The Penguin
Season 1 – Episode 3
Episode title: Bliss
Original air date: October 7, 2024
Plot: In flashbacks, Victor is left orphaned after the seawall explosion drowns his family. In the present, Sofia introduces Oz to a new drug that was used on her and the other inmates at Arkham; Oz names it “Bliss”. Together they make a pitch to the Triads to help distribute the Bliss, but they refuse to do business with them unless they gain the support of Viti. Oz and Sofia blackmail Viti into giving them their support by catching him having sex with Luca’s wife and threatening to expose him. After he reluctantly gives them his support, the Triads enter into business with Oz and Sofia. Meanwhile, Victor is torn by his desire to leave Gotham with his girlfriend in pursuit of a better life, and staying with Oz to potentially become rich and powerful; he also fears that Oz will kill him if he tries to desert. When Oz learns of Victor’s intentions, he admits he genuinely respects him and allows him to leave. Victor chooses Oz over his girlfriend and returns to him, only to find he and Sofia held by the Maronis, who have realized Oz’s duplicity. Before a hitman can execute Oz, Victor deliberately crashes into the hitman and he escapes with Oz, but Sofia is abandoned to her fate with the Maronis.
* * *
[hip-hop music playing distantly]
[wind blowing]
[lively chatter nearby]
[traffic hums in background]
Hi.
I know, I know.
I’m late.
Don’t kill me.
No promises.
You ready? Everyone’s already on the roof.
I, uh… I gotta drop this off real quick.
But I’m gonna…
I’m gonna m-meet you up there.
Okay?
Alright.
Alright.
Be quick.
[Victor] I will.
[distant siren wailing]
[reporter] We begin with some breaking political news
on this Tuesday election night.
Twenty-eight-year-old candidate Bella Reál
is ahead of Acting Mayor Tomlin
by huge margins…
[door opens]
[Victor] Hey.
[woman speaking Spanish]
Hey, Ma.
[speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
Oof! [speaking Spanish]
[laughing]
[man speaking Spanish]
[in English] Just remember, it’s called arroz borracho,
not esposo borracho.
[mother exclaims]
[chuckling]
[Victor] These parts were hard to find, Pá.
Did you get them?
I think so.
You… wanted one of those, right?
[father] Ah, bueno.
Y… f… forty-twos. Like you said.
Ah, bien. Good man.
[father sighs]
[Victor] Hooked it up.
[father chopping rapidly]
[clicks tongue]
You know, M-Manny should
really be paying you extra, you know.
For finding special parts.
[food sizzling]
I mean, the guy’s got, like, three garages.
It could be real money for us.
Manny pays me well enough.
[girl] Vic is right.
He’s taking advantage of you, Papi.
You see?
You act like wanting more is a bad thing,
but, I mean, don’t you want a better life than this?
Victor.
If you remembered where we came from,
we have more than enough.
[pop music playing faintly]
[phone buzzing]
[Victor] Okay, uh, G-Graciela’s waiting for me.
I gotta go.
What about dinner?
Invite her here.
We have a lot of food.
No, no, no.
We’ll… I’ll eat later.
C-City Hall’s setting off fireworks f…
for the election so we’re just gonna watch from her roof.
Is Calvin going to be there?
Pá, you don’t even know him.
I know his cousin pushes drugs.
Okay, so?
Calvin’s n…
not a part of Squid’s crew.
[scoffs]
Can’t you just chill out for once
and let me see my friends?
Fine.
Go.
Alright.
God.
[door opens, slams shut]
[mother speaks Spanish]
[helicopter whirs]
…the guy then hops the curb.
He’s now skating down the sidewalk.
The owner’s still chasing him.
Now a dog starts chasing them too.
And then he turns a corner and blam!
A semi slams right into him.
Was the guy okay?
No. He’s dead.
The dog too.
Yo! [laughs]
Why are you telling us this?
‘Cause it was fucked up? I don’t know.
[man] Calvin!
Ayo!
[Calvin] Ayo, Squid!
[Squid] Calvin, what up, kid?
What’s up, boy?
[Squid] How you doing?
[Calvin] Good.
Got your re-up.
You got that good good?
Thank you. Appreciate it.
For you, man.
What up, Victor?
[all chattering]
[distant siren wailing]
[Graciela] I hate Squid.
[Victor] Yeah, I know. Sorry.
I didn’t know he’d be here.
I can’t wait to get out of this shithole.
You should get some flowers,
l-like I got over at my place.
R-really…
Really brightens up the brick walls.
[Graciela] Mm.
But I dunno.
From up here…
it’s kinda nice.
That’s ’cause you’re looking far away,
at the rich neighborhoods.
If you were out there looking back at Crown Point
you’d say, “Man, what a shithole.”
[laughs] Come on, I like it here.
