THE RUNNER/SCREENPLAY, BRIAN R. LUNDIN [best classic books to read .txt] 📗
- Author: BRIAN R. LUNDIN
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at Vinnie’s wake at the Dellogross Funeral Home and at his graveside on the southeast side of the city.
INT. FUNERAL HOME-MORNING
The funeral for Vinnie Acosta was typical of mob funerals. Thousands of mourners jammed the tree-line street in front of Rosselli funeral home at 26th South Western Avenue, which was actually owned by Pauli Gaza. The funeral home combined the grandness of an Italian cathedral with hand painted pictures of Italy and large marble statutes of the Blessed Virgin. The mob wives all wore too much makeup to cover their bad skin. Members of the Pauli Gaza Crime Family; associates, soldiers and Capos as well as mourners from the other crime families in the country discretely handed his wife envelopes bulging with cash as they passed and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. Leading mob bosses from across the country attended while FBI agents took their pictures, and other agents recorded their license plate numbers. Because of the damages to Vinnie’s face, Vinnie’s family decided to keep the white and gold trimmed $10,000 casket closed. A large picture of a smiling Vinnie sat on top of the casket surrounded by $20,000 worth of flowers. Pauli closed down all of the families operations for the day in honor of Vinnie. All of the street bosses and their crews attended the funeral, including Vito Paligreno and Jimmy Tortoreno. Pauli Gaza and his family sat beside Vinnie’s family and he comforted Vinnie’s wife and two young daughters during the solemn service. The Chicago Police Department detailed ten police officer and a sergeant for crowd control and provided an escort in front and rear of the long procession of black limos, silver hearses and mourners vehicles as it weaved it way through the Patch and finally to the cemetery in Oak Lawn. Anthony Spocko and Michael Cordova, Vinnie’s friends and bodyguards watched Vito and Jimmy as they filed by Vinnie’s casket making the sign of the cross as they passed.
ANTHONY
I know that pig ass Vito and his ass kisser Jimmy had something to do with Vinnie’s death, the dirty mutherfuckers purposely shot him the face so his wife couldn’t have an open casket. Muthafucker.
Anthony watched Vito and Jimmy as they left the funeral parlor.
Vito concentrated his efforts to takeover policy by concentrating on the Westside independent policy wheels not connected to Jerome’s or any of the larger wheels he represented. Vito sent his men to fire bomb policy stations on the far south and west sides of the city. The men kidnapped policy wheel owners and murdered the ones who would not comply with their demands. Vito’s thugs intimidated and beat up runners and writers and threatened violence if they did not come in with Vito. Vito’s paid off police officers that conducted raids on the stations and arrested the writers and patrons. Many of the policy men complained to authorities about the police harassment but despite the fact that they were paying offs the police for protection, they refused to help. The Chicago Defender Newspaper ran editorials concerning corruption within the police department and the violence associated with the “ITALIAN TAKEOVER OF POLICY.” The frightened policy owners sought help from the black politicians, but to no avail. Finally, they gave in and Vito allowed them to continue running their operation in exchange for a majority share of the wheel. A female black policy wheel owner, named Henretta Jackson, became Vito’s middleperson and liaison with the black Westside policy gambling underworld.
INT. JEROME’S OFFICE-MORNING
TED
Did you hear about Vinnie Acosta?
JEROME.
No, what happened?
TED
He and some young bitch were shot dead in one of the suburbs.
JEROME
Damn! You think that fool Vito, did the hit?
TED
Don’t know, but I hear Pauli got a million dollar contract out on the shooter or shooters. Maybe it’s time for a sit-down with Pauli.
JEROME
Set it up.
It was a little after eight in the evening three days after Vito’s encounter with Vinnie’s men. It was a cool, cloudy evenings that famous in Chicago. Jerome, Ted, Madame Bourneis and Marque met at Pauli’s office in the Patch. Pauli and two other Italians were waiting. Madame Bourneis was stunning. Her long black hair hung loose and the white leather hot pants clung tightly to her thighs. The black thigh boots accentuated her shapely and well-toned legs. Pauli supposedly had bedded and romanced many Hollywood beauties, however, this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but when he looked into her black unblinking eyes, he felt a chill. Finally, he looked away and turned to Jerome.
