Harlem crime boss Bumpy Johnson laments the loss of personal service and the rise of corporate monopolies in America shortly before suffering a fatal heart attack. His protégé, Frank Lucas, watches helplessly as the man who mentored him dies in a cold, impersonal department store.
BUMPY: This is the problem. This is what’s wrong with America. It’s gotten so big you can’t find your way. The corner grocery’s a supermarket. Candy store’s a MacDonald’s. And this place. Where’s the pride of ownership here? Where’s the personal service? Does anybody work here? What right do they ha
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Audition for Bumpy's Lament from American Gangster. This crime drama duologue features a powerful Harlem crime boss reflecting on societal changes before his death. Perfect for actors seeking intense, reflective, and foreboding scenes.
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
Similar Scenes
This America, Man
from The Wire
Detective McNulty (McArdle in the pilot script) questions a witness about the murder of a local thief named Snotboogie. The scene explores the senseless nature of street violence and the tragic, unwritten rules of the neighborhood.
The Snotboogie Paradox
from The Wire
Detective McNulty (McArdle in the pilot script) questions a witness about the murder of a local thief named Snotboogie. The scene explores the senseless nature of the crime and the witness's philosophical acceptance of the neighborhood's chaotic social contract.
The Mouse and the Metroliner
from The Wire
Two intoxicated detectives share a moment of dark levity and professional reflection by the train tracks in the early morning. Bunk recounts a ridiculous story about shooting a mouse with his service weapon before McNulty (McArdle) reveals his stubborn determination to pursue a complex case despite departmental pressure.
The Chain of Command
from The Wire
Captain Rawls aggressively confronts Detective McArdle for bypassing the chain of command and speaking to a judge about unsolved murders. Rawls asserts his dominance through a profane tirade, ultimately forcing McArdle to stay late to write a report that covers Rawls's own political interests.