You know, I do. This city, it’s…
This city’s wild.
It’s like anything could happen.
Is this you trying to be smooth?
[Victor laughs softly]
Is it working?
[loud booming]
[friends cheering]
The show’s starting.
[explosion booms nearby]
[man 1] Oh, my God!
[man 2] Holy shit!
[explosions booming]
[distant screams]
Are those bombs?
God, they’re everywhere.
[booming nearby]
Whoa! Get down!
[car alarms wailing]
[sirens wailing]
[rumbling]
[high-pitched vibrations sounding]
[somber, emotional music playing]
[loud booming]
[music swells]
[booming fades]
[low rumbling]
[somber music continues]
[inaudible]
[water whooshing and crashing]
[whooshing fades]
[thunder rumbling]
[rain pattering]
[music fades]
Gettin’ forehead grease all over my window, kid.
Sorry.
Tonight’s the night, Vic.
Sofia’s an elusive fuckin’ broad,
but she’s leadin’ us into a goldmine with Al’s new drug.
So then… you and, uh… you and… and…
S-Sofia, is that like…
Are we, uh, kinda… partners now?
Temporarily. Um…
Once Luca figures out that she don’t wanna play nice,
the Falcones will take care of her for us.
But by then, I’ll be runnin’ the whole damn trade.
Isn’t Luca her cousin?
[Oz] Uncle?
All these fucks are related, you know?
I mean, 60 years ago, two Sicilian brothers
jizzed all over the toe of that boot,
now I got three dozen Falcones breathin’ down my neck.
Kid.
Where’s your head at?
You still worked up about that jewel shit?
As far as I’m concerned, it’s ancient history.
I mean, you fucked up. Huge.
But ya learned, right?
It w-won’t happen again.
Good.
‘Cause I need your head in the game. [sniffs]
You’re driving me and Sofia tonight.
I’m-I’m-I’m…
driving both of you?
Yeah. Whaddaya think the new clothes are for?
You’re my guy. Can’t have you lookin’ like a schmuck.
[sighs]
Listen, I’m askin’ a lot of you.
I get it, and it just occurred to me
we never discussed your salary.
So…
[Oz counting softly]
Boom, there it is.
What do you say we start you on one a week, huh?
O-One thousand a week?
Are you serious?
And from now on, you want something, you ask for it.
How’s anyone supposed know your worth unless you tell ’em, huh?
I want two thousand.
[laughs]
That’s what I’m talking about.
[buzzer sounds]
But no. There she is.
[buzzer sounds]
[phone vibrates]
Fuck, Blackgate.
Gotta be Sal. I need to take this.
[Oz sighs]
Kid, buy me some time.
Hold on, Oz.
What if she asks about her brother? Or Castillo?
Tell her you had a hand in killing ’em both.
See what happens.
I’m fucking with you. She’s a pussycat.
She is the Hangman.
Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.
Hey, Sal.
[knock at door]
Man of the hour, I was just thinkin’ about you…
[exhales]
Did Nadia tell ya about that shit I got on Johnny Viti?
Yeah, I’m tryin’ to set something up,
but the Family’s on lockdown.
[knocking]
[thunder rumbling]
[whispers] Shit.
[breathes deeply]
Where’s Oz?
He’s, uh…
He’s just… He’s getting dressed right now.
Yup.
Welcome.
[smacks lips]
That’s, uh… That’s the remote for…
[romantic guitar music strikes up]
[Victor] Yeah.
[music stops]
Tacky.
Would you, uh… Do you wanna, uh, s-sit down?
I’d rather not.
So, where’d Oz find you?
I, uh…
did some, uh, work.
I, um, worked on one of his cars.
I mean, I worked on his car.
He thought that I-I did… uh, good,
and so he… hired me
as his driver.
You’re a mechanic?
Um, yeah. Uh, kind of, yes.
I, uh… I sort of…
[lighter clicking]
Um…
Then why can’t you work a lighter?
I think this thing’s broken actually.
That’s good.
What’s your name?
It’s Vi… uh, Victor.
[Victor sighs]
Victor, the young mechanic.
Oz used to be my driver. Did he tell you that?
I didn’t think so.
[door creaks]
There she is.
What’d I miss?
I like your place.
Thank you.
Understated.
Let’s go. [clears throat]
[Oz] Hey, ready?
[Victor] Mm-hmm.
Just us.
Sorry, Victor. It’s gonna be a long night.
I thought we was just picking up a shipment.
It’s something like that.
[Oz sniffs]
[Sofia] Come on.
You’re driving.
Just like old times.
Stay put.
[door opens]
You do anything stupid, I’ll sense it.
[line ringing]
[Graciela] Victor?
Hi. Where’ve you been?
[siren wailing]
[train clattering]
[men chattering]
Always a gentleman.
