Memories

[The Jersey Devil Diva]

Act 1: A Funeral

“Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.”
Malcolm X

The scene opens on St. Peter's Cemetery in Jersey City. The sun was hidden behind dark clouds as a steady rain fell from the sky. The crowd that had gathered huddled under a black tent, as the Priest gave the last rites to the young man that would be lowered into the cold unforgiving ground. Everyone was dressed in black, making the flowers around the grave to look even brighter in the rain as it fell. The brown grass was slowly starting to turn green as the winter ended and an early spring was starting along the east coast. The trees that stood in the cemetery still stood bare, and gently swayed in a light breeze that moved through the cemetery and among the mourners that had gathered. We soon see Joanne and the boys sitting towards the back of the crowd, watching it all unfold. Joanne had tried to talk to the young man's mother but she wouldn't listen. No one truly understood what it meant to be part of the family without the risks. The 4 that died had been defending her home and those within the walls, and she had respected them for what they had done for her, and even made the sacrifice of their lives. This was the fourth funeral they had been to in a week, but his family never liked the fact that he had worked for someone such as Joanne. Joanne looked toward the front where the family sat, lost in their mourning, and tears. Joanne felt for them, and knew what it was like to lose someone, and had never truly gotten over it. They soon stand, as the Priest finishes, and the mourners walk past the coffin tossing a handful of dirt on it before it is lowered into the ground. Joanne tosses a long stem red rose down onto the coffin, with the dirt, and walks off. She stops when she reaches the young man's mother.

Woman: I thought I told you I didn't want to talk to you again?

Joanne: I just wanted to tell you that I truly am sorry for your loss, but you have to understand that when Joey got involved with the family he knew the risks and was willing to do whatever he had to. When he was with us nothin' else mattered, not you, not his girlfriend... Nothin'. There is no sick days, and no vacation days when you are part of somethin' like this. He understood it, and anyone that joins with us knows it. Why can't you?

Woman: You took my only son from me. His father wasn't involved with any of this.

Joanne sighs, and smiles softly. She knew that was a bull faced lie, but didn't want to make any more of a scene than she already had.

Joanne: Once again I'm truly sorry for your loss.

Woman: That doesn't mean anything coming from you.

With that the woman walks off, leaving Joanne alone as the rain fell on her. She pulled up the collar on her coat, but it didn't help. Reno soon appears with an umbrella and holds it over her. She smiles softly, as they start toward the car, that waited for them at the bottom of the hill.

Reno: Are you ready to go?

Joanne looks back up at the cemetery and shakes her head.

Joanne: Not yet. I'm goin' to go and see someone before we do. Head back to the car with the guys. I won't be long.

Reno: Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean anyone of them could be watching and just waiting to take another hit.

Joanne: They wouldn't be stupid enough to do it. They know it's a sacred place, and it's a sin worthy of hell. I'll be back in a bit.

Joanne kisses him lightly and walks off in the rain toward another part of the cemetery. The rain had started to slow, and was turning into a mist. Fog started to roll in, covering the ground, casting the cemetery into an eerie looking scene. The lights from the cars were dull as they pulled away from the curb, heading off into the city. The wind had died down, leaving only the sound of the few birds that ventured out into the rain to be heard in the utter silence. She continues to walk along the stone path until she reached a fenced in massive headstone, that read "CANELLI" along the top of it. This was their family plot. She opens the gate, and walks in, removing dead leaves from the top of the headstone. She looks down at the name that was on it, and sighs softly.

MARIA CARMELLA CANELLI
LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER
1954-1995
Gli angeli di maggio cantano il thee ai riposano (May Angels sing thee to thy rest.)

Joanne stares at the headstone, thinking back to the night it all went wrong.

Flashback...
June 1995

The scene opens on a classy Italian place somewhere in Jersey. We see a young Joanne sitting with a man with long silver hair tied back, sitting across from her. His bright green eyes sparkled in the candle light on the table, as he looked across at Joanne. They were celebrating her freedom from high school in just little under a week. She had passed all of her exams, and had her choice of what college she was going to attend in the fall. Her grades were high, and everyone wanted her. She was going to take a year off and decide where to go, before making any decisions. It had been a perfect day, and nothing was going to ruin it, or so she thought. Reno and Rude appear at the front door, and walk over to where they were sitting. Joanne sighs, wondering what why they had shown up.

Joanne: What are you two doin' here?

Reno: There was an accident at the house.

Joanne: Is everyone all right? I mean what happened?

Rude: A car bomb.

Joanne's face goes white as she hears the news, knowing something like that was never good. Her life had just been shattered.

Seph: What about her father? Is he all right?

Reno: The boss is fine, but your mother... She had just gotten in, and it went off. They're at the hospital now. He told us to come and get you.

Joanne gets to her feet, as if she was in a dream. They were wrong... It was just a bad dream and she was going to wake up from it in Seph's arms. They leave a wad of cash on the table and head out into the night, heading for Seph's car. She slips inside, and they pull off heading for the hospital.

