Original subtitles

[traditional latin instrumental music]

[J.J.] Spanish Harlem.

I was born here.

That's where I spent the first 12 years of my life.

My name is Juan Jose Lopez.

I'm a Puerto Rican.

And that's my mom.

She was born in Puerto Rico and raised.

She immigrated here for a better life.

My father, I never knew him.

Mom never spoke much about him.

Alls I knew was that he was gunned down in a drug deal.

It was just my mom and I.

She was a very proud woman and a hard worker.

She always wanted a better life for us.

Today, all her hard work had finally paid off.

She had saved enough money to move us out of Harlem and move us up to the Bronx.

Which was okay by me.

It just put me closer to Yankee Stadium.

187th Street and Belmont Avenue.

This would be my new home.

We moved on a block which had about 30 kids.

Mostly Italian, some Irish, couple of Jews and one Puerto Rican.

Me.

This would be the first time I met Joey Esposito and Louie Maserino.

It was in a car that the three of us would become true friends.

[mother greeting boys in Spanish]

Beautiful. Now we got Puerto Ricans living over here.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Your mother made gravy.

Come on upstairs.

Just one more hand, dad.

What did I say?

Now!

What did I tell you about that goddamn landlord?

They don't give a shit about us.

He don't care.

We've been paying rent here 14 years.

All he cares about is money.

He rents to spicks.

I met her in the hallway.

They seemed like nice people.

Nice people?

Where they from?

They moved here from Harlem.

Nice people?

There are no nice people from Harlem.

Only animals.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Dad, can I go play stickball?

You didn't finish.

I'm full.

You're full?

When I was your age, we ate maybe once a day.

And not food like this.

We ate a meal like this once a week.

I mean, you people around here, you eat like kings.

And you know why?

Because I break my ass all week doing construction

so yous can eat food like this.

Nick, for Christ's sake, it's macaroni.

Cost a quarter.

Let him go.

That's not the point, Fran.

You should learn to respect money.

Go ahead. Go.

Be back by six.

Stay away from that Puerto Rican kid.

Did you eat enough? Are you full?

Yes, Mommy.

You make the best chicken rice.

[in Spanish] Oh, come here. Come.

I'm scared.

What are you scared about?

Everything's different here.

I don't know anyone.

And I miss my friends.

I'm scared, too.

You're scared too, Mommy?

Yes.

Don't be scared, Mama.

I'll protect you.

[J.J.] Stickball was the most popular sport in New York City.

Whether you were in Harlem or up in the Bronx.

There was a pickup game on every corner.

As I watched, my heart pounded with excitement.

I wanted to play, but they didn't even notice I was there.

Joey's by far the best athlete in the neighborhood.

He could play any position.

And man, was he a great hitter.

Louie was a great pitcher.

He had all kinds of junk on his ball.

That's Nicky Tomatoes.

His family owned a fruit stand in the neighborhood.

He was the worst hitter I ever saw.

He couldn't hit water if he jumped out of a boat.

[children chattering]

This tomato juice is awfully bad.

[J.J.] Bubbles Cardillo.

At 12 years old, he weighed over 200 pounds.

The only belt that could hold his pants up was a Bell Parkway.

He was the slowest moving human I've ever met.

Hold, hold, hold!

I told you to hold.

Pay up or asses up.

Pay up or asses up.

I got no money.

Asses up.

Come on.

[J.J.] Pay up.

Or asses up.

We never had to pay in Harlem because we had no money.

I heard of asses up, but never with your pants down.

That must really hurt.

Nail him.

Ow.

-Look at that. -[laughing]

[Joey] Look at that big red mark.

[Louie] Hey, there goes that Puerto Rican kid.

What's his name?

J.J..

[Louie] He's been watching us all game.

You want to go talk to him?

Nah.

My dad said to stay away.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Where is Yonkers?

I'm not sure, but I think it's far.

[instrumental piano music]

There's my favorite guy.

How was your day?

It was okay.

[mother] What'd you do?

I watched a game.

Did you make any new friends?

Not yet, Mom.

Good night.

[mother] Baby.

Don't forget to brush your teeth and say your prayers.

[door creaking]

[car horn honking in distance]

Dear God,

please bless my mom and please bless all my friends in my whole

especially my cousin Carlos.

Please protect me in this new place and in my new school.

And say hello to my dad.

Amen.

Oh, yeah.

Don't forget the Yankees.

They need a lot of help this year.

[Joey's dad] No way.

[Joey's mom] Would you please keep your voice down?

[Joey's mom] I don't want the whole neighborhood to know our business.

[Joey's dad] This is my house. I'll yell all I want.

They don't have to listen.

[Joey's mom] Just this once, could we please go somewhere as a family?

Dear God, please love my mom and dad

and help fix my dad's temper so he won't yell as much.

Please bless my sister, Louie, and all my friends.

Amen.

Oh, yeah, don't forget the Yankees.

Amen.

[school bell ringing]

[J.J.] It was my first day at my new school.

It was actually going pretty good,

until I ran into Johnny Ryan.

Hey, Chico.

Do you know who I am?

No.

No?

Well, I'm the one who you give your lunch money to every day.

[J.J.] There I was,

my first day of my new school and this kid wanted my lunch money.

I felt all alone.

But I was willing to stand my ground.

-You gotta take it from me. -Okay.

[J.J.] Get off of me. Ow!

[Johnny] Come on.

[other boy] Come on.

[Louie] Hey, get off of him. Come on. Go!

-[Louie] Get off of him. -Get off him.

Hey, it's between me and him, Esposito.

It's not fair. You jumped him.

It's only six on one.

Now it's three on six.

Shit. Here we go again.

I'll match you what you got, spick.

Let's go.

[J.J.] From that moment on, the three of us were inseparable.

We all shared a strong bond.

But Joey, he was special.

Kind of like the big brother I never had.

You okay?

Yeah.

Okay. Take care.

Hey, we're going for pizza.

Wanna come?

Sure.

[instrumental Italian folk music]

Come on.

-Hey ma. -Where you been?

Oh, you make me so nervous.

I called the school looking for you.

There was a fight, Ma.

Oh my God. Are you all right? Come here. Let me look at you.

[father asking what happened in Italian]

He got in a fight.

Let me feel your here.

He's warm.

I'll make you some brioschi.

No, pop, not me, my friend.

Let me see that eye.

Mmm. Nice shot. I'll make you some brioschi too.

[J.J.] Brioschi

Never heard of the damn thing in my life.

But the Italians, they swear by it.

From a sore throat to a toothache to broken bones.

If you were sick, that's what they gave you.

It's not bad.

It's good.

[train tracks rumbling]

I can't believe your parents own a pizzeria.

Can you eat all the pizza you want?

Yeah, but the sauce upsets my stomach, so I gotta watch it.

Do your parents own a pizza shop too?

No, My dad's a bricklayer.

My mom, she takes care of us.

Bricklayer?

He's a construction worker.

What's your dad do?

My dad died a long time ago.

But my mom has house cleaning business.

My dad says you're from Harlem.

What's it like there?

Great. I miss it.

I have a lot of friends there.

My cousin Carlos, we play stickball too.

I saw your game the other day.

Are you any good?

I'm okay.

We play again on Sunday.

Come down.

Really?

Thanks.

I better get home. Let's go, I'll walk yous.

Thanks for the pizza, Louie.

Thanks for being at the playground.

Hey, no sweat.

How do you say your name again?

It's J.J. Jose.

That's too hard.

How about J.J.?

Yeah, J.J. I like it.

-See you, Louie. -See you guys later.

[Joey] See you later.

Hey, Mom. Mom.

Yo, mio, what happened to your eye?

I had a great day, Mom.

I got in a fight with six Irish kids.

They wanted to take my lunch money.

They what?

It's okay, because Joey and Louie had my back.

Joey and Louie?

Joey Esposito from next door and Louie Mazzarino from the Pizzeria.

What pizzeria?

Louie's parents own a pizzeria down the block.

Louie's father fixed my eye.

Uh-huh. Oh let me see that. Dios mio!

Mom, did you hear me?

His parents own a pizzeria.

All the pizza he can eat.

Who?

Louie.

But he can't a lot because the sauce upsets his stomach.

