Missing...

The longer I'm away from you guys the more I miss you. The feelings that flow through my blood right now are difficult to put into words that's for sure. I just miss you, that's all.

I wish that I could find happiness again. I guess I just have to know that there is a girl out there somewhere that likes me and wants to be with me and that we can be happy together.

Fly me to the moon
Let me sing among those stars
Let me see what spring is like
On jupiter and marsI

n other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby kiss me

Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore

Preston out

I'm sorry...

This is going to have to hold you guys over until the product is finished which will be sometime in July. These are the next seven pages I believe. Again I am sorry. I thank each of you for reading and your comments accordingly. I hope that you enjoy.

INT. DON’S MANSION
Placido, Salvatore, and Amadora walk down the hall. Amadora stops in a room.

AMADORA

Well, are you not going to open the door for me?

Salvatore reaches for the door.

SALVATORE

Yes, let me get that.

The door opens. Salvatore goes to step in.

AMADORA

What are you doing?

SALVATORE

Checking to see if there is anything wrong or dangerous. You know my job.

AMADORA

O. All right, I guess. Have a good night Placido. It was good seeing you.

Placido is starting to sweat again.

PLACIDO

Yes, you too.

Salvatore turns to Placido.

SALVATORE

You know what room we’re in. I will meet you there in a minute.

Placido starts to walk down the hall again. He moves more quickly. He finds the room and opens the door. He turns on the light and locks the door behind him. He sits on the bed. He gets out the black bag and sets it on the end table. He stumbles to take out the strap. He knocks the bag over and the bottle rolls underneath the bed. Placido ties the strap around his arm and puts the syringe in his mouth. He searches for the bottle underneath the bed. Then he grabs it. Then there is a knock at the door.

PLACIDO

Who is it?

Another knock as Placido anxiously fills the syringe. Placido answers angrily.

PLACIDO

Who is it?

A key is inserted into the lock. Placido is forced to abort. He takes the strap off and finds a trash can. He throws the equipment into the trash can just as the door opens.

PLACIDO

Can’t you see that I’m-

Placido stops and looks at the girl. Belle is standing in the doorway in a nightgown smiling at him. Belle gives Placido a hug.

BELLE

I am so glad to see you!

PLACIDO

As I am you!

Belle kisses Placido on the cheek.

BELLE

I heard that you were here and I just had to see you. I have missed you so much, Placido, you don’t even know. I have so much to tell you.

Belle starts walking towards the hall. Placido follows. Placido leans on the doorway.

PLACIDO

As I do you, Belle. Gosh, it’s been so long.

BELLE

Yes, but I am off to bed now. Would you like to eat breakfast with me in the morning?

PLACIDO

That would be great. I’d love to.

Salvatore walks down the hall towards the two of them.

BELLE

Great, I’ll be looking forward to it. You have a good night’s sleep. We’ve certainly missed you around here.

PLACIDO

Have a good night too. It'll be fun to catch up.

Belle walks away as Salvatore walks up.

SALVATORE

What was that?

PLACIDO

Nothing. Let’s get some sleep.

SALVATORE

Amen.

The two go back into the room.

INT. PLACIDO AND SALVATORE’S ROOM

Placido wakes up. The covers are all over the place. The shades have already been opened. He wakes up groggily. He goes into the bathroom. He takes off his clothes and showers. When he gets out he starts to dry himself. Then he looks into the mirror. He runs to the trash can. He digs out the equipment. The bottle and syringe are broken. Placido gets upset and throws them back into the can. Placido continues to dry himself. Then he throws a towel around his waist, picks up the telephone, and dials.

PLACIDO

Yes, I need some more merchandise.

HELEN

What happened to what I just sold you?

PLACIDO

I had an accident.

HELEN

Are you good for the money?

PLACIDO

Of course I am good for the money but I need some today.

HELEN

Placido, you know that I do not like doing this. You need to get help.

PLACIDO

Just help me out by meeting me today in the market.

HELEN

Fine. Just have the money.

Placido hangs up the phone. He gets dressed in loose fitting attire.

INT. SUN ROOM

Placido walks into the sun room. Belle, Salvatore, and Amadora are already seated.

BELLE

I was beginning to think that you were never coming.

PLACIDO

Please excuse me for being late. I had to take care of some business.

Placido kisses Belle’s hand.

AMADORA

You are quite excused.

Placido stands up straight.

PLACIDO

What are we having for breakfast this morning?

BELLE

The help cooked bacon and eggs.

PLACIDO

My favorite.

