Table Read - MY LADY'S SONG - Act 2

Episode Date: March 31, 2026

A limo driver. A blackmail tape in motion. A senator with everything to protect.  What started as leverage is about to turn into control, betrayal, and survival.ACT TWOThe ride is over. The damage is not.What was leverage becomes exposure.  And everyone wants a piece of it.Sal thought he could drive away from it.  He was wrong.The tape moves.Hands change. Intentions shift.  And the people behind it start stepping into the light.Vincent steps in. Old world. Old rules.  A man who understands that power isn’t what you have… it’s what you can take back.Charlie circles.  Smiling just enough to make you wonder how far this goes.And Baxter?He doesn’t panic. He recalculates.  Because men like him don’t lose… they rewrite the outcome.Hara sees it too.The angles. The leverage. The opening.  And she’s not asking permission.The city fades in the rearview. The road stretches out.  What’s left is distance… and decisions.Who controls the tape?  Who controls the story?  And who walks away from it?Because now it’s not about the job.It’s about ownership.Act Two is where alliances fracture, truth gets negotiated, and silence becomes the most dangerous move in the room.And by the time it’s over…no one is clean.🎭 CASTSAL – Ronnie Marmo  CHARLIE – Sam McMurray  SENATOR BAXTER / THE JOHN – Joe Mantegna  VINCENT – Dan Lauria  HARA – Gia Mantegna  LOTTA – Ally Dunbar  NARRATOR – Vanessa Richardson  DONNA – Janelle Marmo  CARMELA – Patty McCormack  PORN DIRECTOR – Robert Wuhl  LEO – Zeke Alton  ANTHONY – Alec Leonard  With additional performances from:  Janelle Marmo, Ally Dunbar, Gia Mantegna, Zeke Alton, Alec Leonard  🎬 PRODUCTIONDirected by Jack Levy  & Mark KnellExecutive Produced by Shaan Sharma, Jack Levy, and Mark Knell  Table Read is a Manifest Media production.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Act 2. Sal and the young porn star have become friends, and Sal feels obliged to protect her from Vince, who now wants her dead because he knows Hera betrayed him. Vince is stuck between the coat of the past and a morality he never had to face again. Interior, William Penn Hotel Lobby, Philly, early evening. Sal is at the check-in desk with the third assistant manager, as a young bellboy stands behind Sal with three pieces of luggage on a cart. The young bellboy keeps looking at Hera, who sits in a lobby chair with her legs crossed.

She deliberately enjoys exciting the young bellboy. Sal notices as he fills out forms. We'd like you joining rooms and put it on the company card. Sir, we have a suite available with a king size. Did I ask for that? The clerk winks. Uncle Charlie said to give you the best, sir. I just thought you and your niece would be more in its way.

weed, if you know what I mean? Listen, assholes, she's not my niece, she's not my cousin, she's not my hump for the night. She's my, she's, uh, look, I'm a driver. Yes, sir. Rooms 105 and 107. The clerk hands the bellboy two room key

cards. While Sal waits for the credit card to go through, Harrow walks by the young bellboy on the way to the elevator. She takes her key and calls out to Sal. Oh, driver! Have this boy bring my luggage up? I'll tip him upstairs.

The elevator closes and the bellboy moves toward the luggage cart. Sal stops him and places a couple of bucks in his jacket pocket. Sal grabs the key card and luggage cart. Come back in about five years, kid. Keely Smith sings, I can't believe you're in love with me. Interior, Sal's hotel room, evening. Sal comes out of his bathroom. He wears a t-shirt and has a towel around his neck.

He wipes his face. He looks at the adjoining door and knocks. No answer. He knocks again, then lowers the radio. You want dinner? Everything's on Vince. The restaurant, room, serves anything you want. Just sign your name and your room number.

Hara, you don't answer me. I've got to assume you're gone. And if you're gone, I got to call Uncle Charlie. I know you don't want that. Sal tries the door and it's locked. Ara. Hara, do you hear me? I hear you.

Sal sits in a chair. We'll leave for Pittsburgh at 9 a.m. I'll meet you in the lobby. I hope Lada shows. I mean that. Sweet dreams. Flash, Lada and Hara making love to the John in the back of Sal's limo. Sal turns up the radio and we hear Keely Smith singing. Interior, big white limo night. Uncle Charlie sits in the long white limo used for the night out.

He sits back with a scotch and soda. Charlie looks across at the John from the other night, Senator Baxter. You want to blast Senator? No thanks. Come on. We can celebrate your latest starring role. Your copy, Senator.

