III – PIZZU
[More time passes. Tired from hard work, Enzo leans against a wall to drink some water (or possibly white wine). Looking around and making sure no one is nearby, he takes out a letter from Isabella from his pocket.]ENZO: Thank you for protecting me in San Celeste. I hope I didn't get you in trouble.
ALFIO: Ey, carusu! Luca's looking for you, out by the stables.
ENZO: Tell him I'll.... I'll be over soon.
ALFIO: Why don't you send him a little note? (chickles)
[When he leaves, Enzo takes out the letter again. In his head, he reads it in Isabella's voice.]
ISABELLA: You're curious, Enzo. Meet me in the garden, if you want to talk again. Don't worry, I won't tell.
[Enzo goes to meet Isabella, on the way meeting a priest who is scolding a little boy, about six years old.]
WORKER: And what's that? To be a pain in the neck?
WORKER: I see you walking well enough when you're done for the day, straight to the bar.
[Enzo enters a small, blooming nook behind the gates, where Isabella is already waiting for him. Barefoot, she is sitting in a tree and when Enzo gets closer, she jumps down onto the grass.]
ISABELLA: I was not sure you could read.
ENZO: You took the chance?
ISABELLA: I did.
ENZO: Why did you write to me?
ISABELLA: Why did you come?
ENZO: I wanted to say I'm sorry, about the fight. It should never have happened.
ISABELLA: Are you alright?
[She wants to get closer, but Enzo pulls back, understanding the consequences.]
ENZO: Sì, sì. It's just...
ISABELLA: What is it?
ENZO: Maybe it's not a good idea, us meeting like that, like this. People might talk.
ISABELLA: And what would they say?
[Isabella is not very pleased with Enzo's behavior, perhaps his cowardice.]
ENZO: I have to be careful and work hard. Your father is who he is.
ISABELLA: And who are you Enzo? Does my father already control your life?
[Looking at Enzo's face, she realizes she said too much.]
ISABELLA: I'm sorry...
[Suddenly, old man Tino appears!]
TINO: Hey! What are you doing here?
ENZO: Looking for Luca.
TINO: And is he here? Sneaking around where you don't belong will be the last thing you do. U capisti?
[He turns to Isabella, playing with his smoking pipe, which he never lets out of his hands.]
TINO: Your father is looking for you. And you're not a paesana, dragged up outside. Put on your shoes.
[They leave, and Enzo goes to meet Luca at the stables. On the way, he meets old acquaintances.]
ANGELO: At this rate we'll be hunting into the night.
ROBERTO: You invite Achille, this is what you get. The man never wakes up before noon.
VALERIO: Ah, carusu. Ciao.
ENZO: Ciao. What are the guns for?
ANGELO: None of your business, mine boy.
VALERIO: We're going hunting. Making the most of this weather. Maybe you'll get out today, too. Heard Luca mention something about that.
ENZO: Maybe. He wanted to see me. I better not keep him waiting. Have a good hunt.
[Enzo approaches the stable.]
GASPARE: Ciao, Enzo! Luca's looking for you. He's in the stable.
ENZO: Grazie, Gaspare.
[He enters the dark stable. Voices are heard from afar.]
CESARE: No, the redhead. The one with the big...
LUCA: Romina? You know her father's a lawyer?
CESARE: So? There's no law against fucking.
LUCA: No, I mean she's smart. She'll run a mile as soon as you open your mouth.
CESARE: Minchiuni...
LUCA: Oh! The finest horseman in all of Sicily.
CESARE: This is who we are waiting for? Bedda Matri. We're riding out with the shit shovelers now?
LUCA: Enzo stepping up saved your uncle's pride and you from a serious beating. He earned himself a change of scenery. If he wants it?
[Cesare picks up a revolver lying on a stool and plays with it, spinning the cylinder.]
ENZO: Where are you going?
LUCA: Don Torrisi looks out for people around here, makes sure they're protected from... misfortune. That security comes with a price of course, so we're going to collect what we are owed.
ENZO: So what do you need me for?
LUCA: Well sometimes, a client is feeling less than cooperative, and we need to...
CESARE: ...teach them a lesson.
LUCA: Remind them of their obligations. An extra pair of hands helps jog their memory. But don't worry, you keep your eyes open and listen.
CESARE: Besides, what else you got to do? Come on, time is money.
LUCA: Listen to this uccazzaru, barking orders. Andiamo.
