Episode 96 - On Your Own

AJ Soprano sits in an empty diner, a waitress has just taken his order of French toast with a side of bacon. We hear ringing sound which indicates the door opening. It's Patsy Parisi.

Patsy - Hey kid!

AJ - How'd find me? Did you follow me?

Patsy - Not exactly hard to find, your car sticks out like a fucking sore thumb.

AJ - Listen, I know my dad wants me to come home. But I'm an adult and the decision is mine.

Patsy - Until you get a real fucking job, a house, family...that shit then no decision is yours.

AJ - I'm not going home.

Patsy - Why you wanna make this hard? Bring your food, I don't give a fuck.

AJ - I can call the cops, another legal right.

Patsy - Why you wanna do that? Don't be such a fucking idiot all the time, huh?

AJ begins eating his breakfast and not even acknowledging Patsy's presence.

Patsy - In my pocket...I have a gun. A 9mm to be exact, it would blow your fucking head off. If you wanna keep this shit up and not get in my car then I will pull it out and shoot that poor girl in the head. Then I will shoot you in the leg and drag your lazy ass into my car. Tony wants you home...then I bring you home. Understand?

AJ has a scared look to his face. He believes what Patsy says, Patsy can tell he gave up.

Patsy - Now call that girl over and wrap that shit up.




Now at the NJ FBI Headquarters. Agent Harris is looking at the picture of the Vinny Lombroso murder scene. Agent Grasso notices.

Grasso - Good shit, huh?

Harris - Not exactly Galante, but not bad. Any potential suspects?

Grasso - The informant, Ferreti, says it was most likely Gualtieri...but he's not a 100%.

Harris - An Underboss involved in a double murder in broad daylight? Not sure if I buy that.

Grasso - That's what he said.

Harris - What's the new riff between Tony and Brooklyn?

Grasso - Who knows, Ferreti says it's over the casinos in AC...but there has to be more.

Harris - Tarese backs Carmine, he would have the leverage.

Grasso - From the information we get, seems that war could imminent. Doubt that NY lets the Lombroso shit slide.

Harris - Third year in a row?

Grasso - With Tony and the Lupertazzi's, anything is possible.



Tony, Sil, and Ray Jr. are now in the bing. Tony's cell goes off, it's Patsy.

Tony - You got him?

Pasty - Yeah, we're coming home now.

Tony - How does he look?

Patsy - Looks about the same as I last saw him. Not a fucking scratch on him.

Tony - Bring him home, I'll be there shortly.
Tony hangs up

Sil - Patsy get AJ?

Tony - Yeah

Ray - That's great, probably takes some stress off ya.

Tony - I'm sure Carmine will pile it back on after what Paulie did.

Sil - Carmine contact you yet?

Tony - Yeah, he wants us up there asap. This is gonna be a big fucking mess.

Ray - They want Paulie?

Tony - Yeah, they want him bad. I don't how I can give him a pass.

Sil - They cut his dog's fucking throat, disgusting.

Tony - That poor fucking thing was innocent. If Vinny wanted Paulie to pay him then he should have came to me.

Ray - True, but Paulie whacked a Capo, and I doubt Carmine gives a fuck why.



Fancy restaurant in Brooklyn. 20 of Carmine's Capos are there dining. Carmine is flanked by his Underboss, Nick Navarra and his Consigliere, Mike Zumpano. One of the Capo's, Joe Borgesi speaks up.

Joe - What's this hit with NJ, again?

Nick - Gualtieri clipped Vinny.

Joe - It never ends between us.

Nick - Hopefully, with Tony being level headed, it will.

Joe - Paulie had a right to do what he did. Vinny cutting a fucking dog's throat over soem fucking money? Deserved what he got! Always was a piece of shit and this shit proves it.

Mike - He also kicked up twice as much as you did, Joe. He was an important member of our organization.

Joe - Paulie is Tony's Underboos. Pretty equal to me.

Another Capo speaks up, Frank Lucibello.

Frank - Yeah, a fucking Jersey Underboss.

The causes many of the men to laugh, including Carmine. Joe doesn't find it so funny.

Joe - We've been digging our dicks into their territories since old man DiMeo was around. Difference is, Tony has balls, and guys like Phil and others (looks at Carmine) weren't prepared for it.

Carmine - Tony has always been a little thorn, but has been a great business partner for the most part.

Joe - Never a thorn when Johnny was around, fuck even Butch dealt with him. We need to recognize Tony the same way we recognize Tarese or Mangano.

