The Penguin
Season 1 – Episode 1
Episode title: After Hours
Original air date: September 19, 2024
Plot: One week after the assassination of Carmine Falcone and the destruction of Gotham’s seawall, Oswald “Oz” Cobb is caught by Alberto Falcone, Carmine’s son and heir-apparent, as he recovers a stash of Falcone’s valuables from the Iceberg Lounge. Oz listens as Alberto explains his plans to revolutionize the Falcone drug operation. When Oz expresses his aspirations to be a powerful, respected mobster, Alberto mocks him, leading Oz to shoot and kill him impulsively. Oz attempts to dispose of Alberto’s body and scares off a group of juvenile delinquents stealing the rims from his car. He recruits one of them, Victor Aguilar, to assist him. Oz learns that the Falcones plan to assume control of his drug ring. He also encounters Alberto’s sister, Sofia Falcone, newly released from Arkham Asylum. Oz plans to skip town but changes his mind after being encouraged by his mother Francis. Oz visits Falcone’s rival, Salvatore Maroni, in Blackgate Prison, offering to bring the drug operation back into Maroni’s control. Maroni is reluctant, but reconsiders after Oz returns a ring that Carmine had taken from Maroni. Sofia later captures and tortures Oz, but is distracted by the sudden recovery of Alberto’s body, staged by Victor to implicate Maroni’s crew. Oz is released and begins plotting with Victor to take control of the Falcone crime family.
* * *
[reporter 1] …four-term incumbent Gotham mayor Don Mitchell, Jr., was found murdered last night in…
[reporter 2] …tough war on drugs…
[reporters overlapping]
…notorious Mafia crime figure, Salvatore Maroni…
[reporter 3] …sources tell GC1 that a warrant for Falcone’s arrest is suspected to reach…
[reporter 4] …the second high-profile murder in as many nights.
This time, the killer hasn’t come forward to claim…
We interrupt election coverage now for some breaking news.
We are getting unconfirmed reports about a series of explosions along the city’s seawall.
[reporter 5] And we are live watching the Batman vigilante atop Gotham Square Garden helping save the lives of hundreds of injured victims after devastating explosions took out the city’s seawall.
We will rebuild.
But not just our city.
Together, we will learn to believe in Gotham again.
It’s been a week since the terrorist known as The Riddler blew up Gotham’s seawall.
And as the death toll climbs, Gotham residents are demanding answers from authorities.
While the wealthier suburbs have been spared, it’s Gotham’s poorest neighborhoods that have been hit the hardest, especially in Crown Point.
[reporter 5] Looting and rioting have become the norm.
Combined with the scarcity of illicit drugs and an increase in gang warfare, the city has reached a boiling point.
The murder of longtime mob boss Carmine Falcone outside the Iceberg Lounge has complicated efforts to restore order, creating a power vacuum in Gotham’s underworld.
[reporter 5] Rumors are swirling that Carmine’s son, Alberto Falcone, is set to take his father’s place despite his public struggles with alcohol.
[reporter 6] After this shakeup in leadership, insiders worry about their future within the Falcone organization and wonder what will become of Gotham’s most notorious family.
[dramatic music crescendos]
[sirens in distance]
[train trundling]
[somber music playing]
[engine turns off]
[rain pattering]
[tense music playing]
[elevator dings]
[sirens in distance]
[thunder rumbles]
[thudding]
[scraping]
[Oz grunts]
[chuckles]
Oh, beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
[pictures thump]
[jewelry jangles]
[gun cocks]
I see you’ve made yourself at home.
[thunder rumbles]
Hey, Alberto, you’re here.
Good. Saves me a trip.
What the fuck are you talking about?
These jewels belong to you.
Your dad made that clear.
But some of the guys, well, you know, they’re goddamn scavengers.
So I thought I’d do you a solid.
As a show of support for… your new position.
Well… congratulations.
I only wish it had been under different circumstances.
Carmine… he was a… He was a great man.
You got some big shoes to fill.
[Oz chuckles]
N-not too big.
I mean, you know, m-manageable shoes.
You think I’m an idiot?
You greedy prick.
My father’s been dead a week.
Hey, Al.
[sighs] You all right?
‘Cause we keep a stash in the loft if you want a hit.
That’s not why I’m here.
Of course not. I was only saying…
You don’t get it.
Everyone’s looking to me now.
I got this deal going, and… [inhales sharply]
I can’t. I gotta keep my head on straight.
Yeah, you’re right, Boss.
I got no idea the pressure you’re under.
But you’re Alberto Friggin’ Falcone.
The new kingpin of Gotham.
[chuckles softly] We should celebrate that.
Listen, staying off the Drops, good on you.
But booze don’t count.
Does it?
[Oz and Alberto laughing]
[jazz music playing]
So this new deal you got going…
Maybe I can help.
You know what I like most about you, Oz?
You are who you are.
You couldn’t change if you tried.
Ain’t that what makes me fun?
[laughing]
Oh!
Yeah, go on.
[chuckling] Oh! This shit’s good.
Good.
