THE GARBAGE MAN
A Show Proposal
OVERVIEW
The Garbage Man is a six part limited series of one hour shows. (Originally written as a feature and sequel). The show centers around Tony Ferrara’s family and how he has been hiding from the mafia for years. Tony used to work for the mob, but he decided to leave and start a new life in California and by a chain of events and circumstances, the mob finds Tony and tries to rub him out. Tony out wits the hitman several times, but knows his luck is running out. He engages his unwilling son-in-law to help him slip away from the mob, but now his secret is out. He has to confess his association with the mob to his son-in-law. Not even Tony’s wife and daughter knew he had mob connections. Through a series of decoys, booby traps, hiding in plain sight to engaging all of the family’s abilities and imagination, a plan is hatched as how to catch the mobsters and send them all to jail.
But it’s never that easy. Even from jail, our mafia family reaches out to destroy Tony and his family. Each of our characters discover how to use their own talents and abilities combined to help them conquer the mobsters.
The show is a combination a buddy picture and mob drama. The characters learn and grow and find the true meaning of family and integrity.
CHARACTORS
JOSH WEISSMAN
Early 40s, based in New York, but moves to Los Angeles. Quick-witted, fast-talking, and unapologetically honest, Josh is a self-proclaimed film nerd. As a producer of commercials, country music videos, TV specials, and promos, he’s built a niche for himself in the competitive film industry. But deep down, Josh dreams of the director’s chair. His wife and kids are his greatest treasures, and he’s constantly reinventing himself, hustling to climb the next rung of the ladder.
EVELYN FERRARA
Tony’s wife, Evelyn, is a feisty matriarch in her 70s, who runs her kitchen—and her life—with passion and precision. Known for her endless pots of pasta and love of leftovers, Evelyn’s culinary skills are matched only by her fierce negotiation tactics. Whether haggling at the market or fighting with customer service, Evelyn always emerges victorious. A former legal secretary, she’s a self-taught expert in the law, quick to argue her case with sharp wit and stubborn resolve. Her knack for shorthand is a secret weapon she’s passed down to Louise, allowing them to communicate in code and outsmart anyone who dares cross them.
TONY FERRARA
In his 70s, Tony is the embodiment of Bronx pride. A retired sanitation worker with a big heart, he cherishes his Italian roots and the close-knit community he grew up in. Tony idolizes his daughter and grandchildren, but secretly wishes Louise had married an Italian man and stayed in New York. Though he reluctantly followed his family to California, he’s embraced his role as the doting grandpa, even if it means stepping out of his comfort zone.
VINCENT ASCOLI
Vincent, a mob boss in his 70s, runs a restaurant in Manhattan’s Little Italy that serves as a front for his criminal dealings. Hailing from the Bronx and an old school friend of Tony’s, Vincent is equal parts charming and dangerous. He lives by the mantra “keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” but his ambition often outpaces his influence. A small-time player with a massive ego, Vincent dreams of gaining the respect of larger crime families, though his efforts have mostly gone unnoticed. His charm is as disarming as his betrayal is brutal—friendly one moment, deadly the next.
LOUISE WEISSMAN
Also in her early 40s, Louise is a true Bronx native, complete with a strong New York accent and an unapologetic attitude. She’s got Marisa Tomei vibes from My Cousin Vinny—smart, street-savvy, and effortlessly charming. A natural beauty with a no-frills style, Louise traded her career as an accountant at a Big Five firm for the classroom when motherhood called. Now, as a first-grade teacher with a master’s in reading comprehension, she’s shaping young minds with the same determination that led her to thrive in the corporate world. Her quick wit and deep loyalty make her the glue that holds her family together.
LITTLE VINNEY
Vincent’s mid-50s nephew, Little Vinny, is the poster child for impulsiveness and insecurity. He’s a brash, hot-tempered bully who constantly seeks shortcuts to success, often leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. With a “short man’s complex” fueling his need to prove himself, Vinny’s recklessness and sloppy methods make him a liability—even to his own family. Despite his violent streak and knack for evading the law, his time is running out, and his days of dodging justice may soon come to an end.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
PILOT EPISODE
“Tony Ferrara - I Found Him”
Introduction to Josh Weissman – TV Producer
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Josh Weissman is the unsung hero of film shoots, sacrificing his own pay to keep productions on budget while making directors shine. When a late-night trip for cannoli lands him in the middle of a secretive mafia meeting, his connection to his enigmatic father-in-law, Tony Ferrara, draws unexpected attention. Unbeknownst to Josh, he’s rekindled a long-dormant connection between Tony and a powerful mob boss, setting the stage for a thrilling collision of two worlds. The mobsters put a tail on Josh and find their “old friend” Tony Ferrara in California.
