Last Exit to Brooklyn

Part 6 of Last Exit to Brooklyn explores the lives of the residents of a public housing estate (which the characters call the “Project”) in the neighborhood. One resident is Mike Kelly, who grumbles when his wife, Irene, sends him for milk and bread while she prepares for work. Mike refuses, so she must care for the young children and ready their breakfast while Mike stays in bed. Worrying that she will be late for work, she rushes to complete the housework and runs to catch the bus, cursing her lazy husband.

Ada, an elderly widow, is happy that the warmth of spring has returned after a dark, lonely winter. Through the difficult cold months, she prayed desperately to God and flagellated herself in hope that the warm months would return.

Vinnie and Mary have been married for five years and have two kids. Everyone in their house shouts constantly. When Mary uses the bathroom, Vinnie urinates out of the window and into the neighbor’s home, hitting their baby in its crib. The neighbors complain, but Vinnie and Mary play innocent. They begin shouting at one another as they make breakfast.

Warnings are posted throughout the building, telling people not to throw garbage out of the windows—a disposal method known as “airmail.