Watch the original version of A Most Violent Year
Prologue
It was 1981 in New York City and the crime rate was at an all-time high. Corruption had seeped into almost every corner of the city and it seemed like there was no escape. Joseph, an immigrant heating-oil supplier, was determined to keep his business clean. Despite the rising tide of crime, he remained steadfast in his integrity. Little did he know, however, that he was about to be dragged into the darkness of New York’s underworld.
Chapter 1
Joseph had been running his heating-oil business for almost a decade and it had been a successful one. He had managed to establish a good reputation for himself and he had managed to stay afloat despite the rising competition. However, his luck was about to take a turn for the worse.
One afternoon, Joseph was delivering a shipment to a customer when two men suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were big, burly men with menacing looks on their faces. Without saying a word, they handed Joseph an envelope and told him that he had to pay them a fee for protection. Joseph was taken aback by this and he refused to pay them. One of the men grabbed Joseph by the collar and said that he had to pay or else he’d regret it.
Joseph reluctantly agreed and handed over the money. As the men left, Joseph was filled with dread. He had a feeling that this wasn’t the last he would see of them.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Joseph woke up to find that all of his windows had been smashed. He was shocked and confused as to what could have happened. He soon realized that the two men from the day before had sent a message. They were trying to intimidate him into paying them more money or else they would do something even worse.
Joseph was terrified but he was determined to stand his ground. He decided to go to the police and report what had happened. However, when he got to the station, the officers just laughed and told him that there was nothing they could do. Desperate and feeling helpless, Joseph had no choice but to accept that he was on his own.
Chapter 3
With no help from the police, Joseph had to find a way to protect himself. He knew that he couldn’t fight two men on his own, so he decided to enlist the help of some of his friends. He rounded up a group of tough guys from the neighborhood who agreed to help him fight back.
The next night, Joseph and his friends headed to the location where the two men had accosted him the day before. They were ready for a fight, but when they arrived, the men were nowhere to be seen. It seemed that they had gotten the message and had decided to stay away.
Joseph and his friends were relieved but they knew that this wasn’t the end of it. The two men would be back and Joseph had to be ready.
Chapter 4
The next day, Joseph began to make preparations. He took out a loan and bought a gun. He also hired some extra security guards to patrol his business. He was determined to be ready the next time the two thugs showed up.
Meanwhile, the two men were plotting their next move. They had been humiliated and they were determined to get their revenge. They decided to create a plan that would allow them to get their money back and also teach Joseph a lesson.
Chapter 5
The two men put their plan into action. They spread rumors around town that Joseph was involved in some shady business dealings. They also sent out intimidating letters to all of his customers, warning them to stay away from him.
Joseph soon began to feel the pressure. Customers stopped buying from him and the loan sharks started clamoring for their money back. With no other choice, Joseph headed to the two men’s headquarters to make a deal.
Chapter 6
Joseph arrived at the headquarters and was met by the two men. They informed him that they were willing to forget about the money he owed them if he agreed to run some of their illegal operations. Joseph reluctantly agreed and the two men made him sign a contract.
Joseph was now caught up in a world of crime and corruption. He was determined to get out but he had no idea how. Little did he know that his ordeal was just beginning.
Epilogue
Joseph eventually managed to get out of the underworld but it took him years to do so. In the end, he emerged a changed man. He had learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of getting involved with criminals and he had also learned to stand up for himself.
Joseph had managed to keep his business clean throughout all the chaos and corruption that had surrounded him. He had kept his integrity in tact and he had kept his honor intact. Joseph had proven that it was possible to rise above the darkness and he had set an example for others to follow.
FADE IN:
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
A 1970’s-style apartment building, typical of New York City in 1981. The entrance is surrounded by graffiti.
We see a young Latino man, ANGUS GUAJARDO (20s), approach the door. He takes out a set of keys from his pocket.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
Angus is walking down the street. He pauses at the corner and takes a moment to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
The street is full of people, cars, and trash. There is a sense of tension and unrest in the air.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Angus is standing in the hallway of the apartment building. He is waiting for someone.
Suddenly, two men in suits approach him. They are wearing sunglasses and have a menacing demeanor.
