Mafia The Old Country - I - FAMIGLIA

I - FAMIGLIA

[Enzo rides until evening, then, tired, hides in a barn he comes across and decides to sleep. He is awakened by arriving trucks. Il Merlo gets out of one of them.]

ENZO: Merda...

IL MERLO: Find him!

IGNAZIO: It's locked.

MINE GUARD: Here. Around back.

[They enter the barn where Enzo is hiding!]

MINE GUARD: I'll look inside. You go around, make sure he doesn't slip out the back. Where is the little rat? When we find you, Il Merlo will slice you from ear to ear. I know you're in there, boy! Come out!

[Sneaking up unnoticed, Enzo strangles the guard with his bare hands, then gets out of the barn.]

IL MERLO: Make this quick. Spadaro will be waiting for us to clean up that fucking mess back there.

MINE GUARD: Shouldn't take long to find the boy. Only so many places the little bastard could be.

IL MERLO: The fuck is taking so long? Find this pezzu di merda!

MINE GUARD: We're going to be out here all fucking night.

IL MERLO: Keep looking...

[Enzo meanwhile moves from cover to cover, strangling guards.]

MINE GUARD: Could have left the horse and kept running.

MINE GUARD: Would you? No, he's here somewhere. He's thirsty, hungry. Sooner or later, he'll have to come out.

IL MERLO: If he gets away, it's on you cazzuni.

MINE GUARD: He's not back there.

IL MERLO: Minchiuni! The boy's outsmarted you? Search again!

[Enzo notices il Merlo standing by the door and also tries to kill him by sneaking up, but il Merlo quickly notices him and, with a strike from his shotgun against the door, knocks him to the ground, then comes out with the shotgun.]

IL MERLO: No more running. I'm going to make you wish you died in that rubble.

[A shot is suddenly heard. A stately middle-aged man approaches, surrounded by several armed men.]

DON TORRISI: What are you doing here, Damiano? Answer me.

IGNAZIO: Don Torrisi, this carusu-

[He immediately gets hit in the face with a rifle butt by one of the Don's men.]

DON TORRISI: I asked you a question.

IL MERLO: The boy owes a debt. We tracked him, in the dark... Must've crossed over. We mean no disrespect... We'll take him and be on our way.

DON TORRISI: The boy goes nowhere with you.

IL MERLO: Until the debt is paid, he belongs to us.

[The Don gets very close to il Merlo.]

DON TORRISI: On my land, you own nothing. You tell your boss the boy is under my protection. And if our truce is dishonored again, I will repay that offense (pushes il Merlo) tenfold. Now leave.

[Il Merlo and his men leave.]

LUCA: We'd risk war with the Spadaros, over a kid?

DON TORRISI: The greater risk would be allowing our enemies to overstep without consequence. Can you work?

ENZO: Yes.

DON TORRISI: Then you bring him back, Luca.

[The Don leaves. Luca helps Enzo to his feet.]

LUCA: Did you do that? To his face? Don Torrisi doesn't take kindly to trespassers. Lucky for you, he takes even less kindly to the Spadaro clan. You have a name?

ENZO: Enzo.

[They go outside.]

LUCA: Alright Enzo, let's go. Is that your horse, or theirs?

ENZO: I stole it.

LUCA: A thief and a trespasser. Poor thing's not in good shape. Almost as bad as you. You rode all the way from Collezolfo?

ENZO: Yes.

[They mount horses and ride towards the Don's villa.]

LUCA: Quite the journey with armed men at your back. What happened at the mine?

ENZO: There was a collapse. People died, not sure how many.

LUCA: Where were you headed?

ENZO: Anywhere.

LUCA: No family?

ENZO: No.

LUCA: We can find you somewhere to stay, Enzo, but you will be expected to work. A place to rest your head doesn't come for free.

ENZO: Whatever it is, I can do it. Is that where we're going?

