Johnny, Joey’s cheating. Make him stop.
JOHNNY:
Joey, cut it out. You don’t ever cheat your friends.
TOMMY CALLAHAN:
That’s right. You leave that shit to screw them rich assholes.
JOHNNY:
Tommy. Language, come on.
Like jail house bars, Tommy peers through the porch slats. MOTIONS Joey over to him. Gets EYEBALL to EYEBALL.
TOMMY CALLAHAN:
Listen. Rule number one, little man. If you’re gonna cheat, DON’T get caught.
75 INT. VIEIRA LIVING ROOM - LATER
Grace watches TV, singing and dancing with her Dora doll.
GRACE (singing Cinderella song):
In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whoever I want to be...
Door bell RINGS. Grace, holding her doll, opens the door.
POLICEMAN:
‘Your mother home?
Grace nods “yes” and just stands at the door looking up at the him.
POLICEMAN:
Can you get her for me?
GRACE (yelling from the door):
Momma, the police is here.
Bella appears from the kitchen, wearing an apron, drying her hands on a dish towel.
A tall, blonde, heavy-set policeman stands in the doorway, towering over her little girl.
BELLA (in Portuguese to Grace):
What does he want?
GRACE (to policeman):
What do you want?
BILLY MAGUIRE (entering the apartment):
I’m Officer Billy Maguire. I’m investigating a report of stolen merchandise which we have cause to believe have been delivered to this house.
BELLA:
No. We no steal. We no crooks.
Without asking permission, he boldly walks around the humble apartment, opening drawers and closet doors.
Grace follows, EYEING HIS EVERY MOVE, as he snoops from room to room.
Maguire points to her doll.
BILLY MAGUIRE:
That new?
GRACE (holding the doll tighter):
Yeah. My big brother gave it to me.
BILLY MAGUIRE:
He give you anything else?
Grace shields the doll behind her back.
76 EXT. CAMBRIDGE STREET
Bella - dressed in her widow’s black, gripping Grace by the hand, races up the street. Grace struggles to keep up.
GRACE:
WHERE are we going?
BELLA:
CHURCH. We go pray for Johnny.
GRACE:
Why? What does he need?
BELLA:
He need to be a good boy. A good man. Like your Papa.
77 INT. ST. ANTHONY’S PORTUGUESE CHURCH
Except for a handful of old women dressed in their widow’s black ... the church is empty.
Bella drags Grace over to the marble statue of the Virgin Mary.
From around her neck, Bella pulls at her Saint Michael medallion - kisses it, lights a candle, double blesses herself, and kneels.
Holding her miniature rosary beads, Grace imitates Bella.
BELLA (looking from the Virgin Mary to Grace):
You promise Nossa Senhora de Fatima. And swear on your papa’s soul ... you always be a good girl for God.
GRACE (V.O.):
Oh yeah, that’s another right of passage ... promising God, Baby Jesus, the Saint of the Day and swearing on all your dead ancestors’ souls that you’ll never make your momma cry. It’s our version of a Portuguese pinky swear.
78 INT. VIEIRA APARTMENT KITCHEN - 3:00 AM
The sliver of light from the open refrigerator illuminates the pitch black room. Johnny reaches for a carton of milk.
A cat MEOWS.
JOHNNY:
Hey buddy.
BELLA:
Senhor Silva calls. He say you no go to work? No even calls.
JOHNNY:
Jeez Ma, you scared me.
BELLA:
Where you go if you no go to work?
JOHNNY:
No where’s, I’m just hanging out.
BELLA:
What is hang out?
JOHNNY:
Ma, gimme’ a break. I just got back. I need some time.
BELLA:
Time? Time for what?
He pours the milk into the cat’s bowl, kisses his mother on the forehead.
JOHNNY (walking away):
Ma, I’m tired. I’m going to bed.
BELLA:
John Manuel Vieira. No forget. God sees everything.
CUT TO:
79 INT. THE SPRING HILL CASKET MANUFACTURERS - CHRISTMAS WEEK
The factory is strewn with tacky Christmas decorations. Caskets filled with everything from booze to toys - a makeshift COSTCO.