[Alberto sniffs]
But after a while, you get curious.
There’s gotta be something else out there, a new kind of high.
So you’re gonna, what?
Alter the formula?
We’re not just adding ketchup to fries, man.
I’m talking about revolutionizing the game.
Fuck. [chuckles] Look at you salivating.
[inhales] Fine.
You got a girl?
Good-looking guy like you…
Here.
Just keep quiet.
I can’t have Viti and those guys knowing what I’ve got going until this new drug’s up on its feet.
Thanks, Boss. It’s, uh… real generous.
Pop always said you were a good soldier.
It’s what he liked most about you.
But he also knew you were a dirty soldier who skims money off the top.
It’s okay, man. You were smart about it.
Never took enough for Pop to mind.
See, he knew what it meant for a guy like you to get a piece.
How it made you feel.
And that was good for business.
Carmine Falcone was a master at the carrot and stick.
See what I got on?
Your dad’s ring. Nice.
Wasn’t always his.
Used to be Salvatore’s.
Salvatore Maroni?
He wore Sal’s ring as a trophy.
The ultimate fuck-you.
This is power, right?
Wanna try it on?
Nah.
It’s yours.
Yeah.
I don’t know, man. [sighs]
You think I could be as good as him?
Get his kind of respect?
Your father?
Sure, Boss.
If you want.
But there are different kinds of power.
When I was kid, there was a gangster, real old-school type,
Rex Calabrese.
He was a big deal.
Yeah. At least, in my neighborhood.
He helped people.
When someone in your family was sick, he’d find you a doctor.
Short on rent, front you the cash.
Knew everyone’s names, too.
I don’t know how he kept them all in his head, but…
He saw you on the street, he’d call out to you, ask how you were.
Felt like he meant it, too.
[chuckles softly]
When I’m 14 or something, he has a heart attack and dies, still holding his cigar.
In my neighborhood, they throw a parade in his honor.
A friggin’ parade.
I mean, it wasn’t fancy, but it was the gesture… the show of love… of what he meant.
Can you imagine?
To be remembered like that?
Revered?
What is this?
You want me to be like some small-time asshole?
Nah, that ain’t…
For what?
Would that make it easier for you to take what’s mine?
Or is this you?
What you want?
[somber music playing]
No.
[laughing]
Holy shit, it is!
This is your dream.
[laughs] It’s so sweet, too.
And so pathetic.
You really think people’d make a float of your dumb face and march it down the street, chanting your goddamn name?
[laughs]
“Oh, oh! Oswald Cobb.
Remember him? What a guy!”
[laughs]
What a little bitch! [laughs]
[gun firing]
[menacing music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[laughs]
Aw, fu…
[dramatic music playing]
[body bag zipping]
[phone clicks, beeps]
[Oz grunts]
[grunting]
[tense music playing]
[grunts]
[thudding]
[tense music continues]
[boy 1] Hurry up, bro.
[boy 2] Relax. I got it.
[boy 3] Hey, help him out.
[boy 1] Just turn the damn thing.
Hey!
Hey!
Oh, shi…
[Oz] You sons of bitches!
[gun firing]
[boy] Go! Go!
Get the fuck out of here! Go!
[boy 1] Oh, shit!
[boy 2] Hey!
Wait. Wait. Okay, I’m done.
[boy 1] Go! Go!
Please! Please! All right.
Don’t you try and run.
I’m sorry. I-I’m sorry. I’m… [grunts]
Don’t move, you twat-faced little prick.
Trying to steal my shit!
[clanging]
Hey!
Shut the fuck up.
You wanna shout again? You wanna fucking shout again?
You messed with the wrong fucking guy on the wrong fucking night.
[spluttering] P-p-p…
Please, please, please.
[whimpering]
[tense music playing]
Don’t, okay, please?
[mouthing soundlessly]
P-please!
Please, don’t…
Jesus! Take a breath.
What have we got here?
[boy whimpers]
“Victor Aguilar.”
I’m keeping your ID.
Walk. That way.
[tense music continues]
[Victor grunts]
Head first.
[Victor grunting]
Fucking foot! God damn it!
[breathing heavily]
Hey! Hey, look at me.
[gasps]
How far do you think you’d get?
This scumbag, he disrespected me.
You gonna disrespect me, Vic?
No. No.
No. ‘Cause you and me, we’re in this together now.
Which means… [chuckles]
I own you.
[thud]
Look what you fucking made me do.
You’re gonna do everything I say.
Or else I’ll murder you and, uh… anyone you care about.
You got it?
[weakly] Yeah.
Beautiful.
I feel better. You feel better?
[weakly] Yeah.
Good.
Now, you wanted my car so badly, you can drive. [sniffs]
Go on.
[tense music continues]
Make a left up here.
Okay.
[Oz] This fucking douchebag…
[scoffs]
Here we go.
Got you now, you piece of shit.
[camera clicks]
Uh, s-should I…
[phone shatters]
[exhales heavily]
What do you think of this?
It’s a… little air freshener.
Aqua Paradise.
You smell it?
