True Friends (1998) - full transcript

JJ (VOICEOVER): Friendship
is a very delicate word,

with various definitions, each
holding its own personal value.

Webster's definition
is, "one attached

to another by personal regard."

This is ours.

[music playing]

JJ (VOICEOVER): Spanish Harlem.

I was born here.

That's where I spent the
first 12 years of my life.

My name is Juan Jose Lopez.

I'm a Puerto Rican.



And that's my mom.

She was born in Puerto
Rico and raised.

She immigrated here
for a better life.

My father, I never knew him.

Mom never spoke much about him.

Alls I knew was that he was
gunned down in a drug deal.

It was just my mom
and I. She was a very

proud woman and a hard worker.

She always wanted a
better life for us.

Today, all her hard work
had finally paid off.

She had saved enough money
to move us out of Harlem

and move us up to the
Bronx, which is OK by me.

It just put me closer
to Yankee Stadium.

187th Street and Belmont Avenue,
this would be my new home.



We moved on a block which had
about 30 kids, mostly Italian,

some Irish, couple of Jews,
and one Puerto Rican--

me.

This would be the
first time I met Joey

Esposito and Louie Mazzarino.

It was in the cards
that the three of us

would become true friends.

Beautiful, now we got Puerto
Ricans living over here.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Your mother made gravy.

Come on upstairs.

Just one more hand, dad.

What'd I say?

Now!

What did I tell you about
that goddamn landlord?

They don't give a shit about us.

He don't care we been
paying rent here 14 years.

All he cares about is money.

He rents to spics.

I met her in the hallway.

They seemed like nice people.

Nice people?

Where they from?

They moved here from Harlem.

Nice people?

There are no nice
people from Harlem.

Only animals.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Dad, can I go play stickball?

You didn't finish.

I'm full.

Oh, you're full?

When I was your age, we
ate maybe once a day,

and not food like this.

We ate a meal like
this once a week.

I mean, you people around
here, you eat like kings.

And you know why?

Because I break my ass all
week doing construction so

yous can eat food like this.

Carmine, for Christ's
sake, it's macaroni.

Costs a quarter.

Let him go.

That's not the point, Fran.

He should learn
to respect money.

Go ahead, go.

Be back by six.

And stay away from
that Puerto Rican kid.

Did you eat enough?
Are you full?

Yes, mommy.

You make the best
chicken and rice.

[non-english]

I'm scared.

What are you scared about?

Everything's different here.

I don't know anyone,
and I miss my friends.

I'm scared, too.

You're scared, too, mommy?

Yes.

Don't be scared, momma.
I'll protect you.

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Stickball was the most

popular sport in New York City.

Whether you were in
Harlem or up in the Bronx,

there was a pickup
game on every corner.

As I watched, my heart
pounded with excitement.

I wanted to play, but they
didn't even notice I was there.

Joey was by far the best
athlete in the neighborhood.

He could play any position.

And man, was he a great hitter.

Louie was a great pitcher.

He had all kinds of
junk on his ball.

That's Nicky Tomatoes.

His family owned a food
stand in the neighborhood.

He was the worst
hitter I ever saw.

He couldn't hit water if
he jumped out of a boat.

There's tomato juice
all over the bat.

JJ (VOICEOVER): Bubbles
Cardillo, at 12 years old,

he weighed over 200 pounds.

The only belt that
could hold his pants up

was the Belt Parkway.

He was the slowest
moving human I ever met.

Hold, hold!

Hold!

I told you to hold!

Pay up or asses up.

Pay up or asses up!

I ain't got no money!

Asses up, come on!

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Pay up or asses up.

We never had to pay in Harlem
because we had no money.

Shit.

JJ (VOICEOVER): I heard of asses
up, but never with your pants

down.

That must really hurt.

Nail him.

Ow!

JOEY: Look at that, [laugh].

Let him a big red mark.

LOUIE: Hey, there goes
that Puerto Rican kid.

What's his name?

Juan, I think.

LOUIE: He's been
watching us all game.

You want to go talk to him?

Nah, my dad said to stay away.

We're moving to Yonkers.

Where is Yonkers?

I'm not sure, but
I think it's far.

There's my favorite guy, hm.

How was your day?

It was OK.

What'd you do?

I watched a game.

Did you make any new friends?

Not yet, mom.

Good night.

Baby, don't forget
to brush your teeth

and say your prayers.

Dear god, please
bless my mom and please

bless all my friends
in my old apartment,

especially my cousin Carlos.

Please protect me in this new
place and in my new school.

And say hello to my dad.

Amen.

Oh, yeah, don't
forget the Yankees.

They need a lot
of help this year.

CARMINE: No way!

FRANCES: Would you please
keep your voice down?

I don't want the
whole neighborhood

to know our business!

CARMINE: This is my house!

I'll yell all I want!

They don't have to listen!

FRANCES: Just this
once, could we please

go somewhere as a family?

Dear god, please
love my mom and dad.

And help fix my dad's temper
so he won't yell as much.

Please bless my sister,
Louie, and all my friends.

Amen.

Oh, yeah, don't
forget the Yankees.

Amen.

[bell ringing]

JJ (VOICEOVER): It was my
first day at my new school.

It was actually
going pretty good

until I ran into Johnny Ryan.

Hey, chico.

Do you know who I am?

No.

No?

Well, I'm the one who you give
your lunch money to every day.

There I was, my first
day at my new school,

and this kid wanted
my lunch money.

I felt all alone, but I was
willing to stand my ground.

You gotta take it from me.

- OK.
- Get off me!

Ow, geez!

Come on!

Come on, get off of me!

Hey, get off of him!

Come on!

Move!
Get off of him.

Get off him.

Hey, it's between
me and him, Esposito.

It's not fair.
You jumped him.

It's only six on one.

Now it's three on six.

Shit, here we go again.

I'm not through
with you yet, spic.

Let's go.

JJ (VOICEOVER): From that
moment on, the three of us

were inseparable.

We all shared a strong bond.

But Joey, he was special,
kind of like the big brother

I never had.

You OK?

Yeah.

OK, take care.

Hey, we're going for pizza.

You wanna come?

Sure.

Come on.

Hey, ma.

Where you been?

Oh, you make me so nervous.

You know, I called the
school looking for you!

There was a fight, ma.

Oh my god, are you all right?

Come here, let me look at you.

[italian].

Well, he got in a fight.

Let me feel your head.

He's warm.

I'll make you some brioche.

No, pop, not me.

My friend.

Let me see that eye.

Hm, nice shot.

I'll make you some brioche, too.

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Brioche, never heard

of the damn thing in my life.

But the Italians,
they swear by it.

From a sore throat to a
toothache to broken bones,

if you were sick, that's
what they gave you.

It's not bad.

It's good.

I can't believe your
parents own a pizzeria.

Can you eat all
the pizza you want?

Yeah.

But the sauce upsets my stomach,
so I've got to watch it.

Do your parents own
a pizza shop, too?

No, my dad's a bricklayer.

Any my mom, she
takes care of us.

- Bricklayer?
- He's a construction worker.

What's your dad do?

My dad died a long time ago.

But my mom has a house
cleaning business.

My dad says
you're from Harlem.

What's it like there?
- Great.

I miss it.

I had a lot of friends there.

And my cousin Carlos,
we'd play stickball, too.

I saw your game the other day.

Are you any good?

I'm OK.

We play again on Sunday.
Come down?

Really?

Thanks.

I better get home.

Let's go, I'll walk yous.

Thanks for the pizza, Louie.

Thanks for helping
me at the playground.

Hey, no sweat.

How do you say your name again?

It's Juan Jose.

That's too hard.

How about JJ?

Yeah, JJ.

I like it.
- See you, Louie.

All right, see you guys later.

See you later.

Hey, mom.

Mom!

[spanish],, what
happened to your eye?

I had a great day, mom.

I got in a fight
with six Irish kids.

They wanted to take
my lunch money.

They what?

It's OK, because Joey
and Louie had my back.

Joey and Louie?

Joey Esposito from next
door and Louie Mazzarino

from the pizzeria.

What pizzeria?

Louie's parents own a
pizzeria down the block.

Louie's father fixed my eye.
- Uh-huh.

Oh, no.
Let me see that eye, [spanish].

Mom, did you hear me?