Uncle Charlie Hans Baxter of VHS cassette. What do you want, Charlie? Did I forget to say thanks? Well, thanks for letting me fuck those sluts in your fancy car. We're crawled up your ass. I want this over. Watch what you wish for. You might just get it.

Charlie laughs as the door to limo opens, and Vince steps inside. Ah, good evening, Senator. I hope Uncle Charlie here has been good company in my absence. He's a great conversation list. He'd tell you about my first hit. I was just a kid, and Uncle Charlie here. Let's get to the point.

Brought to the point? I like that. All right, let's get to the point, Senator. I told you to never, never to call me while we're in the... Who wrote this shit? Right to the point. I like that. All right.

Let's get to the point, Senator. I told you never, never, to call me while we're mediating the negotiations between my union and the city. I gave you an order, and you didn't listen. That's the point. You're good at giving orders. Let's knock off the cops and whops bullshit.

What's the matter? Didn't you like the movie Uncle Charlie gave you? I already got a copy from one of your sluts. That's right. In other words, she is trying to fuck us both. She says I don't pay. She's got a real surprise for me. Baxter throws the cassette at Vince. Charlie? This must be why Lata didn't leave with Sal and the other one. I already have a ton of film on you and every other big shot in this city.

I didn't have to make a new one. I didn't think you knew. That's why I'm here. This is too cheap even for you. Chump change. What's the matter, Vince? Can't control your own people? You just do your job at those negotiations. We'll take care of this. No, Vince, this time you're going to listen to me. Yeah? And why should I do that?

Because I'm the only one in a position to help you in your union. So you are going to do, as I say this time. I want to know what this surprise is. I want every copy and I want those two sluts to be gone for good. That driver, too. The driver is my man. that a 12-year stretch for us because he wouldn't talk. All right, but I want the tapes and prove those girls being dead.

You got it. Now get out. As Baxter starts to exit the limo... This kind of thing should be easy for you, Vince. It'll feel like the old days when all you needed was a little muscle and no brains. Baxter exits. I want Lottop found. Baxter wants proof she's dead, and I want a good. give it to him myself.

Punk. Interior, front seat of Lincoln Town Car late morning. Sal drives through Amish Country. Lena Horn sings, stormy weather. Hara sits in the back as the beautiful countryside streams by her window.

Silence. Sal pulls over at the Amish Country Eatery promising a real Amish country breakfast. Exterior, Amish Country Eatery I-76 late morning. Off-root I-76 near Somerset. There's a vegetable stand attached to the eatery. Amish people, as well as nicely dressed

tourists, mingle. Sal gets out, and his black suit, white shirt, and black tie help him blend into this stoic environment. Sal opens the back door of the town car. Hara gets out looking more trashy than ever. Tight leather pants, stiletto heels, and a see-through top. She heads for the eatery as Sal looks to heaven, then closes the door. An elderly Amish couple exit the eatery. and can't help but stare at Hera. Hera stares back. Sal tips his chauffeur's hat, then throws it through the driver's side open window.

Interior Amish country eatery, continuous. Sal and Hera sit in a wooden carved booth. An Amish waitress dressed in simple black and white comes over. Would thee like our country morning meal for two? I'll just have some of the Irish oatmeal, coffee and juice. For thee? What's this thee shanker? I'm sorry, I should. She's from New York.

I want the thick, sliced French toast, sausage with juice, and coffee. Honey, you got a phone here? Sorry, we don't believe in them. What are you a wise ass? Just get our breakfast, and I'll explain it to her. The waitress is obviously flustered as she goes to the other waitresses at the register, and they whisper among themselves as the order is placed. What's the matter with these people?

They're Amish. Foreigners? Not exactly. It's their religion. They don't believe in modern things, computers and stuff. If it ain't in the Bible, they don't use it. Really? No shit.

I bet you a grander men have seen me before. I doubt it. No movies. With or without sex? No movies? Well, I guess they ain't missing much. Very self-sufficient. One, nothing from the outside world.

How do you know about this stuff? Limo drivers had a lot of time to read. We know a lot of things. Yeah? Like what? Like, I know that was no actor the other night. I also know Lada made a copy of the tapes. How the hell do you know that?

Sal smiles. Hara knows she's just confirmed his suspicions. Coffee and juice comes. The waitress stares at Hara, who looks back. You see something you want? The waitress starts to say something, thinks better, leaves. Lada didn't make no tape. Fine. It's your funeral.

