"Public Enemy Number One" Screenplay (World Premiere)
"Public Enemy Number One" Screenplay (World Premiere)
"Public Enemy Number One" Screenplay (World Premiere)
Written by
Randy "Rocket" Cody
FADE IN
EXT. MARSHALL FIELD’S STORE - CHICAGO, IL - DAY - 1928
A young woman steps out of a 1928 Ford Model A that has
pulled to a stop at the curb. She waves, says goodbye to the
driver and then approaches the front of the store. Her name
is ROSELLA GREENBERG, 19, and she is a pretty little thing.
MAN’S VOICE (V.O.)
My grandma Rosella Greenberg was a
petite spark plug. She first worked
at the legendary Marshall Field’s
department store in Chicago as an
elevator operator at age eighteen
in 1927.
FADE BACK IN
2.
The husband nods his approval and pulls out his wallet.
MAN’S VOICE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
My grandma told me Capone was a man
that looked out for a lot of other
people in a very difficult time...
but that’s not the story the
historians want you to know.
CUT TO:
3.
Al’s bodyguards move him past the crowd. Despite the chaos,
he waves to the people, smiling. FREEZE FRAME. HOLD ON THIS.
MAN’S VOICE (V.O.)
By 1928, Al Capone had become the
Babe Ruth of organized crime. Not
one man wielded more power in the
windy city than him. He was also
the country’s first equal
opportunity employer at a time when
racism was at its worst in America.
ROSELLA
It was fine. Why were you so late
picking me up?
OJ
Oh - I had some business to take
care of. Nothing really I need to
talk about... but what about you?
ROSELLA
It’s work, what can I say? We had a
lot of customers. Some more
irritating and rude than others,
but you know me... I never let
anyone steal my joy.
4.
AL CAPONE
Eddie, I don’t know what I’d do
without you... besides hard time in
a prison cell!
Both men let out a big laugh. Each salutes drinks and then
take individual sips.
Eddie, dressed in an even more expensive suit than Al is
wearing, now caresses his drink with a twinkle in his eyes.
EDDIE
Al, you know when it comes to
anything ’Outfit’ related, that I
am your man.
AL CAPONE
Excellent, Eddie. That’s music to
my ears, my friend.
EDDIE
These are crazy times we are living
in, I tell yah. But you no doubt
are the big boss of Chicago.
AL CAPONE
I give them what they want, Eddie.
EDDIE
You sure do, Al. You and your
brother, Ralph, are two of the most
genius business minds around. You
really do know your way around a
bottle of booze!
Both men let out even bigger laughs.
Then suddenly there is a knock at the door of Al’s office.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
Yeah, come in!
The door opens and FRANK RIO, 33, walks in holding a
Thompson submachine gun. A lit cigarette dangles from his
lips.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
FRANK
Sorry to bother you, boss. There’s
someone here from the paper.
AL CAPONE
Who is it? Can’t you see I’m in a
meeting?
FRANK
It’s a photographer from the
Chicago Evening American. Remember,
you have an appointment to get your
photo taken for the next edition?
This kid has his camera and
everything.
AL CAPONE
(looks to Eddie)
Eddie, I apologize. I forgot about
this thing. We’re going to have to
end this visit for now.
Eddie stands and finishes his drink.
EDDIE
No problem, Al. Always great to see
you. Say hello to your wife for me.
Eddie leaves and a twenty something year old photographer
from the Chicago Evening American walks in with his camera.
His name is TONY BERARDI. He looks very intimidated.
Frank Rio stands nearby ready for any funny business.
TONY
Did you want to strike a pose
first?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
AL CAPONE
Okay, kid. But whatever you do,
just don’t shoot the scars. If I
see you did shoot them, you know
what I am going to do?
Tony, now looking concerned, stands up more straight.
TONY
No... but I bet you’d be pretty
upset with me.
AL CAPONE
You look at me like you’re afraid.
Are you afraid of me?
TONY
I’m not afraid, Mr. Capone. I’m
just here to do my job.
AL CAPONE
Good. Stay away from the scars.
That’s all I’m saying to you,
alright?
TONY
Stay away from the scars. Got it!
RANDALL
Yes, grandma. It’s very good. Thank
you. How is your food?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
ROSELLA
It’s wonderful. Randall, did your
mother tell you much about your
birthplace in Chicago? I know you
haven’t lived there since you were
a baby and moved out to California.
What has she told you?
RANDALL
No, she hasn’t told me anything.
ROSELLA
She never told you about my friend
Al Capone?
RANDALL
You mean "Scarface"?
ROSELLA
Yes, that’s right.
RANDALL
No. Was Capone really as bad of a
person that everyone makes him out
to be?
ROSELLA
Let me just put it to you this way.
Don’t always believe everything you
read in the press.
RANDALL
He was a gangster after all,
grandma. I imagine he did kill a
lot of people in his line of work,
right?
ROSELLA
Yes, people died. I will not
dispute that. There were many bad
characters after Al Capone and the
Outfit. It was a very dark and
uncertain time in our history. The
Stock Market Crash and the Great
Depression hit in 1929. A lot of
people were starving in Chicago...
and all throughout the rest of the
country. People I knew as friends
were being forced to live on the
streets.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
RANDALL
I bet it was real tough times back
then.
ROSELLA
Nobody else really did much of
anything to help them out. Except
my friend Al Capone. No, he was
certainly not an angel, but he
wasn’t the monster they make him
out to be either. In fact, most of
the stories you read or movies you
see about Al are complete works of
fiction. The real sonofabitch of it
all was that Bugs Moran.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Moran was leader of The North Side
Gang. He was in a war with Capone
over the Old Log Cabin bourbon
whiskey shipments sent by the
Detroit Purple Gang. He had been
hijacking Capone supply trucks and
causing a lot of headaches when the
West Side gang, assisted by corrupt
policeman, started stealing from
Bugs themselves. These crooked
badges were motivated by nothing
more than money and they were
totally ruthless.
CUT TO:
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Once Skidmore and the cops pulled
off the brazen hijacking, Bugs was
so mad that he stopped paying
protection money to his Chicago
police contacts. It would prove to
be a really bad move for Moran. But
even worse for Al Capone.
CUT TO:
RANDALL
Grandma, Bugs Moran sounded like a
real pain in the butt.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
ROSELLA
Oh, he was, honey. Al hated him.
And then when the corrupt cops got
involved, well... that’s why
everything went so wrong for Al and
the Outfit.
Randall opens the driver’s side door for his grandma.
RANDALL
What about Eliot Ness, grandma? The
history books make him out to be
the good guy who helped bring down
Capone.
ROSELLA
Eliot Ness had nothing to do with
Al being taken down in the end. He
was a boozer. Again, don’t always
believe everything you read, son.
That jackass Eliot Ness had an even
bigger ego problem than Bugs Moran!
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Ness was was a prohibition agent. A
married man and full time
womanizer. He wanted to be in the
limelight like some kind of wannabe
celebrity. The man was a hypocrite
and a raging alcoholic that has
been portrayed as a saint, when the
truth is Eliot Ness was one screwed
up puppy. That book he put out was
nothing but a complete fabrication,
designed to cover up who he really
was.
Eliot Ness stops suddenly. The hooker looks at him,
concerned.
BLACK PROSTITUTE
What’s wrong, baby?
NESS
I-I-I’m not feeling so good.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
BLACK PROSTITUTE
There ain’t no refunds.
NESS
You need to leave.
BLACK PROSTITUTE
Okay. But you still gotta pay me.
NESS
Just take the money, and get the
hell out of here.
The hooker puts on her clothes and leaves.
Ness leans over and grabs a cigarette from the side table
and lights it with a match. He exhales a big cloud of smoke.