Mom, I love this place.

Okay, mi hijo.

Listen, I hope you didn't eat too much, okay?

Cause I made dinner.

Go wash up.

Oh, Mom.

Next time you go to A&P, can you get some brioschi?

Brioschi?

What the hell is brioschi?

[sighs]

[J.J.] I couldn't wait for Sunday to roll around.

They had asked me to play stickball.

Who's this kid?

This is J.J..

Whose team is he on?

He's on my team.

It's me, Louie and J.J.. Just to make a fair, we'll take Tomatoes.

You have first.

[J.J.] So here I was, Sunday at the schoolyard with my new friends.

Nicky caught, Louie pitched, I played short, and Joey covered the outfield.

This was my big chance to prove myself.

Bubbles was up first and hit a line drive that spun Louie's cap.

I dove to my left, and to everyone's surprise, including my own,

I came up with it.

Bottom of the ninth, two outs.

We were down a run.

Joey hit a homer.

Louie tripled.

Now, it wasn't that the game was so important, but I had something to prove.

I stepped up to the plate.

My hands were soaking wet.

I was sweating.

Turned my cap around so I could see the ball better.

I wasn't swinging until I saw my pitch.

Holy shit.

What are you waiting for, Christmas?

Hey, catch those swings.

Give him something he can hit.

Come on, J.J.

Wait for your pitch.

[J.J.] That pissed me off.

The next pitch was right down the pipe.

I swung as hard as I could.

The ball sailed right out of the schoolyard.

[children cheering]

[J.J.] We won.

From that day on, it was Joey, Louie and me.

We were the team to beat.

[boy] Shit.

[J.J.] Our personalities were all different.

Joey was a leader.

He was a thinker.

Louie was a hypochondriac.

There was always something wrong with him.

He always carried a bottle of that stuff in his back pocket.

And me, I was a wild one.

I could never say no to a dare.

Boo. You're okay.

You're not getting shit in your pants, are you?

I'm fine.

Okay, here's the plan.

Boo, you keep watching around the corner.

Two whistles if anyone comes.

You got that?

I'll watch the back door.

-J.J. you go in. -What should I take?

Get the chickens. You get two bucks a piece out on the road.

[man speaking Mandarin]

[furniture crashing]

[J.J. shouting]

[man yelps]

[man shouting angrily in Mandarin]

[men arguing]

[J.J.] We bought a watermelon with the money we got from the chickens.

The day was going great until we ran into Mrs. Colasuonno.

Big old Italian woman with a mustache.

And boy, was she mean.

Her husband died in the war.

She's been wearing that black dress ever since.

[woman yelling in Italian]

That's when it happened.

Oh!

I think she's dead.

[woman speaking Italian]

[boys screaming]

[woman shouting Italian]

Hard eight, baby, give me a hard eight.

[dice tittering]

-Shit! Seven. -It's a honey.

Shut up and roll.

[coins clinking]

Honey. Honey, give me a seven.

Crap.

That's it. I'm out.

Why don't you buy your Twinkies?

No way.

You got no mind because you're always eating.

So?

Wow.

[J.J.] Who's that?

[Louie] That's Gina Paluso. She lives in the next building.

[Louie] Joey likes her.

Hey. Leave me alone.

Ow. Get him off me.

He's cute.

You always do that in front of her.

Shut up.

Let's go to the beach.

["Summer In The City" by Lovin Spoonful playing]

♪ Hot town summer in the city ♪

♪ Back of my neck Getting dirty and gritty ♪

♪ Been down, isn't it a pity? Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city ♪

♪ All around people looking half dead ♪

♪ Walking on the sidewalk Hotter than a match head ♪

♪ But tonight it's a different world ♪

♪ Go out and find a girl ♪

♪ Come on, come on and dance all night ♪

♪ Despite the heat it'll be all right ♪

♪ Babe, don't you know it's a feeling ♪

[J.J.] This is what we call the beach.

Tar Beach.

It was our private resort most of the time.

[Italian woman shouting]

[woman shouts in Italian]

[children laughing and cheering]

["Summer In The City" by Lovin Spoonful playing]

[J.J.] Sunday became a big day at Joey's.

Since my mom had to work, Louie's parents had to run the pizzeria.

We had macaroni every Sunday at Joey's, which made his mom really happy.

She loved to watch us eat her food.

[Joey's dad] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

What are you doing here?

I'm eating.

What are you doing here?

I'm eating.

Hey, Fran. What am I doing, feeding the whole neighborhood?

[Fran] Just sit down. It's all ready.

Woman thinks I got a money tree.

Well, I'm glad you three bananas are here.

I want you to stop bothering that old lady downstairs.

I just ran into her in the hallway.

She said you three knuckleheads almost killed her with a watermelon.

And stay off the goddamn roof.

That old lady deserves what she gets.

But you should keep your pants on.

[boys laughing]

Why? What are you laughing about?

I would have loved to see the look on her face.

[all laughing]

Come on. Aren't you forgetting something?

What?

Oh.

Oh, yeah.

I bet you three tough guys can't guess what's in this envelope.

What you got, Pop?

What do you want it to be, Joey?

Tickets to the Yankee game.

Four tickets to the Yankee game.

And not just four tickets.

Four box seats over the Yankee dugout versus Boston.

Yous know three guys that might want to go?

[boys shouting excitedly]

I guess you'll let him go.

Yeah, let him go.

You go. That's it. Next Sunday.

But you gotta leave that old lady alone.

[J.J.] The Yankee game was great.

It was my first time ever in box seats.

I was used to sitting up in the bleachers with the pigeons.

The Yankees swept that weekend, which put them in first place.

The next day was Monday, school day.

But we had other plans.

[boys exclaiming excitedly]

-We got it. -We got it, come on!

Kids, you mind if I take your picture?

You kids sure are lucky.

I mean, no one ever catches fish in this lake.

What are your names?

I'm Joey Esposito.

Beautiful.

You don't want to go to school, don't go to school.

He'll end up being like one of them wise guys on a street corner. A bum.

How was school yesterday?

It was okay.

How was school yesterday?

It was okay, Ma.

I'm gonna tell you something, all right?

We did not move up here for you to play hooky, okay?

Huh?

Mira eso.

I can't believe you let those two talk you into this.

What'd you get?

I got a week.

Wow.

I got shot in the head in three days.

Louie, what did you get?

I got nothing.

[Joey and J.J.] You got none?

Nah, but you guys are banned from the pizzeria for a week.

[J.J.] Could you believe it?

The guy who took our picture with the fish was from the Daily News.

Our faces were printed smack on the front page of the Bronx Leisure section.

So what do you guys want to do now?

I got no money.

I'm broke.

Me, too.

Hey, let's go get some chickens.

Chickens?

Yeah.

No way. We're already in trouble.

So stay here.

Hey.

All right, I'm in.

Same way as last time. You got that?

[J.J.] Our luck still hadn't changed.

The Chinks were waiting for us.

And boy, did I catch a beating in that kitchen.

After that, we turn to the Lord.

[priest] The body of Christ.

Amen.

[somber organ music]

[priest] The body of Christ.

Amen.

[J.J.] Louie's parents made him become an altar boy.

They figured it would keep him out of trouble.

And that was okay by us.

That just gave us access to all the wine we could drink.

-Come on. -Hurry up.

Hurry up.

-Let's go. -Come on, hurry.

Take it, take it.

Come on, come on.

Here you go, J.J.

Come on. Come on.

You three are all good boys.

You come from good families.

I know all your parents.

You have any idea why you're here today?

There was some wine taken from the church last week.

Someone said they saw you two, headed for your roof, carrying two cases of wine.

Now, I'm only gonna ask you this once.

Did you take the wine?

Nope.

Nope.

I can't lie to God.

"I can't lie to God?"

My dad's gonna kill me.

[Italian folk music]

I got a month.

I got two weeks.

What do you want from me?

I told the truth.

[J.J.] Summer came and went.

The new school year started.

Things calmed down with our parents.

Big Tony ran the neighborhood.

He opened up a social club around the corner from our house.

We love to watch these guys in action.

They had money, fancy clothes, and the best looking women in town.

Joey loved this lifestyle and he wanted to be a part of it.

Before long, he was sweeping up.