[They exit the stable onto the street. Enzo follows them. All three mount horses and set off.]
LUCA: We have a few people to visit today, all down in the valley.
CESARE: It's a lot of riding around. Your nag better be up to it, mine boy.
ENZO: Don't worry, he'll be fine. Do you make these visits often?
LUCA: Often enough. Don Torrisi likes us to call in on his clients every now and then.
CESARE: Every fucking week.
ENZO: Alright. I'm round for whatever you need. Just tell me what to do.
LUCA: You hear that Cesare? That's what a work ethic sounds like.
CESARE: Ever had to get physical with anyone, carusu? Must have gotten rough, down in the pit.
ENZO: I held my own.
CESARE: There's more than lonely miners to fend off out here. You think you bar step up?
LUCA: Stop acting tough Cesare, it doesn't suit your.
CESARE: He's unproven. This men's work.
LUCA: Oh yeah? Then I should have left you at home.
ENZO: Who do you protect people from? For this money?
LUCA: There are thieves and bandits all through the hills. They prey on everybody. The law, the guardie, they don't help.
CESARE: They're just as bad as the bandits.
LUCA: Life is tough out here, Enzo. And so, people turn to the Don when they are in need. He just ask something in return. To dip his beak, you might say.
CESARE: A little taste here and there. That's all.
LUCA: We've got to make a quick stop up ahead. There's an olive farmer we need to see.
ENZO: This is our first collection?
LUCA: That's right, but this should be straightforward. The farmer, he rents land from Don Torrisi. He makes good money. Always pays on time. Just watch and learn.
[They ride up to a villa.]
LUCA: Here we are. This won't take a minute.
VILLAGER: Signor Trapani. It's good to see you.
LUCA: Salutamu.
VILLAGER: Please, I'll mind the horses. My father is in his yard.
LUCA: Grazie.
VILLAGER: Marco, Signor Trapani is here to see you!
PUBLIC WARNING
ATTENZIONE!
Bandit activity is on the rise in our community.
Just recently, Signor Dolfini’s plough was stolen and Signor Nivolli was robbed at gunpoint.
Please ensure you lock away all valuables before turning in each evening. Minimize travel at night, especially alone.
Stay vigilant. Look out for your neighbors. Report anything suspicious to the consiglio comunale, who will inform the guardie.
CESARE: You'd think the King of Italy was visiting...
LUCA: Sta’ mutu. These are the Don's tenants, they give us no trouble. You should appreciate things being simple.
MARCO: Gianluca, a pleasure as always.
LUCA: Marco. I trust you're well?
MARCO: I'm old, everything hurts, and my son prefers the bottle to the rake. But who can complain?
LUCA: You need to shake some sense into him. A man your age shouldn't work like you do. Aside from the aches and pains, how's business?
MARCO: Olives grow and we make money. Speaking of which...
LUCA: And no trouble?
MARCO: Who would bother us? This is the Don's land.
LUCA: Well, you know where I am.
MARCO: Of course. Please give my regards to Don Torrisi.
LUCA: I will. Cesare, Enzo. Let's go. We have more stops to make.
[They mount their horses again and set off.]
ENZO: As you said. Easy.
LUCA: Marco has rented land from the Don for many years. We provide protection, for his family and his livelihood. So yes, there's trust there.
ENZO: They respect you.
CESARE: Don't flatter him. It's the Don they respect. And his land they're leeching off.
LUCA: They understand our business. They pay for a service, and in return sleep easy at night.
CESARE: I've been thinking, we should use a car for collections.
LUCA: There's nothing wrong with horses.
CESARE: Farmers ride horses. A car shows we mean business, that we're a cut above.
LUCA: You want to take a car down these tracks? You won't make much of an impression getting towed out of a ditch.
CESARE: You know your problem? Always expecting the worst. I'd drive these collections in half the time, and have you back in time for lunch and a little nap with Valentina.
LUCA: It's not about speed. Cesare We don't need the attention. Next stop's going to be a farm. They produce lemons. The owner's late on his payments.
CESARE: Finally, we get to have a little fun.
LUCA: Follow my lead. Both of you. It shouldn't be too much trouble.
[They cross a small stone bridge and approach another villa.]
ENZO: They look worried.
LUCA: They know why we're here.
CESARE: When you do business, people look the other way if they know what's good to them.
[They dismount.]
ENZO: So we head inside?
CESARE: That's the idea, carusu. You first.