Mm-hmm.
It’s nice, huh?
It’s nice, yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it’s nice.
[clears throat] 194 Tower Avenue.
The old tenement on Sixth.
I’m from the Eastside, too.
I mean, not Crown Point.
Further out from the port.
You ever been to that corner mart?
Uh, next to the…
uh, Coin-O-Matic?
Um…
Buddy’s?
[laughing]
Yeah, Buddy’s.
Oh, man.
They still sell those Slush Puppies?
I th-think so.
Me and my brothers,
we used to go there every day in the summer.
You know, we’d mix the flavors for a suicide.
You ever mix the flavors?
Huh-uh.
Aw. You missed out.
You know, but I’d like to.
You know, like in the… in the future.
Take a left here.
[tense music continues]
[dance music playing inside]
[woman] Hi, Daddy. Wanna come party with us?
[woman 2] Nice car. Can I get a ride?
Wh-wh-what about the body? Is that safe on the street?
Why? Your friends wanna steal it?
Do me a favor, kid. Shut your goddamn mouth.
Lookin’ good. Ladies.
[women] Hey, Oz.
Who is this?
Good to see you.
Looks brand-new.
Like what you see, sweetie?
[women laugh]
[door closes]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[metal clanking]
[doorbell rings]
[Oz] Hey.
Oz.
Baby.
Everything okay?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Who’s your friend?
Eh…
You alone?
I, uh… I ain’t trying to get in your business, but…
I need an alibi.
Ideally, for the whole night.
Sounds like we had fun.
I’m serious, Eve. Yeah.
Can you help me out?
Anytime after 10, but not before.
All right, that’ll work.
Thanks, doll.
[bills rustling]
I’ll, uh, call ya.
You hungry? I’m hungry. Let’s go.
[Oz] Stupid night.
I asked for extra pickles, and they give me two?
So what, a normal amount of pickles is one?
Makes no goddamn sense.
You want one of mine?
Do I want one of your pickles?
That your dirty little mouth touched?
No, kid, I don’t.
[chuckling incredulously] Jesus.
Shit! Would you look at that?
Imagine if you and your buddies came here instead of trying to steal from me.
Coulda saved you a lot of trouble.
What was your plan anyway?
Sell ’em to a scrapyard for some extra dough?
Eh, you got a dollar in your wallet, kid.
Can you afford to think that small?
No goddamn ambition.
Snuff out the fire. We’re losing time.
[menacing music playing]
All right, good here.
[metal clanking]
[pants]
On three.
[grunts]
Uh, you know what? Just do it.
[both grunting]
[body bag unzipping]
[Oz sighs]
[breathing heavily]
Hold up there, chief.
There’s a nice sunrise behind you.
You should take a look.
Go on.
[sighs] Please don’t do this. No.
Hey, wait.
No, no, no, no.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey!
Stop!
Ever had one of these?
[lighter opens]
[lighter clicking]
[puffing]
There you go.
[Victor coughing]
His name’s Alberto Falcone.
He’s the new king… Well, was the new kingpin
of the Falcone mob.
[Victor sighs heavily]
Yeah.
So, the smart play here is to kill you
and stuff you in the trunk with Stinky,
be done with both of youse.
No, no, no.
We-we don’t have to…
It’s a goddamn fact, Vic. It just is.
No, no, no, no, no. Wait. Wait! Hold on!
You can’t.
[breathing raggedly] I could help you.
You know?
With whatever you need, I can help you.
Yeah. And how do I need you?
I got ambition.
And I’m not… I’m not a waste, okay? I’m not.
I could… I could help you w-with whatever it is.
Wh-wh-whatever you need, whatever it is, all right?
I just… [sighs]
Please, I need a chance.
I need a chance!
All right, calm down.
[train passing]
[somber music playing]
Well, maybe it’d be useful, keeping you around.
For now.
See if you got what you say.
But if you step out of line just once,
I swear to God, I’ll gut you like a fucking fish.
Do you understand?
[weakly] Yeah. Yeah. Yes.
Do you understand?
Yeah. Yeah.
Good.
Now, shut the fuck up.
I wanna watch the sunrise.
[somber music playing]
[door locks]
[thud]
We ain’t got a lot of time.
I gotta be at work soon.
[water running]
‘Cause, you know, it’s any other day.
[gulps, sighs]
[glass thuds]
You can use the sink to clean up.
Touch anything, I’ll know.
[door closes]
[brace squeaking]
[brace clatters to floor]
[Oz sighing]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[metal jangling]
[tense music playing]
[sirens in distance]
[jackhammer running]
[somber music playing]
Look at this.
What that fucking madman did.
[upbeat hip-hop music playing]
[bill counter whirring]
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, Nick, come here.
Bring a pen and, uh, one of them envelopes.
What’s up?
Get this to Councilman Hady.
He’s a… big fan of Bella Reál.
He, uh…
likes to tout himself as one of the good ones,
but he got into some serious debt with Carmine.
We all got our own vices.
All right.
Make sure he knows it’s from me, all right?
Come on, kid.