You're gonna let me call Lada? From a payphone. Why a pay phone? So it can't be traced to the car. Not from the hotel either. You go to the bathroom next time we stop, and I can't tell what you're doing. Thanks. Are you going to tell me what's going on?

Why should I? You already showed me which bet you'd rather lie in. Another waitress arrives with Hara's big breakfast and a large bowl of Irish oatmeal and syrup for Sal. She also stares at Hara. Boom! The new waitress runs away. They eat their breakfast. It's not going to be that easy to scare Vince away.

I can take care of myself. What do you know about Vince? I know he was a sleazy hood, and now he's a sleazy porno producer. Years ago, Vince was instrumental in setting up a citywide union in New York. That's his real power base. The union labor leader that Vince put into his office got too big for his own good. Vince had him chopped up into 24 parts.

And he had his parts kept fresh by storing them in a meat locker. Every month for two years, when the union had their monthly meeting, Vince mailed them a different piece of this guy's body, just so they shouldn't forget. You should stay here with these people. You've been watching too much TV. Hera goes back to eating her breakfast. The last piece Vince had shipped was his heart.

There was a bite out of it. Hera swallows hard. That where you learn how to use that razor? Cutting up dead people? No, a chainsaw. Hera drops her fork, realizing the seriousness of her situation. Exterior I-76 entering Pittsburgh early evening. Teresa Brewer sings, after you're gone, with Count Basie conducting.

We see what's left of the old steel mills, old Pittsburgh. We travel around the new city, now geared for insurance and services. We see the Lincoln Town Car enter the airport. northwest of the city. Interior, front seat of Lincoln Town Car continuous. Sal is parked outside of American Airlines. He's alone. Hera rushes up and jumps into the car.

She's not on the flight. Then I'd say you're in deep shift. Sal, help me please. Look, kid, you don't cross a guy like Vince. I couldn't do much even if I wanted to. Sal, maybe I could just keep going? I can get on a plane right now and go to Europe or something. Without a passport?

Call out again at her New York number. Grabs the car phone. Not this phone and not your cell. Vince will have Lada's phone tap, so be careful. Only cash at pay phones and no using your own credit cards either, for anything. Sal pulls out his cell phone. He can't check into my credit cards. Don't bet your life on that.

Who you calling? My mother. I'm buying you one more day. Sal, thanks. I mean it. Don't thank me. No skin off my nose. Probably won't do any good.

Hera exits the car. Hello, Mom. Yeah, it's me. No, that's right, I'm on the car phone. Ma, I have to talk to Tony. Put me on hold, and you could... Interior, Sal's kitchen, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, continuous. Carmella is on the phone with Sal.

Donna is at the table having a cup of coffee. I don't have to put nothing on hold. Your nephew is right here. Yeah. I'll put him on. Anthony, it's your uncle Sal. Anthony comes to the phone, a pipe wrench in his hand. Hey, Uncle, Sal, what's up?

I'm fixing Grandma's garbage disposal. Interior, front seat of Lincoln Town Car, Continuous. I want you to get the Queens and call me. Not on the car phone, from a bay phone. I'll explain when you call. Interior, Sal's kitchen, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, continuous. What's up with your uncle? Nothing, Ma. He just wants me to rewire the stereo speakers in his room.

It's so cheap, my brother. Hey, he knows what you should. you should learn about a dollar. Interior, front seat Lincoln Town Car continuous. Sal turns up the volume and Ella Fitzgerald sings, I'm just a lucky so-and-so. Thanks. Look, kid, I didn't do anything but get you one more day.

Don't count on me. I'm not putting my head on the block for anyone. Yeah, sure. I understand. One question. Why aren't these big shots worried about you having something over them? Did Al Capone rob banks? I don't know.

Capone didn't rob banks because he would have been robbing his own money. Why kill the Golden Goose? You have any idea what they pay Vince to be with a porn star? Next time you look at a corporation's annual report, notice the limo service account. Believe me, that's not for driving people to the airport or catering. Check any senator's catering account. On my tax dollars.

Got it. Word gets out of a double cross and it all ends. These bombs are bigger crooks than I. Last year, when we almost had that garbage strike, the two sides were so far apart. Vince arranged a little party with the city controller and the union negotiators. Me and Lada were there and a couple other girls. By the time the night was over, everyone was on the same page.

The city should give me a medal. Well, on behalf of the city of New York, I thank you. I'm a fucking patriot. Interior hotel room in Irwin PA night. Hera is alone looking out the window at the small suburban town. Hera thinks about what her life might have been. We hear Ella Fitzgerald singing when Sal enters with a brown paper bag. Hera turns off the radio.