His parents own a pizzeria.

All the pizza he can eat.

Who?

Louie!

But he can't eat a lot because
the sauce upsets his stomach.

Mom, I love this place.

OK, [spanish].

Listen, I hope you
didn't eat too much,

OK, because I made dinner.

Go wash up.

Oh, mom.

Next time you go to A&P,
can you get some brioche?

Brioche.

What the hell is brioche?

JJ (VOICEOVER): I couldn't
wait for Sunday to roll around.

They had asked me
to play stickball.

Who's this kid?

This is JJ.

Whose team is he on?

He's on my team.

It's me, Louie, and JJ.

Just to make it fair,
we'll take Tomatoes.

You're up first.

JJ (VOICEOVER): So here I
was, Sunday, at the schoolyard

with my new friends.

Nicky caught, Louie
pitched, I played short,

and Joey covered the outfield.

This was my big chance
to prove myself.

Bubbles was up
first and hit a line

drive that spun Louie's cap.

I dove to my left, and to
everyone's surprise, including

my own, I came up with it.

Bottom of the ninth, two outs.

We were down a run.

Joey hit a homer.

Louie tripled.

Now, it wasn't that the
game was so important.

But I had something to prove.

I stepped up to the plate.

My hands were soaking wet.

I was sweating.

I turned my cap around so I
could see the ball better.

I wasn't swinging
till I saw my pitch.

Holy shit, what are you
waiting for, Christmas?

He gets two swings.

Give him something he can hit!

Come on, JJ, wait
for your pitch!

JJ (VOICEOVER):
That pissed me off.

The next pitch was
right down the pipe.

I swung as hard as I could.

The ball sailed right
out of the schoolyard.

[cheering]

We won.

From that day on, it
was Joey, Louie, and me.

We were the team to beat.

Shit!

Oh, yeah!

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Our personalities

were all different.

Joey was a leader.

He was a thinker.

Louie was a hypochondriac.

There was always
something wrong with him.

He always carried a
bottle of that pink stuff

in his back pocket.

And me, I was a wild one.

I could never say no to a dare.

Louie, you OK?

You're not gonna shit
in your pants, are you?

I'm fine.

OK, here's the plan.

Louie, you keep watch
around the corner.

Two whistles if anyone
comes, you got that?

I'll watch the back door.

JJ, you go in.

What should I take?

Get the chickens.

We'll get $2 apiece.

I'll work the rope.

[speaking chinese]

Pull the rope!

[speaking chinese]

JJ (VOICEOVER): We bought
a watermelon with the money

we got from the chickens.

The day was going great until
we ran into Mrs. Calisuano.

[speaking italian]

JJ (VOICEOVER): Big, old
Italian woman with a mustache.

And boy, was she mean.

Her husband died in the war.

She's been wearing that
black dress ever since.

MRS. CALISUANO:
[speaking italian]

JJ (VOICEOVER): And
that's when it happened.

I think she's dead.

[speaking italian]

[screaming]

All right, baby.

Give me a hard 8.

Shit!

A 7!

It's a honey.

Shut up and roll.

Honey, honey, give me a 7!

Crap.

That's it, I'm out.

Why don't you
bet your Twinkie?

No way.

You got no money
because you always eating.

So?

Wow, who's that?

LOUIE: That's Gina Peluso.

She lives in the next building.

Joey likes her.

Hey, leave me alone!

Ow, get off me!

He's cute.

You always do that
in front of her!

Shut up.

Let's go to the beach.

[MUSIC - LOVIN' SPOONFUL,
"SUMMER IN THE CITY"]

(SINGING) Hot town,
summer in the city.

Back of my neck gettin'
dirty and gritty.

Been down, isn't it a pity?

Doesn't seem to be a
shadow in the city.

All around, people
looking half-dead.

Walking on the sidewalk,
hotter than a match head.

But at night, it's
a different world.

Go out and find a girl.

Come on, come on,
and dance all night.

Despite the heat,
it'll be all right.

And babe, don't you
know it's a pity--

JJ (VOICEOVER): This is what
we call the beach, tar beach.

It was our private
resort, most of the time.

MRS. CALISUANO: Oh!

[speaking italian]

JJ (VOICEOVER): Sunday
became a big day at Joey's.

Since my mom had to
work, Louie's parents

had to run the pizzeria,
we had macaroni

every Sunday at Joey's, which
made his mom really happy.

She loved to watch
us eat our food.

CARMINE: Hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey.

What are you doing here?

I'm eating.

CARMINE: What are
you doing here?

- I'm eating.
- Hey, Fran.

What am I doing, feeding
the whole neighborhood here?

FRANCES: Oh, sit down.

It's all ready.

Woman thinks I
got a money tree.

Well, I'm glad you
three bananas are here.

I want you to stop bothering
that old lady downstairs.

I just ran into
her in the hallway.

She said you three
knuckleheads almost

killed her with a watermelon.

And stay off the goddamn roof.

That old lady
deserves what she gets.

But you should
keep your pants on.

[laughter]

Why?

What are you laughing about?

I would've loved to see
the look on her face.

[laughter]

We saw it.

Carmine, aren't you
forgetting something?

What?

Oh, oh.

Yeah.

I bet you three tough guys can't
guess what's in this envelope.

What you got, pop?

What do you want
it to be, Joey?

Tickets to the Yankee game!

Four tickets to
the Yankee game.

And not just four tickets,
four box seats over the Yankee

dugout versus Boston.

Yous know three guys
who might want to go?

Oh, we do!

Right here, yeah, yeah.

Come on, yeah.

Think I should let them go?

Yeah, let them go.

All right, you go.

That's it, next Sunday.

But you gotta leave
that old lady alone.

JJ (VOICEOVER): The
Yankee game was great.

It was my first time
ever in box seats.

I was used to sitting up in
the bleachers with the pigeons.

The Yankees swept that weekend,
which put them in first place.

The next day was
Monday, school day.

But we had other plans.

Oh!
Come on, guys!

Look at that!
Look at that!

Oh!
Oh, yeah!

Look at that.

Guys, we got it.

Come on, help me, help me.

Hey, you kids.

Do you mind if I
take your picture?

You kids sure are lucky.

I mean, no one ever
catches fish in this lake.

What are your names?

I'm Joey Esposito.

Beautiful.

You don't want to go to
school, don't go to school.

He'll end up being like
one of them wise guys

on the street corner, a bum.

How was school yesterday?

It was OK.

How was school yesterday?

It was OK, mom.

Let me tell you
something, Juan.

We did not move up here
for you to play hooky, OK?

Eh, [spanish].

I can't believe you let
those two talk you into this.

What'd you get?

I got a week.

Wow, I got a shot at
the head and three days.

Louie, what did you get?

I got nothing.

You got nothing?

Nah.

But you guys are banned from
the pizzeria for a week.

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Could you believe it?

The guy who took our
picture with the fish

was from the Daily News.

Our faces were printed
smack on the front page

of the Bronx Leisure section.

So what do you
guys want to do now?

I got no money.

I'm broke.

Me, too.

Hey, let's go
get some chickens.

- Ah, the chicks?
- Yeah.

No way!

We're already in trouble.

So stay here.

Hey!

All right, I'm in!

Same way as last
time, you got that?

JJ: Ow!
Stop!

Get off me!

Ow, my leg!

Let me go!

Let me go!

[speaking chinese]

Bye-bye, bye-bye!

Our luck still hadn't changed.

The chinks were waiting for us.

And boy, did I catch a
beating in that kitchen.

After that, we
turned to the Lord.

The body of Christ.

Amen.

The body of Christ.

Amen.

JJ (VOICEOVER): Louie's parents
made him become an altar boy.

They figured it would
keep him out of trouble.

And that was OK by us.

That just gave us access to
all the wine we could drink.

Come on, Louie, hurry up!

Louie, hurry up!
Let's go!

Come on.

Hurry, take it,
take it, take it!

Come on.
- Come on.

Come on.
- It's cold.

Here you go, JJ.
Go on.

Go on,

(sighs) You three
are all good boys.

Come from good families.

I know all your parents.

You have any idea why
you're here today?

There was some wine taken
from the church last week.

Someone said they saw you
two headed for your roof,

carrying two cases of wine.

Now I'm only going
to ask you this once,

did you take the wine?

