Johnny Ray is sitting behind his desk in the dimly lit office of the 59th St Apartments. He's got his feet up on his desk smoking a cigarette with a half empty glass of scotch next to him and the fire crackling in the fireplace. The phone rings startling him a bit. He takes one last drag of cigarette before putting it out composing himself before answering the phone. He hears inaudible rumblings on the other end of the phone before a loud BANG can be heard. Johnny cringes as his eyes water and he drops the phone with a loud thud to the desk before it crashes to the floor. Johnny downs the last drink of scotch before reaching into the top left drawer grabbing a pistol. He loads it and holsters it in his shoulder holster before exiting the room quickly. He walks through the lobby of the apartments and out to the busy New York street the smell of the New York air hits him and

10 years ago

Johnny walks through an airport carrying one lonely leather bag dressed in tattered slacks and a white button up shirt stained and drenched in sweat. He finds the phone bank and slips a dime in dialing a number. He tells the person on the other end he has arrived and needs the address. he writes down an address on a piece of paper and quickly hangs up the phone. Johnny tosses the strap of his bag over his shoulder walking out into the streets of The Big City...New York City. The musk of steam from sewage grates and exhaust from taxis hits him and he knew there was no other place like it on earth. He hails a taxi and gets in the back.

"To 210 S 126th St please"

The cab driver nods and speeds away. After a few minutes of silence the driver glances into the mirror asking "business or pleasure?" and Johnny looks up through the bangs of his untrimmed hair replying "little bit of both" The driver nods in acceptance and continues to the destination. After a moment the cab pulls up to the curb of the address and promptly demands $1.27. Johnny shuffles digging in his pocket pulling out two crumpled dollar bills handing them to the driver before exiting the cab. Johnny stood on the sidewalk looking up at the tall building in amazement before a man exits the building dressed in a dapper suit and fedora.

Johnny: "Jackie Boy!!!"

Jackie: "Johnny Boy"

The two embrace for a moment before Jackie taps Johnnys back lightly

Jackie: "No troubles getting in assume?"

Johnny: "No big brother no troubles....moms been worried sick for weeks back home though"

Jackie: "Well you know your ol big brother...beat to my own drum"

The two laugh as Jackie leads Johnny inside the building...

PRESENT DAY

Johnny swiftly walks to his car in the parking lot next to the apartments. Johnny gets in and starts the car before backing out onto the street and speeding away. After only a moment or two he reaches The Boom Boom Room pulling up to the curb and shutting the car off. He gets out handing the valet his keys to park it. Johnny walks in and immediately goes to the back room behind the bar. He enters the room and sitting at the long table in the center of the room is Tiny_Tim, StaleDonuts, BobbyLashley, MustachePete and a new fresh face Siren. Johnny shuts the door behind him and takes a seat between MustachePete (his mentor) and BobbyLashley (one of his closest friends). He lights a cigarette taking a deep inhale before relaxing a bit exhaling the smoke.

"I truly appreciate you all meeting on such short notice...I...I need some help"

Johnny bites his lip in nervousness before explaining what happened trying to not ramble offtrack as he tends to do when he's upset.

"I know you all have something to lose if things go sour so believe me...I wont blame any of you if you say no and walk away"

Johnny puts his cigarette out clearing his throat....

10 YEARS AGO

Voice Over: I had been in New York but a few months and already made a dozen or so contacts with the help of Jackie.

Johnny walked down the semi busy New York street steam and fog was heavy that day. He was dressed in a simple black slacks and white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and of course a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He had a bit of spring in his step as he entered a building on 59th st. 

"Hello Darlin" he exclaimed as he reached the front desk. The young lady greeted him with a shy smile and a sweet "hello". It was clear the two were smitten with each other. Johnny stops to small talk for a moment before she slides him a key and he smiles taking the key and heading upstairs. Johnny goes up the spiral staircase to the fourth floor. He notices a man coming out of one of the apartment doors adjusting his tie. As the two meet in the hallway the man smiles nods and continues by but Johnny knew something was amiss. Johnny reached his destination door and saw it was ajar. He quickly looks back to catch a look at the man he met but was too late the man was gone. He quickly rushes into the apartment to find a mutual business acquaintance of his and Jackies was lying dead in the living room floor but he noticed no signs of a struggle. No broken lamps, no couch pillows thrown about, it was as if he was killed before he even knew what hit him.