BELLE

Yes, I know that is why I had them make it.

Placido smiles at Belle and she smiles back. Placido grabs a plate and fills it. He sits down next to Belle and begins to eat.

PLACIDO

So tell me what’s new?

BELLE

Well…

Jaden walks in.

JADEN

Good morning babe.

Belle stands and kisses him on the lips. Placido looks disappointed.

BELLE

Jaden, you remember Placido, right?

JADEN

How could I forget? How have you been?

Placido stands. Jaden holds out his hand. Placido shakes it.

PLACIDO

All is well I suppose. Thank you.

JADEN

Good.

Belle hugs him and looks at Placido.

BELLE

I wanted to tell you that Jaden and I are getting married.

PLACIDO

Well, congratulations. That is....good news. Great news. Probably the best that I have heard since I have arrived.

BELLE

Thank you.

Salvatore stands up sensing the tension.

SALVATORE

I think it is time that we must be going. Amadora wants to visit the market place this morning. I told her we could.

PLACIDO

Yes, of course. If you will excuse me, Belle, I am sorry.

BELLE

Of course, you must do your duty to the family.

INT. CAR

Placido and Salvatore are causally driving in a new car down the street. The car is designed with a wall between the passengers in the back and the driver and passenger in the front.

SALVATORE

What was wrong with you?

PLACIDO

I have not seen Belle in a long time.

SALVATORE

Keep your wits about you, please. That was a lot time ago. It has come and gone

PLACIDO

Yes of course. Why didn't you tell me? How could this have happened?

SALVATORE

I didn't feel that it was important.

PLACIDO

I guess that I am happy that she has found the happiness that she deserves.

SALVATORE

Good.

Placido points to the left at a parking space.

PLACIDO

Park over there.

SALVATORE

Yes, I see it.

EXT. STREETS OF NEW YORK

The market place is busy. Salvatore and Placido get out of the car and look around. Salvatore goes around to Placido’s side of the car.

PLACIDO

Are you ready to do this?

SALVATORE

Let’s go.

Placido opens the door as Salvatore stands ready to help Amadora out of the car.

SALVATORE

Is there anything specific that you would like to buy?

AMADORA

I’m just here to shop.

SALVATORE

All right, you lead the way.

PLACIDO

I have to pick something up for the room. Do either of you mind that I leave?

SALVATORE

No, I do not mind. I believe that I have things under control here.

AMADORA

Nor do I mind. Get what you need.

PLACIDO

Thank you, my Lady. I will meet both of here back at the car.

Placido goes off his own way. He walks down an ally. Helen is waiting for him.

PLACIDO

Do you have it?

HELEN

No.

PLACIDO

Why not? I told you that I need it, Helen. I was counting on you. I cannot just quit cold turkey like this.

HELEN

I can’t get my hands on any product right now. That gang that’s rivaling you guys is killing my business.

PLACIDO

You mean Don Albina’s gang?

HELEN

That’s the one. Placido, I know that you can get it through your gang.

Placido starts to sweat profusely. He starts to get angry.

PLACIDO

I can’t. They cannot find out. If you wouldn’t have gotten me started in the first place! I’ve gotta have some more!

HELEN

Don’t shout. I have to go. We’ll be in contact. I’m sorry.

Helen runs away. Placido walks back towards the car. Amadora is standing there with Salvatore angrily.

PLACIDO

What happened?

SALVATORE

Amadora got mad at one of the store keepers for not letting her try on everything that she wanted to.

Placido opens the door of the car.

PLACIDO

O, I am sorry, my Lady. Would you like me have it taken care of it?

Amadora steps in with the help of Salvatore.

AMADORA

Yes!

Placido shuts the door.

SALVATORE

Did you get what you needed?

PLACIDO

No, they were out.

SALVATORE

That’s a shame.

Placido and Salvatore climb into the car and start riding away. A knock is heard on the wall and Placido lowers it.

AMADORA

I’ve gotta ask.

PLACIDO

No, you know we don’t-

AMADORA

Do either of you know who is trying to kill me?

PLACIDO

We are only here to protect you, Amadora, not to start asking questions, besides the person that ordered the hit could be miles from here by now.

SALVATORE

We are going to find who is trying to assassinate you. Whether it is this day or the next. It is just bound to happen.

Placido turns to Salvatore in disappointment.

PLACIDO

Those were not our orders from the Don.

SALVATORE

In order to protect Amadora we must find who is trying to kill her. And then we have to kill him. We can't let this injustice stand.

PLACIDO

Please, Salvatore, you must show some respect for the Family and for the Don.