Seph: No matter what happens darling, I'll be with you.

Joanne stares straight ahead, wanting to wake up from the nightmare, for it to be all right, for it not to be real. They reach the hospital and head inside, only to find her father sitting in a waiting room, with a few scratches and bruises on him. He was sitting with Scarpaci, with his head hung low, and Joanne walked to him. He looked up and hugged her.

Antonio: Già è andata. (She is already gone.)

Joanne breaks down in tears, knowing now it wasn't a dream. She had lost her mother in a hit that had been meant for her father. There had been rumors of someone trying to kill him, but they thought it was nothing more than rumors.

Joanne: Why... why... why did they do this to us?

Antonio: They were after me, that's why. Your mother and I were goin' to go out, and... now she's gone.

Joanne: I want to know who did this... I want them to pay for what they've done.

Antonio: We will not seek vengeance... Not yet.

Scarpaci: Who worked on the car last? I remember you sent it out to get fixed like yesterday.

Antonio: Nick... He said there was somethin' wrong with the brakes...

Joanne gets to her feet, as she walks to the window. She wanted to make them pay, and she would do it, without her father's permission if need be.

Joanne: Scarpaci, take daddy home, and make sure he's safe.

Scarpaci: Where are you goin'?

Joanne: To get answers.

Antonio: Joanie, don't do this. We'll get him after your mother is in the ground.

Joanne turns and faces her father, with tears still streaming down her cheeks. It had to be done.

Joanne: Un occhio per un occhio, un dente per un dente e un'anima per anima. Quello è il nostro senso. (An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and blood for blood. That is our way.)

Joanne heads for the door, as Reno and Rude follow behind. Seph was waiting by the door, and had heard everything.

Seph: If you are going then so am I.

Joanne: Thank you.

Joanne takes his hand as they head out into the night. She knew there was a chance she might not live, but at least she would have her vengeance. Joanne feels a hand on her shoulder, and she breaks from her thoughts. She turns and sees Reno with the umbrella once again. It had started to rain again, but she hadn't noticed.
Joanne: I thought you went to the car?

Reno: I did but it started to rain again, and I wanted to make sure you were all right.

Joanne: Thank you. I didn't even feel it.

Reno: Are you ready to head back to the house?

Joanne: Yeah. I just needed to come and see her before we left. It's been a while since I've been here.

Reno: We understand. We were there that night. I mean you were the one that capped that guys ass after all, and got the respect of not only your father but every guy that was in the family at the time.

Joanne: I know, but that's not why I did it. I wanted to kill that ass for taking my mother away from me, and I did.

The two of them start back toward the car, as her mind reels with thoughts of what had happened during her match last week against Manabu, and she had to smile. she had won her match easy enough and now she had to face him again, but in a hell in a cell. It was nothing she couldn't handle, and it was her kind of match. No rules, and anything went.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Manabu I have to admit I'm surprised that you are willin' to face me again this week. Did you not learn your lesson last week? This time we will meet in a hell in a cell, and it's somethin' that I know all too well. This is my kind of match and I will not stop until I get what I want. I want the title and there is nothin' that you can do that will stop me. I've been through somethin' like this before, except the cage was set ablaze and wrapped in barbed wire. I survived that, and was stronger for it. What makes you think that I'm not goin' to walk away from our match with the World title in my hands? I mean you couldn't even stand against me last week in a normal match. Anythin' goes this week, and I'm not goin' to let you get the upper hand this time and walk away with what is rightfully mine.

They soon reach the car, and Joanne slips into the back, as the guys follow behind. They still had errands to run, before heading back to the house for meetings that afternoon. Joanne stares out the window, as he cemetery slowly fades away in the distance.

Joanne: *Voice Over* I've had hardships in my life, but I have over come it all. I have won title after title, and walked away with gold on my shoulder more than once. Thursday night won't be any different. You see I've only been here a short time, and I've already have a chance to get my hands on a piece of gold after a few years of being in retirement. It's funny I didn't really think I would have a chance this soon, and I promise you one thin'. I will not let it slip through my hands as I have other times in other feds. This is my first major chance to win a title and I know I can do it, because I've already beaten you, and it will happen again.

Joanne continues to stare out the window, running her hand along a small scar that was on her right cheek. It was the only mark that remained after the match from hell was done, and a reminder that she was like anyone else.

Joanne: *voice Over* Thursday night Manabu you will no longer have the World Title. Your time is over, and mine is just beginnin'. So far my track record isn't that bad, and I plan on keepin' it the way I have it. My wins out number my losses and I plan on goin' straight to the top and stayin' there as long as I can, while you fall back into the nothin'ness, and far underneath me. We are the Mafioso, and we get paid to kick your ass. See you soon Manabu.

Joanne smiles to herself as they pull onto the interstate heading back to Jersey Shore. The rain had stopped, and the sun was starting to come out over the city once again. The limo soon disappears in the traffic and heads off as the scene fades to black.