ready. I knew you wouldn't be ready. - You didn't bring any coffee? - Do I look like a caterer? Frankie will make coffee. Make coffee. Thought you'd have a bitch in here. I did. Where the fuck is she? Always got these hot books around or a bitch. What time is it? - : . We were to be there by . - I'll be ready in a minute. You're always late. You'd be late for your own funeral. What are you looking at? Make that coffee to go. Let's go. What the fuck you doing? It's a joke. A joke. Put the fucking pot down. Stacks was always crazy. Instead of getting rid of the truck as he was supposed to, he got stoned... ...went to his girlfriend's, and when he woke up, the cops had found the truck. It was all over the television. They even said they got prints off the wheel. It was just a matter of time before they got to Stacks. I got to talk to you. - Have a drink. - Have a drink. Come on. Have a drink. What are you doing? It's an occasion. Have a drink. I still have to talk to you. - What happened with Stacks? - Don't worry about that. - There's feds all over the place. - So what? Where are they going to go? - It's in the papers. - He's worried. What are you worried about? The television and the newspapers. All the shit's out there. - What are you worried about? - You worry too much. Everything is beautiful. Didn't you tell him? Not yet. Guess what. They are going to make him. Paulie's going to make you? They opened the books. Paulie got the okay. Can you believe that? This guinea bastard. He's getting made. We'll work for this guy one day. He'll be a boss. I can't believe him. I'm happy for you. Congratulations. Motherfuckers, we got them now. I've been looking all over for you. Can I talk to you a second? I masterminded the whole thing, I'm left with dick. They be up a creek if not for me. Fuck him! I want my money. I want my money. I've had it up to here. - Fuck him! I want my money! - Good. Go tell him. Now will you keep you mouth shut? Morrie, you'll get your money. You just got to stop busting balls. All right. You hear me? Everything's going to be fine. Oh, Henry boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling Half mick, half guinea. I'll sing with an Italian accent. And down the glen, the glen, and down the mountainside. The summer's gone. And all the roses dying I could see for the first time that Jimmy was a nervous wreck. His mind was going in eight different directions at once. Think Morrie tells his wife everything? Morrie? Him? That's when I knew Jimmy was going to whack Morrie. That's how it happens. That's how fast it takes for a guy to get whacked. He's a nut job. He talks to everybody. He's always acting like a jerk. Nobody listens to what he says. Nobody cares what he says, he talks so much. Make sure you bring him here tonight. - Okay? - All right. Start like this. Sorry. Did I get you in the eye? Stop breaking my balls. I was just stalling for time. I knew I had 'til or to talk Jimmy out of killing Morrie. But meanwhile, as far as Jimmy knew, I was going along with the program. I pulled out his hair. I bit him. He's out cold. I'm enraged. I wanted to kill this little fuck. We start to go in this joint. I don't want to turn around. Jimmy's doing this to me. I don't want to turn around. I don't want to turn around. He picks up his fucking head, he says, "Ah..." I said, "Don't say it!" "Jerkoff!" What are you going to do? What? I fly at him. I got him and I'm banging his head, banging his face. I'm pulling his hair out of his head. I bit him to a pulp. To a pulp I beat him. He's laying there full of blood. I'm out of breath. Forget about tonight. Forget it. It was a load off my mind. He never knew how close he'd come to getting killed. Even if I told him he would never have believed me. - Jimmy, could I talk to you now? - You're a pisser. A real pisser. Want to talk now? Okay, let's talk. I've never met a ball buster like you. Who loves you more than I do? - I'd do anything for you. - Except stop busting my balls. - Let's go have coffee. - Want to go to the diner? We'll go to the diner on the boulevard. - Which diner? - Rockaway Boulevard. It's open hours. - They got danish? - They got everything. Let's pick up danish for Belle. Hear about the points we were shaving in Boston? It's terrific. Nunzio... I thought he'd never shut up. What a pain in the ass. - What'll we do with him? - Chop him up and get rid of the car. Call me when you're through. Let's chop him up. - Where you going, dizzy motherfucker? - You said chop him up. At Charlie's. Where will we do it here? Come on. Get out of here. I