My name is Vito Scaletta. I was born in Sicily in 1925. That little guy's me. I'm standing there with my parents and my sister Francesca in front of our old house. I dont really remember too much about the old country... exept that we were pretty hard up. And then one day, my father decided it was time to move away. Away from Sicily. Across the ocean to start a new life in America. Never in my life had i seen anything as fantastic as Empire Bay. It was beautiful. On the other hand, I'd never seen anything filthier or more disgusting than our new shithole of an apartment. "The American Dream." It was more like a nightmare. My father started working at the port for the guy who arranged our migration. It was back-breaking work, and what little money he made mostly went towards booze. Eventually my parents sent me to school. I had to learn English, and i sure as hell wasn't gonna do that in a neighborhood full of Italians. That's where I met Joe... C'mon, Vito. Hurry it up. We ain't got all night. Over time, Joe and I got to be best friends. And since we were both poor, and there were wasn't much work around, we started a little buisiness of our own... Freeze! Police! Stop! Vito! This way! Throw me the bag! Stop or I'll shoot! Shit. OK, ye bastard, spread yer legs and put your hands on the fence! Fuck, I'm sorry, Vito. Well, that one time it didn't work out so good. The year was 1943. America was at war and the Army was lookin' for guys who spoke the language to help with the invasion of Sicily. I was eighteen, and anything seemed better than jail. Who says you can't go home again? Chapter 1 THE OLD COUNTRY SICILY, JULY 1943 Operation Husky: I was assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry. On the 11th July we were supposed to be dropped over the southern coast of Sicily, but we got hit by flak and had to bail out - way behind enemy lines. Only three of us made it. If it wasn't for the local resistance, we wouldn't have had a chance. So when Mussolini's soldires came into the town and started rounding everybody up, we decided to return the favor. Why does no one talk? Now this man must die... Ha, ha? No, no please... uh, uh... Alright, Scaletta. Take the shot. So, you traitors! We gotta clear those balconies, Scaletta! Behind the sandbags! They're falling back, Lets move. On me! Shit! Look out! Get down! Get down! Shit! Ahhh! Get up here, Scaletta! Woah! We must get inside and save the prisoners before the army arrives. Corporal - this guy's sayin' there's more troops headed this way. Terrific. Alright, you and Wiliams take out that machine gun nest, then find the prisoners. We're gonna need every man we can get. Ain't gettin' through this way. Looks like we found the machine gun! If you got a granade Scaletta, this would be a GREAT FUCKING TIME to use it! Watch it! Put a granade through the window! Whooho.....fuck! Scaletta, you alive? Yeah, Just about. Well then get off your ass and let's move it. Grab all the ammo you can carry. This might be our last chance. Wh-hoo! Look at this shit! On the stairs! Hey, Greaseballs, catch! No offense, Scaletta. Must have the prisoners upstairs. Clear the second floor. Scaletta, you take point! Kill the hostages! Right behind you, man. Got him. Surrender! Or I'll blow his brains out! Shit, looks like we're goin' this way. Come on then. Ah shit! How many of these fuckers are there? Who gives a fuck?! Just keep shooting! What in the hell's it look like i'm doing?! Oh! More shootin', less talkin'. Hey, fine by me asshole... Shit, this balcony isn't gonna work. We gotta keep movin', let's get inside. Get inside, Scaletta! You're gonna die out here! More Fascists! More Fascists are coming! They've got reinforcements here! Take out that truck. Let'em have it! Ahhhhh, shit, they got artillery! Get inside, now! I was telling my friend to be careful. Don't bother with being careful, just do as you told! Don't shoot, boys! You know me. I have an offer for you. The war is over! The Americans have come to liberate us. They are our friends. They will get rid of Mussolini for us. Who the hell is that? you know him?! Everyone knows him. Don Calo, he's a man of honor. If you don't do anything stupid, you can go home to your families today. You're safe. I guarantee this! You know you can trust me. What do you say? Don Calo, the head of the Sicilian mob. An entire garrison of troops surrendered that day. Why? Because he told 'em to.