SALVATORE

This is bull shit and you know it. I'm tired of this kind of work and everything that goes with it. We are too good for this.

PLACIDO

We will do what the Don has requested of us and nothing more. This is exactly why you have not become a capo. You have to learn your respect for the Don’s decisions. The Don would not be happy that you would disobey a direct order.

SALVATORE

What are you talking about? You left! You shouldn't even be here! I shouldn't be here! I should be a Capo!

AMADORA

Hopefully, just by you being here, something will arise. I am happy that you two are my protectors. God knows I couldn't defend myself.

There is an awkward silence.

AMADORA

I am really glad to see you back, Placido. Really I am.

PLACIDO

I am happy to be back. Really.

AMADORA

Were you happier being away?

PLACIDO

That is hard to say.

SALVATORE

Of course he wasn’t. He missed us. I can’t believe that he was gone for so long. He should have been back sooner.

PLACIDO

Yes, of course. There is no place that I’d rather be.

SALVATORE

So what do you feel about Agostino being underboss and Julian being Consigliore?

PLACIDO

I don’t know what to think about it really. I guess a lot has changed since I have left. I mean, Amadora, you’re a capo and Phebe is the Don? I never would have guessed.

AMADORA

Well, you are lucky to be alive. I would have killed you.

A car hits the driver’s side of the car hard. Everybody in the car shakes.

PLACIDO

Shit! Before this is over you may just get your wish. Amadora stay down and follow me.

Placido draws his gun and gets out of the car. Mobsters wearing masks get out of the car with submachine guns and start to fire. Placido gets out the car and shoots two of them in the head. There is one that remains. Placido turns to Amadora.

PLACIDO

Stay here, we’ll take care of this.

Amadora looks scared.

AMADORA

All right.

Salvatore and Placido start to run after the last man. They chase him through an alley and eventually see him go into a speakeasy.

That was fun. I hope you guys had a good time reading that. In the next few pages orders come from Agonstino and Julian to have Salvatore go with Amadora to Italy as Placido is sent to Egypt to find out exactly what is happening to the Family and who is responsible. It should be interesting.

Preston out

The First Fifteen...

EXT. SKIES OVER NEW YORK

A plane breaks through the clouds. Inside, Placido is speaking to a fellow passenger as a flight attendant moves towards him. His forehead is sweating.

PLACIDO

And before everything got real messy, I left. So now I’m coming back, hopefully for good

The passenger looks at Placido funny.

PASSENGER

What’s wrong? You’re sweating. And why do you sound so unsure?

The flight attendant gets to Placido and waits.

PLACIDO

O. Sorry, it’s just really hot in here.

Placido wipes the sweat from his forehead. He looks to the floor and then back up.

PLACIDO

I left a lot behind. I should probably be dead. Excuse me.

Placido walks towards the rest room. He gets in and shuts the door. He takes a black case out of his pants pocket and opens it. There is a syringe, a bottle, and a rubber band. He pulls up his shirt sleeve and straps on the band. Then there’s a knock at the door. Placido sounds upset and preoccupied. Sweat is running down his face.

PLACIDO

Yes?!

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Sir, there is a telephone call in the other part of the cabin.

Placido looks confused.

PLACIDO

For me?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Yes, sir. Would you like me to take a message?

PLACIDO

No, I’ll be right out.

Placido takes off the strap and puts everything back into the case. He washes his face off in the sink and comes out.

PLACIDO

Where at?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Yes, right this way.

Placido follows the flight attendant to the front of the cabin. She picks up the phone and hands it to him. Placido sits and then speaks into the phone.

PLACIDO

Hello?

SALVATORE

Hiya, Placido! How ya doin’?

PLACIDO

Salvatore, is that you? You old dog? I’m doing great. What about yourself?

SALVATORE

I am doing well. We’ll have plenty of time to reacquaint ourselves when your plane touches down. How are you feeling?

PLACIDO

Nervous.

SALVATORE

Why?

PLACIDO

Are you sure they even want me to come back? I didn’t really tell a lot of them that I was leaving.

SALVATORE

Don’t worry about it. I have already spoken with all of them myself. They are perfectly ok with it.

PLACIDO

Are you sure?

SALVATORE

Would I ever lie to you?

PLACIDO

I guess not.

SALVATORE

You guess?

PLACIDO

I know you wouldn’t.

The flight attendant comes to Placido. Placido turns to her.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Sir, you are going to need to end your conversation quickly. The captain is about to make his final approach.

Placido nods and turns back to the phone.