LUCA: A little different to Collezolfo, no? Don Toms looks after all of this land. Takes good care of it. See those vines in the fields? Eventually, the grapes will become Torrisi wine. That's the family business. More or less.

ENZO: Don Torrisi lives there?

LUCA: Along with his family. He started with nothing, just like you and me. He's worked for everything he has.

ENZO: It's beautiful.

LUCA: I suppose it is.

[They ride onto the villa grounds.]

TORRISI MAFIOSO: Any trouble, Luca?

LUCA: It was nothing. Just a surprise visit. Damiano Bastoni.

TORRISI MAFIOSO: Il Merlo? What was he thinking?

LUCA: He wasn't. The Don straightened him out.

GUIDO: Who's your friend?

LUCA: Enzo. New pair of hands. Stables are this way. Gaspare will look after your horse while you're here. Ciao. Gaspare. Now, you need to get some rest. I'll show you where you can stay.

ENZO: Thank you.

LUCA: Don't thank me yet. Workers drift through, some stay for a season. We let them bunk up in the old casena. I'll leave you here alone, but don't go poking around or you'll find yourself in trouble. Room's just in here. Doesn't get used much. But there's a bed, somewhere to put your things.

ENZO: This is... This is good.

[The room isn't much different from the barracks - the same straw bed, but it's a separate room and his alone. And there's also a bathtub and a workbench!]

LUCA: Good might be a stretch, but it's yours for now. You get some rest. I'll be back later to talk about work.

[Enzo decides to sleep a little. After a while, a young guy, about 30 years old, comes to him.]

CESARE: Susiti.

[Cesare kicks the bucket for special needs.]

CESARE: Susiti!

[Enzo jumps up from the straw bed and pulls out his knife.]

CESARE: That how you mine boys say "hello"?

ENZO: Who are you?

CESARE: Someone who belongs here. Well, not here. Out there. You, though, you look right at home in a pig pen. I'm Cesare. My uncle runs this place.

ENZO: Where's Luca?

CESARE: Busy. Told me you wanted to make yourself useful. Don't worry about that. They'll smell you before they see you. But change out of those rags, will you? I'll wait outside.

[Enzo puts the knife away. He realizes he did something stupid.]

ENZO: Testa 'i minchia...

[Enzo changes into normal clothes - a white shirt, suspender pants, and sharp-toed boots.]

HARVEST INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pick only ripe grapes — dark and full. Leave green ones.
2. Use care — no snapping or tearing the vines.
3. Fill baskets full. No gaps, no waste.
4. Bring baskets to the press quickly. No delays.
5. Keep count of your baskets using notches or stones.
6. Work fast. Dalight fades quickly. Mistakes mean less pay. Work well!

[He goes out to Cesare, who is waiting for him.]

CESARE: It'll take more than some new clothes to make you fit in here. This way, carusu, we've got a delivery to load. My uncle's hosting a big meal later tonight. Do the work, maybe you'll get to eat.

ENZO: Understood.

[They approach the iron grate blocking access to the cellar.]

CESARE: Wine’s stored down here. Don’t even think about helping yourself. I know a thief when I smell one.

[They enter a dark basement devoid of any lighting. Several barrels stand against the walls, and there's an assortment of various utensils.]

CESARE: See those crates on the table? Load them onto the cart outside.

ENZO: These ones?

CESARE: Do you see any others? And be careful. One broken bottle and Luca will have your balls.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Saturday - Wine Deliveries
7 a.m. - Osteria della Zagara - 2 crates
8-30 a.m. - Signor Schifano, Nino Agavi - 1 crate
10 a.m. - Porto Almaro - Bar Calfé Ginevre - 5 crates
11 a.m. - Porto Almaro Station - 5 crates to be shipped to Palermo

[Enzo picks up a crate of bottles. The bottles clink ominously, hinting at the danger of carrying them.]

CESARE: This way.

ENZO: You not taking any?

CESARE: What I'm doing is none of your concern.

[They exit the cellar and approach a cart.]

CESARE: Put the crate in the back, mine boy.