got a better shot letting him drive. The car's cold. Get out of here! What, warm it up? Get out of here! - Who is it? - It's Belle. Open up. It's Belle. Let me in. Morris didn't come home. He's missing I know something happened. Calm down. He's missing! I know something happened. He probably fell asleep somewhere. In years he's never been away all night without calling. Something's happened. I know you know. Let me get changed. I'll take you home then look for him. I've been home! I've been on the phone... He's playing cards. - What'll I tell Belle? - Who gives a fuck? Tell her he ran off with some broad. What do you care? - Watch this. - Don't fuck with me. I bust their balls all the time. Don't give them the satisfaction, those fucks. Come on, fuckos. Let's go for a ride. Keep them up all night, I'll see you later. Jimmy was cutting every link between himself and the robbery... ...but it had nothing to do with me. I gave Jimmy the tip and he gave me some Christmas money. From then on, I kept my mouth shut. I knew Jimmy. He had the cash. It was his. He kicked some money upstairs to Paulie, but that was it. It made him sick to turn money over to the guys who stole it. He'd rather whack them. What did I care? I wasn't asking for anything. And Jimmy was making nice money through my Pittsburgh connections. Still, months after the robbery they were finding bodies all over. When they found Carbone in the meat truck he was frozen so stiff... ...it took them days to thaw him out for the autopsy. I never saw Jimmy so happy. He was like a kid. We had money coming in through Pittsburgh... ...and even after a while the Lufthansa thing began to calm down. Jimmy was so happy that morning... ...because this was the day Tommy was being made. Jimmy was so excited you'd think he was being made. He must have made four calls to Tommy's house. They had a signal set up so he'd know the minute the ceremony was over. - Ma, where are you? - Here I am. - You're home. - Home? I'm leaving. - You look lovely. - I look good, huh? You look wonderful. Be careful. I wish you lots of luck. I love you. Don't paint any religious pictures. God be with you. We always called each other good fellas. You'd say to somebody: "You'll like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella, one of us." Understand? We were good fellas. Wiseguys. Jimmy and me could never be made because we had Irish blood. It didn't matter my mother was Sicilian. To become a member of a crew you must be % Italian... ...so they can trace your relatives to the old country. It's the highest honor they can give you. It means you belong to a family and a crew. It means nobody can fuck around with you. Also, you can fuck around with anybody, as long as they aren't also a member. It's like a license to steal. A license to do anything. How many years since you was made? I'm an old-timer. Thirty years ago. Bring back a lot of memories. Pike's Peak was a pimple then, wasn't it? As far as Jimmy was concerned, with Tommy being made... ...it was like we were all being made. We would now have one of our own as a member. Who's this? Vinnie. What happened? Did we get straightened out? We had a problem. We tried to do everything we could. You know what I mean. He's gone, and we couldn't do nothing about it. What do you mean? He's gone. He's gone. That's it. I knew it! I can't fucking believe it. They fucking whacked him. Are you all right? It was revenge for Billy Batts, and a lot of other things. That's that. There was nothing we could do about it. Batts was a made man; Tommy wasn't. We had to sit still and take it. It was among the Italians. It was real greaseball shit. They even shot Tommy in the face... ...so his mother couldn't give him an open-casket funeral. I had a busy day. I had to drop guns off at Jimmy's... ...to match some silencers he had. I had to pick up my brother at the hospital... ...and pick up some stuff for Lois... ...to fly down to some customers in Atlanta. Right away I knew he didn't want them and I'd be stuck for the money. I bought them because he wanted them and now he didn't want them. What good are these? None of them fit. I'm not paying for these. I didn't say a thing. Jimmy was so pissed he didn't say good-bye. The drugs are making your mind into mush. I'll return them. My Pittsburgh guys always wanted guns. Since I would see them in the afternoon, I was pretty sure... ...I'd get my money back. Oh, my God. At the hospital, Michael's doctor wanted to put me in bed. What happened to you? I almost got into an accident on the way here. And I told him