Johnny, Tommy Callahan, Fat Manny and Little Louie are all selling stolen merchandise.
Lots of CASH passing hands.
Tommy has his arm around a cute blonde girl.
TOMMY CALLAHAN (pointing around the room):
Anything you want baby, I’m the man, just ask me. I taught these guys everything they know... I raised them from puppies.
Johnny is walking up and down the casket aisles, organizing anything that’s out of place.
CLOSE ON: a gold necklace chain attached to a large Holy Spirit medallion. Admiring it, Johnny turns it over and reads a Portuguese inscription.
JOHNNY (to Fat Manny):
What’s this?
FAT MANNY (shrugging):
I don’t know. Some Saint.
JOHNNY:
I know that ... Where’d you get it?
FAT MANNY (nodding over):
Ask Little Louie. It’s his stuff.
Little Louie heads over with a wad of cash in hand.
JOHNNY (holding up the necklace):
Where’d you get this?
LITTLE LOUIE:
I took it off old man Cabral.
JOHNNY:
Did you take anything else?
LITTLE LOUIE:
Nah, everything else was crap.
Johnny moves in close to Little Louie and Fat Manny.
JOHNNY (quietly, aggressively):
You NEVER, EVER steal from your own people.
Johnny puts the chain in Louie’s hand.
JOHNNY:
Put it back.
Tommy taps Johnny on the shoulder. Whispers in his ear.
80 EXT. CAMBRIDGE STREET
A shiny, black Buick with tinted windows is parked on the corner.
Inside, chain smoking cigarettes, is JIMMY O’LEARY - slim, blonde, middle-aged man with squinty dark eyes. Johnny and Tommy get in the back.
81 INT. BLACK BUICK
O’Leary takes a long puff on his cigarette, rolls down the window, tosses it out.
JIMMY O’LEARY (Boston accent, to Tommy):
I need to talk with Johnny. ALONE.
TOMMY CALLAHAN:
But, I ...
O’Leary pushes open the door. Tommy reluctantly leaves.
JIMMY O’LEARY:
Heard what you did to those Project assholes. You did good. Protecting your family always comes first. I like that in you Johnny Boy. You’ve been doing a good job for us ...
(tapping his temple)
You, you got brains.
Johnny listens intently.
JIMMY O’LEARY:
You know, Johnny. Really smart people, they don’t know a lot. They don’t ask a lot of questions ... They just keep their mouths shut and do their job.
JOHNNY:
Well then Mr. O’Leary, I guess I’m a genius.
JIMMY O’LEARY:
Good. That’s the way I like it.
(pause)
But Tommy ... I’m ain’t so sure about him.
JOHNNY:
But we’re...
JIMMY O’LEARY (puts his left hand up):
Friends. I know. And I know he’s the one that brought you in. You’re pals. Bu
t he’s becoming a risk ..
Druggies with big mouths ain’t what I need.
(pushes a finger into Johnny’s chest)
He needs to know, you don’t shit where you eat.
JOHNNY:
I get it. I’ll keep an eye on him.
O’Leary pulls out and lights another cigarette.
Long awkward silence.
O’Leary reaches underneath the car seat, slowly pulls out a fat envelope.
JIMMY O’LEARY (presses the envelope into Johnny):
THIS is the only friend you’ll ever need.
82 INT. VIEIRA LIVING ROOM - CHRISTMAS MORNING
A ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree decorated with silver garland and tacky Christmas decorations sits in the corner. The tree is dwarfed by the huge sea of gifts.
GRACE:
WOW! Look at what Santa brought.
Fatima walks in holding a newborn baby, with her toddler tugging at her nightgown.
FATIMA:
Oh My God!
Grace and Fatima start rummaging through the gifts - wildly tearing off wrapping paper. Bella stands at the door, arms folded across her chest.
BELLA:
Where all this stuff come from?
GRACE:
It’s from Santa, Momma... I just love Santa.
Johnny appears from behind and kisses Bella’s cheek.
JOHNNY:
HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas. So, Ma, what do you think?