PAULI
This is GUS NOONE, my new underboss and JOHNNY BATTALAGIA.
Pauli pointed to the two men standing behind him; Jerome nodded at the two men.
JEROME
Jerome sat down in a plush chair opposite Pauli’s desk.
I’m sorry about Vinnie, he was a class guy.
PAULI
Thank you Jerome, he certainly was.
JEROME
You know who the shooter was?
PAULI
My people believe it was Vito and so do I. There was a strained relationship between the two after I made Vinnie my underboss.
TED
I also heard that two of Vinnie’s guy was also killed.
PAULI
Yes two of Vinnie’s most trusted lieutenants one was my nephew, Anthony. I’ve known Vito for years and he was a good soldier, but I think he is getting carried away or is becoming psychotic.
JEROME
We have had a profitable and peaceful relationship, Pauli I hope that you don’t allow Vito to destroy it.
PAULI
Don’t worry about Vito; I’ll take care of him.
As Jerome McLemore and his party were leaving, Madame Bourneis smiled at Pauli, showing four large fangs.
HENRETTA BOENNIS a tall, abrasive and tough woman, with a seldom-seen gentle side was born in Jamaica in 1920. Henretta and had immigrated with her two young sons to Chicago Westside in 1950. Henretta opened her wheel, the Beach, Sun and Sand in 1955 with a thousand dollar loan from Jerome McLemore. She utilized her persuasive powers and leadership ability to recruited young Jamaican men to support her and her growing policy wheel. Within two years, she was worth a million dollars and had more than 40 runners and 10 controllers in her charge. One of Henretta main recruits was a colorful character from Kingston, Jamaica, named Richard Skinns. He had moved on the Westside with his family when he was a young boy and given the nickname “Coolbreeze,” because of his laid back style. He was a flashy dresser who always made it a point to wear the latest and best clothes and flash a wad of cash wherever he went. Coolbreeze had started out as a pimp and pool hustler and always carried a switchblade knife or gun, neither of which he was hesitant to use. He had a short fuse, was arrogant, and never bowed his head to anyone. Coolbeeze feared nobody and did not shy away from confrontations; he was involved in many bar room brawls over the slightest of issues. After severely knifing a man in a barroom fight, the court sentenced him to a year in the county jail when released; he was broke and looking for work. Despite his tough guy image, Richard had a soft side. It was common knowledge among the Westside poor that he often helped pay rents or donated money to buy toys for youngsters at Christmas. Henretta offered him a position as her bodyguard in her policy racket. Always the dandy and looking for better opportunities to make more money, Skinns joined Henretta ranks and quickly gained her trust. One of his first tasks was to confront a gang of Irish thugs who were threatening Henretta and trying to take over her wheel. The takeover erupted into one of the west sides most violent and bloody gang wars. Eventually, Skinns got the edge and defeated the Irish gang, temporarily saving the policy racket from its first takeover attempt. When Vito decided to take over Henretta’s wheel, the first thing he did was kidnap and kill Skinns. Vito sent his men to fire bomb her policy stations and kidnap her runners and writers. Finally, Vito won the battle and took control of her wheel and Henretta became his bag lady for the rest of the Westside policy wheels. Vito than turned his attention to the other Westside wheels. He had his men murder the policy wheel owners who would not comply with his demands. Vito sent his men to fire bomb policy stations on the south and west sides of the city and kidnapped and intimidated the policy wheel owners until they eventually came in line. Henretta controlled of all the black rackets in the black community on the Westside. She settled quarrels before disputes erupted into violence and the publicity they naturally wanted to avoid. If a black wanted to establish a skin game or book the horses, he went to Henretta who gave her approval for a fee.