Hey, Doc. How we lookin’?
Well, we’ve recovered about 30% of the product.
There’s a risk of contamination.
Most of the Drops were fished out of sewer water.
That ain’t gonna stop Dropheads from buying it.
[laughs] No.
Give the people what they want.
All right.
[banging]
[man 1] Get him in.
[man 2 groans]
[Oz] What the fuck is that?
[man 2 groaning]
[Oz] Mikey, what the hell happened?
Got jumped by the Odessa Mob, maybe.
Or Burnley Town. I don’t know. It happened fast.
But they got the whole fucking stash.
What the fuck? Son of a bitch!
[Mikey] Yep.
Now we got every asshole on the street testing fences.
It’s fucking crazy.
Oz!
What?
It’s the Family.
They wanna talk to you.
Yeah.
Get him outta here, to the back.
You got it. Let’s get the man up.
[men murmuring, grunting]
[Mikey] Let’s go, buddy.
[man groaning]
[Mikey] Come on.
Yeah.
[foreboding music playing]
So, uh, what does that, uh, what does that mean exactly,
to… to be called in?
Could mean anything.
Do you… do you think that they know?
Jesus, kid.
Am I holding a fucking crystal ball?
It’s all a song and dance.
Nine times out of ten, these top-tier guys wanna meet face-to-face to feel big, so I make myself small, they feel better about themselves, and I get to go back to work.
[coughs] This is us.
Damn!
All right, listen, if I don’t come out…
Nah, I’ll be fine.
You’ll be fine. It’s-it’s gonna be fine.
I’m messing with you, kid. All right, just sit tight.
Maybe look for your sense of humor.
It’s gotta be here somewhere.
Fellas.
Johnny. Milos.
Have a seat.
Lot of pomp and circumstance to be coming out here like this.
[laughs] Not that I’m complaining.
So, uh, we got something to celebrate, or what?
We’ve decided to shut down the plant.
We’re gonna move all operations to Robbinsville.
Hold up. [laughs]
Wh-what are you talking about?
There’s a lot less heat in Robbinsville.
Yeah, there’s a lot less business, too.
You know how much cash my guys bring in?
This is my operation. You can’t just shut it down.
No.
This is our operation. It’s our guys.
You work for the Family. Have you forgotten that?
[Milos] Oz, we’re consolidating.
Most of the supplies, they were damaged in the flood.
Actually, that ain’t true.
Nah, we recovered a lot of the product, 70%.
It doesn’t matter, all right? The police are circling.
Got a target on our back. Gangs encroaching.
There’s blood in the water. Everyone knows it.
And you wanna bail?
Jesus Christ!
If we don’t protect what’s ours, we look weak.
This isn’t your call.
You’re handing the Maronis or someone worse the keys to the fucking kingdom. Don’t you get that?
[Viti] The last thing we need is a goddamn gang war!
Now, Milos asked you here as a courtesy, because he’s a courteous guy.
I am not.
You will do as you’re told.
You’re free to leave.
Well, wait a second.
What if I could fix it?
This?
I mean, at the end of the day, this is all about money, right?
Maybe we don’t see eye-to-eye on every little thing.
You know, maybe you don’t like me.
That’s fine. I’m an acquired taste.
But I make you money.
And I got wind of a shipment coming in.
I don’t wanna tout it too much, but it’s big.
In fact, it’s got the potential to revolutionize the drug business.
[Viti] What kind of shipment?
I can’t reveal the details yet.
Nah, nah, but it’s brand-new.
Something that’ll help us expand beyond Drops.
And all you guys gotta do is sit back and reap the rewards.
I’ll oversee the whole thing.
I’ll use some of the crew. I’ll run it out of the plant.
Was that a yes or…?
Sofia, please, join us.
Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.
[suspenseful music playing]
Oz, you remember Carmine’s daughter?
Yeah.
Sofia…
I thought you were still at, uh…
Arkham?
Yeah.
No.
I’ve been rehabilitated.
Have you asked him about my brother?
I thought we agreed…
Have you heard from Alberto?
Sofia, please…
Al?
He went out last night, he refused his bodyguards, and he never came home.
Sofia, that’s enough.
I-I better get out of your hair.
You know, let you…
So we can talk about this again?
Shut it down.
You have 48 hours.
I’ll get it done.
You know, whatever… whatever helps the Family.
And, uh, it’s good to see you.
Fuckin’ assholes.
Oz.
A moment.
You never gave me an answer.
Have you seen Alberto?
Oh, yeah. Right.
Uh, no. No.
He’s the boss now, so he’s a busy man.
But I’m sure he’s fine.
They said the same thing.
Milos and Johnny?
Mm-hmm.
Well, they’d know.
[Sofia] Mmm.
Well…
Better get back to it.
This is yours?
This? [chuckles] Yeah.
Purple.
Very subtle.
Well, technically, it’s plum, you know?
Leather seats come standard, too, so…
[Sofia] Mmm.
You’ve really moved up in the world, haven’t you?
Oh.
What happened here?
