Little Sticks of The Bronx, 1977 (Screenplay)

In the 1970s, The Bronx became a microcosm of inner-city change.  Low-end drugs of the 1960s – like marijuana and LSD – were being steamrolled by cocaine, the new urban plight. Illegal numbers, sports action and loan-sharking were still the way to survive on the street, so most organized gangsters were able to stay away from the drug trade. But with a 20-to-1 return on your investment – it was hard to resist. Even the ‘never-drugs-gangsters’ were being tempted toward the forbidden white powder. 

In the summer of 1977, The Bronx was hit with a one-two-three punch that would have leveled many other areas. A record heat wave knocked out transformers, the city went dark, and a serial killer was on the loose - all of which sent the locals into a frenzied panic. This is what the Bastone cousins inherited in this third and final installment of our series.

Andy has now completely taken over the reins, and Johnnie is his trusted eyes and ears on the street. Michael is still the happy-go-lucky, smiling friend that wouldn’t hurt a fly - unless there’s a trigger. The problem is – triggers are everywhere. The cops are rousting, the muggers are mugging, and Angelo Scavello is still the angry capo that feels cheated out of his area – and he’s gonna let everyone know it.

Andy and Johnnie do their best to get through the scalding summer without incident, but it’s not going to be easy. The heat is making the area short-tempered; city-wide paranoia is spotting Son of Sam everywhere; and there are rumors of cocaine sales in the area.

Michael’s episodes are becoming more frequent. He’s kept isolated and safe, serving drinks behind the bar of the Winky Dink Social Club on Belmont Avenue. But a surprise visit from Angelo at a weekly poker game erupts into a major incident – forcing Tommy Greco, Pete Borgatti and Johnnie Sticks to physically intervene – and place their hands on a made-man.

As the story climaxes, Angelo Scavello is brutally murdered in his Morris Park social club. The NYPD’s list of suspects is longer than the Bronx Yellow Pages... but most street insiders are looking at Andy and his top guys back in the Winky Dink.