Wanna tell me what’s going on here?
I thought Alberto told you everything.
Well, Al wasn’t exactly a detail-oriented guy, you know?
Marco.
He told me he had big plans
and he needed my help with distro.
[man] How many more we got left?
[Sofia] As promised.
Perfect clarity. Untraceable.
[ominous music playing]
[Marco] Looks good, Ms. Falcone.
[cart rattling]
[zipping]
This it?
We got more.
Sorry about your brother.
Tell your men to be careful.
[man] Come on, let’s go.
Hey.
This shit… came from Arkham?
I thought this was all Al’s plan.
I know you did.
[upbeat rock music playing over speakers]
Oz, meet Trey Bloom. Our chemist.
Welcome, brother.
The fuck you cookin’ in here?
[Sofia] This way.
[Trey] Gorgeous product.
This substrate is making them fruit like wildfire.
[door clangs shut]
[sprinklers hissing]
Mushrooms?
[Sofia] Don’t!
They’re extremely fragile.
[Trey] Any change in the moisture or temperature
could wipe out the entire colony.
Oh yeah? The whole colony, huh?
Fuckin’ great. Hey, listen.
I know you been gone a while.
You can buy shrooms in any dorm room in Gotham.
It’s not exactly what I’d call, uh, revolutionary.
You have a very limited imagination.
[intriguing music playing]
Come here.
It’s not the mushrooms that we’re using.
[Trey] They’re the basidiospores.
The fuck d’you just say to me?
These are bleeding tooth fungi, a rare strain.
The psychoactive compound in the sap
creates a potent, euphoric stimulant.
It’s a completely different high.
So it’s a party drug.
[Sofia chuckles]
Sure.
I suppose.
And you took this shit in Arkham?
We have a small test batch ready,
and, um, after tonight,
we’re going to have a hell of a lot more.
Sure, but you can’t use your Family’s connects on this.
You know, not without Luca gettin’ wind.
That’s why you’re here.
You seem to know everybody’s business.
So, now’s your time to shine, Oz.
Find me a distributor and we’ll paint the town red.
[knock at door]
Hey.
Hi.
I’m sorry I didn’t call…
I’m just glad you’re safe.
[mellow R & B music playing on stereo]
Calvin’s not with you, is he?
[bottle cap pops]
He disappeared around the same time you did.
I thought maybe…
Uh… no, no.
I-I haven’t seen him.
Thanks.
So, you just drive this club owner around,
and he lets you stay here?
[chuckles]
Uh, pretty much, yeah.
[both laugh]
Um, shit, sorry.
Hang on…
[Graciela laughs]
I-I… It’s, um… you know.
It’s okay, I get it.
Okay.
Good.
[laughs]
Yo, this place is bougie.
[Victor chuckles]
It is.
And you are too now.
I’m bougie?
Mm-mmm. [laughs]
You look good.
I missed you.
I’m leaving, Victor.
I’m going to California.
[stammers] Wh…
Why?
Why-Why… would you do that?
‘Cause our school is underwater
and I don’t wanna live in a FEMA camp anymore.
Yeah, but your… you…
I mean…
your-your-your life is here.
Not anymore.
Our families are dead.
We gotta take care of ourselves now.
When?
When-When are you going?
Tomorrow night.
Alright.
I’m taking a bus out.
[Victor murmurs]
You hungry? I…
I got us, uh…
pizza if you want a… if you want a slice.
[Graciela] Victor.
Hey.
You’ve got a good thing going here.
I’m really happy for you.
‘Cause, like…
this is what you want. Right?
[inhales sharply]
‘Cause…
you-you could come with me.
We could start over.
Really?
Yeah.
I don’t… I don’t…
I don’t, uh…
I’m not sure that…
[sighs]
I’m not sure that he’d let me go.
Who? Your boss?
Why would he care?
[Victor sighs]
He’s not just like a… a club owner.
He’s, um…
He’s like a gangster.
Oh.
If I took off, I don’t think that, um…
It’s weird, it’s like, uh…
He kind of likes having me around.
He’s kinda… he’s kinda lonely.
And I’ve seen stuff.
You know, stuff that I-I shouldn’t have,
so if left, I don’t know
what he would do.
Then… you definitely shouldn’t stay.
I mean, nothing good can come
from working for a guy like that.
That is not who you are.
You sound like my dad.
Sorry.
No, no.
It’s not a bad thing.
[phone buzzing]
Oh, no.
Um… Shit.
Uh, he…
He’s on his way back, so you gotta go.
What?
Yeah.
Wait.
Um…
Here. Take this.
Whoa, that’s…
No, no, listen.
Stay somewhere nice.
And get me a ticket.
Really?
Yeah. I’m gonna meet you at Gotham Station.
Okay.
Okay.