Uh…
Punk kids tried to steal my rims a few days back.
I missed, but they got the message. [chuckles]
We’re long overdue for a catch-up, you and me.
Let’s get a bite to eat.
Right now?
Right now.
I know a place.
[classical music playing quietly]
[Sofia sighs, chews hungrily]
[inhaling and sighing]
[Oz chuckles softly]
Another dirty martini. Three olives.
You ready for another one?
You can make that two actually.
[busboy] Right away.
[sighs] It’s a bit stuffy for my tastes.
My father used to bring me and Alberto here when we were kids.
He paid us to keep our elbows off the table.
[Sofia chuckles]
Well, who’s stopping you now, huh?
There you go.
[both chuckle]
You think they’re wondering if it’s really me?
Well, I would.
What, is a psycho killer just roaming around free, having a salad?
What did the Gazette call me?
The Hangman?
The guards insisted that I read every article, that I see all the stories.
If only I’d been a dutiful daughter.
Are you nervous, Oz?
Nervous?
I’d hate for you to feel nervous with me.
‘Cause despite what you might think, I don’t blame you.
You know, if you hadn’t gone to my father…
He left you no choice.
Yeah, sure. But, eh, I coulda done something…
Let’s not do that.
Daddy is dead.
And we are… untamed.
[glasses clink]
[Oz sips]
[Oz sets down glass]
Alberto told me he was going to your club last night to get to my father’s loft.
[tense music playing]
I insisted I go with him, but… he’s been so protective of me.
He didn’t want me leaving the house.
It was all part of this plan he cooked up.
It was our shared secret.
But then today, I hear you talking about revolutionizing the drug business, and it just doesn’t sit right.
How do you know about his plan, and why on Earth would you pitch it as your own?
You know, it’s so brazen that you either have to be blindingly stupid or wildly confident that he isn’t coming back to reclaim it.
So, I’m going to ask you again.
Do you know where my brother is?
Listen, Sofia…
[chuckles]
I’m an asshole.
But you’re the surprise here.
Excuse me?
Al never told me you was back… or that you were in on this thing with us.
Yeah, he’s keeping us both in the dark, and I don’t know why.
But you’re right. Alberto trusted me.
And my stupid mouth…
[inhales] You know, I screwed up.
Maybe you could put in a good word.
I mean, I-I don’t wanna put that on you, but…
He was so passionate about his plan,
I thought there’s no reason not to move forward,
just ’cause he’s on another bender, you know?
I mean, the shipment arrives in a few days, right?
What do you mean “a bender”?
Al’s an addict, sweetheart.
He’s got a penchant for Drops.
And booze and gambling.
I’m pretty sure he’s got a sex thing, too.
So yeah, this ain’t the first time he’s gone AWOL.
But he always comes back.
Look, if he was at my club, I wouldn’t know.
I was actually drowning my sorrows with my lady friend last night, Eve.
If it’ll make you feel better, let’s you and me go there now.
We’ll scour the joint.
I doubt anything will turn up, but it’s worth a shot.
You know, whatever puts your mind at ease.
No, Oz, you’re right.
I’m probably just being crazy.
Let’s stay and enjoy the meal.
I know I could use a good one.
[Oz chuckles]
He’ll turn up, Sofia.
I’m sure of it.
[glasses clink]
[Oz] Thanks for lunch. I’ll get the next one.
[kisses]
You know, Oz,
people underestimate you, but not me.
I’ve always known you were capable of more.
[tense music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
Where are we going?
[train trundling]
[indistinct announcement over PA]
Are-are we in trouble?
[indistinct announcement over PA]
[man in mask] Scan the code. See Gotham’s true face.
Scan the code?
Get the fuck outta here.
[announcer over PA] Irving Grove.
Irving Grove Station.
Irving Grove Station.
This is yours?
Get in.
[engine turning]
[through speakers] ♪ Working 9 to 5 ♪
♪ What a way to make a… ♪
[song ends abruptly]
[car shifts into gear]
[train passing]
[children laughing, chattering indistinctly]
[brakes squeaking]
[engine turns off]
[Oz] I ain’t never taken anyone here before.
You say a word to anybody…
You’ll gut me like a fish.
Yeah, till you bleed out and die.
Oh, and mind your friggin’ manners, too.
Here.
Don’t move.
[woman] What’re you doing here?
[Oz] What do you mean what am I doing here?
I came to see you.
Huh? Princess.
[Oz chuckles]
[woman] You look handsome. Oh!
[Oz] Thank you.
[woman] Put it on straight.
[Oz] Close your eyes.
I got you something. Come here.
[woman] What did you do?
[Oz] I’ll tell you when.
[woman] Wha… Wait. [laughing] What did you do?
[Oz] Okay, now look, keep ’em closed.
[woman] They’re closed. They’re closed.
All right. Open your eyes.
[gasps, laughs softly]
Oswald, it’s too much.
[gasps] No.
It’s perfect.
It suits ya, Ma.
Uh…
Thank you, sweetheart.
You’re welcome.
[Francis] That’s crazy.
