Act 1: A Sit Down
sit-down
[ sit-doun ]
adjective
done or accomplished while sitting down:
sit-down meetings between the two party leaders.
(of a meal or food) served to or intended for persons seated at a table: a sit-down dinner.
noun
Informal. a period or instance of sitting, as to relax, talk, or the like: They had a profitable sit-down together.
sit-down strike.
a protest demonstration whereby participants refuse to move from a public place.
Informal. a meal, especially a dinner, served to persons who are seated at a table.
The scene opens on the beautiful Jersey Shore. The sun was high in the sky, and the sky a bright blue, and the clouds drifted in silence over head. The board walk was filled with people and a few brave souls went out into the cool Atlantic water to get out of the heat of the afternoon. The smell of the sea air, and the restaurants that lined the boardwalk seemed to mix together giving off a strange smell, while the sound of sea gulls filled the air as they circled over head in search of their next meal. The camera moves over the hotels, and the casino that sat along the board walk and toward the city, where the traffic moved quickly along the interstate and the narrow streets before soon coming to a rest on one of the nicer parts of the area. The homes were surrounded by high brick walls, or wrought iron steel walls with manicured lawns. The sound of kids playing in the private pools, or in the yard echoed off of the small area, while a handful of caretakers worked on the lawns and flowers that could be seen. The camera pans over a high brick wall only to end in a wrought iron gate with a guard house on the left hand side. A big letter "C" was in the middle of the gate and the long driveway that wound under the tall willow trees and soon the Canelli estate appears. The brick house looms over the driveway and the black limo that sat in front of the house. Guards dressed in dark suits wandered the grounds, carrying semi automatic weapons over their shoulders. A couple of them lead dogs around on a leash while others walked the walls ready to spring on anyone that dare try to attack the woman that was behind the walls. The camera moves to the interior of the house, where we see a large fountain with a statue of Atlas holding up the globe, and the words "THE WORLD IS YOURS" done in a bright neon pink and slowly circle around the globe itself. The floors were done in a deep cherry wood matching the walls. A hallway lead to the back of the house where we hear voices coming from behind a set of double doors that were cracked open slightly. The office itself was done in the same cherry wood, with a red and golden Persian rug that sat in the middle of the room, with a heavy dark wood desk that sat in front of the open balcony door with the heavy curtains that were pulled aside. We see Joanne sitting in the high backed black leather chair, with Reno and Rude sitting on one of the leather couches against the far wall. An older looking tall man, with black hair dressed in a black suit sat across from her, while a shorter man dressed in a Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform sat on the couch across from Reno and Rude.
Joanne: I'm so glad that we could have this sit down Don McDonald. I'm sorry it has taken so long for us to be able to do this.
Don McDonald: I'm sorry that I didn't respond sooner. With Canada Day and all of the other festivals and such it was hard for me to get away.
Joanne: I understand how that is. You know why I've asked for this sit down.
He nods his head and smiles leaning back in his seat.
Don McDonald: That I do. Your brother and husband hit one of my maple syrup trucks.
Joanne: Yes. I wanted to apologize for that. My brother isn't the smartest man, and my husband... Well he's just nervous and startin' out in the business.
Don McDonald: My driver said they apologized before they left and your husband even offered to pay for any damages. He's a very polite man. I want to know what you are going to do to compensate for what I lost that day?
Joanne leans forward and lowers her head, before looking back up and smiling.
Joanne: I want to say that we are very sorry and that I've never intended for anythin' like that to happen. I want to offer my services to you and to become a business partner. I know that you send certain contraband to stores in New York and other cities along the border and I would like to help you get further into the states along the east coast, and in return I will not take but 20 percent of the profits for protection and payments to certain people.
He looks at her and nods, and extends his hand to her.
Don McDonald: That is a wonderful solution. We have been running cigarettes, and other things along the border for years. I remember my father telling me stories of his younger years when he would have dealings with your father, and his father before him. Sugar, maple syrup, and liquor during the prohibition years with my grandfather. Both families made a lot of money, and I hope we will continue to do so.