Nope.

Nope.

I can't lie to God.

I can't lie to God?

My dad's gonna kill me.

I got a month.

I got two weeks.

What do you want from me?

I told the truth.

JJ (VOICEOVER):
Summer came and went.

The new school year started.

Things calmed down
with out parents.

Big Tony ran the neighborhood.

He opened up a social club
around the corner of our house.

We loved to watch
these guys in action.

They had money, fancy clothes,
and the best looking women

in town.

Joey loved this lifestyle, and
he wanted to be a part of it.

Before long, he was
sweeping up, serving

'em coffee in the social club.

It's great money.

Beats stealing chickens.

How much you got saved?

Close to 200.

Whoa.

What are ya gonna do with it?

Eh. save it.

One day, the three of us are
gonna open up our own business.

You know, you guys
should start saving too.

JJ (VOICEOVER): That was Joey.

Always planning and
worrying about us.

The three of us had a dream to
open up our own bar one day.

A place where all our
family and friends could go.

Louie started working
at the pizzeria,

and I started delivering, would
you believe it, the Daily News.

- Hey, Mrs. M.
- Hey

Hey, Joey.

How's it going?
- Very

Good.

Check it out, man.

[door creaks]

Psst.

Hey, Joey.

JJ, what are you doing here?

Louie's waiting outside
we're going to meet

Gina and her friends for pizza.

You wanna come?

I still need to clean the car.

'Bout an hour, OK?

OK.

Hey-- Hey, what
are you doing here?

Huh?

This ain't a
playground here, kid.

Huh?

- Get off me.
- Get off you?

I'll kick you in the ass.

Get the hell out of here.

This ain't a playground.

Now how come you're not hanging
around with you own kind?

Come here.

Make sure and Armor All
the wheels this time.

This a double?

How's it going, Joey?

Sal, can I ask you something?

Sure-- Sure, kid.

There's this girl, Gina,
and she lives next door to me,

and i was thinking of maybe
getting her something.

You like this girl, Gina?

Yeah.

OK.

Here's what you do.

Buy her a box of chocolates.

Women love chocolates.

What kind?

You go to Russo's
on Arthur revenue.

You tell the lady you
want the ones with the uh,

the cherries inside.

Make sure to give wrap it.

Are you sure?

Trust Sally.

Answer Do I know chocolates?
- Thanks, Sally.

Any time, kid.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Alphonse, we've been through
this shit 90 fucking times

already.

It's simple.

You borrow money you
don't pay it back.

Hey, Tony, look--

Not for nothing--
nobody-- y-you--

you're robbing me here.

I mean-- I mean you
charged me five points.

I could've done it for three
points from Johnny White Shoes.

Hey-- hey, I don't give a
shit about Johnny White Shoes.

You owe me money.

I don't think--

I don't think I should have
to pay you two extra points.

Listen to this you--

you stuttering piece of shit.

A deal is a deal.

Then fuck-- fuck you.

You gotta wait for your money.

Fuck me?

[thud]

- What should we do?
- We do nothing.

We say nothing.

We never tell anybody
about this, OK?

OK?

OK.

OK, put your heads in.

On three, I swear.

One.
Two.

Three.

(TOGETHER) I swear.

JJ (VOICEOVER): 15
years later, Joey

was working for Pauly, who ran
the social club for Big Tony.

Louie was making pizzas.

And me?

I was digging graves
at Woodlawn Cemetery. .

We still had our dream
of owning the bar,

but that dream
was slipping away.

None of us were able
to save any money.

Our stick ball game went from
the schoolyard to the streets.

Joey, Louie, and me, we
were still the team to beat.

Hey-- hey, Mr. M. How
about a couple beers?

- What kind?
- Coldest you got.

Hey, Pop.

Thank you.

Here you go gentlemen.

You share of the
stick ball game.

Don't spend it all in one place.

Thank you.

Thank, Joey.

Let me give you
three guys a tip.

Whatever you do today,
don't go up the block.

What're you
talking about, Pop?

Just do what I say.

Don't go there.

Why not?

Because they're giving
jobs away today, that's why.

We already got jobs.

Then explain to me why
you're playing stick ball

on the street for money, eh?

Hey, Pops, give me, uh,
a slice and a iced tea.

Two-fifty, and
I'm not your Pop.

Thanks, Pops.
[laughs]

Skinny Sammy.

What's going on?

Hey, JJ, man I didn't
even see you standing there.

How you doin'?

All right, man.

You guys still playing football
in that league on Sundays?

Shit, man.

We running that league.

Man, that competition
must be weak.

Whoa, whoa.
Weak?

Shit, man.

I don't see your ass
out there anymore.

How bout a little 6 on 6?

Hey, man, check this out.

I ain't wasting my time unless
y'all putting up some green.

How about a hundred?

No way.

how about 200?

For a game?

200 a man.

Now you're talking.

Two weeks from Sunday
at the high school.

You guys better show up.

You got-- you guys got a ref?

Yeah we got a ref.

All right, the motherfucker
better be honest.

Hey, don't sweat
it Skinny Sammy.

Winning team's got
to give the ref $100.

You guys better bring
the motherfucking Giants.

You always get us
into this shit, JJ.

Hey, I only sad 100.

He said 2.

Don't worry about it.

[sighs]

So what's the
story with this bar?

I didn't see it yet.

Guys said it needs
a little work.

His brother had it 22 years,
probably never fixed it up.

It's been closed 6
months, since he died.

So how much?

It's not that much.

it's even got a
small kitchen, Louie.

Guy said we could have
everything inside, including

the inventory, and we could use
his liquor license until we get

it transferred into our name.

Plus, a ten year
lease for 30 grand.

Then I figured we'd
get another 15 or 20

to fix it up, so probably 50.

That's great.
What do I gotta make?

5,000 pizzas for my share?

And he's gotta
dig 12,000 graves?

I don't understand.

You know what your problem is?

You worry so much
it makes you sick.

No, I'm serious.
Look at you.

Eye drops, ear
drops, nose drops.

If it ain't his
stomach it's his head.

If it ain't his
head it's his ass.

Louie, relax.

I don't understand this guy.

What does me being sick
got to do with the bar?

So, are you in?

Yeah, I'm in.

Let's do it.

Let's do it.

My brother Philly had
this brace for 22 years.

22 years.

Now, believe me, he
made a lot of money.

A lot of money.

That was before your time.

And the women, listen,
my brother Philly

wasn't a handsome man, but
when you own a bar, the women,

(WHOOP) they love you.

Sorry to hear about your
brother, Mr. Slotnick.

It was for the best.

His kidneys were shot.

Don't ever grow old.

Place needs a lot of work,

What work?

A little paint, a couple of
nails and it's brand new.

We were hoping you would
hold a note for the 30 grand

for five years.

I mean, it probably
won't even take that long.

Just help us get it going.

Mr. Slotnick, I know if
you could hold the note,

we can come up the money to fix
this place up, and get it open.

I can't do it.

I'm moving to Miami,
I need the cash.

You boys have my number.

Think it over and
get back to me.

I was your age, I would
jump all over this deal.

Me

[speaking italian]

Excuse me, Don.

Tony-- Tony, Connie called.

She's drunk.

Now I told her you weren't
here, but she's on her way over.

I know it.

You see this, Don Pasquale?

Huh?

I'm leaving.

You tell her you ain't
seen me for a week.

This is fucking
broad's a nut job.

I'd love to make her disappear.

Come on, Don Pasquale,
I'll take you home.

Hey, Tony.

All right

- Hey, Tony.
- Hey.

Hey.

What's up, Pauly?

Nothing.

It's just another
aggravating day.

So, what do you got for me?

All right.

Here's the action for today.

The jeweler wants the Yanks 100
times, you want to cover it?

Yeah, hell with him.

He don't pay, I
get a free watch.

All right.

Here's money from Aldo, the
bus driving the chicken man.

You know that, uh, skinny
guy at the used car lot,

down on Jerome avenue?

What-- what's his name?

Barry.

Yeah, Barry.

Look, he's late.

So you save me, and I'll
see you talk to him for me.

OK?

Tomorrow.
Salute.

Salute.

Mm, Pauley.

Remember that bar I
was telling you about?

I'm putting together
some investors

and you're the first
one we thought of.

