Turtelli al forno, (Turtelli in the oven), is a story in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic published by Rizzoli. It appeared in issue 29, 1991, of the Italian children's magazine "Corriere dei Piccoli".
Appearing in Turtelli al forno[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
Species[]
Objects and vehicles[]
Locations[]
- New York City
- Pascalone's Pizza
- Tony's Pizza
Summary[]
A pair of thugs terrorize Tony of Tony’s Pizza just outside of his restaurant. When one asks if Tony agrees, he swallows nervously before telling them of course. The second thug reminds him that if he doesn’t want to see his place reduced to nothing, he’d better not be lying. The thugs then return to a waiting car and tell the occupant that Tony’s is fixed too. Their boss tells them to get in so they can go. They still have a lot of pizza makers to “convince”.
The car drives away and is observed by the four disguised Turtles. Michelangelo asks the others if they see that it was Don Turtelli in the car. Leonardo tells Tony that he shouldn’t be serving such fools in his place. Tony replies that he is not a customer, so Donatello wants to know what he was doing here. Tony says that he’d rather not talk about it and invites them inside, offering to buy them a pizza. Raffaello says that’s an offer they can’t refuse. Leonardo is still concerned because something is not quite right.
Indeed… Don Turtelli is on the phone in his office speaking to Don Corlimone. He is ecstatic because Corlimone has accepted his invitation. After he hangs up, Turtelli turns to his two thugs and says that all his colonels and gang leaders are coming to lunch. Sal asks his boss if he really invited them to gorge at his expense. Turtelli informs them that during the banquet, he will propose his candidacy as boss of bosses. His underlings think that sounds good, but Sal wonders how he can be sure the others will elect him as their leader. Turtelli says they will when they find out he has every pizzeria in the city in his hands. Sal finally realizes why they were working so hard and Turtelli replies that is exactly why. The pizza racket must be his.
That evening, the Turtles visit another pizzeria, this one belonging to Pascalone. Leonardo asks him to tell them what is happening because none of his colleagues will. They thought they would ask him as he’s their friend. Pasclone doesn’t know anything for sure, but he has heard rumors. It seems that Don Turtelli wants to impose his “protection” on all the pizzerias in New York. Donatello asks why and Pascalone replies that it’s very big business. Whoever controls it gains authority and prestige. Michelangelo says that Turtelli has delusions of grandeur again.
Just then, Turtelli’s two thugs arrive and Pascalone urges the Turtles to hide. Sal tells Nick that this pizzeria is the last one on the list. Pascalone demands to know what they want. Sal says they are there to offer protection, otherwise some accidents could happen. Nick tells him “like this” and breaks a window. Then he goes to destroy something else, but Leonardo pops up from behind the camera and Nicks shouts in surprise. Leonardo says it’s kind of that he remembers them, then the Turtles surround the pair of thugs. Leonardo asks if there is no one to protect the protectors and Donatello adds that’s a shame. Raffaello informs them that an accident is about to happen to them. Shortly, the two thugs are in a heap on the floor. Sal tells his partner that the boss won’t be happy. Nick responds that they didn’t need this and Sal adds it’s also because lunch is set for tomorrow.
Raffaello asks what lunch is he talking about. Sal insists that he won’t tell. Raffaello says if that’s what he prefers, and then asks if he’s ever heard about the atrocious tortures of the Antille Dwarf Tortoise. This frightens Sal, who says that thinking on it, he’s decided to tell them everything. Donatello leans in to ask Raffaello about the dwarf tortoise and his brother grins before answering that it sounds terrible, doesn’t it?
After a short, but sincere, explanation, Leonardo thinks over the information that Turtelli would like to become number one. Then he nudges Michelangelo and says that they can reduce his ambitions. Michelangelo chuckles and says that he already has half an idea on how to do it. He then turns to Sal and Nick to tell them that there is a cell in their future, but that they’ll reach it in their underwear.
A few minutes later, Leonardo and Michelangelo, dressed in Sal and Nick’s clothes, approach the car where Don Turtelli is waiting. The man leans from the car to ask if they took care of everything, thinking they are his two thugs. They tell him it went smoothly and in fact, they persuaded Pascalone to lend his place for free for lunch. Don Turtelli compliments them on a job well done and says that Pascalone’s pizzas are excellent. He drives away, calling out for them to remain here to monitor preparations and he’ll see them tomorrow.
The next day, Turtelli enters the kitchen at Pascalone’s and shouts that all the guests are at the table, so they need to get a move on. Raffaello tells him there is no need to rush great chefs. Turtelli then realizes that they are the Turtles, but before he can do anything, Michelangelo knocks him out with a blow from his nunchaku. Raffaello says that the dough is ready. Michelangelo pulls Turtello towards him, saying that the filling arrives. Soon, Leonardo, wearing a waiter’s outfit, tells the impatient patrons that the house specialty is coming. The other three Turtles, carrying a huge tray, enter. Leonardo announces the stuffed calzone. They set it down on the table, and Turtelli sits up from the calzone. The other bosses start laughing and one calls him “Turtelli with a side of mozzarella and tomato”. Another says that as a bandit, he is a disaster, but as a comedian, he’s the best. Turtelli growls in anger and Leonardo says that after this show, at most they’ll choose Turtelli as dish of the day.