I was partying all night. I'm fine. Get over here. Let me check you out. He took mercy on me, gave me Valium... ...and sent me home. My plan was to drop off my brother at the house and pick up Karen. There it is. You see that helicopter right there? Right up there. It's been following me all morning. - Are you nuts? - I'm telling you. It's the third time I've seen it. At the hospital. I had to make some stops. I've been all over town and I've seen it all day. I was cooking dinner. I had to start braising the beef and veal shanks for the tomato sauce. It was Michael's favorite. I was making ziti with gravy... ...roasted peppers... ...string beans with olive oil, and beautiful cutlets... ...that were cut just right... ...that I was going to fry up as an appetizer. So I was home for about an hour. My plan was to start dinner early so I could unload the guns Jimmy didn't want. Then get the package for Lois to take to Atlanta later that night. I kept looking out the window and saw that the helicopter was gone. Michael, keep an eye on the sauce. Stay here with your Uncle Michael. I asked my brother to watch the sauce and Karen and I started out. Oh, God. I see it. It's right there. That's it. We got to get to your mother's. I told you. It's funny. - It's not the end of the world. - Let's get to your mother's. Tell your mother not to touch anything outside of the house. Nothing. Why didn't you go to your mother's house? Everything gonna be all right in the morning. Let's go shopping. It's been following me all morning He thinks I'm paranoid. I should bring him the helicopter, then we'll see how paranoid I am. Come on, let's go inside. It's gone. - I don't hear it. - Let's go back to your mother's. - They all right? - They're great. Didn't I say you were paranoid? Didn't I tell him? Yeah. I need a hit. Want to see helicopters? I'll show you helicopters. I've seen enough helicopters for one day, thank you. I had to get home and get the package ready for Lois to take on her trip. I also had to get to Sandy's to give the package a whack with quinine. And I knew Sandy would get on my ass. I had cooking to finish, and I had to get Lois ready for her trip. - It's Sandy. What the fuck is this? - She's a pain in the ass. - When are you coming over? - In an hour. - You staying tonight? - I can't. I got my brother tonight. Come on, stop. Stop. We'll talk about it later, okay? Good-bye. It's me. You ready? Tell Michael not to let the sauce stick. - Henry says don't let the sauce stick. - I'm stirring it. Listen, you know what to do? Don't "yeah, yeah" me. This is important. Leave the house when you make the call. Understand me? Call from an outside line. Jesus, you must think I'm dumb. I know what to do. You hick, just make sure you do it. You're a pain. Hey! Just do it! Un-fucking-believable. All of them. every fucking girl in my life. - What'd he say? - Nothing. What does she do after she hangs up? After everything I told her? After all her "yeah, yeah" bullshit? She calls from the house. If anyone was listening they'd know everything. They'd know a package was leaving my house and they'd have the flight number. I got home and started cooking. I had a few hours before Lois' flight. I told my brother to watch the stove. All day long the poor guy's been watching helicopters and tomato sauce. I had to drive over to Sandy's, mix the stuff, then get back to the gravy. Do you think you can come over, fuck me, then leave? - Got someplace better to go? - Don't talk like that. Come on. - You all right? - Yeah. You believe me? Do you believe me? That the last one? You lying son-of-a-bitch! I hate you! Please stop feeding the dog from the table... ...from the plate on top of it. Stop it. - I have to. - You don't have to. I got to go home. What do you mean? We got to tape this stuff to your leg. We got to go soon. I got to go home and get my hat. Forget your hat. Are you kidding me? I need a trip to Rockaway because you want your hat?! I got to have it. It's my lucky hat. I never fly without it. Do you understand what we are involved in? I don't care. I need my hat. I won't fly without it. What could I do if she insisted I drive her home for her damn hat? I hid the package and went to take her home. What the fuck is this? Police! Don't move, motherfucker. I'll blow your brains out. Shut the car off. I thought I was dead, but when I heard the noise I knew they were cops. Only cops talk that way. Don't fucking move. If they had been wiseguys, I wouldn't have heard a thing. I would have been dead. Michael! Lock the door! Talk to me. When