PLACIDO

Thank you. Salvatore, look, I’ll be on the ground in a few minutes. We’ll talk then.

SALVATORE

All right, it was good talking to you. There are some people I want you to see when you get here. Have fun. Bye.

PLACIDO

You too. Bye.

Placido walks back to his seat.

EXT. AIRPORT

Placido’s plane touches down smoothly. Salvatore is outside a car waiting for him. The door comes open as a flight attendant comes out first. A few people get out of the airplane. Then Placido gets out with a large bag, a jacket on, and a coat on his head. Salvatore waves at him. Placido waves back and walks over to Salvatore. Placido looks up to the sky as he stops in front of Salvatore.

PLACIDO

Mmmm…smell that air.

SALVATORE

What? The filth?

PLACIDO

Home, sweet, home…

SALVATORE

You got that right. You ready to go? Here I’ll take your bags and put them in the trunk.

Salvatore takes Placido’s bags and puts them in the trunk. A very large winged shape plane comes down from the sky. Placido walks away from the car to look at it. Eight fighters are escorting the plane upon this final approach.

PLACIDO

What is that?

Salvatore, done with putting the bags in the car, walks towards Placido.

SALVATORE

I meant to tell you about that... That is Amadora.

Placido looks shocked.

PLACIDO

Amadora?

SALVATORE

Yes, after you left she was a rising star. She’s made capodecina.

Salvatore walks towards the driver’s side of the car.

PLACIDO

Capo? Really? No shit.

They both get in.

SALVATORE

Yea.

PLACIDO

Haven’t you been trying to make capo even before I left?

Salvatore laughs.

SALVATORE

Yea, that’s true. It seems as if the administration is going to keep me like this forever. Don’t forget though, you never made capo either.

PLACIDO

I’m not forgetting.

PLACIDO

Do you want to go see her?

PLACIDO

That would be nice, I suppose.

SALVATORE

All right.

Salvatore starts the car and drives over to that side of the run way.

EXT. AMADORA’S PLANE

Amadora, in a nice dress, steps down from the airplane’s stairs with body guards around her. Amadora sees Salvatore. She waves her body guards off and walks quickly towards Salvatore. Placido stays in the car. Amadora does not see Placido and smiles at Salvatore.

AMADORA

Salvatore, how are you? It’s been so long.

Salvatore takes Amadora’s hand and kisses it. Placido gets out of the car.

PLACIDO

Salvatore, you old smoothie…

Amadora quickly pulls her hand away from Salvatore. She seems upset.

AMADORA

O. Placido, I did not know that you were here.

PLACIDO

I just got back.

Placido walks around the car to Amadora.

AMADORA

You haven’t changed a bit.

PLACIDO

Well, look at you, a capo, who would have guessed.

AMADORA

Yes, I just got back, as you can see. How long are you here for?

PLACIDO

Hopefully for good.

Amadora does not look happy about this.

AMADORA

Well, that is good news. This city truly has not been the same since you left so suddenly. I will be-

Amadora’s plane explodes. Salvatore ducks.

SALVATORE

Get down!

Three cars speed up and start shooting at the guards.

PLACIDO

We have to get outta here.

The shooting continues. The guards are shooting back but most are dying. Amadora looks scared.

AMADORA

What are we going to do?

SALVATORE

Get in the car!

They each get in the car. Amadora gets in the back. Salvatore starts the engine and speeds off. Placido turns around.

PLACIDO

Amadora, keep your head down and we’ll get outta this.

Amadora speaks wearily.

AMADORA

Uh huh.

The cars follow Salvatore’s. Salvatore makes a fast turn through the fence of the airport and onto the street into traffic. The cars are still speeding after them shooting.

SALVATORE

Placido!

PLACIDO

Yea!?

SALVATORE

You better still have that good shot! Under the seat there’s a gun. Give ‘em hell.

PLACIDO

My pleasure.

Placido reaches under the seat and pulls out a Colt .45. Placido sticks his body out of the window. Bullets are littering the car. Placido shoots the lead car's driver in two shots. The car swerves into another shooting at them and explodes. Placido comes back in.

PLACIDO

Hey, I got one!

SALVATORE

Yea, there’s still one more!

PLACIDO

Don’t worry about him. I'm all over it.

Placido goes out. He shoots three times and hits the right front tire. The car hits another and stops in the road. Placido comes in as Salvatore swerves right and does not slow down. All in the car are hyperventilating. Placido turns to Amadora.

PLACIDO

You can get up now, Senator.

AMADORA

Thanks, Placido.