JAKE
Dammit, Eliot. You smell like a
corpse. When was the last time you
showered?
NESS
It’s been a few days.
JAKE
(Points)
That house over there, do you see
it?
NESS
The one over there? Yeah, I see it.
Why? What yah got going on here?
You know newspaper journalists
aren’t supposed to be doing police
work.
JAKE
It’s a gambling house that is run
by a key member of Capone’s Outfit.
They got dozens of slot machines, a
ton of booze and a lot of money
inside is what I been told. The
Outfit generates enormous profits
from spots like this.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al’s brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone
ran The Chicago version of Harlem’s
Cotton Club for The Outfit located
in Cicero and it was a real popular
spot. It was a favorite of
Chicago’s top politicians, despite
the fact they were selling booze
there.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Fred "Killer" Burke was an
associate of the Capone brothers.
He was a very notorious man. He
would have murdered his own mother
if somebody paid him to do it.
KILLER BURKE
This place is really hopping, Al.
AL CAPONE
Yeah, this is definitely one of our
best moneymakers, Killer. Glad you
approve.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Jake Guzik served as the mob’s
principle bagman in payoffs to
police and politicians. He was
given the nickname "Greasy Thumb".
Ralph sets down some drinks onto the table.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
CUT TO:
DISSOLVE TO:
16.
HOOVER
It sure is a beautiful day at the
ball park. Look at all these
wonderful people.
ANNOUNCER (OS)
Now up to bat for the Yankees,
outfielder, Babe Ruth!
The stadium erupts in loud, raucous cheers.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
Ruth stands in the batter’s box and faces down the first
pitch... which lands a little outside... ball one.
Then the next pitch finds itself dead center in the fattest
part of Ruth’s barrel and the baseball is crushed over 400
feet into the center field stands.
Ruth crosses home and on his way to the dugout looks back at
Capone and salutes him.
Capone’s boy looks at him in amazement.
SONNY
Do you know Babe Ruth, father?
AL CAPONE
Yes, I consider him a friend.
SONNY
Wow! My dad got a salute from The
Sultan of Swat after he hit a home
run in the deepest part of
Comiskey!
AL CAPONE
He sure hit the heck out of that
ball, didn’t he? Did anyone ever
see it land?
Other people seated around Al let out laughs.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
AL CAPONE
It’s amazing, Mae. Finally
someplace away from the windy city
where we can relax and live in
luxury. Look at that pool! It’s
salt water!
Mae watches as Al walks over to the edge of the pool, kneels
down and dips his hand in the water.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
The main house has got seven
bedrooms and then there’s a
two-story cabana house, a private
sandy beach for us to enjoy along
with this fantastic aqua-colored
pool that believe it or not is
sixty feet long.
MAE
It’s just all so lovely, Al.
AL CAPONE
I am told it’s bigger than even the
Biltmore hotel’s pool, baby. Isn’t
that something?
MAE
It’s something alright, Mr. Capone.
And you are just the most amazing
man.
AL CAPONE
I have my moments, don’t I?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
MACHINE GUN
He is a serious pain in the ass.
AL CAPONE
Now I gotta go back to Florida. So
I need all of you to keep an eye on
him, understand?
PHIL
Sure thing, boss.
MACHINE GUN
That low life scumbag is up to
nothing no good I am hearing. He
really thinks he’s gonna do some
damage to us.
AL CAPONE
Word on the street is he’s put out
a contract on yours truly.
RALPH
Yeah, so the idea is for us to hit
him before he hits my brother or
any of us, got it? If we wait
around and play games this thing
could get real ugly.
AL CAPONE
My brother is right. It’s time we
put Bugs down once and for all.
MACHINE GUN
Now we’re talking.
AL CAPONE
But it’s got to be discreet,
understand? I don’t want to hear
about innocent people getting
slaughtered, hear me? Whichever one
of you takes him out and does not
get caught gets a bonus and trust
me, this is gonna be a big time
bonus!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
MACHINE GUN
Count me the winner, because I hate
losing. That man is a walking damn
corpse!
McGurn poses now with his Tommy gun as the others erupt into
laughter.
PHIL
Look at the big shot! He thinks
he’s gonna win the bonus, boys!
MACHINE GUN
You got that right, Phil. Bugs
Moran is as good as dead!
ROSELLA (V.O.)
On the night of March 7, 1928 it
would be Moran’s gang who next put
a hit out on the Outfit’s Machine
Gun McGurn, a former boxer turned
contract killer who had twenty-five
murders to his name.
CUT TO:
Machine Gun McGurn exits the hotel and gets into his Ford.
Another car can be seen parked across the street.
INT. MACHINE GUN’S FORD - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Just as Machine Gun starts the car up, the mystery car also
starts up in the background, headlights beaming powerfully
in his direction.
He lights up a cigarette and drags with an irritated look.
Begins to drive down the street.
MACHINE GUN
(Squints, shouting)
What the hell is your problem, pal?
You trying to blind me?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
CUT TO:
INT. MACHINE GUN’S FORD - LATER THAT NIGHT
Police squad cars and an ambulance are at the scene of the
shooting. The destroyed Ford belonging to Machine Gun can be
seen and after another moment, his MOANS can be heard.
An AMBULANCE MEDIC has pulled the gangster from his car and
begun to administer first aid. There is blood everywhere.
Machine Gun looks up at the medic.
MACHINE GUN
Bugs Moran did this to me -
MEDIC
- Sir, please don’t talk. You’re
pulse is very weak.
MACHINE GUN
Make sure and tell them it was
Bugs.
MEDIC
We need to hurry and transport you
to the hospital. You can tell the
police all of that after we get you
stabilized.
MACHINE GUN
My boss... is gonna be pissed.
MEDIC
Who is your boss?
MACHINE GUN
Your worst nightmare.
Next he vomits the contents of his stomach. His eyes roll
back in his head. McGurn passes out on his way to being
carried to an awaiting ambulance.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAPONE MANSION - MIAMI, FLORIDA - NEXT DAY
Al Capone is seated on a chair near the pool, reading the
newspaper. Phil D’Andrea approaches him.
PHIL
We got a problem.
AL CAPONE
What kind of problem is that, Phil?
PHIL
McGurn got shot up last night
outside of the McCormick hotel by
Bugs Moran’s gang.
AL CAPONE
Why am I always the last one to
find out about this stuff? Huh? Is
he alive? Did they kill him?
PHIL
No, but they came damn close. He’s
gonna be out of commission for a
little bit. What do you want me to
do?
AL CAPONE
Well, first things first, I need
you and the boys to get back to
Chicago and make sure my caddy is
ready for me.
PHIL
Sure thing, boss.
AL CAPONE
If Bugs Moran wants a fight, I’m
gonna give that sonofabitch a war!
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al’s 1928 caddy was fitted with
three thousand pounds of armored
plating after it was purchased by
the Outfit for the boss of all
bosses. Equipped with armor in the
doors and sides and five-layer
laminated glass windshield and
windows.
Al Capone, wearing a black trenchcoat and carrying a Tommy
gun, emerges from the hotel entrance.
ROSELLA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Despite its great weight the door
windows, which have round gun ports
cut in them, rolled down into the
doors. There was even a police
radio to monitor the other guys’
activities and allowed Al to stay
one step ahead of the opposition.
Capone walks quickly toward the caddy where the back door is
held open for him by his driver, Phil D’Andrea.
Capone climbs into the rear of the caddy.
ROSELLA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
On this day, Al got a tip that Bugs
Moran would be in his car traveling
to an appointment he had with
another bootlegger.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
MORAN
I’m going to kill you, Capone!! Do
you hear me? You’re as good as
buried six feet deep!