EPISODE 2
“Little Vinny - New Yorkers in California”
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When Tony Ferrara returns home to find a mob enforcer sitting in his kitchen, he narrowly escapes death by outsmarting his would-be killer and sending damning evidence against the mob to the FBI. As the mob escalates their pursuit, Tony prepares for a violent showdown, setting deadly traps to protect his family and buy time. On the run, Tony turns to his unsuspecting son-in-law, Josh, unwittingly dragging him into the deadly conflict and setting the stage for a high-stakes collision of loyalty, survival, and justice.
EPISODE 3
“Josh Weissman - The Plan”
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When Tony Ferrara’s past with the mob catches up to him, it collides with his son-in-law Josh’s career-defining Hollywood pitch meeting. Tony interrupts Josh mid-pitch, dragging him into a desperate escape from a relentless mob boss, Vincent Ascoli, in a chaotic, high-stakes chase through Los Angeles. As the mob closes in, Tony and Josh hatch a daring plan—a staged Hollywood film shoot designed to fake Tony’s death and outsmart the mob once and for all allowing time for the FBI to move in on the mob - setting the stage for a gripping story of survival, deception, and family loyalty.
EPISODE 4
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“ Louise Ferrara”​​
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When mob boss Vincent Ascoli, sitting in a jail cell, suspects Tony Ferrara faked his death, he manipulates his reluctant niece, Donna, into spying on Tony’s daughter, Louise, to uncover his whereabouts. Donna, torn between loyalty to her childhood friend, Louise and fear of the mob, infiltrates Louise’s life, stealing cruise plans that put Tony’s family directly in the mob’s crosshairs. As Donna boards the ship to finalize the betrayal, tensions rise—will she carry out Vincent’s plan, or will her conscience force her to choose sides in a dangerous game of deception and survival?
EPISODE 5
“The Cruise – Part 1”
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While on a chaotic family vacation, Josh and Louise Weissman’s plans for a relaxing cruise take a dark turn when the mob resurfaces, hunting Louise’s father, Tony, who’s been hiding in plain sight. After Josh and their son are kidnapped aboard the ship, Louise must use her wit and courage to outsmart the mob, while Josh uses his producer skills to record incriminating evidence against their captors. As danger closes in, the family races to outmaneuver their enemies, protect Tony’s secrets, and save their loved ones before it’s too late.
EPISODE 6
“The Cruise – Part 2”
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Louise Weissman’s family cruise takes a harrowing turn when her mob-connected past resurfaces, placing her husband, children, and father in the crosshairs of Vincent Ascoli’s men. Forced into a deadly game of survival, Louise uses her wit, courage, and fighting skills to outsmart the mob while Josh captures their confessions on tape from the ship’s A.V. room. As FBI agents swoop in to save the day, Louise and her childhood friend Donna envision a fresh start, leaving behind a life of danger to create a new legacy rooted in family, friendship, and redemption.
For a more detailed breakdown of each episode - see below:
About the Creator
Mark Kalbfeld
Mark Kalbfeld is an award winning producer, director, editor and writer for over 25 years. Mark has produced TV specials, commercials, documentaries and hundreds of network promos and music videos, plus EPKs, Still Shoots and long form videos including multi camera music concerts. He knows production, truly from concept to shoot and the entire post production process and therefore can speak to all departments with knowledge and in their terms.
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Mark is an extremely optimistic person and his team spirit truly inspires everyone on the set, so much so, that he consider’s himself the Ted Lasso of production.
The Garbage Man is a personal project for Mark. The character of Josh Weissman, the producer, is based on Mark’s personal career and relationship with his New York, Italian father-in-law. The Tony Ferrara character is based on his actual Father-In-Law (not the part about him helping the mob though). When first dating his one and only daughter, Tony had some trepidation of a non-Italitan man dating his daughter. After getting married and moving to California didn’t help the relationship. But just as in the story, Tony and Evelyn moved out west to be close to their daughter and grand children. Over time, Mark and Tony’s relationship grew and Tony grew to respect Mark for is career and his love of his daughter and their children.
Louise Ferrara Weissman’s character is based on a combination of Mark’s actual New York based wife, Marissa Tomei’s character, Mona Lisa Vito and Marvel’s The Black Widow. She is a strong character who can be tough yet loving.