CART DRIVER: So you found a use for him. Maybe he's not so bad after all.

CESARE: You want to be friends with the Collezolfo runts now?

[A well-dressed man approaches them.]

VALERIO: Have you moved those crates yet?

CESARE: Valerio, I'm just doing it now.

VALERIO: Looks a lot like you are sitting on your ass. Who's that?

CESARE: The carusu.

VALERIO: Hm. Keep him out of my workshop.

[Enzo goes into the cellar and gets another crate of wine.]

CESARE: You got it? That's my uncle's finest.

ENZO: This is nothing. You should try carrying a basket of sulfur or your back.

CESARE: I'll take your word for it.

VALENTINA: Is this another one of those layabouts from town? Where's he going with all that wine?

CESARE: What do you think of me? This is the farmhand your husband found hiding in the cattle sheds.

VALENTINA: Well he at least appears to be working. Come over when you are done, I need some help.

[Enzo brings in the last crate of wine.]

CART DRIVER: We nearly done here? I need to get on the road if we want to be back in time.

CESARE: This should be the last of it.

[After loading the last crate, Enzo approaches Cesare and the cart driver.]

ENZO: All done.

CART DRIVER: See. He didn't drop a thing. You owe fifty lire. Is my package from the Don in there?

CESARE: Minchia. It's inside, I'll get it. Make yourself useful while I'm gone. See what Valentine wants.

[He leaves, and Enzo goes to Valentina, who is working nearby.]

ENZO: Signura, do you need help?

VALENTINA: Has Cesare abandoned you already?

ENZO: Something came up.

VALENTINA: It's Enzo, isn't it? Luca told me all about you. How you fled the mine. Things are different here. We treat each other with respect. Except Cesare, but that boy is a law unto himself.

ENZO: I understand.

VALENTINA: Don Torrisi's a fair man, but he likes things done a certain way, and you do not want to find yourself on the end of his temper.

ENZO: Thanks for the warning.

VALENTINA: If you're ready to help... I need you to carry something to the kitchen for me. A pig freshly butchered for dinner.

ENZO: Pig? Uh, certo.

VALENTINA: I show you where it is. This way. We don't have meals like this very often, so it's important everything goes to plan.

[They approach a small warehouse holding many different things - from rabbits hung by their feet to paintings.]

VALENTINA: It’s just there, on that table.

A GIFT FROM GULOTTA
Don Torrisi,
Thank you for the kindness you showed my family. We will never forget it, for as long as we live. You are a good man. To properly express thanks for your generosity, please accept this pig, a Nero dei Nebrodi, as a token for your daughter’s name day. It is the biggest, healthiest I have had the pleasure of rearing, and it will surely satisfy your guests.
Warmest regards,
Signor Gulotta

[Enzo picks up half a pig carcass, puts it on his shoulder, and goes outside.]

VALENTINA: The kitchen's this way. While you are staying here, there are some rules you should follow. You can come into the house only when you are invited. Don't step a foot inside otherwise. You'll eat with the other workers at the end of the day, and you are expected to be clean and presentable. And keep to yourself. Don Torrisi is a very private man and he won't appreciate you sticking your nose into his affairs.

ENZO: I will.

VALENTINA: Good. Follow these rules and stay out of trouble... You should do just fine.

WORKER: There's enough food here to feed the whole valley.

WORKER: It's too much. Never had anything like this for my name day.

[They enter the kitchen.]

VALENTINA: Cosa inutili! Thought I'd find you here.

CESARE: What? Just checking up on the food for later. This needs a little more salt, I think

VALENTINA: Dio mio...

VALENTINA'S PORK SPEZZATINO
Ingredients:
- Pork, cut into small pieces
- 2/3 onions
- Butter
- Red wine
- 4 large potatoes
- 2 carrots
- Bone broth
- 4 cloves garlic
- Rosemary
- Tomatoes
- Peas

1. Cook the onions and carrots in olive oil
2. Add butter and garlic
3. Add the pork, turning every few minutes
4. Season
5. Add wine - generous pouring
6. Add tomatoes, bone broth and water if needed
7. Add potatoes
8. Season, leave to cook, covered for 5 hours
9. Stir in peas and leave on stove until cooked through

VALENTINA: Put it on the side over there, Enzo...