BELLA (indignant, hurt):
What I think? I think I no understand where somebody who no works, gots money to buy all this things.
JOHNNY (proudly):
I have my connections.
Disappointed, she stomps down the hall to her bedroom.
JOHNNY (following his mother):
Ma, Ma. I did this for you. I wanna’ make you happy. It’s a real American Christmas, just like you always dreamed of.
BELLA (tearing up):
I no ever dreams of this. We no come to America to steal. To be crooks. We leave our home. Our country because of men who do these bad things.
(continues adamantly in Portuguese)
I want all these evil things out of my house. NOW! Not one thing stays here. You have already disgraced yourself, but you will not dishonor me or the memory of your father like this.
She SLAMS the door on his face.
83 INT. JOHNNY’S CAR - LATE NIGHT
The back seat is filled with ALL the Christmas presents. Johnny’s driving. Tommy’s smoking a joint.
JOHNNY:
I thought she’d be happy.
TOMMY CALLAHAN (taking a drag):
Yeah, she spoiled your whole friggin’ Christmas.
SIRENS BLARING.
Johnny’s rearview mirror: Police car’s red lights flashing, signaling for him to pull over. Out walks a tall, heavy-set young cop.
JOHNNY:
Oh, shit. Roll down the windows. Quick.
The officer points the flashlight directly into Johnny and Tommy’s eyes. Johnny covers his eyes.
JOHNNY:
Hey, cut the shit Maguire.
Officer Maguire points the light into the back seat.
POLICE OFFICER MAGUIRE:
That’s Officer Maguire to you. You got a receipt for these, J-J-J- Johnny?
JOHNNY:
Grow up Billy.
Billy points the flashlight at Tommy.
POLICE OFFICER MAGUIRE:
Where’s the dope?
TOMMY CALLAHAN (sarcastically):
I’m looking right at him.
BILLY MAGUIRE (pulling out his gun):
O.K. Get out of the car. NOW!
JOHNNY:
AH! Come on Maguire. It’s Christmas for Christ sake.
Johnny slowly leans across towards the glove compartment, pulls out a big bag of weed and a wad of cash. Hands it to Maguire.
Maguire pockets the dope and the money.
BILLY MAGUIRE (looking at Tommy):
Next time Tommy, keep your big, fat mouth shut.
Tommy leans over and BLOWS a cloud of smoke from his joint RIGHT into Maguire’s face.
BILLY MAGUIRE (waving his gun):
That’s it! Both of you. Out of the car. In the spirit of Christmas, I’m just busting you for possession of stolen goods.
(looking at Tommy)
Now who’s the dope, Callahan?
84 INT. CAMBRIDGE POLICE STATION, FRONT DESK - NEXT MORNING
Grace and Bella stand in front of a high, glassed-in police station counter.
It TOWERS over Grace. A big burly, old-timer cop slides open the glass partition.
POLICEMAN (to Bella):
Yeah, what can I do for ya’?
The cop HEARS a little voice coming from below the counter.
GRACE:
Hello. Excuse me.
He rises, peers down: Grace wearing a little red Santa hat. She WAVES UP at him. Smiles.
GRACE:
Excuse me Mr. Policeman. We’re here to bring my big brother home.
Shaking his head, the burly cop MORPHS into a teddy bear.
POLICEMAN:
Okay doll face. Who’s your brother?
GRACE:
Johnny.
POLICEMAN:
Johnny what?
GRACE (confused):
What?
POLICEMAN:
Your brother. What’s his last name?
GRACE:
Oh. Vieira. Johnny Vieira.
POLICEMAN (looking down at the log):
He’s been arrested for possession of stolen goods. His bail’s set at $1,500.
Bella reaches into a brown paper bag, pulling out money.
BELLA:
We got monies.
POLICEMAN (holding his hand up):
NO. NO. Not here.
(speed talking)
Go down the hall, first right, take a left and it’s the
third door on your right marked “Bail Bondsman.” They’ll take care of you down there.
BELLA (tearing up, confused):
I no understand.