Wait, wait, wait. Was I expecting you?
It’s not Sunday, is it?
[Oz] No, it’s…
[Francis] I didn’t get…
[Oz] Nah, nah.
No, it’s a special occasion.
We’re gonna… We’re gonna leave town for a while.
Ah.
[Oz] Take a little vacation.
A vacation? To where? You know I hate flying.
Yeah. We’re gonna drive.
We’re gonna drive? Who-who’s gonna drive?
You gonna drive?
[Oz] Ma?
[Francis] What?
Why is this in the tub? Your pills are ruined.
No. I take ’em every morning with breakfast.
The tub is full.
The boys were playing in the bath.
They didn’t wanna get out.
What?
Oh, nothing.
How about let’s take your meds right now, huh?
Just to be sure.
[mutters mockingly]
I took ’em.
The pills are by the sink.
[screaming] Oswald!
Someone’s here.
Ooh. Um…
Get out of my house!
Hi. I’m…
Who the hell is this? Who the hell are you? What?
Shit! Ma, sorry. This is Vic.
Get out!
He’s gonna help take care of you.
Just in case I need to handle some things while we’re gone. All right?
[Francis] Huh. Vic?
[Oz] Yeah.
What is he, a nurse?
Kinda.
No, I’m not…
He’s got nurse-like qualities.
I’ll-I’ll explain more in the car. All right? [sighs]
[water running]
[Oz] All right.
[Francis grumbles]
Ma, here’s your water.
Take these two pills, then we gotta go, okay?
There you go, okay?
Will you tell me first what I did to lose your respect?
What are you talking about?
You come in here, you’re trying to buy me off with a necklace?
Some bullshit about an urgent special occasion…
[Oz] Ma.
Did I raise my sons to lie to me?
Did I?
No.
So, then what did you do? What did you do?
Come on. What did you do?
I, uh…
What did you do?
I shot…
Alberto Falcone.
He’s dead.
It ain’t safe for you here. You understand?
Sofia Falcone’s out of Arkham, and she knows.
Uh, or if she don’t, she will.
Why’d you shoot him? Why?
Jesus, Ma, I ain’t doing this with you right now, okay?
Fine.
He fuckin’ laughed at me.
All right?
Now, can we go please?
He laughed at you?
It was impulsive. It was stupid. Is that what you wanna hear?
Jesus, I’m trying to take care of you.
Stop.
I can’t risk it.
I can’t risk you. I’m all you got.
If something happened to me…
Stop! Stop talking!
Do you hear the words coming out of your mouth?
Yeah.
How weak they sound?
Like a little pussy boy?
Look at me.
Is that what you are, Oswald?
Weak little pussy boy?
No.
That’s right.
‘Cause you’re mine.
You’re my big, strong bull of a boy.
You never forget that.
Come here.
[tender music playing]
Don’t you see, dear?
What you did wasn’t impulsive.
It was instinctual.
You shot that junkie piss-ant
because you wanted to.
Just like that.
Oh, you’re so close now to having everything you ever wanted, everything you deserve.
You wanna run? You wanna hide?
No.
This city is meant to be yours, sweetheart.
What are you gonna do to get it?
[lighter clicking]
[“Put the Blame on Mame” playing on television]
[lighter closes, opens]
[lighter clicks]
[lighter closes]
♪ They once had a shootin’ up in the Klondike ♪
♪ When they got Dan McGrew ♪
[volume increases]
♪ Folks were putting the blame on ♪
[Oz sighs]
♪ The lady known as Lou ♪
♪ That’s the story that went around ♪
God damn it, this chick.
♪ But here’s the real lowdown ♪
♪ Put the blame on Mame, boys ♪
[chuckles] Who’s Mame?
♪ Put the blame on Mame ♪
It don’t matter, kid.
That’s the thing.
She’s just a scapegoat.
♪ That’s the thing that slew McGrew ♪
♪ Put the blame on Mame, boys ♪
♪ Put the blame ♪
♪ On Mame ♪
[song ends]
[train horn sounds]
[Oz] Listen, it ain’t easy, but your part in this…
it’s the most important.
So don’t say you’re good unless you are.
I don’t know, Oz. I don’t know if I’m, uh…
I’ve-I’ve n-never done anything like this.
Oh.
Listen, Vic, uh…
the tenement where you live…
I know it’s gone.
Nothing on Sixth was left standing.
I don’t know if you had family or people in there…
but you made it.
You’re standing right here.
I’ve been where you are.
And you heard my ma.
I mean, this…
this is one of those moments where you gotta ask yourself…
what kind of life do I want?
You wanna spend your days thinking small, stealing rims,
barely getting by?
Or do you want more for yourself?
You saw how the Falcones live.
Can you imagine living like that? Huh?
In a mansion, maids and butlers and shit?
They don’t even know what they got,
’cause they always had it.
Never hungry.
Born full.
Not us.
The world wasn’t built for guys like us.
That’s why we gotta take whatever we decide is ours.
‘Cause no one’s gonna give it to us, not without a fight.
Now, I coulda killed you.
