Scene 1, Act 1
Setting: The Maxwell nightclub, New York City.
FRANCESCO and GREGORIO, members of the De La Cruz street mob enter the Maxwell nightclub carrying knives and firearms.
FRANCESCO
Gregorio, I tell you, I’m ready for them. Let a Coveney so much as step foot in the bar tonight, and you’ll see how quick I am.
GREGORIO
Sure. How quick you are to run away, you mean.
FRANCESCO
Not from the Coveney’s. When it comes to that gang, I’ll take on any of their men or woman.
GREGORIO
I know that’s your level. Why quarrel with the women? This is between the men.
FRANCESCO
When I’ve dealt with the men, I’ll take care of the Women. Don’t you worry about that, Gregorio.
GREGORIO
Well, here’s your chance to show me. (Gregorio points to two young members of the downtown Coveney gang entering through the back door of the Maxwell nightclub, dressed in all back)
FRANCESCO
Right then, Gregorio. Follow me
FRANCESCO and GREGORIO chase after two members of the Coveney gang through the back entrance of the nightclub
FRANCESCO
We’re on, pick a fight with them, I’ll be right behind you
GREGORIO
That’s what I’m afraid of. Be careful; We must not put ourselves in the wrong. Let them be the ones to start.
FRANCESCO
Alright. We might as well have some fun. It won’t come to anything serious. Just a bit of fun, that’s all. Look they’re over there at the bar sitting down. I’ll point my gun at them as we pass by, let’s see what happens.
GREGORIO
Good thinking, If they can withstand that it will show them up.
GREGORIO and FRANCESCO walked pass the bar where the two Coveney mobsters were seated. FRANCESCO pulled out his “Colt M1911A1” and pointed the barrel at TONY and LORENZO, two Coveney mobsters.
TONY
Are you pointing your roscoe at us?
FRANCESCO
I’m pointing my Roscoe, as you can see.
TONY
We can see that. Are you pointing your roscoe at us?
FRANCESCO
(To GREGORIO)
Is the law on our side if I say “Yes”?
GREGORIO
(Aside to FRANCESCO)
No!
FRANCESCO
No, I’m not pointing my Roscoe at you
TONY
Well, that’s alright then.
FRANCESCO
But I’m pointing my Roscoe, though.
GREGORIO
Do you want to make something of it?
TONY
Start a fight? No, I don’t
FRANCESCO
Because if you do, I’m your man. I don’t know who you think you are but I’ll have you know my boss is as good as yours.
TONY
He’s not better, though
FRANCESCO
Well…
GIOVANNI enters
GREGORIO
(Aside to FRANCESCO)
Look, there’s one of bosses relatives. Say “better.”
FRANCESCO
(To TONY)
There’s something I need to tell you. My boss is better.
TONY
You’re a liar! Come on shoot if you’re men.
They fight
GIOVANNI
(Pulls out his gun)
Break it up you fools. You don’t know what you’re doing. Put your guns away now!
TIBERIO enters
TIBERIO
Hey Giovanni, funny finding you fighting with the gangsters. You’ve pulled out your roscoe to fight against these worthless thugs?
GIOVANNI
I’m only trying to keep the peace, either put away your gun or use it to help me part these thugs.
TIBERIO
What! A Roscoe in your hands and you’re talking about peace? Don’t make me laugh. Peace, I hate the word, just as I hate all Coveney members especially you!
(With that TIBERIO began to shoot at GIOVANNI forcing him to turn and defend himself. The four young gangsters were still fighting, and others in the bar had joined in on the action)
MR DE LA CRUZ enters with his wife, MRS DE LA CRUZ.
MR DE LA CRUZ
What’s this racket? What are my gang members doing at two o’clock in the morning?
MR COVENEY enters with his wife, MRS COVENEY.
MR COVENEY
DE LA CRUZ, you villain. (MRS COVENEY holds him back)
(To his wife) You must let me go immediately. Defensive De La Cruz desperately displays demand for vengeance.
MR DE LA CRUZ
(To MRS DE LA CRUZ)
I want my Thompson 1928. Old Coveney is here with his gang, and he’s waving his roscoe around to taunt me.
(To MR COVENEY)
Come on, let’s fight!
MRS DE LA CRUZ
Stop it! You’re not taking one more step towards the enemy. What do you think you’re doing, I won’t let you fight.
(Just as Mr De La Cruz broke free from his wife’s grasp and was rushing to meet Capulet, who had answered his challenge by coming out to the piazza, a dozen police cars came into view while officers rushed out to break apart the mobs)
CHIEF OF POLICE
These damned De La Cruz’s, those damned Coveney’s. Down with the lot of them.
CHIEF OF POLICE
This is the third time that both gangs led by De La Cruz and Coveney have disturbed the tranquillity of our city and obliged the laws to make peace between you. It seems that you think the laws don’t apply to you. You are both so blighted with hatred. So this is what I am going to order. If you ever disturb the streets again, every member of both gangs will pay the forfeit of the peace.
Now go home all of you! Wait, Mr De La Cruz, you will come with me. And you Mr Coveney, will come and see me tomorrow morning.
In my play, the two families were represented as two major mafia gangs battling against each other for control of New York City’s underworld, they would not have the same social standing as the Montagues and Capulets but rather be set on the other end of the social scale. I used Italian names to represent the Italian ancestry of the mafia. Words such as Roscoe represent the mafia gang slang for handgun. Costumes would be modern. The older generations would wear expensive designer clothing and the younger generations would be split to show their social ranking. Servants would wear baggy ripped clothing while the younger family members would wear causal branded clothing to represent their place in society as descendants of the two main gang leaders.
Glossary
Roscoe: Slang word for handgun used by Mafia street gangs.
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