ENZO: If you need anything else.

VALENTINA: That's all for now. Be nice Cesare, he's had a hard time.

CESARE: I don't know what she's talking about. I'm always nice. In fact, I'm so nice, I'm going to give you the full tour. Next stop, the stables. You Rood with horses?

GUEST LIST
To prepare for Saturday’s guests:
Father Ciccone - Has a taste for the finer wines and always has a second helping. Make sure to offer when his plate is empty, or he'll get agitated.
Mayor Chiavetta - Enjoys grappa at the end of his meal. Seat him away from Tino.
Niccolo and Leone Galante no longer attending - Lemon cannoli not needed. Remember to give Don Torrisi his apologies. He has sent a gift for Isabella.
Raffaele and Gennaro Fontanella - The Baron can no longer attend due to business in Palermo. Remove Gennaro’s table setting beside Isabella and move everyone up.
Vincenzo Lorenzetti - An old friend of Don Torrisi. He is coarse, but must be treated well. He loses his manners when drunk, mind your skirts.

ENZO: I can ride.

CESARE: That's not going to help you much there. Luca said you led Damiano Bastoni right into our land.

ENZO: I was running. I didn't know about this place.

CESARE: It’s a long time since we heard from that dirty bastard. Maybe you are working for him?

ENZO: I would die before helping that sucaminchia. Trust me on that.

CESARE: Well, heard you roughed him up, so maybe you're right. Now, I have a very special job for you, carusu.

[He approaches the groom tending to a horse outside the stables.]

CESARE: Hey, Gaspare. Enzo's come to help out the stables.

GASPARE: You just made my day. There's a shovel inside.

ENZO: What will you do?

CESARE: I'll be outside, enjoying the fresh air. Find me when you'd done.

COSIMO'S CARE
Gaspare,
Cosimo is breathing heavily and snorts too much. Can't seem to make it far without him tiring.
Take good care of him, he must be well to ride in the palio.
To cure his chest, rub his throat with garlic and olive oil every morning.
If he becomes lethargic, soak his hay in wine. I will be back next week to check on him.
Arnaldo

[For a while, Enzo toils in the stable, shoveling horse shit. When he finishes, he sweeps the floor. A beautiful woman in a green headscarf with a basket of apples notices him.]

WOMAN: Who are you?

ENZO: Sono Enzo. I work here, for now.

WOMAN: You have not always been a stablehand.

ENZO: No.

WOMAN: Well, we do not always get to choose what we do.

ENZO: Suppose not. But we can choose who we are.

WOMAN: We can.

[She offers him an apple.]

ENZO: No, grazie.

[Then the woman takes a bite of the apple herself.]

WOMAN: See you around, Enzo.

[She leaves, and Enzo continues sweeping the floor. Finished, he exits the stable, hearing the voices of various people all over the villa.]

ROBERTO: So, did you speak to your uncle about what happened with Bastoni?

CESARE: He told me everything.

ENRICO: And?

CESARE: Wants me to keep it quiet. You know how it is.

ROBERTO: He didn't tell you anything, did he? Always with the bullshit, Cesare.

[Enzo approaches the groom.]

ENZO: There was a girl here. Did you see where she went?

GASPARE: Girl? Plenty of them working here. I didn't notice anyone.

ENZO: Never mind.

GASPARE: Thanks for helping in there, Enzo.

[Enzo goes to talk to Cesare, who is sitting nearby on the stairs to the house, talking with his friends. We just heard part of their conversation.]

CESARE: Don't you have work to do?

ENZO: I finished at the stables.

ENRICO: This the carusu?

CESARE: Can't you tell by the hair?

TINO: Cesare! Get off your backside and get yourself ready for dinner.