As for the production stories, these are based on true life experiences that happened to Mark over his decades of his working in the film business, from dealing with incompetent camera personnel, to the meals in Little Italy after a New York shoot, to walking into a restaurant to get a cannoli and being face to face to what seemed to be a mob meeting. Productions are filled with strange stories, characters and sometimes ridiculous situations that the producer needs to solve.
To view some of Mark’s work click here: www.markkalbfeldproducer.com
DETAILED EPISODE BREAKDOWN
PILOT EPISODE
“Tony Ferrara - I Found Him”
Introduction to Josh Weissman – TV Producer
Josh Weissman is the unsung hero behind the scenes of every successful shoot. His organization skills keep the shoot moving smoothly even when the director gets off track and drives the shoot spend more money. To prevent the production from going over budget, Josh even sacrifices four days of his own pay, donating it to keep the project within financial limits, making the director shine and avoiding any repercussions from the executives.
A Thankless Sacrifice
After the shoot wraps, the key crew members gather for dinner to celebrate. The Director thanks each one individually for their work, but skips over Josh, who is the one who is the glue that holds the production together. When the group disbands, Josh invites the director for a late-night snack in Little Italy, New York.
Josh finds a small, unassuming bakery / restaurant that’s open late, hoping to pick up some cannoli, but as they walk in, they seem to have interrupted a private meeting. Around a table sit six men, dressed in suits, who look like they belong in a mafia movie. When Josh politely asks the man behind the counter for some cannoli he is told the shop is sold out. Suddenly, one of the men at the table, Vinny Ascoli, intervenes. Vinny insists that Josh and his friend be served, offering them some cannoli and striking up a conversation.
A Hidden Connection
As the conversation flows, Vinny learns that Josh’s father-in-law is Tony Ferrara, who was possibly a member of his “Friendship Family” and known to the group as “The Garbage Man”. After their goodbyes, Vinny quietly orders his nephew, Little Vinny, a psychotic hitman, to follow Josh and the director, suspecting a the deeper connection to Tony. While the tail is far from smooth, as Little Vinny loses Josh at the airport, but manages to keep track of the director.
The Chase Continues
A few days later, the director is on another film shoot, and Little Vinny, who is still following him, sees Josh on set— but this time he is accompanied by Tony, the very man Vinny Ascoli had been searching for. Realizing the significance of his discovery, Little Vinny quickly phones his uncle. Tony, thought to be dead, is alive and well in California, seemingly hiding in plain sight. Tony, has now been rediscovered by Vinny Ascoli, and Josh has unwittingly brought their worlds back together.
EPISODE 2
“Little Vinny - New Yorkers in California”
The Morning After: A Dangerous Encounter
The next morning, Tony Ferrara returns from the gym to find an unsettling sight: Little Vinny sitting at his kitchen table. Tony’s wife, Evelyn, had let him in after he introduced himself as an old family friend from New York. While Evelyn is unaware of the danger lurking behind the visitor’s façade, Tony immediately understands the gravity of the situation.
Feigning calm, Tony sends Evelyn on an errand to keep her safe. As soon as she leaves, Little Vinny reveals his true intentions. He confronts Tony about having run out on the family years ago, escaping the mob’s clutches. Now, he claims, Tony's time is up. Little Vinny threatens to finish the job his uncle wants done—taking Tony out for good.
But Tony, a survivor, acts quickly. Seizing the moment, he grabs a pot of boiling water from the stove and throws it at Little Vinny’s face. As Vinny recoils in pain, Tony smashes the pot over his head, knocking him out cold. Without hesitation, Tony ties up the unconscious Little Vinny and drags him to the garage. The next morning, he dumps Vinny's bound and unconscious body in a garbage pail, just as the garbage truck comes by and picks up the trash.
Tony’s Countermove
With Little Vinny temporarily dealt with, Tony knows this isn’t the end. The mob will surely come for him, and his family will be in danger. Tony retrieves a package of incriminating evidence he had gathered over the years—proof of the mob’s activities. Sealing it in a large envelope, Tony mails the evidence to the FBI, knowing that it could be his only bargaining chip in a deadly game with his former associates.
Little Vinny’s Escape
Dumped at a remote trash heap, Little Vinny eventually regains consciousness and manages to break free from his bindings. Bruised, battered, and disoriented, he stumbles upon a small gas station. He uses a payphone to call his uncle, Vincent Ascoli, back in New York. Infuriated by Little Vinny's failure and the audacity of Tony’s resistance, Vincent quickly rounds up two of his men. They board a plane for California with one mission: finish the job themselves.