(LAUGHING) You
go slow, huh Joey?

Look.

I'd love to help you,
but I'm a married man.

I got a kid in college, I got
another one going next year.

Plus, I got a mortgage
on the house, right?

Plus, I'm into
Tony for 20 grand.

I can't do it, kid.

Well, what about Tony?

Forget about it.

He'll ask five points.

You'll end up with
Tony as your partner.

All right, Pauley.
Thanks anyway.

Get outta here.

- Any luck?
- Forget it.

He's in the hole himself.

Louie, how about your parents?
- It's been slow.

Plus, my pops, he
hates the bar business.

He's never going to do it.

What about your cousin, Carlos?

He must have a lot of
dirty money laying around.

He's got a lot of dirty
money laying around.

Problem is, he's opening
up an after hours

joint right here in the Bronx.

It's all tied up.

Fuck.

Pauley, where is he?

Connie, what are
you doing here?

- Where is that son of a bitch?
- Shh.

Will you keep it down?

Don't shush me.

Where the fuck is he?

Look, I swear on my eyes,
I ain't seen him in a week.

Now what do you want from me?

Oh, you are lying.

You want to know what
that bastard did to me?

He cut off my credit cards,
and he hasn't made a payment

on my car in over three months.

Look

They're gonna take it away.

Let me drive you home.

- Get your fucking hands off me.
- OK.

OK.

What does he want, me to work?

Connie, not for nothing,
but things have been slow.

It's not like it used to be.

Don't bullshit me.

That cheap bastard is loaded.

He told me things, Pauley.

Don't think that I don't
know what he's up to.

I know he's got money
hidden in that fake wall

in the bedroom closet.
- Will you--

Look Connie, let
me drive you home.

If Tony finds out you're
here he's going to be pissed.

He doesn't want to talk to me,
fine, but I bet the IRS would.

I bet they would.

Looks like Tony's got
his hands full, huh?

Fuck him, he deserves
whatever he gets.

Must have 100 grand
in that wall, easy.

Probably.

You know what I'm
thinking, right?

What are you?
[non-english]?

Forget about it.

Why?

It's our ticket to the bar.

What do you think?

This is a poor man's
village [non-english]??

He ain't going to
take off your tongue.

This guy will cut your
fucking heart out.

Forget about it.

JJ, he's a made guy.

You know, I know who he is.

Fuck him.

He's always been an asshole.

He doesn't give a shit
about anybody but himself.

I say, let's do it.

He's taken everybody's money
in this neighborhood for years.

I say, let's pay the
son of a bitch back.

[laughs]

The hell's so funny?

You're nuts.

You know that?

You're fucking nuts.

Yeah maybe I'm nuts.

I don't know.

Gina.

Hey, you're not even dressed.

Come on, we're gonna be late.

Joey, when are we
going to get married?

We ain't got time
to get married,

baby, we get reservations.
Come on.

Joe, I'm serious.

We've been dating,
what, 15 years?

OK, 16.

I just want to get
to know you better.

Joseph, I'm serious.

Gina, you know we're
trying to save for the bar.

I ain't got that kind of money.

You got any idea what
it costs to get married?

You gotta get limos,
flowers, food, wedding hall.

What, between me and you
we know 150 people each?

I get married, I go
15 grand in the hole.

Easy.
I ain't got that kind of money.

My parents ain't got it.

Your parents ain't
giving it to us.

Come on.

We can't afford to get married.

Let's go, get dressed.

I'm pregnant.

What're you thinking Joey?

We're gonna have a baby.

So, how did this happen?

Come on guys, I know how
it happened, but when?

How long?

Almost four months.

Are you going to get married?

Mhm

You guys can't
afford a wedding.

Yeah, I worked
it out with Vito.

I'm getting his place,
a buffet, [inaudible]

I'm asking Roberta to sing.

That's it.

When?

Next Saturday.

Saturday?

I guess you got to send the
invitations through the phone.

Friends and family.
Real small.

How about a toast?

To Joey and Gina.

I've known both of you
almost all my life.

To two people who
share so much love.

Not only with each other,
but with JJ and myself.

And now you're
adding to the family.

And I just want to say that
we both love you very much.

And congratulations.

Thank you, Louie.

(ALL) Salute.

Thank you.

Let's eat.

And what did you say?

I said no.

Father Riley looks
Louie square in the eye,

and before you even ask him if
he did anything, Louie goes,

I said I can't lie to God.

[all laughing]

JJ and I get
punished for a month.

Louis gets off for
ratting us out.

And then Old Lady
Calisuano got her revenge

on us for knocking her out.

She was the one that
told Father Riley.

She must be 90 by now?

Don't worry about her.

She gonna outlive all of us.

Must have been great
growing up together like that.

Oh, it was fun.

These guys are inseparable.

When Joey and I would make
a date, the three of them

would pick me up.

Hey guys, I hate to break
this up, but I got to go.

Where are you going?

I gotta go see
my cousin, Carlos.

You going to Harlem now?

It's 11:30.

Gotta pick up some money.

Can't wait for day time?

It's my old neighborhood.

Come on, JJ.

You haven't been
there in 15 years.

You taking Lisette?

Nah.

I'm gonna drop her off first.

Be careful.

Always big brother.

Bye.

Hey.

Congratulations.

Night, Gigi.

Bye.

I don't like that Carlos.

I don't trust him.

Hey, man.

Hey.

It's a private party, all right.

You on the list?

List?

Just go tell Carlos, cousin JJ's
here from the Bronx, all right?

Yeah.

I need Carlos to the back door.

So what's going on, man?
You busy?

[laughs] Hey, primo.

How's Aunt Maria?

She's doing good, man.

How's business?

We making money, primo.

We making money.

I can see that.

Hey, Manny, this is my primo.

Whenever he comes here you
treat him like a King, OK?

Sure, Carlos.

Nice to meet you.

Are you ready?

Vamos.

Manny keep your
eye on everything.

Be back in a little while.

That ain't no problem.

[italian singing]

- You look beautiful.
- Hey Jay.

- Hey, brother.
- How are you?

You look handsome.
- Thank you.

You are handsome.

Hey.

Look at you.

Where's Louie?

He went to go
pick up his date.

Louie's got a date?

Mhm.

Hey, here he comes now.

Hey guys.

Beautiful.

So I miss anything?

Just Roberta singing
"Santa Lucia" again.

Ah, you look great.

Thank you.

So, who this?

I'm sorry, everyone.

This is Laura.
Everybody.

Hi.

I'm Lisette.

- JJ.
- Joey.

This is my wife, Gina.

Louie's told me so
much about all of you.

I feel I already know you.

- Where are you from?
- Westchester.

White Plains.
- Whoa.

Good going, Louie.

What do you do?

I'm in my second
year of residency

at Westchester Medical Center.

What?
What's funny?

What's so funny?

It's perfect.

This kid's always sick.

Match made in heaven.

Come on, Joey.

Ah, the Tarentella.

Let's go.

Mikey, come on.

The hell are
you doing in here?

Just doing a little tootskie.

What're you doing
that shit for?

Celebrate, bro.
You want a hit?

Man, get that away from me.

What's the matter?

I don't appreciate you
doing that at my wedding.

How long you been
doing this for?

Do it once in a blue moon.

I bet you get it
from Carlos, right?

Yeah.

Hey, Joey, what's the big deal?
I do it once in a while.

Stop breaking my balls.
- Hey.

Got little kids
running around in here.

I don;t Like the idea of you
bringing that around my family.

Besides, you put me in a
stupid football game tomorrow.

Let me tell you something, pal.

You better be up and
ready in the morning.

It's your wedding night.

You're worried about a
stupid football game?

Let's have some fun.

Besides, we got a song to sing.

Get outta here.

May we have your
attention, please.

Can we have the
bride down front?

Gina, please.

Have a seat in the chair, huh?

Now, since we had no
budget for a band--

And I am practically
out of songs--

Please allow us
to present to you,

live on stage for
the very first time--

And maybe the last time.

Ladies and gentlemen--

Please give a
warm welcome to--

(TOGETHER) Gina's Boys.

What are you guys gonna do?

(SINGING) Ooga
ooga ooga chacka.

(SINGING) I can't stop this
feeling, deep inside of me.

Girl you just don't
realize what you do to me.

