tgth-chapter-15

CHAPTER 15


INT. NEWSSTAND – SECOND FLOOR – NIGHT
A poker game is in progress. Manny deals cards wearing a visor. The players are Jimmy, Sid Montonious, Johnny Suede, an ACTOR from the party and TWO BUSINESSMEN. Tony sits on a sofa, watching a football game.
Manny
Alright gentlemen, big blind and little blind up, please.
SID
Tony, you’re not going to play?
TONY
The house never plays.
SUEDE
He doesn’t have the balls to play against me!
JIMMY
Is that so, Unc’?
TONY
He’s slicker than an Arab in an oil field.
Manny
Bet’s to you, Jimmy.
Jimmy has a pair of eights.
JIMMY
I call.
The cards on the flop are Six, Eight, Jack – giving Jimmy three of a kind.
SID
I’m out.
The Two Businessmen and the Actor fold. Only Jimmy and Suede stay in.
SUEDE
I raise.
JIMMY
Call.
Manny flops a two of clubs.
Manny
Bet to you, Mr. Johnny Suede.
Suede reaches for chips.
SUEDE
Just Suede, kid. Five hundred.
JIMMY
I call your five and raise another five.
SUEDE
Call.
Manny turns over a three of hearts. Jimmy thinks he’s got him.
Manny
Bet to you, Suede.
SUEDE
Check.
JIMMY
It’ll cost you a thousand to see my cards, Suede.
SUEDE
I’ll take it easy on you, Jimbo,  I’ll call.
Suede turns over a four and a five for a straight! Jimmy is stunned.
JIMMY
You bet like that with a four and a five in your hand?! What a maniac!
Everyone laughs. Tony comes over and pats Jimmy on the shoulder.
TONY
Some things never change! He’s the luckiest guy on the face of the earth. Born with a horseshoe up his ass!
SUEDE
Better to be lucky than good, Tone.
Jimmy buries his face in his hands. Tony’s cell phone rings.
CUT TO:
EXT. PAT’S STEAKS (PHILADELPHIA) – NIGHT
Billy the Cop sits at a table eating a cheese steak and talking into his cell phone.
BILLY THE COP
Thought you’d like to know they’re gonna charge your boy Vito with the Old Man’s murder.
TONY (V.O.)
Good news. When?
BILLY THE COP
They’re bringing him back tomorrow.
TONY (V.O.)
Thanks Billy, I’ll see you soon.
Billy the Cop hangs up and focuses on his cheese steak.
INT. STEPH’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Steph is baking a cake in the kitchen. Anthony walks in, grabs a bottle of vodka, pours a hefty drink and downs it.
STEPH
Thirsty?
Anthony
I needed that.
STEPH
For what?
Anthony
The courage to finish our conversation.
STEPH
Honesty is what you need.
Anthony
You’re a great person, Steph, the best. Me? I’m not sure any more.
STEPH
Why? You’ve done nothing to change who you are. 
Anthony
It’s like no matter what happens, you’re always there for me.
STEPH
Of course I am.
Anthony
I want you to know I’ll always be there for you, too.
STEPH
Is there something you’re not telling me?
Anthony
It’s, that…
STEPH
What?
Anthony
That I love you.
STEPH
Was that so hard? I love you, too. Always have.
They kiss passionately.
FADE OUT.
EXT. NEWSSTAND – DAY
Anthony and Manny work the stand. Jimmy comes outside.
JIMMY
Hey Anthony, how are you feeling, you know, about yesterday?
Anthony
Honestly, still a little shocked. Mildly freaked out. But I’ll get over it. How about you?
JIMMY
I’m okay.
Anthony
Did you tell my father yet?
JIMMY
No, we had the game last night and this morning I had to come here to clean up.
Anthony
You’re scared! Just do it. It’s like ripping off a band-aid. You have to do it quick!
JIMMY
You’re no better than me. You’re afraid of Steph.
Anthony
Not anymore. We talked last night.
JIMMY
No way!
Anthony
I’m serious.
JIMMY
Feels good, doesn’t it?
Manny
‘Bout time, hombre. You two are meant to be together, like rice and beans.
Anthony
If you want me to be there when you tell my father, just say the word.
JIMMY
It might be easier.
INT. Anthony’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Jimmy paces nervously. Anthony closes his cell phone.
Anthony
He’s on his way. I told him Steph baked that Jewish apple cake for him. It’s his favorite.
Tony comes in, beelines for the cake.
TONY
What’s up, guys?
Jimmy is nervous. Tony grabs a knife and cuts himself a big piece.
TONY (CONT’D)
Steph made this for me?
Anthony
Yep.
TONY
I like that girl!
(devours a bite)
Mmmm. I really like that girl!
Anthony
Jimmy wants to tell you something.
Jimmy is stunned when Anthony says this.
JIMMY
No, I don’t!
Anthony
Yes, you do!
TONY
What is it?
JIMMY
Uncle Tone, I just wanna say that… I wanna tell you…
TONY
Tell me what?
JIMMY
I was trying to say… um, that…
Anthony
Just say it!
TONY
What?!
JIMMY
That I’m gay!
Tony doesn’t bat an eye. He takes another bite of cake.
TONY
Mmmm… Fresh apples.
Anthony
Dad, did you hear what he said?
JIMMY
I’m gay.
Tony is unfazed.
TONY
Yeah, so what’s new?
JIMMY
New?
TONY
Do you think I didn’t know?
(takes another bite)
She should open a bakery, she’d make a fortune.
JIMMY
How did you know?
TONY
Remember that gay club uptown that Tommy Brads owned?
Anthony
The fireman?
TONY
Yeah, all the gay guys used to bet with him. He had a nice book.
JIMMY
I used to collect from him up there.
TONY
Well, he had cameras all over the place.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK – INT. GAY CLUB – NIGHT
Jimmy dancing to a disco song with another guy on a packed dance floor. They’re sweating and really into each other.
BACK TO:
INT. Anthony’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
JIMMY
No way!
TONY
Yes way. No wonder you were so eager to go collect.
JIMMY
You knew all this time and never said a word?
TONY
Didn’t have to. You kept it quiet and put on a good front, fooling around with girls from the neighborhood.
JIMMY
But you never said anything.
TONY
Why would I? It’s your life.
JIMMY
So this doesn’t change anything?
TONY
Only you being honest with yourself. I’m glad you finally had the guts to be honest.
(taps Jimmy lightly on the face)
That stuff will eat you up inside.
Tony cuts another piece of cake and leaves it on the counter, taking the rest with him.
TONY (CONT’D)
(walking out)
You did say she baked this for me, right?
Anthony and Jimmy look at each other, dumbfounded that Tony took it so well.