by Jay Hopler
TED proudly lifts the bottom of his sweater above the table, displaying a large yellow “P.”
SAL
What is that?—Princeton?
(Ted nods)
Hey, that’s great.
(to Jack)
How about that, huh, the kid’s at Princeto.
(setting him up)
Is that where you went, Jack?
JACK
No.
TED
Jack went to State. (pause)
Bobby went to Princeton though.
SAL turns and smiles to BOBBY who is slightly embarrassed.
SAL
I remember, but we always knew she would do well.
(back to Jack)
Right?
MR. DOWNEY
What about you, Mr. Vaccionne, you look like your doing pretty well for yourself, did you ever go on in school?
MR. DOWNEY has apparently noticed SAL’S expensive suit, gold watch, and rings.
SAL
As a matter-a-fact, I’ve been doin’ pretty good. No thanks to higher education though.
MR. DOWNEY
Oh? What line of work are you in?
SAL
Uhh, contracting.
(he smiles)
JACK
(smugly)
Oh, a trade.
SAL
Not really, I’m on the management side… trouble shooting.
JACK
(incredulously)
—And no special training is required for that?
SAL
Nothing you could learn in school.
SAL is clearly enjoying his charade. Out of the kitchen, MRS. DOWNEY sits at the opposite end of the table from her husband.
MRS. DOWNEY
Well, why don’t we have Salvatore say grace, since he’s our guest.
SAL seems put on the spot.
MR. DOWNEY Not too Catholic now Sal.
BOBBY
Daddy!
MRS. DOWNEY
It doesn’t matter, Salvatore, go right ahead
Everyone grasps hands and bows their heads. SAL thinks fast, he is obviously out of practice.
SAL
Well, bless this meal, this house, and… uh… all who are in it…
SAL looks at BOBBY’S hand in his, she is doing the same, and they catch each other looking.
SAL
(cont.)
… Protect us from harm. Deliver us from evil. (pause) In the name of the Father, the Son, The Holy Ghost, Amen.
EVERYONE TOGETHER
Amen.
cut to:
EXT. STREET NIGHT
The BOSS, DOM, and a score of other men are walking the cul-de-sac, there are tracks everywhere, but they seem confident he is around somewhere.
cut to:
INT. DOWNEY HOUSE NIGHT
Dinner is under way. Platters and serving bowls circulate around the table, as some begin to eat.
BOBBY
I’m sorry we lost touch, Sal. I wondered what you were up to all these years.
TED
(laughing)
I remember Dad used to say you were probably in jail.
MR. DOWNEY
(smiling weakly)
I was joking.
BOBBY and TED both look at him dubiously.
SAL
(laughing it off)
If I hadn’t wised up, I might’a ended up there. I was always gettin’ into trouble those days.
(to Bobby)
How’d you ever put up with it?
BOBBY smiles warmly.
MRS. DOWNEY
Love.
The strength of the word takes everyone aback.
MRS. DOWNEY
(cont.)
I know you were just teenagers, but I know love when I see it.
She winks to her husband. MR. DOWNEY smiles weakly as he chews SAL seems genuinely embarrassed.
BOBBY
Mom, that was a long time ago, we’re both adults now, we’re different people.
SAL seems somewhat relieved by this statement. cut to:
Cut to:
EXT. DOWNEY HOUSE NIGHT
The BOSS stops in front of the large colonial. He regards it with no special attention, until something catches his eye. He steps up onto the walkway and slowly squats. He dabs his finger into a small patch of pink snow. It is where SAL cleaned his hand. The BOSS looks up at the house. He knows.
Cut to:
INT. DOWNEY HOUSE NIGHT
MRS. DOWNEY is up from the table, as the others continue eating.
JACK
(shouting)
Mother! Come back to dinner.
(to Mr. Downey)
Father—please
MR. DOWNEY
C’mon, dear, that’ll wait, let’s eat first.
MRS. DOWNEY enters carrying a photo album.
MRS. DOWNEY
See that, it took two seconds.
She leans in between BOBBY and SAL, opening the album on the table between their plates.
MRS. DOWNEY
(cont.)
Ah-huh, there it is.
MRS. DOWNEY points at a picture of SAL and BOBBY at the prom. BOBBY wears a frilly pink dress, and SAL wears a light blue tux, complete with wide lapels, and tinted ruffle shirt. They both laugh at themselves. TED strains to see across the table.
TED
What? What is it?
BAM! BAM! BAM! The happy moment is cut by a loud knocking at the door. SAL tenses. MRS. DOWNEY turns to the door.
MRS. DOWNEY
Well now, who can this be?
BOBBIE holds up the picture for her brothers and father. SAL slowly reaches around his back.
BOBBY
Is this funny or what?
SAL pays no attention to the album, he is focused on MRS. DOWNEY, who goes out of view, as she goes into the entry hall. His hand curls around his gun. He doesn’t blink. MRS. DOWNEY pokes her head back out from the entry hall, smiling.
MRS. DOWNEY
Salvatore, it’s for you.
SAL is frozen. JACK looks at him suspiciously.
BOBBY
Who is it, Sal?