Johnny quickly had a look around to see if he could see anything that he could report to Jackie on who had done it. All he had up until now was a vague description of a man that matches hundreds of gangsters in New York that wouldnt give them any lead. He noticed a painting on the wall near the kitchen that was crooked. He slowly looked behind it and saw a safe built into the wall. The safe wasnt opened but thats not to say it had anything inside for all he knew the gangster took it or the man hadnt even put anything into it in the first place. But what he did know is that was enough to start with.

Johnny replaced the picture and quickly left the apartment heading downstairs and out to the street. Johnny still a bit shook up at seeing his first dead body up close staggered down the street to Jackies apartment building. Jackie was outside with a few guys and just as Johnny reaches them the guys leave and Jackie is a bit surprised to see Johnny. 

Jackie: "Whoa Johnny Boy where you been you look like hell kid"

Johnny a bit out of breath begins to tell Jackie what happened. Jackie takes Johnny and puts him in a car and follows him in starting the car. Johnny finally calms down a bit and Jackie tells him they're going to a safe place to talk to an important guy. 

After about 20 minutes go by Johnny stares aimlessly out of the car window as the city dissipates and pastures and farms begin to show more and more. Jackie finally pulls down and dirt road and up to a big read barn-like structure. Johnny and Jackie get out and are quickly met by 4 well dressed guys who escort them inside. Once inside a man emerges from the shadows wearing the finest of suits smoking a Cuban cigar. 

Man: "Welcome Jackie who's the kid?"

Jackie: "This is my kid brother Johnny"

Man: "Jackie...and Johnny...mother didn't vary much on names huh?"

They both laugh but Johnny could tell Jackies laugh was out of nervousness. The man introduces himself to Johnny as Frank DeMarco. He was the head of one of the biggest Mob Families in New York. Jackie had been working the books for Mr DeMarco for about 3 years now. Jackie could never be made because he wasn't 100% Italian you see back in the old country our mom had an affair with a man who worked the fields. He was an Irishman so Jackie was half Irish Half Italian he used to say that he was the right combination to drink you under the table then kill you in cold blood for losing but thats besides the point. Jackie informed Mr. DeMarco of what i saw and when. Mr. DeMarco nodded and motioned us to be on our way. Jackie and Johnny followed one of the men back to the car and get in and travel on their way.

PRESENT DAY

Johnny stands up and walks to the minibar and begins gathering glasses and bottles.

"You see Jackie was always the hothead. But his intentions were always of the purest. He brought me out here 10 years ago he showed me that I could do more than just field work back in Italy."

Johnny pours glasses of whiskey placing one in front of each person at the table. He places the last one in front of MustachePete then sits back down in his chair.

"Jackie got me running money for Mr. DeMarco. Business was good but Jackie always wanted more. He was never satisfied."

5 YEARS AGO

Johnny sat in a car smoking a cigarette in a dimly lit alley in Brooklyn. The car idled as the exhaust smoke hollowed into the midnight air. Johnny was off in thoughts about being a big shot one day and hadn't noticed Jackie and 2 others get in the car.

Jackie: "Hey...*Jackie snaps his fingers* Ol Blue Eyes...lets go I'm freezing here"

Johnny startled outta his day dream nodding as he puts the car into gear and begins driving. They drove down the nearly empty street about 4 blocks before dropping the two guys off. Johnny and Jackie drive back to a little diner and park getting out and going inside. The two head to a corner booth on the far side and sit down. 

Jackie: *whispering* "You ready for the big score kid?"

Johnny: "I'm always ready Jackie but why this...why now the money's been good"

Jackie: "The money's been good? Your living in a run down apartment on the southside...moneys been good?"

Johnny: "Well yea but I just feel..."

Jackie: "Look I'm not worried about feelings...kid I'm worried about respect...im worried about power got it?!"

Johnny nods as he listens. See Jackie had came up with a plan to get Mr. DeMarco's money and put the heat off on a new crew that's been hassling some of Frank's girls down at the Majestic. Jackie had it all planned and if it worked we'd make off with $200k, I'd earn my name as Frank's muscle and put down a growing competition all in one night. 

so a few days later Johnny got up bright and early and strolled down to The Majestic club and get the numbers for Mr. DeMarco just as he always did but instead of taking them to Enrique he stopped off at a shop in Queens where the new crew happened to hang out. Of course the new crew took a keen interest in Johnny cause he was a respected man to Frank. Johnny edged through the people snatching one guys wallet on his way. The guy never knew it but he just became the fall guy for Jackie. Johnny made it outside dropping the slip of paper that had the drop amount an address and time of drop on it. 

Johnny made it back uptown to Jackies stash apartment. Jackie buzzes him in and he goes upstairs to Jackies apartment.