LUCA: Wait a minute. The farmer here... He has a son. In front of him, he's too proud to give up what he owes right away. But he always pays. So, I give him a little back and forth.
CESARE: This again?
ENZO: So, what do we do?
LUCA: We let him act tough in front of the boy.
[He pulls out a pistol and waves it around.]
CESARE: And then we remind him of his obligations.
[Luca pulls out a pistol and hands it to Enzo.]
LUCA: Yours is unloaded. You give him a chance to be brave. Then, you let him see it. That's it.
[Enzo takes the pistol, still unsure what is expected of him.]
LUCA: Let's get this done.
[They enter the house with pistols in hand.]
LUCA: Signor Affini!
SIGNOR AFFINI: Signor Trapani. What a pleasant surprise.
LUCA: Come now, I think we both know that this is no surprise. But we can make it pleasant, I hope.
FARMER'S SON: What is this, father?
SIGNOR AFFINI: Quiet. I have no need of Don Torrisi's services today, but please take all the fruit you can carry as a token of my respect.
LUCA: That's very kind. Perhaps you can send those up to the estate. But I am here for the money you owe. As we have discussed before, the Don is always working on your behalf.
[Affinni raises his voice slightly.]
SIGNOR AFFINI: And as I have mentioned before, I have no need for protection.
LUCA: Adversity can strike when you least expect it. I strongly advise you pay what you owe.
SIGNOR AFFINI: Thank you for your concern, but I can handle my own affairs.
LUCA: Very well. Then I will leave you in the hands of my friend here. Enzo...?
[Enzo pulls the unloaded pistol from its holster and points it at Affini. The father and son are clearly frightened.]
SIGNOR AFFINI: You're going to shoot me? Over a hundred lire?
ENZO: I hope I don't have to.
SIGNOR AFFINI: Think about what you're doing here.
FARMER'S SON: Just pay them, papa!
LUCA: Your son is smart, you must be very proud.
CESARE: See how the boy likes it, carusu.
[Enzo points the pistol at the farmer's son.]
SIGNOR AFFINI: You want to point that at someone, point it at me!
CESARE: The hero!
LUCA: Pay what you owe and nobody gets hurt.
SIGNOR AFFINI: Alright, alright. There's money in the back room. Give me a minute to fetch it.
LUCA: Don't go to any trouble. Enzo will get it.
SIGNOR AFFINI: Fine. You get it then.
[Enzo goes into an adjacent room, resembling a kitchen.]
ENZO: There's a safe back here.
CESARE: So open it.
ENZO: It's locked.
LUCA: The combination, what is it?
SIGNOR AFFINI: I don't know. I can't remember.
OUTGOING PAYMENTS
July Outgoings
Shipping - 4.000 lire
Wages - 1.054 lire
Irrigation - 94 lire
Fertiliser - 76 lire
Security - 2.000 lire
Speak to Trapani - these costs are getting out of hand!
CESARE: Lla na mazzari! What do I need to do to jog your memory?
FARMER'S ROMANTIC POEM
Just like an orange, you glow
Perfectly formed
You're a clementine, sweet just so
Your skin, like velvet
The finest fruits
Do not compare to it
You excite like a lemon,
Sour? Tart? No!
You're nothing short of heaven
Mandarins may wilt
Cedars be unripe
But you, my love
You're just right
10-20-30
ENZO: I've got it.
LUCA: Now we are getting somewhere! Open her up!
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
ATTENTION!
September 14, 1904
To the esteemed farmers and business owners of San Celeste and its environs.
As the newly appointed Commander of the San Celeste Corpo Reale Di Polizia, my foremost duty is to ensure the safety and prosperity of this community. The plague of banditry that has long afflicted our countryside must end. Your hard work and livelihoods deserve protection, and I am committed to delivering it.
However, I cannot accomplish this alone. Justice thrives on cooperation. I urge you to report crimes and share any information about those who threaten our peace. Rest assured, your identity will be safeguarded.
I understand that fear and mistrust have silenced many. Yet, silence only empowers the lawless. Together, we can root out those who exploit our traditions for personal gain. Let this be a new chapter for the Valle Dorata, one of order, security, and trust. My office is always open to you.
With determination and respect,
Major Ettore D'Amico
Commander of the Corpo Reale Di Polizia San Celeste
CESARE: What do you need a safe for, anyway? You got a big lemon you are saving for the village fair? What are you looking at? You think I'm not serious?