I coulda put you out of your misery, but I didn’t, ’cause you need a guy like me, Vic.
But I gotta know.
No bullshit.
Can I count on you to pull through?
Yeah, I…
I can do it.
Huh?
I can do it.
[suspenseful music playing]
I know you can.
What do you think? I hire any schmuck off the street? No.
[Oz chuckles]
[Victor chuckles softly]
All right, go ahead. Get outta here.
Keep your phone on.
[suspenseful music continues]
[inmates shouting indistinctly]
[buzzer sounds]
[door unlocks]
[door clangs shut]
[inmates shouting in distance]
[buzzer sounds]
[door unlocks]
Sal.
That’s not my table.
[buzzer sounds]
[door unlocks]
Listen, Sal, I’m here to make things right.
I’m done with the Falcones.
I wanna offer my services to you and your family.
Well, that surprises me, Oz. Really does.
‘Cause I thought you liked eating outta Falcone’s ass.
Oh, you wanna throw stones?
[chuckles]
Fine.
But from where I sit, and where you sit, I don’t think you’re in a position not to hear me out.
Way I see it, the Falcone higher-ups are a bunch of old men who don’t…
No disrespect.
…who don’t remember what it’s like to get their hands dirty.
That’s what they hire guys like me for, which means I got direct access to the ground game.
I’m talking the Drops, the dealers, the chemists, the whole thing.
Next couple of days, the Falcones are gonna do something real stupid.
They’re gonna shut down their biggest Drops operation… millions of dollars’ worth… and move to some bumfuck part of Gotham, which means a huge chunk of their business will be ripe for the taking.
And guess who’s in charge of the move.
I could give you everything you need.
So your crew could just swoop in and steal the whole fucking kit.
I play victim.
We split the payday.
You make it sound so simple.
But it’s my guys doing all the heavy lifting.
Yeah, revenge don’t come easy.
Come on, Sal.
Don’t you fucking miss it?
Respect?
That’s really what Carmine stole from you, ain’t it?
He was a dirty rat.
He played us both for fools.
Ain’t no changing that.
But he’s dead, and I’m here now, and I’m offering you the opportunity of a lifetime.
And this first hit, it’s just the beginning.
I know a lot more than people think.
I’ll keep playing double agent.
You and me, we can tear down their fucking empire from the inside out.
What is it you’re really after, Oz?
I just told you what I’m after. What do you mean?
I know who you are. I know what you are.
I don’t work with people whose loyalty is for sale.
You think I forgot all the times you schmoozed me and my boys just to turn around and fuck us?
Thought I forgot that?
Huge drug bust does down right under your nose, and you got nothing to do with it?
The fuck outta here.
Look, I can see you’re upset.
Trust takes time.
But this ain’t bullshit.
Whoever controls Drops controls the streets.
You know that’s right.
So how about this?
I’ll come back in a couple of days… I never wanna see your smug face again.
…we’ll see if we can’t work something out.
It’s good seeing you. You look good.
Fuck off.
Think on it, Sal.
Oh.
I almost forgot.
Ain’t this yours?
Where did you get this?
Carmine. Wore it as his own.
[door opens]
[laughs]
The Falcones…
they been flaunting what they done to you for years.
But how is it that you have it?
Maybe I’m more than what you think.
[tense music playing]
[buzzer sounds]
[door unlocks]
[engine roaring]
[tense music playing]
[on voicemail] What up? It’s Victor. Leave a message.
Fuck!
[bodyguards speaking indistinctly]
Nobody home.
Shit!
[tires screech]
[Sofia] Go.
Let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go.
[engine roaring]
[tires screeching]
[tense music continues]
[breathing heavily]
[tires screeching]
Come on, Vic. Shit, shit, shit.
[on voicemail] What up? It’s Victor.
Shit!
Leave a message.
Damn it, Vic!
[tires screeching]
[breathing heavily]
Fuck!
[indistinct chatter]
[tires screeching]
Let’s go.
Go. Go, go. Let’s go.
[indistinct chatter]
[gun cocks]
Get the fuck out!
[“The Promise” playing through speakers]
[grunting]
[Oz grunts] Come here!
I’ll fucking…
[both grunting]
[screams]
♪ I’ll make you fall for me ♪
[both straining]
♪ I promise you ♪
[blade clicks]
[stabbing]
[bodyguard screams in pain]
[grunts]
[screams in pain]
♪ And so is your temper ♪
[tires screech]
♪ You know what to do ♪
♪ I’m gonna always be there ♪
Fuck.
[blows landing]
[Sofia] It’s a terrible feeling. Isn’t it?
[blow lands]
[Sofia] Nothing left to hide behind.
The guard at Arkham stripped us bare every morning.
[gasping]
It was humiliating…
being turned into a thing.
[Oz grunts, gasps]
But after a while, I just started to think, “Well…”
[breathes heavily] “…what’s it matter?
There’s nothing left anyway.”
[Oz breathing heavily]
But my brother?
My brother visited me every week.
And every week,
he said that there was something left
and that he was gonna help me fight to keep it.