Tony’s Last Stand
Meanwhile, Tony gets wind that Vincent and his crew are en route to take him out. Realizing that his actions have escalated the situation beyond repair, Tony knows he must protect his family. In a calculated move, he arranges tickets for a cruise, announcing to his family that they will be going on vacation the next morning—without him. Although his family are confused and worried, Tony reassures them that it’s for their safety.
As the family prepares to leave for the cruise, Josh receives an unexpected call—it's the job opportunity he’s been waiting for his entire career. Torn between a fun cruise and his professional ambitions, Josh pleads with his wife to let him stay behind. Reluctantly, she agrees, and Josh cancels his trip to focus on the big meeting.
The Mob Arrives
Back at his house, Tony prepares for the impending showdown. He sets up an array of makeshift booby traps inside, drawing inspiration from “Home Alone” but with far deadlier consequences. He positions wires, triggers, and heavy objects around entryways, anticipating the mob’s every move.
Vincent Dascoli, however, makes sure he has plausible deniability and spends the day on a “Hollywood "Star Tour", making sure he's seen in public, laying an alibi for himself. Meanwhile, Little Vinny and two of Vincent’s associates head straight for Tony’s house.
The three gangsters enter through different doors to cover all sides of the house. But the moment they breach the perimeter, the traps spring into action and disable the three gangsters with a comedic sense.
Tony’s Getaway
With the mobsters incapacitated, Tony doesn’t waste any time. He grabs a pre-packed bag and heads for Josh’s house. He knows he can’t stay in one place for long, and his next move requires a safe haven while he waits for the FBI to get his package. Tony has decided that Josh, unwittingly caught in this tangled messed, might be his only chance for protection.
A Confusing Reunion
Tony arrives at Josh’s house, sneaking in through the back door. He knows that time is running out, and the mob will be on his tail soon enough. Shortly after, Josh comes home, ready to prepare for the meeting of his life. As he steps inside, he's startled to see his father-in-law lurking in the shadows.
“Tony? What are you doing here?” Josh asks, clearly confused.
Tony, looking over his shoulder and appearing on edge, doesn’t have time to explain everything. "We need to talk. It’s about your wife and family... and why things are about to get very dangerous." Josh is taken aback, but he’s already late for his meeting. He tells Tony that they will figure things out, but now, he needs to leave for his meeting. Tony realizes that the mob may be closer to him than he ever imagined.
EPISODE 3
“Josh Weissman - The Plan”
Second Thoughts and Rising Anxiety
Tony’s nerves are fraying. Tony knows that this time, he's gone too far. There’s no turning back, and he fears the worst for his family.
Meanwhile, Josh is focused on the biggest meeting of his career—a chance to pitch his script ideas to a major Hollywood agent. While Josh packs up, ready to go, Tony, unable to sit still, asks to tag along. Josh, though confused, agrees to take Tony with him, not knowing what’s going on in his father-in-law's mind.
A Meeting Interrupted
As Josh steps into the agent’s sleek office, all eyes are on him. This is his moment—a chance to change his life with the perfect pitch. However, Tony, waiting in Josh’s car, has growing anxiety reaches its breaking point, he realizes that he needs Josh’s help to pull off the only plan that could save them both. He jumps out of the car just as the Hollywood Star Tour goes by. Vincent sees Tony and forces the bus to stop. Tony ducks into the building
In a moment of pure desperation, Tony bursts into the meeting, grabbing Josh mid-pitch. “We have to go, now!” Tony exclaims, his voice panicked. “The mob is after me, and if you want to protect your family, you need to help me—right now!” They run out of the office just as Vincent was about to enter. The door flies open, hitting Vincent in the head and knocking him out. “That’s him!” yells Tony. Josh looks at Vincent and thinks he knows him, but can’t remember. They rush out of the building and jump into Josh’s car and get away.
The Hollywood agent is left stunned, watching as Josh, who had just begun his career-defining moment, is whisked out of the office. Despite the chaos, the agent is oddly impressed—this was, by far, the most memorable meeting he’s ever experienced. Vincent stands up, shakes his head. The Agent asks “Who are you?” Vincent tells him none of his business and who the fuck are you….
Confession and a Plan
Once on the road, Josh, angry, flustered and confused, demands answers. Tony finally confesses everything—his deep ties to the mob, his betrayal, and how he’s been running for years. Now, with Vincent Ascoli hot on his trail, Tony knows his time is running out. He turns to Josh, not just as his son-in-law, but as the creative mind who can help devise a plan to outsmart the mob and put an end to it all.