Are you gonna tell your boss, or…?
I’m gonna figure that out.
[soft music playing]
Okay.
Okay.
I’ll text you.
Okay.
Okay.
Alright.
[breathing rapidly]
[insects chirring]
[Viti] Sofia.
Where you been?
What’s with all the muscle?
And all the cars outside?
We all gotta lay low until shit dies down.
That’s your grand plan?
Our men are being gunned down
by the Maronis in broad daylight, but…
you’re throwing a fuckin’ sleepover.
This business ain’t your business.
Take a fuckin’ hint.
Luca, he’s the head of the Family now.
Okay? So, when he tells you to go to Italy,
you get on a fucking plane.
Did you print this out yourself?
[scoffs]
Look, honey,
I know you’re not right in the head.
I mean, that’s pretty damn clear.
But I’m not scared of you.
All I see is a spoiled brat who got what she deserved.
[inhales]
[sighs] Thank you.
[paper crumples]
I appreciate this.
I just need some time to get…
Two days.
Then you go to Italy.
Or I tell people that’s where you went.
[car horns honking]
[loud traffic humming]
[hip-hop music plays, then stops]
[Oz] Vic, grab the case.
Chop chop!
[car door shuts]
[hip-hop music plays nearby]
[Sofia] Chinatown, huh?
You’re aware my father pushed the Triads out of the drug game?
Yeah, I was there, doll.
But we need someone who ain’t gonna rat us out
as soon as we tell ’em our plan, you know?
Come on. There it is.
[bottles clinking]
What’s all this?
Little hospitality gift for my pal Link Tsai.
A Triad deputy who runs their clubs.
We’re friendly.
Why are we wasting our time with a deputy?
Feng Zhao is the Dai Lo,
the only person that can authorize a partnership.
We don’t got a relationship with Feng Zhao, do we?
You got me, I got Link.
Kid, keep your eye on the bag.
[hip-hop playing on stereo]
[Oz] Hey.
[man] We’re closed.
[men speaking Mandarin]
[Oz] How ya doin’?
I’m Oz.
We’re here to see Link Tsai.
[Oz clears his throat]
There you go.
Got it?
It’s in the back.
Didn’t know you were carrying.
Well, I figured you were, so…
Oh, this is unreal.
Maybe next time, call ahead.
Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness.
I told you not to show your face till you had my money.
Link, brought you some top-shelf from the 44.
My best shit.
You think I give a fuck?
I sent you a whole truck of cigarettes.
Where’s my cut?
You think I’d come here empty-handed?
Come on, we both know that if I ever truly left you hangin’
there’d be a bullet between my eyes.
I got a real opportunity for you here,
but it’s kinda hard to focus with a gun pointed at my face.
[in Mandarin]
[in English] Sofia Falcone.
We’ve never met, but I know who you are.
Good for you.
This… is why we’re here.
[Oz] We’re calling it…
Bliss.
[indistinct chatter in background]
[Victor] Hey, Oz… [sighs]
So…
there’s this girl, and, uh…
she means a lot to me.
And-And you do too.
You know I’m not a rat. Right?
You know I’d never…
If I… If I ever saw anything…
I would never say anything…
He’s gonna kill me.
He’s gonna kill me.
[brakes squealing]
[indistinct radio chatter]
[siren chirps]
[Victor] Shit.
[car door shuts]
[breathing rapidly]
[inhales sharply]
[tense music playing]
[knocking loudly]
[policeman] Step out of the car, son.
What, uh…
W-W… Um…
Wha… W-What did I do?
You nervous?
No, I just-just, um…
I-I s… uh…
s-s-stutter sometimes.
You’re idling in a loading zone. Turn around.
I can just move the…
Turn around.
Hands on the hood.
Uh…
[policeman] Is this your car?
It’s my boss’s car.
Pretty flashy.
That’s a lot of money for a kid to be carrying around.
I don’t know w-what you’re talking about.
I don’t have any money.
[music fades]
Guess not.
Soon as your boss is back, get outta here.
[receding footsteps]
[Link] No fucking way.
You seriously trying to sell me on a… a coup?
The two of you are gonna take over the Falcone Family
in the middle of a gang war?
A coup?
[chuckles]
What are you, readin’ books or something?
No, what we got goin’ is more of a corporate restructure.
[Sofia] Mm-hmm.
And we ain’t goin’ at it alone.
We got support from within the Family.
You do?
‘Course.
You think we’d walk in without our shit on lock?
Come on.
[Link] Who?
Who?
[Link] Yeah, who?
Johnny Viti.
[dishes clinking in background]
That’s bullshit.
[Oz] Fuck you, bullshit.
Luca Falcone’s underboss is backing you?
He’s backing me.
Johnny is my mother’s cousin.
He and I are very close.