Where are you been? All-night drugstore. I got mailing these blank tapes back to my nephew. He's going to remove them very carefully and replace them with copies from the limo. Where are you going to get the copies? I did what you should have done. I covered my ass. Who was that John anyway?

Senator Baxter. Shit. A lot of left you out to drive. We can use your copy. Tell Vince if anything happens to me, those tapes will get out. Are you kidding? Vince won't stand for that. He'd kill you for laughs. Besides, these tapes don't hurt him directly. Why don't your nephew just drop them off then? It'll be faster. I don't want it to be faster. I also want them to see the postmark. I'll wrap this so easy to open one end. Jesus, I see the words there, but they're not there. Okay, here we go. I don't want it to be faster.

I also want to see the postmark. I'll wrap this so it's easy to open from one end. I even made it look like Lada called you, but first things first. Sal picks up the phone. I'm asking for the last time. Do you have a copy of the limo tapes? I don't. Don't lie to me.

I mean it, Sal, I don't. Sal starts to dial. It's just that I... Sal hangs up. If I call Charlie and find out something I don't know, if you hold anything back, anything that puts me in a wrong, I'm going to kill you myself and throw your body across Vinner. his desk.

It's more than just a tape of us. Laada's a whiz at this computer editing digital shit. She had it in college. College? Don't look surprised. Half the girls in porn started in college. Got to pay off those college loans. Nothing for nothing.

Me. I can't even stop the time from flashing on the VCR. You know what I mean? Go on. Lada had a lot of footage of Baxter, you know, from TV. She even got some of her own stuff. Baxter talking to these young exec types. Well, some of those young guys were in the porn biz. Baxter didn't even know he was filmed.

I mean, how could he with all the real cameras around? We film us fucking the porn guys, and we edit Baxter into the film with us fucking him. Get it? Looks like Baxter is starring in a porn flick. You're kidding me. No. She even has a title.

How to get elected. Kind of catchy, right? I'm sure she hasn't had time to finish editing it, but that's the plan. Jesus Christ, why would she do it? that. Wasn't the limo enough? Now who's being naive? He's a single guy in politics. Sex

with young girls would probably work for him, but a porn movie, that's... That's as low as you can go. Yeah, yeah. That's the way you feel and why bother? I'll just walk out of your life and take my chances. I wouldn't want you to get dirty. Hera goes to walk out

as Sal starts dialing. Sit down. Why should I? If you want to stay alive, just sit down and shut your mouth. Keep it shut No matter what you hear me say to Charlie, you got that? You understand? I understand. Charlie, it's me.

The other broad never showed. Look, Charlie, there's more going on in and Vince may know. They made copies. Tell me something we don't know. What you don't know is that... Interior, LaSalle Limo Service Garage Continuous. Uncle Charlie's on the speaker phone. A film?

The broad I'm driving. Harry, she told me. She got scared shit when Lata didn't show. The whole thing was Lada's idea. This one's the fancy. You don't believe her. Interior, hotel room in Irwin, PA, continuous. I don't know.

I mean, she gave me her copy of the tapes from the limo. I'm going to send them back to you overnight mail. I think she's too dumb to lot. Hera gives Sal a dirty look. Interior LaSalle Limo Service Office continuous. Oh, hey, how smart they got to be to do what they do. Yeah, right. You got a lead on Lata?

We're on it. Look, after you mail a tape, you go on to Chicago, the Ritz Carlton on Pearson. You stay there until you hear from me. I want those tapes in Vince's hands. You got it. Charlie hangs up, then looks over to his desk where Vince is sitting. Vince goes to the window showing a view of the huge garage at night. The long, dark garage with shafts of city light coming through the high, small windows above,

gives the impression of a Gothic horror chamber. You hurt. I heard. I think Sal's got the other end taken care of. Right now I want to entertain our friend, the senator. Vince grabs an old-fashioned microphone off of Uncle Charlie's desk. He speaks into the microphone, his voice echoing through the garage. We'll be right with you, Senator.

Camera pans the window to reveal Lada, hanging by her bound hands from a lift over a grease pit used to work on the underbellies of the limos. Her feet barely touch the edge as she leans out on a 45-degree angle over the pit. Leo's mean-looking dog, chained to a steel ring at the other end of the pit, is jumping towards her.

The senator is seated a few feet away, Leo standing over him. Interior hotel room in Irwin PA night. Sal stares at the phone. Well, say something. You got a couple of days. But your friend's going to be real dead real soon. Flash, in Sal's limo, Lada goes down on Baxter as Hara kisses him.