AL CAPONE
I been wanting to do this myself
for a very long time, Bugs.
(laughs)
I never thought it was going to be
this much excitement!
MORAN
Go ahead! Kill me, Capone! Just
fucking get it over with!!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
AL CAPONE
Today is your lucky day, Bugs! You
get to live! But don’t make me come
back after you again, hear? Stay
away from my whiskey and stop
shooting at my men or else I’m
gonna end your life once and for
all!!
Capone turns and runs to his caddy.
Bugs slips into unconsciousness as the POLICE SIRENS GROW
LOUDER AND LOUDER.
Capone and his henchmen SCREECH AWAY.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
FRANK
It sure is, boss. Nothing like
winning easy money.
Al and Eddie both let out laughs.
EDDIE
That’s right! Nothing better in the
world than easy money! Nothing at
all!!
AL CAPONE
Hey, Rosella. You enjoying
yourself?
ROSELLA
Yes, Al, I am enjoying it very
much. Thanks for flying us out here
to the track.
AL CAPONE
You’re welcome, Rosella.
ROSELLA
Oh, yes it is. It’s filled with one
hundred pairs of knockoff Foster
Grant sunglasses I bought in bulk
for a real cheap price the other
day. I am going to sell all of them
today here at the track.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
ROSELLA
Two dollars.
OJ
I told her nobody was gonna buy
those things, but she brought them
with her anyway.
ROSELLA
OJ, I told you I am going to sell
all of them. Is the sun not out? Do
you not see that big bright thing
hanging up above us in all its
glory?
AL
Where did you get them from?
ROSELLA
I purchased them for one quarter
each from a friend of OJ’s.
OJ
Not a friend of mine. Some two-bit
hood I know that peddles in this
sort of thing.
ROSELLA
I plan on selling them easily at
eight times my investment. I figure
I’m gonna make a killing!
CUT TO:
ROSELLA
Sunglasses! Two dollars each!
ROSELLA (V.O.)
When I went out to the parking lot
to sell those shades there was an
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
I remember having lunch alone with
my friend Al Capone for the first
time. My step father OJ had
expressed to me earlier Al’s
interest in getting to know me
better as a person. What was I
going to say "no" to the head of
the Chicago Outfit?
Al looks up from his plate of food.
AL CAPONE
Rosella, can I ask you a question?
ROSELLA
As long as you’re not going to ask
me if I will kill someone for you.
Al laughs.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
AL CAPONE
You have a sharp wit. I like that
about you.
ROSELLA
Thanks. I was voted class clown in
high school.
AL CAPONE
You need a good sense of humor to
be in the mob, let me tell you.
Rosella laughs.
AL CAPONE
Rosella, I know a lot of people got
me pegged for some big bully that
just puts people down like old
dogs, but I got a heart beating in
this here chest of mine. I’m not
the worst guy you’re ever gonna
meet, know what I’m saying to you?
ROSELLA
Sure. I understand.
AL CAPONE
You seem like a very trustworthy
person. Can I trust you?
ROSELLA
Yes.
AL CAPONE
There ain’t nothing worse than a
rat. Someone that you trust and
bring into your inner circle and
then they turn on you. Somebody
walking away from a friendship when
all that person ever showed them
was honor and loyalty... only to
repay them by sticking a knife in
yer back.
ROSELLA
Nothing worse than a rat.
AL CAPONE
Loyalty above all else is what
makes ’this thing of ours’ work.
That is the main lesson I want you
to learn from me. Say that word for
me, Rosella.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
ROSELLA
Loyalty.
AL CAPONE
Beautiful. Say it again. But say it
like you really mean it.
ROSELLA
Thanks very much.
AL CAPONE
You’re welcome. Just always be
honest with me, Rosella. Pinky
promise?
Al Capone holds out his right pinky that has a sparkling 11
carat diamond ring on it and flashes a big smile to her.
Rosella reaches out her pinky and touches his.
ROSELLA
Pinky promise.
CUT TO:
33.
FRANK RIO
I don’t wear scarves.
ROSELLA
You don’t? As cold as it is? Every
well dressed man should wear a
scarf to protect themselves from
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
ROSELLA (cont’d)
getting the chills. Here, at least
try one on. It will keep your neck
warm!
ROSELLA
Like a movie star!
FRANK RIO
No kidding?
ROSELLA
Oh, the women are going to fall
over themselves when they see you.
FRANK RIO
Alright, I’m sold. How much?
ROSELLA
Five bucks.
Frank reaches for his wallet. He pulls out a five dollar
bill and hands it to Rosella.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
FEMALE STYLIST
Is that so? I go in there all the
time and I have never seen you.
ROSELLA
Well I am in the cosmetics
department... before that I
operated the elevator.
NESS
No sweat off my back. There’s
plenty more where this came from,
trust me.
TONY
You don’t like Capone, do you?
NESS
Like him? I love him. He keeps me
drunk as a skunk!
ROSELLA
Oh my Lord. Let me get Al. You sure
you didn’t set it down someplace
and forget by mistake?
JIMMY JONES
No, I went to the bathroom to wash
my hands after the first song in
rehearsal and when I came back it
wasn’t in its case no more.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
AL CAPONE
--Shut up! I’m gonna give you a
severe beating for what you did,
you waste of skin! Stand up and
bring that instrument to me! You
some kind of pro thief, huh? I bet
you hit all the clubs! Get over
here! I got a bunch of people
waiting to hear some damn
saxophone!
The white transient man stands and cowardly walks slowly
over to Capone, who still has his gun trained on him.
THIEF
What’s the big deal? It only
belongs to a nigger.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
ROSELLA
Al, stop it! You’re going to kill
him!
After a few more punishing kicks, Al finally stops the
assault.
The man is now unconscious and not moving.
Al locks an intense stare with Rosella.
AL CAPONE
I don’t want you doing anything
nuts, understand? I know you want
revenge on Bugs. I already put the
fear of God into the man when I
chased him down myself. It came
real damn close... me killing him -
it just wasn’t in the cards.
MACHINE GUN
Bugs is going to pay with his life,
Al. Do you see what this asshole
did to me?
AL CAPONE
Don’t get excited.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
MACHINE GUN
Don’t get excited? They almost
killed me!
AL CAPONE
Shut up! It’s too goddamn obvious
if we make another move to
eliminate him right now!
CUT TO:
SALES ASSOCIATE
Hello. Is there anything I can help
you two with today? Let me guess.
You are both out shopping for your
wives, am I correct?
The hitmen do not answer the woman. They just keep staring
at Rosella.
After several drawn out moments, The Murder Twins leave.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
ALBERT
I hope so. Christ, I got other
places to be.
A man is working under the hood of a vehicle. His name is
JOHN MAY, early 30s.
May uses a wrench to loosen up a part.
CUT TO:
JOHN MAY
Hey, what’s this all about? I
didn’t do nothing wrong. Please let
me go home to my wife and kids.
REINHARDT
Yeah, please put down the guns.
There is no reason to be pointing
those things at us!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.
ALBERT
What do you men want with us?
OFFICER #1
You’re under arrest. Don’t worry
why we’re here. Just turn around
and face the wall!
JOHN MAY
Please don’t kill me! I don’t want
to die here in this garage!!
Cop #2, upon a closer look is indeed none other than "Killer
Burke. He suddenly opens fire with his shotgun. BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM!
The two civilian gunmen (one of which we recognize to be
Billy Skidmore) open fire with their submachine guns.
Blood and brain matter spray the wall as the gun blasts
grows to a deafening roar. Then the shooting abruptly stops
and it becomes silent.
All of Moran’s men are on the ground shot to hell. There are
moans and sounds of men choking on their own blood.