SIGNOR AFFINI: Nobody's looking at you!
CESARE: Well I'm looking at you.
LUCA: Hey, shut up. All of you. Giving you. Giving me a headache.
[Using the found combination, Enzo opens the safe.]
ENZO: I've got the money.
LUCA: Are we happy?
SIGNOR AFFINI: You got what you came for, now get out of here.
LUCA: So good to see you, as always. And thanks again, for the fruit.
SIGNOR AFFINI: Please don't choke on it.
[Our bandits exit the house and mount their horses.]
CESARE: I know what you're going to say. We got the money, didn't we? I didn't shoot anybody.
LUCA: This time. Control yourself. When I apply pressure, it has a purpose. When you get loud, it's emotional. Learn the difference.
CESARE: Whatever you say. So, carusu, you still prefer this to life in the mine?
LUCA: What kind of a question is that?
ENZO: If you'd spent a day underground, you wouldn't ask.
CESARE: Don't be so dramatic it's no easy thing out here, either.
LUCA: Enough, Cesare. Our next stop is the quarry. The owner took a loan from the Don to finance his latest venture, but we haven't heard anything since.
ENZO: So, same as last time?
LUCA: Let's wait and see. The owner usually pays on time. Something is not right.
CESARE: About that red head... Gabriela, was it?
LUCA: Lla na mazzari! Not this again.
CESARE: Hey, how am I going to meet a girl to marry if I don't try a few out? What about you, carusu? You getting any?
ENZO: No.
CESARE: I heard that pig that was butchered for Isabella's name day has a sister.
LUCA: You handled yourself well back there at the farm, Enzo. In our line of work you have to know when to push and when to pull.
ENZO: Would we have taken it further?
LUCA: The trick is to skim the cream without breaking the bottle. Violence is only ever last resort.
CESARE: Ach, it's really not that complicated. Knock knock. Crack heads. Take the money.
LUCA: And that's why Cesare's uncle doesn't let him out on his own.
[They ride up to a quarry.]
CESARE: Ach, what's all this?
WORKER: Quarry's closed, signori.
CESARE: Not to us it isn't.
LUCA: We're with Don Torrisi. Out of the way.
[The quarry workers have gathered in a crowd near the entrance.]
CESARE: Lazy bastaddi are just standing around. Shouldn't they be hitting rocks or something?
LUCA: Let's find the owner and get to the bottom of this.
[They dismount and approach the foreman's house. A worker is standing by the door.]
WORKER: We can wait out here all day!
LUCA: Stand aside. I need to speak with your boss.
WORKER: No boss of mine in there.
CESARE: Alright then. How about you get out of the way before I put a pick through your skull?
WORKER: Be my guest. Saves me breaking this door down. You ask that deadbeat where our money is.
LUCA: Signor Banaglio, open up.
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: Who is it?
LUCA: Luca Trapani.
[The door opens, and the bandits enter.]
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: My apologies for all the commotion. As you can see, matters have gotten out of hand.
LUCA: What's going on out there?
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: I took on some men from Collezolfo. Damned socialistas. They are on strike, if you can believe that.
LUCA: You know Don Torrisi takes a dim view on strikes. What is their complaint?
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: A deal fell through. I don't get paid, they don't get paid. It's as simple as that.
LUCA: We'll stamp this out before it takes hold. Who is the ringleader?
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: A stone cutter called Manuele. Big guy, loudmouth. You can't miss him.
LUCA: Good to know. Enzo, let's go.
MANUELE: That sucaminchia hides away like a fucking coward. And wants us to break our backs? Well, if he doesn't get his hand in his pocket, he's going to get my foot in his ass.
[The bandits move closer.]
MANUELE: What is this now?
LUCA: Manuele, isn't it?
MANUELE: Do I know you?
LUCA: No, but I know your employer and he's a friend of my boss. Don Torrisi.
MANUELE: Good for him.
LUCA: We can't have strikes around here, Manuele. You and your friends need to get back to work. This is bad for everyone, bad for business.
MANUELE: Fuck your business.
LUCA: There's no need to cause a scene. Just get back to work.
MANUELE: You going to make me?
[Enzo pulls out his knife.]
LUCA: It seems that my friend is going to take it from here.
MANUELE: If that's how you want it.
[A knife fight begins.]
MANUELE: Not too late to put away your blade, and leave with those two.
ENZO: Where's that big mouth now, huh?