Back at Josh’s home, Josh begins to work on a plan. A montage shows Josh furiously scribbling notes, brainstorming scenarios, and pacing through the night. Tony’s worn, anxious face watches, knowing this may be their last shot at safety. As the morning sun rises, Josh is ready—he has a plan.
Putting the Plan in Motion
The next morning, Josh and Tony meet with an art director and stunt coordinator, who are in on Josh’s plan. This isn’t just any plan—it’s a carefully orchestrated fake film shoot that will play out like a scene straight from a Hollywood blockbuster. The idea: stage a scenario where Tony appears to be killed in a high-stakes robbery-turned-police shootout, tricking the mob into thinking he’s gone for good.
Josh positions himself as the bait, knowing the mob is tracking his every move. As planned, the mobsters begin following Josh, who carefully leads them right to Tony.
The Fake Film Shoot: A Staged Death
The mobsters watch from a distance as Josh’s staged film shoot unfolds. It looks real—a tense bank robbery, police surrounding the building, while Josh and Tony appear to be stuck in a traffic jam caused by the robbery. As the plan unfolds – Tony sees Little Vinney following him and drives his car straight into the middle of the action. Just as Tony’s car reaches the center of the staged shootout, an explosion rocks the scene. The car is engulfed in flames, and when the fire dies down, nothing remains but the charred wreckage.
From a distance, the mobsters confirm what they think is Tony’s burnt body in the wreckage. Convinced that their mission is complete, they deliver the news to Vincent Ascoli.
The Fallout: Mobsters Arrested, Tony’s Whereabouts Unknown
Meanwhile, Tony’s long-held package of evidence has finally reached the FBI. With undeniable proof of the mob’s criminal activities, the FBI quickly moves in, arresting Vincent Ascoli and his key associates in New York. The crackdown is swift and decisive, with the mob's power base shattered in a matter of days.
The FBI, however, still has one loose end: Tony’s disappearance. They question Josh, suspecting he might know more than he lets on, but Josh maintains that he truly doesn’t know where Tony is. As far as Josh is concerned, Tony has vanished, and he’s unsure if he’ll ever see him again.
Epilogue: A Quiet Escape
Cut to: A peaceful scene aboard a cruise ship. Tony and Evelyn are relaxing on the deck, drinks in hand, the sun setting on the horizon. Far from the chaos of the past few weeks, Tony has finally escaped the mob’s reach, leaving his old life behind. His plan worked—at least for now. As the ship sails further from shore, Tony allows himself a moment of relief, though he knows the past might one day catch up with him.
Closing Twist: A New Threat Emerges
Back in New York, Vincent Ascoli sits in a grim prison cell, stewing over his downfall. But all is not lost. He has learned that Tony is still alive. He has one final card to play.
EPISODE 4
“ Louise Ferrara”
A Prison Visit
The prison visiting room is dimly lit. Mob boss Vincent Ascoli sits at a table. His niece, Donna, approaches and sits down, looking a little uneasy. Donna works at one of Vincent’s restaurants, far removed from the mob's dirty work, and it's clear that her reluctance to be here isn’t just about the surroundings.
Vincent, ever the manipulator, wastes no time. He remembers that Donna went to school with Louise Ferrara, Tony’s daughter. He calmly asks Donna to take a “vacation” to California to track Louise down, spy on her, and find out where Tony is hiding. Vincent’s anger bubbles just under the surface—he’s convinced Tony faked his death and wants to make him suffer for his betrayal.
Donna hesitates. Louise was her childhood friend, and this assignment crosses a line she’s never been willing to approach. She's not involved in the mob's dark side, and the last thing she wants is to be pulled into its web. Sensing her resistance, Vincent softens his approach. He reassures her that it’s just an easy, paid vacation and that she’s only gathering information—not doing anything illegal. With a reluctant sigh, Donna agrees.
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​The camera lingers on Vincent’s calculating expression. Tony may have escaped for now, but the mob’s reach is long, and a new game of cat and mouse has just begun.
Louise’s Day
Louise Ferrara Weissman is juggling life as a busy mother of two boys and a dedicated first-grade teacher. It’s the end of another hectic school day, and as she packs up her classroom, she grabs a pile of papers to grade later as she leaves the school. Cut to Louise at home, barking reminders through the hallway as they rush to get ready. Her older son runs out in a baseball uniform, while the younger appears in his karate gi.