Interior LaSalle Limo Service garage late night. Vince and Uncle Charlie come out of the office and walk towards Senator Baxter as Lada begs for her life. Please. Vince, please. I'll do anything. I'll do anything you want. Vince stops by Lada and takes an air hose from the rack. Lata, don't bother to say anything. Please.

How's our senator doing? Just fine. You like my place? Top of the line, strictly legal. All right, Vince. Let's cut the Edgar Allen po shit. I see you got her. Now send her away with Leo here

and let me get back to what we were going to... Baxter tries to stand. Leo pulls him down. Sit down. What the hell are you... You wanted proof, Senator. Now she's going to be dead. Please.

Vince, please! Vince smacks Lada's face with the airroads. You shut your mouth. You dared to cross me, you worthless piece of shit. I was gonna cut you in. I was gonna give you the tapes. Oh, you were, huh? You were gonna give me a copy of the movie you was gonna edit?

Huh? Huh? Bitch? Vince smacks her again. Laada screams. The dog barks and the senator. barks and the senator sweats as Uncle Charlie laughs. That was a big surprise, an X-rated movie starring you. Vince, do you have to...

What's the matter, Senator? Why, you don't want to get your hands dirty? Vince, the Senator wants you to stop. Stop? Well, that's up to Lata here. Lata. I want you to know that you are going to die. No, no.

You cross me. I have no choice. Now, you die easy or you die hard. Up to you. Did you give... A copy of the tapes to Hara? Yes or no? No.

No. Vince. Only the one I sent Baxter. I didn't make any more copies. I didn't have any time to do the editing I wanted. I swear, no. Charlie? Vince goes to a workbench and gets a mat knife used for cutting engine hoses. Charlie directs his comments to Lada and the senator.

Sal got the copies from Hara. He's mailing them back to her. That is not true. I didn't. I didn't. Vince moves behind Lada. He pulls down her pants, exposing her stomach.

Senator, you know how long a person's intestines are? Huh? What are you doing? He asked you a question. I don't know. 20? 25 feet? Something like that?

Hey, that's about right. About as long as this air hose. You're a very smart guy. Isn't he a smart guy? Oh, he's very smart. What are you going to do, Vince? Vince! Mr. Smart guy, you want to give one of my whores her last thrill?

Anything you want? Anything. Charlie hits the senator. Answer him. No, Vince, no. As you wish. Vince reaches around her and makes a horizontal cut across Lada's lower stomach. He then reaches into her stomach and slowly pulls out her intestines.

Lada stops screaming and hangs there in shock looking at her intestines, slowly falling out into the pit. The dog, chained at the other end of the pit, goes warm. Wild. Vince tosses the knife, then walks to the senator, Lada's blood on his hands. Vince, how could you? What's the matter, Mr. Smart Guy? He wanted a dead. You gave me orders. It'll take hours this way. I thought it would give you a kick like your other hobby, fucking porno stuff. My God, help me.

Please, Vince, stop this. Charlie smiles. I think he's going to throw up. All right, Senator, I'll end it quicker, just for you. Leo! Leo goes to the end of the grease pit where the dog is and unfastens the chain holding back the dog. The dog runs to the intestines and starts eating them. No!

Vince stands face to face with the senator. During the following dialogue, Lada is in the background screaming at the top of her lungs as we hear the sound of the dog chewing. You ever talk to me again like that? You ever talk to me again like you did the other night? And what I do to you will make this look like a Sunday picnic. Now, you are going to mediate the union contract talks the way I say. Isn't that right, Senator? There was no...

Answer. Yes. Yes. Lata's screaming stops. If you don't, I'll skin you alive. Right, Uncle Charlie? Yes, he will. And then he'll have me get shoes made out of your skin. So with each step I take, I'll be crushing you like the nothing you are. Charlie, let this smart man enjoy the rest of the show.

And you drive him home while Leo cleans up. You got it. Vince grabs the senator's face with the bloody hands. I almost hope you fuck up again. We hear Dinah Shore singing sentimental journey as Vince slowly walks away. We see Senator Baxter's face with Lada's blood on it. We see Lada suspended from the lift and the dog jumping up trying to reach the rest of her intestines hanging. Exterior post office Irwin P.A. early morning.

Dina Shore sings as Hara drops a letter into a mailbox outside the post office. She runs back to the car, leans against it and lights a cigarette. She looks across the street to see a greyhound bus pull up to a station. Sal comes out of the post office, gets in the car, and shuts the radio just as Dina finishes her song. Hera gets in. You'll have a bite tomorrow morning at 10, noon the latest. Then what? They buy it, you'll be okay.