(TOGETHER; SINGING) When you
hold me in your arms so tight,

you let me know
everything's all right.

I'm hooked on a feeling.

well i don't believe it.

That you're in love with me.

Lips as sweet as can be.

It's taste is on my mind.

Girl you got me thirsty
for another cup of wine.

Wow.

Congratulations Mr. Esposito.

Congratulations to
you Mrs. Esposito.

You're not really
going to play

football tomorrow, are you?

I have to.

Sure I can't change your mind?

Hmm?

Well-- you can try.

Okay

Come here.

[whistle blowing]

Aw, Sal.

Stop blowing the
whistle, will you?

I'm practicing.

Go practice over
there, please.

[speaking italian]

Jesus.

Where the hell's JJ?
Did you call him?

Yeah I called him.

Was he sleeping?

He was out cold.

Sound like he was dead.

Louie, is he coming?

Yeah, he's on his way.

Hey, here they come.

Get up.

Holy shit.

Look at the size of these guys.

We're in trouble.

[intense music]

Where's the ref at?

He's over there
eating his breakfast.

Is that him?

Are you sure he knows
what he's doing?

Sure he does.

He coached for 22 years.
- All right, all right.

Well where's that loud
mouthed Puerto Rican at?

He ain't here yet.
We'll start without him.

Sit a man.
- Yo, man.

Well it's still $200 a man.

Whether he shows or not.
All right?

You're covered.

Go.

I got a score
for him right here.

[slam]

Hey get off him.

You OK?

I thought we were
playing touch, man.

Don't worry,
we'll get him back.

Gimme your hand.

[sighs]

[whistle blows]

Halftime.

Sorry I'm late fellas.
What's the score?

21-7 and they're up JJ.

Holy fuck they're big.

Eh.

Try blocking them.

Come on guys we're in.
Let's go.

Let's go.

This time block them, huh?

Mad at me, Joey?

Fuck you.

Come on.

I overslept.

Let's kick their ass

Let's do it.

[whistle blows]

Yo, Sammy, that's one.

You see that shit?

Yeah.

-

Sal, How much time?

8 seconds left.

it's the fourth down.

Last play.

You guys don't score
now, it's no blood.

Capiche?

Let's go.

JJ, can-- can you throw?

- Shit yeah.
- All right.

Give me a reverse.

They'll think it's a run.

I'll be all alone on the left
hand side of the end zone.

Get it to me.
- I'll put it there.

Let's go.

Let's go baby.
come on, Let's go.

Watch him on the outside.

Red.

Set.

Blue one.

Hike.

Touchdown.

Game.

You all right, Joey?

Joey, you OK?

You all right?

Be a lot better
when you pay me.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Next time.

We're going for
pizza, you want to come?

Actually, I was thinking
of a little macaroni

over at the Espositio house.

Don't push it.

Good throw.

[knocking]

Hey.

Hey, what's up, kid?

Here's today's bets, Paul.

Yeah?

What about that used car guy?

I'm on it.
?

Look.
Do me a favor.

If that broad, Connie,
comes in here you tell her,

I'm not here.
All right?

You got it.

Bitch has been
calling all day.

Hey.

How you doing?

It's Louie's birthday,
man, I forgot all about it.

Yeah, me too.

Don't tell him we
told you, all right?

- No.
- You know what we'll do?

Go out to dinner tonight.
We'll celebrate.

We'll bring the girls.
- Yeah.

I'm going to the Bathroom.
I'll meet you at the bar.

- Want a drink?
- You buying?

[tapping]

[snorting]

Sally.

Give us a couple of scotches.

We're celebrating
my buddy's birthday.

Hey.
You remembered, Joey.

It's on me.

Happy birthday, kid.

Thanks, Sal.

Course I remembered.
Salute.

Salute.

- What's up, fellas?
- Hey, JJ.

Sal, Jay whatever he wants.

This is his fifth
one in the last hour.

Hey.

What're you keeping count, man?

Just pour the fucking
drink, all right?

Take it easy, Kimosabe, huh?

I'm fine.

I'm OK.

- You take care of Barry for me?
- Yeah.

I been up there twice already.

Standing around for an hour
with my thumb up my ass.

This guy's never, ever there.

Well do me a favor.

Keep trying.

Pauley's breaking my balls.

What do you want to
do today, birthday boy?

I thought we'd go to
dinner with the girls.

What do you think?

You like this girl, huh Louie?

It's not like that.

She's a nice girl, JJ.

They're all nice girls.

Right, Sally?

But, if she had a heart,
she'd be giving you some.

Come on.

We're taking it slow, all right?
- Hey Sally.

One for the road.

One more and you
won't see the road.

It's OK.

I don't need to see the road.

Hey, so where are we going?

Hunt's Point?

I'm not going to Hunt's Point.

No way.
- Yes you are.

It's your birthday.
Take care, Sally.

- Aw, come on.
- Bye, Sally.

Hey.
Hey.

Hey.
Don't forget to use a rubber.

All right, Sal.

You got shit luck, Louie.

Not a hooker around.

Listen, guys.

I'm not going
unless she's clean.

All right?

We're going to hose her
down real good for you, Louie.

Maybe we should check
the west side highway.

First, check
around this corner.

Bingo.

Joey.

Hey.
Hey.

Hey.
Look at you.

Three handsome boys.

So, what are you looking for?

It's my friend's birthday.

Happy Birthday.

What do you want for
your birthday, sexy?

He wants a blow job.

How much?

40 bucks.

And he could touch my tits.
- You're expensive.

Do you take credit card?

Cash only.

Library card?

Hey, hey.

OK.

Here's the 40.

But you better be good.
- OK.

Pull up there.

Only, you two gotta get out.

What?

We can't watch?

No.

She got some ass, Louie.

Some rack, too.

Let's go.

Happy birthday, Louie.

Don't cum all over
the seats, Louie.

Hey don't worry about it.

Hi.

So, what's your name?

Um-- Joey.

OK, Joey.

But this would be a lot easier
if you took your pants down.

Oh.

OK.

You can touch my tits but
you only get two minutes.

So concentrate.

Forget your friends,
honey, concentrate.

Oh, Jesus.

What're you doing?

[slaps]

Sorry, baby, time's up.

What?

Where you going?

Time's up.

Did you cum?

How can I cum
when I'm watching

the pimples on your ass?

You want another one?

Oh.
Bitch.

No.

Let's go.

Jesus.

The fuck's the
matter with you guys?

- Shit, stop the car.
- What's the matter?

She took my fucking money.

How much?

150 bucks.

You left the money in
your pocket, you idiot?

Come on.
Let's go.

- Fuck you.
- Come on.

Hey, asshole.

Look who's coming here.

Where's the bitch
who took his $150?

I don't know shit.

Look, man.

I just want my 150 bucks.

That's all.

You know, uh--

why don't you and your little
[spanish] motherfucking friends

here, just walk on home.
You know.

Before you guys get
yourselves hurt.

[gasps]

You wanna go?

Jay, Jay, Jay.

Come on.

Get off.

Louie.

Check and see if
he's got your money.

Yeah.

It's right here. i got it.
- Let's go.

- Come on.
- What?

Are you trying to get
us fucking arrested?

The fuck's wrong with you?

Dream on.

Nice ride, man.

[speaks spanish]

Can't complain.

Life is good.

Mi hermano.

We got a good night ahead of us.

I got three [spanish]
waiting inside the club.

[spanish] You remember
the best orgasm

you ever had in your life?

Times it by a hundred.

That's how good this
shit's gonna make you feel.

[speaking spanish]

You ready?

Yeah, man.

Uh-- Let's do it.

Roll up your sleeve.

Just gonna give
you a little taste.

Shit is strong.

I don't know where he is, man.

Lisette was on the phone
with Gina all night.

He said he was
going out last night.

Did he say where?

I think he said, Carlos.

That's it.

He went to after hours.

He crashed at Carlos's.

I don't trust this guy, Joey.

You ready?

Ready.

Yo.

You all right?

Yeah.

I just got dizzy.

I think you got hurt
at the football game.

You should go see Dr. Derico.

Nah, I'm OK.

Let me lie here.

Are you sure?

Got any of that pain stuff?

Hey, JJ.

Where you been?

You look like shit.

I just got reamed by
Lisette for three hours, man.