Louise quickly changes into sweatpants and a loose T-shirt and hurries them into the car, the chaos of everyday life swirling around her. After dropping her older son at baseball practice and arranging for another mom to take him to the karate studio afterward, she heads off with her younger son to his karate class.
At the dojo, Louise takes a seat on the sidelines as her son joins the mat. Other moms sit nearby, dressed in expensive workout gear, nails manicured and hair perfectly styled. They gossip and brag, paying little attention to the actual class. When one mother complains about a teacher, Louise can’t help but jump in with a teacher’s perspective, her thick New York accent cutting through the idle chatter. The moms respond with dismissive looks, annoyed at being interrupted by someone they consider beneath them. The atmosphere sours, and Louise’s blood boils, but she keeps her cool.
As the kids' karate class wraps up, it’s time for the adults to do Cardio Kickboxing. Louise gets on the mat, ready to release some of her pent-up frustration. The upbeat music begins, and while the other moms are more concerned with their appearances, Louise unleashes fierce, precise kicks and punches, her anger fueling her every move. She performs a perfect spinning round kick, knocking a karate dummy to the ground with a final, dramatic kick that catches the attention of the instructor, who praises her efforts. The other moms, desperate for attention, are ignored. After class, Louise collects her boys, and they head home, unaware that Donna is sitting in her car, watching from a distance.
Donna Begins Her Mission
That evening, Louise is busy in the kitchen, still in her sweatpants, stirring a marinara sauce on the stove. Josh comes home, talking about his latest commercial shoot and the brutal traffic he had to endure. The couple chat casually about Tony and Evelyn — how they’ve been living on cruise ships, traveling from one ship to the next. Louise mentions how they’re planning to join them on an upcoming cruise, and Josh agrees to book the tickets.
Later that night, after the boys are asleep we see Louise in the boy’s bedroom, who was reading to them, has also nodded off. Josh stays up to finalize their travel plans. He books flights and locks in the transportation for the cruise, printing out the itinerary before checking on the family.
The next afternoon, the same routine plays out—school, karate, baseball—but this time, as the family rushes out, Donna slips into their backyard. She climbs through an open window and begins her snooping mission. After reminiscing over Louise’s high school yearbook and tasting the sauce simmering on the stove (which, of course, she approves of), Donna finally finds what she’s looking for—the cruise itinerary, printed and left on the desk. She takes quick photos of the documents and quietly puts everything back in its place.
Suddenly, Josh walks into the house. Donna freezes. For a moment, she thinks she’s been caught, but she hears him working at the kitchen counter, oblivious to her presence. She sneaks out the back door, her heart racing as she narrowly escapes detection.
The Trap is Set
Back in New York, Donna reports to Vincent, showing him the photos of the cruise details. Vincent, his eyes gleaming with malice, orders her to head to Miami and board the ship. Donna, still uncomfortable with the whole ordeal, protests. She’s done what was asked, and now she wants out. But Vincent is not a man to take no for an answer. He calmly informs her that she will meet a crew in Miami, and all she has to do is point out Tony to them. Once the mobsters know where he is, they’ll handle the rest—an “accident” will take place on the ship, and Donna will be free. Reluctantly, she agrees, knowing that refusal isn’t an option.
A Brewing Conflict
As Donna prepares to embark on the next stage of her mission, Louise remains blissfully unaware of the storm approaching. Her days are consumed with the chaos of motherhood and teaching, while Tony and Evelyn enjoy their endless cruise lifestyle, thinking they’re safe. Josh, busy with his career and excited about the upcoming family trip, has no idea that danger is lurking so close to home.
As Donna boards the ship, the tension tightens. Will she be able to go through with the mob’s plan, or will her childhood bond with Louise stop her from betraying her old friend? As the cruise sets sail, so too does the suspense, with the fates of Tony, Evelyn, and the Weissman family hanging in the balance.
EPISODE 5
“The Cruise – Part 1”
The Airport Rush
As usual, Josh and Louise are running late. With their two boys in tow, they race through the airport, just barely making it through check-in, security, and the last boarding call for their flight. They collapse into their seats in business class, a special treat courtesy of Josh’s mileage points. The kids are wide-eyed, amazed by the spacious seats and the luxury around them. Exhausted from the chaos, Josh and Louise snuggle together and drift off to sleep.
When they finally arrive in Miami, the chaos strikes again. At baggage claim, Louise’s luggage is missing—all her clothes, dinner dresses, makeup, everything is gone. The airline promises to deliver it, but Louise tearfully explains that they’ll be on a cruise. Her frustration spills over. All she has is the silly T-shirt and sweatpants she’s wearing, hardly the wardrobe she envisioned for the vacation.