MANUELE: You little bastard.
CESARE: If your man's as tough as he says, he'll hold his own. Stay back if you know what's good for you.
MANUELE: Sucaminchia! Shit!
[Enzo wins and knocks Manuele unconscious with a blow to the face.]
LUCA: Anyone else? No?
CESARE: Quit standing around!
LUCA: Get back to work! Your little revolution is over. Pay the troublemakers what they are owed then get rid of them.
SIGNOR BANAGLIO: Please send my regards to Don Torrisi.
CESARE: See you in a month.
[They mount their horses and ride away.]
CESARE: You're handy with a knife, mine boy. There might be hope for you yet.
ENZO: He was all talk. If he had any balls, he would have taken his money already. Those workers had a point. They were owed their pay.
LUCA: Right or not, we can't have labor unions on the Don's turf. We are in favor of free enterprise around here.
CESARE: Lazy idioti. Maybe they stopped complaining, they might earn decent money.
LUCA: Easy for you to say. What have you ever had to work for?
CESARE: I'm working now, aren't I?
LUCA: Is that what you call it?
ENZO: There were always union people around Collezolfo. Even protests, when I was small. But nothing got better.
LUCA: It never does. Back in the nineties, the Fosci Siciliani, unions were everywhere. The Don, Tino and me, we broke strikes. It was our specialty.
ENZO: Shame it has to come to that.
LUCA: The world is as it is. We keep order so people can work. That's good in its own way.
ENZO: I suppose so.
LUCA: See there that tower? We're coming into Port Almaro.
ENZO: I heard of it. It's a town on the sea.
LUCA: The Garante family operates here. They're friends of ours.
ENZO: Galante? Like the tuna?
LUCA: Sure, like the tuna.
CESARE: Don Galante runs the shore. He goes way back with my uncle.
LUCA: Good people to know.
[They ride into the city and dismount.]
LUCA: The Galantes run this port. They know everything that comes in, everything that goes out.
CESARE: Bottles from around the world come off the boats, straight into the bar. And the girls upstairs? Oof.
LUCA: They earn good money. And they rarely have to get their hands dirty, either. Remember, these are friends of ours. You hang back, I'll do the introductions.
[They approach closer. Don Galante is playing chess and is happy with a good move.]
DON GALANTE: Leone, Leone...
LUCA: You ever work around here? Or just sit around and play games?
DON GALANTE: Oh. Un momento.
LEO: Merda!
DON GALANTE: We aim to keep our minds sharp. At least I do.
[They shake hands.]
DON GALANTE: We aim to keep our minds sharp. At least I do.
LUCA: This is Enzo, he's been helping us out. He's a good kid, learns quick.
DON GALANTE: I hope he learns quicker than this one.
LUCA: Shall we?
DON GALANTE: Of course, inside.
[They enter a bar from which two young prostitutes are leaving; Cesare checks them out.]
LEO: Franco, for our friends here.
[The Don hands Luca a bag of money.]
DON GALANTE: I'm sorry to say it's a little light.
LUCA: Trouble?
LEO: The guardie has been... difficult, lately. More inspections. More eyes everywhere.
DON GALANTE: The new chief has brought in some of his own people... He got the foremen looking over their shoulders.
CESARE: So go remind them how things work.
LEO: Exactly.
LUCA: Anything we can lend a hand with?
DON GALANTE: The shortfall is due to a shipment that was taken into the customs warehouse before we got to it. Unexpected change of personnel.
LEO: We have a buyer.
LUCA: Sure, but do you have a plan?
LEO: Need you ask?
LUCA: You two, with Leo. Keep things quiet, alright?
CESARE: And what? You sit here scratching your balls?
LUCA: We have business to discuss.
CESARE: Come on, let's go.
DON GALANTE: Franco, Nero d'Avola. You'd think I'd asked him to stamp the grapes himself.
LUCA: Scopa?
[Enzo, Leo, and Cesare exit the bar.]
CESARE: Come on.
LEO: It was Enzo, right?
ENZO: That's right.
LEO: I'm Leo. Good to have you on board. Customs yard is this way! I saw you at the palio. You're quite a rider.
ENZO: Thanks.
CESARE: Leo should be thanking you. He was taking bets on the race. Nobody thought you'd win.
LEO: That's true. We cleaned up.
CESARE: What's the shipment anyway?
LEO: Premium whiskey, from our friends in America. It's worth a fortune.