GRACE (taking her mother by the hand):
It’s okay momma. I can find it. Come with me.
85 EXT. POLICE STATION
Johnny exits the police station holding Grace’s hand. Bella - red-faced, fuming - is quick at their heels.
BELLA (Portuguese):
How? How could you shame your family like this? I had to go and ask Senhor Silva for money to get you out of jail.
(shouts)
FOR STEALING!
Johnny speeds up, keeping his distance. Grace hurries to stay up with him.
GRACE (looking up):
Johnny, Momma says only bad boys go to jail.
Johnny looks away.
Bella catches up to them.
BELLA:
Thanks God your papa’s not here to see the kind of man you become.
Johnny STOPS. CRUSHED.
JOHNNY (slowly, deliberately):
I’ve got nothing else, Ma.
(wiping his eyes)
Can’t you see. There’s nothin’ else out here for guys like me.
Tearing up, Bella clutches the brown paper bag to her chest - feeling the loss of Jose and the weight of how much coming to America has cost her family.
GRACE (V.O.):
That was the last time my brother brought his work home and the last time our family ever talked about it.
86 INT. SPRING HILL CASKET MANUFACTURERS - DAY
A stone-faced O’Leary sits behind his large, oak desk, chain- smoking.
Billy Maguire stands in front - nervously shuffling his feet. Johnny and Tommy sit across from them on the couch.
JIMMY O’LEARY (livid, to Maguire):
What the hell’s wrong with you, Maguire?
(pointing towards the couch)
You know those guys work for me. What the fuck were you thinking?
BILLY MAGUIRE (mumbling):
I, I just thought ...
/> JIMMY O’LEARY (interrupting):
Shut up! I don’t give a shit what you think.
(pointing his finger at Maguire)
You want this arrangement of ours to continue, then you better put your fucking differences aside.
BILLY MAGUIRE:
I’m sorry Mr. O’Leary. It won’t happen again.
TOMMY CALLAHAN (taunting):
Yeah, what were you thinking Maguire?
O’Leary hurls an ash tray at Tommy, barely missing his head.
JIMMY O’LEARY:
You shut your fuckin’ pie hole before I shut it for you! Your old man and me may go way back ...
(turns back to Maguire)
... yours too. But they never did stupid shit like this. And, God rest their souls, if they was here right now, they’d be kicking the crap out of you.
(turns again and waves a dismissing hand)
ALL of you’se - get the fuck out of my sight.
act 3
back to present day
87 CHEERING CROWD, CAMBRIDGE, MA
Johnny and 20-year-old Grace (whom we met in the opening scene) sit CHEERING at a Boston Celtics game, eating hot dogs and sporting a green “Celtics #1” foam finger.
GRACE (V.O.):
I know my brother Johnny did some bad things. But you see - to me, he was always just my big brother.
(a beat)
He made my life seem normal. You know.
More American.
CUT TO:
88 INT. CABRAL’S NEW ATOMIC FISH MARKET - DAY
Cabral’s tiny market has EXPANDED - glassed-in counters brimming with fresh, whole fish on ice, octopus, crabs, sardines. Piles of dried cod line a whole counter.
The store is packed with working-class Portuguese ladies buying fish - neatly dressed in colorful house dresses, maids uniforms, and of course, widow’s black.
It’s LOUD. Everyone’s SPEAKING AND ORDERING in Portuguese.
MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS (Portuguese ordering):
Dam dues libras de abroita.
Nao, nao. Eu quero o polv fresco.
Mas caranguejos.
The store door bell JANGLES.
The ladies turn as ALEX MCPHEARSON enters the doorway - tall, blonde and a bit too good looking.
(Late 20’s) - Wearing a Harvard Crimson tie, Brooks Brothers navy blue blazer, Alex nods politely to the GAPING women.
Not only is he the ONLY male customer, but with his light blonde features - he stands totally out of place among the dark-haired, working class women.
Alex walks towards the counter as the women watch him order - IN ENGLISH.
ALEX MCPHEARSON (too polite to be from Boston):
May I please have half a pound of salmon.
What Geese Can't Fly Page 5
