Once Upon a Time in America = Однажды в Америке

America during the Great Depression: rampant banditry, mafia dictatorship, drug trafficking, bootlegging, corruption - absolute lawlessness. On this fertile ground, gangs grow like mushrooms: Jewish, Irish, and others. Brilliant boys from immigrant families see that if they sell stolen newspapers... or deliver a ball of opium, they can really make money. Max and Noodles' gang (Lapsha) holds a large area of New York in fear. Orders for their services are increasing, with more money and blood. Max is planning an unprecedented robbery in history, and nothing will stop him, though the risk is huge. However, the fear of failure drives one of the gang members to cowardice and treachery…
The text has been shortened and adapted. Level B2.
Adaptation, shortening and dictionary: L.F. Shitova