We said that an unexpected event or an unforeseen meeting was needed.

But we can have new experiences only through meeting people.

And we know that human beings, although fascinating and desirable, are doomed to become dust.

Death seems to have the final word. But there are different ways of dying…

Romeo is the leader of a gang of hoods, a group of immigrants that are disorderly and without moral values. When he is with them, everything is O.K.: nothing frightens them anymore. Everybody would like to be a true man like him.

He is bold as usual: a “tough guy”, a true “movie hero”. Even this time, when he has a bullet in his back, he does not let his buddies know.

Unfortunately, he too will die, but “at home”, in the movie theatre, in front of one of his cinema idols he has himself become.

 

Romeo Is Bleeding (Tom Waits)

Romeo is bleeding but not so as you’d notice

He’s over on 18th street as usual

Lookin’ so hard against the hood of his car

And puttin’ out a cigarette in his hand

And for all the pachucos at the pumps

At Romero’s paint and body

They all seein’ how far they can spit

Well it was just another night

But now they’re huddled in the brake lights of a 58 belair

And listenin’ how Romeo killed a sherif with his knife


And they all jump when they hear the sirens

But Romeo just laughs and says

All the racket in the world ain’t never gonna

Save that copper’s ass

He’ll never see another summertime for gunnin’ down my brother

And leavin’ him like a dog beneath a car without his knife


And Romeo says hey man gimme a cigarette

And they all reach for their pack

And Frankie lights it for him and pats him on the back

And throws a bottle at a milk truck

And as it breaks he grabs his nuts

And they all know they could be just like Romeo

If they only had the guts


But Romeo is bleeding but nobody can tell

And he sings along with the radio

With a bullet in his chest

And he combs back his fenders

And they all agree it’s clear

That every thing is cool now that Romeo’s here

But Romeo is bleeding

And he winces now and then and he leans against

The car door and feels the blood in his shoes

And someone’s crying in the phone booth

At the 5 points by the store


Romeo starts his engine

And wipes the blood off of the door

And he brodys through the signal

With the radio full blast

Leavin’ the boys there hikin’ up their chinos

And they all try to stand like Romeo

Beneath the moon cut like a sickle

And they’re talkin’ now in spanish about their hero


But Romeo is bleeding as he gives the man his ticket

And he climbs to the balcony at the movies

And he’ll die without a wimper

Like every hero’s dream

Just an angel with a bullet

And Cagney on the screen

LP: “Blue Valentine”, 1978 – 4’50” – Written by: T. Waits.