EXT. DIVISION STREET, CHICAGO - NIGHT
We see 1930’s Chicago along Division Street. The faces young and old. Some dressed for a night out, others in threadbare clothes. The area is run down but in the core of a bustling nightlife. Bars, nightclubs, etc. The camera moves like a voyeur taking it all in. Bits of talking, cars, music are all overheard. The hustling charm of Chicago in 1934.
INT. SWEET LADY LOUNGE - NIGHT
It’s July 23, 1934. The Sweet Lady Lounge is packed with people all getting drunk, telling stories, and singing songs in celebration and memoriam for the death of a legend. The night before, John Dillinger was shot dead in Chicago.
Behind the bar is a framed photo of a WANTED POSTER of Dillinger. Around it is a funeral wreath.
A short, stout woman, the sweet lady herself, MAY SOBOTNIK, 63, stands atop the bar ringing a bell to get the rowdy patrons to pay attention.
Everything comes to a stop.
MAY
Alright, now I want to see all your ugly mugs facing me. Tonight, we are here to celebrate the life of one of our own. He may not have been from Chicago or even called Division his stomping ground, but Chi-Town is where he met his end in a hail of bullets.(pause)
He was a man who stuck it to those fat cats running things and made no apologies. He was crazier than the devil himself and I once had the privilege of serving him drinks in this very bar. So I want all of you to raise your glasses to a true hero and outlaw. To John Dillinger, may God have mercy on his soul.
The patrons of the Sweet Lady raise their glasses and give a loud “To John Dillinger”
MAY (CONT’D)
Now the lovely Mina is going to sing a song for us.
The PIANO MAN plays the opening chords to Bye Bye Blackbird and MINA ORLOV, 24, begins to sing.
Cut away to a group of men sitting in a booth. The man in the center is JAKE BOWDRE, 26. He is the ringleader of a small group of petty criminals that are seated around him. Jake is captivated by
Mina’s singing.
The man on his right, PATRICK FLANAGAN, 23, nudges him from his revelry. As Jake comes around, the music begins to fade, as if he’s been awoken from a sweet dream.
PATRICK
Hey Jake, didn’t you have drinks with Dillinger the night he was in here?
Jake annoyed by the interruption gruffly responds.
JAKE
Yeah. Had two whiskeys with him. Which he was good enough to pay for.
Another man at the table, WALT MCCARTY, 25, leans in.
WALT
Sure would’ve liked to have met him.
JAKE
Was a good man. Gutsiest bank robber there ever was. He will be missed.
PATRICK
Not by Hoover or Purvis.
Everybody at the table laughs but Jake, who is still focused on watching Mina.
INT. JAKE’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Jake's office is a one-room place. There is nothing to suggest that Jake spends any real time there. The only furnishings are a desk with two chairs opposite. In the corner near the desk is a large safe. The room has the feeling of a hideout or stash spot.
Jake sits down, turns the desk light on, then opens one of the drawers. He pulls out a document sized manila envelope, opens it and takes out a stack of money. Jake takes a few bills off the top, then puts the rest back in the envelope. He gets up and walks over to the safe, turns the dial and opens it up. Jake tosses the money inside and takes out a velvet bag. After closing the safe he goes back to the desk, sits down, then empties the contents on the desk. There are 3 high-quality diamond rings, two gold chains, and a Rolex. He begins inspecting the items carefully under the light.
Then there is a knock on the door.
Jake gets up from the desk and walks over to the door and takes a look through the peephole.
Jake gives a nod of recognition then opens the door letting Walt in.
Jake walks back to the desk and takes a seat. Walt sits in one of the chairs across from Jake.
JAKE
These are some really nice pieces you guys picked up. We should be able to get a few bills for them.
WALT
Thanks, boss. I was hoping maybe I could keep that watch you’re holding as part of my cut.
JAKE
Yeah. Sure thing.
Jake passes the watch across the desk to Walt.
WALT
Something else I need to talk to you about.
JAKE
What’s that?
WALT
It’s about that little grocery the Horechak’s run.
JAKE
What about it?
WALT
Don’t know if you heard, but they’ve been robbed a few time recently.
JAKE
I heard something about it.
WALT
From what I’ve heard, it’s not anybody from around here doing the stickups.
JAKE
That so.
WALT
Yeah, boss. And well, I’m close with the Horechak’s. Mrs. Horechak and my mother came to the neighborhood about the same time. They helped take care of me and my sisters when we were growing up. Gave us food when we couldn’t buy any and they looked after my youngest sister when my Pop got locked up and my mother was working three jobs.
JAKE
They are good people. I think my Pop used to play cards sometimes with Mr. Horechak.
WALT
I was thinking maybe we could help them out.
JAKE
What did you have in mind?
WALT
Just a little something to let them know we’re looking out for them, the way they did for me growing up.
JAKE
Sure. Why don’t you let them know I’m looking into it.
Jake reaches into a desk drawer, pulls out an envelope, and takes a few bills out.
JAKE (CONT’D)
Give this to Mrs. Horechak to help cover their losses. After you see them, find Patrick and see what the two of you can find out about who might be behind the hold-ups.
WALT
Sure thing, boss. I’ll head over there right now. I know the family will really appreciate it.
JAKE
We got to look out for our own, right.