He also knows that Bliss is a game changer.
[Oz] Uh-huh.
And that Luca…
doesn’t have the balls to see it through.
That’s true.
Look how he mishandled our Drops operation.
Disaster.
Embarrassing.
[Oz] Yeah, that’s right.
Zhao’s gonna need proof.
What does he want, a letter of recommendation?
A phone call would suffice.
From Johnny Viti, directly.
Or are you full of shit as usual, Oz?
Nah, my word’s good.
But since your face don’t seem to agree…
[scoffs]
…I’ll have Viti give the old man a ring,
let him know we’re all pals here.
And once he does, you’re gonna get us
an audience with Mr. Zhao.
And you’re gonna do it tonight.
Right here.
We’ll set up a trial run for the drug.
[Oz] And when it all goes off without a hitch,
we’ll, uh, you know, get you a fair price.
That’s right.
I always knew it was a matter of time before you made a move, Oz.
Didn’t think it would come like this.
Assuming that you hold up your end,
I’ll get you a sit-down with the Dai Lo.
After that,
it’s outta my hands.
[Link clears his throat]
[receding footsteps]
[whispers] There it is.
What aren’t you telling me about Johnny Viti?
Look at you. You’re havin’ fun, I can tell.
Oz. I don’t… Oz.
[chuckles]
Alright, listen. Jesus. I got a plan.
Okay? You’re just gonna have to trust me.
[tense music playing]
[music fades]
[laughs] You musta pissed yourself.
So then what? Cop finds your money…?
Right, so he-he finds my money and I said, uh…
I said… I go, “I don’t have any money.”
And he just took it.
He took the whole fuckin’ G?
[chuckles]
[laughs] The motherfucker!
Well, that’s the cost of doin’ business, kid.
Welcome to the life!
[women chattering indistinctly]
[light chamber music playing]
So, Oz…
Have we made any decisions?
I’ll take the coq au vin. Do that again.
Vic?
Uh, right.
I’ll do the, uh, the-the steak f… um… [stutters]
Um, the steak, uh… f…
Steak f-f…
[waiter] Steak frites.
Hey.
Don’t do that.
The man was speakin’. Let him finish.
I apologize.
Please.
Yeah, no, the, uh…
steak f…
Uh…
…frites. Steak frites, thanks.
Right away, sir.
“Sir.” He’s trying to save his tip.
You know, you don’t got to do that.
Yeah, I know. You should do it.
Fuck what they think.
Let ’em wait.
You know, take up space.
You got fight in you, Vic.
You gotta let it out.
What did your, uh…
What’d your parents do?
What line of work were they in?
Well, my mom,
she was a, uh… a home health aide.
Yeah?
And, uh…
my dad, he was a mechanic.
Oh, okay.
But in… in his heart,
the man was a chef.
Chef?
[laughs] Yeah, loved to cook.
Is that right?
Yeah.
It was mostly, um,
M-Mexican and Dominican stuff.
[Oz] Yeah, yeah.
Like carnitas and sancocho…
[chuckles] Beautiful.
Things like that.
Yeah, yeah. Um… But, man, I mean,
he would’ve got a kick out of this place too.
The-The s-snails and-and the oysters…
You know, it’s, uh… it’s nice.
And I-I don’t think…
I don’t think he ever got to eat in a lot of
n-nice restaurants.
That ain’t right.
That ain’t fucking right.
Look… Fuck.
The world ain’t set up for the honest man to succeed.
Mechanic’s a good job.
That should be the American dream right there.
You know, a beautiful story with a happy ending.
But that ain’t the way the world works, Vic.
America’s a hustle.
What was his name?
[somber music playing]
Juan.
Juan Ramon Aguilar.
To Juan Ramon Aguilar.
He raised a good son.
Your dad would be proud of you, Vic.
[ominous music playing]
[softly] All right. It’s go time.
Hiya, Tina.
Oz. What are you doing here?
I need a favor.
It’s gonna sting.
[tense, dramatic music playing]
[bell dings]
[Oz] Took ya long enough.
Afraid he’ll finish early?
[Oz laughs]
[lock beeps]
[moaning]
[Oz] Congratulations on the nuptials.
What the fuck?
Get out.
[Oz] How’s the fuckin’ going, Johnny?
[Sofia] Tina.
Don’t forget your panties.
[door opens, closes]
[Oz chuckles]
One word about this to Luca, I swear…
And what, Johnny? What’re you gonna do?
Your ghost will haunt me?
[Sofia chuckles]
I gotta say, fuckin’ the Boss’s wife?
I mean, that’s bush league.
So what? Are you two working together now?
Oz is working for me.
[Viti] Are you fucking serious?
You’re going against Luca to back a psychopath?
You’re gonna back her too, Viti. That’s why we’re here.
