This play takes place in New York City. There is a situation in the underworld. NYC is caught in a mob war between two powerful Mafia families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Both groups are big, bad, and hate each others’ guts.
Leading the Capulet family is Vincent “Vinnie-the-Bam-Bam” Capulet. He has been a financier for some time, and has become quite powerful in the black market. His nickname is a little unpleasant, but it suits his way of life. His close family is, for the most part, as corrupt as he is, except his daughter, Juliet. Juliet is about fifteen years old and has been pretty much hidden from the mob atmosphere by her divided mother, Antonia. Lady Capulet enjoys the riches and pampering that comes with being as powerful as she is, but doesn’t really want her daughter exposed to the kind of life she is living. You might say she has a spark of decency left. Juliet has spent most of her time in boarding schools and has returned home for the Capulet ball, a festive occasion held each year.
Leading the Montague family is Edwardo “Meat” Montague, who isn’t quite as bad as his rival. Montague has been offended grossly by Capulet, and has sworn to pay him back be it the last thing he ever does. His son, Romeo, does not want much to do with his father’s way of life, and tries to stay out of things. He is about 16. He spends a lot of time with Benvolio, his cousin, and Mercutio, a friend to the family. Mercutio’s antics tend to get the group in over their heads.
What I am going to cover is the first meeting between Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet ball when Mercutio convinces them to sneak into the ball.
CHARACTERS
Vincent Capulet
Romeo
Benvolio
Tybalt “The Shroud”
Mercutio
Juliet
During the Ball. Cousin Benny (Benvolio) is chatting nervously with Mercutio about Romeo.
Benny. Look, look at him!
Mercutio. You should be happy. He’s a fine craftsman, Cousin Benny. It’s not everyday you can make a mask that good.
Benny. No, not him, I mean Romeo! …And I don’t think that’s a mask, either.
Mercutio. That’s his face?
Benny. Just never mind! Look at him! He’s following that Capulet girl, and his eyes are distant. Can you imagine the look in the Capo’s eyes if he finds out his son is whooped on a Capulet chick?
Mercutio. You can see his eyes? Why isn’t the fool wearing his mask! Can you imagine the look in Capulet’s eyes if he spots Montagues here?
Benny. You’re not really a Montague.
Mercutio. I call you Cousin Benny; that’s good enough for the Bam-Bam. Oh, that boy is pazzo I tell you! How many times did I tell him to keep his mask on?
Benny. You’re wearing a napkin on your head, Merc. He’s not gonna take you very seriously, you know what I’m sayin’?
Mercutio. You’re just jealous because my mask is better…all right, but I see what you mean. Look, they’re talking! This is bad, my friend!
Benny. Someone’s noticing the same thing.
Mercutio. Oh, him. Tybalt. We call the little capo “The Shroud” on the other side of town.
Benny. Tybalt the Shroud, I’ve heard of him! He’s Capulet’s most fiery hitman.
Mercutio. If the Capo Suboordinato gets word to the Capo Supremo, we’ll have a lot of trouble on our hands.
Benny. You really think he’ll disturb the peace of his ball?
Mercutio. No, he’ll just bump us off afterwards. Let’s get lover boy and go.
A furious Tybalt has rushed to Vincent Capulet to explain the situation.
Tybalt. Hey, Uncle Vinny! You’re gonna love this.
Capulet. He has a somewhat scratchy voice, think genuine Mafia don. Ah, my good nephew. Come, Little Tybby, come. What does my esteemed relative ask of me?
Tybalt. You gotta see this to believe it. Those Montague gumballs have crashed da place!
Capulet. Inexcusable! Meat is gonna be pushing up the daisies for this one! What have they done?
Tybalt. The little linguini, Romeo, is having a chit chat with your daughter!
Capulet. I find this hard to believe, Tybalt. You came to ask me to disturb my very special guests at this very special occasion, all of which have connections to the White House, all because someone is talking to my daughter. Granted, my daughter is the cream of the crop. I don’t particularly want some gnome talking to her, and were it any other night, I might send word to the individual to stay in his own league, capice? Now, has he hurt her?