Commander Hollis and Sergeant Lundgrin were concerned about the violence and afraid another policy war was breaking out. The Defender Newspaper was running daily editorials concerning,” THE VIOLENCE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY “ITALIAN GANGSTERS,” and the chief of police wanted an end to it all. Commander Hollis decided it was time to have a talk with Vito and he had Sergeant Lundgrin send word to him.
VITO
Maybe that nigger commander is ready to play ball, what you think?
JIMMY
I doubt it boss, I doubt it.
Vito gave Jimmy a cold stare and Jimmy lowered his head as Vito drove on. Vito and Jimmy arrived at the 2nd Police District at 1:00 pm and led into the commander’s office by Officer Mary white, Hollis and Reggie were waiting.
REGGIE
Coffee or a cold drink?
VITO
How’s about a glass of Chianti?
REGGIE
Sorry, no hard alcohol allowed on police property.
Vito turned his attention to the commander.
VITO
What can I do you for Commander?
Commander Hollis looked into the eyes of the vicious gangster.
HOLLIS
Let’s cut the bullshit Vito, I know you are trying to muscle in on policy gambling in my district, I know that you are responsible for Jerome McLemore’s and Edwinna Johnson kidnapping, I know you sent the two hit men to take out Ted Bunche and I know you were behind the firebombing that killed the child on Prairie Avenue and I know you are behind this recent wave of violence all over the city.
Vito began to finger comb his hair and sneered at the commander.
VITO
Man oh man you make me sound like a one man crime wave; can you prove any of that?
HOLLIS
Not yet, but I’m working on it, and I’m telling you stay out of my district.
VITO
I thought this was a free country commander and a law-abiding citizen like me could go anywhere we wanted without being hassled by the police.
The sergeant could see the anger swelling in Commander Hollis.
REGGIE
Tell me Vito, how you explain all of our men being killed in such a hideous way?
Vito cracked his knuckles while he looked at the floor; his face was flushed as he gave a cold stare to the sergeant.
VITO
Fuck if I know what youse talking about.
REGGIE
Yeah right and what about that fiasco in Bangladesh, I heard one of the raiders was damn near eaten alive, don’t know anything about that either I suppose?
VITO
Fucking a, I don’t know shit!
Vito began
INT. FUNERAL HOME-MORNING
The funeral for Vinnie Acosta was typical of mob funerals. Thousands of mourners jammed the tree-line street in front of Rosselli funeral home at 26th South Western Avenue, which was actually owned by Pauli Gaza. The funeral home combined the grandness of an Italian cathedral with hand painted pictures of Italy and large marble statutes of the Blessed Virgin. The mob wives all wore too much makeup to cover their bad skin. Members of the Pauli Gaza Crime Family; associates, soldiers and Capos as well as mourners from the other crime families in the country discretely handed his wife envelopes bulging with cash as they passed and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. Leading mob bosses from across the country attended while FBI agents took their pictures, and other agents recorded their license plate numbers. Because of the damages to Vinnie’s face, Vinnie’s family decided to keep the white and gold trimmed $10,000 casket closed. A large picture of a smiling Vinnie sat on top of the casket surrounded by $20,000 worth of flowers. Pauli closed down all of the families operations for the day in honor of Vinnie. All of the street bosses and their crews attended the funeral, including Vito Paligreno and Jimmy Tortoreno. Pauli Gaza and his family sat beside Vinnie’s family and he comforted Vinnie’s wife and two young daughters during the solemn service. The Chicago Police Department detailed ten police officer and a sergeant for crowd control and provided an escort in front and rear of the long procession of black limos, silver hearses and mourners vehicles as it weaved it way through the Patch and finally to the cemetery in Oak Lawn. Anthony Spocko and Michael Cordova, Vinnie’s friends and bodyguards watched Vito and Jimmy as they filed by Vinnie’s casket making the sign of the cross as they passed.
ANTHONY
I know that pig ass Vito and his ass kisser Jimmy had something to do with Vinnie’s death, the dirty mutherfuckers purposely shot him the face so his wife couldn’t have an open casket. Muthafucker.
