1. EXT. VILLA DE LIBRI - AFTERNOON

A QUIET AFTERNOON IN A TOWN AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF CATANZARO, WE SEE THE CAMERA PAN OUT FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE TOWARDS THE VILLA DE LIBRI, THE HOME OF THE ‘NDRINA BOSS, GIANCARLO LIBRI. SOME PEOPLE ARE TENDING THE GARDENS, WITH A TON OF DIFFERENT FLOWERS, SOME NOT NATIVE TO THE SOUTHERN ITALY, AND TREES, AS THE CAMERA MOVES TOWARDS THE MAIN GATE, GUARDED BY TWO MEN. GATE DOORS OPEN, CREAKING. WE SEE A MAN IN THEIR FIFTIES, DRAGGING ALONG WITH HIM A WOMEN IN HER EARLY TWENTIES. 

SALVATORE

(STILL DRAGGING THE WOMAN IN HER EARLY TWENTIES, BY HER ARM)

Don’t talk, don’t moan. We ARE going to see the Capobastone Libri, and he will decide what needs to be done! You hear me, girl! 

ROSELIA

(STRUGGLING TO FREE HERSELF FROM THE GRAB OF SALVATORE, HIS DAD)

Dad! Dad, please! I love him! DAD – you hurting me!

SALVATORE

(STOPS AS THEY WERE REACHING TO THE DOOR OF THE VILLA, ANOTHER TO MEN GUARDING IT, SHIFTS HIS GAZE TOWARDS HER DAUGHTER, SLAPS HER)

What did I say, huh? WHAT – DID – I – SAY? Do. NOT. Talk. 

A GUITAR CHORD IS HEARD AS THE SLAP LANDS ONTO ROSELIA’S FACE. SHE PAUSES, LOOKING AT HER FATHER. HER FATHER LOOKS BACK AT HER. WE SEE THE DUO FROM ANOTHER ANGLE. THE GUARDSMEN AT THE DOOR DO NOT REACT. A SINGLE TEAR DROPS FROM ROSELIA’S CHEEK AS THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN. ANOTHER GUITAR CHORD PLAYS. THE DUO WALKS INTO THE  VILLA. 

2. INT. VILLA DE LIBRI - AFTERNOON

THE VILLA IS DECORATED EXTRAVAGANTLY, WITH MANY WORKERS SCURRYING AROUND INSIDE. SOME CLEANING THE FURNITURE, PREPARING MEALS, AND OTHERS SERVING THE CAPOBASTONE AND HIS FAMILY. THE DUO IS ESCORTED TO THE OFFICE OF GIANCARLO. HE IS SITTING DOWN ON A LEATHER CHAIR, A BLIND ORANGE CAT ON HIS LAP, PURRING. THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM MOMENTS AFTER THEY ENTER. THEY ARE GUIDED TO TWO CHAIRS THAT ARE PLACED THE OPPOSITE OF THE DESK THAT NOW SEPARATES THEM FROM THE BOSS.
 

GIANCARLO

(STILL PETTING THE BLIND ORANGE CAT, HIS EYES MEETS SALVATORE’S AS HE ADDRESSES HIM, CURIOUS, WATCHING THEM BOTH)

My friend, Salvatore. What brings you to my home this Tuesday? What makes you drag your daughter, Roselia, by her arm? What complaints do you have? Speak honest, speak the truth. And let your words find favor in my ears. 

SALVATORE

Oh, Capobastone! I plead with you to put sense into my daughter! My daughter! She defies my will, she denies her duty as my child. She refuses the match that I have made for her, Capobastone. With Domenico – (ANOTHER GUITAR CHORD IS HEARD, CAMERA PANS TO EACH OF THE THREE PEOPLES’ FACES, ONE AT A TIME) – a man of true Southern birth. He has the means and the power to enter into our ‘Ndrina by marriage. But her eyes see another man. Agostino! He has no name, ties! He is nothing but a pesky dock worker! And I am his dad, Capobastone! She must wed Domenico! Or she must face my wrath! 

ANOTHER GUITAR CHORD PLAYS AS SALVATORE MENTIONS WRATH. SOUND ECHOES, AND SOME MUSIC STARTS PLAYING TO DENOTE THE STRESSFUL NATURE OF THE SITUATION. CAMERA’S FOCUS SWITCHES FROM ONE TO ANOTHER. FINALLY, IT FOCUSES BACK TO ROSELIA. TEAR THAT STARTED DROPPING AS SHE WAS SLAPPED AT THE DOOR STILL ON HER CHEEK. FINALLY, THE CAMERA PANS BACK TO THE CAPOBASTONE. HE SWITCHES HIS GAZE BETWEEN SALVATORE AND ROSELIA AS HE SPEAKS. 

GIANCARLO

Oh, my dear friend. This is indeed a grave matter. You know matters of the heart complicates the world of business. Yet your daughter’s heart can not be swayed by force and force alone. And yet again, this life, the business that we are in, it demands loyalty. You all have a duty. (GIANCARLO NOW FOCUSES TOWARDS ROSELIA, WITH TENSE MUSIC STARTING TO PLAY ONCE AGAIN) You must understand, my child. Your future with Domenico secures alliances, strengthens bonds. The only way to enter into our business is either by blood or by marriage. And you are refusing the latter. Weigh your choices, because the path you will take will either take you to the altar with Domenico, or a life of solitude from your family, cut from all you know. 

HIGHER TEMPO MUSIC STARTS PLAYING AS WE REFOCUS BACK TO ROSELIA, CLEARLY READY TO REBEL. 

ROSELIA

Capobastone Libri, you are a wise man, and you are just. I beg you, grant me the liberty to marry who I love so dearly. Allow me to follow my heart. Not for influence, or for blood. Or the power this marriage may bring to my family. Agostino loves me. Truly. I beg you, Capobastone. Don’t force me to follow a destiny that is not my making. 

GIANCARLO

Your words have passion, my dear child. Yet the world we live in has its rules also. You must either follow them, or face its consequences. In ten days, make a decision. Wed Domenico, and secure your place in the family – or disappear. The choice is yours.