Luigi

"Hey, that's-a some-a good taste in the whiskey, boys!"

Vinnie & Paulie

> «Hehehe, *take it eas*y boys, let me finish this-a drink-a first, okay?» - Luigi's last words, before gulping down a glass of tainted booze
>
>

**Luigi** is a supporting character in the short film *Hell bent for Whiskey*. He is a local happy-go-lucky bar owner, running Luigi's Bar and a business partner of Vinnie Cannoli. This connection unfortunately leads to Luigi becoming one of the first to turn in the short-lived Chicago Outbreak.

## Biography

Judging by his accent, which is distinctly more pronounced than Vinnie's or most other (presumably) Italian characters, Luigi was likely born and raised in Italy and later immigrated to America, settling in Chicago and opening a bar.

Following the Prohibition, he apparently became a known and frequent customer of the Belluccio's Whiskey and Beer, mostly interacting with Vinnie, with whom he has an easy going, yet entirely professional relation to, being the first to be supplied with the newly acquired batch of alcohol from the Costellis. It is unknown how long he has been using their services, but it can be assumed he was already in ownership of the bar before the Prohibition took place, as his establishment still has the sign with his name openly shown out front, but is seemingly kept closed during the day, under the guise of being out of business, as to avoid being shut down, only opening in the den of night.

## Hell Bent for Whiskey

When Vinnie and Paulie obtain a number of whiskey barrels, they promptly deliver them to Luigi's Bar, unaware that the barrels were contaminated. The following night, a lively party is held there, which is attended by many. While the customers dance and enjoy the liquor, at the back of the bar, inside the small office room, Luigi discusses the payment for the shipment with Vinnie and Paulie. Slightly intoxicated, Luigi happily comments that the whiskey they brought was particularly good in flavor, to which Vinnie concurs, but also requests they go on with the transaction. Luigi tells them to be patient, as he pours himself another glass, assuring them he'd continue with the negotiations once he's had another swig. He chugs the drink in one go, now even drunker than he already was, making the duo exchange glances in concern for a moment. His tipsiness doesn't last long, however, as when he begins to cough, hack and drool, his face suddenly twists as he shouts in pain. The screaming ceases as quickly as it came, with small boils starting to sprout on the cheek and chin of the now strangely silent Luigi, while his left eye begins to spin around in its socket. Both gangsters simply stare at him during the transformation, paralyzed in bewilderment.

As his skin turns grey and his right eye starts to violently bulge, the two mobsters become even more shocked, still unable to fully grasp the reality of the situation, until Luigi's eyeball finally bursts out of his skull and hits Vinnie's shirt, snapping the two out of their trance. Both their visions lock on Luigi, who abruptly stands up enraged and throws the table aside, almost smashing the drinking glass at Vinnie's face and stomps forwards, grabbing a hold of Paulie's neck and ramming him against the wall. Paulie calls out for Vinnie's help, who rushes to the fire axe case and removes it from its rack, before lodging it into Luigi's back. Luigi appears to barely feel the axe blade stuck in his spine, but still turns around, sees Vinnie and smashes him in the face, launching him straight against the opposite wall. With Luigi distracted, Paulie uses this chance to grab a handful of shells from his pocket and load his Lupara. Luigi turns around once more, only to be greeted with a gun barrel pushed into his mouth. Paulie pulls the trigger, blowing his head off.

The pair takes time to collect themselves, before having a small chat about what happened, with Paulie suggesting that the alcohol may have had something to do with Luigi's frenzy. Vinnie dismisses this and asks about the bar patrons, who drank the alcohol as well. As he turns his head around, he unfortunately finds that Paulie's assumption to be right, as the zombified customers burst through the glass window. Vinnie and Pauline grab their guns and fire round after round into the incoming horde, but quickly find themselves overwhelmed and flee through the back door to their truck. He and his bar are presumably blown up in the whiskey explosion that follows the same night.

## Gallery

Luigi talks business with Vinnie and Paulie.Luigi feels lightheaded......and starts screaming and convulsing,Luigi looking worse for wear.Luigi's right eye starts protrudingEye pop."RAAARRRGGGHH!!!"Zombie Luigi flips the table aside......and lunges at Paulie!Vinnie axes Zombie Luigi.Zombie Luigi meets Paulie's LuparaZombie Luigi about to lose his headZombie Luigi's death