SAL shrugs weakly. Everyone turns toward the entry hall. BENNIE steps into view.
BENNIE
Sal!
SAL’s face lights up. He is overwhelmed to see the comrade he thought was dead.
SAL
B-bennie, Jesus, I can’t believe it. How did you get—mean, well—I just didn’t expect to see you.
SAL gets up, heading for BENNIE. BENNIE smiles broadly.
BENNIE
Here I am.
They meet, shaking hands. SAL is almost checking to see that BENNIE is real.
SAL
(quietly)
I don’t understand
BENNIE
(under his breath)
I’ll explain later. Let’s get outta here.
MRS. DOWNEY
Are you going to introduce us to your friend, Sal?
SAL
Uh … yeah, this is Bennie. Bennie Saducci. He’s a … friend a mine. A friend a mine from work.
MRS. DOWNEY moves to greet BENNIE.
MRS. DOWNEY
Oh, how nice, was he caroling with you?
BENNIE has no idea what’s going on.
SAL
Sure—well, we were visitin’ some business associates in the area… and I wanted to stop by here,
(to Bennie)
but I didn’t think I was gonna be seein’ you again.
TED
Ahem.
TED reminds SAL to introduce the rest of the family with a gesture.
SAL
Bennie, this is the Downeys; Mrs. Downey, Mr. Downey, Jack, Ted, and Bobby. (pause) Bobby and I used to go out in high school.
BENNIE
No kidding.
(he smiles to Bobby)
That’s nice. So Sal, you ready to go?
MRS. DOWNEY
Nonsense, we just start
ed dinner, and you’re going to join us.
She motions to TED and JACK to set another place. TED hops to, but JACK rises begrudgingly.
BENNIE
No-uh, we really should be goin’.
SAL is already pushing him toward the table.
SAL
(making a point)
We got plenty a time.
BENNIE
(slightly bewildered)
Maybe a quick bite.
MRS. DOWNEY seats him between JACK and TED, and JACK sets a dish down loudly in front of him. BENNIE seems very uncomfortable. SAL takes his seat as BOBBY shows BENNIE the prom picture.
BENNIE
(disbelieving)
That’s you, Sal?
JACK and TED take their seats, as BENNIE’s tittering turns to snorting guffaws. He tries to share the joke, showing the picture to TED who chuckles with him, and JACK who looks at him like he’s crazy. SAL is not so amused.
MR. DOWNEY
So, you’re in contracting Bennie?
BENNIE
(recovering)
Huh?
MR. DOWNEY
Sal was telling us about your work.
BENNIE looks panicked, having no idea what SAL has told them. TED passes him the stuffing, which seems to fluster him more. SAL is looking worried as well.
MR. DOWNEY
(cont.)
What is it that you do?
BENNIE
Me?
SAL
(covering)
He works with me.
BOBBY
Like an assistant?
SAL
Yeah, exactly. He’s one of my assistants.
SAL smiles, and BOBBY smiles as well, proud that SAL rates enough to have assistants. BENNIE sighs with relief, and dishes himself up some stuffing.
MRS. DOWNEY
My! You must be very important to have all those assistants.
JACK
(incredulously)
Just how many assistants do you have?
SAL
Nine.
BENNIE
Seven.
SAL
Yeah, seven. A couple just got… well… actually, the competition got ‘em.
MR. DOWNEY
It can get pretty cut throat out there.
SAL
You said it!
(pause)
You’re still in insurance?
MR. DOWNEY nods, as BENNIE drops a fork full of mashed potatoes back onto his plate.
BENNIE
(enthusiastically)
We got lotsa experience in insurance.
SAL
(scowling at Bennie)
We dabbled in it a while ago.
JACK is becoming increasingly suspicious.
JACK
Insurance? Contracting? What kind of company do you work for?
SAL and BENNIE exchange a worried glance.
SAL
Jack! I’m sorry, I’ve been ignoring you. What kind of work have you been doing?
JACK wants an answer to his question, but can’t resist the invitation to talk about himself.
JACK
Well … I’ve been ….
(he smiles)
I’m a CPA now and I just started my own firm in Paramus.
SAL
A bean-counter, no kidding, well that must be your Mercedes out front.
BOBBY
Ahem.
BOBBY indicates that it is her car.
SAL
The Chrysler?
MR. DOWNEY raises his hand as he chews.
TED
(chuckling)
Yugo.
JACK
There’s nothing funny about economy.
BENNIE laughs as well, he is beginning to enjoy SAL’s ruse as well as the meal. SAL turns to BOBBY.
SAL
Mercedes, huh. What’ve you been doin’?
BOBBY
I’ve been teaching. The Mercedes I got in the settlement.
SAL
Settlement?
MRS. DOWNEY
(whispering it like a dirty word)
Divorce.
SAL
Divorce. You didn’t even say you were married.
BOBBY
Well I’m not—anymore. Thank God.
SAL
When did all this happen?
BOBBY
College. After we broke up, I started seeing Gerald.
SAL
(disgusted)
Gerald?
TED
He was a jerk.
JACK
He was rich.
MR. DOWNEY
He was a rich jerk.
MRS. DOWNEY
He was very nice, but I don’t think Bobby loved him.
