Once Upon a Time in America = Однажды в Америке

America of the Great Depression: rampant banditry, mafia dictatorship, drug trafficking, bootlegging, corruption - absolute lawlessness. On this fertile ground, gangs sprout like mushrooms: Jewish, Irish, and others. Clever boys from immigrant families see that if you sell stolen newspapers... or deliver a ball of opium, you can really make some money. Max and Noodles' gang instills fear in a large area of New York. Orders for their services are increasing, with more money and blood flowing. Max contemplates an unprecedented robbery in history, and nothing will stop him, although the risk is enormous. However, the fear of failure pushes one of the gang members towards cowardice and treachery…
Text abridged and adapted. Level B2.
Adaptation, abbreviation, and glossary: L.F. Shitova