Serving him coffee in the social group.

It's great money.

Beats stealing chickens.

How much you got saved?

Close to 200.

Whoa. What are you gonna do with it?

I'll save it.

One day, the three of us are gonna open up our own business.

You know, you guys should start saving, too.

[J.J.] That was Joey.

Always planning and worrying about us.

Three of us had a dream to open up our own bar one day.

A place where all our family and friends could go.

Louie started working at the pizzeria.

And I started delivering, would you believe it, The Daily News.

-Hey, Mrs. M. -Hey.

-Hey, Joey. How's it going? -Hey.

Check it out, man.

[church bell sounding]

Psst Joey.

J.J. what are you doing here?

Louie's waiting outside.

We're going to meet Gina and her friend's pizza.

You want to come?

I still need to clean the car.

About an hour, okay?

Okay.

Hey.

Hey, what are you doing here, huh?

This ain't a playground here kid, huh?

Get off me.

Get off you? You get a kick you in the ass.

Get the hell out of here.

This ain't a playground.

Now, how come you're not hanging around with your own kind?

Yeah, make sure you Armor all the wheels this time.

Is this a double?

How's it going, Joey?

Sal, can I ask you something?

Sure, sure, kid.

There's this girl, Gina.

She lives next door to me.

And I was thinking of maybe getting her something.

You like this girl Gina?

Yeah.

Okay, here's what you do.

You buy her a box of chocolates.

Women love chocolates.

What kind?

You go to Russo's on Arthur Avenue.

You tell the lady you want the ones with the, uh,

with the cherries inside.

Make sure they gift wrap it.

Are you sure?

Trust Sally.

Do I know chocolates?

Thanks, Sally.

Anytime, kid.

[Big Tony] Are you fucking kidding me?

[Big Tony] Alphonse,

we've been through this shit 90 fucking times already.

It's simple. You borrow money, you'll pay it back.

Hey, Tony,

not for nothing or nobody.

You're robbing me here.

I mean, you charged me five points.

I could have done it for three points from Johnny White Shoes.

Hey, hey, hey.

I don't give a shit about Johnny White Shoes.

You owe me money.

I don't think I should have to pay you two extra points.

Listen to this, you stuttering piece of shit.

A deal is a deal.

Then, f-f-fuck, fuck you. You gotta wait for your money.

-Fuck me? -[loud crash]

[train tracks rumbling]

What should we do?

We do nothing. We say nothing.

We never tell anybody about this. Okay?

Okay?

Okay.

Okay. Put your heads in.

On three, "I swear."

One, two, three.

[in unison] I swear.

["Volare" by Dean Martin playing]

[Juan] Fifteen years later,

Joey was working for Pauley, who ran a social club for Big Tony

Louie was making pizzas.

And me, I was digging graves at Woodlawn Cemetery.

We still had our dream of owning the bar.

But that dream was slipping away.

None of us were able to save any money.

Our stickball game went from the schoolyard to the streets.

Joey, Louie and me, we were still a team to beat.

♪ We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of ♪

♪ Where lovers enjoy peace of mind ♪

♪ Let us leave the confusion And all disillusion behind ♪

[J.J.] Hey, hey, hey, Mr. M. How about a couple of beers?

What kind?

Coldest you got.

Hey, Pop.

Thank you.

Here you go, gentlemen. Your share of the stickball game.

Here you go, gentlemen. Your share of the stickball game. I'll spin it in one place.

I'll spin it in one place. -Don't spend it all in one place. -Thank you.

-Don't spend it all in one place. -Thank you.

Thanks, Joey.

Let me give you three guys a tip.

Whatever you do today, don't go up the block.

What are you talking about, Pop?

Just do what I say. Don't go there.

Why not?

Because they're giving jobs away today, that's why.

We already got jobs.

Then explain to me why you're playing stickball on the street for money, eh?

Hey Pops, give me a slice and a iced tea.

$2.50.

And I'm not your Pop.

Thanks, Pops.

Skinny Sammy, what's going on?

Hey, J.J. man, I didn't even see you standing there.

How you doing?

All right, man.

You guys still playing football in that league on Sundays?

Shit, man, we won in that league.

Man, that competition must be weak?

Weak? Shit, man, I don't see your ass out there anymore.

How about a little six on six?

Hey, man, check this out.

I ain't wasting my time unless y'all putting up some green.

How about $100?

No wait.

How about $200?

What, for four games?

$200 a man.

Now you're talking.

Two weeks from Sunday at the high school You guys better show up.

-[Sammy] You guys got a ref? -Yeah, we got a ref.

-[Sammy] You guys got a ref? -Yeah, we got a ref. You motherfuckers better be honest.

You motherfuckers better be honest.

Hey, don't sweat it, Skinny Sammy.

Winning team's gotta give the ref a hundred dollars.

You guys better bring the motherfucking Giants.

You always get us into this shit, J.J.

Hey, I only said 100. He said 2.

Don't worry about it.

So what's the story with this bar?

I didn't see it. The guy said it needs a little work.

The brother had it 22 years. Probably never fixed it up.

It's been closed six months since he died.

So how much?

It's not that much.

It's even got a small kitchen, Louie.

The guy said we could have everything inside, including the inventory.

And we could use his liquor license until we get it transferred in our name.

Plus a 10 year lease for 30 grand.

Then I figured we need another 15 or 20 to fix it up.

So probably 50.

Oh, that's great.

What do I gotta make, 5000 pizzas for my share and he's got to dig 12,000 graves?

I don't understand.

You know what your problem is?

You waste so much it makes you sick. No, I'm serious. Look at you.

Eye drops, ear drops, nose drops.

If it ain't his stomach, it's his head.

If it's in his head, it's his ass.

Louie, relax.

I don't understand this guy.

What does me being sick got to do with the bar?

So you in?

Yeah, I'm in.

Let's do it.

Let's do it.

My brother Philly had this place for 22 years.

22 years.

And believe me, he made a lot of money.

A lot of money.

That was before your time.

And the women?

Listen, my brother Philly wasn't a handsome man.

But when you own a bar, the women, whoof, they love you.

Sorry to hear about your brother, Mr. Zlotnick.

It was for the best.

His kidneys were shot.

Don't ever grow old.

Place needs a lot of work.

Lot of work?

A little paint, a couple of nails.

And it's brand new.

We were hoping you would hold a note for the 30 grand for five years.

It probably won't even take that long. Just to help get it going.

Ms. Zlotnick, I know if you could hold a note,

we can come up with the money, fix this place up and get it open.

I can't do it.

I'm moving to Miami. I need the cash.

You boys have my number.

Think it over, you know, and get back to me.

If I was your age, I would jump all over this deal.

["Love Me With All Of Your Heart" by Engelbert Humperdinck playing]

[man speaking Italian]

Excuse me, Tony.

Connie called.

She's drunk.

Now, I told her you weren't here, but she's on her way over. I know it.

You see this Don Pasquale, huh?

I'm leaving.

You tell her you ain't seen me for a week.

This fucking broad's a nut job.

I'd love to make her disappear.

Come on, Don Pasquale, I gotta take you home.

Hey, Tony.

[Big Tony mumbling]

Hey, what's up, Pauley?

Nothing.

It's just another aggravating day.

So what do you got for me?

[Joey] All right, here's the action for today.

The jeweler wants the Yanks a hundred times.

You want to cover it?

Yeah.

Hell with him.

They don't pay, I get a free watch.

All right. Here's money from Aldo the bus driver and the chicken man.

You know that skinny guy at the used car lot down on Jerome Avenue?

What's his name?

[Joey] Barry.

Yeah, Barry.

Look, he's late, so you save me and I'll see you talk to him for me, okay?

Tomorrow.

La Salute.

Salute.

Hmm.

Pauley, remember that bar I was telling you about?

I'm putting together some investors and you're the first one we thought of.

You go slow, huh?

Look, I'd love to help you, but I'm a married man. I got a kid in college.

I got another one going next year.

Plus I got a mortgage on the house, all right?

Plus I'm into Tony for 20 grand.

I can't do it, kid.

What about Tony?

Forget about it.

He'll ask five points.

You'll end up with Tony as your partner.

Ah, Pauley thanks anyway,

Get out of here.

