Written, produced and directed by Vincent C. Torrieri —
Luigi:
Bless me Father for I have sinned. It’s been about twenty years since my last confession. Father, these are my sins.
I’m a very rich man. But I think I’ve been abusing my money.
Priest:
If you feel you’ve been abusing your money, why not use the money in a way that shows your love and determination for Goodness?
Luigi:
Goodness? Goodness for who? I bought my wife whatever she wanted. She wants to know how to dance. So she paid the Butler with my money to teach her how to Tango!
TANGO MUSIC
I don’t Tango. I hate the Tango! I never understood why rich people have to know how to Tango?
But I don’t care anymore. Except for my daughter and son. Poor them.
Priest:
Why’s that?
Luigi:
My daughter Gina. She used to be such a nice little girl. She used to study hard. Now all she wants to do is play tennis.
VIOLIN MUSIC
Luigi:
Roberto. He used to be such a hard worker. Now he does nothing but play his stupid guitar.
ROCK MUSIC
Luigi:
Nobody cares about me. A multimillionaire with no respect.
Priest:
Mmm. How did you get all that money? Did you win a lottery or something?
Luigi:
Mmm. Something like that. I won it at the racetrack.
Priest:
Oh. Are you an addicted gambler?
Luigi:
Not really.
Priest:
Why did you come here?
Luigi:
Because Father, I want to make sure I’m going to go to Heaven.
Priest:
I don’t think you understand.
Luigi:
No Father. I don’t think you understand. I haven’t got long to live.
Priest:
Your Doctor gave you the exact time of death?
Luigi:
No. Not my Doctor. Christopher.
Priest:
Christopher? Is he some sort of medical expert or something?
Luigi:
No, no. Christopher Columbus.
Priest:
Christopher who?
Luigi:
Christopher Columbus.
Priest:
The Explorer?
Luigi:
Yes.
Priest:
The one who discovered America?
Luigi:
Yes.
Priest:
Is he talking to you right now?
Luigi:
No, don’t be ridiculous.
Priest:
When did you speak to him? Columbus?
Luigi:
I spoke to him in a dream.
Priest:
Why do you believe he’s right about you dying?
Luigi:
Because he was right about me winning!
Priest:
I don’t understand.
Luigi:
Christopher was the one who told me about winning millions at the racetrack. It was the Columbus Bet.
Priest:
The Columbus Bet? Why do you feel Christopher is talking to you?
Luigi:
Maybe because we are a lot alike. We are both Italian. We both came to this country by boat. And we both got the same dream of becoming rich.
Priest:
Draw back to reality and how God looks upon you. No matter what you’ve done, it’s not too late. You still have a life. And you can still save that life. The streets in Heaven are also lined with gold.
Luigi:
Gold! That’s the last thing I need!