On the ground one John May is writhing around in agony, half
alive, blood flowing from a dozen bullet wounds. He weeps.
JOHN MAY
Oh my... Jesus, please, n-n-no... I
want... to... live..
"Killer" Burke matter of factly walks over to John May,
stepping into his pool of blood. He points the weapon at his
head. HOLD ON THIS FOR A BEAT. Then:
BLAM! The top of John May’s head is blown off.
John May’s German Shepherd, Highball, who is leashed to a
truck, begins howling and barking as the gunmen turn and
walk off.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Fred "Killer" Burke was
recruited by the crooked cops and
Billy Skidmore for the Valentine’s
Day Massacre. They orchestrated
mass murder together like it was a
symphony of death.
EXT. CLARK STREET GARAGE - CONTINUOUS ACTION
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
Bugs observes the police walk out of the garage with guns
trained on the two civilians who have their hands up in the
air.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHICAGO CITY HALL - LATE DAY
Frederick D. Silloway, the local Prohibition administrator,
stands in front of a swarmed crowd of media reporters.
SILLOWAY
Ladies and gentleman, it is my
belief that the murderers were
Chicago police officers. I believe
the whole thing was an outgrowth of
a hijacking job on Indianapolis
Boulevard about six weeks ago. More
than 500 cases of booze were
hijacked from the Moran North Side
gang, by the West Side gang,
assisted by corrupt officers. The
liquor theft occurred in daylight
and was so easily accomplished that
it was apparent the hijackers had
full police protection and
assistance in doing the job. As a
consequence, it was natural the
Moran ’mob’ immediately stopped all
payments of protection money to the
policemen they had been dealing
with, and the result of this move
was the gruesome machine gun
killing. I shall release the names
of these officers very shortly.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The next day Silloway retracted the
charge, insisting he had been
misquoted. His superiors in
Washington transferred him out of
Chicago and he was never heard from
again.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
CUT TO:
AL CAPONE
I dunno, Frank. All I can see is a
lot of problems coming from this...
it’s a damn nightmare.
FRANK
A total bloodbath. I never seen
nothing like it before. They even
blew one of the guys’ head off.
AL CAPONE
Can you believe they are trying to
blame me for the massacre? Anything
bad that happens and I am always
the first one they want to pin it
on!
FRANK
Hell it could have been corrupt
cops that wanted to take out the
Moran gang once and for all. They
could have totally staged it to
look like it was a hit by the
Outfit.
AL CAPONE
Something tells me McGurn may have
had something to do with this. I
told him to be discreet and this is
what he does? A bloody mass murder?
FRANK
Take it easy, boss. Don’t jump to
any conclusions before we know all
the facts.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
AL CAPONE
Whoever did it, I been set up to
look like the one who planned it
all! I’m gonna have to figure out
something to get me off the streets
for a little bit until the heat of
this thing goes away.
This is the first time we have Seen Al Capone looking
worried. He lights up a cigar and puffs away.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al was in Florida on that St.
Valentine’s Day. He was summoned by
the Dade County solicitor to
discuss his dealings in Miami.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
But within months, the Stock Market
Crash of 1929 occurred, and the
world’s economy spiraled downward
into the Great Depression.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
AL CAPONE (V.O.)
I told them there was business
enough to make us all rich and it
was time to stop all the killings
and look on our business as other
men look on theirs, as something to
work at and forge when we go home
at night. It wasn’t an easy matter
for men who had been fighting for
years to agree on a peaceful
business program. But we finally
decided to forget the past and
begin all over again. We drew up a
written agreement and each man
signed on the dotted line.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - FLASHBACK
ROSELLA (V.O.)
McGurn was charged for the
massacre. But would be acquitted
after the jury bought his ’Blonde
Alibi’, a beautiful woman named
Louise Rolfe. He claimed they were
in bed together when the seven men
were executed. Louise testified to
the fact and she was very
convincing.
CUT TO:
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
It’s time for peace, Rosella.
Business is what matters the most
to the Outfit, understand?
ROSELLA
I understand. It’s all about
managing your empire so as to
maximize your profits... and well,
heck, too much violence is most
certainly a bad thing.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
AL CAPONE
Your mother raised a smart young
lady, Rosella.
ROSELLA
Thank you. She raised me to have
common sense and to never tell a
lie. I like to think I’m gonna be
as smart as her one day.
AL CAPONE
Even smarter I bet. Come on, it’s
getting late, sweety. Let me take
you home.
Al walks Rosella out of his office.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.
AL CAPONE
Hello, everybody! Isn’t this a
beautiful day in Chicago?
Loud cheers erupt from the people standing in line.
AL CAPONE
(into bullhorn)
God bless you all and God bless the
United States of America!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
AL CAPONE
Yeah, sweety. I was hoping you
could pick something for me. I’m
not exactly the pro at this sort of
thing. I am always buying her furs
and jewelry and whatnot, so I
figured this time around I’d get
her hooked up on the best makeup
money can buy. What do you suggest?
ROSELLA
(points)
I have some new imported red
lipstick from France that is to die
for.
AL CAPONE
Okay, I will take a dozen of them.
Give me all the colors you got!
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The vicious killing duo known as
The Murder Twins whacked any
deadbeat that owed the Outfit money
and they enjoyed every minute of
it.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The truth was that these two
psychopaths planned to take Al out
and become the new leaders of the
Chicago mob. And somehow yours
truly next found herself smack dab
in the middle of the whole fiasco.
Though The Murder Twins were not
the only ones preparing to take
down my friend.
ELMER
How exactly am I going to get my
men inside their operation?
J. EDGAR HOOVER
You’re going to have to put two of
your best men directly among The
Outfit. That’s the best way to get
to the books. That’s where we’re
gonna nail him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
ELMER
I have the two perfect men in mind
for the job.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Excellent. I want you to keep me
updated on everything as it
happens, understand? Once you get
them inside, I want to know their
every move.
ELMER
I understand what needs to be done.
But it’s not going to be easy.
We’re talking about Al Capone here.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
He’s got a lot of firepower, I know
that. That’s why infiltrating his
gang is going to work. He won’t
know what hit him when it’s all
over.
ELMER
I sure hope so. Because if we make
one bad move on this we’re gonna
lose our chance to put him away and
we cannot have that happen. I could
lose two of my best men if their
cover is blown. So trust me, we’re
not gonna screw this up. This is
the one time we got to take him
down.
J. EDGAR HOOVER
Well then by all means... let’s get
Scarface!
Elmer stands and meets J. Edgar Hoover in the center of the
room. They shake hands, firmly. FREEZE FRAME. HOLD ON THIS.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Elmer Irey was a US Treasury
Department official and director of
the Internal Revenue Service’s lead
investigative unit during the
federal tax evasion prosecution of
Al Capone.
CUT TO:
56.
AL CAPONE
Thanks. I figured we all needed to
have a nice dinner together, you
know? It’s time we all got to know
each other better.
ANSELMI
Sure thing.
AL CAPONE
I’m really glad you three could
make it tonight.
HOPTOAD
Thanks again, Al. For having us.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.
AL CAPONE
One thing I will say to you men.
Don’t mistake my kindness for
weakness. I am kind to everyone,
but when someone is unkind to me,
weak is not what you are going to
remember about me.
All four men toast drinks.
HOPTOAD
Listen, we know anyone who crosses
you would have to have some serious
balls.
The men breakout into loud laughter.
SCALISE
Funny thing is... we got your girl.
AL CAPONE
My girl?
ANSELMI
Yeah, that cutie pie named Rosella.
The one you seem to have a special
hard on for. We want to take over
your position as head of the
Outfit, Al, and we figured a doll
like that must be worth a whole lot
to you.