CESARE: Then why did you let it get impounded. I thought you were the brains of this operation.
LEO: New police chief made a surprise visit, just as we were unloading. Bad timing.
ENZO: Isn't it risky, stealing from the guardie?
CESARE: We've robbed from this place more times than I can count.
LEO: The customs yard is where they send the officers who can't tie their bootlaces. Just keep your head and you'll be fine. Alright, same plan as always Cesare. I distract the guardie on the gate. You two go over the back wall.
CESARE: What are we looking for?
LEO: Whiskey. In boxes. Give me a signal when you find it. And keep it quiet in there.
CESARE: Come on follow me.
ENZO: Lead the way.
[Enzo follows Cesare around the guard post.]
CESARE: Minchia, I just bought these shoes.
CESARE: There, we can climb up. You keep that knife in your pocket. And don't raise the alarm, u capisti?
ENZO: I get it. We're just here for the whiskey.
[From a distance, Leo's voice is heard distracting the guard, noticing that Enzo and Cesare have approached the wall. Cesare helps Enzo climb over to the other side.]
LEO: Antonio! So good to see you.
GUARDIA: Leo. What do you want?
LEO: Does a man need a reason to visit a friend?
ENZO: Alright, I'm in. What about you?
CESARE: Just go find the whiskey.
ENZO: Cesare? Cesare? Minchiuni!
[He has to act alone. He hides behind crates because he sees two guards.]
GUARDIA: What?
GUARDIA: Whiskey, and not the cheap swill. Humphreys, straight from Empire Bay.
GUARDIA: No paperwork I take it?
GUARDIA: What do you think? The shipment is on a cart by the front gate. Maybe we liberate a bottle or two at the end of our shift, huh?
GUARDIA: "Liberate" a bottle. Who does he think he is?
[The guards separate, and Enzo knocks one out by sneaking up from behind.]
ENZO: Sleep tight, amico.
CUSTOMS OFFICE REPORT
Porto Almaro, September 28, 1904
Subject: Undocumented Alcohol
At approximately 02:30 this morning, during an inspection led by Major Ettore D'Amico, an undocumented shipment of American whiskey was discovered being unloaded from a fishing boat at the Porto Almaro docks.
Upon arrival, Officer Delgrosso observed the crew hastily abandoning the vessel, along with several unknown individuals. All suspects fled the scene and could not be apprehended despite an immediate search of the area.
The cargo, consisting of 20 crates of whiskey with no accompanying documentation, has been impounded and transferred to secure storage pending further investigation.
Updates will follow as the investigation continues. In addition, Maj. D'Amico has ordered a thorough review of dock procedures.
Signed,
Appuntato Antonio Franzoni
Customs Office Porto Almaro
[Enzo uses empty wine bottles to distract the guards.]
GUARDIA: Hey, enough sitting around!
GUARDIA: Relax, I'm just taking a break.
GUARDIA: We're behind two weeks on inspections and you're just "taking a break"?
GUARDIA: Ach, we'll catch up over winter, like we always do.
GUARDIA: You can tell that to the chief. Get to that American whiskey today. It's up by the front gate.
[Enzo searches one of the crates looking for whiskey.]
ENZO: This isn't it.
[...then another one.]
ENZO: Not here!
GUARDIA: Few more hours, then I'm out of here...
[Finally, the whiskey is found!]
ENZO: This is it, the whiskey. Now to get it out of here...
[He exits through a gate not far from the guard, whom Leo is distracting. Leo quickly notices this and starts sweet-talking him to prevent him from turning around. Cesare helps Enzo carry the crates.]
CUSTOMS OFFICER: I'm glad you enjoyed it, Leone, but I really must...
LEO: No!
CUSTOMS OFFICER: No?
LEO: It's not enough. You wouldn't turn down a kindness, would you?
CUSTOMS OFFICER: I am almost finished...
LEO: Bene. Shall we?
[Leo leads the guard away. Enzo struggles to carry the heavy crates. After a while, he brings a cart to Leo, who is waiting for him near Don Galante's bar, nervously smoking.]
LEO: He's enjoying some refreshment. Besides, his attention's on other things.
[The Don himself approaches and takes one of the whiskey bottles from a crate.]
DON GALANTE: Grazie. Thank you, gentlemen.
[He offers the guard a drink of the very whiskey he's supposed to be guarding. Having stayed until evening, it's time for our bandits to return home.]
