Catching Leaves

Catching Leaves is a story about four lifelong friends. On one level, it is a story about the loss of innocence. On another, it is about the tragedy of things that die inside us while we live. It involves the juxtaposition of the American Dream and the hard lessons of the real world. It is about friendship, loyalty and ethical values. The story takes place in a world that often reveals itself to be harsh, cruel and unforgiving. These friends have grown up on Manhattan's lower eastside, where they see that those who succeed are those who are strong and violent. They learn it is better to respond to a perceived or actual threat by attacking first and asking questions later. They strive to be known as stand up guys and they wear the label with pride. They carry these values with them into the wider world. Learning to modify dysfunctional behavior does not come easy for them. They discover that buying into the American Dream means having to develop more socially acceptable conduct. However, when they find themselves in stressful situations, they revert to their old ways. They are often held hostage to the conditioned responses they learned as children. Michael Pantiona, Sammy Turkin, Tony Landini and Scotty Williams have each had traumatic childhood experiences. Comfort is found in their shared values and in the security of their friendships. They are two Italians, one Jew and a Black American. Their discoveries of sympathetic chords in each other transcend cultural, religious and racial prejudices. In their teenage years, the boys cement their loyalties to each other as they hang together in the old neighborhood while emulating the behaviors of their elders. They become members of acommunity center where they name their club group as the All Stars. They gain local notoriety for their athletic prowess as softball, stickball and basketball players. Eventually their young adult years find them growing apart and isolated from each other due to vocational and military choices. Years later, fortuitous circumstances reunite them and the All Stars pick up their friendships where they left off as teenagers. Each of the All Stars has since had a series of unfulfilled life experiences. As partners in the restaurant business on Manhattan's trendy upper east side, they begin to use their skills and strengths to forge a successful enterprise. They quickly recreate the binds and loyalties they had with each other when they were younger. Sammy Turkin assumes the leadership role in the group. Sammy is an amiable person, with a unique talent of making people feel comfortable around him. His honesty is disarming. After spending years as the least likely to succeed, he becomes driven to validate himself by working long hours and giving himself completely to the demands of the business. His need for status is so great that he is willing to do almost anything to succeed. Michael Pantiona has spent years as a social worker in an attempt to find redemption towards assuaging his guilt for a fatal and impulsive youthful act. Like his friends, he has had to deal with his conditioned propensity for physical confrontations with others. His good guy versus bad guy conflict has plagued him with uncertainties; which frequently translate into periodic and unpredictable anti-social behaviors. He sees the partnership as a way out - a refuge within the safe and secure network of old and trustedfriends. Tony Landini is a silent partner in the business. His superficial bravado is compensation for his insecurities. Despite his intelligence and resourcefulness, he has passed up countless opportunities for success. He overcomes these insecurities with encouragement and sustenance from his friends. He conquers his lack of confidence and takes the first step in developing a career as a photographer - and later in the movie business. Tony is the voice of reason despite his inner emotional contradictions. Scotty Williams, also a silent partner, is the o