The Deuce

We should pay that doctor a visit.

You're making the wrong people angry.

We're doing this picture, and it's called Red Hot.

I had money in that picture too.

I'm gonna be promoting the film I made.

This one's not appropriate for a guy your age.

You're going directly to the landlords with your summons.

If I can expose the property owners and bring them into court,

maybe I can...

Replace the sex-orientated businesses

with legitimate store fronts.

I live with my father and sisters,

but now I'm thinking about moving out,

getting my own place.

I came here for an advance.

- We don't have it. - You have it.

You OK?

Never been better.

I lost ninety-four fuckin' pounds. Ninety-four...

- Here she is. Mwah. - Candy's late.

Fashionably. Hey. Hey. It's her night, it's her film.

- Let her have her big entrance. - Hey...

Mr. and Mrs. Wasserman!

Mr. and Mrs. Martino!

Mazel on the premiere

of your very first producorial endeavor.

All right!

So, how much money is this makin' us?

Regrettably, this is an invitation-only event, ya understand?

So the tickets are gratis.

But we open in ten theaters on Thursday.

That's all?

That's a lot. For porn, that's huge.

- Huge. - All right?

OK.

All right, all right.

Yeah, Harv...

we're gonna do right by Christina on the next one?

I mean, leading role?

- On the next one? - Yeah.

- I mean, we owe it. - You mean you owe it.

You know, we're gonna figure that out later. Enjoy yourselves tonight.

- OK. OK! - All right? Both of you.

- A mazel top to you, my friend. - Oh, my God. All right.

- Love the tie. - Beautiful.

Turn this way. Let me see that beautiful face, baby.

Thank you. Thank you, baby.

'Scuse me, baby, let me get a photo. Baby? Hey!

This way, please, come on.

Come on, come on! Gimme somethin'.

- Lookin' beautiful, mama! - Give me a smile, come on.

Hey, baby, hey! You're looking so pretty.

Put a nice smile on.

One more, one more, one more. Sparkly diamonds!

- Come on. - Lookin' good!

This way, this way!

Wow!

Congratulations, Candy!

- Russ! Hey, Russ! - Russell!

- Ho, boy! Russ! - I see some old friends

- from when I was young. - No problem.

OK. I'll catch you in there.

Ten theaters...

and counting.

And... this.

We made the trades.

Tomorrow's "Variety."

Hey, Lori Madison!

Hey, Lori, what's wrong?

- Nothing. - No, no, no.

- Lori, talk to me. - Just...

I know he's gonna... He's gonna show up here. I know.

This is... This is your night, all right?

If his narrow ass shows up, he's not gettin' anywhere near you.

Understand?

Hey. My word is my bond.

- OK. - OK.

Oh, my God! Look at you!

Hot as balls.

"...and the script is at points blunt and knowing.

There's much to be admired here.

So much, in fact, that were it not

for the gratuitous punctuation

of hardcore pornographic imagery,

"Red Hot" could be called...

an instant arthouse tour-de-force."

- Gratuitous? - Never mind that.

You are holding the best review of a skin flick

since "Behind the Green Door."

The guy bought what you were selling.

This is a hit, Eileen.

Forget about the raincoat crowd,

guys are gonna bring dates to this.

Regular guys. Normal guys.

Normal?

Harvey, I keep telling you: fuck normal.

- Nobody's normal. - Come here.

Yeah, Lori! Yeah!

- Congratulations, Lori. - Yeah, Lori, yeah!

You're beautiful, baby!

Hey, all right!

Russ would be the idiot with flowers on his arm.

Let's just say it's not exactly like the old days

when you were fumbling around with those Tri-Delt girls at the fall mixer.

Only difference between Candy and the Tri-Delt girls is Candy knows how to fuck.

So what's it like bonin' a porn star?

It's like bonin' a porn star.

- Shit. - So,

the screening's about to start,

and I'd like you to intro the film.

You ready with a few words?

Yeah.

- Well, I'm awake. - What made you think

this movie was gonna keep them interested?

I love this movie.

Bill Holden is like the hero

without any of the hero bullshit.

- He didn't want to go back. - Yeah, but he did.

I dunno, I read in the TV Guide it was playin',

and I thought they would be ready for it.

I mean, I was at their age.

I remember I took two buses

all the way to the Marine on Flatbush to see it.

- Marine's gone now. - Yeah.

Fuck, we're on Memory Lane.

- The years, ya know? - Christ, Vin, no.

- No, don't even start. - Yeah, you're not wrong.

So, how's it goin' with that guy from Cedarhurst?

- The lawyer. - Done. Done.

I was rootin' for that guy.

You were rootin' for an end to the monthly checks,

that's what you were rootin' for. Be honest.

No. Fuck the money. The money's easy.

Why can't I want you happy?

Yeah, well, not with that mook, that was for sure.

And Abby? How's that?

Good.

I mean...

I don't know.

Good, but you don't know?

She has her own things... her own worlds.

She's smarter than me, which is great, but...

You're smart, Vin. Don't play that dumb bartender shit with me.

She's book smart, and I'm not that.

And it ain't even really about the books.

You know, when I met her, she was young,

and there was this whole world she didn't know about.

But now it's like she sees the world better than me.

And me,

I think she sees right through.

Just because she knows more shit than you

doesn't mean she won't make you a good wife, Vin.

She wants to get married like I want a kidney stone.

What about...

you know, kids?

What do you want?

I want a house and a wife

and a bunch of rug rats runnin' around,

and a dog and a cat and a goldfish,

and a lawn and a driveway with a Lincoln rustin' in it.

And I want to be at the center of the world

and never fuckin' sleep.

Same as ever.

Yeah, but... I'm more mature than I was.

I'm more thoughtful about it.

Thoughtful.

Yeah, thoughtful.

I'll help you...

put 'em to bed.

Come on, Vincenzo.

Oh, my God.

I can't even lift him. What are you feedin' this guy?

He's 11 now, Vin.

- Come on. - They grow.

Yeah.

All right, come on, buddy.

Come on. Here we go.

I can't carry you anymore.

Angie, honey, come on, it's bedtime.

Angie, wake up. Bedtime.

Is Dad still here?

Yeah, he's just taking your brother upstairs.

Go on, bedtime.

Go on, brush your teeth.

Yeah, you know, so... you can figure that part out.

I don't really care.

You sure of this?

Yeah.

How you know?

We know. We always know.

Well, just that you're sure.

Yeah, of course.