Joanne: I do as well. I heard you've been tryin' to get certain candy bars into the states, and I have connections in the city that would love to have them to brin' their sales up.
He just laughs as Joanne looks over at the one lone body guard that he had with him.
Joanne: But the thin' that still has me puzzled is why do you have a Mountie with you?
Don McDonald: I have my hands in just about everything. He is my personal guard in Ottawa. It's the perfect way to get my shipments through. He makes sure it moves quickly and through customs without any problems.
Joanne: Makes sense. If that is everythin' Don McDonald, I have somethin' important to get to.
Don McDonald: Of course. I've watched the NCW for the last few weeks and I have to say I'm impressed that you have time to step into that type of business Don Canelli.
Joannes gets up from her chair and walks around the desk.
Joanne: It helps with my stress. Reno, Rude, call Alex and make sure our guests have a safe journey back across the border please.
Rude: Sure thing boss.
Don McDonald: It was a pleasure to meet you Don Canelli.
Joanne: And you as well Don McDonald.
She smiles as she opens the door for him and his Mountie bodyguard. The two of them walk out of the room, as Joanne leans against the door frame of the office watching them walk down the hallway, and toward the front door.
Reno: Are you alright boss?
Joanne: Yeah. That was actually pleasant.
Rude: I told you it would be alright boss.
Joanne: It was, and now we have another partner. I'm goin' to have my lawyer draw up somethin' and have it sent to him.
Reno: What about your match boss?
Joanne: Against Astaroth? I'm not to worried about it. I mean what do I have against her? Nothin' really. I've seen her in a couple of matches, and she's not really impressive. She hasn't really held any titles, or won a lot of matches, so what do I have to fear from her? Nothin'.
Rude: Don't get cocky boss. She might turn the tables on you and get a win over you.
She sighs, and smiles turning back and walking into the office and opens a small box at the corner. She pulls out a cigarillo and lights it with a silver lighter and takes a drag off of it, as she sits back in the high backed leather chair. The smell of a sweet cherry filled the air around her.
Reno: Do you need us for anything else boss?
Joanne: Take Uh Oh with you and see about getting our money...
Rude: Sure thing boss... But Uh Oh?
Joanne: I need him to learn the trade. He has a few ideas and I have to admit their unusual but they work.
Reno: I'll agree with you there boss... The last net one he used worked. He threatened to break the guys legs as he hung there.
Joanne smiles as she blows a ring of smoke out.
Joanne: See, that's what I mean.
Rude: Do you want us to pick up dinner?
Joanne: Yeah, I'll call ahead and it should be ready when you get there.
Reno: Right. We'll see you soon.
Joanne turns to face the window waving toward them, as the door closes behind them.
Joanne: Astaroth, I heard what you had to say and I have to admit I love the fact that you actually showed me respect unlike other people that I have faced before. Most of them call me a bitch, or a Mob Princess, and of course they are right after all. I've been raised in the life, and I am a very busy woman, and what happens in that ring is nothin' against you. To me its business when I face a friend, or someone I actually like which are few and far between. However in the middle of that ring, don't underestimate me. I will not hold back and when it's all over, I will stand over you in victory. I'm not afraid of gettin' my hands dirty and I think you already know that don't you?
She takes another drag on the cigarillo as another puff of smoke escapes from her lips.
Joanne: There really isn't anythin' else that I can really think of to say to you. I mean you said it best, I am a busy woman. You and I are both goin' into this match friends but we both know what is at stake and only one us can win in the end, and I will be the last one left standin'. We will fight on the biggest stage of them all and that is Madison Square Gardens in front of thousands of people that all clamor to see what we will do in the middle of that ring. We will put on hell of a show if nothin' else and give them somethin' to talk about at the end of the night. We are the Mafioso and we get paid to kick your ass. See you soon and good luck, you're goin' to need it.
Joanne smiles leaning back in the high backed black leather chair, with the smoke floating around her head, as the scene fades to black.