If they don't? I can't do anymore. I wonder where that bus is going. What if I got on and didn't get off until it stopped? Before you do, you better cut your hair, dye it and change those clothes. You really got to hang up about my appearance. don't you? You'll need new papers, too.

I know, I know. Where to now? We go to Chicago just like they want. They won't do anything until they have those tapes. Then they'll give me the word and what to do next. What if they want me dead?

Vince won't ask me to do that. He'll send somebody. Then? Then you sneak out of your room. I wake up, you're gone. I don't know where. Ask the night clerk to call you a cab to the airport to cover my ass.

You take another cab from the airport to Greyhound to cover your ass. Either way, out of after this. If it inspires what you said, that I know nothing? Then I take you to L.A. so you could be a big star in your chosen profession. It's a job. Some job. Look, it's what I do. It's what you do? It's your life. Flash, Hara looking straight at camera while astride the senator, she throws a seductive kiss to camera. Exterior I-76 to I-80-90, pit to Chicago, day to night. Peggy Lee sings, The Lady is a Tramp over the following silent scene.

Hera sitting in the front alongside Sal and considering the situation, they have an animated conversation. We see Hera laughing. Indiana goes by in the background. Sal points out things to Hera, Twilight. Then darkness as we enter the windy city, the Ritz Carlton on Pearson. As they enter Chicago, we hear in voiceover. Did you really think you could blackmail Vince? Lada wasn't going to blackmail.

blackmail Vince. She was going to set Vince up and get a nice reward from the senator. You're kidding. She was going to tell the senator that the movie was Vince's idea. That Vince was going to blackmail him and then she was going to give him the tape of the porn flick. The senator gets rid of Vince and she gets a reward. Two big problems with that. One, Vince always plays by the rules. Everyone knows that. A real man of honor.

In his world, yes. And two? Vince is not the senator's boy. The senator is Vince's boy. Whenever there's a problem, the senator comes to him. Not the other way around. Now you tell me. Peggy Lee continues singing The Lady is a Tramp.

Interior, hallway room Ritz-Carlton Hotel Night. The bellboy puts the bags down in front of a hotel room door. He's about to open it when Sal stops him with a tip. Peggy Lee stops singing. Thanks. I'll take her from here. Thank you, sir. He smiles broadly. Pleasure to meet you, Miss Reams.

Yeah, the same. The bellboy exits. You take my room. take yours. Why? I don't want you. Just do as I say. I'll get your bags. Sal and Hara enter the hotel room. Sal puts down the bags and sits by the desk as Hara lays down on the bed. Now tomorrow morning I have to go someplace alone. You just stay here. Why can't I go with you? It's a personal thing. You're setting me up, aren't you? It's not that at all. This is where they told you to leave me. How could you say that after I put my ass on the line for you?

All right. You insult me. I insult you. Now tell me what's going on. I have a son. What? I have a son who lives just outside the city here. I'd like to see him. Just be for a couple of hours. You'll be safe. Safe?

They know I'm here. How about I bring you to a nice restaurant in the morning? How about you bring me with you? That wouldn't be a good idea. Oh, I guess it wouldn't look good, huh? Your son seeing you with someone like me? That ain't it. Fine.

I owe you one, so just dump me off somewhere. Anywhere. You got it wrong. Don't bother. Kid, listen. It's not you, it's me When they sent me up, my wife left me Not that I blame her

I haven't seen my son since he was 12 years old He's older than you now I tried to write him while I was in prison He never answered I wrote him when I got out but nothing ever came back He's married now and I'd like to give it one last shot I'd like to know what is like to talk with my son again On the level

You ain't bullshitting? I wouldn't know how to do that Just drop me wherever you want. Okay, how about you come? You're waiting the car. Whatever you say. I'll knock on the door at night. Sal rises to leave, and Hara leans into his arms. Thanks. Sal, thanks for everything.

Sal hugs her back, then let's go, and exits. Hera turns on the radio, and we hear strip club disco. Interior, private eye club late morning. Uncle Charlie and Leo sit at the bar as a young girl is in the middle. middle of her audition as a stripper. Anthony, carrying the mailed tapes, walks in. He has a hard time taking his eyes off the young girl. Well, Anthony, what are you doing here?

Hi, Uncle Charlie. Uncle Sal sent these to me. I'm supposed to hand him to Vince, uh, uh, Mr. Delora. Why he sent him to you? I don't know. Vince walks in behind Anthony. Because he's smart. Hi, Mr. Delora.

