Hoodlum is about the war of two gangs in 1930s Harlem for the control of illegal gaming - one headed by black strategic godfather Bumpy Johnson and another by white ruthless hothead Dutch Schultz. Negotiations proposed by white syndicate boss Lucky Luciano never get under way, blood flows and Johnson gets jailed. When Johnson is paroled, he gets the work of enforcer for mighty Stephanie "The Queen" St. Clair. She is also jailed for racketeering and when she leaves she makes him promise "no violence" a promise Bumpy can not keep.
Black gangsters in 1930s Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.
“THE STORY”
Bumpy Johnson, has just step foot out of Sing-Sing Prison. As the gates close behind him he hear the sound of a car horn off in the distance. It’s his longtime friends and right hand man Nat and Alabama Black. Nat was standing outside the car while Alabama Black was sitting in the driver seat. Bumpy headed towards their way. Bumpy made it to the car and Nat starred at him for a moment in silence. Bumpy starred back. Then both men started smiling. Welcome back Bumpy, said Nat. As they both shook hands and hugged. Nat (LIEUTENANT), a fast talker also Bumpy’s best friend and righ-hand man, top narcotics lieutenant.
Bumpy got in the backseat as Nat got in front passenger. Bumpy! said Alabama Black as he puffed on a cigar and looked through the review mirror to Bumpy. Welcome back, Alabama Black finished saying as he started the car. Alabama Black (ENFORCER), The main Enforcer.
How is everything going? How is the Queen? Bumpy asked. Business is good and the Queen is fine said Nat just one thing the Dutchman has been trying to come in on our numbers operation. Where is the Queen now? asked Bumpy. She’s at the Club we’re going to her after we come from getting your tailored suit said Nat.
As Bumpy Johnson road through the streets of Harlem in the backseat of the car in a brand new tailored suit, he noticed someone taking a beating on the sidewalk. The guy dropped down to his knees and then was met with another punch as he felt back facing upwards. “Bub Hewlett “ said Alabama Black with anger while his cigar was in his mouth as all three men gazed at the scene as the car passes by. Bub Hewlett was now standing over the guy with a tommy gun. The guy was pleading to him. Please Bub, I’m sorry it won’t happen again. Bub placed his foot on top of the guy’s chest and said, you mess with the Dutchman you messing with me! It’s a new day, “Dutch Schultz” writes policy in Harlem!
Bumpy, Nat and Alabama Black has just arrived to the club to see the Queen. Knock! Knock! Alabama Black knocked at the steel door to the entrance of the Club. The peep hole to the door slid open and a eyeball appeared looking out at them. The peep hole shut quickly and the steel door began to unlock. The door opened with a squeaky sound. There stood Junie with one eyeball due to being shot and having it replaced with a fake one. Junie’s a top soldier of the Queen. Junie had his arms open for a welcoming hug. Bumpy! said Junie, good to have you back. Bumpy stepped inside with Nat and Alabama Black behind him. Hey! Bumpy! Hey! Bumpy! Welcome! Back! There were lots of people in the club welcoming Bumpy back. Bumpy continued walking through until he heard a familiar voice off to the side by the pool table area. The one and only Bumpy Johnson himself! A man said as he shot a pool ball into a goal. The man then grabbed money up from the pool table putting it into his pocket as he walked towards Bumpy. Welcome home good friend the man said to Bumpy as they greeted.
Sly Fox!
Bumpy, called the man. How it’s been I see you still practicing that shot Bumpy, said to Sly Fox. With you back around it shall improve Sly Fox said to Bumpy. Sly Fox (LIEUTENANT). A notorious playboy, pool hustler, bookie and policy boss, over seeing all numbers houses.
“Bumpy” the Queen waiting Alabama Black, said with cigar smoke. As Bumpy and Alabama Black headed to the basement stairs. Nat, stayed behind with Sly Fox. Well well well look who still is sharp and fine as before.
A young woman said as she stood behind the barstool serving drinks. Hey look at you Dawn all growed up said Bumpy.
Madam St. Clair took her in under her responsibility as her guardian when she was a teenager living on the streets of Harlem. A old friend of the club who goes by the name Whispers taught her how to use gun’s. She was already street tough but now deadly. She also has a thing for Sly Fox.