Carmine - Little bit of a difference if you ask me, Joe.

Joe - I just think we universally fucked this up.

Nick - Just finish your food, Joe.



Tony now walking into his home, Patsy sitting by the door. Patsy points in the direction in which AJ is. Tony walks in, Carmela is already there.

Tony - You're home! Patsy told me how excited you were.

AJ - I don't need to be mocked.

Tony - Might as well listen, you won't be talking much.

Carm - Relax, Tony.

Tony - Relax? You couldn't fucking sleep at night remember?
Because your your son ran off.

AJ - I needed to get out for a while.

Tony - Give me a fucking break. If you had a problem with a teacher then you come to me!

AJ - So you can break his legs?

Tony - You beat him half to death, don't fucking patronize me. If you had cared that bad about school before you wouldn't be here.

Carm - Tony, lets try and be reasonable. This has been stressful for all of us.

Tony - Mainly for you, I knew he'd be back. Like a fucking genital wart, I come to expect these things out my son.

AJ - If I told you would have went nuts!
Tony - No, I would have surprised you actually went to me for help. I'd be too fucking stunned.

Carm - Meadow will be home any minute, can we finish this later?

Tony - Fine. In two weeks I want you to find a job. After you've
had this job for....two months I want out of the house. Have a place to live like most adults....prepare yourself for the real world. We can't hold you hand forever.

AJ - You're kidding? Move out in two months.

Tony - Well this is my house, you just live in it. I run the house so I decide who fucking lives in it...got it? Welcome to the real world, AJ.

Carm - Tony!

Tony - Patsy, start the car. I'll be lat for dinner, incase you forgot AJ, dinner is at 6:30 sharp.

As Tony is walking out of the house, Meadow is walking in.

Tony - Hey, sweetie. Your mom and brother are in the living room.

Meadow knowing something's up heads to the living room to find Carmela consoling a teary eyed AJ.

Meadow - Told you this would happen.



Paulie is sleeping in a bed, clearly not in his house. Little Paulie walks in to check up.

LP - Paulie!

Paulie - What the fuck? I was sleeping.

LP - Sorry, you shouldn't sleep, you never know (Paulie cuts him off)

Paulie - You think this is the first time I've done this shit?

LP - I hear Carmine has two of his crews hunting you down.

Paulie - That dumb fuck couldn't find his dick if he was taking a piss. Any word from Tony?

LP - Tony, Sil, and Ray are heading up to Brooklyn soon to talk to Carmine.

Paulie - Ray?

LP - Yeah...

Paulie - Ray is taking my fucking spot? He just grew hair on his fucking balls. Larry and Patsy have the seniority over him.
LP - Does it even fucking matter?

Paulie - I guess not. You...bury Barry yet?

LP - Yeah.

Paulie - Where?

LP - Behind the garage, easier to dig.

Paulie - Behind the fucking garage? That's a disgrace to him, move him next to the tree in the backyard.

LP - It's been four days, he's starting to rot.

Paulie - Wear some fucking gloves.

LP - Fine, try not to sleep. I won't be back for a few days.

Paulie - Whatever


Paulie lays back down, as Little Paulie leaves. He pulls a gun out of a drawer, loads it and puts on a night stand. He starts to stare at the door, waiting for someone.



Joe Borgesi walks into a room where Nick Navarra is waiting for him.

Nick - Joe please sit.

Joe - Is this about those contractors in Midtown, look I told the fucking guy (Nick cuts him off)

Nick - It's not that Joe...you were running your mouth last night. Carmine didn't like it.

Joe - He's a big boy, sorry I presented a harsh reality for him.

Nick - He's the boss, Joe. Whether you like it or not.

Joe - Butch was leading this family back to where that dumb fuck's father left it.

Nick - Please, Joe. I don't wanna hear it.

Joe - Sorry, Nick, it's just the way I feel.

Nick - Are you the only who feels this way?

Joe - No, I'm just the only one with the fucking balls to speak up.

Nick - How many other Capos are of your opinion?

Joe - Well I know of six or seven, I ain't saying who.

Nick - Yo Bruno, get us a drink, huh?

Bruno - Yeah, boss no problem.

Nick - Thanks Joe.

Bruno pulls out a silenced pistol and fires into Joe's head. Bloods splatters onto Nick's nice suite.