AL CAPONE
Don’t tell me you three have harmed
Rosella.
ANSELMI
Let’s just say we took out our own
insurance policy. Rosella was
kidnapped two hours ago. She’s
being held someplace in Chicago
Heights. You see, it’s time for you
to step down, Al. We want all the
action. So from now on we will be
calling the shots, capiche?
ROSELLA (V.O.)
If I said I was not scared I would
be a big liar. I was worse than
scared. I thought I was going to be
killed that night.
CUT TO:
HOPTOAD
We’re here to negotiate a peaceful
end to this matter, Al. Nobody has
to bleed over this. You give us
what we want and you get your play
toy back.
AL CAPONE
I’m not stepping down for shit!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.
AL CAPONE
Drop the gun!
SCALISE
Jesus, Al! No, don’t--
Several of Al’s body guards have run up with guns drawn to
see what is happening. They step over the two dead bodies.
FRANK RIO
Boss, what’s going on here?
AL CAPONE
These mother fuckers kidnapped
Rosella!
Anselmi, looking scared to death amid the carnage, drops to
his knees in front of Al.
ANSELMI
Don’t shoot me! I will tell you
where she is! Don’t shoot me!
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 60.
ROSELLA
I wasn’t sure if you were ever
gonna show up to save me, Al. What
happened to those men?
AL CAPONE
Answer this for me first. Nothing
happened to you, right? They didn’t
do anything to harm you besides
leaving you here handcuffed to the
pole?
ROSELLA
Nothing else happened.
AL CAPONE
Good.
ROSELLA
What happened to those men?
AL CAPONE
All you need to know is that they
won’t be causing no more headaches
for you or me.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROAD - INDIANA - NEXT MORNING
Moving in closer via the side rear window of the vehicle the
dead bodies of the three men are seated in the front seat
with bruises all over their faces and large bullet wounds in
their heads.
CUT TO:
61.
MALONE
Ciao!
The lady smiles, becoming literally flustered. She almost
walks into someone in the crowd.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al loved the movies. He had a
screen and projector installed into
The Lexington Hotel and we would
watch Hollywood flicks.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.
AL CAPONE
Set it all down right here!
Al sits back down with a big smile on his face.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
Okay! I want make a toast. I want
to dedicate this meal to the
victims of all the crooked stock
brokers that steal people’s
hard-earned money for stock they
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 63.
FRANK RIO
The dirty bastards.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
And do you think any of these
frauds went to jail? No! Why these
people are still our most elite
citizens. And they are just as
diabolical as the snake
politicians! I know a thing or two
about them, yah see? I help put
clothes on their kids and send them
on vacations with their mistresses!
Al stops for a moment. The room is so quiet you could hear a
pin drop.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
This winter I fed hundreds of
thousands of people per day here in
Chicago. And I know next winter
it’s going to be worse.
(erupts, angrily))
But I am the bad guy, huh? The
boogie man. I am to blame for every
bad thing that happens everywhere!
If something bad happens, Al Capone
did it!
ROSELLA
Sadly, I think people will never
know the real Al Capone. The media
has turned you into some kind of
crazed monster... that’s what sells
newspapers.
AL CAPONE
People can say all they want about
me. In the end I give back to the
community and I got a good family!
But If they want to box you up like
a caged animal in one of them tiny
cells bad enough... well, you’re
done, no matter what!
Al sits back down in his chair. He begins to eat his food.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 64.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The United States had implemented
the new federal income tax via the
16th Amendment, passed by Congress
on July 2, 1909, and ratified
February 3, 1913. Many people in
1929 still did not take it very
seriously, like Al Capone, for
nobody had ever been given any kind
of significant sentence.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Time magazine sent a photographer
with his camera loaded with film
and ready to shoot pictures of the
world’s most famous gangster.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.
AL CAPONE
So tell me... who are some of the
other people that have been
selected to appear on the cover of
your prestigious magazine?
PHOTOGRAPHER
John D. Rockefeller, Winston
Churchill, Thomas Edison, Albert
Einstein, Charles Lindbergh, Calvin
Coolidge, Eugene O’Neill... off the
top of my head.
AL CAPONE
Those are some impressive names.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes, indeed. Would you mind turning
this way for me?
AL CAPONE
Which way?
PHOTOGRAPHER
To your left. Just kind of turn at
an angle.
AL CAPONE
Just make sure not to shoot the
scars, understand?
PHOTOGRAPHER
Well, Mr. Capone. I-I-I have
actually been instructed to make
sure and include your scars in the
photo.
AL CAPONE
Is that right?
PHOTOGRAPHER
Y-Y-Yes, sir. Orders directly from
my boss.
AL CAPONE
Your boss, huh?
PHOTOGRAPHER
That’s correct. Your full name will
be appearing on the cover as well.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 66.
AL CAPONE
My full name?
PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes, Alphonse "Scarface" Capone.
AL CAPONE
Nobody discussed any of this with
me. But I guess you people got
magazines to sell, right?
PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes, your name has become larger
than life, Mr. Capone. I would dare
to say it’s one of the most famous
on all of planet earth.
AL CAPONE
My name? Most famous? Biggest on
all of planet earth? I’m not so
sure about that, but it sounds
really good to me.
AL CAPONE
So, Graziano, how is business in
Philly?
MALONE
Things have been real slow, to be
point blank about it. I don’t have
time to sit around for things to
happen. I need to make it happen
now.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
AL CAPONE
You got any kids?
MALONE
No, sir.
AL CAPONE
What about a wife or girlfriend?
MALONE
No. It’s just me.
AL CAPONE
You do like the ladies, correct?
MALONE
Yes, I’m a ladies man all the way,
Mr. Capone.
Loud laughter erupts from everyone at the table as they
continue to play the game of blackjack.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Malone was very smart. Funny. Sharp
as a tack. At the start, he pretty
much kept to himself during his
time at The Lexington. After time
he became friendly with Al and
other members of the Outfit.
FRANK WILSON
What did you find out?
MALONE
Well, let me put it this way. You
are going to be a very lucky
man to make it out of this alive.
Capone has brought in his best
gunmen to turn your lights out.
FRANK WILSON
How many are there?
MALONE
Six are here in the city already.
Another six are on their way from
New York.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
CUT TO:
EDDIE
I can’t complain, Al. How are
things for the Outfit?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 72.
AL CAPONE
Things are going well. Maybe a
little bad press... but other than
that, I gotta say things are
looking up and up. I got some big
things I am working on we need to
discuss.
EDDIE
Did you buy more property?
AL CAPONE
Yeah, I picked up this chunk of
land near my new place in Miami.
It’s located farther north in the
little town of Deerfield.
EDDIE
Is that so? What are your plans?
AL CAPONE
It’s gonna be called Capone Island.
And the house I am gonna build on
this land is going to make the one
I just bought look like a shack.
EXT. DEERFIELD GAMBLING JOINT/CAPONE FISH IMPORT CO. - DAY
Al is walking the property with his brother Ralph discussing
business.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al Capone’s private “establishment”
was located where the Intracoastal
Waterway intersects the Hillsboro
Canal, and was setup to look like a
“fish” import business, but had
lots of gambling machines and fancy
girls around. Capone would travel
by boat from Miami Beach to visit
his Deerfield business.
CUT TO:
FRANK WILSON
Well the way you dress, Mr.
Capone... and that big fat diamond
ring you wear on your pinky-
AL CAPONE
- Hey, all you need to know is I
been given a lot of gifts in life!
HERRICK
I think it is only fair to say that
any statements which are made here,
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 74.
HERRICK (cont’d)
which could be used against you,
probably would be used, Mr. Capone.