Any luck?

Forget he's in the hole himself.

-Louie, how about your parents? -It's been slow.

Plus, my pops, he hates the bar business.

He's never gonna do it.

What about your cousin Carlos?

He must have a lot of dirty money laying around.

He's got a lot of dirty money laying around.

Problem is, he's opened up an after hours joint, running out of Bronx.

It's all tied up.

Pauley. Where is he?

Connie, what are you doing here?

Where is that son of a bitch?

Shh. Will you keep it down?

Don't shush me.

Where the fuck is he?

Look, I swear on my eyes, I ain't seen him in a week.

-Now, what do you want from me? -Oh, you are lying.

You want to know what that bastard did to me?

He cut off my credit cards.

And he hasn't made a payment on my car in over three months.

They're gonna take it away.

Let me drive you home.

-Get your fucking hands off me. -Okay, okay, okay

What, does he want me to work?

Connie, not for nothing, but things have been slow.

It's not like it used to be.

Don't bullshit me.

That cheap bastard is loaded.

He told me things, Pauley.

Don't think that I don't know what he's up to.

I know he's got money hidden in that fake wall in the bedroom closet.

Will you…

Look Connie, let me drive you home.

If Tony finds out you're here, he's gonna be pissed.

He doesn't want to talk to me? Fine.

But I bet the IRS would.

I bet they would.

Looks like Tony's got his hands full, huh?

Fuck him. He deserves whatever he gets.

He must have 100 grand in that wall, easy.

Probably.

You know what I'm thinking, right?

What are you, svitato?

Forget about it.

What? It's our ticket to the bar.

What do you think this is?

He ain't gonna take off your thumbs. This guy cut your fucking heart out.

Forget about it.

J.J. He's a made guy.

You know?

I know who he is. Fuck him.

He's always been an asshole.

He doesn't give a shit about anybody but himself.

I say let's do it.

He's taking everybody's money in this neighborhood for years.

I say let's pay this son of a bitch back.

What the hell's so funny?

You're nuts, you know that? You're fucking nuts.

Maybe I'm nuts. I don't know,

[slow romantic music]

Gina. Baby, you're not even dressed.

Come on, we're gonna be late.

Joey, when are we gonna get married?

We ain't got time to get married, baby.

We got reservations. Come on.

Joe, I'm serious.

We've been dating, what, 15 years?

16.

Okay, 16.

I just want to get to know you better,

Joseph, I'm serious,

Gina. You know we're trying to save for the bar.

I ain't got that kind of money.

You got any idea what it costs to get married?

Limos, flowers, food, wedding hall.

Well, between me and you, we know 150 people each.

I get married, I go 15 grand in the hole, easy.

I ain't got that kind of money?

My parents ain't got it.

Your parents ain't giving it to us.

Come on, we can't afford to get married.

Let's go. Get dressed.

I'm pregnant.

What are you thinking, Joey?

We're gonna have a baby.

[men cheering]

So how did this happen?

Oh, come on, guys. I know how it happened. But when?

How long?

Almost four months.

Are you gonna get married?

-You guys can't afford a wedding. -[Joey] I worked it out with Vito.

We're getting this place, a buffet, a six foot ham,

and I'm asking Roberto to sing.

That's it.

When?

Next Saturday.

Saturday?

I guess you gotta send the invitations through the phone.

Friends and family, real small.

How about a toast?

To Joey and Gina.

I've known both of you almost all my life.

Two people who share so much love

not only with each other, but with J.J. and myself.

And now you're adding to the family.

And I just want to say that we both love you very much.

And congratulations.

Thank you.

Salute.

Thank you.

[J.J.] Let's eat.

[traditional Italian music]

And what did you say?

I said no.

Father Riley looks Louie square in the eye.

Before he could even ask him if he did anything, Louie goes--

I said, "I can't lie to God."

J.J. and I get punished for a month.

Louie gets off for ratting us out.

And old Lady Colasuonno got her revenge on us for knocking her out.

She was the one that told Father Ryan.

She must be 90 by now.

Don't worry about her.

She's gonna outlive all of us.

It must have been great growing up together like that.

Oh, it was fun.

These guys are inseparable.

When Joey and I would make a date, the three of them would pick me up.

Hey, guys, I hate to break this up, but I gotta go.

Where you going?

I gotta go see my cousin Carlos.

You gonna haul him now?

It's 11:30.

Gotta pick up some money.

Can't wait for daytime?

It's my old neighborhood.

Come on, J.J. You haven't been there in 15 years.

You taking Lizette?

Nah, I'm gonna drop her off first.

Be careful.

Always, big brother.

Bye.

Hey, congratulations.

-Nice to meet you. -Bye.

I don't like that Carlos. I don't trust him.

Hey, man,

it's a private party, all right?

You on the list?

List? Just go tell Carlos cousin J.J's here from the Bronx.

All right?

I need Carlos to the back door.

So, what's going on, man? You busy?

[Carlos laughing]

Hey, primo. Como estás?

How's Aunt Maria?

She's doing good, man. How's business?

We're making money, primo.

We're making money.

I see that.

Hey, Manny.

This is my primo.

Whenever he comes here, you treat him like a king, okay?

Sure, Carlos.

Nice to meet you.

Are you ready?

Manny? Keep your eye on everything.

Be back in a little while.

Hey, no problem.

[man singing "Santa Lucia" by Enrico Caruso]

You look beautiful!

J.J. brother.

Oh, you look handsome.

Thank you.

-You look handsome. -Hey, look at you!

Where's Louie?

He went to go pick up his date.

Louie's got a date?

Hey, here he comes now.

Hey, guys.

Beautiful.

Did I miss anything?

Just Roberto saying "Santa Lucia" again.

You look great.

Thank you.

So, who's this?

I'm sorry.

Everyone, this is Laura, everybody.

Hi, I'm Lisette.

J.J.

I'm Joey. This is my wife, Gina.

Louie's told me so much about all of you, I feel I already know you.

Where are you from?

Westchester. White Plains.

Whoa, good going, Louie.

What do you do?

I'm in my second year of residency at Westchester Medical Center.

[Joey and J.J. laughing]

What? What's so funny?

What's so funny?

[Joey] It's perfect. This kid's always sick.

Match made in heaven.

Come on, Joey.

Ah, the tarantella.

Oh.

Let's go. Come on.

Come on.

[instrumental "Tarantella" playing]

[guests cheering]

[guests clapping]

[men chanting in unison]

[guests clapping]

[faucet running]

[sniffing heard in distance]

What the hell are you doing?

Just doing a little tuski.

-What are you doing that shit for? -To celebrate, bro.

You want a hit?

Get that away from me.

What's the matter?

I don't appreciate you doing that at my wedding.

How long you been doing this for?

I do it once in a blue moon.

I bet you get it from Carlos, right?

Yeah.

Joey, what's the big deal? I do it once in a while. Start breaking my balls.

Hey, I got little kids running around here.

I don't like the idea of you bringing that around my family.

Besides, you put me in a stupid football game tomorrow.

Let me tell you something, pal.

You better be up and ready in the morning.

It's your wedding night. You're worried about a stupid football game?

Let's have some fun.

Besides, we got a song to sing.

Come on.

May we have your attention, please? Can we have the bride down front?

Gina, please have a seat in the chair, huh?

-Now, since we had no budget for a band-- -And I am practically out of songs-

Please allow us to present to you live on stage for the very first time.

Maybe the last time. Ladies and gentlemen.

-Please give a warm welcome to… -[in unison] Gina's boys.

[everybody clapping and cheering]

What are you guys gonna do?

[J.J. and Louie beatboxing]

♪ I can't stop this feeling ♪

♪ Deep inside of me ♪

[girls giggling]

♪ Girl, you just don't realize ♪

♪ What you do to me ♪

[J.J. Joey and Louie singing] ♪ When you hold me ♪

♪ In your arms so tight You let me know ♪

♪ Everything's all right ♪

♪ I'm… ♪

♪ Hooked on a feeling ♪

♪ But I don't believe it ♪

♪ That you're in love with me ♪

♪ It's as sweet as candy ♪

♪ Its taste is on my mind

♪ Girl, you got me thirsty ♪

♪ For another cup of wine ♪

♪ Got a buck for you ♪

[slow instrumental music]

Wow.