was the last time you took a collar? I'm talking to you. You don't want to talk, don't talk. I don't give a fuck. You'll do years. See how much of a good guy you'll be then. All day I thought the guys in the helicopter... ...were local cops busting my balls over Lufthansa. They turned out to be narcs. Get the lawyer. They'd been on me a month. Phone taps, surveillance. You know the boys. All the pals are here. You don't want to talk to me, you'll have a problem all night. Each one of these counts holds to life in New York state. fucking years, pal. I'll slap your fucking head inside out. What, were you guys grocery shopping? Are we going to make a cake? You going to make a fucking cake? You got anything good in there? Is it good? Bye-bye, dickhead. See you in Attica. I spoke to Jimmy. He offered to give me some money. He wants to talk to you, to know what's happening. Fuck Jimmy and his money. I got to straighten out everything with Paulie or I'm dead. Then you're safer in here. They could whack me here as easy as out- side. They're afraid I'll rat them out. People are already walking away from me. You got to get me out. Karen finally got her mother to put up her house for bail and I was out. I had this feeling I would be killed right outside the jail. I knew Paulie was pissed at me and he's such a hothead. And I was worried about Jimmy. Jimmy knew if Paulie found out he was in the drug deals with me... ...Paulie would have Jimmy whacked even before me. This is the bad time. I didn't feel safe until I got home. Now my plan was to stay alive long enough to sell off the dope... ...the cops never found, then disappear until things got straightened out. Fuck! Where's the stuff I left, Karen? I flushed it down the toilet. What?! What was I supposed to do?! That was worth $ ! I need that money! That's all we got! They had a search warrant! That's all the money we had! I was depending on that! Why did you do that?! I had to! They were going to find it! - They wouldn't have found it! - They would have! I swear! They would've found it! Why did you do that?! - They would have found it. - Why did you do that? Oh, my God! I had to do it. Paulie, I'm really sorry. I don't know what else to say. I know I fucked up. Yeah, you fucked up. But I'm all right now. I can be trusted now. I'm clean. On my kids, I'm clean. You looked me in the eyes and lied to me. You treated me like a fucking jerk. Like I was never nothing to you. After what you said, I couldn't come to you. You know, I was ashamed. I'm ashamed now. But I got nowhere else to go. You're all I got. And I really, really need your help. I really do. Take this. And now I must turn my back on you. Thirty-two hundred bucks. That's what he gave me. bucks for a lifetime. It wasn't even enough to buy a coffin. - We got to get out. - I don't want to run. Am I supposed to pick up and leave everything? Go hiding? I don't want to do that. If we stay around here we're dead. You got it? We' re dead. They're right. You took too much of that stuff. You're totally paranoid. How's he doing? He's okay. They sobered him up. Good. Glad to hear it. - What kind of questions they been asking? - I don't know. I got my mind on so many other things. I got no money... ...the girls are old enough to read newspapers. Tell him to call me. As soon as you talk to him tell him to call me. It's important. He doesn't know I came here to see you. It's like he's crazy. Take this. It's a couple thousand. Everything will be all right. I got some beautiful Dior dresses. Take some for yourself. - For my mom. - Yeah, whatever. Not here. In the store on the corner. It's swag, so I got it down the corner. I'll see you. - Thanks. - Don't worry. - I'll try. - He's got to call me. Over here? Down here. It's right there. Right there. Go ahead! It's right there. No, Jimmy. I'm in a hurry. My mom's watching the kids. I got to get home. I'll come back later. What happened? Nothing. - What happened? - I just got scared. Got the keys? What happened? I just got scared. It's okay. You all right? If you're part of a crew nobody tells you they're going to kill you. It doesn't happen that way. There aren't any arguments or curses like in the movies. Your murderers come with smiles. They come as your friends. People who cared for you all your life. They always seem to come when you're weakest and most in need of their help. So I met Jimmy in a crowded place we both knew. I got there minutes early and Jimmy was already there. He took a booth near the window so he could see everyone who drove up. He wanted to make sure I wasn't