LEO: Come. I'll get the goods shifted. You'll have the money tomorrow.
LUCA: Bring it when you can. The Don knows you're good for it. See you around, Leo. Let's go. We're not done yet.
LEO: Luca. Cesare. Good to meet you, Enzo.
[They mount their horses.]
LUCA: One more stop and we're done for the day.
CESARE: Grazie a Diu! I need a drink. Where is it?
LUCA: We're going to see old man Fichera. He's a stubborn bastard, but he pays on time. We should be home by sunset.
CESARE: Fichera? His place is a mile away. Let's just leave him till next week.
LUCA: He's on the book, so we see him today. No reason to hang around though, let's ride. How have you found today, Enzo?
ENZO: Yes, no problems is every day like this on collections?
LUCA: Only the good ones.
CESARE: After this collection, we'll visit the bordello?
LUCA: I'm married, idiota.
CESARE: Ach. Valentina can spare you a few more hours!
LUCA: Lia na mazzari!
CESARE: What about you, carusu? Though, you might need to wash first. These girls will put up with a lot, but they don't go to bed with livestock.
ENZO: Vafanculu (Fuck off), Cesare...
LUCA: Oh! That's the spirit.
ENZO: So, we do the same tomorrow?
CESARE: You so keen to work again?
LUCA: Not tomorrow, no. We did this every day, no one would have the money to pay us.
[They arrive at the farm.]
FARMER FICHERA: Ah, the vultures are finally here.
LUCA: Signor Fichera! Is something bothering you?
FARMER FICHERA: Yes, you could say that. Two nights ago, thieves came and stole my new water pump. Hundreds of lire, just thrown away.
LUCA: I'm sorry to hear that.
FARMER FICHERA: I pay you to protect my property, yet you do nothing. I believed Don Torrisi to be an honorable man, but it seems he is no better than these thieves.
CESARE: Hey, watch your mouth!
LUCA: Calma. Our friend here has a point.
CESARE: You can't be serious?
LUCA: Signor Fichera, do you know where the thieves went?
FARMER FICHERA: How should I know? Back to the hills. Messina's bunch if I had to guess.
LUCA: You might be right. We'll look into it.
[They mount their horses again.]
CESARE: What are you thinking, letting that old fool talk to you like that?
LUCA: Fichera is harmless, but he does have a big mouth. We solve this problem, people will hear about it. That helps our business.
CESARE: If this is about sending a message. I vote we beat him blind.
LUCA: Only grown ups get to vote, Cesare. Bandits, they camp up there in the hills, away from the roads.
CESARE: They're like rats, always hiding.
LUCA: They roam around from place to place. I lived up here when I was a boy. I know their haunts.
CESARE: Do you actually know where you are going?
LUCA: Sta' mutu. There's a clear trail here. Besides, these briganti are creatures of habit. I have an idea where they are.
CESARE: Whatever you say.
LUCA: Look here, this ruin. A good vantage spot on Fichera's farm. Let's try higher ground. Up ahead, I see smoke. Bastaddi are still there!
CESARE: Idiota. Now he's the rash one. Let's catch up to him before he gets himself killed. There he is, just ahead. Let's catch up on foot.
[They dismount and walk along a narrow mountain path to a small house.]
LUCA: What do you see?
CESARE: Shitty old farm.
CESARE: It's abandoned.
ENZO: The smoke?
LUCA: Someone's here. I'd wager just who we're looking for. Pistol.
[Enzo hands him his empty revolver. Luca loads a few bullets into it.]
LUCA: When they stole from old man Fichera, they put their hand in the Don's pocket. We can't have that. I'll be waiting back at Fichera's place. Make sure you clean up.
[He leaves. Enzo looks at the pistol for a minute, knowing he will soon have to shoot people.]
ENZO: You done this before?
CESARE: Yeah... Of course.
ENZO: I've got your back, Cesare.
CESARE: You'd better have.
[Sneaking quietly towards the house, they hear voices of thieves coming from inside.]
BANDIT: Haven't we earned a little action?
BANDIT: You'll still get your share. Besides, someone has to watch over the camp.
ENZO: How do we do this?
CESARE: You... You take the one on the right, by the well. I'll take the one on the left.
ENZO: Got it.
CESARE: You take the lead. We'll see if your shovelling days really are behind you.
[Enzo proves to be a good shot, and they quickly kill several thieves.]
CESARE: Nice work. You alright?