Tybalt. No…
Capulet. Has he threatened her?
Tybalt. No…
Capulet. Has he made goo-goo eyes at her?
Tybalt. Yes, a great many of them, uncle.
Capulet. I see. It’s most regrettable. A Montague ogling at my daughter, well…it makes me wanna take a shower, you know what I’m sayin’? But, what was his name?
Tybalt. Romeo.
Capulet. Romeo! Thank the savior of the sweet world. It could be so much worse. My sister, God rest her soul, he makes the sign of the cross, told me once that Romeo Montague was hardly an object for enmity. If he weren’t a Montague, I might introduce him to my daughter.
Tybalt. But he is, and you’ve got Monsignor Paris on the waiting list.
Capulet. Back to business, my nephew. Perhaps I’ll express my distaste at Montague presence in my home on some other day, but tonight they can have their fun.
Tybalt. Uncle! You’re letting them win! This ain’t the way!
Capulet. They’ll get their fix soon enough. He made goo-goo eyes, he must pay.
Tybalt. How?
Capulet. It is a bad case of lead poisoning that you do not wish to contract.
Tybalt. Let me do it now! I won’t tolerate them in this house!
Capulet. You WILL tolerate it! An argument begins.
Cut to Romeo and Juliet, talking.
Romeo. I can’t believe you looked twice at me. How could I ever deserve you?
Juliet. You don’t even know me…
Romeo. I meant you’re beautiful.
Juliet. I figured. You’re not so bad yourself.
Romeo. Thanks. I…
Juliet. Your hands are shaking…why? Are you that nervous?
Romeo. No, I…just never think I cared this much about anyone.
Juliet. I reiterate; you don’t even know me.
Romeo. I want to.
Juliet. Rather quickly, mind you. No complaints here.
Mercutio. Romeo, we gotta go. There’s trouble with the natives, in a way.
Romeo. Buzz off, I’m busy.
Mercutio. Didn’t you hear me? You’d better come with us before Tybalt escapes his uncle.
Juliet. What’s this?
Romeo. Can I meet you later?
Juliet. Whispered. Come to my balcony tonight. I’ll wait for you. She is starstruck.
Mercutio. As they are leaving. I can’t believe you’d risk your neck falling for a Capulet chick…Meat would thrash you good if he knew!
Juliet. Meat? As in Eddie “Meat” Montague? Oh, no! He’s a Montague! It figures! The one time I finally meet a guy who might be right for me, and he turns out to be the son of my father’s mortal enemy! I just have all the luck! If things continue as they are, he’ll probably be dead with the other Montagues when my father attacks…I want to be with him, but how? He’s so perfect! I mean, compared to my other dates. First there was that circus guy…he took a nasty spill off that elephant. Oh, and then there was the butcher, but he was accused of putting something in Dad’s meat, and, well…Oh, but that’s right! Father wants me to marry Paris, that government guy! I’d much rather be with Romeo…Maybe I still can! I’ll have to keep it secret, though…oh, why do I feel this way? I’m about to betray my family for this kid…no, not kid, a great, big, giant, hunk of a man! Cupid take me! She exits.
Romeo muses out loud as he is leaving the premises.
Romeo. A Capulet! Why, God, why? What have I ever done? I’ve stayed out of my father’s cruel business, I’ve even helped old ladies cross the street! It isn’t fair! If I went out with Juliet, her dad would slaughter me! The last thing I need is for the Bam-Bam to hate me even more. God, but she was so cute…do I go to her balcony? Do I risk death? Do I betray my family…for love? ...Hey, but what would Cousin Benny and Mercutio think if I managed to slip past the Capulet guards! Imagine how famous I could be if I fooled even Tybalt the Shroud himself! It’ll be worth it! Hang on, Juliet, here I come!