Anthony watched Vito and Jimmy as they left the funeral parlor.
Vito concentrated his efforts to takeover policy by concentrating on the Westside independent policy wheels not connected to Jerome’s or any of the larger wheels he represented. Vito sent his men to fire bomb policy stations on the far south and west sides of the city. The men kidnapped policy wheel owners and murdered the ones who would not comply with their demands. Vito’s thugs intimidated and beat up runners and writers and threatened violence if they did not come in with Vito. Vito’s paid off police officers that conducted raids on the stations and arrested the writers and patrons. Many of the policy men complained to authorities about the police harassment but despite the fact that they were paying offs the police for protection, they refused to help. The Chicago Defender Newspaper ran editorials concerning corruption within the police department and the violence associated with the “ITALIAN TAKEOVER OF POLICY.” The frightened policy owners sought help from the black politicians, but to no avail. Finally, they gave in and Vito allowed them to continue running their operation in exchange for a majority share of the wheel. A female black policy wheel owner, named Henretta Jackson, became Vito’s middleperson and liaison with the black Westside policy gambling underworld.
INT. JEROME’S OFFICE-MORNING
TED
Did you hear about Vinnie Acosta?
JEROME.
No, what happened?
TED
He and some young bitch were shot dead in one of the suburbs.
JEROME
Damn! You think that fool Vito, did the hit?
TED
Don’t know, but I hear Pauli got a million dollar contract out on the shooter or shooters. Maybe it’s time for a sit-down with Pauli.
JEROME
Set it up.
It was a little after eight in the evening three days after Vito’s encounter with Vinnie’s men. It was a cool, cloudy evenings that famous in Chicago. Jerome, Ted, Madame Bourneis and Marque met at Pauli’s office in the Patch. Pauli and two other Italians were waiting. Madame Bourneis was stunning. Her long black hair hung loose and the white leather hot pants clung tightly to her thighs. The black thigh boots accentuated her shapely and well-toned legs. Pauli supposedly had bedded and romanced many Hollywood beauties, however, this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but when he looked into her black unblinking eyes, he felt a chill. Finally, he looked away and turned to Jerome.
PAULI
This is GUS NOONE, my new underboss and JOHNNY BATTALAGIA.
Pauli pointed to the two men standing behind him; Jerome nodded at the two men.
JEROME
Jerome sat down in a plush chair opposite Pauli’s desk.
I’m sorry about Vinnie, he was a class guy.
PAULI
Thank you Jerome, he certainly was.
JEROME
You know who the shooter was?
PAULI
My people believe it was Vito and so do I. There was a strained relationship between the two after I made Vinnie my underboss.
TED
I also heard that two of Vinnie’s guy was also killed.
PAULI
Yes two of Vinnie’s most trusted lieutenants one was my nephew, Anthony. I’ve known Vito for years and he was a good soldier, but I think he is getting carried away or is becoming psychotic.
JEROME
We have had a profitable and peaceful relationship, Pauli I hope that you don’t allow Vito to destroy it.
PAULI
Don’t worry about Vito; I’ll take care of him.
As Jerome McLemore and his party were leaving, Madame Bourneis smiled at Pauli, showing four large fangs.