Bumpy and Alabama Black headed down the stairs to the underground floor. They reached the bottom floor and came to another steel door. Bumpy knocked twice and then a set of eyes looked out the peep hole. The peep hole was slammed shut and the steel door was quickly opened. “Bumpy” welcome back said Ralph a top soldier of the Queen. Bumpy nodded his head at him and was now walking through Madam Queen’s main policy business. He glanced around observing the business liking how things were going so far as him and Alabama Black headed to the back corner of the room to the Queen’s office. On the side of the entrance steel door was a old friend who went by the name Whispers sitting in a chair slicing and eating a apple with his Buck Knike. Whispers hat was tilted down as he was leaning back in the chair but he still noticed Bumpy and Alabama Black approaching. Whispers raised his head and said my boy is back. He then stood to his feet and said welcome home “Bumpy”. And gave Bumpy a welcoming hug. Good to see you old timer said Bumpy.
Whispers (ENFORCER). Bumpy’s number 1 advisor, old, quick and very deadly. Had his throat slit at a younger age left his voice with a low tone. Go in she’s been waiting on you said Whispers as he pushed the steel door open. Bumpy walk through the entrance while Alabama Black stayed back with Whispers. Bumpy came to a second door in front of him as he stepped through the entrance. He knocked and someone began to open the door. A bald man stood in the doorway entrance grilling Bumpy in silence. Bumpy grilled the man back. Tee-Ninchy! let him in said the Queen from the inside of her office.
Tee-Ninchy (Personal Bodyguard) of African heritage and has been Madam Queen’s most trusted, loyal bodyguard for a longtime. He puts nothing and no one before the Queen. He vowed to protect her with his life.
Tee-Ninchy stepped aside and Bumpy walked in. “Madam Queen” he called out to the Queen as he removed his hat. “Bumpy Johnson” the Queen replied back smiling and then stood to her feet. The Queen began to walk around her desk towards Bumpy. You still have that light in your eyes said Madam Queen as she approached Bumpy. “Bumpy” grabbed the Queen by the hand and kissed the back of her palm.
How has things been? Bumpy asked.
Come sit with me the Queen said as she guided him towards a loveseat sofa. They set down and Bumpy began to speak.
I’m hearing the Dutchman is threatening your operation said Bumpy.
I want you to kill him! or I will kill him myself! said Madam Queen.
It will be an all out War, are you ready for that? Bumpy asked the Queen and she nodded her head in silence.
Who will finance this war? Bumpy asked the Queen once more. The Queen said Bumpy you don’t think I have money? I have plenty of money!
Well it’s gotta be at least $200 a week for good men said Bumpy. In addition we need more guns, we gotta pay off cops and we gotta put up bails, Bumpy continued to say.
I have a meeting with him tomorrow said the Queen, and there I will make my position clear.
I want to go with you to that meeting as your bodyguard said Bumpy. Then Tee-Ninchy stepped forward and began to say “ That’s For Me Job!!! Me Take Care The Queen!!! “ said Tee-Ninchy.
I have faith in Tee-Ninchy, said the Queen. But you will also be beside me she told Bumpy.
The Dutchman is threatening to take over businesses that have taken you 10 years to build up said Bumpy. I’m not going to stand by and do nothing, and let him come for you!
I want everyone to know the Queen still holding power in Harlem, he finished saying.
I have a little welcome home gift for you the Queen told Bumpy. Then Tee-Ninchy walked over to a sliding door and pulled it back, reviling a “Gun Rack”.
Bumpy stood up, put his hat back on and walked over to the gun rack as the Queen stayed seated.
Bumpy stepped in front of the gun rack looking at all the guns and then he smiled.
I will never steal nothing from you! You have to believe me! I have been working for you for a longtime now Dutch!
Dutch just set at his desk finishing a “corn beef” sandwich starring at the guy as he set across from him. Dutch’s two henchmen “Lulu” and “Otto” where also in the room as well. “Lulu Rosenkrantz” is a New York mobster and Dutch Schultz's chauffeur and bodyguard.
Otto Berman, also works for Dutch Schultz. Well known for his ability to figure complex mathematical equations and algebraic expressions in a matter of seconds, without the use of paper or pen.
“Lulu” was standing up and “Otto” was sitting down. Come on Dutch, you have to believe me. Dutch took one last bite of his corn beef sandwich before he set it down. Then he picked up a handkerchief and started wiping his
face. I believe you said Dutch, as he now wiped his hands with the handkerchief.
He then quickly withdrew his gun from his holster and shot the man right between the eyes. The mans head jerked back in his seat and then he felt forward face down on Dutch’s desk. Dutch slammed his gun down on his desk and said, You know something I was starting to like you but no one steals from me and get away with it.
"Nothing Personal Just Business” said Otto.
Ding! The elevator to Dutch’s office just opened up and Bub Hewlett just stepped out.
Dutch’s office was the only room on that top floor and his office set across from the elevator. Bub walked through the two doors that Dutch kept wide open at all times and made his way towards Dutch. Bub then laid a thick envelope down on the desk in front of Dutch.
Bub, how’s business going. Dutch asked as he picked up the envelope.