Nick - What the fuck? I said what till I get up. You know much this fucking cost? I outta shoot you in the fucking head you dumb fuck. You can move the body yourself.




Tony is walking around in a graveyard at night, stops to look at Junior's grave.

Voice - He was a good guy

Tony turns around to see who it is. It's a bullet riddled Bobby wearing his conductor hat.

Tony - Jesus christ.

Bobby - Didn't Johnny talk to you?

Tony - Johnny's dead.

Bobby - I guess I'm not. I just have 13 bullets lodged in my chest.

Tony - Why are you here?

Bobby - I was gonna give it to you.

Tony - Give me what?

Bobby - It doesn't matter now.

Bobby starts walking away. Tony chases after him.

Tony - Give me what, Bobby. Don't walk away. Johnny said....my enemy has yet to reveal himself.

Bobby stops, turns around.

Bobby - Too late now, Tony. I'll see you again.

Voice - Hi, T.

Tony turns around again. It's Chris with a gun to Tony's head. He fires it. Tony wakes up.


Carmela - You okay?

Tony - Yeah, trouble breathing.




Abandoned section of a boardwalk in Atlantic City. Tony, Sil, and Ray are waiting for Carmine.

Ray - How much fucking longer? Wind is killing me.

Tony - Should be soon.

Sil - You guys hear about Joey B.?

Tony - That wife finally divorce his ass?

Sil - He was found in a dumpster in Queens.

Ray - Holy fuck, what for?

Sil - No idea. He was a Capo for that crew before I got my fucking stripes. Surprised he didn't go after the big seat when Carmine died.

Tony - He's whacking people left and right up there. Joey always had a big fucking mouth, that's probably what did him in.

Black SUV pulls up. Carmine, Nick Navarra, and Mike Zumpano emerge.

Tony - About fucking time.

Carmine - You know the traffic around here, Tony.

Tony - What happened to Joey B.?

Carmine - Joey had a problem with one of the other families, it had to be done.

Tony - Not what I hear.

Carmine - Well one thing you do know is that Paulie murdered Vinny and that poor bartender in broad daylight.

Tony - I don't condone what he did, but fucking Vinny never should have done what he did.

Carmine - A fucking dog? Paulie could have gotten another one for cheap.

Tony - He loved that fucking thing, Vinny cut his fucking throat over what? Some fucking money.

Carmine - A made guy should not be whacked over a dog, Tony.

Ray - Vinny also attacked me a week before, no fucking reason.

Nick - Who the fuck is talking to you?

Carmine - Guys, please! We're hear to clean the slate not to stir the pot.

Tony - What do you want, Carmine?

Carmine - Paulie...and a piece of AC, we're thinking 30%. Trust me, you won't go hungry.

Tony - No Paulie, the 35%...I can live with that.

Carmine - Well if we don't get Paulie then it's 50%. There is no third option here, Tony.

Tony - What is this? The fucking trade deadline? Paulie and Vinny were both wrong and both suffered. Killing Paulie won't solve a fucking thing.

Carmine - A lot of people were very sorry to hear about Vinny. Popular guy, made me a lot of money. Paulie deserves what he gets.

Tony - This is bullshit

Tony, who was smoking a cigar, yanks it out and tosses it. Lands at the feet of Carmine. Nick looks shocked by the lack of respect.

Tony - Get me when you have a real fucking offer.

Tony, Ray, and Sil drive off leaving Carmine and company alone on the boardwalk.



AJ is watching TV, Meadow comes in wth Patrick.

Meadow - What's up?

AJ - Nothing really.

Pat - We just saw Atonement, you might wanna check it out.

AJ - Mom home?

Meadow - Yeah sleeping as usual, I think we're going out to eat.

AJ - I think I'll hang in, dad's made at me.

Meadow - No shit, he was just as worried as mom was. He'd never say it.

AJ - They watch me every fucking second, I barely got to leave before I left because of this new curfew shit. They don't trust me.

Meadow - Why should they, you give them no options.

AJ - I busted my ass to get through highschool. They didn't even come to fucking graduation because of mom's spec house. They only care when it's in their best interest.

Meadow - Please...

AJ - They wouldn't even let me join the army.

Pat - The army? The way Iraq, plus you Iran coming up.

AJ - Someone's gotta fight or else no one will.

Meadow - You sound like a true american, wanting to kill terrorists.

AJ - You want to wait for another 9/11?

Meadow - Oh jesus, forget it.

Pat - So...where we eating tonight?