Josh, ever the optimist, calms her down, promising they’ll figure it out. They don’t have time to go shopping right away—they need to board the ship before it departs.
A Familiar Face
At the cruise terminal, the family stands in a long line waiting to board. The line snakes around in switchbacks, giving them a full view of the crowd. Suddenly, Louise spots a familiar face—Donna, her childhood friend. But Louise, feeling underdressed and disheveled, can’t face her in sweatpants. She turns away, feeling embarrassed.
As the line winds closer, Louise comes face-to-face with Donna. To Louise’s surprise, Donna greets her warmly, offering a genuine smile. “We have to catch up over drinks on the ship later,” Donna says. Josh tries to calm Louise’s nerves, reminding her they can buy something once onboard or during their first port stop.
Later, they browse the ship’s stores, but the prices leave them both feeling queasy. Louise reluctantly buys one outfit, determined to make do for now.
The Calm Before the Storm
After settling in, Josh uses his profession as a TV producer to gain a private tour of the ship’s Audio Visual room. There, they are shown how the ship’s sound system, announcements, music, and video feeds are controlled. Josh is intrigued, proves his attention to technology by pointing out to their tour guide that he works with a lot of the same gear.
That evening, at dinner, Donna casually drops by the family’s table. She greets everyone with a friendly smile, and Louise introduces her to Tony and Evelyn, explaining that Donna is an old friend from high school in New York. In the background, at another table four hitman watch. Upon hearing her last name, Tony’s expression changes ever so slightly. He quickly jots something down on a napkin, hands it to Evelyn, and excuses himself, claiming he needs to use the restroom. Tony never returns to the table.
Evelyn discreetly reads the note and covers for him, telling the family that Tony wasn’t feeling well and went back to their room. Louise doesn’t buy it, her instincts telling her something’s wrong. But for now, she lets it go.
The Kidnapping
Later that night, the real danger hits. Josh and their eldest son are kidnapped by the mob, taken to, of all places, the ship’s A.V. room and tied up. The mobsters are attempting to flush out Tony. Louise finds a ransom note in her room, demanding Tony meet them at the casino, or they’ll never see Josh or their son again.
Panic sets in. Louise and Evelyn realize that the mob is still after Tony, but they don’t know where Tony is. Louise is determined to protect her family. She heads to the ship’s store and buys the sexiest outfit they have, planning to use her appearance as a distraction. Meanwhile, Evelyn hurries to alert the ship’s security and authorities.
The A.V. Room Trap
Inside the A.V. room, Josh and his son are tied up. Josh notices the equipment around him and hatches a plan. With his knowledge from the earlier tour, he manages to activate the ship’s video and audio recording systems even though he is still tied up. He begins recording everything the mobsters are saying, including their plans and confessions.
The mobsters discuss their strategy to exchange Tony for Josh and his son, planning to meet Tony in the casino. They lock the door and leave. Josh whispers to his son, reassuring him that everything will be okay, though the gravity of the situation weighs heavily on him.
EPISODE 6
“The Cruise – Part 2”
A Glamorous Entrance and High Stakes
The casino lights flicker in a dazzling display as Louise Ferrara Weissman walks through the entrance, turning heads as she steps in. She’s dressed to the nines in a sleek, figure-hugging outfit, the kind that commands attention. Yet, beneath the glamour, her mind races. She stumbles slightly, catching herself just before falling, her nerves clearly on edge.
Inside the casino, Josh watches her on the security cameras, as Louise confidently strides to the blackjack table and takes a seat next to Vincent Ascoli’s lead mobster, the very man she was supposed to meet. But before the mobster can say a word, Louise turns to him with a calm, determined tone:
"The authorities are on their way. You’re in big trouble."
The mobster’s cold eyes narrow, but his lips curl into a smirk. He calmly counters by revealing that they’ve already captured Evelyn and have tied her up with Josh as leverage. Louise’s heart skips a beat as she quickly glances around. The mobster’s henchmen are closing in on her, moving in like sharks. He leans in and makes an offer:
"Join me. Or things get much worse."
Without missing a beat, Louise throws her drink in his face, causing a commotion. She creates such a scene that security rushes over and throws the mobster out of the casino. As he’s escorted out, he signals to his men, subtly but effectively, to follow Louise.
The Chase Begins
Louise exits the casino, her heels clicking sharply against the deck of the cruise ship, but she’s not alone. Two hitmen are close behind, their dark silhouettes stalking her from the shadows. Inside the security room, Josh, Evelyn, and their older son watch the unfolding situation on the monitors, fear gripping them.