Everything is going fine, “Bub” responded.
You know I have a meeting tomorrow with that Broad who calls herself the Queen of Harlem, and I want you there as well said Dutch. She’s either going to sell me her numbers racket business or im taking it.
I talked to her like you asked me to said Bub, she’s not budging he finished saying.
We shall see about that said Dutch as he leaned back in his seat with a devilish grin.
Bumpy awoke to the sound of someone knocking on his apartment door Nat had just given him. Bumpy grabbed his gun and headed towards the door. Who is it!? he asked.
It’s Nat! open up!
Bumpy opened the door and Nat stepped in. Goodmorning Bumpy How’d you sleep?
Sing Sing Prison almost made me forget what a real bed feels like Bumpy said as he flexed his shoulder. Nat laughed and said I know that lfeeling “Bumpy”. Me and “Alabama Black” a be downstairs waiting on you he finished saying as he turned around and left back out.
Bumpy, Nat and Alabama Black arrived to the club. The club was closed for today only certain people were inside on this day. Bumpy stepped inside and saw the Queen standing over the pool table with soldiers and bodyguards gathered around her. Dawn was standing behind the barstool again, she nodded at “Bumpy” and focused her attention back on the Queen.
The Dutchman think I will bowl down to him he has another thing coming said the Queen. I want you all to be ready for him to try anything tricky. I will be meeting him in a designated downtown Hall she continued to say. “Bumpy” “Tee-Ninchy” “Nat” and “Whispers” will go in with me. The rest of you will wait outside.
Let’s go! the Queen said. Everyone started getting up and ready.
BOOK IN STORES SOON!!!
Stephanie Saint-Clair (BOSS). The Godmother and Queen of Harlem policy rackets.
Bumpy Johnson (UNDER BOSS). A chess master, smooth, vicious and intelligent.
Alabama Black (ENFORCER). The main Enforcer.
Whispers (ENFORCER). Bumpy’s number 1 advisor, old, quick and very deadly. Had his throat slit at a younger age left his voice with a low tone.
Nat (LIEUTENANT). Bumpy’s best friend and righ-hand man, top narcotics lieutenant.
Sly Fox (LIEUTENANT). A notorious playboy, pool hustler, bookie and policy boss, over seeing all numbers houses.
(Dawn) The Queen took her in under her responsibility as her guardian when she was a teenager living on the streets of Harlem. Whispers taught her how to use gun’s. She was already tough and street smart but now deadly. She also has a thing for Sly Fox.
Calvin and Junie (Top SOLDIERS/BODYGUARDS)
Ralph and Terry (Top SOLDIERS/BODYGUARDS)
Tee-Ninchy (Personal Bodyguard) of African heritage and has been Madam Queen’s most trusted, loyal bodyguard for a longtime. He puts nothing and no one before the Queen. He vowed to protect her with his life.
One mobster in particular was determined to take over Madam St. Clair’s business: Dutch Schultz, a brutal man with a violent temper who would become her archenemy. Dutch was a maniac who found humor in killing people.
“Lulu Rosenkrantz” is a New York mobster and Dutch Schultz's chauffeur and bodyguard.
“Bub Hewlett” works for Dutch Schultz and once was the leader of a viscous gang that terrorized the streets of Harlem called The Hewlett Gang.
Otto Berman, works for Dutch Schultz. Well known for his ability to figure complex mathematical equations and algebraic expressions in a matter of seconds, without the use of paper or pen. He invented the phrase "Nothing Personal Just Business”
Marty the Wolf, enforcer and lieutenant of Dutch Schultz's policy operations. He’s responsible for slicing Capones left cheek.
Abraham Landau, is the chief henchman for Dutch Schultz. Abraham is Schultz's most trusted employee, also good with tasks that require coolness and cunning rather than gunfire and brutality.
Bo Weinberg, is a Jewish New York City mobster who became a hitman and chief lieutenant for gang boss Dutch Schultz. Bo, is one of Schultz's top gunmen.
Masked Gunmen, that works for Dutch Schultz.
“Officer Foley” a mean, crooked Police Captain that like to beat people down in the streets and take from them. He does dirty work for Dutch Schultz.
Lucky Luciano, born 1897 in Sicily, probably did more to create the modern American Mafia. He led a group of young Italian and Jewish mobsters against the “Moustache Petes,” set the stage for the Mob to grow beyond the limits of bootlegging profits.
Murder Incorporated, are hitmen under “Lucky Luciano”, and is a organized crime group, active as the enforcement arm of the Italian-American Mafia, the Jewish Mob, and other closely connected organized crime groups in New York City and elsewhere.
Antwone, is Bumpy’s personal chauffeur.