Congratulations, Mr. Esposito.

Congratulations to you, Mrs. Esposito.

You're not really gonna play football tomorrow, are you?

I have to.

You sure I can't change your mind?

Well,

you can try.

Okay.

[both chuckling]

[Joey] Come here.

[both laughing]

[whistle blowing]

Oh, Sal, stop blowing the whistle, will you?

I'm practicing.

Go practice over there, please.

[Sal speaking Italian]

Jesus.

Where the hell's J.J, did you call him?

Yeah, I called him.

Was he sleeping?

He was out cold. Sounded like he was dead.

Louie, is he coming?

Hey, he's on his way.

Hey, here they come.

Get up.

Holy shit.

Look at the size of these guys.

We're in trouble.

[Taurine pasodoble music]

Where's the ref at?

He's over there eating his breakfast.

Is that him?

You sure he knows what he's doing?

Sure he does. He coached for 22 years.

All right. Well, where's that lawn-mowing Puerto Rican at?

He ain't here yet. We'll start without him. Sit a man.

Yo, man, but it's still $200 a man whether he shows or not, aight?

You're covered.

[whistle blowing]

Go.

[jazz music]

I got us going right there.

[men cheering]

[men jeering]

[jazz music continues]

[men calling plays out]

You okay?

I thought we were playing touch, man.

Don't worry, we'll get him back. Give me your hand.

[Joey grunts]

[whistle blows]

Half time.

[jazz music continues]

Sorry I'm late, fellas. What's the score?

It's 21-7.

They're up, J.J.

Fuck, they're big.

Yeah. Try blocking them.

Come on, guys, we're in. Let's go.

Let's go

[Louie] This time, block one, huh?

You mad at me, Joey?

Fuck you.

Come on. I overslept.

Let's kick their ass.

Let's do it.

[whistle blowing]

[jazz music continues]

[men shouting plays]

Yo Sammy, that's one. Y'all didn't even see that shit.

[men cheering]

[Bubbles shouting insults]

Sal, how much time?

Eight seconds left.

It's the fourth down. Last play.

You guys don't score now, it's no blood. You capisce?

Let's go. J.J. can you throw?

Shit yeah.

All right, give me a reverse. I think it's a run.

I'll be all along the left hand side of the end zone. Get it to me.

-I'll put it there. -Let's go.

-Come on. -Come on.

Let's go, baby. Come on.

[clapping]

[men calling plays out]

[tense drumroll]

[taurine pasodoble music]

Joey, you okay? Huh?

You all right?

I'll be a lot better when you pay me.

Ha ha.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Next time.

We're going for pizza. You wanna come?

Actually, I was thinking of a little macaroni over at the Esposito house.

Don't push it.

Good throw.

["Arrivederci Roma" by Dean Martin playing]

Hey, what's up, kid?

Here's today's bets, Pauley.

Yeah, what about that used car guy?

I'm on it.

Look, do me a favor.

That broad Connie comes in here, you tell her I'm not here, all right?

You got it.

That bitch has been calling all day.

Hey, how you doing?

It's Louie's, birthday man. I forgot all about it.

Yeah, me too.

-Don't tell him I told you, all right? -No.

We'll go out to dinner. We'll celebrate. We'll bring the girls.

I'm going to the bathroom. I'll meet you at the bar.

-You want a drink? -You buying?

["Arrivederci Roma" by Dean Martin continues playing]

[sniffs deeply]

Sally, give us a couple scotches.

We celebrate my buddy's birthday.

Hey, you remembered Joey.

It's on me. Happy birthday, kid.

Thanks, Sal.

Of course I remembered. Salute.

Salute.

What's up, fellas?

Hey, J.J.

Sal get J whatever he wants.

It's his fifth one in the last hour.

Hey, are you keeping count? Man, just pour the fucking drink, all right?

[Sal speaking Italian]

Take it easy, Kemo Sabe, huh?

I'm fine. I'm okay.

Did you take care of Barry for me?

Yeah. I've been up there twice already.

Standing around for an hour with my thumb up my ass. This guy's never ever there.

Do me a favor. Keep trying. Pauley's breaking my balls, huh?

What do you want to do today, birthday boy?

I thought we'd go to dinner with the girls. What do you think?

Like this girl, huh, Louie?

It's not like that.

She's a nice girl, J.J.

They're all nice girls, right, Sally?

But if she had a heart, she'd be giving you something.

Come on. We're taking it slow, all right?

Hey, Sally. One for the road.

One more and you won't see the road.

It's okay. I don't need to see the road.

Hey, so where are we going?

Hunts Point?

I'm not going to Hunts Point. No way.

It's y'all, it's your birthday. Take care, Sally.

Bye, Sally.

[Sal] Hey, hey, hey.

Don't forget to use a rubber.

["So Many Roads" by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers playing]

♪ So many trains to ride ♪

♪ So many roads ♪

♪ So many trains to ride ♪

♪ I've got to find my baby ♪

You got shit luck, Louie. Not a hooker around.

Listen, guys, I'm not going unless she's clean, all right?

We're going to hose her down real good for you, Louie.

Maybe we should check the west side highway first.

Check around these corners.

Bingo

Joey?

[woman] Hey, hey. Look at you.

Three handsome boys.

So, what are you looking for?

It's my friend's birthday.

Happy birthday.

What do you want for your birthday, sexy?

He wants a blowjob.

How much?

40 bucks.

And you can touch my tits.

You're expensive. You take credit card?

[woman] Cash only.

Library card?

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Okay, here's a 40, but you better be good.

Okay. Pull up there.

Only you two gotta get out.

[J.J.] What, we can't watch?

No.

She got some ass, Louie.

Some rack, too.

Let's go.

Happy birthday, Louie.

Don't come all over the seats, Louie.

[Louie] Hey, don't worry about it.

Hi.

So, what's your name?

Um, Joey.

Okay, Joey, but this would be a lot easier if you took your pants down.

Oh, I see.

[belt rustling]

Okay. You could touch my tits, but you only get two minutes to concentrate.

Forget your friends, honey. Concentrate.

[Louie] Oh, Jesus. What are they doing?

[Louie] What the…

Sorry, baby. Time's up.

What? Where you going?

[woman] Time's up.

[Joey] What, did you come?

How can I come when I'm watching the pimples on your ass?

You want another one? Oh!

-Bitch. -No. Let's go.

[Joey] Jesus.

[Louis] The fuck's the matter with you guys?

-[Louie] Shit. Stop the car. -What's the matter?

She took my fucking money.

How much?

150 bucks.

You left the money in your pocket, you idiot?

Come on.

-[Louie] J.J. Fuck you. -[Joey] Come on.

Hey, asshole!

Look what's coming here.

Where's the bitch who took us $150?

I don't know shit.

Look, man, I just want my 150 bucks, that's all.

You know,

why don't you and your littlechavelito marico motherfucker friends here

just walk on home, you know, before you guys get yourselves hurt.

J, J, J, J.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Louie, Louie.

Check and see if he got your money.

[man coughing]

Yeah, it's right here. I got it.

Let's go. Come on.

What, you trying to get us fucking arrested?

[woman] Baby? Say something.

[man gasping]

Primo. Nice ride, man.

Toda está bien contigo, huh?

Can't complain.

Life is good.

Mi hermano.

We got a good night ahead of us.

I got three cubanas waiting inside the club. Estan lindas.

Primo,

you remember the best orgasm you ever had in your life.

Times it by 100.

That's how good this shit's gonna make you feel.

Te vay a llevar al cielito lindo, amigo.

You ready?

Yeah, man.

Let's do it.

Roll up your sleeve.

Just gonna give you a little taste.

This shit is strong.

[Carlos laughing]

I don't know where he's been.

Lizette was on the phone with G all night.

He said he was going out last night.

Did he say where?

I think he said Carlos.

That's it.

When to after-hours, he passed at Carlos'.

I don't trust this guy, Joey.

You ready?

Ready.

[Joey grunts]

Joey, you all right?

I just got dizzy.

You got hurt at the football game.

You should go see Dr. Derrico.

No, I'm okay. Let me lie here.

Are you sure?

Got any of that pink stuff?