Tony is at Satriales, waiting for George Paligieri. Terry opens up the door.

Terry - George is here.

Tony - Send him.

George walks in, Terry closes the door.

George - North Jersey smells like shit, this is why I never drive down here.

Tony - You egt use to it after twenty years.

George - What's the problem kid?

Tony - Carmine

George - What else is new?

Tony - He talks to me like he's my fucking boss, he's been the boss for what....four months? Fuck you guys almost whacked him.

George - I regret not giving the okay, believe me.

Tony - This is why I wanted you, George.

George - What?

Tony - He talking about killing Paulie and taking a gigantic share of my casino shit. Benny told me he has made guys walking around his casinos trying to bait him. He is leaving me few options here, George. Something might have to be done.

George - Sorry, Tony. You can't touch him. He is basically a pon for fucking Tarese, and you don't want to deal with him.

Tony - Why the fuck not?

George - Tony, if you kill him...then they'll assume I took part in it. They know we talk and they'll kill me even before you.

Tony - You can't convince Tarese?

George - It'd be like talking to wall.

Tony - Jesus fuck, you couldn't give me any pass?

George - Pass? I bailed you out before remember...'89?

We see a younger, thinner Tony walk into a night club and until a clip into a young wiseguy.

Tony - Mikey Spags...still?

George - Tarese wanted you dead then, he never liked you jersey guys. Fuck he almost whacked the old man for defending you.

Tony - What do I do? Carmine probably is thinking about doing the same thing.

George - Do nothing, don't give him anymore reasons.

Tony - Wait for him to hit my crew? No fucking support from nobody.

George - Trust me, Tony...I want to help, but there's nothing I can do. You're on you own for now. I'll do what I can, but you and your top guys might wanna lay low for a while. Let the situation cool down, understand?

Tony - That's what he wants, he wants to intimidate me.

George gets up and pats Tony on the shoulder.

George - Bye, kid. Be safe, huh?

Tony - Have a nice drive.

Tony now alone in the back room of Satriales. He looks puzzled, eyes moving around. He gets up and walks outside. Patsy and Benny are at the table.

Patsy - How was it?

Tony shakes his head, lights up a cigar. He starts staring off into the sky.


The End

On the Next Sopranos....

Carmine makes his final decision, Tony acquires information through an unlikely source, and Janice needs money...again.

Only 3 episodes left

Good stuff my friend,good stuff indeed!

Thanks. I had taken a break after writing the first nine episodes in the original thread due to school work. I'll have episode 97 up this week....maybe thursday. Anything particular you enjoyed or thought I could leave out?

Regards,
BDuff

Nothing needed to be left out and i always enjoy any scene or story with Paulie at its centre!

More plot details on episode 97....

Title, "Spearhead"

Nick Navarra brings important news to Carmine, Tony looks to an old source for help, and AJ commits but Carmela is not supportive.


Coming Soon

We want it now!

Sorry about the long wait again, guys. I was in a car accident two weeks ago and spent a week in the hospital for treatment. I'll post "Spearhead" by Sunday.

Hope you're alright BDuff?

get well soon.

Feel better!

Thanks guys. Some idiot forgot to us their turn signal, he must have been atleast 80, need I say more? On the bright side, one of my nurses was smokin' :o. I should be walking by early June and this gives me an excuse to spend more time on my writing.

Episode 97 - Spearhead



Tony walking into Janice's house, somewhat empty. There is a couch with a small tv.

Tony - Janice?

Janice, hearing Tony, rushes downstairs

Janice - Oh, hey Tony

Tony - What's up with you? You haven't come to dinner in a few weeks.

Janice - Kinda busy, looking for a job.

Tony - You, a fucking job?

Janice - Better than selling more of my shit.

Tony - I was gonna ask why there is nothing in here.

Janice - I have no money, Tony.

Tony - I'm sure Bobby left you plenty.

Janice - It all went to his fucking sister, she got the damn kids.

Tony - Plus the envelopes every couple weeks.

Janice - Those haven't come in a month.

Tony - What?

Janice - They stopped coming.

Tony - How much did you...total?

Janice - About....25k.

Tony - That's fucking all? I got you a package of 200k, Butch
fucking....nevermind...I'll find out what's wrong.



Sil and Ray in the Bing, Jason Molinaro comes in...

Jason - There's a Slav here to speak to you?

Sil looks to Ray if he knows why, Ray shrugs

Sil - Yeah...send him.