MATTINGLY
So long as Mr. Capone can answer
any questions without admitting his
liability to criminal action, he is
here to cooperate with you and work
with you.
HERRICK
What records have you of your
income, Mr. Capone-do you keep any
records?
CAPONE
No, I never did. I’m not much for
records.
HERRICK
Any checking accounts?
CAPONE
No. I got plenty of other things to
check on. Trust me on this.
HERRICK
Again, we must ask you. How long,
Mr. Capone, have you enjoyed a
large income?
CAPONE
I never had much of an income. Are
you deaf?
HERRICK
I will state it a little
differently-an income that might be
taxable?
CAPONE
I would rather let my lawyer answer
these kind of questions.
MATTINGLY
Prior to 1926, John Torrio, who
happens to be a client of mine, was
the employer of Mr. Capone, and up
to that point it is my impression
that Mr. Capone’s income wasn’t
there. He was in the position of an
employee, pure and simple. That is
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.
MATTINGLY (cont’d)
the information I get from Mr.
Torrio and Mr. Capone.
WILSON
Have you ever filed income tax
returns, Mr. Capone?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
What was your marital status during
the years under question-were you
married?
CAPONE
Yes. And damn proud of it!
WILSON
Any children?
CAPONE
Yes, one. Any more than that and I
got another gang on my hands,
right?
WILSON
How old?
CAPONE
Eleven.
WILSON
For the years mentioned, did you
buy or sell any real estate?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
Did you furnish any money to
purchase real estate which was
placed in the name of others?
CAPONE
Like I said before, I would rather
let my lawyer answer these kind of
questions.
MATTINGLY
I have no objection to answering
that question. Mr. Capone bought a
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
MATTINGLY (cont’d)
piece of property in Miami,
Florida, in the name of his wife in
the year 1928.
WILSON
Did you furnish the money to pay
for that property?
CAPONE
Yes.
WILSON
What was the purchase price of that
property?
CAPONE
$10,000 cash, $30,000 mortgage.
WILSON
What was the source of the money
you used to make your cash payment?
CAPONE
I would rather let my lawyer answer
that question.
WILSON
Did you purchase any securities
during these years?
CAPONE
No, I never had anything like that.
WILSON
Did you have any brokerage accounts
in your own name?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
Did you have any brokerage accounts
under an assumed name?
CAPONE
No. Absolutely not!
WILSON
Did your wife or relatives have any
brokerage accounts, or did they
purchase any securities?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.
CAPONE
I would rather not answer that
question.
WILSON
Are you interested in any way in
the Roosevelt Securities Company?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
Roosevelt Finance Company?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
Do you care to give us any
statement of your assets and
liabilities’ at the present time?
CAPONE
Gentleman, my lawyer is taking care
of all that.
WILSON
Have you any record of the monies
which you might have spent for
expenses during the four years
under review?
CAPONE
No. I have no records whatsoever.
WILSON
You employed several attorneys
during the four years under
review-have you any idea as to the
fees you paid them?
CAPONE
I would rather let my lawyer answer
that question.
WILSON
Were your financial transactions,
particularly disbursements, usually
handled in currency?
CAPONE
Yes.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
WILSON
You have no canceled checks or
check stubs?
CAPONE
No.
WILSON
What did you do with your
money--carry it on your person?
CAPONE
Yes. Carry it on my person.
MATTINGLY
After Mr. Capone leaves and this
interview is over, I should like to
discuss this matter with you
gentlemen, probably make some
arrangement suitable to your
convenience.
HERRICK
I know you spoke of going to
Florida or somewhere. Then you mean
you can start this morning, taking
this matter up?
MATTINGLY
I should like to spend Easter with
my family in Florida, and I had
thought, gentlemen, that it might
be possible to postpone this until
next week, but that is a matter for
you to decide.
HERRICK
It is a matter that we all want
cleaned up, and, if possible, I
think it would be desirable to make
a start on it. If we have to defer
it later, there isn’t any
disposition on our part to keep you
away from your family over Easter,
but it seems to me that the quicker
we get started on it, the better it
will be.
MATTINGLY
That sounds excellent.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
AL CAPONE
How’s your wife, Mr. Wilson?
WILSON
My wife? She is fine. Why do you
ask?
Al Capone stands. Puts on his fedora hat with a smile.
AL CAPONE
No reason other than to be
friendly. You take care of yourself
now, hear?
Wilson is speechless as he watches Capone and Mattingly
leave his office. Next Herrick gives him a worried look and
then exits.
Wilson takes nervous sips from his coffee.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The first big break in the
investigation came in the summer of
1930 when Wilson found three bound
ledgers seized in an earlier 1926
raid of one of Capone’s
establishments. With the ledger
referenceing "Al" it didn’t take a
genius to figure out that the
ledger recorded the monthly income
from a gambling hall that went to
Capone and his associates. However,
the ledgers were technically
inadmissible on statute of
limitations grounds, but Capone’s
lawyers would incompetently fail to
make the necessary timely objection
in court.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.
CUT TO:
AL CAPONE
It could be a fake. So when I get
done having your background checked
out, you better hope and pray all I
find out is that you’re who you say
you are.
MALONE
Sure. I understand. Check me out
all you want. I got nothing to
hide.
AL CAPONE
Uh huh. Well, something just don’t
smell right to me. I hope everyone
in this room is on the up and up
with me. With the IRS giving me
headaches now and Hoover trying to
turn everyone against me, I gotta
start asking myself, "Who are my
friends in this life?"
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
ROSELLA
I’m your friend, Al.
AL CAPONE
I know you are, sweety. You and OJ
understand what the word ’loyalty’
truly means. I know I can trust
you.
ROSELLA
Thank you.
PHIL
Hey, boss. Do you trust me?
AL CAPONE
I better be able to trust you,
dummy. You’re my bodyguard!
There is tense laughter amongst everyone.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
DISSOLVE TO:
82.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
IRS agent Wilson was living with
round-the-clock bodyguards upon
learning that Al Capone had brought
six New York gunmen to Chicago with
a contract to end Wilson’s life.
CUT TO:
Mattingly enters the office and takes a letter from his coat
pocket and throws it over to the agent.
MATTINGLY
This is the best we can do. Mr.
Capone is willing to pay the tax on
these figures.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The infamous "Mattingly letter"
conceded taxable income for the six
disputed years ranging from $26,000
in 1924 to $100,000 in 1928 and
1929. Wilson filed the letter away.
A year later, the letter became the
trial’s key piece of evidence.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Being the larger than life star he
most certainly was, Al drew the
spotlight now more than ever. So
what did he do? Next he sat down
for an interview with Variety.
REPORTER
Do you like the actor James Cagney?
AL CAPONE
The guy that plays gangsters? Well
he ain’t Italian, that’s for damn
sure. And that’s all I got to say
about that!
REPORTER
Have you been approached ever to
make a movie about your life?
AL CAPONE
Yes, many times. I wouldn’t go into
a picture for all the money in the
world. It doesn’t interest me. I
really haven’t ever given any much
thought. It’s foolish to talk about
it.
REPORTER
But you like movies, correct?
AL CAPONE
Sure, I like them. Who doesn’t like
a good movie? But what burns me up
is all the jokers out there
pedaling stories about me that say
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.
AL CAPONE (cont’d)
they know me and the inner workings
of the Outfit. I don’t know any of
them nor have I ever authorized a
movie to be made on me. Let’s make
that clear.
CUT TO:
Michael Malone steps off the curb to walk across the street
when Al Capone’s caddy limo suddenly rolls up and the rear
door swings open.
Frank Rio steps out with a Tommy gun and points it at
Malone.
FRANK RIO
Get inside the car. The boss needs
to have some words with you.
Malone gets an uneasy look on his face and moves toward the
vehicle.