[car horn honking]

[door opening]

[Louie] Hey, J.J. where you been?

You look like shit.

I just got reamed by Lizette for three hours, man.

I don't need from you guys, all right?

Oh yeah? That's too bad, she rang the freaking phone off the hook last night.

I ain't get any sleep because of you.

So where were you?

I was out with Carlos. We were drinking. Crashed at his place, man.

It's no big deal.

Want a beer?

Hey, Mr. M. You got any brioschi?

What's the matter? Rough night?

What time did you get home?

[J.J.] Nine this morning.

How was Lizette?

Standing at the door with a bat in her hand.

Salute.

So what did you tell her?

Told her the truth. Had too much to drink.

I crashed at my cousin's place.

What are you doing today?

Oh, I'm sleeping. I'm fucking beat.

Do me a favor.

How about going to see Barry first and see if he's got our money?

I'll take care of it tomorrow, all right?

No, it's not all right. It's been a week. Pauley wants his money.

Forget about it, all right? I'll take care of it.

I said I'll take care of it tomorrow, all right? It's no fucking big deal.

See you guys later, man.

What's his fucking problem?

I don't know, Joey. He's been acting weird lately.

Yeah, well, I gotta get this money. You wanna take a ride?

Yeah, sure.

See you, Pops.

-Hey, Junior. -What?

When are you going to do some work around here?

I need rest.

[speaking Italian]

I'll close up tonight.

Sta ene?

Sta bene.

[Joey] I bet Pauley would love this.

[Louie] Yeah, he would.

[power tool buzzing]

Hey, who shut off the lights?

Jesus Christ, you're finally here.

What do you mean I'm finally here?

I'm always here.

I'm married to this place.

Congratulations. We're real proud of you.

Barry, what the fuck's going on between you and Pauley?

Pauley? I got no problem with Pauley.

Barry, listen to me, you're a good guy.

Don't piss him off. Just pay him the money.

I paid Pauley.

You paid who? You paid Pauley?

No, I gave the money to J.J. last week.

-You gave the money to J.J.? -On my kids.

I gave J.J. $500 last week.

All right, Barry, we'll straighten this out with Pauley for you.

Wow, I hope you do.

This ain't gonna lasso my credit, will it?

I told you, we'll take care of it.

Hey, Barry, what's in the box?

The box?

It's a dishwasher, brand new.

Here we are.

Wow, that smells great.

So Louie, I hear you're in love.

I hear she's a wonderful girl. And a doctor.

She's really special.

We get along great too.

Well, don't rush into anything. Be careful.

Thanks.

Don't worry about this guy, Ma.

He can't even make up his mind when he gets dressed in the morning.

Louie ain't rushing for nothing.

Just take your time.

You're a good boy. You deserve the best.

Thanks, Mrs. E.

Wait a minute. Oh, God. Where's the third musketeer?

He's not feeling too good. He's at home.

What's in the box?

Joey bought us a dishwasher.

A dishwasher?

From the big shot?

-What, did it fall off a truck, Joey? -Be nice.

He worked hard for that dishwasher.

Worked hard?

He probably hit the numbers.

This kid never worked hard in his life.

And what's wrong with the washer I bought you, huh?

Come on, Pop.

That thing's an antique.

First time it worked, the Dodgers were still playing in Brooklyn.

It's funny? Hey, you bought that with dirty money.

I don't want it in the house.

It's a gift from my son and it's staying.

Don't disrespect me.

This is my house.

What I say goes.

I pay the bills, not him.

That's enough.

Shut up.

Stop yelling at her.

You've been doing it all my life. I'm tired of it. No more.

You're right. I ain't proud of what I do.

But I do what I gotta do.

I always took care of myself.

I never asked you for nothing.

I ain't gonna work for Tony forever, Pop.

I'm gonna open up that bar with Louie and J.J. I'm gonna show you I ain't a bum.

Louie, come on.

Thanks for the food, Mrs. E. It was great.

Anytime.

I'll hook it up later.

[train tracks rumbling]

[Louie] Hey, J.J.

You missed a great meal at Joey's mom's.

She was asking about you.

You guys wanna drink?

J, what's going on with you, man?

Look, you drinking all the time.

I see you doing coke. Talk to me.

I'm fine. I'm okay.

Man, you're not okay.

I got your mother and your girlfriend calling me all night long.

What's going on?

Hey, let me tell you something.

I can take care of my mother and my girlfriend.

Mind your own fucking business, okay?

Hey, hey, hey. Mind my own fucking business?

How about I go tell Pauley right now you stole from him?

Fuck you.

I know Barry gave you the money.

I'm your brother. How can you do this to me?

Fuck you and fuck Pauley.

What's the matter with you?

You broke my watch, you fucking scumbag.

J.J. where you going?

Give me a drink.

Joey, there's obviously something wrong with him, man.

Hey, you guys are supposed to be friends.

Bubbles, you want something to drink?

Espresso, anything?

No, I'm okay, Joey.

Maybe an espresso.

Come on, let's get this show on the road.

Hey, relax, tough guy.

Just give us a minute, okay?

You sure you could beat this guy?

There's a lot of pressure on me, Joey.

No, no, no. No pressure.

Louie, rub his shoulders. There's no pressure on you.

Hey, not for nothing, but if you guys think I'm gonna wait around all day,

you can forget about it.

Stop putting pressure on him, will ya?

Forget the espresso.

It'll make you jumpy.

Listen to me.

I never saw this guy before. You're sure you're in the ring?

I could beat him, Joey.

Okay, I got 250 on this game.

Do I make it 500?

Yeah.

You sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Okay,

No pressure.

No. No pressure.

You're cool?

I'm cool.

Real calm.

Real calm, huh?

-[Joey] 500! -[men jeering]

-Rack 'em up. -[woman] Joey.

[Bubbles] This is it.

It's J.J..

He hasn't been home in two days.

I'm worried. I know something has happened.

Don't worry. He's probably with Carlos.

No, I called Carlos. Carlos hasn't heard from J.J.

Okay, just calm down.

Me and Joey will go look for him. Don't worry.

There's something you two should know.

J.J's been doing drugs.

[Joey] You mean the coke?

No, J.J's been doing heroin.

Heroin?

Why didn't you tell us?

He said he had it under control. He made me…

He made me promise not to tell anyone.

Who's he doing it with?

He's been doing it with Carlos.

But Carlos hasn't heard from J.J. in two days.

He thinks he went to Hunts Point to cop it.

Okay, listen, you stay home.

Stay by the phone and we'll find him. Don't worry.

No, I want to go.

Listen to me.

You stay home by the phone.

If J.J. calls, you beep me. Okay?

Don't worry, we'll find him.

Call me if you hear anything, huh?

Hey, Anthony, you know J.J.'s cousin Carlos?

Yeah, what about him?

Where's his after-hours joint at?

It's over there by Zurigo and Tremont.

What's the matter?

Pete, you want to take a ride?

Sure, Joey.

What's up?

Come on, let's go.

Right, you want a game? You got a game. Here we go.

[Carlos] Hey! Look who it is.

But I already told that bitch I don't know where he is.

You could get killed for doing that shit around here.

Where's J.J.?

I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told his girl.

He's probably at Hunts Point.

Where in Hunts Point?

Where in Hunts Point?

Hunts Point Avenue.

There's a warehouse in the market.

It's a big gray-brown building.

If I ever find out you give him anything again, I'll fucking kill you.

[Carlos groaning]

[bouncer] Carlos, you okay? You okay?

What fucking good are you, bro?

[electronic trance music]

-Check there. -All right.

Joey. He's over here.

[uplifting acoustic guitar music]

This will make him feel better.

[Louie] He doesn't look too good.

He took a bad dose of something.

His body's rejecting it.

Are you sure he's got to go to rehab?

He's addicted, Joey.

He needs to clean out.

Whoa!

[J.J. retching]

[Louie] Sit up.

Hey.

Welcome back.

How you feeling?

I'm cold.

Get him a blanket.

How'd I get here?

We came and got you, J.

How'd you find me?

Carlos.

You're sick, Jay. We're gonna bring you to rehab, okay?

Nah. I'll be all right.

No, no. J.J., listen to me.

You were shooting in there for two days.