Johnny: "Ok got it"

Jackie: "Good kid you always had light fingers"

They laughed as Johnny lays the wallet on the table. Jimmy Tudeski was the name on the ID. They close the wallet and Jackie puts it in his pocket. The two go over the plan one last time as tonight was the night. They organized every move between The Majestic and the drop point. They knew every step of every guy within a hundred yards of this route. 

That night around 11 Johnny and Jackie sat in The Majestic drinking scotch and smoking like cigarettes were free. At 1125 Mary-anne motioned Johnny over and the plan was underway. Johnny put his cigarette out and went to the bar taking the bag of money from the last two days and calmly walked outside to his car which was conveniently pulled up by the valet. Johnny gets in and after a moment two others get in the back startling Johnny. 

Johnny: "Frank think I can't do my job?"

Man: "No no just don't want any accidents"

Johnny shakes his head but begins to drive. Johnny knew this deviation could ruin the plans but he had no way to warn Jackie. Johnny drove the route as planned stopping at a red light before turning onto an alleyway just as planned when suddenly he creeps upon a car blocking the alleyway.

Johnny: "This...this isn't right"

Johnny stops about 25 feet from the car not knowing how to sort this situation. The two guys in the back get out to have a look around. A man exits the parked car and engages Frank's two men. Johnny looks on griping the steering wheel tensely. The two men turn and wave Johnny to get out. Johnny was entirely confused and thought quickly between to run or follow the instructions. Johnny exits the car slowly and walks to the three men.

Johnny: "what's this all about"

Frank's Man: "He needs the money"

Johnny: "That's...thats not the plan"

The man quickly pulls his gun and says "Its the fucking plan now." Johnny's eyes widen as he realizes this was a setup but who? Frank? The two thugs? Did Jackie know? So many questions running through Johnny s head.

Johnny still trying to process everything suddenly heard a loud BANG and a bright flash of light. The man had fired his gun. Johnny fell to the cold wet concrete and all he could hear was muffled voices. The voices couldn't be made out but they grew louder then quieter as if they were getting closer then further away. Johnny laid there motionless as the muffled voices fade away...

Johnny sudden gasped and jolted awake in a panic dripping of sweat in a hospital bed. He had IV's and monitors hooked up and the consistent beeping of his heart monitor stood out. He looked around wiping sweat from his face when he noticed his left hand was cuffed securely to the bed rail. He quickly surveyed the room and saw two shadows outside his door. He began to wonder what day it was how he got there and what actually happened. His shoulder was tremendously sore and as he began to uncover it was heavily bandaged. He began to sit upright when two men in suits came in.

Man 1: "Johnny...I'm detective Simmons and this is my partner detective Jameson"

Johnny: "Wha..what happened?"

Det. Jameson: " Well we were hoping you could tell us. We know who you are and who you work for"

Johnny: "I work for myself"

Det. Simmons: "Now come on we know Frank DeMarco calls your shots"

Johnny "Frank who? Never heard of em"

The two detectives seem a bit angry at Johnny s lack of cooperation. They tell him he's been detained as a part of an ongoing investigation into the money laundering scheme of Frank DeMarco. They tell him they have evidence that DeMarco was laundering money through The Majestic and since he's been the money man for the last couple years he's the star of the investigation. 

Det. Jameson: "Your going to do time Johnny...you know that right?"

Det. Simmons: "We can help but you gotta give us DeMarco...we get him you do 6 months and your a new man"

Johnny: "6 months...for what? You got nothing if you did I'd already be in Sing Sing"

The two detectives smiled as one left a card on Johnny s table and they left the room. Johnny laid back trying to gather his thoughts. His recollection was fuzzy the last thing he could remember was turning down the alleyway. He mumbled to himself "what happened? Come on think Johnny." The nurse came in to check on Johnny and carried a vase of black roses with a card on it. She placed the vase on the table then quietly exited the room. Johnny carefully reached over taking the card. It read..

JOHNNY,

GET WELL SOON

P.S. OUTSIDE ITS GREAT TODAY

YOU COULD CALL IT BRIGHT AND NOW SUNNY

Johnny read the card and couldnt help but notice it was coded. He didn't know who sent it but he knew he needed to get out...and fast. He thought quickly then remembered the detectives card. He quickly buzzed the nurse and before she even made it in the door he demanded Detective Jameson.

About 10 minutes went by and the two detectives walked in intrigued why Johnny had sent for them as he was so stubborn before. They each walked in and sat near Johnny s bed. 

Johnny: "Listen if I do this...if I give up Frank...and anyone knows that I'm a rat...im dead"

Det. Jameson: "We know the stakes Johnny we are fully aware you'll need protection"

​​​​​​​Johnny exhales deeply and finally agrees...

