Interview with a Movie Character: THE GANGSTER

INT. DARK ROOM UNKNOWN LOCATION:

A bright light shines down over John Farrow, creating an ethereal aura of light over him. He is tall, dark and

handsome. His build is large and athletic. He has a mop of chocolate brown hair combed back with his fingers

with two renegade strands falling in the middle of his forehead. His eyes are brown. He is dark blue dress shirt

his long sleeves rolled back. His dark blue suit jacket is off. It is draped over the chair behind him. His legs are

covered in tailored black pants and are crossed at the ankle underneath the long desk. He smiles pleasantly

sitting behind a long black desk. He occasionally drinks from the dark coffee mug sitting in front of him. In the

darkness an unseen interviewer interviews him.

INTERVIEWER

(disembodied female voice from the dark)

John Farrow, welcome. Thank you for this interview today.

JOHN FARROW

(nods and smiles)

You're welcome.

INTERVIEWER

So what is it like being a gangster?

JOHN FARROW

It's great! I just wish it wasn't at the expense of my grandfather.

INTERVIEWER

You wish he were alive to see you being made?

JOHN FARROW

(smirks)

How do you know about that?

INTERVIEWER

(smiles, and laughs)

I watch a lot of gangster movies. The GODFATHER I, II, III, GOODFELLAS, PULP FICTION, GANGS OF NEW YORK, I've watched the SOPRANOS. I watch them all. Anyway, were you?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles)

Yes. I wish he were alive to see me being made. It would have been great to have him there during the ceremony.

INTERVIEWER

Have you've killed anyone? Isn't that how you get made?

JOHN FARROW

No.That is only a myth. To be made you have to have been with the gang for a long time and make a lot of money for the gang. You kill someone only if there is no other choice or if they have disrespected you in some way.

INTERVIEWER

How long have you've been in your grandfather's gang?

JOHN FARROW

Since I was a little kid. At first I was like Spider in "GOODFELLAS" and then graduated to soldier like "Christopher" in "SOPRANOS." I ran errands, and ran with the big made gangsters.

INTERVIEWER

Will you kill someone if you are ordered? Without knowing if he deserves it or not?

JOHN FARROW

(suddenly serious)

Most definitely. They don't tell us why the person must be killed. I am only ordered to kill.

INTERVIEWER

Who are they?

JOHN FARROW

(smiling, shrugs)

The boss

INTERVIEWER

(smiling)

Who is the boss?

JOHN FARROW

I'm sorry. I can't answer that

INTERVIEWER

(smiling)

Can you answer what gang you belong too?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles, laughs)

No. I can't. Sorry.

INTERVIEWER
(frowns)

Why not?

JOHN FARROW

It is not allowed. It would be a betrayal to the gang, and my grandfather.

INTERVIEWER

Excuse me for saying this, Mr. Farrow. But aren't you betraying your gang and your grandfather by using your real name in this interview?

JOHN FARROW

No.

INTERVIEWER

(frowns)

No?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles)

John Farrow is not my real name.

INTERVIEWER

Oh, I see. Fair enough. I understand. I will move on. Are the movies I mentioned a true betrayal of Mafia life?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles, laughs)

Some of it is. However, the rest is Hollywood.

INTERVIEWER
What is different? Is it more violent? Less violent? Fewer guns? How is it different from the movies?

JOHN FARROW

(laughs)

There are fewer guns and more about making more money anyway we can for the gang. There are no renegade mobsters shooting up places or snorting long lines of Coke, or even taking pills. Or prostitution. We pirate; hijacking trucks driving on the highways and boats off the Hudson. And we do racketeering. That's it.

INTERVIEWER

(frowns)

No violence?

JOHN FARROW

Like I said. Not a lot. Only if it's necessary.

INTERVIEWER

(serious)

When does it become necessary?

JOHN FARROW

Someone leaks information to the FBI or to a rival gang, or steals money from the boss.

INTERVIEWER

Aren't drugs and prostitution also a main factor in the mafia? That is how they make most of the money. Right?

JOHN FARROW

Yes. They are. Except in my gang. We deal in pirating and racketeering, also, betting on various sports events, only.

INTERVIEWER

(smiles)

Isn't all of that illegal too?

JOHN FARROW

Yes. However, they are not self-destructive. I'm not saying we don't get caught once in awhile by the double agents or undercover cops; we do. Constantly. It is just we are the moral side of the modern gangster.

INTERVIEWER

(laughs)

The moral side of the modern gangster; I like that. I never knew gangs could be moral?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles, laughs)

The gang I am is one. We are the good guys. We always give to charity.

INTERVIEWER

And what is your job in this moral gang?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles)

I do a little of this and that. I collect the money that is owed to the loan sharks. And do some racketeering. Also, some pirating if they need an extra hand that night.

INTERVIEWER

So, you are the muscle of the gang? Is that right?

JOHN FARROW

(laughs)

Yes. You can say that. I am the bouncer of the gang.

INTERVIEWER

Do you beat people up?

JOHN FARROW

If they are late with the money they owe or if they disrespect me. It is only if I really have to.

INTERVIEWER

Have you ever beat up a woman?

JOHN FARROW

(very serious)

No. Never. I would never do that. My dear mother always taught me to respect women. Even the whores.

INTERVIEWER

Well, you seem like a nice guy. However, looks can be deceiving. Every gangster movie I've seen the "gangster" seems like a very nice guy, always smiling and pleasant however hidden beneath, is a cold-blooded killer. What do you say to this?

JOHN FARROW

(smiles)

I leave the cold blooded killer for only for my enemies. Ms? What is your name?

INTERVIEWER

(smiles)

Lopez, Joanna Lopez

JOHN FARROW

(smiles, lowering his voice)

That's a pretty name. Joanna, I am not a killer. I wouldn't hurt a fly.

Really, truly. I've told you the truth and nothing but. Except for my name. You see everything I am. I save all my savage hidden anger for my enemies only.

INTERVIEWER

So, You do have some hidden savage anger.

JOHN FARROW
Like I keep saying before, only for my sworn enemies.

INTERVIEWER
And what do you want to say to all your sworn enemies out there, listening?

JOHN FARROW

(suddenly very serious)

Watch out! I might sound like a pussycat here, but I am far from it if i am pushed. So, don't try me. I know where you are and who you are.

INTERVIEWER:

Well. Thank you for your time, Mr. Farrow. It was a pleasure to have met you.

JOHN FARROW

My pleasure. Thank you.

End. 2010

Joanna E. Lopez

P.S. I hoped you liked this. I was inspired by re-reading "Interview with a Vampire." and thought it would be fun to try it. I attempted to write him as " A Smiling Crocodile." (I hope I was successful) I was thinking of doing a series of these interviews. Ie: the cowboy, the good guy, the anti-hero, the fem fatale, the siren etc. Please comment on the boxes below: (Even if you hated it) I could use the critizism. lol.