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MERCEDES
À Doña MARY como estas usted? Hace mucho tiempo que no la a visto. Que bueno que pudiste venir a ver la niña. .
(MARY, how are you? It's been a long time since I've seen you. It's good that you could come to visit the baby.)
MARY
What are you cooking?
MERCEDES
Arroz con polo y habichuelas. Estaré listo en 10 minutos.
(Chicken with rice and beans. It will be ready in 10 minutes.)
The boys come into the kitchen.
MARY
Jimmy, Butchie get your books and do your homework.
Butchie and Jimmy go into the living room and unload their book.
JIMMY
I don't have any homework. I finished it in school today.
As Jimmy walks out of the room Butchie goes over to the TV set and tunes in to a show.
INT. CONCHITA'S BEDROOM SAME NIGHT
The only light on is on one of the night table by the side of the bed. Jimmy looks around and his eye is caught by a collection of Pl***oy magazine. Curious Jimmy pulls out an issue. He thumbs through it.
JIMMY
What the....
He can't believe his eyes unfolding the centerfold Jimmy's jaw drops when he see the bunny of the month. It is so quite. Jimmy eyes wide open slowly flips through the pages taking all in.
JIMMY
So this is what all these guys are talking about. Boy she sure is smooth looking.
Butchie walks in noticing that Jimmy's got the magazine...
BUTCHIE
She's foxie. Sweet huh?
Embarrassed; Jimmy's red faced. He tries to sound unfazed...
JIMMY
So this is what all you guy go crazy about. Jezee she's... she's...
BUTCHIE
Oh just shut up you dumbie
MARY enters the room. Jimmy stashes the magazine under the bed and he and Butchie fake horsing around.
MARY
Come on, it's time to eat.
CUT TO:
INT. SAME NIGHT KITCHEN TABLE
Mercedes places a plate in front of Conchita, MARY, and the boys. This is one activity both kids are eager for. Utensils in hand Butchie and Jimmy are all noses and salivating lips.
JIMMY
Man. This smells great. Can I have a leg?
BUTCHIE
I want one too.
Mercedes holding a pot in one hand serves the boy the meal just as ordered. When she's finished serving everyone, pulling a chair from the table she places, a plateful and seat's herself at the table.
CONCHITA
Thank you Mercedes. I don't know what I do without your help today. Or you MARY.
MERCEDES
De nada.
End of 18th serial section
MARY
I'm just lucky that Toñin didn't need my help tonight
JIMMY
Hey mami look, it's snowing.
BUTCHIE
Yea, cool. Can we go down to the back yard later an play in the snow?
MARY
No, it's too late and it's dark and dangerous outside.
BUTCHIE
Oh man!
Just then Nestor Sr walks in.
NESTOR
Hello honey.
He gives Conchita a kiss
NESTOR
Looks like I got here at the right time. It sure smells good.
Turning to Conchita
NESTOR
How's the baby doing?
As he pull up a chair Conchita serves him a plateful of food.
CONCHITA
Would you like some platanos too?
NESTOR
No baby this is enough for me.
Nestor to MARY
NESTOR
So, MARY have decided to get the insurance policy I spoke with you and Toñin about? You know you never have too much coverage.
MARY
No, I think he not interested. He says he's only the good die young; so I don't think so. At least not right now.
After saying that MARY gets a strange feeling. Nothing she can put her finger on but, something.
MARY
Conchita, do you need anymore ropa for the baby?
CONCHITA
Well, I could use another sweater and some more booties. Is that alright?
MARY
I'd love to make them. How about some; I knit you some hats for her?
CONCHITA
That's a great idea.
The conversations continue. The boys wolf down two more helpings while the parents consume some beer and wine too. The mood is light, hearty and warm. The boys glue themselves to the window watching every snowflake's progress.
JIMMY
Ah mami, Let me and Butchie go down to play in the back yard.
MARY
No. It's too late. And dark.
The telephone rings. It is Victor Jr.,another cousin calling.
CONCHITA
Ay Papo, where are you? Oh, you can't make it tonight. A report; Oh well, that's good. That just means that there is more food for us. Arroz con polo. Okay I'll call tomorrow and let you know what time we can get together. Ah ha, yea mami said she'll be at your house sometime around twelve. Okay, see ya.