INT. CAPONE’S CADDY - CONTINUOUS
Malone climbs into the backseat where he finds Al Capone
looking at him with a serious glare.
Clearing his throat, nervously, Malone looks at the mob boss
with a blank expression.
MALONE
Hey, Al. What’s the story?
AL CAPONE
The story? Maybe you need to tell
me more about ’your’ story,
Graziano.
MALONE
I already told you everything.
AL CAPONE
Everything, huh?
MALONE
Yeah, like I said before, I ain’t
got nothing to hide from you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 85.
AL CAPONE
Well then you’re not going to be
worried about this little ride
we’re taking you on.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.
ELMER
Is that so?
EDDIE
Yes. He is also promising political
jobs, giving out tickets to prize
fights, and he’s even been using
threats of violence to intimidate.
CUT TO:
AL CAPONE
When I started in this racket I was
a bouncer in New York making $75 a
week. Now I am one of the richest
men in America. It ain’t been an
easy climb to the top is what I am
trying to tell you, Graziano. A lot
of people got in the way... and
lost their lives. But in the end, I
did what I had to do to protect
what was mine, understand?
MALONE
Sure, I understand.
AL CAPONE
Do you?
MALONE
Yeah, boss. Like I told you before,
I wanted to come to work for you
because you are the best.
AL CAPONE
I had your background totally
checked out, Graziano.
MALONE
And I have absolutely no problem
with that. I’m telling you the
truth about who I am.
AL CAPONE
Yeah, that’s what you been saying
all along.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.
MALONE
Exactly.
Capone opens the chamber on the weapon and pulls out a
bullet, only to place it back into the chamber.
AL CAPONE
I was fully ready to put one of
these bullets into your head today,
Graziano. I would have pulled the
damn trigger without hesitation,
got me?
MALONE
Yes.
AL CAPONE
This railroad job the feds are
hitting me with is as corrupt as it
comes. The US government can watch
its citizens starve and live on the
streets in the cold while they have
the good life on the back of the
tax payers dime. All I ever did was
try to help the people, give them
what they want, what they needed
... but I am Public Enemy #1.
MALONE
The only good fed is a dead fed,
boss. You won’t get an argument
from me on that one.
AL CAPONE
Your story checked out, Graziano.
It looks like I owe you an apology.
You ain’t one of ’them’. Anyway,
count yourself blessed and let’s
just leave it at that, okay?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 88.
AL CAPONE
Eddie, I’m not gonna beat around
the bush. I got some real problems
going now with this IRS heat. This
goddamn Frank Wilson won’t let up
on me. I just needed to chat with
an old friend.
EDDIE
Well, sure. No problem. Anything I
can do to help.
AL CAPONE
I am making all the moves I can to
be sure we got the jury in our back
pocket.
EDDIE
What do you need from me?
AL CAPONE
I need you to be honest with me.
Have you talked to any of them
feds? This Frank Wilson clown?
EDDIE
No, Al. I would never betray you
and The Outfit.
AL CAPONE
Are you sure about that?
EDDIE
Yes. I am on your side, Al.
Remember? We are running rackets
together are we not? Why would I
turn on you? For what?
AL CAPONE
I just hope and pray you ain’t a
rat, Eddie.
EDDIE
Rat? I would rather be shot dead
than to turn rat on an old friend
like you, Al.
AL CAPONE
I’m gonna take your word. But I
want you to know something, okay?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 89.
EDDIE
Sure, what is that?
AL CAPONE
If you fuck me over... I’m gonna
fuck you over too, got it?
EDDIE
Wow, look at that. I’ve got to be
getting on my way to some other
business across town I have, Al.
Eddie stands and offers him a big smile.
AL CAPONE
Have a wonderful night, Eddie.
Al watches Eddie walk away.
CUT TO:
The bailiff points at the jury members and gestures for them
to follow him.
The entire jury stands and walks out of the courtroom with
the bailiff.
CUT TO:
JUDGE WILKERSON
Mere failure to file an income tax
does not constitute ’attempt’ to
evade or defeat the tax. Failure to
file may be one step in an attempt
to evade or defraud.
From the crowd, Rosella is intently listening.
JUDGE WILKERSON (CONT’D)
Such failure must be considered in
connection with all facts and
circumstances in the case. To
convict, you must find beyond
reasonable doubt that there was
intent to defraud. If you believe
from the evidence that the
defendant had a gross income of
$5,000 or over in the years 1924 to
1929, the mere fact that he might
have derived that income from an
illegal occupation or illegal
sources does not exempt him from
filing a return.
An uneasy look has now taken over Capone’s face as he
listens.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 92.
JOHNSON
Is he a Robin Hood? You remember
how Robin Hood in the days of the
barons took from the strong and the
rich to give to the poor, to the
peasants?
Al shakes his head in disgust.
JOHNSON
Was it a Robin Hood who bought a
meat bill of $6,500 in Florida? Did
that meat go to the unemployed? No!
It went to the Capone home on Palm
Island to feed the guests at
nightly poker parties.
DISSOLVE TO:
AL CAPONE
I’ve been made an issue and I’m not
complaining, but why don’t they go
after all those bankers who took
the savings of thousands of poor
people and lost them in bank
failures?
Al lights up a cigar and starts blowing smoke rings.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
The evidence now shows that the
government had to resort to illegal
coercion of a witness, misled the
jury about Capone’s alleged
willfulness, and selectively
prosecuted Capone for "tax crimes"
because he was a celebrity that
threw loud parties.
AL CAPONE
Why am I the bad guy? Can somebody
answer that for me?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 93.
NEWS REPORTER
Everyone thinks you were behind the
St. Valentine’s Massacre, Mr.
Capone.
AL CAPONE
Listen, pal. How many times do I
need to tell you people that I had
zero to do with that horrific
event. Think about it! Why would I
risk my empire by doing something
like that?
ROSELLA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The government clearly failed to
prove its case against Al. It
failed to show that Capone had
income above the "exemption
amount". Instead it brought in
witnesses to describe his allegedly
extravagant lifestyle. They also
failed to show that Capone even
knew he had a legal obligation to
file a return.
REPORTER
If you had it to do all over, would
you change anything?
AL CAPONE
Yeah. Be careful who you call your
friends. I’d rather have four
quarters than one hundred pennies.
Biggest mistake I ever made was
trusting too many people in this
life.
REPORTER
Do you think someone from your
organization has been secretly
assisting the feds in your
prosecution? Behind your back?
AL CAPONE
I dunno what’s going on. All I can
say is loose lips sinks ships!
DISSOLVE TO:
94.
JUDGE WILKERSON
You may hand your verdict to the
clerk.
The verdict, written on a prepared form, is handed across
the bench. The clerk clears his voice in the hush and as he
begins to read his audio is cut out and replaced with:
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Al Capone was found guilty on five
of the twenty-three counts
contained in the two indictments
brought against him by the Federal
Government for income tax evasion
from 1924 to 1929.
IN SLOW MOTION Al Capone stands and is handcuffed and led
out of the courtroom.
ROSELLA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Two of the five counts were
misdemeanors, failure to file
income tax in 1924 and 1928, each
carrying possible maximum sentence
of one year imprisonment and
$10,000 fine. The other counts on
which he was found guilty were
felonies and each carried a maximum
penalty of five years’ imprisonment
and $10,000 fine for "attempt to
evade and defeat" the income tax in
1925, 1926 and 1927.
CUT TO:
95.
MALONE
Thank you.
AL CAPONE
You play a good wop! Hey, what are
you doing with Phil?
MALONE
We found him to be in possession of
a firearm while in the courtroom.
AL CAPONE
Nice job. I bet you make your
parents real proud.