And I don’t think she appreciates
you calling her a psycho.
He’s absolutely right. I don’t.
Here’s what’s gonna happen.
You are gonna get Feng Zhao on the line.
You’re gonna tell him you sat down with me and Sofia
and that we got your support.
Sound good?
Are you fuckin’ nuts?
You want me to lie to the head of the Triads?
Doesn’t have to be a lie,
dependin’ on which way you wanna play it.
We could all get rid of Luca together, right?
That’s right.
Think about it. I get rich.
Sofia gets the Family.
You get to fuck Tina’s brains out
on a beach with white sand.
Sounds pretty good.
Don’t it? What do you say?
Sofia, I thought you knew better than to trust this asshole.
Especially after what he did to you.
[Oz] What I did to her?
Fuck you… Shut the fuck up, Johnny.
After you got locked up, Carmine let him run the 44,
but he never respected him.
And I bet you don’t respect him either, do you?
Hmm?
[tense music playing]
You’re fun at a card game, or over drinks.
I’ll give you that. But people don’t keep you around
because they think you’re smart.
And they sure as shit don’t trust you.
Nah…
People keep the Penguin around as entertainment,
because everybody knows you’re a goddamn joke.
[Oz] You fuck!
[Viti groans]
This fuckin’ funny to you, huh? You scumbag!
You and the Family, hangin’ Sofia out to dry, huh?
You lowlife, two-timin’ fuckin’ coward, Viti.
[tooth cracking]
[grunting]
[music fades]
[Viti coughs]
[Viti panting]
Here.
Make the fucking call.
[upbeat electronic dance music playing]
[people cheering]
Alright, listen up.
Tonight we’re bringin’ something new
to the good people of Gotham.
It’s a party drug called Bliss.
That’s why I asked you ladies here.
You’re the best fuckin’ salespeople I know.
[all giggling]
Gonna start at 20 a hit.
Vic here is gonna be our bagman for the night.
So if any of you ladies need to re-up,
you go to him.
He’ll take your cash,
and I’ll get you back before last call.
[woman 1] Alright, cool.
Security knows who you are.
Any trouble, you go straight to them. Understood?
Get out there and make us a fuck ton of money.
Go on, do your thing!
[woman 2] Let’s go, girls!
[woman 3] We on it, baby!
[woman laughs]
[Oz] Hey, kid.
Remember, alright? They want what you got.
Not the other way around.
Shoulders back. Take up space, okay?
Hey, hey, hey.
Kid…
I wouldn’t ask you to do this
if I didn’t know you could handle it.
I believe in you, kid.
Got it?
Mm-hmm.
Get outta here.
Where you going?
Powder my nose.
[Oz] Yeah?
[departing footsteps]
[dance music continues]
Inspiring speech.
Thank you.
Think it will do the trick?
[Oz] Fuckin’ hope so.
Feng Zhao will be here soon. Hope he likes what he sees.
We’re gonna be untouchable.
I can’t tell who wants this more.
Me or you.
I want this for you.
You say all the right things, don’t you, Oz?
Listen, Zhao’s gonna wanna see that we’re serious,
that we’re a team.
Was it worth it?
[Oz] What’s that?
What you did to me.
Was it worth it?
Did you get everything that you wanted?
‘Cause it seems like you just… you-you want more.
Who’s talkin’ here?
You or Johnny Viti? He’s got you eatin’ outta his hand…
He didn’t say anything I don’t already know.
Come on!
We’re so close to gettin’ what you want.
Let’s not…
I asked you a question.
Jesus! It’s been ten fuckin’ years!
I know how long it’s been,
and I am not some ignorant kid
you can play with anymore.
That ain’t what I’m…
Zhao is here to see me.
Not my former driver.
Remember that.
[“I Came for the Low” by ZHU playing]
[people laughing]
[Cin] Hey! Vicky!
I need more.
[Victor] How much?
More!
Here you go.
[electronic dance music continues]
Got something for you.
For the boys at the table. [laughs]
Yo, you the man with the shit?
Yup, that’s me.
[man] It’s good shit, man.
We gave your girl 200.
[Victor] Here you go.
[Sofia] There is no better feeling,
and there’s nothing else like it.
People can see that. They can feel it.
And that translates into dollars, Mr. Zhao.
[Oz] We’ve raised the price twice already.
It hasn’t affected sales.
We’re projectin’ sixty a hit.
Sixty a fuckin’ hit? On the first night?
It’s unheard of.
Imagine the future.
Our drug, your clubs, your casinos…
You see it?
There’s certainly a lot of potential
to your plan, Ms. Falcone.
I won’t deny that.
But even if you have the support of the underboss,
the risk here is too great.
[sniffs] Why is that?
The Falcones have a history with the Triads.
I’m sure you’re aware.
My father pushed you out.
