Post by Joanne Canelli on Jun 11, 2010 16:37:06 GMT -6
“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” Anthony Brandt
Act 1: Family Photos
Act 1: Family Photos
The scene opens on penthouse somewhere in Jersey. The building rose high into the skyline in Jersey Shore, as the white puffed clouds slowly floated by. The sun was bright and warm casting it's beautiful glow over the city below. The birds chirped as they flew in the air, and the smells from the bakeries, and restaurants mingled as they drifted on the air. The camera moves all the way up to the top floor where there was a large dome made of tinted glass that served as a sunroom. The camera moves in, and inside we see Joanne Canelli sitting amongst a small stack of what appear to be photo albums. She flips through the pages and smiles softly, as she finds one of her brothers, mother, and herself when she was still very young. It was in front of Central Park Zoo in New York. Joanne was holding a stuffed tiger that her father had gotten her, while the boys stood on either side of their mother and kissed her on the cheek. Joanne leans back and sighs. Those were the days that she was carefree before she had the responsibility of running a family, but those were long since gone.
Joanne: Those were the days... The long summer afternoons that my father would spend with us. He took time out of his busy schedule and took us out just to get away from the office. We were so happy, and it seemed like nothin' would ever rip us apart. See Cat Lady, my parents were both lovin' and carin' and did everythin' that they could to make my brothers and I happy. That's where you and I differ. There was nothin' that my father couldn't give me, but I wasn't a spoiled brat... I had a nice home to live in, given the finest clothes... But everythin' else... I had to work for. See that's where you and I differ. You were always trying to get what you wanted, you wanted to be noticed... And you never were and never have been. You wanted to be somethin' more somethin' better but you what... I'm better then you, and it has nothin' to do with my up brinin'. I was the pride and joy of my parents, but being the youngest child what do you expect?
Joanne turns the page, and soon there is a picture of her and her mother standing together in the kitchen. Her mother had been a wonderful cook, and made sure that the family or her father's people ever went hungry. She was about 10 in the picture learning how to make homemade lasagna. Joanne's face was covered with flour, from making the homemade noodles, and her mother was laughing when the picture was snapped. Joanne closes the photo album and smiles to herself.
Joanne: You know my mother was my best friend, and never pressured me into doin' anythin' that I didn't want to do. I don't know if she would approve of what I'm doin' now, but I think she would be happy knowin' that I'm doin' well and I am happy with myself, and my success so far in my life. Friday night I will gain the upper hand, and take you down. You see I'm not someone that backs down from a fight, and I will do anythin' and everythin' to win a match. How far will you push yourself Cat Lady? Will you bring everythin' that you have to the ring, or will you just try and stand against me and hope for the best?
Joanne gets up from she sits, and walks to the door that leads out onto the roof. She paces back and forth along the roof looking out over her city.
Joanne: I know everythin' about this city, and how my family has had some hand in makin' what it is today. You see my grandfather came from the old country to the US in search of a dream. He found it. He started one of the most renowned familes on the east coast. My father took over from him, and I took over after my father. Don't get me wrong, I love the feelin' of havin' power in my hands, but I am no Mafia Queen. I've had people help me along the way, only because I usually have one or more people tryin' to kill me. Do you have anyone that cares about you, or is it just your cats? Wait that's right... You have Tom, and even he doesn't have brain that works. Between the two of you might have a brain cell, and then the cats are smarter than you are. Friday night you will see why when I stand in the ring against my opponents they fear me. I'm not one to be taken lightly, or underestimated. I know you think that you can take me down and make a fool out of me, but you're wrong. I'm goin' to be the one walkin' away after this match with another win under me, while you are left in the middle of the ring once again wonderin' where you went wrong.
Joanne just smiles as she looks back at the camera, and starts to head back inside as the pain once again rips through her left arm. She sighs as Reno comes out onto the roof.
Reno: Hey... I thought I would find you up here.
Joanne: Yeah just thinkin' about old times. What's up?
Reno: Nothing really. Are you sure you can get into the ring this week against the Cat Lady? I mean your arm...
Joanne: It's fine. The Doc cleared me for this week.
Reno: What else did he say?
Joanne: Nothin'...
Reno looks at her and sighs, folding his arms in front of him.
Reno: You know you can't lie to me. What else did he tell you?
Joanne sighs and leans against the glass of the sun room, and looks at Reno with her eyes lowered.
Joanne: The Doctor said, that if I do this match against the Cat Lady there might be a chance that everythin' in my left arm will snap along with all the work that they did will give out. I was cleared to soon. You think after two years of nothin' but surgery and therapy I would have been ready...
Reno: You've been pushin' yourself to much since you've been back. That could be half the reason. From what I can figure Cat Lady isn't that tough to take down. Even with your arm hurting you should be able to take her with no hassle. You have the skills and the talent to take care of her, but if you need us we'll be there.
Joanne: I know you will and that'll give me the advantage if nothin' else. Just watch for flyin' cats, and that Tom Cat or whatever the hell his name is if he's at ringside. I don't what he can do and that is never good.
Reno: You know us. We'll watch your back and make sure everything goes down the way you want it to. Rude wants you to do a little bit of training before Friday night, so lets head back inside.
Joanne just nods, and heads for the sunroom door, and heads inside with Reno following behind. Joanne knew she could take the Cat Lady on no matter what it took. It would just take a little more this time around to take her opponent with her arm the way it was at this point and time, and hoped that the Cat Lady wouldn't take full advantage of her past injuries. Reno walks on ahead as Joanne lingers behind, letting her thoughts wander.
Joanne: *Voice Over*If this is my last match Cat Lady, give me somethin' that I can remember. I want to see what you can do, and if you can even stand against someone like me for very long. I'm a tough b**** to take down, and if you can do it, then you deserve to be where you are, but if not... It's just what I thought... You really are pathetic, and will never amount to anythin' in this world, no matter how hard you try you will always fail. So many have tried to take me down and have failed no matter what they did, and you will just be another one that will fail and fall at my feet in the middle of the ring, and stay down for the 1...2...3. We are the Mafioso, and we get paid to kick your ass! See you soon.
Joanne just smiles as she catches her reflection in one of the mirrors in the hallway as she passes by. She always held herself in the highest standards and that would never change. She would win the match over the Cat Lady and continue on once again just as she always had. She heads for the elevator that would take her to the training area, and pushes the button and leans against the wall to wait, as the scene fades to black.