If they hadn't found you, you would have overdosed.

[J.J.] I'm not going nowhere. I'm fine.

-[J.J.] Let me go. -[Joey] It's okay.

[J.J.] No, Let me go.

[Joey] Grab his legs. Grab his legs.

[J.J.] Let me go. No. Let me go.

[J.J.] No. Louie. Louie. Help me.

[J.J.]Bonnie.

[J.J.] Ayuda-me! Ayuda-me!

[J.J.] Help me, Louie.

No, no,

[J.J.] No, no.

I'm so scared.

I'm so scared.

You're all right.

I'm sorry I took the money.

I'm so sorry I took the money.

I saw Pauley [sobbing].

Bubbles' on the pool game. Don't worry.

[J.J. sobbing]

[J.J.] I spent the fall of 96 in rehab, upstate New York.

I wasn't allowed any visitors.

I felt like a criminal.

It was the loneliest three months of my life.

Our dream of owning a bar seemed to be drifting further and further away.

Louie and Laura had gotten engaged.

And Gina, she was now in her seventh month of pregnancy.

Me coming home made our family complete.

[everybody cheering]

[J.J.] It's okay. It's okay.

I love you, mom.

I love you. I missed you.

I missed you.

You look good.

Thank you.

-Hey. -Hey, brother.

Hi.

-Look who's here. -Louie.

You look good.

Thank you. Thank you.

Hey, Lizette gave me the news. Congratulations, guys.

Thanks.

What are you drinking?

You buying?

I always buy. Come on, what do you want?

I'll have cranberry juice.

All right. Xavier, three cranberries, please.

[Xavier] J.J. welcome home.

Thanks, Xavier.

-[Xavier] Drinks are on the house. -Ooh!

-Salute. -Salute boys..

Hey, we got a little something for you.

What'd you guys get me?

Huh? What do you think?

Oh, man.

Ah, Yankee hat.

-All right. -They won the series.

You don't have to tell me, brother.

That's all I did was follow them.

I was getting so bored, I started watching the Mets.

The Mets? You did have it rough.

Hey, you know something?

I want to thank you guys for everything.

You guys are like my brothers and I love you.

And it's good to be home.

Hey, it's good to have you.

[Louie] I love you.

now, if you guys will excuse me, I have to go dance with my favorite lady.

Xavier.

Put some vodka in here.

["Love Me With All Your Heart" by Jerry Vale playing]

Baby, let's dance,

Baby, I got a headache.

Did you eat?

Yeah.

Tomorrow you're gonna go see Dr. Derrico.

You probably have allergies.

Or something like that.

Yes, dear. Come here.

Giuseppe,

how are you?

How you doing, Doc?

How's the family?

Good.

Everybody's great.

Yeah.

I hear you're gonna be a father.

A couple more months, yeah.

Jesus, time flies.

I remember the day you were born.

You were in such a rush to get out and see the world.

You jumped right out into my hands.

Well, let's see what's going on here now.

Bad headaches, dizziness.

How long has this been going on?

A little while.

Did you change your diet?

Ate what I always eat. Macaroni.

Uh huh.

Well,

let's take a look and we'll see what's going on there.

What do you see?

Nothing.

[Dr. Derrico chuckling]

Okay, now I want to check your reflexes, so relax your leg.

You're the luckiest motherfucking basketball.

Luck? That's skill, buddy.

Watch this. You ready?

Go. Bring it on.

I need a rest.

Rest?

Man, I was dominating you under them boards.

You know what I think, Louie? I don't think there's anything wrong with you.

I just think you're addicted to that shit.

It's good to have you home, J.J.

it's good to be home, Lou.

Am I gonna live?

Oh, you're fine.

Your blood pressure's a little high.

And as far as the headaches, it could be caused by many things.

Stress, overwork.

I'd like you to see a specialist friend of mine at New York University.

He'll do some tests, run a CAT scan, check you out real good.

It's probably nothing.

You're the boss.

Good.

Here's his name and phone.

I'll make an appointment tomorrow and we should have some answers by the end of

the week.

All right.

Thanks, Doc.

Okay.

And give my love to Gina.

You got it.

[doorbell rings]

Dr. Derrico, hi! Come in.

Thank you.

Is, uh, Joey home?

Yeah, he's inside.

Joseph, Dr. Derrico's here.

You're kidding me, doc! Twice in one week?

I ain't paying for this one.

Hi, Joey.

You want a beer or soda or anything?

No, no, I'm fine.

Sit down.

So what's up, Doc?

Your test results came back.

Yeah?

it's not good.

You have a brain tumor, Joey.

They call it a cerebral astrocytoma.

It's on your brain stem.

What does that mean?

It's inoperable.

Well, they have to be able to do something.

Can't they give him drugs or radiation?

They've had very little success treating this type of tumor at this stage.

I'm sorry.

I wrote a prescription for your pain.

You may experience drowsiness, seizures, possible paralysis.

Everybody's different.

How long?

[sighs]

Two to six months.

You never know with these things.

You're young, you're strong.

We gotta go.

Go where?

I gotta tell my mom and dad.

[sad strings music]

Hey, Joey.

We're gonna go catch a flick. You want to go?

Yeah.

Hey, what's wrong?

Need to talk to you guys.

I got what they call a cerebral astrocytoma.

What the fuck is that?

It's a brain tumor, J.J.

They say it's pretty bad.

There's something I need to do.

I want to open a bar with you guys.

I want Gina to have my end.

I need you guys to look after my kid.

And you, you gotta stay clean.

Yeah, sure.

Whatever you need, Joey.

I'll have the money tomorrow night.

You start decorating on Monday.

I want to be open for New Year's Eve.

Where are you getting money from?

-Tony. -He's gonna give it to you?

I'm taking it.

We're going with you.

No good.

Remember what we saw 15 years ago?

I go alone.

Bullshit, man.

We've been doing everything together since we were kids.

We're not stopping now, Joey. No way.

Dear God, please bless my mom and my dad and my sister Angie.

Please bless J. J. Help keep him strong.

And Louie.

You got to bless Louie. God. Please love him.

Bless my beautiful wife, Gina, and thank you for sending us a baby.

Forgive me for what I'm about to do.

I have no other choice.

Amen.

[soft accordion music]

[door knocking]

You guys ready?

Yeah?

Will you give me something to write on?

[Joey] Okay.

I hope you get this all figured out, brother.

Tony's in Atlantic City for the weekend with his wife.

Pauley keeps an extra set of keys to Tony's house in the office drawer.

I made a copy.

Now, Tony's house is located on a short drive in a country corner.

Louie, drop us a block away.

You come back in 20 minutes. Make sure you get out of the neighborhood.

They got their own security patrol driving around.

No problem.

Hey, if we get caught, you keep going.

How are we gonna get caught?

We enter Tony's house in the backyard.

He's got an alarm on the side of the house.

We cut the wires.

We go in through the side door.

Now we gotta get in and we gotta get out.

I don't know if he's got this thing hooked up to the police station or not.

And we gotta be neat.

I want him to think no one was ever there.

Now Connie said the money was in the bedroom closet wall, not a safe.

So we should be able to grab the money and go.

I don't know, man. This is a long shot. We're taking the word of some bimbo.

That money could be anywhere in that wall.

Hey, if it ain't there, it ain't there.

I'm going anyway.

I don't believe this, man.

We're gonna rob a gangster's house and you're writing the plans on a pizza box?

Let's go.

-[J.J.] How'll we get up there? -[Joey] I'll lift you. Come on.

-Joey? -What?

Why do I have to go up there?

Cause I'm older. Get up there.

[both men grunting]

[Joey]Cut the wires.

[J.J.] Keep still.

[Joey] Cut the…

-Okay. -Okay.

[Joey] Splice it back together.

[J.J.] Why?

[Joey] So they look like they work.

[J.J.] Oh, hold on.

[J.J.] Okay.

[Joey] Come on. Get the bag. Get the bag.

[J.J.] Joey. Joey.

[J.J.] Joey.

Joey. Get away him away from me, Joey.

-Put him away. -Shh.

Put him away.

[Joey] Big baby. I'll put him in a bathroom. He's a puppy.

You didn't write him on the pizza box. That's not fair. Fuck.