MAN IN SUIT
Angus Guajardo?
Angus nods.
MAN IN SUIT (CONT’D)
We’re here with a message from Mr. Salvatore. He’s heard you’ve been supplying heating oil to the tenants here. He wants you to know that he’s in control now.
Angus is shocked. He knows who Mr. Salvatore is. He’s the head of a powerful mafia family.
Angus swallows hard and manages to nod his head.
MAN IN SUIT (CONT’D)
Good. Now, if you could just pay us a visit at our office, we can arrange things accordingly.
The men leave. Angus stands there, stunned.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Angus is walking down the street. He looks pale and shaken.
Suddenly, a man in a coat approaches him from behind.
MAN IN COAT
Hey kid, you alright?
Angus jumps. He turns and sees the man in the coat. It’s RAFAEL MENDOZA (30s), an immigrant who owns a small business in the city.
ANGUS
I’m fine.
RAFAEL
You sure? You look kinda pale.
ANGUS
Yeah, I’m fine. Just had a rough day.
RAFAEL
(sympathizing)
Ah, I know how that feels. Where you headed?
ANGUS
Nowhere. Just walking.
RAFAEL
You ever think of working in a business?
Angus shakes his head.
RAFAEL (CONT’D)
I’m looking for someone to help in my heating oil business. It’s a small operation, but it’s legitimate.
Angus considers it for a moment.
ANGUS
I don’t know…
RAFAEL
Think about it, kid. This city isn’t getting any better. Might as well make a living while you can.
Angus looks out at the city. He takes a deep breath and turns back to Rafael.
ANGUS
Okay. I’m in.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Angus is walking down the street. He is carrying a stack of invoices.
As he walks, he begins to notice a change in the atmosphere. There are men in suits everywhere, looking menacing and speaking in hushed tones.
Angus quickens his pace and begins to walk faster. Suddenly, a black car pulls up beside him.
We see Mr. Salvatore in the car.
MR. SALVATORE
Angus! Is that you?
Angus nods and stops.
MR. SALVATORE (CONT’D)
I hear you’re doing good business. Keep it up and you won’t have to worry about me or anyone else anymore.
Angus nods again and the car drives off.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Angus is delivering heating oil to the apartment building. He is met with hostility from the other tenants.
TENANT
Hey, watch where you’re going! You almost spilled that oil on my shoes!
Angus continues his work without responding.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Angus is in the hallway of the apartment building. He is loading the heating oil into the furnace.
Suddenly, he hears a noise from behind him. He turns and sees a group of men. They are wearing suits and have a menacing demeanor.
MAN IN SUIT
We’re here from Mr. Salvatore’s office. We understand you’re supplying heating oil to the tenants here. We’d like to make sure you understand that Mr. Salvatore is in control now.
Angus takes a deep breath. He understands that this is not a request. It is a warning.
ANGUS
What do you want?
MAN IN SUIT
We want your silence. Say nothing of our arrangement and you will be left alone.
ANGUS
And if I don’t?
The man doesn’t answer him. He gives Angus a cold stare.
Angus knows the answer.
ANGUS (CONT’D)
I’ll keep quiet.
The men walk away. Angus takes a deep breath and continues his work.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Angus is walking down the street. He is carrying a stack of invoices.
As he walks, he notices that the streets are getting more crowded and heirloom. He is surprised to see people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities in the streets.
Suddenly, a car pulls up beside him. We see Mr. Salvatore in the car.
MR. SALVATORE
Angus! I’m glad to see you are still in business.
Angus nods.
MR. SALVATORE (CONT’D)
It seems like you’re doing a good job. Keep it up and you won’t have to worry about me or anyone else anymore.
Angus nods again and the car drives off.
EXT. STREET – DAY
Angus is walking down the street. He is carrying a stack of invoices.
As he walks, he notices that the streets are getting cleaner and quieter. He notices that more and more of the mafia men are gone from the streets.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Angus is delivering the heating oil to the apartment building. He is no longer met with hostility from the other tenants.
Angus smiles, knowing he has done the right thing by standing up to the mafia.
FADE OUT.
