INT. SACRISTY OF CHURCH – DAY
The ushers – Ray, Jr., and Nina’s two brothers – wearing black tuxedos, stand talking with each other. FATHER ANDOLFI, dressed in white vestments, talks with Frank (the best man) while two altar boys stand quietly nearby. Ronnie, in a matching black tux, stands by himself staring out the window, a terrified look on his face. Joe DeMarco enters, also wearing a black tux.
JOE
Hi, boys. You look nice. Very nice. (He stops and looks at Ronnie.) What’s wrong with you?
Ronnie turns and looks Joe in the eye, glaring silently. Joe gestures to the ushers and priest, indicating the door.
JOE
May I have some time alone with Ronnie?
FR. ANDOLFI
Of course, Joe. Come on, gentlemen.
JOE
Thank you, Father.
The ushers, altar boys and Fr. Andolfi leave the sacristy. Joe grabs Ronnie by the arm.
JOE
What’s the matter with you, huh? You should be smiling, happy.
RONNIE
Dad – I can’t do this. You know that.
JOE
Ronnie – don’t you embarrass me. Don’t you embarrass me and your mother in front of our friends and family. Don’t embarrass Nina. And don’t you embarrass yourself. Have some self-respect, will ya?
RONNIE
Dad, how can I marry her? You know I don’t love her. I hardly even know her.
JOE
What are you talking about? You get along great with Nina. You kids today think you have to be head over heels in love with someone before you marry them, don’t you? How well do you think your mother and I knew each other before we got married? Huh? Not even a year!
Ronnie glares back at Joe for a moment, then looks away.
JOE (CONT’D)
Listen, Ronnie. You grow to love someone over time. By living with them day to day. Dealing with problems. Sharing successes and failures. Buying a house, raising a family together. And then one day it hits you, and you realize you can’t live without them. And you wonder how you ever did.
RONNIE (frantically)
Gee whiz, Dad. You’re not even listening to me. It’s got nothing to do with that. It’s about me wanting to be a priest. You know that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do — ever since I was twelve. I want to be able to say Mass and give out Communion —
JOE
Hey, you can go to Mass every day if you want to. Every morning on the way to work.
RONNIE
That’s not what I mean, Dad. I want to help people. Visit them when they’re sick. Comfort them in their sorrow. Baptize children. Work with the poor...
JOE
Oh, you’ll be working with the poor all right! Vinnie Calabresi’s gonna put us right out of business!
RONNIE
Dad! And what about Nina? Don’t you think she deserves to be with someone who really loves her? You just don’t understand!
JOE
That’s what you think! I understand a lot more than you do. That girl really likes you. She’s counting on you. If you walk out on her now, you’ll break her heart. That would be a terrible thing. Maybe even a sin.
RONNIE
And what about what I want, huh? Doesn’t that mean anything to you?
JOE
Look, Ronnie, I know this is all happening very fast. But I really believe that in time, you’ll come to see that it’s for the best. Some day you’re gonna wake up and realize that you can’t live without her. It may take a year or two, but mark my word...
RONNIE
And what about Bruno?
JOE
Huh? What about Bruno? What are you talking about? Bruno’s out of the picture. He was never in the picture.
RONNIE
Oh really? You sure about that? The other night when he called? He told me to stay away from Nina. Stay away! The guy can lift an entire crate of cantaloupes over his head. Do you know what he’ll do to me?
JOE
Ahh, he’s just talking. He’s jealous. For once in his life he’s not getting what he wants. Don’t you worry about Bruno. Uncle Gino will keep him in line. No one’s gonna hurt ya.
Frank knocks and opens the door to the sacristy.
FRANK
They’re ready for you. The limo’s here.
JOE
Thanks, Frankie. Tell Fr. Andolfi we’ll be right out. (to Ronnie) Now you listen to me. I want you put a smile on your face and remember – you’re not just doing this for me, you’re doing it for the whole family. You’re always talking about making sacrifices, right? Well, now you’re finally gettin’ your chance.
Joe grabs Ronnie by the arm and leads him toward the door. Then he stops and looks Ronnie right in the eye.
JOE
And when Fr. Andolfi asks if you take Nina to be your wife, you’d better say “I do”. And mean it! Let’s go.
Ronnie helplessly allows himself to be led out the door and into the sanctuary.
INT. CHURCH – A MOMENT LATER
The pews are filled with the two families, relatives and friends. The organist plays an appropriate hymn. Fr. Andolfi stands at the altar, an altar boy to each side. The ushers stand in a line to the right of the altar. Joe leads Ronnie to the front of the altar, then takes his seat next to Rose in the first row. The organist starts to play a wedding processional. The flower girl, ring bearer and bridesmaids walk down the aisle and stand to the left of the altar.
Nina walks down the aisle, accompanied by her father. The people in the pews turn to catch a glimpse of her. The ushers and bridesmaids also turn to look, but Ronnie remains stock still, staring straight ahead. Tiny beads of sweat trickle down the side of his face. When Nina and her father reach the altar, her father lifts back her veil and kisses her cheek.
Ronnie remains motionless. Fr. Andolfi pauses, then nods at Ronnie, signaling him to move to Nina’s side. Frank looks at Ronnie, then turns to look at Joe in the first row. Frank shrugs his shoulders, not knowing what to do. Joe mimics a nudge of his elbow. Frank gives Ronnie a nudge, but he doesn’t move. Again, Frank looks at Joe, who widens his eyes and double pumps his elbow. Frank gives Ronnie a bigger nudge, bringing him out of his trance. Finally, Frank grabs Ronnie’s shoulders and guides him into place beside Nina.
