A reformed criminal navigates crime, betrayal, and redemption to secure a lawful future.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Straight Path
Chick attempts to reform after prison but faces relentless police harassment and loses his job. He struggles to protect his brother Benny from criminal influences.
Key Events
Release and Vow — Chick decides to go straight after prison release. Characters: Chick HewesLocation: Sing Sing
Brother's Protection — Chick works to shield Benny from criminal life. Characters: Chick Hewes, BennyLocation: Street
Job Loss and Harassment — Chick loses employment due to police targeting him. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Workplace
Brandon's Party — A lavish party occurs at the DA's home. Characters: District Attorney Brandon, Frou Frou, Jimmy MonahanLocation: Brandon Residence
Convent Return — Brandon's daughter returns from school, disgusted by the fast crowd. Characters: District Attorney BrandonLocation: Home
Police Warning — Authorities intensify harassment against Chick. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Street
Party of Deceit
Chick infiltrates the DA's lavish party to crack the safe. Rising jealousy among guests and political connections create a volatile atmosphere.
Key Events
Brandon's Party — A lavish party occurs at the DA's home. Characters: District Attorney Brandon, Frou Frou, Jimmy MonahanLocation: Brandon Residence
Safe Infiltration — Chick breaks into the safe during the party. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Safe Room
Jealousy and Politics — Jimmy pursues Molly, sparking Frou Frou's jealousy. Characters: Jimmy Monahan, Frou FrouLocation: Party Hall
The Theft — Chick catches Jerry stealing, focusing on Brandon's property. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Safe
Gunpoint Standoff — Chick is held at gunpoint, but Molly intervenes. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Safe Room
Dancer's Entrance — Frou Frou arrives as entertainment, eyeing Jimmy. Characters: Frou Frou, Jimmy MonahanLocation: Party
Safe Cracking — Chick successfully opens the safe during the chaos. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Study
Blood and Betrayal
A jealous shooting erupts, followed by a frame-up and Benny's tragic death. Chaos peaks as Chick is targeted by both criminals and law enforcement.
Key Events
Gunpoint Standoff — Chick is held at gunpoint, but Molly intervenes. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Safe Room
The Shooting — Frou Frou shoots Jimmy in a jealous rage. Characters: Frou Frou, Jimmy MonahanLocation: Party Hall
Holding the Suspect — Chick restrains Frou Frou until authorities arrive. Characters: Chick Hewes, Frou FrouLocation: Hallway
The Frame-Up — Loot is planted on Chick to frame him. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Residence
Brother's Death — Benny is found shot after attempting to steal. Characters: Benny, Chick HewesLocation: Next Room
Body Removal — Chick's gang discreetly removes Benny's body. Characters: Chick Hewes, BennyLocation: Residence
Loot Planting — Criminals place stolen gems in Chick's pocket. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Hallway
Sister's Denunciation — The daughter publicly condemns her brother's actions. Characters: District Attorney Brandon, Chick HewesLocation: Living Room
Justice and Redemption
Truth emerges through family intervention, leading to Chick's release. He accepts a western job offer, marries, and leaves his past behind.
Key Events
Body Removal — Chick's gang discreetly removes Benny's body. Characters: Chick Hewes, BennyLocation: Residence
Arrest Attempt — Police move to arrest Chick despite the frame-up. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Residence
Truth Revealed — Molly explains the truth, leading to Chick's release. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Residence
New Employment — Stephens offers Chick a legitimate job in the west. Characters: John Stephens, Chick HewesLocation: Office
Departure West — Chick prepares to leave the city for a fresh start. Characters: Chick Hewes, John StephensLocation: Train Station
Marriage and Resolution — Chick marries and begins a new life away from crime. Characters: Chick Hewes, John StephensLocation: West
Lumber Offer — Stephens extends a job offer to secure Chick's future. Characters: John Stephens, Chick HewesLocation: Office
Final Release — The DA officially orders Chick's freedom. Characters: Chick Hewes, District Attorney BrandonLocation: Courthouse
Westward Journey — Chick travels west under Stephens' guidance. Characters: Chick Hewes, John StephensLocation: Road
New Beginning — Chick establishes a lawful life in the west. Characters: Chick Hewes, John StephensLocation: Western Town
Story Breakdown
Redemption Arc — Chick's journey from prison release to lawful employment in the west.
Prison Release — Chick vows to go straight after Sing Sing.
Job Struggle — Chick faces police harassment and loses employment.
Westward Journey — Chick accepts a lumber job and departs the city.
Criminal Underworld — The illicit activities and thefts driving the plot forward.
Safe Infiltration — Chick breaks into Brandon's safe during the party.
Brother's Theft — Benny attempts to steal and is fatally shot.
Loot Framing — Stolen gems are planted on Chick to frame him.
Political Corruption — The influence of law enforcement and political circles.
DA's Party — Brandon hosts a lavish gathering masking corruption.
Police Harassment — Authorities target Chick to protect Brandon's interests.
Legal Release — The DA orders Chick's freedom after truth emerges.
Family Bonds — Relational dynamics between siblings and marital resolution.
Brother Protection — Chick strives to shield Benny from criminal life.
Sister's Denunciation — Brandon's daughter condemns her brother's actions.
Marriage Resolution — Chick marries and begins a new life west.
Romantic Jealousy — Emotional conflicts driving violent actions at the party.
Dancer's Obsession — Frou Frou develops intense feelings for Jimmy.
Political Pursuit — Jimmy Monahan pursues Brandon's daughter.
Fatal Shooting — Jealousy leads Frou Frou to shoot Jimmy.
Legal Justice — The confrontation between crime and lawful authority.
Detective Arrest — Police attempt to apprehend Chick despite evidence.
Truth Revelation — Molly explains the frame-up to her father.
DA's Order — Brandon officially clears Chick of all charges.
Western Exodus — The geographical and moral shift away from urban crime.
Lumber Offer — Stephens provides a legitimate career path.
Departure — Chick leaves the city under Stephens' guidance.
New Life — Chick establishes a lawful existence in the west.
Moral Reckoning — Internal and external consequences of criminal choices.
Vow of Atonement — Chick commits to leaving his past behind.
Witnessing Crime — Chick observes the shooting and frame-up.
Final Peace — Chick achieves moral and physical safety west.
After serving time in Sing Sing, Chic Hewes wants to go straight, but when he refuses to be a stool pigeon for the cops, they hound him mercilessly. Hewes witnesses a car accident in which Jerry Brandon, the son of the district attorney, runs over a child. He also meets Molly, the D.A.'s daughter. Because he feels the child's mother was treated unfairly, Hewes decides to pull one last heist to square things.