My uncle Sal says to give these to you. Vince looks at the postmark and slides it to Charlie as Anthony keeps looking at the stripper. It's from Pittsburgh. You know what's in this package? To quote my uncle Sal, I don't know and I don't want it. Vince and Charlie laugh. Vince puts an arm around Anthony.

That's the right answer, kid. How would you like to know her? How would I like to... Her? I'd love to, but Uncle Sal would kill me. Vince peels off a bill and puts it in Anthony's pocket. When you graduate college, you come see me. I got a great graduation gift for you.

Vince nods towards the girl. Huh? Thanks, Mr. DeLora. You'll be seeing me. Yes, sir. He leaves. Good kid. So, what about the girl? Send Leo.

Hmm. Sal thinks she's clean. I want to send another message to our smart senator. What if Sal tries to stop me? He won't. But what if he does? Sal would never be that stupid. He treats these whores like there was his own. What if he tries?

If Sal tries, he will. Yeah, I wouldn't bet on that. A little respect would do you some good. Trust me on this. And if Sal's no one of these stumbes. Bumble bums are knocked out in a ring. I mean, he knows more ways to put your way than anyone I ever met. And I should know because I taught him.

That's all. Look, if Sal tries to stop you, you have my permission to try and kill him. Yeah, you try. You want to bring an extra set of boxing gloves? You think too much of this bomb. But only if, if he tries to protect the girl, which he won't. Hallway Ritz-Carlton Hotel Chicago, 9 a.m. Sal knocks on Hara's door.

The door opens and Hara stands there. Her hair is dyed back to its natural color. She wears a very conservative navy blue pantsuit with a basic white blouse. For the first time, she wears no makeup. She's the daughter anyone would be proud of. The child, Sal never got to know. You look. You look very nice.

Suits from the hotel boutique. You look special. Don't get any ideas. I just did this in case I have to run for my life. This has nothing to do with senior kid or anything like that. Hera exits and Sal smiles and follows her. Edda James sings A Sunday Kind of Love. Exterior Black Lincoln Town Car late morning, traveling.

Edda sings as Sal drives the town car along the Great Lake towards Glencoe, Illinois. As we get to the instrumental portion of the song, we hear the following voiceover. Sal, what'd you go to prison for? Running hot diamonds. Diamonds, really? I'd pick up a truckload of fish packed in ice and bring them to St. Louis. We'd let the ice melt and they were the diamonds. That's funny. Hot ice on ice.

They must have wondered why we were still using ice inside a refrigerator truck. They got me and the fence. You know him. Sit Haltz. Vince set them up in your business. A vat old pervert was a big-time. fence? Interior front seat of Lincoln Town Car continuous. Harris sits in the back, but the window between them is open. They talk like father and daughter out for a Sunday drive. One of the best. Oh, I know him. All Vince's girls know him. Most of us started there. Runs that big club in St. Lou.

Vince owns it. Sick old dude. Yeah, well, we took a 12 rap because he wouldn't turn over who he was working for. Twelve years? Serve date. Still. That why they owe you? Because he stood up? I had not much choice, really. I rat and I'm dead. I had too much family to accept any witness protection shit. You could be a fucking orphan and you'd have stood up. Don't bullshit me. Kid, do me a favor?

Don't curse. What? Why? You look far too pretty to have that kind of talk coming out of your mouth. Hara's taken aback by the honest compliment. Exterior Black Lincoln Town Car late night. Edith sings as we see the town car drive through a very nice suburb north of Chicago. The car parks along a beautiful street, Park Avenue, Glencoe, Illinois. We hear the following conversation in voiceover.

This is it? Across the street. He must do pretty good, your son. Some kind of finance or accountant. Interior, backseat Lincoln Town Car Continuous. From the backseat. Kids? Two, I think.

Yeah, too. Grandpa. I got a question. Why did you in Lada asked me to drive? You always treated us right. Never asked us those stupid sex questions. I'm supposed to ask sex questions. No.

Not how to, but like, do I enjoy it when we shoot? What's my favorite position? When did I start? You know, that kind of stuff. Hey, that's your business, not mine. Well, that's what we figured about you. We figured we were safe with you. Hera notices something through the window.

Here come somebody. The black minivan turns into the driveway. A couple in their late 20s exit the front seat. A young boy of about six jumps out of the back seat. The mother takes a two-year-old out of a child's seat in the back. The mother and two children head for the front door and immediately enter the house as the father removes some packages. Must have went to church. Church, you've got to be shitting me.

Hey. Sorry. Right out of Norman Rockwell. Who? Never mind. Well, do it. Sal just sits there, watching his son and his family go into their nice upper middle class. home. Ain't you gonna go talk to your son? What the hell we come all this way for?

To see where I don't belong. That's crazy. I mean, um, yeah. Wow. I get you. Sal, anything I can do. Yeah, when I get up tomorrow, you'll be long gone. Understand? Understood. Sal, you, uh, you want me to drive? No. I'm the driver.

Long pause. Before Sal starts the music, Edda James continues singing. The window goes up. The car pulls away and we see Sal's son looking out the front bay window. A little boy comes up to him.

Exterior Black Lincoln Town Car late afternoon. Edda James sings a Sunday kind of love. The town car drives along the lake like before only in the other direction. Late afternoon turns to twilight and then finally the big city lights of Chicago at night fill the background. Interior, Sal's hotel room, Chicago, evening. We hear Sal open his hotel room door.

He enters and throws his jacket on the bed, goes to the dresser and throws down his keys, places his wallet, chains. Sorry, chains. Sorry. That's another story. No, I'm sorry. He enters. He enters and throws his chest.

jacket on the bed, goes to the dresser and throws down his keys, places his wallet, change, smokes, handkerchief, and combs on the dresser. He stares into the mirror as the song ends. It looks like he's about to punch the mirror when Leo's face comes up behind him. Sal turns. Jesus Christ! Relax, old man. Don't have a heart attack. They told me this was Harrah's rule. Now, why would they do that? I don't tax that pea brain of yours. They just got the rooms mixed She's across the hall. I help myself to a drink. I really don't give a shit if you mind.

What are you doing here? Sal pours himself a scotch and hangs onto the bottle. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. What am I doing here? I came to Chicago for the wind. What am I doing here? I came to do the girl. I mean, since you don't have a stomach for that kind of stuff anymore.

They're waiting on my call. Yeah, I told Vince she had nothing to do with this. I don't know from what you said. I only know what Vince said. It was the other one, Lada. I don't care. Hara's a good kid. She's a slut.

And you're an asshole. Look, I don't care if she was a fucking nun. She gets sent back to Vince in a hat box. You try to stop me? Vince says I send you back the same way. Vince would never say that. The great Sal, the barber. Wise up.

You're useless to him now. Don't fuck with me, little man. I'm not in the mood right now. Ah, what's the matter? She stopped giving you head? You're pissing me off, Leo. I'm really fucking scared. You should be.

How does that sweet thing taste, huh? Hmm? Maybe I'll just, uh, maybe I'll try a little before I carve her up. Don't even... Why? You gonna try and stop me? Maybe I'll do just that. Sal takes the scotch bottle and smacks Leo across the face.

His razor comes out of his sleeve and he swipes at Leo's face, but Leo blocks the razor with his arm, and we see his jacket rip. Leo grabs Sal's arm with one hand and punches him with the other, sending Sal over the couch and sending the razor flying. Leo with his bloodied face looks at Sal. Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. Leo rushes towards Sal who takes a swing, and Leo blocks it like the professional fighter he once was,

and gives two hard ones to Sal's stomach. Sal buckles over. Leo straightens him up and gives him one more to the face, knocking Sal onto the bed. Leo stands over Sal and takes out his pistol, putting it in Sal's face. What are you waiting for? This is way too easy. Leo tosses the pistol on the couch and pulls Sal up by the collar and hits him in the face.

Hits him again. I'm gonna beat you good before I put around through that big fucking mouse to yours. Fuck you. Leo pulls Sal again. This time Sal comes up with the phone that was on the nightstand next to the bed and slams Leo's face. Sal hits Leo again before Leo wrestles the phone away. Sal falls back and grabs the pen that was next to the phone. Leo enrage picks up Sal in a bear hug,

crushing Sal near to death. The two bloody faces are now face to face. Sal reaches around Leo's head with his left arm, holding Leo's head still. Sal takes the pen in his right hand and rams it into Leo's left ear. Leo drops Sal and staggered. like a drunk, his equilibrium gone. Leo's eyes are wide open, but he can't see.

I can't see. I can't see. I'm right here, you blind, fuck. Leo, in complete rage, runs at Sal, who steps aside and Leo crashes into the window. Sal lifts Leo's feet and helps him out the rest of the way. We hear Leo scream all the way down to his death in the alley below. exterior alley outside Chicago Hotel continuous Light over the back door leading to the kitchen allows us to see Leo's body on the dumpster below

Blood pours from Leo's ear Nancy Wilson sings bewitched End of Act 2