FR. ANDOLFI
Welcome, everyone. We are here today to witness the joining in holy matrimony of your son and daughter, Ronnie and Nina. It is a day filled with much joy and anticipation. And some trepidation as well. But we trust in God, knowing that He alone brings together man and woman, uniting them for the journey of life.
The camera pans the congregation, and we see Rose, a solemn but happy look on her face; Joe, watching Ronnie for any sign of hesitation; Ronnie’s sisters, aunts and uncles; Bruno, glaring, clenching and unclenching his fist. The camera pans down to Nonna, who sits snoozing in the pew next to Josie. We see Patrick, looking on incredulously.
FR. ANDOLFI
And so I ask you in turn. Do you, Nina, take Ron to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?
NINA
I do.
FR. ANDOLFI
And do you, Ron, take Nina to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?
Slowly, Ronnie parts his lips, but he cannot speak. Joe and Rose lean forward slightly, straining to hear. The ushers and then the bridesmaids carefully turn toward their heads toward Nina and Ronnie. Fr. Andolfi looks up from his prayer book, trying to meet Ronnie’s eyes. Fred and Angie exchange a long look, raising their eyebrows, perplexed. The ring bearer, his mouth hanging open, stare transfixed at Ronnie.
FR. ANDOLFI
Ronnie?...Ron?
RONNIE
Hmmm?
FR. ANDOLFI
Say, “I do.”
Ronnie finally looks at Nina and sees the panic beginning to enter her eyes and spread across her face.
RONNIE
I....yes. OK. I do.
Nina breathes a sigh of relief, as do the ushers and bridesmaids and the family members in the pews.
FR. ANDOLFI
Then by the power vested in me by the state of New York and the archdiocese of Schenectady, I pronounce you man and wife. (beat)
You, uh, you may kiss.
Neither Ronnie nor Nina makes a move, until finally Nina leans up and kisses Ronnie on the corner of the mouth. He shakes his head as if waking from a dream. He takes a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his brow and face. Nina gives him a warm yet uncertain smile.
EXT. FRONT ENTRANCE OF CHURCH – 5 MINUTES LATER
With the wedding recessional playing, Ronnie and Nina emerge from the church into the sunlight of a warm June day. Family and friends shower them with white confetti and streamers, cheering and laughing.
EXT. BACK YARD OF THE DEMARCO HOUSE – DAY
There’s a tent with a dance floor, a live band in tuxedos, and a table with a large wedding cake. The guests mingle, sipping asti spumante in crystal glasses. Joe and Tony chat like old friends. The little children chase each other.
Nina and Ronnie cut the wedding cake and feed each other a piece. The dazed expression has returned to Ronnie’s face. He carefully feeds Nina as the band plays, “...the groom feeds the bride...” When Nina feeds Ronnie, she playfully gets some frosting on his face. He quickly grabs a napkin from the table and wipes it off.
Ronnie and Nina dance to Lou Monte’s “Somewhere There Is Someone”, Ronnie awkwardly trying not to step on her feet but managing to do so anyway.
RONNIE
Sorry about that.
NINA
That’s all right. We haven’t had a chance to practice, have we?
RONNIE
That’s for sure.
INT. SECOND FLOOR OF THE DEMARCO HOUSE – LATER THAT AFTERNOON
Ronnie emerges from the bathroom. Bruno, arms crossed, waits outside the door. Bruno pushes Ronnie back inside and closes the door behind him.
BRUNO
Hey, how you doing, cousin? Enjoying your big day?
RONNIE
Look, Bruno, I know you’re not happy about this, but neither am I. It’s beyond my control right now...
BRUNO
You just listen to me, pal. Remember what I said. You stay away from her – got it?
RONNIE
You got nothing to worry about, Bruno. I just need some time to work this out....
There’s a knock on the door. Bruno turns to look at the door then looks back at Ronnie.
RONNIE
Be out in a minute! (to Bruno) I need to get back out there, OK? Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out.
He carefully edges past Bruno and out the door. A bridesmaid starts to enter the room, then stops, startled to see Bruno. He walks past her, glaring.
EXT. DRIVEWAY OF THE DEMARCO HOUSE – EARLY EVENING
Ronnie and Nina, wearing their “going way” outfits, walk down the driveway toward Nina’s 1959 Chevy Impala. The car is decorated with streamers and a “Just Married” sign. The guests follow, clapping and shouting congratulations. Ronnie opens the passenger door for Nina, then gets in behind the wheel.
As they drive off, they pass an Oldsmobile parked on the street. Steve is at the wheel, Al is next to him and Justy is in back. Ronnie catches a glimpse of them as he drives past.
RONNIE
The man with the flowers...??
NINA
Hmmm?
RONNIE
Nothing...
EXT. DRIVEWAY OF THE DEMARCO HOUSE – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Most of the wedding guests have gone back inside the house, but Bruno, Nick and Frank remain outside.
BRUNO
Come on, let’s get out of here. Too many happy people around.
FRANK
Where do you want to go?
BRUNO
I know a place that’s having an all-night party. Should be a really good time.
Bruno starts towards his car. Frank and Nick exchange a look.
NICK
Come on, Frank. I don’t think Bruno should be alone right now.
INT. MOTEL ROOM IN UPSTATE NEW YORK — NIGHT
The Whispering Pines Motor Lodge is a pleasant, 1950s vintage 2-story motel. The office is separate from the motel building itself. The parking lot is nearly filled with cars.
Nina enters the bathroom. Ronnie goes to his suitcase, opens it and carefully pulls out his travel kit, pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt. He sits down in the chair, cradling the items in his arms. He is petrified but trying not to show it. Nina exits the bathroom in short-sleeved pajamas and a lightweight bathrobe. She sits down on the bed and leans back against the headboard. She looks at Ronnie in the chair and smiles before speaking.
NINA
Bathroom’s free.