HENRETTA BOENNIS a tall, abrasive and tough woman, with a seldom-seen gentle side was born in Jamaica in 1920. Henretta and had immigrated with her two young sons to Chicago Westside in 1950. Henretta opened her wheel, the Beach, Sun and Sand in 1955 with a thousand dollar loan from Jerome McLemore. She utilized her persuasive powers and leadership ability to recruited young Jamaican men to support her and her growing policy wheel. Within two years, she was worth a million dollars and had more than 40 runners and 10 controllers in her charge. One of Henretta main recruits was a colorful character from Kingston, Jamaica, named Richard Skinns. He had moved on the Westside with his family when he was a young boy and given the nickname “Coolbreeze,” because of his laid back style. He was a flashy dresser who always made it a point to wear the latest and best clothes and flash a wad of cash wherever he went. Coolbreeze had started out as a pimp and pool hustler and always carried a switchblade knife or gun, neither of which he was hesitant to use. He had a short fuse, was arrogant, and never bowed his head to anyone. Coolbeeze feared nobody and did not shy away from confrontations; he was involved in many bar room brawls over the slightest of issues. After severely knifing a man in a barroom fight, the court sentenced him to a year in the county jail when released; he was broke and looking for work. Despite his tough guy image, Richard had a soft side. It was common knowledge among the Westside poor that he often helped pay rents or donated money to buy toys for youngsters at Christmas. Henretta offered him a position as her bodyguard in her policy racket. Always the dandy and looking for better opportunities to make more money, Skinns joined Henretta ranks and quickly gained her trust. One of his first tasks was to confront a gang of Irish thugs who were threatening Henretta and trying to take over her wheel. The takeover erupted into one of the west sides most violent and bloody gang wars. Eventually, Skinns got the edge and defeated the Irish gang, temporarily saving the policy racket from its first takeover attempt. When Vito decided to take over Henretta’s wheel, the first thing he did was kidnap and kill Skinns. Vito sent his men to fire bomb her policy stations and kidnap her runners and writers. Finally, Vito won the battle and took control of her wheel and Henretta became his bag lady for the rest of the Westside policy wheels. Vito than turned his attention to the other Westside wheels. He had his men murder the policy wheel owners who would not comply with his demands. Vito sent his men to fire bomb policy stations on the south and west sides of the city and kidnapped and intimidated the policy wheel owners until they eventually came in line. Henretta controlled of all the black rackets in the black community on the Westside. She settled quarrels before disputes erupted into violence and the publicity they naturally wanted to avoid. If a black wanted to establish a skin game or book the horses, he went to Henretta who gave her approval for a fee.
Commander Hollis and Sergeant Lundgrin were concerned about the violence and afraid another policy war was breaking out. The Defender Newspaper was running daily editorials concerning,” THE VIOLENCE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY “ITALIAN GANGSTERS,” and the chief of police wanted an end to it all. Commander Hollis decided it was time to have a talk with Vito and he had Sergeant Lundgrin send word to him.
VITO
Maybe that nigger commander is ready to play ball, what you think?
JIMMY
I doubt it boss, I doubt it.
Vito gave Jimmy a cold stare and Jimmy lowered his head as Vito drove on. Vito and Jimmy arrived at the 2nd Police District at 1:00 pm and led into the commander’s office by Officer Mary white, Hollis and Reggie were waiting.
REGGIE
Coffee or a cold drink?
VITO
How’s about a glass of Chianti?
REGGIE
Sorry, no hard alcohol allowed on police property.
Vito turned his attention to the commander.
VITO
What can I do you for Commander?
Commander Hollis looked into the eyes of the vicious gangster.
HOLLIS
Let’s cut the bullshit Vito, I know you are trying to muscle in on policy gambling in my district, I know that you are responsible for Jerome McLemore’s and Edwinna Johnson kidnapping, I know you sent the two hit men to take out Ted Bunche and I know you were behind the firebombing that killed the child on Prairie Avenue and I know you are behind this recent wave of violence all over the city.
Vito began to finger comb his hair and sneered at the commander.
VITO
Man oh man you make me sound like a one man crime wave; can you prove any of that?
HOLLIS
Not yet, but I’m working on it, and I’m telling you stay out of my district.
VITO
I thought this was a free country commander and a law-abiding citizen like me could go anywhere we wanted without being hassled by the police.
The sergeant could see the anger swelling in Commander Hollis.
REGGIE
Tell me Vito, how you explain all of our men being killed in such a hideous way?
Vito cracked his knuckles while he looked at the floor; his face was flushed as he gave a cold stare to the sergeant.
VITO
Fuck if I know what youse talking about.
REGGIE
Yeah right and what about that fiasco in Bangladesh, I heard one of the raiders was damn near eaten alive, don’t know anything about that either I suppose?
VITO
Fucking a, I don’t know shit!
Vito began
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