BOBBY
(embarrassed)
Eight years. I guess I was kidding myself.
The statement hits SAL strongly. BENNIE heaps more stuffing onto his plate.
BENNIE
Good stuffing, Mrs. D.
MRS. DOWNEY
Thank you, Benjamin.
(to Sal)
You’re not married, are you, Salvatore?
SAL
No.
The phone rings as SAL does a double take, getting Mrs. Downey’s drift. She smiles, rising to get the phone.
MR. DOWNEY
(directs his comment at Sal)
He took good care of Bobby.
BOBBY
(indignant)
People need more than money and things, Daddy.
The tense moment is interrupted by MRS. DOWNEY, who holds up the phone receiver, and shouts in from the study.
MRS. DOWNEY
Salvatore, it’s for you.
SAL starts to get up.
JACK
So, Bennie, tell us more about yourself.
BENNIE stops midchew, and shoots SAL a worried look. SAL thinks twice about leaving him alone with JACK, but he’s got to answer the phone.
BENNIE
(mouth still full)
I-I-I was always real curious about accounting.
SAL picks up the phone in the study, lighting himself a smoke. He glances worriedly back toward BENNIE at the table, before turning to shield his conversation.
SAL
Hello.
VOICE OF CALABRESE
Sallie, you okay there? What the hell happened?
SAL
Our little Christmas surprise was no surprise. Somebody ratted out Santa.
VOICE OF CALABRESE
Impossible, Sal. Nobody knew about this except me and you. Who else did you tell?
SAL
Nobody, just my …
As SAL speaks he turns to see BENNIE laughing in the other room. The truth slowly dawns on him. He stares in silent shock a moment.
VOICE OF CALABRESE
Sal? Sal, you there?
SAL
Yeah. Yeah, look I gotta change a plans here. I don’t need that lift yet. I gotta take care a somethin’ first.
VOICE OF CALABRESE
Everything okay there, Sal?
SAL
Yeah, fine. I’ll call when I need that ride, okay?
cut to:
INT. BOSS’S CAR NIGHT
The Boss checks his watch impatiently, then speaks to DOM.
Boss
I give him five more minutes,
(pause)
and we’re goin’ in.
cut to:
INT. DOWNEY HOUSE NIGHT
SAL is back at the dinner table. He looks morose.
BOBBY
Is everything okay, Sal?
SAL
Yeah. Yeah, fine.
MR. DOWNEY
Bennie here says you’re quite a bigshot at your company.
BENNIE smiles proudly at SAL who barely manages a smile in return.
MR. DOWNEY
(cont.)
Look, Sal, I think I owe you an apology. I used to think you were no good, but it’s obvious there was mo
re to you than I realized.
SAL
Look, I didn’t want to have to deal with this now,
(pause)
but that call was… well, there’s been a tragedy. I’m afraid I need to speak to Bennie alone.
A solemn hush hits the table. BOBBY places a sympathetic hand on SAL’S shoulder. BENNIE is confused at first, but catches on that SAL wants to talk in private. The two men rise.
MRS. DOWNEY
Why don’t you use the study. You can close the door.
SAL
Thanks. Please, go on with dinner.
SAL ushers BENNIE into the study, holding the door
MRS. DOWNEY
I’ll save you some dessert.
SAL smiles and nods, as he closes the door.
BENNIE
C’mon, Sal, let’s get outta this town.
SAL is lighting a cigarette with his back to BENNIE as he admires the all-silver nativity scene on the fireplace mantel. He picks up a figure, weighing it, and packing it in his hand like a roll of coins.
SAL
Why such a hurry?
BENNIE
This town’s hot. The sooner we get outta here, the better.
SAL walks slowly up to BENNIE. Face to face, he stares him in the eye. The Christmas tree blinks behind them.
SAL
What happens when I step out the door?
SAL stares him down, dragging slowly off his smoke. BENNIE’s expression slowly melts into panic.
BENNIE
What-whatta ya mean?
SAL says nothing, exhaling smoke with a long hissing sound.
BOOM! SAL connects with a sharp blow to BENNIE’s rib cage, and follows instantaneously with a two-handed uppercut that sends BENNIE up and back flattening a Christmas present as he lands.
SAL pauses to pick his cigarette back up off the carpet. BENNIE crawls toward the fireplace grabbing the Yule log and swinging back with it—connecting hard with SAL’s ankle. SAL falls to his knees. BENNIE swings again, but SAL grabs the log, using it to throw himself into a sweeping roundhouse. SAL’s loaded fist catches BENNIE’s jaw, knocking him out cold.
MRS. DOWNEY
(through the door)
Is everything okay in there?
SAL grabs his cigarette from the floor again and limps to the doo He opens it a crack, and speaks quietly to Mrs. Downey.
SAL
He’s not taking it very well, I’m afraid. Give him a minute.
MRS. DOWNEY nods, and SAL closes the door.
MRS. DOWNEY
(to Bobby)
What a sweet man!
SAL throws the poinsettias from a vase, and splashes the water on BENNIE’s face. Grabbing him by the collar, he presses a sharp table knife to the groggy man’s neck.