ENZO: Sì, si tutto bene. You?
CESARE: Fine. Let's check inside. That pump has to be around here somewhere. Hey, come take a look at this! They sure have a lot of guns.
ENZO: What are they doing with them?
CESARE: How do I know? Let's find that pump and get out of here. Now this is a serious rifle. Take it, let's see if you can handle something bigger than a pistol.
LIST OF TARGETS
D. Abbagnale - Dotes on his wife. Away on business often. Wife then left only with the house staff. Villa is rural. lsolated.
G. Fontanella - Palermo playboy. Leaves late at night to visit a brothel in Casalotto. Reckless, drives home drunk in Eckhart Dominion.
G. Ludovici - Rarely leaves his villa aside for meetings in Palermo. Lots of expensive deliveries made to his home. Spadaro provides security. Would need to cut him in.
L. Rebagliati - Son frequents gambling dens. Has an opium habit. Rebagliati’s unlikely to speak to the guardie given the son's activities. Good ransoming opportunity.
RANSOM NOTE - ROMINA
If you want to see your Romina returned safely to you, you will do exactly as I say.
Next Sunday, you will leave 30,000 lire in the hollow of a dead oak tree on the eastern road to Marina di Colledoro. Do this and the following morning Romina will be home again.
Should we not find the lire or find you reckless enough to tell the guardie, you will never see Romina again.
You understand who you are dealing with. That I am a man of my word.
Her fate is in your hands.
Messina
ENZO: This Paolo Messina guy, who is he?
CESARE: A notorious bandit. King of the dunghill. Bedda matri! Those thieving bastards have been busy. Might do some thieving of my own...
[Enzo finds a double-barreled shotgun.]
ENZO: Feels good. Heavy.
CESARE: As it should. That's a lot more firepower.
[Enzo finds a pump loaded onto a cart.]
ENZO: Cesare, over here! I found it.
CESARE: Let's get out of here then. Open up the gate.
[However, upon opening the gate, Enzo almost gets shot!]
ENZO: Shit!
CESARE: Watch out!
ENZO: How many are there?!
CESARE: Just fucking shoot, or we're dead! They're coming round the back! Keep holding them off out here.
[They manage to deal with the thieves who attacked.]
ENZO: Still breathing?
CESARE: Yeah, yeah. Just... give me a minute. The bodies. We need to get rid of them. I can't drag them all myself. Come on. You already shot the guy. You scared to pick him up? The dead can't hurt you. Grab him and let's go. I can't drag them all myself. Come on.
[After searching the pockets of all the dead thieves, Enzo starts dragging their corpses.]
ENZO: This wasn't how I thought I'd end my day.
CESARE: You killed him. Least you can do is give him a proper burial.
ENZO: One thing to kill a man...
CESARE: Save it. The dead don't care. Hurry it up, will you? Sooner we get out of here, the better.
[They dump the bodies into a well. Not exactly a "dignified burial."]
CESARE: Where are you taking him? Bring him to the well! Minchia, pesa! Wait!
[He tries to take the gold jewelry off a hand.]
ENZO: What are you doing Cesare?
CESARE: Keep him steady. Fat bastard has fingers like salsicce...
[He cuts off the fat man's finger to take a ring.]
ENZO: Fuck! Cchi ffu, Cesare?
CESARE: Could be pure gold. He's got no use for it now. Sometimes there are opportunities Luca and my uncle... They don't need to know about. Stays between us?
ENZO: Va bene.
CESARE: Right. We better go, before Luca thinks we got ourselves killed. Hey - you did good today. For a mine boy...
[They return to the farm with the cart.]
LUCA: Oh, here they are. Good work, boys. Whoa, fermo. Is this what was stolen, signore?
FARMER FICHERA: That's all of it. Grazie, grazie mille!
LUCA: Don Torrisi honors his commitments.
FARMER FICHERA: And the Don has my gratitude, of course.
LUCA: I'm glad we could make things right. That will be one hundred lire.
[He extends his hand to get paid.]
FARMER FICHERA: What?
CESARE: For this? Oof, at least.
LUCA: So one hundred, I'd say that's a good deal?
ENZO: Damn good deal.
[With a rifle over his shoulder, Enzo looks quite threatening. The old man, after thinking for a bit, reaches for the money.]
LUCA: Thank you, Signor Fichera. We'll see you next month.
FARMER FICHERA: (quietly) Facitivi schifiàri, thieving bastards...