MALONE
On most days, yeah.
AL CAPONE
You do know that none of this is
going to slow me down in the end,
right? They could lock me up under
the damn prison and I’ll still be
Al Capone!
MALONE
Honestly, Mr. Capone, all I care
about is doing my job. And now that
we got you off the streets of
Chicago for a long stretch maybe
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 96.
MALONE (cont’d)
life in this city can go back to
normal.
AL CAPONE
Normal? There ain’t nothing normal
about this city, pal. Take a good
look around. At all the hungry
people. At the corrupt cops and
government. All I ever did was give
the people what they wanted.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 97.
CUT TO:
EXT. FEDERAL COURTHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Capone is walked to an awaiting police vehicle.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Capone was next sent to the Cook
County Jail until arrangements were
made for his transfer to Atlanta.
On May 4, 1932, he began serving
out his federal prison sentence at
Altanta. There he was officially
diagnosed with syphilis and
gonorrhea.
CUT TO:
WARDEN (cont’d)
Talking is forbidden in the cells,
in the mess hall and even in the
showers. You inmates are given
ninety seconds during the morning
and afternoon recreation yard
periods and for two hours on
weekends. Let me just say that this
place is a brand new kind of hell
for you.
WARDEN
Like I said, you’re dead. So don’t
try and come back to life,
understand? Any man that tries to
escape my prison will find
themselves either shot down like a
dog or shark bait in the bay.
CUT TO:
100.
AL CAPONE
Hello, Rosella. How are you, my
friend?
ROSELLA
I am doing fine. You look thin.
Aren’t they feeding you in here?
AL CAPONE
Rosella...
ROSELLA
Yes, Al... what is it?
AL CAPONE
This place is driving me insane. I
couldn’t tell my wife when she came
by to visit. She can hardly handle
things as it is, got me?
ROSELLA
Yes.
AL CAPONE
I don’t know how much more I can
take.
ROSELLA
Don’t let them steal your joy.
AL CAPONE
Steal my what?
ROSELLA
Your joy.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 101.
AL CAPONE
No.
They both exchange smiles and a fixed stare on the other.
ROSELLA
Find something constructive to do,
like play an instrument.
AL CAPONE
I always wanted to learn how to
play the banjo.
ROSELLA
Swell. Do that. Do whatever it
takes so you don’t let them steal
that which is most important to
you, understand me?
AL CAPONE
Yes. I understand.
ROSELLA
Pinky promise?
Rosella holds up her pinky to the glass. Al lifts his and a
big boyish grin bursts across his face. FREEZE FRAME. HOLD
ON THIS.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
Number eighty-five was in the
"hole" three times during his 4
1/2-year stay at Alcatraz.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 102.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 104.
DISSOLVE TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 105.
DISSOLVE TO:
106.
AL CAPONE
I didn’t do anything...
Tex swings the knife madly toward Al’s body on the ground a
few more times. Al puts his hands in front of his face and
lets out a hollar as he’s struck again and again. FREEZE
FRAME. HOLD ON THIS.
ROSELLA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
On June, 23, 1936, Tex viciously
attacked number eighty-five in the
barber shop. Using half a pair of
scissors. He cut him several times.
Al survived, suffering a minor
chest wound and cuts to his hands.
107.
CUT TO:
MAE
Al, there is someone here to see
you.
Rosella walks up to Al and takes off her sunglasses.
ROSELLA
Hello, Al. How are you doing?
Al looks up at Rosella and offers her a smile. Mae gives
Rosella a supportive look and walks off.
AL CAPONE
I’m fine, Rosella. How are you?
ROSELLA
I am well. My mother and I are
doing really good, Al. I just
wanted to make sure and drop by to
see an old friend. You look great!
AL CAPONE
I shit my pants today.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 109.
AL CAPONE
I’m gonna have a meeting later
today with the Outfit.
ROSELLA
Oh really?
AL CAPONE
Yeah, I got a lot of stuff I need
to talk about.
ROSELLA
Well I am sure they will all be
happy to see you.
AL CAPONE
Yeah, my brother, Bottles, and the
rest of the gang. They will be here
any time now.
Rosella just nods her head, smiling.
AL CAPONE (CONT’D)
We need to put all these rats in
the ground, got me? We need to
shoot as many as we can.
ROSELLA
Okay, Al. I understand.
AL CAPONE
Do you?
ROSELLA
Yes.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 110.
AL CAPONE
I am gonna talk to the boys about
it. We’re gonna get payback for all
the trouble these rats caused!
CUT TO:
Eddie leaves his office, gets into his black 1939 Lincoln
Zephyr coupe and drives away in a roar,
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 111.
AL CAPONE
Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!
Moving in closer until his face fills the entire screen,
then FREEZE FRAME. HOLD ON THIS.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
In 1943, many top Chicago Outfit
members were indicted for extorting
the Hollywood film industry.
CUT TO:
ROSELLI
Since this had been your scheme and
the FBI informant, Willie Bioff,
one of your trusted associates, you
should go to prison.
NITTI
I should go to prison? What the
hell? I’m not going back to that
place.
ROSELLA (V.O.)
A severe claustrophobe as a result
of his first prison term, Nitti
feared the idea of another prison
confinement. It was also believed
that he was suffering from terminal
cancer.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 113.
AL CAPONE
Rosella.
ROSELLA
Yes, Al. What is it?
AL CAPONE
There’s something... I need to say.
ROSELLA
Sure, what’s on your mind?
The child like Al offers her his most sincere look.
AL CAPONE
Thanks for being my friend.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 114.
ROSELLA
You’re welome, Al.
AL CAPONE
I love you, Rosella. Thank you for
always looking out for me when most
just turned a cheek.
Tears begin streaming down Rosella’s face.
ROSELLA
And I love you, my friend. Thank
you for teaching me so much. I will
never forget what we talked about.
You taught me more than you will
ever know.
TALL MAN
Excuse me. Is your name Rosella?
Rosella spins around.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 116.
ROSELLA
Yes, why do you ask?
TALL MAN
I have something for you.
He walks up the steps toward Rosella and then drops the bag
at her feet.
The mysterious figure walks across the street and gets into
a vehicle and drives off.
Randall Cody, now a 45 year old man visits Alcatraz with his
wife, Hope, early 40’s, a beautiful Texas All American.
INT. ALCATRAZ - CONTINUOUS ACTION
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 117.
RANDALL
It sure is.
HOPE
It’s so small.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 118.
GIRL #2
Why yessir, coming right up!
Al watches both girls scramble into action. They very
professionally prepare the drinks by setting out little
Dixie cup and then pour the lemondae from a large container.
GIRL #1
Okay, sir. Here are your three
lemonades!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 119.
GIRL #1
Wow! Thank you!
AL CAPONE
How much do I owe you?
GIRL #2
Six cents.
Al Capone pulls out a wad of hundreds and peels off six
hundred dollar bills. The little girls eyes widen in shock.
GIRL #1
Yes, sir! For six lifetimes!
Al lets out a big laugh.
AL CAPONE
It’s a deal. Are you two sisters?
GIRL #2
Yes, sir. We are sisters.
AL CAPONE
Something tells me you two are
going to make a lot of money
working in business together. My
only advice to you both is never
stop being loyal to one another.
Nothing is more important than
loyalty, especially among family.
No amount of money. Nothing. Got
it?
GIRL #1
Got it. Have a nice day, sir!
Al Capone waves to them and begins to walk off... but then
suddenly stops.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 120.
BOTH GIRLS
BYE, AL!!!
Al climbs back into the limo.
The little girls wave to him with the happiest looks on
their faces.
Al’s limo pulls away and soon disappears around a corner.
FADE OUT
THE END