I don't need it from you guys.
All right?

Oh yeah?

That's too bad because
she rang that freakin'

phone off the hook last night.

I ain't get any
sleep because of you.

- So where were you?
- I was out with Carlos.

We were drinking. i
crashed at his place, man.

It's no big deal.

Want a beer?

Yo, Mr. M. You
got any brioche?

What's the matter?

Rough night?

What time did you get home?

About nine this morning.

How was Lisette?

Standing at the door
with a bat in her hand.

Salute.

- So, What did you tell her?
- Told her the truth.

Had too much to drink and
crashed at my cousin's place.

What are you doing today?

Going home to sleep, man.

I'm fucking beat.
- Well do me a favor.

How about going to see
Barry first, to see

he's got our money.
- I'll take care of it tomorrow.

All right?
- No.

It's not all right.
It's been a week.

Pauley wants his money.
All right.

Forget about it all right
I'll take care of it.

Hey.

I said I'll take care of
it tomorrow, all right.

It's no fucking big deal.

See you guys later, man.

What's his fucking problem?

I don't know, Joey.

He's been acting weird lately.

Hey.

Well i gotta get this money.

You want to take a ride?

Yeah, sure.

See ya, Pops.

Hey, Junior.

What?

When are you going to
do some work around here?

I need a rest, you know?

Pops, [non-english]
I'll close up tonight.

Bet Pauley would love this.

Yeah.

He would.

Hey.

Who set off the lights?

Jesus Christ.

You're finally here.

What do you mean,
I'm finally here?

I'm always here.

I'm married to this place.

Congratulations.

We're real proud of you.

And, Barry, what
the fuck's going

on between you and Pauley?
- Pauley?

I got no problem with Pauley.
- All right.

Listen to me.
You're a good guy.

Don't piss him off.

Just pay him the money.

I paid Pauley.

You paid who?

You paid Pauley?

No.

I gave the money
to JJ last week.

You gave the money to JJ?

On my kids.

I gave JJ $500 last week.

All right, Barry,
we'll straighten

this out with Pauley for you.

Well I hope you do.

This ain't gonna lass
up my credit will it?

I told you, we'll
will take care of it.

Hey, Bar.

What's in the box?

The box?

Yeah.

It's a dishwasher.

Brand new.

Here we are.

Wow that smells great.

So, Louie.

I hear you're in love.

I hear she's a wonderful girl.

And a doctor.
- Yeah.

She's really special.

We get along great, too.

Well, don't rush
into anything.

Be careful.

Thanks.

Don't worry
about this guy, ma.

He can't even make
up his mind when

he gets dressed in the morning.
Louie ain't rushing to nothing.

Just take your time.

You're a good boy.

You deserve the best.

Thanks Mrs. E.

Wait a minute.

I forgot.

Where's the third musketeer?

He's not feeling too good.

He's at home.

What's in the box?

Joey bought us a dishwasher.

A dishwasher.

From the big shot.

What?

Did it fall off a truck, Joey?
- Be nice.

He worked hard for
that dishwasher.

Worked hard?

He probably hit the numbers.

This kid never worked
hard in his life.

And what's wrong with the
washer I bought you, huh?

Come on, pop.

Things an antique.

That's something that
worked when the Dodger's

were still playing in Brooklyn.

That's funny?

Hey.

You bought that
with dirty money.

I don't want it in the house.

It's a gift from our
son, and it's staying.

Don't disrespect me.

This is my house.

What I say goes.
I pay the bills.

Not him.

That's enough.

Shut up.

Stop yelling at her.

You've been doing
it all my life.

I'm tired of it.

No more.

You're right.

I ain't proud of what I do,
but I do what I gotta do.

I always took care of myself.

I never asked you for
nothing I ain't gonna

work for Tony forever, pop.

I'm going to open up that
bar with Louie and JJ.

I'm gonna show
you I ain't a bum.

Louie.

Come on.

Thanks for the food
Mrs. E. It was great.

Any time.

I'll hook it up later.

Hey, JJ.

You missed a great
meal at Joey's mom's.

She was asking about you.

You guys want a drink?

Hey, Jay.

What's going on with you, man?

I mean look at you.

You're drinking all the time.

I see you doing Coke.

Talk to me.
- I'm fine.

I'm OK, man.
- No.

You're not OK.

I got your mother and your
girlfriend calling me all night

long.

What's going on?
- Hey.

Let me tell you something.

I can take care of my
mother my girlfriend.

Mind your own fucking business.
OK?

Hey.
Hey.

Hey.
Mind my own fucking business?

How about I go tell Pauley,
right now, you stole from him?

Fuck you.

I know Barry give you the money.

I'm your brother.
How could you do this to me?

Fuck you.

And fuck Pauley.

What's the matter with you?

You broke my watch,
you fucking scumbag.

JJ, where you going?

Give me a drink.

Joey.

There's obviously something
wrong with him, man.

Hey.

You guys are supposed
to be friends.

Bubbles, you want
something to drink?

Espresso?
Anything?

No.

I'm OK Joey.

Maybe an espresso.

Come on.

Let's get this show on the road.

Hey, relax tough guy.
Just give us a minute.

OK?

You sure you could
beat this guy?

It's a lot of
pressure on me Joey.

No-- No pressure.

Louie rub his shoulders.

There's no pressure on you.

Hey.

Not for nothing, but
if you guys think

I'm going to wait around all
day, you can forget about it.

Stop putting pressure
on him, will you?

Forget the espresso.

It will make you choke.
- Yeah.

Yeah.
- Listen to me.

I never saw this guy before.
you sure he ain't a ringer?

I can beat him Joey.

OK.

I got 250 on this game.

Do I make it 500?

Yeah.

You sure?

Yeah.

I'm sure.

OK.

No pressure.
- No.

No pressure.
- You're cool?

I'm cool.

Real calm.

Real calm, huh?

500!

[cheering]

Joey.

Lisette.

It's JJ.

He hasn't been home in two days.
I'm worried.

I know something has happened.

Don't worry.

He's probably with Carlos.

No I called Carlos,
Carlos hasn't heard from JJ.

OK.

Just calm down.

Me and Joey we'll
go look for him.

Don't worry.

There's something
you two should know.

JJ's been doing drugs.

Do you mean the coke?

No.

JJ's been doing heroin.

Heroin?

Why didn't you tell us?

He said he had
it under control.

He made me-- he made me
promise not to tell anyone.

Who's he doing it with?

He's been doing
it with Carlos,

but Carlos hasn't heard
from JJ in two days.

He thinks he went to
Hunt's Point to cop it.

OK.
Listen.

You stay home.

Stay by the phone,
and we'll find him.

Don't worry.
- No.

I want to go.

Listen to me.

You stay home by the phone.

If JJ calls, you beep me.

OK?

Don't worry.

We'll find him.

Call me if you
hear anything, huh?

Hey, Anthony.

You know JJ's cousin, Carlos?
- Yeah.

What about him?

Where's his after
hours joint at?

It's over there by
Zerega and Tremont.

What's the matter?

Pete, you want to take a ride?

Sure, Joey.

- What's up?
- Come on.

Let's go.

All right.
You want a game?

You got a game.

Here we go.

Hey.

Look who it is.

But I already told that bitch,
I don't know where he is.

You could get killed for
doing that shit around here.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Where's JJ?

I'm gonna tell you the
same thing I told his girl.

He's probably at Hunt's Point.

Where in Hunt's Point?

Where in Hunt's Point?

Try Hunt's Point Avenue.

There's a warehouse
in the market.

It's a big grey-brown building.

If I ever find out you
give him anything again,

I'll fucking kill you.

Oh--

Carlos, you OK?
You OK?

What fucking good are you bro?

Check there.

All right.

Joey.

He's over here.

This will make
him feel better.

He doesn't look too good.

He took a bad
dose of something.

His body's rejecting it.

You sure he's
got to go to rehab?

He's addicted, Joey.

He needs to clean out.

Louie.

[vomiting]

[coughing]

Sit up.

Hey.

Welcome back.

How you feeling?

I'm cold.

Get a blanket.

How'd I get here?

We came and got you, Jay.

How'd you find me?

Carlos.

You're sick, Jay.

We're gonna bring you to rehab.

OK?
- No.

I'll be all right.

You shouldn't--

JJ listen to me.