PLACIDO

Anytime, don't worrya bout it.

SALVATORE

Hey, what about me?

AMADORA

You too. I will be sure the Don knows about this. This is ridiculous!

Placido turns to Salvatore.

PLACIDO

Just like the good old days, huh?

SALVATORE

I’m just glad that you haven’t missed a beat or we would have got it right on in the kisser.

PLACIDO

Yea, tell me about it.

Salvatore continues to drive quickly towards the white house.

EXT. FAMILY MANSION

Salvatore pulls up. He checks in with his bullet torn vehicle. The secret service stops his car.

GUARD

Destination and cargo?

SALVATORE

Passengers only. Myself, my friend, and Amadora. We are here to drop the capo off for her meeting with the Don.

The secret service looks in the car.

GUARD

What happened to your car?

SALVATORE

We had a little trouble back at the airport. You know, anything for frequent flyer miles.

Another man steps to the car.

GUARD 2

Let them in immediately. The Don is waiting for their arrival.

INT. DON’S OFFICE

The Don is speaking with captain’s Julian and Agostino.

AGOSTINO

If the other smaller gangs leave us-

PHEBE

I will not let that happen.

AGOSTINO

I am just afraid that if a war does break out between the clans that there will not be enough soldiers on the streets to successfully combat an insurrection of that magnitude.

PHEBE

Do you really think that it will come to a gang war, Julian?

JULIAN

It is difficult to say. There are so many people that are allying themselves with them. So much at stake anymore. The taxes on them are too much but we cannot survive without them. And the Feds do not help our cause.

PHEBE

I will not let that happen. Jesus, we just fought the last one reluctantly. This thing of ours cannot handle another.

Amadora walks into the room followed by other Capos. Placido and Salvatore walk in behind her. Phebe stands up and walks towards Amadora. Agostino and Julian stand to leave and talk to Amadora.

AGOSTINO

I am glad that my men could escort your here safely, Amadora. Were the extra guards we sent of good use?

AMADORA

Your men are dead, Agostino.

Agostino looks astonished.

AGOSTINO

What? That is impossible.

AMADORA

Yes, we were ambushed at the airport, all of your men and the pilots are dead.

Phebe walks over to the oval office windows.

AGOSTINO

Then how did you get here?

AMADORA

Luckily other members of your crew were there.

AGOSTINO

Who?

AMADORA

Placido and Salvatore.

Both of them step out from the corner.

AGOSTINO

Hmmm…

AMADORA

Do you have any idea to who is behind this attack?

AGOSTINO

It is far too uncertain to say.

AMADORA

I think it is the former captain, Albina. It only makes sense.

JULIAN

She did break Omertá. But she is not a murderer. She is lucky to be alive, Amadora. Let me assure you that it was not her.

AGOSTINO

And I think you forget. We were her friends once. It is not in her character to murder a friend.

Phebe steps forward.

PHEBE

She has started the rival gang…and she has been trying to take our members. But she has seemed to never really want to start a war. Why would she want to kill you?

AMADORA

I don’t know but everything in my body is telling me that she is behind this plot.

Phebe turns around.

PHEBE

In this moment of crisis perhaps it would be best to place the capo with some new guards...perhaps those with a little more experiense...

AMADORA

I do not think that this matter is nearly-

PHEBE

That dangerous but I do. Please, do it for me, capo. The loss of you would truly ensure that the next war would break out and nobody wants that. Perhaps old friends, like Salvatore and Placido.

Julian turns to Phebe.

JULIAN

That could easily be arranged. Salvatore is already here.

AGOSTINO

But Placido does not work for us anymore. He quit a year ago. It may not be the most appropriate...

Phebe turns to Agostino and Placido.

PHEBE

Placido, are you willing to be reinstated? You do know that one that breaks Omertá usually is a dead man. But since you have managed to keep your mouth shut…

PLACIDO

Well, I could use the job.

PHEBE

Good! Than it is settled. The both of you are now assigned to the protection of Amadora. Placido, it is good to see you back. We have missed you since you have been gone.

PLACIDO

Well, look at you, Don of the Family, who would have guessed.

PHEBE

Yes, good luck on your new assignment.

Phebe returns to her desk. Agostino turns to Salvatore and Placido.

AGOSTINO

As underboss, both of you are now assigned to the protection of the capo. Get the capo situated in her room in the mansion.

PLACIDO AND SALVATORE

Yes sir.

They just stand around.

AGOSTINO

Well, get a move on.

SALVATORE

Yes, right this way.

The three walk out of the room.