[Oz gagging]
[Sofia] I-I just wonder how you see me, Oz.
[gagging]
If I am more than a thing to play with.
[Oz breathing heavily]
[panting]
You were right, though, about the club and the loft.
That was all clean.
Huh.
[Sofia] But outside…
Well…
[breathing shakily]
The downside of driving a plum car is that it’s very hard to forget.
And so are you when you shoot at a bunch of kids in the street.
And this one… says it all happened… the night Alberto went missing.
I don’t know.
What do you say?
You think I know this kid?
I don’t know this kid.
You can’t take some teenager’s word over mine.
So you’re saying that he’s the liar?
Yes!
Not you?
Yes! Fucking yes!
Okay.
[cocks gun]
Hey, no. I…
[gun fires]
[breathing heavily]
[Sofia] That’s what you wanted, right?
To have my reputation precede me?
You are so good at talking your way out of things.
Even at the cost of someone else’s life.
Especially then.
Right?
[line unfurling]
The fuck you doing? What are you doing?!
But my father isn’t around anymore to reward you with fancy suits, and stupid cars…
Sofia.
…and a club that he lets you believe is yours.
Sofia… [screams in pain]
[wailing in pain]
It’s just you and me now, okay?
So I want you to think. I want you to really think.
Am I crazy?
Is it all in my head?
[flesh tearing]
[screaming in pain]
Tell me. Tell me.
Tell me that I’m… that I’m too emotional, and that I have an overactive imagination, and that I shouldn’t take things so personally.
[menacing music playing]
But first… tell me he’s alive.
[vehicle approaching rapidly]
[crashing]
[car horn blaring uninterruptedly]
[panting]
[horn continues blaring]
Miss Falcone, please.
What the fuck is this?
[tense, eerie music plays]
[music intensifies]
[music crescendos, fades]
[gasps softly]
[piercing, somber music playing]
[gasps softly]
[music intensifies]
Oh, shit!
[music turns menacing]
[screaming in agony]
[Sofia’s screams echo]
[chuckles softly]
[tense music playing]
[laughing]
[train passing]
You did good today, kid.
Thanks.
So, I gotta ask.
What happened?
I mean, we made a plan. You were there.
Didn’t we agree the head alone would be the most poetic, and the pinky, the cherry on top?
But instead, the whole body’s in there.
Just a pinky chopped off.
It felt… well, small.
Yeah, right. No, I… Look, I-I-I wanted to, right?
And I th-thought that I could, but… [inhales deeply]
When I got to it, and I’m thinking, “Do I… Do I start at the front and then hit the trachea?”
But then when I got to his throat, I started thinking, “Do I cut from the back?”
And then I’m imagining the spine and…
All right, all right, all right.
You know what? It’s fine.
Room to grow.
Yeah. At least Sofia got the message.
With Sal wearing that ring around Blackgate,
Maronis ain’t got no choice but to take credit.
That’s what matters.
Wait. S-Sal doesn’t know?
I thought that the whole th-thing we…
Jesus, Vic, relax.
We just put the Maronis back on the map.
If Sal’s got a problem with that, then… fuck him.
I don’t need him.
I don’t need any of ’em.
From here on out, there’s no more playing it safe.
Drops are yesterday’s game.
I’m gonna get whatever the hell is in that shipment.
I’m gonna run this goddamn city.
And I want you in on it.
Really?
Yeah. You earned it.
You know, for the most part.
And guys like us, we gotta stick together.
[Oz slurping]
It’s better, right? Come on.
When you mix the flavors?
[laughs] Yeah, it’s good.
No. It’s not just good. It’s better.
It’s the fucking best.
[“9 to 5” by Dolly Parton playing]
[train passing]
♪ Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen ♪
♪ Pour myself a cup of ambition ♪
♪ And yawn and stretch And try to come to life ♪
♪ Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’ ♪
♪ Out on the street the traffic starts jumpin’ ♪
♪ With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5 ♪
♪ Workin’ 9 to 5 What a way to make a livin’ ♪
♪ Barely gettin’ by It’s all takin’ and no givin’ ♪
♪ They just use your mind ♪
♪ And they never give you credit ♪
♪ It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it ♪
♪ 9 to 5 For service and devotion ♪
♪ You would think that I ♪
♪ Would deserve a fair promotion ♪
♪ Want to move ahead ♪
♪ But the boss won’t seem to let me ♪
♪ I swear sometimes that man is out to get me ♪
♪ 9 to 5, yeah ♪
♪ They got you where they want you ♪
♪ There’s a better life ♪
♪ And you think about it, don’t you? ♪
♪ It’s a rich man’s game No matter what they call it ♪
♪ And you spend your life Puttin’ money in his wallet ♪
♪ 9 to 5 What a way to make a livin’ ♪
♪ Barely gettin’ by It’s all takin’ and no givin’ ♪
♪ They’ll just use your mind ♪
♪ And they never give you credit ♪
♪ It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it ♪
[song fades out]
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[thunder rumbles]
[rain pattering]
[thunder rumbles]