You were shooting in
there for two days.

If they hadn't found you,
you would have overdosed.

I'm not going nowhere.

I'm fine.

Let me go.

It's OK.

No.

Let me go.

Grab his legs.

Let me go.
No!

Let me go!

No, Louie.
No.

Louie help me.

Mommy.

[inaudible] Help me Louie.

No!

No!

No.

No.

I'm so scared.

I'm so scared.

[crying]

It'll be all right.

It'll be all right.

I'm sorry I took the money.

I'm so sorry I took the money.

I still owe Pauley 500.

Bubbles won the pool game.

Don't worry.

[hopeful music]

Hey, hey, hey.

JJ (VOICEOVER): Spent
the fall of '96 in rehab.

Upstate New York.

I wasn't allowed any visitors.

I felt like a criminal.

It was the loneliest
three months of my life.

Our dream of owning a
bar seemed to be drifting

further and further away.

Louie and Laura
had gotten engaged.

And Gina, she was now in her
seventh month of pregnancy.

Me coming home made
our family complete.

Surprise!

[cheering]

Welcome home.

It's OK.

It's OK.

I love you mom.

I love you too.

I missed you.

I missed you.

You look good.

Thank you.

Hey.

Hey brother.

- Look who's here.
- Louie.

Jay.

You look good.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey, uh, Lisette
gave me the news.

Congratulations you guys.

Thanks.

What're you drinking?

- You buying?
- I always buy.

Come on.

What do you want?

I'll have a cranberry juice.

All right.

Xavier, three
cranberries, please.

JJ, welcome home.

- Thanks, Stevie.
- Drinks are on the house.

Salute.

(TOGETHER) Salute, boys.

Hey.

Got a little something for ya.

Aw.

What'd you guys get me?
- Huh?

Oh, man.

You think?

A Yankee hat.
All right.

Thanks, brother.
- They won the series.

You don't have to
tell me, brother.

That's all I did was
follow them up there.

I was getting so bored, I
started watching the Mets.

The Mets?

You did have it rough.

Hey.

You know something?

I want to thank you
guys for everything.

You guys are like my brothers.

And, uh-- And I love you.

And it's good to be home.

Hey.

It's good to have you home.

Now, if you guys
will excuse me,

I have to go dance
with my favorite lady.

Xavier.

Put some vodka in here.

[romantic music]

Baby, let's dance.

Baby, I got a headache.

Did you eat?

Yeah.

Tomorrow you're going
to go see Dr. Derico.

You probably have allergies.

Something like that.

Yes, dear.

Come here.

Giuseppe.

How are ya?
- How you doing?

How's the family?

Good. everybody's great.

I hear you're
going to be a father.

Couple more months.

Jesus.

Time flies.

I remember the
day you were born.

You were in such a rush
to get out see the world.

You jumped right
out into my hands.

Well, let's see what's
going on here now.

Bad, uh, headaches, dizziness.

How long has this been going on?
- Little while.

Did you change your diet?

I eat what I
always eat, macaroni.

Well, uh-- Let's take a look.

And we'll see what's going on.

What do you see?

Nothing.

[laughs] OK.

Now, i want to
check your reflexes.

So, relax your leg.

You're the luckiest
motherfucker in basketball.

Luck?
That's skill, buddy.

Watch this.
You ready?

Let's go, bring it on.

All right.

I need a rest, man.

Rest?

Man, I was dominating
you under them boards.

Hey, you know what
I think, Louie?

I don't think there's
anything wrong with you, man.

I just think you're
addicted to that shit.

It's good to
have you home, JJ.

It's good to be home, Louie.

Am I gonna live?

Oh, you're fine.

Your blood pressure
is a little high.

And as far as the
headaches, that

could be caused by many
things, stress, overwork.

I'd like you to see a
specialist friend of mine

at New York University.

Hell do some tests, run a CAT
scan, check you out real good.

It's probably nothing.

You're the boss.

Good.

Here's his name and phone.

Now, make an
appointment tomorrow,

and we should have some
answers by the end of the week.

All right.

Thanks, doc.

OK.

And give my love to Gina.

You got it.

[doorbell ringing]

Dr. Derrico, hi.

Come in.

Thank you.

Is, uh, Joey home?

Yeah, he's inside.

Joseph.

Dr. Derrico's here.

Thank you.

Hey, doc.

Twice in one week?

I ain't paying for this one.

Hi, Joey.

You want a beer,
soda or anything?

No, no, I'm fine.

Sit down.

So what's up, doc?

Your-- your test
results came back.

Yeah?

It's not good.

You have a brain tumor, Joey.

They call it a
cerebral astrocytoma.

It's on your brain stem.

What does that mean?

It's inoperable.

Well, they have to be
able to do something.

Can't they give him
drugs or radiation?

They've had very little
success treating this type

of tumor at this stage.

I'm sorry.

I wrote a prescription
for your pain.

You may experience drowsiness,
seizures, possible paralysis.

Everybody's different.

How long?

Two to six months.

You never know
with these things.

You're young, you're strong.

We gotta go.

Go where?

We gotta tell my mom and dad.

[music playing]

Hey, Joey.

We'll catch a flick.

You wanna go?

Hey, what's wrong?

Need to talk to you guys.

I got what they call a
cerebral astrocytoma.

The fuck is that?

It's a brain tumor, JJ.

They say it's pretty bad.

There's something I need to do.

I want to open a
bar with you guys.

I want Gina to have my end.

I need you guys to
look after my kid.

And you, you gotta stay clean.

Yeah.

Sure.

Whatever you need, Joey.

I'll have the
money tomorrow night.

You start decorating on Monday.

I want to be open
for New Year's Eve.

Where are you
getting the money from?

Tony.

He's gonna give it to you?

I'm taking it.

We're going with you.

No good.

Remember what we
saw 15 years ago.

I go alone.

Bullshit, man.

We've been doing
everything together

since we were kids, man.

We're not stopping now, Joey.

No way.

OK.

[latin mass music]

[hip-hop beat]

[yelling]

[music - "ave maria"]

[mumbling]

Dear God, please bless my mom,
my dad, and my sister Angie.

Please bless JJ and
help keep him strong.

And Louie.

You gotta bless Louie, God.

Please love and bless
my beautiful wife Gina,

and thank you sending us a baby.

Forgive me for what
I'm about to do.

I have no other choice.

Amen.

[music playing]

[knocking]

It's OK.

Come in.

You guys ready?

Yeah?

Yeah.

Louie, get me
something to write on.

OK.

Hope you get this all
figured out, brother.

Tony's in Atlantic City for
the weekend with his wife.

Paul keeps an extra set of keys
at Tony's house in the office

drawer that I'm gonna copy.

Now, Tony's house
is located on Shore

Drive in the country club.

Louie, drop us a block away.

You come back in 20 minutes.

Make sure you get out
of the neighborhood.

They got their own security
patrol driving around.

No problem.

OK.

If we get caught,
you keep going.

How are we gonna get caught?

We enter Tony's
house in the backyard.

He's got an alarm on
the side of the house.

We cut the wires.

We go in through the side door.

Now, we gotta get in
and we gotta get out.

I don't know if he's
got this thing hooked up

to the police station or not.

And we gotta be neat.

I want them to think
no one was ever there.

Now, Connie said the money was
in the bedroom closet wall,

not a safe.

So we should be able to
grab the money and go.

I don't know, man.

This is a long shot.

We're taking the
word of some bimbo.

That money could be
anywhere in that wall.

Hey.

If it ain't there,
it ain't there.

I'm going anyway.

I don't believe this, man.

We're going to rob
a gangster's house,

and you're writing the
plans on a pizza box.

Let's go.

JJ: How do we get up there?

JOEY: I'll lift you.

Come on.

Joey.

What?

Why do I have to go up there?

'Cause I'm older.

Get up there.

[grunting]

Cut the wires.

JJ: Keep still!

Cut the--

OK, OK.

Splice them back together.

Why?

So they look like they work.

JJ: OK.

Come on.
Get the bag.

Get the bag.

JJ: Joey.

[dog barking]
Joey.

[dog barking]

Joey!
Joey!

Get away from me!
JOEY: Shh!

Get him away!
Put him away!

JOEY: Shh!
Shh!

- Put him away!
- You big baby.