I should have switched with Louie. He's always got it easier.

How you doing, officer?

License and registration, please.

There you go.

What'd I do?

-You see anything? -Not yet. Here, take this.

[dog barking]

Hit the wall, see if it sounds solid.

It's solid.

Check under the floor.

I didn't come here to steal golf clubs.

Wanna do me a favor?

Shine a light in here, please, so I can see what the hell I'm doing.

Hey, Joey, I gotta tell you this joke.

There's this girl, she has a little bit of a stuttering problem, right?

Her father sends her to the store every day with a note.

She never screws it up.

So this one day he gives her a note to buy 5lb of mackerel fish.

On her way to the store, she loses a note.

Now she's real upset because the last thing she wants to do is disappoint her

old man.

So she goes into the fish store, goes right up to the fish counter and says,

Give me f-f-f-f…

Mackerel. Guy says, "I don't understand you."

Please step out of a vehicle, sir.

Why?

Just get out of the car, sir.

Place your hands on the car, sir.

You know, I got an uncle on the 2-4.

Congratulations.

She takes the same hand, puts it right in the guy's face.

Guy goes, "Holy mackerel."

She goes, "Yep, five pounds."

[Joey] Holy mackerel.

You like that, huh?

J.J.

Holy mackerel.

You got it! You got it!

[both laughing]

Come on. Go, go, go. Where is he?

So, what do we do?

Within five minutes, we take the train.

Hey, don't shoot.

You stupid ass. You scared the out of us.

What?

Where's your car?

He towed it on me, my registration was up.

I even told the cop that my Uncle Pete was on the job.

Nothing.

Let's go.

So how'd we do?

[J.J.] You're an idiot.

[jazz music]

[J.J.] We found 100 grand in that little hole in the floor.

That dream once talked about on our stoop in the Bronx had finally come true.

To this day, I still don't know if Tony realizes the money is missing.

[J.J.] All right, our place. Our place.

[J.J.]A lot of work.

-[girls chattering] -[J.J.] What do you think, huh?

Okay. Who knows how to paint?

-I'll paint. -Laura, you're painting, baby.

[Lizette] Linda, que linda!

-[J.J.] Don't hurt yourself. -[Gina] Picked out this place.

[Louie] Thanks, buddy. You got some nails?

[J.J.] Nails? I got nails for you.

[all talking over each other]

[Joey] Hey, everyone,

Let's get to work.

Let's do it.

You guys painting up here?

[all talking over each other]

Hey, Gina.

Oh,

♪ I said a lot of prayers ♪

♪ Called up the hospital To let you know that I care ♪

♪ Well, they say you done flipped out ♪

♪ Drove your car into the lake ♪

♪ Shouted obscenities And the Lord's name in vain ♪

♪ So take your time, friend It'll be all right ♪

♪ When you're all done healing ♪

♪ We'll go out every night ♪

♪ Cause you're my friend My friend for life ♪

♪ Let 'em say we're crazy Two youths in the night ♪

♪ You're my friend, my friend for life ♪

♪Partners in crime We live a crazy life ♪

♪ But you're my friend My friend for life ♪

♪ And I miss you ♪

♪ And I hope you'll be all right ♪

♪ High in the mountains ♪

♪ Driving through the clouds ♪

♪ We'd stare at A brand new world we found ♪

♪ We'd reminisce the old town, knock it to the ground ♪

♪ Ballroom fights And wild Friday nights ♪

Joey, it's ready.

Joseph.

Joe, the eggs are gonna get cold.

I can't move my legs.

[Gina crying softly]

[melancholic strings music]

[boat horn honking]

Hold still.

[door bell ringing]

[all greeting each other]

Hi mama! Getting big. Getting big.

-Hey, Gina. -Hey boys. Come in.

Joey, your limo has arrived.

Nice suit, Joey. Is it new?

Yeah. Gina got it from Ferenga's Funeral Home.

She wants to see if it would fit.

Joseph.

Where'd you guys get the wheelchair from?

Benefits of having a girlfriend that works at a hospital, Joey.

Hey. Grand opening, New Year's Eve.

Let's roll?

Let's go.

Be careful with me.

-[Louie] All right. -[Louie and J.J. grunting]

[J.J.] Jesus, what you been eating? You fat turkey.

Hold on.

All right.

Thanks.

Ready?

Can you guys wait outside a minute?

Yeah, sure, Joey.

We'll be right outside, okay?

What is it?

Give me a sit on my lap.

No, I'm too heavy.

It's okay. I can't feel nothing.

All right.

I just wanted to talk to you before we got to the bar

and everything got all nuts.

All right.

You know I loved you since the first time I saw you on that stoop.

You were so beautiful.

I remember showing off every time I saw you.

And beating Bubbles up.

He hated that.

You've given me the greatest 16 years of my life.

Gina, you're my best friend.

I want you to promise me something.

If I ain't here when the baby's born,

you make sure you tell him or her

that their daddy loved them.

You're gonna be there.

[quiet murmuring of crowd]

So, Joey, what do you want to drink?

It's New Year's Eve.

Give me a Scotch on the rocks.

Sal? Scotch, please.

[Sal] Right there.

There you go.

And cranberry for Gina.

Happy New Year, everybody. Thanks for coming.

[all in unison] Happy New Year.

Salute.

Man, we're busy.

It's been jumping ever since we opened. People keep coming in.

I bet we do three grand tonight, easy.

To our place.

[all in unison] To our place.

[Lizette] Hey, it's almost time!

[all in unison] 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4,

3, 2, 1.

[all shouting] Happy New Year!

[J.J.] I love you, baby. Happy New Year, Sal.

-[Sal] Happy New Year. -Happy New Year. Happy New Year, J.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Luigi.

[Tony] Joey. Hey Joey.

Nice place you got here.

What'd you do, rob a bank?

Happy New Year, Tony.

You three guys need anything, you just let me know.

Anthony, take a picture of the three businessmen here.

Hey, you got film in there?

Shoot away.

[J.J.] On January 19, 1997, Joey Esposito Jr. was born.

On January 29, Joey passed away.

He spent the last 10 days of his life with his son.

Those were the proudest 10 days of his life.

Although little Joey never got to know his dad,

you could bet between Louie and myself, he knew all about the great man he was.

Somebody once said

there's nothing more important in life than family and friends.

He was right.

The three of us were a family and always will be true friends.

[animated chattering of crowd]

♪ You say you've been through hard times Yeah, I know it's true ♪

♪ But always remember I'll be there for you ♪

♪ I lit a lot of candles Said a lot of prayers ♪

♪Called up the hospital Let you know that I care ♪

♪ Well, they say you done flipped out Drove your car into the lake ♪

♪ Shouted obscenities And the Lord's name in vain ♪

♪ So take your time, friend You'll be all right ♪

♪ When you're all done healing We'll go out every night ♪

♪ Cause you're my friend My friend for life ♪

♪ Let them say we're crazy Two youths in the night ♪

♪ You're my friend, my friend for life ♪

♪ Partners in crime ♪

♪ We live a crazy life ♪

♪ But you're my friend My friend for life ♪

♪ And I miss you ♪

♪ And I hope you'll be all right ♪

♪ High in the mountains ♪

♪ Driving through the clouds ♪

♪ We'd stare at A brand new world we found ♪

♪ We'd reminisce the old town Knock it to the ground ♪

♪ Ballroom fights And wild Friday nights ♪

♪ Rock and roll music Till the morning light ♪

♪ Is all we needed To stay happy with life ♪

♪ And now you're gone ♪

♪ And it hurts me inside ♪

♪ I guess all that's wrong with me ♪

♪You lose your mind ♪

♪ Well, how can I sleep, friend ♪

♪ When you're on my mind ♪

♪ I need a miracle this time ♪

♪ Need a miracle this time ♪

♪ You're my friend, my friend for life ♪

♪ Let 'em say we're crazy Two youths in the night ♪

♪ You're my friend, my friend for life ♪

♪ Did a lot of crazy things On a dare in the night ♪

♪ You're my friend, my friend for life ♪

♪ Partners in crime We live a crazy life ♪

♪ Well, you're my friend ♪

♪ Yeah, you're my friend ♪

♪ Doesn't matter who's right or wrong ♪