He relegated you to Chinatown. I know.
[grumbles]
When he died, I opened a bottle of champagne.
And as soon as I had the chance, I danced on his grave.
We have more in common than you might think.
[sighs]
Still… him I knew.
But you…
How can I trust you
when I know where you’ve been?
My time in Arkham gives you pause.
I appreciate that.
But I’m not the only one with a past.
I’ve done some digging on you, Mr. Zhao.
Before your father was driven out of Taiwan by the CCP,
he was a psychologist. Isn’t that right?
It is.
Then you would agree
that most drug use is rooted in psychological need?
I would agree that everything humans do
is rooted in psychological need.
Then I would ask you to examine this opportunity more closely.
Look at them.
Their city has been decimated.
Our former mayor was assassinated.
A madman flooded our streets.
[people laughing]
[Sofia] People lost their homes.
[phone buzzing]
[Sofia] Their families.
The world as they knew it is gone.
[Roxy] Hey! Bagman!
[laughing]
Come on, let’s dance!
[Victor] I have to get back to work.
Take a break.
[people cheering]
[Victor] Roxy, really.
[loud booming]
[Graciela] The show’s starting!
[loud cheering]
[intense dance music playing]
[loud booming]
[explosion echoing]
[explosions booming]
[emotional music playing]
[rumbling]
[shockwave whooshing]
[Victor grunts]
[vials clinking]
[loud booming]
[high-pitched vibrations sounding]
[exhales, breathes rapidly]
[explosions continue]
[people screaming]
[water rushing]
[sobbing]
[soundscape distorting]
[Victor continues sobbing]
[Graciela] Victor…
[intense dance music resumes]
Victor!
Honey, what is wrong with you?
Shit’s everywhere.
Keep it together. Alright?
Yeah.
Uh-huh.
[vials clinking]
[Sofia] These people need to escape.
And nothing delivers a better escape than Bliss.
[music quiets]
That’s why they gave it to us in Arkham.
It made us content, submissive.
Any pain that we had just floated away,
allowing us to forget where we were.
It’s a very powerful drug,
and whoever controls it will control
the future of the drug trade in Gotham.
But if you are not interested…
it’s fine.
I can go to the Neon Dragons or the Odessa Mob.
I, uh… I don’t much care who our sales reps are.
[Oz scoffs] What the fuck are you doin’?
He’s seen what we have.
Make the deal or don’t. I’ll be downstairs.
[water splashes]
[breathing rapidly]
[softly] Come on. Come on.
[exhales, panting] Calm down.
Calm down. Calm down.
[dance music continues in background]
Okay.
[phone buzzing]
[door opens]
[Oz] There he is. Been lookin’ for ya.
The deal is done. The Triads are in.
Goddamn, it was sweet!
We’re so close to the finish line, Vic,
but we gotta play it safe.
I still got the Maronis on my ass.
But you.
You’re the bagman.
You held your own tonight.
I’m proud of you, Vic. Proud of you.
Come on. I told Roxy to order some bottles.
The good stuff.
[phone buzzes]
[Vic clears his throat]
Give it to me.
Oz…
Now, goddammit!
You goin’ somewhere?
With my fuckin’ money?
With the money?
Whoa, no, I wouldn’t…
We’re this fuckin’ close!
And you wanna bail? For what? A piece of ass?
Oz, it’s not her.
[phone clatters]
All right? It’s not her. It’s…
It’s the f…
It’s the f-f…
Jesus, kid!
It’s everything, alright? It’s everything.
I do everything that you ask me to do.
Alright? I do it all. I try…
I try to, at least.
It’s just…
I-I don’t know if I should.
What? You too good for this life?
Huh? That it?
That’s funny, comin’ from you.
You wanna go, what are ya waiting for?
Fuckin’ go.
I c… I can’t leave.
The fuck? You think I’m holdin’ you hostage or somethin’?
That what? You’re my fuckin’ prisoner?
That it?
Hey, hey, hey.
This what it feels like?
No.
Being with me?
What did you have?
Oz…
Before I found you, huh, kid?
[Victor] Hey, hey… Please…
Fuckin’ nothin’, that’s what.
A loser.
I don’t…
A goddamn nobody.
I gave you clothes, money, a place to crash.
You got all the opportunity in the world right fuckin’ here,
for Christ’s sake.
But this.
This is all you feel?
You coulda left whenever you wanted.
But you chose to stay.
How ’bout you ask yourself why.
[grunts]
Oz, I don’t…
Nah, let me help.
You stayed
’cause you want somethin’ better.
You want more than your father ever had.
No. [sobbing]
My dad would be ashamed of me.
You wanna know what’s shameful, Vic?
Workin’ your whole goddamn life,
having nothin’ to show for it.
You still think there’s good and bad?
Right and wrong?