I'll put him in the bathroom.

He's a puppy!

You didn't write
him on the pizza box!

That's not fair!

Fuck!

I should have
switched with Louie.

He's always got it easier!

[police radio chatter]

How you doing, Officer?

Licence and
registration, please.

Here you go.

What'd I do?

JJ: You see anything?
- Not yet.

Here, take these.

[dog barking]
- Hit the walls.

See if it sounds solid.

It's solid.

Check under the floor.

I didn't come here
to steal golf clubs.

Wanna do me a favor?

Shine a light in
here, please, so I can

see what the hell I'm doing.

Hey, Joey.

I gotta tell you this joke.
There's this girl.

She has a little bit of a
stuttering problem, right?

Her father sends her to the
store every day with a note.

She never screws it up.

So this one day, he
gives her the note to buy

5 pounds of mackerel fish.

On her way to the store,
she loses the note.

Now she's real upset, because
the last thing she wants to do

is disappoint her old man.

So she goes into the fish
store, goes right up to the fish

counter and says, give me

[stuttering]

mackerel.

The guy says, I
don't understand you.

Could you step out
of the vehicle, sir.

- Why?
- Just get out of the car, sir.

Place your hands
on the car, sir.

You know, I got
an uncle in the 24.

Congratulations.

She takes the
same hand and puts

it right in the guy's face.

Guy goes, holy mackerel!

She goes, yep, 5 pounds.

JOEY: Holy mackerel!

You like that, huh?

JJ.

Holy mackerel!

Fuck, you found it!

We found it!

[laughing]

Come on.

Go, go, go, go.

Where is he?

So what do we do?

We give him five
minutes, we take the train.

Hold it.

Hey!

Don't-- don't shoot!

You stupid ass, you
scared the shit out of us!

What?

Where's your car?

They towed it on me.

My registration was up.

I even told the cop that my
Uncle Pete was in the job.

Nothing.

Let's go.

So how did we do?

You're an idiot.

[music playing]

JJ (VOICEOVER):
We found 100 grand

in that little
hole in the floor.

That dream once talked about
on our stoop in the Bronx

had finally come true.

To this day, I still
don't know if Tony

realizes the money is missing.

All right, our
place, our place.

A lot of work.

Oh my god!

Huh?

What do you think, huh?

OK, who knows how to paint?

I'll paint.

Laura, you're painting, baby.

Mira, que linda!

What do you want?

- Don't hurt yourself.
- Who picked out this place?

Thanks, buddy.
You got some nails?

Nails?

Got nails for you.

All right.

I'll start with these--

Hey, everyone.

Let's get to work.
- Yeah.

Let's do it.

You guys painting up here?

Sounds good.

[chatter]

Hey, Gina.

Oh!

Ah!

[laughing]

[MUSIC - JAMIE ROLLIN, "FRIEND
FOR LIFE"]

Said a lot of prayers.

Called up the hospital,
let you know that I care.

Well, they say you
done flipped out,

drove your car into the lake.

Shouted obscenities and
the Lord's name in vain.

So take your time, friend.

You'll be all right.

When you're all done healing,
we'll go out every night.

'Cause you're my friend,
my friend for life.

Let 'em say we're crazy,
two youths in the night.

You're my friend,
my friend for life.

Partners in crime,
we live a crazy life.

But you're my friend,
my friend for life.

And I miss you.

And I hope you'll be all right.

High in the mountains,
traveling through the clouds.

We'd stare at a
brand-new world we found.

We'd reminisce the old town,
knock it to the ground.

Barroom fights and
wild Friday nights.

Joey.

It's ready.

Joseph.

Joe.

The eggs are gonna get cold.

I can't move my legs.

Hold still.

[doorbell rings]

Ah.

Hi!
- Hey!

Hi, Momma!

Getting big, getting big.

Hey, Gina.

- Come in.
- Joey.

Your limo has arrived.

Nice suit, Joey.

Is it new?

Yeah.

Gina got it from
Frannie's Funeral Home.

She wanted to see
if it would fit.

Joseph.

Now, where'd you guys
get the wheelchair from?

Benefits of
having a girlfriend

who works at a hospital, Joey.

Hey, grand opening,
New Year's Eve.

Let's roll.

Let's go.

Be careful with me.

Jesus.

Joey, what you been eating?

You fat turkey.

All right.

Nice.

Ready?

Can you guys wait
outside a minute?

Yeah, sure, Joey.

We'll be right outside, OK?

What is it?

Come here, sit on my lap.

No.

I'm too heavy.

It's OK.

I can't feel nothing.

All right.

I just wanted to talk to
you before we got to the bar

and everything got all nuts.

All right.

You know I loved you
since the first time

I saw you on that stoop.

You were so beautiful.

I remember showing off
every time I saw you

and beating [inaudible].

He hated that.

You've given me the greatest
16 years of my life, Gina.

You're my best friend.

I want you to
promise me something.

If I ain't here when
the baby's born,

you make sure you
tell him or her

that their Daddy loved them.

You're gonna be there.

[crowd applauding]

Yeah!

All right, all right!

There you go.

So, Joey, what do
you want to drink?

It's New Year's Eve.

Give me a Scotch on the rocks.

Sal.

Scotch, please.

SAL: Right there.

Here you go.

And a cranberry for Gina?

Happy New Year, everybody.

Thanks for coming.

GROUP: Happy New Year.

Cheers.

Salud.

Man, we're busy.

It's been jumping
ever since we opened.

People keep coming in.

I bet we do 3
grand tonight, easy.

To our place.

GROUP: To our place!

Yeah!

Hey!

It's almost time!

10--

GROUP: 9, 8, 7,
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Happy New Year!

I love you, baby.

LOUIE: Happy New Year, Sal.
- Happy New Year.

Hey, Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, J.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, Mama.

Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.

Luigi.
- Joey.

Hey, Joey.

[room goes silent]

Nice place you got here.

What you do, rob a bank?

Happy New Year, Tony.

You three guys need
anything, you just let me know.

Anthony, take a picture of
the three businessmen here.

OK.

Hey, you got film in there?

Shoot away.

JJ (VOICEOVER): On
January 19, 1997,

Joey Esposito, Jr. was born.

On January 29, Joey passed away.

He spent the last 10 days
of his life with his son.

Those were the proudest
10 days of his life.

Although little Joey
never got to know his dad,

you could bet between
Louie and myself,

he knew all about
the great man he was.

Somebody once said there's
nothing more important in life

than family and friends.

He was right.

The three of us were a
family and always will

be true friends.

[MUSIC - JAMIE ROLLIN, "FRIEND
FOR LIFE"]

You say you've been
through hard times.

Yeah, I know it's true.

But always remember
I'll be there for you.

I lit a lot of candles,
said a lot of prayers.

Called up the hospital,
let you know that I care.

Well, they say you
done flipped out,

drove your car into the lake.

Shouted obscenities and
the Lord's name in vain.

So take your time, friend.

You'll be all right.

When you're all done healing,
we'll go out every night.

'Cause your my friend,
my friend for life.

Let 'em say we're crazy,
two youths in the night.

You're my friend,
my friend for life.

Partners in crime,
we live a crazy life.

But you're my friend,
my friend for life.

And I miss you.

And I hope you'll be all right.

High in the mountains,
traveling through the clouds.

We'd stare at a
brand-new world we found.

We'd reminisce the old town,
knock it to the ground.

Barroom fights and
wild Friday nights.

Rock and roll music till
the morning light was all we

needed to stay happy with life.

And now you're gone,
and it hurts me inside.

I guess all that drugging
made you lose your mind.

Well, how can I sleep when--

when you're on my mind?

I need a miracle this time.

I need a miracle this time.

You're my friend,
my friend for life.

Let 'em say we're crazy,
two youths in the night.

You're my friend.

My friend for life.

Did a lot of crazy things
on a dare in the night.

And you're my friend,
my friend for life.

Partners in crime.

We live a crazy life.

Well, you're my friend.

My friend.

Yeah, you're my friend.

Doesn't matter who's
right or wrong.

You're my friend.

Let 'em say, let 'em
say that we're crazy.

Doesn't matter.

No, no, doesn't matter.

No, no, doesn't matter
who's right or wrong.

Let me tell you.

Let me tell you.

You're my friend.

[music playing]