She hangs up the phone.
CONCHITA
Who wants coffee?
All say yes, the boys too...
CONCHITA
Don't be a bunch of smart-asses. You can have some leche.
JIMMY
A man!
BUTCHIE
How bout a beer?
MARY
Que atrevido. If I catch you with a beer señorito you'll have a ...
The phone rings again. Conchita answers it...
CONCHITA
Oh hi Toñin. Yea, we're just here eating and playing with the baby. She's great. Hope to see you this weekend.
Turning to MARY she hands her the phone...
MARY
Ola me amor. ÀComo estas? À Que? Esa bolsa esta en la neveras atrás. Si, si y ají también están las hojas verde.
(Hello my love. How are you? What? That bag is in the refrigerator in the back. An there too are the green platano leaves.)
(Suddenly Jimmy say...)
JIMMY
Mami, I need to talk to papi.
MARY
Mira JOSÈ Jimmy te quiere hablar.
(Look JOSÈ Jimmy wants to speak with you.)
JIMMY
Hello papi. You know those two men are going to come back. Close the store now.
Everyone's stunned.
JOSÈ
¿Como tu sabes de Frank PRINZE y su amigo?
(How do you know about Frank PRINZE and his friend?)
JIMMY
Look, papi don't let them in. They're coming back in 15 minutes. Close the store. They're going to kill you.
JOSÈ
What?
Everyone is stunned. MARY grab the receiver out of Jimmy's hand.
MARY
How can you say such a thing to your father? You little...
She smacks him across the face with the other hand. Jimmy is as shocked as anyone and he goes running off into the other room.
MARY
Ay Toñin, yo no se de donde salió eso. Este niño esta loco.
(Oh Toñin, I don't know were he's got this from. This boy is crazy.)
JOSÈ
¿Pero María, como el sabe que Frank estuvo aquí?
(But Maria, how does he know that Frank was here?)
INT. NIGHT, CONCHITA'S KITCHEN
MARY and Conchita are dumbfounded. Nestor tries to calm them down.
NESTOR
It's just a kid thing. He probably hasn't seen his father enough. Just don't give it a second thought.
MARY
That kid's mind is running away. The last few days he's been acting funny. And today he sent a boy to the hospital that he hit at school. What's wrong?
CONCHITA
What?
MARY
These two big white bullies was picking on Jimmy and hit him. And Brother Michael was blaming Jimmy.
NESTOR
Jimmy, how did the boy windup in the hospital?
Jimmy walking back into the kitchen.
JIMMY
I coco-butted him.
NESTOR
Well at least that hard head came in handy.
CONCHITA
Look MARY, Nestor's right. Jimmy's just missing his papi a lot.
MARY
Maybe. I know Toñin doesn't spend a lot of time with them. But, what can he do? He's working long hours; he's got to... And I worry that his cousin Frank PRINZE will come around and make trouble.
CONCHITA
What makes you say that?
MARY
Toñin paid his bail to get Frank out of Rickers today. You know what a ju**ie that man is.
CONCHITA
MARY, he's a cousin and I don't think he's that crazy. Don't worry...
Jimmy and Butchie go to the Living Room.
BUTCHIE
I hope you're right. I hate papi. He's always hitting and hurting me. I don't know why?
JIMMY
You're not the only one. He hit me tonight because I wouldn't hit Reggie.
Jimmy lifts his pant leg and show the strap marks.
BUTCHIE
He's a real dick! I hope he get his.
JIMMY
Don't say that.
BUTCHIE
Look whose talking. You just told him he going to get killed. What made you say that? How do you know that?
JIMMY
I don't know. It just came out. I don't know....
CUT TO:

INT. SUBWAY SOME TIME LATER
Seated, MARY is finishing the knitting of a blanket for the new arrival. The boys are busy chasing each other to and fro on the 59th street platform. Once on the subway they end up with there faces glued to the front door window hands on cupping their faces watching as the lights in the tunnel go by. The subway roars and the breaks screech to a halt as they alight from the D train at Fordham Road. Bounding up the steps the boy are in a race to the street.
MARY
Dio mío niños, no corran. Espera me.
(My God boys don't run. Stop and wait for me.)