A few days later Johnny is sitting in a cafe in a corner booth with Detectives Simmons and Jameson sitting across from him. Johnny and the two detectives speak quietly about Johnny s plan to meet Frank at an old farm house just outside the city in Cold Springs. He'll meet DeMarco and guns and cash will be there and the police will get DeMarco and Johnny at once. The two agree and Johnny gets up and quietly exits the cafe.

Johnny goes to his car and gets in and drives back into the city heading towards The Majestic. He pulls up and walks inside. Frank and two men sit at the bar as Johnny walks in. The two men steps in front of Johnny and he realizes they are the two men who shot him that night. Frank turns with a smirk and acknowledges Johnny.

Frank: "Surprised to see you Johnny"

Johnny: "Well when you give an order and your boys botch the job it's a bit of harsh reality huh"

Frank: "I can arrange them to remedy that if you'd like"

Johnny: "Well you could but I figure you'd be more worried about Jackies plan to get to you first...seeing as he just had a meet with Bobby Bones last night"

Frank's eyes get wide as he starts to realize Johnny wasn't lying. Johnny pulls out a cigarette striking a match lighting the cigarette inhaling deeply. He exhales smoke with a small grin of accomplishment.

Johnny: "And I thought maybe you'd want these guns I have stashed away...but I suppose I could just talk to Jackie instead I'm sure he'll put them to use."

Frank stops Johnny and nods subtly as Johnny hands over a piece of paper with a time and location. Frank takes the paper as Johnny turns and walks outside getting in his car and drives away.

At 8:05pm Johnny is sitting on the porch of the farm house location smoking a cigarette drinking a glass of scotch. Two cars pull in and slowly park. Frank and three guys get out. Johnny stands up and the men walk up to the porch. Frank and Johnny shake hands and two men stand at the door Frank and Johnny walk inside followed by the 3rd man. Johnny sits on the couch and Frank sits on the chair. Frank's guy places two leather bags on the table. Johnny looks inside and sees cash and smiles.

Johnny: "Crates...in the barn. 20 crates 7 guns in each crate"

Frank: "Storage?"

Johnny: "You can leave them here until you can get a truck to haul them"

Frank nods and just as he goes to get up sirens echo and lights fill the room and police officers bust in. Johnny and Frank both raise their hands as Frank glares at Johnny knowing what he had done. Johnny grits his teeth nervous about how this will all turn out. Detective Simmons and Jameson each cuff Johnny and Frank walking them outside. A police officer takes the two bags placing them in the trunk of a police car as Johnny is placed in the backseat and Frank is walked to another car and placed in the backseat. Jameson drives the car Johnny is in and Simmons drives the car Frank is in.

The two cars drive back into the city but towards the harbour not the police precinct. The two cars stop and each detective gets out. Frank looks around confused but Johnny looks on calm...almost knowingly. Simmons opens Johnny s door as he gets out. Jameson uncuffs Johnny as Johnny rubs his wrists. Simmons and Jameson stand at the back of the car as Johnny walks calmly to the backdoor of the other car.

Johnny opens the door pulling Frank out of the backseat. Frank staggers asking Johnny why. Johnny silently pushes Frank towards the pier. Frank breaks down begging Johnny. Johnny stops Frank pushing him down onto his knees.

Johnny: "Tell me..."

Frank: "Wha.."

Johnny: "Tell me how you burned my mother and father alive"

Frank: "Joh..Johnny...i...i.."

Johnny: "How you sent Danny and Ralph to their house..."

Frank sobs finally nodding his head. He begins to speak but nothing comes out. Just then Johnny pulls out a gun Jameson had handed him and fires. The shots hit Frank's temple and Frank falls lifelessly forward into the water. Jameson and Simmons look on as Johnny whispers a little prayer does a Catholic cross then turns walking slowly back towards the cars.

Just as Johnny reaches the cars two guys emerge from the shadows of the warehouses each shooting the two detectives in the head. The detectives drop as Johnny watches. The two men step into the light showing it was two police officers from the farmhouse raid. Johnny shakes both their hands as a car pulls up. Jackie is driving as Johnny thanks the two men and opens the trunk taking the two bags getting in the car with Jackie. Jackie smiles hugging Johnny and the two drive away.

PRESENT DAY

Johnny: "You see Frank had made the call to kill my mother and father some time after I first came out to the states. That night I got my revenge on him but never found the man who struck the match...for 5 years I searched and never found him...until tonight...and tonight...he killed my brother"

Johnny exhales smoke and wipes his eyes lightly as he clears his throat.