Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
A Chance to Start Again
Floyd and Mitchell’s past hardship is established as Floyd finds his former partner after their release. They decide to attempt a robbery in hopes of securing a new start.
Key Events
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Flight from Police — Two men flee a police chase and struggle to reach their car. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified getaway route
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Fifteen-Year-Old Disaster — Floyd reflects on a past disaster that led to prison and damaged their prospects. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified
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Floyd Finds Mitchell — After release, Floyd tracks down Mitchell, who is scraping by in a pound shop. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Pound shop
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A Risky New Start — Floyd argues that they need money and a chance to start over. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified
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The Robbery Plan — The former partners plan a robbery to raise enough money to begin again. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified
The Missing Money
The robbery escape appears successful until the money disappears. Suspicion about the getaway driver leads into a series of coercive situations arranged around money and endangered people.
Key Events
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Money Disappears — Their escape seems successful, but the money vanishes and they suspect betrayal. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified escape route
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Forced Choices Begin — They encounter a person in danger, money, and a threat controlled by a captor. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified location
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Deadlines and Threats — The captor imposes deadlines and watches their decisions as the ordeal continues. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: A series of unspecified locations
Kelly's Impossible Choice
The captor's timed threats force Floyd and Mitchell to choose between money and a person in danger. Floyd recognizes Kelly as his niece, but they leave her behind in the trap.
Key Events
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Kelly Is Recognized — Floyd recognizes Kelly, his niece, among the people placed in danger. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell, Kelly
Location: Unspecified trap location
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Kelly Left Behind — Mitchell argues for taking the money; they leave Kelly behind in the trap. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell, Kelly
Location: Unspecified trap location
Brothers at the Countdown
The scheme places Mitchell’s brother Gary in danger and makes taking the money a threat to his survival. Mitchell stays with Gary while Floyd runs, and the excerpt ends with Floyd suspecting the driver’s involvement.
Key Events
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Gary in the Scheme — Floyd and Mitchell encounter Mitchell’s brother Gary caught in the scheme. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell, Gary
Location: Unspecified location
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The Money's Consequence — They explain that taking the money will trigger the device threatening Gary. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell, Gary
Location: Unspecified location
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Mitchell Stays — Mitchell refuses to leave Gary, while Floyd is forced to run by the countdown. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell, Gary
Location: Unspecified location
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Gary's Accusation — Gary taunts Mitchell about understanding what it feels like to be abandoned. Characters: Mitchell, Gary
Location: Unspecified location
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Driver's Involvement Suspected — As they flee, Floyd realizes the getaway driver was involved; the outcome is unresolved. Characters: Floyd, Mitchell
Location: Unspecified escape route
Two retired bank robbers agree to one last job. A face from their past steals their proceeds and divides the cash into 7 Cases.... each one is left with someone they know. If they take a case, the victim dies... if they don't get there in time... the victim dies.... if they tamper with the traps...they all die... Their day goes from bad to worse as they encounter all the faces from their past and have to make some heartbreaking decisions.