CESARE: We just finished working!

TINO: I don't care if you just finished pleasuring the blessed Madonna. Your uncle wants this thing started in an hour.

CESARE: You heard him carusu. Go back to your room and get cleaned up or you'll put everyone off their food.

[On the way, Enzo hears Enrico and Roberto talking by a car, smoking cigarettes.]

ROBERTO: Tino is in his usual sunny mood.

ENRICO: This thing with the Sparados must have really pissed him off.

ROBERTO: Ach, he's always like this. Old bastard need to drink more. Maybe he'll finally relax.

ENRICO: Tino never drinks. Says it softens the mind.

[Enzo approaches them.]

ENZO: Scusa. Who was that man?

ROBERTO: None of your business, carusu.

ENRICO: Eh kid's working here. Cesare's been showing him around. That was Tino. You keep out of his way, right?

ROBERTO: Just do what Cesare tells you and stop wandering.

ENZO: I will. Grazie.

ROBERTO: And kid, stop asking stupid questions around here.

[Enzo goes to wash up and tidy himself. Near his room, he finds the priest finishing a conversation with a woman.]

WORKER: I'm always happy to look after her.

FATHER CICCONE: Ciao. You're new to this place, aren't you, child? From the mine, I hear

ENZO: Yes.

FATHER CICCONE: Such a tragedy what happened. You've walked a difficult path for someone so young. Signor Torrisi is a generous man. I'm glad he's opened his arms to you.

ENZO: Thank you, Father.

VALENTINA: Smettila! Hands off! There'll be nothing left for everyone else.

TORRISI MAFIOSO: Come on, we've been working hard.

VALENTINA: I said no. Vattene!

NOTE FROM FATHER CICCONE
Young Enzo,
Signora Trapani has informed me of your recent trials. You have endured great hardships, like many of the waifs and strays I have seen pass through this land.
Know that the Lord has a purpose for you. I believe he guided you to this vineyard to fulfil it.
I pray that you find peace and strength here. I hear confession at the chapel on the hill — my door is always open to you.
Your servant in Christ, Father Ciccone

[After washing up, Enzo comes to the party. He is timid and shy, not knowing how to behave in such a situation. He notices the Don talking with guests.]

DON TORRISI: Will you go and check?

VALENTINA: Bernardo... Sit.

[Enzo approaches the table where the servants are sitting.]

CLARISSA: Come, stay a while.

ENZO: Grazie.

[Clarissa offers Enzo a large bowl of food, and he, having received visual permission to eat, attacks it, greedily shoving spoonful after spoonful into his mouth. Luca approaches them and sits next to Enzo, holding a bottle of wine.]

LUCA: Clarissa, do you mind? Ah Enzo, I've seen dogs with more restraint. The Don butchers all the meat himself. I'll let him know you appreciate his work.

ENZO: I want to thank you, about before, about the job.

LUCA: It's that man you should thank. (he nods to the Don) If you want to show him some gratitude, work hard, and keep out of trouble. Come on, it's a celebration, drink.

[Enzo enjoys the wine offered by Luca - he clearly doesn't get to drink such things often.]

LUCA: Buono, eh?

ENZO: Che buono.

[He smiles but notices old man Tino smoking a pipe, and the smile fades from his face.]

LUCA: Ah, Tino, the heart and soul of every occasion. He's the Don's old friend and a kind of... advisor. You'll get to know these people. Who to go to for help, who you should keep an eye out for... Look and listen, that'll teach you all you need to know. Ah, finally. The guest of honor.

[A girl in a green dress approaches the Don's table. Enzo realizes he's seen her before.]

ENZO: Who is she?

DON TORRISI: Please, my friends, my family. Be upstanding in the celebration of my beautiful daughter Isabella on her name day.

[Everyone applauds.]

DON TORRISI: Salute!

[Everyone drinks. Isabella makes eye contact with Enzo, and he gives a slight nod, congratulating the birthday girl.]