tailed. He was jumpy. He hadn't touched a thing. On the surface, everything was supposed to be fine. We were supposed to discuss my case. But I had a feeling Jimmy was trying to sense if I'd rat on him to save my neck. I been telling you your whole life, don't talk on the phone. Now you understand? It'll be all right. You got a good chance to beat this case. Well, you know that kid from the city we're talking about? You know? The kid turned out to be a rat. As soon as he got pinched he ratted on everybody. I know where he is. He's hiding out. Know what I'm saying? Would you have a problem going with Anthony to take care of that? No, not at all. That way they got nothing. Jimmy had never asked me to whack somebody before. But now he's asking me to go to Florida and do a hit with Anthony. That's when I knew I would never have come back from Florida alive. Wherever you move me, I asked once and I tell you again... ...I don't want to go any place cold. You don't have a choice. Come on. Whoever fucking controls it... ...just no place cold. Do that for me. He's bronchial, that's why. If he's bronchial we'll consider that. I'd like to go someplace not cold. Can I ask you some questions? What about my parents? What about them? Am I going to see them? Am I going to talk to them? Will I have some contact with them? No. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You mean to tell me... ...if something happens to my parents and they get sick, I can't see them? Maybe something can be worked out if they're sick. If there's extraordinary circumstances... I can't do this. I can't do this, Henry. I can't leave my parents. Karen, I told you before. I'm not going to do this unless you and the kids come with me. I can't do it without you. So you do whatever, but... that's it. - You need Henry, not me, right? - That's right. I don't care whether you go or not. If it'll make him a better witness, I want you with him. They don't want me. Henry'll be in the protection program. They can't get to him. They can only get to him by getting to you or your kids. If he goes into the program you're in danger. - I don't know anything. - Don't give me... ...the babes-in-the-wood routine. I've listened to those wiretaps and I've heard you talk about cocaine. Conversation after conversation you talk to Henry on the phone. It doesn't matter. Whether he goes to jail... ...or stays on the streets, he's a dead man. He knows it and you know it. What about the kids and school? I mean, what goes on? Go to Wall Street and get real crooks. Whoever sold you those suits had a sense of humor. What it comes down to is we're your only salvation. We'll save your life, his life, and we'll keep you out of jail. This morning you told the jury about your background. It was easy for us to disappear. My house was in my mother-in-law's name. My cars were registered to my wife. My Social Security cards and driver's licenses were phonies. I never voted or paid taxes. My birth certificate and arrest sheet were all that showed I was alive. Do you see him here in this courtroom? Will you point him out for the jury? Let the record show that Mr. Hill identified the defendant James Conway. Do you also know a man named Paul Cicero? Do you see him in the courtroom? Can you point him out for the jury? Let the record show Mr. Hill identified the defendant Paul Cicero. I have a document... The hardest thing was to leave the life. I love the life. We were treated like movie stars with muscle. We had it all. Our wives, mothers, kids, everybody rode along. I had bags filled with jewelry stashed in the kitchen. I had a bowl of coke next to the bed. People call them rats because they will do anything to survive. - Objection! - Objection sustained. - I know nothing about being a rat. - You know everything about it! Anything I wanted was a phone call away. Free cars. Keys to a dozen hideouts all over the city. I'd bet grand over a weekend... ...then blow the winnings in a week or go to sharks to pay the bookies. Didn't matter. It didn't mean anything. When I was broke I would go rob some more. We ran everything. We paid off cops. We paid off lawyers. We paid off judges. Everybody had their hands out. Everything was for the taking. And now it's all over. That's the hardest part. Today everything is different. There's no action. I have to wait around like everyone else. Can't even get decent food. After I got here I ordered spaghetti with marinara sauce... ...and I got egg noodles with ketchup. I'm an average nobody. I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook. |