Butchie and Jimmy keep at it running up the steps as the broad street is revealed on their exit. One block away from the subway's exit is a huge Catholic Church, St. Anns. The street is uncommonly wide with trees lining the 3 lanes of traffic in each direction. All of the building are 6 stories or less but, in better condition than the boy's neighboorhood.
JIMMY
Mami which building is it?
Pointing
MARY
That one on the 3rd floor. 3G
Rounding the corner the race is on and the boys charge up the block.
CUT TO:

INT. EARLY EVENING CONCHITA APARTMENT
Both Butchie and Jimmy knock. Conchita opens the door and the boys bolt in. The place smells of freshly cooked food. Noses are on alert. Finally MARY reaching the top step turns and enter.
MARY
My God these boys are driving me crazy. You look great Conchita. How's Lucy?
CONCHITA
She's beautiful. Ay que suerte que tuve una nena; ahora Nestor Jr. tiene algin con quien jugar.
(Oh what good luck that you had a girl; now Nestor Jr. has someone to play with.)
MARY
Where is Nestor Sr?
CONCHITA
He had to talk to a client about new insurance so, he will be late. He said he'd call when he's on his way home.
This is Conchita's second child and a welcomed one at that. At 29 she is one breathtakingly beautiful woman. Shaped like Marilyn Monroe except for the jet black hair she is alluring even after this effortless birth. Married to her High School sweetheart, Nestor, an insurance sales man her home is now filled with all of the middle class furnishings of the era. This housing was built in the early 1950's and gardens run the length of the block behind the building affording a safe place for the children of the neighborhood to play safely. Her apartment is spacious and clean with freshly painted walls and carpeting on all the floors, it's comfortable and roomy for all.
MARY puts her remaining packages down at the kitchen table. The two walk into the new baby's room with Nestor Jr. in hand. The room's freshly painted and a new crib and mobile fascinates Lucy. MARY takes out the blanket she's finished knitting and presents it to Conchita who, covers Lucy. Nestor Jr. grabbing the crib slots gawks at his new baby sister
CONCHITA
Ay que linda. Just in time for her first night home.
(Oh how beautiful.)
Giving MARY a kiss.
MARY
Now your family is complete. With a boy and a girl...
CONCHITA
Well, I think I want to have more kids.
MARY
What are you loca?
CONCHITA
No. Nestor says he'd like two of each.
MARY
Now I know you're both crazy. I know what having two is like I can't think of more.
Lifting Nestor Jr., she tucks him into his bed, on the other side of the room. Conchita turns out the lamp on Nestor's night table leaving and closing the door behind then and Nestor Jr and the baby fall asleep, Opening the door the women stop for one last look. They go to the kitchen where a friend of Conchita is preparing the food.
MARY
Hola Mercedes.
MERCEDES
À Doña MARY como estas usted? Hace mucho tiempo que no la a visto. Que bueno que pudiste venir a ver la niña. .
(MARY, how are you? It's been a long time since I've seen you. It's good that you could come to visit the baby.)
MARY
What are you cooking?
MERCEDES
Arroz con polo y habichuelas. Estaré listo en 10 minutos.
(Chicken with rice and beans. It will be ready in 10 minutes.)
The boys come into the kitchen.
MARY
Jimmy, Butchie get your books and do your homework.
Butchie and Jimmy go into the living room and unload their book.
JIMMY
I don't have any homework. I finished it in school today.
As Jimmy walks out of the room Butchie goes over to the TV set and tunes in to a show.

INT. , SAME DAY A SHORT TIME LATER, GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER'S OFFICE.
As a door opens we see the words Governor Nelson Rockefeller's office. A meeting is in progress inside but, the room is free of smoke. In attendance are Robert and Ted Kennedy, Ted Weiss, David Dubinski and others.
GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER
Oh, MARY it's good you are hear. Please find a seat and join us. We were discussing two items. First both Ted, myself, Bobby and Ted are making an opportunity for the two professionals you brought to Ted office this morning. They'll start working at HUD next week. They appear well qualified and God knows we can use two dedicated brilliant minds.
MARY
Oh, that's good. Thank you.
GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER
And the second is the all of the enabling legislation for Mutual Redevelopment Houses, Inc. is completed. They tell me the development should be opened sometime this September or October. There is just a couple of holdouts in the Senate but, I think we'll get the money needed to finish the construction in time.
BOBBY KENNEDY
This is good. Now if they're no more problems this development is set to complete and revive the neighborhood. It been a long process and I want to thank all of you for your effort and hard work. Now maybe we can stem the tide of flight from Chelsea and reinvigorate the neighborhood.
TED WEISS
And to be sure there are no surprises, my office is going to go over this with a fine toothed comb just to be certain that all the I's are dotted and the T's crossed. It's going to be a great day for the city. This should attract workers needed for local business.
DAVID DUBINSKI
The Amalgamated Bank is going to provide us with our mortgage. Mrs. Roosevelt has put her prestige behind this project and she and our mayor are thrilled that it's finally coming to fruition. It's been a long hard struggle but, thanks to all your efforts better times are ahead for this neighborhood. With this affordable housing, Chelsea should feel a economic surge.
TED KENNEDY
Our family is proud to be here with you on this project. They said it was not do-able but, once again we showed the doom sayers that a good idea is hard to kill. My family is here for you MARY, and the Puerto Rican Community can count on us when the forces of bigotry block the way to fairness and opportunity. The Kennedy's will always be on the side of the underdogs. You can count on us.
GOVERNOR ROCKEFELLER
Well, this calls for a celebratory drink.
The governor buzzes his secretary to bring in the drinks. The drinks are poured as smiles and optimism prevail.
FADE OUT.
EXT. LATER THAT DAY CASITA MARIA COMMUNITY CENTER ON 103 STREET
Standing on the steps of a six story brownstone are Herman Badillo, Ed Sullivan and his two sister, MARY and Jimmy.
MARY
How do I say thank you Mr. Sullivan.
Ed Sullivan
That's Ed. MARY. No thanks are needed. I just believe that your Community deserves the help they need.
MARY
It's taken a long time and there is still so much more to do. But, now at least we can help ourselves thanks to your support and faith in us.
ED SULLIVAN
I'm just doing what needs to be done. I remember when it was the Irish who had to fight just to survive and how my friend suffered with the indifference from the government and others who couldn't care the least. It's good for me to do this seeing the indifference the city and state have towards the Puerto Rican community, not to mention, my Latina wife approves.
MARY
No we'll defend ourselves and make a better future for us and our children and families with this center. God bless all of you.
CUT TO:
INT. CASITA MARIA FACILTIY
Opening a door to a dinning room beyond which you can see the kitchen.
MARY
Finally we can feed our older people. They don't have to go hungry anymore.
She wipes a tear from her eye...
HERMAN BADILLO
I can't wait to let our neighbors know. There are so many Puerto Ricans in dire need of social services that don't exist. Now we have to get the churches to announce the opening of this place.
MARY
Herman, I still don't believe that this day is finally here. Just look enough room to feed more than 20 people. It's small but it is a start and with God's help we'll continue our fight to make a better life for our families.
ED SULLIVAN
I'll get my friends in the news media to spread the word about Casita Maria and with some luck you'll have plenty of folks to nurture and service.
Leading the way out of the dinning room the group discuss their plans...

INT. LATER THAT AFTERNOON AT BUTCHIE AND JIMMY'S APARTMENT
Located at 4 Manhattan Avenue at 100th street the 5 story walk-up building has seen better days. Once housing for doctors and other professionals now the pungent odors of Puerto Rican cuisine fills the air. MARY and the boys are sitting around the small black and white television in their living room watching Captain Kankaroo.
MARY
Mira, muchachos nos vamos a la casa de Conchita esta noche.
(Look boys we're going to Conchita's house tonight)
So, you take your books to do you're homework. Okay? Me oíste?
(Did you hear me?)
Conchita's new baby is home from the hospital today and she needs our family's help. So, don't forget.
BUTCHIE
Ay mami, can I stay here?
MARY
No señorito. You have to go with us.
JIMMY
What's the new baby like. Is it a boy or girl?
MARY
A girl. Now she and Nestor have a good match; one boy, one girl.
BUTCHIE
Oh, mami do I have to go?
MARY
Yes. Now get your things and let's get ready.
CUT TO: