Int. intro/Green screen/warehouse – vo 1

[The following film will be shot with a graphic novel aesthetic and a heavy use of noir(shadow)lighting.]

The V.O. plays while beginning credits roll and slow dirty blues plays in background, image of a woman’s silhouette who is on one knee, a gun held across her thigh head bowed, facing camera. Blue and Black Smoke frames her. As VO hits "Anger" she slams up as men come at her with knives. She goes through gun fu moves taking down men in judo throws, shoving a gun under their chin etc, shooting them, Blood splattering, blood dark crimson arterial sprays All of this is just the shadows of people, black except the blood which is dark crimson. Dark swirling blue and black smoke continue to frame the images. When V.O. ends it ends with her aiming gun at camera and shooting screen awash in dark crimson followed by title of film.

V.O. Maria

I grew up in a world dominated by men. A place where woman were told they were only good for fucking and spitting out babies, where women were nothing. Even as a child that stirred a heat, a simmering anger inside me. Probably why I’m so quick to violence.

I was 5 when my Momma was shot down right in front of me. I still remember the hot sticky blood splattering my face, the salty taste when I licked my lips. I made a vow in that moment, a solemn prayer. I would never be the victim, I would never be put down like my Momma, in front of a fucking restaurant, all doey eyed and scared. I would show them how wrong they were in what a woman could do, what a woman was worth. I would show them a different truth, a hard truth. This is my story. My name is Maria. There will be a lot of blood before it’s done, so if your squeamish, get the fuck out, this is your only warning.

“A God Among Sheep – The Rise of Maria Salvatore”

2 Int. dark room – night 2

Image of an empty throne covered in blue and black smoke, dark background. Across screen “Act One – Memories are runes etched in time.” Followed by “27 Years ago”

3 Ext. streets – day 3

Across screen (25 Years ago) POV of a 7 YEAR OLD MARIA looking at her mom’s arm in camera obviously holding her hand below camera. They are walking, her mom’s dress flowing in camera from breeze. She stops and Her MOMMA’S face comes in camera as her mom bends down and has a Handkerchief in hand. She dabs camera lower part. Mom smiles.

Mom

You little goofy. Every time I let you eat a hot dog, never fails, ketchup on your chin.

Smiles and stands, face out of camera. She takes hand below camera and starts walking again. Camera tilts up and sees Mom look down with a smile. Camera comes down and continues walking with Mom’s arm and flowing dress in camera again.

Mom

Ok punchkin, we got to hurry, your poppa and brother are waiting for us at home.

Two more steps than she sees TWO MEN in masks with guns roll around corner. Camera is focused on their waists and below then camera moves behind mom’s legs and dress.

Thug

Your husband and his fucking wops should of kept their nose out of our business.

Multiple loud bangs the camera splashed with blood, the mom collapsing off camera.

4 int.house of Salvatore 4

We are still in “7 yr old Maria” POV. She sits on a bench outside of her Father’s study. The door to the study is open a fraction. You can see bodies moving barely but you can hear everything being said. Maria/POV looks down at floor. The house is covered in a gothic feel, dark and brooding. Heavy shadows play across the walls.

Domanas

I don’t even know these Cartel thugs. So why?! We have been at peace with them for over a decade. Why the fuck did they kill my wife?!

Morelli

I understand Domanas. We have investigated the situation and found that Scarsezzi had taken some of their territory in an unsanctioned move several weeks ago we were unaware of and the Cartel soldiers mistook you for him.

Sounds of things breaking.

Domanas

Are you telling my wife is dead ‘cause of the fucking greed of Scarsezzi? I want his god damn life.

Morelli

Calm Domanas. We have worked out a deal The Big Boss back East has agreed to.

Domanas

What is the deal? I hope it includes all of them ending as fucking corpses.

Morelli

Do not overreact Domanas.

Domanas

Overreact?! My wife is fucking meat, dead. Get on with it.

Morelli

Scarsezzi will be handed over to the Cartel and their territory relinquished and the two soldiers that took your wife’s blood will be given to you to do with what you will.

Domanas

That’s it.

Morelli

I know how much you cared for her Domanas, I do. This is the best deal I could negotiate. I wish I could of done more but this is the place we find ourselves. She was a woman in a man’s world.

Domanas

Leave Morelli. I need to be alone.

Morelli

Of course my friend, of course.

Maria/POV looks up and MORELLI steps out, sees her, nods and steps off camera left. Out of the Study her father(DOMANAS) comes, seeing her, he has tears in his eyes, he kneels.

Domanas

My little moon. I’m sorry I…Your strong Maria, so strong, like your, like your mother. Don’t ever lose that strength, not ever.

Camera nods yes.

Domanas

Always know your Poppa loves you.

He kisses top of camera, to Black.

int. house of Salvatore – night 5

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Across screen “20 Years Ago” A 12 yr old MARIA SALVATORE and a 10 yr old GIOVANNI SALVATORE and their nanny ISABELLA stands next to them. They are in a wide hallway outside a closed door.

Maria

I want to see my Poppa.

Giovanni

Your not even supposed to be here. He asked for me, not you.

Isabella

Now Giovanni, be nice to your sister.

Giovanni

I don’t have to listen to you, your just the help.

Maria scowls and Isabella looks hurt. Maria sees Isabella’s look and then punches Giovanni who lands on his ass, a little blood on his lip.

Maria

Your a jerk. Isabella is the only thing we’ve had, since Momm…, since Momma...

Isabella

Maria!

Giovanni looks stunned then looks up at Maria with smoldering anger.

Giovanni

You can’t hit me?!

Maria

Really, cause I did, and your on your butt with a bloody mouth, so I don’t agree.

Isabella grabs Maria by the arm.

Isabella

Enough. Apologize to your brother right this instant Maria.

Maria

I am not apol….

She is interrupted by the door to her Father’s office opening and her father’s Capo CERCE sticking his head out.

CERCE

Giovanni, your father’s……Maria, what are you doing here? And why is Giovanni on his ass?

Giovanni leaps up, wiping his mouth.

Giovanni

She hit me!

Cerce looks at him then Maria with a little smirk and a wink.

Cerce

Enough you two. Isabella you can go back to whatever you do, I’ll take it from here. You both get your tushis in here.

6 int. house of salvatore – night 6

Cerce leads the two into a large lounge/parlor where various men are smoking cigars and drinking. DOMANAS SALVATORE looks at his children but somewhat surprised at seeing Maria and puzzled by Giovanni’s fat lip starting ot grow. Also in the room is a young BOSS SCARSEZZI and BURDUCCI’S father OLAN BURDUCCI and a younger HEAD BOSS MORELLI. There is also Salvatore’s Consigliere DAVID SLOVANSKY and an older BOSS MUNUCHI. Dim lighting and heavy shadows crawl across the room.

Domanas

Why is Maria here and why is my son bleeding on my carpet?

Maria speaks before anyone can say anything.

Maria

Gio was acting mean to Isabella so I popped him. He deserved it.

Giovanni

I did not and your lucky your a girl or I would of kicked your ass.

Maria scoffs and almost none in the room believe him. Scarcezzi laughs drinking some scotch.

Scarsezzi

You got a real spitfire there Dom.

Olan Burducci

She should be taught her place.

Domanas ignores the Bosses but gives them a look then puts a smile on his face and looks at Maria.

Domanas

We will deal

Motions to Giovanni’s bloody lip.

domanas(Cont’d)

…with that later but Maria I need you to go find Isabella and stay with her. Gio needs to learn what it is to run a family.

Giovanni smiles and looks smug while Maria stamps her foot.

Maria

But poppa that should be me. I’m older and smarter and

Looks at Gio’s fat lip.

Maria(Cont’d)

…tougher. I should be learning how to be a boss.

Everyone looks torn between shock and irritation but Scarsezzi starts laughing.

Scarsezzi

You?

More laughter.

Scarsezzi (Cont’d)

You’re a fucking girl.

Maria’s face turns shades of anger.

Maria

What does me being a girl have anything to do with it. I can do anything a boy can,

Looks at her brother.

Maria (Cont.)

…and certainly better then him.

Morelli

This has gone too far Domanas, take your daughter in hand.

Scarsezzi

I think it’s a fucking riot.

Looks at Maria.

Scarsezzi (cont’d)

You’re a girl, soon to be a woman, and a woman is only good for fucking and making babies. You ain’t never gonna be a boss, not in your wildest fucking imagination, so go play with your fucking dolls or something.

Scarsezzi’s eyes go wide as he is lifted off his feet by his throat as Domanas has fury in his eyes and his hand at his throat. Scarsezzi starts going in his jacket for his gun when Cerchi’s gun is at his temple and he pulls his hand back out.

Domanas

My wife is dead ‘cause of your father’s actions, her mother.

Scarsezzi grits his teeth with anger.

Scarsezzi

And my Father’s dead in recompense.

Domanas growls.

Domanas

You are a young fucking pup, and an arrogant one. You ever fucking talk to my daughter like that again I will remove your fucking head, is that clear enough for you.

Boss MUNICHI

This is too much.

DAVID SLOVANSKY

Domanas.?

Big Bos Morelli steps forward and places his hand on Domanas’s arm.

Morelli

Solas was very out of line and disrespectful, and in your own house. This is a given, we all are witness. He will never do this again, or I will take his life myself, but Domanas, your point has been made, let us move forward and leave this moment.

Domanas looks at everyone then looks at Maria who has tears in her eyes. He drops Solas who stumbles then straightens his tie. He starts to say something but Morelli motions him to silence. Domanas leans down and wipes a tear from Maria’s cheek and brushes her hair from her face.

Domanas

My little moon.

He lifts her chin to look into her eyes.

Domanas (Cont’d)

You look so much like your Momma, so beautiful and strong like her.

He looks into her teary eyes.

Domanas (cont’d)

Never be anything other than what you are Maria. Sometimes the world isn’t what we want it to be and we must make do.

Maria looks up and slowly shakes her head.

Maria

Yes poppa.

Domanas

That’s my girl, now go find Isabella and keep her company.

She nods her head, then stares daggers at Solas then turns to see Gio grinning at her being kicked out. She flinches towards him and he cowers for a second then realizes it and stares at her with anger. She smiles and leaves.