Slav, leader of the Russian gang enters. Has gained weight since we last saw him and he is getting grey up top.

Slav - Sil!

Sil - How's it been?

Slav - Better, five years in an american prison is like the fucking Hilton in Russia. Though I've packed on weight, fucking whoppers.

Sil - Never had the experience myself, but with fucking RICO...you never know

Slav - I understand.

Sil - So....you came to see me?

Slav - Is Tony here?

Ray - Nah, family shit.

Slav - Ah...

Sil - Something wrong?

Slav - A Nick Navarra came to see me a few days ago.

Sil - Where...why?

Slav - He asked me about potentially going to business with him and a Carmine fellow who he mentioned. Said room would be opening up in Jersey. I assume you know him?

Sil - Yeah, we fucking know him, he mention us?

Slav - I asked if Tony knew, he laughed and mumbled some things.

Sil - Ah fuck...listen...I want you to contact him and get some more information, this is very important.

Slav - No problem.

Slav gets up and leaves

Sil - Why the fuck would Nick talk to him?

Ray - Why do you think?

Sil - You call Patsy, Larry, and the other captains. Tell them to come here. I'll call Tony.

Ray - It's done.



Pete Feretti sits in an FBI room, Agent Harris and Grasso come in.

Harris - Did you know a Joe Borgesi?

Pete - Yeah, why?

Harris - He was murdered a few days ago, or so we think. You know any reason he was killed?

Pete - He always had a big fucking mouth, other than that...I got nothing.

Grasso - How are relations between Tony and Carmine Lupertazzi Jr.?

Pete - Things could be worse, but it's going down that road again.

Harris - Was Tony involved with the Lombroso murder in any direct way?

Pete - I said no the first twenty fucking times.

Grasso - North Jersey has been swarming with Lupertazzi guys for the last month...any reason why?

Pete - Fuck should I know?

Harris - We got word from a mole in Midtown of possible hits coming down from Carmine to Tony.

Grasso - What's going on?

Pete - Like I said relations aren't good. Can I fucking leave now? Been here for three fucking hours, no coffee or nothing.

Harris - Is Tony in danger?

Pete - Maybe if my ass was on the fucking streets I could give you a fucking answer!

Harris - You can leave, but if anything goes down soon we're pulling you off the streets. You're too valuable to us.



AJ in the kitchen reading an Army brochure, Carmela comes from behind to see what he was reading.

Carmela - The army?

AJ - Thinking about joining.

Carmela - We had this dicussion last year, you're not going.

AJ - I'm 20 years old, I can make decisions on my own.

Carmela - Judging from your track record, you should acknowledge us of your "decisions".

AJ - Well I can't go back to school and I've fucked up enough jobs and with training I could do something in my life.

Carmela - Sit in a bunker in Iraq?

AJ - There is less combat than the media lets on.

Carmela - You got roadside bombs killing dozens a week or some lunatic running around with a bomb on.

AJ - With training I can learn how to deal with the situation.
Carmela - Tell that to 4,000 dead kids who thought the same thing.

AJ - 4,000 is nothing for a large scale war. Look at Vietnam, we lost 16,000 in 1968 alone.

Carmela - What about Iran, Afghanistan or North Korea? You're gonna be somewhere where bullets are flying...AJ this is not what's right for you.

AJ - I have to do this.

Carmela - You have any idea what your ftaher will say?

AJ - He'd support it, he hates terrorists.

Carmela - But he doesn't his son a million miles away killing them.

AJ leaves the brochure on the table and decides to head upstairs.




Nick Navarra enters a dark room. Carmine and Mike Zumpano are there waiting for him.

Mike - What took you so fucking long?

Nick - Fucking traffic.

Carmine - The russian?

Nick - He's in, 100%

Carmine - Wonderful.

Mike - I gotta say, Carmine, is the Vinny - Paulie shit really worth this?

Carmine - That's just part of it, Mike. The whole AC and Philly situation was a disgrace. He killed DeCiccio over an insult, he was willing to resolve things. Plus you got him refusing to share his piece of AC with us. Tossing a fucking cigar at me?

Nick - Total lack of respect.

Carmine - When me and John went at it, we all know he supported John.

Mike - You can't prove that.

Carmine - Plus he and John took out Rusty, what the hell did he do?

Nick - The guy was planning to fucking retire.

Carmine - The Fazio kid attacking our guys...he runs his family like a substitute teacher.

Nick - Plus Gaultieri..

Carmine - Don't get me started.

Nick - Something has to be done, Carmine.

Carmine - We spearhead their administration and ranks, hit them where it hurts.

Mike - Anyone in mind?

Carmine - Tony, Silvio Dante, and Paulie Gaultieri and the AC regime of Curto and the Fazio kid. He hit them and we completely decimate their organization and take a stranglehold over AC.

Nick - What about Patsy Parisi? Brother in-law now, has roofers union in Hoboken.

Carmine - No, I always thought he was level headed...we can do business with him.

Mike - When?

Carmine - I want this done in 24 hours, I'll be in a safe area soon.



Tony now at the Bing. The capos: Larry Barese, Walden Belifore, Pete Feretti, Patsy Parisi and Ray Curto Jr. are there. Silvio and Paulie are also present.

Sil - Looks like Carmine is going the Phil route, T.

Tony - We know for sure?

Sil - Navarra contacted Slav over possible business expansion, seems like the wheels are in motion.

Paulie - We should hit the weasley fuck asap.

Tony - George made it clear that we can't do shit. Can we really suspect this shit over Nick meeting with Slav?

Ray - Suspicious, no?

Tony - Patsy, he meets with those Greek fucks on the Westside every now and then...you think they jump to these conclusions too?

Paulie - Thing is, T. The shit that happened with Sil and Bobby when we took our eye off Phil, we should be more prepared.

Tony - You're right...

Sil - So, what now?

Tony - Everyone stay on high alert, keep your fucking phones on and have some of your crew with you. You see anything odd, you call Sil or Paulie and I'll take it from there.




Tony now getting ready to go out with Carmela in their bedroom

Carmela - I just can think of AJ in the army

Tony - Could be worse, the shit kids do now

Carmela - Oh please, AJ barely leaves the house besides work.

Tony - Jackie Jr.? Seemed like a good kid and bam, was involved with fucking drugs.

Carmela - Sitting in Iraq is a little different than doing pot.

Tony - Army could be good. My older cousin, Vince, went to Vietnam, drafted. Lost weight, was muscular, became a Sargeant.

Carmela - You think he could give AJ advice?

Tony - He got his head blow off in '68, during the Tet offensive.

Carmela - And you wanna let AJ join the army?

Tony - Just because one guy was killed forty fucking years ago doesn't mean AJ will.

Carmela - The thought of it Tony...could you imagine?

Tony - He maybe be a lazy fuck, but AJ isn't stupid. If thinks the army is where he wants to be, then we should let him leave.



Benny Fazio is jogging down a trail, starts to drizzle a bit. Trail has some other joggers, but mostly empty. He stops and take out his water bottle, raising it up hoping some rain falls in. He walks over to a bridge over looking a creek. A gun appears from behind him, the gunmen sticks it behind his ear. He fires a shot, a red mist floats in the air. Benny's body jolts forward, over the bridge and hits the rocky surface of the creek.




Tony is in Melfi's office, there has been a long pause in conversation.

Melfi - You seem rather tense today, is there a reason why?

Tony - Business and family problems, nothing fucking changes does it?

Melfi smiles

Tony - Janice has no money again....she had a package of money coming her way and she was cut off and...

Melfi - Package for what?

Tony - She um...won some lottery thing and the checks stopped coming, and she wants me to help.

Melfi - Why not?

Tony - More important shit, she has her own responsibilities in life.

Melfi - We never discussed how she copped with the murder of your brother in-law.

Tony - He was a good guy, but these fucking drug dealers he got involved with....good thing his son wasn't with him when he was shot.

Melfi - Was she depressed at all?

Tony - Cried from time to time.

Another pause

Tony - My son, wants to join the fucking army...how about that?

Melfi - Do you support him?

Tony - Takes some balls to do that these days, fucking guys running around themselves to pieces or some shit. Me, I think it'd be good for him, make him a strong person, not the whiney fucking punk he is. Carmela, fucking hates it, she's afraid he'll get shot.

Melfi - Any parents' fear.

Tony - What?

Melfi - Out living their child.



Carmine hears his phone ring, picks it up. It's Nick.

Nick - We gotta the little guy, we'll be realing in the big fish soon.

Carmine - Good, I'm getting hungry.

Nick - See you for dinner.




Tony now at the Bing with Paulie and Larry Barese.

Larry - Any news regarding Carmine?

Tony - No, nothing yet.

Larry - You know, when Junior met him, Carmine was like four, Junior told the old man that Carmine Sr. had an austisic kid. Who the fuck would think he'd be a fucking boss?

Paulie - Yeah know, if his fucking father had named a fucking successor, none of this shit would be happening. Everyone fucking knew it was John's turn and we had decent relations with him. Then Phil and his fucking brother...

Tony - We know the fucking story.

Paulie - Still, T, you gotta think of what coulda been, right? John becomes boss, and no lays a fucking finger on us.

Tony - Not like you help the situation.

Paulie - Fuck that shit, that little fa***t Lombroso was on everybody's shit list.

Door opens, it's Patsy.

Patsy - Benny's gone, they him found in a creek. His head completely crack open on one side.

Tony - Accident?

Patsy - No, he was popped before he went down.

Tony - Okay...Paulie you call Sil. Larry get there other capos to the spot. Don't miss a fucking person.



Sil is undressing, his comare, Lisa, is in the background. They're in a condo, owned by his comare. He takes off his sports jacket.

Lisa - Sil, do you where the cat went?

Sil - Haven't even fucking seen him, probably chasing a rat.

Lisa - Yeah, probably.

Sil continues to undress, takes off his shoes and belt.

We see two men dressed in black in approaching the condo. They are wearing balc caps and gloves. One pulls out a 9mm.

Lisa - Want a drink?

Sil - Yeah sure, whatever you're having.

Door slams open, Sil gets up. A gunman appears, shoots Sil in the shoulder. The seond gunmen appears and pumps two into his abdomen. They begin firing rapidly into Sil's body. He has been hit several times in the chest, a couple in the leg. Sil collapses onto a coffee table, glass and and blood fly up. Lisa screams, she is shot in the back. She begins crawling to a phone, one of the gunmen walks up and shoots her in the head.

As the two hitmen leave the room, we hear a cell phone go off, coming from Sil's jacket pocket.



Ray is packing files and money up at one of the casinos in Atlantic City. His cell goes off.

Ray - Hello?

Paulie - You leave yet?

Ray - Almost out the fucking door, my crew is already in their spots.

Paulie - Hurry the fuck up, we aint dealing with the girl scouts here.

Ray - I'll fucking be there!

Ray hangs up and leaves his office. Goes to his car, paralelled park outside the casino on a busy night. Some attractive women catch his eye but he gets into his car. As he starts his car and flame bursts through the hood, igniting the car. The car explodes, launching a fireball straight up into the night sky. People jump for cover, windows of shops shatter. Ray's smoked carcus has melted into the remenates of his car.



Three cars pull up to a farmhouse, in a rural area. Tony, Paulie, Patsy, Larry, and Walden head towards the house with some armed bodyguards in front and behind them. The house is typical, white walls, some to little furniture, but the fridge is filled.

Tony - Anyone see Pete?

Paulie - Called him, no answer.

Walden - Carmine probably got him too.

Larry - What a fucking disgrace, the balls on Carmine.

Paulie - Was planning to fucking months, I bet.

Tony - Doesn't fucking matter now does it?

Paulie - Sorry, T. Y'know Sil and Ray and maybe fucking Pete get fucking clipped cause Carmine's a fucking crybaby.

Tony - Hopefully Slav can give us something to work with, get a hold on him. I'll call George in the morning, can't think to well right now.



Nick walks up to Carmine, now in a much different area.

Nick - Hits have been decent.

Carmine - We didn't get Tony or fucking Gaultieri.

Nick - This thing aint over yet Carmine, we got 50 buttons looking for those cocksuckers. He'll turn up.

Carmine - He better....

Nick leaves the room, Mike Zumpano accompanes him. Carmine sits in a leather car, staring into a fireplace.


The End

You had to kill off Sil??
Hasn't the poor guy been through enough??
This is almost 2009, nobody wants bloodshed anymore!

I really want to see what comes of this!

I like how you've introduced the element of one of the Five Families using Carmine as a pawn. It just did not seem believable that Carmine was capable of this type of stuff on his own.

I also have a question: is Hesh's storyline done or do you have plans to work him in somewhere?

I think Chase finished off that storyline in Chasing It, which was an almost unecessary episode clearly made to finish off the Hesh story.

Other than Paligieri we don't know much about the other four New York families. I thought it was very necessary to involove the Tarese and Paligieri families to make Carmine's ascension and full blown assasination/war on the DiMeos plausible.

Your also doing a good job of showing how far the Lupertazzis have fallen. I mean they've gone through 5 bosses since Season 5 of the TV show (Carmine Sr., John, Phil, Butch, Carmine jr.) and I like how you are showing how weakened they are.

Now an additional question is are you going to make Carmine know that he is a pawn or are you going to write him as if he is in charge of things?

Yes the Lupertazzi's are weakened, but still have 200 soldiers at their disposal unlike Tony.

Carmine is the pawn of Tarese, without his backing he wouldn't hit Tony. Though Carmine, believes he is truely running things.

On the next Sopranos, #98, Inner Harbor:

Through Slav's information, Tony plans a counter attack against Carmine, Carmela is getting sick of life on the run, and Nick's eyes deceive him.

Whatever happened to B Duff?

I enjoyed his stuff!

My life is being consumed by work and school. Not to mention I have written and re-written the final two episodes numerous times, it's hard shit. Everytime I think I've done it, I change the ending, can't decide how I want the story to end.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed them, I enjoyed writing them.

Good to see you back anyways,my friend

It's nice to be back

I just finished reading this,it's f'n great!!!You really captured that special,distinct feel The Sopranos has,major kudos.Any chance the next ep will come soon?

Just 1 issue:I think you should have continued the plot with Butch and Albie instead of having Little Carmine turn bad guy.The reason i say this is because Little Carmine,even though he is a "mental midget"( ) ,seems like a nice guy at heart,i just don't see him going Nicky Scarfo on everybody.Just my 2 cents...

Keep up the good work!!!

Are we going to get a final episode? I really wanna see how this all plays out.

Are we gonna see what David Chase never did?!!

Thanks for the comments guys, after all this time without any writing it's nice to see people are still reading it. I've written the final two episodes numerous times, but...I never felt satisfied with the end result.

Here is the final to episodes in a Nutshell: Carmine's Underboss, Nicky Navarra, heads to Philadelphia to meet to Slava about Tony's location. After figuring out Carmine's location, Slava's men ambush Nicky as he leaves. As we remember, Slava is secretly keeping Tony informed.

We learn that Carmine is in Baltimore under reletively weak protection. Tony has Patsy plan a hit involving little Paulie and Jason Molinaro. Tony promotes Larry to consigliere after Sil's death, he was reluctant to take because he didn't want the extra heat, but he gave in.

Pete Feretti begins giving the feds damaging information on the Lupertazzi, DiMeo, and Tarese families. However, the feds have only interest in Tony when it comes to Jersey, viewing Paulie as "nothing important".

Carmela, hiding with Meadow and AJ, is getting very tired of life on the run. Asking Tony how much longer he plans to lead his life as a criminal.

AJ finally decides to join the army, thought Tony is sure he'll fuck up somewhere down the line.

Carmine is eating dinner in a restaurant when Little Paulie and Jason attempt their hit. Unaware of his bodyguards, Little Paulie is killed. Jason manages to unload his clip into Carmine's (and family's) booth. However, Jason only manages to hit Carmine's daughter, killing her.

Patsy and Jason come back to the safehouse with bad news. Paulie shows very little emotion over Little Paulie's death, Tony seems more bothered by this than the botched hit.

Carmine orders a mass killing of all DiMeo members. His consigliere, Mike Zumpano, doesn't approve and feels it was only Carmine's fault for putting his family in harms way.

Indictments are handed down and scoop up many high ranking members of the Lupertazzi, DiMeo, and Tarese families. Somehow, Zumpano escapes indictment and reaches out to Paligieri about killing Carmine fearing he'll turn rat because he is facing a life sentence.

After being released on bail Carmine is called to a meeting with Tarese and Paligieri. When Carmine shows up he is beaten and thrown in to a car where he shot. Paligieri tells Tarse he will be dismembered in Boston.

Tony is looking down the barrell of 30 years in prison, Mink convinces him to take a plea deal that will result in a shorter sentence. Tony appoints Paulie as acting boss for his imprisonment. Agent Harris is able to shave 10 years off Tony's prison term because of his help with anti-terrorism. Tony is given a 14 year sentence, he will serve it in a California jail.

Paulie vows to take care of Carmela while Tony is away, despite Carmela getting a realtor job which pays well...but not well enough for her lifestyle.

The final scene would have been the process of entering the prison system, ending the guard looking Tony in his small cell.

Bump