Josh yells out, his voice thick with panic. "Siri, call the police!" he commands.
But Siri responds with cold efficiency: "I'm sorry, there’s no service. You are out at sea."
Josh’s frustration boils over, but has a new idea. He asks his son to try and get his phone out of his pocket. The boy, tied to a chair, bounces over and retrieves the phone. Josh then bounces to the audio controls and somehow attaches an AUX cable to his phone. "Siri, play Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe!" On the video screens we can see the two hitmen corner Louise on the ship’s open deck.
​
Louise Unleashes the Fighter
Just as they are about to grab her, the hard-hitting rock anthem blares through the ship’s sound system, echoing across the deck. The moment Louise hears the music, something inside her ignites. She locks eyes with the hitmen and cracks her knuckles, her inner fighter fully unleashed. With the music pulsing, Louise’s mind flashes back to Cardio Kickboxing and a large, choreographed fight sequence erupts. Louise’s movements are fluid, each hit in sync with the music. It’s a battle she’s ready for, her fear turned into strength.
One of the Hitmen lands on the floor. Louise turns to the second guy and takes him out. Suddenly, the lead mobster comes after her, but she escapes through the cruise’s zip line. The mobster radios the guard by the AV room to assist, since he is close to her landing spot. He grabs Louise and holds her until one of the other hitmen arrives. Just as the gangster gets to her, Louise’s youngest son bursts onto the scene from seemingly nowhere, executing a perfect spinning roundhouse kick. His small leg connects with the lead hitman’s knees, dropping him like a house of cards.
The boy, undeterred by the size difference, grabs the hitman’s hand and applies pressure to a specific point, forcing the burly man to lose his balance. He tumbles down a flight of stairs, completely incapacitated. Louise uses the distraction to her advantage, stomping her high heel into the second hitman’s foot and following up with a powerful kick that sends him flying down the stairs as well.
"Run!" Louise grabs her son’s hand, and they dart toward safety, but their escape is short-lived. The leader, who was in the Casino, emerges from the shadows with the other hitmen, cornering Louise.
Inside, Josh watches in horror on the screen. “NO!” he shouts, helpless. Just when all seems lost, Tony steps out from the shadows, surrendering himself to the mob to protect his family.
Louise and her son, moving in perfect harmony, take on the hitmen. Louise dodges and spins, landing precise punches and kicks, while her son uses his quick reflexes to take down one of the thugs with a textbook judo throw. The fight stretches across the deck, with Louise delivering a running kick that sends one of the mobsters sprawling into a zipline. She quickly follows, using the zipline herself to swing across and knock out another mobster mid-air.
Tony, despite his age, jumps into the fray. He lands a perfectly timed punch that sends the last hitman crashing into the railing, knocking him out cold. As the sun rises over the horizon, the fight comes to an end.
All the noise has awoken many of the passengers, who see the poor, defenseless woman and son fending off these group of large men. People are video taping on their phones of the final actions. The crowd tells the mobsters to leave her alone as the FBI and Interpol agents burst onto the deck, arriving just in time to arrest the remaining mobsters.
Josh runs over to the agents, breathless but relieved. “They’re all on camera! We’ve got recordings of their confessions.”
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A Heartfelt Apology
As the chaos dies down, Donna emerges from the crowd. She approaches Louise cautiously, guilt written all over her face.
“I’m sorry,” Donna whispers. “I didn’t want to do this, but my uncle… he threatened to take my kids away. I had no choice.” Tears well up in Donna’s eyes as she explains her predicament. Louise sighs, the tension in her body finally releasing. "I get it. You did what you had to do." Louise softens, realizing the difficult position Donna had been put in. Louise pulls Donna into a warm hug. “We’re all just trying to protect our families.” As they embrace, Donna nervously laughs. “By the way, your sauce was really good. I, uh, may have tasted it when I broke into your house…”. Louise chuckles. “YOU BROKE INTO MY HOUSE!... (They laugh) But glad you liked it. You know, L.A. could really use a good Italian restaurant with New York-style pizza. Maybe we should open one." Donna wipes her tears and smiles, “I also know my way around a kitchen.”
Louise grins, and with that, the two women begin to envision a new future—one far away from the violence of the mob and filled with the warm comfort of good food, family, and friendship.
Contact Information
Frames Per Second Productions, Inc
Executive Producer - Mark Kalbfeld
310-497-1645
