Gangs of New York Page #18

BOSS TWEED:

I should. If I'd been confident-absolutely certain--that you would have

prevailed. Monk is an unpredictable power, and a figure of size. He needs

to be reckoned with.

BILL THE BUTCHER

He needs to be killed.

BOSS TWEED:

No. He's an elemental force. Them you don't destroy. But you can contain

them and use them for the good they give off.

He hands Bill a sack of coal.

BOSS TWEED:

Coal?

Bill doesn't answer. He HOPS DOWN off the moving wagon, and the Needy give

way quickly before him, then regroup and SWARM after Tweed and his coal.

The Boss continues with his Tammany spiel-enjoying all the attention--as

the Butcher watches, disdainful of Tweed but filled with angry

frustration. From his face we ...

DISSOLVE TO:

68 INT. DON WHISKERA.NDOS BARBER SHOP DAY

... the incredulous face of Monk Eastman, as he looks at Bill the Butcher.

MONK EASTMAN:

And this is your offer?

BILL THE BUTCHER

It's Boss Tweedls offer.

MONK EASTMAN:

How do you think we'd sit as allies, Bill?

BILL THE BUTCHER

The only way we could tolerate being near each other would be stretched

out dead.

MONK EASTMAN:

My thoughts exactly. Then why are you here? Because you were asked to be.

You were ordered to be. And who would order me among the Natives? You? And

would you follow my orders, even if they was being relayed from William

Marcy Tweed himself?

He EASES himself out of the barber chair. The Butcher TENSES as Monk comes

toward him.

MONK EASTMAN:

Dubious and doubtful, my friend. But your offer--pardon, the offer you

bring--is the most generous that's ever been extended. I favor the terms,

if not the personalities. So let us decide the way any Native American

would appreciate. We'll do it the democratic way.

He throws open the door of the barber shop and stands there, beside Bill

the Butcher, his arm thrown carelessly around him. PASSERSBY stop in

wonderment as Monk ADDRESSES them.

MONK EASTMAN:

Citizens of the Five Points! It seems the Native Americans have come to

trouble. They have grown so weak that now they seek my help. They can pay

any wage I ask. But I ask you now. Even for money, should I carouse and

conspire alongside a boyo like this with gristle on his knife and spittle

on his chin every time his cock gets hard?

Monk is beaming, the Butcher is appalled. His body tenses like a snake

ready to spring. But the people in the street just STARE- They can't

believe what they've just heard.

MONK EASTMAN:

(to Bill)

There. You see. I'm afraid the people have spoken.

BILL THE BUTCHER

I'll see you again, you bog Irish bastard.

MONK EASTMAN:

Well, if it's a fight you want now, Bill, remember to come back with a

bankroll.

Monk returns to the shop and the comfort of his chair. Bill GLARES at the

people in the street. One lock from him starts them moving fast. But they

do not look away from him quite so fast, or at him, either, with quite the

same fear.

CUT TO:

69 INT. MISSION (FORMERLY OLD BREWERY) NIGHT

The vast main room has been changed into a dance floor and decorated for

the evening. An altar has been hung with bunting; SHIP'S LANTERNS and

CANDLES illuminate the place. The REVEREND SHADRACH RALEIGH GREETS

everyone. The room, already crowded with CELEBRANTS of all ages, grows

quiet as the Dead Rabbits, done up in their party best, show up for the

revelry.

REVEREND RALEIGH

Ah, the Native Americans, is it now?

AMSTERDAM:

Are they coming?

JENNY:

We don't want a ruckus, minister.

REVEREND RALEIGH

Nor do I. I intended no disrespect. I'd heard the Native Americans were

figures of the greatest prominence here.

AMSTERDAM:

Indeed they are, just for the moment. Let them come. Happy to have them.

Everyone's welcome in a house of God, isn't that right, Reverend?

REVEREND RALEIGH

As all are welcome in heaven.

SHEENY MIKE:

Ild like to go to heaven. Ild like to go to heaven and bite off Gabriells

ear.

REVEREND RALEIGH

You're still welcome, even with such peculiar appetites.

AMSTERDAM:

But if the Natives do come, Father...

REVEREND RALEIGH

I'm not a priest, son ...

AMSTERDAM:

... there's no accounting for what may follow.

REVEREND RALEIGH

I'm sure God's hand will guide us in that. Just as He guided you here at

the right perfect time, with a right perfect regent. The young lady with

the sunset hair. Miss ...

JENNY:

Everdeane. Jenny Everdeane.

REVEREND RALEIGH

Miss Everdeane. Step forward, please.

Radiant and curious, Jenny joins the Reverend Raleigh in the center of the

room.

REVEREND RALEIGH

And the evening's regent chooses her evening's partner.

There is much MUTTERING about this from everyone. Someone makes a wet,

farting SOUND.

REVERAND RALEIGH

(unfazed)

Here we make only joyful noises to the Lord.

Under the instruction of the bustling Reverend and his HELPERS, the Women

skeptically stand away from the Men, who allow themselves to be arranged

into a LINE. The Reverend Raleigh escorts the delighted Jenny to a chair

that has been placed, by itself, in the center of the room. Jenny sits

down, facing away from the rest of the guests. She holds a MIRROR in her

hand.

REVEREND RALEIGH

Now. The men, please. One by one.

The first volunteer Reverend Raleigh brings forward is a reluctant Sheeny

Mike. There are RUDE COMMENTS as he leads Mike slowly to the center of the

room, coming up behind Jenny until she can see Mikels face reflected in

the mirror. She SHAKES her head.

REVEREND RALEIGH

Next Gentleman, please.

More laughing. The BOYS push out one CANDIDATE. Rejected.

Now ANOTHER CANDIDATE comes forward. And STILL ANOTHER- Jenny rejects each

with the composure of a princess.

Now it is Johnny's turn. He WALKS slowly across the big room, and stands

behind Jenny, trying to look confident. The moment is long, the room's

tense... until--just once but very decisively-Jenny SHAKES her head.

Jenny watches Johnny's face in the mirror. She stays still. Finally, he

walks back to the GANG.

Now Amsterdam starts toward the center of the room. He keeps his eyes

fixed on Jenny.

Jenny catches Amsterdam's reflection in the mirror. He STOPS. She NODS her

head. Yes. Him.

A small BAND strikes up a barely recognizable version of "A Mighty

Fortress Is Our God," arranged in waltz time. Jenny rises and holds out

her arms to Amsterdam. They start to DANCE, a little clumsily, as other

COUPLES join them.

AMSTERDAM:

So you accept?

JENNY:

What?

AMSTERDAM:

You accept to be my mort and no one else's.

JENNY:

(teasing)

No, it's just that I didn't recognize you in the mirror. You still got

some of the face the Butcher gave you.

AMSTERDAM:

(going along with the joke)

It's not the Butcher, it's the dancing. It shifts my face all around.

JENNY:

Maybe you'll look better later.

The Reverend Raleigh and his Helpers DASH among the dancers, distributing

LIGHTED CANDLES, which the COUPLES take and hold as they move around the

floor.

AMSTERDAM:

I will if we're together later.

(she smiles)

And what about after that? After tonight?

JENNY:

I chose you just for tonight. If that's not good enough I'll go with

someone else.

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