There ain’t.
There’s just this.
Survival.
Security. Pleasure.
They don’t give out awards for dying in the projects.
Fuck you.
Fuck me?!
Fuck the goddamn world!
They don’t give a shit about you
or your family.
You think you’re nothin’, you are nothin’.
Till the day you die. I thought you were smart.
But that’s the life you want, guess what, Vic?
Good news. You already got it.
[somber music playing]
So go, get the fuck outta here.
You don’t deserve this.
[“Broken Belief” by Bob Moses playing]
[sirens wailing]
[car engine sputtering]
[car lock clicks]
[engine starts, revs]
[tires squeal]
[ice rattling]
♪ We live in the era of purpose ♪
♪ We live in the era of youth ♪
♪ When the wise man’s warning is worthless ♪
♪ I’m just a poor boy begging for truth ♪
♪ We live in the era of purpose ♪
♪ We live in the era of youth ♪
♪ When the wise man’s warning is worthless ♪
♪ I’m just a poor boy begging for truth ♪
♪ So, baby, you say that we’re free ♪
♪ Oh, come on ♪
♪ You’ve taken what you wanted from me ♪
♪ Ahh ♪
♪ You’ve kept me ♪
♪ Down on my knees for so long ♪
♪ A victim of your broken belief ♪
♪ Ahh ♪
♪ Now there’s a crack in the surface ♪
♪ Something dark is seeping through ♪
♪ We live in the land of the many ♪
♪ We live in the grip of the few ♪
♪ There’s a poor girl crying for justice ♪
♪ There’s a rich man playing the fool ♪
♪ All the wise men longing for purpose ♪
♪ And they’re all just looking to you ♪
♪ So, baby, you say that we’re free ♪
♪ Oh, come on… ♪
[music continues inside club]
Is it done?
The Triads are in.
[sniffs]
You don’t seem too excited.
Trauma sells.
Come on. We fuckin’ did it.
We should celebrate.
I’m sure that you’ll manage just fine without me.
Jesus Christ. Fine.
I fucked you over.
That what you wanna hear?
Tell me that’s not your attempt at an apology.
I didn’t know what Carmine would do.
I knew somethin’, but…
fuckin’ Arkham?
His own flesh and blood?
I swear, I thought I was lookin’ out for you.
Bullshit.
You ratted me out.
I ain’t no rat!
And I’m not the Hangman.
You see the way people look at me. Right?
I know you do.
And what was it all for? Hmm?
For what? So you could what?
Become a capo?
You’re not even a made man.
Yeah, you’re right.
I ain’t.
I still made out like a goddamn bandit.
And you know what?
It was worth it.
You asked.
That’s my fuckin’ answer.
I got the club, a Drops operation to run,
my own thing.
A guy like me?
Gettin’ all that?
That don’t mean nothin’ to you, but it does to me.
Meant I could have a better life.
So yeah. Yeah.
I don’t regret what I got.
[laughs softly]
Wow.
You know, but I am sorry.
I’m fuckin’ sorry for everything that’s happened to you.
Jesus.
You meant something to me.
Still do.
And I fucked it up.
[sniffles]
And that I ain’t never gonna live down.
[sniffles]
I don’t know where to go from here.
I don’t know how to trust you.
How ’bout I keep showin’ you how.
[vehicle approaching]
[tires screeching]
[man] Don’t move. Don’t fucking move.
[tense music playing]
Oz, you think you can play us?
We’ve been watching you, motherfucker.
[percussive beat layers over tense music]
[emotional music playing]
[emotional music swells]
[gear shift clunks]
Holy shit.
[tires squealing]
[engine revs]
[man groans]
[car alarm wailing]
[horn blaring]
[groaning]
[rapid percussive beat resumes]
[gunshots]
Kid, go! We gotta fucking go! Now!
W-What about Sofia?
Fuck! Leave her.
[dramatic music playing]
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[scattered gunfire]
Goddammit, Vic! I knew you’d come back!
I fucking knew it!
This is some fuckin’ balls!
That was incredible, kid.
Jesus! We’re in it now, Vic. We’re in it now.
[music halts]
[“Me and the Devil” by Gil Scott-Heron plays]
♪ Me and the devil ♪
♪ Walkin’ side by side ♪
♪ Me and the devil ♪
♪ Walkin’ side by side ♪
♪ And I’m gonna see my woman ♪
♪ Until I get satisfied ♪
♪ See, see, you don’t see why ♪
♪ Like you’a dog me ’round ♪
♪ You may bury my body ♪
♪ Down by the highway side ♪
♪ You may bury my body ♪
♪ Down by the highway side ♪
♪ So my old evil spirit can ♪
♪ Catch a Greyhound bus and ride ♪
[music fades]
[tense, dramatic music playing]
[music fades]
